Justin Lange
| Justin Lange | |
|---|---|
| Free agent | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: September 11, 2001 Fredericksburg, Texas, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right |
Justin Craig Lange (born September 11, 2001) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He was selected by the San Diego Padres in the first round of the 2020 MLB draft.
Early life and education
[edit]Justin Craig Lange was born on September 11, 2001 in Fredericksburg, Texas, U.S.[1]
He attended Llano High School in Llano, Texas, where he played baseball.[2][3] He committed to play college baseball at Dallas Baptist University.[4]
Professional career
[edit]San Diego Padres
[edit]Lange was selected by the San Diego Padres with the 34th overall pick in the 2020 Major League Baseball draft.[5][6] Lange signed with the Padres on June 24 for a $2 million bonus.[7]
Lange did not play a minor league game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[8] He made his professional debut in 2021 with the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League Padres.[9] Over nine starts, he pitched to a 0–3 record, a 6.95 ERA, 29 strikeouts, and 15 walks over 22 innings.[10]
New York Yankees
[edit]On March 18, 2022, the Padres traded Lange to the New York Yankees in exchange for Luke Voit.[11] Lange spent the 2022 campaign with the rookie-level Florida Complex League Yankees, compiling a 3-1 record and 6.44 ERA with 51 strikeouts across 12 starts. Lange opened the 2023 season with the Single-A Tampa Tarpons and was promoted to the High-A Hudson Valley Renegades near the season's end.[12] Over 21 starts between both affiliates, he logged a cumulative 2-5 record and 4.75 ERA with 131 strikeouts across 85+1⁄3 innings pitched.
Lange missed the entire 2024 season due to a shoulder injury and returned to play in 2025 in a rehab start with the Complex League before being assigned to Tampa.[13] On February 11, 2026, Lange was released by the Yankees organization.[14]
Kane County Cougars
[edit]On April 7, 2026, Lange signed with the Kane County Cougars of the American Association of Professional Baseball.[15] He struggled to a 15.43 ERA with three strikeouts and three walks in 4+2⁄3 innings as a reliever. On June 9, 2026, Lange was released by Kane County.[15]
References
[edit]- ^ "Justin Lange Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. December 16, 2024. Archived from the original on October 1, 2025. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
- ^ Dlugach, Art (April 3, 2019). "These Guys are Somethin' Else!". The Llano News. Archived from the original on June 11, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
- ^ "These prospects raised their Draft stock". MLB.com. Archived from the original on June 11, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
- ^ "2020 MLB draft top prospects: Ranking 50 best players in 2020 class, with collegiate hitters at the top". CBSSports.com. June 10, 2020. Archived from the original on October 14, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
- ^ "Padres start MLB Draft by taking two high school players". San Diego Union-Tribune. June 11, 2020. Archived from the original on October 7, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
- ^ Bryce, Charles. "Llano pitcher Justin Lange selected by San Diego in Round 1 of MLB Draft". San Angelo. Archived from the original on October 21, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
- ^ "Padres' Justin Lange: Agrees to terms with Padres". CBSSports.com. June 25, 2020. Archived from the original on December 18, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
- ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Cancelled". Archived from the original on August 21, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
- ^ "Minors: Austin Nola a hit to start el Paso rehab; Justin Lange makes pro debut". July 10, 2021. Archived from the original on August 26, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
- ^ "2021 MadFriars Pitcher of the Year Series: ACL Padres". MadFriars. October 22, 2021. Archived from the original on November 28, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
- ^ @YankeesPR (March 18, 2022). "The New York Yankees today announced that they have acquired RHP Justin Lange from the San Diego Padres in exchange for INF Luke Voit" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Scouting Yankees' under-the-radar Tampa Tarpons pitching prospects". August 26, 2023.
- ^ "Yankees' Justin Lange: Moves past shoulder injury". July 10, 2025.
- ^ "Transactions". MiLB.com. February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
- ^ a b "2026 Transactions". aabaseball.com. Retrieved April 17, 2026.
External links
[edit]- Career statistics from Baseball Reference (Minors)