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.
ValleyCats Bring Back RHP Francisco Jimenez
TROY, NY - On Wednesday, the Tri-City ValleyCats announced the signing of RHP Francisco Jimenez. Jimenez, a 28-year-old native of San Cristobal in the Dominican Republic, was a member of the ValleyCats pitching staff in 2021 during their inaugural season in the Frontier League of Professional Baseball. Jimenez was one
ValleyCats Sign 1B/OF Matt Warkentin
TROY, NY - On Tuesday, the Tri-City ValleyCats announced the signing of first baseman and outfielder Matt Warkentin. The Xavier University product was signed by the Chicago Cubs Organization as an undrafted free agent in 2021. Over the course of two affiliated seasons, Warkentin tallied a .222 batting average with
ValleyCats HR King Denis Phipps to Return in 2023
TROY, NY - On Monday, the Tri-City ValleyCats announced the re-signing of reigning Frontier League Designated Hitter of the Year and franchise home run king Denis Phipps. The veteran fan-favorite is set to return for his third season in a ValleyCats uniform after signing with the team prior to the
ValleyCats Utility Man Joe Campagna Signed by Colorado Rockies
TROY, NY - On Friday, the Tri-City ValleyCats announced that the contract of utility man Joe Campagna has been purchased by the Colorado Rockies. A product of Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, Campagna will get his first taste of affiliated baseball in 2023 after spending the last three seasons in
ValleyCats 2B & Frontier League MVP Brantley Bell Signed By San Diego Padres
TROY, NY - On Monday, the Tri-City ValleyCats announced that 2B Brantley Bell’s contract has been purchased by the San Diego Padres organization. Bell, a 28-year-old infielder from Phoenix, Arizona, is coming off of a career year with the Tri-City ValleyCats in which he was named a Frontier League All-Star,
ValleyCats Unveil 2023 Frontier League Schedule
TROY, NY- The Frontier League of Professional Baseball and the Tri-City ValleyCats unveiled the team’s 2023 regular season schedule in a league-wide reveal on Monday. The ‘Cats are slated to play 51 games at home this season. For the first time since the team joined the Frontier League, Opening Day
Unfinished Business: Pete Incaviglia to Return to ‘Cats in 2023
TROY, NY- Twenty-four years to the day of his final MLB appearance, the Tri-City ValleyCats have announced that Pete Incaviglia will be returning as the team’s Manager in 2023. The team exercised their option on the fan-favorite’s contract following the conclusion of the 2022 season. “We're excited to have Pete
ValleyCats Fall Festival to Return October 21 & 22
TROY, NY - The Tri-City ValleyCats are thrilled to announce the return of the third annual ValleyCats Fall Festival this October at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium! The free event returns on October 21 and 22, featuring screenings of Hocus Pocus (October 21) and Encanto (October 22) on the stadium’s video
'Cats End Season On High Note, Complete Sweep Of Greys
TROY, NY - The Empire State Greys and Tri-City ValleyCats wrapped up the 2022 Frontier League season Sunday evening in front of a packed crowd at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium. Southpaw Ryan Williamson would toe the rubber for the final time this season, as Jeff Rotz made the start for
Faith and Company Sparkle, Los Puentes Secure Series Victory
TROY, NY - The Empire State Greys and Tri-City ValleyCats faced off in the middle stanza of their weekend series Saturday night at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium. Kingwood, Texas native Austin Faith took the ball for Los Puentes de Tri-City, while rookie left hander took the ball for Gil Rondon's
'Cats Offense Explodes, Take Series Opener Against Greys for Inky's 100th Win
TROY, NY - The Empire State Greys and Tri-City ValleyCats kicked off the final series of the regular season Friday night at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium. Right Hander Kyle Arjona took the mound for the 'Cats, while ambidextrous pitcher Misuki Akatsuka took the mound for Empire State. Empire State would
'Cats Lose Pitchers Duel, Drop Series Finale To Sussex County
TROY, NY - The Sussex County Miners and Tri-City ValleyCats wrapped up their mid-week series Thursday night at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium. ValleyCats Manager Pete Incaviglia would send Ryan Hartman to the mound, while Conner Dand took the ball for Sussex County. Both Hartman and Dand would show off their
Two ‘Cats Earn Prestigious End of Season Honors
TROY, NY - The Frontier League of Professional Baseball announced their end of season awards on Thursday, with two ‘Cats earning prestigious honors. ValleyCats 2B Brantley Bell, one of three ‘Cats to represent Tri-City in Washington, PA at this year’s Frontier League All-Star Game, has been named the Frontier League’s
Tri-City Strikes Gold Twice, Take Two From Sussex County
TROY, NY - The Sussex County Miners and Tri-City ValleyCats faced off in a double header following Tuesday's postponement on Wednesday evening at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium. Tri-City would give Ryan Williamson the start in game one, opposing him was right hander Dwayne Marshall. Both pitchers were strong early on,
ValleyCats, Miners Rained Out
TROY, NY - The ValleyCats were set to host the Sussex County Miners in their mid-week series opener Tuesday night at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium. Tonight's game has been postponed to tomorrow, with a single admission double header set to start at 4PM. Gates will open at 3:30 PM. The
Remarkable Rally Falls Just Short for Tri-City in Pomona
POMONA, NY - The Tri-City ValleyCats returned to Clover Stadium on Saturday looking to bounce back after a 6-4 loss to the Boulders on Friday, and force a rubber match in the conclusion of the pivotal series on Sunday entering the final week of the Frontier League’s 2022 regular season.
‘Cats Fall in Series Opener Against Boulders
POMONA, NY - The Tri-City ValleyCats returned to the United States of America on Friday following 7 games in Canada against Trois-Rivieres and Ottawa, going 4-3 in the first 7 games of the 10-game road trip, their longest of the season. The ‘Cats arrived in Pomona, NY for a weekend
‘Cats Split Series in Ottawa
OTTAWA, ON - The Tri-City ValleyCats looked to take a series win from the Ottawa Titans on Thursday night after a tough loss last night in game 3 of the 4 game set. Joey Gonzalez got the start for Tri-City. The ace threw 7 strong innings of 5-hit, 2-run baseball,
‘Cats Drop Game 3 to Titans
OTTAWA, ON - The Tri-City ValleyCats looked to take a series win from the Ottawa Titans on Wednesday after a doubleheader sweep on Tuesday night. The ‘Cats sent right-hander Kyle Arjona to the hill to start Wednesday’s contest. Arjona would surrender 5 runs, all earned, on 9 hits over 5.1
‘Cats Sweep Titans in Twin Bill
OTTAWA, ON - The Tri-City ValleyCats arrived in Ottawa on Tuesday for a key divisional matchup with the Ottawa Titans as the 2022 Frontier League regular season nears its conclusion. The two teams would square off in a doubleheader, making up a previously scheduled game postponed due to weather at
Denis Phipps Named Frontier League Player of the Week
TROY, NY - The Frontier League of Professional Baseball has named ValleyCats OF/DH Denis Phipps the Frontier League Player of the Week for the week of August 15, 2022. The Tri-City veteran is the third player in franchise history to take home a weekly award from the Frontier League after
Early Offense Earns ‘Cats Series Win Against Aigles
TROIS-RIVIERES, QC - Following a tough loss last night, the Tri-City ValleyCats returned to Stade Quillorama for the rubber match of this weekend’s three game set against the Aigles. Jose Cruz got the ball in the series finale for the ‘Cats, searching for both his first win of the season,
‘Cats Drop Game Two to Aigles
TROIS-RIVIERES, QC - The ValleyCats returned to Stade Quillorama on Saturday following Friday’s blowout win, looking to take a series win from the Aigles in the second game of a ten-game road trip. The Aigles would strike first in game two, with back-to-back home runs off of Tri-City RHP Joey
Longball Secures Win for the ‘Cats to Start Road Trip
TROIS-RIVIERES, QC - The Tri-City ValleyCats arrived in Trois-Rivieres on Friday looking to remain red-hot by securing their sixth consecutive win on the heels of two series sweeps at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium. The ‘Cats would score early and often in the series opener at Stade Quillorama, tallying 10 runs
Big Time Power Leads Tri-City To Double Header Sweep
TROY, NY - The Ottawa Titans and Tri-City ValleyCats faced off in a double header that featured the completion of the rain-shortened game from Wednesday evening at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium. Following the 24 hour layover, Austin Faith would take the hill for the 'Cats. Reliever Gavin Sonnier took the