Alex Lange

Alex Craig Lange (born October 2, 1995) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers of Major League baseball (MLB). He played college baseball at Louisiana State University (LSU). He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs with the 30th pick in the first round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft.

Alex Lange
Lange with the LSU Tigers in 2015
Detroit Tigers – No. 55
Pitcher
Born: (1995-10-02) October 2, 1995
Riverside, California, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 10, 2021, for the Detroit Tigers
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Win–loss record15–12
Earned run average3.65
Strikeouts200
Saves27
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Career

Lange was adopted when he was a baby.[1] He attended Lee's Summit West High School in Lee's Summit, Missouri and maintained a 4.0 weighted GPA. As a senior, Lange was named the Missouri Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year (2014). He was scouted by many NCAA Division I colleges, but chose to attend Louisiana State University (LSU).[2]

As a college freshman in 2015, Lange was a consensus All-American. He was also named the National Freshman Pitcher of the Year by Louisville Slugger and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association[3][4] and helped lead LSU to the College World Series.[5][6] LSU returned to the College World Series in 2017, and facing top-ranked Oregon State in his first College World Series start, Lange pitched seven innings and allowed only two hits to lead LSU to victory.[7]

Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs selected Lange with the 30th pick in the first round of the 2017 MLB Draft.[8] He signed with the Cubs and was assigned to the Eugene Emeralds of the Class A-Short Season Northwest League, where he posted an 0–1 win–loss record with a 4.82 earned run average (ERA) in 9+1⁄3 innings pitched.[9] MLB.com ranked Lange as Chicago's fifth best prospect going into the 2018 season.[10] He spent the 2018 season with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans of the Class A-Advanced Carolina League, going 6-8 with a 3.74 ERA in 23 starts.[11] Lange began 2019 back with Myrtle Beach.[12]

Detroit Tigers

On July 31, 2019, the Cubs traded Lange and Paul Richan to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for Nick Castellanos.[13] He was assigned to the Erie SeaWolves. Over 27 games (18 starts) between Myrtle Beach and Erie, he went 5–13 with a 5.45 ERA, striking out 94 batters over 102+1⁄3 innings. He was selected to play in the Arizona Fall League for the Mesa Solar Sox following the season.[14] The Tigers added Lange to their 40-man roster after the 2020 season.[15]

On April 10, 2021, Lange was promoted to the majors for the first time and made his Major League debut that day, throwing a scoreless inning.[16] On September 20, 2021, Lange recorded his first career save with a perfect 1-2-3 ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox.[17] He earned his first major league win on September 30 with 1+1⁄3 innings of scoreless relief against the Minnesota Twins.[18] Overall, Lange made 36 appearances for the 2021 Tigers, posting a 1–3 record and 4.04 ERA, while striking out 39 batters in 35+2⁄3 innings.

In 2022, Lange primarily filled a middle relief and setup role. He led the Tigers with 71 appearances, posting a 7–4 record and a 3.69 ERA, with 82 strikeouts in 63+1⁄3 innings.

While Tigers manager A. J. Hinch has resisted naming a full-time closer for the 2023 season, Lange has made the most appearances for the team in save situations.

On July 8, 2023, Lange pitched the last inning of a combined no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays.[19]

References
  1. "Budding LSU star Alex Lange thrives because of strong foundation that began at home under unique circumstances". NOLA.com.
  2. "Right from the beginning, LSU's Alex Lange has turned heads in his fall debut". NOLA.com.
  3. "LSU's Alex Lange tabbed as the national Freshman Pitcher of the Year on the Louisville Slugger All-American Team". NOLA.com.
  4. "Alex Lange named freshman pitcher of the year by NCBWA for 2015". NOLA.com.
  5. "With its season on the line, LSU turns to ace Alex Lange and his game-changing curveball".
  6. "CWS Notebook: LSU has confidence with freshman ace Alex Lange set to go in Tuesday's game".
  7. Lopresti, Mike (June 24, 2017). "LSU's Alex Lange tames Oregon State to keep College World series dreams alive for Tigers". NCAA.com. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  8. "Focusing on arms, Cubs find Lange at No. 30".
  9. "Alex Lange Stats, Highlights, Bio". Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  10. "Cubs' Top 30 Prospects list reflects focus on pitching". MLB.com. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  11. "Alex Lange Stats, Highlights, Bio". MiLB.com. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  12. "Major League Baseball | madison.com".
  13. Beck, Jason (July 31, 2019). "Tigers trade Castellanos to Cubs". MLB.com. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  14. "Arizona Fall League rosters revealed".
  15. "Detroit Tigers protect four important prospects from Rule 5 draft".
  16. "Tigers Place Julio Teheran on 10-Day Injured List with Shoulder Strain".
  17. "White Sox 3, Tigers 4". MLB.com. September 20, 2021. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  18. "Tigers 10, Twins 7 (Box Score)". MLB.com. September 30, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  19. Hernandez, Victoria (July 8, 2023). "Detroit Tigers pitch first combined no-hitter in team history against Toronto Blue Jays". USA Today. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
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