Month: April 2024

Yankees MILB 4/6: Omar Martinez: 4 Hits, HR

News:

No news is good news, except when it isn’t.

Scranton (3-4) (Lost a doubleheader to Syracuse)

Game 1 (Lost, 4-2)

RF Greg Allen: 1-for-1, RS, SB (3)
Allen left the game early.
   RF Josh VanMeter: 0-for-3
LF Caleb Durbin: 0-for-3, RS, SB (5), BB
C Carlos Narvaez: 1-for-2, SB (1), 2 BB, K
Narvaez is 3-for-19 with eight walks. That is how you turn a .158 batting average into a .393 OBP.
DH Everson Pereira: 0-for-2, 2 BB, K
1B Luis Torrens: 0-for-2, RBI, BB, K
SS Kevin Smith: 0-for-1, SF, RBI, BB, K
2B Jeter Downs: 0-for-3, K
3B Jordan Groshans: 0-for-3, 2 K
CF Brandon Lockridge: 1-for-2, 3 SB (7), BB, K

RHP Will Warren: 4 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
Warren didn’t pitch well in not-so-ideal Opening Day conditions. He bounced back tonight.
LHP Tanner Tully (L, 0-1): 3 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 0 BB, 3 K
Tully cleared waivers and was outrighted to Scranton, where he will eat some innings as needed.

Game 2 (Lost, 9-6, in eight innings. Remember that minor-league doubleheaders are 7-inning games. Syracuse scored five in the 7th to take the lead, only for Scranton to answer with three. However, Syracuse pulled away in the 8th).

CF Brandon Lockridge: 1-for-2, RBI, RS, 2 SB (9), 2 BB
Lockridge has nine stolen bases in six games. He stole 40 in 92 games in 2023.
SS Caleb Durbin: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, K
Durbin is 11-for-26 (2 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 5 R, 6 BB, 2 K, 5-for-5 SB). So far this season, he has already played 2B/SS/3B/LF/DH. This kid has serious “fan favorite” ability because he can do so many things.
DH-1B Jose Rojas: 1-for-4, HR (3), 2 RBI, RS, 2 K
The 31-year-old depth piece has three homers in five games.
RF Everson Pereira: 1-for-4, 2 K
6-for-26 (.231) with a pair of home runs. He has four walks and 11 strikeouts.
1B-2B Luis Torrens: 1-for-3, RS, BB
LF Luis Gonzalez: 0-for-4, K
3B Jeter Downs: 1-for-2, RBI, RS, BB, K
C Josh Breaux: 0-for-2, RS, 2 BB, K
2B-P Josh VanMeter: 0-for-2, RS, BB, K

RHP Clayton Beeter: 3.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 5 BB, 5 K
As usual, Beeter was fastball/slider-heavy. He topped out at 94.5 MPH but averaged 91.8. On a good note: He generated 12 whiffs. There’s talent here – I still wonder where that talent is best utilized.
LHP Clayton Andrews: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Yerry De Los Santos (L, 0-1): 0.1 IP, 2 H, 5 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
De Los Santos is throwing hard (95.9 MPH sinkers). With the injuries happening with the big club, there will be opportunities for some of these relievers to shine. That can change once Tommy Kahnle/Scott Effross/Lou Trivino emerge from their injuries.
LHP Anthony Misiewicz: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Josh VanMeter: 1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
VanMeter was forced into some relief duty. It isn’t foreign to him, as he has three games of MLB experience on the hill. Those games didn’t go much better.

Somerset (1-1) (Lost to Richmond, 13-3)

C Ben Rice: 1-for-5, RS
1B T.J. Rumfield: 2-for-3, 2B (1), BB, K
Rumfield’s HR spiked from four homers in 2021-2022 to 17 in 2023. If the power game continues to develop, he will become interesting.
DH Agustin Ramirez: 1-for-4, HR (2), 2 RBI, RS, 2 K
After his promotion last year, he hit two home runs in 31 games. This year? Two home runs in two games. You will hear about whether the 22-year-old can stick behind the plate. Remember this: We heard that about Austin Wells since day one. I like that Fangraphs said that he isn’t ready to be an MLB catcher YET instead of making a decisive prediction on his future position.
RF Elijah Dunham: 0-for-2, 2 K
I think many were hoping that Dunham would get some MLB at-bats last year. However, he had a tough year. I don’t know why he was pulled today.
  RF Jared Wegner: 1-for-2, 3B (1), RS
LF J.C. Escarra: 1-for-3, 2B(1), BB, K
Typically a 1B/DH, this is Escarra’s first career game in the outfield. He was signed to a minor league contract over the winter.
3B Ben Cowles: 1-for-4
CF Grant Richardson: 0-for-4, 3 K
2B Aaron Palensky: 0-for-1, 2 BB, HBP, K
Anthony Seigler at 2B yesterday…Aaron Palensky (typically an OF) today! He played one game at 2B in 2023.
SS Max Burt: 0-for-4, 2 K

RHP Bailey Dees (L, 0-1): 3.1 IP, 5 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 5 BB, 3 K
Dees is undergoing a role change, it appears. With that will come growing pains, as we saw tonight. He is listed at 6’8″, 255 pounds.
LHP Clay Aguilar: 1.1 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 1 BB, 1 K
Typically reliable, Aguilar had a tough time today in his Double-A debut (he pitched four games for Scranton last year). 
RHP Kevin Stevens: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
Stevens (26) was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He didn’t pitch in 2023. This is only his sixth career game.
RHP Carlos Gomez: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K

Hudson Valley (1-1) (Walloped Bowling Green, 14-2)

2B Jared Serna: 1-for-3, HR (1), RBI, 3 RS, 2 BB
I wrote last night about his lack of home runs since joining Hudson Valley last year. It must feel good to get that first one out of the way finally.
 PH-2B Beau Brewer: 0-for-1, K
3B Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-6, RS, 2 K
C Omar Martinez: 4-for-5, HR (1), 2 RBI, 3 RS, BB
The left-handed hitting catcher hit .291/.367/.445 with 18 HR in 105 games for Tampa last year. He was one of the few performing prospects who did not receive a promotion, but I wouldn’t read into that. 
RF Garrett Martin: 2-for-5, 2B (1), 3 RBI, 2 RS, K
  RF Kyle Battle: 0-for-0, HBP
LF Anthony Hall: 0-for-5, RS, BB, K
DH Rafael Flores: 3-for-5, HR (1), 3 RBI, 2 RS
The 23-year-old C/1B spent the entire season here last year, hitting .259/.346/.366 with eight home runs.
1B Kiko Romero: 1-for-4, RBI, RS, SB (1), HBP, 2 K
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-4, RBI, BB
Vargas has the glove to stick at SS. However, the bat has yet to develop.
CF Cole Gabrielson: 1-for-5, RBI, RS, SB (1), K
Gabrielson was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2023. MLB shortened the draft a few years ago, so talented kids will slip through. 

LHP Kyle Carr: 2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
Carr (21) is receiving a lot of buzz. This represented the professional debut for the 21-year-old, who was drafted in the third round in the 2023 draft out of Palomar College.
RHP Trent Sellers: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K
Professional debut for the 24-year-old Sellers, who was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2023. In 15 starts for Oregon State, he posted a 4.86 ERA and 106/32 K/BB over 74 innings. It looks like he continued the strikeout tradition tonight.
RHP Leonardo Pestana: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
LHP Joel Valdez: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K

Tampa (1-1) (Lost to Fort Myers, 6-4)

2B George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K
SS Roderick Arias: 1-for-4, 3B (1), RS, K
A homer and triple in his first two games? We’ll take it.
3B Enmanuel Tejeda: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, SB (1)
This looks like it will be the infield configuration early. It is smart, as Arias should play a lot at SS. It should change as players eventually move around levels. Plus, there will be off days, DH days, etc. Back to Tejeda: He stole 24 bases in 30 attempts in the FCL last year.
LF Coby Morales: 1-for-4, RS, 3 K
1B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-3, BB, 3 K
CF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-4, RS, K
DH Willy Montero: 0-for-3, RBI, SB (1), BB, K
Montero was productive last season, but only stole five bases. In 2022, he stole 16 in 53 games.
RF Daury Arias: 0-for-4, RBI, 2 K
The toolsy Arias didn’t perform well here last season (.217/.335/.318 with six home runs)
C Manuel Palencia: 1-for-3, 2B (1), RS, BB, K
The 21-year-old played ten games at this level in 2023 (11-for-35). 

RHP Ryan Harvey: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
The 23-year-old was the Yankees 11th round pick in the 2022 draft. He pitched to a 3.94 ERA with a 48/22 K/BB ratio over 45.2 innings last year (his debut year).
LHP Allen Facundo: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Fucando threw one of his 4-seamers 96.1 MPH. His sinker? Maxed at 97.4. That will get my attention, as will the 127 strikeouts in 80.2 career innings.
RHP Jordy Luciano (L, 0-1): 2.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
Throughout his brief career, the 22-year-old’s issue has been control. 
RHP Kris Bow: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
The Yankees drafted Bow in the 14th round of the 2022 draft. He is a sinker/slider type, who threw one sinker 94.8 MPH tonight. Control has been an issue in his short career.

FCL (0-0)

The season starts on 5/4.

DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 4/5: Roderick Arias Homers in Tampa Debut

News:

OF Spencer Jones was scratched from tonight’s lineup in Somerset due to a stiff neck.

The Yankees signed veteran infielder Rougned Odor to a minor league deal with a July 1st opt-out.  Odor hit .202/.286/.379 in 102 games for the 2021 Yankees. I never thought I would need to relive those days.

His calling card is the home run (178 home runs in 4,424 plate appearances) but his MLB value is limited. I am not a fan, but minor-league depth is always welcome. I doubt he is going to take time away from Caleb Durbin. He will likely rotate with the other non-prospect veterans.

Scranton (3-2) (Doubled up Syracuse, 8-4)

LF Greg Allen: 0-for-3, RS, 2 BB, K
2B Caleb Durbin: 2-for-2, HR (1), 3 RBI, 3 RS, 2 SB (4), 3 BB
If Durbin adds extra-base hit power to his profile, he could become more than a hypothetical to start the 2024 season as the Yankees’ second baseman. It is too early to go that far, but he is off to an incredible start (10-for-19, 2 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 4 R, 5 BB, 1 K, 4-for-4 SB)
C Carlos Narvaez: 0-for-2, RBI, RS, 3 BB, K
CF Everson Pereira: 0-for-4, HBP, 2 K
1B Jose Rojas: 1-for-4, HR (2), 4 RBI, RS, BB, K
3B Luis Torrens: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K
I have nothing against Torrens (who is typically a catcher), but this is why Odor has room to get some playing time without upsetting the apple cart. 
SS Kevin Smith: 0-for-3, 2 SB (2), 2 BB, 2 K
DH Jordan Groshans: 1-for-3, RS, BB, K
RF Brandon Lockridge: 0-for-2, RS, 2 BB, K

RHP Yoendrys Gomez: 3 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, HR
This is a big season for Gomez, who is out of options in 2025. Unless they trade him, we should see him in MLB this year.
RHP Phil Bickford: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, HR
Bickford was recently signed to add more pitching depth.
RHP Cody Morris: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
LHP Josh Maciejewski: (W, 1-0) 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
RHP Ron Marinaccio: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Marinaccio is on the 40-man, but the Yankees chose to bring up Dennis Santana instead. Some of the shine may be off, but he can still work his way back.

Somerset (1-0) (Defeated Richmond, 5-4)

DH Ben Rice: 1-for-5, HR (1), RBI, RS, 3 K
Rice homers in his first at-bat of the season. While he is in Double-A (for now), there is a possibility that he will make his debut this season. He is eligible for the Rule 5 this winter.
C Agustin Ramirez: 2-for-5, HR (1), RBI, RS
Ramirez, who jumped from Tampa to Hudson Valley to Somerset last season (impressive for anyone, but especially for a catcher) went back-to-back with Rice to start the game. 
1B T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-3, BB
Rumfield underwent a power spike in 2023.
SS Ben Cowles: 1-for-4, 2B (1), RS, K
Cowles received some playing time in the Arizona Fall League. He hit .290/.405/.551 in 20 games with four homers.
CF Grant Richardson: 3-for-4, 2B (1), RBI, RS, K
Richardson’s ability to play CF adds to his value. He went 18-for-53 with five home runs and five stolen bases in his first taste of Double-A in 2023.
LF Aaron Palensky: 1-for-4, RS, 2 K
2B Anthony Seigler: 0-for-2, 2 BB
Seigler, once a promising catching prospect, makes his 14th career start at second base.
RF Jared Wegner: 1-for-3, BB
3B Max Burt: 1-for-2, 2B (1), RBI, 2 BB
The 27-year-old Burt has served as a utility player for Somerset over the last four seasons (he played some for Trenton in 2019, as well!). Sometimes when a player hangs around this long, you feel that the Yankees see something beyond just playing ability. 

RHP Zach Messinger:  5.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, HR
Messinger, who is better than his career record, has a solid 2024 debut. His main issue is walks, something that can be fixed. He is relatively new to starting games.
RHP Luis Velasquez (W, 1-0): 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
In 2023, Velasquez pitched to a 1.74 ERA in 62 innings with a 77/33 K/BB. He pitched for Tampa and Hudson Valley.
RHP Jack Neely (S, 1): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Neely is tall (6’8″) and has an opportunity to make his MLB debut in 2024.

Hudson Valley (0-1) (Lost to Bowling Green, 6-1)

2B Roc Riggio: 0-for-4, 2 K
Riggio (left-handed bat drafted in the 4th round last year) is an emotional gamer. He is the type of player you love if he is on your side but may annoy fans on the other side. 
SS Jared Serna: 1-for-4, K
Serna isn’t big but has shown pop in his minor-league career. He is still looking for his first High-A homer (123 plate appearances). He hit 19 while in Tampa last season.
DH Omar Martinez: 1-for-4
C Jesus Rodriguez: 2-for-4, HR (1), RBI, RS
Rodriguez was my favorite under-the-radar prospect to follow last year. He played C/1B/3B/LF and maintained solid offense (.310/.399/.450 in 460 plate appearances). He was the only player in the system to hit over .300 (amongst those with 350+ PA). Ben Rice and Everson Pereira also hit over .300 if I drop that to 300+ plate appearances.
1B Josh Moylan: 1-for-4, 2 K
Moylan, out of East Carolina, was a highly sought-after undrafted free agent last year.
LF Garrett Martin: 1-for-3, HBP, K
RF Anthony Hall: 0-for-4, 4 K
CF Nelson Medina: 0-for-3, 2 K
3B Kiko Romero: 1-for-3, 2 K

RHP Sebastian Keane: (L, 0-1) 1.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
Keane has a rough first outing, but no big deal. Move on to the next one!
RHP Yorlin Calderon: 3.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
His stint in Scranton was a “we need an arm” thing.
RHP Matt Keating: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Cole Ayers: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K

Tampa (1-0) (Defeated Fort Myers, 4-2)

2B George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-4, RBI, 2 RS, SB (1), BB, 2 K
Lombard was their first-round pick in the 2023 draft. This is not his Low-A debut (.273/.415/.303 in a small sample size last year). 
SS Roderick Arias: 2-for-5, HR (1), 2 RBI, RS, 3 K
Arias, who has superstar potential (we’ll see) struck out in his first two Low-A plate appearances before turning his night around in a hurry. His homer broke a 2-2 tie in the 7th.
3B Enmanuel Tejeda: 1-for-4, RBI, CS (1), 3 K
Like Lombard and Arias, Tejeda can play shortstop. In the FCL, he hit .307/.465/.458 in 50 games.
LF Coby Morales: 1-for-4, SB (1), 3 K
1B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-2, BB, HBP
CF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-4, 3B (1), 2 K
Castillo is a 20-year-old who went undrafted last year. 
RF Willy Montero: 2-for-4, 2B (1), K
Montero drove in 43 runs in 47 games in the FCL last season.
DH Brenny Escanio: 0-for-4
C Edinson Duran: 0-for-3, RS, BB
The 21-year-old Duran hit .314/.405/.457 in 32 FCL games last year. This is not his full-season debut as he went 0-for-2 in a random game for Scranton. 

RHP Cade Smith: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K
Smith is a 21-year-old drafted in the 6th round in the 2023 draft out of Mississippi State. This was his professional debut, so it is understandable if he was amped. I don’t even care about the walks – I like those strikeouts. BaseballSavant registered six pitches (4-seam, slider, curve, sinker, change, cutter). However, the cutter only registered once, which might be an error. Impressively, he generated six whiffs on his 18 sliders (ten swings). 
RHP Cade Austin: 2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K
Austin is a 22-year-old drafted out of South Carolina in the 19th round of the 2023 draft. This was his professional debut, as well. The Yankees tend to develop these types of pitchers so I wouldn’t dismiss him based on draft position.
RHP Hueston Morrill (Huey Morrill on baseball reference): (W, 1-0) 1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
Morrill was signed in 2022 out of Oklahoma State. He was a two-way player for the Cowboys (SS was his other position),
RHP Aaron Nixon: (S, 1) 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
You guessed it – this is the 22-year-old’s professional debut. He went undrafted out of Mississippi State.

FCL (0-0)

The season starts on 5/4.

DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 4/4: Everson Pereira Goes Yard

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!

Ex-Yankees Prospects: Where are they?

A look at the prospects the Yankees have traded/lost over the last several years. This list is comprehensive (in my opinion) but not complete.

The Jameson Taillon deal:

RHP Roansy Contreras – The “big fish” in the deal for Pittsburgh, Contreras has struggled to the point where the Pirates moved him to the bullpen.

RHP Miguel Yajure – Yajure compiled an 8.69 ERA in 39.1 innings for the Pirates before moving to the Giants’ organization. Last year, he pitched at three levels, compiling a 6.07 ERA in 65.2 innings. He elected free agency at the end of the campaign and signed with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. Many players have earned their way back to MLB using this route.

OF Canaan Smith-Njigba – Still a member of the Pirates organization, Smith-Njigba went 5-for-25 in spring training with three home runs. Designated for assignment at the end of spring training, he passed through waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A.

IF Maikol Escotto – Still only 21, Escotto has been unable to get on track after a big debut season for the Yankees DSL squad. At the very least, he is a cautionary tale about taking rookie league numbers too seriously.

The Pirates are hoping that Contreras salvages this deal for them by pitching well out of the bullpen.

The Joey Gallo deal:

RHP Glenn Otto – The Rangers designated Otto for assignment in September. The Padres claimed him and he made three late-season starts for their Triple-A ballclub in El Paso. He is on the injured list due to a “Right teres major strain.”

UTIL Ezequiel Duran – Duran seemingly was having a breakout to start 2023, but slowed down considerably to the point where he wasn’t included on the postseason roster (he was eventually added to the World Series roster when Adolis Garcia went down in Game 3). He made the Rangers’ Opening Day roster.

UTIL Josh H. Smith – Smith earned his World Series ring by playing a variety of positions for the Rangers in 2023. The bat wasn’t there (.185/.304/.328), but the Rangers’ offense was dominant enough to absorb it. This season, he has played two games at third base and an inning at shortstop so it appears his role will be similar.

UTIL Trevor Hauver – Hauver is now in Triple-A after hitting .260/.374/.429 in 107 games for Double-A Frisco in 2023. Hauver was Rule 5 eligible this past winter but went undrafted.

This isn’t a group of All-Stars, but the Rangers must be happy about the return.

The Anthony Rizzo deal:

RHP Alexander Vizcaino – After failing to report to the Cubs last year, Vizcaino resurfaced in the Dominican Winter League, where he pitched to a 2.70 ERA in five games. I have no idea what his plans are.

OF Kevin Alcantara – Alcantara is the #5 prospect in the Cubs organization (Pipeline). At 20 years old, he made it to Double-A in 2023 after posting a .286/.341/.466 line in 408 plate appearances for High-A South Bend. His ETA is in 2025, but he can push up that timetable. He is on the 40-man roster with a pair of options remaining.

The Andrew Heaney deal:

RHP Janson Junk – Junk has since moved on to the Brewers, where he made two appearances (one start) in 2023. His 2024 began in Triple-A Nashville.

RHP Elvis Peguero – After the Yankees traded Junk/Peguero to the Angels, the Angels packaged them again in a trade to the Brewers. Peguero made the team out of spring training and has picked up two wins in two relief appearances to start 2024. Nice pace.

The Yankees traded a pair of spare parts for Heaney. It is good to see that both have lived out their MLB dreams.

The Clay Holmes deal:

UTIL Hoy Park – Park hasn’t played in MLB since 2022. After signing with the Braves organization in 2023, he moved on to the Oakland Athletics in 2024. Park had an incredible spring training (21-for-44 with five doubles and a homer). On a team as bad as Oakland’s, that could have been enough to earn him the #3 spot in the lineup. However, they sent him off to Triple-A instead.

UTIL Diego Castillo – Castillo was briefly a property of the Yankees this spring after they claimed him off waivers. After being designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks, he took a mid-Atlantic tour, being claimed by the Mets, the Yankees, and the Phillies before settling in with the Orioles. The Orioles also designated him for assignment, but he passed through waivers and is in Triple-A.

This trade didn’t look like much, but the Yankees struck gold.

The Jose Trevino deal:

LHP Robby Ahlstrom – Ahlstrom (24) pitched in 40 games between High-A and Double-A in 2023. He compiled a 3.68 ERA in 58.1 innings with a 79/32 K/BB. Ahlstrom was traded to the Rangers before appearing in the Yankees organization.

The Andrew Benintendi deal:

RHP Beck Way – Way had a tough time in Double-A, pitching to a 6.67 ERA in 79.2 innings. With that, he was invited to Spring Training in 2024 where he appeared in two games.

RHP Chandler Champlain – Champlain is the #12 prospect in the Royals organization. After a dominant start in High-A, he was pushed to Double-A, where he pitched to a respectable 3.82 ERA in 73 innings with a 64/25 K/BB. He could profile as a bottom-of-the-rotation innings eater or multi-inning reliever.

LHP T.J. Sikkema – Sikkema has moved on to the Cincinnati Reds organization after being drafted in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft. Sikkema was roughed up in Double-A last year, pitching to a 5.85 ERA in 72.1 innings.

This trade seems to be all about what happens with Champlain.

The Scott Effross deal:

RHP Hayden Wesneski – Wesneski received an extended look in 2023, pitching to a 4.63 ERA (5.48 FIP) in 34 games (11 starts) with a 21.9% K and 8.4% BB. His strikeout rate spiked to 25.6% as a reliever (however, his BB% spiked to 11.9%). He starts the season in Triple-A Iowa.

Wesneski will be back. His future role is to be determined.

The Frankie Montas deal:

LHP Ken Waldichuk – Waldichuk has a bullpen session coming after undergoing surgery in October to address a couple of arm issues (sprained UCL/damaged flexor tendon). He is on the 60-day injured list. Last season, Oakland forced him to battle through his struggles (5.36 ERA/5.30 FIP in 141 innings) and we’ll see if that pays off going forward.

RHP Luis Medina – Medina is on the 15-day injured list to address a right knee MCL sprain. Like Waldichuk, Oakland gave him the ball and told him to run with it in 2023. He finished the season with a 5.42 ERA (4.76 FIP) over 109.2 innings. The inconsistency that plagued him with the Yankees continued. In June, he owned a 25/21 K/BB over 26 innings. In July, he improved that to 27/5 over 22 innings. August/September? 30/21 over 34 innings. The tantalizing talent remains but can he harness it?

LHP JP Sears – Sears went 5-14 with a 4.54 ERA (5.15 FIP) in 172.1 innings last year, allowing 34 home runs. He didn’t fare well in his first outing in 2024. For a pitcher like Sears, Oakland seems like a good place to be. He is just good enough to continue to accumulate service time.

IF Cooper Bowman – Bowman went 5-for-16 in spring training following his .262/.358/.435 line in 319 Double-A plate appearances. He stole 35 bases in 38 attempts. Bowman played primarily second base with a handful of games at shortstop and a game in center.

The Athletics received three pitchers who ate considerable innings in 2023. Whether they become a part of their future remains to be seen. Bowman has MLB potential in some capacity.

The Greg Allen deal:

RHP Diego Hernandez – Hernandez spent 2023 on the injured list and has yet to pitch in the Red Sox organization. He is 19 years old.

The Keynan Middleton deal:

RHP Juan Carela – Between the Yankees and White Sox High-A affiliates, Carela pitched to a 3.58 ERA in 115.2 innings with a 136/43 K/BB. The Yankees likely traded him due to his Rule 5 status. However, he wasn’t protected by the White Sox and slipped through.

Carela isn’t an upside pitcher, but the White Sox did fine in acquiring him for a rental reliever.

The Alex Verdugo deal:

RHP Richard Fitts – Fitts, who has a bulldog mentality, had a solid season in Somerset, pitching to a 3.48 ERA in 152.2 innings. He is ranked 12th on the Red Sox prospects list (Pipeline). I would be surprised if Fitts doesn’t make it to MLB as he is a relatively “safe” pitching prospect.

RHP Nicholas Judice – The 22-year-old Judice hasn’t made his professional debut. He was drafted in the 8th round by the Yankees in the 2023 draft out of Louisiana-Monroe.

RHP Greg Weissert – Weissert is in the Red Sox bullpen, where he has tossed three scoreless innings with a 4/1 K/BB to start his campaign. If the walks remain low, he can be effective. Can he do that, though?

The Juan Soto deal:

RHP Drew Thorpe – Thorpe was flipped to the White Sox when the Padres acquired Dylan Cease in mid-March. Using his advanced changeup to his advantage, Thorpe went 14-2 with a 2.52 ERA and an 182/38 K/BB over 139.1 innings between Hudson Valley/Somerset in 2023. His performance was enough to earn him the Minor League Pitching Prospect of the Year award.

RHP Jhony Brito – Brito was a useful utility arm for the Yankees in 2023. His first four appearances for the Padres haven’t gone well (six runs in four innings).

RHP Randy Vasquez – Vasquez started the season in Triple-A after a decent showing for the Yankees last year (2.87 ERA/4.98 FIP in 37.2 innings).

RHP Michael King – I am including King because he was a part of the package, even though he is no longer a prospect. King is having trouble locating to begin this season (ten walks in 7.1 innings) but a pitcher with his talent (2.88 ERA (3.13 FIP) in 219 innings between 2021-2023) is unlikely to suddenly “lose” it). Whether or not he truly is a starter or better off in the multi-inning relief role is to be determined.

The Victor Gonzalez/Jorbit Vivas deal:

SS Trey Sweeney – The Yankees’ first-round pick in 2021 started the season in Triple-A Oklahoma City for the Dodgers. He is 3-for-15 with a homer and five walks. He went 6-for-20 in spring training. While there has been talk about moving Sweeney off of shortstop in the past, he has yet to play a professional game elsewhere.

The Caleb Ferguson deal:

RHP Christian Zazueta – The Yankees acquired two left-handed relievers from the Dodgers. In this deal, they gave up Matt Gage (since released by the Dodgers) and Zazueta. Zazueta has pitched the last two years in the DSL, compiling a 4.54 ERA and 75/22 K/BB over 73.1 innings.

The Jon Berti deal:

OF John Cruz – The intriguing teenager hit 15 home runs in 426 PA between the DSL/FCL in 2022-2023. Last season, his performance created a buzz, as he compiled a .907 OPS in 48 games. He is a good long-term “get” for the Marlins.

The Clayton Andrews deal:

RHP Joshua Quezada – This was your prototypical lottery ticket for a depth player move. Quezada is a teenager who pitched to a 3.69 ERA in 46.1 innings in the DSL in 2023. That was his professional debut.

The Cody Morris deal:

OF Estevan Florial – Florial, who was around the organization forever, won his freedom this winter. After an 8-for-52 spring, he made the Guardians’ Opening Day roster (it was either that or expose him to waivers). So far, he is 1-for-7 with a triple and stolen base.

Others:

RHP Mitch Spence – The Athletics chose Spence in the Rule 5 draft. Last year, he tossed the most innings in minor league baseball (163) while compiling a 4.47 ERA (5.21 FIP) and 21.8% K rate. Spence made the Athletics’ roster out of spring training (rather than returned to the Yankees) and has appeared in a pair of games.

RHP Matt Sauer – Another Rule 5 loss, Sauer was chosen by the Royals. So far, he has appeared in one game, tossing a scoreless inning. Sauer received some notariety on August 25, 2022, when he struck out 17 batters for the Somerset Patriots.

RHP Carson Coleman – The 25-year-old Coleman (also selected in the Rule 5 draft) had some buzz as a Yankees’ relief prospect after a solid 2022 campaign. However, a shoulder injury cost him all of 2023 and he is currently on the 60-day IL for the Rangers.

LHP Matt Krook – The groundball-heavy Krook had a rough time in his 2023 MLB debut. The Yankees traded him to Baltimore for cash this past winter and he is currently at Triple-A Norfolk.

UTIL Oliver Dunn – The Phillies went crazy in the minor league phase of the 2022 Rule 5 draft, selecting seven players. The seventh player was Dunn, an 11th-round pick by the Yankees in 2019.  Acquired by the Brewers from the Phillies over the winter, he made the roster out of spring training and is 3-for-12 with an RBI in four games. He is primarily a 2B/3B type, though he has played some SS and LF.

1B Eric Wagaman – Wagaman was chosen by the Angels in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft. Now 26, he hit .320/.382/.500 in 35 games for Somerset in 2023.

C/1B Mickey Gasper – Taken by the Red Sox in the minor league phase, Gasper hit. 269/.388/.423 in 52 games for Somerset. He struggled in 22 games for Scranton. Gasper has hit for average and taken walks in the minors, setting himself up as someone with a real shot to make it.

RHP Michael Gomez – Taken by the Rays in the minor league phase, Gomez is at their Triple-A affiliate in Durham.

3B Marcos Cabrera – Taken by the Pirates in the minor league phase, Cabrera has 31 homers in 1,022 career plate appearances. While there might be some pop to tap into, the rest of his offensive game needs work. He is a .219/.328/.386 career hitter with a 30.4% K rate.