Notes:
Two significant minor league updates involving pitchers.
First, the bad news: RHP Luis Gil is on the 7-day injured list for Scranton. Injuries have always been a part of Gil’s story, but let’s hope he gets back on the mound quickly. Even with Gerrit Cole a while away, the Yankees still boast depth without Gil, with Elmer Rodriguez being the most notable.
Second, the good news: RHP Chase Hampton is (finally) back. He made his first appearance since August 10th, 2024. Due to another injury, he wasn’t asked to throw many innings that year either. For all intents and purposes, he hasn’t been a stretched-out starter since 2023. He is on a rehab assignment in Tampa.
Scranton (19-17) (Lost to Worcester, 8-3)
3B George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-4, R, SB (2), BB, K
SS Anthony Volpe: 1-for-4, 2B (2), RBI, R, SB (2), BB, 2 K
Yes, I have seen the various videos of his defensive non-wizardry. There is a mental part to this game that shouldn’t be underestimated. His career went from a standing ovation on his first Opening Day to where he is now. How would you handle that?
RF Yanquiel Fernandez: 1-for-4, 2B (5), R, BB, K
.254/.301/.500 in 136 PA.
2B Oswaldo Cabrera: 1-for-5, 2B (6), 2 RBI, K
From .154/.212/.256 on 4/23 to .217/.291/.333 now. He is on a 5-game hitting streak (10-game on-base streak)
DH Marco Luciano: 2-for-4, K
With Spencer Jones going to MLB, Luciano took his place here. Luciano finished his time in Somerset on a 9-game hitting streak (15-for-34), and he kept it going tonight. This is not his first Triple-A rodeo, as he played 226 games at this level before this season.
1B Seth Brown: 0-for-4, 2 K
C Ali Sanchez: 1-for-4, K
LF Jonathan Ornelas: 0-for-3, BB
CF Duke Ellis: 2-for-4, 2B (3), K
Ellis went from pinch-running specialist to everyday player (started when Jasson Dominguez was called up).
RHP Dom Hamel: (L, 1-5) 4.2 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 2 HR
If you haven’t done the Immaculate Grid today, Hamel scores well for Mets < 3.00 ERA.
RHP Carson Coleman: 0.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Dylan Coleman: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
5.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 7 K
RHP Rafael Montero: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
6.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 2 BB, 6 K
Somerset (14-16) (Defeated Reading, 6-5. They were down 5-1 after five innings, but no lead is safe against this crazy squad.)
CF Jace Avina: 2-for-5, HR (9), 2 RBI, R, K
Avina has a 9-game hitting streak (15-for-44; 5 doubles, 5 HR, 14 RBI, 11 R, 2 BB, 14 K). He has at least one run scored and one strikeout in each game during the streak.
RF Garrett Martin: 1-for-3, R, 2 SB (6), 2 BB, K
Martin is 10-for-34 with four home runs and four stolen bases in seven May games.
LF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-3, RBI, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 K
Castillo starts his season with a 13-game hitting streak (19-for-50; .380; 3 doubles, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 10 R, 10 BB, 9 K). He still has yet to attempt a stolen base.
3B Tyler Hardman: 2-for-4, HR (9), 2 RBI, R
Hardman has a 10-game hitting streak (20-for-39; 2 doubles, 6 HR, 16 RBI, 14 R, 5 BB, 9 K). Averaging 2+ hits during an extended hitting streak goes beyond just being “hot”.
1B Coby Morales: 0-for-3, BB, K
C Manuel Palencia: 1-for-4, RBI
C Abrahan Gutierrez: 0-for-4, K
2B Duncan Pastore: 2-for-4, R, 2 K
SS Owen Cobb: 1-for-3, SAC, K
RHP Jack Cebert: 5 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, HR
RHP Ben Grable: (W, 1-0) 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Between here and Hudson Valley: 12.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 2 BB, 23 K
RHP Kelly Austin: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
LHP Will Brian: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Chris Kean (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
2.70 ERA (13.1 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 HR, 3 BB, 19 K). He is pitching extremely well after a solid 2025 campaign with Hudson Valley (3.48 ERA in 41.1 innings).
Hudson Valley (16-14) (Defeated Winston-Salem, 3-2, thanks to a 2-run 9th inning)
SS Kaeden Kent: 1-for-3, RBI, BB, K
.333/.411/.500 in 129 PA (8 doubles, 1 triple, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 21 R, 9-for-10 SB, 15 BB, 20 K)
DH Core Jackson: 1-for-4, 2 K
1B Kyle West: 0-for-4, 2 K
C Eric Genther: 1-for-3, R, BB
3B Roderick Arias: 0-for-3, R, BB, K
RF Wilson Rodriguez: 1-for-3, BB, K
Rodriguez is 8-for-26 (.308) in May.
LF Josh Moylan: 0-for-4, K
2B Connor McGinnis: 2-for-3, 2B (3), 2 RBI, R, BB
McGinnis isn’t the most likely hero (baseball!), but he provided the walk-off two-run single with two outs.
CF Cole Gabrielson: 1-for-2, CS (4), K
PH-CF Camden Troyer: 0-for-1
RHP Rory Fox: 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, HR
7.23 ERA (23.2 IP, 27 H, 23 R, 19 ER, 4 HR, 11 BB, 28 K)
LHP Tanner Bauman: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
1.08 ERA (8.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 6 BB, 11 K).
RHP Brandon Decker: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
2.12 ERA (17 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 5 BB, 14 K)
RHP Jackson Fristoe: (W, 2-1) 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Tampa (15-16) (Defeated Ft. Myers, 6-2)
CF Luis Durango: 2-for-5, 3 RBI, 2 K
Durango has hit safely in all eight of his rehab games.
3B Jackson Lovich: 1-for-4, SB (4), CS (2), BB, 2 K
Lovich has a 5-game hitting streak (9-for-22).
2B Enmanuel Tejeda: 0-for-3, R, 2 BB, 2 K
Tejeda has a 24-game on-base streak.
RF Brando Mayea: 2-for-5, R, 2 SB (5), K
Entering tonight, Mayea was 2-for-23 in May.
DH Engelth Urena: 1-for-4, 2B (6), 2 RBI, R, K
Is he showing signs of his power? Urena has three doubles and a home run in his last five games.
SS Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek: 1-for-2, 2 R, SB (6), 2 BB, K
1B Hans Montero: 0-for-4, R, SB (10), K
CF Willy Montero: 2-for-4, K
C Ediel Rivera: 0-for-3, SF, RBI, 3 K
RHP Chase Hampton: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Hampton tossed 38 pitches (28 strikes). He tossed an even distribution (32%) of sweepers, cutters, and 4-seam fastballs, with the other 4% dedicated to his curve. He averaged 92.4 with his 4-seam fastball and generated six whiffs. Overall, an encouraging first rehab start.
RHP Brennan Stuprich: (W, 1-0) 3 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, HR
Stuprich’s second career appearance (4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 6 K last time out).
RHP Jose Martinez: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
1.65 ERA (16.1 IP, 13 H, 7 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 7 BB, 17 K)
LHP Pedro Rodriguez: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
9.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 15 K
FCL Yankees (4-1) (Lost a battle of the unbeatens to the Blue Jays, 4-3. The two teams agreed to play a 7-inning game)
1B Richard Matic: 2-for-4, RBI
Matic is 8-for-23 (.348) with a pair of doubles and three RBI.
3B Leni Done: 1-for-4, RBI, SB (4), 2 K
RF Wilberson De Pena: 1-for-3, 2B (4), BB
De Pena is off to a strong start (9-for-21 with four doubles, a triple, and a home run). He has hit safely in all five games.
CF Jose Castro: 2-for-3, R, SB (2), BB
C Justin Capellan: 1-for-4, 2 K
SS Dexters Peralta: 1-for-3, BB, K
LF Gabriel Lara: 1-for-4, R, 2 K
2B Luis Escudero: 0-for-3, K
DH John Cristino: 0-for-2, R
RHP Alexander Almonte (L, 0-1): 2.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 2 K
Almonte appeared on some Top 30 lists last winter, including mine.
RHP Sunayro Martina: 2.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Martina made it to Tampa last year, compiling a 7.88 ERA in 16 innings with a 13/17 K/BB.
RHP Austin Breedlove: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
As a college signee, he may not be here for long.