Yankees MILB 7/11: The Spencer Jones Show Continues
Notes:
From an article on The Athletic, the Yankees are transitioning former top catching prospect Antonio Gomez to pitching. Gomez, who is already Rule 5 eligible, supposedly is touching 100 MPH during workouts.
In my opinion, which was wrong (though I don’t mind admitting it), Gomez was the most intriguing catching prospect they had a few years ago. As a 17-year-old in the rookie leagues in 2019, he hit .288/.351/.442 in 15 games. After COVID shut down the minors in 2020, he came back to hit .305/.416/.474 in the FCL. That was enough to get him to Low-A late in the season, and that was the end of his offensive development. What do I tell people about Rookie League numbers again? Oh yeah – DON’T TRUST THEM.
Anyway, a strong-armed, no-hit catcher is always a candidate to move to pitching. There are other examples, but the one that always comes to mind is Troy Percival.
George Lombard Jr. was placed on the “temporary inactive list” because he is playing in the Futures Game on Saturday.
OF Garrett Martin was placed on the 7-day injured list for Somerset today. Infielder Parks Harber, who hasn’t played forever, is officially on the 7-day injured list for Hudson Valley. Harber was hitting .319/.404/.510 when he disappeared from the lineup on June 12th. He was in the midst of a 9-game hitting streak.
In promotion news, RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz, infielder Duncan Pastore, and OF Jace Avina were promoted from Hudson Valley to Somerset. To replace Rodriguez-Cruz, RHP Andrew Landry was moved from Tampa to Hudson Valley.
Scranton (50-37) (Mauled Buffalo, 10-1)
C Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-5, R
Rodriguez has a 7-game hitting streak (8-for-27; .296). It isn’t one of those “scorching hot” hitting streaks, but he was slumping for awhile.
CF Spencer Jones: 3-for-5, HR (6), 3 RBI, 3 R, 2 K
Since promotion: 20-for-49 (.408; 3 doubles, 6 HR, 14 RBI, 17 R, 6-for-6 SB, 8 BB, 17 K). He has been insane for Scranton after hitting 16 homers in 49 games for Somerset. So you want to be a GM? Think about whether he is a keep or trade right now. And your decision has zero consequences.
RF Everson Pereira: 2-for-3, R, HBP, BB, K
.266/.367/.514 in 256 PA. Pereira is 12-for-27 (.444) in July with 2 doubles, a triple, three homers, 11 RBI, and seven walks.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 2-for-5, HR (10), 4 RBI, R, K
Rumfield has five multi-hit games in his last six games played. He has 14 RBI during this stretch (up to 60 in 80 games) and his triple slash has risen from .281/.365/.462 to .297/.377/.483.
3B Jeimer Candelario: 1-for-5, RBI, 2 K
2B Nicky Lopez: 1-for-3, 2B (1), R, BB, K
DH Jose Rojas: 1-for-4, 2B (22), R, 2 K
SS Andrew Velazquez: 1-for-4, 2B (11), R, K
LF Duke Ellis: 1-for-4, RBI, R, K
RHP Allan Winans: (W, 9-0) 5.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K
At this level: 1.19 ERA (60.2 IP, 46 H, 10 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 16 BB, 66 K)
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Joel Kuhnel: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Somerset (44-40) (Lost to New Hampshire, 5-3. They are 11-5 in the second half)
DH Brendan Jones: 1-for-2, 2 RBI, 2 SB (7), 2 BB
I am happy that the Patriots’ faithful are getting to see what type of player Jones can be. The 23-year-old is up to 30 stolen bases between here and Hudson Valley and is 48-for-53 in his career. In July, he is 11-for-28 (3 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 6 R, 5 SB, 7 BB)
1B Rafael Flores: 0-for-4, 2 K
2B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-4, HR (12), RBI, R, K
Jasso has cooled off after a hot start (still hit a decent .241/.347/.425 in June).
CF Jace Avina: 0-for-3, R, BB, K
Avina’s Double-A debut.
C Omar Martinez: 0-for-3, R, BB, K
3B Tyler Hardman: 1-for-2, R, 2 BB
LF Cole Gabrielson: 1-for-4, K
RF Cam Eden: 1-for-4, HR (1), RBI, R, K
Eden is known more for his speed than his power, though he did hit 12 HR in 94 games in 2022.
SS Max Burt: 1-for-1, RBI, BB
LHP Ben Shields: 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K
The 26-year-old had a solid year in 2024 (3.48 ERA in 106 IP with a 137/33 K/BB) but an injury delayed his start in 2025. He’s come back as if he never missed any time. In his three starts for Somerset: 13 IP, 12 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 HR, 5 BB, 20 K. Don’t be surprised if teams ask for him as a “deal sweetener” this month. If he isn’t moved, he can factor into the Yankees’ 2026 plans in some capacity.
RHP Mason Vinyard: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Danny Watson: 1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Kelly Austin: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Hudson Valley (51-32) (Walked it off against Asheville, 4-3. They are 13-6 in the second half; 6-game winning streak)
LF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-3, 2B (14), RBI, BB
Castillo continues to scorch (13-for-31 with two doubles, two homers, four walks, and four stolen bases in July).
CF Dillon Lewis: 2-for-4, HR (6), RBI, R
So much talent to tap into. He has 15 homers and 19 stolen bases in 79 games but it’s all about the overall hit tool.
RF Coby Morales: 1-for-4, 2B (16)
SS Alexander Vargas: 1-for-4, K
3B-1B Josh Moylan: 0-for-3, BB, K
2B Brenny Escanio: 0-for-3, BB, K
1B Kiko Romero: 1-for-2, HR (1), RBI, R
Romero’s first game since April 18th. He decided to make an impression.
3B Jose Colmenares: 0-for-2, K
C Tomas Frick: 1-for-4, HR (4), RBI, R, 2 K
Frick walks it off in the bottom of the 9th!
DH Anthony Hall: 1-for-3, R, K
RHP Josh Grosz: 5 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
4.13 ERA (80.2 IP, 61 H, 43 R, 37 ER, 5 HR, 32 BB, 88 K)
RHP Matt Keating: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
RHP Chris Kean: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
LHP Geoffrey Gilbert (W, 2-0): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Tampa (45-38) (Lost to Lakeland, 11-0. The Tarpons are 9-9 in the second half)
C Edgleen Perez: 0-for-4, 2 K
CF Brian Sanchez: 0-for-3, BB, K
.274/.365/.432 in 276 PA (15 doubles, 5 triples, 4 HR, 36 RBI, 38 R, 24-for-28 SB)
SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-4, 4 K
So much for making it to .200 for the first time this season!
DH Engelth Urena: 0-for-4, 2 K
LF Willy Montero: 2-for-3
They were thoroughly dominated tonight, so Montero’s two hits stand out! Montero, who is still only 20 years old (he’s been around since 2021!), is 6-for-17 with a double and triple since coming off his rehab stint.
3B Juan Matheus: 0-for-3, K
RF Wilson Rodriguez: 0-for-3, K
2B Austin Green: 1-for-3
1B Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-2, BB
RHP Mariano Salomon: (L, 0-2) 5.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Salomon’s first Low-A start.
RHP Sean Hermann: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
2.06 ERA (39.1 IP, 23 H, 16 R, 9 ER, 0 HR, 27 BB, 31 K). Hermann is an extreme groundball guy (63.8% entering tonight)
RHP Cade Austin: 1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Justin Lange: 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
FCL (24-25) (Lost to the Tigers, 8-7, in another extra-inning thriller (this was a 7-inning contest). After the Tigers scored six in the bottom of the 6th to take the lead, the Yankees scored three in the top of the seventh to tie it. In the 8th, they scored one to take the lead, but the Tigers countered with two in the bottom half to win the game.)
SS Dexters Peralta: 1-for-3, HR (1), RBI, R, 2 BB, K
The sample size is still small enough that a hot end to the season will lift his numbers to respectability. The climb remains a steep one.
DH Ediel Rivera: 0-for-3, RBI, R, HBP, BB, K
CF Isael Arias: 2-for-4, R, 2 SB (18), BB
One thing you can say about Arias: He takes advantage of stolen base opportunities. He only has a .254 OBP. Imagine how many he can steal if he learns to hit better!
C John Cristino: 2-for-4, 2B (4), SF, RBI, R, SB (4), 2 K
19 starts at 1B, 5 at catcher.
1B Santiago Gomez: 0-for-2, R, HBP, BB
2B Luis Escudero: 1-for-3, 2B (3), RBI, R, BB
3B Kevin Verde: 2-for-4, 3 RBI
RHP Omar Gonzalez: 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 K
How often do teams blow games when their starter has a no-hitter going? I can’t think of one before today.
DSL Yankees (12-17) (Lost to DSL Rangers Blue, 9-7, in ten innings)
SS Mani Cedeno: 0-for-4, 2 R, SB (4), 2 BB, 4 K
That’s an interesting afternoon. The 16-year-old takes his share of walks (18%), which is something for him to build on.
2B Carlos Bello: 1-for-5, 2B (6)
Bello’s debut campaign continues to go well: .280/.423/.488 in 104 PA (6 doubles, 1 triple, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 23 R, 7-for-8 SB)
CF Francisco Vilorio: 2-for-5, RBI, 2 R, 2 K
.298/.434/.333 in 106 PA. He is on a 6-game hitting streak (9-for-23). Vilorio (18) is a bonus baby who is repeating the level, so we’ll see how he performs in the FCL in 2026.
3B Richard Matic: 1-for-3, RBI, R, BB, K
Matic is crushing the level this year. Another kid to observe in the FCL next year.
DH Justin Capellan: 2-for-4, HR (5), 3 RBI, R, SB (8), BB
.312/.409/.623 in 93 PA (9 doubles, 5 HR, 24 RBI, 21 R). In 63 DSL games over the last two years, the 18-year-old has 21 doubles, 6 HR, 49 RBI, and 37 runs.
LHP Carlos De La Rosa: 3 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
18.2 IP, 23 H, 12 R, 11 ER, 1 HR, 4 BB, 33 K. One has to love that K/BB.
RHP Rafael Arias: 3.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
DSL Bombers (14-15) (Lost to the DSL Marlins, 6-2)
SS Stiven Marinez: 0-for-3, R, SB (16), BB, 2 K
Marinez has a 17-game on-base streak (at least one walk in 15 of those games).
DH Jose Castro: 1-for-4, 2B (2), RBI
2B Christofer Reyes: 2-for-3, SB (18), CS (2)
RHP Carlos Hampshire (L, 1-2): 3.1 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 6 K