Tag: Aaron Palensky

Yankees MILB 5/25: Estevan Florial Hits a Slam

News:

Nothing new to report.

Scranton (23-25) (Walloped Worcester (the Red Sox affiliate) again, 10-1)

CF Estevan Florial: 1-for-5, HR (11, GS), 4 RBI, RS, 4 K
If this night doesn’t describe Estevan Florial, what does? He is hitting .313/.433/.619 in 164 PA (4 doubles, 2 triples, 11 HR, 25 RBI, 30 R, 29 BB (17.7%), 55 K (33.5%), 10-for-15 SB). He has eight home runs in his last ten games. That is absurd.
3B Josh Donaldson: 1-for-3
The rehab begins.
  PH-3B Wilmer Difo: 1-for-2, RBI
SS Oswald Peraza: 1-for-5, HR (5), RBI, RS, 2 K
Peraza has homered in back-to-back games and has four home runs in his last five games. He is hitting .333/.385/.583.
RF Kole Calhoun: 2-for-5, 3 RS, K
DH Andres Chaparro: 2-for-3, HBP
Chaparro is back up to .260/.335/.497 in 194 plate appearances. He is 7-for-16 in his last four games, though it (surprisingly) comes without an extra-base hit.
LF Elijah Dunham: 3-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 RS
He is starting to collect some hits, but most of the games have been 1-for types. Tonight’s 3-hit effort was much needed.
C Rodolfo Duran: 2-for-3, 2B (10), 2 RBI, RS, HBP
.296/.345/.583 in 116 plate appearances (10 doubles, 7 HR, 24 RBI, 14 R, 6 BB, 23 K). Duran hit .202 in 2021 and .222 last season.
2B Jamie Westbrook: 0-for-4, K
1B Carlos Narvaez: 1-for-2, 2B (1), 2 RS, 2 BB
Narvaez is 5-for-23 (.217) since his promotion, but that comes with 8 walks (.419 OBP)

RHP Mitch Spence: (W, 4-2)  5.2 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
4.86 ERA (50 IP, 52 H, 32 R, 27 ER, 10 HR, 19 BB, 42 K)
RHP Tommy Kahnle: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
One has to assume he will be back in the Bronx soon.
RHP James Norwood: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Colten Brewer: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Greg Weissert: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K

Somerset (24-17) (Lost to Erie, 7-6)

SS Trey Sweeney: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K, SB (7)
Sweeney has 19 walks in May. He is 17-for-71 during this stretch (.239)
CF Jasson Dominguez: 0-for-3, RS, 2 BB, K
.194/.358/.380 in 165 plate appearances. One had to expect some ups and downs at this level – he’ll get hot again.
RF Everson Pereira: 1-for-4, BB, 2 K, SB (7)
Obviously, whatever the reason for him being pulled in the first inning last night was no big deal. Pereira extends his hitting streak to eight (14-for-30). His triple slash has improved from .228/.297/.436 to .282/.349/.504 during the streak.
3B Tyler Hardman: 1-for-4, 3B (2), RBI, K
15 of Hardman’s 26 hits have gone for extra bases (.226/.305/.513)
2B Caleb Durbin: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, RS, CS (3)
Durbin now has one strikeout in 56 plate appearances since his promotion (1.8%) and ten in 153 PA overall (6.5%). All the contact is finally leading to some results for Durbin, who has back-to-back multi-hit games and is now hitting .250 for Somerset.
C Anthony Seigler: 0-for-3, RS, BB, 2 K
Seigler has walked in eight straight games (11 walks). He is only 2-for-23 in those games.
LF Jeisson Rosario: 1-for-4, K
DH Max Burt: 0-for-4, 3 K
1B Eric Wagaman: 2-for-4, HR (3), 3 RBI, RS
Wagaman does have some pop, evidenced by hitting 13 home runs in 69 games last season. He has seven home runs in 35 career Double-A contests.

RHP Clayton Beeter: 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 K
3.03 ERA (38.2 IP, 32 H, 13 R, 13 ER, 3 HR, 21 BB, 49 K). To reach his full potential, he will need to bring that BB rate down. That said, the strikeout rate remains strong.
RHP Indigo Diaz: 1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
3.12 ERA (17.1 IP, 17 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 0 HR, 15 BB, 25 K)
RHP Justin Wilson (L, 0-1): 1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR
LHP Michael Giacone: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
1.86 ERA (19.1 IP, 12 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 10 BB, 25 K). He has 100 strikeouts in 72.2 career innings.

Hudson Valley (25-17) (After a brutal 10-9 loss last night, they score three in the final two innings to win 10-8 tonight)

CF Spencer Jones: 0-for-4, RBI, RS, BB, 3 K
Jones is down to .272/.313/.530 in 163 PA. He is 5-for-34 in his last eight games with 17 strikeouts.
SS Alexander Vargas: 2-for-5, RBI, RS, K, CS (4)
I was wondering how he might react to his extended slump. So far, he is 6-for-15 in his last three games. 
LF Aaron Palensky: 3-for-5, 2 2B (7), HR (12), 3 RBI, 3 RS, 2 K, SB (9)
His ridiculous triple slash is up to .333/.414/.718 in 133 plate appearances. Palensky is 9-for-17 in his last four games with three doubles and two home runs. 
C Antonio Gomez: 1-for-5, 2B (5), RBI, RS
It has been a struggle for Gomez, but his double in the top of the 9th gave Hudson Valley the 9-8 lead.
DH Spencer Henson: 2-for-5, RS
This is a nice follow-up to his four-hit game yesterday. These two games alone have improved his triple slash from .241/.336/.491 to .269/.353/.513.
1B Rafael Flores: 4-for-5, 2 RBI, RS, K
Flores has a pair of 4-hit games this year (in addition to two 3-hit contests). He is hitting .333/.388/.410 in 134 plate appearances. His BABIP is high, as you may suspect (.444)
RF Grant Richardson: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, RS, BB, K
Richardson now has a 7-game hitting streak (10-for-24). He is getting closer and closer to breaking the .200 barrier (.188).
3B Eduardo Torrealba: 1-for-5, 2 K
2B Ben Cowles: 2-for-5, RS, 2 K, SB (4)
Cowles is 17-for-53 (.321) in May after an 11-for-53 (.208) line in April.

RHP Zach Messinger: 4 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 2 K
3.12 ERA (40.1 IP, 36 H, 20 R, 14 ER, 2 HR, 18 BB, 46 K). Back-to-back less-than-ideal efforts, but one has to expect that from Messinger, who is still a newbie in the world of being a starting pitcher.
RHP Enrique Santana: 2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Danny Watson (W, 3-1): 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
1.54 ERA (23.1 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 9 BB, 39 K)
RHP Jack Neely (S, 2): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
2.16 ERA (16.2 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 12 BB, 25 K). Both Watson and Neely are legitimate relief prospects who should find themselves in Double-A soon enough.

Tampa (15-26) (Lost to Palm Beach, 6-5, in ten innings ) – Due to a late start to Game 1, Game 2 was postponed. Hence, Game 1 was converted into a 9-inning game instead of a 7-inning game. Tomorrow, they will try to play two. Got it? Good.

SS Jared Serna: 2-for-5, 2B (7), HR (8), RBI, 2 RS, 2 K
Serna is up to .328 (7 doubles, 1 triple, 8 HR, 22 RBI, 24 R, 15 BB, 19 K, 8-for-11 SB). He is on a 5-game hitting streak (7-for-20; 3 HR) and all eight of his home runs have come in May (19 games)
DH Brenny Escanio: 1-for-5, 2 K
CF Daury Arias: 2-for-4, BB, K
Arias is 8-for-26 (.308) with four walks in his last seven games.
C Agustin Ramirez: 0-for-5, 3 K
LF Tayler Aguilar: 1-for-3, HR (2), RBI, RS, 2 BB, K
1B Omar Martinez: 0-for-4, RS, BB, 2 K
3B Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-5, RS
2B Beau Brewer: 1-for-5
RF Alan Mejia: 1-for-5, 2 RBI, 2 K
His two-run single in the 8th tied the game at five. After an encouraging 2021 season in the DSL, he hasn’t been able to get much going since moving to the States.

RHP Kris Bow: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 1 K
Bow is still getting his feet wet after a late start to his season.
RHP Shane Gray: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
4.73 ERA (13.1 IP, 15 H, 11 R, 7 ER, 0 HR, 9 BB, 15 K). Gabonia hasn’t allowed a home run in 34.1 professional innings.
RHP Cole Ayers: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
3.63 ERA (17.1 IP, 15 H, 10 R, 7 ER, 5 BB, 22 K)
RHP Luis Velasquez: (L, 0-1)  1.2 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Ghost runner was moved to third and scored on a sac fly.

Yankees MILB 5/24: Oswald Peraza Homers

News:

Nothing new to report.

Scranton (22-25) (Walloped Worcester, 15-2)

LF Estevan Florial: 2-for-5, 2 RS, BB, 2 K, SB (10)
His HR streak ends at four if you want one negative thing. Florial is up to .318/.440/.612 in 159 plate appearances (4 doubles, 2 triples, 10 HR, 21 RBI, 29 R, 10-for-15 SB, 29 BB (18.2%), 51 K (32.1%)). He is an incredible 26-for-70 (.371) in May with seven home runs (.714 SLG). 
SS Oswald Peraza: 2-for-5, HR (4), 2 RBI, 2 RS, HBP
Yawn. We all know he doesn’t belong here.
DH Kole Calhoun: 2-for-4, 2B (5), RBI, 3 RS, 2 BB, 2 K
Calhoun is mashing the way you expect a veteran like him to mash.
1B Andres Chaparro: 2-for-4, SF, RBI, 2 RS
.253/.326/.494 in 190 PA (6 doubles, 1 triple, 11 HR, 31 RBI, 32 R, 19 BB, 40 K). It has been a season of streaks for Chaparro – hopefully, he is starting to heat up again.
RF Franchy Cordero: 3-for-4, 2 2B (9), HR (2), 4 RBI, 4 RS, BB, K, SB (2)
He is in his element…
C Rodolfo Duran: 1-for-5, 2 RBI, RS
.286/.330/.571 in 112 plate appearances. For Somerset in 2022, he hit .222/.266/.414. This is why I say he has always shown some pop – if he is starting to show he can do more offensively, he is at least a high-level backup.
3B Jamie Westbrook: 1-for-2, 2B (5), RBI, 2 BB, HBP, K
CF Billy McKinney: 1-for-3, HR (6), 3 RBI, RS, 2 BB, K
2B Jesus Bastidas: 0-for-5, K

LHP Tanner Tully (W, 4-1): 5.2 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, HR
3.83 ERA (40 IP, 53 H, 20 R, 17 ER, 3 HR, 11 BB, 39 K). He is a veteran stabilizer.
LHP Matt Krook: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
1.04 ERA (17.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 12 BB, 34 K). Walks have always been an issue. The Yankees added him to the 40-man this past winter, and we all know that those slots are precious.
RHP Matt Bowman: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Somerset (24-16) (Defeated Erie, 3-1)

SS Trey Sweeney: 1-for-5, 2 K
.244/.380/.344 in 163 PA. As long as he is drawing those walks, I am fine with his start to the season. I do think power will come (he hit 16 HR in 2021)
CF Jasson Dominguez: 2-for-4, 2B (4), RS, BB, SB (14)
A much-needed slump buster of a game for Dominguez, who is at .198/.356/.389 in 160 PA (4 doubles, 1 triple, 6 HR, 21 RBI, 30 R, 14-for-16 SB, 31 BB (19.4%), 40 K (25%)). 
C Austin Wells: 2-for-3, BB
Offensively, he has nothing to prove here. Everyone, including the Yankees, knows this. That only leaves the possibility that they are holding him here to work on defense. In his 72 games at Double-A between last year and this year, he is hitting .264/.360/.514 (11 doubles, 1 triple, 19 HR, 63 RBI, 47 R, 9-for-9 SB, 38 BB, 76 K)
RF Everson Pereira: 0-for-0
Pulled from the lineup in the top of the first inning. I don’t know why.
 PH-RF Jeisson Rosario: 0-for-4, RBI
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-4, K
Rumfield is 15-for-48 (.313/.433/.625) in May (3 doubles, 4 HR, 11/8 BB/K)
3B Caleb Durbin: 2-for-4, RS
Since his promotion, Durbin is hitting .227/.346/.273 in 52 plate appearances. His .233 BABIP should improve. The most impressive number remains the 1 strikeout in those 52 plate appearances.
LF Brandon Lockridge: 0-for-2
I am not sure why Lockridge was pulled.
  LF Eric Wagaman: 0-for-2
2B Max Burt: 2-for-4, RBI, RS
DH Mickey Gasper: 0-for-3, SF, RBI, K

RHP Richard Fitts (W, 2-3): 6 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K
5.26 ERA (39.1 IP, 43 H, 23 R, 23 ER, 7 HR, 11 BB, 41 K). I use the term “much-needed” very often – and that term applies to Richard Fitts’ start today.
RHP Alex Mauricio: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
4.50 ERA (10 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 HR, 2 BB, 9 K).
RHP Steven Jennings (S, 1): 1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

Hudson Valley (24-17) (Blew a 7-0 lead. They eventually lost to Wilmington, 10-9, in ten innings)

DH Spencer Jones: 1-for-5, RS, HBP, 2 K
Jones has one hit in each of his last three games as he tries to break out of a bit of a slump. He has struck out multiple times in six of his last seven games.
SS Alexander Vargas: 1-for-6, RS
.234/.290/.445 in 138 PA (3 doubles, 3 triples, 6 HR, 17 RBI, 19 R, 7-for-10 SB, 9 BB (6.5%), 35 K (25.4%)). His K% was 28.5 last season.
LF Aaron Palensky: 3-for-4, HR (11), RBI, 4 RS, 2 BB
.321/.406/.679 in 128 PA. This may just all be a “second taste of the level” fluke, but I think the Yankees need to see if there is more to it than that. His 11 HR are tied for the organizational lead with Andres Chaparro.
1B Spencer Henson: 4-for-6, 2 2B (8), 3 RBI, 2 RS, K
Henson’s first career 4-hit game. He is hitting .263/.351/.518 in 134 plate appearances. Like with Palensky, you at least have to think about moving him up at some point to see what is real and what isn’t.
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-4, RBI, RS, BB, K
CF Grant Richardson: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, BB
A 6-game hitting streak has raised Richardson’s triple slash from .110/.198/.205 to .172/.267/.280. Hey, it’s a start.
RF Aldenis Sanchez: 1-for-4, RBI, BB, K
3B Marcos Cabrera: 0-for-5, RBI, 2 K
2B Luis Santos: 0-for-5, 2 K

RHP Tyrone Yulie: 5 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 7 K, HR
6.00 ERA (33 IP, 29 H, 25 R, 22 ER, 5 HR, 21 BB, 41 K(
RHP Carlos Gomez: 1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Nick Paciorek: 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Harrison Cohen (L, 0-1): 2.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

Tampa (15-25)

The game against Palm Beach was postponed.

Yankees MILB 5/16: Offensive Explosion!

News:

Nothing to report.

Scranton (18-22) (Crushed Charlotte, 14-5)

CF Estevan Florial: 3-for-5, 2 HR (6), 4 RBI, 4 RS, BB
Florial is up over .300 (.301; .978 OPS) and is 16-for-44 (.364) in May with 3 HR, 9 RBI, and 12 runs scored. He has six career 2-HR games (all have come since 2021)
SS Oswald Peraza: 2-for-3, 2B (2), RBI
He was pulled after a rain delay – so it may just be a precaution (or he was done for the night regardless)
  PH-SS Wilmer Difo: 0-for-3
RF Kole Calhoun: 1-for-4, BB, K
1B Andres Chaparro: 0-for-5, RBI, 2 RS, K
LF Franchy Cordero: 1-for-5, RS
DH Rodolfo Duran: 3-for-4, 2B (9), 2 HR (6), 4 RBI, 3 RS, BB
Duran is up to .317 with a 1.017 OPS (9 doubles, 6 HR, 18 RBI).
C Carlos Narvaez: 0-for-5, K
3B Jamie Westbrook: 3-for-4, HR (6), 3 RBI, 2 RS, BB
Westbrook has been a nice depth signing. Hitting HR in the minors isn’t a foreign concept to him (105 career HR)
2B Jesus Bastidas: 2-for-5, HR (3), RBI, 2 RS

RHP Sean Boyle: (W, 2-2)  5.1 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, HR
That 0.1 IP/6 R start a few weeks ago will continue to haunt his stat line.
RHP Michael Gomez: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Barrett Loseke: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Somerset (21-12) (Outslugged Reading, 14-10)

SS Trey Sweeney: 2-for-4, 2B (7), SF, 3 RBI, 2 RS, BB, K
Sweeney is up to .277/.414/.406 in 128 PA. He has 23 walks (17.97%) and 25 strikeouts (19.5%). 
CF Jasson Dominguez: 3-for-6, HR (5), 2 RBI, 4 RS, SB (13)
13-for-46 (.283) in May (1 double, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 13 R, 4-for-4 SB). Overall, he is up to .208/.389/.417.
C Austin Wells: 3-for-6, HR (5), 4 RBI, 2 RS, K
At this level: .261/.320/.652 (ridiculous) in 50 PA. He has 3 doubles, 5 HR, and 17 RBI in 11 games for Somerset (17 HR, 60 RBI in 66 games at this level going back to last year)
LF Everson Pereira: 3-for-5, 2B (8), 2 RBI, RS
The top of the order goes 11-for-21 with 11 RBI and 9 runs scored. Pereira is up to .245/.310/.453 in 116 PA (8 doubles, 1 triple, 4 HR, 19 RBI, 12 R). 
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-5, 2B (2), 2 K
3B Tyler Hardman: 1-for-4, HR (6), RBI, RS, BB
11-for-37 with three home runs in May. 
2B Caleb Durbin: 0-for-3, RBI, RS, 2 BB, 2 SB (6)
Durbin is 21-for-23 stealing bases (28 games).
DH Anthony Seigler: 0-for-4, RS, BB, 2 K, SB (3)
RF Brandon Lockridge: 1-for-2, 3B (3), 2 RS, 3 BB
Lockridge does a solid job setting things up for the top of the order. He is hitting a solid .306/.391/.486 as he continues to bounce back from last season.

RHP Luis Severino: 3.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
Will we see Severino in Cincinnati? Does Domingo German‘s ejection/suspension speed up that process?
LHP Lisandro Santos: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Justin Maese: 1.2 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 2 HR
RHP Tanner Myatt: (W, 1-0)  1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 0 K
Myatt has been dominant most of the season – tonight, he was off his game a bit.
LHP Michael Giacone: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
1.69 ERA (16 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 9 BB, 21 K)

Hudson Valley (22-12) (Defeated Aberdeen, 9-6)

CF Spencer Jones: 2-for-5, HR (7), 2 RBI, RS, K, SB (10)
Jones has four consecutive multi-hit games, raising his triple slash from .265/.302/.551 to .308/.341/.632. 
2B Eduardo Torrealba: 1-for-4, RS, BB, K
6-for-13 since his demotion from Somerset.
DH Antonio Gomez: 1-for-5, RS, 3 K
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-3, 2 RS, BB, K
6-game hitting streak (9-for-24). He is hitting .319/.376/.418.
1B Spencer Henson: 0-for-3, RBI, RS, BB
LF Aaron Palensky: 2-for-3, HR (10), 2 RBI, RS, BB, K
Palensky ties his personal best for HR in a season (10 in 23 games this year; 10 in 77 games last season)
SS Ben Cowles: 1-for-4, 2B (5), RS, 2 K
Cowles has an 11-game on-base streak (15-for-40). He has at least one hit in ten of those games.
RF Aldenis Sanchez: 3-for-4, 2 RBI, RS
Sanchez is 10-for-31 with three doubles and three triples in May.
3B Marcos Cabrera: 1-for-3, RBI, BB, K

LHP Joel Valdez: 4.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, HR
LHP Clay Aguilar (W, 2-0): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Bailey Dees: 2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, HR
LHP Ryan Anderson: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

Tampa (12-21) (Outslugged Dunedin, 12-7. This is a nice bounceback after being no-hit on Sunday)

SS Jared Serna: 4-for-5, HR (5), RBI, 4 RS, SB (8)
.349/.423/.560 in 123 PA as he continues to show that his size isn’t going to limit the power. Of course, we’ll see more as he continues to move up.
RF Anthony Hall: 2-for-3, 2B (4), HR (2), 3 RBI, 3 RS, BB
.250/.360/.408 in 89 PA. He is 15-for-43 (.349) in May with seven walks.
  RF Felix Negueis: 0-for-1, K
C Agustin Ramirez: 1-for-3, SF, RBI, RS
LF Daury Arias: 2-for-4, 3 RBI
25 doubles, 14 HR, 89 RBI, 88 runs in 123 career games (.248/.372/.406)
2B Brenny Escanio: 1-for-4, 2B (3), RS, K, SB (11)
40 career SB (117 games). He gets on base at a decent clip but must improve the average (hitting only .200 this season).
CF Nelson Medina: 1-for-4, RBI, RS, SB (4)
1B Omar Martinez: 2-for-4, HR (4), RBI, RS, 2 K
.265/.390/.470 in 100 PA. The 21-year-old left-handed bat has shown off some offense in his brief career (.252/.391/.415 with 15 HR and 78 RBI in 135 games)
DH Tayler Aguilar: 1-for-3, RBI, BB
3B Brett Barrera: 0-for-3, RS, K

RHP Hayden Merda: 3.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 5 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Shane Gray: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
RHP Ocean Gabonia (W, 1-0): 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Manny Ramirez: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Cole Ayers: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
In a sea of offense, Ayers calms things down. He now owns a 4.40 ERA in 14.1 IP (13 H, 10 R, 7 ER, 2 HR, 5 BB, 17 K)

 

Yankees MILB 5/7: Austin Wells Homers Again

News:

C/1B Ben Rice, a key cog in the Hudson Valley Renegades offense, has officially been placed on the injured list. He hasn’t played since April 29th.

Rice, a 24-year-old left-handed bat, is hitting .341/.559/.523 in 68 plate appearances with 18 walks and ten strikeouts. He has been a fixture at the top of my Monday leaderboards on Twitter, but will likely fall off this week as I doubt he will qualify. More importantly for him, he will probably reach the upper minors this year if he is healthy.

Scranton (14-19) (Knocked off Rochester, 8-6)

CF Estevan Florial: 2-for-4, 3B (2), RS, BB, 2 K
His BABIP is so extreme between 2022-2023. Is there an explanation? Not really – it is such an outlier that you expect the correction to come. He is hitting .269/.412/.487.
DH Kole Calhoun: 2-for-4, RBI, 2 RS, BB, K
The veteran is 9-for-19 with three doubles and a home run.
LF Elijah Dunham: 1-for-4, RBI, RS, BB
Hopefully, he is breaking out of his little slump.
3B Andres Chaparro: 2-for-3, 2B (4), 2 RBI, 2 RS, 2 BB, SB (2)
You know he is feeling good when he starts stealing bases. Chaparro is all the way up to .250/.326/.534 (4 doubles, 1 triple, 9 HR, 22 RBI, 25 R, 13 BB, 31 K). 
RF Franchy Cordero: 3-for-5, 2B (2), 4 RBI, K
C Ben Rortvedt: 0-for-3, BB
Rortvedt is 3-for-13 with a walk and two strikeouts since joining Scranton.
  C Jose Godoy: 0-for-1
2B Jamie Westbrook: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
1B Billy McKinney: 3-for-4, 2B (4), RS, SB (3)
The veteran is 5-for-7 in his last two games.
SS Wilmer Difo: 1-for-4, RS, SB (3)

LHP Tanner Tully:  4 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 4 K
3.70 ERA (24.1 IP, 28 H, 13 R, 10 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 27 K)
RHP Deivi Garcia: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 0 K, 2 HR
I fully support throwing Garcia in the bullpen to see what happens. It just hasn’t worked very well in the first month.
LHP D.J. Snelten: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Michael Gomez : 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Greg Weissert (W, 1-0): 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
8.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 14 K. He is going to shuttle this season, it appears – at least until he is out of in-season options.

Somerset (17-9) (Bludgeoned Binghamton, 11-2)

SS Trey Sweeney: 2-for-3, 2B (6), 3 RS, 2 BB, K, CS (2)
.268/.384/.378 in 99 plate appearances (6 doubles, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 15 R, 15 BB (15.2%), 20 K (20.2%), 5-for-7 SB). He hit 23 home runs in 143 games entering this season and I expect to see his power numbers go up this year.
LF Jasson Dominguez: 1-for-5, 2B (3), 3 RBI
I love baseball! Dominguez was 0-for-4 entering the bottom of the 8th. He promptly saved his day with a 3-run double.
C Austin Wells: 1-for-5, HR (3), 2 RBI, 2 K
Wells has homered in three straight games. Move him up!
RF Everson Pereira: 1-for-3, RBI, BB
.240/.313/.400 in 83 plate appearances. As I keep saying, he is doing fine enough. Would I love to see him destroy this level to turn himself into a viable MLB option sooner than later? Of course.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-4, RS, 2 K
Rumfield has a 6-game hitting streak going – exactly one hit in each game (6-for-20, 3 HR)
3B Tyler Hardman: 2-for-4, HR (4), 2 RBI, 2 RS, K
Hardman, off to a tough start, has two doubles and a home run in his last two games. His line is now .206/.304/.426 in 79 plate appearances, so the power has been OK.
DH Anthony Seigler: 2-for-4, RS, K
Seigler’s power hasn’t developed (he has never slugged over .400 in his career) so you have to hope that he continues to show good plate discipline and hits for some average. The power could still come – you just can’t count on it.
2B Max Burt: 1-for-4, RS
CF Brandon Lockridge: 2-for-3, HR (1), 2 RBI, 2 RS, BB, CS (2)
Lockridge, who snuck through the Rule 5 draft after a tough 2022 season, is hitting .322/.373/.492 in 67 plate appearances. He is repeating the level and that is important to note. Will they move him up at some point? Probably.

RHP Blane Abeyta: (W, 2-0)   6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 1 K
It was a grind, but Abeyta kept runs off the board.
LHP Lisandro Santos: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
13.2 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 0 HR, 8 BB, 17 K
RHP Justin Maese: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K

Hudson Valley (18-9) (Fell to Wilmington, 16-4)

DH Spencer Jones: 0-for-4, 2 K
2B Caleb Durbin: 2-for-3, RS, BB
7-game hitting streak (12-for-26). He is also on a 15-game on-base streak and is hitting an impressive .333. What level of prospect is he? He plays the infield positions and has shown off some speed and contact ability. He is a bit on the smaller side but we’ll see what happens as he moves up.
LF Aaron Palensky: 2-for-4, HR (9), 2 RBI, 2 RS
Palensky ties Andres Chaparro and Jake Bauers for the organization’s HR lead. He is hitting .379 with a 1.317 OPS. 
CF Grant Richardson: 1-for-4
1B Rafael Flores: 0-for-4, 3 K
SS Ben Cowles: 2-for-4, 2B (3), RBI, K
5-game hitting streak (9-for-19; 1 double, 3 HR). Cowles has spent time at 2B/SS/3B this season.
RF Aldenis Sanchez: 1-for-4
3B Marcos Cabrera: 1-for-4, HR (2), RBI, RS
C Juan Crisp: 0-for-3, K

RHP Drew Thorpe: (L, 1-1) 3.2 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
Everyone has a bad day. This spikes his ERA to 4.56 (25.2 IP, 26 H, 17 R, 13 ER, 2 HR, 12 BB, 34 K). 
RHP Nick Paciorek: 0.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, HR
RHP Carlos Gomez: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Danny Watson: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
2.63 ERA (13.2 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 26 K). Is he a “one level per season” guy (he pitched all year in Tampa last year) or will he be in line for a shot at Somerset? We shall see.
RHP Enrique Santana: 0.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, HR
LHP Ryan Anderson: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Harold Cortijo: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, HR

Tampa (11-16) (Outslugged Bradenton, 10-7)

2B Brenny Escanio: 0-for-4, RS, BB, 2 K
3B Jared Serna: 2-for-5, 2B (6), 3B (1), 2 RBI, 2 RS, K
I wondered just how “real” his 2022 season was. So far, he is proving that it was very much real – he may even be proving that it was just the appetizer. He is hitting .377/.473/.588 in 91 plate appearances (6 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 10 R, 13 BB, 7 K). He has four straight multi-hit games and eight multi-hit efforts in 21 games. 
DH Agustin Ramirez: 1-for-2, SF, RBI, RS, BB, HBP
.246/.386/.369 in 83 plate appearances. He has started 14 games behind the plate.
CF Anthony Hall: 2-for-5, RBI, RS, K
6-game hitting streak (8-for-23). His triple slash has risen from .121/.237/.242 to .214/.313/.321 during this stretch.
SS Dayro Perez: 0-for-4, RS, 2 K
RF Nelson Medina: 1-for-3, RBI, BB, 2 K
LF Tayler Aguilar: 1-for-4, 2 RS, K
C Jesus Rodriguez: 2-for-2, 2B (2), RBI, RS, SB (5)
.293/.391/.379 in 70 plate appearances. He has started five games behind the plate amongst many other responsibilities (1B/3B/LF (one game)). He stole eight bases in both 2021 and 2022, so he has some athleticism.
1B Ronny Rojas: 0-for-2, SF, RBI, BB, K

RHP Baron Stuart: 3.2 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
RHP Yorlin Calderon: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
6.1 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 4 BB, 9 K
LHP Geoffrey Gilbert (W, 2-1): 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
2.63 ERA (13.2 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 9 BB, 18 K)
RHP Manny Ramirez (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K

Yankees MILB 5/4: Will Warren Dominates

News:

Nothing new to report.

Scranton (12-18) (Split a doubleheader with Rochester)

Game 1 (Won, 6-1)

CF Estevan Florial: 1-for-3, BB, 2 K
RF Franchy Cordero: 2-for-4, RS, SB (1)
Hopefully, Cordero stays down in Triple-A – but I have a feeling we will see him on the shuttle until everything settles down (or is that IF everything settles down?)
3B Andres Chaparro: 1-for-2, 2B (3), RBI, 2 RS, BB
LF Kole Calhoun: 1-for-3, HR (1), 2 RBI, RS, K
As a veteran depth piece, I have no issues with Calhoun. 
C Ben Rortvedt: 2-for-3, 2B (1), RBI, RS
Rortvedt, still considered to be on his rehab assignment, is 3-for-6 here and 7-for-18 with four doubles overall.
2B Jesus Bastidas: 0-for-2, RS, BB
1B Billy McKinney: 0-for-2, HBP, K, SB (2)
DH Jose Godoy: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, SB (1)
SS Wilmer Difo: 0-for-3, K

RHP Mitch Spence: (W, 2-2) 6 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K
It has been a rough start for the 24-year-old, so this is nice to see. Season: 6.49 ERA in 26.1 IP with 31 hits allowed and a 25/14 K/BB ratio. Spence has allowed seven home runs, so that is a big part of his bloated ERA.
RHP Greg Weissert: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K

Game 2 (Lost, 9-6)

CF Estevan Florial: 1-for-4, 2B (4), RS, 2 K
2B Jamie Westbrook: 1-for-4, HR (4), 3 RBI, RS
Westbrook, a 27-year-old with 1,038 career minor league hits (103 home runs), would be a nice story if he can finally reach MLB – whether it is here or elsewhere.
RF Elijah Dunham: 0-for-3, RS, BB
3B Andres Chaparro: 1-for-3, RS, BB, K
He is over .230 (.231). Even though his slump is long past, it is still hard to get the numbers all the way up to norms. He hasn’t homered in eight games but is at least getting his share of hits (7-for-25 in his last seven games)
DH Franchy Cordero: 2-for-4, RBI, RS, K
C Rodolfo Duran: 2-for-4, 2B (6), RBI
Duran is up to .290 with 6 doubles, 4 home runs, and 13 RBI in 66 plate appearances.
LF Michael Hermosillo: 0-for-3, SF, RBI, K
Hermosillo, who has MLB experience (but hasn’t hit when given a chance), is hitting only .141.
1B Mickey Gasper: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
SS Jesus Bastidas: 3-for-4, RS
Bastidas, off to a slow start, really need this game. His future comes down to whether the 27 home runs (662 plate appearances) between 2021-2022 is sustainable. If it is, he is a utility player with some pop. 

RHP Sean Boyle: (L, 1-2)  0.1 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Eeeek. Listen, Boyle is on the depth chart somewhere. An outing like this won’t help his MLB debut cause. That said, he has to spit it out and move on to the next.
LHP D.J. Snelten: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
13 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 14 BB, 14 K. This is the ultimate flyer, given that these are his first apperances since 2018.
RHP Deivi Garcia: 2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
3.44 ERA (18.1 IP, 16 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 1 HR, 14 BB, 18 K). He is doing an OK job at preventing runs – but the walks are just too darn high.
RHP James Norwood: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Shawn Semple: 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

Somerset (14-9) (Bludgeoned Binghamton, 10-0)

SS Trey Sweeney: 2-for-4, RS, 2 BB, K
.267/.378/.373 in 90 plate appearances. It feels to me as if Sweeney has flown a bit under the radar so far – he isn’t crushing it in Somerset, but he isn’t dying on the vine either. 
DH Jasson Dominguez: 2-for-3, RBI, RS, 2 BB, K
I commented on Twitter that I wanted to see him swing the bat more after his first walk tonight – I guess the baseball gods listened, as he ended up with a pair of hits. He is hitting .153/.393/.322 in 84 plate appearances. That is a crazy stat line.
CF Everson Pereira: 0-for-4, RS, BB, 2 K, SB (3)
LF Jeisson Rosario: 1-for-4, RBI, 2 RS, BB, 2 K
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-2, HR (4, GS), 4 RBI, 2 RS, 2 BB
Rumfield has tied his career-best in home runs in only 18 games. He probably would have hit more than four last year but only played in 57 games due to injury. Anyway, if he can spike his power numbers, he becomes a very intriguing left-handed hitting prospect. He is 22 years old.
RF Brandon Lockridge: 2-for-4, 2 RS, HBP, K, SB (12)
Lockridge is up to .302/.350/.434 in 60 plate appearances. In his last five games, he is 8-for-15 with a double, two triples, five runs scored, and five stolen bases.
2B Max Burt: 1-for-2, 3B (2), SF, RBI, BB, HBP
C Carlos Narvaez: 0-for-4, HBP, 2 K
3B Eduardo Torrealba: 1-for-3, RBI, RS, 2 BB, SB (2)

RHP Will Warren: (W, 2-0) 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K
Absolutely brilliant. His ERA falls to 3.09 over 23.1 IP (22 H, 10 R, 8 ER, 0 HR, 8 BB, 37 K). He was always seen as a potential fast mover. He should get to Triple-A in his second professional season soon enough. And his MLB debut may not be long after that. Yes, I am bullish on Warren.
LHP Lisandro Santos: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Justin Maese: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
LHP Michael Giacone: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
10 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 5 BB, 15 K. The 26-year-old has only been able to pitch in 33 career games. He has 90 strikeouts (27 walks) in 63.1 innings.

Hudson Valley (16-8) (Tripled up Wilmington, 6-2. The Renegades have been so good that scoring six runs is actually below their season average)

SS Alexander Vargas: 1-for-4, RS, K, SB (5)
5-game hitting streak (9-for-17)
CF Grant Richardson: 0-for-3, RS, BB, 2 K, SB (4)
DH Caleb Durbin: 1-for-3, RBI, RS, BB, SB (15)
5-game hitting streak (8-for-19). If the Yankees can squeeze some value out of the Lucas Luetge deal, that would be nice (they also received Double-A reliever Indigo Diaz)
C Antonio Gomez: 1-for-4, HR (1), 3 RBI, RS, K
.246/.333/.348 in 18 games. His power hasn’t really shown up, but he is still only 21 years old and catching in A+ ball. The best I can say is that we need to be patient to see if his game develops.
1B Spencer Henson: 3-for-4, 2 2B (5), RS
At 25 years old, Henson will need to start moving. He didn’t hit well here last year (.211/.312/.384) but is doing his job this year.
LF Aaron Palensky: 3-for-4, HR (8), 2 RBI, RS
Palensky is up to .407 with 8 home runs and 22 RBI in 63 plate appearances. That’s what you call a hot streak.
3B Marcos Cabrera: 1-for-4, K, CS (1)
RF Aldenis Sanchez: 0-for-3
2B Luis Santos: 0-for-3, K

RHP Tyrone Yulie: 4.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 5 K
6.11 ERA (17.2 IP, 15 H, 14 R, 12 ER, 3 HR, 14 BB, 17 K). His control has been an issue (110 walks in 167 career innings)
RHP Danny Watson: (W, 2-1) 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K
In his last 6.1 innings, Watson has 19 strikeouts. Correct – every out is via the strikeout. Overall, he owns a 2.84 ERA over 12.2 IP with a 25/8 K/BB ratio. He is one of those mid-round (15th) draft picks that the Yankees seem to strike some gold with. He is 22 years old, so his age is fine for this level.
RHP Carlos Gomez: 2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Harrison Cohen: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
6.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 7 K

Tampa (9-15) (Lost to Bradenton, 7-6)

SS Brenny Escanio: 2-for-3, 2 RS, 2 BB, SB (8), CS (3)
.250/.358/.300 in 96 plate appearances. 
RF Daury Arias: 3-for-5, 2B (3), 2 RBI, RS
Arias has six career 3-hit games (compiled five of those games in 2021 down in the silly DSL – silly in terms that you sometimes see crazy statistics down there)
3B Jared Serna: 4-for-4, 2 RBI, BB
Serna has seven hits in his last two games and is hitting .362/.457/.464 in 81 PA with a 7-for-10 stolen base rate. He has 11 walks and only six strikeouts. Just incredible.
LF Anthony Hall: 2-for-4, 2B (2), BB
Hall was intentionally walked with two outs in the 9th. Personally, I hate that – it was the right strategic move, but don’t you want your pitching prospects to try to get the tough out? Isn’t that part of development?  Hall is only at .178/.275/.289 in a mere 51 plate appearances. That offense should improve.
2B Dayro Perez: 0-for-4, 2 K
DH Nelson Medina: 0-for-4, K
C Omar Martinez: 0-for-2, RS, 2 BB
This breaks a string of four straight multi-hit games, but he did reach base twice.
1B Ronny Rojas: 1-for-3, 2 RS, BB, SB (3)
CF Alan Mejia: 1-for-4, RBI, K

LHP Brock Selvidge: (L, 1-2) 5 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, HR
4.01 ERA (24.2 IP, 24 H, 12 R, 11 ER, 1 HR, 6 BB, 25 K). Selvidge pitched very well in the GCL and is off to a good enough start here. He is 20 years old (21 on 8/28, so he will pitch most of this season at 20)
LHP Geoffrey Gilbert: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
11.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 8 BB, 15 K
RHP Manny Ramirez: 1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Luis Velasquez: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
1.93 ERA (14 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 6 BB, 16 K). Velasquez has allowed one home run in 73 career innings.
RHP Cole Ayers: 0.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Yankees MILB 4/30: A Clinic in Hudson Valley

News:

Not much to report. I wish I could tell you that the second coming of Barry Bonds was ready to come up and save the Yankees, but sorry – not happening.

Scranton (10-17) (Shut down by Worcester (featuring James Paxton), 5-0)

CF Estevan Florial: 0-for-4, K
.254/.413/.492 in 75 plate appearances.
DH Harrison Bader: 0-for-4, K
1B Andres Chaparro: 0-for-4, 3 K
I was intrigued to see what he would do against James Paxton, a left-hander who we know has MLB success on his resume. Chaparro didn’t do well, but it’s one game in a sea of several good ones lately.
LF Elijah Dunham: 2-for-3, 2B (8), BB, K
.247/.373/.376 in 102 plate appearances. His minor-league approach has allowed him to compile his share of doubles. 
2B Jamie Westbrook: 0-for-4
SS Jesus Bastidas: 0-for-3, 2 K
RF Michael Hermosillo: 0-for-3, 2 K
C Mickey Gasper: 2-for-3
7-game hitting streak (9-for-26)
3B Wilmer Difo: 0-for-3, K

RHP Ryan Weber: (L, 2-3) 5.1 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Barrett Loseke: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
2.61 ERA (10.1 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 6 BB, 11 K). The Yankees bullpen is doing well so there isn’t much room for a guy like Loseke, but he can at least get himself on the radar.
RHP Michael Gomez: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Somerset (12-8) (Game with Harrisburg was canceled due to rain. It will not be made up)

Some early season numbers:

OF Jasson Dominguez is hitting .140/.380/.340 (114 wRC+) in 71 plate appearances with a 28.2% BB rate and 25.4% K rate. His .161 BABIP will eventually normalize (and you expect the strikeout rate to start to drop somewhat)…OF Everson Pereira (on the 40-man roster) is hitting .246/.317/.421 (109 wRC+) in 51 plate appearances. The triple slash is OK but he will need to normalize the 36.5% K rate…OF Brandon Lockridge is trying to bounce back from a tough 2022. This season, he is hitting .289/.333/.444 (114 wRC+) with ten stolen bases and a nice 19.6% K rate. The defense and speed will play in MLB. It is all about the bat…SS Trey Sweeney is at .234/.342/.344 (101 wRC+) in 76 plate appearances. He is in a bit of a slump recently…C Carlos Narvaez has impressed, hitting .256/.373/.488 in 51 plate appearances. Narvaez didn’t hit for any average last year (.194) but still walked at a 15% clip. If he can even hit in the .230-.240 range with that discipline and some pop, he will make MLB…Veteran utility player Max Burt has a 235 wRC+.

RHP Will Warren owns a 4.15 ERA, thanks mostly to an insane .462 BABIP. His FIP is 1.01 with a 38.7% K and 9.3% BB. He has yet to allow a home run…RHP Richard Fitts is also pitching in some bad luck, as his 5.23 ERA is accompanied by a 3.24 FIP. He owns a 31% K and 6% BB…On the reverse side of the spectrum, RHP Clayton Beeter is the owner of a 1.74 ERA/3.58 FIP (which isn’t exactly bad). I think there are simply a lot of sample size issues going on with these pitchers…

Hudson Valley (14-7) (Destroyed Greenville, 15-2)

SS Alexander Vargas: 3-for-6, 2 HR (4), 2 RBI, 3 RS
First career multi-HR game. Prospects develop at different rates – that said, if Vargas suddenly has things click, it would be quite a nice surprise. While he did set a career-high with eight home runs in 2022, it came with a .203/.271/.311 triple slash. Let’s see how this season evolves.
LF Aaron Palensky: 2-for-4, 2B (3), HR (7), RBI, 2 RS, 2 BB
Palensky has homered in four straight games (five HR in those four games) and has six HR in his last six games. Yeah, he will be all over tomorrow’s leaderboard data dump on Twitter.
3B Caleb Durbin: 1-for-3, RS, BB, K
  PH-3B Luis Santos: 1-for-2, HR (1), 3 RBI, RS, K
Santos has hit exactly 2 home runs per season between 2019-2022 (remember, 2020 didn’t exist in MILB)
CF Grant Richardson: 1-for-5, 2B (1), RBI, RS, BB, 3 K
C Antonio Gomez: 2-for-4, 2B (4), 2 RBI, RS, BB, 2 K
Gomez has hit safely in 13 of his 15 games this season. There isn’t much power sprinkled in (three doubles) + only three of the games are multi-hit efforts, but we’ll what we can get from a prospect who is trying to regain some shine.
1B Rafael Flores: 2-for-5, 2B (5), 2 RBI, RS
Flores is hitting .404 (19-for-47) with five doubles and ten runs batted in. He is 25-for-61 (.410) in his brief career.
DH Anthony Garcia: 0-for-5, 2 K
2B Ben Cowles: 2-for-5, 2 HR (4), 2 RBI, 2 RS, K
Cowles’ first career multi-HR game. 
RF Aldenis Sanchez: 1-for-4, HR (1), RBI, 2 RS, BB, K

RHP Drew Thorpe: (W, 1-0) 6.2 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
2.86 ERA (22 IP, 20 H, 11 R, 7 ER, 9 BB, 29 K). First professional win.
RHP Danny Watson: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, HR
11 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 6 BB, 20 K, 1 HR

Tampa (8-13) (Lost to Jupiter, 8-6)

2B Brenny Escanio: 2-for-4, 2 RS, BB, K, SB (7)
.250/.358/.309 in 82 plate appearances. Escanio, who was acquired from the Brewers as a part of the J.P. Feyereisen trade, doesn’t show up anywhere on prospect lists. However, the Yankees continue to lead him off which could be a sign of some faith that there is something to tap into.
C Austin Wells: 0-for-4, K
3-for-17 during his rehab stint (the numbers don’t even matter – it is all about getting his swings in)
 C Agustin Ramirez: 1-for-1, RBI
CF Anthony Hall: 0-for-5, K
DH Nelson Medina: 1-for-4, 2B (5), RBI, RS, BB, 3 K, SB (2)
.296/.371/.537 in 16 gqmes. I have no information about what his signing bonus was back in 2017, so just assume it was small.
SS Dayro Perez: 1-for-3, RBI, BB, K
The average has jumped from .078 to .156 over the last three games – hey, you have to start somewhere.
LF Tayler Aguilar: 0-for-4, K
1B Jesus Rodriguez: 2-for-4, HR (1), RBI, RS
Rodriguez isn’t a big kid (5’9″) but he has shown off some versatility (including the ability to catch). Offensively, he is hitting .283/.371/.358 in 15 games. He has always hit for average in the short-season leagues.
3B Ronny Rojas: 1-for-3, HR (3), RBI, 2 RS, BB, 2 K
Rojas has homered in three straight games.
RF Felix Negueis: 0-for-4, 2 K

RHP Baron Stuart: (L, 0-1) 4.2 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 2 HR
Staurt’s professional debut. The Yankees signed him as an undrafted free agent (out if Pitt) last season. His college numbers don’t jump out at you (he did have a strikeout boost last year), which is something that fascinates me about scouting. They look beyond the raw numbers to see if there is something interesting about the kid – someone liked him, and here he is.
RHP Shane Gray: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR
LHP Geoffrey Gilbert: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
10.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 7 BB, 15 K. This is his debut season and he throws left-handed – which automatically puts him on the radar.
RHP Luis Velasquez: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
12.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 14 K. This is the 21-year-old’s first taste of full-season ball.

 

Yankees MILB 4/28: Austin Wells Goes Yard

News:

Nothing to report.

Scranton (10-15) (Lost to Worcester, 4-2)

LF-CF Estevan Florial: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K
CF Harrison Bader: 1-for-4, K
3-for-16 during his rehab stint.
  P Aaron McGarity: 0-for-0
They lost the DH after they took Bader out of the game (McKinney had to move into the field)
  PH Rodolfo Duran: 0-for-1
RF Elijah Dunham: 0-for-3, HBP, 2 K
Dunham, one of my favorite under-the-radar type prospects, is in a bit of a slump (0-for-14; 2-for-28)
3B Andres Chaparro: 2-for-3, RS, BB
Tale of two halves of the month:
Started: 0-for-20; 2 walks, 10 strikeouts.
Since: 21-for-63 (.333); 2 doubles, 8 home runs, 6 BB, 14 K
DH-LF Billy McKinney: 0-for-4, RS, K
2B Jamie Westbrook: 1-for-4, RBI
1B Mickey Gasper: 1-for-4, RBI, K, SB (2)
Gasper is off to a slow 9-for-54 start. 
C Jose Godoy: 1-for-3, BB, K
SS Wilmer Difo: 0-for-4, K

RHP Sean Boyle: 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 8 K
The starting pitching depth underneath MLB isn’t great right now – Boyle is a part of that depth. He has been struggling to start the season, but this is a nice outing to get himself going.
RHP Shawn Semple: (L, 0-2)  1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Aaron McGarity: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
1.98 ERA (13.2 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 19 K). Solid start to the season for McGarity, who is 28 years old. He was drafted by the Yankees all the way back in 2017 out of Virginia Tech.

Somerset (11-7) 

The game against Harrisburg was postponed. They will try to play a pair tomorrow, though the forecast isn’t great.

Hudson Valley (13-6) (Split a doubleheader with Greenville)

Game 1 (Won, 7-4)

DH Spencer Jones: 1-for-4, RBI, 2 K, CS (1)
LF Aaron Palensky: 1-for-3, HR (6), RBI, 2 RS, BB, 2 K
.395/.480/.907 (not a typo) in 50 plate appearances. He has 16 home runs in 88 games at this level. He is certainly not a top prospect or anything, but why not just place him in Somerset to see if he can be an overachieving type? Note: He actually has experience in Somerset. Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2020, he started his professional career in Somerset in 2021 – skipping all levels. 
1B Ben Rice: 2-for-4
RF Grant Richardson: 1-for-4, HR (2), 2 RBI, RS, K
Back-to-back games with a home run.
C Rafael Flores: 2-for-3, 2 RS, BB
Like many at this level, Flores has started strong: 16-for-39 (.410/.455/.487). In his brief professional career, he is hitting .415/.448/.604 in 58 plate appearances.
3B Marcos Cabrera: 2-for-4, RS
.200/.280/.356 in 50 plate appearances. After hitting for a solid average in the DSL in 2019 (a league that is hard to take seriously – but everyone has to start somewhere), he hasn’t been able to replicate that since moving to the States. As you may suspect, much of that is due to a too-high K rate.
CF Aldenis Sanchez: 1-for-2, SF, 2 RBI, CS (1)
SS Ben Cowles: 2-for-3, 2B (2), RBI, RS
2B Luis Santos: 0-for-2, BB, K

RHP Zach Messinger: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, HR
2.14 ERA (21 IP, 15 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 HR, 6 BB, 26 K). Messinger struck out 112 batters in 83.2 innings down in Tampa last year. The 13th-round pick (Virginia) back in 2021 has an intriguing arm to follow. It should be noted that he didn’t start much in college (11 of his 51 games pitched), so this is still a relatively new thing for him.
RHP Jack Neely (W, 2-0): 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
11 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 6 BB, 13 K. Another intriguing arm to follow – like many, it comes down to cutting down the walk rate.
RHP Nick Paciorek (S, 2): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
6.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K. Injuries have slowed down the 7th-round pick from the 2019 draft.

Game 2 (Lost, 9-1. They mustered only one hit)

CF Spencer Jones: 0-for-3, 2 K
.278/.325/.542 in 80 plate appearances. He does have those 28 strikeouts (35%) that he will need to clean up (he was solid in this category last year)
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-3, 2 K
2B Caleb Durbin: 0-for-0, RS, 3 BB, SB (14)
11 walks in 68 plate appearances (16.2%). If he can walk and steal some bases while maintaining his defensive flexibility, there could be an MLB player here. We are still a while away from knowing that.
DH Ben Rice: 1-for-3, RBI
Of course the only hit would be off of Rice’s bat. This game drops the OBP below .600 (.375/.594/.575 in 64 PA). He has started the season on a 14-game on-base streak.
C Antonio Gomez: 0-for-3
LF Grant Richardson: 0-for-3, 2 K
RF Anthony Garcia: 0-for-3, 2 K
1B Spencer Henson: 0-for-1, BB, K, HBP
3B Ben Cowles: 0-for-3, 3 K

RHP Tyrone Yulie: 2.2 IP, 6 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 4 BB, 3 K, 2 HR
Wake up tomorrow and just pretend this was a bad nightmare.
RHP Harold Cortijo: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
0.84 ERA (10.2 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 14 K)
RHP Enrique Santana: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Tampa (7-12) (Lost to Jupiter, 9-8)

2B Jared Serna: 1-for-5
.309/.397/.364. 6-game hitting streak (11-for-25; .440). Low-A pitchers aren’t knocking the bat out of his hands, and that is nice to see. His size will always put him under a microscope as he tries to handle tougher and more advanced pitching.
C Austin Wells: 2-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, RS, 2 K
He is probably ready to rake up in Somerset/Scranton.
  C Agustin Ramirez: 1-for-1, RS
CF Anthony Hall: 1-for-5
LF Daury Arias: 0-for-5, K
SS Dayro Perez: 1-for-5, 3B (1), RS, 2 K
The speedy Perez didn’t triple in 38 games last season. He had 7 in his first 104 games (2019, 2021). Baseball!
DH Omar Martinez: 2-for-3, 2B (2), RBI, RS, BB, HBP, K
He has an impressive .392 career OBP (477 plate appearances). Martinez is a 21-year-old left-handed C/1B.
RF Tayler Aguilar: 2-for-5, 2B (3), HR (1), 2 RBI, 2 RS, 3 K
He is 6-for-29 in eight games this season. A big issue is the strikeouts (18)
1B Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-4, RBI, K, SB (3)
3B Roberto Chirinos: 0-for-0
Dunno why he was pulled.
  3B Ronny Rojas: 2-for-3, 2B (3), HR (2), 2 RBI, 2 RS, BB, 2 SB (2)
Rojas wasn’t even supposed to play today…

RHP Sean Hermann (L, 1-2): 4.1 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
3.60 ERA (20 IP, 20 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 5 BB, 16 K). We talk a lot about the “quick rise” prospects in this system – Hermann may take a bit more time to marinate (he doesn’t turn 20 until June).
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Gabonia was signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2020 (the year when MLB had a shortened draft). He is 21 years old.
RHP Yorlin Calderon: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
9 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 14 K. They are keeping him in the bullpen to begin 2023. If you don’t remember (and why would you?), Calderon tossed a 7-inning no-hitter in his Tampa debut last season.
RHP Alex Bustamante: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

Yankees MILB 4/26: Richard Fitts: 6 Scoreless IP

News:

Nothing to report.

Scranton (10-13) (Defeated Worcester, 4-1)

RF Estevan Florial: 2-for-5, 2 K, 2 SB (7), CS (2)
CF Harrison Bader: 1-for-3, BB
  CF Michael Hermosillo: 1-for-1
DH Elijah Dunham: 0-for-3, BB, HBP, 2 K
3B Andres Chaparro: 0-for-4, BB, K
LF Jake Bauers: 1-for-3, 2B (5), 2 RS, BB, K, 2 SB (5)
Bauers extends his hitting streak to seven.
2B Jamie Westbrook: 0-for-2, RS, 2 BB, K
1B Billy McKinney: 3-for-4, 2B (3), 2 RBI, K
The veteran was only 11-for-59 (.186) entering tonight.
SS Jesus Bastidas: 0-for-3, SF, RBI, K
C Jose Godoy: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K

LHP Tanner Tully: (W, 1-1) 5.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 9 K
Tully is a depth arm who pitched in three games for the Indians in 2022.
LHP Matt Krook: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Matt Bowman: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
LHP D.J. Snelten (S, 1): 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K
Snelten (30) hadn’t pitched since 2018 entering this season. This is what you call perseverance.

Somerset (10-7) (Held off Harrisburg, 4-3)

DH Trey Sweeney: 0-for-4, RS, BB, 3 K
.264/.365/.377 in 63 PA with 12.7% BB and 23.8% K rates.
LF Everson Pereira: 2-for-4, 2 2B (5), 2 RBI
Breaks out of his little 2-for-16 slump.
RF Jeisson Rosario: 0-for-2, 2 BB, 2 K
3B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-4, 2 K
SS Max Burt: 1-for-4, 3B (1), RS, 2 K
Burt’s first triple since 5/22/19.
CF Brandon Lockridge: 0-for-4, RBI, K
1B Eric Wagaman: 1-for-4, HR (1), RBI, RS
His add-on solo HR in the 9th (giving Somerset a 4-0 lead) proved to be the game-winner. The 25-year-old set a career-best with his 13 home runs last season, including four at this level.
C Juan Crisp: 1-for-2, RS, 2 BB
The 22-year-old Crisp hasn’t played much since compiling 36 games down in the GCL back in 2019. It seems his role is that of an organizational backup catcher.
2B Eduardo Torrealba: 0-for-4, K

RHP Richard Fitts (W, 1-2): 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K
5.23 ERA (20.2 IP, 20 H, 12 R, 12 ER, 3 HR, 5 BB, 26 K). It is all about command (not control) for Fitts.
RHP Tanner Myatt: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
8.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 10 K. Injuries have derailed the hard-throwing right-hander, who is now 24.
LHP Lisandro Santos: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Justin Maese: 1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR

Hudson Valley (12-5) (Mauled Greenville, 16-2)

CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-5, 2 RBI, RS, BB, K, SB (7)
When will we see him in Somerset? In my opinion, the second half of the season at the latest – could be earlier if he starts to annihilate this level.
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-4, RS, 2 BB, K, 2 SB (4)
2B Caleb Durbin: 0-for-4, RS, 2 BB, SB (13)
Durbin is second in stolen bases amongst all minor leaguers (Victor Scott (A+, St. Louis) has 16)
C Ben Rice: 2-for-4, SF, 2 RBI, 2 RS, BB, 2 K
Rice has been a machine since Day 1. He entered tonight with a .627 OBP – so this performance will bring that number down.
DH Spencer Henson: 2-for-5, HR (5), RBI, 2 RS, BB, 2 K
Henson has 15 home runs in 84 games at this level and should probably be challenged in Somerset.
RF Anthony Garcia: 1-for-4, HR (2), 2 RBI, 4 RS, 2 BB, 2 K
Garcia sets a new personal best with four runs scored. His ceiling is that of a three outcomes type – the issue is that one of those outcomes (strikeouts) is two extreme right now.
1B Rafael Flores: 1-for-3, SF, RBI, 2 RS, BB
LF Aaron Palensky: 4-for-5, 2 HR (5), 7 RBI, 3 RS, 2 SB (7)
This is what you call a career game. Palensky, a 24-year-old outfielder, has homered in three of his last four games. He hit 10 home runs in 77 games at this level last season. His previous high for RBI in a game was four.
3B Ben Cowles: 1-for-5, 3 K

LHP Joel Valdez:  4.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
5.54 ERA (13 IP, 10 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 10 BB, 14 K). Valdez was acquired along with T.J. Rumfield from the Phillies for Nick Nelson and Donny Sands last year.
RHP Danny Watson: (W, 1-1)  1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
8.2 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 6 BB, 13 K
RHP Bailey Dees: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
6.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 12 K. The 24-year-old stands 6’8″ and is listed at 250 pounds – his career K-rate matches up to his size. Let’s see what he can do in the upper minors.
RHP Harrison Cohen: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
The 23-year-old was signed last year as an undrafted free agent (out of George Washington)
LHP Clay Aguilar: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
The 24-year-old is back after missing all of 2022. In his debut 2021 season, he pitched to a 1.90 ERA in 52 innings with a 71/11 K/BB. He made five starts that season, so we will see if they explore that again.

Tampa (6-11) (Lost to Jupiter, 5-2)

3B Brenny Escanio: 0-for-3, BB, K
Games by position, 2023: SS – 7; 3B – 5; 2B – 2. I give him some of the spotlight because they have been leading him off all season.
C Austin Wells: 0-for-2, BB, K
He is following the typical rehab formula – he was the DH in the first game and caught a partial game in his second game back.
  C Agustin Ramirez: 1-for-1
DH Daury Arias: 1-for-4, RS, SB (4)
SS Dayro Perez: 0-for-4, 4 K
LF Nelson Medina: 1-for-4, 3B (1), RBI, RS
Medina has hit safely in 11 of his 13 starts this season (and has reached base safely in every start)
1B Jose Rodriguez: 0-for-4, RBI, K
CF Alan Mejia: 1-for-4, 3 K
RF Felix Negueis: 0-for-3, K
2B Roberto Chirinos: 1-for-3, K, SB (1)

RHP Leonardo Pestana: (L, 0-1) 3 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
4.97 ERA (12.2 IP, 14 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 3 BB, 17 K). Pestana hasn’t pitched much since 2019 (two games in 2021; one game in 2022). He has 130 strikeouts in 91.2 innings (but has also walked 57)
RHP Shane Gray: 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Gray was the Yankees’ 16th-round pick in the 2022 draft out of Evansville.
RHP Manny Ramirez:  1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
RHP Luis Velasquez: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
11.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 12 K

Yankees MILB 4/23: Drew Thorpe Ks 10

Anthony Seigler was officially placed on the injured list by Somerset on 4/21. His injury history remains scary – even as his play improved in 2022.

Scranton (8-13) (Lost to St. Paul, 8-5)

RF Estevan Florial: 1-for-5, 3B (1), K
6-game hitting streak
2B Jamie Westbrook: 1-for-4, BB
LF Elijah Dunham: 0-for-4, K
3B Andres Chaparro: 1-for-3, RS, BB, K
It’s a shame that Chaparro is a corner infielder/DH who can’t play the outfield. 
DH Jake Bauers: 2-for-4, 2 HR (8), 3 RBI, 2 RS, K
Once a Top 100 prospect, Bauers hasn’t had much success at the big league level. This is his third multi-HR game this season (including a 3-HR game)
1B Billy McKinney: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
SS Jesus Bastidas: 1-for-4, RS, K
C Mickey Gasper: 1-for-4
Gasper can catch and play first base. He is a left-handed bat who hit .266/.407/,453 in 70 games for Somerset last season. The downside? He is 27.
CF Michael Hermosillo: 1-for-3, HR (4), 2 RBI, RS, BB
Hermosillo has MLB experience but hasn’t hit much when given an opportunity.

RHP Randy Vasquez: (L, 0-3) 6 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 5 BB, 6 K, HR
It has been a bit of a bumpy ride for Vasquez, but this start is at least somewhat encouraging. Season: 7.48 ERA (21.2 IP, 27 H, 21 R, 18 ER, 5 HR, 16 BB, 28 K)
RHP Barrett Loseke: 1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Michael Gomez: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

Somerset (8-7) (Defeated New Hampshire, 7-3)

LF Jasson Dominguez: 0-for-1, RS, 3 BB, K, SB (9)
15 walks in 55 plate appearances (27.3%). He is showing off his patience and perhaps Double-A pitchers are being extra careful despite his 3-for-39 start. Hopefully, he gets hot soon enough.
CF Harrison Bader: 0-for-3
See you soon! Hopefully you bring your playoff bat with you.
CF Brandon Lockridge: 0-for-0, SF, RBI
RF Jeisson Rosario: 3-for-4, 2 HR (3), 4 RBI, 2 RS
Rosario’s first career multi-HR game. Last year, he finished with 11 home runs after hitting ten total in his first four seasons.
3B Tyler Hardman: 2-for-4, SB (3)
1B T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-3, HBP
C Carlos Narvaez: 1-for-3, HBP
DH Eric Wagaman: 0-for-4
SS Max Burt: 1-for-3, HR (4), RBI, 2 RS, HBP, K, 2 SB (6)
Burt is one of those guys you root for to make an MLB appearance some day – he just grinds it out every year.  He is off to a 13-for-30 start (.433)
2B Eduardo Torrealba: 0-for-2, RS, HBP, K, SB (1)

RHP Blas Castano: (W, 1-0) 5 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, HR
He allowed a 3-run HR in the first but settled in nicely.He pitched well for Hudson Valley in 2022.
LHP Lisandro Santos: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
8.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 5 BB, 10 K. Santos is one of those big-armed guys who doesn’t always know where it is going. He was signed this off-season out of the Braves’ organization.
RHP Indigo Diaz: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
Diaz was acquired from the Braves as a part of the Lucas Luetge transaction. This season: 7 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 8 K
RHP Steven Jennings: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Zac Houston: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
This is the 28-year-old’s organizational debut. He was an 11th round pick by the Tigers all the way back in 2016 and has shown off the strikeout touch in the minors (394 in 264 career innings). His control, however, has not been good.

Hudson Valley (10-5) (Doubled up Rome, 10-5)

CF Spencer Jones 0-for-6, 4 K
22 K in 62 plate appearances (35.5%). 
SS Alexander Vargas: 2-for-4, 3B (2), 3 RS, 2 BB, K, SB (2)
Vargas has tripled in back-to-back games (hit 2 triples in 100 games in 2022)
C Ben Rice: 2-for-2, RBI, 2 RS, 4 BB, SB (3)
Rice is hitting .357 and has 13 walks (7 strikeouts) in 46 plate appearances. The walk rate is an absurd 28.3%. He can catch and play first base and bats left-handed.
RF Anthony Garcia: 2-for-3, SF, 2 RBI, RS, 2 BB, K
1B Spencer Henson: 1-for-6, 2B (3), RBI, RS
LF Aaron Palensky: 2-for-5, HR (3), RBI, 2 RS, K, 2 SB (5)
12-for-35 (.343) to start off his 2023 campaign.
DH Rafael Flores: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, BB, K
3B Marcos Cabrera: 1-for-5
2B Luis Santos: 1-for-4, SF, RBI

RHP Drew Thorpe: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 10 K
3.52 ERA (15.1 IP, 14 H, 10 R, 6 ER, 7 BB, 25 K). He has shown the ability to miss bats in what is his first professional season, which is encouraging. He can move quickly.
RHP Danny Watson: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Watson, who stands at 6’7″, threw to a 4.01 ERA for Tampa last season. Walks were the issue (36 in 58.1 IP)
RHP Harold Cortijo: (W, 4-0) 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
Four wins? It is nice to be a middle reliever in the minors, where pitch counts rule the day. 8.2 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 13 K. Cortijo became a full-time reliever in 2022 – we’ll see what that means for him going forward.
RHP Enrique Santana: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K

Tampa (6-9) (Lost to Clearwater, 12-3, in an ejection-filled mess. I don’t have every detail, but a bit of a brawl broke up after a Tampa pitcher hit a Clearwater batter. Whatever)

2B Brenny Escanio: 1-for-4, RS, BB, K
DH Ben Rortvedt: 3-for-4, 2 2B (2), 2 RS
Remember that Rortvedt missed spring training. He is still a while away from being where he needs to be – but this is an encouraging game.
PR/DH Nelson Medina: 0-for-1
RF Daury Arias: 1-for-4, RBI, BB, K
.225/.326/350 in 46 plate appearance for the “other Arias.” (Roderick Arias is one of the organization’s most promising lower-level prospects – you will see him in the rookie leagues this summer)
CF Anthony Hall: 1-for-4, RBI, BB, K
Hall’s first career game in CF (only his fifth career game). He played all three OF positions in college.
SS Dayro Perez: 0-for-1, K (Ejected)
SS Roberto Chirinos: 0-for-3, BB, K
C Omar Martinez: 0-for-1, K (Ejected)
C Agustin Ramirez: 0-for-4, K
LF Tayler Aguilar: 1-for-3, 2B (2), BB, 2 K
4-for-16 with a pair of doubles. Last year’s 15th-round pick struggled with the bat in his pro debut (.167/.286/.346 in 23 games)
3B Jose Rodriguez: 1-for-2, 2 BB
1B Ronny Rojas: 0-for-4

RHP Justin Lange: (L, 0-2)  1 IP, 1 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 5 BB, 3 K
Lange cruised through the first…only to start the second with five straight walks. He throws hard (reached 97 today) and is young (21) but he has some rawness to his game. This game skews the ERA as it jumps to 5.73 with a 20/6 K/BB over 11 innings. 
RHP Alex Bustamante: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 5 K (Ejected)
RHP Yorlin Calderon: 1.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
RHP Luis Velasquez: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
10.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 10 K. He is 21 years old, and this is his first taste of a full-season league. He hit 97.6 on the gun today.
RHP Cole Ayers: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
LHP Geoffrey Gilbert: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
The Yankees aren’t loaded with left-handed relief prospects, so there is room for a kid like Gilbert to stand out. He was their 13th round pick in 2022 out of Clemson.
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K