Yankees MILB 3/31: Brandon Lockridge: 2 Hits, BB, SB

News:

LHP Nick Ramirez was designated for assignment after the Yankees promoted LHP Tanner Tully to the big league club. Just in case you missed the news, Tully replaces Clayton Beeter, who will now get regular rotation turns in Scranton until he is needed again. While I think Beeter’s future might be in the bullpen, there isn’t a need to put him there permanently now. Plus, who says I’m right? I am wrong more than I am right. I am just not afraid to admit it.

“Why Tully?”

It’s simple: 1. He has a starter’s pedigree, so he can eat innings out of the bullpen as needed; 2. He is expendable. If he has to pitch four innings out of the bullpen, he can be designated for assignment the next day. That sounds harsh, but for many MLB players, this is their way to earn some paychecks.

Not that Will Warren was available anyway, but you aren’t going to add him to the 40-man roster for this purpose.

RHP Yorlin Calderon was added to the roster with the need for an arm in Scranton. He made an appearance in today’s game. Further information is in his blurb below.

Ramirez being designated for assignment may seem like a surprise. In 32 games (40.2 IP) for the big club last year, he compiled a solid 2.66 ERA and 2.94 FIP. With the need for relief arms throughout baseball, I will be surprised if he isn’t claimed. However, I’ve been surprised many times before.

Scranton (2-1) (Lost to Buffalo, 4-3)

RF Luis Gonzalez1-for-5, 3B (1), RBI, RS, 3 K
DH Caleb Durbin1-for-3, RBI, 2 BB, SB (2)
Durbin is off to a 4-for-12 start with a pair of doubles, 4 RBI, and two stolen bases.
1B Carlos Narvaez0-for-4, BB, K
The Yankees need first base depth. Narvaez played 16 games at the position last year and started a game today. As stated the other day, he is also the organization’s #3 catcher.
CF Everson Pereira1-for-4, K
2B Kevin Smith0-for-4, 2 K
3B Jordan Groshans: 2-for-4, 2B (1)
SS Jeter Downs1-for-3, RS, SAC
C Josh Breaux1-for-4, K
LF Brandon Lockridge: 2-for-3, 2B (2), RBI, RS, BB, SB (4)
Lockridge is off to a 3-for-6 start with a pair of doubles, three walks, and four stolen bases.

RHP Cody Morris2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K
The Yankees acquired the 27-year-old Morris from Cleveland for Estevan Florial. He owns a 3.41 ERA in 31.2 career MLB innings (13 games/5 starts) with a 32/18 K/BB. As expected, Florial made the Guardians’ Opening Day roster (just like when he was with the Yankees, he would need to go through waivers if they decide to send him down). 
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Yorlin Calderon3.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, HR
Calderon is 22 years old and hadn’t pitched above High-A until today. In 2022, in his Low-A debut, Calderon tossed a 7-inning no-hitter. This could be a situation where Scranton needed an arm for a day, and he was readily available to provide that. Calderon doesn’t appear on many (if any) Top 30 lists, but he did receive a blurb on the Fangraphs list last year, where he was praised for his breaking ball and potential to add velocity.
LHP Clayton Andrews: (L, 0-1)  1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
The organizational debut for Andrews, who the Yankees acquired for minor league RHP Joshua Quezada. He didn’t have any fun in his MLB debut last season (27.00 ERA in four games), but he pitched well for their Triple-A affiliate. Walks appear to be an issue, but he did touch 95.4 on the gun today. That’s valuable for an LHP if you can figure out everything else.
RHP Dennis Santana: 0.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Santana allowed two inherited runners to score.


Somerset (0-0)

The season starts on 4/5.


Hudson Valley (0-0)

The season starts on 4/5.


Tampa (0-0)

The season starts on 4/5.


FCL (0-0)

The season starts on 5/4.


DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!