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.
Wish Granted: Doughboys win in comeback fashion over Princeton
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn: Donning the Make-A-Wish jerseys, the Doughboys would use a four-run eighth, as well as the second 4,000+ crowd of the season to a 10-7 win over the Princeton WhistlePigs. The game started off strong for Johnson City, as each of the first three hitters of the game
Doughboys set attendance record in 14-1 win over Greeneville
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. -- Opening day went off with a bang as a TVA Credit Union Ballpark record 4,254 fans saw the Doughboys mark the win column for the first time in 2023, 14-1, over the Greeneville Flyboys. The record crowd wasn't left without excitement as the Doughboys took a
Doughboys introduce Rocky the Bat Dog for the 2023 season
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - The Johnson City Doughboys are excited to introduce Rocky the Bat Dog for the Appalachian League’s 2023 season. “Rocky is ready to Rally the Troops in 2023,” exclaimed Johnson City Doughboys general manager Patrick Ennis. “We are very eager to introduce Rocky as the official bat
Doughboys announce 2023 roster
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. -- The Johnson City Doughboys have announced their 31-man roster for the Appalachian League’s 2023 season. The team is comprised of 16 pitchers and 15 position players from across the United States. “We are very excited to have these young men come and compete for the Johnson
Johnson City Doughboys announce 2023 coaching staff
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - The Johnson City Doughboys have announced their coaching staff for the Appalachian League’s 2023 season. The Doughboys will be led by pitching coach Ryan Mossman, hitting coach Wayne Riser and bench coach Jacqui Reynolds. “I am thrilled to have the entire 2022 staff returning for the
Appalachian League's 2023 managers set to take the helm
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Over the last several weeks, Appalachian League teams have announced their managers for the 2023 season. That group includes four brand-new faces with more than 150 years of combined experience in professional baseball. Former big league manager John McLaren, along with Dennis Cook, Bill Kinneberg and
Appalachian League participates in MLK Day of Service
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Appalachian League executives participated in the 28th annual MLK Day of Service on Jan. 16, 2023, volunteering in nine communities across North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Tabbed as a “day on, not a day off” to celebrate the life and legacy of the Civil
Kevin Mahoney named 2023 Johnson City Doughboys manager
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - The Johnson City Doughboys announce Kevin Mahoney as their manager for the 2023 season. Mahoney has more than 15 years of playing and coaching experience at the collegiate and professional level. “I am thrilled to be returning to manage the Johnson City Doughboys for the 2023
Appalachian League celebrates 2022 charitable contributions
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced that the league’s charitable outreach grew to more than $3.4 million of gift-in-kind and monetary donations this year. Additionally, the league and its clubs volunteered more than 11,000 hours of community service. The league’s reach impacts the towns and cities their 10
Johnson City Doughboys announce 2023 season schedule
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - The Johnson City Doughboys announced their 2023 baseball schedule. The Doughboys will be home for Opening Day on June 6 and play against the Greeneville Flyboys. The 2023 Appalachian League season begins June 6 and runs through July 31. The Doughboys will celebrate Independence Day at
Appy League adds Justin Morgenstern as director of player personnel
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League is pleased to announce the hiring of Justin Morgenstern as the new director of player personnel. Morgenstern joins the Appalachian League from the Philadelphia Phillies, where he was an area scout since 2016. Morgenstern spent his first three years with the organization covering
Johnson City Doughboys announce Patrick Ennis as general manager
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - Boyd Sports, LLC announces Patrick Ennis as the general manager of the Johnson City Doughboys, effective Oct. 3. Ennis takes over the reins from Kiva Fuller after spending the 2022 season as the Doughboys' assistant general manager. Ennis will be entering his 12th year in baseball,
Johnson City Doughboys win 2022 Appalachian League Promotional Award
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. -- The Appalachian League has announced its award winner for the Promotional Award for the 2022 season. For the first time since 2018, the Johnson City Doughboys were crowned the winner of the Appalachian League Promotional Award. The Promotional Award is awarded to the club that demonstrates
Johnson City Doughboys win 2022 Appy League Patriot Award
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. -- The Appalachian League has announced the Johnson City Doughboys as its award winner for the Patriot Award for the 2022 season. The Patriot Award is awarded to the club that exhibits outstanding support of and engagement with the United States armed forces and veterans, both at
Appalachian League announces Humanitarian of the Year nominees
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced the 10 nominees for its 2022 Humanitarian of the Year award. The Humanitarian of the Year award is given to the Appalachian League player that has been judged to have made the most notable contributions in his community during the season through
2022 All-Appalachian League Team announced
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced the 2022 All-Appalachian League Team. The honorees were nominated and voted on by the league’s managers. The All-Appalachian League Team is highlighted by Bluefield’s Jackson Feltner, who was named Player of the Year, and Burlington’s Mason Ruh, who earned Pitcher of the
Doughboys take series opener over Bristol
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. -- For just the second time in five days, the Doughboys didn’t need to worry about the weather and came away with a 14-6 win over Bristol on Monday night. The game started off how most have recently for Johnson City, with both teams going quiet to
Doughboys christen new video board with win over Elizabethton
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. -- The Doughboys debuted a new video board Saturday and picked up a 4-1 win over Elizabethton. The game started off quiet, as both teams got settled in for what looked to be a pitcher’s duel. Justin Guliano settled in and was smooth sailing outside of one
Doughboys swept in doubleheader by Kingsport
KINGSPORT, Tenn -- The Doughboys kicked off the second half in poor fashion, getting swept 15-2 and 11-4 to Kingsport in a doubleheader Wednesday. The first game would start quick for the Axmen, scoring a pair of runs right off the bat in the top of the first inning, giving
Johnson Jr. hits walk-off single, East tops West at 2022 Appy League All-Star Game
BURLINGTON, N.C. -- The East defeated the West, 6-5, at the 2022 Appalachian League All-Star Game presented by Visit Alamance on Tuesday night at Burlington Athletic Stadium. After Greeneville's Brock Daniels (Missouri) hit a game-tying two-run single with two outs in the top of the ninth, Danville's RJ Johnson Jr
Doughboys swept in doubleheader by Bluefield
BLUEFIELD, Va. - A Sunday doubleheader went in favor of the Ridge Runners as the Doughboys fell 17-6 in Game 1 and 4-3 in Game 2 to Bluefield. Game 1 wouldn’t start well for Johnson City as Bluefield would score 11 runs with two outs in the second, creating a
Doughboys sweep Bristol to extend winning streak
BRISTOL, Va. - Offense would be at a premium for both teams Friday in Bristol, as the Doughboys would win their fourth straight, 3-1, over the State Liners. The game would be completely different from Thursday, starting slow with neither team scoring in the first. Johnson City would find the
Doughboys score 21 in win over Bristol
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - The Doughboys would ride five multi-run innings and an eight-inning start by Will Westbrock to a 21-1 win over Bristol, their largest margin of victory this season. Johnson City would get moving immediately, following a 1-2-3 top of the first, the Doughboys would explode for five