Yankees MILB 8/15: Austin Wells Hits First Triple-A Homer

News:

RHP Justin Lange was promoted from Tampa to Hudson Valley today.

The 21-year-old, acquired from the Padres for Luke Voit, pitched to a 4.58 ERA (4.80 FIP) over 72.2 innings for Tampa. He struck out a whopping 34.3% of hitters but walked 16.4%. Lange is the ultimate lottery ticket as the stuff is there for him to be a top pitching prospect. However, harnessing that stuff is a challenge.

I see Lange as a future power reliever, as I can see him taking a Dellin Betances path over the next several years. This isn’t me predicting he will be as good as Betances, who was among the top relievers in baseball during his prime.

Scranton (55-57; 21-17 in the second half) (Used a 4-run 9th to shock Worcester, 6-5)

SS Oswald Peraza2-for-5, 2B (9), RBI, 2 K, SB (13)
Peraza’s RBI double with two outs in the top of the 9th was the game-winning hit. 
C Austin Wells1-for-5, HR (1), RBI, RS, 2 K
Wells hits his first Triple-A home run (13th overall). 
LF Everson Pereira1-for-4, RS, 2 K
Pereira is at .311/.368/.533 here and .300/.364/.540 overall. 
3B Andres Chaparro0-for-2, BB, 2 K
I am not sure why Chaparro left the game.
  3B Wilmer Difo1-for-1, RS
RF Franchy Cordero1-for-4, HR (13), 2 RBI, RS, 2 K
Cordero’s 2-run home run started the rally in the 9th as it brought Scranton within one run.
DH Carlos Narvaez1-for-4, 2B (7), RBI, 2 K
2B Jamie Westbrook1-for-4
1B Jake Lamb1-for-4, HR (2), RBI, RS, K
Lamb’s solo HR with two outs in the 9th tied the game.
CF Brandon Lockridge: 2-for-4, 2B (6), RS, K, SB (16)
Lockridge has 33 stolen bases in 37 attempts between here and Somerset. This stolen base was especially important as it preceded Peraza’s ground rule double. 

RHP Will Warren5 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 8 K, HR
Warren tossed five scoreless innings before allowing a 3-run HR in the 6th. At this level: 5.10 ERA (60 IP, 59 H, 44 R, 34 ER, 12 HR, 33 BB, 65 K)
RHP Zac Houston1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Zach McAllister1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
Since signing: 5.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K
RHP Greg Weissert: (W, 4-3) 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
RHP Ron Marinaccio (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K

Somerset (64-44; 22-18 in the second half) (Split two games against Reading)

Game 1 (Lost, 6-5, in ten innings.  This game was the conclusion of a game that started on July 9th (suspended in the 9th inning) – that is why you see all the substitutions below. I am not going to make any notes because the vast majority of the stats are over a month old)

SS Trey Sweeney1-for-4, RS
  PH Ben Rice0-for-1, K
LF Jasson Dominguez0-for-5, RS, 2 K
C Austin Wells1-for-3, 2B (14)
   C Mickey Gasper1-for-2
3B Tyler Hardman0-for-3, BB, 2 K
  3B Eduardo Torrealba0-for-0, SF, RBI
1B T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-3, HBP
  SS Max Burt0-for-1
CF Elijah Dunham3-for-5, HR (1), RBI, RS, K
RF Aaron Palensky0-for-4, K
DH Josh Breaux2-for-4, RS
2B Matt Pita1-for-3, HR (1), 2 RBI, RS, K
  PH-2B Anthony Seigler0-for-1, K

RHP Richard Fitts: 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
RHP Jesus Liranzo1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
LHP Lisandro Santos: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Bailey Dees: (L, 0-1)  1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

Game 2 (Won, 4-3)

CF Jasson Dominguez: 1-for-3, SF, RBI, RS, BB, K
.240/.358/.383 in 480 PA (14 doubles, 2 triples, 13 HR, 59 RBI, 76 R, 75 BB, 123 K, 36-for-43 SB)
1B Ben Rice1-for-5, HR (8), 2 RBI, RS, 2 K
Rice has 8 HR (and five doubles) in 22 games since his promotion and 12 HR in 47 games overall. He is on a mini five-game hitting streak.
C Agustin Ramirez: 2-for-4, RS, HBP
Ramirez was 4-for-25 since his promotion entering tonight, so it is nice to see him compile a multi-hit game. This is not an easy jump, so we’ll see how he adjusts over the next month.
LF Elijah Dunham1-for-5, 2 K
2B Caleb Durbin1-for-2, 2B (5), RBI, HBP
Durbin’s first game since June 17th. He was amongst the minor league stolen base leaders (with 29) at the time of his injury. That number held up in this organization until Jasson Dominguez and Brandon Lockridge recently surpassed it.
 
2B Max Burt0-for-2
No worries – Durbin was not going to play a full game on his first day back. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is the designated hitter tomorrow.
DH Anthony Seigler0-for-4, K
SS Jesus Bastidas0-for-3, HBP
RF Jeisson Rosario1-for-1, 2B (15), RS, 3 BB
Rosario leads the organization (amongst those in full-season leagues) in BB% (18.1%). He has four 3+ walk games this season.
3B Eduardo Torrealba0-for-2, SAC, 2 K

RHP Chase Hampton: (W, 2-2) 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, HR
Since promotion: 4.77 ERA (54.2 IP, 50 H, 33 R, 29 ER, 8 HR, 20 BB, 62 K). For those worried about him “struggling” since his promotion: This level will humble you. I don’t think it is anything to be concerned about, especially since this is his first professional season.
RHP Jack Neely2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
Since promotion: 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 2 BB, 6 K. Neely has 80 strikeouts in 53.2 innings between here and Hudson Valley.
RHP Danny Watson (S, 5): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
Since promotion: 1.29 ERA (28 IP, 12 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 HR, 13 BB, 32 K). Watson has allowed 72 hits in 113.1 career innings.

Hudson Valley (60-49; 21-22 in the second half) (Defeated Brooklyn, 4-2)

CF Spencer Jones0-for-4, CI, 2 K
RF Anthony Hall2-for-4, 2 2B (3), RS, K
Hall is 5-for-15 after starting 0-for-10 at this level.
2B Jared Serna1-for-4, K
Serna now has a 10-game hitting streak (7 games here, 3 games for Tampa). He is 9-for-28 since his promotion with three walks and three strikeouts. 
LF Jesus Rodriguez1-for-3, HR (1), 2 RBI, RS, HBP
Rodriguez is hitting .303 between Tampa and Hudson Valley and is 8-for-20 with six RBI since his promotion.
SS Alexander Vargas1-for-4, RS, 3 K
C Antonio Gomez1-for-4, K
3B Ben Cowles: 2-for-4, HR (10), 2 RBI, RS, K
I don’t think Cowles belongs at this level any longer. He is 23 (drafted in the 10th round out of Maryland in 2021). Cowles played 23 games here in 2022 and is up to 87 games in 2023.
DH Christopher Familia0-for-4, K
1B Rafael Flores0-for-4, K

RHP Baron Stuart: (W, 2-1)  5 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 1 K
The ultimate bend-don’t-break.
RHP Mason Vinyard: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
Vinyard strands two Stuart runners in the 6th. He drops his ERA at this level to 3.00 (24 IP, 17 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 2 HR, 15 BB, 27 K)
RHP Carlos Gomez1.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, HR
LHP Joel Valdez (S, 1): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Tampa (52-57; 21-22 in the second half) (Lost a tough one to Daytona Beach, 8-7. They had a 7-2 lead entering the bottom of the 8th)

SS Roc Riggio1-for-3, 2 RS, BB, 2 K
Riggio is 4-for-16 at this level.
1B Kiko Romero1-for-3, 3B (1), RBI, 2 BB
Romero’s first professional triple.
C Omar Martinez1-for-5, HR (17), RBI, 2 RS
Martinez’s first bomb since hitting five in three games back in late July/early August. Baseball is such a funny game. That said, he is 6-for-16 with three doubles, a home run, and six runs scored in his last four games.
LF Coby Morales: 3-for-5, 2B (7), RBI, K, CS (1)
Morales has seven doubles and a homer in ten games (12-for-41)
DH Josh Moylan1-for-3, RBI, 2 BB, K
Moylan is 8-for-29 with nine walks and 11 strikeouts.
RF Tayler Aguilar0-for-3, 2 BB, 2 K, CS (2)
CF Cole Gabrielson1-for-5, RS, 2 K
2B Beau Brewer2-for-4, RS, K
Brewer is up to .260 thanks to a 12-for-33 August.
3B Jose Colmenares2-for-4, 2 2B (3), 2 RBI, RS, K, SB (1)
In his small sample size, he is hitting .237 – but it comes with a 1.040 OPS.

RHP Yorlin Calderon2.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
3.46 ERA (65 IP, 62 H, 28 R, 25 ER, 5 HR, 21 BB, 82 K). Calderon has starting experience (including throwing a no-hitter last year), but this was his first start this season.
RHP Alex Bustamante: 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K
RHP Matt Keating2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, HR
RHP Huey Morrill0.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, HR
LHP Geoffrey Gilbert: (L, 5-2)  0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Gilbert’s first appearance since 7/27. 

FCL Yankees (30-20) (Lost to the Tigers, 3-2)

DH Keiner Delgado2-for-4, HR (7), RBI, RS
In 2022, the league leader in home runs hit six. In other words, hitting seven in 44 games is no small feat. Delgado is hitting .287/.400/.481 with 28 stolen bases in 33 attempts. He is 19 years old, so I think a trip to Tampa before the season ends would be wise.
CF Jackson Castillo1-for-4, RS, 2 K
RF Willy Montero1-for-4, RBI
Montero is hitting .345/.395/.458 and his 41 RBI (43 games) rank him second in the FCL.
3B Dylan Jasso0-for-4, K
This snaps Jasso’s 6-game hitting streak. He is searching for that first professional home run but does have seven doubles in 12 games.
LF John Cruz0-for-2, 2 BB, K, SB (8)
.289/.367/.535 in 180 PA (5 doubles, 2 triples, 10 HR, 44 RBI, 27 R, 18 BB, 41 K, 8-for-11 SB). Cruz leads the league in RBI and is second in home runs (to a kid who is old enough to be his grandfather – OK, I am exaggerating). Cruz was signed for $75,000 in 2022 and thus far is making the Yankees look wise for that investment.
2B Enmanuel Tejeda1-for-3, BB, 2 K, SB (22)
.311/.470/.477 in 198 PA. The one thing I like about the 18-year-old is that he is mostly hitting just like he did in the DSL, while doubling his stolen base total.
SS Hans Montero0-for-3, BB, K
.256/.410/.405 in 212 PA with a perfect 15-for-15 stolen base rate. After a red-hot start, he has fallen down. The overall line remains encouraging and I hope he can close his season on a hot streak.
C Juan Sanchez1-for-4, 2B (2), K
1B Enger Castellano0-for-4, K

RHP Luis Serna (L, 0-1): 2.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
4.19 ERA (19.1 IP, 17 H, 11 R, 9 ER, 2 HR, 8 BB, 23 K)
LHP Edwar Polimir2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 K
RHP Kris Bow2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Bow was having trouble up in Low-A. Sometimes, a prospect just needs a reset.
RHP Yoljeldriz Diaz1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

DSL Yankees (31-15) (Shut down the Cardinals, 6-0)

CF Jose Castro1-for-4, K, SB (18), CS (2)
DH Josue Gonzalez1-for-3, 2 RS, BB, SB (7)
.360/.553/.584 in a crazy 132 PA sample (he has 12 doubles, 36 walks, and 19 strikeouts)
SS Luis Suarez1-for-3, 2 RBI, RS, BB, K, SB (19)
3B Santiago Gomez1-for-1, RS, BB, 2 HBP, SB (15)
.298/.473/.427 in 169 PA with 31 RBI and 35 runs scored. The 19-year-old is repeating the level.
C Gabriel Bersing1-for-4, HR (4), RBI, RS, 3 K

RHP Christian Zazueta (W, 3-2): 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K
3.47 ERA (46.2 IP, 37 H, 20 R, 18 ER, 6 HR, 15 BB, 47 K)
LHP Pedro Rodriguez2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K
RHP Yordanny Sosa2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K

DSL Bombers (23-25) (Knocked off Mets Blue, 13-6)

CF Gabriel Lara2-for-5, RBI, 3 RS, BB
.271/.399/.421 in 173 PA (7 doubles, 1 triple, 4 HR, 29 RBI, 32 R, 26 BB, 30 K, 16-for-22 SB). A disruptive force.
C Edgleen Perez0-for-4, 3 RBI, BB
How often does a player go 0-for-4 with three RBI and zero sac flies?
SS Kevin Verde1-for-4, RBI, RS
LF Abrahan Ramirez1-for-4, RS, BB, SB (11)
.305/.464/.379 in 125 PA. He performed well at this level as a 17-year-old in 2022, so he is likely earning his way to the FCL.
RF David Beckles1-for-2, RBI, 2 RS, 3 BB
DH Luis Puello1-for-4, 2B (3), 2 RBI, RS
2B Rafael Martinez1-for-2, RBI, 2 RS, 2 BB
The 17-year-old is hitting .227/.327/.284 in 104 PA. This is his debut season.

LHP Rafelin Nivar (W, 2-0): 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
When a pitcher is in his 20s and down at this level, almost impossible to get a true read.  He definitely strikes out his share of hitters (65 in 45.1 career innings)
RHP Angel Sanchez1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
Sanchez is 22, but this is his debut season. He has yet to allow a run in 7.2 innings.
RHP Keninson Diaz2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K
The 19-year-old has shown impressive improvement from 2022 (8.68 ERA in 18.2 IP) to 2023 (2.83 ERA in 28.2 IP)
LHP Luis Urbano1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K