Midseason Review/New Top 30 Prospects
Notes:
While not a minor league note, it is likely that RHP Kaima Taira is the next Japanese sensation heading to MLB.
Taira throws hard, but is known more for his wide selection of pitches.
A few things complicate his posting:
- The looming lockout (he will want to sign an MLB contract before the lockout begins);
- The potential for a salary cap.
The second one is especially intriguing, since Taira is considered as one of the top pitchers on the market. While he has several years of experience in Japan, he will only be 27 years old when the 2027 season begins. Hence, he is in line for a significant contract. Signing him for north of $20M/year would certainly have salary cap implications if a cap is instituted. I may be underestimating his potential deal, as a bidding war is on the table. If teams factor in a potential cap (which comes with a floor), smaller markets could jump into the competition. Adding a $25M pitcher makes it easier for teams to get close to the floor.
Where do the Yankees fit in?
The Yankees have been aggressive with Japanese talent recently, but have come up short. They are heavily involved in the teenage market in the region, signing one talent with another one due to sign in January.
While a starting pitcher is not high on the wish list, the Yankees will be involved.
Also rumored to be coming to the states are 3B/OF Teruaki Sato and RHP Hiromi Itoh. The left-handed hitting Sato has hit 75 home runs in 262 games over the last two seasons.
With the success of Munetaka Murakami, will teams be more aggressive with a talent like Sato? Murakami’s strikeout issues have limited his batting average (.210) but he has 31 home runs, a .349 OBP, and a 120 OPS+. Yes, it is safe to say he is a “three outcomes” hitter.
The Yankees would only be interested in Sato if third base were in play. They don’t need another left-handed 1B/DH.
Scranton (74-64; 37-27 in the second half) (Lost to Rochester, 7-3. Rochester improves to 39-27. Worcester is 36-28. Indianapolis (37-28) is down 5-0 early against Omaha)
LF Jarred Kelenic: 1-for-4, BB, 2 K
3B Max Schuemann: 2-for-4, 2 3B (2), 2 R, BB
A two-triple game is always fun (despite his speed, he has only two triples in 759 MLB plate appearances).
C J.C. Escarra: 1-for-4, BB, 3 K
Escarra has an 11-game hitting streak (19-for-43).
2B Marco Luciano: 0-for-4, RBI, R, BB, K
RF Yanquiel Fernandez: 2-for-4, RBI, 2 K
Fernandez is 11-for-32 in September.
SS Oswaldo Cabrera: 1-for-4, RBI, 2 K
Cabrera has a 10-game hitting streak.
1B Ernesto Martinez Jr.: 1-for-3, BB, K
DH Tyler Hardman: 0-for-4, 3 K
CF Duke Ellis: 1-for-4, 2 K
RHP Elmer Rodriguez: (L, 8-4) 4.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
Rodriguez cruised through four innings before poor defense contributed to a rough fifth inning. He can partially blame himself, as he made one of the two errors that contributed to the big inning.
RHP Hayden Merda: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K
RHP Eli Morgan: 0 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 0 K
RHP Zach Messinger: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Messinger did his job, allowing only a sacrifice fly after entering the game with the bases loaded and nobody out.
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Justin Topa: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Somerset (72-63; 35-31 in the second half) (Defeated Hartford, 3-0)
SS Core Jackson: 2-for-4, 2B (4), CS (2), K
Jackson is 11-for-38 in September (.289/.325/.421).
CF Jace Avina: 0-for-4, 2 K
3B Coby Morales: 1-for-4, K
Morales has a 10-game hitting streak (12-for-37).
1B Josh Moylan: 3-for-4, HR (16), RBI, 2 R
Hardman has an extra week of games, but Moylan is putting some distance on him in the home run race. He has 29 between here and Hudson Valley, while Hardman is stuck at 26.
DH DJ Gladney: 3-for-4, 2 SB (21)
Gladney joins the organization’s 20/20/20 club (24 doubles, 23 HR, 21 SB). Others in the 2026 club are Jackson Lovich, Coby Morales, and Wilberson De Pena.
LF Jackson Castillo: 2-for-4, 2 K
C Manuel Palencia: 0-for-4, RBI, R, K
2B Connor McGinnis: 1-for-3, 2B (11), RBI, K
RF Luis Durango: 1-for-3, SB (9), K
Durango’s 45th stolen base between here, Hudson Valley, and Tampa. He would have likely cleared 50 if not for an injury.
RHP Rory Fox: (W, 2-1) 7.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K
One thing I have noticed about Fox is that he has games where he is very efficient. This is his fourth start where he lasted 7+ innings and ninth start where he lasted 6+ innings. He finishes his debut season with a 4.36 ERA over 130 innings (130 H, 76 R, 63 ER, 14 HR, 34 BB, 131 K). He made 15 appearances (14 starts) with Hudson Valley before finishing his campaign with eight appearances (seven starts) for Somerset.
RHP Tony Rossi: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Rossi stranded a pair of runners to preserve Fox’s big effort. Since promotion: 2.70 ERA (33.1 IP, 25 H, 12 R, 10 ER, 2 HR, 9 BB, 43 K)
RHP Chris Veach (S, 3): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Hudson Valley (65-65; 35-31 in the second half)
Their season is over.
Tampa (79-51; 43-20 in the second half; 2-0 in playoffs) (Defeated Clearwater, 7-5, to sweep the series)
The Tarpons will face off with Jupiter for the Florida State League title. The best-of-3 will be played out on Sunday/Tuesday/Wednesday.
SS Dax Kilby: 1-for-4, 2B (1), R, K
CF Yostin Pena: 2-for-4, 2B (1), RBI
His game-tying double in the 8th traveled 412 feet at 100 MPH. The video shows a ball that was smoked to the deepest part of the ballpark (Steinbrenner Field has the same dimensions as Yankee Stadium).
RF Wilberson De Pena: 1-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, R
After Pena hit his game-tying double, De Pena launched a tiebreaking 2-run home run (101.8 MPH/382 feet).
LF Paul Contreras: 1-for-3, HR (1), 2 RBI, R
As stated at the end of the regular season, 2026 draftees have been a big part of Tampa’s surge.
PH-LF Brando Mayea: 0-fo-1
3B Anthony Potestio: 1-for-3, R, BB, K
C Bear Harrison: 1-for-4, 2B (1), R, K
1B Tyce Armstrong: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, K
Armstrong’s 2-run single in the top of the 9th provided the much-needed insurance (Clearwater scored two runs in the bottom of the 9th). He compiled 23 RBI in 21 regular season games (Yankees’ 19th round pick out of Baylor).
DH Diego Castellanos: 1-for-4, R, K
2B Luis Escudero: 0-for-4, K
RHP Ty Boudreau: 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 9 K, HR
Boudreau pitches a gem in his return from the IL (he was on the list for only seven days). During the regular season, the 23-year-old pitched to a 3.29 ERA over 106.2 innings (71 hits, 45 R, 39 ER, 9 HR, 40 BB, 118 K).
RHP Rafael Arias: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
LHP Pedro Rodriguez: (W, 1-0) 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Greysen Carter: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Carter was pumped up for the playoffs, topping out at 101.4 MPH (six pitches were thrown at 100+ MPH).
RHP Matthew Tippie: 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 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.