Tag: Ben Rice

Yankees MILB 4/26: Agustin Ramirez’s Big Night

News:

2B Jorbit Vivas, who played in two games since returning from his eye injury, was placed on the 7-day injured list today.

RHP Brian Hendry, receiving buzz in prospect circles, was placed on the 7-day IL today for Hudson Valley. His outing yesterday was short. It is often hard to know if a short outing is a part of a plan or injury. In this case, it was injury.

Scranton (16-8) (Defeated Durham, 6-2)

3B Caleb Durbin: 1-for-4, RS, CS (1), HBP, K
DH Everson Pereira: 2-for-5, 2B (6), 2 RS
.256/.340/.593 in 97 PA (6 doubles, 1 triple, 7 HR, 18 RBI, 17 R, 9 BB, 33 K, 2-for-4 SB)
1B T.J. Rumfield: 2-for-4, RBI, 2 RS, BB, K
Since promotion: 9-for-34 (.265/.316/.353). He has yet to homer in 17 games after hitting 17 HR in 86 games last year (that was the outlier season in his short career)
C Carlos Narvaez: 2-for-4, SF, 2 RBI, RS
2B Luis Torrens: 1-for-4, HBP, K
LF Josh VanMeter: 0-for-3, RBI, BB, K
SS Jeter Downs: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 K
.281/.364/.491 in 67 PA. 
RF Luis Gonzalez: 1-for-4, K
CF Brandon Lockridge: 0-for-4, 2 K

LHP Edgar Barclay: (W, 2-1) 5.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K
2.70 ERA (23.1 IP, 19 H, 11 R, 7 ER, 2 HR, 13 BB, 26 K)
LHP Josh Maciejewski: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
LHP Anthony Misiewicz: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K

Somerset (8-11) (Crushed Reading, 13-2)

CF Spencer Jones: 2-for-4, 2 2B (3), RBI, RS, CS (3), BB, K
Jones is 14-for-40 (3 doubles, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 9 R, 4 BB, 12 K, 3-for-6 SB)
1B Agustin Ramirez: 3-for-4, 2B (1), HR (8), 2 RBI, 2 RS, 2 BB, K
I find it funny that Ramirez had no extra-base hits other than home runs entering tonight. He is hitting .246 with a 1.011 OPS (1 double, 8 HR, 17 RBI, 13 R, 12 BB (15.2%), 13 K (16.5%))
C Ben Rice: 2-for-4, 2B (2), 2 RS, 2 BB, 2 K
Rice is hitting .254 with a .862 OPS (2 doubles, 5 HR, 8 RBI, 15 R, 11 BB (13.1%), 21 K (25%))
3B Ben Cowles: 1-for-5, RBI, 2 RS, BB, K
Cowles is at .344 with a 1.020 OPS (8 doubles, 2 triples, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 12 R, 11 BB, 14 K, 3-for-3 SB)
DH J.C. Escarra: 2-for-6, 3B (2), 2 RBI, 2 RS
RF Jared Wegner: 1-for-5, RBI, RS, BB
LF Grant Richardson: 3-for-6, 2B (6), HR (2), 3 RBI, RS
Richardson is at .281 with an .835 OPS (6 doubles, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 8 R, 4 BB, 15 K). He has hit safely in seven of his last eight games.
2B Anthony Seigler: 1-for-5, 2B (4), RBI, RS, BB, K
SS Alexander Vargas: 1-for-5, 2B (1), RBI, RS, 2 K

RHP Blane Abeyta: (W, 1-3) 7.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K
Abeyta struck out ten and 11 in games last year.
RHP Tanner Myatt: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K

Hudson Valley (11-7) (Defeated Bowling Green, 5-1)

CF Jace Avina: 1-for-3, RBI, HBP, K
Avina is 9-for-25 with a double, home run, and 3 RBI.
SS Jared Serna: 0-for-4, SB (1), 2 K
Serna hasn’t been able to get on base enough to show off his speed. He stole 29 bases in 37 attempts in 2023.
DH Omar Martinez: 1-for-4, 2B (1), RS, 2 K
.296/.415/.519 in 65 PA. 
2B Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-3, 3B (1), RBI, RS, BB
.306/.377/.419 in 69 PA. He continues to hit while playing all over the field.
1B Josh Moylan: 0-for-3, SF, RBI, 2 K
.225/.385/.300 in 52 PA with a home run, ten walks, and 16 strikeouts.
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-3, 2B (5), RS, BB, K
3B Kiko Romero: 1-for-3, HR (2), 2 RBI, RS
RF Nelson Medina: 0-for-3, 3 K
LF Cole Gabrielson: 1-for-2, 2B (1), RS, HBP

RHP Sebastian Keane: (W, 1-2) 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 10 K
Keane sets a personal best for strikeouts in a game. Season: 5.63 ERA (16 IP, 19 H, 10 R, 10 ER, 0 HR, 9 BB, 19 K). He has two strong starts and two not-so-great starts. They are building up his innings load.
RHP Matt Keating: (S, 2) 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
11.2 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 HR, 6 BB, 14 K

Tampa (4-15) (Lost to Lakeland, 6-4, in 10 innings)

2B Enmanuel Tejeda: 1-for-5, RBI,K
Tejeda has a 7-game hitting streak. He is at .316/.365/.355 in 85 PA with three doubles, six walks, and 18 strikeouts.
RF Oscar Gonzalez: 2-for-5, 2B (1), 2 RBI, K
SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-4, BB, 3 K
Arias has drawn exactly one walk in seven straight games. He is hitting .208/.329/.361 in 85 PA with 12 walks and 34 strikeouts (40%)
3B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-5, 2 K
1B Coby Morales: 1-for-5, RS, 2 K
LF Jackson Castillo: 2-for-3, SB (2)
  LF Tayler Aguilar: 0-for-1
CF Willy Montero: 0-for-3, RBI, RS, BB, K
DH Tomas Frick: 1-for-3, RS, HBP
Frick is 7-for-24 with five walks and five strikeouts.
C Edinson Duran: 2-for-4, RS, K

LHP Allen Facundo: 4.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
2.31 ERA (11.1 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 9 BB, 7 K). The 6’0″ 21-year-old reached 96.5 MPH with his 4-seamer, though none of his fastballs resulted in whiffs. Just someone to put somewhere on your “watch” list.
RHP Kris Bow: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
RHP Montana Semmel: (L, 1-2) 3 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 HR, 0 BB, 1 K

FCL (0-0)

The season starts on 5/4.

DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 4/24: Will Warren Tosses 6 Strong Innings

News:

I have no news, real or otherwise..

Scranton (14-8) (Defeated Durham, 6-1)

2B Jorbit Vivas: 0-for-3, HBP, CS (1), 3 K
  PH-2B Josh VanMeter: 0-for-1
LF Caleb Durbin: 2-for-4, RS, 2 SB (12), BB, K
Durbin was in a 4-for-34 slide after his last multi-hit game on 4/12. Hopefully, tonight’s performance puts him back on the right track. He is hitting .280/.412/.439, which shows how hot he was before his slump.
RF Everson Pereira: 2-for-5, HR (7), 2 RBI, RS, 2 K
Pereira has 15 homers and 49 RBI in 55 Triple-A games. 
1B Carlos Narvaez: 0-for-4, BB, 3 K
DH Jose Rojas: 0-for-3, RS, BB, 3 K
C Luis Torrens: 2-for-4, 2B (3), K
While Narvaez would be the simple move (he is on the 40-man), don’t rule out Torrens as the #3 catcher if a need ever presented itself in MLB.
SS Jeter Downs: 2-for-3, HR (3), 2 RBI, 2 RS, SB (3), BB
Downs’ home run was quite a blast: 427 feet at 105.9 MPH. He is hitting .265/.351/.510 in 58 plate appearances.
3B Kevin Smith: 1-for-4, RBI, RS, 2 SB (5), K
CF Brandon Lockridge: 0-for-4, 3 K

RHP Will Warren: (W, 3-0) 6 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 HR, 1 BB, 6 K
4.22 ERA (21.1 IP, 14 H, 11 R, 10 ER, 5 HR, 9 BB, 26 K). When you allow five runs in 0.1 innings in your first start, it takes a while to bring the ERA down. Warren has allowed one run in 12 innings with a 13/2 K/BB over his last two starts. Tonight, he mixed all his pitches nicely: 29% sinkers, 26% sweepers, 20% 4-seamers, 14% cutters, 11% changeups.
LHP Clayton Andrews: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
RHP Alex Mauricio: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Mauricio isn’t the biggest of pitchers, but he packs some punch (maxed out at 95.7 with his 4-seamer). 

Somerset (7-10) (Lost to Reading, 4-3. They had baserunners all day: 11 walks, 1 HBP, 2 errors)

CF Spencer Jones: 0-for-5, 2 K
DH Agustin Ramirez: 0-for-4, BB, K
Ramirez has four hits in his last eight games (4-for-26). The good news is that he has eight walks in that timeframe.
1B Ben Rice: 0-for-1, RS, 3 BB, HBP
.250/.351/.500 in 74 PA.
SS Ben Cowles: 2-for-4, HR (1), RBI, RS, BB
After swatting eight doubles and two triples, Cowles fills in the home run column.
C J.C. Escarra: 0-for-4, CS (1), BB, K
3B Jordan Groshans: 1-for-4, BB
RF Elijah Dunham: 0-for-2, CS (2), 2 BB
LF Jared Wegner: 1-for-4, RS, BB, K
2B Anthony Seigler: 1-for-3, 2B (2), RBI, BB

RHP Bailey Dees: (L, 1-2) 5 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 6 K
Dees, who allowed eight runs in 3.1 IP in his 2024 debut, has allowed six runs in 15.1 IP since (3.52 ERA). Today was one of those days where he could have imploded but kept the runs to a minimum.
RHP Carlos Gomez: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 0 K
RHP Jack Neely: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

Hudson Valley (9-7) (Lost to tough one to Bowling Green, 3-2)

CF Jace Avina: 3-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, RS, SB (1)
Avina’s first HR (and stolen base) as a member of the Yankees’ organization. Expect more as raw power is the top tool in his offensive arsenal. His RBI single in the bottom of the 8th broke the 1-1 tie, but the Renegades couldn’t hold the lead.
SS Jared Serna: 0-for-3, BB
Serna is now 7-for-50 with a double, two home runs, 13 walks, and eight strikeouts. The walks and strikeouts are nice – the balls need to start finding grass.
2B Jesus Rodriguez: 0-for-3, BB
A new position for Rodriguez’s resume. He has now played C/1B/2B/3B/LF in his professional career (he has yet to play first base in 2024)
C Omar Martinez: 1-for-4
.298/.411/.532 in 56 PA. I think Martinez gets lost in the shuffle but he is a legitimate prospect. The Yankees have a lot of them to sort through.
DH Josh Moylan: 1-for-4, K
1B Rafael Flores: 0-for-4, K
3B Kiko Romero: 1-for-4, 2B (1), K
CF Nelson Medina: 0-for-4, 2 K
LF Kyle Battle: 0-for-2, RS, BB, K

RHP Jackson Fristoe: 3.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
The fireballer threw 50 pitches today (37 in his first start, 35 in his second (didn’t get out of the first)). They are simply building him up.
LHP Ben Shields: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
0.64 ERA (14 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 HR, 2 BB, 15 K). I don’t know much about him (besides he went to UMass and George Mason), but he is doing the job. Although it is his debut season, I will note that he is 25.
LHP Joel Valdez: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
2.61 ERA (10.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 3 BB, 12 K). You see me writing about T.J. Rumfield often in these reports. Valdez was the other piece in the trade with the Phillies that sent Nick Nelson and Donny Sands to Philadelphia.
RHP Huey Morrill (L, 0-1):  1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 0 BB, 0 K
Morrill’s Hudson Valley debut (he was in Tampa) didn’t go as planned, but there’s always next time.

Tampa (4-13) (Lost to Lakeland, 14-5)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-5
RF Oscar Gonzalez: 2-for-4, HR (1), RBI, RS, BB
Gonzalez didn’t miss much time in spring training so one has to assume he will make his way up to Scranton soon enough.
3B Enmanuel Tejeda: 2-fot-5, 2B (3), RS
Tejeda increases his hitting streak to six (10-for-27). All three of his doubles have come during this streak.
2B Roderick Arias: 3-for-4, RS, BB, K
Arias’ first career 3-hit game. He is up to .238 with a .764 OPS thanks to a 7-for-16 surge in his last four games. He has walked once in five consecutive games.
1B Coby Morales: 2-for-4, RBI, RS, HBP, K
CF Willy Montero: 2-for-4, 2 2B (3), RBI, RS, BB
After games of 4/12, Montero was hitting .095/.208/.143. His average is now .172. Hey, it’s a start!
DH Jackson Castillo: 0-for-4, 2 K
C Manuel Palencia: 2-for-4, 2 2B (3), 2 RBI, K
LF Daury Arias: 0-for-4, 2 K

RHP Luis Serna: (L, 0-2) 2.2 IP, 7 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 4 BB, 2 K
There’s not much you can do but move on. Season: 11.1 IP, 14 H,  13 R, 13 ER, 1 HR, 7 BB, 16 K
RHP Yoljeldriz Diaz: 0.1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 0 K
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 2.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 HR, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Art Warren: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
RHP Jordy Luciano: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K

FCL (0-0)

The season starts on 5/4.

DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 4/20: Ben Rice Homers in 4th Straight Game

News:

Nothing new.

Scranton (13-6) (Defeated Lehigh Valley, 5-2)

CF Brandon Lockridge: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 K
SS Caleb Durbin: 0-for-3, RS, BB
In 210 career games, Durbin has a 98/79 BB/K. Starts by position: SS: 6 (7 total games); 2B: 6; 3B: 2; LF: 2 (3 total games); CF: 1
RF Everson Pereira: 1-for-3, 2B (3), RS, CS (2), BB, K
Pereira continues to swat extra-base hits and his career SLG is over .500 (.505). He will require consistent MLB at-bats to see how his game translates. I am not sure if the Yankees will be the team that offers him that.
DH T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-4, RBI, K
1B Carlos Narvaez: 2-for-3, SF, RBI
.218/.400/.327 in 75 PA (3 doubles, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 15 BB, 16 K)
C Luis Torrens: 1-for-3, 2B (2), BB, K
Torrens’ first game since 4/12.
LF Jose Rojas: 0-for-3, RS, BB
3B Jordan Groshans: 0-for-2, RS, BB, K
2B Josh VanMeter: 2-for-2, 2B (3), RBI, RS, SB (1), CS (1), BB
VanMeter is doing his job as a depth piece (10-for-38, 3 doubles, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 8 R)

RHP Cody Poteet (W,1-0): 6.1 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
I assume we will see Poteet again at some point this season. He throws his 4-seam fastball just hard enough to keep hitters honest.
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
10.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 4 BB, 14 K. 
RHP Yerry De Los Santos: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 HR, 0 BB, 1 K

Somerset (6-8) (Lost to Hartford, 10-7)

CF Spencer Jones: 2-for-4, RS, SB (1), BB, K
Your reminder that Jones stole 43 bases in 55 attempts (78.2%) in 2023. You hope he puts the entire puzzle together because he is a unicorn. He is now 5-for-17 with three walks.
C Ben Rice: 2-for-4, HR (5), 2 RBI, 3 RS, BB, K
Rice has homered in four straight games (this is also his 4th straight multi-hit game (9-for-17)). Your reminder that he hit .327/.401/.648 with 16 HR in 48 games at this level in 2023. He now has 21 HR in 61 games here. The Yankees likely kept him here to get reps behind the plate. However, the bat will make or break Ben Rice and should be the focus. Get him to Triple-A.
DH Elijah Dunham: 2-for-5, HR (2), 3 RBI, RS
9-for-31 (2 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 4 R)
3B Ben Cowles: 2-for-5, 3B (2), RS, 2 K
Cowles is hitting .347 with an annoying .999 OPS. This is his 5th multi-hit game (14th game played)
1B J.C. Escarra: 0-for-4, HBP, 2 K
RF Jared Wegner: 1-for-4, BB, K
LF Grant Richardson: 1-for-5, SB (3), CS (1), K
2B Aaron Palensky: 1-for-4, K
SS Alexander Vargas: 2-for-4, RS, SB (1), CS (1)
Vargas earns his first two Double-A hits.

RHP Blane Abeyta:(L, 0-3)  6 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 HR, 0 BB, 3 K
RHP Luis Velasquez: 2.2 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 2 BB, 2 K
LHP Ryan Anderson: 0.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Hudson Valley (9-4) (Defeated Aberdeen, 4-3)

2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, RS, 2 K
Riggio’s first professional home run. He hit 18 homers in 59 games for Oklahoma State in 2023.
SS Jared Serna: 1-for-3, 2B (1), SF, RBI, K
.146/.296/.317 in 54 PA. On the encouraging side: 7 K (12.96%) and his BABIP is .114. His numbers should start to tick up.
RF Jace Avina: 0-for-1, 3 BB, K
He is only 20, so we’ll see how he does in his first exposure to High-A pitching. 
3B Jesus Rodriguez: 0-for-4, 2 K
C Omar Martinez: 2-for-3, HR (3), RBI, RS, BB, K
.316/.409/.605 in 44 PA (1 triple, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 5 R, 6 BB, 9 K). 
DH Garrett Martin: 0-for-1, 3 BB, K
.250/.386/.417 in 45 PA
1B Josh Moylan: 0-for-2, 2 BB
CF Nelson Medina: 0-for-3
LF Kyle Battle: 1-for-2, 2B (1), 2 RS, SB (1), BB
Battle hasn’t been able to get into any groove, but he is 30-for-34 stealing bases in his career.

LHP Kyle Carr: 4 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 3 BB, 2 K
So far, command and control have issues for Carr. He owns a 3.72 ERA in 9.2 IP (8 H, 7 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 11 BB, 5 K)
LHP Ben Shields: 3.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K
11.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 HR, 1 BB, 14 K. This is a good start to the 25-year-old’s career.
RHP Luis Arejula: (W, 1-1) 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K

Tampa (4-10) (Lost a tough one to St. Lucie, 9-8)

DH George Lombard Jr.: 2-for-5, 2B (2), 4 RBI, RS, BB, K
Lombard Jr. sets a personal best for RBI in a game. He reached base three times tonight after reaching base six times on Thursday. Crazy. There is plenty for the 18-year-old to work on but how can you not be encouraged by the start to his career?
2B Enmanuel Tejeda: 2-for-6, RBI, K
Tejeda is hitting .309 (17-for-55) with a pair of doubles and 9 RBI.  
SS Roderick Arias: 2-for-5, 2B (4), CS (3), BB, K
Six of Arias’ ten hits have gone for extra bases. 
1B-3B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-2, 2B (3), 2 RS, 2 BB, HBP
3B-1B Coby Morales: 0-for-4, RS, SB (3), BB, 2 K
CF Willy Montero: 2-for-4, SF, 2 RBI, 2 RS, 2 SB (4)
While he isn’t in the Lombard/Arias category, Montero is an up-the-middle prospect with talent.
RF Daury Arias: 1-for-3, RS, SB (2), 2 BB, K
C Edinson Duran: 1-for-4, RS, HBP, 2 K
LF Dayro Perez: 1-for-5, 2 SB (3), 3 K

RHP Josh Grosz:  5 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 1 BB, 6 K
One of Grosz’s sinkers reached 96.3 MPH (70% of his pitches were sinkers). This is his most encouraging start thus far this year.
RHP Cade Austin: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Art Warren: (L, 0-1) 0.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Essentially, there is a “rehab goal” for Warren right now and they were unlikely to sway from that regardless of the game situation.

FCL (0-0)

The season starts on 5/4.

DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 4/19: Trystan Vrieling: 7.2 Hitless Innings

News:

RHP Tanner Myatt was promoted to Scranton today. He entered the game tonight, but it wasn’t his Scranton debut.

IF DJ LeMahieu was supposed to be in Somerset this weekend on a rehab stint but it isn’t happening. Who knows when he will be ready?

Scranton (12-6) (Lost to Lehigh Valley, 9-3)

LF Brandon Lockridge: 0-for-5, RBI, 2 K
Lockridge is in a little 0-for-14 slide. 
SS Caleb Durbin: 1-for-2, RS, 2 BB
.303/.440/.485 in 84 PA (7 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 16 RBI, 13 R, 16 BB, 8 K, 10-for-10 SB). What is there to dislike in that stat line? 
CF Everson Pereira: 0-for-4, 3 K
There has been feast-or-famine in his profile this year. He is hitting .237/.338/.576 in 68 PA, but it comes with a 38.2% K rate.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 2-for-4, 2B (2), RBI
Rumfield is 6-for-15 with two doubles since his promotion. The Yankees do not have tremendous first base depth – if anything happens to Anthony Rizzo, Rumfield could find himself in the mix.
C Carlos Narvaez: 0-for-3, BB, K
DH Jose Rojas: 0-for-4, K
3B Jordan Groshans: 0-for-3, BB
2B Josh VanMeter: 1-for-3, 2B (2), RS, BB, K
RF Luis Gonzalez: 1-for-4, RS, 2 K

RHP Clayton Beeter: (L, 1-1) 4 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 5 K
Beeter wasn’t throwing hard tonight, maxing at 94.9 and averaging only 91.8.  These are the first runs he has allowed this season (8.1 scoreless here and one scoreless in MLB)
RHP Tanner Myatt: 2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
When Myatt was drafted, there was talk about how hard he threw. However, injuries have likely sapped him of some of that. He maxed at 92.6 MPH tonight.
RHP Phil Bickford: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Duane Underwood Jr.: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 HR, 0 BB, 2 K

Somerset (6-7) (Walked it off against Hartford, 1-0)

1B Ben Rice: 2-for-4, HR (4), RBI, RS, 2 K
Walk-off homer to break the scoreless tie. Rice has homered in three straight games (7-for-13, double, 3 HR). He is up to .269/.321/.519 in 56 PA. Before these three games, he was hitting .179/.256/.256. Early-season sample sizes!
C Agustin Ramirez: 0-for-3, 2 K
.244/.370/.711 in 54 PA. He needs to hit the ball over the fence because he isn’t having much luck when he doesn’t (.148 BABIP)
CF Elijah Dunham: 1-for-2, CS (1), BB
SS Ben Cowles: 0-for-3
RF Jared Wegner: 1-for-3, K
.250/.302/.525 in 43 PA. 16 of his 32 career hits have gone for extra-bases (.517 SLG). Last year’s 9th-round pick (Arkansas) is 24 years old.
LF Aaron Palensky: 0-for-3, K
2B Anthony Seigler: 1-for-3
3B Alexander Vargas: 0-for-3, K
0-for-11 since his promotion. When you struggle with the bat, a trip to Double-A isn’t often a cure (though pitchers in Double-A tend to have better control/command). 
DH Spencer Henson: 0-for-3, 2 K

RHP Trystan Vrieling: 7.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K (100 pitches)
Vrieling was brilliant tonight. His ERA through three starts is 0.48 in 18.2 IP (5 H, 1 R, 6 BB, 18 K). In case you forgot, this is his debut season. The Yankees sent the 3rd round pick in the 2022 draft (he didn’t pitch in 2023) straight to Double-A, which is not something they ever do. They knew what they were doing.
RHP Kevin Stevens (W, 2-0): 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
6.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 1 BB, 8 K. The 26-year-old was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and missed the entire 2023 season.

Hudson Valley (8-4) (Lost to Aberdeen, 6-2)

SS Roc Riggio: 0-for-3. RS, BB
If you haven’t seen his remarkable double play from last night, do it.
2B Jared Serna: 0-for-3, BB
Serna is hitting only .132 (5-for-38) though he does have a 10/6 BB/K.
CF Jace Avina: 2-for-3, HBP
I am intrigued to see if Avina’s bat can develop beyond the power.  From the scouting reports, he should be able to handle all three outfield positions.
C Jose Rodriguez: 0-for-3, HBP, 2 K
RF Garrett Martin: 0-for-3, HBP, K
LF Anthony Hall: 1-for-2, RBI, RS, SB (1), 2 BB, K
Hall entered this game struggling (2-for-27), so it is nice to see him have a good game.
DH Rafael Flores: 0-for-2, HBP, 2 K
1B Kiko Romero: 0-for-3, BB, 3 K
3B Beau Brewer: 1-for-4, RBI

RHP Sebastian Keane: (L, 0-2) 4 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 1 K
Shrug it off and move on to the next one.
RHP Leonardo Pestana: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
5.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 7 K
RHP Cole Ayers: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 HR, 0 BB, 1 K
7.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 HR, 2 BB, 10 K
LHP Geoffrey Gilbert: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
5.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K. Nice start to his 2024 campaign.

Tampa (4-9) (Lost to St. Lucie, 3-1)

2B George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-4, 2 K
It is rare for Lombard not to reach base. This is only the second time in 26 career games (29 if you include the 2023 playoffs) that he did not reach base.
3B Enmanuel Tejeda: 2-for-4, 2B (2), 2 K
He has back-to-back games with a double after compiling zero extra-base hits in his first 11 games. He is hitting .306/.333/.347.
SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-3, RS, SB (3), BB, K
.170/.278/.340 in 54 PA. He is taking some time to adjust, which is hardly surprising. He has stolen three bases in his last four games.
1B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-4, 4 K
LF Coby Morales: 1-for-3, 2B (1), RBI, K
CF Willy Montero: 0-for-3, 2 K
C Manuel Palencia: 1-for-3, K
RF Tayler Aguilar: 0-for-3, K
DH Edinson Duran: 0-for-3

LHP Allen Facundo: (L, 0-1) 3 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 1 K
Facundo hit 96.7 MPH with his 4-seamer (averaged 93.3). His control has been an issue but the Yankees likely feel there is something to work with.
RHP Jordy Luciano: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Gabonia threw a 95.5 MPH sinker tonight. After walking 29 in 53.2 innings last season, he has yet to walk anyone in 5.2 (small sample size) innings this year.
RHP Steven Fulgencio: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K

FCL (0-0)

The season starts on 5/4.

DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 4/18: George Lombard Jr. Reaches Base 6 Times

News:

The Yankees claimed OF Taylor Trammell off waivers from the Dodgers. In a corresponding move, IF Kevin Smith was designated for assignment. Trammell is out of options so he must be placed on the MLB roster.

Once one of baseball’s brightest prospects, Trammell has struggled in MLB, hitting .165/.266/.361 in 357 plate appearances with 15 homers and 39 RBI. His walk rate is solid (10.9%) but his career strikeout rate is 37.3%.

It’s a low-risk move and it is easy to cut bait if it doesn’t work out.

As for Smith, the Yankees lose shortstop depth by waiving him. Anthony Volpe‘s only backup is Oswaldo Cabrera, who is playing third base. One has to assume that DJ LeMahieu is close to returning.

Scranton (12-5) (Doubled Up Lehigh Valley, 8-4)

SS Caleb Durbin: 1-for-5, 2B (7), RBI, RS, 2 K
How rare is a multiple-strikeout game for Durbin? This is his first such game in 2024 after doing it once in 2023.  It has happened five times in 208 career games. Amazing.
CF Everson Pereira: 3-for-4, 2 HR (6), 4 RBI, 2 RS
Pereira’s 9th career multi-HR game.  He has six homers and 13 RBI in 15 games.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-4, 4 K
Three hits last night. Four Ks tonight. You cannot find a game more humbling than baseball. 
C Carlos Narvaez: 0-for-2, RS, 2 HBP
LF Jose Rojas: 0-for-2, 2 RS, CS (1), 2 BB, K
  LF Brandon Lockridge: 0-for-0
3B Jordan Groshans: 1-for-4, K
2B Josh VanMeter: 1-for-2, 2B (1), 2 RBI, RS, 2 BB
DH Josh Breaux: 0-for-4, 4 K
RF Luis Gonzalez: 1-for-2, 2B (2), RBI, RS, 2 BB, K

RHP Will Warren: (W, 2-0) 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K
Since his tough season-opening start against Buffalo (bad weather):
2.40 ERA (15 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 5 BB, 20 K)
LHP Josh Maciejewski: 0.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 1 BB, 1 K
LHP Anthony Misiewicz: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
LHP Clayton Andrews: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Somerset (5-7) (Defeated Hartford, 5-3)

CF Spencer Jones: 0-for-4, K
3-for-13 with a double, two walks, and three strikeouts.
DH Agustin Ramirez: 1-for-3, RS, BB, K
Ramirez reaches base twice in four plate appearances, qualifying as a boring night for him.
1B Ben Rice: 2-for-4, HR (3), RBI, 2 RS
I commented last night that he hadn’t played a game at first base this season. Well, now he has. Anyway, Rice is starting to heat up. He has homered in back-to-back games and is up to .250 with a .766 OPS.
RF Elijah Dunham: 1-for-3, RS, BB, K
C J.C. Escarra: 2-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, RS, K
The 28-year-old is 8-for-21 with three doubles and a homer while playing C/3B/LF/RF. He never caught professionally before this season.
3B Ben Cowles: 0-for-2, RBI, 2 BB, K
Cowles has reached base safely in all 12 games this season (at least one hit in ten of those games)
LF Grant Richardson: 1-for-3, SF, RBI
2B Anthony Seigler: 0-for-3, BB, K
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-4

RHP Bailey Dees: (W, 1-1) 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 0 BB, 9 K
The Yankees aren’t holding back, despite this being his first year as a starter. Tonight, he threw 90 pitches so he may not be far away from being asked to go 100. His first start was rough (3.1 IP, 8 ER), but he followed that up with a 4.1 IP/1 R start and tonight’s performance. It’s encouraging for the 6’8″ 25-year-old.
LHP Ryan Anderson: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Jack Neely (S, 2): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
5.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3, BB, 10 K. 

Hudson Valley (8-3) (Won a wild one over Aberdeen, 8-7)

SS Roc Riggio: 1-for-4, RS, BB
.207/.400/.345 with ten walks and six strikeouts. Pesky.
2B Jared Serna: 0-for-3, RS, CS (2), 2 BB, K
DH Jace Avina: 1-for-2, 2 RS, BB, HBP, K
Avina earns his first hit as a member of the Yankees’ organization.
C Carlos Martinez: 1-for-3, BB
RF-LF Garrett Martin: 2-for-4, 2B (4), 4 RBI, RS, SB (3)
.281/.361/.469 in 37 PA with nine runs batted in. 
1B Josh Moylan: 0-for-3, RS, BB, 2 K
CF Nelson Medina: 0-for-3, 2 K
  RF Anthony Hall: 0-for-1, K
3B Kiko Romero: 1-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, RS, 3 K
Romero hit three homers in 29 games during his 2023 debut season.
LF-CF Cole Gabrielson: 1-for-2, RS, CS (1), BB, HBP, K
Gabrielson scored the winning run in the 9th on a wild pitch.

RHP Brian Hendry:  4 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
In his first two professional starts: 9 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 11 K. He was last year’s 10th-round pick out of Oklahoma State.
RHP Yorlin Calderon: 2 IP, 3 H. 3 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 0 BB, 4 K
LHP Joel Valdez (W, 1-0): 3 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K

Tampa (3-8) (Defeated St. Lucie, 9-5. Everyone in the lineup earned at least one hit and the Tarpons stole eight bases)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 2-for-2, 2B (1), 3 RS, 3 SB (8), 4 BB
An 18-year-old reaching base six times in a full-season league is eye-opening. The double is his first extra-base hit of 2024. He is hitting .244/.492/.268 and has reached base safely in all 12 games.
3B Enmanuel Tejeda: 1-for-5, 2B (1), SF, 2 RBI, RS, K
Tejeda’s first extra-base hit in 2024. He is hitting .289/.320/.311 with eight RBI in 50 PA.
1B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-5, 2B (2), RS, BB, 2 K
LF Coby Morales: 2-for-5, 3 RBI, RS, SB (2), K
C Tomas Frick: 1-for-2, 2 RS, 2 BB, HBP, K
4-for-13  with four RBI and three runs scored.
RF Daury Arias: 1-for-4, RBI, BB, SB (1), K
DH Manuel Palencia: 1-for-5, RBI, SB (1), K
CF Tayler Aguilar: 2-for-5, RBI, SB (3), 2 K
.227/.452/.409 in 31 PA. He is 15-for-17 stealing bases in his career.
2B Brenny Escanio: 1-for-4, RS, SB (1), BB

RHP Cade Smith: 3.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
2.89 ERA (9.1 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 8 BB, 15 K). Last year’s 6th-round pick is off to a good enough start in his debut season.
RHP Aaron Nixon: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
RHP Yoljeldriz Diaz: (W, 1-0)  1.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
RHP Osiel Rodriguez: (S, 1)  2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 1 K
Not all saves are pretty.

FCL (0-0)

The season starts on 5/4.

DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 4/17: Agustin Ramirez Hits 7th HR

News:

Nothing

Scranton (11-5) (Defeated Lehigh Valley, 5-4. Five double plays helped the pitchers)

CF Brandon Lockridge: 0-for-4, K
SS Caleb Durbin: 0-for-2, 2 RS, SB (10), 2 BB, K
Durbin has an 18.7% BB/8% K in 75 PA. He is 89-for-103 (86.4%) stealing bases in his career.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 3-for-4, 2B (1), 2 RBI
Rumfield extends his hitting streak to seven (between here and Somerset). He has reached base safely in all ten games he has played.
C Carlos Narvaez: 1-for-4, RS, 2 K
LF Jose Rojas: 1-for-4, 2B (5), RS, K
3B Jordan Groshans: 2-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, RS
Groshan’s 2-run HR in the bottom of the 8th gave Scranton the lead.
2B Josh VanMeter: 1-for-2, SF, RBI, BB
DH Josh Breaux: 0-for-4, K
RF Luis Gonzalez: 0-for-3

RHP Yoendrys Gomez: 3 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
9 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 4 BB, 9 K.  He is averaging three innings per start and not throwing many pitches (49 in his first start, 49 in his second start, and 57 tonight)
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 HR, 0 BB, 1 K
9 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 4 BB, 13 K
RHP Yerry De Los Santos: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Jake Cousins: (W, 1-0) 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Duane Underwood Jr. (S, 2): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
9.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 HR, 5 BB, 11 K

Somerset (4-7) (Lost to Hartford, 6-5)

CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-3, RBI
Jones was thrown out trying to stretch the single into a double – and was immediately ejected by the umpire.
  RF Jared Wegner: 1-for-2, 2B (1), RS
DH Agustin Ramirez: 1-for-4, HR (7), RBI, RS, BB
Ramirez has seven homers in ten games. He also has seven walks (14.9%) and eight strikeouts (17.0%). 
C Ben Rice: 3-for-5, 2B (1), HR (2), 2 RBI, RS, K
Rice was struggling to enter tonight. He certainly didn’t struggle tonight. You may think of him as a first base option, but he has yet to play the position in 2024 (6 games behind the plate, 5 games as the designated hitter).  This doesn’t mean he won’t play first base, but they aren’t forcing it on him this season. 
2B Ben Cowles: 1-for-5, 2B (6), RS, SB (3), K
Cowles has six doubles in 11 games. Nobody knows how the Yankees will approach second base in 2025 and beyond. 
3B J.C. Escarra: 0-for-3, BB, K
LF Aaron Palensky: 0-for-2, RBI, SB (2), CS (1), 2 BB, K
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-4, 2 K
Double-A debut for the 22-year-old switch-hitter. The bat has yet to develop.
RF-CF Grant Richardson: 1-for-3, 2B (5), RS, BB
1B Spencer Henson: 1-for-4, K

RHP Zach Messinger: (L, 0-1) 5 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 5 K
17 IP, 16 H, 15 R, 10 ER, 3 HR, 6 BB, 18 K
RHP Matt Givin: 3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
RHP Carlos Gomez: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Hudson Valley (7-3) (Defeated Aberdeen, 5-4, in 11 innings)

2B Roc Riggio: 0-for-4, BB
SS Jared Serna: 0-for-3, RS, 2 BB, K
Serna is off to a slow start (5-for-32) though he does have six walks and only five strikeouts. 
CF Jace Avina: 0-for-4, K
The 20-year-old Avina was acquired (along with OF Brian Sanchez) from the Brewers for Jake Bauers in November. He is ranked 29th on the MLB Pipeline list, which notes his right-handed raw power. Last year, in Low-A, he hit .233/.373/.442 in 99 games with 14 homers and 50 RBI. As for Sanchez, the 19-year-old is currently assigned to the DSL.
  1B Kiko Romero: 0-for-1, RS, K
C Jesus Rodriguez: 2-for-5, RBI, RS, CS (1), K
Rodriguez has five multi-hit games (9 games played)
DH Josh Moylan: 1-for-2, HR (1), RBI, 2 RS, 2 BB, HBP, K
6-for-23 (.261) . The homer was his first extra-base hit this season.
1B Rafael Flores: 0-for-4, K
  PR-CF Nelson Medina: 1-for-1, RBI
Game-winning RBI single in the 11th.
RF Anthony Hall: 1-for-2, 2 BB
3B Beau Brewer: 0-for-3, RBI, BB, 2 K
His RBI walk in the 9th tied the game.
LF Kyle Battle: 0-for-4, 2 K

RHP Jackson Fristoe: (L, 0-1) 0.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 0 K
Move on to the next one. This will soon be forgotten.
RHP Trent Sellers: 2.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
8.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 15 K. Sellers is 24, so they won’t likely hold him down here for long if he continues to perform. 
RHP Matt Keating: 2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
5.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 4 BB, 8 K
RHP Luis Arejula: 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
LHP Geoffrey Gilbert: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
The 13th-round pick in 2022 (Clemson) has pitched well since being drafted (2.67 ERA; 54 IP, 35 H, 1 HR, 29 BB, 64 K)
RHP Cole Ayers: (W, 1-1)  1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K

Tampa (3-8) (Defeated St. Lucie, 5-1)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-5
Lombard Jr. has reached base safely in all 11 of his games. He is at .205/.436/.205 (he only has two career extra-base hits (doubles) in 24 games. He is only 18, so no need to be worried).
Position distribution:  SS: 6 games; 2B: 2; 3B: 2; DH: 1
3B Enmanuel Tejeda: 0-for-5, K
.300/.341/.300 in 44 PA.
Position distribution: 3B: 5 games; 2B: 3; DH: 2
2B Roderick Arias: 0-for-4, 3 K
.182/.280/.364 in 50 PA. His early-season K% sits at 50%. Development takes time.
Position distribution: SS: 5 games; 2B: 5; DH: 1
1B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-3, RS, BB
.276/.463/.379 in 41 PA. 10/8 BB/K.
LF Coby Morales: 0-for-3, BB, 3 K
CF Willy Montero: 1-for-4, RS, 2 K
RF Daury Arias: 1-for-3, RS, BB, K
C Manuel Palencia: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, RS
DH Brenny Escanio: 2-for-4, 3B (2), RBI, RS, CS (1), K
Escanio was acquired from the Brewers for J.P. Feyereisen in 2019. 

RHP Luis Serna: 4.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K
Serna ties his personal best for strikeouts in a game. He has been talked about for a while (he made his debut in 2021) but won’t be 20 until July. He doesn’t rely on power (he only threw one 4-seamer today, and who knows if that is accurate) and is more of a sinker/slider/curve/change guy.
RHP Montana Semmel (W, 1-0): 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
7 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 1 BB, 8 K
RHP Huey Morrill (S, 1): 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
7 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 2 BB, 7 K

FCL (0-0)

The season starts on 5/4.

DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 4/7: Caleb Durbin is on Fire!

News:

Spencer Jones continues to be out of action with his stiff neck. Get that man a sleep number bed and memory foam pillow.

Scranton (4-4) (Defeated Syracuse, 7-2)

2B Caleb Durbin: 2-for-2, 2 2B (4), SF, 4 RBI, RS, 2 SB (7), 2 BB
The Yankees received a player with legitimate MLB potential (perhaps as a super-utility type) for Lucas Luetge. Luetge is someone they revived after years of not pitching in MLB. He is now 13-for-28 (4 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 14 RBI, 6 R, 8 BB, 2 K, 7-for-7 SB)
CF Everson Pereira: 0-for-4, SB (1), HBP, 4 K
Pereira is 6-for-30 with a whopping 15 strikeouts.
DH Carlos Narvaez: 0-for-1, 3 BB
Narvaez is 3-for-20 but has 11 walks.
LF Jose Rojas: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K
C Luis Torrens: 1-for-4, 2B (1), RS, K
3B Kevin Smith: 1-for-3, 2 RS, HBP, K
SS Jeter Downs: 0-for-3, RS, HBP, K
6-for-19 with a triple and a homer.
RF Luis Gonzalez: 0-for-2, RS, 2 BB, K
1B Jordan Groshans: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, RS, BB

RHP Cody Poteet: 4.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 HR, 1 BB,7 K
The 29-year-old is on the 40-man roster. If you like “kitchen sink” types, you will like him. He featured six pitches today, averaging 93 with his 4-seamer and 92.1 with his sinker. He allowed two homers in the fifth inning.
RHP Phil Bickford: (W, 1-0) 0.2 IP, 2 H, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Alex Mauricio: 2.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
Mauricio was cutter-heavy today (57% of his 37 pitches). He also featured a 4-seamer and a slider.  The 27-year-old pitched to a 3.14 ERA and 45/19 K/BB in 48.2 innings for Somerset in 2023.
RHP Duane Underwood Jr.: (S, 1)  1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Somerset (2-1) (Shut down Richmond, 8-0)

DH Ben Rice: 2-for-4, RS, SB (1), BB, 2 K
Rice is 4-for-14 with a homer.
C Agustin Ramirez: 1-for-5, HR (3), 3 RBI, RS, 2 K
Ramirez has homered in three straight games to start his campaign. He is 4-for-14 with six RBI.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-1, RS, SB (1), 3 BB
2B Anthony Seigler: 0-for-3, RS, SB (1), BB
He has the athleticism to play an up-the-middle position. Can he stay healthy and hit a little? We’ll see.
LF Jared Wegner: 0-for-3, RS, K
CF Grant Richardson: 0-for-3, RBI, RS, BB, K
SS Ben Cowles: 3-for-4, 2B (2), 3 RBI
Cowles was their 10th-round pick in the 2021 draft (Maryland). The Yankees have played him at 2B/SS/3B (plus two outs in left field)
RF Aaron Palensky: 0-for-2, RS, BB, HBP
3B Max Burt: 0-for-3, RS, BB, 2 K

RHP Trystan Vrieling: (W, 1-0) 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K
This is his professional debut (yes, he was thrown right into the Double-A fire). He was drafted in the third round of the 2022 draft but missed the 2023 season. He did make five starts (10.2 innings) in the Arizona Fall League.
RHP Tanner Myatt: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Health and control have been issues for the 6’7″ Myatt, who has 232 strikeouts in 194 innings. 
LHP Ryan Anderson: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
The 6’6″ lefty pitched well last season (2.17 ERA in 37 games).
RHP Danny Watson: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Watson could make his MLB debut in 2024, even though he isn’t on the 40-man roster. He is a tall kid with a funky motion who pitched to a 1.58 ERA in 62.2 IP with an 82/25 K/BB in 2023.

Hudson Valley (2-1) (Shut down Bowling Green, 3-0)

2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-5, 2B (1), K
SS Jared Serna: 1-for-3, HR (2), RBI, RS, 2 BB, K
After going 28 games without a home run at this level, he has homered in back-to-back games. 
DH Omar Martinez: 1-for-4, BB, K
LF Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-4, RS, BB, K
1B Josh Moylan: 1-for-3, RS, BB, 2 K
RF Garrett Martin: 1-for-4, RBI, 2 K
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-4, K
3B Alexander Vargas: 0-for-2, SF, RBI, BB
CF Nelson Medina: 0-for-4, SB (1), 2 K

RHP Cam Schlittler: (W, 1-0) 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K
The 6’6″ 23-year-old was drafted in the 7th round of the 2022 draft (Northeastern). He pitched to a 4.11 ERA and 50/21 K/BB over 46 innings last year (FCL/Tampa/Hudson Valley)
LHP Ben Shields: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Signed as a non-drafted free agent, this is the 25-year-old’s professional debut. I know nothing about him beyond the fact that he pitched for George Mason in 2023. The baseball-reference linker will take you to a pitcher from the early 1900s. That Shields went 4-0 with an 8.27 ERA in his brief career.
LHP Geoffrey Gilbert (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Gilbert was their 13th-round pick in the 2022 draft.

Tampa (1-2) (Lost to Fort Myers, 5-2)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-3, RS, SB (2), 2 BB
The 18-year-old is 1-for-11 but has drawn four walks and stolen a pair of bases. This is his first 2024 start at shortstop, as they switched Lombard and Arias today. We’ll see more of that.
2B Roderick Arias: 0-for-4, 3 K
Nobody said baseball is easy, teenager! He is 3-for-13 with a triple, a homer, and seven strikeouts. You should expect a mixed bag from a teenager making his full-season debut. The goal is for the good to outweigh the bad.
3B Enmanuel Tejeda: 1-for-4, RBI, RS, SB (2), K
Speaking of teenagers, Tejeda will play this entire year as a 19-year-old. He is 4-for-12 with four runs batted in.
LF Coby Morales: 0-for-4
1B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-4, 3B (1), RBI
CF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-2, SB (1), 2 BB, K
DH Willy Montero: 0-for-3, SB (2), BB, K
The 19-year-old is 2-for-10 with a double, two walks, and two stolen bases.
RF Tayler Aguilar: 1-for-3, 2B (1), SB (1), BB, K
C Tomas Frick: 1-for-3, BB
Drafted in the 15th round in the 2023 draft out of North Carolina, this represents his professional debut.

RHP Josh Grosz: (L, 0-1) 3.2 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 2 BB, 6 K
This is Grosz’s professional debut. The 21-year-old was drafted in the 11th round out of East Carolina. He throws a sinker/slider/change, a mix the Yankees like to work with.
RHP Yoljeldriz Diaz: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 0 K
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
According to Savant, Gabonia used a 5-pitch mix among his 11 pitches. There could be an error in the tracking, of course. His fastball/sinker was in the lower 90s.
RHP Montana Semmel: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Semmell maxed out at 94.4 MPH, equally mixing his 4-seamer and slider. He had some long-term buzz about him when he was drafted out of high school in 2019 and is still young enough (22) to tap into that potential.

FCL (0-0)

The season starts on 5/4.

DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 4/5: Roderick Arias Homers in Tampa Debut

News:

OF Spencer Jones was scratched from tonight’s lineup in Somerset due to a stiff neck.

The Yankees signed veteran infielder Rougned Odor to a minor league deal with a July 1st opt-out.  Odor hit .202/.286/.379 in 102 games for the 2021 Yankees. I never thought I would need to relive those days.

His calling card is the home run (178 home runs in 4,424 plate appearances) but his MLB value is limited. I am not a fan, but minor-league depth is always welcome. I doubt he is going to take time away from Caleb Durbin. He will likely rotate with the other non-prospect veterans.

Scranton (3-2) (Doubled up Syracuse, 8-4)

LF Greg Allen: 0-for-3, RS, 2 BB, K
2B Caleb Durbin: 2-for-2, HR (1), 3 RBI, 3 RS, 2 SB (4), 3 BB
If Durbin adds extra-base hit power to his profile, he could become more than a hypothetical to start the 2024 season as the Yankees’ second baseman. It is too early to go that far, but he is off to an incredible start (10-for-19, 2 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 4 R, 5 BB, 1 K, 4-for-4 SB)
C Carlos Narvaez: 0-for-2, RBI, RS, 3 BB, K
CF Everson Pereira: 0-for-4, HBP, 2 K
1B Jose Rojas: 1-for-4, HR (2), 4 RBI, RS, BB, K
3B Luis Torrens: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K
I have nothing against Torrens (who is typically a catcher), but this is why Odor has room to get some playing time without upsetting the apple cart. 
SS Kevin Smith: 0-for-3, 2 SB (2), 2 BB, 2 K
DH Jordan Groshans: 1-for-3, RS, BB, K
RF Brandon Lockridge: 0-for-2, RS, 2 BB, K

RHP Yoendrys Gomez: 3 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, HR
This is a big season for Gomez, who is out of options in 2025. Unless they trade him, we should see him in MLB this year.
RHP Phil Bickford: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, HR
Bickford was recently signed to add more pitching depth.
RHP Cody Morris: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
LHP Josh Maciejewski: (W, 1-0) 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
RHP Ron Marinaccio: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Marinaccio is on the 40-man, but the Yankees chose to bring up Dennis Santana instead. Some of the shine may be off, but he can still work his way back.

Somerset (1-0) (Defeated Richmond, 5-4)

DH Ben Rice: 1-for-5, HR (1), RBI, RS, 3 K
Rice homers in his first at-bat of the season. While he is in Double-A (for now), there is a possibility that he will make his debut this season. He is eligible for the Rule 5 this winter.
C Agustin Ramirez: 2-for-5, HR (1), RBI, RS
Ramirez, who jumped from Tampa to Hudson Valley to Somerset last season (impressive for anyone, but especially for a catcher) went back-to-back with Rice to start the game. 
1B T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-3, BB
Rumfield underwent a power spike in 2023.
SS Ben Cowles: 1-for-4, 2B (1), RS, K
Cowles received some playing time in the Arizona Fall League. He hit .290/.405/.551 in 20 games with four homers.
CF Grant Richardson: 3-for-4, 2B (1), RBI, RS, K
Richardson’s ability to play CF adds to his value. He went 18-for-53 with five home runs and five stolen bases in his first taste of Double-A in 2023.
LF Aaron Palensky: 1-for-4, RS, 2 K
2B Anthony Seigler: 0-for-2, 2 BB
Seigler, once a promising catching prospect, makes his 14th career start at second base.
RF Jared Wegner: 1-for-3, BB
3B Max Burt: 1-for-2, 2B (1), RBI, 2 BB
The 27-year-old Burt has served as a utility player for Somerset over the last four seasons (he played some for Trenton in 2019, as well!). Sometimes when a player hangs around this long, you feel that the Yankees see something beyond just playing ability. 

RHP Zach Messinger:  5.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, HR
Messinger, who is better than his career record, has a solid 2024 debut. His main issue is walks, something that can be fixed. He is relatively new to starting games.
RHP Luis Velasquez (W, 1-0): 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
In 2023, Velasquez pitched to a 1.74 ERA in 62 innings with a 77/33 K/BB. He pitched for Tampa and Hudson Valley.
RHP Jack Neely (S, 1): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Neely is tall (6’8″) and has an opportunity to make his MLB debut in 2024.

Hudson Valley (0-1) (Lost to Bowling Green, 6-1)

2B Roc Riggio: 0-for-4, 2 K
Riggio (left-handed bat drafted in the 4th round last year) is an emotional gamer. He is the type of player you love if he is on your side but may annoy fans on the other side. 
SS Jared Serna: 1-for-4, K
Serna isn’t big but has shown pop in his minor-league career. He is still looking for his first High-A homer (123 plate appearances). He hit 19 while in Tampa last season.
DH Omar Martinez: 1-for-4
C Jesus Rodriguez: 2-for-4, HR (1), RBI, RS
Rodriguez was my favorite under-the-radar prospect to follow last year. He played C/1B/3B/LF and maintained solid offense (.310/.399/.450 in 460 plate appearances). He was the only player in the system to hit over .300 (amongst those with 350+ PA). Ben Rice and Everson Pereira also hit over .300 if I drop that to 300+ plate appearances.
1B Josh Moylan: 1-for-4, 2 K
Moylan, out of East Carolina, was a highly sought-after undrafted free agent last year.
LF Garrett Martin: 1-for-3, HBP, K
RF Anthony Hall: 0-for-4, 4 K
CF Nelson Medina: 0-for-3, 2 K
3B Kiko Romero: 1-for-3, 2 K

RHP Sebastian Keane: (L, 0-1) 1.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
Keane has a rough first outing, but no big deal. Move on to the next one!
RHP Yorlin Calderon: 3.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
His stint in Scranton was a “we need an arm” thing.
RHP Matt Keating: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Cole Ayers: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K

Tampa (1-0) (Defeated Fort Myers, 4-2)

2B George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-4, RBI, 2 RS, SB (1), BB, 2 K
Lombard was their first-round pick in the 2023 draft. This is not his Low-A debut (.273/.415/.303 in a small sample size last year). 
SS Roderick Arias: 2-for-5, HR (1), 2 RBI, RS, 3 K
Arias, who has superstar potential (we’ll see) struck out in his first two Low-A plate appearances before turning his night around in a hurry. His homer broke a 2-2 tie in the 7th.
3B Enmanuel Tejeda: 1-for-4, RBI, CS (1), 3 K
Like Lombard and Arias, Tejeda can play shortstop. In the FCL, he hit .307/.465/.458 in 50 games.
LF Coby Morales: 1-for-4, SB (1), 3 K
1B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-2, BB, HBP
CF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-4, 3B (1), 2 K
Castillo is a 20-year-old who went undrafted last year. 
RF Willy Montero: 2-for-4, 2B (1), K
Montero drove in 43 runs in 47 games in the FCL last season.
DH Brenny Escanio: 0-for-4
C Edinson Duran: 0-for-3, RS, BB
The 21-year-old Duran hit .314/.405/.457 in 32 FCL games last year. This is not his full-season debut as he went 0-for-2 in a random game for Scranton. 

RHP Cade Smith: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K
Smith is a 21-year-old drafted in the 6th round in the 2023 draft out of Mississippi State. This was his professional debut, so it is understandable if he was amped. I don’t even care about the walks – I like those strikeouts. BaseballSavant registered six pitches (4-seam, slider, curve, sinker, change, cutter). However, the cutter only registered once, which might be an error. Impressively, he generated six whiffs on his 18 sliders (ten swings). 
RHP Cade Austin: 2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K
Austin is a 22-year-old drafted out of South Carolina in the 19th round of the 2023 draft. This was his professional debut, as well. The Yankees tend to develop these types of pitchers so I wouldn’t dismiss him based on draft position.
RHP Hueston Morrill (Huey Morrill on baseball reference): (W, 1-0) 1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
Morrill was signed in 2022 out of Oklahoma State. He was a two-way player for the Cowboys (SS was his other position),
RHP Aaron Nixon: (S, 1) 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
You guessed it – this is the 22-year-old’s professional debut. He went undrafted out of Mississippi State.

FCL (0-0)

The season starts on 5/4.

DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees: A Look at the Non-Roster Invitees

A quick look at the players invited to spring training.

Quick reminder: Players on the 40-man roster will not be included in spring training invites. One doesn’t need to ask where Agustin Ramirez is, for example.

RHP Nick Burdi – The 31-year-old Burdi has 19 games of MLB experience with the Pirates and Cubs, pitching to a 9.39 ERA (3.34 FIP). His very small sample size shows an incredible strikeout rate (36%) to go along with an elevated walk (13.3%) and flyball rate (55.3%).
RHP Yerry De Los Santos – Out of the Pirates organization, the 26-year-old pitched to a 3.33 ERA (4.04 FIP) in 22 games in 2023. The Yankees will love his groundball rate (54.9%/0.37 HR/9) though he doesn’t miss many bats. He throws his 95 MPH sinker often, but I bet Matt Blake will ask him to throw it even more.
RHP Joey Gerber – An 8th round pick out of Illinois back in 2018, Gerber has dealt with various injuries and has pitched in only one organized game since making his MLB debut in 2020. The Yankees signed Gerber to a 3-year minor league deal in 2022, as he was recovering from Tommy John surgery.
RHP Chase Hampton – Likely the top pitching prospect in the system, Hampton dazzled in High-A Hudson Valley in 2023 (2.68 ERA (2.86 FIP) with a 40.5% K rate). His numbers predictably dipped for Somerset (4.37 ERA/3.80 FIP/27.4% K). He won’t make the team this spring, but a mid-season debut shouldn’t be ruled out.
RHP Dennis Santana – Santana has made MLB appearances in each of the last six seasons, most recently with the Mets in 2023. His velocity is what allows him to keep cashing paychecks, but the results are far from spectacular (5.17 career ERA/4.26 FIP). I wouldn’t be surprised if people are dazzled by him in spring training, but his best role will be as Triple-A emergency depth.
RHP Duane Underwood Jr. – Like Santana, Underwood has appeared in games from 2018-2023. Between 2021-2022, he appeared in 94 games with the Pirates, compiling a 4.36 ERA (3.68 FIP), 45.7% GB, and 21.1% K. He was a second round pick in 2012 and had some prospect pedigree once upon a time.
RHP Art Warren – Like Gerber, Warren was signed to a multi-year minor league deal as he recovered from Tommy John surgery. He appeared in 39 games for the 2022 Reds, compiling a 6.50 ERA (5.06 FIP) over 36 innings.
RHP Will Warren – The more familiar Warren should make his MLB debut in 2024, perhaps as early as Opening Day (though I wouldn’t count on that). The 8th round pick in 2021 surged down the stretch for Triple-A Scranton to finish with a 3.61 ERA over 99.2 innings with a 25.6% K and 52.7% GB. If there was ever a modern Yankees pitcher profile, that would be it.
LHP Anthony Misiewicz – Misiewicz pitched for three teams in 2023, ending his season with the Yankees. He re-signed this winter to a minor league deal and figures to provide Triple-A depth.
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda – Mosqueda (Bob Sheppard would have had a blast pronouncing his name) has yet to appear in an MLB game. A long-time Red Sox prospect, he pitched in 196 games as a member of the organization, compiling a 4.21 ERA over 331.2 IP with a 410/167 K/BB. He will be the left-handed Garrett Whitlock. OK, maybe not.
LHP Tanner Tully – Tully figures to have the same role he had last year. He made 19 starts for Scranton, compiling a 5.64 ERA over 91 innings. Every minor league system needs a veteran to eat some innings. Tully did fulfill his MLB dream when he had a cup of coffee for the 2022 Guardians.
C Josh Breaux – The power prospect has 67 homers and a .461 SLG in 315 minor league games. The rest of his game has not developed, however.
C J.C. Escarra – The 28-year-old hasn’t played an inning of affiliated ball since 2021. The long-time Orioles prospect toiled around in the Independent leagues in 2023, hitting .267/.362/.422 in 93 games.
C Ben Rice – Rice has certainly turned heads with his left-handed power swing that appears to be perfect for Yankee Stadium. His future position is the big question mark. For those who have been around for a while, there could be some Brian Daubach in his profile. Daubach didn’t break into the big leagues until he was 26. From 1999-2002 (ages 27-30), he hit .266/.342/.492 (111 OPS+) as a first baseman for the Boston Red Sox.
C Luis Torrens – Welcome back! Torrens was a hot catching prospect years ago for the Yankees, until a shoulder injury knocked him out of commission for a year. In 2016, he returned to hit .230/.348/.317 in 40 High-A games. The Yankees felt safe in not protecting him in the Rule 5, only for the Padres to gobble him up. His best MLB season was back in 2021, when he hit .243/.299/.431 (101 wRC+) with 15 home runs for the Seattle Mariners. Depending on further transactions, Torrens could be as high as the #3 catcher on the depth chart, though Ben Rortvedt and Carlos Narvaez both occupy 40-man roster spots.
INF Jeter Downs – A story made for Hollywood (or at least an afterschool special), Downs was one of the prospects sent to the Red Sox in the Mookie Betts trade. Once a Top 100 prospect in all of baseball, Downs has not lived up to his potential and figures to only be depth for the 2024 Yankees.
IF Caleb Durbin – Acquired from the Braves for Lucas Luetge, Durbin became a bit of a prospect celebrity early in 2023 (before an injury robbed him of several weeks of playing time). His ability to make contact (6.2% K) and steal bases (36) likely appealed to old men like me who once watched a sport that was once abundant in low strikeout rates and base stealers. Not your prototypical Yankees prospect (there is not going to be power to tap into), Durbin has the ability to make it to MLB in 2024.
IF Jose Rojas – And you thought the Yankees didn’t sign KBO players! Rojas spent 2023 in Korea, where he hit .253/.345/.474 (126 wRC+) over 464 plate appearances. The 30-year-old has 83 games of MLB experience, all with the Dodgers in 2021-2022. He has experience at every position other than catcher, shortstop, and center field (the three most important ones!)
IF T.J. Rumfield – Acquired from the Phillies before the 2022 season, Rumfield experienced a power surge in 2023 for Somerset. Before 2023, he hit four home runs in 84 career games. In 2023, he hit 17 in 82 games while in Somerset. As a left-handed bat, that grabs the attention of Yankees fans.
IF Kevin Smith – If you want playing time, signing with Oakland is not a bad idea. Smith appeared in 96 games for the 2022-2023 Athletics, hitting a meager .182/.218/.314 with seven homers. He plays shortstop and third base.
IF Josh VanMeter – VanMeter has a decent MLB sample size, appearing in 300 games with three different teams between 2019-2022. In those games, he has compiled a .206/.293/.347 line with 19 homers, 79 RBI, and 17 stolen bases. Positional versatility is where he shines, though he doesn’t play shortstop or center field.
OF Greg Allen – The Yankees seemingly love Allen. He made MLB appearances for them in 2022 and 2023. The Yankees went as far as sending a prospect to the Red Sox last year to reacquire his services. Allen’s entire game revolves around speed and his ability to play CF, which is why he will continue to sign contracts.
OF Luis Gonzalez – No, not that Luis Gonzalez. This Luis Gonzalez is a 28-year-old lefthanded bat with 107 games of MLB experience (Giants, White Sox). His MLB stat line isn’t so bad for a backup: .255/.328/.363 (99 wRC+) and  he can handle all three outfield positions though you likely wouldn’t want to overexpose him in center field.
OF Oscar Gonzalez – Claimed off waivers, earlier this winter, Gonzalez was sent back through waivers by the Yankees only to be unclaimed. Gonzalez looked like a legitimate MLB outfielder in 2022, when he hit .296/.327/.461 in 91 games for the Guardians. He didn’t come close to repeating that in 2023 (49 wRC+ in 54 games!). The Yankees are hoping for some magic.
OF Spencer Jones – Jones is one of the Yankees most highly-regarded prospects – a few sites even have him ranked first overall in the system. A big kid with big potential power, Jones will need to tap into that power while continuing to reduce his strikeout rates. Simply put, there is a lot of volatility in his profile. One can see a future All-Star while others may see someone who won’t be able to put the entire package together. His 2024 season will be fascinating.
OF Brandon Lockridge – If it feels as if Lockridge has been around forever, you aren’t wrong. He has appeared in 422 minor league games for the Yankees, sporting a .263/.334/.420 line with 43 homers and 101 stolen bases. Known for his speed and ability to play center field, I think Lockridge has some Tim Locastro in his profile. If that makes you laugh, remember that Locastro has played in 290 major league games.

Yankees MILB 9/17: Will Warren Ks 10

News:

I have nothing interesting to report.

Scranton (70-72; 36-32 in the second half) (Defeated Buffalo, 7-6, in 12 innings. They still have one week left in the season)

C Carlos Narvaez: 0-for-4, 2 BB
RF Franchy Cordero: 1-for-4, RBI, 2 BB, K, SB (8)
3B Andres Chaparro: 0-for-5, SF, RBI, RS, 2 K
Chaparro is up to 85 RBI. 15 RBI in six games is a tall task if he wants to reach 100, but his season will go down as a productive one.
1B Josh Breaux: 2-for-5, RS
DH Jake Lamb: 1-for-4, RS, BB, 3 K
SS Jesus Bastidas: 3-for-5, 2 2B (13), RBI, RS, 2 K
I like utility types that show some pop, which is why I have bullish tendencies with Bastidas. He won’t be a star – he may be nothing more than an up-and-down guy. But I do think he makes MLB.
LF Aaron Palensky: 1-for-3, HR (1), 3 RBI, RS, 2 BB
Palensky’s HR in the top of the 9th tied the score at 4. He has 21 home runs between here, Somerset, and Hudson Valley.
2B Wilmer Difo: 0-for-5, K
CF Nelson Medina: 0-for-4, 2 RS, BB, K, CS (1)

RHP Frankie Montas: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Montas featured all four of his pitches, maxing out at 96.1 MPH. While he is intriguing and you can never have enough pitching, I think they move on from Montas this winter. They have young arms who are ready to contribute + they will seemingly be heavily involved in negotiations for Japanese RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
RHP Will Warren: 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 10 K
Sometimes, I worry when a starter follows up a rehabbing player – but it certainly didn’t impact Warren today. This is his first career double-digit strikeout performance. In September, the 24-year-old is dominating, pitching to a 0.38 ERA in 23.2 IP (10 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 9 BB, 29 K). Overall, for Scranton, he owns a 3.71 ERA in 94.2 IP (78 H, 49 R, 39 ER, 45 BB, 103 K). Unless they bring him up to the big leagues now, he is in line for one more start this season.
RHP Michael Gomez: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Matt Bowman: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Zach Greene : 1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Aaron McGarity: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
LHP Clay Aguilar (W, 1-1): 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Aguilar appears to be a slider/change-up heavy reliever.

Somerset (84-53; 42-27 in the second half) (Closed out their regular season with a 7-1 win over New Hampshire. Their playoff journey starts on Tuesday against Binghamton)

SS Trey Sweeney: 2-for-5, 2B (20), 2 RS, K
.252/.367/.411 in 472 PA (20 doubles, 2 triples, 13 HR, 49 RBI, 67 R, 65 BB, 90 K, 20-for-27 SB). The injury sucked but 472 plate appearances is more than enough for evaluation.
DH Ben Rice: 2-for-4, HR (16), 3 RBI, RS, BB
Between all levels, Rice finishes (assuming he doesn’t go to Scranton) his regular season with 20 homers, 68 RBI, and 62 runs scored in only 73 games.
CF Spencer Jones: 3-for-5, HR (3), 2 RBI, RS, K
Jones compiles three straight multi-hit games to close out his regular season. In his last ten games, he went 15-for-42 (.357) to help him finish his Somerset campaign at .261 with a .739 OPS.
C Agustin Ramirez: 1-for-5, 2B (7), K
Why don’t I worry much about Ramirez’s slump after coming to this level? He struck out 19.4% of the time after his promotion. Overall, he struck out 17.3% of the time this season. Yes, it spiked a bit for Somerset but it is not outrageous – he seemingly was not overwhelmed here. 
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-4, 2B (14), 2 K
  1B Mickey Gasper:  0-for-1, K
2B Caleb Durbin: 2-for-5, RS
Durbin hit .304/.395/.427 with 36 stolen bases in 69 games between here and Hudson Valley.
RF Elijah Dunham: 1-for-4, 2B (13), RBI, RS, K, SB (23)
Dunham has 25 doubles and 35 stolen bases between here and Scranton. It has to be at least somewhat frustrating that he wasn’t able to get off to a strong start in 2023, as the Yankees could have deployed him in their much-depleted OF at some point.
3B Max Burt: 0-for-4, K
LF Jeisson Rosario: 1-for-2, RS, 2 BB, K

RHP Matt Sauer: (W, 6-4)  6.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 9 K, HR
For Somerset: 3.42 ERA in 68.1 IP (49 H, 27 R, 26 ER, 11 HR, 29 BB, 83 K). He had a strong finish and I don’t know if he will slip through the Rule 5 again. 
RHP Jack Neely: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
For Somerset: 2.55 ERA in 17.2 IP (12 H, 9 R, 5 ER, 4 HR, 3 BB, 26 K). Overall, Neely put together a 100/20 in 66.1 IP between here and Hudson Valley. 
LHP Ryan Anderson: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Harrison Cohen: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K

Hudson Valley (70-62; 31-35 in the second half)  (Lost to Greenville, 2-0, in Game 1. They will once again need to sweep two games. The difference this time is that they are going on the road instead of heading home. In Game 1, a bout of wildness by a pair of relievers cost them – Greenville scored two runs without the benefit of a hit in the 6th)

3B Ben Cowles: 0-for-3, HBP, K
2B Jared Serna: 1-for-4
DH Christopher Familia: 1-for-4, K
LF Jesus Rodriguez: 0-for-4
1B Spencer Henson: 0-for-3, 3 K
C Rafael Flores: 0-for-2, BB
RF Anthony Hall: 0-for-3, K
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-3, 2 K
CF Cole Gabrielson: 0-for-1, 2 BB, K
As you can see, offense was a big issue today…

RHP Jackson Fristoe: 4 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K
A nice High-A debut for Fristoe. Yes, the minor league playoffs are built differently (LOL) – a youngster making his level debut in Game 1 of the championship series is likely not all that uncommon. Anyway, Fristoe’s calling card is his ability to throw the baseball fast. We don’t have Savant data for today, but one has to be impressed with the stat line.
RHP Baron Stuart: (L, 0-1) 1 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
RHP Sebastian Keane: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Osiel Rodriguez: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Rodriguez is throwing well as the season comes to a close…
RHP Luis Arejula: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Arejula’s High-A debut. 

Tampa (61-69; 30-34 in the second half) 

Their season is over.

FCL Yankees (35-22; 1-2 in the playoffs)

They lost to the Braves in the championship series. Their season is over.

DSL Yankees (33-19)

Their season is over, as they missed the playoffs by a half-game.

DSL Bombers (27-26)

Their season is over.