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.
Saints Hit Four Homers, But Give Up Franchise Record Eight In 20-6 Loss To I-Cubs
DES MOINES, IA (April 16, 2025) - First the good: St. Paul Saints starter Andrew Morris set a new personal best by topping out at 99.3 miles per hour. The Saints entered play with seven homers on the season and hit four on Wednesday afternoon. Carson McCusker launched two home
Matthews and Adams Combine To Shut Down I-Cubs In 2-1 Saints Win
ST. PAUL, MN (April 15, 2025) - The Iowa Cubs had the fourth best pitching staff in the International League entering play on Tuesday night. The Saints were fifth best. The game lived up to the numbers as Zebby Matthews and Travis Adamas combined to allow just one run, and
Twins Sign Veteran Arm Tyler Beede, Assign Him To St. Paul
DES MOINES, IA (April 15, 2025) - With the Twins already calling upon four Saints pitchers to reinforce the Big League club early in the season, the St. Paul pitching staff has excelled regardless of changes in personnel. The Saints bullpen will look to keep that trend rolling as they
A Milestone Night: Sean Aronson To Broadcast His 2,000th Saints Game Tuesday Night
DES MOINES, IA (April 15, 2025) - Game 1 was on May 10, 2007 in St. Joseph, Missouri as the St. Paul Saints, then an Independent Professional Baseball team in the American Association, took on the Joplin Blasters. He began his 19th season behind the mic with the Saints in
Spice Up Your Summer: Tacos and Margaritas Back At CHS Field On June 14
ST. PAUL, MN (April 15, 2025) - The interest was high for the inaugural event in 2024 and 2025 will be bigger, tastier, and will come with incredible entertainment. Get ready for a flavorful fiesta as CHS Field announces "Tacos and Margaritas", set to take place on Saturday, June 14.
Two Saints Errors Lead to Costly Runs In 5-3 Loss To Storm Chasers
ST. PAUL, MN (April 13, 2025) - The St. Paul Saints entered play on Sunday afternoon with the International League’s best defense, a .989 fielding percentage with just four errors in 11 games. They hadn’t committed an error in their last six games, but against the Omaha Storm Chasers in
Saints Fall To Short To Storm Chasers 7-5
ST. PAUL, MN (April 12, 2025) - The St. Paul Saints jumped out to a 3-0 lead on Saturday afternoon at CHS Field, which has been more than enough early on in the season for the pitching staff. Unfortunately, the Saints couldn’t hang on and fell 7-5 in front of
New Day, New Arm Joins Saints As Whorff Is Promoted From Double-A Wichita
ST. PAUL, MN (April 12, 2025) - After emptying the bullpen with all five available relievers in Friday night’s win, more reinforcements are heading the St. Paul Saints’ way. The Minnesota Twins announced that right-hander Jarret Whorff has been promoted from Double-A Wichita and will join the St. Paul relief
A Call To Arms: Bullpen Game Turns Into 6-4 Win For Saints
ST. PAUL, MN (April 11, 2025) - David Festa was scheduled to start for the St. Paul Saints on Friday night at CHS Field. Until he wasn’t and instead was called up to start for the Minnesota Twins. That forced the Saints into a bullpen by committee game against the
Saints Get Bullpen Help From Cedar Rapids With Promotion of Lefty Gabriel Yanez
ST. PAUL, MN (April 11, 2025) - The St. Paul Saints lost their Friday night starter with the promotion of David Festa to the Minnesota Twins. That forces the Saints to go with a bullpen game and with that, they needed an arm. The Twins have announced that left-hander Gabriel
On Cold Night, Saints Bats Are Hot In 13-4 Pounding of Storm Chasers
ST. PAUL, MN (April 10, 2025) - Since scoring 11 runs on Opening Night, the St. Paul Saints offense scored just 13 runs over its next seven games. They equaled that output on Thursday night at CHS Field while going 10-28 with runners in scoring position in a 13-4 victory
Morris Continues Impressive Start To Season On Mound, Saints Homer Twice In 3-2 Victory Over Storm Chasers
ST. PAUL, MN (April 9, 2025) - The St. Paul Saints pitching continues to dominate its opponents. Entering play on Wednesday night they were fourth in the league in ERA, at 2.73. Behind Andrew Morris’ five shutout innings, the arms did the job again. Add two home runs from the
Matthews Ties Career High With Nine K's, But Saints Fall 3-0
ST. PAUL, MN (April 8, 2025) - Zebby Matthews picked up where he left off in his first start of the season. His delivery looked effortless and overpowering. He struck out at least one batter in each inning en route to a career-tying high nine. Unfortunately, the offense couldn’t muster
Twins Sign Left-Handed Pitcher Richard Lovelady, Assign Him To St. Paul
ST. PAUL, MN (April 8, 2025) - The Minnesota Twins have announced the signing of left-handed pitcher Richard Lovelady to a minor league contract. The six-year major league veteran has been assigned to the St. Paul Saints roster and will join the club ahead of their homestand starting on Tuesday
Tell Me How To Get To CHS Field During April 8-13 Homestand
ST. PAUL, MN (April 7, 2025) - The robots are taking over for the week, so bow down to your new overlords. Bring your brothers and sisters because we’ll all be better off with strength in numbers. Speaking of numbers, we know how to count: 1, 2, 3, we’ll give
Saints Walked-Off For Ninth Time in Columbus, Lose 3-2 In 10
COLUMBUS, OH (April 6, 2025) - The players change, but the results remain the same. For the second time in the last five days and ninth time in 34 losses at Huntington Park, the St. Paul Saints were walked-off by the Columbus Clippers losing 3-2 on Sunday afternoon. The Saints
Say It Together: Saints Game Postponed, Doubleheader Next Time Team Is In Columbus
COLUMBUS, OH (April 5, 2025) - Schedule games in late March and early April in the Minor Leagues and chances are it’s a coin flip whether teams play. For the St. Paul Saints, it has been nearly 50-50. With the postponement of Saturday’s game between the Saints and Columbus Clippers
Saints Drop Second Game Of Doubleheader 11-1 To Clippers In Rain Shortened Contest
COLUMBUS, OH (April 4, 2025) - The St. Paul Saints couldn’t rebound from a walk-off loss in game one of a doubleheader. Saints starter David Festa gave up a career-high 10 hits in an 11-1 loss to the Columbus Clippers in game two of a doubleheader that was halted in
Deja Vu All Over Again, Saints Walked-Off In Game One Of Doubleheader By Clippers, 3-2
COLUMBUS, OH (April 4, 2025) - Same story, different year. The St. Paul Saints, who are just 13-31 at Huntington Park, have seen victories turned into defeats in the blink of an eye against the Columbus Clippers too many times. It happened again Friday night in game one of a
Celebrate Independence Day At CHS Field With Rock the 4th Featuring Hairball Concert and Fireworks
ST. PAUL, MN (April 4, 2025) - While the St. Paul Saints are away, heavy metal, pop-influenced hooks and guitar riffs with flamboyant costumes shall play. CHS Field, the home of the Saints, has hosted baseball, entertainment, and fireworks on the Fourth of July. This year, however, the team will
Saints Rained Out For Third Time This Season, Doubleheader Friday In Columbus
COLUMBUS, OH (April 3, 2025) - The St. Paul Saints have played as many games as they’ve had rainouts. For the third time this season one of their scheduled games was postponed due to rain. The Saints and Columbus Clippers were washed out on Thursday night at Huntington Park. The
Saints and BCSG 360 To Host Twin Cities Diamond Classic Featuring Prominent HBCU Programs at CHS Field May 15-16
ST. PAUL, MN (April 3, 2025) - The St. Paul Saints made a promise when opening CHS Field in 2015: this beautiful facility would be more than a home for the Saints. It would be home for youth, high school, collegiate, and adult amateur baseball. In addition to baseball, the
Saints Incredible Scoreless Inning Streak Ends At 25, Drop First Game Of Season 2-0
COLUMBUS, OH (April 2, 2025) - Inning-by-inning St. Paul Saints pitchers have thrown up zeroes on the scoreboard. Seven different pitchers over the first two games failed to give up a run for the Saints. On Wednesday night at Huntington Park, the trend continued through the first seven innings. The
Saints Make History With Second Straight Shutout, 5-0 Over Clippers
COLUMBUS, OH (April 1, 2025) - The St. Paul Saints know one thing: if they don’t allow a run all season, they will never lose. For the first time in franchise history the Saints recorded back-to-back shutouts and have done it in their first two games of the season. Behind
Weather Part Deux: Saints and Indianapolis Postponed For Second Consecutive Day
ST. PAUL, MN (March 30, 2025) - Mark Twain once said, “If you don’t like the weather, just wait a minute.” Apparently, Twain never sat through a couple of days at a ballpark in Minnesota in March. For the second consecutive day the St. Paul Saints and Indianapolis Indians had