News:
The Yankees released the Somerset/Hudson Valley/Tampa rosters this week. I don’t read too much into that, to be honest. The Yankees have their reasons for placing players at certain levels.
The biggest surprise, to me, was Keiner Delgado not being assigned to a full-season level. While it is true that George Lombard Jr. and Roderick Arias are occupying spots in Tampa, they could have found playing time for Delgado.
However, it isn’t a life sentence. Delgado will get to Tampa soon enough is my guess.
Tomorrow begins the insane portion of the season, as Somerset, Hudson Valley, and Tampa are scheduled for their openers. The weather looks chilly but fine for Somerset and Hudson Valley (road against Bowling Green (Kentucky)), while Tampa’s trip to Fort Myers should be met with plenty of sunshine.
RHP Zach Messinger is announced as the starter for Somerset, while RHP Sebastian Keane and LHP Cade Smith are listed as the scheduled starters for Hudson Valley and Tampa. For Smith, it will be the 2023 draftee’s professional debut. Keane pitched mostly out of the bullpen in 2023 but made a pair of starts for Low-A Tampa.
Scranton (2-2) (Lost an ugly game (especially in the 9th) to Syracuse, 5-4)
CF Greg Allen: 0-for-5, 4 K
2B Caleb Durbin: 4-for-5, 3B (1), RBI
Not known for his power, three of Durbin’s first eight hits have gone for extra bases (two doubles, one triple).
DH Carlos Narvaez: 0-for-4, 3 K
RF Everson Pereira: 1-for-3, HR (2), RBI, 2 RS, BB, K
It is easy to toss a prospect out of your mind when their first taste of MLB doesn’t go well. I wouldn’t dismiss Pereira quickly, especially since many people weren’t surprised by his initial struggles. For now, he is MLB depth and a potential trade piece.
1B Jose Rojas: 1-for-4, K
C Luis Torrens: 1-for-3, SF, RBI, K
Torrens’ first official game back with the organization since September 5, 2016. Since he is on the 40-man, Narvaez is the default #3 catcher but Torrens (with his MLB experience) is also in the mix.
SS Jeter Downs: 2-for-4, 3B (1), HR (1), RBI, RS, 2 K
I can’t be the only one hoping that Downs earns at least a cup of coffee with the big club. This home run went an impressive 409 feet.
LF Luis Gonzalez: 1-for-4, K
3B Jordan Groshans: 1-for-4, 2B (2), RS
LHP Edgar Barclay: 4.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
Barclay survived the Rule 5 over the winter. Last season, he pitched well as a reliever for Somerset before struggling as a starter for Scranton. Barclay doesn’t throw hard (topped out at 91.6 MPH tonight, averaged 89.8) so he relies more on commanding his stuff than overpowering you. He also featured a changeup (41%) and curve (16%) tonight. He generated nine whiffs amongst the 19 swings when he threw the changeup.
LHP Anthony Misiewicz: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
RHP Duane Underwood Jr.: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K
Underwood threw a changeup that registered 91.3 on the gun. That could be an error.
RHP Yerry De Los Santos: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
De Los Santos threw a 94.9 MPH sinker – that is not likely an error.
LHP Clayton Andrews: (L, 0-1) 0.1 IP, 1 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 0 K
Ooph.
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
He had a chance to stop the bleeding, but couldn’t do it.
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!