Notes:
Nobody likes to see “Aaron Judge” and “shoulder injury” in the same sentence, but here we are. If the injured list is in his future, Spencer Jones is the obvious replacement.
RHP Carlos Lagrange being moved to the bullpen makes sense, whether it is permanent or not. If the goal is for him to impact the Major League bullpen soon, he has to get ready for that. Four of Lagrange’s 67 minor league appearances have come out of the bullpen, and it is possible (probable?) that those were “piggyback” appearances.
Can his velocity tick up higher out of the bullpen? It’s possible, though he already maxes out at 103 MPH. Being a reliever should allow him to maintain that velocity, though.
I have seen the news about potential trade targets and the usual “untouchable” prospects. Yawn. Anyone is available for the right player. Analyzing those players requires a separate post, but my initial thoughts are: No to CJ Abrams, yes to Ryan Jeffers, and yes to Adley Rutschman, though I can’t imagine the Orioles trading him to the Yankees even if they do put him on the market.
In former prospects news, the Royals have promoted RHP Beck Way. Way was one of the three pitchers the Yankees sent to the Royals for OF Andrew Benintendi at the 2022 trade deadline and will be the first of the group to make an MLB appearance. A starter in the Yankees’ organization, he was moved to the bullpen permanently by the Royals in 2024.
Scranton (29-27) (Defeated Syracuse, 6-5)
3B George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-3, RBI, R, 3 BB, K
Lombard owns a 20.4% BB at this level.
CF Spencer Jones: 2-for-4, RBI, R, 2 BB, K
I don’t see a reason for the Yankees to “shut down” Jones while they await more news on Judge.
SS Oswaldo Cabrera: 1-for-3, 2 SF, 2 RBI
Productive Outs!
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-5, 2 K
DH Seth Brown: 2-for-5, 2B (5), RBI, 3 K
C Payton Henry: 0-for-2, K
PH-C Ali Sanchez: 0-for-2, BB
RF Ernesto Martinez Jr.: 2-for-4, HR (10), RBI, 2 R, BB
Would they consider Martinez Jr. instead of Jones? I doubt it. That said, it is interesting that this is his professional debut in right field (571st game). He has limited experience in left and center field. As I said, doubtful.
PR Duke Ellis: 0-for-0, SB (25)
Ellis has stolen 57 bases in a season twice. This year, he is 25-for-26.
2B Jonathan Ornelas: 2-for-4, R, CS (3), BB, K
Ornelas has hit all season, following up his .375/.434/.583 April with a .305/.380/.427 May.
LF Kenedy Corona: 1-for-3, R, 2 BB
RHP Dom Hamel: (W, 2-7) 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Danny Watson: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
2.73 ERA (26.1 IP, 19 H, 14 R, 8 ER, 2 HR, 8 BB, 33 K)
RHP Yovanny Cruz: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
Cruz hit 99.5 MPH. He owns a 2.61 ERA over 20.2 innings with a 29/11 K/BB.
RHP Carson Coleman: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Rafael Montero (S, 2): 0.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
He was more of an arsonist than a fireman tonight, as he allowed two inherited runners to score.
Somerset (27-25) (Defeated Harrisburg, 4-3)
CF Jace Avina: 0-for-2, R
This is not the way you wish to see a 29-game on-base streak to end. I have no idea why he was pulled from the game. I saw video of him scoring a run the inning before he was pulled, and nothing seemed off. However, logically speaking, something *was* off.
1B Miguel Palma: 1-for-2, RBI, BB, K
RF-CF Garrett Martin: 3-for-4, 2B (10), HR (17), RBI, R, BB, K
Martin reaches double digits in doubles (10), home runs (17), and stolen bases (11). This is the third season in a row where he has accomplished that feat.
1B-RF Nicholas Torres: 0-for-5, RBI, R, SB (3), 2 K
LF DJ Gladney: 1-for-4, 2B (8), RBI, K
DH Jackson Castillo: 0-for-4, 2 K
C Manuel Palencia: 1-for-2, CS (1), 2 BB
2B Connor McGinnis: 0-for-4, K
3B Kevin Verde: 2-for-4, 2B (1), K
SS Owen Cobb: 1-for-4, R, 2 K
He’s done a nice job in his utility role, hitting .272/.300/.400 with 20 RBI in 134 PA.
RHP Trent Sellers: (W, 2-1) 6.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, HR
LHP Will Brian: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Ben Grable (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Grable is putting his little 2-game slump in the rearview mirror. Since those two games: 4.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 9 K. Between here and Hudson Valley, he owns a 31/5 K/BB over 18.2 innings.
Hudson Valley (23-28) (Lost to Frederick, 7-3)
2B Kaeden Kent: 0-for-5, RBI, K
SS Core Jackson: 3-for-5, 2B (8), RBI, R, SB (12), K
Jackson has surged since coming off the Injured List. He is 8-for-19 with two doubles and three home runs.
DH Eric Genther: 0-for-5, 4 K
1B Kyle West: 1-for-2, 2B (8), SF, RBI, BB, K
RF Wilson Rodriguez: 0-for-4, K
3B Roderick Arias: 1-for-4, R, 2 K
C Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-1, R, HBP, 2 BB
.210/.364/.410 in 132 PA. He owns a 16.7% BB and his strikeout rate is a reasonable 20.5%.
LF Josh Moylan: 0-for-4, 4 K
CF Camden Troyer: 0-for-2, 2 BB
RHP Bryce Cunningham: (L, 0-3) 3.1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 3 K, 2 HR
6.43 ERA (21 IP, 16 H, 16 R, 15 ER, 5 HR, 16 BB, 27 K).
RHP Andrew Landry: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
RHP Thomas Balboni Jr.: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Aaron Nixon: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
LHP Tanner Bauman: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Tampa (26-26) (Crushed Palm Beach, 12-1)
SS Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek: 2-for-4, 3B (1), HR (7), 2 RBI, 2 R, BB, K
.280/.391/.458 in 202 PA. He has five home runs in his last 11 games
3B Hans Montero: 2-for-3, HR (7), 3 RBI, 2 R, SB (14), 2 BB, K
Montero has 13 multi-hit efforts this season. He has spent a lot of time at this level and probably deserves his Hudson Valley shot this season.
DH Luis Puello: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K
LF JoJo Jackson: 1-for-3, R, 2 BB
RF Willy Montero: 2-for-3, 2 2B (8), 3 RBI, 2 R, SB (10), 2 BB
Montero has a 10-game hitting streak (15-for-39).
C Engelth Urena: 1-for-5, HR (3), 2 RBI, R, K
Urena has three doubles and two home runs in his last eight games.
CF Luis Durango: 0-for-4, R, BB, K
1B Austin Green: 0-for-4, R, BB
2B Luis Escudero: 0-for-3, 2 R, BB, K
RHP Thatcher Hurd: 4.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
We didn’t get any Savant data during his Tampa debut. Tonight, we have it. He featured four pitches (4-seam fastball, cutter, curve, slider), generating three whiffs. His 4-seam fastball (used 61% of the time) generated 13 called strikes and averaged 92.5 MPH (94 MPH max). Your reminder that he missed 2025 due to Tommy John surgery and has only thrown 18.1 innings thus far.
RHP Luis Velasquez: (W, 1-0) 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Velasquez’s rehab was moved here from the FCL.
LHP Justin West (S, 1): 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
From now on, this kind of save will be referred to as a “Yarbrough”.
FCL Yankees (12-11) (Defeated the Blue Jays, 4-3. The Blue Jays fall to 17-6)
Dax Kilby did not play. It is valid to be concerned, as he hasn’t played since his first rehab game on Thursday.
1B Richard Matic: 1-for-4, R, SB (8), K
Matic has reached base safely in all 23 of his games this season.
CF Wilberson De Pena: 0-for-4, 3 K
De Pena is 0-for-8 in June (.395/.451/.765 in May).
DH Queni Pineda: 1-for-4, RBI, K
3B Leni Done: 1-for-3, 2B (3), SB (9), BB, 2 K
LF-RF Estivenzon Montero: 1-for-3, BB
SS Dexters Peralta: 2-for-3, R, BB, K
C Justin Capellan: 1-for-3, CS (2), BB, K
2B Christofer Reyes: 0-for-2, R, BB, K
RF Isael Arias: 0-for-2, K
PH David McCann: 1-for-1, HR (3), 3 RBI, R
McCann’s 3-run home run with one out in the bottom of the 7th turned a 3-1 deficit into a 4-3 lead. The manager is a genius!
LF Gabriel Lara: 0-for-0
RHP Blake Gillespie: 5.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, HR
Between here and Tampa: 3.79 ERA in 35.2 IP with 31 hits allowed and a 39/11 K/BB.
RHP Brian Arias: 1 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
RHP Austin Breedlove (W, 1-0): 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
Solid overall job, though he did allow two inherited runners to score.
DSL Yankees (1-1) (Lost to DSL Mets Blue, 15-14. They were leading 9-0 after four innings and 14-10 entering the top of the 9th)
In a game like this, I have no choice but to type up the full lineup!
CF Isaias Castillo: 4-for-6, 2B (2), 3B (1), HR (1), 4 RBI, 3 R, K
The $750,000 signing hits for the cycle!
DH Stiven Marinez: 1-for-3, RBI, 3 R, SB (1), 3 BB
RF Yostin Pena: 3-for-5, 2B (3), 3 RBI, R, BB, K
The 18-year-old’s first two games have gone well.
SS Juan Torres: 2-for-6, 2B (1), 2 RBI, K
Torres’ first professional game at shortstop (27 games at second base, 17 games at third base). His massive 2025 debut season included 14 multi-hit efforts.
C Cesar Lopez: 1-for-6, 2B (1), RBI, R
3B Abrahan Pichardo: 1-for-2, R, 2 SB (2), 4 BB, K
Pichardo’s first professional hit.
1B Edgar Jimenez: 0-for-5, RBI, 3 K
This is the 19-year-old’s third DSL campaign.
2B Emmanuel Orozco: 1-for-3, RBI, 2 R, BB
LF Kendry Diaz: 1-for-3, 3 R, SB (1), BB
The 17-year-old makes his professional debut.
RHP Sebastian Rivas: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
The 17-year-old makes his professional debut. He signed for $30,000.
DSL Bombers (0-2) (Lost to DSL Miami, 9-3)
DH Daniel Santana: 1-for-3, 2B (1), 2 RBI, K
The 18-year-old makes his professional debut.
SS Mani Cedeno: 1-for-3
2B Adrian Feliz: 2-for-3, HR (1), RBI, 2 R
The 17-year-old hits his first professional home run (25th game).
LHP Junior Tavera (L, 0-1): 3.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 5 K, HR
The 19-year-old’s third DSL season. He has struggled thus far.