News:
This is the last full report for 2023. I don’t typically type up reports during the off-season leagues. Those leagues are important, but the most intriguing part about them is who the Yankees send there.
I will probably type up some sort of recap soon enough.
Anyway, thanks for reading these reports this season. It’s a blast to do them, though, by late September, I am ready for a reset. What will 2024 bring? I guess we will find out sometime in April!
Scranton (73-75; 39-35 in the second half) (Defeated Syracuse, 7-3)
3B Jamie Westbrook: 2-for-5, RS, K
I like to give shoutouts to the minor league veterans who fill out rosters every year. Westbrook provided infield depth all season (played in 117 games), hitting 21 home runs. I root for him to fulfill his MLB dream after 1,110 minor league games – it seems doubtful he will be back in this organization next year, but you never know.
C Carlos Narvaez: 0-for-3, RS, HBP
C Mickey Gasper: 0-for-0, BB
1B Andres Chaparro: 1-for-4, HR (25), RBI, 2 RS, BB, K
15 HR in 2021, 20 HR in 2022, 25 HR in 2023….can he aim for 30 in 2024? And will it be as a member of the Yankees’ organization? I think he is eligible for minor league free agency. He began his journey in 2016. Supporting my claim is that Wilkerman Garcia was eligible last year, and he started his career in 2015. Just like with the Rule 5 draft, a team can prevent a player from reaching minor league free agency if they place him on the 40-man roster.
DH Jake Lamb: 1-for-3, RBI, 2 RS, 2 HBP
SS Jesus Bastidas: 1-for-3, RBI, 2 HBP, 2 K, SB (11)
If Chaparro is eligible for minor league free agency, so is Bastidas. There is likely a better opportunity for him in a different organization (I always say this: This is not a knock on the Yankees or the player! The Yankees have a load of infielders and Basitdas is not high on their list. In a different organization, the path is likely easier to earn some MLB playing time)
LF Aaron Palensky: 1-for-2, 2 RBI, RS, 3 BB, SB (2)
Palensky did a lot of damage while with Hudson Valley but slowed down in Somerset/Scranton. Some of that is certainly BABIP luck – it was over .400 for Hudson Valley, and under .200 for Somerset/Scranton. Anyway, he played in 103 games this season, hitting .245 with 20 doubles, 3 triples, 22 homers, 68 RBI, 72 runs, 54 walks, 100 strikeouts, and 23 stolen bases in 26 attempts. He is Rule 5 eligible this winter but I don’t think he will be chosen.
2B Wilmer Difo: 0-for-5, RBI
Like Westbrook, Difo provided depth. He played in 96 games, stealing 23 bases. Unlike Westbrook, Difo has already realized his MLB dream and won a World Series ring as a member of the 2019 Nationals.
CF Nelson Medina: 1-for-5, RBI, K
We will next see Medina in the Arizona Fall League.
RF Kyle Battle: 1-for-5, 2B (1), 3 K
Battle went 2-for-8 at this level.
RHP Clayton Beeter: (W, 3-5) 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 7 K
While Beeter is often erratic and may be suited more for a power relief role, there is no way the Yankees will leave him exposed to the Rule 5 draft. Today’s pitch mix: 51% 4-seam (avg. 93.2; topped out at 95.6); 35% slider; 9% curve balls; 5% change-ups. Between here and Somerset, he struck out 165 batters while walking 75 in 131.2 IP. He easily surpassed last year’s inning total (77).
LHP Clay Aguilar: 1 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
Most pitchers had issues upon reaching Triple-A this year – Aguilar was no different.
RHP Michael Gomez: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Gomez did a solid job escaping a 7th-inning mess. He finishes with a 5.45 ERA in 67.2 IP with a 61/43 K/BB.
RHP Jesus Liranzo: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Matt Bowman: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Somerset (84-53; 42-27 in the second half)
They lost to Binghamton in the semi-finals. Their season is over.
Hudson Valley (70-62; 31-35 in the second half)
They lost to Greenville in the championship series. Their season is over.
Tampa (61-69; 30-34 in the second half)
Their season is over.
FCL Yankees (35-22; 1-2 in the playoffs)
They lost to the Braves in the championship series. Their season is over.
DSL Yankees (33-19)
Their season is over. They missed the playoffs by a half-game.
DSL Bombers (27-26)
Their season is over.