May 2025 - Tom's Sports Blog

Yankees MILB 5/22: Griffin Herring Dazzles (6 IP, 0 H, 10 K)

Notes:

Cooper Hummel has exercised an opt-out clause in his contract and will become a free agent if the Yankees don’t add him to their 26-man roster. I find that unlikely, as his MLB career (.159/.255/.275 in 82 games) hardly inspires confidence. Furthermore, he is primarily an outfielder, which the Yankees don’t need.

I wouldn’t cry if he replaced Pablo Reyes, but that bar is hardly high.

Injury Log

Scranton (21-25) (Lost to Nashville, 7-6, in 11 innings. I just noticed that former Yankees’ prospect Anthony Seigler plays for Nashville. He is hitting .282 with a .946 OPS in 150 plate appearances. The first-round pick in the 2018 draft reached minor league free agency last winter and signed with the Brewers.)

3B Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-6, R, SB (7), K
Not his best effort during the streak, but Rodriguez’s hitting streak reaches 12. He has 25 hits in 16 May games.
LF Dominic Smith: 1-for-6, R, K
C Alex Jackson: 2-for-4, 2 HR (8), 2 RBI, 2 R, SB (1), BB
The alternating home run streak continues! Jackson has homered in five of his last nine games (HR, no HR, HR, no HR, HR, no HR, HR, no HR, 2 HR).
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-3, SF, RBI, K
2B Braden Shewmake: 0-for-1, SB (4)
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 1-for-4, RBI, BB, K
DH Jose Rojas: 1-for-4, R, SB (3), BB
SS Andrew Velazquez: 1-for-5, R, SB (11), 2 K
2B-1B Jake Gatewood: 0-for-3, SAC, BB, 2 K
One thing Gatewood has done well in his minor league career is hit home runs. This season, he has only two in 33 games.
CF Ismael Munguia: 1-for-5, 2B (5), 2 RBI, 2 K

RHP Erick Leal: 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 2 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
4.26 ERA (19 IP, 9 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 1 HR, 21 BB, 20 K). He may be hard to hit (38 hits/98 strikeouts in 69.1 career innings), but those darn walks (47).
RHP Scott Effross: 0.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
If I didn’t mention it, Effross is no longer on a rehab stint. The Yankees officially optioned him to Scranton.
RHP Zach Messinger: (L, 0-3) 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
Back-to-back relief outings for Messinger. He hit 95 MPH with his 4-seam fastball. A story to watch if this is a permanent move, though he was given a starter’s workload here.

Somerset (19-21)

Their game against New Hampshire was postponed. They will attempt to make it up on Saturday.

Hudson Valley (27-14) (Trounced Winston-Salem, 13-2)

2B Roc Riggio: 2-for-4, HR (5), 2 RBI, 3 R, HBP, BB, K
Riggio is scorching (.295/.456/.750; 3 doubles, 1 triple, 5 HR, 14 RBI, 14 R in 12 games). He has homered in back-to-back games and has four home runs in his last four games.
CF Brendan Jones: 0-for-4, 2 R, 2 BB, K
RF Coby Morales: 4-for-5, 2 2B (7), HR (4), 3 RBI, 3 R, BB, K
Morales earns his first career 4-hit effort. He went 3-for-19 in his brief Somerset stay. If he continues to rake here, he’ll get a longer stay.
1B Parks Harber: 3-for-6, 2 2B (5), 2 RBI, 2 R, K
Since promotion: .338/.390/.563 in 77 PA with three 3+ hit efforts. As an undrafted college bat, you won’t see Harber high on any organizational prospect lists. Nobody will care if he keeps raking as he moves up the chain.
DH Omar Martinez: 1-for-4, RBI, BB, K
LF Jackson Castillo: 2-for-5, 2 2B (11), 2 RBI, R
Castillo continues a recent surge, collecting multiple hits for the third time in his last five games. That has increased his triple slash from .216/.328/336 to .235/.334/.360. As you know, as sample sizes get larger, brief surges don’t increase your numbers significantly.
SS Jose Colmenares: 0-for-3, R, SB (5), 2 BB, K
3B Josh Moylan: 1-for-4, RBI, HBP, K
C Tomas Frick: 0-for-2, R, HBP, 2 BB, K

RHP Ben Hess (W, 4-2): 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 7 K
3.28 ERA (35.2 IP, 20 H, 16 R, 13 ER, 1 HR, 20 BB, 52 K). I love the strikeouts. The walk rate needs work. That is why they have the minor leagues.
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Huey Morrill: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Bryce Warrecker: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
0.50 ERA (18 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 3 BB, 24 K). If the plan is to keep him in the bullpen permanently, a trip to Somerset may not be far off.

Tampa (22-20) (Their hot streak continues, courtesy of a 3-1 win over Dunedin. Dunedin entered this series as one of the top dogs in the division. They are now in second place. Tampa is in 4th place, but only 2.5 games behind first-place Lakeland.)

DH Edgleen Perez: 0-for-3, 2 BB
.225/.391/.258 in 156 PA. Perez has 31 walks (19.9%).
C Engelth Urena: 0-for-4, BB
RF Dillon Lewis: 1-for-4, HR (6), RBI, R, 3 K
.219/.296/.425 in 162 PA (8 doubles, 2 triples, 6 HR, 20 RBI, 25 R, 9-for-10 SB, 9.3% BB, 29% K). His power/speed combination is enticing, and he has hit better overall in May (.279/.355/.618 with five homers and 17 RBI)
SS Juan Matheus: 0-for-2, R, SB (12), 2 BB
The hitting streak is over, but he still contributed. He is hitting .302/.369/.373 in 149 PA. Scouting reports are scarce, but Fangraphs ranked him 26th in the organization, touting his versatility (shortstop should remain part of that profile) and bat-to-ball skills. Power? Not likely to be one of his strengths.
LF Tyler Wilson: 1-for-3, RBI, BB, K
3B Hans Montero: 0-for-4, 2 K
2B Owen Cobb: 0-for-4, 2 K
His hitting streak comes to an end. He is hitting .417/.455/.733 in 67 PA while playing 2B/SS/3B.
CF Marshall Toole: 2-for-4, 3B (4), R
.305/.400/.453 in 110 PA.
1B Josue Gonzalez: 2-for-4, K

LHP Griffin Herring (W, 4-1): 6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 10 K
I said earlier this week that Bryce Cunningham has been the most impressive 2024 draftee. Given the level difference, I still believe that, but Herring has made a case. He owns a 1.21 ERA in 44.2 IP (24 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 2 HR, 16 BB, 58 K). He leads the Florida State League in strikeouts and batting average against (second in ERA and WHIP).
RHP Jackson Fristoe: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Chris Veach (S, 3): 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
1.59 ERA (17 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 10 BB, 29 K)

FCL (6-8) (Lost to the Tigers, 6-4)

LF Brando Mayea: 0-for-4
CF Cam Eden: 0-for-3, SF, RBI
RF Wilson Rodriguez: 1-for-2, 2 SB (2), BB
The left-handed hitting outfielder (20) was drafted out of high school in the 17th round in 2023. This was only his 25th career game.
3B Santiago Gomez: 1-for-3, SB (3), BB, K
.297/.325/.297 in 40 plate appearances.
2B Luis Escudero: 1-for-3, 2 R, BB, K

RHP Stanly Alcantara: 4.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Alcantara has allowed five walks in ten innings. Before this season, he walked 56 in 38.1 innings. Progress!

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 5/21: Roc Riggio’s Big Night

Notes:

RHP Greysen Carter, the hard thrower with no idea where the ball is going, was sent to the FCL today. Carter, who hit 100+ MPH earlier this season, made seven starts for Tampa, going 1-3 with a 6.75 ERA over 24 innings with a 20.2% K and 21.8% BB.

RHP J.T. Etheridge replaces Carter on Tampa’s roster. Signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2024, the 23-year-old pitched in three games for the FCL squad this year, posting a 2.31 ERA over 11.2 innings with a 42.3% K and 15.4% BB.

Carter is an intriguing talent but needs work. If your job is to work with young pitchers, Carter presents a fun challenge.

Injury Log

Scranton (21-24) (Lost a doubleheader to Nashville. The bats didn’t show up. Everson Pereira didn’t play in either game, which always raises a red flag.)

Game 1 (Lost, 3-0)

C Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-4, SB (6), K
Rodriguez has a 10-game hitting streak.
DH Dominic Smith: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
LF Cooper Hummel: 0-for-2, BB, K
1B T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-3, 2 K
3B Jose Rojas: 1-for-2, BB
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 1-for-3, K
2B Braden Shewmake: 1-for-3
SS Andrew Velazquez: 1-for-3, SB (10), K
CF Ismael Munguia: 0-for-3

RHP Sean Boyle: (L, 3-5) 4.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
4.23 ERA (44.2 IP, 37 H, 25 R, 21 ER, 6 HR, 16 BB, 51 K)
RHP Colten Brewer: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 1 K
4.41 ERA (16.1 IP, 13 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 2 HR, 10 BB, 21 K)

Game 2 (Lost, 2-1)

3B Jesus Rodriguez: 2-for-3, CS (3)
Rodriguez extends his hitting streak to 11 (19-for-43; .442). He is hitting .388 with a .981 OPS in 28 games since his promotion.
LF Dominic Smith: 0-for-3, SB (1)
1B T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-3, 2 K
Rumfield is hitting .292 with an .885 OPS.
C Alex Jackson: 0-for-3
DH Jose Rojas: 0-for-3, 2 K
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 2-for-2, HR (2), RBI, R, BB
De La Cruz has 34 homers in 535 minor league games. He has 58 homers in 491 major league games.
SS Braden Shewmake: 0-for-1, 2 BB
2B Jake Gatewood: 0-for-3, K
CF Ismael Munguia: 1-for-3

LHP Brandon Leibrandt: 4.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, HR
RHP Wilking Rodriguez: (L, 1-1) 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
4.50 ERA (16 IP, 12 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 12 BB, 22 K)

Somerset (19-21) (Defeated New Hampshire, 4-1)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-4, RBI, K
Since promotion: 8-for-41 (.195/.352/.195; 10 walks, 11 strikeouts).
1B Rafael Flores: 0-for-4, K
After a .295/.357/.545 triple slash in April, Flores has a .297/.338/.531 triple slash in May. I like consistency!
CF Garrett Martin: 0-for-4
3B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-3, BB
DH Cole Gabrielson: 1-for-3, R, CS (1), BB, 2 K
RF Grant Richardson: 0-for-2, 2 R, 2 BB
LF Jared Wegner: 1-for-4, 3 K
C Antonio Gomez: 3-for-4, 2B (3), 3 RBI, R
Gomez has two 3-hit games in May (back-to-back multi-hit games).
2B Max Burt: 0-for-4, K

RHP Cam Schlittler (W, 3-4): 6 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K
2.47 ERA (43.2 IP, 37 H, 17 R, 12 ER, 1 HR, 15 BB, 52 K). Schlittler has allowed 15 homers in 210.1 career innings (0.64 HR/9). Impressively, he has maintained a strong strikeout rate while reducing his walk rate by a comfortable margin.
LHP Ryan Anderson: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Mason Vinyard: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Luis Pacheco: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

Hudson Valley (26-14) (Lost to Winston-Salem, 11-8)

DH Roc Riggio: 2-for-2, 3B (1), HR (4), 3 RBI, 4 R, SB (2), CS (3), 3 BB
.275/.431/.700 in 51 PA (3 doubles, 1 triple, 4 HR, 12 RBI, 11 R, 2-for-5 SB, 21.6% BB, 21.6% K). I hope Riggio gets to Somerset this season.
CF Jace Avina: 0-for-4, R, HBP, 3 K
1B Coby Morales: 2-for-5, 3 RBI, K
C Omar Martinez: 2-for-5, RBI, R, K
.261/.367/.433 in 158 PA. In 588 plate appearances at this level, Martinez is hitting .244/.372/.412 with 20 doubles, 2 triples, 19 HR, 67 RBI, and 76 runs. He has drawn 95 walks (16.2%) and has struck out 146 times (24.8%).
LF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-3, 2 BB, K
.229/.342/.344 in 155 PA (9 doubles, 2 HR, 22 RBI, 14 R, 5-for-5 SB). He hasn’t been able to carry over his hot 81 plate appearance stretch after being promoted here in 2024.
2B Jose Colmenares: 1-for-5, RBI, 2 K
3B Josh Moylan: 0-for-3, BB, K
SS Brenny Escanio: 0-for-4, 2 K
RF Luis Durango: 2-for-3, 2 R, 2 SB (3), BB, K
His speed is likely what attracted the Yankees to him. He has never shown any hints of power (hasn’t hit a home run since 2021. This was his 145th game since that season.)

RHP Carlos Lagrange: 3.2 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 6 K
4.63 ERA (35 IP, 28 H, 19 R, 18 ER, 3 HR, 11 BB, 56 K). Lagrange’s first rough start since April 8th (his 2025 debut). This is the first time he’s allowed more than two walks this season (did it four times in nine games in 2024).
RHP Chris Kean: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
1.02 ERA (17.2 IP, 14 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 6 BB, 15 K)
LHP Jayvien Sandridge: (L, 0-1) 1.2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Hayden Merda: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, HR
4.00 ERA (18 IP, 15 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 9 BB, 25 K)

Tampa (21-20) (Defeated Dunedin, 9-5. Getting over .500 was something I didn’t anticipate in the first half)

DH Roderick Arias: 1-for-2, 2B (7), RBI, R, CS (2), 3 BB, K
His first two games coming off the injured list have been encouraging (3-for-6, 3 doubles, 2 RBI, 1 R, 4 BB, 2 K). Let’s see if he can keep it going.
C Engelth Urena: 1-for-5
LF Dillon Lewis: 2-for-5, 2B (8), RBI, K
.218/.297/.408 in 158 PA (8 doubles, 2 triples, 5 HR, 19 RBI, 24 R, 9-for-10 SB, 9.5% BB, 27.8% K).
SS Juan Matheus: 1-for-5, R, SB (11), 2 K
Matheus has a 9-game hitting streak (17-for-35). He is hitting .306/.366/.379 in 145 PA (9 doubles, 22 RBI, 16 R, 11-for-16 SB, 10.3% BB, 22.8% K). Matheus has some speed but has to work on his base-stealing technique (49-for-71 (69%)).
RF Tyler Wilson: 2-for-4, 2B (3), HR (2), 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 K
3B Owen Cobb: 3-for-5, RBI, R, SB (8), CS (2)
Cobb has an 8-game hitting streak (14-for-31). He is hitting .446/.484/.786 in 63 plate appearances. The 23-year-old should find his way to Hudson Valley this season.
2B Hans Montero: 2-for-5, RBI, R, 2 K
CF Marshall Toole: 1-for-3, 2 R, 2 SB (10), BB, K
.297/.396/.429 in 106 PA (6 doubles, 3 triples, 7 RBI, 22 R, 10-for-11 SB, 13.2% BB, 25.5% K).
1B Josue Gonzalez: 1-for-2, HR (2), SF, 3 RBI, R, CS (2), HBP

RHP Danny Flatt: 4.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
4.33 ERA (27 IP, 27 H, 17 R, 13 ER, 2 HR, 17 BB, 21 K).
RHP Cade Austin: (W, 2-0) 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Sean Hermann: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Gus Hughes: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

FCL (6-7)

Day off.

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 5/20: Roderick Arias Doubles Twice

Notes:

Some injury notes:

LHP Brock Selvidge has started a rehab assignment in the FCL. He pitched 2.2 innings on Monday, allowing 2 runs (0 earned) on 3 hits with a walk and 2 strikeouts. Last year, he made 16 starts for Somerset, going 7-6 with a 4.25 ERA over 84.2 innings with an 80/43 K/BB. He is ranked 8th in the organization by Pipeline.

RHP Carson Coleman‘s long injury journey is hopefully over, as he is also on a rehab assignment in the FCL. The 27-year-old Coleman last pitched in 2022, when he was considered one of the Yankees’ top relief prospects. That year, he compiled a 2.13 ERA over 63.1 innings with a 95/19 K/BB. Despite missing all of 2023 to injury, the Texas Rangers chose him in the Rule 5 draft and placed him on the 60-day injured list. This past winter, they had the choice of adding him to the 40-man or returning him to the Yankees, and they opted to send him back.

SS Roderick Arias was activated off the injured list for Tampa.

Injury Log

Scranton (21-22)

Their game against Nashville (unique opponent!) was postponed. They will attempt to play two tomorrow.

Nashville is in the West division. Teams in the East don’t play every team in the West.

Somerset (18-21) (Shut down New Hampshire, 5-0)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-4, SF, RBI, SB (4), K
Since promotion: .189/.360/.189 in 50 PA with ten walks and ten strikeouts. He is 4-for-5 stealing bases. You should be rewarded for your patience with Lombard Jr.
C Rafael Flores: 0-for-4, R, SB (4), BB
.296/.349/.539 in 166 PA. Like many C/1B, he won’t overwhelm you with speed and will likely lose any speed he has as he gets older. That said, he is 15-for-17 stealing bases in his career so at least he is efficient at it.
CF Garrett Martin: 1-for-5, R, SB (7), 2 K
2B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-4, R, 2 K
LF Grant Richardson: 2-for-3, RBI, BB, K
1B Tyler Hardman: 2-for-4, HR (4), 3 RBI, R, K
.188/.235/.357 in 119 PA.
3B Alexander Vargas: 0-for-4, 2 K
RF Jared Wegner: 1-for-4, R, K
DH Antonio Gomez: 2-for-4, 2B (2)
Gomez breaks a 0-for-13 slide. I once labeled him as their most promising pure catching prospect, but the offense has rarely shown up.

RHP Jon Olsen: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
RHP Jordany Ventura:(W, 2-0) 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Harrison Cohen: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
3.14 ERA (14.1 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 6 BB, 20 K). It can be hard to differentiate between so many right-handed relief prospects. All they can do is perform as we speculate.
LHP Will Brian: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
Since promotion: 1.50 ERA (12 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 15 K). Overall, he owns a 27/4 K/BB over 19 innings. Sneaky kid to watch.
RHP Kelly Austin: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
1.42 ERA (12.2 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 3 BB, 13 K). See Cohen, Harrison.

Hudson Valley (26-12) (Lost to Winston-Salem, 6-1)

2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-4, 2B (3), BB
Since his rehab stint ended: .237/.370/.553 in 46 PA (3 doubles, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 7 R, 8 BB, 11 K). He has reached base safely in all ten games.
RF Brendan Jones: 1-for-4, K
CF Jace Avina: 0-for-4, 2 K
1B Coby Morales: 1-for-4, CS (3)
Morales was moved back here from Somerset.
DH Parks Harber: 0-for-3, BB
Since promotion: .323/.380/.538 in 71 PA.
C Omar Martinez: 0-for-2, R, 2 BB
.256/.366/.434 in 153 PA (5 doubles, 6 HR, 25 RBI, 22 R, 14.4% BB, 28.8% K). He has cooled off since his insane hot streak (0-for-14 in his last five games, though he has drawn five walks)
LF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-4
3B Josh Moylan: 1-for-4, 2B (8), RBI, 2 K
SS Brenny Escanio: 1-for-4, K

LHP Kyle Carr: (L, 0-2) 5 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, HR, 3 BB, 3 K
3.86 ERA (30.1 IP, 25 H, 15 R, 13 ER, 2 HR, 15 BB, 22 K). Carr does a nice job keeping the ball on the ground, but “swing and miss” hasn’t shown up in his profile (117/70 K/BB in 134.1 career innings).
RHP Tony Rossi: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Between here and Tampa: 14.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 18 K. If you want to find a blemish, his K rate has fallen since his promotion (12/0 K/BB in 7.2 Tampa innings; 6/3 K/BB in 7 IP for Hudson Valley).
RHP Tyrone Yulie: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
3.68 ERA (14.2 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 1 HR, 7 BB, 20 K)
LHP Geoffrey Gilbert: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

Tampa (20-20) (Defeated Dunedin, 7-4. They are 11-4 since a 2-10 stretch. Baseball!)

SS Roderick Arias: 2-for-4, 2 2B (6), RBI, R, CS (1), BB, 2 K
Arias doubled and scored in his first AB since April 26th. He was off to a bad start before his injury (.155/.302/.254). Maybe this gets him going.
3B Hans Montero: 0-for-0
C Edgleen Perez: 0-for-4, RBI, R, BB, K
DH Engelth Urena: 1-for-5, R, K
LF Dillon Lewis: 1-for-4, RBI, SB (9), BB, 2 K
Lewis had a rough April, but his May has been encouraging (16-for-59 (.271); 3 doubles, 2 triples, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 16 R, 8 BB, 18 K, 3-for-3 SB).
2B-SS Juan Matheus: 1-for-5, 2B (9), 2 RBI, 3 K
Matheus has an 8-game hitting streak (16-for-30 (.533); 3 doubles, 7 RBI, 6 R)
RF Austin Green: 1-for-3, 2 BB, K
3B-2B Owen Cobb: 1-for-4, R, 2 SB (7), CI, K
Cobb has a 7-game hitting streak (11-for-26 (.423); 2 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 5 R). He is 7-for-8 stealing bases this year and 16-for-17 in his career. His batting average during the hitting streak (.423) is lower than his season average (.431). Would it shock me if he becomes the next obsession amongst the unheralded prospects? No.
CF Marshall Toole: 0-for-3, R, SB (8), HBP, K
1B Josue Gonzalez: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 R, BB, K

RHP Andrew Landry: 4 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
Landry generated 14 whiffs with his 4-pitch assortment (at least two whiffs per pitch). His 7.03 ERA includes a start where he allowed nine earned runs in 1.1 innings. Beyond that, there are things to be encouraged about, including 33 strikeouts in 32 innings.
RHP Jack Sokol: (W, 2-1) 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
RHP Brady Kirtner: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
2.42 ERA (23 IP, 12 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 HR, 9 BB, 25 K)
RHP Chris Veach: (S, 2) 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
1.65 ERA (16.1 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 10 BB, 28 K). One thing I notice from Baseball Savant: Veach loves his changeup.

FCL (6-7) (Lost to the Tigers, 10-9)

CF Brando Mayea: 1-for-4, RBI, K
.298/.389/.553 in 55 PA. He has hit safely in 11 of his 13 games this season. There is a balance between allowing a player to build confidence and recognizing that the level is no longer challenging. For now, I have no issue with him being here.
LF Isael Arias: 1-for-5, 2 RBI
C Ediel Rivera: 3-for-5, 2B (3), K
The 19-year-old is hitting .226/.351/.323 in his debut season.
DH Luis Puello: 2-for-4, 2 2B (3), 2 RBI, 2 R
Puello (19) has struggled to begin 2025. This was a much-needed performance (now 5-for-24).
2B Luis Escudero: 3-for-5, 2B (1), 2 RBI, R, K
Also off to a slow start, Escudero has two 3-hit efforts in his last three games. He is hitting .212/.297/.303. Before this stretch, he was hitting .045/.160/.045
3B Santiago Gomez: 1-for-3, SF, RBI, R
RF Gabriel Lara: 2-for-4, 2B (1), 2 R
The speedy Lara is hitting .273/.333/.591 in only 24 plate appearances. He is 0-for-3 stealing bases.

RHP Carson Coleman: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
This had to be an emotional game for Coleman. His journey has been long, and I am rooting for him to get back on track.
RHP J.T. Etheridge: 3.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
2.31 ERA (11.2 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 8 BB, 22 K)

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 5/18: Rafael Flores Homers Again

Notes:

RHP JT Brubaker started his latest rehab stint in Hudson Valley today. Acquired for infield prospect Keiner Delgado in April 2024, Bruaker hasn’t been able to stay healthy. He tossed only 16.2 innings in the Yankees system last year.

The difference between Brubaker and Scott Effross and Clayton Beeter is that Brubaker is out of options. Once the rehab is up, and assuming he is healthy, decisions need to be made.

As for Delgado, reading Twitter at the time made one feel as if the Yankees relinquished the next coming of Roberto Alomar. After hitting .231/.318/.347 in Low-A in 2024, he was moved to High-A Greensboro, hitting .252/.329/.394 with a 9-for-9 stolen base rate. Prospects develop at different rates, but it seems doubtful this trade will haunt the Yankees.

Injury Log

Scranton (21-22) (Lost to Toledo, 10-8)

LF Cooper Hummel: 3-for-5, RBI, R, K
Hummel is 8-for-29 since the Yankees signed him.
CF Everson Pereira: 0-for-3, R, SB (4), BB, 2 K
Pereira was 21-for-28 stealing bases in 102 games in 2022. Since then, he is 20-for-24 in 150 games.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 2-for-5, 2B (10), RBI, R, SB (3), K
.305/.404/.519 in 156 PA (10 doubles, 6 HR, 27 RBI, 29 R, 3-for-4 SB, 11.5% BB, 20.5% K).
C Alex Jackson: 2-for-5, HR (6), 3 RBI, R, K
Jackson continues to alternate games with and without a home run. He has four home runs in his last seven games (HR, no HR, HR, no HR, HR, no HR, HR)
DH Dominic Smith: 1-for-4, HR (6), RBI, R, BB
Smith has five homers in 14 May games.
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 1-for-5, 2B (3), R, 2 K
3B Jose Rojas: 1-for-4, RBI, R, SB (2), 2 K
2B Jake Gatewood: 1-for-3, 2B (2), SB (1), CS (2), BB, 2 K
SS Andrew Velazquez: 1-for-4, RBI, R

RHP Carlos Carrasco: 1.2 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, HR
RHP Leonardo Pestana: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 0 K
4.24 ERA (17 IP, 9 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 19 BB, 18 K). Control has always been an issue (19 BB in 38.2 IP in 2024), but it is amplified this season. Furthermore, his K% isn’t making up for the high walk total. Last year, he struck out 63 (40.9%). This season, entering today, his K% was 26.1%.
RHP Kervin Castro: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
2.18 ERA (20.2 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 9 BB, 24 K)
RHP Geoff Hartlieb: 2.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
3.00 ERA (18 IP, 19 H, 9 R, 6 ER, 0 HR, 8 BB, 18 K)
LHP Ismael Munguia (L, 0-1): 1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Minor league baseball = sometimes bringing in a position player during an 8-8 game. This was his first career pitching appearance.

Somerset (17-21) (Lost to Portland, 4-1)

3B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-4, 2 K
.275/.329/.493 in 149 PA (7 doubles, 1 triple, 7 HR, 23 RBI, 20 R). He has played 14 games at 3B, 12 at 2B, 6 at 1B, and 2 at designated hitter.
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-2, CS (1), HBP, BB, K
Since promotion: .182/.378/.182 in 45 PA (3 RBI, 7 R, 3-for-4 SB, 10 BB, 9 K)
1B Rafael Flores: 1-for-3, HR (9), RBI, R, BB, 2 K
Flores has homered in three straight games and ties Spencer Jones for the Eastern League lead. He is hitting .304/.354/.554 in 161 PA. Going back to last year, Flores has hit .285/.357/.532 in 434 Double-A plate appearances (24 doubles, 24 HR, 63 RBI, 60 R, 8.99% BB, 28.3% K)
DH Garrett Martin: 0-for-4, K
RF Coby Morales: 2-for-4, 2 K
CF Grant Richardson: 0-for-4, 3 K
LF Jared Wegner: 1-for-3
C Antonio Gomez: 0-for-2, BB, K
2B Max Burt: 0-for-3, K

RHP Bailey Dees: (L, 1-3) 6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
4.50 ERA (34 IP, 33 H, 18 R, 17 ER, 5 HR, 16 BB, 37 K). Bees walked 13 in 18.1 April innings. That number has dropped to three in 15.2 May innings.
RHP Indigo Diaz: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Cole Ayers: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, HR
RHP Danny Watson: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K

Hudson Valley (26-12) (Defeated Aberdeen, 3-2)

LF Brendan Jones: 1-for-4, K
RF Jace Avina: 1-for-3, HR (3), RBI, R
.297/.421/.455 in 126 PA. Avina has a pair of homers and 3 RBI in three games since returning from injury.
RF Anthony Hall: 1-for-1, 2B (4)
DH Parks Harber: 0-for-4, 4 K
From four hits to four strikeouts. Explain baseball to me.
CF Jackson Castillo: 2-for-3, 2B (9), BB
Back-to-back multi-hit games as Castillo tries to get on track. He is hitting .234/.342/.355 in 146 PA and is 5-for-5 stealing bases.
2B Jose Colmenares: 0-for-4, K
3B Josh Moylan: 0-for-3, K
SS Brenny Escanio: 1-for-3, 2B (4), R
C Tomas Frick: 1-for-3, K
1B Duncan Pastore: 1-for-3, RBI, R

RHP JT Brubaker: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
His climb back to MLB begins yet again…
RHP Bryce Cunningham: (W, 5-1) 5.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 2 HR
2.14 ERA (42 IP, 32 H, 12 R, 10 ER, 3 HR, 10 BB, 44 K). It is hard to deny that Cunningham has impressed the most (so far) amongst the 2024 draftees.
RHP Huey Morrill (S, 2): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Tampa (19-20) (Walked it off against Palm Beach, 5-4)

C Edgleen Perez: 1-for-4, SF, RBI, R, K
It saddens me that I won’t be able to call him an 18-year-old much longer, as he turns 19 on 5/25.
DH Engelth Urena: 1-for-3, RBI, R, 2 BB, K
His RBI single with one out in the 9th tied the game.
LF Dillon Lewis: 0-for-3, R, 2 BB, K
2B Juan Matheus: 2-for-3, 2B (8), RBI, 2 BB
Matheus has gone insane. He is 15-for-25 (.600) during his 7-game hitting streak. The streak has spiked his triple slash to .316/.378/.386 (.236/.321/.303 before the streak started). He ranks fifth in the Florida State League in batting average. He is a switch-hitter who has thus far hit lefties well in a small sample (9-for-22). Last year, he was 8-for-40 against southpaws.
RF Austin Green: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, SB (5), 2 K
Green has a 5-game hitting streak (8-for-18).
1B Tyler Wilson: 0-for-4, 2 K
3B Hans Montero: 0-for-4, 3 K
SS Owen Cobb: 2-for-4, R
No extra-base hits? I’m appalled! Cobb is now 21-for-47 (.447) with 11 extra-base hits (6 doubles, 2 triples, 3 HR). He is on a 6-game hitting streak (10-for-22) and has eight multi-hit efforts in 14 games.
CF Marshall Toole: 1-for-3, R, CS (1), BB
Toole has a 7-game hitting streak (8-for-22). He is hitting .326/.398/.447 in 98 PA.

RHP Gage Ziehl: 4.1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, HR
RHP Gus Hughes: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Sean Hermann: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
1.80 ERA (20 IP, 14 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 0 HR, 17 BB, 20 K). The walks have settled down since he walked 15 in 12.1 April innings.
RHP Cole Zaffiro: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Jackson Fristoe (W, 3-1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
5.75 ERA (20.1 IP, 24 H, 17 R, 13 ER, 3 HR, 14 BB, 17 K)

FCL (5-6)

Day off.

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 5/17: Roc Riggio Homers Twice

Notes:

The rumblings about Jesus Rodriguez are starting. I get it – the Yankees have an issue with offense at third base, and Rodriguez can further help balance the lineup.

But is he a third baseman? The Yankees have tried various positions with him. A natural catcher, he also has experience at 1B/2B (limited)/3B/LF. MLB Pipeline’s write-up on his defense was rather…scary? Pipeline, however, isn’t the only source for your prospect needs. Fangraphs was more flattering, even talking him up as potentially above-average at the hot corner.

I have been bullish on his offense for several years now. He crushed the Complex League in 2022 (which should always come with hesitation) before his promotion to Low-A in 2023. While with the Tampa Tarpons, he showed his FCL game was no fluke, as he hit .297/.378/.426, earning a promotion to High-A after 84 games. All he did in Hudson Valley the rest of that season was hit .356/.464/.533 in 25 games. His 2024 season was similarly exciting, though he ran into trouble after his promotion to Somerset. That trouble continued into 2025, and his current Double-A triple slash is .196/.250/.339 in 30 games. When Alex Jackson was injured earlier this season, the Yankees moved Rodriguez to Scranton, where he started flourishing again. His issues in Double-A may be sample-size related. His BABIP there is only .207. You want a prospect to conquer Double-A. It’s Prospect Following 101. He didn’t, but it’s hard to argue against his success.

Rodriguez isn’t your traditional corner power hitter, but we need to look at what he is up against: Strong defender Oswald Peraza, who the organization hasn’t shown much faith in; Jorbit Vivas, who isn’t seen as much of a defender at third base and has struggled to hit; Pablo Reyes, who Rodriguez could replace right now and nobody would flinch; DJ LeMahieu, who I think the Yankees want to play mostly at second base until Jazz Chisholm Jr. returns. The Yankees wouldn’t ask him to take over for current MLB All-Stars. We are talking about being better than replacement level.

Would I do it? It’s tempting. Even if you are skeptical about his profile, you can ride a hot streak for a while. Or, maybe your skepticism is misguided, and his bat will play just fine in MLB. Most of the hesitation comes from an aggressive approach and the questions about whether he can hit velocity. The problem with the latter is that he hasn’t faced enough velocity to draw any conclusions.

What is working against this possibility? The Yankees aren’t playing him every day at third base in the minors. If the plan was for Rodriguez to play third, that would be his position nearly every night. He has played third base in only nine of his 33 games between Somerset and Scranton.

Injury Log

Scranton (21-21) (Defeated Toledo, 7-2)

C Jesus Rodriguez: 2-for-5, 3B (2), R, CS (2), 2 K
Rodriguez owns a 9-game hitting streak that includes five multi-hit games (four consecutive). He is hitting .385/.479/.510 in 117 PA. Fire is too soft a word to use.
LF Dominic Smith: 2-for-4, RBI, 2 R
A veteran like Smith is not only auditioning for the Yankees, as veterans can easily ask out of their minor league deals (or, like with Luis Torrens last year, can be traded in small deals). Smith is 16-for-42 (.381) with four homers and 16 RBI in May.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-3, R, HBP, K
RF Everson Pereira: 0-for-4, 3 K
DH Cooper Hummel: 1-for-2, 2B (1), SF, RBI, BB
3B Jose Rojas: 1-for-3, HR (8, grand slam), 4 RBI, BB, K
Rojas has three grand slams this month (5/1, 5/7, 5/17). He has 8 HR and 34 RBI in 36 games. If only he weren’t a 32-year-old journeyman.
2B Braden Shewmake: 1-for-3, R, BB
SS Andrew Velazquez: 1-for-4, 2 K
CF Ismael Munguia: 1-for-4, 3B (1), RBI
A fun story in spring training, Munguia is hitting only .219/.321/.328 in 164 PA. He is 8-for-10 stealing bases.

RHP Anthony DeSclafani: 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
He touched 95.3 MPH with his sinker, which likely has Matt Blake drooling.
LHP Brent Headrick: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Headrick, a victim of the numbers game earlier this season, reached 97.1 MPH with his fastball today.
RHP Allan Winans: (W, 2-0) 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
0.00 ERA (23 IP, 16 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 31 K). They used him in a piggyback role today, which doesn’t bother me. His season has been impressive.

Somerset (17-20) (Defeated Portland, 11-5)

3B George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-3, SF, RBI, 2 R, BB
Lombard Jr. plays third base for the second day in a row (hadn’t played the position before that since his promotion). For Somerset: 6-for-31 (3 RBI, 7 R, 3-for-3 SB, 9 BB, 8 K). Overall, he is at .292/.461/.407 in 152 PA with more walks (32) than strikeouts (30). He is 14-for-16 stealing bases.
C Rafael Flores: 3-for-5, HR (8), 3 RBI, 3 R
Flores has homered in back-to-back games and is surging. His triple slash is .303/.350/.538 in 145 PA (10 doubles, 8 HR, 29 RBI, 19 R, 6.4% BB, 29.9% K). He has three 3-hit games in May. By the way, his 8 HR are tied for second in the Eastern League. Spencer Jones (who has missed several games now) still leads with 9.
CF Garrett Martin: 3-for-5, 2B (7), 3 RBI, R
.222/.336/.398 in 128 PA. He isn’t striking out much (20.3%). I don’t have info on his quality of contact, though.
2B Dylan Jasso: 3-for-5, 3 RBI
.284/.338/.507 (7 doubles, 1 triple, 7 HR, 23 RBI, 20 R). Last 9 games: 13-for-36 (.361; 2 doubles, 2 HR, 9 RBI).
LF Coby Morales: 0-for-5
1B Tyler Hardman: 2-for-4, R, 2 K
SS Alexander Vargas: 1-for-2, 2B (7), R, 2 SB (7), CS (4), 2 BB
.250/.333/.402 in 105 PA. Vargas is having a strong May (.282/.378/.513).
RF Jared Wegner: 1-for-3, RBI, 2 R, SB (3), BB
DH Antonio Gomez: 0-for-3, BB, 3 K
He left the game after an “injury delay.” That is not encouraging.
PR-DH Grant Richardson: 0-for-0, R

RHP Trent Sellers: 5.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 2 HR
Sellers was cruising until he allowed a 2-run HR with two outs in the 6th. The 6th inning remains his “blocker” as he has yet to complete six full innings during his career. Season: 3.48 ERA (33.2 IP, 19 H, 13 R, 13 ER, 4 HR, 14 BB, 44 K)
RHP Danny Watson: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Scott Effross: (W, 1-0) 1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
A tough outing for Effross, who has struggled to get back to MLB.
RHP Luis Pacheco: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
4.11 ERA (15.1 IP, 15 H, 9 R, 7 ER, 1 HR, 5 BB, 20 K)
RHP Kelly Austin: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
1.54 ERA (11.2 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 3 BB, 11 K)

Hudson Valley (25-12) (Outlasted Aberdeen, 10-7)

LF Brendan Jones: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, SB (16), BB
.229/.338/.366 in 157 PA.
2B Roc Riggio: 2-for-5, 2 HR (3), 2 RBI, 2 R
Riggio’s first career multi-HR game. He is 8-for-34 (.235) since returning from his rehab stint (2 doubles, 3 HR, 9 RBI)
DH Parks Harber: 4-for-5, 3B (1), HR (3), 3 RBI, 2 R
Harber’s first career 4-hit effort. Since promotion: .362/.413/.603 in 63 PA (3 doubles, 1 triple, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 12 R). Overall, Harber is hitting .331/.418/.575 in 146 PA (7 doubles, 3 triples, 6 HR, 26 RBI). Yes, he may move two levels this season and get to Somerset.
RF Jace Avina: 0-for-3, SF, RBI, K
RF Luis Durango: 0-for-1, SB (1)
Durango was 21-for-22 in the stolen base department in 2024.
CF Jackson Castillo: 2-for-5, R, K
C Omar Martinez: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K
3B Jose Colmenares: 1-for-2, 3 R, SB (4), HBP, BB, K
1B Josh Moylan: 1-for-2, 2B (7), 2 RBI, R, 2 BB
SS Brenny Escanio: 1-for-3, BB, 2 K

RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz: 4.1 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 5 BB, 2 K
He didn’t have it today, but his teammates bailed him out. Season: 3.22 ERA (36.1 IP, 22 H, 15 R, 13 ER, 0 HR, 17 BB, 43 K). Rodriguez-Cruz has allowed only 9 HR in 219.2 career innings.
RHP Sebastian Keane: (W, 3-0) 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
1.80 ERA (10 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 5 BB, 10 K)
RHP Hayden Merda: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
3.78 ERA (16.2 IP, 14 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 0 HR, 8 BB, 22 K). As a starter in 2023 (he missed 2024 due to injury), he allowed ten homers in 95.2 innings.
RHP Bryce Warrecker (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Warrecker’s first career save. His dominant season continues: 0.53 ERA (17 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 3 BB, 23 K)

Tampa (18-20) (Lost to Palm Beach, 5-4)

DH Edgleen Perez: 1-for-4, BB, 2 K
Perez is 15-for-53 (.283) in May after going 10-for-56 (.179/.373/.196) in April. I’ve said it multiple times: The only thing missing is power. That isn’t concerning as he is 18 years old. You hope he grows into some pop.
C Engelth Urena: 1-for-4, BB
RF Dillon Lewis: 1-for-5, R, SB (8), 2 K
SS Juan Matheus: 1-for-4, R, SB (10), 2 K
Matheus is 13-for-22 (.591) during his 6-game hitting streak. He is an under-the-radar switch-hitting middle infielder prospect.
LF Tyler Wilson: 1-for-4, R, K
2B Hans Montero: 2-for-4, 2B (4), 2 RBI
Sneakily, Montero is up to .278 with a .846 OPS. He is 12-for-33 (.364) in May with four doubles and two home runs.
3B Owen Cobb: 1-for-4, 2B (6), RBI
Cobb has 11 extra-base hits (6 doubles, 2 triples, 3 HR) in 13 games.
CF Marshall Toole: 2-for-4, 2B (6), R, K
Toole is 7-for-19 (.368) during his 6-game hitting streak. He has four doubles and a triple during the streak.
1B Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-4, K

RHP Greysen Carter: (L, 1-3) 1.1 IP, 2 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 6 BB, 1 K
Carter is why the Development List exists. I advocate for continuing to throw kids out there to learn, but he is lost (6.75 ERA in 24 IP with a 25/27 K/BB)
RHP Brandon Decker: 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
1.59 ERA (17 IP, 14 H, 7 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 5 BB, 20 K)
LHP Jayvien Sandridge: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
This line defines Sandridge’s career. Looking at the data, Sandridge peaked at 95.8 MPH (averaged 94.2) and generated four whiffs (on 11 pitches) with his slider. The Yankees are trying to unlock the 26-year-old who allows few hits, walks half the ballpark, and strikes out the other half.
RHP Chris Veach: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
1.80 ERA (15 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 9 BB, 26 K). I know Savant isn’t always perfect, but Veach used six different pitches to earn four outs (change, curve, sinker, 4-seamer, cutter, slider). You may ask if Veach was a starter in college. The answer is no, as none of his 57 college appearances (mostly with South Carolina) were starts.
RHP Cade Austin: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Brady Kirtner: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K

FCL (5-6) (Lost to the Blue Jays, 5-1. The Yankees compiled only two hits)

CF Brando Mayea: 1-for-4, HR (2), RBI, R, 2 K
It’s not so bad when one of those hits is a home run by their best prospect at the level. I don’t love the strikeouts for a big prospect repeating the level (27.7%), but his start remains encouraging (.293/.370/.512).
RF Brennen Davis: 1-for-3, K

RHP Jose Rodriguez (L, 0-1): 2.2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
RHP Jose Martinez: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
Martinez’s 2025 debut. The Yankees grabbed him after the Red Sox released him in February. Not that DSL numbers tell a full story, but Martinez put together a 45/9 K/BB over 41.1 IP (3.48 ERA) for Boston’s DSL squad last year.
RHP Mariano Salomon: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
LHP Franyer Herrera: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
LHP Jose Ledesma: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Ledesma’s 2025 debut. Last season, the 22-year-old pitched to a 1.25 ERA in 21.2 IP with a 28/14 K/BB in the DSL.

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 5/16: Jesus Rodriguez is Scorching

Notes:

RHP Clayton Beeter‘s rehab is over. The Yankees have optioned him to Scranton.

The Yankees traded LHP Rob Zastryzny to the Brewers for cash considerations. This is a massive win since I no longer need to type that name. The 33-year-old has pitched for several organizations, including MLB stops with the Cubs, Mets, Angels, and Pirates. This will be his second stint with the Brewers.

He never pitched in MLB for the Yankees. In 13 games for Scranton, he pitched to a 4.50 ERA over 12 innings with a 12/2 K/BB.

LHP Edgar Barclay, who looked like he was making a push to get to MLB a few years ago, was transferred from the 7-day injured list to the Full Season list for Somerset. RHP Luis Velasquez suffered the same fate.

Injury Log

Scranton (20-21) (Lost to Toledo, 6-3)

C Jesus Rodriguez: 3-for-5, CS (1), K
This is silly. He has back-to-back 3-hit efforts and is 14-for-31 (.452) during his 8-game hitting streak. Since his promotion: .385/.482/.495 in 112 PA (5 doubles, 3 triples, 1 HR, 13 RBI, 23 R, 5-for-6 SB, 16.1% BB, 12.5% K)
RF Cooper Hummel: 0-for-3, CS (1), BB, 2 K
CF Ismael Munguia: 0-for-0
PH T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-1
CF Everson Pereira: 1-for-3, 2 R, 2 BB, K
.289/.391/.577 in 115 PA. 16 walks in 115 PA this season. 16 walks in 182 PA last year. He is on an 11-game on-base streak (at least one hit in ten of those games)
DH Alex Jackson: 1-for-4, K
1B Dominic Smith: 1-for-4, RBI
LF Bryan De La Cruz: 1-for-4, 2B (2), RBI, K
3B Jose Rojas: 2-for-4, 2 2B (10), K
2B Jake Gatewood: 0-for-4, K
SS Andrew Velazquez: 2-for-4, HR (2), RBI, R, 2 K

RHP Jake Woodford (L, 1-2): 6 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, HR
3.86 ERA (30.1 IP, 32 H, 16 R, 13 ER, 6 HR, 12 BB, 28 K).
RHP Wilking Rodriguez: 1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Colten Brewer: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K

Somerset (16-20) (Defeated Portland, 4-2, in ten innings. As the home team, you know what that means!)

DH Dylan Jasso: 2-for-5, HR (7), 2 RBI, R, K
Yes, that is what it means: Jasso hit a walk-off 2-run blast. He has homered in back-to-back games and owns a .271/.329/.504 triple slash in his first taste of Double-A. Hitting him at the top of the lineup all season shows that the Yankees like something about this kid.
3B George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-3, R, BB, 3 K
You don’t see Lombard Jr. have many no-contact games. Sometimes, he will remind you that he is still a teenager.
C Rafael Flores: 2-for-4, HR (7), 2 RBI, R, K
.293/.342/.514 in 152 PA. Flores has slumped in the power department this month, so it’s nice to see him hit one out.
CF Garrett Martin: 0-for-2, SB (6), HBP, K
LF Coby Morales: 1-for-3, 2 K
Morales’s first Double-A hit.
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-4, 2 K
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-3, SB (5), BB, K
RF Grant Richardson: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
2B Max Burt: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K

RHP Trystan Vrieling: 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 1 K
Vrieling’s rehab is over. This is his first start for Somerset this season. He tossed 60 pitches (34 strikes).
RHP Baron Stuart: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Jon Olsen: 2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Olsen’s Somerset debut. It’s his first game in affiliated ball since 2022.
LHP Ryan Anderson: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Mason Vinyard (W, 1-1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
After a slow start, he is pitching better (4.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 7 K this month)

Hudson Valley (24-12) (Lost to Aberdeen, 4-3. They scored a pair in the 9th to make it interesting but couldn’t get over the hump)

CF Brendan Jones: 0-for-5, 2 K
2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-4, 2 K
DH Jace Avina: 1-for-4, HR (2), RBI, R, 3 K
Avina was activated from the injured list today. He is hitting .305 with a .879 OPS.
LF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-2, R, SB (5), 2 BB
Jackson has a 14.6% BB rate and has 102 walks in 637 career plate appearances. He showed he could hit here in a brief audition in 2024, so his slow start is somewhat surprising.
C Omar Martinez: 0-for-4, 2 K
3B Jose Colmenares: 2-for-4, 2 2B (5), RBI, R, K
1B Josh Moylan: 0-for-2, HBP, BB, K
PR Luis Durango: 0-for-0
SS Brenny Escanio: 0-for-4, 3 K
RF Anthony Hall: 1-for-3, RBI, BB, 2 K

RHP Josh Grosz: (L, 2-2) 5 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
4.18 ERA (28 IP, 24 H, 17 R, 13 ER, 2 HR, 12 BB, 37 K)
RHP Chris Kean: 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
1.10 ERA (16.1 IP, 12 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 5 BB, 14 K)
RHP Matt Keating: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
2.45 ERA (11 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 9 K)

Tampa (18-19)

Scheduled day off.

The Tarpons have won four in a row and are 9-3 in their last 12 as they pulled themselves out of an abyss.

FCL (5-5) (Lost to the Phillies, 15-5)

CF Cam Eden: 1-for-4, SB (2)
DH Brennen Davis: 3-for-4, 2B (2), HR (3), RBI, 2 R, K
OK, get him to Scranton.
LF Brando Mayea: 2-for-4, R
.297/.381/.459 in 43 PA. At this level last year, the 19-year-old bonus baby hit .281/.370/.326 in 154 PA. I would be shocked if he doesn’t make his Low-A debut this year.
2B Luis Escudero: 3-for-4, 3B (1), RBI, R
SS Santiago Gomez: 1-for-3, RBI, SB (2), K

None of the pitching lines warrant inclusion!

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 5/15: Carlos Lagrange Ks 9

Notes:

Minor league news has gone cold.

Injury Log

Scranton (20-20) (Lost to Toledo, 20-7)

3B Jesus Rodriguez: 3-for-5, 2B (5), 2 R, K
Since his promotion, Rodriguez is up to .372 with four 3-hit efforts in 24 games. He is on a 7-game hitting streak (11-for-26).
DH-LF Dominic Smith: 2-for-4, 2B (6), HR (5), 2 RBI, 2 R, BB, K
The depth piece has three homers in his last four starts.
RF Everson Pereira: 1-for-4, HR (9), RBI, 2 R, BB, 2 K
Pereira’s 6th HR in May (9 games). Four hitters are tied for 1st in the International League in homers with 10. Pereira has played fewer games than all of them.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-4, BB, 3 K
Rumfield has a 6-game hitting streak.
LF-P Jose Rojas: 2-for-5, 2B (8), 2 RBI, K
C Alex Jackson: 3-for-5, HR (5), 2 RBI, R, 2 K
Jackson is 18-for-56 (.321; 2 doubles, 1 triple, 5 HR, 19 RBI) in 16 games.
SS Braden Shewmake: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K
2B Andrew Velazquez: 0-for-5, K
CF Ismael Munguia: 1-for-4

RHP Erick Leal: (L, 1-5) 1.2 IP, 4 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 4 BB, 3 K, 3 HR
RHP Zach Messinger: 2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, K
Messinger also allowed two of Leal’s runs to score. He owns a 7.20 ERA (30 IP, 39 H, 24 R, 24 ER, 3 HR, 21 BB, 27 K). This is a year where Messinger can realize his MLB dreams, but it hasn’t been a sharp start.
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
Reyzelman is surprisingly struggling. He owns a 4.70 ERA in 15.1 IP (9 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 15 BB, 18 K). Walks, walks, walks, WALKS.
RHP Geoff Hartlieb: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Clayton Beeter: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
For Scranton: 5.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 7 K. He is still on his rehab stint.
RHP Kervin Castro: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
2.29 ERA (19.2 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 23 K). His first earned runs allowed since April 6th.
RHP Jose Rojas: 0.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
His fourth career appearance on the hill.

Somerset (15-20) (Split a low-scoring doubleheader against Portland)

Game 1 (Lost, 4-2)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-2, SB (3), 2 BB
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-3, BB, K
CF Garrett Martin: 1-for-3, SB (5)
2B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-2, HBP, K
RF Coby Morales: 0-for-3, 2 K
Morales’s Double-A debut.
1B Tyler Hardman: 1-for-3, HR (3), RBI, R, 2 K
3B Alexander Vargas: 1-for-3, HR (1), RBI, R, K
.253/.320/.402 in 97 PA. He is 10-for-34 (.294) with a double, two triples, and a homer in May.
LF Jared Wegner: 0-for-3, K
DH Antonio Gomez: 0-for-3, 2 K

RHP Cam Schlittler (L, 2-4): 4.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 8 K
2.87 ERA (37.2 IP, 31 H, 17 R, 12 ER, 1 HR, 13 BB, 44 K). A mixed bag today, as he allowed some runs but missed some bats. I like the lack of homers allowed. Also, his BB/9 has fallen from 4.10 last year to 3.11 this year. Can he make his MLB debut in 2025? Yes. There isn’t too much blocking him if there is a need.
RHP Cole Ayers: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Scott Effross: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
LHP Will Brian: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Since promotion: 1.80 ERA (10 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 11 K). Health hasn’t been on his side (29 innings in 3+ seasons), but he has potential if he clears that hurdle.

Game 2 (Won, 3-0)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-2, R, BB, K
Since promotion: 5-for-25 (7 BB, 5 K, 3-for-3 SB). The hits will start coming.
DH Rafael Flores: 0-for-2, HBP, K
.287/.338/.493 in 148 PA (10 doubles, 6 HR, 24 RBI, 15 R, 3-for-3 SB). I would be unsurprised if he is used as a deal sweetener this summer.
LF Garrett Martin: 1-for-3, RBI, K
.210/.328/.390 in 119 PA (6 doubles, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 15 R, 5-for-6 SB). He has 29 doubles and 16 HR to go along with a 22-for-25 SB rate in 135 minor league games. The issue is the batting average (.212)
3B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-3, HR (6), RBI, R, K
I saw the HR on YES – he hit it to the opposite field, which is always nice to see in this organization! He is hitting .266/.326/.484 in 135 PA (7 doubles, 1 triple, 6 HR, 18 RBI, 19 R, 5.9% BB, 19.3% K). Last season, he owned a 9.8% BB and 24.4% K.
1B Coby Morales: 0-for-3, K
CF Grant Richardson: 0-for-3, 2 K
RF Jared Wegner: 1-for-2, 2B (4), R, K
C Antonio Gomez: 0-for-2, K
2B Max Burt: 1-for-2, RBI, K

RHP Brendan Beck: 4.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K
1.91 ERA (28.1 IP, 18 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 6 BB, 32 K). Beck is below Schlittler on my depth chart but he was considered a quick rise prospect when he was drafted (injuries, injuries, injuries)
RHP Harrison Cohen (W, 1-2): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
3.65 ERA (12.1 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 6 BB, 17 K).
RHP Jordany Ventura (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Ventura earns his first career save in his 46th relief appearance.

Hudson Valley (24-11) (Split a low-scoring doubleheader against Aberdeen)

Game 1 (Won, 4-2)

CF Brendan Jones: 0-for-3, K
2B Roc Riggio: 2-for-3, 2B (2), K
Since returning from his rehab stint, Riggio is 5-for-25 (2 doubles, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 7 BB, 8K).
DH Parks Harber: 0-for-3, 2 K
Whatever the cause was for him leaving the game a few days ago was nothing to worry about.
LF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-3, HR (2), RBI, R, K
His first HR since April 26th.
C Omar Martinez: 0-for-1, 2 BB
3B Jose Colmenares: 0-for-3, R, K
SS Brenny Escanio: 1-for-2, RBI, R, K
1B Josh Moylan: 1-for-2, HR (2), 2 RBI, R, K
RF Anthony Hall: 0-for-2

RHP Ben Hess (W, 3-2): 5.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 6 K
3.23 ERA (30.2 IP, 15 H, 14 R, 11 ER, 1 HR, 16 BB, 45 K). He is third in the South Atlantic League in strikeouts. His control hasn’t been sharp yet, but the overall performance is encouraging.
RHP Tony Rossi: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
Between here and Tampa: 13.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 18 K. He continues to put up zeroes.
RHP Huey Morrill (S, 1): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Game 2 (Lost, 2-0)

CF Brendan Jones: 0-for-3, K
.238/.347/.385 in 147 PA. His average and OBP are similar to his April totals, but his power has fallen. Ebbs and flows.
LF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-3
.219/.323/.343 in 133 PA. Castillo is only 6-for-45 in May (.275/.370/.420 in April)
DH Omar Martinez: 0-for-3
.277/.379/.471 in 140 PA (5 doubles, 6 HR, 25 RBI, 21 R, 13.6% BB, 28.6% K).
2B Jose Colmenares: 0-for-2, BB
3B Josh Moylan: 0-for-3, K
SS Brenny Escanio: 0-for-1, BB
C Tomas Frick: 1-for-1, 2B (5), HBP
Frick earns their only hit in Game 2.
RF Luis Durango: 0-for-2
1B Duncan Pastore: 0-for-2

RHP Carlos Lagrange: (L, 3-2) 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 9 K, HR
3.45 ERA (31.1 IP, 23 H, 13 R, 12 ER, 3 HR, 7 BB, 50 K). He leads the South Atlantic League in strikeouts. Lagrange has an impressive 50/7 K BB over 31.1 IP after compiling a 27/20 rate over 21 IP last year. His K% is up while his BB% has fallen considerably. If you aren’t encouraged about this, check your status as a prospect follower because you are too harsh.
RHP Tyrone Yulie: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
3.95 ERA (13.1 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 1 HR, 7 BB, 19 K). It’s his first season as a reliever only.

Tampa (18-19) (Shut down Palm Beach, 8-0. The Tarpons are hot)

C Edgleen Perez: 3-for-4, RBI, R, BB
.229/.397/.267 in 136 PA (4 doubles, 12 RBI, 16 R, 3-for-4 SB, 19.9% BB, 22.1% K). Perez (18) is starting to figure things out. He is 14-for-49 (.286/.426/.347; 3 doubles, 10 BB, 10 K) in May.
DH Engelth Urena: 0-for-4, RBI, R, BB, K
RF Dillon Lewis: 1-for-5, RBI, K
SS Juan Matheus: 3-for-4, 2B (7), RBI, R
This follows his 6-for-6 doubleheader on Wednesday. His remarkable run (11-for-14 over his last four games) has spiked his triple slash to .308/.365/.374. Before this stretch, he was hitting .237/.318/.301. Matheus (21) hit .303/.421/.463 in 54 games last season, so low-level offense hasn’t been an issue.
2B Austin Green: 1-for-4, R, 2 K
LF Tyler Wilson: 1-for-4, RBI, R, 2 K
1B Hans Montero: 0-for-2, R, 2 BB, 2 K
CF Marshall Toole: 1-for-4, 2B (5), 2 RBI, R, 2 K
.295/.389/.436 in 90 PA. He has three doubles and a triple during a 5-game hitting streak.
3B Owen Cobb: 3-for-4, 3B (2), RBI, R, K
Cobb is auditioning for a promotion. He is hitting .462/.511/.923 (yes, that’s his slugging percentage) in 45 PA (5 doubles, 2 triples, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 16 R, 5-for-6 SB). To make this even more fun: He started the season 0-for-6.

LHP Tanner Bauman: (W, 1-3) 5 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
7.33 ERA (27 IP, 35 H, 23 R, 22 ER, 1 HR, 24 BB, 24 K). A solid effort for Bauman, who earns his first professional win.
RHP Sean Hermann: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
2.00 ERA (18 IP, 12 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 0 HR, 16 BB, 19 K)
RHP Cole Zaffiro: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Jackson Fristoe: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K

FCL (5-4) (Lost to the Phillies, 3-2, in ten innings. The game was tied 0-0 entering the 10th)

DH Brando Mayea: 0-for-5, K
Good or bad, I will always report on what Mayea is doing…
CF Cam Eden: 1-for-3, SB (1)
Whenever a minor league veteran is rehabbing in the FCL, I want them to leave ASAP. The playing time can be useful to others.
PH-LF-RF Gabriel Lara: 0-for-2
RF Brennen Davis: 0-for-4, K
See Eden, Cam.
LF-CF Isael Arias: 1-for-4, 2B (4), K
1B Johan Contreras: 1-for-3, 2B (2), BB, 2 K
2B Gabriel Terrero: 4-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, R, SB (3)
Terrero’s second career 4-hit effort. He has ten career homers, seven of which came in 2023.

RHP Omar Gonzalez: 4.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
RHP Sunayro Martina: 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Chance Nolan: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
It’s the former college quarterback’s second career appearance (2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K)

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 5/14: Juan Matheus Goes 6-for-6

Notes:

There is nothing new.

Injury Log

Scranton (20-19) (Defeated Toledo, 5-4)

C Jesus Rodriguez: 2-for-4, 2B (4), R
Since promotion: .358/.471/.469 in 102 PA (4 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 14 RBI, 21 R, 17.6% BB, 11.8% K). His career triple slash sits at .309/.397/.467 in 1,300 plate appearances. He hits, hits, hits and is on a 6-game hitting streak.
LF Cooper Hummel: 2-for-4, R, SB (1)
DH Everson Pereira: 1-for-3, R, BB
.289/.381/.567 in 105 PA (1 double, 8 HR, 19 RBI, 25 R, 3-for-3 SB, 12.4% BB, 31.4% K). The K% is slowly falling.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-3, HR (6), 2 RBI, 2 R, BB
.305/.404/.534 in 141 PA (9 doubles, 6 HR, 26 RBI, 27 R, 2-for-3 SB, 12.1% BB, 18.4% K). He is 15-for-31 (.484/.528/.742) in May with a pair of doubles and homers.
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 K
Since the Yankees claimed him, he has gone 4-for-33 (.121) with a homer, three walks, and 12 strikeouts.
3B Jose Rojas: 0-for-2, SF, RBI
3B Andrew Velazquez: 0-for-1
2B Jake Gatewood: 0-for-4, 2 K
SS Braden Shewmake: 1-for-3, SB (3), K
.203/.338/.344 in 78 PA (1 double, 1 triple, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 9 R, 3-for-3 SB).
CF Ismael Munguia: 0-for-3

LHP Brandon Leibrandt: 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, HR
LHP Brent Headrick (W, 2-0): 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR
4.15 ERA (8.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 4 BB, 5 K)
RHP Sean Boyle (S, 1): 3 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, HR
Boyle’s 5th career save. Season: 4.28 ERA (40 IP, 33 H, 22 R, 19 ER, 6 HR, 14 BB, 45 K)

Somerset (14-19)

Their game against Portland was postponed. They will attempt to make it up on June 11th. They have a doubleheader scheduled for tomorrow (makeup of Tuesday’s game).

Hudson Valley (23-10)

Their game against Aberdeen was postponed. They will attempt to play two tomorrow.

Tampa (17-19) (Scored 21 runs in a doubleheader sweep of Palm Beach)

Game 1 (Won, 9-2)

DH Dillon Lewis: 0-for-4, R, K
C Engelth Urena: 2-for-4, HR (4), RBI, 2 R
Urena’s first HR since April 19th (at the time, he had hit three HR in four games).
SS Juan Matheus: 4-for-4, RBI, 2 R
Matheus compiles his first career 4-hit game.
RF Austin Green: 2-for-2, HR (1), 2 RBI, R, HBP, BB
LF Tyler Wilson: 1-for-4, RBI
1B Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-4, 2 K
2B Hans Montero: 1-for-3, R, K
CF Marshall Toole: 1-for-3, 2B (4), R
3B Owen Cobb: 1-for-3, HR (3), 3 RBI, R, K
9 extra-base hits in 10 games this season (4 (all doubles) in 18 games last year).

LHP Griffin Herring: 4 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, HR
1.40 ERA (38.2 IP, 24 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 2 HR, 14 BB, 48 K). Herring is averaging 87 pitches per start (77 today).
RHP Gus Hughes (W, 3-1): 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Cade Austin: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
3.21 ERA (14 IP, 14 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 6 BB, 12 K)

Game 2 (Won, 12-4)

C Edgleen Perez: 2-for-4, 2B (4), RBI, R
Watch out once his offensive game (beyond the walks) starts improving.
DH Engelth Urena: 2-for-3, 2 R, BB
Urena entered the doubleheader 7-for-36 in May.
CF Dillon Lewis: 3-for-3, 2B (7), HR (5), 2 RBI, 3 R, BB
Lewis is 13-for-42 (.310; 3 doubles, 2 triples, 4 HR, 13 RBI, 14 R) in 11 May contests (.167/.244/.256 in April)
3B Juan Matheus: 2-for-2, 2 SF, 2 RBI, R
Matheus is hitting .291 with a .702 OPS and is 8-for-10 in his last three games (his OPS was .619 before that).
2B Austin Green: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, R, K
RF Tyler Wilson: 2-for-4, 2B (2), HR (1), 4 RBI, R, 2 K
Wilson sets a personal best for RBI in a game.
1B Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-3, BB
LF Marshall Toole: 1-for-3, 2 R, BB
SS Owen Cobb: 2-for-3, R
Cobb didn’t add to his extra-base hit totals, but the raking continues. He is 15-for-35 (.429).

RHP Danny Flatt: 4 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
4.43 ERA (22.1 IP, 21 H, 14 R, 11 ER, 2 HR, 14 BB, 20 K)
RHP Jack Sokol (W, 1-1): 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Sokol’s first professional win. Season: 3.55 ERA (12.2 IP, 14 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 4 BB, 12 K)
RHP Brady Kirtner: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR
2.75 ERA (19.2 IP, 12 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 HR, 7 BB, 20 K)

FCL (5-3)

Day off.

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 5/13: Omar Martinez: 4 Hits, HR

Notes:

The Yankees signed RHP Anthony DeSclafani to a minor league contract and assigned him to Scranton.

The 35-year-old has 180 games (169 starts) of MLB experience from 2014 to 2023. He is 54-56 in those appearances with a 4.20 ERA (4.16 FIP). He has pitched for the Marlins, Reds, and Giants. In 2023, he posted a 4.88 ERA (4.35 FIP) over 99.2 innings with an 18.9% K/4.8% BB/41.5% GB. The Twins signed him in 2024, but he missed the season due to an elbow injury.

The Yankees need depth, and he provides that. He isn’t exciting, but he can provide some innings, if needed.

As a fun sidenote, he was a part of the 12-player trade between the Marlins and Blue Jays in 2012. The notable names in that deal were Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle, and Josh Johnson.

George Lombard Jr. was the highest riser in the MLB Pipeline update, which is (very) good news. The bad news is that none of their other prospects are on the list. I think the system is in a down period. I am never afraid to say that. Whether or not the next wave of pitchers in Hudson Valley/Tampa can improve that standing is to be determined. Whether some bats beyond Lombard Jr. can emerge to ease the pain is to be determined. We may not get those answers until later this year and into 2026.

Injury Log

Scranton (19-19) (Lost to Toledo, 7-0. The game was shortened due to rain after eight innings)

DH Cooper Hummel: 0-for-3, BB, K
3B Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-4, K
Rodriguez is on a 5-game hitting streak and is 11-for-34 in May with six walks and three strikeouts.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 2-for-3
.304/.401/.513 in 137 PA (9 doubles, 5 HR, 24 RBI, 25 R). He is 14-for-28 in May.
C Alex Jackson: 0-for-3
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 0-for-3, 2 K
LF Dominic Smith: 1-for-2, BB
2B Jake Gatewood: 0-for-3, 2 K
CF Ismael Munguia: 0-for-3
SS Andrew Velazquez: 1-for-3

RHP Carlos Carrasco: 4.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
Carrasco’s first Scranton appearance.
RHP Leonardo Pestana: 0.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, HR
RHP Jonathan Loaisiga: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Loaisiga needed only 12 pitches in another efficient outing. His sinker reached 95.8 MPH.
RHP Clayton Beeter: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Beeter needed 17 pitches (12 strikes). He reached 96.2 MPH and generated four whiffs with his fastball/slider combo.
RHP Wilking Rodriguez: 0.1 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
A struggle for Rodriguez, though he reached 98.8 MPH with his 4-seamer (averaged 97.8)
LHP Rob Zastryzny: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
The skies opened up before Reyzelman threw a pitch.

Somerset (14-19)

Their game against Portland was postponed. They will attempt to make it up on Thursday.

Hudson Valley (23-10) (Lost to Aberdeen, 7-6, in 10 innings)

RF Brendan Jones: 1-for-3, SF, RBI, R, SB (15), BB
Jones seems to do something in every game.
DH Roc Riggio: 0-for-4, RBI, R, BB, 3 K
1B Parks Harber: 1-for-2, RBI, R, K
I am not sure why Harber left the game.
1B Duncan Pastore: 0-for-2, BB, K
LF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-5, RBI, 2 K
C Omar Martinez: 4-for-5, HR (6), 2 RBI, R
Martinez is 17-for-39 (.436) in May (3 doubles, 5 HR, 12 RBI, 12 R, 7 BB, 9 K). This was his second 4-hit effort this month.
2B Jose Colmenares: 0-for-4, HBP, 2 K
SS Brenny Escanio: 0-for-5, 3 K
3B Josh Moylan: 1-for-1, 2B (6), R, 4 BB
Reaching base five times will always impress.
CF Luis Durango: 2-for-4, R, HBP, 2 K
Durango’s rehab stint is over. This is the 22-year-old’s High-A debut. If you don’t remember, the Yankees chose him in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft last winter (Cleveland).

LHP Kyle Carr: 3.2 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
3.20 ERA (25.1 IP, 20 H, 11 R, 9 ER, 1 HR, 12 BB, 19 K). A mixed bag of stuff in his 2025 profile.
RHP Bryce Warrecker: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
0.56 ERA (16 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 3 BB, 22 K). Warrecker is dominating out of the pen.
RHP Hayden Merda: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
3.68 ERA (14.2 IP, 12 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 0 HR, 8 BB, 19 K)
RHP Ocean Gabonia (L, 0-2): 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
LHP Geoffrey Gilbert: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Tampa (15-19) (Defeated Palm Beach, 9-1)

C Edgleen Perez: 0-for-3, R, CS (1), 2 BB, 2 K
.196/.378/.227 in 127 PA. His patient approach is apparent.
C Engelth Urena: 0-for-4, 2 K
LF Dillon Lewis: 1-for-3, 3B (2), RBI, R, BB, K
.204/.280/.398 in 125 PA (6 doubles, 2 triples, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 18 R, 7-for-8 SB). We know Lewis has speed. It’s good to see some pop showing up as well. Yes, the bat tool needs more work. That’s why he is here.
SS Juan Matheus: 1-for-3, CS (5), 2 K
RF Austin Green: 1-for-3, 2B (3), RBI, R
1B Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-2, R, BB, 2 K
2B Hans Montero: 2-for-4, 2 HR (3), 4 RBI, 2 R, K
Montero’s first career multi-HR game (also tied his best for RBI)
CF Marshall Toole: 1-for-3, 2B (3), R, BB, K
.294/.392/.426 in 79 PA (3 doubles, 3 triples, 5 RBI, 13 R, 7-for-7 SB).
3B Owen Cobb: 1-for-4, 2B (5), RBI, K
8 of Cobb’s 12 hits have gone for extra bases (5 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR)

RHP Andrew Landry (W, 1-3): 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, HR
A much-needed performance for Landry (easily the best in his young career)
LHP Jayvien Sandridge: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Sandridge is on a rehab stint from Scranton. The 26-year-old was signed to a minor league contract last winter. Throughout his minor league career, Sandridge has struck out 303 hitters in 205.2 innings. The issue? He has allowed 168 walks. To give you an example of his insanity, he struck out 95 and walked 49 in 61 innings last year.
RHP Chris Veach: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
1.98 ERA (13.2 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 9 BB, 22 K)
RHP Brandon Decker: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
1.88 ERA (14.1 IP, 14 H, 7 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 5 BB, 17 K). Veach and Decker are shining in their debut campaigns and should be promotion candidates sometime this year.

FCL (5-3) (Split a doubleheader against the Tigers)

Game 1 (Lost, 7-3)

LF Brando Mayea: 1-for-3, R, K
RF Brennen Davis: 2-for-3, 2B (1), HR (2), RBI, R, SB (1)
As I like to say, Davis hitting in the FCL is like a high schooler in a Little League game. He shouldn’t be here much longer.
CF Cam Eden: 0-for-2, K
The speedy depth piece is on a rehab stint.
CF Isael Arias: 1-for-1, HR (1), 2 RBI, R
The 19-year-old hit one HR in 38 games in the DSL last year (his professional debut).
SS Santiago Gomez: 2-for-3, CS (1)

RHP J.T. Etheridge: 4.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 8 K
Etheridge has 17 strikeouts in 8.1 innings. Yes, he is too old for this level and shouldn’t be here long.

Game 2 (Won, 6-0)

CF Brando Mayea: 1-for-3, 2 R, BB, K
.321/.424/.536 in 33 PA. He is on a 7-game hitting streak.
C Manuel Palencia: 2-for-4, 2B (1), 2 RBI, R
3B Santiago Gomez: 1-for-3, RBI
9-for-24. He has hit safely in all six of his games.
LF Gabriel Lara: 1-for-3, HR (1), RBI, R
Lara hitting his first HR before stealing a base is a story in its own right.

LHP Xavier Rivas: 4.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K
Rivas’s first two professional appearances: 8.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 13 K. He was their 16th-round pick in the 2024 draft (Ole Miss).
RHP Mariano Salomon (W, 2-0): 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 5/11: A Day for Pitchers

Notes:

A quiet weekend for notes.

Injury Log

Scranton (19-18) (Rolled past Rochester, 12-0)

DH Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-3, 3B (1), RBI, 3 R, 2 BB, K
Since promotion: .356/.479/.466 in 94 PA (3 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 20 R, 5-for-5 SB, 18 BB, 11 K). 20 runs in 21 games. His teammates must appreciate the RBI opportunities.
2B DJ LeMahieu: 1-for-4, RBI, R, CS (1), BB
LeMahieu is 12-for-27 (.444) on his rehab stint. I am unsure when the Yankees will bring him up from his rehab stint, but inserting him into the same picture as Aaron Judge and Juan Soto for the Subway Series will only add to the hype.
CF Everson Pereira: 0-for-4, RBI, 2 R, SB (3), BB, 2 K
.287/.376/.575 in 101 PA (1 double, 8 HR, 19 RBI, 24 R, 3-for-3 SB, 11.9% BB, 32.7% K). Like Rodriguez, he creates opportunities for his teammates, as his 24 runs have come in 24 games.
C Alex Jackson: 1-for-3, HR (4), SF, 4 RBI, R, BB, 2 K
Jackson has four home runs in his last eight games.
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 0-for-3, R, HBP, 2 K
1B Dominic Smith: 2-for-3, HR (4), SF, 3 RBI, R, K
Smith has homered in back-to-back games and is 10-for-28 (.357) in May.
LF Jose Rojas: 0-for-3, BB
3B Braden Shewmake: 1-for-4, R, SB (2)
SS Andrew Velazquez: 2-for-3, 2 R, 2 SB (9), BB

RHP Allan Winans (W, 1-0): 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
0.00 ERA (19 IP, 13 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 HR, 6 BB, 27 K). In the starting pitcher depth chart competition, it’s hard to deny that Winans has impressed the most. The lone negative is that this was the first time he went 5+ innings this season.
LHP Brent Headrick: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Jonathan Loaisiga: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
16 pitches/10 strikes. He has to be close.
RHP Jake Woodford: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
3.33 ERA (24.1 IP, 27 H, 12 R, 9 ER, 5 HR, 10 BB, 21 K). This is his first relief appearance in 2025.

Somerset (14-19) (Lost to Akron, 2-1)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-3, BB, K
4-for-21 since his promotion, with four walks and four strikeouts.
C Rafael Flores: 3-for-4, R
.290/.333/.504 in 104 PA (10 doubles, 6 HR, 24 RBI, 15 R, 3-for-3 SB, 6.4% BB, 31.2% K). I wouldn’t be surprised if Flores, Rule 5 eligible this winter, is traded this summer.
RF Garrett Martin: 0-for-4, 2 K
2B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-4, 2B (7), RBI, K
.269/.326/.471 in 129 PA (7 doubles, 1 triple, 5 HR, 17 RBI, 18 R, 6.2% BB, 18.6% K). He is on a 5-game hitting streak (7-for-21, 2 doubles, 3 RBI)
CF Grant Richardson: 0-for-4, 2 K
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-4, K
3B Alexander Vargas: 0-for-3, 2 K
LF Jared Wegner: 0-for-3, SB (2)
DH Antonio Gomez: 0-for-3, K
8-for-51 since his promotion (.157/.214/.176 with a double, four walks, and 19 strikeouts)

RHP Bailey Dees: 5.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K
4.82 ERA (28 IP, 27 H, 16 R, 15 ER, 5 HR, 16 BB, 33 K). Solid performance for Dees, who hopefully can get on a roll.
RHP Indigo Diaz: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Luis Pacheco: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Kelly Austin (L, 1-1): 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, HR
His season won’t be perfect: 1.69 ERA (10.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 3 BB, 9 K)

Hudson Valley (23-9) (Defeated Wilmington, 9-1. They take 5-out-of-6 in the series by a 45-10 margin)

CF Brendan Jones: 0-for-2, 2 R, SB (14), 3 BB, K
.248/.360/.407 in 136 PA (5 doubles, 2 triples, 3 HR, 17 RBI, 26 R, 14-for-17 SB, 13.97% BB, 17.6% K). He’s doing what you want leadoff hitters to do.
2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-3, HR (1), 3 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB
Riggio won’t overwhelm you with power, but he has sneaky pop (43 extra-base hits in 2024 (27 doubles, 5 triples, 11 HR)).
3B Parks Harber: 1-for-4, HR (2), RBI, R, BB, 2 K
Since promotion: .333/.396/.521 in 53 PA. He is on a 7-game hitting streak (11-for-32, 3 doubles, 1 HR)
LF Coby Morales: 1-for-4, 2B (5), 2 RBI, R, BB, 2 K
C Omar Martinez: 0-for-5, 3 K
.264/.364/.445 in 129 PA. Martinez is 0-for-8 since his insane hitting streak, which is as baseball as baseball can be.
DH Jose Colmenares: 1-for-3, 2B (3), RBI, R, SB (3), CS (1), 2 BB, K
SS Brenny Escanio: 1-for-3, HR (3), 2 RBI, R, BB
1B Josh Moylan: 0-for-4, 2 K
RF Anthony Hall: 1-for-3, 2B (3), R, BB, 2 K
Hall is on a 5-game hitting streak (6-for-20)

RHP Bryce Cunningham (W, 4-1): 6.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
1.98 ERA (36.1 IP, 28 H, 10 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 38 K). Cunningham continues to cruise (he allowed five runs in the first inning on 4/13. Beyond that, nobody has touched him)
RHP Chris Kean: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
1.32 ERA (13.2 IP, 12 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 5 BB, 12 K)
RHP Huey Morrill: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Tony Rossi: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Between here and Tampa: 12.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 18 K. I think Somerset will call his name sometime this season.

Tampa (14-19) (Lost to Daytona, 2-1)

C Edgleen Perez: 0-for-3, BB
.202/.377/.234 in 122 PA (3 doubles, 10 RBI, 13 R, 3-for-3 SB, 19.7% BB, 22.95% K). I don’t expect an 18-year-old to show off big power in Low-A. There is a good chance he will be here for two seasons.
LF Dillon Lewis: 0-for-4, 2 K
.200/.273/.382 in 121 PA (6 doubles, 1 triple, 4 HR, 13 RBI, 17 R, 7-for-8 SB, 8.3% BB, 28.9% K).
3B Juan Matheus: 1-for-4, SB (9)
.237/.318/.301 in 110 PA (6 doubles, 15 RBI, 9 R, 9-for-13 SB, 11.8% BB, 21.8% K).
2B Austin Green: 0-for-2, SB (4), 2 BB
DH Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-4, K
RF Tyler Wilson: 0-for-3, K
1B Hans Montero: 1-for-3, 2B (3), CS (2)
CF Marshall Toole: 1-for-2, 3B (3), R, BB
.292/.387/.415 in 75 PA (2 doubles, 3 triples, 5 RBI, 12 R, 7-for-7 SB, 13.3% BB, 28% K). He has six multi-hit efforts in his last 12 games.
SS Owen Cobb: 0-for-3, RBI, K
Cobb’s .500 pace is over! He is now 11-for-25.

RHP Gage Ziehl: 6.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
4.08 ERA (17.2 IP, 17 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 0 HR, 3 BB, 9 K). This was his first start since making an emergency start for Somerset. Hopefully, he can build off this effort.
RHP Cade Austin: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Brady Kirtner (L, 2-1): 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, HR
Kirtner struck out four in a row before allowing a walk-off HR. Season: 1.93 ERA (18.2 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 7 BB, 18 K)

FCL (4-2)

Day off.

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.