Midseason Review/New Top 30 Prospects
Notes:
This could be my final 2026 report. Rain is probable in Scranton tomorrow.
If it is my final report, thanks to everyone for reading all year. If it isn’t my final report, I will say the same thing tomorrow. I am working on my annual “Where are they now?” post, which is popular for some reason.
Scranton (78-68; 41-31 in the second half) (Defeated Jacksonville, 6-5, in ten innings. The “Manfred Man” scored on a wild pitch to win it. Note: I hate the bonus runner in MLB, but feel it makes sense in the minors)
LF Jarred Kelenic: 1-for-5, 3 K
It’s silly to think about now, but Kelenic’s peak prospect value was higher than Pete Crow-Armstrong‘s. Before 2021, Baseball America ranked Kelenic 4th. Crow-Armstrong’s peak was 18th before 2024. Try to figure out baseball prospects.
DH Jasson Dominguez: 0-for-3, R, HBP, 2 K
Dominguez will be “on call” for the Yankees next week. I assume a pitcher will come up as the “29th man” for the Tampa doubleheader, but I wouldn’t rule out Dominguez.
C J.C. Escarra: 2-for-4, HR (11), 2 RBI, R, BB, K
September: 25-for-67 (.373) with a double and 2 home runs. He entered the month hitting .275. He’s now hitting .302.
2B Marco Luciano: 0-for-5, K
1B Yanquiel Fernandez: 0-for-3, 2 R, 2 BB, K
3B Tyler Hardman: 2-for-5, HR (15), RBI, 2 R, K
Hardman has homered in back-to-back games, raising his total to 28 between here and Somerset.
CF Duke Ellis: 3-for-5, SB (60)
The last two Yankees’ prospects to reach 60 stolen bases were Jorge Mateo (82 in 2015) and Justin Christian (68 in 2006).
RF Kenedy Corona: 1-for-4, 2B (13), RBI, K
SS Connor McGinnis: 1-for-3, SF, RBI
RHP Alexander Cornielle: 3.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 4 K, HR
At this level: 3.10 ERA over 72.2 innings with a 74/41 K/BB. He got off to a late start due to an injury.
RHP Zach Messinger: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Messinger had a successful campaign, compiling a 3.34 ERA over 72.2 innings (47 H, 30 R, 27 ER, 7 HR, 34 BB, 70 K). The hit total is insane. As you probably guessed, his BABIP was low.
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
Reyzelman surged late. He has thrown 11.1 scoreless innings in his last eight appearances.
RHP Eli Morgan: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Chris Kean: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
At this level: 4.82 ERA over 28 innings (24 hits, 17 R, 15 ER, 6 HR, 8 BB, 30 K).
RHP Justin Topa: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
RHP Edinson Duran: (W, 1-1) 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
If this is the last game of the season, how funny is it that their final “pitcher” is a catcher who spent most of the season on the Development List? Over the last two seasons, Duran has played five games behind the plate. He has made eight appearances on the hill. I can’t find anything that suggests they are converting him into a pitcher. However, he did throw a 91.1 MPH pitch tonight. He is not your typical “break glass in case of emergency” guy.
Somerset (74-64; 37-32 in the second half)
Their season is over.
Hudson Valley (65-65; 35-31 in the second half)
Their season is over.
Tampa (79-52 regular season (43-20 in the second half); 3-2 in playoffs)
Their season is over.
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.