Yankees MILB 6/11: Josh Grosz Ks 10

News:

OF Christopher Familia‘s rehab is over. He reported to High-A Hudson Valley today. IF Enmanuel Tejeda‘s rehab is also complete, and he is back in Tampa (though he didn’t play tonight).

Scranton (39-25) (Rocked Rochester, 10-0)

2B Jorbit Vivas: 1-for-3, 2 RS, 2 BB
For Scranton: 9-for-51 with 11 walks (five walks in his last two games)
SS Oswald Peraza: 3-for-5, HR (1, grand slam), 4 RBI, RS, K
Peraza badly needed this night. I hope he can build from here.
CF Jasson Dominguez1-for-5, RBI, RS
All singles result in the runner reaching first base. However, they are special when they are hit 111.6 MPH. It isn’t just that Dominguez is hitting – it is that he is hitting the ball hard, which indicates his arm is fine when it comes to swinging the bat. The throwing? It’s likely not quite there yet, but it shouldn’t be long. It is beyond encouraging that he is playing full games in the field. 
C Ben Rice2-for-4, RS, BB
Since joining Scranton: 10-for-22 (3 doubles, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 8 R, 6 BB, 6 K). He has four games at C and 2 at first base. I keep saying catching = more value while 1B = present/future MLB need. If the Yankees had “near future” plans for a promotion, would he not receive more first-base reps?
DH Carlos Narvaez0-for-5, 2 K
1B T.J. Rumfield4-for-5, HR (5), 2 RBI, 3 RS
With Scranton: .299/.354/.454 in 192 PA (12 doubles, 5 HR, 31 RBI, 28 R). His last four games: 10-for-20, 3 doubles, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 7 R. Rumfield is a potential option, even without traditional first-base power.
RF Oscar Gonzalez1-for-5, RBI, RS, K
LF Taylor Trammell2-for-5, 2B (7), RBI, 2 K
3B Jeter Downs2-for-4, RBI, RS, BB

RHP Yoendrys Gomez(W, 2-2) 5.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K
2.79 ERA (42 IP, 25 H, 14 R, 13 ER, 4 HR, 23 BB, 48 K). I think Gomez has some trade value, but remember that this is his last option year. If a team looks to acquire him, they believe he will be on the MLB roster for 2025 and beyond. That isn’t an unrealistic expectation. Do I think the Yankees would trade Gomez? For the right piece, yes. 
RHP Duane Underwood Jr.1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
Underwood Jr. stranded two Gomez baserunners in the 6th.
RHP Art Warren: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Phil Bickford1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K


Somerset (28-30) (Lost to Binghamton, 6-3)

CF Spencer Jones0-for-2, RS, 2 BB, 2 K
.226/.311/.376 in 212 PA. In June, he is 9-for-36 with a double, triple, 3 HR, and 12 RBI. 
C Agustin Ramirez1-for-4, RS
When do you know a prospect is having a great season? Answer: When you look at “1-for-4, RS” and feel disappointed.
SS Ben Cowles2-for-4
.315/.385/.505 in 231 PA (20 doubles, 3 triples, 4 HR, 31 RBI, 32 R, 9-for-9 SB, 9.6% BB, 17.3% K). Is this “real”? I like the reduction in the strikeout rate. It stands out if you reduce your K% as you move to a higher level.  Cowles is 24 years old. In 2014, at 23, Rob Refsnyder hit .318/.387/.497 (18.2% K) between Double-A/Triple-A. Refsnyder isn’t a star but has carved out a decent career. No two players are alike – I am trying to give you a reference point.
RF Grant Richardson1-for-4, 2B (14), RBI, 2 K
.268/.328/.427 in 174 PA (14 doubles, 1 triple, 3 HR, 25 RBI, 20 R, 6.9% BB, 25.9% K). Richardson got off to a hot start but has slowed down lately. Maybe tonight jump starts him again.
1B J.C. Escarra0-for-4, K
DH Elijah Dunham0-for-4, 3 K
LF Jared Wegner0-for-4
2B Anthony Seigler0-for-2, BB
3B Max Burt0-for-3, RS

RHP Bailey Dees5 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 9 K
Dees’ 11th straight start where he has allowed 3 earned runs or less (every start since his first one). He owns a 3.59 ERA in 62.2 IP (54 H, 29 R, 25 ER, 7 HR, 22 BB, 68 K). His move to the rotation has gone as well as the Yankees could have ever imagined.
RHP Carlos Gomez2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
RHP Jesus Liranzo: (L, 1-1)  0.2 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, HR
The HR was a big one – a grand slam.
RHP Luis Velasquez0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K


Hudson Valley (30-27) (Mauled Brooklyn, 13-4)

2B Roc Riggio0-for-4, RS, BB, 2 K
SS Jared Serna: 1-for-4, RS, SB (8), BB, K
Serna has a 5-game hitting streak (8-for-21, 5 doubles)
C Jesus Rodriguez: 3-for-5, 3B (4), 3 RBI, 3 RS
Rodriguez is hitting .335/.417/.517 in 235 PA. He owns five 3+ hit games and 21-multi-hit efforts. In 79 High-A games overall going back to 2023, he is at .341/.432/.522 (347 plate appearances). Rodriguez is a hitting machine and I can’t wait to see how he fares in the upper levels.
1B Rafael Flores1-for-2, 2 RS, 3 BB, K
.318/.429/.503 in 182 PA. He has 616 High-A plate appearances over the last two years, so I think he will make his Somerset debut in the not-so-distant future. I will note that Flores played in four FCL games and skipped Low-A Tampa.
3B Tyler Hardman2-for-3, RS
   3B Beau Brewer2-for-2, 4 RBI, RS
Not bad for someone who didn’t start the game…
CF Jace Avina2-for-5, 3 RBI, RS
Avina was in a slump.  Hopefully, this ends that slump.
DH Omar Martinez2-for-5, RBI, K
.236/.386/.401 in 197 PA. 
RF Garrett Martin1-for-4, RBI, RS, BB, K
LF Christopher Familia1-for-4, 2 RS, BB
I hope Familia makes his Somerset debut this season.

RHP Jackson Fristoe3.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 3 K
Fristoe was coming off of a strong outing last time out. His inconsistency isn’t unexpected – hopefully, with time, the consistency will come. He owns a respectable 3.58 ERA in 32.2 IP, but has walked 26 batters.
RHP Cole Ayers1.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
2.31 ERA (35 IP, 27 H, 12 R, 9 ER, 1 HR, 9 BB, 41 K). 
RHP McKinley Moore1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Matt Keating2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
3.06 ERA (35.1 IP, 22 H, 13 R, 12 ER, 3 HR, 15 BB, 41 K)
LHP Joel Valdez1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
2.83 ERA (28.2 IP, 18 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 1 HR, 12 BB, 31 K). 2023: 10 HR allowed in 78.2 IP. Every other year, combined: 3 HR allowed in 158 IP.


Tampa (22-36) (Defeated Clearwater, 9-7, in 10 innings. Tampa had a 7-0 lead heading to the bottom of the 9th. Clearwater scored 7 to tie it)

2B George Lombard Jr: 2-for-6, 2B (8), 3 RBI, 2 K
Lombard Jr. needed a big hit and got it. He only has 8 extra-base hits in 40 games – I am hoping things start clicking as we approach the second half of 2024.
SS Roderick Arias0-for-6, RBI, 2 SB (16), 3 K
Hopefully, this is one bad night after a string of good ones. 
3B Dylan Jasso2-for-4, RBI, RS, 2 BB, K
CF Jackson Castillo0-for-4, 2 BB, 2 K
DH Hans Montero0-for-5, 3 K
RF Willy Montero2-for-5, 2B (11), HR (4), RBI, 2 RS
Montero is on a 7-game hitting streak (14-for-29 (.483; 4 doubles, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 8 R)). While he hasn’t walked this month, he also has only four strikeouts.
1B Coby Morales1-for-5, RS, SB (13), 2 K
C Tomas Frick0-for-1, 3 RS, 3 BB, HBP
About as productive as an 0-for-1 night can be.
LF Daury Arias1-for-2, 2B (6), 2 RS, 3 BB
Last 6 games: 7-for-14 (3 doubles, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 8 R, 8 BB)

RHP Josh Grosz: 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 10 K
Pure dominance. Grosz had a 12-strikeout performance earlier this season, but he allowed 4 runs (2 earned) in that one. He threw 48% four-seamers (95.5 MPH max/93.9 MPH average), 32% sliders, 18% change-ups, and 2% sinkers. Like many youngsters, consistency is needed. 
RHP Osiel Rodriguez2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
1.98 ERA (27.1 IP, 12 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 4 HR, 14 BB, 33 K). I have to assume his Hudson Valley debut is coming in 2024.
RHP Montana Semmel: (W, 4-3) 1 IP, 6 H, 7 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR
Not the way one wishes to “win” a game.
RHP Steven Fulgencio: (S, 1)  1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K


FCL (16-11) (Leading the Phillies, 4-1, in the 4th inning. This game was suspended and will be finished on 6/18. I won’t report on it today)


DSL Yankees (2-5) and DSL Bombers (3-3)

The DSL Bombers defeated the DSL Yankees, 7-1

Yankees:

3B Richard Matic: 1-for-2, 2 BB, K
7-for-16 with seven walks.
2B Geyber Blanco
2-for-3, 2B (2), RS
SS Jelson Coca: 0-for-2, 2 SB (2), BB, 2 K
Coca is an 18-year-old right-handed bat.

LHP Marco Manzano3 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
The 6’3″ Manzano is 20, but this is his debut season.

Bombers:

CF Francisco Vilorio0-for-3, RS, BB, 2 K
5-for-17 with a triple and 3 runs batted in.
DH Queni Pineda3-for-4, 2B (2), RBI, 2 RS, SB (1)
5-for-15 with a pair of doubles and a homer.
2B Luis Escudero1-for-2, 3B (1), 2 RBI, 2 RS, 2 SB (6), BB
The 18-year-old has a stat line we see often in the DSL. He is a modest 2-for-7 but has walked 10 times (58.9% rate!) and stolen six bases.
1B Remy Veldhuisen2-for-2, RS, CS (1)
His first two career hits – congrats!  He is a 19-year-old left-handed bat.

LHP Franyer Herrera3.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K

 

Yankees MILB 6/10: Joel Mendez Homers Twice

News:

Nothing.

Scranton (37-25)

Scheduled day off.


Somerset (28-29) 

Scheduled day off.


Hudson Valley (29-27)

Scheduled day off.


Tampa (21-36) 

Scheduled day off.


FCL (16-11) (Lost a pitching duel to the Phillies, 11-10)

CF Brando Mayea0-for-5, RS, 2 K
.250/.342/.297 in 73 PA. Mayea slugged .400 in his debut season for the DSL squad last year, so pop does exist. It hasn’t shown itself yet in 2024.
SS Enmanuel Tejeda2-for-4, 2B (2), RBI, SB (2), BB
I wonder if he will join Tampa for Tuesday’s contest.
C Edgleen Perez3-for-5, 3B (1), RS, K
.286/.462/.429 in 93 PA. 
1B Josue Gonzalez1-for-5, HR (5), 2 RBI, RS, K
Gonzalez is second in the FCL with 5 homers.
DH Antonio Gomez2-for-4, 2 2B (2), RS, BB
I am not sure where Gomez will land once his rehab is done.
2B Abrahan Ramirez: 2-for-5
Ramirez is second in the FCL in batting average (.361).
LF Brian Sanchez2-for-3, 2 2B (8), BB
Sanchez is first in the FCL in batting average (.369), SLG (.646), OPS (1.120), and doubles (8).
RF Joel Mendez3-for-3, 3B (2), 2 HR (4), SF, 5 RBI, 3 RS, BB
Mendez has homered in three straight games; this is his first career multi-HR effort. He is 21 years old and played two seasons in the DSL (this is his second year in the FCL).
3B Luis Ogando2-for-5, 3B (1), RBI
.286/.340/.500 in 47 PA.

RHP Omar Gonzalez3 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, HR
RHP Hansel Rosario3 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K


DSL Yankees (2-4) and DSL Bombers (2-3)

The DSL Yankees defeated the DSL Bombers, 2-0.

The Bombers:

CF Francisco Vilorio1-for-4, 2 K
The 17-year-old bonus baby is 5-for-14 with a triple and 3 RBI in his debut season.
C Queni Pineda1-for-3, 2B (1)
The 17-year-old is 2-for-11 with five runs and five walks in his debut season.
SS Christofer Reyes0-for-3, 3 K
Reyes is only 16. He is 3-for-11 with five walks.
RF Richard Meran0-for-2, BB, 2 K
The 17-year-old was a $100,000 signing during the 2023 international signing period.
2B Luis Escudero0-for-1, SB (4), 2 BB, K
Escudero is an 18-year-old switch-hitter.
LF Browm Martinez1-for-3, CS (1), K
3B Kevin Verde0-for-2, BB
DH Jesus Marquez1-for-3, 2B (1)
Marquez’s first professional hit. The 17-year-old is listed as a catcher, though he hasn’t played the position yet (only three games).
1B David Beckles0-for-2, BB

LHP Junior Tavera (L, 0-2): 2.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, HR
RHP Alexis Paulino3.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K

The Yankees:

SS Dexters Peralta0-for-3, 3 K
3-for-17 with three stolen bases for the 16-year-old switch-hitter. Peralta is 6’1″.
3B Richard Matic0-for-3, 3 K
The 16-year-old bonus baby is 6-for-14 with five walks.
DH Justin Capellan1-for-3, 2 K
The 17-year-old catcher (he has three starts behind the plate) is a $450,000 signee. He is 3-for-12.
CF Gabriel Lara2-for-3, HR (1), RBI, RS
One surprising aspect of Lara’s 2023 season was his pop, as he slugged .411 with four home runs.  He is known more for his elite speed.
LF Isael Arias0-for-2, BB, K
RF Louis Pierre0-for-1, RS, SB (1), 2 BB
C Luis Puello0-for-2
2B Geyber Blanco1-for-2, 2B (1), RBI, K
The 17-year-old (he turns 18 tomorrow) was impressive at this level in 2023, hitting .313/.391/.433 in 133 plate appearances. 
1B Johan Contreras0-for-2

RHP Edinzo Marquez3.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K
RHP Christopher Vasquez (W, 1-0): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
Vasquez pulls out a win in his professional debut.
RHP Richard Jimenez (S, 1): 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K


 

Yankees MILB 6/9: Jasson Dominguez Goes Crazy

News:

Nothing.

Scranton (37-25) (Defeated Norfolk, 12-11, in ten innings)

2B Jorbit Vivas0-for-2, RS, 3 BB, 2 K
He hasn’t hit much yet, but he does have 9 walks in 59 PA for Scranton (15.3%).
SS Oswald Peraza0-for-4, RS, BB, K
CF Jasson Dominguez: 4-for-5, HR (2), RBI, 2 RS, SB (1)
A couple of firsts for Dominguez’s rehab today: The first time he has played a full game in the field and played the field in back-to-back games. It’s his 5th career 4-hit effort and he is 10-for-20 (3 doubles, 2 HR) since joining Scranton. Yes, these are signs that Dominguez is close and may not need a second 10-day rehab extension (if that doesn’t happen, they will need to add him to the 40-man roster and decide on his placement).
   LF Taylor Trammell0-for-0, SF, RBI
Trammell wins it with a sac fly in the 10th. Yes, technically this means Dominguez didn’t play a full game. That is semantics, as he played nine. 
1B Ben Rice1-for-4, 2B (3), 2 RBI, RS, BB, 3 K
For Scranton: 8-for-18 (3 doubles, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 7 R, 5 BB, 6 K)
C Carlos Narvaez0-for-4, RS, BB, K
DH T.J. Rumfield2-for-5, 2 2B (12), 2 RS, K
Before his HR spurt last year, high average with doubles appeared to be Rumfield’s game. He has 12 doubles in 43 games since his promotion.
RF Oscar Gonzalez2-for-5, 2 RS, K
LF Jose Rojas3-for-4, HR (11), 5 RBI, RS, K
Rojas has 11 homers and 39 RBI in 44 games.
  LF-CF Greg Allen0-for-1
3B Jeter Downs2-for-5, 3B (3), RBI, RS, K
.248/.347/.476 in 174 PA.

LHP Tanner Tully: (W, 2-4)  5 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, HR
RHP Matt Sauer0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
Sauer will need time to get into a groove. The Yankees may be “reprogramming” him as well (who knows what the Royals were teaching him and if it lined up with what the Yankees want him to do?)
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Yerry De Los Santos1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
3.45 ERA (28.2 IP, 35 H, 19 R, 11 ER, 4 HR, 11 BB, 22 K)
LHP Anthony Misiewicz1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
LHP Clayton Andrews (W, 1-3): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K


Somerset (28-29) (Defeated Hartford, 4-2)

CF Spencer Jones1-for-4, HR (6), RBI, RS, K
Jones has three homers in his last four games. He is hitting .228/.308/.380 in 208 PA. Interestingly, despite not hitting well, Jones compiled 15 walks in May. In eight June games, he has walked once. A more aggressive approach is not necessarily a bad thing as there is such a thing as being too selective.
1B Agustin Ramirez0-for-4
.276/.368/.566 in 228 PA (10 doubles, 1 triple, 15 HR, 41 RBI, 40 R, 12-for-13 SB, 12.3% BB, 16.7% K). Do you keep him behind the plate, where he has more value? Or do you drop the catching and have him concentrate on first base, where there is a future (and current) MLB need? That decision will be made by someone smarter than me.
3B Ben Cowles1-for-3, SB (9)
Somerset had only 6 hits and 1 walk in eight innings. Hence, only the first two hitters received 4 plate appearances. As for Cowles: .311/.383/.505 in 227 PA (20 doubles, 3 triples, 4 HR, 31 RBI, 32 R, 9-for-9 SB, 10.1% BB, 17.6% K). He hasn’t walked in ten games but is making contact and swatting doubles. We’ll take it.
LF Grant Richardson1-for-3, RS
C J.C. Escarra0-for-3, 2 K
DH Jared Wegner0-for-3, K
2B Anthony Seigler2-for-3, 2B (9), HR (6), 2 RBI, 2 RS
Seigler has 6 homers in his last 8 games. His season high is 7, set in 2022 (97 games). He is hitting .208/.278/.396 in 158 PA. That shows you how crazy baseball is – there wasn’t even a small hint that this streak was bubbling under the surface. 
RF Aaron Palensky1-for-3, RBI
SS Alexander Vargas0-for-3, K

RHP Gerrit Cole4.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, HR
Cole can’t even get deep enough to qualify for a win.
RHP Danny Watson0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
They needed a bridge to Messinger, who they didn’t want to bring into the middle of an inning. In other words, don’t be worried about Watson’s short afternoon.
RHP Zach Messinger: (W, 3-3) 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
3.50 ERA (64.1 IP, 51 H, 36 R, 25 ER, 5 HR, 20 BB, 74 K). How valuable is it for Messinger to “piggyback” off of Cole’s starts (he has relieved both of Gerrit’s rehab appearances)? Hopefully, he has peppered him with questions as Cole is a known pitching savant.


Hudson Valley (29-27) (Defeated Wilmington, 8-2)

2B Roc Riggio3-for-6, 2B (7), 2 RBI, 2 RS, SB (8)
A much-needed performance for Riggio, who raises his average from .201 to .213 in one day. 
SS Jared Serna2-for-5, 2B (17), RBI, 2 RS, K
Serna has five doubles in his last four games and 45 doubles (30 home runs) in 177 games in 2023-2024. 
3B Jesus Rodriguez2-for-4, 2 RBI, BB
.328/.413/.505 in 230 PA (12.6% BB, 13.0% K). He needs to buy signage outside of “prospect expert” headquarters stating “Look at me! Look at me!”
C Rafael Flores2-for-5
Flores has 7 multi-hit efforts in his last 11 games. He is hitting .315/.418/.497 in 177 PA (I will point out that he played a full season (107 games) here in 2023)
DH Tyler Hardman: 1-for-4, RBI, RS, 3 K
CF Jace Avina1-for-5
Avina’s high BABIP wasn’t going to be sustained. He is 3-for-30 in June but is hitting .273 with a .808 OPS.
RF Garrett Martin0-for-3, RS, 2 BB, 2 K
1B Josh Moylan1-for-3, RS, 2 BB, 2 K
LF Nelson Medina0-for-3, RBI, RS, 2 BB, 3 K

RHP Cam Schlittler4.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 9 K, HR
2.15 ERA (50.1 IP, 26 H, 19 R, 12 ER, 5 HR, 25 BB, 65 K). The 9 strikeouts are a new personal best.
RHP Trent Sellers:(W, 5-2)  1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Mason Vinyard1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
Wow. Season: 2.76 ERA (16.1 IP, 11 H, 10 R, 5 ER, 2 HR, 6 BB, 25 K
LHP Joel Valdez 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K


Tampa (21-36) (Doubled up Ft. Myers, 8-4)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-4, RS, HBP, 2 K
.208/.360/.268 in 186 PA (7 doubles, 1 triple, 0 HR, 13 RBI, 20 R, 15-for-16 SB, 17.7% BB, 23.1% K). I believe the power will come, but it will take time.
DH Roderick Arias1-for-3, 2B (9), RS, 2 BB, K
.224/.328/.379 in 250 PA (9 doubles, 6 triples, 4 HR, 31 RBI, 32 R, 12.4% BB, 35.2% K, 14-for-21 SB).  Arias is 13-for-35 in June with 2 doubles, 2 triples, and 2 home runs. That is more extra-base hits than he had in May (at the end of May, his OPS was .570 – now it’s .707). As for his splits: 8-for-45 without an extra-base hit against LHP and .237/.356/.432 vs. RHP. 
RF Christopher Familia1-for-4, 2B (1), RBI, RS, BB
1B Dylan Jasso0-for-2, SF, RBI, RS, 2 BB, K
CF Jackson Castillo1-for-5, 2B (10), RS, K
.271/.401/.451 in 167 PA. On May 5th, his slash line was .156/.283/.267. When you have a kid who is hitting and can play center field, you pay attention.
3B Hans Montero1-for-5, RBI, RS
RF Willy Montero1-for-4, RS, SB (7), K
6-game hitting streak (12-for-24, so this isn’t a garden variety streak!). He has increased his triple slash from .182/.250/.241 to .222/.278/.320.
C Tomas Frick: 2-for-3, 2B (7), HR (2), 2 RBI, RS, BB
.289/.395/.423 in 114 PA (7 doubles, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 15 R, 11.4% BB, 14.9% K). Frick is a 23-year-old college draftee (North Carolina), so he can move up to Hudson Valley when the organization starts doing the promotion thing.
2B Brenny Escanio2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 K

RHP Cade Smith: (W, 3-4) 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 11 K (ties personal best)
2.85 ERA (53.2 IP, 38 H, 23 R, 17 ER, 2 HR, 24 BB, 68 K). Smith threw his slider 42 times (50%), generating 15 whiffs. He mixed in a 4-seamer (36%) and curve (13%). A singular changeup was also recorded.
LHP Rafelin Nivar: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
RHP Ocean Gabonia1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Gabonia’s ERA is 5.00, but he has started off well in June: 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 K
RHP Aaron Nixon1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Kris Bow0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K


FCL (16-10)

Sundays are off days.


DSL Yankees (1-4) and DSL Bombers (2-2)

Sundays are off days.

 

Yankees MILB 6/8: Jasson Dominguez Goes Yard

News:

I want Anthony Rizzo to start scorching and hit 20 home runs the rest of the way. Why wouldn’t I? That helps my favorite team win the World Series.

However, 2024 is not going his way. Is it because of his 2023 concussion? His age? A combination? I don’t know. In April Rizzo hit .258/.321/.417 with five homers and 15 RBI. While this isn’t elite first base production, he still helped the offense as Aaron Judge went through a brutal slump.

His production has cratered in May/June, leading to a legitimate concern at first base.

The solution is not easy, and I won’t claim otherwise. Ben Rice is scorching the ball in Somerset/Scranton, leading to fans calling for him to take some at-bats in MLB. It’s a lot like the backup QB in the NFL – when the starter isn’t playing well, the unknown backup becomes the most popular player on the team. While this is a smaller scale, it’s similar: When an MLB player isn’t performing, fans instantly look towards the prospects as a solution. Just like how teams value their backup QB, we don’t know what the Yankees feel about Rice. Don’t take “reports” seriously – the front office isn’t going to talk down a prospect.

When does an organization “pull the plug”? When do they decide if Rice is worth trying out vs. looking at trade options? That’s not as easy of a question to answer as you think. You are replacing a well-regarded veteran with a track record, not Willie Calhoun or Franchy CorderoIt’s a delicate situation but a team should always do what helps the team win, even if it requires a tough conversation/decision.

I am writing this as tonight’s Yankees-Dodgers game is on. If Anthony Rizzo hits a game-winning home run, you can thank me later.

Scranton (36-25) (Defeated Norfolk, 10-7, walk-off style)

3B Jorbit Vivas0-for-5, 2 K
The Yankees are giving him a little playing time at third base (4th game). 
SS Oswald Peraza: 1-for-3, RBI, RS, CS (1), 2 BB, 2 K
Maybe this is the game that gets him going. It’s been a slog.
CF Jasson Dominguez: 2-for-4, 2B (3), HR (1), RBI, RS, K
Since joining Scranton: 6-for-15, 3 doubles, 1 HR, 3 K. The bat looks good – he’s hitting the ball hard and getting results. However, he has yet to play a full game in the field. One assumes that hurdle will be cleared, but the Yankees won’t rush him. They may even ask for a second 10-day rehab extension (you can ask for up to three).
  RF Taylor Trammell1-for-1, 2B (6), RBI, RS
Tonight’s replacement for Dominguez hit a game-tying double in the bottom of the 9th.
C Ben Rice0-for-3, RS, 2 BB, 2 K
Between here and Somerset: .278/.400/.567 in 236 PA (11 doubles, 15 HR, 33 RBI, 42 R, 15.3% BB, 20.8% K, 9-for-9 SB)
1B T.J. Rumfield2-for-5, 2B (10), RS, K
For Scranton: .280/.341/.415 in 182 PA (10 doubles, 4 HR, 29 RBI, 23 R)
DH Oscar Gonzalez0-for-3, RBI, 2 RS, SB (2), 2 BB, K
RF-CF Greg Allen2-for-4, HR (3), 4 RBI, 2 RS, SAC, K
Allen hit the game-winning 3-run home run with two outs in the 9th off of old friend Matt Krook.
2B Josh VanMeter1-for-3, RS, BB
LF Elijah Dunham1-for-4, RBI, 2 K

LHP Edgar Barclay5.2 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 8 K, 3 HR
6.51 ERA (56.2 IP, 61 H, 44 R, 41 ER, 13 HR, 32 BB, 55 K). The Triple-A environment hasn’t been kind to him over the last two years. 
RHP Art Warren1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Cody Morris: (W, 4-0)  2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K


Somerset (27-29) (Defeated Hartford, 4-1)

CF Spencer Jones1-for-4, K
.228/.309/.367 in 204 PA. I can’t wait until the SLG gets over .400!
C Agustin Ramirez1-for-4
If he can’t hit three home runs every night, what good is he?
SS-3B Ben Cowles0-for-4, K
LF Grant Richardson1-for-3, RS
1B J.C. Escarra1-for-3, RS
3B Jordan Groshans1-for-2, RBI, RS
   SS Alexander Vargas1-for-1, CS (3)
RF Jared Wegner0-for-3, K
2B Anthony Seigler1-for-3, HR (5), 3 RBI, RS
Seigler has five home runs in his last 7 games. Please don’t ask me to explain it. By the way, since I have been asked: He is seemingly done as a catcher. He hasn’t played the position this season.
DH Aaron Palensky1-for-3, CS (3), K

LHP Brock Selvidge: (W, 5-4) 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
3.07 ERA (58.2 IP, 44 H, 27 R, 20 ER, 3 HR, 30 BB, 57 K). It is all about bringing those walks down.
RHP Kevin Stevens1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
LHP Ryan Anderson1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Jack Neely (S, 6): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
2.15 ERA (29.1 IP, 21 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 2 HR, 10 BB, 48 K). He is putting up ridiculous numbers.


Hudson Valley (28-27) (Split a doubleheader against Wilmington)

Game 1 (Won, 4-0)

CF Jace Avina0-for-4, K
SS Jared Serna1-for-4, 2B (14), RS, K
DH Jesus Rodriguez2-for-4, 3B (3), RBI, RS
Rodriguez’s 19th multi-hit effort this season (51 games).
1B Tyler Hardman0-for-4, 2 K
C Omar Martinez0-for-4, K
LF Garrett Martin1-for-3
3B Josh Moylan0-for-1, RS, 2 BB
RF Nelson Medina2-for-2, RS, BB
2B Beau Brewer1-for-2, 2B (3), 2 RBI, BB

LHP Ben Shields: (W, 2-2) 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 8 K
At this level: 3.11 ERA (37.2 IP, 28 H, 15 R, 13 ER, 3 HR, 7 BB, 47 K). Toss out his appearance in Scranton – they needed an arm and he was available. He was not ready for that level/offensive environment.
RHP McKinley Moore1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
His stint in the FCL is over, and now he is placed in Hudson Valley. The Yankees are trying to unlock a big-time arm with big-time control issues. It’s a worthwhile project.

Game 2 (Lost, 4-2)

2B Roc Riggio1-for-4, RS, K
SS Jared Serna3-for-4, 2 2B (16), RS
A nice 3-double evening for Serna, who is hitting .262/.367/.495 in 251 PA. He has seven 3-hit efforts this season.
C Jesus Rodriguez1-for-3, 2B (14), RBI, BB, K
.325/.409/.505 in 225 PA (14 doubles, 3 triples, 5 HR, 27 RBI, 35 R). He is 9-for-28 (.321) in June. Yes, his solid start to June has brought his batting average down.
1B Rafael Flores1-for-4, RBI
.313/.419/.500 in 172 PA. He is 11-for-26 in June.
RF Jace Avina0-for-4, 3 K
DH Omar Martinez1-for-3
3B Kiko Romero1-for-3, K
CF Cole Gabrielson0-for-2, BB
LF Kyle Battle0-for-3, 2 K

RHP Blane Abeyta: (L, 0-1) 5 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
RHP Cole Ayers1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
1.87 ERA (33.2 IP, 23 H, 10 R, 7 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 40 K). He will be in Somerset when they start promoting players.


Tampa (20-36) (Lost to Ft. Myers, 8-5)

2B George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K
SS Roderick Arias2-for-5, HR (4), 2 RBI, 2 RS, 2 K
Arias is 11-for-32 in June (three straight multi-hit games) with five extra-base hits (1 double, 2 triples, 2 HR) and 12 runs batted in. He had five extra-base hits in the entire month of May. He is still struggling as a right-handed hitter and the strikeouts haven’t gone away, but this is encouraging. Hopefully, he keeps it going.
LF Christopher Familia: 2-for-5, 3B (1), HR (2), 2 RBI, RS, 2 K
This is no surprise. Wake me up when the rehab is over and he gets to Hudson Valley and (eventually) Somerset.
DH Max Burt1-for-4, SB (2), K
CF Jackson Castillo0-for-2, 2 BB
.273/.407/.453 in 162 PA (9 doubles, 1 triple, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 24 R, 31 BB, 31 K, 9-for-12 SB)
3B Hans Montero0-for-4, K
RF Willy Montero2-for-4, 2B (10), HR (3), RBI, RS, K
Both hits were scorched, with the home run traveling 402 feet. Montero is on a 5-game hitting streak (11-for-20, 3 doubles, 2 HR) and is up to .221 with a .600 OPS (Before the hitting streak, he was hitting .182 with a .491 OPS). As I said last night, Montero is a prospect -probably leans more “lottery ticket” like most teenagers.
1B Coby Morales1-for-3, RS, SB (12), BB
C Edinson Duran1-for-4, 2B (4)

RHP Luis Serna5.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K
4.50 ERA (46 IP, 35 H, 23 R, 23 ER, 2 HR, 14 BB, 54 K). He pitched to a 2.19 ERA in May. His first June start wasn’t great (4.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R), but he followed that up nicely this evening. He used a 6-pitch mix tonight (42% changeups; 23% sinkers; 22% sliders; 7% cutters; 4% curveballs; 2% 4-seamers). He is only 19 (20 in July).
RHP Montana Semmel0.2 IP, 2 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
RHP Cade Austin0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Steven Fulgencio1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Oscar Silverio1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
Silverio is typically a catcher, but this is his 4th career pitching appearance.


FCL (16-10) (Defeated the Tigers, 5-3)

CF Brando Mayea0-for-3, K
I usually highlight only the best stuff from the FCL, but Mayea deserves a daily update!
2B Enmanuel Tejeda2-for-3, 2B (1), RS
His rehab seems to be going well. It shouldn’t be much longer until he is back in Tampa.
1B Josue Gonzalez1-for-2, 2B (5), RBI, RS, BB
3B Abrahan Ramirez2-for-3, 2B (4), RS
.358/.494/.537 in 86 PA. He has 7 multi-hit games (22 games played)
LF Joel Mendez1-for-1, HR (2), 3 RBI, RS, BB
Mendez has homered in back-to-back games.

RHP Danny Flatt2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, HR
2.33 ERA (19.1 IP, 15 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 9 BB, 27 K). The 20-year-old should make his Low-A debut this season.
RHP Eric Reyzelman2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
5.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 9 K. He is still on his rehab assignment – once done, he should report to Tampa.
RHP Sunayro Martina (W, 1-1): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Chris Kean (S, 1): 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
Kean’s first career save – congrats! He owns a 3.12 ERA in 8.2 IP (3 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 15 K). He should be among the first players moved up to Tampa once the “mass promotions” begin (or the FCL season ends!)


DSL Yankees (1-4) and DSL Bombers (2-2)

The DSL Yankees lost a doubleheader to DSL Miami.

DH Edgar Jimenez hit a 2-run homer in a 3-2 loss in Game 1. Listed as a catcher, this was the 17-year-old’s second career game… SS Dexters Peralta singled and stole his third base.
RHP Jorge Luna: 3.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K.

CF Isael Arias hit a double, drove in a run, and scored twice in a 4-3 Game 2 loss…C Luis Puello went 2-for-3…
RHP Michell Chirinos4.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K

The DSL Bombers split a doubleheader with the DSL Marlins.

In a 9-2 Game 1 win, C Queni Pineda launched his first career home run (3rd game)…3B Kevin Verde doubled twice, stole two bases, and brought home four. Verde (18) hit .258/.316/.433 in 31 games during his 2023 debut season…2B Luis Escudero singled, walked three times, and scored a pair of runs. He added two stolen bases…
16-year-old RHP Enixon Sanchez, in his professional debut: 2.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K…17-year-old RHP Chaury Gomez recorded two outs in his professional debut.

In a 3-1 Game 2 loss, RF David Carrera (triple), C Carlos Villarroel (single), and 3B Rafael Martinez (single) recorded the only 3 hits…CF Browm Martinez went 0-for-4 with a run scored and two stolen bases…
6’6″ RHP Jerson Alejandro, in his 2024 debut: 3.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 6 K… 18-year-old RHP Jose Rosarioin his professional debut: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

 

Yankees MILB 6/7: Agustin Ramirez Homers 3 Times

News:

Nothing interesting.

Scranton (35-25) (Crushed Norfolk, 10-0)

2B Jorbit Vivas1-for-4, RS, BB
Vivas is 8-for-40 playing for Scranton.
3B Oswald Peraza0-for-5, 3 K
Peraza is hitting .145 (9-for-62, 22 K) since joining Scranton. 
C Ben Rice: 3-for-5, 2 2B (2), HR (3), 3 RBI, 2 RS
In his three games for Scranton: 7-for-11 (2 doubles, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 5 R, 2 BB, SB). Rice is up to 11 doubles, 15 homers, and 33 RBI in 52 games between here and Somerset.
DH Carlos Narvaez: 3-for-4, 2B (12), HR (6), 3 RBI, 3 RS, BB
Narvaez is hitting .260/.389/.438 in 211 PA (12 doubles, 6 HR, 34 RBI, 29 R). The Yankees like this kid, and you can see why. He has a good reputation behind the plate and isn’t a zero in the batter’s box.
1B T.J. Rumfield2-for-5, HR (4), 3 RBI, RS, K
Rumfield wants everyone to know he was here before Rice! 
CF Greg Allen0-for-4, BB, 2 K
RF Taylor Trammell1-for-3, BB
SS Kevin Smith1-for-3, RS, BB, K
LF Elijah Dunham0-for-1, 2 RS, 2 BB, HBP

RHP Will Warren: (W, 4-4)  5.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 9 K
This will get lost in the offensive explosion tonight, but what a much-needed performance by Warren.
RHP Duane Underwood Jr.1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
1.69 ERA (21.1 IP, 12 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 HR, 10 BB, 23 K)
RHP Phil Bickford: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
3.09 ERA (23.1 IP, 20 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 2 HR, 10 BB, 30 K). For Underwood and Bickford, two things are true: The Yankees are a great organization for veteran pitchers to join if they want to get their careers back on track. Also, the Yankees’ pitching staff can be hard to penetrate, so you hope other organizations are taking notice.


Somerset (26-28) (Mauled Hartford, 12-4)

CF Spencer Jones2-for-4, HR (5), 2 RBI, 3 RS, BB, K
Jones is 10-for-30 (.333) in his last 7 games with a double, triple, 3 HR, 12 RBI (nice), and 9 runs scored.  He is heating up, folks.
C Agustin Ramirez: 3-for-5, 3 HR (15), 6 RBI, 3 RS
So much for that homerless streak, eh? Ramirez joins Jared Serna in the 2024 3-HR club.  He is hitting .282 with a .962 OPS (10 doubles, 1 triple, 15 HR, 41 RBI, 40 R, 12-for-13 SB). This is incredible – there likely isn’t much he needs to prove in Somerset at this point, but there is a logjam at 1B/C in Scranton. In my opinion, may as well keep him here for now – especially if they wish to continue to push him behind the plate.
3B Ben Cowles1-for-5, 2B (20), RS, 2 K
Cowles has 20 doubles in 52 games. 
DH Grant Richardson0-for-4, RS, BB, 2 K
1B J.C. Escarra0-for-1, RS, 3 BB
LF Jared Wegner1-for-4, HR (4), RBI, RS, 2 K
2B Anthony Seigler0-for-4, SB (9), 2 K
RF Aaron Palensky1-for-4, 2 RBI
SS Alexander Vargas1-for-3, 2B (2), 2 RS, CS (2), BB, K
Nice night at the bottom of the order. Vargas is 9-for-53 (.170) since joining Somerset.

RHP Trystan Vrieling: (W, 5-4) 6.1 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 2 HR
4.88 ERA (62.2 IP, 58 H, 36 R, 34 ER, 5 HR, 19 BB, 63 K). He has pitched well for a guy who skipped right to this level.
RHP Leonardo Pestana0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Carlos Gomez2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K


Hudson Valley (27-26) (Lost to Wilmington, 4-3)

2B Roc Riggio1-for-4
SS Jared Serna: 1-for-4, 2B (13)
.252/.362/.480 in 243 PA (13 doubles, 11 HR, 43 RBI, 38 R)
CF Jace Avina0-for-4, K
3B Jesus Rodriguez0-for-3, BB
C Rafael Flores: 2-for-3, RS, BB, K
Flores has 6 multi-hit efforts in his last 9 games and is up to .314/.423/.507 in 168 PA. 
DH Omar Martinez0-for-2, RS, 2 BB
RF Garrett Martin1-for-3, RBI, RS, CI, K
1B Josh Moylan0-for-3, SF, RBI, K
LF Cole Gabrielson0-for-3, SF, RBI, 3 K

LHP Kyle Carr4.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
Carr has struggled to get going in 2024, which only proves that all prospects have different development arcs.
RHP Huey Morrill: (L, 3-2) 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
RHP Matt Keating1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
3.24 ERA (33.1 IP, 21 H, 13 R, 12 ER, 3 HR, 13 BB, 38 K)


Tampa (20-35) (Mauled Ft. Myers, 17-7)

3B George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-3, 2B (7), SF, RBI, RS, SB (15), 2 BB
.213/.364/.277 in 176 PA. Back-to-back games with two walks.
SS Roderick Arias: 3-for-6, 3B (6), HR (3), 6 RBI, RS, 2 K
It was a career night for Arias, who set a new best for RBI in a game (he drove home 5 in a game last year).  He has a double, two triples, and a home run in his last three games. Is the talent starting to show itself? On the season, he is hitting .218/.321/.359.
1B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-6, RS, 4 K
CF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-3, 2 RS, 2 BB, K
2B Max Burt2-for-5, 2 2B (2), 2 RBI, RS, SB (1)
  2B Brenny Escanio0-for-0
DH Hans Montero2-for-5, 3 RS, 2 SB (3), K
Montero did some running in the FCL (17-for-18 stealing bases in 53 games last year).
LF Willy Montero: 3-for-5, HR (2), 2 RBI, 3 RS
Montero has back-to-back 3-hit efforts. He is an under-the-radar kid with potential (and the ability to play CF).
C Tomas Frick0-for-3, RBI, 2 RS, 2 BB, K
   C Oscar Silverio0-for-0
RF Daury Arias: 2-for-3, HR (1), 4 RBI, 3 RS, 2 BB
Arias had a little buzz a few years ago but the bat has failed him. A nice night tonight.

RHP Gabriel Barbosa3.2 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 6 K, HR
RHP Ocean Gabonia: (W, 1-2)  2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
Gabonia gets a lot of credit for settling this game down.
RHP Osiel Rodriguez1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Kris Bow1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
2.92 ERA (24.2 IP, 18 H, 12 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 17 BB, 29 K)


FCL (15-10) (Defeated the Tigers, 8-5, in 10 innings. 25 games, all against the Phillies, Tigers, and Blue Jays. Boring!)

CF Brando Mayea1-for-6, 2B (1), RBI, RS, K
16-for-56 (.286/.385/.339) with a double and triple. He is 10-for-10 stealing bases.
1B Josue Gonzalez0-for-3, 2 BB
DH Antonio Gomez0-for-2, RS, 2 BB
3B Abrahan Ramirez1-for-3, 3B (1), RBI, RS, 2 BB
.344/.488/.516 in 83 PA (18 walks, 12 strikeouts).
SS Juan Matheus0-for-3, RS, 2 BB
LF Joel Mendez3-for-3, HR (1), 4 RBI, 2 RS, 2 BB
The 21-year-old right-handed bat hit a 3-run blast in the top of the 10th. It was only his 2nd HR in 46 games at this level, so this was an unlikely blast. 

RHP Yarison Ruiz: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Ruiz’s first appearance since September 16, 2021. Now 24, he is here on a rehab assignment for Low-A Tampa.
LHP Michael Peres1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K


DSL Yankees (1-2) and DSL Bombers (1-1)

Their games were postponed.

Yankees MILB 6/6: Ben Rice Homers Again

News:

Nothing interesting.

Scranton (34-25) (Lost to Norfolk, 9-3)

CF Jasson Dominguez: 3-for-4, 2B (2), RS
Dominguez is 4-for-11 since joining Scranton and 21-for-62 (.339) overall. Whenever the Yankees need him, he’ll be ready.
  RF Elijah Dunham0-for-1
3B Jorbit Vivas1-for-5, K
2B Oswald Peraza1-for-3, 2B (1), RBI, RS, BB, K
Peraza needed that double in the worst way.
C Ben Rice1-for-2, HR (2), 2 RBI, RS, SB (1), 2 BB
Rice has homered in back-to-back games since his promotion. As for the stolen base, he is sneakily 9-for-9 in that department this year. 
DH Carlos Narvaez0-for-4, 3 K
1B T.J. Rumfield0-for-3, HBP, K
SS Jeter Downs1-for-4, 2B (9)
LF Taylor Trammell0-for-3, BB, 3 K
RF-CF Greg Allen1-for-4, 3B (2), 2 K

LHP Josh Maciejewski: (L, 1-1) 2.2 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
No matter what happens, Maciejewski can always say he is one of a small percentage of baseball players to reach the highest level.
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K
4.50 ERA (30 IP, 21 H, 19 R, 15 ER, 3 HR, 17 BB, 45 K)
RHP Matt Sauer0.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Yerry De Los Santos: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Last 9 appearances: 12.2 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 11 K. You just never know when there will be a need at the MLB level and De Los Santos has the ground ball profile the organization likes.
LHP Clayton Andrews1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR


Somerset (25-28) (Lost to Hartford, 7-5)

DH Spencer Jones1-for-5, HR (4), 3 RBI, RS, 2 K
.221/.303/.349 in 195 PA (6 doubles, 2 triples, 4 HR, 25 RBI, 25 R, 13-for-16 SB, 10.3% BB, 34.9% K). He has a double, triple, and homer in five June games. It’s a start (we hope)!
1B Agustin Ramirez1-for-4, CS (1), 2 K
.273/.372/.536 in 215 PA with 12 stolen bases in 13 attempts. 
2B Ben Cowles1-for-4, RS, K
.315/.391/.516 in 215 PA. Cowles 36 starts at shortstop (38 games), 9 starts at 3B (11 games), and 6 starts at second base. The Yankees want their infield prospects to be versatile, and I agree with that strategy.
CF Grant Richardson2-for-4, 2B (13), CS (2), K
.273/.333/.441 in 159 PA. In his last 19 games, he has eight 2-hit games, a 1-hit game, and ten 0-hit games.
C J.C. Escarra1-for-3, 3B (3), RS, BB
RF Jared Wegner0-for-3, RS, BB, 3 K
3B Jordan Groshans1-for-3, RS, BB
LF Aaron Palensky0-for-3, SB (10), BB, K
SS Alexander Vargas0-for-3, SF, RBI, K

RHP Bailey Dees6.2 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 9 K, 2 HR
Dees struck out the first six batters he faced and tied his best for strikeouts in a game. Season: 3.75 ERA (57.2 IP, 52 H, 27 R, 24 ER, 7 HR, 19 BB, 59 K). He allowed 8 of those runs in 3.1 innings in his first start of the season (also his first professional start!). He has put himself on the radar.
RHP Danny Watson: (L, 0-2) 0.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Watson is still getting back into a groove. 
RHP Jack Neely1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
2.22 ERA (28.1 IP, 20 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 2 HR, 10 BB, 45 K). He has allowed runs in three of his last four games, but I am not worrying about that. 


Hudson Valley (27-25) (Split a doubleheader with Wilmington)

Game 1 (Won, 8-3)

2B Roc Riggio0-for-3, RS, BB, 2 K
SS Jared Serna1-for-4, K
3B Jesus Rodriguez1-for-2, SF, RBI, RS, SB (7), K
Don’t worry about Rodriguez being pulled, as he was the catcher for Game 2. 
  PH-3B Beau Brewer0-for-1
C Rafael Flores: 2-for-4, HR (4), 2 RBI, 2 RS, K
Flores has an 11-game hitting streak and five multi-hit games in his last seven games.
DH Omar Martinez0-for-1, RS, HBP, 2 BB
RF Garrett Martin0-for-4, RS, 2 K
1B Josh Moylan1-for-4, RBI, RS, K
Moylan has a 7-game hitting streak. During this stretch, he has increased his triple slash from .220/.352/.300 to .242/.368/.313.
CF Cole Gabrielson2-for-2, 2 RBI, RS, SB (5), BB
LF Kyle Battle1-for-3, 3B (1), 2 RBI, 2 K

RHP Bryce Warrecker2.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Warrecker’s High-A debut (he skipped Low-A). He stands 6’8″ and was the Yankees’ 20th-round pick in the 2023 draft out of Cal Poly. Despite his size, Warrecker isn’t a flamethrower (89-92). However, many prospects have ticked their velocity up under professional supervision. 
RHP Mason Vinyard: (W, 2-0)  2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR
LHP Joel Valdez2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

Game 2 (Lost, 4-0. This wasn’t the most exciting game in history)

2B Roc Riggio0-for-3
.199/.357/.331 in 171 PA. I think the hits will start coming…
SS Jared Serna0-for-2, BB
RF Jace Avina0-for-3, K
C Jesus Rodriguez1-for-3, 2B (13)
Hudson Valley’s lone hit. He is hitting .326/.408/.500 in 213 PA. Over his 234-game career, the 22-year-old is hitting .317/.406/.475 in 976 plate appearances. I say it every night (it appears): He doesn’t stop hitting while playing anywhere they ask him to play. I don’t know what the Yankees think of him, but the numbers are there.
DH Tyler Hardman0-for-3, 3 K
1B Rafael Flores0-for-1, BB, K
His hitting streak is snapped but his on-base streak lives on. He is hitting .307/.415/.504 in 164 PA. 
LF Garrett Martin0-for-2, 2 K
3B Kiko Romero0-for-1, BB, K
CF Nelson Medina0-for-2, K

RHP Sebastian Keane: (L, 4-4) 3.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 2 K
4.86 ERA (46.1 IP, 46 H, 26 R, 25 ER, 3 HR, 25 BB, 43 K). His three starts before tonight were solid (18 IP, 13 H, 5 R, 5 BB, 16 K), so we’ll toss this one. 
RHP Luis Arejula: 2.2 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K


Tampa (19-35) (Lost to Fort Myers, 9-4)

3B George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-3, 2 BB, K
Lombard Jr. has eight multi-walk games (only two since April). This is fine; you want to see your prospects swing the bat (as long as they are quality swings). Low-A walks aren’t getting him promoted.
SS Roderick Arias: 2-for-5, 2B (8), RBI, RS, SB (14), 2 K
Arias is off to a 6-for-21 (.286) start in June with a double, triple, and two stolen bases. Can he build off this? 
1B Dylan Jasso: 2-for-5, HR (6), 2 RBI, RS, K
Jasso is hitting .256/.350/.436 in 226 PA (15 doubles, 1 triple, 6 HR, 30 RBI, 28 R, 11.1% BB, 26.5% K). 
DH Christopher Familia1-for-5, K
CF Jackson Castillo3-for-4, K
Castillo is on a 6-game hitting streak (10-for-23) and is hitting .276/.399/.463 in 153 PA. After games of May 2, he was hitting .162/.262/.270. You have to figure he is under consideration for a promotion once they start handing them out in bulk. He has played 27 of his 37 games in CF (8 in LF, 2 as DH).
LF Willy Montero3-for-4, 2B (9), RS
Montero got off to a 2-for-21 start, dipping under .200 after his third game. He is finally back over that mark (.204/.266/.271 in 199 PA) thanks to a 6-for-11 stretch over the last three games.
RF Coby Morales0-for-4, K
2B Brenny Escanio0-for-4, RBI
C Edinson Duran0-for-1, HBP
Duran left the game after the HBP.
  PR-C Tomas Frick0-for-1, RS, BB

RHP Ryan Harvey: (L, 2-4) 5 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 3 K, HR
RHP Aaron Nixon3 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Steven Fulgencio1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K


FCL (14-10) (Defeated the Blue Jays, 4-3)

CF Brando Mayea0-for-3, SB (10), BB, K
Mayea has 32 stolen bases in 51 minor league games. A kid with his speed should be able to run at will at these lower levels.
1B Josue Gonzalez3-for-4, RS
.268/.435/.493 in 92 PA. He has five multi-hit efforts.
SS Enmanuel Tejeda3-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, RS, SB (1)
Tejeda should be back in Low-A Tampa soon enough. He wasn’t out for too long with his injury.
DH Antonio Gomez1-for-3, RS, 2 K
At one time, Gomez was my choice as the top catching prospect in the organization. It just hasn’t come together for him. He is here on a rehab stint.
LF Wilson Rodriguez1-for-3, RBI, CS (1)
3B Luis Ogando2-for-3, RS, 2 SB (6)

RHP Sabier Marte4.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
The 6’5″ hurler has a 2.42 ERA (22.1 IP, 19 H, 8 R, 6 ER, 0 HR, 12 BB, 21 K). He hasn’t allowed a HR in 63 IP over the last two seasons


DSL Yankees (1-2) and DSL Bombers (1-1)

The Yankees lost, 11-2.

SS Dexters Peralta scored a run and drew a walk…3B Richard Matic and CF Gabriel Lara each had a pair of hits. The 5’9″ Lara is considered one of the fastest players in organized baseball and is an interesting long-term lottery ticket. Matic signed for $850,000. Baseball America noted that he was one of the youngest players in the 2024 class…17-year-old LHP Ronald Tejada was a bright spot on the hill (1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K).

The Bombers won, 10-2. They drew 11 walks and compiled 10 hits. Walks are a good thing, but it is hard to take the insane walk rates in the DSL seriously.

CF Francisco Vilorio went 2-for-3 with an RBI, run scored, and walk. The 17-year-old is one of the bonus babies at this level. He was signed for $1.7 million…DH Richard Meran went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and 3 RBI. The 17-year-old played 13 games at this level in 2023…RF David Carrera went 2-for-4 with a  pair of doubles and runs scored. He added a stolen base. This is the 17-year-old’s debut season…C Queni Pineda drew three walks and scored four runs. He is another 17-year-old in his debut year…2B Christofer Reyes had two hits, two RBI, two runs, and two walks. He is 16 years old…LHP Franyer Herrera allowed one run in five innings. He struck out five. Herrera is 19 years old and this is his third season at this level…LHP Marco Manzano (20) made his professional debut, allowing a run over two innings with four strikeouts.

Yankees MILB 6/5: Ben Rice Homers in Scranton Debut

News:

OF Jasson Dominguez surged into the Top 10 on Baseball America’s updated Top 100, but the Yankees took a hit overall. That was to be expected, as RHP Chase Hampton and LHP Henry Lalane haven’t pitched this season while Roderick Arias hasn’t played up to his hype. The Yankees system remains deep, which is important. If you have a deep system, the chances are good that Top 100 prospects will emerge. Plus, deep systems help in trade talks.

Anyway, there are plenty of games remaining. We’ll see how Arias and George Lombard Jr. adjust in the second half. We’ll see if Brando Mayea continues to play well in the FCL. Pitchers like Brock Selvidge, Trystan Vrieling, and Zach Messinger have pitched well enough in Somerset to give you hope that the pitching pipeline remains strong even if off-season trades and injuries depleted it.

C/1B Ben Rice was promoted to Scranton today. For Somerset, Rice hit .295/.392/.582 in 97 games (440 plate appearances). He hit 22 doubles, 28 home runs, and drove home 74. As a bonus, he went 15-for-18 in the stolen base department. Joining Rice is OF Elijah Dunham, taking Brandon Lockridge‘s spot. Dunham struggled in his first taste of Triple-A in 2023. The timing for him was bad as there was MLB playing time to claim.

As for the catching situation in Somerset, the Patriots activated Peter Serruto. “Who is that?” Good question. The 24-year-old was signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2023. His career consists of one FCL game from last year, where he went 0-for-2. Essentially, the Yankees need another catcher in Double-A and don’t feel as if Jesus Rodriguez or Omar Martinez are ready for that climb.

Scranton (34-24) (Defeated Norfolk, 7-6)

DH Jasson Dominguez1-for-4, 2B (1), RS, 2 K
2B Jorbit Vivas0-for-3, RS, BB, K
Vivas is 6-for-31 with five walks at this level.
SS Oswald Peraza1-for-3, BB, 2 K
1B Ben Rice2-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, 2 RS, K
Well, this is a nice first impression (his HR was a game-winner in the 7th inning). Rice has 13 HR in 50 games this season and 33 homers in 123 games over the last two seasons.
C Carlos Narvaez2-for-4, 2 RS
Narvaez has a 9-game hitting streak (three 2-hit efforts during the streak). His average has jumped from .225 to .255 during the streak. 
RF Taylor Trammell: 2-for-4, 2B (5), 3 RBI, RS, K
Trammell hit a bases-clearing double in a 5-run first.
3B Jeter Downs1-for-4, RBI, SB (6)
CF Greg Allen1-for-3, RBI, BB
LF Elijah Dunham0-for-4, K

RHP Yoendrys Gomez4.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
3.19 ERA (36.2 IP, 24 H, 14 R, 13 ER, 4 HR, 20 BB, 44 K). We’ll see him in the Bronx again this year.
RHP Cody Morris0.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
LHP Anthony Misiewicz: (W, 2-0) 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Ron Marinaccio: (S, 3) 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K
1.17 ERA (15.1 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 5 BB, 17 K). I would put him back in the MLB bullpen (I don’t know why Dennis Santana is there), but it is what it is.


Somerset (25-28) (Lost to Hartford, 9-3)

CF Spencer Jones0-for-4, SF, RBI, K
Jones’ on-base streak is snapped at 17. As I have stated, he wasn’t “hot” during that streak (though he had a few strong games). We have to keep hoping that something clicks over the next few weeks.
C Agustin Ramirez: 3-for-4, BB
Ramirez’s 12th multi-hit game, and he is hitting .274 with a .916 OPS. He hasn’t homered in a while (17 games) but he hasn’t stopped hitting/taking walks.
SS Ben Cowles: 3-for-5, 2B (19), K
19 doubles (26 extra-base hits) in 50 games. Last year, he hit 18 doubles (30 extra-base hits) in 109 games. On top of that, he had a 28.0% K rate in 2023. This season? 17.1%. One can’t help but to be intrigued.
1B J.C. Escarra0-for-5
RF Grant Richardson0-for-4, K
2B Anthony Seigler0-for-4, 2 K
DH Jared Wegner2-for-4, 2B (4), 2 RS, K
3B Jordan Groshans2-for-4, RBI, RS
LF Aaron Palensky1-for-4, RBI

RHP Yorlin Calderon: (L, 0-1)  2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR
Calderon’s first start in 2024. Last season, he pitched out of the bullpen until August 10th. He finished the season making five straight starts. We’ll see if this is a permanent move or a one-off.
RHP Luis Velasquez2.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Kevin Stevens1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
2.79 ERA (19.1 IP, 16 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 9 BB, 29 K). I don’t claim to know much about the 26-year-old, but that is an impressive strikeout rate. This is only his 20th career appearance.
RHP Colby White0.2 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, HR
LHP Ryan Anderson1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Peter Serruto1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 1 K
I doubt he expected his Double-A debut to be on the hill. The Rutgers/Indiana product didn’t pitch in college and I haven’t read anything about the Yankees converting him to a pitcher. Hence, I assume he pitched because they ran out of pitchers.


Hudson Valley (26-24) (Defeated Wilmington, 4-2, in a rain-shortened game. This was Game 1 of a doubleheader. Game 2 was postponed. They will try to make that one up tomorrow)

CF Jace Avina0-for-4, 2 K
.303/.394/.500 in 180 PA (15 doubles, 5 HR, 26 RBI, 24 R, 4-for-4 SB, 11.1% BB, 26.1% K). Avina had a 29.6% K rate in 2023, so he has brought that down a tad. He turns 21 tomorrow.
SS Jared Serna: 3-for-4, 2B (12), 2 RBI, RS, CS (6)
Serna has six 3-hit games this season and is hitting .255/.366/.490 in 232 PA (12 doubles, 11 HR, 43 RBI, 38 R, 7-for-13 SB, 13.8% BB, 18.1% K).  He is first in the league in homers, second in RBI, and runs scored. As for the stolen base rate, it is hard to explain (he was 29-for-37 (78.4%) last year). Remember that the minors are for learning – part of that learning is the art of base stealing.
LF Jesus Rodriguez1-for-3
.324/.411/.497 in 207 PA (12 doubles, 2 triples, 5 HR, 24 RBI, 33 R, 12.6% BB, 13.5% K). Since his promotion to this level last year, he is hitting .335/.429/.509 in 72 games. The Yankees promoted him after playing 84 games in Low-A if you want a barometer for a potential promotion to Somerset.
DH Rafael Flores1-for-3, 2B (15), 2 RBI, K
Flores has a 10-game hitting streak. He is hitting .303/.411/.485 in 158 PA (15 doubles, 3 HR, 27 RBI, 16 R, 15.2% BB, 22.2% K). Flores (23) never played in Low-A, so I don’t have a barometer for him. He has played 144 games at this level (.270/.363/.397). While Rodriguez has played many positions (including catcher), Flores is a C/1B.
1B Tyler Hardman0-for-3
C Omar Martinez1-for-3, K
.239/.384/.423 in 177 PA (6 doubles, 1 triple, 6 HR, 18 RBI, 18 R, 18.6% BB, 22.6% K). He is a 22-year-old switch-hitter who has prospect chops.
3B Kiko Romero2-for-3, K
.228/.377/.413 in 114 PA. 
RF Nelson Medina0-for-3, K
2B Beau Brewer: 2-for-2, 2 RS, BB
  PR Roc Riggio0-for-0, RS

RHP Baron Stuart: (W, 3-1) 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
Between here and Scranton: 3.70 ERA (41.1 IP, 35 H, 19 R, 17 ER, 1 HR, 21 BB, 26 K). 
RHP Cole Ayers: (S, 3)  1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
1.93 ERA (32.2 IP, 23 H, 10 R, 7 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 39 K). Ayers is 24 and has appeared in 30 games here dating back to last year. He should make his way up to Somerset soon enough.


Tampa (19-34) (Lost to Fort Myers, 9-3)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-4, 2B (6), RS, 2 K
.215/.358/.274 in 165 PA (16.97% BB, 23.0% K; 14-for-15 SB). There is something to work with here. The strikeout rate isn’t terrible and his walk rate is strong. 
2B Roderick Arias1-for-3, 3B (5), BB, 2 K
.205/.314/.323 in 229 PA (12.7% BB, 35.4% K). As of this writing, he is tied for the Florida State League lead with five triples.
1B Dylan Jasso1-for-3, RS, BB, K
LF Christopher Familia1-for-4, RBI, K
DH Max Burt0-for-3, BB
CF Jackson Castillo1-for-3, CS (3), BB
Castillo has a 5-game hitting streak.
3B Hans Montero1-for-4, RS, 2 K
RF Coby Morales1-for-4, RBI, 2 SB (11), K
Morales stole one base in 104 collegiate games.
C Tomas Frick0-for-3

RHP Josh Grosz: (L, 1-4)  5 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
RHP Cade Austin2.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR
3.19 ERA (36.2 IP, 28 H, 16 R, 13 ER, 6 HR, 8 BB, 39 K)
RHP Montana Semmel1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Semmel reached 95 MPH today. He owns a 2.03 ERA in 26.2 IP (18 H, 10 R, 6 ER, 2 HR, 10 BB, 23 K)


FCL (13-10)

They had a scheduled day off. By the way, last night’s game (which I stopped writing about at 8-8) ended up as a 17-13 victory in 12 innings.


DSL Yankees (1-1) and DSL Bombers (0-1)

Scheduled day off.

Yankees MILB 6/4: Jackson Fristoe: 6 Scoreless Innings

News:

OF Brandon Lockridge was placed on the injured list for Scranton. Lockridge’s 21 stolen bases are second in the International League (teammate Caleb Durbin, also on the injured list, is tied for 3rd with 20).

OF Jasson Dominguez‘s rehab has moved to Scranton. Additionally, the stint has been extended by ten days. With the approval of MLB, teams are allowed to extend rehab stints three times at 10 days per pop. This is applicable if a player is rehabbing an elbow or shoulder injury. As you may suspect, this is most often used with pitchers rehabbing from Tommy John.

IF Enmanuel Tejeda has begun a rehab stint in the FCL. The 19-year-old hit .330/.374/.402 in 108 plate appearances for Tampa before his injury on May 2nd. Tejeda compiled back-to-back 4-hit games when the injury hit.

Scranton (34-24) (Lost to Toledo, 4-2)

CF Jasson Dominguez0-for-3
Sometimes, it is hard to remember that Dominguez has played only ten Triple-A games.
   CF Greg Allen0-for-1
SS Oswald Peraza0-for-4, K
Peraza is hitting .137 (7-for-51) for Scranton (1-for-27 slide). You figure that the bat will start clicking, but this is an ugly stretch.
2B Jorbit Vivas1-for-4, K
C Carlos Narvaez1-for-3, RS, BB
Narvaez has an 8-game hitting streak (10-for-28; 5 walks)
1B T.J. Rumfield1-for-4, 2B (9)
.278/.339/.397 in 168 PA since his promotion. 
RF Oscar Gonzalez: 2-for-4, RBI, K
.305/.359/.484 in 103 PA. 
LF Taylor Trammell0-for-4, K
3B Kevin Smith1-for-3, HR (2), RBI, RS
DH Josh VanMeter0-for-3, K

LHP Tanner Tully: (L, 1-4) 5 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
RHP Art Warren1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR
LHP Clayton Andrews1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Duane Underwood Jr.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
1.80 ERA (20 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 HR, 10 BB, 22 K)
RHP Phil Bickford1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
3.38 ERA (21.1 IP, 19 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 2 HR, 9 BB, 28 K). Both Underwood and Bickford are somewhere on the depth chart. You hope you don’t need to use them, but nowadays, a bullpen is “all hands on deck.”


Somerset (25-27) (Lost to Hartford, 5-4)

CF Spencer Jones1-for-5, 2 K
Jones increases his on-base streak to 17. 
1B Agustin Ramirez0-for-5, K
.263/.364/.537. 
C Ben Rice2-for-4, 2B (9), RS, BB
Rice is hitting .261/.382/.511 and is 5-for-11 to start June with three doubles and two walks. 
SS Ben Cowles1-for-4, 2B (18), K
Cowles hit 18 doubles in 2022 and 2023 (many more games!)
DH J.C. Escarra: 2-for-4, 2B (10), RS, SB (1), K
3B Jordan Groshans1-for-4, K
RF Grant Richardson1-for-3, 2 RBI, BB, K
LF Jared Wegner1-for-3, CS (3), BB, K
2B Anthony Seigler1-for-3, HR (4), RBI, RS, SB (8), BB, 2 K
Seigler has homered four times in his last four games. 

RHP Gerrit Cole3.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
Cole’s durability is known – this was his first minor league game since July 10, 2016. Supposedly, everything looked fine. Now we wait to see how he feels tomorrow.
RHP Zach Messinger: (L, 2-3)  4.2 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, HR
3.58 ERA (60.1 IP, 49 H, 35 R, 24 ER, 5 HR, 19 BB, 69 K).
RHP Jesus Liranzo1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K


Hudson Valley (25-24) (Crushed Wilmington, 10-2)

2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-4, HBP
SS Jared Serna1-for-5, HR (11), RBI, 2 RS
Serna hit zero HR in his first 28 High-A games and two in his first 47 games. He has 9 in his last 28 games.  
CF Jace Avina1-for-5, RS, 3 K
Avina owns an 8-game hitting streak (11-for-31).
C Jesus Rodriguez1-for-3, 3B (2), RBI, 3 RS, 2 BB
Rodriguez has three multi-walk games in his last five games. He drew 16 walks in May after drawing 6 in April. He is hitting .324/.412/.500 in 204 PA (12 doubles, 2 triples, 5 HR, 24 RBI, 33 R, 6-for-9 SB, 12.7% BB, 13.7% K). He just doesn’t stop producing.
DH Tyler Hardman2-for-5, 2B (2), HR (1), 2 RBI, 2 RS
As his stroke comes back, he should dominate this level. 
1B Rafael Flores2-for-4, HR (3), 4 RBI, RS, BB, K
Flores has four 2-hit games in his last five games played. He tied his career-best for RBI in a game and is hitting .308 with a .894 OPS (14 doubles, 3 HR, 25 RBI). 
LF Garrett Martin1-for-4, HR (2), 2 RBI, RS
Martin has homered twice in his last four games.
3B Josh Moylan1-for-4
Moylan is the proud owner of a 7-game hitting streak.
RF Cole Gabrielson0-for-3, BB, K

RHP Jackson Fristoe: (W, 1-2)  6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Fristoe’s longest career outing (previous: 4.1 innings). He owns a 3.72 ERA (29 IP, 20 H, 13 R, 12 ER, 1 HR, 21 BB, 31 K). It doesn’t take a baseball savant to recognize where his biggest issue lies. It is encouraging to see that he issued none of those tonight.
RHP Trent Sellers: (S, 1) 3 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
Sellers’ first career save. 


Tampa (19-33) (Lost to Fort Myers, 4-2)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-4, SB (14), K
14-for-15 stealing bases. Lombard turned 19 on June 2nd. As stated before, the power has yet to show itself but that isn’t concerning. 
2B Roderick Arias0-for-4, 2 K
.203/.311/.313 in 225 PA. I would advise waiting to see what he does in the second half of the season. Can he adjust or will the struggles continue? 
1B Dylan Jasso1-for-4
LF Christopher Familia2-for-4, HR (1), RBI, RS, K
His rehab was moved here from the FCL. Your reminder that he hit 16 home runs in 57 games at this level between 2022-2023.
3B Max Burt0-for-2, K
Burt, a 27-year-old utility player, is here on a rehab stint. In 2022 and 2023, he reached double digits in homers and stolen bases.
  3B Brenny Escanio0-for-2, K
CF Jackson Castillo2-for-4, HR (4), RBI, RS, K
.259/.386/.457 in 145 PA. His triple slash went as low as .156/.283/.267 (May 5th) but he has taken off since then.
DH Hans Montero0-for-4, 2 K
RF Willy Montero1-for-3, 2B (8), K
C Edinson Duran0-for-3

RHP Caleb Smith:(L, 2-4)  7 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, HR
2.96 ERA (48.2 IP, 34 H, 22 R, 16 ER, 2 HR, 22 BB, 57 K). Smith has gone seven innings twice this season (6+ innings four times)
RHP Kris Bow2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
3.13 ERA (23 IP, 18 H, 12 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 15 BB, 27 K)


FCL (12-10) (They are tied with the Blue Jays, 8-8, in the 7th. I am not going to wait this one out – heck, it may even be over already, knowing how slow GameCast sometimes is at this level!)

CF Brando Mayea2-for-3, 2 RS, 2 SB (7), BB
Mayea’s power hasn’t shown itself but he is hitting .341 with a .828 OPS and is 7-for-7 stealing bases.
DH Edgleen Perez1-for-3, RS, BB, 2 K
2B Enmanuel Tejeda0-for-3, K
  2B Gabriel Terrero0-for-0, SF, RBI
DH Engelth Urena: 1-for-4, HR (2, grand slam), 4 RBI, RS, K
SS Juan Matheus0-for-2, RS, SB (3), BB
LF Brian Sanchez1-for-3, 2 RS, SB (7), K

RHP McKinley Moore1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Eric Reyzelman1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
It is only a matter of time before he shows up in Low-A Tampa.


DSL Yankees (1-1) and DSL Bombers (0-1)

The Bombers lost, 12-3, today.  17-year-old Francisco Vilorio had a pair of hits and RBI.

The Yankees won, 19-7. They had 8 hits and 20 (TWENTY) walks. This league isn’t real.
They scored 11 runs in the first inning, highlighted by a Luis Puello grand slam. The 18-year-old catcher drove home 6, doubling his previous best. SS Dexters Peralta (16 years old) went 2-for-3 with 4 runs scored and a pair of walks, RBI, and stolen bases. The Yankees have another Montero in the organization as Estivenzon Montero joins Willy, Hans, and Fidel (there could be more, for all I know). He is a 17-year-old outfielder who debuted today (1-for-4, RBI, SB).

The DSL doesn’t do much for me. I’ll highlight what I can, but getting a read on these players is impossible. A $10,000 kid could emerge while a $800,000 kid dies on the vine (then, the prospect community acts as if they knew the $10,000 kid was a sleeper all along)

Yankees MILB 6/2: Spencer Jones: 2B, RBI

News:

RHP Gerrit Cole, a good #6 starter, will start his first rehab in Somerset on Tuesday.

Scranton (34-23) (Lost to Toledo, 7-2)

2B Brandon Lockridge2-for-2, 3B (2), RS, SB (21)
.276/.404/.371. He had a strong May (.354/.475/.458) and is trying to build off that. However…
  PR-2B Kevin Smith: 1-for-2
After the stolen base, Lockridge left the game due to injury.
3B Jorbit Vivas: 1-for-3, SF, RBI, K
SS Oswald Peraza0-for-3, BB, 2 K
Since joining Scranton, Peraza has struggled (7-for-47, though he does have 11 walks to go along with the 15 strikeouts). 
1B T.J. Rumfield0-for-3, RS, BB
.279/.341/.395 in 164 PA at this level (7.9% BB, 20.7% K)
RF Taylor Trammell2-for-4, K
LF Oscar Gonzalez1-for-4, RBI, K
DH Josh VanMeter0-for-4, 3 K
C Josh Breaux0-for-4, 2 K
The Yankees haven’t promoted or signed anyone, so the catching duties in Scranton belong to Carlos Narvaez with Breaux as the backup (for now).
CF Greg Allen0-for-4, K

LHP Edgar Barclay: (L, 3-4) 5 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, HR
6.35 ERA (51 IP, 55 H, 39 R, 36 ER, 10 HR, 31 BB, 47 K)
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda1.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Yerry De Los Santos1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
4.01 ERA (24.2 IP, 32 H, 18 R, 11 ER, 4 HR, 10 BB, 20 K). De Los Santos pitched well in May (2.31 ERA in 11.2 innings with a 10/2 K/BB)


Somerset (25-26) (Lost to Bowie, 6-3)

DH Spencer Jones1-for-4, 2B (6), RBI, RS, 2 K
Last 3 games: 6-for-12 (1 double, 1 triple, 1 home run). He is up to .228/.317/.348 and has a 16-game on-base streak.
CF Jasson Dominguez0-for-2, 2 K
Since joining Somerset, Dominguez is 12-for-38 (4 HR, 2 BB, 11 K)
   PH-CF Elijah Dunham1-for-2, 2 RBI
1B Ben Rice0-for-3, BB
.256/.377/.506 in 213 PA (14.6% BB, 21.6% K, 8-for-8 SB).  He has a .831 OPS vs. LHP and .899 OPS vs. RHP.  Rice takes more walks against RHP (.395 OBP vs. .320), where much of the difference lies. 
C Agustin Ramirez1-for-4, 2B (10), SB (12)
.271/.373/.553 in 201 PA (13.4% BB, 17.4% K, 12-for-12 SB). He hasn’t homered since May 14th (15 games without one)
SS Ben Cowles0-for-4, SB (8), 2 K
.310/.391/.515 in 202 PA (11.4% BB, 16.8% K, 8-for-8 SB (31-for-35 over the last two seasons))
3B J.C. Escarra0-for-4
LF Grant Richardson0-for-4, K
2B Jordan Groshans1-for-3, RS
RF Aaron Palensky0-for-2, RS, BB, K

LHP Brock Selvidge: (L, 4-4)  5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 4 K
3.25 ERA (52.2 IP, 39 H, 26 R, 19 ER, 3 HR, 27 BB, 53 K). The walk rate is up, but teams aren’t hitting for power off of him (.293 SLG). 
LHP Ryan Anderson1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
2.79 ERA (19.1 IP, 18 H, 8 R, 6 ER, 0 HR, 4 BB, 22 K)
RHP Leonardo Pestana1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
For Somerset: 2.19 ERA (12.1 IP, 12 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 14 K). He hasn’t allowed a home run in 22 innings between here and Hudson Valley (he allowed 10 HR in 54.1 IP in 2023).
RHP Jack Neely1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
2.03 ERA (26.2 IP, 18 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 2 HR, 9 BB, 43 K). This is the first time he has allowed multiple runs in a game this season. 
RHP Carlos Gomez1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K


Hudson Valley (24-24) (Lost to Aberdeen, 7-3)

SS Jared Serna1-for-4, SB (7), RS, BB, K
He is hitting .246 with a .833 OPS (14.3% BB, 18.4% K, 7-for-12 SB).
LF Jesus Rodriguez2-for-5, SB (6), RS
Rodriguez is hitting .324 with a .898 OPS. He has 18 multi-hit games and is third in the South Atlantic League in batting average.
1B Rafael Flores2-for-4, BB
Flores, hitting .296 with a .863 OPS, is on an 8-game hitting streak (multiple hits in 3 of his last 4 games)
DH Tyler Hardman1-for-4, 2B (1), BB, 2 K
Hardman is 7-for-34 at this level. The double was his first extra-base hit (he hit 26 HR in 77 games for Somerset in 2023). It is possible (probable) that his stroke isn’t back yet.
C Omar Martinez0-for-4, BB, K
Martinez is hitting .237 with a .809 OPS. 
RF Garrett Martin0-for-4, HBP, K
3B Josh Moylan1-for-4, K
CF Cole Gabrielson1-for-3, BB
2B Beau Brewer0-for-4, 2 K

RHP Cam Schlittler: (L, 3-2) 5 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
1.97 ERA (45.2 IP, 21 H, 18 R, 10 ER, 4 HR, 22 BB, 56 K). While the walks are a little high, there isn’t much to complain about for the 23-year-old.
RHP Matt Keating2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
3.41 ERA (31.2 IP, 21 H, 13 R, 12 ER, 3 HR, 12 BB, 36 K).
RHP Huey Morrill2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K


Tampa (19-32) (Lost to Palm Beach, 9-4)

DH George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-5, SB (13), K
.213/.363/.268 in 157 PA (17.8% BB, 22.3% K, 13-for-14 SB). Righties have given him trouble (.196/.339/.237). He is comfortable vs. LHP (.267/.436/.367).
SS Roderick Arias1-for-4, CS (7), 2 K
.207/.317/.319 in 221 PA (12.7% BB, 34.8% K, 13-for-20 SB). His struggles against left-handed pitching is known (7-for-41 with one walk and 19 strikeouts)
1B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
.251/.347/.426 in 213 PA (11.3% BB, 27.2% K). He is in a little 1-for-19 slump.
CF Jackson Castillo1-for-3, 2 RS, SB (9), BB
.250/.383/.429 in 141 PA (18.4% BB, 19.9% K, 9-for-10 SB). 
2B Hans Montero0-for-2, RS, 2 BB
.232/.330/.378 in 94 PA. Montero had a hot streak going but is in a 1-for-23 slide. He has walked five times during this stretch,
RF Willy Montero2-for-4, RBI, K
.190/.255/.247 in 191 PA. 
LF Coby Morales: 1-for-3, RBI, CS (2), BB
C Tomas Frick0-for-4
3B Brenny Escanio2-for-3, RS, 2 SB (6), BB, K
Escanio has three multi-hit games during his 5-game hitting streak. He has four stolen bases during this stretch.

RHP Luis Serna4.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, HR
4.87 ERA (40.2 IP, 33 H, 22 R, 22 ER, 2 HR, 13 BB, 46 K). Serna’s highest inning total is 41.1 (2022). 
RHP Aaron Nixon: (L, 1-1) 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Ocean Gabonia1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Steven Fulgencio0.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 0 K


FCL (12-9)

Scheduled day off.


DSL Yankees (0-0) and DSL Bombers (0-0)

Their seasons get started tomorrow.

Yankees MILB 6/1: Jasson Dominguez Homers Again

News:

Nothing new.

Scranton (34-22) (Lost to Toledo, 3-2)

CF Brandon Lockridge2-for-4, RBI, 2 SB (20), BB, K
Lockridge is 60-for-67 stealing bases over the past two seasons. 
3B Jorbit Vivas0-for-3, RS, CI, K
2B Oswald Peraza0-for-3, BB, K
C Carlos Narvaez1-for-4, RBI, K
Narvaez has 31 RBI (44 games). His best is 44, set last year (100 games).
1B T.J. Rumfield0-for-4, K
DH Oscar Gonzalez0-for-4
LF Taylor Trammell0-for-4, K
SS Kevin Smith: 3-for-4, 2 2B (7), RS, K
RF Greg Allen1-for-4, 2B (4)

RHP Will Warren4.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 5 K
Warren was pitching well into the 5th, where he ran into trouble. Still, this is encouraging after a less-than-ideal May.
LHP Anthony Misiewicz1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Matt Sauer1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Sauer’s first appearance after being returned from the Royals. I assume (never smart) that he will start soon enough. The Royals were using him in the bullpen, so it could take time to build him back up.
RHP Ron Marinaccio: (L, 0-2) 1.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K


Somerset (25-25) (Defeated Bowie, 6-2)

CF Spencer Jones: 2-for-4, 3B (2), 4 RBI, SB (13), K
Jones has a 15-game on-base streak. The last two games have been the most encouraging. He is at .227/.318/.344 in 176 PA (2 days ago, he was at .205/.299/.295). 
DH Jasson Dominguez1-for-3, HR (4), RBI, 2 RS, BB
Dominguez has homered in back-to-back games and is making Double-A look silly during his 7-game hitting streak (12-for-28, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 7 R). I don’t know when the Yankees will use him in MLB this season, but he will be ready.
C Ben Rice: 3-for-4, 2 2B (8), RBI, SB (8)
.260/.380/.514 in 209 PA. On May 19th, his SLG slipped to .444. He has 4 doubles and 4 HR in 11 games since. I don’t think a prospect needs to spend much time in Triple-A, but there is a benefit in facing pitchers with MLB experience. Triple-A is abundant in those types.
3B Ben Cowles1-for-4, 2 K
.317/.399/.527 in 198 PA. Position breakdown: 2B: 5 games (5 starts); 3B: 11 games (9 starts); SS: 35 games (33 starts).
LF Elijah Dunham0-for-3, BB, 2 K
RF Jared Wegner1-for-3, 2 RS, HBP, K
2B Anthony Seigler1-for-4, RS, 2 K
SS Alexander Vargas0-for-3, HBP, 2 K

RHP Blane Abeyta: (W, 3-5) 6 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, HR
RHP Danny Watson1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Watson’s first appearance since April 11th. Like Jack Neely, he is a tall (6’7″) reliever with MLB potential. Before his injury, I would have said either could get to MLB in 2024. Watson is behind now, but continue to watch him closely.
RHP Colby White1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Kevin Stevens1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K


Hudson Valley (24-23) (Lost to Aberdeen, 3-1)

2B Roc Riggio: 0-for-3, 2 BB, 2 K
Riggio has an 18-game on-base streak (15-for-72 (.208); 13 walks). 
SS Jared Serna0-for-5, K
RF Jace Avina1-for-1, RS, HBP, 2 BB
.315/.409/.524 in 171 PA (15 doubles, 5 HR, 26 RBI, 23 R, 4-for-4 SB). While some element of luck is involved (.404 BABIP), his performance is likely exceeding the Yankees’ expectations. 
C Jesus Rodriguez: 0-for-2, SB (6), 2 BB
He left the game after an awkward dive in LF last night. This afternoon? He starts behind the plate. This kid is tough! Season: .321/.407/.494 in 194 PA (12 doubles, 1 triple, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 29 R, 12.4% BB, 14.4% K).
DH Tyler Hardman1-for-4, RBI, 2 K
1B Rafael Flores1-for-3, SB (2), BB, K
LF Garrett Martin0-for-3, K
CF Nelson Medina0-for-4, 2 K
3B Beau Brewer0-for-4, K

LHP Ben Shields (L, 1-2): 6 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
Shields’ emergency start for Scranton didn’t go well. I am happy it didn’t impact his performance in his first start back here.
RHP Mason Vinyard1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
3.00 ERA (12 IP, 9 H, 9 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 5 BB, 18 K)
RHP Cole Ayers1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
1.99 ERA (31.2 IP, 22 H, 10 R, 7 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 37 K). 


Tampa (19-31) (Defeated Palm Beach, 5-3, in 10 innings)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-4, BB, K
.213/.368/.270 in 152 PA (12-for-13 SB). I am intrigued to see how Lombard Jr. adjusts in the second half of the season.
2B Roderick Arias: 2-for-5, 3 RBI, SB (13), K
Arias is 13-for-19 stealing bases but has been successful in his last six attempts. Let’s see if this is the start of a big June…
1B Dylan Jasso0-for-5, 2 K
CF Jackson Castillo1-for-4, 2 K
DH Hans Montero0-for-4, K
RF Willy Montero0-for-4
3B Brenny Escanio2-for-4, 2 RS, SB (4), K
A decent .270/.329/.378 line in 82 PA for Escanio, who they acquired from the Brewers in 2019 for J.P. Feyereisen.
LF Daury Arias2-for-4, 2B (5), RBI, 2 RS, SB (4), 2 K
C Edinson Duran2-for-4, RBI, RS, SB (1)

RHP Gabriel Barbosa7.2 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 1 BB, 4 K
4.81 ERA (48.2 IP, 51 H, 26 R, 26 ER, 3 HR, 10 BB, 49 K). The Rule 5 draftee (minor league phase) has pitched fairly well.
RHP Cade Austin: (W, 1-2)  1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Montana Semmel (S, 3): 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
1.44 ERA (25 IP, 16 H, 8 R, 4 ER, 2 HR, 9 BB, 21 K)


FCL (12-9) (Lost to the Phillies, 3-1)

CF Brando Mayea0-for-4, K
LF Christopher Familia2-for-3, 2 2B (3)
A predictable 10-for-16 during his rehab stint.
C Josue Gonzalez: 2-for-3
.233/.410/.483 in 78 PA.
1B Luis Ogando1-for-3, RS, SB (4)
SS Santiago Gomez1-for-2, RBI, SB (6), BB, K
.346/.485/.346 in 33 PA (6-for-8 SB)

RHP McKinley Moore1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
For Moore, results don’t matter – he can strike out FCL hitters without much effort. It is about harnessing the stuff.
RHP Eric Reyzelman2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
One has to imagine that Reyzelman will get to Tampa rather quickly, as long as he is healthy.


DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!