Yankees MILB 8/23: Ben Hess Ks 9

Notes:

Trade analysis links:
Jose Caballero/Camilo Doval (link)
David Bednar/Jake Bird (link)
Ryan McMahon (link)
Amed Rosario (link)
Austin Slater (link)

My thoughts on Core Jackson.

No other news today.

Injury Log


Scranton (73-49; 35-15 in second half) (Defeated Buffalo, 10-3)

Syracuse has fallen two games behind the pace (33-17) while Toledo (31-19) has surged past Indianapolis (30-20). These are the four teams currently in the mix for the second-half title. Whoever has the best record will take on Jacksonville for the International League championship for a spot in Las Vegas to play the PCL winner for the overall Triple-A title.

2B Jorbit Vivas1-for-5, RBI, R, K
DH J.C. Escarra2-for-5
CF Spencer Jones1-for-5, HR (16), 2 RBI, R, 2 K
Jones has 16 HR in 198 PA for Scranton (16 in 208 PA for Somerset) and is again at the top of the minor league leaderboard (Ryan Ward (LAD) and 20-year-old Lazaro Montes (SEA) have 31). He has hit safely in six of his last seven games (8-for-30; 2 doubles, 2 HR). 
1B T.J. Rumfield1-for-4, R, K
LF Brennen Davis2-for-3, 2 HR (9), 3 RBI, 2 R, K
Davis has launched nine home runs in 18 games at this level and 14 home runs in 32 games overall. This is his second multi-home run effort in his last five games (though the other game was on June 21st!)
   LF Bryan De La Cruz0-for-1, K
RF Jose Rojas0-for-4, R
   RF Duke Ellis0-for-0
3B Jeimer Candelario1-for-3, HR (6), 2 RBI, 2 R, BB, K
Canderlario has homered in back-to-back games.
C Omar Martinez1-for-4, HR (1), RBI, R
Martinez launches his first Triple-A home run (12th overall). 
SS Andrew Velazquez1-for-4, R, 2 K

RHP Brendan Beck: (W, 7-1)  5 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
At this level: 4.64 ERA (54.1 IP, 46 H, 28 R, 28 ER, 11 HR, 16 BB, 44 K). Overall, he has tossed 108.2 innings after entering 2025 with only 34 innings to his name (2023). As a fun sidenote, he is tied for the overall minor league lead with 12 wins. Will a healthy season make him more enticing in the 2025 Rule 5 draft, if he isn’t protected or traded?
RHP Allan Winans: (S, 1): 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
1.25 ERA (79 IP, 59 H, 14 R, 11 ER, 2 HR, 22 BB, 86 K)


Somerset (62-57; 27-23 in second half)  (Won a big game against Hartford, 5-3. They take a 1.5-game lead in the second-half standings)

LF Brendan Jones0-for-5, K
SS George Lombard Jr.1-for-2, 2 R, 2 BB
At this level: .212/.332/.346 in 383 PA (17 doubles, 4 triples, 6 HR, 25 RBI, 58 R, 18-for-21 SB, 13.1% BB, 25.1% K). 
CF Jace Avina2-for-3, HR (3), 2 RBI, 2 R, HBP
Avina’s first blast since July 22. 
3B Dylan Jasso1-for-2, 2B (16), RBI, R, K
Jasso left the game early. He made a defensive play in the top of an inning before being pinch-hit for in the bottom half of the inning.  Related? No idea.
   PH-2B Duncan Pastore1-for-2, 2B (2)
1B Tyler Hardman1-for-3, 2 RBI, BB, 2 K
RF Jackson Castillo1-for-4, K
DH Coby Morales1-for-4
2B-3B Jake Gatewood0-for-4, 3 K
C Tomas Frick2-for-4, 2B (2)

RHP Ben Hess: (W, 1-1) 5 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 K
Since promotion: 2.70 ERA (20 IP, 12 H, 8 R, 6 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 24 K). This is his fourth 9-strikeout game this season (first for Somerset). Hess can put himself on the radar for a 2026 MLB debut. 
LHP Geoffrey Gilbert2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Gilbert makes his Double-A debut. 
RHP Mason Vinyard1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Michael Arias (S, 1): 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, HR


Hudson Valley (71-44; 33-18 second half) (Lost to Jersey Shore, 8-3)

DH Dillon Lewis0-for-4, R, K
SS Kaeden Kent2-for-4, 2 RBI, R, K
Kent’s first multi-hit game as a professional.
3B Juan Matheus1-for-4, 2B (6), RBI, K
Matheus’ 29th double between here and Tampa (he has 37 stolen bases)
1B Josh Moylan1-for-4, 2 K
LF Tyler Wilson0-for-4, K
CF Camden Troyer3-for-4
Troyer, their 12th-round pick out of Liberty, compiles his first career 3-hit game. He is 11-for-34 (.324) with a double, four walks, and only two strikeouts.
2B Connor McGinnis0-for-4, 2 K
RF Robbie Burnett1-for-3, R, K
C John Cristino0-for-3, 2 K

RHP Andrew Landry: (L, 2-3)  4.1 IP, 7 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 5 BB, 3 K, HR
RHP Jack Cebert1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Their 15th-round pick in the 2025 draft (Texas Tech) makes his professional debut.
RHP Chris Kean1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Tony Rossi1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
At this level: 2.18 ERA (33 IP, 14 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 0 HR, 22 BB, 43 K). In his debut campaign, he hasn’t allowed a homer in 40.2 innings.


Tampa (56-60; 20-31 in the second half)

Their game against Fort Myers was postponed. They will try to play a doubleheader tomorrow.


FCL (28-30)

Their season is over.


DSL Yankees (24-32)

Their season is over.


DSL Bombers (31-25)

Their season is over.