Yankees MILB 7/2: Spencer Jones Homers

News:

The Yankees’ two representatives in this year’s Futures Game are OF Spencer Jones and LHP Brock Selvidge. Congrats to the Somerset teammates.

IF Caleb Durbin was transferred to the 60-day injured list today. That’s not good news. They made it retroactive to June 27, according to Conor Foley. That doesn’t make sense, since he last played on May 23rd. Whatever – any time a player is moved to the 60-day injured list, it is concerning. The only “good” news (for now) is that he hasn’t been transferred to the full-season list (minor league baseball has a full-season injured list).

Durbin, who has earned cult status amongst Yankees prospect watchers, missed several games last season due to a non-contact injury (he ended up playing in only 69 games). This year, he has missed several weeks due to a HBP. He should be in the conversation to take over second base in 2025, but this setback will cost him valuable development time.

LHP Ben Shields and RHP Eric Reyzelman were promoted from Hudson Valley to Somerset.

Shields compiled a 2.75 ERA (3.00 FIP) over 52.1 innings for Hudson Valley with a 34.8% K and 4.9% BB. That works. He made an emergency start for Scranton that didn’t go well, but it is fair to toss that.

Reyzelman is on the fast track to MLB and should be an option in 2025. The 23-year-old has yet to allow a run this season in 15.1 IP between the FCL (rehab stint) and Hudson Valley. He has 26 strikeouts and 5 walks.

Scranton (45-35) (Lost to Lehigh Valley, 5-3)

CF Brandon Lockridge1-for-5, 2B (10), 2 K
Lockridge will try to build off a .382/.462/.500 June.
2B Jorbit Vivas1-for-5, K
Vivas has an 8-game hitting streak (12-for-31) and a 13-game on-base streak.
SS Oswald Peraza1-for-4, CS (3), BB, K
C Agustin Ramirez0-for-2, RS, 2 BB, K
Since promotion: 4-for-36 (.111) with a homer, five walks, and 11 strikeouts.
1B T.J. Rumfield2-for-4, 2B (15), RBI, RS
.298/.350/.471 in 246 PA since his promotion. It’s too bad that he only plays first base.
DH Carlos Narvaez0-for-2, RS, 2 BB
RF Oscar Gonzalez1-for-3, BB, K
LF Taylor Trammell1-for-4, RBI, K
3B Jeter Downs0-for-4, RBI, 2 K

RHP Yoendrys Gomez: (L, 2-4)  3.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 4 K, HR
The walks continue to be a problem (30 in 49.1 innings)
RHP Cody Morris1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Jack Neely1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Since promotion: 5.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K. 
LHP Chasen Shreve1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Ron Marinaccio1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K


Somerset (38-39) (Lost to Reading, 4-2)

CF Spencer Jones1-for-5, HR (10), RBI, RS, K
Jones, who flew out with the bases loaded and two outs in the 9th, has five doubles and three home runs in his last six games, increasing his SLG from .381 to .427.
SS Ben Cowles0-for-4, K
Cowles is in a little 0-for-13 slump, which has dropped his average to .288 (before the slump, he compiled a 9-game hitting streak. Baseball!)
3B Tyler Hardman2-for-4
1B Rafael Flores0-for-3, BB, K
C J.C. Escarra1-for-4, RS
DH Elijah Dunham2-for-4, K
Dunham has an 11-game hitting streak (16-for-46, .348).
RF Grant Richardson2-for-4, RBI
Richardson has five 2-hit efforts in his last eight games. He is hitting .260/.324/.400.
2B Anthony Seigler0-for-3, BB, K
LF Jared Wegner0-for-3, BB

RHP Zach Messinger: (L, 2-5)  5 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 2 K
Messinger had to grind through this one. Season: 3.60 ERA (85 IP, 68 H, 49 R, 34 ER, 6 HR, 29 BB, 92 K). His highest innings total is 101.1 (last year). He’s a big kid (6’6″) and is 24 years old – he can probably get as high as 150 innings this year.
RHP Carlos Gomez2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP McKinley Moore1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Since being placed in Somerset, Moore has walked one batter in 7 IP. It is too small of a sample to get excited, but Moore with even slightly below-average control can be a potent bullpen piece.
RHP Eric Reyzelman1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Reyzelman’s Double-A debut.


Hudson Valley (39-36) (Lost to Brooklyn, 7-0)

2B Roc Riggio0-for-3, SB (11), BB, K
Riggio has a 20-game on-base streak.
DH Jared Serna1-for-4
1B Josh Moylan0-for-4, 2 K
Moylan’s 9-game hitting streak is snapped.
C Antonio Gomez0-for-3, K
RF Garrett Martin0-for-2, CI, 2 K
LF Christopher Familia0-for-3, K
3B Kiko Romero1-for-3, K
CF Cole Gabrielson0-for-3, 2 K
SS Brenny Escanio0-for-2, BB, K

RHP Sebastian Keane: (L, 6-6)  1.2 IP, 1 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
It wasn’t his night – it required 52 pitches to earn those five outs. Season: 4.98 ERA (65 IP, 60 H, 37 R, 36 ER, 6 HR, 32 BB, 61 K).
RHP Luis Arejula2.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Huey Morrill2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Mason Vinyard1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
2.52 ERA (25 IP, 18 H, 13 R, 7 ER, 2 HR, 13 BB, 37 K)


Tampa (27-47) (Their game against Lakeland was postponed due to wet grounds)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-0
DH Enmanuel Tejeda0-for-0
Tejeda has impressed as a 19-year-old. vs. RHP: .302/.340/.380. vs. LHP: 10-for-28 (.357). 
2B Roderick Arias0-for-0
1B Dylan Jasso0-for-0
CF Jackson Castillo0-for-0
Castillo has floated under the radar. He owns a solid .251/.377/.415 (131 wRC+) line with ten stolen bases. 45 of his 57 starts have been in CF (10 in LF, 2 at DH)
3B Hans Montero0-for-0
LF Willy Montero0-for-0
RF Coby Morales0-for-0
C Tomas Frick0-for-0

RHP Bryce Warrecker0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K


FCL (26-14) (Split a doubleheader against the Tigers)

Game 1 (Won, 8-7, in 8 innings)

CF Brian Sanchez1-for-5, HR (4), 3 RBI, RS, K
C Edgleen Perez: 4-for-5, RS
Perez’s first career 4-hit game.
DH Anthony Hall3-for-5, RS, SB (1)
He should be back in Hudson Valley soon enough.
3B Abrahan Ramirez1-for-4, 2B (9), RBI, 2 RS, BB, K
SS Juan Matheus: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 BB, K
2B Gabriel Terrero1-for-3, RS, SB (10), 2 BB, K
Terrero is a perfect 10-for-10 stealing bases.
RF Fidel Montero2-for-4, HR (2), 2 RBI, RS, CS (3), BB, K

RHP Yoljeldriz Diaz (W, 4-0): 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Game 2 (Lost a pitching duel, 18-13)

CF Brian Sanchez1-for-4, 2B (13), 2 RS, BB
.314/.404/.576 in 136 PA (13 doubles, 3 triples, 4 HR, 27 RBI, 28 R, 11-for-13 SB). He turns 20 on the 4th of July. The second piece in the Jake Bauers deal (Jace Avina is considered the better prospect) has the second-best SLG in the FCL. He is pushing for a promotion.
DH Edgleen Perez1-for-3, 2 RS, BB
.312/.486/.440 in 148 PA. His .486 OBP is second in the FCL.
C Engelth Urena2-for-4, 2 2B (4), 3 RBI, RS, BB
The $275,000 bonus baby from 2022 (the same year they signed Roderick Arias) is trying to make up for lost time after missing 2023.
2B Abrahan Ramirez1-for-3, 2B (10), RS
FCL stats should be taken with a grain of salt, but Ramirez’s .396 batting average leads the league by 56 points. He also leads the league in OBP and SLG. Incredible season for the 19-year-old (he doesn’t turn 20 until October).
SS Juan Matheus2-for-3, SF, RBI, 2 RS, 2 SB (10), BB
Matheus’ .340 batting average trails only Ramirez’s for the FCL lead.
LF Joel Mendez4-for-4, 2 2B (7), 3B (3), 3 RBI, 2 RS
Mendez’s first career 4-hit game.


DSL Yankees (9-12) (Lead the DSL Rockies, 1-0. This game was suspended in the top of the 4th. They will attempt to resume it on July 15th)


DSL Bombers (12-8) (Down to the DSL Tigers 1, 1-0. This game was suspended in the bottom of the second. They will attempt to resume it on July 6th)

Yankees MILB 6/21: Jace Avina Doubles, Homers

News:

RHP Yoendrys Gomez and Phil Bickford were promoted to MLB today. RHP Ron Marinaccio was demoted to Scranton while LHP Victor Gonzalez was designated for assignment. Gonzalez doesn’t have enough service time to refuse an outright assignment, nor has he been outrighted before. Hence, if he somehow clears waivers (unlikely), the Yankees could store him for depth. Gonzalez looked like a good replacement for Wandy Peralta, but it hasn’t worked out. In 27 games, he pitched to a 3.86 ERA (5.93 FIP) with an 11/13 K/BB ratio over 23.1 innings. His calling card (ground balls) was still a strength (52.9%)

I would like to see Gomez get an extended look. He is out of options in 2025, so the time is now for evaluation. That said, he threw a lot of pitches tonight. Will the Yankees replace him for tomorrow’s contest? It isn’t impossible, but I hope not.

When Bickford debuts, it will become his 4th MLB organization since 2020. Unlike other Yankees’ relievers, Bickford is not a ground ball pitcher (35.2% career GB). However, he can miss bats (26.6%). Last season, he pitched to a 4.62 ERA in 25.1 innings for the Mets.

Scranton (41-29) (Down to Buffalo, 11-0, in the third inning. This game is suspended and, unfortunately, will need to be completed)

2B Brandon Lockridge0-for-1, K
DH Jorbit Vivas0-for-1, K
3B Oswald Peraza0-for-1, K
1B Agustin Ramirez0-for-1, K
C Carlos Narvaez0-for-1
LF Jose Rojas0-for-1
RF Oscar Gonzalez0-for-0
CF Taylor Trammell0-for-0
SS Kevin Smith0-for-0

LHP Edgar Barclay2.2 IP, 12 H, 11 R, 11 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 3 HR
And you thought you had a bad day…
RHP Matt Sauer0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K


Somerset (32-35) (Lost to Erie, 8-2. I guess this game got a bit chippy, as an Erie pitcher was ejected in the 9th inning. Sounds like fun)

CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-3, BB, K
Jones has played well in June (21-for-73 (.288), 3 homers), though one still feels he hasn’t yet gone on a season-altering tear.
3B Jesus Rodriguez1-for-3, RS, HBP
Rodriguez is 3-for-11 since his promotion (0 K in 14 PA)
SS Ben Cowles1-for-4, HR (5), 2 RBI, RS, K
Cowles has hit safely in three straight games after an 0-for-16 stretch. It’s a start!
C J.C. Escarra0-for-4, 2 K
DH Grant Richardson0-for-4, 3 K
LF Elijah Dunham1-for-3
2B Anthony Seigler0-for-2, BB
RF Jared Wegner0-for-3, K
1B Max Burt0-for-3

RHP Zach Messinger: (L, 2-4)  4.2 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
3.89 ERA (74 IP, 61 H, 43 R, 32 R, 6 HR, 25 BB, 83 K). Messinger is a 6’6″ bulldog who is pitching well overall.  As of this writing, he leads the Eastern League in strikeouts.
RHP Luis Velasquez1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Colby White1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
RHP McKinley Moore: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Moore is a project with a low-to-medium probability, but one that is likely worth investing in.
RHP Aaron Palensky0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Palensky is a position player. This was his second pitching appearance in 2024 (washes away a not-so-great first appearance!)


Hudson Valley (33-33) (Lost to Greensboro, 10-3)

2B Roc Riggio: 2-for-4, K
Riggio has a 5-game hitting streak (6-for-18, 1 double, 2 HR). It’s nice to see him compile some hits.
SS Jared Serna0-for-4, K
Serna is 0-for-15 since missing a game due to a HBP.
DH Rafael Flores2-for-4, RS
.295/.406/.486 in 219 PA. He has 17 multi-hit games (54 games played).
C Omar Martinez2-for-4, RS
.237/.376/.390 in 218 PA.  He owns a 17.4% BB and 22.0% K. Last season, for Tampa, he hit .251/.367/.445 in 444 PA with a 15.1% BB and 24.8% K. He is fairly consistent, though his FB rate is down in 2024.
CF Jace Avina: 2-for-4, 2B (18), HR (7), 3 RBI, RS, K
.271/.349/.457 in 241 PA. He has a pair of doubles and homers in his last five games and has shown signs of breaking out of his slump.
LF Christopher Familia0-for-4, 2 K
Familia is having trouble so far, as he is 4-for-26 without an extra-base hit since joining this level.  Remember: He got off to a late start due to injury.
RF Garrett Martin0-for-4, 2 K
1B Kiko Romero: 1-for-4, K
3B Brenny Escanio1-for-4, 2B (3), 2 K

LHP Kyle Carr2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
I am not sure why Carr was pulled after only 40 pitches.
LHP Joel Valdez: (L, 1-2)  2.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, HR
RHP Cole Ayers1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
2.54 ERA in 39 IP (30 H, 15 R, 11 ER, 1 HR, 14 BB, 47 K). 
RHP Trent Sellers1.2 IP, 2 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 3 K
RHP Huey Morrill0.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, HR


Tampa (24-42) (Lead Palm Beach, 2-0, in the bottom of the 4th. The game was suspended due to lightning/rain. They will try to finish it up tomorrow)

DH Enmanuel Tejeda0-for-2
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-2, K
2B Roderick Arias0-for-1, SB (18), BB
1B Dylan Jasso0-for-2
CF Jackson Castillo1-for-2, RS
3B Hans Montero1-for-1, RS, BB
RF Willy Montero2-for-2
LF Coby Morales: 1-for-2, 2 RBI, SB (14)
C Oscar Silverio:  0-for-0, BB

RHP Luis Serna4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K
The weather cuts Serna’s start for the second consecutive time. While the stats aren’t official until the game concludes, this effort will lower his ERA below 4.00 (3.98 in 52 IP (37 H, 23 R, 23 ER, 2 HR, 15 BB, 61 K)). His ERA was 10.32 in his first three starts and 6.97 after five starts. He has been on quite a roll and is still under 20 (until July 20th).


FCL (22-13) (Defeated the Blue Jays, 8-1. I am still not sure how playing the same three teams is helpful, but I guess playing time is the most important thing)

CF Brando Mayea2-for-3, RBI, RS, 2 SB (15), CS (3), 2 BB
15 SB in 23 games. The league leader (Staryln Caba (PHI)) has 28 in 32 games.
DH Edgleen Perez0-for-2, RS, SB (3), 3 BB
2B Abrahan Ramirez2-for-4, 2B (8), RBI, 2 RS
Ramirez is hitting .400/.517/.589 in 119 PA. He leads the FCL in average, OBP, and OPS (third in slugging percentage). The Yankees signed him for $30,000.
LF Brian Sanchez1-for-5, 3B (3), 2 RBI, SB (11), 3 K
Sanchez is first in slugging percentage (.629) and second in OPS (1.071)
3B Luis Ogando2-for-5, 2 RBI, RS, SB (8), K
SS Sebastian Gomez: 1-for-3, 2 SB (8), HBP
RF Fidel Montero1-for-3, 2B (3), BB, K

RHP Harrison Cohen1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Rehab appearance for Cohen, who pitched to a 3.61 ERA in 52.1 IP between Tampa/Hudson Valley/Somerset in 2023.
RHP Danny Flatt (W, 1-0): 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 3 K
2.67 ERA (27 IP, 22 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 15 BB, 30 K). The 20-year-old is a candidate for Low-A Tampa when the promotions start happening.
RHP Yoljeldriz Diaz2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Alejandro Gomez2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K


DSL Yankees (4-10) (Lost to the DSL Rockies, 6-1)

C Luis Puello3-for-3, 2B (2)
Puello had three of the team’s five hits. The 18-year-old is 10-for-22 (2 doubles, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 4 BB, 3 K)
SS Ovandy Frias1-for-3, HR (2), RBI, RS
Frias hit one home run in 35 games last year. He has two in three games this year.

RHP Alexander Almonte5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
10 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 6 BB, 10 K. He is only 17.


DSL Bombers (8-5) (Defeated Mets Blue, 4-1)

SS Christofer Reyes2-for-4, RS, SB (6)
CF Richard Meran1-for-2, 2B (3), 2 RS, SB (1), HBP, BB

RHP Mariano Salomon (W, 2-0): 5.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K
A strong performance by the 21-year-old. I doubt it is common that both DSL starters go 5+ innings on the same day.