News:
I want Anthony Rizzo to start scorching and hit 20 home runs the rest of the way. Why wouldn’t I? That helps my favorite team win the World Series.
However, 2024 is not going his way. Is it because of his 2023 concussion? His age? A combination? I don’t know. In April Rizzo hit .258/.321/.417 with five homers and 15 RBI. While this isn’t elite first base production, he still helped the offense as Aaron Judge went through a brutal slump.
His production has cratered in May/June, leading to a legitimate concern at first base.
The solution is not easy, and I won’t claim otherwise. Ben Rice is scorching the ball in Somerset/Scranton, leading to fans calling for him to take some at-bats in MLB. It’s a lot like the backup QB in the NFL – when the starter isn’t playing well, the unknown backup becomes the most popular player on the team. While this is a smaller scale, it’s similar: When an MLB player isn’t performing, fans instantly look towards the prospects as a solution. Just like how teams value their backup QB, we don’t know what the Yankees feel about Rice. Don’t take “reports” seriously – the front office isn’t going to talk down a prospect.
When does an organization “pull the plug”? When do they decide if Rice is worth trying out vs. looking at trade options? That’s not as easy of a question to answer as you think. You are replacing a well-regarded veteran with a track record, not Willie Calhoun or Franchy Cordero. It’s a delicate situation but a team should always do what helps the team win, even if it requires a tough conversation/decision.
I am writing this as tonight’s Yankees-Dodgers game is on. If Anthony Rizzo hits a game-winning home run, you can thank me later.
Scranton (36-25) (Defeated Norfolk, 10-7, walk-off style)
3B Jorbit Vivas: 0-for-5, 2 K
The Yankees are giving him a little playing time at third base (4th game).
SS Oswald Peraza: 1-for-3, RBI, RS, CS (1), 2 BB, 2 K
Maybe this is the game that gets him going. It’s been a slog.
CF Jasson Dominguez: 2-for-4, 2B (3), HR (1), RBI, RS, K
Since joining Scranton: 6-for-15, 3 doubles, 1 HR, 3 K. The bat looks good – he’s hitting the ball hard and getting results. However, he has yet to play a full game in the field. One assumes that hurdle will be cleared, but the Yankees won’t rush him. They may even ask for a second 10-day rehab extension (you can ask for up to three).
RF Taylor Trammell: 1-for-1, 2B (6), RBI, RS
Tonight’s replacement for Dominguez hit a game-tying double in the bottom of the 9th.
C Ben Rice: 0-for-3, RS, 2 BB, 2 K
Between here and Somerset: .278/.400/.567 in 236 PA (11 doubles, 15 HR, 33 RBI, 42 R, 15.3% BB, 20.8% K, 9-for-9 SB)
1B T.J. Rumfield: 2-for-5, 2B (10), RS, K
For Scranton: .280/.341/.415 in 182 PA (10 doubles, 4 HR, 29 RBI, 23 R)
DH Oscar Gonzalez: 0-for-3, RBI, 2 RS, SB (2), 2 BB, K
RF-CF Greg Allen: 2-for-4, HR (3), 4 RBI, 2 RS, SAC, K
Allen hit the game-winning 3-run home run with two outs in the 9th off of old friend Matt Krook.
2B Josh VanMeter: 1-for-3, RS, BB
LF Elijah Dunham: 1-for-4, RBI, 2 K
LHP Edgar Barclay: 5.2 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 8 K, 3 HR
6.51 ERA (56.2 IP, 61 H, 44 R, 41 ER, 13 HR, 32 BB, 55 K). The Triple-A environment hasn’t been kind to him over the last two years.
RHP Art Warren: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Cody Morris: (W, 4-0) 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Somerset (27-29) (Defeated Hartford, 4-1)
CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-4, K
.228/.309/.367 in 204 PA. I can’t wait until the SLG gets over .400!
C Agustin Ramirez: 1-for-4
If he can’t hit three home runs every night, what good is he?
SS-3B Ben Cowles: 0-for-4, K
LF Grant Richardson: 1-for-3, RS
1B J.C. Escarra: 1-for-3, RS
3B Jordan Groshans: 1-for-2, RBI, RS
SS Alexander Vargas: 1-for-1, CS (3)
RF Jared Wegner: 0-for-3, K
2B Anthony Seigler: 1-for-3, HR (5), 3 RBI, RS
Seigler has five home runs in his last 7 games. Please don’t ask me to explain it. By the way, since I have been asked: He is seemingly done as a catcher. He hasn’t played the position this season.
DH Aaron Palensky: 1-for-3, CS (3), K
LHP Brock Selvidge: (W, 5-4) 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
3.07 ERA (58.2 IP, 44 H, 27 R, 20 ER, 3 HR, 30 BB, 57 K). It is all about bringing those walks down.
RHP Kevin Stevens: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
LHP Ryan Anderson: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Jack Neely (S, 6): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
2.15 ERA (29.1 IP, 21 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 2 HR, 10 BB, 48 K). He is putting up ridiculous numbers.
Hudson Valley (28-27) (Split a doubleheader against Wilmington)
Game 1 (Won, 4-0)
CF Jace Avina: 0-for-4, K
SS Jared Serna: 1-for-4, 2B (14), RS, K
DH Jesus Rodriguez: 2-for-4, 3B (3), RBI, RS
Rodriguez’s 19th multi-hit effort this season (51 games).
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-4, 2 K
C Omar Martinez: 0-for-4, K
LF Garrett Martin: 1-for-3
3B Josh Moylan: 0-for-1, RS, 2 BB
RF Nelson Medina: 2-for-2, RS, BB
2B Beau Brewer: 1-for-2, 2B (3), 2 RBI, BB
LHP Ben Shields: (W, 2-2) 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 8 K
At this level: 3.11 ERA (37.2 IP, 28 H, 15 R, 13 ER, 3 HR, 7 BB, 47 K). Toss out his appearance in Scranton – they needed an arm and he was available. He was not ready for that level/offensive environment.
RHP McKinley Moore: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
His stint in the FCL is over, and now he is placed in Hudson Valley. The Yankees are trying to unlock a big-time arm with big-time control issues. It’s a worthwhile project.
Game 2 (Lost, 4-2)
2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-4, RS, K
SS Jared Serna: 3-for-4, 2 2B (16), RS
A nice 3-double evening for Serna, who is hitting .262/.367/.495 in 251 PA. He has seven 3-hit efforts this season.
C Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-3, 2B (14), RBI, BB, K
.325/.409/.505 in 225 PA (14 doubles, 3 triples, 5 HR, 27 RBI, 35 R). He is 9-for-28 (.321) in June. Yes, his solid start to June has brought his batting average down.
1B Rafael Flores: 1-for-4, RBI
.313/.419/.500 in 172 PA. He is 11-for-26 in June.
RF Jace Avina: 0-for-4, 3 K
DH Omar Martinez: 1-for-3
3B Kiko Romero: 1-for-3, K
CF Cole Gabrielson: 0-for-2, BB
LF Kyle Battle: 0-for-3, 2 K
RHP Blane Abeyta: (L, 0-1) 5 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
RHP Cole Ayers: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
1.87 ERA (33.2 IP, 23 H, 10 R, 7 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 40 K). He will be in Somerset when they start promoting players.
Tampa (20-36) (Lost to Ft. Myers, 8-5)
2B George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K
SS Roderick Arias: 2-for-5, HR (4), 2 RBI, 2 RS, 2 K
Arias is 11-for-32 in June (three straight multi-hit games) with five extra-base hits (1 double, 2 triples, 2 HR) and 12 runs batted in. He had five extra-base hits in the entire month of May. He is still struggling as a right-handed hitter and the strikeouts haven’t gone away, but this is encouraging. Hopefully, he keeps it going.
LF Christopher Familia: 2-for-5, 3B (1), HR (2), 2 RBI, RS, 2 K
This is no surprise. Wake me up when the rehab is over and he gets to Hudson Valley and (eventually) Somerset.
DH Max Burt: 1-for-4, SB (2), K
CF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-2, 2 BB
.273/.407/.453 in 162 PA (9 doubles, 1 triple, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 24 R, 31 BB, 31 K, 9-for-12 SB)
3B Hans Montero: 0-for-4, K
RF Willy Montero: 2-for-4, 2B (10), HR (3), RBI, RS, K
Both hits were scorched, with the home run traveling 402 feet. Montero is on a 5-game hitting streak (11-for-20, 3 doubles, 2 HR) and is up to .221 with a .600 OPS (Before the hitting streak, he was hitting .182 with a .491 OPS). As I said last night, Montero is a prospect -probably leans more “lottery ticket” like most teenagers.
1B Coby Morales: 1-for-3, RS, SB (12), BB
C Edinson Duran: 1-for-4, 2B (4)
RHP Luis Serna: 5.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K
4.50 ERA (46 IP, 35 H, 23 R, 23 ER, 2 HR, 14 BB, 54 K). He pitched to a 2.19 ERA in May. His first June start wasn’t great (4.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R), but he followed that up nicely this evening. He used a 6-pitch mix tonight (42% changeups; 23% sinkers; 22% sliders; 7% cutters; 4% curveballs; 2% 4-seamers). He is only 19 (20 in July).
RHP Montana Semmel: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
RHP Cade Austin: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Steven Fulgencio: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Oscar Silverio: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
Silverio is typically a catcher, but this is his 4th career pitching appearance.
FCL (16-10) (Defeated the Tigers, 5-3)
CF Brando Mayea: 0-for-3, K
I usually highlight only the best stuff from the FCL, but Mayea deserves a daily update!
2B Enmanuel Tejeda: 2-for-3, 2B (1), RS
His rehab seems to be going well. It shouldn’t be much longer until he is back in Tampa.
1B Josue Gonzalez: 1-for-2, 2B (5), RBI, RS, BB
3B Abrahan Ramirez: 2-for-3, 2B (4), RS
.358/.494/.537 in 86 PA. He has 7 multi-hit games (22 games played)
LF Joel Mendez: 1-for-1, HR (2), 3 RBI, RS, BB
Mendez has homered in back-to-back games.
RHP Danny Flatt: 2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, HR
2.33 ERA (19.1 IP, 15 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 9 BB, 27 K). The 20-year-old should make his Low-A debut this season.
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
5.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 9 K. He is still on his rehab assignment – once done, he should report to Tampa.
RHP Sunayro Martina (W, 1-1): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Chris Kean (S, 1): 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
Kean’s first career save – congrats! He owns a 3.12 ERA in 8.2 IP (3 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 15 K). He should be among the first players moved up to Tampa once the “mass promotions” begin (or the FCL season ends!)
DSL Yankees (1-4) and DSL Bombers (2-2)
The DSL Yankees lost a doubleheader to DSL Miami.
DH Edgar Jimenez hit a 2-run homer in a 3-2 loss in Game 1. Listed as a catcher, this was the 17-year-old’s second career game… SS Dexters Peralta singled and stole his third base.
RHP Jorge Luna: 3.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K.
CF Isael Arias hit a double, drove in a run, and scored twice in a 4-3 Game 2 loss…C Luis Puello went 2-for-3…
RHP Michell Chirinos: 4.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
The DSL Bombers split a doubleheader with the DSL Marlins.
In a 9-2 Game 1 win, C Queni Pineda launched his first career home run (3rd game)…3B Kevin Verde doubled twice, stole two bases, and brought home four. Verde (18) hit .258/.316/.433 in 31 games during his 2023 debut season…2B Luis Escudero singled, walked three times, and scored a pair of runs. He added two stolen bases…
16-year-old RHP Enixon Sanchez, in his professional debut: 2.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K…17-year-old RHP Chaury Gomez recorded two outs in his professional debut.
In a 3-1 Game 2 loss, RF David Carrera (triple), C Carlos Villarroel (single), and 3B Rafael Martinez (single) recorded the only 3 hits…CF Browm Martinez went 0-for-4 with a run scored and two stolen bases…
6’6″ RHP Jerson Alejandro, in his 2024 debut: 3.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 6 K… 18-year-old RHP Jose Rosario, in his professional debut: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K