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.
San Diego Padres Announce 2025 Lake Elsinore Storm Coaching Staff
The San Diego Padres have announced the 2025 coaching staff for the Lake Elsinore Storm. The 2025 season begins on Tuesday, April 8th with a full series against the Modesto Nuts. Manager: Brian Burres Brian Burres brings an extended MLB resume to Lake Elsinore. He spent six seasons as a
Lake Elsinore Storm Announce Free "Open House" Seating For Game One of the California League Championship Series
Game One is for the Fans as Lake Elsinore Storm Announce Free "Open House" Seating for Game One of the California League Championship Series The Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres Single-A affiliate) secured the Southern Division championship with last night's victory over their Southern division rivals, the Visalia Rawhide (Diamondbacks Single-A
Lake Elsinore Storm Beat Visalia to Become South Division Champions Presented by The Valley News
The Lake Elsinore Storm needed just one win to return to the California League Championship Series and, on Thursday night, they ended up needing just two runs to do so. The Storm played in front of over 1,300 fans as they beat the Visalia Rawhide by a final score of
Storm Offense Remains Relentless as Lake Elsinore Wins Game One Presented by The Valley News
The first inning of tonight's game is how many innings have looked since the team was overturned and 8 new position players were brought together over one month ago. This set up a dominant win for the Lake Elsinore Storm in game one of the California League Divisional Series over
Storm Reduce Prices, Pledge Percentage of Ticket Revenue to First Round Playoff Game for Airport Fire Relief
Due to the unfortunate and destructive Airport Fire, the Lake Elsinore Storm have decided to make tomorrow’s game more accessible for and supportive of the local community. Thunder Cares will be donating a percentage of the tickets sold to relief efforts, tickets have been reduced to $9, all remaining 2024
ANNOUNCEMENT: 2025 Lake Elsinore Storm Schedule
Before the final chapter of the 2024 season is written, the heroes named, and the victors immortally celebrated, the outline for the 2025 story is here. MiLB has announced the official schedule for the 2025 Lake Elsinore Storm. Unlike the 2024 schedule, 2025 has far fewer games played in July
Storm Win Final Regular Season Home Game and Series Presented by The Valley News
The Lake Elsinore Storm have played through all 66 regular season home games and have come out victorious in a California League-best 42 of those contests after beating the Modesto Nuts on Sunday afternoon. The final score was the result of yet another game that included a crooked inning from
Nuts Come Out on Top, Threaten to Even Series Presented by The Valley News
The Storm packed 3,557 into The Lake Elsinore Diamond on Saturday night for the final Saturday of the season. The Storm, however, were not able to match the explosive fun during the game that would come well after the final out when fireworks were sent into the night sky. They
Storm Win Third Game of Homestand Presented by The Valley News
On a Friar Friday at The Lake Elsinore Diamond, the Storm put up a crooked number in the second inning just as their Big League counterparts have done all season long. The entire game was decided in the bottom of the second inning, however, starting pitching was once again a
Lake Elsinore Storm Lose Lead and Game Against Modesto Nuts Presented by The Valley News
The Lake Elsinore Storm had won five in a row and were well on their way to winning their sixth straight before a late-game collapse cost them the first game of the series. The home team once again got a quality performance from their starting pitcher. Maikel Miralles went through
Storm Continue Offensive Surge, Win Game Two Over Nuts Presented by The Valley News
The Lake Elsinore Storm offense continued its torrid pace tonight. They once again had double-digit hits while scoring six runs in a win over the Modesto Nuts. After the roster changes thrust him into the role, this was Javier Chacon's fourth start of the season. So far, he has given
Storm Score a Dozen, Beat Nuts at Home Presented by The Valley News
It didn't take the Storm long to illustrate their newfound offensive prowess. They won tonight at The Diamond by a final score of 12-6 over the Modesto Nuts. The turnover on the roster over the last three weeks has created nearly a brand-new team. However, last week, they did something
Storm Score Nine Runs in One Inning, Tie Series Presented by The Valley News
er the InaldnOn a hot day in Lake Elsinore, the Storm gave up multiple early runs to fall behind early. It would take a massive sixth inning to win the game over the Inland Empire 66ers. The away team tallied four runs and hits through the game's first two innings.
Storm Give up Three Runs in The 9th, Lose Third Game of The Series Presented By The Valley News
The Lake Elsinore Storm managed to score just two runs in a 3-2 loss to the Inland Empire 66ers tonight. They carried a 2-0 lead into the final frame before a three-run disaster occurred. Miguel Mendez was the game's starter and his 4.2 innings of work included seven strikeouts, two
Storm Drop Friday Night Clash Against 66ers Presented by The Valley News
After back-to-back wins over Inland Empire, the Storm offense missed the big hit and lost by a final score of 4-3 on Friday night at The Lake Elsinore Diamond. Ian Koenig was tonight's starter for the Storm. He would navigate five frames, strike out five batters, and allow just two
Karpathios Walks Off 66ers, Storm Get Second Consecutive Win Presented by The Valley News
On a night the Lake Elsinore Storm were searching far and wide for offense, one swing of the bat completely turned the game around. Maikel Miralles was the starter for the home team tonight. He got through five innings of work with just one run to his name. That run
Storm Celebrate a Sweet Sixteen Blowout Against 66ers Presented by The Valley News
A night after the Lake Elsinore Storm offense failed to show up, the bats came alive in a 16-4 blowout win over the Inland Empire 66ers. Despite the double-digit final score, Inland Empire led the game through the first one-and-a-half innings. Javier Chacon was tonight's starter for the Storm. He
Storm Drop the First Game of the Series Against the Inland Empire 66ers Presented by The Valley News
The Lake Elsinore Storm played their first game at home in two weeks tonight. On the road, the Storm saw roster-wide turnover as 12 players were promoted and 12 new players were brought to Lake Elsinore. In their first series as a somewhat new team, they crushed the Stockton Ports
Storm Win Fifth Straight Over Rawhide Presented by The Valley News
The Lake Elsinore Storm continued their home excellence. In a series that was already won, in a season with the playoffs guaranteed, the Storm won their fifth straight game with a dramatic slide into home in the eighth inning. Prior to this electric slide, Isaiah Lowe was the day's starter.
Storm Beat Rawhide, Win Third Consecutive Series Presented by The Valley News
The Lake Elsinore Storm have already secured a playoff position after being on top of the California League South in the first half. They have decided to steamroll through the second half anyway. Tonight's 12-2 victory clinched their third consecutive series victory and included a stretch of 22 innings where
Storm Pitching Staff Keeps Rawhide Scoreless Presented by The Valley News
Tonight's game ended in a flash and it wasn't only due to the post-game fireworks that lit up the night sky. The Lake Elsinore Storm pitching staff once again proved indomitable tonight. Three pitchers would allow only four hits, strike out eight batters, and keep the Visalia Rawhide scoreless. Ian
Storm Walk Off Rawhide For 32nd Win of The Year Presented by The Valley News
The 2024 Lake Elsinore Storm have had a penchant for the theatrical. Their 32nd win at home was one of their many this season that ended on a Storm base hit. Jacob Campbell was tonight's dedicated walk-off hero. This is now the second time he has left the home crowd
Storm Take Down Rawhide, Win Game Two Presented by The Valley News
A night after a disappointing loss, the Lake Elsinore Storm took charge in a 5-1 victory over the Visalia Rawhide. Jose Luis Reyes was the Storm's starter tonight. He would once again prove efficient at home. He would work into the sixth inning with a final line of 5.2 innings
Lake Elsinore Storm Drop Series Opener to Visalia Rawhide Presented by The Valley News
It was a high-scoring affair at The Lake Elsinore Diamond tonight. Luis Gutierrez was on the bump and allowed a run in the first inning. The Storm would respond immediately with a Leodalis De Vries single followed by a Rosman Verdugo double off the Ad Monster. This was long and
Storm Get Shut Out in Final Game Before All-Star Break Presented by The Valley News
On the final game before the All-Star Break, the Lake Elsinore Storm were held scoreless in a 3-0 loss. They had Isaiah Lowe on the mound who has been consistently steady throughout the year (2.93 ERA). He would be the only pitcher to allow runs this afternoon. His final line