Alex Lange

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Alex Lange

|image = Alex Lange (16735091396) (cropped).jpg

|caption = Lange with the LSU Tigers in 2015

|team = Detroit Tigers

|number = 55

|position = Pitcher

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|10|2}}

|birth_place = Riverside, California, U.S.

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = April 10

|debutyear = 2021

|debutteam = Detroit Tigers

|statleague = MLB

|statyear = 2024 season

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 15–15

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 3.72

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 221

|stat4label = Saves

|stat4value = 29

|teams =

Detroit Tigers ({{mlby|2021}}–present)

|awards =

Pitched a combined no-hitter on July 8, 2023

}}

Alexander 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.

Career

Lange was adopted when he was a baby.{{cite web | last=Rosetta | first=Randy | title=Budding LSU star Alex Lange thrives because of strong foundation that began at home under unique circumstances | website=NOLA.com | date=2015-06-05 | url=https://www.nola.com/sports/budding-lsu-star-alex-lange-thrives-because-of-strong-foundation-that-began-at-home-under/article_da63144c-e673-5b58-9b96-624e1e9bcbef.html | access-date=2024-08-22}} 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).{{cite web | last=Rosetta | first=Randy | title=Right from the beginning, LSU's Alex Lange has turned heads in his fall debut | website=NOLA.com | date=2014-11-01 | url=https://www.nola.com/sports/right-from-the-beginning-lsus-alex-lange-has-turned-heads-in-his-fall-debut/article_d0f1cfef-f590-56c2-be3f-a8b3dc8d5afa.html | access-date=2024-08-22}}

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{{Cite web |title=LSU's Alex Lange tabbed as the national Freshman Pitcher of the Year on the Louisville Slugger All-American Team |url=http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2015/06/lsu_alex_lange_tabbed_as_the_n.html |website=NOLA.com|date=June 3, 2015 }}{{Cite web |title=Alex Lange named freshman pitcher of the year by NCBWA for 2015 |url=http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2015/06/alex_lange_named_top_freshman.html |website=NOLA.com|date=June 9, 2015 }} and helped lead LSU to the College World Series.{{Cite web |title=With its season on the line, LSU turns to ace Alex Lange and his game-changing curveball |url=http://theadvocate.com/sports/lsu/12609640-128/with-its-season-on-the}}{{Cite web |title=CWS Notebook: LSU has confidence with freshman ace Alex Lange set to go in Tuesday's game |url=http://theadvocate.com/columnists/lannykeller/12646092-123/cws-notebook-lsu-has-confidence}} 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.{{Cite news |last=Lopresti |first=Mike |date=June 24, 2017 |title=LSU's Alex Lange tames Oregon State to keep College World series dreams alive for Tigers |url=https://www.ncaa.com/news/baseball/article/2017-06-23/lsus-alex-lange-tames-oregon-state-keep-college-world-series-dreams |access-date=June 25, 2017 |work=NCAA.com}}

=Chicago Cubs=

The Chicago Cubs selected Lange with the 30th pick in the first round of the 2017 MLB Draft.{{Cite web |title=Focusing on arms, Cubs find Lange at No. 30 |url=http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/235984336/cubs-draft-righty-alex-lange-with-30th-pick/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613073506/http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/235984336/cubs-draft-righty-alex-lange-with-30th-pick/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 13, 2017}} 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 {{frac|9|1|3}} innings pitched.{{Cite web |title=Alex Lange Stats, Highlights, Bio |url=http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=656638#/career/R/pitching/2017/ALL |access-date=December 10, 2017}} MLB.com ranked Lange as Chicago's fifth best prospect going into the 2018 season.{{Cite web |title=Cubs' Top 30 Prospects list reflects focus on pitching |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/cubs-2018-top-30-prospects-list-led-by-alzolay/c-266885840?tid=151437456 |access-date=February 22, 2018 |website=MLB.com}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Alex Lange Stats, Highlights, Bio |url=http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=656638#/career/R/pitching/2018/ALL |access-date=October 11, 2018 |website=MiLB.com}} Lange began 2019 back with Myrtle Beach.{{Cite web |title=Major League Baseball {{!}} madison.com |url=https://madison.com/sports/baseball/professional/kwan-has-hits-leads-lynchburg-to---win-over/article_3c430305-856e-52dd-a96e-83a4246c4d7b.html}}

=Detroit Tigers=

On July 31, 2019, the Cubs traded Lange and Paul Richan to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for Nick Castellanos.{{Cite web |last=Beck |first=Jason |date=July 31, 2019 |title=Tigers trade Castellanos to Cubs |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/nicholas-castellanos-traded-to-cubs |access-date=July 31, 2019 |website=MLB.com}} 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 {{frac|102|1|3}} innings. He was selected to play in the Arizona Fall League for the Mesa Solar Sox following the season.{{Cite web |title=Arizona Fall League rosters revealed |website=MLB.com |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2019-arizona-fall-league-rosters}} Lange did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|title=2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled|access-date=June 19, 2024|website=mlb.com|language=en}} On November 20, 2020, the Tigers added Lange to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.{{Cite web |title=Detroit Tigers protect four important prospects from Rule 5 draft |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2020/11/20/detroit-tigers-prospects-rule-5-draft/3779494001/}}

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.{{Cite web |title=Tigers Place Julio Teheran on 10-Day Injured List with Shoulder Strain |date=April 10, 2021 |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/04/tigers-place-julio-teheran-on-10-day-injured-list-with-shoulder-strain.html}} On September 20, 2021, Lange recorded his first career save with a perfect 1–2–3 ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox.{{Cite web |date=September 20, 2021 |title=White Sox 3, Tigers 4 |url=https://www.mlb.com/gameday/white-sox-vs-tigers/2021/09/20/632423#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=wrap,game=632423 |access-date=September 21, 2021 |website=MLB.com}} He earned his first major league win on September 30 with {{frac|1|1|3}} innings of scoreless relief against the Minnesota Twins.{{Cite web |date=September 30, 2021 |title=Tigers 10, Twins 7 (Box Score) |url=https://www.mlb.com/gameday/tigers-vs-twins/2021/09/30/632285#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=box,game=632285 |access-date=October 1, 2021 |website=MLB.com}} Overall, Lange made 36 appearances for the 2021 Tigers, posting a 1–3 record and 4.04 ERA, while striking out 39 batters in {{frac|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 {{frac|63|1|3}} innings.

On July 8, 2023, Lange pitched the last inning of a combined no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays.{{Cite web |last=Hernandez |first=Victoria |date=July 8, 2023 |title=Detroit Tigers pitch first combined no-hitter in team history against Toronto Blue Jays |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2023/07/08/tigers-hit-first-combined-no-hitter-in-team-history-beat-blue-jays/70394700007/ |access-date=July 20, 2023 |publisher=USA Today}} While Tigers manager A. J. Hinch resisted naming a full-time closer for the 2023 season, Lange made the most appearances for the team in save situations. On the season, he saved 26 games in 32 opportunities. He posted a 7–5 record and a 3.68 ERA, while striking out 79 batters in 66 innings.

Lange made 21 appearances for Detroit in 2024, compiling an 0–3 record and 4.34 ERA with 21 strikeouts across {{fraction|18|2|3}} innings pitched. On June 18, 2024, it was announced that Lange would undergo surgery to repair an avulsion in his right lat.{{Cite web|title=Detroit Tigers reliever Alex Lange needs surgery for lat strain, most likely ending season|url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2024/06/18/detroit-tigers-pitcher-alex-lange-needs-surgery-out-for-season-jackson-jobe-injury-updates/74137258007/|access-date=June 19, 2024|website=freep.com|language=en}}