Midseason Review/New Top 30 Prospects
Notes:
The Yankees supposedly have checked in on RHP Zack Littell, who was released by the Arizona Diamondbacks. If the Yankees signed him, it would come ten years after the Yankees acquired him from the Mariners for James Pazos. He spent less than a year in the system before being included with Dietrich Enns in a deal for Jaime Garcia.
At the time the Yankees traded Littell, he was 14-1. After he was dealt to the Twins, he went 5-0 in Double-A to finish 19-1 with a 2.12 ERA in 157 innings.
Anyway, Littell has made a career for himself out of being a swingman, making 93 starts among his 260 appearances. This year, for the Nationals and Diamodnbacks, he owns a 5.21 ERA in 124.1 innings over 26 games (14 starts). It wasn’t that long ago that he had success, as he owned a 3.73 ERA (111 ERA+; 4.42 FIP) in 61 starts (343 innings) from 2024 to 2025.
That’s a lot of writing for a player they probably won’t even end up signing. I don’t see the point in signing him.
RHP Chase Hampton, who has struggled to regain his footing after coming back from injury, was activated off the Temporary Inactive list today.
Hey, Justin Topa is a good story. I am all for a good story. But this is comical incompetence by the front office. Again, their bullpen plan was an untested Carlos Lagrange, which is bad enough. What’s even worse is that he injured himself before the trade deadline. “Prices are too high!” Blah blah blah blah blah. I wasn’t asking for Mason Miller.
Scranton (66-59; 29-22 in the second half) (Lost to Worcester, 7-1)
2B Anthony Volpe: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
CF Jasson Dominguez: 1-for-4
Imagine what the reaction would have been if you declared back in 2023 that Volpe and Dominguez would be minor leaguers in 2026. Imagine the disdain when you also proclaimed that they would be struggling, as well.
C Mitch Garver: 0-for-3, BB, K
Garver is 5-for-28 since signing. I guess he wants to blend in with the MLB catching contingent.
DH J.C. Escarra: 1-for-3, R, BB, 2
3B Max Schuemann: 1-for-4, 2B (9), RBI, 2 K
SS Oswaldo Cabrera: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
LF Marco Luciano: 0-for-4, 3 K
RF Yanquiel Fernandez: 1-for-3, BB
1B Tyler Hardman: 1-for-3, SB (8), BB, K
RHP Adam Kloffenstein: (L, 3-10) 5 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
RHP Carson Coleman: 1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Oh, what could have been. Not quite as devastating as the Tim Norton story, but like Norton, Coleman had legitimate MLB talent before his shoulder injury. For those who don’t know who Norton is: In 2011, while pitching for Trenton, he posted a 1.55 ERA in 29 innings with a 44/8 K/BB. The Yankees were prepared to bring him up to New York but wanted to give him a “tune up” appearance in Scranton. He blew out his arm that night and never pitched again.
RHP Travis MacGregor: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
At this level: 8.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 10 K.
Somerset (66-57; 29-25 in the second half) (Defeated Akron, 8-6)
CF Jace Avina: 1-for-5, 2B (26), 2 RBI, R
Avina is 6-for-17 with six RBI in his last four games.
SS Roderick Arias: 1-for-5, HR (3), 2 RBI, R, 2 K
Arias has homered in two of his last three games. He has 15 home runs between here and Hudson Valley. In case you are wondering: Yes, they are using him more at SS since his promotion than they did in Hudson Valley. Some of that may be out of need, especially when Core Jackson was on the injured list.
C Omar Alfonzo: 0-for-3, R, BB, K
RF DJ Gladney: 2-for-4, R, SB (18), K
3B Coby Morales: 0-for-2, R, 2 BB
1B Josh Moylan: 1-for-4, HR (11), 2 RBI, R, K
Moylan hits his 24th home run (13 for Hudson Valley), tying him with Tyler Hardman and Garrett Martin for the organizational lead.
DH Manuel Palencia: 0-for-3, R, BB, K
2B Connor McGinnis: 1-for-3, R, HBP, K
LF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-2, 2 BB
RHP Chase Hampton: 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, HR
A much-needed performance for Hampton, who was struggling before his temporary leave.
RHP Chris Veach: (W, 1-1) 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR
Veach’s first appearance since June 13th. He pitched very well for Hudson Valley earler this season (0.63 ERA in 14.1 innings with a 25/4 K/BB) before his promotion here.
RHP Huey Morrill: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
RHP Kelly Austin: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Tony Rossi (S, 4): 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Hudson Valley (62-59; 32-25 in second half) (Lost to Brooklyn, 5-2)
SS Jackson Lovich: 1-for-3, RBI, SB (14), BB
Lovich has a 5-game hitting streak (6-for-17). Between here and Tampa, he owns a .288/.366/.504 triple slash over 473 PA.
CF Maika Niu: 0-for-4
1B Kyle West: 2-for-4, 3B (2), 2 K
C David McCann: 0-for-3, BB, K
DH Dean Toigo: 0-for-3, HBP, K
3B Hans Montero: 2-for-3, R, SB (4), BB
Montero is 11-for-34 (.324) since his promotion. Between here and Tampa, he has 39 stolen bases in 47 attempts.
2B Enmanuel Tejeda: 0-for-3, BB, K
LF Robbie Burnett: 0-for-4, 2 K
RF Camden Troyer: 1-for-3, 2B (16), RBI, R, BB, 2 K
LHP Pico Kohn: 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K
1.42 ERA (19 IP, 12 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 25 K). Kohn is performing well down the stretch after missing months due to injury.
RHP Jack Sokol: 0.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
RHP Luis Velasquez: 2.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
RHP Hansel Rincon: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Brady Kirtner: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Diomedes Hernandez: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
The catcher needed to come in to get an out.
Tampa (71-49; 36-18 in the second half) (Defeated Jupiter, 8-3. The Tarpons are on fire in the second half of the season)
SS Dax Kilby: 1-for-4, HR (3), 2 RBI, R, BB, 2 K
Kilby has 23 walks in 19 August games. He’s also 8-for-8 stealing bases. As for the home run, it was hit 105.6 MPH at 361 feet.
CF Wilberson De Pena: 1-for-5, RBI, 2 K
De Pena’s first game since August 16th.
DH Paul Contreras: 2-for-4, HR (1), SF, 2 RBI, R, SB (4)
Contreras launches his first professional home run. He hit 14 for Cal State – Fullerton in 2026.
SS Anthony Potestio: 0-for-3, 2 BB, K
LF Luis Puello: 0-for-5, K
RF Brando Mayea: 1-for-4, 2 R, 2 SB (12), BB, K
Mayea has hit safely in 23 straight starts.
1B Tyce Armstrong: 3-for-5, HR (3), 2 RBI, R, SB (2), 2 K
As I always say, it is never surprising when a college kid hits well at this level. However, you have to start somewhere as college kids who don’t hit well here are gone quickly. Anyway, the power bat out of Baylor has 3 doubles, 3 home runs, and 15 RBI in 15 games.
2B Luis Escudero: 1-for-3, 2B (9), R, BB, K
C Ediel Rivera: 1-for-3, RBI, 2 R, SB (6), BB, K
RHP Edinzo Marquez: (W, 2-2) 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
At this level: 4.57 ERA (21.2 IP, 22 H, 14 R, 11 ER, 3 HR, 8 BB, 22 K).
RHP Anthony Mena: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
At this level: 1.42 ERA (12.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 2 BB, 8 K)
RHP Jordarlin Mendoza: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
On a good note, the erratic Mendoza reached 99.8 MPH. He also throws sinkers in the upper 90s. The talent is there, but many great arms never gain the consistency needed. He has time.
RHP Greysen Carter: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
FCL Yankees (29-29)
Their season is over.
DSL Yankees (33-21 regular season; 0-2 in pool play)
Their season is over.
DSL Bombers (25-29-1)
Their season is over.