Yankees MILB 5/30: Oswald Peraza >>> Triple-A

News:

Some promotions in the organization today, though the top prospects you hear about the most weren’t a part of this wave. I won’t get into all of them.

OF Aaron Palensky, who compiled an insane .352/.434/.744 (205 wRC+) for Hudson Valley, is now in Somerset. This is not his first taste of Double-A. In 2021, he was assigned there instantly after signing with the Yankees. He compiled an impressive 15.3% BB but only hit .216/.360/.378. That isn’t bad for a player who never played at any other professional level. That was likely done out of necessity though and he was appropriately placed in Hudson Valley to start 2022, where he hit .251/.369/.475.  He earned the chance to prove he can hit at the upper levels. He is Rule 5 eligible this winter.

Joining Palensky in Somerset are RHP Danny Watson, who compiled an impressive 39% K rate in Hudson Valley, and LHP Edgar Barclay, who hasn’t pitched in 2023. The 25-year-old compiled an impressive 1.74 ERA and 33.5% K rate for Hudson Valley in 2022. He is already Rule 5 eligible (some were scared that he might get selected last winter)

Unfortunately, with promotions typically come releases. The Yankees have released RHP Justin MaeseRHP Enrique Santana, and OF Alan Mejia. Mejia has his share of fans who look for deep sleepers, but he hasn’t been able to match his .314/.414/.569 line from 2019 (DSL). Maese is a former 3rd round pick by the Blue Jays back in 2015. He has never made it past Double-A.

Scranton (26-26) (Defeated Lehigh Valley, 4-1)

CF Estevan Florial1-for-3, 2B (7), RBI, BB, K, SB (11), CS (6)
Florial is now the owner of a 9-game hitting streak (16-for-41; 2 doubles, 6 home runs, 12 RBI, 12 runs). Tonight was the first game during the streak where he did not score a run. 
SS Oswald Peraza2-for-4, HR (7), RBI, RS, HBP, K
Peraza has 6 home runs in his last 9 games. He is not having any struggles at this level.
LF Elijah Dunham0-for-5, 2 K
1B Andres Chaparro1-for-4, 2B (7), RS
Chaparro increases his hitting streak to 7. Surprisingly, this is his first extra-base hit during the streak.
RF Kole Calhoun1-for-4, RBI
C Rodolfo Duran0-for-4, 2 K
DH Carlos Narvaez2-for-3, RS, BB, K
3B Jamie Westbrook: 3-for-4, 2B (6), RS, CS (1)
2B Jesus Bastidas1-for-4, RBI
Bastidas is an impressive 24-for-68 (.353) in May after his 16-for-78 (.205) April performance.

LHP Tanner Tully: (W, 5-1)  6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, HR
3.52 ERA (46 IP, 57 H, 21 R, 18 ER, 4 HR, 11 BB, 44 K). The veteran has done his job, sporting a 2.61 ERA in 31 May innings.
RHP Michael Feliz0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
His organizational debut. He was signed to a minor league contract recently out of the Mexican League (he has plenty of MLB experience)
LHP Nick Ramirez1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Greg Weissert: (S, 5)  1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K

Somerset (25-20) (Lost to Portland, 3-1. The Sea Dogs are a challenge for Somerset, given that they are now 31-15)

SS Trey Sweeney1-for-3, HR (3), RBI, RS, BB, SB (8)
Sweeney’s first HR since 5/11. I think the double-digit power will show up. 
3B Josh Donaldson1-for-4
DH Giancarlo Stanton0-for-3, BB
A DH who can’t hit? Not a prospect.
CF Jasson Dominguez0-for-3, BB, K
Dominguez is hitting .237/.357/.419 in May. He was scorching earlier in the month but has since stabilized. 
C Austin Wells0-for-4, K
LF Everson Pereira1-for-1
He was pulled early from the game. Fingers and toes crossed.
   LF Aaron Palensky1-for-3
1B T.J. Rumfield0-for-3, BB, 2 K
2B Caleb Durbin0-for-3, BB
RF Jeisson Rosario0-for-3

RHP Richard Fitts: (L, 2-4) 6 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 8 K
4.96 ERA (45.1 IP, 51 H, 25 R, 25 ER, 7 HR, 12 BB, 49 K). Back-to-back strong efforts for Fitts (6 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K last time out)
RHP Tommy Kahnle1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
It’s all about health for Kahnle, who should be back with the Yankees soon enough.
LHP Lisandro Santos2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
3.08 ERA (26.1 IP, 12 H, 11 R, 9 ER, 1 HR, 18 BB, 29 K). The age-old question: If Santos improved his control, would that make him more hittable? That’s where the command conversation would start.

Hudson Valley (27-19) (Lost to Aberdeen, 7-0)

CF Spencer Jones0-for-4, 2 K
Jones is 6-for-42 with 19 strikeouts in his last ten games.
SS Alexander Vargas1-for-3, 2B (6), BB, K
Vargas now has a 6-game hitting streak (11-for-27). His triple slash has climbed from .220/.281/.432 to .255/.312/.462.
DH Josh Breaux0-for-4, K
C Antonio Gomez1-for-4, 2 K
1B Spencer Henson1-for-4, K
RF Grant Richardson0-for-3, HBP, K
2B Ben Cowles1-for-3
Cowles is 22-for-65 (.338) in May. 
LF Aldenis Sanchez0-for-2, BB
3B Eduardo Torrealba0-for-3, K

LHP Joel Valdez: (L, 1-3)  3.2 IP, 6 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, HR
RHP Bailey Dees2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
2.95 ERA (21.1 IP, 14 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 2 HR, 8 BB, 34 K). When will he join Watson in Somerset?
LHP Ryan Anderson2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
RHP Nick Paciorek1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K

Tampa (19-27) (Crushed Bradenton, 15-0)

2B Jared Serna: 1-for-5, RBI, RS, BB, K, SB (11)
Serna now owns a 10-game hitting streak. 
DH Daury Arias1-for-3, RBI, 3 RS, 3 BB
C Agustin Ramirez0-for-1, RBI, 2 RS, 5 BB, K
I am sure it has happened – but I don’t remember the last time a Yankees prospect walked five times in a game.
RF Anthony Hall2-for-4, 2B (5), 4 RBI, 2 BB
Hall should find his way up to Hudson Valley soon. He is 22-for-65 (.338) in May with more walks (16) than strikeouts (11).
SS Brenny Escanio0-for-6, 3 K
Escanio’s biggest asset is his ability to take walks – so, naturally, he goes 0-for-6 without a walk on a night that the team walks 16 times.
CF Nelson Medina: 0-for-3, RS, 2 BB
1B Omar Martinez1-for-3, 3 RS, 2 BB
LF Christopher Familia: 3-for-4, HR (1), 3 RBI, 2 RS, BB
This is what you call an impressive 2023 debut. Familia hit .207/.295/.362 in 36 games at this level in 2022.
3B Brett Barrera2-for-5, 2B (1), RBI, 2 RS, K

RHP Hayden Merda: (W, 1-2) 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K
Merda’s has 12 scoreless innings in his last two starts. This is his first professional victory.
RHP Luis Velasquez: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
RHP Manny Ramirez1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Shane Gray1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Yankees MILB 5/16: Offensive Explosion!

News:

Nothing to report.

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

CF Estevan Florial3-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 Peraza2-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 Calhoun1-for-4, BB, K
1B Andres Chaparro0-for-5, RBI, 2 RS, K
LF Franchy Cordero1-for-5, RS
DH Rodolfo Duran3-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 Narvaez0-for-5, K
3B Jamie Westbrook3-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 Gomez1.2 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 Wells3-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. Rumfield1-for-5, 2B (2), 2 K
3B Tyler Hardman1-for-4, HR (6), RBI, RS, BB
11-for-37 with three home runs in May. 
2B Caleb Durbin0-for-3, RBI, RS, 2 BB, 2 SB (6)
Durbin is 21-for-23 stealing bases (28 games).
DH Anthony Seigler0-for-4, RS, BB, 2 K, SB (3)
RF Brandon Lockridge1-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 Severino3.1 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 Santos1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Justin Maese1.2 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 Giacone1.1 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 Jones2-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 Torrealba1-for-4, RS, BB, K
6-for-13 since his demotion from Somerset.
DH Antonio Gomez1-for-5, RS, 3 K
C Rafael Flores1-for-3, 2 RS, BB, K
6-game hitting streak (9-for-24). He is hitting .319/.376/.418.
1B Spencer Henson0-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 Cowles1-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 Sanchez3-for-4, 2 RBI, RS
Sanchez is 10-for-31 with three doubles and three triples in May.
3B Marcos Cabrera1-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 Anderson2 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 Hall2-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 Negueis0-for-1, K
C Agustin Ramirez: 1-for-3, SF, RBI, RS
LF Daury Arias2-for-4, 3 RBI
25 doubles, 14 HR, 89 RBI, 88 runs in 123 career games (.248/.372/.406)
2B Brenny Escanio1-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 Medina1-for-4, RBI, RS, SB (4)
1B Omar Martinez2-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 Aguilar1-for-3, RBI, BB
3B Brett Barrera0-for-3, RS, K

RHP Hayden Merda3.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 5 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Shane Gray0.2 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 Ramirez1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Cole Ayers2 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 Calhoun2-for-4, RBI, 2 RS, BB, K
The veteran is 9-for-19 with three doubles and a home run.
LF Elijah Dunham1-for-4, RBI, RS, BB
Hopefully, he is breaking out of his little slump.
3B Andres Chaparro2-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 Cordero3-for-5, 2B (2), 4 RBI, K
C Ben Rortvedt0-for-3, BB
Rortvedt is 3-for-13 with a walk and two strikeouts since joining Scranton.
  C Jose Godoy0-for-1
2B Jamie Westbrook0-for-3, BB, 2 K
1B Billy McKinney3-for-4, 2B (4), RS, SB (3)
The veteran is 5-for-7 in his last two games.
SS Wilmer Difo1-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 Garcia1.2 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. Snelten0.2 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 Dominguez1-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 Wells1-for-5, HR (3), 2 RBI, 2 K
Wells has homered in three straight games. Move him up!
RF Everson Pereira1-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. Rumfield1-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 Hardman2-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 Seigler2-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 Burt1-for-4, RS
CF Brandon Lockridge2-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 Maese1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K

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

DH Spencer Jones0-for-4, 2 K
2B Caleb Durbin2-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 Richardson1-for-4
1B Rafael Flores0-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 Sanchez1-for-4
3B Marcos Cabrera1-for-4, HR (2), RBI, RS
C Juan Crisp0-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 Paciorek0.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, HR
RHP Carlos Gomez0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Danny Watson1 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 Santana0.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, HR
LHP Ryan Anderson1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Harold Cortijo1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, HR

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

2B Brenny Escanio0-for-4, RS, BB, 2 K
3B Jared Serna2-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 Perez0-for-4, RS, 2 K
RF Nelson Medina1-for-3, RBI, BB, 2 K
LF Tayler Aguilar: 1-for-4, 2 RS, K
C Jesus Rodriguez2-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 Rojas0-for-2, SF, RBI, BB, K

RHP Baron Stuart3.2 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
RHP Yorlin Calderon0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Ocean Gabonia2 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 4/22: Juan Carela Dazzles

I’m back! Here’s hoping for a solid 2023 season down on the farm…This is the section where I will place news in the future. I have none tonight.

Scranton (8-12) (Lost to St. Paul, 11-6)
DH Estevan Florial:
1-for-4, BB, 2 K, CS (1)
9-for-27 in nine games (5-game hitting streak)
1B Mickey Gasper1-for-5, 2B (1), K
CF Elijah Dunham
2-for-4, 2 2B (6), 2 RS, BB, K
.273/.360/.409 in 75 plate appearances. He hit 25+ doubles in each of his first two seasons and is starting strong in that category once again. He played zero games in CF last season and has three starts there in 2023.
3B Andres Chaparro:
2-for-4, RBI, RS, BB
.222/.273/.542 in 77 plate appearances with 7 home runs and 14 runs scored. He was 0-for-23 in his first six games.
LF Jake Bauers
1-for-4, 2B (4), RBI, RS, BB, 2 K 
C Rodolfo Duran:
2-for-3, HR (2), 2 RBI, RS, HBP
With Ben Rortvedt on a rehab stint, Duran will drop a peg on the depth chart. He is 12-for-40 (.300) with four doubles and two home runs.
2B Jesus Bastidas:
0-for-3, SF, RBI, K
The versatile Basitidas has a couple of home runs and stolen bases but is off to a slow start overall (11-for-58 with 21 strikeouts)
SS Wilmer Difo:
3-for-4, HR (1), RBI, RS, K
RF Michael Hermosillo:
0-for-4, 3 K

RHP Sean Boyle: 3.2 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, 2 HR
6.61 ERA (16.1 IP, 20 H, 14 R, 12 ER, 3 HR, 6 BB, 16 K)
RHP Shawn Semple: (L, 0-1) 0.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
Semple’s first appearance of 2023.
LHP Matt Krook: 2 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
1.59 ERA (11.1 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 22 K). Nice K rate but the walk rate won’t fly. 
RHP Matt Bowman1.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K

Somerset (7-7) (Lost to New Hampshire, 3-1, in five innings)

SS Trey Sweeney0-for-2, 2 K
Sweeney is off to a nice start (.304/.389/.435 in 54 plate appearances; 5-for-5 SB). The Yankees have kept him at SS despite rumors of 3B being in his future. So, why is that? Look at Oswald Peraza. The Yankees have him playing 3B right now despite never playing the position in the minors. These kids are athletic enough to pick up on third base rather quickly if needed.
CF Jasson Dominguez0-for-1, BB
The 3-for-38 start is ugly, though he does have 12 walks (a .294 OBP isn’t so bad when you are hitting .079!)
RF Everson Pereira0-for-2
Pereira played in 29 games here in 2022, hitting .283/.341/.504. Once he gets hot in 2023, he will probably be moved to Scranton.
LF Jeisson Rosario0-for-2, K
3B Tyler Hardman1-for-2, RS, SB (2)
Hardman was productive in 2022 (81 RBI in 111 games). He is off to a .194/.318/.472 start this season (3 HR, 7 RBI).
1B T.J. Rumfield0-for-2, 2 K
Rumfield is a corner player that likely won’t come with much power. I guess his ceiling would be a Dave Magadan type, which would be awesome for him if he gets to that level.
DH Brandon Lockridge1-for-2, 2B (2), RBI, SB (7)
Lockridge has speed to burn and can play anywhere in the OF. He should be an above-average MLB center fielder (they obviously will not play him there often with Dominguez here). It all comes down to bat development.
2B Eduardo Torrealba0-for-2, K
C Juan Crisp0-for-2, 2 K

RHP Gray Fenter4.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 7 K
Fenter is 27 years old. He was signed this winter to a minor league deal and will likely just be depth.
RHP Justin Wilson0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Wilson has a good arm, but he is now 26 and has an injury history. The time to move is now.

Hudson Valley (9-5) (Defeated Rome, 3-2, in ten innings)

DH Spencer Jones1-for-4, SF, RBI, 2 K, SB (4)
Last year’s first-round pick got off to a scorching start but has now settled into a .286/.339/.571 line in 56 plate appearances. He has a 32.1% strikeout rate, so he will need to bring that down. 
SS Alexander Vargas: 1-for-5, RS, K
3B Caleb Durbin:  1-for-5, RBI, K, SB (9)
Acquired as a part of the Lucas Luetge deal, the versatile Durbin (he can play 2B/SS/3B) is off to a nice start (.273/.407/.318 with nine steals). 
CF Grant Richardson0-for-4, HBP, 3 K, SB (2)
RF Anthony Garcia0-for-4, RS, BB, 4 K
Garcia has only played RF this season after playing exclusively at 1B in 2022. It doesn’t matter where he plays – he needs more contact if he is going to advance.
C Antonio Gomez1-for-3, BB, 2 K
A big season for Gomez, who is off to a .279/.380/.326 start (50 plate appearances)
1B Rafael Flores2-for-4, 2B (2), 2 K
12-for-29 this season and 18-for-43 (.419) in his very short career.
LF Aldenis Sanchez1-for-2, RBI, 2 BB, SB (6)
Sanchez has speed and can play the three outfield positions, but power is lacking.
2B Ben Cowles0-for-4, K

RHP Juan Carela5.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 8 K
1.35 ERA (13.1 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 21 K). The Yankees allowed the 21-year-old to get his feet wet here in 2022, and he struggled (7.71 ERA in seven starts). This is why they let prospects get their feet wet even if the results aren’t desirable – they go into the offseason with some sense of what they are up against.
RHP Carlos Gomez1.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Jack Neely: (W, 1-0) 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
The big (6’8″) 22-year old has 104 strikeouts in 61 career innings. The walks need help, but he is a legit relief prospect.
RHP Nick Paciorek (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
An injury derailed his 2022 campaign. He has pitched well in 5.2 innings this year.

Tampa (6-8) (Defeated Clearwater, 7-6 – walkoff style!)

SS Brenny Escanio: 2-for-4, 2B (2), 2  RS, BB
We don’t hear too much about Escanio, but the 20-year-old switch hitter has consistently hit at the top of the Tampa lineup this season. He posted a .216 average in the FCL last season, but his ability to take walks allowed him to compile a .366 OBP.
C Ben Rortvedt0-for-2, HBP
While it is true to say that injuries have been a bugaboo, don’t count the latest as a part of that storyline – a numb feeling in his thumb turned out to be an aneurysm.
C Agustin Ramirez0-for-1, SF, RBI
RF Anthony Hall: 1-for-5, HR (1), 2 RBI, RS, 3 K
His first professional hit is a walk-off 2-run HR! Last year’s 4th round pick out of Oregon went 0-for-1 before being shut down due to injury. 
2B Jared Serna2-for-4, 2B (3), 3 RBI
Perhaps the position prospect with the most buzz in Tampa to start 2023. Serna, who stands 5’6″, hit .302/.438/.527 in the FCL last season (7-for-39 in 12 games for Tampa). He is 11-for-42 this season with six walks and only four strikeouts.
1B Omar Martinez0-for-4, 3 K
CF Nelson Medina1-for-4
Medina may be a bit under the radar but he is hitting .306 (11-for-36)
DH Tayler Aguilar1-for-4, 3 K
LF Felix Negueis1-for-3, HR (1), RBI, RS, BB, 2 K
He entered tonight’s game 1-for-29, so the home run must have felt good.
3B Roberto Chirinos: 2-for-4, 2 RS, K

RHP Sean Hermann5 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
2.30 ERA (15.2 IP, 13 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 12 K). Hermann is only 19 years old (he will turn 20 in June). He was a 14th-round pick in 2021.
RHP Mason Vinyard: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Vinyard was signed as a non-drafted free agent last August.
RHP Manny Ramirez: (W, 1-0)  2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 2 HR