Midseason Review/New Top 30 Prospects
Notes:
Several draftees/non-drafted free agents have been assigned to Tampa and Hudson Valley. I will discuss them within the boxscores below.
Two Top 30 prospects were activated from the injured list: SS Core Jackson and LHP Pico Kohn. Kohn was placed on the 60-day injured list after his first professional start earlier this season.
The latest update to the Pipeline Top 30 has elevated recent teenage signing Chien-Fan Lai (25th) and 1B/3B Coby Morales (30th).
Nobody knows what will happen with George Lombard Jr. However, my first impression is that he looks like he belongs. He didn’t appear overwhelmed by the moment, and his defensive instincts were on point. A debut doesn’t define a career, but he was impressive.
Scranton (60-46; 23-9 in the second half) (Knocked off Rochester, 8-3)
C J.C. Escarra: 2-for-3, HR (7), 2 RBI, R, 2 BB
Escarra, who is hitting .330 with a 1.034 OPS, has seven home runs in 26 games. He has homered in three straight games.
2B Marco Luciano: 2-for-5, 2B (12), 2 R
Since he has MLB experience, he has opt-outs in his minor league contract. It is possible his agent hasn’t found a better situation. It’s also possible the Yankees are paying him relatively well. He has never hit in MLB. It is also fair to say that the 24-year-old has never hit this well in the minors, beyond 38 Arizona League games in 2019.
SS Oswaldo Cabrera: 2-for-5, RBI, R
The issue with Cabrera (and Jasson Dominguez when he reports) is that this level is already conquered. While Dominguez can work on every aspect of his defense and baserunning, there is nothing for Cabrera to “learn” down here. Anyway, Cabrera has a 7-game hitting streak.
RF Yanquiel Fernandez: 2-for-4, RBI, K
Fernandez has three multi-hit efforts in his last four games.
3B Tyler Hardman: 2-for-4, 2B (11), RBI, R
1B Ernesto Martinez Jr.: 0-for-3, BB
DH Christian Bethancourt: 1-for-4, 2 R
CF Duke Ellis: 1-for-4, 2B (9), 2 RBI, R, 2 SB (40), 2 K
Ellis has reached 40 stolen bases four times in the last five seasons (he only played 16 games the year he didn’t do it (2023)).
LF Kenedy Corona: 1-for-4, RBI, K
RHP Brendan Beck: (W, 9-2) 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 12 K
Before tonight, Beck struck out nine batters in a game five times. This is the first time he reached double digits. At this level: 2.69 ERA (110.1 IP, 80 H, 38 R, 33 ER, 9 HR, 33 BB, 118 K)
RHP Zach Messinger: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Brian Hendry: 0.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Rafael Montero: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Somerset (53-50; 16-17 in the second half) (Destroyed by Akron, 17-3)
CF Jace Avina: 2-for-4, RBI, R, BB, K
He has more walks (23) than strikeouts (20) in his last 28 games.
DH DJ Gladney: 2-for-5, 2B (19), 2 K
C Omar Alfonzo: 1-for-5, 2 K
Alfonzo’s first hit as a member of the Yankees’ organization. By the way, Alfonzo has a sad backstory, as his mother and sister died in the June 24th earthquake in Venezuela.
SS Roderick Arias: 1-for-5, RBI, CS (1), 2 K
Not only was he promoted, he was thrown into the shortstop position today. Arias, who the Yankees signed for $4 million in 2022, hasn’t lived up to his lofty expectations. However, he performed well in Hudson Valley this season (.271/.357/.441 (108 wRC+) with 12 home runs and 29 stolen bases). After the calendar flipped to June, he hit .339/.408/.590 (152 wRC+). However, the strikeout concerns didn’t subside, as he struck out 29.1% of the time during this stretch. Additionally, his BABIP was .448.
2B Connor McGinnis: 1-for-4, BB, 2 K
LF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-2, 2 R, 3 BB
The good news is that the walks continue to pile up. The bad news is that his overall offensive funk (16-for-97; 2 extra-base hits) has been hard for him to escape from.
3B Coby Morales: 1-for-5, 2B (20), K
The Pipeline scouting report wasn’t exactly bullish, but it did point out a change in his approach that has led to better results. Those results especially show up in his power output, as he owns a .492 SLG this season. In 2024, it was .320. In 2025, it was .355.
1B Josh Moylan: 1-for-3, RBI, BB, K
RF Luis Durango: 0-for-2, 2 BB
RHP Cade Smith (L, 5-7): 4 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
This has not been a fun season for Smith, who owns a 5.07 ERA over 87 innings (98 H, 50 R, 49 ER, 18 HR, 38 BB, 82 K). I wondered how he would perform once his insane HR rate normalized. The home run rate has predictably fallen, but the results are still inconsistent, at best.
RHP Harrison Cohen: 1 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
Entering the season, you could have made a solid case that Cohen was the organization’s top relief prospect. Relievers are fickle.
RHP Huey Morrill: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Matt Keating: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Michael Arias: 0.2 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Kelly Austin: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Finally, some sanity.
Hudson Valley (47-54; 17-20 in the second half) (Lost to Greenville, 12-6)
Outfielders Maika Niu (undrafted, Arkansas) and Dean Toigo (20th round, Arizona State) were assigned here but did not play tonight.
SS Core Jackson: 2-for-4, 2B (17), R, BB, K
His first game since July 25th. He hit .252/.358/.500 in July.
CF Jackson Lovich: 2-for-5, 2 RBI, 2 R, SB (3), 2 K
Lovich, who played center field for the second time this season, has hit safely in all seven games since his promotion (8-game hitting streak overall). With Jackson activated, will Lovich see more outfield time? His prospect stock jumps if he can develop into a capable center fielder.
DH Eric Genther: 1-for-4, 2B (16), R, BB, K
1B Kyle West: 3-for-5, HR (18), 2 RBI, R, SB (12)
West has 18 home runs in 98 games. He has also struck out 129 times.
2B Enmanuel Tejeda: 0-for-5, 2 K
RF Willy Montero: 1-for-3, RBI, SB (1), BB, K
LF Robbie Burnett: 0-for-3, SB (2), BB, 2 K
C Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-3, HBP, 3 K
3B Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek: 0-for-3, R, SB (1), BB, K
Martin-Grudzielanek was promoted here today from Tampa. For the Tarpons, he hit .275/.384/.425 in 404 PA. He went 34-for-42 stealing bases.
LHP Franyer Herrera (L, 5-4): 3.1 IP, 3 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 4 K, HR
4.70 ERA (76.2 IP, 67 H, 47 R, 40 ER, 14 HR, 42 BB, 89 K). He hasn’t been sharp lately, and you wonder if he is getting tired (previous high in innings was 49.1 in 2024).
RHP Andrew Landry: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Jackson Fristoe: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
RHP Thomas Balboni Jr.: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, HR
RHP Jack Sokol: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Tampa (59-43; 24-12 in the second half) (Lost to Clearwater, 5-2)
SS Dax Kilby: 0-for-2, R, 2 BB
Kilby is pretty much picking up where he left off from last season. If not for injury, he might have made it to Hudson Valley as a teenager this year. Maybe it is still possible?
RF Wilberson De Pena: 0-for-3, K
CF Yostin Pena: 2-for-4, SB (2), 2 K
Pena is 7-for-22 (three multi-hit games) with a triple since his promotion. He has yet to draw a walk (13.7% rate in the DSL)
LF Paul Contreras: 1-for-4, RBI, SB (1), K
His official name is Paul Gutierrez-Contrares II, but Baseball Reference goes with the less cool version. He was the Yankees 4th round pick out of Cal State Fullerton, where he hit .346/.441/.633 with 14 homers in 230 PA.
C Bear Harrison: 1-for-4, 3B (1), R, K
The catcher with a cool name was drafted in the 5th round out of Texas A&M. Want a fun fact? He hit zero triples in 140 collegiate games.
3B Hans Montero: 1-for-4, RBI, K
1B Tyce Armstrong: 0-for-4, 2 K
Out of Baylor, the Yankees drafted Armstrong in the 19th round. He showed off some power in 2026, hitting .338/.484/.757 with 24 home runs in 258 PA.
2B Blake Cyr: 1-for-3
Cyr was the Yankees’ 18th round pick out of Florida. In 2026, he hit .316/.398/.591 with 14 home runs in 255 PA. He also has experience in the outfield.
DH Luis Puello: 0-for-2, BB, K
RHP Sabier Marte: (L, 0-1) 3.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 2 HR
Since promotion: 4.80 ERA (15 IP, 17 H, 12 R, 8 ER, 5 HR, 7 BB, 10 K)
RHP Rafael Arias: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
The 22-year-old makes his full-season debut. Savant shows he averaged just shy of 95 MPH with his fastball/sinker.
RHP Josh Tiedemann: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Austin Breedlove: 1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
RHP Jose Martinez: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
3.27 ERA (44 IP, 43 H, 20 R, 16 ER, 4 HR, 20 BB, 51 K (26.98%))
FCL Yankees (29-29)
Their season is over.
DSL Yankees (26-18) (Destroyed the DSL Rockies, 15-6. This game was called due to rain in the 8th)
CF Isaias Castillo: 1-for-3, 2B (15), RBI, 3 R, 2 BB, K
The Yankees had a big day, but Castillo’s double was their lone extra-base hit.
LF Luis Cruz: 1-for-4, RBI, 3 R, 2 BB
SS Stiven Marinez: 4-for-5, 3 RBI, R, 2 SB (32), CS (6)
His first professional 4-hit effort. He is hitting .317/.454/.530 in 205 PA. Last year at this level, he hit .275/.424/.375 in 205 PA. A nice improvement for the kid, who will make it the FCL in 2027 at the age of 19 (turns 19 on August 20th).
2B Juan Torres: 2-for-4, 4 RBI, 2 R, SB (22), BB
Torres ties his personal best for RBI in a game (4th time he’s done it). In 90 career games at this level: .360/.429/.568 (31 doubles, 3 triples, 10 HR, 95 RBI, 75 R, 34-for-46 SB). “So you are saying he is a legitimate prospect?” Answer: As much as a DSL hero can be a legitimate prospect, yes.
DH Juan Martinez: 2-for-5, R
1B Stalen Ramirez: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, BB, K
RF Alfiery Matos: 2-for-5, RBI, 2 R
3B Abrahan Pichardo: 1-for-3, 2 R, 2 BB
RHP Dalvin Taveras (W, 2-0): 5 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, HR
DSL Bombers (20-24-1) (Tied with DSL Colorado, 4-4. This game was stopped after eight innings due to rain)
CF Ruben Castillo: 1-for-4, 2B (3), SB (5), CS (2)
DH Alessandro Rodriguez: 2-for-3, 2B (8), R, BB, K
RF David Carrera: 1-for-3, HR (8), RBI, R, BB, K
Carrera’s home run in the bottom of the 8th clinched the tie.
3B Germayhoni Beltre: 1-for-4, R, 2 SB (20)
The 17-year-old (won’t be 18 until January) is hitting .260/.410/.336 in 166 PA during his debut campaign.
LHP Junior Tavera (T, 1-4-1): 4.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K
Thought I would have fun with this.