Yankees MILB 7/18: Brendan Beck: 5 Hitless Innings
Notes:
In case you missed it (or you want to read it for the 50th time), I wrote up a mid-season review of the Yankees’ system.
OF Spencer Jones was missing from tonight’s Scranton lineup. That raises an eyebrow because the Railriders just had four days off. As I said last week, being out of a lineup doesn’t mean a trade is coming. Something is up because there isn’t a reason to give him five days off. If it is injury-related, I hope it isn’t the same injury that caused him to miss weeks of action earlier this season.
The Yankees signed several undrafted free agents to minor league deals:
OF Eric Genther
RHP Tommy O’Rourke
OF Robbie Burnett
The left-handed hitting Genther spent his entire collegiate career (that still happens?) with Rhode Island. This season, at age 23, he hit .361/.478/.584 with ten homers and 53 RBI in 60 games. While he has experience in LF and CF, he spent the entire 2025 season in right field.
Burnett, who also hits lefty, spent the 2025 season at the University of Georgia (transferred from UNC Asheville). He hit 307/.477/.693 with 20 homers, 66 RBI, and 17 stolen bases in 56 games. When a hitter does that in the SEC, you notice. While listed as an outfielder, he played 20 games at second base in addition to 34 games in right field, four games in left field, and two games in center field.
O’Rourke is a 23-year-old who spent 2025 pitching for Vanderbilt. It was his first action since 2022, when he threw for Stanford. This year, he posted a 4.02 ERA in 15.2 innings with an 18/6 K/BB. The fact that he caught Stanford’s eye in the first place tells you he had talent coming out of high school.
By the way, in addition to drafting Jeff Kent‘s son (Kaeden Kent), the Yankees drafted Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek, son of Mark Grudzielanek, in the latest example of how old I am getting. He was drafted in the 20th (final) round out of USC.
Plenty of the 2025 draftees were assigned to the FCL. That doesn’t mean they will make their debuts immediately, but we might see a few of them before the FCL season ends on July 24th. Some may get playing time for Tampa. In 2024, many of the draftees/undrafted free agent signings went that route, including Brendan Jones, Marshall Toole, and Parks Harber. As you may suspect, pitchers are less likely to debut.
Scranton (53-37; 15-3 in second half) (Defeated Worcester, 11-3)
C Jesus Rodriguez: 2-for-4, SB (13), CS (7), BB
He will likely have to tone down that baserunning. Anyway, Rodriguez has a 10-game hitting streak (12-for-38; .316) and is hitting .313/.413/.411 at this level.
DH Jose Rojas: 3-for-4, 2B (23), HR (14), RBI, 2 R, BB, K
RF Everson Pereira: 1-for-5, HR (16), 2 RBI, 2 R
Pereira is 14-for-39 (.359; 3 doubles, 1 triple, 4 HR, 13 RBI, 13 R) in July and has 16 homers in 61 games. Over his minor league career, he has 82 homers in 1,720 plate appearances (392 games).
1B T.J. Rumfield: 3-for-5, HR (11), 3 RBI, 2 R, 2 K
Rumfield has a 6-game hitting streak and has compiled six multi-hit efforts in his last nine games. In those nine games, he is 17-for-38 (.447; 4 doubles, 2 HR, 17 RBI, 8 R). His triple slash has climbed from .281/.365/.462 to .302/.380/.493.
3B Jeimer Candelario: 2-for-5, 2B (5), 2 RBI, K
2B Nicky Lopez: 1-for-5, R, 2 K
LF Ismael Munguia: 2-for-5, 2B (9), RBI, R, SB (21)
SS Andrew Velazquez: 2-for-3, 2B (12), RBI, R, SB (23), BB
CF Duke Ellis: 0-for-3, SAC, K
RHP Brendan Beck: (W, 2-0) 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 9 K (new personal best)
Beck throws 79 pitches in a dominant effort. This drops his Scranton ERA to 3.89 (23.1 IP, 18 H, 10 R, 10 ER, 4 HR, 3 BB, 22 K). A healthy Beck has “modern day bulldog” potential, given that he can keep the walks low. The keyword in that sentence is “healthy”. While Beck is not a consistently hard thrower, he did dial up to 94.2 MPH today and generated 12 whiffs with his slider/curve combo.
RHP Baron Stuart: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
The Yankees probably like his mid-90s sinker, though swing-and-miss is an issue (zero strikeouts in six innings since his promotion).
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR
4.17 ERA (36.2 IP, 22 H, 17 R, 17 ER, 5 HR, 39 BB, 36 K).
RHP Joel Kuhnel: 1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Zach Messinger: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
5.16 ERA (52.1 IP, 56 H, 31 R, 30 ER, 4 HR, 34 BB, 51 K). As reliever: 2.59 ERA (24.1 IP, 20 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 15 BB, 25 K)
Somerset (48-40; 13-6 in second half) (Defeated Hartford, 8-5)
SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-5, 2B (9), K
C Rafael Flores: 2-for-4, 2 R, BB, 2 K
Flores has 28 multi-hit efforts this season.
3B Dylan Jasso: 2-for-5, 2B (12), RBI, 2 R, 3 K
RF Jace Avina: 1-for-4, HR (1), 3 RBI, R, BB, K
Avina’s first Double-A homer (9th HR overall this season).
CF Brendan Jones: 1-for-3, R, SB (8), 2 BB, K
Jones started slow here but is now 13-for-40 (.325; 3 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 9 R, 6-for-6 SB, 9 BB, 10 K) in July.
DH Omar Martinez: 1-for-3, RBI, R, BB, K
Since promotion: .260 (13-for-50).
1B Tyler Hardman: 1-for-4, HR (14), 3 RBI, R, 2 K
Hardman has four doubles and three home runs in 11 July games. His trade value isn’t much, but if Andres Chaparro and Eric Wagaman can find MLB jobs, perhaps Hardman can too.
LF Cole Gabrielson: 0-for-2, 2 BB
2B Max Burt: 0-for-4, 2 K
RHP Luis Gil: 3.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, HR
Gil allowed a 2-run homer to the third batter he faced before settling in. He threw 57 pitches tonight and likely has a few more rehab starts to get through.
RHP Hayden Merda: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Merda was used as a bridge tonight.
LHP Brock Selvidge: (W, 2-2) 4.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
Selvidge piggybacked off of Gil and put together a strong effort. At this level: 3.07 ERA (29.1 IP, 19 H, 11 R, 10 ER, 1 HR, 19 BB, 25 K)
LHP Ryan Anderson: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Hudson Valley (52-34; 14-8 second half) (Lost to Jersey Shore, 9-3. Former Yankees’ farmhand Gabriel Barbosa got some revenge on his former organization by tossing five hitless innings)
LF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K
CF Dillon Lewis: 2-for-4, RBI
Lewis collects their only two hits. He owns a 5-game hitting streak (8-for-19; 1 double, 2 HR).
1B Coby Morales: 0-for-3, BB, K
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-4, 2 K
2B Jose Colmenares: 0-for-3, R, BB, K
3B Josh Moylan: 0-for-2, R, 2 BB, K
C Manuel Palencia: 0-for-3, R, BB, K
DH Kiko Romero: 0-for-2, RBI, 2 BB, K
RF Anthony Hall: 0-for-4, K
LHP Griffin Herring: (L, 3-2) 4 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 6 K
One of the Yankees’ biggest 2025 success stories couldn’t find a groove in his first start out of the break, though damage was limited. He required 90 pitches to get those 12 outs. Since promotion: 2.22 ERA (44.2 IP, 32 H, 13 R, 11 ER, 1 HR, 20 BB, 44 K). Overall, he has passed the 100 strikeout mark (102/36 K/BB over 89.1 innings)
RHP Matt Keating: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
RHP Tyrone Yulie: 1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
3.52 ERA (23 IP, 24 H, 14 R, 9 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 21 K)
RHP Chris Kean: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Tampa (45-41; 9-12 in second half) (Lost to Dunedin, 4-3)
C Edgleen Perez: 0-for-4, R, 2 K
CF Brian Sanchez: 1-for-1
I am not sure why he left the game.
CF Marshall Toole: 1-for-3, R, BB
Toole is the proud owner of a 10-game hitting streak (15-for-34 with two doubles and five triples. How often do you see five triples during a 10-game hitting streak?) His triple slash has climbed from .287/.388/.443 to .313/.418/.502.
SS Roderick Arias: 1-for-2, R, 2 SB (22), 2 BB, K
Broken record. I am not sure why he left the game. If you want some positive news for their struggling bonus baby, he has hit fairly well in July (.244/.358/.467; 1 double, 3 HR).
1B Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-1, K
DH Engelth Urena: 0-for-2, CS (2), 2 BB, K
RF Willy Montero: 0-for-3, BB, K
3B Juan Matheus: 0-for-2, RBI, 2 BB, K
LF Wilson Rodriguez: 2-for-4, SB (3)
Since promotion: 9-for-36 (1 double, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 6 R, 3-for-3 SB, 4 BB, 4 K)
1B-2B Hans Montero: 1-for-4, 3 K
2B Austin Green: 0-for-0, SB (8), BB
More broken records: I am not sure why he left the game.
PH-2B-SS Owen Cobb: 0-for-3, K
LHP Allen Facundo: 3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Facundo continues to hum. Tonight, he reached 99.7 MPH and averaged 96.4…with his sinker. His 4-seam fastball “only” reached 98.4. He also uses a slider (his top pitch tonight – 40%). Signed for an undisclosed amount, his main issue is health. Including tonight, he has tossed 121.1 innings in his career (which traces back to 2021). He has the talent – can he harness it and stay healthy?
RHP Gus Hughes: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Sean Hermann: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
1.96 ERA (41.1 IP, 24 H, 16 R, 9 ER, 0 HR, 27 BB, 35 K). One loves a reliever who can keep the ball in the ballpark. The walks have come down considerably since April, but remain something he needs to work on.
RHP Justin Lange (L, 1-1): 0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 2 HR
That didn’t go according to plan.
RHP Cade Austin: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
FCL (25-29 – they have no shot at the playoffs) (Lost to the FCL Tigers (35-20), 7-6)
DH Dexters Peralta: 2-for-5, R
After a miserable start (he was hitting .097 on July 1st), Peralta is 10-for-30 (.333). That’s enough to raise his average to .154.
C Ediel Rivera: 2-for-3, SB (9), CS (4), K
RF Luis Puello: 1-for-2, HR (3), 2 RBI, R
1B-C John Cristino: 3-for-5, HR (4), RBI, 2 R, SB (6)
Cristino is 30-for-90 (.333/.396/.544) with four homers, 16 RBI, and 20 runs.
LF Gabriel Lara: 2-for-4, R
.287/.326/.437 in 92 PA.
SS Kevin Verde: 2-for-4, 2B (5), 3 RBI
RHP Omar Gonzalez: 4 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 6 BB, 3 K
I think this is known as a “bend-don’t-break” performance/
DSL Yankees (14-20) (Lost to the DSL Bombers, 10-4)
CF Francisco Vilorio: 1-for-4, 2B (5), RBI, BB, 2 K
.279/.406/.327 in 128 PA (5 doubles, 0 HR, 12 RBI, 26 R, 5-for-6 SB)
SS Mani Cedeno: 0-for-3, R, 2 SB (7), 2 BB, 2 K
.176/.364/.235 in 132 PA (2 doubles, 2 triples, 0 HR, 8 RBI, 26 R, 7-for-8 SB). Reps, reps, reps.
2B Carlos Bello: 1-for-4, RBI, CS (2), BB
.260/.405/.438 in 121 PA (6 doubles, 1 triple, 3 HR, 23 RBI, 25 R, 7-for-9 SB). Impressive for a 17-year-old in his debut campaign.
3B Richard Matic: 2-for-3, R, 2 BB, K
.341/.475/.560 in 120 impressive plate appearances. How crazy is this league? Not only is Matic not in the top ten in any category, but there is a hitter at this level (Cristian Arguelles (COL)) who is hitting .463/.561/.720 with 12 doubles and 45 RBI in 33 games.
C Edgar Jimenez: 2-for-4, R, K
.324/.378/.441 in 37 PA.
DSL Bombers (17-17) (Knocked off the DSL Yankees, 10-4)
SS Stiven Marinez: 2-for-5, 2B (4), RBI, 2 R, SB (19), 2 K
Marinez is hitting .250/.431/.313 in 130 PA. This season will be considered a success for the 17-year-old.
CF Ruben Castillo: 2-for-4, 2B (5), 2 RBI, 2 R, SB (12), BB
Castillo’s debut season has its ups and downs. He has back-to-back multi-hit games to build on.
LF Jose Castro: 1-for-4, 2 R, 2 SB (10), BB, K
28-for-32 stealing bases in 50 career games.
C Carlos Villarroel: 0-for-2, R, 2 BB, 2 K
2B Juan Torres: 1-for-2, SF, 3 RBI, R, SB (10), BB
Torres is having an under-the-radar debut campaign, hitting .333/.398/.457 in 93 plate appearances. He is 17.
3B Leni Done: 0-for-3, RBI, SB (7), BB, 2 K
RHP Carlos Hampshire (W, 2-2): 3.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 3 K
RHP Diego Carrillo: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K