Month: May 2023

Yankees MILB 5/31: Oswald Peraza: BOOM x 2!

News:

Nothing new or exciting to report.

Scranton (27-26) (Defeated Lehigh Valley, 7-5, in ten innings)

CF Estevan Florial: 2-for-6, 3B (3), RBI, K
Florial is in the midst of a 10-game hitting streak. He has five multi-hit games during the streak and has at least one extra-base hit in nine of the games. Overall, he is hitting .322/.432/.645.
SS Oswald Peraza: 3-for-6, 2 HR (9), 2 RBI, 3 RS
Peraza is now the owner of a 7-game hitting streak and has 8 HR in his last ten games. This is his 4th career multi-HR game (second this month). I have said since Spring Training that he has nothing to prove here. I don’t care about a logjam in MLB – Peraza does not belong here.  Anyway, he is hitting .347/.398/.663.
LF Elijah Dunham: 2-for-5, 2 K
.219/.347/.331 in 202 plate appearances. He started the season strong (.256/.378/.390 in April) but simply couldn’t get much going in May. 
3B Andres Chaparro: 0-for-5, 3 K
He finishes May 26-for-89 (.292) with 3 HR and 20 RBI. 
  PR-3B Wilmer Difo: 0-for-0, RS
RF Kole Calhoun: 2-for-5, 3B (2), 2 RBI, RS, K
DH Rodolfo Duran: 1-for-4, RBI, RS, BB
.283/.338/.542 in 130 plate appearances. 
1B Billy McKinney: 1-for-4, BB, 2 K
C Carlos Narvaez: 1-for-2, RS, 3 BB, K
Since his promotion: 10-for-37 with 14 (!) walks and seven strikeouts. There is a catching logjam that will only get larger when Josh Breaux gets back here.
2B Jamie Westbrook: 1-for-4, BB, 2 K, CS (2)

RHP Mitch Spence: 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
4.26 ERA (57 IP, 54 H, 32 R, 27 ER, 10 HR, 21 BB, 45 K). Spence compiled a 2.21 ERA in 36.2 May innings.
RHP Deivi Garcia: 1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
4.78 ERA (26.1 IP, 22 H, 15 R, 14 ER, 3 HR, 21 BB, 27 K). Simply put, you aren’t surviving in the big leagues with this kind of walk rate. Again, the Yankees have a free year of evaluation with Garcia, so may as well use it to see if anything clicks.
RHP Matt Bowman (W, 2-0): 2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

Somerset (26-20) (Defeated Portland, 4-2)

SS Trey Sweeney: 0-for-3, BB, K
Sweeney walked 23 times in 24 May games (26 K). He hit .222/.383/.333 during the month.
CF Jasson Dominguez: 1-for-4, K
Dominguez finishes May at .237/.353/.412 after a .140/.380/.340 April. 
1B T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-3, SF, RBI
Rumfield had a strong May, hitting .273/.383/.515 (4 doubles, 4 HR, 12 RBI, 12 R)
3B Caleb Durbin: 1-for-4, RS
Since promotion: .254/.347/.333 in 72 plate appearances with 7 walks and only 2 strikeouts. The Braves recently DFA’s Lucas Luetge, the pitcher who the Yankees sent over for Durbin (and RHP Indigo Diaz)
LF Jeisson Rosario: 1-for-3, HR (6), 2 RBI, RS
6 of Rosario’s 17 hits have gone over the fence. His BABIP is an insanely low .180.
C Anthony Seigler: 1-for-3
2B Max Burt: 1-for-3, K
RF Aaron Palensky: 0-for-2, HBP, SB (1)
Palensky is a perfect 11-for-11 stealing bases between here and Hudson Valley.
DH Mickey Gasper: 1-for-2, HR (1), RBI, 2 RS, HBP

RHP Clayton Beeter (W, 3-2): 5.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 3 K
2.66 ERA (44 IP, 35 H, 13 R, 13 ER, 3 HR, 25 BB, 52 K)
LHP Edgar Barclay: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
Barclay’s first appearance of 2023 (and first in Double-A). He pitched to a 1.74 ERA and 33.5% K rate for Hudson Valley last season. He is someone to watch.
RHP Danny Watson: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
While he didn’t strike anyone out in his Double-A debut, he was a K machine for Hudson Valley.
RHP Zac Houston: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Alex Mauricio (S, 2): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Hudson Valley (27-20) (Lost to Aberdeen, 7-4)

CF Spencer Jones: 2-for-5, 2 2B (15), RS, 2 K
Jones has 21 doubles (35 extra-base hits) in 64 career games.
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-5, 2 K
C Josh Breaux: 3-for-5, HR (1), 2 RBI, 2 RS, K
One has to assume he will make his way to Scranton soon enough. That will place four catchers in Triple-A: Ben Rortvedt, Rodolfo Duran, Carlos Narvaez, and Breaux. I assume Narvaez will be the one on the way back to Somerset.
DH Spencer Henson: 2-for-5, 3 K
1B Rafael Flores: 2-for-3, 2B (7), RBI, BB
.328/.381/.403 in 147 plate appearances. A surprising early entry in the “race” for the organization’s batting crown.
2B Ben Cowles: 1-for-4, 2 K
He finishes May with a 5-game hitting streak and an overall .333/.400/.439 line.
LF Grant Richardson: 1-for-4, HR (5), RBI, RS, K
He hit .203/.284/.329 in May. However, the good news is that he started very slow before coming on strong over the past few weeks.
RF Aldenis Sanchez: 0-for-3, BB, K, CS (2)
3B Marcos Cabrera: 0-for-3, BB

RHP Tyrone Yulie (L, 1-3): 4.1 IP, 2 H, 5 R, 0 ER, 5 BB, 5 K, HR
This is a “fascinating” stat line.
RHP Mason Vinyard: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
Vinyard’s High-A debut (14 games of 3.33 ERA ball for Tampa)
RHP Carlos Gomez: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
LHP Josh Maciejewski: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Maciejewski’s first appearance since 7/4/22. He pitched to a 2.88 ERA in 34.1 IP for Somerset last season (he had one rough start for Scranton, as well)

Tampa (20-27) (Defeated Bradenton, 2-1, in ten innings)

2B Jared Serna: 0-for-4, SF, RBI, 3 K
Serna’s 10-game hitting streak is snapped.
RF-CF Daury Arias: 1-for-5
Arias went 22-for-80 (.275) in May. He hit .167/.254/.250 in April.
C Agustin Ramirez: 2-for-3, 2B (5), RBI, 2 BB
Ramirez walks it off in the 10th. He has walked seven times in his last two games (18 times in May to go along with his 5 doubles and 4 home runs)
DH Anthony Hall: 1-for-3, BB, K, SB (2)
Hall goes 23-for-68 in May with 17 walks. Again, I can’t imagine him being here for too long.
SS Brenny Escanio: 0-for-3, BB, K
CF Nelson Medina: 1-for-1, RS, SB (7)
Medina has been solid thus far, so let’s hope that any injury he has suffered is short-term.
  PH-RF Felix Negueis: 0-for-3, 2 K
1B Omar Martinez: 1-for-4, K, SB (2)
LF Tayler Aguilar: 0-for-3, BB, K
3B Brett Barrera: 0-for-4, RS, K

RHP Kris Bow: 3.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
Bow’s most impressive outing to date (he struggled in his first two starts of 2023). His experience is limited but he seems to have some good stuff to work with (a mid-90s sinker is always a nice start)
RHP Yorlin Calderon: 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
2.38 ERA (22.2 IP, 20 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 2 HR, 8 BB, 27 K). Calderon tossed a 7-inning no-hitter in his debut at this level last year. In 2023, they have kept him in the bullpen with solid results. 
LHP Geoffrey Gilbert: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
2.14 ERA (21 IP, 16 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 0 HR, 11 BB, 26 K). Some have asked if he can be stretched out to start, given he did a little starting for Clemson. I am sure the Yankees will consider it as they have tried that path with many of their pitching prospects. 
RHP Matt Keating: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
2.11 ERA (21.1 IP, 16 H, 8 R, 5 ER, 2 HR, 11 BB, 32 K). Even after the promotion of Watson, strong arms remain down here in Tampa.
RHP Cole Ayers: (W, 1-1) 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K

Yankees MILB 5/30: Oswald Peraza >>> Triple-A

News:

Some promotions in the organization today, though the top prospects you hear about the most weren’t a part of this wave. I won’t get into all of them.

OF Aaron Palensky, who compiled an insane .352/.434/.744 (205 wRC+) for Hudson Valley, is now in Somerset. This is not his first taste of Double-A. In 2021, he was assigned there instantly after signing with the Yankees. He compiled an impressive 15.3% BB but only hit .216/.360/.378. That isn’t bad for a player who never played at any other professional level. That was likely done out of necessity though and he was appropriately placed in Hudson Valley to start 2022, where he hit .251/.369/.475.  He earned the chance to prove he can hit at the upper levels. He is Rule 5 eligible this winter.

Joining Palensky in Somerset are RHP Danny Watson, who compiled an impressive 39% K rate in Hudson Valley, and LHP Edgar Barclay, who hasn’t pitched in 2023. The 25-year-old compiled an impressive 1.74 ERA and 33.5% K rate for Hudson Valley in 2022. He is already Rule 5 eligible (some were scared that he might get selected last winter)

Unfortunately, with promotions typically come releases. The Yankees have released RHP Justin Maese, RHP Enrique Santana, and OF Alan Mejia. Mejia has his share of fans who look for deep sleepers, but he hasn’t been able to match his .314/.414/.569 line from 2019 (DSL). Maese is a former 3rd round pick by the Blue Jays back in 2015. He has never made it past Double-A.

Scranton (26-26) (Defeated Lehigh Valley, 4-1)

CF Estevan Florial: 1-for-3, 2B (7), RBI, BB, K, SB (11), CS (6)
Florial is now the owner of a 9-game hitting streak (16-for-41; 2 doubles, 6 home runs, 12 RBI, 12 runs). Tonight was the first game during the streak where he did not score a run. 
SS Oswald Peraza: 2-for-4, HR (7), RBI, RS, HBP, K
Peraza has 6 home runs in his last 9 games. He is not having any struggles at this level.
LF Elijah Dunham: 0-for-5, 2 K
1B Andres Chaparro: 1-for-4, 2B (7), RS
Chaparro increases his hitting streak to 7. Surprisingly, this is his first extra-base hit during the streak.
RF Kole Calhoun: 1-for-4, RBI
C Rodolfo Duran: 0-for-4, 2 K
DH Carlos Narvaez: 2-for-3, RS, BB, K
3B Jamie Westbrook: 3-for-4, 2B (6), RS, CS (1)
2B Jesus Bastidas: 1-for-4, RBI
Bastidas is an impressive 24-for-68 (.353) in May after his 16-for-78 (.205) April performance.

LHP Tanner Tully: (W, 5-1)  6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, HR
3.52 ERA (46 IP, 57 H, 21 R, 18 ER, 4 HR, 11 BB, 44 K). The veteran has done his job, sporting a 2.61 ERA in 31 May innings.
RHP Michael Feliz: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
His organizational debut. He was signed to a minor league contract recently out of the Mexican League (he has plenty of MLB experience)
LHP Nick Ramirez: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Greg Weissert: (S, 5)  1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K

Somerset (25-20) (Lost to Portland, 3-1. The Sea Dogs are a challenge for Somerset, given that they are now 31-15)

SS Trey Sweeney: 1-for-3, HR (3), RBI, RS, BB, SB (8)
Sweeney’s first HR since 5/11. I think the double-digit power will show up. 
3B Josh Donaldson: 1-for-4
DH Giancarlo Stanton: 0-for-3, BB
A DH who can’t hit? Not a prospect.
CF Jasson Dominguez: 0-for-3, BB, K
Dominguez is hitting .237/.357/.419 in May. He was scorching earlier in the month but has since stabilized. 
C Austin Wells: 0-for-4, K
LF Everson Pereira: 1-for-1
He was pulled early from the game. Fingers and toes crossed.
   LF Aaron Palensky: 1-for-3
1B T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
2B Caleb Durbin: 0-for-3, BB
RF Jeisson Rosario: 0-for-3

RHP Richard Fitts: (L, 2-4) 6 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 8 K
4.96 ERA (45.1 IP, 51 H, 25 R, 25 ER, 7 HR, 12 BB, 49 K). Back-to-back strong efforts for Fitts (6 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K last time out)
RHP Tommy Kahnle: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
It’s all about health for Kahnle, who should be back with the Yankees soon enough.
LHP Lisandro Santos: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
3.08 ERA (26.1 IP, 12 H, 11 R, 9 ER, 1 HR, 18 BB, 29 K). The age-old question: If Santos improved his control, would that make him more hittable? That’s where the command conversation would start.

Hudson Valley (27-19) (Lost to Aberdeen, 7-0)

CF Spencer Jones: 0-for-4, 2 K
Jones is 6-for-42 with 19 strikeouts in his last ten games.
SS Alexander Vargas: 1-for-3, 2B (6), BB, K
Vargas now has a 6-game hitting streak (11-for-27). His triple slash has climbed from .220/.281/.432 to .255/.312/.462.
DH Josh Breaux: 0-for-4, K
C Antonio Gomez: 1-for-4, 2 K
1B Spencer Henson: 1-for-4, K
RF Grant Richardson: 0-for-3, HBP, K
2B Ben Cowles: 1-for-3
Cowles is 22-for-65 (.338) in May. 
LF Aldenis Sanchez: 0-for-2, BB
3B Eduardo Torrealba: 0-for-3, K

LHP Joel Valdez: (L, 1-3)  3.2 IP, 6 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, HR
RHP Bailey Dees: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
2.95 ERA (21.1 IP, 14 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 2 HR, 8 BB, 34 K). When will he join Watson in Somerset?
LHP Ryan Anderson: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
RHP Nick Paciorek: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K

Tampa (19-27) (Crushed Bradenton, 15-0)

2B Jared Serna: 1-for-5, RBI, RS, BB, K, SB (11)
Serna now owns a 10-game hitting streak. 
DH Daury Arias: 1-for-3, RBI, 3 RS, 3 BB
C Agustin Ramirez: 0-for-1, RBI, 2 RS, 5 BB, K
I am sure it has happened – but I don’t remember the last time a Yankees prospect walked five times in a game.
RF Anthony Hall: 2-for-4, 2B (5), 4 RBI, 2 BB
Hall should find his way up to Hudson Valley soon. He is 22-for-65 (.338) in May with more walks (16) than strikeouts (11).
SS Brenny Escanio: 0-for-6, 3 K
Escanio’s biggest asset is his ability to take walks – so, naturally, he goes 0-for-6 without a walk on a night that the team walks 16 times.
CF Nelson Medina: 0-for-3, RS, 2 BB
1B Omar Martinez: 1-for-3, 3 RS, 2 BB
LF Christopher Familia: 3-for-4, HR (1), 3 RBI, 2 RS, BB
This is what you call an impressive 2023 debut. Familia hit .207/.295/.362 in 36 games at this level in 2022.
3B Brett Barrera: 2-for-5, 2B (1), RBI, 2 RS, K

RHP Hayden Merda: (W, 1-2) 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K
Merda’s has 12 scoreless innings in his last two starts. This is his first professional victory.
RHP Luis Velasquez: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
RHP Manny Ramirez: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Shane Gray: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Yankees MILB 5/28: Estevan Florial is Scorching

News:

Mason Vinyard is now a member of the Hudson Valley Renegades, as he was promoted from the Tampa Tarpons according to the Hudson Valley Twitter feed.

Vinyard, a 23-year-old RHP, was signed as an undrafted free agent last year (Western Kentucky). For Tampa, he pitched to a 3.33 ERA in 24.1 innings with a 32/10 K/BB ratio.

RHP Yoendrys Gomez is back from the injured list. He is a 40-man roster guy with one minor league option left. We are nearing the “now or never” part of his career. The talent is there – the health hasn’t been.

Scranton (25-26) (Mauled Worcester, 11-4)

CF Estevan Florial: 3-for-5, 2B (6), HR (12), 2 RBI, 3 RS, K
Florial now has an 8-game hitting streak (15-for-38; 2 doubles, 6 home runs). He is hitting .322/.437/.643. He is the new organizational HR leader.
3B Josh Donaldson: 2-for-3, 2B (1), HR (1), 2 RBI, 3 RS, 2 BB
Once a rehabbing player starts playing full games in the field, you know the return is imminent.
SS Oswald Peraza: 1-for-4, RS, HBP, K
.329/.380/.576 in 92 plate appearances. 
LF Kole Calhoun: 0-for-3, RS, 2 BB, K
1B Andres Chaparro: 1-for-3, SF, 2 RBI, K
Chaparro is starting to feel it again. He is now hitting .263/.332/.492 with 11 home runs, 34 RBI, and 32 runs scored. His K% is a reasonable 20.8.
RF Elijah Dunham: 1-for-4, 2B (10), RS, 3 K
C Rodolfo Duran: 1-for-4, RBI, RS
.295/.347/.571 in 121 plate appearances. He continues to maintain that batting average.
DH Carlos Narvaez: 1-for-3, RBI, RS, BB, SB (1)
7-for-32 with ten walks since his promotion.
2B Jamie Westbrook: 1-for-4, RBI, 3 K

RHP Will Warren: (W, 2-1)  6 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 8 K
A Donaldson error helped bring home a couple of runs. Warren allowed five HR in his first two Triple-A starts but kept the ball in the park today. He hit the mid-90s with his sinker today and sits just a bit below that. A legit prospect who I would say is nearly ready, but not quite there yet. Ask me again later in the year.
RHP Tommy Kahnle: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
See you soon!
RHP Colten Brewer: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Somerset (25-19) (Defeated Erie, 3-2. A nice rebound from the 17-3 loss last night. As they say, the way to take care of momentum in baseball is with the next day’s pitching)

SS Trey Sweeney: 0-for-5, 3 K
Tough day – shake it off.  Sweeney is hitting .230/.366/.324 in 183 PA (8 doubles, 2 HR, 16 RBI, 27 R, 31 BB (16.9%), 41 K (22.4%), 7-for-10 SB)
LF Jasson Dominguez: 1-for-4, 2 K
.207/.369/.400. I would love to see him go on a streak that will put the Mendoza line firmly in the rearview mirror.
CF Everson Pereira: 2-for-4, 2B (10), 2 K
.280/.346/.510 in 159 PA. He is 26-for-86 (.302/.365/.570) in May.
DH Austin Wells: 2-for-3, RS, BB
For Somerset (I don’t care about his rehab stint in Tampa): .272/.359/.580 in 92 plate appearances.
3B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-0
He was listed in the first lineup I saw – but isn’t listed at all in the boxscore. It could have been a GameDay error – but I will just leave it here anyway. Hardman is hitting .226/.300/.492 in 140 plate appearances. 
  PH-3B Max Burt: 0-for-4, K
1B T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-3, RS, BB
.241/.331/.440 in 136 PA. His K% is currently 13.97%.
2B Caleb Durbin: 1-for-4, RS, K
He is now up to two strikeouts in 64 plate appearances since his promotion! His hitting streak is now at five (8-for-20 with two doubles and a triple)
RF Jeisson Rosario: 0-for-4, 3 K
C Mickey Gasper: 1-for-3, 2B (1), 3 RBI, BB, SB (2)
Gasper obviously had the big knock of the day – a bases-clearing double with one out in the 6th.

RHP Yoendrys Gomez: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
An impressive performance for Gomez in his first appearance of 2023.
LHP Michael Giacone: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
2.21 ERA (20.1 IP, 14 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 11 BB, 25 K). As I keep saying, this system isn’t loaded with LHP, so pay close attention to the ones they do have.
RHP Justin Wilson: (W, 1-1)  2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
4.86 ERA (16.2 IP, 12 H, 10 R, 9 ER, 3 HR, 13 BB, 16 K). A nice outing after giving up four runs in one inning the last time out.
RHP Indigo Diaz: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Alex Mauricio: (S, 1)  1.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Hudson Valley (27-18) (Defeated Wilmington, 8-4)

CF Spencer Jones: 2-for-4, 2B (13), 2 RS, BB, SB (11)
SS Alexander Vargas: 2-for-4, 2B (5), 2 RBI, RS, BB, 2 K
Vargas’ third straight multi-hit game (4th in his last five games). He is 10-for-24 during this stretch.
C Josh Breaux: 0-for-4, K
Breaux played seven defensive innings tonight.
  C Juan Crisp: 0-for-0, BB
DH Antonio Gomez: 2-for-5, 2 RBI, RS, K
Gomez has driven home at least one run in four straight games.
1B Spencer Henson: 1-for-5, 3 K
Henson is the proud owner of a 6-game hitting streak (12-for-29)
RF Aldenis Sanchez: 0-for-5, RS
LF Grant Richardson: 1-for-3, HR (4), 2 RBI, RS
Richardson is on a 9-game on-base streak (eight of those games feature at least one hit)
2B Eduardo Torrealba: 1-for-3, RS, BB
3B Marcos Cabrera: 1-for-3, HR (3), RBI, RS, BB, 2 K
Cabrera didn’t have a good season for Tampa last year, but he did hit 14 home runs. His issue is the strikeouts – a whopping 37.9% rate last year and a 36.2% rate this year.

RHP Drew Thorpe: (W, 3-1) 5.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, HR
Thorpe allowed three runs in the first inning but was able to settle in from there. He owns a 3.92 ERA (43.2 IP, 42 H, 23 R, 19 ER, 4 HR, 18 BB, 52 K)
LHP Clay Aguilar: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
3.65 ERA (12.1 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 9 BB, 18 K)
RHP Jack Neely: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
2.00 ERA (18 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 12 BB, 29 K). Neely’s last eight outs have been via the strikeout.
RHP Danny Watson: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
1.48 ERA (24.1 IP, 12 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 9 BB, 39 K)

Tampa (18-27) (Defeated Palm Beach, 3-1)

2B Jared Serna: 1-for-5, 2 K, SB (10)
Serna is now the owner of a 9-game hitting streak (11-for-37; .297). It isn’t one of those “can’t get this guy out” streaks but it is allowing him to maintain his impressive triple slash: .318/.382/.539 in 170 plate appearances. 
CF Daury Arias: 1-for-5, 3 K, SB (6)
C Agustin Ramirez: 1-for-3, RS, BB, K, SB (4)
Of the three catcher types down here (Ramirez, Omar Martinez, Jesus Rodriguez), it is Ramirez who is typically hitting the highest in the lineup. He is hitting .248/.359/.410 in 142 plate appearances.
RF Nelson Medina: 1-for-4, RS, 2 K
Medina continues to hit well while floating under the radar: .282/.380/.462. He is 22 and plays every outfield position.
SS Brenny Escanio: 0-for-3, RS, BB, K
DH Omar Martinez: 2-for-4, 2B (4), RBI
.238/.370/.410 in 127 PA. Martinez has been slumping lately so he needed this.
LF Tayler Aguilar: 1-for-3, BB
3B Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-4, 2 K
.239/.323/.312 in 125 PA. Of the three catcher types, Rodriguez is the one they use in more of a multi-position role (C, 1B, 3B, LF)
1B Ronny Rojas: 0-for-4, 3 K

RHP Leonardo Pestana: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
Pestana’s first appearance since 5/10. 
RHP Ocean Gabonia (W, 2-0): 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Baron Stuart: 4.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 5 K
Stuart pitches well in a “bulk” role today. In his two bulk role appearances: 7.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 6 BB, 8 K. Too many walks, but he was struggling as a starter. Perhaps this role gets him on track.
RHP Alex Bustamante (S, 1): 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

Yankees MILB 5/27: Oswald Peraza Homers Again

News:

C Josh Breaux began his rehab stint tonight down in Hudson Valley. He will join a crowded field of upper-level catchers when he eventually reports to Scranton.

Scranton (24-26) (Lost to Worcester, 11-7)

CF Estevan Florial: 1-for-4, 2B (5), RBI, RS, BB, K
Florial continues to maintain his 1.000+ OPS (.312/.432/.616). He is now on a 7-game hitting streak that features a double and five home runs.
LF Elijah Dunham: 0-for-4, RS, BB, 2 K
3B Oswald Peraza: 1-for-4, HR (6), 2 RBI, RS
Peraza’s Triple-A career: .273/.337/.469 in 547 PA (19 doubles, 26 HR, 68 RBI, 74 R, 40 BB, 119 K, 41-for-48 SB). Top prospects aren’t even supposed to linger in Triple-A. That isn’t how player development works.
RF Kole Calhoun: 0-for-4, K
DH Franchy Cordero: 0-for-4, K
C Carlos Narvaez: 1-for-3, RS, BB
1B Billy McKinney: 1-for-3, RS, K
  1B Rodolfo Duran: 0-for-0, BB
SS Jesus Bastidas: 3-for-4, HR (6), 3 RBI, RS, K
.269/.331//434 in 163 PA. The under-the-radar utility type is 23-for-64 (.359/.453/.578) in May (4 HR, 9 RBI, 16 R)
2B Wilmer Difo: 0-for-3, RS, HBP, 2 K, SB (12)
Difo has seven stolen bases in his last six games.

RHP Aaron McGarity: (L, 4-1) 1 IP, 0 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
McGarity, typically a reliever, was taking Randy Vasquez‘s slot today.
RHP James Norwood: 1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, HR
Norwood, who has 48 games of MLB experience, has struggled this season. The one positive is the 29 K in 17.2 IP.
RHP Barrett Loseke: 2.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 2 HR
2.45 ERA (22 IP, 15 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 4 HR, 11 BB, 24 K)
RHP Matt Bowman: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
RHP Michael Gomez: 2.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Greg Weissert: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
2.51 ERA (14.1 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 HR, 8 BB, 22 K)

Somerset (24-19) (Lost to Erie, 17-3)

SS Trey Sweeney: 1-for-5, 2B (8), RS, 2 K
LF Jasson Dominguez: 2-for-5, HR (7), 2 RBI, RS, 3 K
Dominguez is 5-for-14 in his last four games with six walks.
C Austin Wells: 1-for-4, 2B (4), BB
Wells has slowed down a tad after his insane hot streak – good to see him earn his first extra-base hit in five games.
CF Everson Pereira: 0-for-3, BB, K
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-4
3B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-4, 2 K
2B Caleb Durbin: 2-for-4, 2B (3), 3B (1), RS, SB (10)
Durbin’s third straight multi-hit game. Between here and Hudson Valley, Durbin is 25-for-29 in the stolen base department. As for the “strikeout watch,” he now has one strikeout in 60 plate appearances since his promotion.
RF Jeisson Rosario: 2-for-2, RBI, 2 BB, SB (4)
DH Anthony Seigler: 0-for-4, 2 K

RHP Blane Abeyta: (L, 2-3) 4.2 IP, 8 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 4 BB, 6 K, 3 HR
RHP Steven Jennings: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 2 HR
RHP Tanner Myatt:  0.1 IP, 2 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 0 K, HR
Myatt was throwing pretty well this season but the walks finally catch up to him.
RHP Shawn Semple: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K

Hudson Valley (26-18) (Lost to Wilmington, 7-5)

SS Alexander Vargas: 2-for-5, 2B (4), 2 RS, K
Vargas has three multi-hit games in his last four games played (8-for-20). He is hitting .246/.297/.449.
LF Aaron Palensky: 3-for-4, 2B (9), RBI, RS, HBP, SB (10)
Palensky has seven 3+ hit games this season. This is his 5th consecutive multi-hit game (13-for-21; 5 doubles, 1 triple, 2 home runs)
DH Josh Breaux: 3-for-5, RBI, RS, 2 K
A successful rehab game for Breaux.
  PR Eduardo Torrealba: 0-for-0
C Antonio Gomez: 0-for-4, SF, RBI, 2 K
RF Grant Richardson: 0-for-3, BB
1B Rafael Flores: 0-for-4, 2 K
CF Aldenis Sanchez: 0-for-4, 2 K
3B Ben Cowles: 2-for-4, RS
Cowles, who was hitting .208 at the end of April, is up to .277 (.818 OPS) thanks to a 20-for-59 (.339) May. 
2B Luis Santos: 1-for-3, BB, K

RHP Chase Hampton: 5.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 10 K, 2 HR
3.15 ERA (34.1 IP, 27 H, 16 R, 12 ER, 5 HR, 13 BB, 59 K). Is the 22-year-old strikeout machine on a fast track to Somerset in his first professional season?
RHP Carlos Gomez (L, 2-2): 1.2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Harrison Cohen: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
3.18 ERA (14.2 IP, 14 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 2 HR, 6 BB, 21 K)

Tampa (17-27) (Lost a tough one to Palm Beach, 7-6. The Cardinals scored three in the bottom of the 9th to win)

DH Jared Serna: 1-for-4
Serna’s hitting streak has reached 8. He is hitting .322/.388/.550 in 165 PA (8 doubles, 1 triple, 8 HR, 23 RBI, 26 R, 15 BB, 21 K, 9-for-12 SB). He has been so good that his average has actually dropped slightly during his hitting streak.
CF Anthony Hall: 0-for-1, 2 RS, 3 BB, CS (2)
Hall is seeing the ball well here now and should get himself to Hudson Valley at some point. He is hitting .255/.386/.383 in 114 PA with 19 BB (16.7%) and 21 K (18.4%). In May, Hall is hitting .328/.461/.459.
RF Daury Arias: 2-for-4, HR (2, GS), 4 RBI, 2 RS, K
Arias hit 13 HR in 97 rookie league games, so he showed off some pop before reaching the world of a full-season league. 
C Omar Martinez: 1-for-4, RBI, 2 K
.228/.366/.396 in 123 PA. This is his 7th start behind the plate (17 at first base)
SS Brenny Escanio: 0-for-3, SF, RBI, K
1B Jesus Rodriguez: 0-for-3, BB
2B Brett Barrera: 0-for-4, K
3B Beau Brewer: 1-for-4, RS
LF Felix Negueis: 0-for-1, RS, 2 BB, K, CS (1)

RHP Justin Lange: 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
I am hoping he was pulled due to the 41 pitches he tossed in the first inning.
RHP Yorlin Calderon: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Mason Vinyard: 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
3.33 ERA (24.1 IP, 15 H, 11 R, 9 ER, 1 HR, 10 BB, 32 K). According to Savant, Vinyard throws a sinker, slider, and change. The sinker is in the 91-94 range.
LHP Geoffrey Gilbert: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Gilbert throws in the low 90s. Season: 2.25 ERA (20 IP, 15 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 0 HR, 11 BB, 26 K)
RHP Matt Keating (L, 3-3): 1.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
Keating has been good this year, so we’ll just chalk this up to a bad day. Season: 2.21 ERA (20.1 IP, 15 H, 8 R, 5 ER, 2 HR, 11 BB, 29 K)
RHP Cole Ayers: 0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

 

Yankees MILB 5/26: Everson Pereira Homers

News:

Nothing new to report.

Scranton (24-25) (Defeated Worcester, 5-2)

CF Elijah Dunham: 1-for-5, HR (3), RBI, RS, 3 K
Dunham’s first home run since May 6th. He is hitting .225/.361/.344. I like the walk rate (14.8%) and hopefully the rest of his offense will start rounding into form. 
DH Josh Donaldson: 0-for-3, RS, 2 BB, 2 K
SS Oswald Peraza: 2-for-5, SB (6)
Peraza is 15-for-39 (.385) since coming back down here with two doubles and five home runs.
LF Kole Calhoun: 0-for-2, 2 BB, K
3B Andres Chaparro: 1-for-3, SF, RBI, K
Chaparro is now the proud owner of a 5-game hitting streak (8-for-19). 
RF Franchy Cordero: 0-for-1, RS, 3 BB
C Carlos Narvaez: 0-for-3, K
1B Billy McKinney: 1-for-4, HR (7), 2 RBI, RS
McKinney has homered in back-to-back games.
2B Jesus Bastidas: 2-for-3, HR (5), RBI, RS, BB
.255/.321/.404 in 159 PA. After the games of May 14th, his triple slash was .223/.268/.321.

RHP Jhony Brito: (W, 1-0)  5 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, HR
I always like to see a kid do well after a demotion. It isn’t easy to go back down to the minors when you get a taste of the majors.
RHP Deivi Garcia: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K
3.91 ERA (25.1 IP, 20 H, 12 R, 11 ER, 3 HR, 19 BB, 26 K)
LHP D.J. Snelten (S, 2): 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K

Somerset (24-18) (Lost to Erie, 10-4. The Patriots compiled 8 hits and walked 7 times, but couldn’t keep up with Erie, who benefitted from a couple of Somerset errors (five unearned runs))

SS Trey Sweeney: 1-for-3, RS, 2 BB
Sweeney now has 21 walks in 20 May games. He is hitting .239/.382/.333 in 173 plate appearances.
LF Jasson Dominguez: 1-for-2, RBI, 3 BB
Dominguez has six walks in his last three games (he has three 3-walk games this season and 11 multi-walk games) 
C Austin Wells: 0-for-5
CF Everson Pereira: 1-for-5, HR (7), RBI, RS
Pereira’s hitting streak reached 9 (15-for-35; 2 doubles, 3 HR)
3B Tyler Hardman: 2-for-5, 2 RBI, 3 K
.233/.309/.508 in 136 PA
1B T.J. Rumfield: 2-for-5, 2B (5)
8-for-17 in his last four games with three doubles and a home run.
RF Jeisson Rosario: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
DH Anthony Seigler: 0-for-3, BB
Seigler increases his walk streak to nine games.
2B Max Burt: 1-for-4, RS

RHP Gray Fenter: (L, 2-2) 4.2 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 5 K
RHP Justin Maese: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
LHP Lisandro Santos: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 0 K
RHP Zac Houston: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Houston’s first appearance since 4/27.

Hudson Valley (26-17) (Defeated Wilmington, 5-2)

CF Spencer Jones: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K
Jones has run into a brick wall – it shouldn’t last, but sometimes we (“we” includes “me”) have to realize that sometimes there is a reason why a player stays at a particular level.
2B Eduardo Torrealba: 1-for-3, RBI, RS, 2 HBP, SB (4)
LF Aaron Palensky: 2-for-4, 2B (8), 3B (2), RBI, RS, BB, K
.339/.420/.736 in 138 PA. Palensky has earned at least one extra-base hit in four straight games (4 doubles, 1 triple, 2 home runs)
DH Antonio Gomez: 1-for-4, 2B (6), RBI, RS, BB, K
1B Spencer Henson: 3-for-5, HR (8), RBI, RS, K
.282/.361/.540 in 144 plate appearances. Henson is 9-for-16 in his last three games.
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-5, 2 K
Flores is now on a 5-game hitting streak (8-for-22)
RF Aldenis Sanchez: 2-for-4, 2B (5), RBI
.253/.333/.400 in 113 PA. He is 15-for-50 in May.
SS Ben Cowles: 1-for-2, 2B (6), RS, BB, HBP
Cowles is 18-for-55 (.327) in May with four doubles and a home run.
3B Marcos Cabrera: 0-for-4, 2 K

RHP Juan Carela: (W, 2-2) 6.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
3.44 ERA (36.2 IP, 29 H, 19 R, 14 ER, 1 HR, 15 BB, 42 K). Only one of his starts is truly bad (3.1 IP, 12 H, 9 R, 8 ER on 4/29)
LHP Ryan Anderson: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Bailey Dees (S, 2): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
3.32 ERA (19 IP, 14 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 2 HR, 8 BB, 30 K)

Tampa (17-26) (Played two and won two against Palm Beach)

Game 1 (Won, 6-2)

2B Jared Serna: 1-for-4, 2B (8), RBI, K
LF Anthony Hall: 0-for-3, BB, K
SS Brenny Escanio: 1-for-3, RS, BB, K
CF Nelson Medina: 3-for-4, HR (4), RBI, RS, SB (6)
Medina’s second 3-hit game of 2023, as he sets a new personal best for HR in a season.
C Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-4, RS, K
DH Omar Martinez: 0-for-2, BB, 2 K
.227/.370/.402 in 119 PA. 
3B Brett Barrera: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, K
Barrera, last year’s 8th-round pick, is only 2-for-24 this season. Hence, I am sure he was relieved to get that 2-run single.
1B Ronny Rojas: 2-for-3, 2 RS, SB (4)
RF Felix Negueis: 1-for-2, 2B (1), RBI, RS, BB, K
Given that Negueis is an impossible-to-fathom 3-for-54 this season, this double was a welcome sight. His BABIP is an unsightly .065. Suffice it to say, an “unlucky” BABIP is nearly 200 points higher than his.

LHP Brock Selvidge: (W, 2-3) 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
3.40 ERA (39.2 IP, 38 H, 18 R, 15 ER, 2 HR, 7 BB, 40 K). Selvidge walked 3.59/9 last season. This season, the rate is 1.59/9.
RHP Alex Bustamante: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
2.37 ERA (19 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 0 HR, 12 BB, 22 K)

Game 2 (Won, 5-2)

2B Jared Serna: 1-for-4, 2 RS, K, SB (9)
Serna is on a 7-game hitting streak (9-for-28). 9-for-28 doesn’t do anything for Serna’s average, as he is hitting .324 (he was hitting .325 when the streak began)
SS Brenny Escanio: 0-for-3, BB
C Agustin Ramirez: 2-for-3, HR (5), 4 RBI, RS
Ramirez had a 6-RBI game on 6/14/22.
LF Anthony Hall: 1-for-3, K, CS (1)
DH Daury Arias: 0-for-2, BB, K
CF Nelson Medina: 1-for-3, RS, K
Medina is hitting .283 in 133 PA (7 doubles,1 triple, 4 HR, 22 RBI, 14 R, 18 BB, 43 K)
RF Tayler Aguilar: 1-for-3, 2B (8), RBI, 2 K
Aguilar has eight doubles in 92 plate appearances. 
3B Beau Brewer: 0-for-3
1B Ronny Rojas: 0-for-1, RS, 2 BB, K, SB (5)

RHP Sean Hermann: (W, 3-4)  5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
5.31 ERA (39 IP, 41 H, 24 R, 23 ER, 3 HR, 12 BB, 32 K). He tossed five scoreless innings his last time out, so maybe he is starting to get into a groove.
RHP Manny Ramirez: (S, 2)   2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K

Yankees MILB 5/25: Estevan Florial Hits a Slam

News:

Nothing new to report.

Scranton (23-25) (Walloped Worcester (the Red Sox affiliate) again, 10-1)

CF Estevan Florial: 1-for-5, HR (11, GS), 4 RBI, RS, 4 K
If this night doesn’t describe Estevan Florial, what does? He is hitting .313/.433/.619 in 164 PA (4 doubles, 2 triples, 11 HR, 25 RBI, 30 R, 29 BB (17.7%), 55 K (33.5%), 10-for-15 SB). He has eight home runs in his last ten games. That is absurd.
3B Josh Donaldson: 1-for-3
The rehab begins.
  PH-3B Wilmer Difo: 1-for-2, RBI
SS Oswald Peraza: 1-for-5, HR (5), RBI, RS, 2 K
Peraza has homered in back-to-back games and has four home runs in his last five games. He is hitting .333/.385/.583.
RF Kole Calhoun: 2-for-5, 3 RS, K
DH Andres Chaparro: 2-for-3, HBP
Chaparro is back up to .260/.335/.497 in 194 plate appearances. He is 7-for-16 in his last four games, though it (surprisingly) comes without an extra-base hit.
LF Elijah Dunham: 3-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 RS
He is starting to collect some hits, but most of the games have been 1-for types. Tonight’s 3-hit effort was much needed.
C Rodolfo Duran: 2-for-3, 2B (10), 2 RBI, RS, HBP
.296/.345/.583 in 116 plate appearances (10 doubles, 7 HR, 24 RBI, 14 R, 6 BB, 23 K). Duran hit .202 in 2021 and .222 last season.
2B Jamie Westbrook: 0-for-4, K
1B Carlos Narvaez: 1-for-2, 2B (1), 2 RS, 2 BB
Narvaez is 5-for-23 (.217) since his promotion, but that comes with 8 walks (.419 OBP)

RHP Mitch Spence: (W, 4-2)  5.2 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
4.86 ERA (50 IP, 52 H, 32 R, 27 ER, 10 HR, 19 BB, 42 K)
RHP Tommy Kahnle: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
One has to assume he will be back in the Bronx soon.
RHP James Norwood: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Colten Brewer: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Greg Weissert: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K

Somerset (24-17) (Lost to Erie, 7-6)

SS Trey Sweeney: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K, SB (7)
Sweeney has 19 walks in May. He is 17-for-71 during this stretch (.239)
CF Jasson Dominguez: 0-for-3, RS, 2 BB, K
.194/.358/.380 in 165 plate appearances. One had to expect some ups and downs at this level – he’ll get hot again.
RF Everson Pereira: 1-for-4, BB, 2 K, SB (7)
Obviously, whatever the reason for him being pulled in the first inning last night was no big deal. Pereira extends his hitting streak to eight (14-for-30). His triple slash has improved from .228/.297/.436 to .282/.349/.504 during the streak.
3B Tyler Hardman: 1-for-4, 3B (2), RBI, K
15 of Hardman’s 26 hits have gone for extra bases (.226/.305/.513)
2B Caleb Durbin: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, RS, CS (3)
Durbin now has one strikeout in 56 plate appearances since his promotion (1.8%) and ten in 153 PA overall (6.5%). All the contact is finally leading to some results for Durbin, who has back-to-back multi-hit games and is now hitting .250 for Somerset.
C Anthony Seigler: 0-for-3, RS, BB, 2 K
Seigler has walked in eight straight games (11 walks). He is only 2-for-23 in those games.
LF Jeisson Rosario: 1-for-4, K
DH Max Burt: 0-for-4, 3 K
1B Eric Wagaman: 2-for-4, HR (3), 3 RBI, RS
Wagaman does have some pop, evidenced by hitting 13 home runs in 69 games last season. He has seven home runs in 35 career Double-A contests.

RHP Clayton Beeter: 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 K
3.03 ERA (38.2 IP, 32 H, 13 R, 13 ER, 3 HR, 21 BB, 49 K). To reach his full potential, he will need to bring that BB rate down. That said, the strikeout rate remains strong.
RHP Indigo Diaz: 1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
3.12 ERA (17.1 IP, 17 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 0 HR, 15 BB, 25 K)
RHP Justin Wilson (L, 0-1): 1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR
LHP Michael Giacone: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
1.86 ERA (19.1 IP, 12 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 10 BB, 25 K). He has 100 strikeouts in 72.2 career innings.

Hudson Valley (25-17) (After a brutal 10-9 loss last night, they score three in the final two innings to win 10-8 tonight)

CF Spencer Jones: 0-for-4, RBI, RS, BB, 3 K
Jones is down to .272/.313/.530 in 163 PA. He is 5-for-34 in his last eight games with 17 strikeouts.
SS Alexander Vargas: 2-for-5, RBI, RS, K, CS (4)
I was wondering how he might react to his extended slump. So far, he is 6-for-15 in his last three games. 
LF Aaron Palensky: 3-for-5, 2 2B (7), HR (12), 3 RBI, 3 RS, 2 K, SB (9)
His ridiculous triple slash is up to .333/.414/.718 in 133 plate appearances. Palensky is 9-for-17 in his last four games with three doubles and two home runs. 
C Antonio Gomez: 1-for-5, 2B (5), RBI, RS
It has been a struggle for Gomez, but his double in the top of the 9th gave Hudson Valley the 9-8 lead.
DH Spencer Henson: 2-for-5, RS
This is a nice follow-up to his four-hit game yesterday. These two games alone have improved his triple slash from .241/.336/.491 to .269/.353/.513.
1B Rafael Flores: 4-for-5, 2 RBI, RS, K
Flores has a pair of 4-hit games this year (in addition to two 3-hit contests). He is hitting .333/.388/.410 in 134 plate appearances. His BABIP is high, as you may suspect (.444)
RF Grant Richardson: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, RS, BB, K
Richardson now has a 7-game hitting streak (10-for-24). He is getting closer and closer to breaking the .200 barrier (.188).
3B Eduardo Torrealba: 1-for-5, 2 K
2B Ben Cowles: 2-for-5, RS, 2 K, SB (4)
Cowles is 17-for-53 (.321) in May after an 11-for-53 (.208) line in April.

RHP Zach Messinger: 4 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 2 K
3.12 ERA (40.1 IP, 36 H, 20 R, 14 ER, 2 HR, 18 BB, 46 K). Back-to-back less-than-ideal efforts, but one has to expect that from Messinger, who is still a newbie in the world of being a starting pitcher.
RHP Enrique Santana: 2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Danny Watson (W, 3-1): 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
1.54 ERA (23.1 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 9 BB, 39 K)
RHP Jack Neely (S, 2): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
2.16 ERA (16.2 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 12 BB, 25 K). Both Watson and Neely are legitimate relief prospects who should find themselves in Double-A soon enough.

Tampa (15-26) (Lost to Palm Beach, 6-5, in ten innings ) – Due to a late start to Game 1, Game 2 was postponed. Hence, Game 1 was converted into a 9-inning game instead of a 7-inning game. Tomorrow, they will try to play two. Got it? Good.

SS Jared Serna: 2-for-5, 2B (7), HR (8), RBI, 2 RS, 2 K
Serna is up to .328 (7 doubles, 1 triple, 8 HR, 22 RBI, 24 R, 15 BB, 19 K, 8-for-11 SB). He is on a 5-game hitting streak (7-for-20; 3 HR) and all eight of his home runs have come in May (19 games)
DH Brenny Escanio: 1-for-5, 2 K
CF Daury Arias: 2-for-4, BB, K
Arias is 8-for-26 (.308) with four walks in his last seven games.
C Agustin Ramirez: 0-for-5, 3 K
LF Tayler Aguilar: 1-for-3, HR (2), RBI, RS, 2 BB, K
1B Omar Martinez: 0-for-4, RS, BB, 2 K
3B Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-5, RS
2B Beau Brewer: 1-for-5
RF Alan Mejia: 1-for-5, 2 RBI, 2 K
His two-run single in the 8th tied the game at five. After an encouraging 2021 season in the DSL, he hasn’t been able to get much going since moving to the States.

RHP Kris Bow: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 1 K
Bow is still getting his feet wet after a late start to his season.
RHP Shane Gray: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
4.73 ERA (13.1 IP, 15 H, 11 R, 7 ER, 0 HR, 9 BB, 15 K). Gabonia hasn’t allowed a home run in 34.1 professional innings.
RHP Cole Ayers: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
3.63 ERA (17.1 IP, 15 H, 10 R, 7 ER, 5 BB, 22 K)
RHP Luis Velasquez: (L, 0-1)  1.2 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Ghost runner was moved to third and scored on a sac fly.

Yankees MILB 5/24: Oswald Peraza Homers

News:

Nothing new to report.

Scranton (22-25) (Walloped Worcester, 15-2)

LF Estevan Florial: 2-for-5, 2 RS, BB, 2 K, SB (10)
His HR streak ends at four if you want one negative thing. Florial is up to .318/.440/.612 in 159 plate appearances (4 doubles, 2 triples, 10 HR, 21 RBI, 29 R, 10-for-15 SB, 29 BB (18.2%), 51 K (32.1%)). He is an incredible 26-for-70 (.371) in May with seven home runs (.714 SLG). 
SS Oswald Peraza: 2-for-5, HR (4), 2 RBI, 2 RS, HBP
Yawn. We all know he doesn’t belong here.
DH Kole Calhoun: 2-for-4, 2B (5), RBI, 3 RS, 2 BB, 2 K
Calhoun is mashing the way you expect a veteran like him to mash.
1B Andres Chaparro: 2-for-4, SF, RBI, 2 RS
.253/.326/.494 in 190 PA (6 doubles, 1 triple, 11 HR, 31 RBI, 32 R, 19 BB, 40 K). It has been a season of streaks for Chaparro – hopefully, he is starting to heat up again.
RF Franchy Cordero: 3-for-4, 2 2B (9), HR (2), 4 RBI, 4 RS, BB, K, SB (2)
He is in his element…
C Rodolfo Duran: 1-for-5, 2 RBI, RS
.286/.330/.571 in 112 plate appearances. For Somerset in 2022, he hit .222/.266/.414. This is why I say he has always shown some pop – if he is starting to show he can do more offensively, he is at least a high-level backup.
3B Jamie Westbrook: 1-for-2, 2B (5), RBI, 2 BB, HBP, K
CF Billy McKinney: 1-for-3, HR (6), 3 RBI, RS, 2 BB, K
2B Jesus Bastidas: 0-for-5, K

LHP Tanner Tully (W, 4-1): 5.2 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, HR
3.83 ERA (40 IP, 53 H, 20 R, 17 ER, 3 HR, 11 BB, 39 K). He is a veteran stabilizer.
LHP Matt Krook: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
1.04 ERA (17.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 12 BB, 34 K). Walks have always been an issue. The Yankees added him to the 40-man this past winter, and we all know that those slots are precious.
RHP Matt Bowman: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Somerset (24-16) (Defeated Erie, 3-1)

SS Trey Sweeney: 1-for-5, 2 K
.244/.380/.344 in 163 PA. As long as he is drawing those walks, I am fine with his start to the season. I do think power will come (he hit 16 HR in 2021)
CF Jasson Dominguez: 2-for-4, 2B (4), RS, BB, SB (14)
A much-needed slump buster of a game for Dominguez, who is at .198/.356/.389 in 160 PA (4 doubles, 1 triple, 6 HR, 21 RBI, 30 R, 14-for-16 SB, 31 BB (19.4%), 40 K (25%)). 
C Austin Wells: 2-for-3, BB
Offensively, he has nothing to prove here. Everyone, including the Yankees, knows this. That only leaves the possibility that they are holding him here to work on defense. In his 72 games at Double-A between last year and this year, he is hitting .264/.360/.514 (11 doubles, 1 triple, 19 HR, 63 RBI, 47 R, 9-for-9 SB, 38 BB, 76 K)
RF Everson Pereira: 0-for-0
Pulled from the lineup in the top of the first inning. I don’t know why.
 PH-RF Jeisson Rosario: 0-for-4, RBI
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-4, K
Rumfield is 15-for-48 (.313/.433/.625) in May (3 doubles, 4 HR, 11/8 BB/K)
3B Caleb Durbin: 2-for-4, RS
Since his promotion, Durbin is hitting .227/.346/.273 in 52 plate appearances. His .233 BABIP should improve. The most impressive number remains the 1 strikeout in those 52 plate appearances.
LF Brandon Lockridge: 0-for-2
I am not sure why Lockridge was pulled.
  LF Eric Wagaman: 0-for-2
2B Max Burt: 2-for-4, RBI, RS
DH Mickey Gasper: 0-for-3, SF, RBI, K

RHP Richard Fitts (W, 2-3): 6 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K
5.26 ERA (39.1 IP, 43 H, 23 R, 23 ER, 7 HR, 11 BB, 41 K). I use the term “much-needed” very often – and that term applies to Richard Fitts’ start today.
RHP Alex Mauricio: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
4.50 ERA (10 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 HR, 2 BB, 9 K).
RHP Steven Jennings (S, 1): 1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

Hudson Valley (24-17) (Blew a 7-0 lead. They eventually lost to Wilmington, 10-9, in ten innings)

DH Spencer Jones: 1-for-5, RS, HBP, 2 K
Jones has one hit in each of his last three games as he tries to break out of a bit of a slump. He has struck out multiple times in six of his last seven games.
SS Alexander Vargas: 1-for-6, RS
.234/.290/.445 in 138 PA (3 doubles, 3 triples, 6 HR, 17 RBI, 19 R, 7-for-10 SB, 9 BB (6.5%), 35 K (25.4%)). His K% was 28.5 last season.
LF Aaron Palensky: 3-for-4, HR (11), RBI, 4 RS, 2 BB
.321/.406/.679 in 128 PA. This may just all be a “second taste of the level” fluke, but I think the Yankees need to see if there is more to it than that. His 11 HR are tied for the organizational lead with Andres Chaparro.
1B Spencer Henson: 4-for-6, 2 2B (8), 3 RBI, 2 RS, K
Henson’s first career 4-hit game. He is hitting .263/.351/.518 in 134 plate appearances. Like with Palensky, you at least have to think about moving him up at some point to see what is real and what isn’t.
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-4, RBI, RS, BB, K
CF Grant Richardson: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, BB
A 6-game hitting streak has raised Richardson’s triple slash from .110/.198/.205 to .172/.267/.280. Hey, it’s a start.
RF Aldenis Sanchez: 1-for-4, RBI, BB, K
3B Marcos Cabrera: 0-for-5, RBI, 2 K
2B Luis Santos: 0-for-5, 2 K

RHP Tyrone Yulie: 5 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 7 K, HR
6.00 ERA (33 IP, 29 H, 25 R, 22 ER, 5 HR, 21 BB, 41 K(
RHP Carlos Gomez: 1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Nick Paciorek: 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Harrison Cohen (L, 0-1): 2.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

Tampa (15-25)

The game against Palm Beach was postponed.

Yankees MILB 5/23: Estevan Florial = Fire

News:

Nothing new to report.

Scranton (21-25) (Lost to Worcester, 13-3)

CF Estevan Florial: 2-for-5, HR (10), RBI, RS, 3 K
Last 8 games: 17-for-39 (.436; 7 HR, 11 RBI, 12 R, 6 BB, 11 K). Florial has homered in four straight games. As for the strikeouts, he now has a 32% rate.
SS Oswald Peraza: 0-for-4, 2 K
LF Elijah Dunham: 0-for-4, 2 K
3B Andres Chaparro: 1-for-4, K
RF Kole Calhoun: 1-for-2, 2 RS, BB, K
1B Rodolfo Duran: 1-for-4, RBI, 2 K
Duran is hitting .290 with 7 HR and 20 RBI. He has never hit for much average in the minors – he has typically been all about the pop. We’ll see if he can keep the hits coming.
DH Franchy Cordero: 1-for-4, 2 K
C Carlos Narvaez: 1-for-3, RBI, BB
2B Jesus Bastidas: 1-for-4, 2 K
6-game hitting streak (9-for-21)

RHP Will Warren: (L, 1-1)  1.2 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 3 HR
After a solid Triple-A debut last time out, he throws up a clunker tonight. Go get them next time.
RHP Barrett Loseke: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, HR
1.86 ERA (19.1 IP, 12 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 HR, 11 BB, 21 K)
RHP Michael Gomez: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, HR
LHP D.J. Snelten: 2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Aaron McGarity: 2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, HR

Somerset (23-16) (Lost to Erie, 7-3)

SS Trey Sweeney: 1-for-4, RS, BB, K
LF Jasson Dominguez: 0-for-5, 3 K
Dominguez is back down to .189, as his slump is now 3-for-26. He has 11 strikeouts during the slide.
DH Austin Wells: 0-for-4, BB, 3 K
LF Everson Pereira: 1-for-3, BB, K
Pereira extends his hitting streak to 7 (13-for-26)
1B T.J. Rumfield: 3-for-4, 2B (4), RBI
Rumfield is up to .240, thanks to a 10-for-26 (.385) stretch.
3B Tyler Hardman: 1-for-4, HR (8), RBI, RS, 2 K
Hardman has 30 home runs and 99 RBI in 142 games between last year and this year.
2B Caleb Durbin: 1-for-4, 2B (2), RS
Durbin has one strikeout in 48 plate appearances since his promotion. Wow.
RF Jeisson Rosario: 0-for-4, 2 K
C Anthony Seigler: 0-for-3, RBI, BB
Seigler increases his BB streak to seven straight games. He has 15 walks in 13 May games. To be completely fair, he only has five hits (zero for extra bases) this month.

RHP Blas Castano: (L, 3-2)  3.2 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 5 BB, 3 K
4.34 ERA (29 IP, 22 H, 18 R, 14 ER, 2 HR, 15 BB, 28 K). 
LHP Lisandro Santos: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
2.35 ERA (23 IP, 11 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 1 HR, 13 BB, 28 K). Without even looking, I am going to assume that a 0 BB/0 K night is a rare occurrence in Santos’ career.
RHP Tanner Myatt: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K
1.45 ERA (18.2 IP, 10 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 13 BB, 20 K)
RHP Shawn Semple: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Hudson Valley (24-16) (Shut down Wilmington, 4-0)

CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-5, 2B (12), RS, 2 K
Jones is hitting .282 and has 22 extra-base hits in 33 games. The problem remains the strikeouts – he has 52 in 152 PA (33.5%).
SS Alexander Vargas: 3-for-4, 3B (3), RBI, RS, CS (3)
A much-needed night for Vargas, who has been in a malaise lately. He is hitting .238/.295/.459 in 132 PA. The power is nice and definitely stands out (he compiled a .311 SLG in Tampa last year)
LF Aaron Palensky: 2-for-4, 2B (5), RBI, 2 K, SB (8)
Palensky is hitting .306 with a 1.033 OPS (5 doubles, 1 triple, 10 HR, 28 RBI, 20 R, 8-for-8 SB). Palensky is 24 years old and played here in 2022. It may be time to send him to Somerset.
C Antonio Gomez: 0-for-4, 3 K
DH Spencer Henson: 1-for-4, RS, K
1B Rafael Flores: 1-for-4
Flores has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games.
RF Grant Richardson: 1-for-4, 2 K
3B Eduardo Torrealba: 2-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, RS
2B Ben Cowles: 0-for-4, K

LHP Joel Valdez: (W, 1-2)  6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K
5.87 ERA (30.2 IP, 28 H, 21 R, 20 ER, 4 HR, 19 BB, 28 K). A much-needed performance by Valdez, who was acquired from the Phillies (alongside T.J. Rumfield) back in 2021.
RHP Bailey Dees: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
3.50 ERA (18 IP, 14 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 2 HR, 8 BB, 28 K). He should get to Somerset this season.
LHP Ryan Anderson: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K

Tampa (15-25) (Defeated Palm Beach, 2-0, in 11 innings)

2B Jared Serna: 1-for-5, RS, K
CF Daury Arias: 0-for-5, K
C Agustin Ramirez: 2-for-5, RBI, RS
Ramirez has three straight 2-hit games.
RF Anthony Hall: 2-for-4, BB
.264/.379/402 in 103 PA. He has hit safely in 14 of 15 games in May (19-for-54; .352)
SS Brenny Escanio: 1-for-4, BB, 3 K
CF Nelson Medina: 0-for-3, RBI, 2 BB, 2 K
DH Tayler Aguilar: 1-for-5, 2B (7), 2 K
7 of Aguilar’s 13 hits have gone for two bases (he has one home run)
3B Jesus Rodriguez: 0-for-3, 2 BB, K
1B Omar Martinez: 0-for-4

RHP Hayden Merda: 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K
5.29 ERA (32.1 IP, 28 H, 22 R, 19 ER, 1 HR, 18 BB, 34 K). Last year’s 17th round pick puts together his best professional performance.
RHP Yorlin Calderon: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
3.00 ERA (18 IP, 17 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 HR, 5 BB, 22 K). He has only pitched out of the bullpen this season.
RHP Mason Vinyard: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
3.80 ERA (21.1 IP, 13 H, 11 R, 9 ER, 1 HR, 10 BB, 30 K). The 23-year-old out of Western Kentucky was signed as an undrafted free agent last year.
RHP Matt Keating: (W, 3-2): 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
1.45 ERA (18.2 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 9 BB, 29 K). Last year’s 9th round pick should not be here for long.
LHP Geoffrey Gilbert (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Gilbert’s first professional save. He owns a 2.37 ERA in 19 IP with a 24/11 K/BB.

Yankees MILB 5/22: A Look at the Traded Prospects

A look at the prospects the Yankees have dealt away over the past few years.

The Jameson Taillon deal:

RHP Roansy Contreras – Contreras has settled into the Pirates’ rotation. In nine starts this season, he boasts a 4.50 ERA (4.63 FIP) over 50 innings with a 16.4% K, 10.8% BB, and 35.1% GB. Suffice it to say, it isn’t easy for a pitcher to survive with both a low K% and GB%. It will be hard for Contreras to ascend to the upper part of a rotation without improvement in those areas.

RHP Miguel Yajure – In two years with the Pirates, Yajure tossed 39.1 innings of 8.69 ERA ball. Claimed by the San Francisco Giants off of waivers this winter, Yajure recently started a rehab assignment.

OF Canaan Smith-Njigba – Smith was optioned back to Triple-A in late April after a 4-for-32 start. In 14 games for Triple-A Indianapolis, he is hitting .220/.339/.440.

IF Maikol Escotto – About to turn 21, Escotto is in High-A Greensboro, where he is hitting .229/.273/.339 in 128 plate appearances. He has split time between second base and shortstop. The Pirates targeted him as a teenage lottery ticket coming off of a .315/.429/.553 season in 2019.

Overall, the Pirates made out OK with this deal but nobody has emerged to make it a slam dunk winning package.

The Joey Gallo deal:

RHP Glenn Otto – Otto has yet to make his 2023 debut as he is coming back from a sprained shoulder capsule and lat injuries. Last season, he pitched to a 4.64 ERA over 135.2 innings with an 18.2% K and 10.6% BB.

UTIL Ezequiel Duran – Duran’s rookie season was more “get your feet wet” than it was productive, as he hit .236/.277/.365 in 208 plate appearances. That experience seems to have helped him in 2023, as he is off to an impressive .308/.348/.526 start over 141 plate appearances. One of the fears early in his journey was that he had a hard time recognizing breaking pitches. That doesn’t seem to be much of a problem anymore, as his 22.7% K rate is around league average. You aren’t looking at a kid who is ever going to draw many walks, so keeping the average up with solid power will be how he makes the big bucks down the road.

UTIL Josh H. Smith –  So far, Smith is all about drawing walks, as evidenced by his 11.3% BB rate in 345 career plate appearances. He plays several different positions, so he will have value even with a below-average bat (we are not yet at the point to say his bat is below average, as his OPS+ is an encouraging 116 this season).

1B/OF Trevor Hauver – Hauver is now in Double-A, where he is hitting .231/.359/.337 in 128 plate appearances. He is Rule 5 eligible this coming winter, so the clock is ticking for him to start making an impression.

Overall, the Rangers have to be ecstatic with this return – especially if Duran continues to rake.

The Anthony Rizzo deal:

RHP Alexander Vizcaino – He is currently a free agent. Last year, he essentially failed to report to the Cubs and didn’t pitch at all. Once considered an intriguing prospect to follow, it appears his career may just be over after making only six appearances with the Cubs’ organization after the deal.

OF Kevin Alcantara – Alcantara started appearing on Top 100 lists this season, but he isn’t yet backing it up with good play. Thus far, the 20-year-old is hitting only .225/.262/.362 (75 wRC+) in 149 plate appearances for the Cubs’ High-A affiliate in South Bend. His BB% has crashed while his power has disappeared, but the fact remains that he is only 20 and trying this level for the first time. We’ll have to revisit him later this season.

The Andrew Heaney deal:

RHP Janson Junk – Junk is now in Milwaukee, where he pitches for their Triple-A club in Nashville. He made one start for the Brewers earlier this year (4.2 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 2 BB, 2 K).

RHP Elvis Peguero – Peguero has also made his move to Milwaukee (funny how Junk and Peguero have been packaged together twice in trades). In 12.2 innings for the big club, he boasts a 1.42 ERA (3.15 FIP) with a 50% GB rate. He will have to induce those ground balls, because he doesn’t do enough in the strikeout department.

The Angels didn’t expect much for the struggling Heaney. Their received two nearly-ready MLB arms who haven’t done much with their MLB chances to date (though Peguero is taking advantage of his opportunity thus far this year)

The Clay Holmes deal:

UTIL Hoy Park – One thing that Park can boast about is that he is one of only a few bonus babies from that famed Yankees class several years ago to make it to the big leagues. This season, he was traded to the Braves, where he is hitting .267/.405/.389 in 30 games for their Triple-A affiliate. Hitting in the minors has never been much of an issue. The issue is the .201/.291/.346 MLB triple slash over 68 games.

UTIL Diego Castillo – Castillo made his MLB debut in 2022, where he hit .206/.251/.382 in 283 plate appearances for the Pirates. He did reach double digits in home runs (11). He is now a member of the Diamondbacks organization, where he is hitting .341/.429/.428 in 38 games for their Triple-A affiliate in hitter-friendly Reno.

The Pirates weren’t getting much out of Holmes, so they converted him into a couple of utility types. They have since traded both of them.

The Jose Trevino deal:

LHP Robby Ahlstrom – Already 24, Ahlstrom is pitching for the Rangers’ High-A affiliate. In 9 games (12.1 innings), he owns an 8.76 ERA with a 16/13 K/BB ratio. If his name doesn’t sound familiar at all, it is because Ahlstrom was traded away before he made one appearance for the Yankees’ organization.

The Andrew Benintendi deal:

RHP Beck Way – Now 23, Way has ascended to Double-A. That’s the good news. The bad news? He currently owns a 12.18 ERA in 17 innings. He threw well for their High-A affiliate in 2022 (just as he did for the Yankees’ in High-A), but can’t yet get his footing at perhaps the most important of all levels. He was ranked 12th on the Royals’ preseason prospect list (MLBPipeline).

RHP Chandler Champlain – Champlain is pitching well in his second taste of High-A ball, pitching to a 2.56 ERA over 38.2 IP with a 40/10 K/BB ratio. This is after posting a 9.84 ERA at the same level after the trade.  Champlain, who came in at #26 on the Royals’ list, has enough tools in the shed to reach his potential as a back-end starter or multi-innings reliever.

LHP T.J. Sikkema – While Way had his share of buzz and Champlain was always seen as a “safe” prospect, it was Sikkema who had the most prospect credibility at the time of the trade. He is currently ranked below Way (23rd in the organization) and his time at Double-A has been a mixed bag in 2023 (4.94 ERA in 23.2 IP with a 30/15 K/BB). If he can iron things out around the edges and stay off the IL, I see the potential in him as a multi-innings reliever over a starter.

The Royals traded a rental OF for three arms with legitimate MLB potential, even if none of them seem to have an extraordinarily high ceiling. I think they are more than happy netting three of their Top 30 prospects, though that is graded on a curve. The Royals have one of the least respected farm systems in the game.

The Scott Effross deal:

RHP Hayden Wesneski – Wesneski made the Cubs’ rotation right out of spring training but struggled. He owns a 5.03 ERA (6.19 FIP) with an astronomical 2.29 HR/9 rate. Couple that with a 19.1% K rate, and you can see why the Cubs sent him back to the minors to get himself straightened out. He tossed five hitless innings in his first (thus far, only) Triple-A start, though he did walk four.

Instead of quantity, the Cubs are trying to hit a home run with one kid. Wesneski has legitimate middle-of-the-rotation upside but showed that he wasn’t yet ready for the spotlight.

The Frankie Montas deal:

LHP Ken Waldichuk – Waldichuk is having a tough time getting going in 2023. Thus far, he has posted a 6.85 ERA (6.27 FIP) over 46 innings with a 17.7% K and 12.7% BB, That depressed K% is glaring – and nearly 5% off from last year, when Oakland gave him seven MLB starts. Is his future that of a two-pitch reliever? Oakland has the benefit of plenty of time to figure that out.

RHP Luis Medina – One of the biggest arms in the entire system during his time with the Yankees, Medina simply was never able to harness it. The Athletics, desperate to lose as many games as possible, have him starting MLB games. In three starts, he owns a 6.88 ERA over 17 innings with a 20.6% K and 6.9% BB (if he can keep the BB% at that level long-term, there is certainly something to tap into here). I will note that he has back-to-back quality starts (6 IP, 3 R) after a rough debut. It is hard to believe he will keep the BB% at 6.9, but player development is always filled with twists and turns.

LHP JP Sears – The Yankees likely sold a bit high on Sears with this deal, but he is doing an OK enough job for Oakland. Thus far, he is pitching to a 4.99 ERA (5.00 FIP) over 48.2 IP with solid K (25.1%) and BB (4.9%) rates. The big issue is the long ball (11 HR/2.0 HR/9). Sears recently put together a strong effort against the Astros (6 IP, 2 R, 7 K).

IF Cooper Bowman – The 23-year-old is going through his first season at Double-A, where he is hitting .214/.338/.376 (95 wRC+) with a perfect 18-for-18 SB rate (he was a perfect 12-for-12 after being acquired, as well). His K% has dipped while his BB% is remaining strong. He is a legitimate MLB prospect, though perhaps not a long-term starter.

If you are Oakland, how can you be disappointed? All three pitchers are in their rotation and the infielder is making strides. You just have to remember that Waldichuk/Sears/Medina wouldn’t be 3/5 of probably every other rotation in baseball.

Yankees MILB 5/21: Drew Thorpe: 6 Scoreless Innings

News:

Nothing new to report.

Scranton (21-24) (Lost to Charlotte, 4-2)

CF Estevan Florial: 1-for-4, HR (9), RBI, RS, BB
Florial has homered in three straight games (6 HR in the last 7 games). He is up to .311/.439/.605.
DH Kole Calhoun:  1-for-5, 3B (1), RS
3B Andres Chaparro: 2-for-5, RBI, K
Chaparro’s first multi-hit game since his 5-for-5 night on 5/9.
LF Elijah Dunham: 1-for-4, BB, 2 K
Dunham has ten walks in his last ten games.
RF Franchy Cordero: 2-for-5, 2 2B (7)
He has seven doubles in 15 games since his demotion.
C Rodolfo Duran: 1-for-4, K
1B Billy McKinney: 0-for-3, BB, 3 K
2B Jesus Bastidas: 1-for-4, 2 K, CS (4)
Bastidas’ hitting streak reaches five and he has reached base at least once in all 14 May contests.
SS Wilmer Difo: 1-for-3, HBP, SB (11)
Difo has six stolen bases in his last four games.

RHP Sean Boyle: (L, 2-3) 2.2 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, HR
RHP Deivi Garcia: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
4.24 ERA (23.1 IP, 20 H, 12 R, 11 ER, 3 HR, 17 BB, 21 K)
RHP Matt Bowman: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
LHP Matt Krook: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
1.17 ERA (15.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 12 BB, 29 K). He should make his MLB debut at some point this season.
RHP Colten Brewer: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Greg Weissert: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Somerset (23-15) (Lost to Reading, 3-1)

SS Trey Sweeney: 1-for-5, RS, 3 K
A little 2-for-23 slump has dropped his line to .246/.386/.352. I think some power will show up as the season goes along.
LF Jasson Dominguez:  1-for-5, 2 K, CS (2)
A little 3-for-21 slump has dropped his line to .197/.360/.393. 
DH Austin Wells: 1-for-4, RBI, BB, K
In addition to his 7 HR in 14 games at this level, he has also driven home 19 runs and scored 13 runs.
CF Everson Pereira: 3-for-4, SB (6)
Pereira has two 3-hit games in his last six games played. He is 21-for-67 (.313) in May with four doubles and five home runs. On the season, he is up to .282/.331/.508 in 137 plate appearances. After games of 5/4, he was at .232/.303/.391.
3B Tyler Hardman: 1-for-4, 2 K
2B Caleb Durbin: 0-for-3, BB
Durbin has struck out once in 44 plate appearances since his promotion (2.3%)
RF Brandon Lockridge: 1-for-3, BB
Lockridge is on a 7-game hitting streak (8-for-21; 7 BB)
C Anthony Seigler: 0-for-3, BB, K
1B Eric Wagaman: 1-for-4, K

RHP Blane Abeyta: (L, 2-2)  5.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K
5.79 ERA (32.2 IP, 29 H, 21 R, 21 ER, 3 HR, 21 BB, 30 K). Last 3 starts: 3.57 ERA (17.2 IP, 13 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 6 BB, 18 K)
LHP Michael Giacone: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR
1.96 ERA (18.1 IP, 12 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 10 BB, 23 K)
RHP Justin Wilson: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Indigo Diaz: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
1.65 ERA (16.1 IP, 14 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 14 BB, 23 K)

Hudson Valley (23-16) (Split a doubleheader with Brooklyn)

Game 1 (Lost, 6-0)

CF Spencer Jones: 0-for-3, 3 K
SS Alexander Vargas: 1-for-3, SB (7)
C Antonio Gomez: 1-for-3, K
.208/.286/.274 in 121 plate appearances (4 doubles, 1 HR, 12 RBI, 10 R, 11 BB (9.1%), 41 K (33.9%))
DH Rafael Flores: 0-for-3, 2 K
1B Spencer Henson: 0-for-3, K
LF Grant Richardson: 1-for-2, BB, SB (5)
2B Eduardo Torrealba: 1-for-3, SB (3)
RF Aldenis Sanchez: 0-for-3, K
3B Marcos Cabrera: 0-for-2, K

RHP Chase Hampton: (L, 1-1) 5.1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, HR
3.10 ERA (29 IP, 24 H, 14 R, 10 ER, 3 HR, 11 BB, 49 K). A 15.21 K/9 works (as does the 40%+ K rate). 
RHP Nick Paciorek: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
2.92 ERA (12.1 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 5 BB, 15 K)
RHP Jack Neely: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
2.30 ERA (15.2 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 12 BB, 22 K)
RHP Harold Cortijo: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
3.20 ERA (19.2 IP, 17 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 2 HR, 11 BB, 25 K)

Game 2  (Won, 3-2, in 9 innings)

DH Spencer Jones: 1-for-4, RS
Jones is hitting .285 with a .882 OPS
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-4, K
LF Aaron Palensky: 1-for-4, RBI, RS
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-4, K
He broke up the perfect game in the 5th inning.
1B Spencer Henson: 1-for-4, K
CF Grant Richardson: 1-for-3, RBI, BB, K
Walk-off RBI single.
RF Aldenis Sanchez: 0-for-3, RS, K, SB (9)
3B Ben Cowles: 0-for-2, SF, RBI, K
2B Luis Santos: 1-for-3, 2B (1), K

RHP Drew Thorpe:  6.1 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K
3.55 ERA (38 IP, 36 H, 19 R, 15 ER, 3 HR, 16 BB, 45 K)
RHP Danny Watson:  1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
1.69 ERA (21.1 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 9 BB, 35 K). He is having one of the best seasons amongst relievers in the Yankees’ system.
RHP Carlos Gomez: (W, 2-1)  1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Tampa (14-25) (Defeated Dunedin, 9-1)

2B Jared Serna: 1-for-4, RS, BB
.331/.406/.559 in 143 PA. He is 24-for-69 (.348) in May with all seven of his home runs. 
CF Daury Arias: 1-for-5, 2 K
C Agustin Ramirez: 2-for-4, RBI, 2 RS, BB, K
.240/.363/.390 in 124 plate appearances.
DH Anthony Hall: 1-for-3, RBI, 2 BB
.253/.367/.398 in 98 plate appearances. He is 17-for-50 in May with nine walks. I expect him to get to Hudson Valley at some point this season.
SS Brenny Escanio: 2-for-4, 2B (4), SF, RBI, K
RF Nelson Medina: 0-for-3, 2 BB, 2 K
LF Tayler Aguilar: 1-for-4, 2B (6), RS, 2 K
3B Jesus Rodriguez: 2-for-4, 3B (1), RBI, 3 RS, BB
.256/.333/.344 in 103 plate appearances. He now has 7 games at catcher, 10 games at first base, 7 games at third base, and 2 games in left field.
1B Ronny Rojas: 2-for-4, HR (4), 3 RBI, 2 RS

RHP Tommy Kahnle: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Kahnle hit 96.6 on the gun.
RHP Baron Stuart: (W, 1-2)  3.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
Stuart’s first professional win – congrats!
RHP Luis Velasquez: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
1.29 ERA (21 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 12 BB, 22 K). Batters are hitting .101 against him and he owns a 3.56 GO/AO.
RHP Manny Ramirez: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Alex Bustamante: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
2.50 ERA (18 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 0 HR, 12 BB, 22 K). He has yet to allow a home run in 23 professional innings.