Yanks' Lagrange flashes triple-digit heat in Spring Breakout
SARASOTA, Fla. -- There was an audible “Ooh” from the crowd at Ed Smith Stadium, and Carlos Lagrange quickly glanced beyond the right-field wall, checking the velocity of the pitch he’d just thrown in Saturday’s 5-4 Spring Breakout loss to the Orioles. It had registered in the triple digits, and
SARASOTA, Fla. -- There was an audible “Ooh” from the crowd at Ed Smith Stadium, and Carlos Lagrange quickly glanced beyond the right-field wall, checking the velocity of the pitch he’d just thrown in Saturday’s 5-4 Spring Breakout loss to the Orioles.
It had registered in the triple digits, and the 6-foot-7 Yankees right-hander grinned. That was exactly what he’d hoped to showcase.
“This was a really big opportunity for me,” Lagrange said through an interpreter. “It meant a lot. It was an opportunity to prove to myself and to everybody else that I’m a good pitcher and that I can throw strikes.”
Rated as the Yankees’ No. 19 prospect by MLB Pipeline, the 21-year-old Lagrange’s big arm impressed in a four-inning performance against Baltimore’s top farmhands. He allowed two runs (one earned) and two hits, including Vance Honeycutt’s inside-the-park home run in the fourth inning.
📩 SUBSCRIBE TO THE BASEBALL TRAVELER NEWSLETTER
Lagrange settled in after experiencing first-inning jitters, coming after he permitted a leadoff single to Enrique Bradfield Jr. Lagrange threw errantly on a pickoff attempt down the right-field line, seeing Bradfield advance to third base, then uncorked a wild pitch that sent Bradfield home.
But Lagrange then retired the following 11 batters, two via strikeout, and did not walk any -- which represents an important next step in his development.
He issued 20 walks in 21 innings last season, when he posted a 6.86 ERA in nine games (eight starts) for the Florida Complex League Yankees and Single-A Tampa.
Asked how he recovered following Bradfield’s race around the bases, Lagrange replied: “I just tried to do what I always do -- try to keep the same rhythm going. The same things that we always do when we train in the complex. This is baseball. Things are going to happen.”
Signed for $10,000 out of the Dominican Republic in February 2022, Lagrange missed most of last season with back inflammation. He was much sharper in the Arizona Fall League, where he made strides he hopes to carry into the season.
“We have a lot of good pitchers in our organization, so when I got the news [about starting the Spring Breakout game], it felt incredible,” Lagrange said.
The Vandy boys
There was a Vanderbilt presence to the Spring Breakout game right to the finish, as the Yankees’ Spencer Jones and Greysen Carter posed for photos at home plate with fellow alums Enrique Bradfield Jr. and Patrick Reilly of the Orioles.
A fifth Vandy alum, Bryce Cunningham, was tossing in the bullpen after surrendering Leandro Arias’ walk-off hit. The Yankees’ loss meant Jones (Yanks' No. 3) won’t cash in his friendly wager with Bradfield for a medium-rare steak, but Jones said the experience was still a good time.
“Oh dude, it’s awesome when I get to see my former college teammates, especially now in professional baseball,” Jones said. “We competed against each other so many times, even at school, so this is the greatest thing ever.”
Jones, who went 1-for-2 with a double and a run scored, lauded Carter as “one of the strongest people I’ve ever seen in my life in the weight room” and said Cunningham (Yanks' No. 6) is “your typical SEC competitor; he’s going to come right after you and throw all his pitches for strikes.”
Jesús Rodríguez knocks in Spencer Jones 👏@NYYPlayerDev | #SpringBreakout pic.twitter.com/071JFNpeVl
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 15, 2025
As for Bradfield, who dashed around the bases to score Baltimore’s first run of the night, Jones offered this scouting report: “I think it’s a well-known fact that Enrique Bradfield can run.” (Performances like Saturday’s should make that clear to a larger audience.)
An unofficial debut
Ben Hess was the Yankees’ first-round selection (26th overall) in last year’s MLB Draft out of the University of Alabama, and Saturday’s contest marked the 22-year-old’s first time pitching in front of a crowd in a professional uniform.
“It was super cool to get to throw in front of fans, seeing another uniform in the box,” said Hess, the Yankees' No. 4 prospect. “I would have liked it to go a little better, but it was a great time.”
Entering for the fifth inning, Hess retired the first four batters he faced, including a nifty sliding stop by third baseman Jesus Rodriguez that robbed Jud Fabian of a hit.
Smooth play by Jesús Rodríguez 🔥@NYYPlayerDev | #SpringBreakout pic.twitter.com/SCKvqRpoFg
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 15, 2025
Hess walked one and struck out three; he was also struck in the left calf by a Bradfield comebacker that led to the Orioles scoring a run in the sixth, saying he’d likely be sore for a couple of days.
Otherwise, Hess said the adjustment from college to pro life has been “really fun,” and that his focus for the upcoming season will be on winning games.
“I think sometimes that can get a little overlooked going through the development system,” Hess said. “First and foremost, I want to get some wins and throw well, [and] make all my starts.”
Senior Reporter Bryan Hoch has covered the Yankees for MLB.com since 2007.
2025 Nick Adenhart Memorial Scholarship Now Open
Cedar Rapids, IA – The Cedar Rapids Kernels and Kernels Foundation are pleased to announce the 2025 Nick Adenhart Memorial Scholarship Application is now open. Nick's family and the Kernels Foundation would like to honor him by awarding two $1000 scholarships in his memory. The Kernels Foundation is privileged to
2025 Cedar Rapids Kernels Coaching Staff Announced
Cedar Rapids, IA - In conjunction with the Minnesota Twins, the Cedar Rapids Kernels are pleased to announce the Kernels 2025 coaching staff. Manager Brian Meyer joins the Kernels for his first season at the helm in Cedar Rapids, replacing Brian Dinkelman who managed the Kernels each of the last
CEO of Cedar Rapids Ball Club Announces Retirement
Cedar Rapids, Iowa (23 December 2024) – The Cedar Rapids Baseball Club (CRBC), owners of both the Cedar Rapid Kernels and the Waterloo Bucks baseball teams announce plans for the retirement of CRBC’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Doug Nelson. “It has been an honor to be part of the Cedar
IHSAA 3A and 4A State Baseball Tournament to Return to Cedar Rapids in 2026
Cedar Rapids, IA - The IHSAA Class 3A and 4A State Baseball Tournament will be held at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids for 2026, 2027, and 2028. The Kernels also hosted the 2024 IHSAA 3A and 4A State Baseball Tournament. "We are thrilled to have the opportunity to host
Wisconsin Routs Cedar Rapids 10-3, Kernels Finish the 2024 Season 67-63
Cedar Rapids, IA - Wisconsin scored three times in the top of the first inning and never looked back, taking the season finale over the Kernels 10-3 Sunday afternoon. After not scoring a run in the Cedar Rapids win on Saturday, Wisconsin did not waste time getting on the scoreboard
Prielipp, Castro Dominate, Kernels Blow it Open Late in 11-0 Win Over Wisconsin
Cedar Rapids, IA - Connor Prielipp and Ricky Castro combined to produce the Kernels sixth shutout of the year, while the offense scored ten runs in the eighth as Cedar Rapids blew out Wisconsin 11-0 Saturday night. In a game that began as a pitchers' duel, Connor Prielipp made his
Rudy Shines, Timber Rattlers Top Kernels 3-2
Cedar Rapids, IA - Wisconsin starter Will Rudy did not allow a run across six innings of work, earning the win as the Timber Rattlers topped the Kernels 3-2 Friday night. After the Kernels struck first in each of the first three games of the series, Wisconsin got on the
Kernels Take Down Timber Rattlers 5-3, Clinch 11th Consecutive Over .500 Season
Cedar Rapids, IA - Cedar Rapids took a 5-0 lead it would never lose Thursday night as the Kernels topped Wisconsin 5-3, clinching a better than .500 record on the year for the 11th straight season. After Cedar Rapids opened a 3-0 lead in the win on Wednesday, the Kernels
Gonzalez the Hero, Kernels Walk-Off Wisconsin 4-3
Cedar Rapids, IA - With two outs in the top of the tenth inning, Gabriel Gonzalez lifted a double to left, plating the game-winning run to lift the Kernels over the Timber Rattlers 4-3 Wednesday night. After scoring just one run in the series opener on Tuesday, the Kernels offense
Timber Rattlers Top Kernels in a Pitcher’s Duel 2-1
Cedar Rapids, IA - Felix Valerio’s eighth-inning two-run home run gave Wisconsin just enough offense as the Timber Rattlers eked out a 2-1 win over the Kernels Tuesday night. In his final start with the Kernels this season, Ty Langenberg was great to begin the night on the mound. Langenberg
Captains Top Kernels in Series Finale 6-3
Eastlake, OH - Lake County struck for three home runs as the Captains knocked off the Kernels 6-3 in the series finale Sunday afternoon. After a walk-off win on Saturday, the Captains got on the board first to begin Sunday. To begin the top of the third, Jonah Advincula singled,
Rivas the Hero, Captains Walk-Off Kernels 4-3
Eastlake, OH - In a tied game with the bases loaded and one out in the ninth, Kevin Rivas lined a single into left field, lifting the Captains to a 4-3 walk-off win over Cedar Rapids Saturday night. In game five of the set, Cedar Rapids got on the board
Lake County Scores Six Times in the Third, Captains Top Kernels 7-4
Eastlake, OH - Lake County broke a 1-1 tie with six runs in the bottom of the third inning and never looked back in a 7-4 win over Cedar Rapids Friday night. After back-to-back Kernels wins, Lake County got on the board first on Friday. Angel Genao opened the bottom
Kernels Score Four Unanswered, Knock Off Lake County 5-2
Eastlake, OH - After falling behind 2-1 in the first inning, the Kernels scored the game’s final four runs as Cedar Rapids topped Lake County for the second straight night, 5-2. After opening a 7-0 lead in the win on Wednesday, the Kernels again jumped on top first on Thursday.
Clayton Homers, Langenberg Dominates, Kernels Top Captains 7-5
Eastlake, OH - Matthew Clayton blasted a grand slam, and Ty Langenberg notched six scoreless innings as the Kernels opened a 7-0 lead they would never lose in a 7-5 win over Lake County Wednesday afternoon. After falling behind early in the loss on Tuesday, the Kernels climbed on the
Dragons Lead Wire-to-Wire, Top Kernels 7-2
Dayton, OH - Dayton scored three times in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back Sunday afternoon, topping the Kernels for the fifth time in the set, 7-2. After the Kernels opened up a 3-0 lead on Saturday, it was the Dragons that hopped on the board
Kernels Score Three in the Tenth, Down Dayton 7-4
Dayton, OH - Walker Jenkins delivered a go-ahead RBI double, and Nate Baez put the game away with a two-run home run in the tenth inning as the Kernels grabbed their first win in Dayton, 7-4 in ten innings. After falling behind 7-0 in the loss Friday, the Kernels flipped
Collier Slugs Three Home Runs, Dragons Top Kernels 11-4
Dayton, OH - Dayton Third Baseman Cam Collier blasted three home runs as the Dragons powered past the Kernels 11-4 Friday night. After a walk-off win in game three of the series on Thursday, it didn’t take long for the Dragons to hop on the board on Friday. In the
Kernels Comeback Falls Short, Dayton Walks-Off Cedar Rapids 5-4
Dayton, OH - With one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, Hector Rodriguez delivered a walk-off single, plating Carter Graham as the Dragons grabbed their third straight win over the Kernels, 5-4. After Cedar Rapids scored early on Wednesday, it was Dayton that flipped the script and jumped
Cespedes Homers and Collects Three Hits, But Kernels Fall in Dayton 4-3
Dayton, OH - Rubel Cespedes crushed his 12th home run of the year as part of a three-hit night, but it was not enough as the Dragons grabbed game two of the series over Cedar Rapids 4-3. Cespedes got his big night started right away in the top of the
Dayton Scores Four Times in the Fifth, Tops Cedar Rapids 4-1
Dayton, OH - The Dragons broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fifth with four straight singles that turned into four runs as Dayton took game one of the series over Cedar Rapids 4-1. Cedar Rapids starter Rick Castro and Dayton starter T.J. Sikkema began Tuesday evening in
Cedar Rapids Pitching Leads Kernels Past Cubs 4-1
Cedar Rapids, IA - Jeremy Lee and Spencer Bengard combined to not allow an earned run across the first eight innings Sunday afternoon as the Kernels grabbed the series finale over South Bend 4-1. For the first time in the series, Cedar Rapids scored first. In the bottom of the
Klein, Gonzalez Lead Kernels Past Cubs 6-3
Cedar Rapids, IA - John Klein did not allow a run across five innings of work out of the Cedar Rapids bullpen and Gabriel Gonzalez collected two run-scoring doubles as the Kernels grabbed a 6-3 win over South Bend Saturday night. After a resounding 15-2 win on Friday, the Cubs
South Bend Erupts for 15 Runs on 17 Hits, Rocks Cedar Rapids 15-2
Cedar Rapids, IA - South Bend matched its season-high with 15 runs Friday night on a season-best 17 hits as the Cubs rolled past the Kernels 15-2. South Bend hopped on the board first for the fourth straight game to begin the series. With two outs in the top of
South Bend Leads Wire-to-Wire, Cubs Top Kernels 6-4
Cedar Rapids, IA - South Bend scored twice in the top of the third and never looked back Thursday evening, handing the Kernels their second loss in three games, 6-4. The Cubs struck first for the third straight game to begin the series. To lead off the third, Ed Howard