Yankees prospect flashes triple-digit heater in Spring Breakout showcase

SARASOTA, Fla. — Triple-digit fastballs are nothing new for Yankees pitching prospect Carlos Lagrange.

He hit 100 mph for the first time when he was 19.

That didn’t stop the right-handed flamethrower from taking a few peeks out to right-center field at the Ed Smith Stadium scoreboard on Saturday night, checking the speed on his heater as he pitched the first four innings of Saturday’s Spring Breakout game against the Orioles.

His fastball touched 101 mph on the board.

It hit 100 mph a few more times.

Even if the radar gun was juiced by a tick or two — Statcast numbers aren’t available at Ed Smith Stadium to verify — that’s still some serious speed.

“I feel really good,” Lagrange said with a smile, sitting in front of his locker after his outing. “I throw this velo always!”

BUY YANKEES TICKETS: STUBHUB, VIVID SEATS, TICKETMASTER

It took the right-hander a few batters to settle in. He gave up a run in the first after a single from Baltimore speedster Enrique Bradfield Jr. An errant throw to first allowed the leadoff man to scamper ahead to third and he scored moments later on a wild pitch.

But once Lagrange found his groove, the results followed. He finished up with four innings of two-run ball in the 5-4 walk-off loss, striking out two without a walk. Lagrange retired 12 of the last 13 batters he faced. In fact, after Bradfield Jr.’s trip around the bases in the first, Lagrange sat down the next 11 hitters he faced in a row.

“[Getting to start] was a big, 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 I can throw strikes.”

Lagrange, who gives off a Luis Gil vibe on the mound with his lanky 6-foot-7 frame and high-octane (while sometimes wild) stuff, is ranked as the Yankees’ No. 15 prospect by Baseball America. He’s listed at No. 19 in the Yankees’ system by MLB Pipeline. This will be the 21-year-old’s fourth year with the Yankees — he signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2022 — but he still hasn’t had a full season with an affiliate. He reached Class-A Tampa for the first time this past season, but pitched only 14 1/3 innings there.

Asked what his goals are for this season, Lagrange needed only two words and he didn’t need a translator.

“Stay healthy,” he said.

If he can do that, and harness his command as his arsenal develops, the right-hander has a chance to make this a breakout year and climb even higher on the club’s prospect charts.

NOTABLE

— The Yankees had a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the ninth, but Bryce Cunningham — the club’s second-round pick in last summer’s draft — gave up two runs, including a walk-off RBI single from Orioles infielder Leandro Arias.

— Yankees 2024 first-rounder Ben Hess threw two innings of one-run ball in relief of Lagrange. He struck out three and gave up two hits. This was an unofficial pro debut for both Hess and Cunningham as both right-handers didn’t pitch with an affiliate after getting drafted last summer.

— Yankees top shortstop prospect George Lombard Jr. was 1-for-4 with a single, run scored, a walk and a strikeout. He looked silky smooth on defense.

— Another top prospect Spencer Jones, who homered twice in last year’s Spring Breakout, was 1-for-2 with a double. He was hit by a pitch twice as well.

  • Yankees have 2 potential aces, a bulldog and a pitcher who throws ‘thunder’ debuting on farm this spring
  • Yankees top draft pick with ‘monster’ stuff impresses in pro debut
  • Here’s what already is brewing for Dave Sims & Suzyn Waldman, Yankees’ new radio team
  • Mets’ Clay Holmes faces first hurdle as a starting pitcher
  • Did Yankees’ big spring surprise just really hurt chance to make club?

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.

Max Goodman may be reached at [email protected].

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Related Posts

BREAKING NEWS: Cubs Extend Big Offers to Kyle Tucker and Shta Imanaga

Cubs Extend Qualifying Offers to Kyle Tucker and Shōta Imanaga: What Comes Next? Thursday marked a key checkpoint in MLB’s offseason calendar, as teams had until the deadline to…

Aѕtroѕ Stаr Frаmber Vаldez Lіnked to Mаѕѕіve $168 Mіllіon Deаl

Framber Valdez Hits Free Agency: Astros’ Ace Could Be on the Move MLB free agency is officially underway, and one of the most intriguing names on the market is Houston Astros…

Rаngerѕ Lіnked to Power Bаt аѕ Schumаker Eyeѕ Offenѕіve Fіx

When the Texas Rangers tapped Skip Schumaker to take over as manager following Bruce Bochy’s retirement, it was clear they were looking for a fresh voice – and a fresh approach. …

St Louіѕ Cаrdіnаlѕ Cut Tіeѕ Wіth Former Fіrѕt Round Pіck

In a town like St. Louis, where baseball isn’t just a pastime but part of the city’s DNA, being a first-round pick for the Cardinals comes with a spotlight that never dims. Zack…

⚾ HISTORY FLASHBACK: November 6 Marks a Defining Day in White Sox History — From 1940’s Quiet Acquisition of Thurman Tucker to Modern Trades That Shaped Chicago’s Identity, Every Move on This Date Tells a Story of Reinvention, Risk, and the Relentless Pursuit of Greatness That Defines the South Side Legacy!

Sometimes you just gotta swap one negative-WAR player for another

🚨 BREAKING NEWS: Atlanta Braves Claim Outfielder Off Waivers from St. Louis Cardinals — A Quiet but Strategic Move to Bolster Depth for Another Championship Run! Insiders say the front office sees this as a “low-risk, high-reward” addition, aiming to strengthen the bench ahead of what could be another deep postseason push. Fans are already speculating whether this under-the-radar pickup could become the next surprise hero in Atlanta’s lineup.

The Atlanta Braves made an early offseason addition to the organization as the flurry of moves continued