Notes:
C Alex Jackson opted out of his minor league deal. However, he has re-signed and was back in the Scranton lineup tonight. This is the second time Jackson has opted out (he did it in March as well). He has some leverage on the Yankees, as he is the organization’s #3 catcher. He is using his opt-out clauses to secure more money. I would, too.
RHP Cam Schlittler was promoted to Scranton. Schlittler was among the best pitchers in the Eastern League, pitching to a 2.38 ERA and league-leading 2.18 FIP over 53 innings. Including 2024, Schlittler tossed 85.1 Double-A innings before earning his promotion.
Can he get to MLB in 2025? Yes. When it comes to debuts, you want to look at two things: Can we make room on the 40-man roster, and what is his Rule 5 status? If Schlittler wasn’t Rule 5 eligible until after 2026, that lessens his chances of getting called up. However, in this case, he is Rule 5 eligible this winter. He is instantly high on the depth chart. Other than Allan Winans, nobody in Triple-A has pitched well enough to “block” Schlittler.
There was a chain reaction of promotions, as RHP Carlos Lagrange was moved to Somerset to replace Schlittler. Additionally, position players Roc Riggio (2B) and Brendan Jones (OF) were reassigned to Somerset, while OF Dillon Lewis was transferred from Tampa to Hudson Valley. All four of these kids are legitimate prospects. I am excited to see how Lagrange handles the upper minors.
RHP Jake Cousins has started a rehab stint in Hudson Valley.
Scranton (26-29) (Defeated St. Paul, 8-5)
3B Jesus Rodriguez: 0-for-4, BB, K
CF Everson Pereira: 1-for-4, HR (10), 2 RBI, 2 R, BB, K
The Yankees may dodge a bullet with Jasson Dominguez. If they don’t, Pereira would be a logical call-up. He joins Rafael Flores and Spencer Jones in the organization’s 10+ HR club.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 2-for-4, 2B (12), RBI, 2 R, BB
C Alex Jackson: 0-for-5, 3 K
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 2-for-5, 2B (5), 2 RBI, 2 K
DH Jose Rojas: 1-for-4, BB
LF Brennen Davis: 2-for-4, HR (1), RBI, R, K
Davis goes yard in his first Scranton AB, and he hit two balls 110+ MPH. If this kid can stay healthy, he has 4th outfielder potential (though he hasn’t played CF in years). Including his rehab time in the FCL, he has six homers in 15 games.
SS Braden Shewmake: 1-for-4, HR (3), RBI, R, K
Davis and Shewmake go back-to-back.
2B Andrew Velazquez: 2-for-4, 2 R, SB (15)
RHP JT Brubaker: 3 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 2 HR
Brubaker’s rehab was moved here today.
RHP Zach Messinger: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
As a reliever: 10 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 8 K. Two of those walks are intentional.
LHP Jayvien Sandridge: (W, 1-0) 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Sandridge hit 96.5 MPH with his fastball and generated four whiffs on nine pitches (six swings). His history suggests that he will never consistently find control. But if the Yankees can cut down on the walks, can he be useful? Weird things happen.
LHP Brandon Leibrandt: (S, 1) 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
The 32-year-old earns his third professional save.
Somerset (24-27) (Lost to Binghamton, 7-3)
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-4
Lombard Jr. is 3-for-27 in his last seven games (4 BB)
CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-4, HR (10), RBI, R, 2 K
Jones has ten homers in 30 games. Despite missing weeks of action, he ranks second in the Eastern League in homers.
2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-4, K
Riggio earns his first Double-A hit. If not for his injury, he would have been here sooner.
C Rafael Flores: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
Jones is second to Flores in the home run race.
LF Brendan Jones: 1-for-4, K
Jones earns his first Double-A hit. He brings his stolen base prowess (23-for-27 this year; 41-for-45 in his career) with him.
3B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-4, 3B (2), R, K
With all the promotions, Jasso has been moved down the lineup. He doesn’t have the prospect pedigree of the five hitters placed ahead of him, but that doesn’t invalidate the solid season he is having.
RF Garrett Martin: 0-for-3, 3 K
1B Tyler Hardman: 2-for-3, HR (9), 2 RBI, R, K
Hardman has five home runs in his last four games. Flores leads the league in homers, Jones is second, and Hardman is tied for third (as of this writing).
DH Antonio Gomez: 1-for-3, K
RHP Trent Sellers: (L, 1-2) 3.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
3.57 ERA (40.1 IP, 25 H, 16 R, 16 ER, 4 HR, 17 BB, 50 K)
RHP Cole Ayers: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
LHP Will Brian: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, HR
Since promotion: 2.70 ERA (16.2 IP, 14 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 6 BB, 20 K)
RHP Jordany Ventura: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Mason Vinyard: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Hudson Valley (31-20) (Lost to Aberdeen, 3-2)
CF Dillon Lewis: 1-for-5, K
Lewis earns his first High-A hit. The 21-year-old earned this promotion by hitting .309/.381/.660 with eight home runs, 26 RBI, 29 runs, and seven stolen bases in May.
LF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-5, 4 K
In April, it looked like Castillo was making a case for a promotion. He has slumped since.
DH Coby Morales: 1-for-4, 2 K
3B Parks Harber: 2-for-3, R, BB
I am not surprised that he stayed here during the mass promotion day, as this is only his 26th High-A game. There is a good chance he will get to Double-A later this season.
C Omar Martinez: 1-for-4, R, 2 K
2B Jose Colmenares: 3-for-4, 2B (6), RBI, K
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-2, SF, RBI, K
Vargas was the odd man out with the promotions to Somerset.
1B Josh Moylan: 0-for-2, SB (3), 2 BB
RF Luis Durango: 1-for-4, K
LHP Kyle Carr: (L, 0-4) 6 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K
3.77 ERA (43 IP, 33 H, 20 R, 18 ER, 4 HR, 18 BB, 32 K). He fell one shy of his personal best for strikeouts in a game.
RHP Jake Cousins: 0.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Health is more important than results.
RHP Tyrone Yulie: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
3.12 ERA (17.1 IP, 14 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 23 K).
RHP Matt Keating: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
That works. Season: 3.14 ERA (14.1 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 15 K). While he is a reliever, the Yankees have spaced out his appearances. This is his first appearance since May 27th, and it isn’t uncommon for him to have this many days off.
Tampa (27-24) (Mauled Jupiter, 14-2. Let’s break this down: 14 runs, 13 hits, 17 walks (that’s not a typo), and a HBP)
SS Roderick Arias: 1-for-6, RBI, R, BB, 2 K
You know the team is having a good night when the leadoff batter gets to the plate seven times.
CF Brian Sanchez: 1-for-2, SF, 2 RBI, R, CS (4), 3 BB
Sanchez continues to hit. He is 17-for-39 (.436) with two doubles, two triples, and 14 RBI in his last ten games.
DH Edgleen Perez: 2-for-5, RBI, BB, 3 K
.212/.362/.237 in 196 PA. He has a 17.9% BB and 22.96% K.
C Engelth Urena: 1-for-5, RBI, BB, K
3B Juan Matheus: 1-for-5, 2B (11), 2 R, SB (15), BB, 3 K
LF Tyler Wilson: 1-for-2, 2B (6), RBI, 4 R, SB (11), 4 BB
Wilson sets personal bests for walks and runs in a game. Last year’s 8th-round pick had a strong May after a tough April.
2B Austin Green: 2-for-4, HR (4), 2 RBI, 4 R, HBP, BB
It’s been a struggle for last year’s 14th-round selection. However, he has three home runs in his last six games.
1B Hans Montero: 2-for-3, RBI, 2 R, 3 BB, K
RF Marshall Toole: 2-for-3, 2B (7), SF, 5 RBI, 2 BB
Toole sets a new personal best for RBI in a game.
RHP Andrew Landry: 4 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
It’s been an up-and-down campaign for Landry, including allowing ten runs in 1.1 innings and one run in six innings. It adds up to a 6.00 ERA in 39 IP (52 H, 32 R, 26 ER, 4 HR, 16 BB, 41 K). His BABIP is a ridiculous .400.
RHP Gus Hughes: (W, 4-1) 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Jackson Fristoe: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 1 K
RHP Jack Sokol: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
FCL (12-11) (Defeated the Blue Jays, 5-0, in a 7-inning game. Everyone contributed to this win, so a rare full lineup!)
DH Willy Montero: 1-for-4, R, 2 K
CF Isael Arias: 1-for-2, 2 R, CS (1), 2 BB
C Manuel Palencia: 1-for-3, RBI, BB, 2 K
SS Dexters Peralta: 1-for-3, 2B (1), RBI, K
Peralta is off to a rough start (4-for-38). His .167 BABIP should correct itself.
LF Wilson Rodriguez: 0-for-3, RBI
2B Luis Escudero: 1-for-2, R, SB (6), CS (1), BB
3B-RF Santiago Gomez: 1-for-3, R, SB (12), K
Gomez was only 9-for-16 stealing bases in 2024. This season, he is 12-for-13.
RF Gabriel Lara: 1-for-2, RBI, CS (4), BB
Lara is hitting well in limited time (7-for-24, 2 HR, 3 BB, 2 K). However, known for his speed, he is 0-for-4 in the stolen base department.
1B Johan Contreras: 1-for-3, 2B (3), 2 K
RHP Jose M Rodriguez: 3.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K
1.46 ERA (12.1 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 10 BB, 12 K)
LHP Franyer Herrera (W, 1-0): 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
RHP Stanly Alcantara: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
DSL Yankees (0-2) (Lost to the DSL Giants Black, 7-3)
DH Mani Cedeno: 1-for-4, K
CF Francisco Vilorio: 1-for-3, 2B (1), R, BB
2B Carlos Bello: 0-for-4, RBI, R, 2 K
RF Estivenzon Montero: 2-for-4, RBI, CS (1), K
The 17-year-old hit .242/.361/.364 in 119 PA in 2024. He drove in 22 runs.
LF Alfiery Matos: 1-for-4, SB (1), K
This is the 17-year-old’s professional debut.
SS Emmanuel Orozco: 0-for-3, CS (1), BB, K
The switch-hitting 16-year-old makes his professional debut. I don’t have any information on his signing bonus.
1B Eliezer Adames: 0-for-2, BB, K
The 17-year-old’s professional debut. They signed him for $250,000.
RHP Enixon Sanchez (L, 0-1): 3 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
As a 16-year-old last season, Sanchez was impressive here (2.79 ERA in 29 IP with a 29/16 K/BB). Someone to watch carefully.
DSL Bombers (1-1) (Lost to the Mets Orange, 6-5, in eight innings)
CF Ruben Castillo: 1-for-5, 3B (1)
The $875,000 signing earns his first professional hit.
SS Stiven Marinez: 1-for-2, R, SB (2), 2 BB
Marinez is coming out swinging (4-for-6, 3 BB, 0 K, 2-for-2 SB). Nothing wrong with making a strong early impression.
DH Queni Pineda: 1-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, R, BB, 2 K
I don’t think there are many DSL -> FCL promotions during the season, but Pineda could get a taste of the next level. Remember that the two leagues are no longer on the same schedule.
1B Remy Veldhuisen: 3-for-4, R, K
Out of the Dominican Republic, this is his first career 3-hit effort. Unlike many at this level, his age is advanced (20).
2B Adrian Feliz: 1-for-4, RBI, R, K
Listed as a shortstop, this is the 16-year-old’s professional debut. I don’t see any information on a signing bonus, so he was likely cheap.
RF Eddinson Charles: 1-for-3, R, BB, 2 K
Charles earns his first professional hit.
C Carlos Rondon: 0-for-2, 2 BB, K
The 19-year-old went 8-for-61 in his debut 2024 season.
RHP Alexander Almonte: 3.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K
The 18-year-old pitched to a 3.51 ERA and 26/12 K/BB over 25.2 innings last year.