Tag: Brandon Lockridge

Yankees MILB 7/28: Brandon Lockridge: 3 BB, 3 SB

News:

We are nearing August 1st and haven’t seen any “mass promotions” yet. That will likely happen after the deadline.

Because we no longer have short-season leagues, promotions come with cuts. It is a harsh reality. While Agustin Ramirez, Jared Serna, and Abrahan Ramirez were in no danger of being cut, Brian Cashman is considering many angles with his deals. The Rule 5 draft, the current 40-man roster, players they want to promote, etc.

As I said yesterday, it’s easy to get attached to prospects. If you read this report, I tend to have a positive slant while mixing in some reality (I think that is fair).

The best advice I can offer: The kids you love to follow will have better MLB opportunities elsewhere. Serna’s probability of making it to MLB increased when the trade was announced.

Scranton (56-45) (Lost to Worcester, 6-5)

CF Brandon Lockridge: 0-for-2, 3 SB (34), 3 BB, K
In 164 games over the last two seasons, Lockridge is 74-for-83 stealing bases.
DH Jasson Dominguez: 1-for-5, 2 K
He was out for a while, so I forgot about his hitting streak. He owns a 10-game hitting streak (16-for-42).
3B Jorbit Vivas: 1-for-4, RS, HBP
For Scranton: .247/.383/.385 in 217 PA. With the acquisition of Jazz Chisholm Jr., Vivas can concentrate on finishing strong here and see what opportunities arise in 2025.
SS Oswald Peraza: 1-for-4, RS, SB (15)
July: .275/.356/.413 (7-for-9 SB)
1B T.J. Rumfield: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, K
Rumfield has 7 RBI in his last 6 games (zero RBI in the previous five games)
C J.C. Escarra: 2-for-4, RS
Escarra has four multi-hit efforts in eight games since his promotion (12-for-28)
2B Kevin Smith: 0-for-3, RS, BB, 2 K
RF Taylor Trammell: 2-for-4, HR (7), 3 RBI, RS
LF Josh VanMeter: 0-for-4, 2 K

LHP Thomas Pannone: 5 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR
One reason why you bring in Pannone: If you trade from your pitching depth, you have someone who can eat minor league innings. The Triple-A season is nearly as much of a grind as the MLB season, minus the insane travel.
RHP Nick Burdi: 1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Burdi averaged 95.4 MPH with his 4-seamer (averaged 97.5 MPH in MLB this season)
RHP Alex Mauricio: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
For Scranton: 1.16 ERA (31 IP, 20 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 17 BB, 37 K). Mauricio allowed three runs in his second outing this season (April 11th). He’s been dominant since. He relies on a cutter/slider combination with a 4-seamer that he throws in the 92-93 range.
RHP Jack Neely: (L, 1-1) 1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, HR
Neely, a call-up candidate, didn’t have it today. Due to his small sample size at this level, this spiked his ERA from 0.93 to 3.38.
LHP Tim Mayza: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Somerset (48-48) (Lost to Portland, 4-2. Ever since I pointed out how well they are playing, their offense has gone into the tank)

3B Caleb Durbin: 0-for-3
Durbin is 1-for-10 since being placed here. He hasn’t struck out. He is still on a rehab stint that isn’t labeled that way – don’t place him on a “hug” watch because he was pulled.
  2B Anthony Seigler: 1-for-1, RS
CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-4, K
1B Jesus Rodriguez: 0-for-3, K
No need to place Rodriguez on a “hug” watch – he is still on the “rehab plan”. This is his first game at 1B this season (15 last season).
  RF Grant Richardson: 0-for-0, SF, RBI
C Rafael Flores: 0-for-3, BB, K
DH Tyler Hardman: 1-for-4, HR (5), RBI, RS, 3 K
Hardman has 5 HR in 33 games for Somerset this year (31 in 110 games going back to last year). That is solid pop, though he has struggled with other aspects of his offensive game this year.
RF-1B Elijah Dunham: 1-for-3, BB, K
LF Jared Wegner: 1-for-3, K
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-3
2B-3B Max Burt: 0-for-3, 2 K

LHP Ben Shields: (L, 1-1) 4.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Since promotion: 2.08 ERA (21.2 IP, 17 H, 8 R, 5 ER, 0 HR, 10 BB, 23 K). Between here, Scranton, and Hudson Valley, Shields is up to 75.2 innings in his debut season.
RHP Matt Sauer: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, HR
RHP McKinley Moore: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Carlos Gomez: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Kevin Stevens: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
2.48 ERA (36.1 IP, 27 H, 10 R, 10 ER, 1 HR, 15 BB, 52 K). Stevens has impressed and I would like to see him promoted to Scranton. That way, we can get some Savant data.

Hudson Valley (46-48) (Defeated Wilmington, 5-4)

2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-4, RS, BB, K
.227/.357/.392 in 337 PA. Splits: .282/.417/.385 against LHP and .218/.347/.393 vs. RHP. He is a left-handed bat.
LF Garrett Martin: 1-for-5, RBI
C Omar Martinez: 0-for-4
DH Antonio Gomez: 0-for-4
Gomez is 10-for-68 (.147) since joining this level.
3B Josh Moylan: 2-for-4, HR (6), RBI, 2 RS, K
Moylan has homered three times in his last five games. He is hitting .242/.360/.361 in 292 PA.
1B Kiko Romero: 0-for-2, 2 BB
CF Cole Gabrielson: 2-for-3, RS, HBP
RF Anthony Hall: 2-for-4, 2B (1), 3B (1), RBI, RS
SS Brenny Escanio: 1-for-2, SB (4), CS (2), 2 BB

RHP Baron Stuart: 4 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, HR
3.70 ERA (82.2 IP, 72 H, 36 R, 34 ER, 4 HR, 32 BB, 68 K)
RHP Cole Ayers: (W, 3-4)  1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
3.27 ERA (52.1 IP, 45 H, 23 R, 19 ER, 5 HR, 19 BB, 64 K). 
RHP Matt Keating: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
4.64 ERA (54.1 IP, 40 H, 31 R, 28 ER, 8 HR, 23 BB, 64 K)
RHP Indigo Diaz: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Huey Morrill: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
3.78 ERA (33.1 IP, 32 H, 19 R, 14 ER, 6 HR, 10 BB, 37 K)
RHP Mason Vinyard (S, 2): 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
3.90 ERA (32.1 IP, 27 H, 20 R, 14 ER, 2 HR, 20 BB, 46 K)
All these relievers likely have a case to go to Somerset, though it’s hard to find room for everyone. 

Tampa (39-54) (Defeated Clearwater, 3-2, in a rain-shortened game. Tampa improves to 16-12 in the second half and 9-1 in their last 10 games)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-2
.235/.354/.349 in 345 PA (17 doubles, 2 triples, 4 HR, 33 RBI, 43 R, 28-for-32 SB, 13.6% BB, 24.1% K). He has 41 games at SS, 17 at 2B, and 9 at 3B.
2B Roderick Arias: 0-for-2
.222/.319/.365 in 405 PA (15 doubles, 7 triples, 7 HR, 52 RBI, 55 R, 26-for-37 SB, 11.6% BB, 32.8% K). He has 55 games (51 starts) at SS, 30 at SS, and 2 at 3B. I have talked about his extreme splits, but he has improved somewhat against LHP. His average is higher against southpaws (.239 to .218) but everything else continues to show the extremeness.
3B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-1, RS, BB
CF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-2, 2B (17), RS
.258/.388/.414 in 317 PA (17 doubles, 1 triple, 7 HR, 29 RBI, 50 R, 16-for-20 SB, 17.4% BB, 19.6% K)
LF Willy Montero: 1-fo-2, 2 RBI, RS
His 2-run single in the bottom of the 4th tied the game at 2. He is hitting .243/.302/.360 in 348 PA (15 doubles, 2 triples, 6 HR, 43 RBI, 45 R, 9-for-10 SB)
DH Hans Montero: 0-for-1, BB, K
1B Coby Morales: 1-for-2, K
C Diomedes Hernandez: 0-for-2, RBI, K
Little did he know that his RBI fielder’s choice would prove to be the game-winner. He is 3-for-11 since his promotion.
RF Daury Arias: 0-for-2

RHP Gabriel Barbosa: (W, 4-7) 5 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, HR
Barbosa records his second complete game (neither was 9 innings, obviously). Season: 4.87 ERA (92.1 IP, 92 H, 54 R, 50 ER, 9 HR, 28 BB, 95 K). Barbosa features a 6-pitch mix, throwing five of those pitches 10%+ of the time today. Interestingly, his two most-used pitches are a slider and curve. 

FCL (35-22)

Day off. They must beat the Pirates tomorrow to force a Game 3 in the semi-finals.

DSL Yankees (13-25)

Scheduled day off.

DSL Bombers (22-17)

Scheduled day off. The Bombers are in third place, two games behind the Marlins. In the DSL, eight teams make the playoffs (6 division winners + 2 wild cards).

Yankees MILB 7/27: Josh Grosz Dominates

News:

Nothing to report.

Just kidding.

The Yankees acquired IF/OF Jazz Chisholm Jr. from the Marlins today for three prospects – C/1B Agustin Ramirez, 2B/SS Jared Serna, and IF Abrahan Ramirez.

The most significant prospect is Agustin Ramirez, who blossomed into arguably the best Yankees minor league bat over the past two seasons. Between Somerset and Scranton this season, he hit .269/.358/.504 (136 wRC+) with 17 doubles, 20 home runs, and 69 RBI over 386 plate appearances. His numbers were suppressed by a tough start after his promotion, but he is on an 8-game hitting streak that improved his Triple-A triple slash to .224/.328/.364. His profile points to a player who could be an above-average MLB bat. His future position (Catcher? First base? DH?) remains a question. If you are a 1B/DH long-term, the offensive bar increases accordingly.

The Yankees like to target smallish infielders who require smallish bonuses on the international market. That description fits Serna, who stands only 5’7″. He packs a punch in his frame, given his .253/.341/.444 (120 wRC+) line in 393 plate appearances for High-A Hudson Valley this season. Like Ramirez, he doesn’t strike out much (15.3%). Serna’s future position is clearly defined. While he has played a lot of shortstop with the Yankees, most experts point to him as a second baseman long-term.

Most of these trades usually include a lottery ticket. That is where Abrahan Ramirez comes in. Only 19 years old, the infielder hit .348/.447/.513 (161 wRC+) in 189 plate appearances for the FCL squad this season. It was his first taste of the level after spending 60 games in the DSL between 2022 and 2023. While his stats are impressive, there is a long way to go before he is a viable prospect, never mind a viable MLB player.

By the way, Agustin Ramirez was on the 40-man roster while Serna is Rule 5 eligible for the second straight winter.

As for Chisholm, he isn’t a “perfect” player. However, any notion that he doesn’t improve a team is wrong. For Miami, he hit .249/.323/.407 (104 wRC+) with 13 home runs and 22 stolen bases. His 24.9% K rate is above the MLB average but shows improvement over previous seasons. While the Marlins have forced him into CF duty the past two seasons, his versatility should be useful. If he can handle CF, he should be able to handle the corners along with his experience at 2B. I wouldn’t be shocked if he is playable at SS and 3B. The Yankees must be creative in their usage if no other moves are made.

I don’t know how many times Yankees fans have complained about the Yankees needing versatility, athleticism, and speed. Chisholm provides that. Again, he’s not a perfect player. Not many are. Does he fit with the Yankees? I think so.

Bottom Line:

I am not giving this trade five stars out of five. It’s not an obvious, no-brainer. Not many trades are.

However, the Yankees acquired a good player with breakout potential and 2.5 years of control to reach that potential. I don’t think you can say “No” to that. Will it work? Time will tell.

As for the Marlins, I like their return. They received three legitimate prospects, one of whom has a Top 100 level bat. That’s the cost of doing business.

If I was the Yankees’ GM and this deal was offered to me, I would say “Yes.” That is how I have to judge it.

Scranton (56-44) (Defeated Worcester, 9-7, in 11 innings)

CF Brandon Lockridge: 4-for-6, RBI, 3 RS, SB (31), K
.298/.401/.386 in 254 PA (15 doubles, 2 triples, 0 HR, 32 RBI, 37 R, 31-for-35 SB). He is 11-for-22 during his 5-game hitting streak.
2B Jorbit Vivas: 2-for-6, 2B (7), RBI, 3 RS, SB (12), K
Vivas is 5-for-14 with a double, 4 RBI, 5 runs, and 3 stolen bases in his last three games. He was slumping for a while but is back on track.
3B Oswald Peraza: 3-for-5, HR (3), 3 RBI, RS, SB (14), HBP
Peraza walked it off with a 2-run homer. He is hitting .239/.345/.318 in 236 PA. He is 21-for-76 (.276) in July with two home runs. He has three 3-hit games this month.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-5, 2B (17), 2 RBI
Rumfield is 16-for-61 (.262) in July with 3 doubles, 3 HR, and 10 RBI this month.
C J.C. Escarra: 0-for-4, HBP, 2 K
SS Kevin Smith: 1-for-5, RS, 2 K
RF Taylor Trammell: 1-for-4, 2B (14), BB
LF Aaron Palensky: 0-for-4, SAC, 3 K
Palensky’s first Triple-A game this season (played 9 games here in 2023)
DH Josh VanMeter: 0-for-3, RS, SB (3), 2 BB, K

RHP Duane Underwood Jr.: 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Scranton went with a bullpen game tonight. That is an understatement.
RHP Art Warren: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda: 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR
3.81 ERA (49.2 IP, 32 H, 25 R, 21 ER, 5 HR, 27 BB, 62 K). This ends his 10-game scoreless streak.
RHP Phil Bickford: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Scott Effross: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
For Scranton: 11.1 IP, 13 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 2 HR, 4 BB, 10 K
RHP Ron Marinaccio: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Yerry De Los Santos: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
LHP Victor Gonzalez (W, 3-0): 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

Somerset (48-47) (Lost to Portland, 3-0)

CF Spencer Jones: 0-for-3, CS (5), BB, K
.234/.317/.400 in 369 PA. He is 11-for-67 (.164) in July with 8 walks and 34 strikeouts. He has at least one strikeout in ten straight games.
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-2, 2 BB
Taking walks is a part of Flores’ game (12 in 109 PA since his promotion (11%) and 14.6% overall)
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-4, 3 K
DH Elijah Dunham: 1-for-3, BB, K
LF Grant Richardson: 0-for-4, 3 K
RF Jared Wegner: 0-for-2, CS (5), HBP, K
2B Anthony Seigler: 0-for-3
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-3, K
3B Max Burt: 0-for-3, K

RHP Zach Messinger: (L, 2-8) 6 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
3.76 ERA (107.2 IP, 88 H, 62 R, 45 ER, 7 HR, 36 BB, 106 K). Messinger might be the most snakebit pitcher in professional baseball history. He carries a decent 4.12 minor league ERA over 73 games (55 starts). His record? 4-26.
RHP Danny Watson: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Last 7 appearances: 6.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
RHP Joey Gerber: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Colby White: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
White can strike hitters out (190 in 129.2 career IP). Walks have been an issue, including 27 in 26 IP this season.

Hudson Valley (45-48) (Lost to Wilmington, 2-1)

2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-4, 2B (17)
.226/.356/.394 in 332 PA (17 doubles, 4 triples, 7 HR, 28 RBI, 52 R, 17-for-22 SB). 
CF Jace Avina: 0-for-4, 3 K
DH Omar Martinez: 0-for-3, BB, K
.235/.370/.408 in 319 PA (17.2% BB, 22.9% K)
C Antonio Gomez: 1-for-4, 2B (3), RS, 2 K
1B Josh Moylan: 1-for-3, K
LF Christopher Familia: 0-for-2, SF, RBI
RF Cole Gabrielson: 0-for-3, 2 K
SS Brenny Escanio: 0-for-3, K
3B Beau Brewer: 0-for-3, K

RHP Cam Schlittler (L, 5-4): 7 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, HR
2.64 ERA (81.2 IP, 54 H, 33 R, 24 ER, 7 HR, 37 BB, 99 K). This is the longest outing in his brief professional career.
RHP Luis Arejula: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
2.97 ERA (39.1 IP, 33 H, 18 R, 13 ER, 2 HR, 21 BB, 37 K)

Tampa (39-54) (Swept a doubleheader against Clearwater. They are playing better in the second half, as they are 15-12 and in the playoff race)

Game 1 (Won, 4-3, in 9 innings. They walked it off on a combination of events, none of which were pretty)

DH George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K
SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-4, K
3B Dylan Jasso: 2-for-4, RS
LF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 K
It is a big 2-run single for Castillo, who continues his impressive campaign.
CF Willy Montero: 0-for-3, RS, BB, K
2B Hans Montero: 0-for-4, K
1B Coby Morales: 0-for-3, RS, 2 K
C Tomas Frick: 2-for-3, 2B (11)
   PH Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-0, BB
RF Daury Arias: 0-for-4, RS, K

RHP Josh Grosz: 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K
4.19 ERA (73 IP, 69 H, 47 R, 34 ER, 9 HR, 27 BB, 93 K). He had a tough time in an emergency start for Somerset on 6/23. Since coming back: 0.397 ERA (22.2 IP, 11 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 25 K). That is dominance. Grosz throws primarily 4-seamers and sliders while mixing in a change.
RHP Matt Givin: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Givin (25) has missed most of the season due to injury. He is not technically here on a rehab stint, but that is what it is.
RHP Ocean Gabonia (W, 3-2): 1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
3.88 ERA (48.2 IP, 46 H, 25 R, 21 ER, 4 HR, 12 BB, 55 K)

Game 2 (Won, 2-1)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 2-for-2, 2B (17), RS, HBP
Lombard Jr. has a .237/.708 OPS line. He owns a pair of 2-hit efforts in his last three games (five in his last ten games).
DH Roderick Arias: 1-for-3, RBI, 2 K
Arias is at .223 with a .687 OPS.
3B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-3, K
LF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-2, BB
CF Willy Montero: 1-for-3, 3B (2), RS, K
2B Hans Montero: 1-for-2, RBI, BB, K
Montero brings in Montero for the winning run in the bottom of the 6th.
C Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-3, 2 K
1B Coby Morales: 0-for-1, CS (3), 2 BB
RF Daury Arias: 0-for-3, K

RHP Cade Smith: 5.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
3.48 ERA (82.2 IP, 56 H, 38 R, 32 ER, 38 BB, 109 K). Smith, their 2023 6th-round pick out of Mississippi State, is one of their most consistent 2024 performers. He is more of a mix guy than an overpowering type, but that is fine. We’ll see how it translates as he moves up.
RHP Aaron Nixon: (W, 3-2)  1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

FCL (35-22) (Lost Game 1 to the Pirates, 4-3. The semi-finals are best-of-3)

CF Brando Mayea: 1-for-4, RS, BB, 2 K
Mayea took his share of walks and hit .281 in 35 games. He didn’t homer but don’t read into that. The power can come later. For example, Oswald Peraza hit one home run in 94 rookie league games. Three years later, he hit 18 as a 21-year-old in full-season leagues.
1B Engelth Urena: 2-for-4, 2B (1), RBI, BB
It wouldn’t surprise me if the Marlins asked about Urena as the “lottery ticket”. Urena is impressive – he might be the next Agustin Ramirez-like riser. 
RF Joel Mendez: 1-for-3, 2B (1), RS, BB
3B-SS Santiago Gomez: 2-for-3, K

RHP Carlos Lagrange: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
Making the playoffs allowed Lagrange to add to his innings total. He needs more, given the late start to his campaign.
RHP Chris Kean: 2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
I expect Kean to go to Tampa once the FCL squad is done. He’s 22 years old and dominated during the regular season (1.31 ERA in 20.2 IP with a 27/3 K/BB).

DSL Yankees (13-25) (Defeated the DSL Bombers, 6-3. They are playing playoff spoiler against their own organization mates!)

SS Dexters Peralta: 2-for-3, 3B (1), RS, 2 SB (18), CS (3), K
.226/.299/.304 with 18 stolen bases in 21 attempts. The triple slash may not jump out at you, but he just turned 17 years old.
3B Richard Matic: 0-for-0, 2 RS, SB (3), 2 BB
C Justin Capellan: 1-for-3, 2B (4), 4 RBI
Capellan’s first career multi-RBI game.
RF Louis Pierre: 0-for-1, RS, 2 SB (10), CS (2), 2 BB, K

RHP Jorge Luna: 4.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
1.65 ERA (32.2 IP, 21 H, 11 R, 6 ER, 1 HR, 15 BB, 37 K)
LHP Ronald Tejada (W, 3-0): 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
1.42 ERA (19 IP, 12 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 8 BB, 16 K). It is the 17-year-old’s debut season.

DSL Bombers (22-17) (Lost to the DSL Yankees, 6-3)

CF Francisco Vilorio: 0-for-4, 2 K
SS Kevin Verde: 1-for-2, 2B (7), 2 RS, SB (9), BB
The 18-year-old has 16 doubles and 17 stolen bases in 55 DSL games.

LHP Jose Ledesma: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K

Yankees MILB 7/3: Agustin Ramirez Homers

News:

RHP Phil Bickford refused an outright assignment and is now a free agent. Further analysis is not required.

Scranton (46-36)  (Split a doubleheader against Lehigh Valley)

Game 1 (Lost, 4-2)

3B Oswald Peraza: 0-for-4, K
2B Jorbit Vivas: 1-for-3, 2B (3), BB
Vivas has a 9-game hitting streak and a 14-game on-base streak.
C Agustin Ramirez: 1-for-3, RS, SB (3), BB, K
1B T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-1, RS, 2 BB
CF Brandon Lockridge: 1-for-2, SB (26), BB
Lockridge is tied for 3rd in the International League in stolen bases. He has played in many fewer games than those above him.
RF Jose Rojas: 0-for-2, SF, RBI, K
LF Taylor Trammell: 1-for-2, SB (6),BB
SS Jeter Downs: 1-for-1, RBI, HBP, BB
DH Josh VanMeter: 0-for-3, 2 K

LHP Tanner Tully: 5 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
RHP Scott Effross: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
How much more time does Effross need? Good question. They may use his entire rehab clock before deciding to bring him up (because he is coming back from an elbow injury, the Yankees will have the option to request more rehab time)
LHP Anthony Misiewicz (L, 2-1): 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR

Game 2 (Won, 9-6)

3B Jorbit Vivas: 0-for-2, RS, CI, BB, 2 K
In case you are wondering: Catcher’s interference does not increase an on-base streak. So, he needed that walk to increase his on-base streak to 15.
2B Oswald Peraza: 1-for-3, RS, SAC
1B Agustin Ramirez: 1-for-2, HR (2), RBI, 2 RS, BB, K
Doubleheader: 2-for-5, HR, RBI, 3 R, SB, 2 BB, 2 K. That doesn’t light the world on fire, but he needed a day like this. Between here and Somerset, he has 18 HR, 55 RBI, 52 runs, and 16 stolen bases in 17 attempts.
DH T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 RS, BB
Another strong game for Rumfield.
CF Brandon Lockridge: 2-for-3, 2B (11), 2 RS, SAC, K
Lockridge is at .292 with a .798 OPS. He has three multi-hit efforts in his last four games. He was hitting .177 at the end of April.
C Carlos Narvaez: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, HBP, K
Narvaez entered tonight hitting .283/.333/.550 against LHP this season. Is that relevant for the MLB team? Hmmm.
RF Jose Rojas: 0-for-2, SF, RBI, BB, 2 K
LF Oscar Gonzalez: 1-for-3, SF, 2 RBI, K
SS Kevin Smith: 1-for-4, RBI, K

RHP Matt Sauer: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
Sauer’s first start since being returned from the Royals.
RHP Duane Underwood Jr.: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
3.07 ERA (29.1 IP, 20 H, 10 R, 10 ER, 5 HR, 21 BB, 31 K)
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
4.39 ERA (41 IP, 29 H, 24 R, 20 ER, 4 HR, 24 BB, 58 K)
RHP Yerry De Los Santos: 0.2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
LHP Victor Gonzalez: (W, 1-0) 0.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 0 K
Seriously – what happened to him? He wasn’t a star in Los Angeles but he was useful. 
RHP Art Warren: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K

Somerset (39-39) (Defeated Reading, 5-4)

DH Spencer Jones: 1-for-3, RS, BB, K
Jones extends his hitting streak to 7 (10-for-31, 5 doubles, 3 HR)
SS Ben Cowles: 1-for-3, BB, 2 K
1B Tyler Hardman: 1-for-4, RBI, 2 K
C Rafael Flores: 0-for-4, 3 K
CF Elijah Dunham: 1-for-4, 2B (12), RS
Dunham increases his hitting streak to 12.
3B J.C. Escarra: 0-for-3, RS, BB
LF Grant Richardson: 1-for-4, 2B (17), RS, 2 K
2B Anthony Seigler: 3-for-4, 2B (14), 3 RBI, RS, K
.224/.316/.398 in 228 PA. He has two 3-hit efforts in his last three games.
RF Aaron Palensky: 1-for-4, 2B (8), RBI, K

LHP Ben Shields: 5.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K
It was a solid Double-A debut for Shields, who continues his strong debut season.
RHP Danny Watson: 1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, HR
RHP Jesus Liranzo (W, 3-1): 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Kevin Stevens (S, 4): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
2.89 ERA (28 IP, 23 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 1 HR, 10 BB, 44 K). He is fun to watch, as he missed the entire 2023 season but has put together an eye-opening campaign in 2024.

Hudson Valley (39-37) (Lost to Brooklyn, 4-0. They didn’t score for the second straight night)

CF Jace Avina: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K
He left the game early on Monday. It’s nice to see him back in the lineup tonight.
SS Jared Serna: 0-for-3, BB
Serna is in a little 2-for-16 slump. He tends to be streaky, I am finding out.
C Omar Martinez: 0-for-2, 2 BB, 2 K
.233/.379/.393 in 256 PA. He owns an 18.4% BB rate.
DH Antonio Gomez: 0-for-4, K
1B Josh Moylan: 0-for-4, 2 K
RF Garrett Martin: 0-for-3, CI, K
LF Christopher Familia: 0-for-4, 2 K
2B Brenny Escanio: 2-for-4, 2 K
3B Beau Brewer: 2-for-4, K
When the bottom of your order goes 4-for-8, you need to score runs!

LHP Kyle Carr: (L, 0-5) 5.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, HR
Carr pitched well tonight – with two outs in the 6th, he allowed a 2-run homer that tarnished his line. It’s one of those things that annoys prospect followers but doesn’t erase all the good that happened. Season: 5.95 ERA (59 IP, 64 H, 47 R, 39 ER, 5 HR, 37 BB, 53 K)
RHP Trent Sellers: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
3.59 ERA (46.2 IP, 33 H, 26 R, 19 ER, 2 HR, 31 BB, 59 K). It’s all about throwing more strikes, which is the case for so many prospects.

Tampa (27-47) (They were supposed to play two games against Lakeland. Game 1 was played, Game 2 was postponed due to rain)

Game 1 (Lost, 10-6)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-4, HR (2), RBI, 2 RS
Lombard Jr’s power hasn’t shown itself much this season, but it’s there. His .332 SLG doesn’t jump out at you, but it is his 2024 high-water mark. I would not be shocked if he showed extra power for the last few months of the season. I can’t believe we are already talking about the last few months of the season!
3B Enmanuel Tejeda: 1-for-3, RBI, RS, BB
I talk him up because I like prospects like this. He can play a lot of positions, make contact, steal bases, etc. His ceiling may be nothing more than Ronald Torreyes with added speed. If he becomes that, it is an organizational win.
2B Roderick Arias: 3-for-4
Arias has three 3-hit efforts this season (16 multi-hit games). 
1B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-3, SF, RBI
CF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-4, 2B (13), RS
DH Hans Montero: 1-for-3, 3B (3), RS, K
LF Willy Montero: 1-for-2, 2B (14), SF, 2 RBI, RS, K
.253/.304/.368 in 276 PA. He starts July with a solid game after his .376/.404/.588 (32 hits) effort in June.
C Josue Gonzalez: 2-for-2, RBI, BB
Gonzalez is another interesting catching prospect in an organization filled with them.
RF Coby Morales: 1-for-3, K

RHP Luis Serna (L, 2-5): 3.2 IP, 9 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, HR
Serna cruised through three innings but allowed 8 runs in the 4th.
RHP Aaron Nixon: 2 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
RHP Harrison Cohen: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
Cohen’s rehab stint continues. He made it as high as Double-A Somerset in 2023.

FCL (26-14)

Scheduled day off.

DSL Yankees (9-12)

Scheduled day off.

DSL Bombers (12-8)

Scheduled day off.

Yankees MILB 6/30: Spencer Jones Goes Bananas

News:

Nothing.

Scranton (45-34) (Lost to Worcester, 15-5, in a rain-shortened game)

CF Brandon Lockridge: 2-for-3, 2 RBI, BB
Lockridge compiled six multi-hit games in June (he only played in ten games).
SS Oswald Peraza: 3-for-4, 3 RBI, CS (2)
Peraza is hitting .216 with a .592 OPS for Scranton. That said, he has back-to-back 3-hit efforts and has hit safely in 7 of his last 8 games. 
2B Jorbit Vivas: 1-for-4, SB (7), K
Vivas has a 7-game hitting streak (11-for-27)
1B Agustin Ramirez: 0-for-3, BB, K
C Carlos Narvaez: 1-for-4, 2B (16)
Narvaez went 24-for-76 (.316) in June (5 doubles, 4 HR, 13 RBI, 18 R, 9 BB, 19 K)
DH Jose Rojas: 0-for-4, K
RF Oscar Gonzalez: 0-for-3, RS, BB
3B Jeter Downs: 2-for-4, 2B (14), 2 RS
LF Taylor Trammell: 2-for-2, 2 RS, BB

RHP Will Warren: (L, 5-5)  3.2 IP, 10 H, 9 R, 7 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
And things were going so well in June. Season: 7.05 ERA (74 IP, 85 H, 62 R, 58 ER, 16 HR, 29 BB, 85 K). This is a situation where you hope the Yankees have something “internal” that tells them he is pitching better than the numbers. 
RHP Duane Underwood Jr.: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Scott Effross: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR
I will never say that results aren’t important, but Effross is in spring training mode as he continues to work his way back. He did a lot of work before he started pitching in real games, but nothing has more value than facing live, opposing hitters.
RHP Art Warren: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
LHP Victor Gonzalez: 1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Yerry De Los Santos: 0.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, HR

Somerset (37-38) (Mauled Richmond, 13-3)

CF Spencer Jones: 4-for-5, 2B (12), 2 HR (9), 7 RBI, 3 RS, BB, K
Maybe today is the start of the outburst we are waiting for. One of the home runs was a grand slam. This is Jones’ third career multi-HR game and second 4-hit effort. The 7 RBI are a personal best. Additionally, he has doubled in four straight games. In June, he went 32-for-108 (.296; 7 doubles, 1 triple, 6 HR, 29 RBI, 19 R, 5-for-6 SB, 10 BB, 44 K). Season: .252/.331/.419 in 293 PA (12 doubles, 2 triples, 9 HR, 45 RBI, 42 R, 17-for-21 SB, 10.2% BB, 35.5% K). I was waiting for the slugging percentage to get above .400. Next stop? .800 OPS.
3B Tyler Hardman: 1-for-4, RS, SB (2), 2 BB, 2 K
1B Rafael Flores: 2-for-5, HR (1), 2 RBI, 2 RS, SB (1), BB, K
Flores is 5-for-20 (.250) since his promotion with a pair of doubles and a homer. The stolen base is a rare feat (6th in 171 minor league games)
RF Grant Richardson: 0-for-5, RS, BB, 2 K
DH Elijah Dunham: 1-for-5, 2B (10), RBI, K
Dunham has a 9-game hitting streak (12-for-37)
C J.C. Escarra: 1-for-3, 2B (14), RS, 2 BB
2B Anthony Seigler: 1-for-5, 2 RBI, RS
The “RBI” statistic is team-dependent, but it is fun to point out that Seigler drove home 16 runs in 20 June games (10 RBI in 40 April/May games)
LF Aaron Palensky: 2-for-4, 2B (6), 2 RS, BB
SS Max Burt: 1-for-4, RBI, 2 RS, BB

RHP JT Brubaker: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
The Yankees moved his rehab here today. Aaron Boone suggested that Brubaker is being built up as a starter but they see many potential roles for him. Once his rehab is complete, they must find a 40-man roster spot for him. However, they can option him to the minors once they do so.
RHP Joey Gerber: 0.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Bailey Dees (W, 4-4): 5.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, HR
3.95 ERA (79.2 IP, 70 H, 40 R, 35 ER, 10 HR, 27 BB, 82 K). If you aren’t encouraged by a converted reliever putting up numbers like these, you are hard to please.

Hudson Valley (38-35) (Their game against Wilmington was postponed due to rain)

2B Roc Riggio: 0-for-0
.225/.367/.397 (119 wRC+) in 251 PA (14 doubles, 3 triples, 5 HR, 21 RBI, 40 R, 15.9% BB, 17.9% K).  He hit .247/.371/.457 in June. We are seeing some encouraging signs from Riggio.
SS Jared Serna: 0-for-0
.261/.355/.467 (129 wRC+) in 318 PA (20 doubles, 12 HR, 52 RBI, 48 R, 11.3% BB, 17.3% K). He hit .276/.324/.429 in June (4.8% BB, 15.2% K). Serna had a 0-for-20 slump during June, which may have been impacted by an HBP. A trip to Somerset will happen sometime in the second half.
CF Jace Avina: 0-for-0
.289/.369/.481 (136 wRC+) in 271 PA (21 doubles, 8 HR, 40 RBI, 33 R, 9.6% BB, 24.0% K). In Low-A for Milwaukee in 2023, Avina hit .233/.373/.442, which was good for a 134 wRC+. His walk rate is down but he is hitting for more average and power. Acquired as part of the deal for Jake Bauers, Avina is 21 years old. 
C Omar Martinez: 0-for-0
.239/.379/.403 (125 wRC+) in 248 PA. Thus far, he isn’t hitting for as much power as he did in Low-A but the BB% is up and the K% is down. 
3B Josh Moylan: 0-for-0
.254/.373/.349 (111 wRC+) in 228 PA. During his 8-game hitting streak: .433/.469/.733 (3 doubles, 2 HR in 32 PA). 
DH Garrett Martin: 0-for-0
RF Christopher Familia: 0-for-0
After murdering baseballs in Tampa, Familia has a .243/.324/.431 line in 59 games for Hudson Valley (he does have 12 homers in those 59 games)
1B Kiko Romero: 0-for-0
LF Nelson Medina: 0-for-0

RHP Baron Stuart: 0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Tampa (27-46) (Lost to Fort Myers, 3-2, in a game called after 6 innings. That game was scheduled to go nine innings. Game 2 (scheduled to go 7 innings) was postponed due to rain)

2B George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-2, SB (22), CS (3), BB
.229/.362/.319 in 257 PA (12 doubles, 2 triples, 1 HR, 26 RBI, 28 R, 15.95% BB, 22.6% K).  Lombard hit .239/.345/.370 in June.
DH Enmanuel Tejeda: 0-for-3, K
.314/.357/.379 in 169 PA.
SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-3, 2 K
.208/.303/.358 in 320 PA (10 doubles, 7 triples, 6 HR, 43 RBI, 41 R, 10.9% BB, 35.9% K). Arias owned a .430 SLG in June but struck out 41 times. 
1B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-3, K
LF Jackson Castillo: 2-for-2, CS (4)
.257/.383/.424 in 235 PA (12 doubles, 1 triple, 6 HR, 17 RBI, 36 R, 17.4% BB, 20.4% K, 10-for-14 SB)
3B Hans Montero: 0-for-2, RS, SB (6), K
CF Willy Montero: 0-for-2, K
.251/.304/.363 in 273 PA. Entering June, his triple slash was .187/.255/.247.  A 32-hit month will typically have a positive impact on your bottom line.
RF Coby Morales: 2-for-2, HR (2), 2 RBI, RS, SB (21)
Morales’ first home run since May 5th. He is hitting .257/.355/.327 in 262 PA (8 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR, 36 RBI, 33 R, 21-for-23 SB, 11.8% BB, 28.6% K)
C Tomas Frick: 0-for-2

RHP Cade Smith: (L, 3-6)  1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, HR
This will go down as a wasted start, but that is OK.
RHP Gabriel Barbosa: 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
5.13 ERA (73.2 IP, 77 H, 44 R, 42 ER, 7 HR, 22 BB, 73 K). Most of his numbers are solid, including his GB% (52.3 before today).

FCL (24-13)

Scheduled day off.

DSL Yankees (8-12)

Scheduled day off.

DSL Bombers (11-8)

Scheduled day off.

Yankees MILB 6/23: Carlos Narvaez Goes 5-for-5

News:

The Yankees acquired 1B/3B J.D. Davis (and cash) from the Oakland Athletics for IF Jordan Groshans. The money will likely cover most (if not all) of what remains on Davis’ 1-year deal. It isn’t much.

Davis is hitting .236/.304/.366 (98 wRC+) in 135 PA. He has four home runs and five runs batted in. Interesting. The defensive metrics don’t love his performance, so he better hit if he wishes to keep a job. He had a run between 2019-2022 where he hit .276/.363/.457 (127 wRC+) over 1,258 plate appearances with a 10.5% BB and 27.3% K. However, the numbers haven’t been as strong in 2023-2024.

The Yankees need offense with Giancarlo Stanton out and there isn’t much available. They are not ready to give Agustin Ramirez a role, and none of the veterans in Triple-A excite you.

The bottom line? They wouldn’t need to do a signing like this if Gleyber Torres or DJ LeMahieu were producing. LeMahieu is showing no signs of life with the bat. He is moving towards “sunk cost” territory (if he isn’t there already).  I hope he doesn’t impact Ben Rice‘s playing time much. With the DH spot open, they can be flexible with playing time.

Scranton (42-32) (Mauled Buffalo, 18-9. They scored 12 runs in the 5th inning. As for last night’s postponed game, it is now listed as canceled. Instead of playing two in today’s heat (and pitching issues may have played a role), the game was permanently wiped off the calendar)

2B Jorbit Vivas: 2-for-5, RBI, RS, BB, K
Last 6 games: 7-for-23. Before you toss away the Victor Gonzalez deal, remember that Vivas was a part of it.
C Agustin Ramirez: 0-for-5, RBI, RS, HBP, K
Ramirez is 1-for-16 since his promotion. He is hitting .275/.358/.537 in 279 PA overall.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 2-for-5, 2B (14), HR (7), RBI, 2 RS, BB
Since promotion: .298/.354/.468 in 226 PA. He has four HR in his last 12 games.
DH Carlos Narvaez: 5-for-5, 2B (15), HR (8), 4 RBI, 4 RS, SB (5), BB
Entering today: .254/.382/.424. Now: .271/.396/.457 in 210 PA (15 doubles, 8 HR, 41 RBI, 40 R). His best for RBI in a season is 44, set in 100 games last year. Narvaez never had a 4-hit game before today, never mind a 5-hit effort.
SS Jeter Downs: 2-for-5, 2B (12), RBI, 2 RS, SB (13), HBP, 2 K
.279/.372/.541 in 208 PA (12 doubles, 3 triples, 9 HR, 31 RBI, 36 R, 13-for-17 SB). 
LF Taylor Trammell: 1-for-3, 2B (8), 3 RS, 2 SB (5), 3 BB
RF Oscar Gonzalez: 2-for-5, HR (4), 4 RBI, 2 RS, SB (3), K
For Scranton: .279/.327/.443 in 150 PA. Gonzalez has some appeal but is still a “break glass in case of emergency” type.
CF Brandon Lockridge: 3-for-5, 4 RBI, 2 RS, 2 SB (24), K
.285/.408/.369 in 157 PA. He has 24 stolen bases (26 attempts) in 47 games.
3B Kevin Smith: 1-for-4, RBI, RS, SB (9), BB, 3 K

RHP Cam Schlittler: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 3 K
Schlittler also hit 3 batters. This will impact the strong numbers he had before today, but toss it. He was brought here from Hudson Valley because they needed a rested arm. Regardless, the offense bailed him out.
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Jake Cousins: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Yerry De Los Santos: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, HR
RHP Jesus Liranzo: (W, 1-0)  1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
LHP Josh Maciejewski: 3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Jack Neely: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Season (between here and Somerset): 2.45 ERA in 33 IP (25 H, 10 R, 9 ER, 2 HR, 13 BB, 53 K)

Somerset (32-36) (Lost two games to Erie. It is odd to see Somerset struggle. Though the players always change, winning has become expected here)

Game 1 (Lost, 10-7)

DH Spencer Jones: 1-for-5, 2 K
C Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-4, HR (1), RBI, RS, BB
Rodriguez’s first Double-A home run. While he was pulled from this game and didn’t play in Game 2, I wouldn’t read into that (yet) – the heat is brutal in Somerset today.
  C Peter Serruto: 0-for-0
3B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-5, 2 K
For Somerset: 8-for-28 (.286) with a double and a pair of home runs.
2B Ben Cowles: 1-for-3, 2 BB, K
CF Grant Richardson: 2-for-5, SB (11)
RF Elijah Dunham: 1-for-5, RS, 2 K
1B J.C. Escarra: 1-for-3, 3 RS, 2 BB
LF Aaron Palensky: 3-for-5, 2B (4), 3 RBI
His reward was not playing in Game 2. He has a 5-game hitting streak (7-for-20).
SS Alexander Vargas: 4-for-5, 3 RBI, K
Useless fact of the day: Vargas has exactly one 4-hit game in each of the last four seasons.

RHP Bailey Dees: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
This will be a wasted start, but that isn’t a big deal. Season: 3.80 ERA (68.2 IP, 60 H, 33 R, 29 ER, 9 HR, 24 BB, 74 K).
RHP Trystan Vrieling: (L, 7-5) 5 IP, 12 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 2 HR
This was a tough afternoon for Vrieling. Season: 5.08 ERA (79.2 IP, 82 H, 48 R, 45 ER, 8 HR, 24 BB, 75 K). They knew there would be some growing pains by throwing him immediately into the Double-A fire. 
RHP Carlos Gomez: 2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP McKinley Moore: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Game 2 (Lost, 11-5)

CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-3, RS, BB
Jones entered the month with a .641 OPS. It is now .702.
3B Ben Cowles: 1-for-3, BB
Cowles is on a little 5-game hitting streak (5-for-18, 1 double, 1 HR). He has slumped a bit in June (18-for-75 (.240)), so I hope this is a start of a new hot streak.
C J.C. Escarra: 0-for-3, RBI, RS
DH Elijah Dunham: 3-for-3, 2B (9), HR (5), 3 RBI, 2 RS, SB (7)
Dunham is hitting .257/.363/.451 in 168 PA at this level.
RF Grant Richardson: 0-for-3, 2 K
.253/.314/.389 in 210 PA. He was strong in April/May but has struggled in June.
LF Jared Wegner: 1-for-3, RBI, K
2B Anthony Seigler: 0-for-2, BB
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-3, K
1B Max Burt: 1-for-3, RS, K

RHP Josh Grosz: (L, 0-1)  4 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, HR
Like Scranton, Somerset needed a starter and Grosz was available (from Tampa). I will say the same thing I said about Schlittler: Toss it.
RHP Danny Watson: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 0 K
Watson is having trouble getting his season going after his injury. Let’s see what he does in the second half. 
RHP Colby White: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Kevin Stevens: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
2.52 ERA (25 IP, 21 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 0 HR, 9 BB, 40 K). The 26-year-old, who missed 2023, hasn’t allowed a home run in 29.2 career innings (43/13 K/BB)

Hudson Valley (34-34) (Outlasted Greensboro, 12-9. They hit 5 home runs)

2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-3, HR (5), 2 RBI, RS, 2 BB
Riggio is at .217/.370/.380 in 230 PA. He has three home runs in his last seven games. 
SS Jared Serna: 0-for-5, RBI, K
Serna is now 0-for-20 since missing a game after a HBP. That has dropped his triple slash from .280/.380/.504 to .258/.357/.464.
DH Jace Avina: 2-for-4, 2B (19), RS, BB, K
.275/.355/.459 in 251 PA (19 doubles, 7 HR, 37 RBI, 29 R, 4-for-5 SB). He has three doubles and multi-hit efforts in his last six games.
1B Rafael Flores: 1-for-4, 2 RS, BB, K
.286/.397/.469 in 229 PA (17 doubles, 6 HR, 35 RBI, 27 R). 
C Omar Martinez: 2-for-4, RBI, 2 RS, BB, 2 K
.243/.382/.405 in 228 PA. 
RF Garrett Martin: 2-for-4, 2 HR (5), 4 RBI, 3 RS, BB
Martin’s first career multi-HR game. He has 5 HR in 36 games this year (0 in 18 games during last year’s debut season).
3B Josh Moylan: 2-for-4, 2 HR (3), 3 RBI, 3 RS, BB, 2 K
Moylan’s first career multi-HR game. Hopefully, he can build off this effort as he had some “post-draft” buzz last year.
CF Cole Gabrielson: 1-for-4, RBI, SB (6), K
LF Nelson Medina: 0-for-5, K

RHP Jackson Fristoe: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
Fristoe left the game due to a shoulder issue, according to GameCast. Yikes.
RHP Luis Arejula: 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
3.14 ERA (28.2 IP, 24 H, 14 R, 10 ER, 1 HR, 16 BB, 30 K)
RHP Huey Morrill: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Cole Ayers: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR
2.68 ERA (40.1 IP, 31 H, 16 R, 12 ER, 2 HR, 15 BB, 49 K)
LHP Joel Valdez: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Juan Crisp (W, 1-0): 2.2 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 3 K, 2 HR
Crisp is a catcher who was asked to get eight outs. The system used a lot of pitchers today (and recently), so tomorrow’s day off across the full-season leagues will come in handy.

Tampa (25-43) (Split a doubleheader against Palm Beach)

Game 1 (Won, 5-4, in the conclusion of the suspended game from Friday. This game went a full 9 innings)

DH Enmanuel Tejeda: 0-for-5, 2 K
For Tampa: .313/.366/.382 in 164 PA. He doesn’t go hitless often, so when he does it in back-to-back games, it stands out!
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-4, 2 K
2B Roderick Arias: 1-for-2, RS, SB (18), HBP, BB
1B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-4, RBI
CF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-4, RS, 2 K
3B Hans Montero: 1-for-2, RS, CS (2), HBP, BB
RF Willy Montero: 2-for-4, RS
LF Coby Morales: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, RS, 2 SB (15)
C Oscar Silverio:  0-for-0, BB
  PH-C Antonio Gomez: 1-for-1, 2 RBI, BB, K
Gomez with a big 2-run single as his rehab continues.

RHP Luis Serna: 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K
The weather cuts Serna’s start for the second consecutive time. This effort pushes his ERA below 4.00 (3.98 in 52 IP (37 H, 23 R, 23 ER, 2 HR, 15 BB, 61 K)). His ERA was 10.32 in his first three starts and 6.97 after five starts. He has been on quite a roll and is still under 20 (until July 20th).
RHP Scott Effross: (W, 1-0)  2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Effross struck out the side in his second inning of work. Of his 26 pitches, 22 were strikes.
RHP Joey Gerber: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
RHP Cade Austin: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Montana Semmel (S, 4): 0.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR
This game was dicey late, as Palm Beach turned a 5-0 deficit into a 5-4 deficit in the 9th. Tampa was able to hang on.

Game 2 (Lost, 13-11. This was a 7-inning game. They scored six runs in the bottom of the 7th (after scoring four in the 6th) and brought the winning run to the plate, but couldn’t take it further)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 2-for-5, 2B (11), 2 RBI, RS, SB (18)
Lombard is at .228 with a .676 OPS (11 doubles, 2 triples, 1 HR, 25 RBI, 24 R, 18-for-19 SB). This isn’t spectacular but he is holding his own.  He is 9-for-31 (.290) in his last 8 games with 3 doubles, a triple, a home run, and three stolen bases.
2B Roderick Arias: 1-for-4, 2B (10), RBI, RS, BB, K
Arias is hitting .212 with a .676 OPS. He has 22 extra-base hits (10 doubles, 6 triples, 6 HR) in 65 games, but also owns a 35.9% K rate.
1B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-5
LF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-3, RBI, 2 RS, 2 BB, 2 K
Castillo is hitting .249 with a .784 OPS. He has 38 walks (17.8%) and 44 strikeouts (20.6%) in 214 PA.
3B Hans Montero: 2-for-5, HR (4), RBI, RS, 3 K
A much-needed double-header for Montero, who started hot at this level but has cooled off recently.
CF Willy Montero: 2-for-4, RS
Montero has hit safely in 16 of his last 17 games (reached base safely in all 17 games). He is hitting .250 with a .675 OPS (before the streak, he was hitting .182/.250/.241). A jump of 184 points in OPS is impressive.
DH Coby Morales: 2-for-3, 2 RS, BB
C Tomas Frick: 0-for-1, 2 RBI, 2 RS, 3 BB
RF Daury Arias: 2-for-4, RBI, RS, K

RHP Cade Smith: (L, 3-5)  4 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
3.94 ERA in 61.2 IP (47 H, 33 R, 27 ER, 3 HR, 30 BB, 78 K). He has some ups-and-downs this season, but his overall season is impressive.
RHP Steven Fulgencio: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Osiel Rodriguez: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, HR
2.18 ERA (33 IP, 15 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 5 HR, 18 BB, 38 K)

FCL (23-13)

Scheduled day off. With a little more than a month to go in the season, the FCL team is two games up on the Tigers for first place.

DSL Yankees (5-10)

Scheduled day off.

DSL Bombers (9-5)

Scheduled day off.

 

Yankees MILB 6/2: Spencer Jones: 2B, RBI

News:

RHP Gerrit Cole, a good #6 starter, will start his first rehab in Somerset on Tuesday.

Scranton (34-23) (Lost to Toledo, 7-2)

2B Brandon Lockridge: 2-for-2, 3B (2), RS, SB (21)
.276/.404/.371. He had a strong May (.354/.475/.458) and is trying to build off that. However…
  PR-2B Kevin Smith: 1-for-2
After the stolen base, Lockridge left the game due to injury.
3B Jorbit Vivas: 1-for-3, SF, RBI, K
SS Oswald Peraza: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
Since joining Scranton, Peraza has struggled (7-for-47, though he does have 11 walks to go along with the 15 strikeouts). 
1B T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-3, RS, BB
.279/.341/.395 in 164 PA at this level (7.9% BB, 20.7% K)
RF Taylor Trammell: 2-for-4, K
LF Oscar Gonzalez: 1-for-4, RBI, K
DH Josh VanMeter: 0-for-4, 3 K
C Josh Breaux: 0-for-4, 2 K
The Yankees haven’t promoted or signed anyone, so the catching duties in Scranton belong to Carlos Narvaez with Breaux as the backup (for now).
CF Greg Allen: 0-for-4, K

LHP Edgar Barclay: (L, 3-4) 5 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, HR
6.35 ERA (51 IP, 55 H, 39 R, 36 ER, 10 HR, 31 BB, 47 K)
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Yerry De Los Santos: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
4.01 ERA (24.2 IP, 32 H, 18 R, 11 ER, 4 HR, 10 BB, 20 K). De Los Santos pitched well in May (2.31 ERA in 11.2 innings with a 10/2 K/BB)

Somerset (25-26) (Lost to Bowie, 6-3)

DH Spencer Jones: 1-for-4, 2B (6), RBI, RS, 2 K
Last 3 games: 6-for-12 (1 double, 1 triple, 1 home run). He is up to .228/.317/.348 and has a 16-game on-base streak.
CF Jasson Dominguez: 0-for-2, 2 K
Since joining Somerset, Dominguez is 12-for-38 (4 HR, 2 BB, 11 K)
   PH-CF Elijah Dunham: 1-for-2, 2 RBI
1B Ben Rice: 0-for-3, BB
.256/.377/.506 in 213 PA (14.6% BB, 21.6% K, 8-for-8 SB).  He has a .831 OPS vs. LHP and .899 OPS vs. RHP.  Rice takes more walks against RHP (.395 OBP vs. .320), where much of the difference lies. 
C Agustin Ramirez: 1-for-4, 2B (10), SB (12)
.271/.373/.553 in 201 PA (13.4% BB, 17.4% K, 12-for-12 SB). He hasn’t homered since May 14th (15 games without one)
SS Ben Cowles: 0-for-4, SB (8), 2 K
.310/.391/.515 in 202 PA (11.4% BB, 16.8% K, 8-for-8 SB (31-for-35 over the last two seasons))
3B J.C. Escarra: 0-for-4
LF Grant Richardson: 0-for-4, K
2B Jordan Groshans: 1-for-3, RS
RF Aaron Palensky: 0-for-2, RS, BB, K

LHP Brock Selvidge: (L, 4-4)  5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 4 K
3.25 ERA (52.2 IP, 39 H, 26 R, 19 ER, 3 HR, 27 BB, 53 K). The walk rate is up, but teams aren’t hitting for power off of him (.293 SLG). 
LHP Ryan Anderson: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
2.79 ERA (19.1 IP, 18 H, 8 R, 6 ER, 0 HR, 4 BB, 22 K)
RHP Leonardo Pestana: 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
For Somerset: 2.19 ERA (12.1 IP, 12 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 14 K). He hasn’t allowed a home run in 22 innings between here and Hudson Valley (he allowed 10 HR in 54.1 IP in 2023).
RHP Jack Neely: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
2.03 ERA (26.2 IP, 18 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 2 HR, 9 BB, 43 K). This is the first time he has allowed multiple runs in a game this season. 
RHP Carlos Gomez: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Hudson Valley (24-24) (Lost to Aberdeen, 7-3)

SS Jared Serna: 1-for-4, SB (7), RS, BB, K
He is hitting .246 with a .833 OPS (14.3% BB, 18.4% K, 7-for-12 SB).
LF Jesus Rodriguez: 2-for-5, SB (6), RS
Rodriguez is hitting .324 with a .898 OPS. He has 18 multi-hit games and is third in the South Atlantic League in batting average.
1B Rafael Flores: 2-for-4, BB
Flores, hitting .296 with a .863 OPS, is on an 8-game hitting streak (multiple hits in 3 of his last 4 games)
DH Tyler Hardman: 1-for-4, 2B (1), BB, 2 K
Hardman is 7-for-34 at this level. The double was his first extra-base hit (he hit 26 HR in 77 games for Somerset in 2023). It is possible (probable) that his stroke isn’t back yet.
C Omar Martinez: 0-for-4, BB, K
Martinez is hitting .237 with a .809 OPS. 
RF Garrett Martin: 0-for-4, HBP, K
3B Josh Moylan: 1-for-4, K
CF Cole Gabrielson: 1-for-3, BB
2B Beau Brewer: 0-for-4, 2 K

RHP Cam Schlittler: (L, 3-2) 5 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
1.97 ERA (45.2 IP, 21 H, 18 R, 10 ER, 4 HR, 22 BB, 56 K). While the walks are a little high, there isn’t much to complain about for the 23-year-old.
RHP Matt Keating: 2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
3.41 ERA (31.2 IP, 21 H, 13 R, 12 ER, 3 HR, 12 BB, 36 K).
RHP Huey Morrill: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Tampa (19-32) (Lost to Palm Beach, 9-4)

DH George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-5, SB (13), K
.213/.363/.268 in 157 PA (17.8% BB, 22.3% K, 13-for-14 SB). Righties have given him trouble (.196/.339/.237). He is comfortable vs. LHP (.267/.436/.367).
SS Roderick Arias: 1-for-4, CS (7), 2 K
.207/.317/.319 in 221 PA (12.7% BB, 34.8% K, 13-for-20 SB). His struggles against left-handed pitching is known (7-for-41 with one walk and 19 strikeouts)
1B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
.251/.347/.426 in 213 PA (11.3% BB, 27.2% K). He is in a little 1-for-19 slump.
CF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-3, 2 RS, SB (9), BB
.250/.383/.429 in 141 PA (18.4% BB, 19.9% K, 9-for-10 SB). 
2B Hans Montero: 0-for-2, RS, 2 BB
.232/.330/.378 in 94 PA. Montero had a hot streak going but is in a 1-for-23 slide. He has walked five times during this stretch,
RF Willy Montero: 2-for-4, RBI, K
.190/.255/.247 in 191 PA. 
LF Coby Morales: 1-for-3, RBI, CS (2), BB
C Tomas Frick: 0-for-4
3B Brenny Escanio: 2-for-3, RS, 2 SB (6), BB, K
Escanio has three multi-hit games during his 5-game hitting streak. He has four stolen bases during this stretch.

RHP Luis Serna: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, HR
4.87 ERA (40.2 IP, 33 H, 22 R, 22 ER, 2 HR, 13 BB, 46 K). Serna’s highest inning total is 41.1 (2022). 
RHP Aaron Nixon: (L, 1-1) 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Steven Fulgencio: 0.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

FCL (12-9)

Scheduled day off.

DSL Yankees (0-0) and DSL Bombers (0-0)

Their seasons get started tomorrow.

Yankees MILB 6/1: Jasson Dominguez Homers Again

News:

Nothing new.

Scranton (34-22) (Lost to Toledo, 3-2)

CF Brandon Lockridge: 2-for-4, RBI, 2 SB (20), BB, K
Lockridge is 60-for-67 stealing bases over the past two seasons. 
3B Jorbit Vivas: 0-for-3, RS, CI, K
2B Oswald Peraza: 0-for-3, BB, K
C Carlos Narvaez: 1-for-4, RBI, K
Narvaez has 31 RBI (44 games). His best is 44, set last year (100 games).
1B T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-4, K
DH Oscar Gonzalez: 0-for-4
LF Taylor Trammell: 0-for-4, K
SS Kevin Smith: 3-for-4, 2 2B (7), RS, K
RF Greg Allen: 1-for-4, 2B (4)

RHP Will Warren: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 5 K
Warren was pitching well into the 5th, where he ran into trouble. Still, this is encouraging after a less-than-ideal May.
LHP Anthony Misiewicz: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Matt Sauer: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Sauer’s first appearance after being returned from the Royals. I assume (never smart) that he will start soon enough. The Royals were using him in the bullpen, so it could take time to build him back up.
RHP Ron Marinaccio: (L, 0-2) 1.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

Somerset (25-25) (Defeated Bowie, 6-2)

CF Spencer Jones: 2-for-4, 3B (2), 4 RBI, SB (13), K
Jones has a 15-game on-base streak. The last two games have been the most encouraging. He is at .227/.318/.344 in 176 PA (2 days ago, he was at .205/.299/.295). 
DH Jasson Dominguez: 1-for-3, HR (4), RBI, 2 RS, BB
Dominguez has homered in back-to-back games and is making Double-A look silly during his 7-game hitting streak (12-for-28, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 7 R). I don’t know when the Yankees will use him in MLB this season, but he will be ready.
C Ben Rice: 3-for-4, 2 2B (8), RBI, SB (8)
.260/.380/.514 in 209 PA. On May 19th, his SLG slipped to .444. He has 4 doubles and 4 HR in 11 games since. I don’t think a prospect needs to spend much time in Triple-A, but there is a benefit in facing pitchers with MLB experience. Triple-A is abundant in those types.
3B Ben Cowles: 1-for-4, 2 K
.317/.399/.527 in 198 PA. Position breakdown: 2B: 5 games (5 starts); 3B: 11 games (9 starts); SS: 35 games (33 starts).
LF Elijah Dunham: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
RF Jared Wegner: 1-for-3, 2 RS, HBP, K
2B Anthony Seigler: 1-for-4, RS, 2 K
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-3, HBP, 2 K

RHP Blane Abeyta: (W, 3-5) 6 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, HR
RHP Danny Watson: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Watson’s first appearance since April 11th. Like Jack Neely, he is a tall (6’7″) reliever with MLB potential. Before his injury, I would have said either could get to MLB in 2024. Watson is behind now, but continue to watch him closely.
RHP Colby White: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Kevin Stevens: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Hudson Valley (24-23) (Lost to Aberdeen, 3-1)

2B Roc Riggio: 0-for-3, 2 BB, 2 K
Riggio has an 18-game on-base streak (15-for-72 (.208); 13 walks). 
SS Jared Serna: 0-for-5, K
RF Jace Avina: 1-for-1, RS, HBP, 2 BB
.315/.409/.524 in 171 PA (15 doubles, 5 HR, 26 RBI, 23 R, 4-for-4 SB). While some element of luck is involved (.404 BABIP), his performance is likely exceeding the Yankees’ expectations. 
C Jesus Rodriguez: 0-for-2, SB (6), 2 BB
He left the game after an awkward dive in LF last night. This afternoon? He starts behind the plate. This kid is tough! Season: .321/.407/.494 in 194 PA (12 doubles, 1 triple, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 29 R, 12.4% BB, 14.4% K).
DH Tyler Hardman: 1-for-4, RBI, 2 K
1B Rafael Flores: 1-for-3, SB (2), BB, K
LF Garrett Martin: 0-for-3, K
CF Nelson Medina: 0-for-4, 2 K
3B Beau Brewer: 0-for-4, K

LHP Ben Shields (L, 1-2): 6 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
Shields’ emergency start for Scranton didn’t go well. I am happy it didn’t impact his performance in his first start back here.
RHP Mason Vinyard: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
3.00 ERA (12 IP, 9 H, 9 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 5 BB, 18 K)
RHP Cole Ayers: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
1.99 ERA (31.2 IP, 22 H, 10 R, 7 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 37 K). 

Tampa (19-31) (Defeated Palm Beach, 5-3, in 10 innings)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-4, BB, K
.213/.368/.270 in 152 PA (12-for-13 SB). I am intrigued to see how Lombard Jr. adjusts in the second half of the season.
2B Roderick Arias: 2-for-5, 3 RBI, SB (13), K
Arias is 13-for-19 stealing bases but has been successful in his last six attempts. Let’s see if this is the start of a big June…
1B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-5, 2 K
CF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-4, 2 K
DH Hans Montero: 0-for-4, K
RF Willy Montero: 0-for-4
3B Brenny Escanio: 2-for-4, 2 RS, SB (4), K
A decent .270/.329/.378 line in 82 PA for Escanio, who they acquired from the Brewers in 2019 for J.P. Feyereisen.
LF Daury Arias: 2-for-4, 2B (5), RBI, 2 RS, SB (4), 2 K
C Edinson Duran: 2-for-4, RBI, RS, SB (1)

RHP Gabriel Barbosa: 7.2 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 1 BB, 4 K
4.81 ERA (48.2 IP, 51 H, 26 R, 26 ER, 3 HR, 10 BB, 49 K). The Rule 5 draftee (minor league phase) has pitched fairly well.
RHP Cade Austin: (W, 1-2)  1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Montana Semmel (S, 3): 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
1.44 ERA (25 IP, 16 H, 8 R, 4 ER, 2 HR, 9 BB, 21 K)

FCL (12-9) (Lost to the Phillies, 3-1)

CF Brando Mayea: 0-for-4, K
LF Christopher Familia: 2-for-3, 2 2B (3)
A predictable 10-for-16 during his rehab stint.
C Josue Gonzalez: 2-for-3
.233/.410/.483 in 78 PA.
1B Luis Ogando: 1-for-3, RS, SB (4)
SS Santiago Gomez: 1-for-2, RBI, SB (6), BB, K
.346/.485/.346 in 33 PA (6-for-8 SB)

RHP McKinley Moore: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
For Moore, results don’t matter – he can strike out FCL hitters without much effort. It is about harnessing the stuff.
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
One has to imagine that Reyzelman will get to Tampa rather quickly, as long as he is healthy.

DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 4/11: Agustin Ramirez Homers Again

News:

Nada.

Scranton (7-4) (Defeated Norfolk, 4-3. Even without Jackson Holliday, this lineup is dangerous. Scranton has held them to eight runs in three games)

LF Caleb Durbin: 0-for-3, 2 BB, K
Someone asked me my thoughts on Durbin moving around the field. I am fine with it, as long as it doesn’t impact his offense.  It hasn’t thus far.  If, for any reason, he doesn’t take well to the outfield, you can end the experiment. The Yankees have been trying to develop a super-utility type for a while. Tyler Wade failed. We’ll see if Oswaldo Cabrera can keep up with his early-season hitting. Durbin is hitting .385/.519/.641 in 52 PA (5 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 14 RBI, 8 R, 11 BB (21.6%), 3 K (5.8%), 7-for-7 SB).
RF Everson Pereira:  1-for-3, 2B (2), RBI, BB, K
.220/.347/.488 in 49 PA (2 doubles, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 6 R, 6 BB, 17 K, 1-for-2 SB). He’ll get that 34.7% K rate down.
C Carlos Narvaez: 0-for-4, K
.111/.390/.148 in 41 PA (1 double, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 3 R, 12 BB, 8 K). Narvaez reached double digits in home runs in 2022 and 2023 and should be able to do it again.
SS Kevin Smith: 0-for-4, 3 K
3B Jeter Downs: 2-for-4, HR (2), RBI, RS, K
8-for-26 start with a triple and two home runs (.615 SLG)
1B Jordan Groshans: 0-for-4, RS
DH Josh Breaux: 1-for-4, RS, 2 K
2B Josh VanMeter: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
CF Brandon Lockridge: 1-for-3, 2B (3), 2 RBI, RS, SB (10)
Lockridge hit a 103.7 MPH double in the top of the ninth to score the two winning runs. Lockridge hasn’t played much (doesn’t qualify for rate statistics leaderboards) but his ten stolen bases lead all of minor league baseball.

RHP Yoendrys Gomez: 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K
A strong 49-pitch effort for Gomez, who could see himself in the MLB bullpen at some point (if they don’t need him as a starter). That last option year is always a pivotal season for a youngster.
RHP Alex Mauricio: 2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 0 BB, 3 K
He maxed out at 96.4 MPH. He accumulated all of his whiffs (7) with his cutter, averaging 87.9 MPH.
RHP Yorlin Calderon (W, 1-0): 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
For the second time this season, he was summoned to Scranton to fill in some innings. He was awesome today, using his low-90s sinker while mixing sliders, curves, and changeups. Sometimes, players who bounce around aren’t considered prospects as they continuously float around, providing depth or innings. Calderon is not a top prospect but he isn’t a throwaway by any stretch.
LHP Anthony Misiewicz: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Jake Cousins (S, 1): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
When he was in MLB, Cousins looked like a garden variety reliever (which is useful!). We’ll see if they can develop more out of him.

Somerset (2-3) (Lost to New Hampshire, 6-3)

DH Ben Rice: 1-for-5, RS, K
5-for-22 (1 HR, 1 RBI, 4 R, 3 BB, 9 K, 2-for-2 SB). 
C Agustin Ramirez: 1-for-4, HR (4), 2 RBI,RS, BB
Ramirez has four homers in five games. If you are wondering about a promotion, he played 56 games in Single-A last year before being promoted to High-A, where he only played 27 games before getting to Somerset. Tonight was his 36th game at this level. He is a catcher, so build that into your development equation but the Yankees were aggressive in 2023. He will dictate his ascension.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-3, RS, BB, K
CF Elijah Dunham: 2-for-4, 2B (1), SB (1)
3B Ben Cowles: 1-for-2, 2 SB (2), 2 BB, K
7-for-18 (3 doubles, 3 RBI, 1 R, 2 BB, 4 K, 2-for2 SB)
LF Aaron Palensky: 1-for-3, RBI, SB (1), BB, K
RF Jared Wegner: 0-for-4, 2 K
2B Anthony Seigler: 0-for-4, 3 K
SS Max Burt: 0-for-4, 2 K

LHP Brock Selvidge: 4 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
2024 debut for the 21-year-old. A third-round pick in 2022 (out of high school), Selvidge started to generate some buzz last season. He reduced his walk rate to 6.5% (25.5% K) while tossing 127.2 innings. As for tonight, I guess his command wasn’t great and his defense wasn’t always solid behind him. It’s good enough for his first Double-A start as it is something he can build on.
RHP Danny Watson: (L, 0-1)  1.1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
These games happen. This is the first time Watson has allowed 3+ runs in a game since 2022 (he allowed two runs only three times in 45 games last year).
RHP Jack Neely: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
Neely, who stands 6’8″, struck out 100 batters in 66.1 innings last season.
RHP Tanner Myatt: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
The Patriots’ pitchers struck out four hitters in the 7th inning.

Hudson Valley (2-1)

Their doubleheader at Rome was postponed. They have yet to play a game in this series.

They will try to play a pair of doubleheaders – one on Friday and one on Sunday. One of the six games will not be played. I don’t know if they will schedule it for when Rome visits Hudson Valley or if it is gone forever.

Tampa (1-5) (Lost to Dunedin, 3-1)

3B George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-2, 3 BB, 2 K
Lombard Jr. has reached base safely 16 times in six games (3 hits, 12 BB, 1 HBP). As someone mentioned on Twitter, you want to see more contact to see where the bat is. This is still impressive discipline for an 18-year-old.
SS Roderick Arias: 1-for-3, RBI, CS (1), 2 BB, K
5-for-25 (double, triple, HR, 3 RBI, 3 R, 3 BB, 15 K)
2B Enmanuel Tejeda: 1-for-4, SB (3), BB, K
Tejeda has a 6-game hitting streak to start his campaign. He is still looking for that first extra-base hit.
1B Coby Morales: 0-for-2, BB, 2 HBP
The painful way to improve your on-base percentage.
CF Tayler Aguilar: 0-for-3, BB, HBP, 2 K
C Manuel Palencia: 0-for-4, K
RF Daury Arias: 1-for-4, 2B (1), 2 K
DH Edinson Duran: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
   PR Willy Montero: 0-for-0
LF Dayro Perez: 0-for-3, RS, SB (1), BB, 2 K
Perez put up some impressive numbers in 2021-2022 in the DSL/FCL, including 51 stolen bases in 95 games. Last year, in 50 games, he cratered. 

RHP Cade Smith: (L, 0-1) 3.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
Smith threw primarily 4-seamers and sliders, topping out at 94.9 with the fastball. 
RHP Cade Austin: 3.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 HR, 1 BB, 6 K
6.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 12 K. That’s a nice start to his professional career.
RHP Yoljeldriz Diaz: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Tampa didn’t win but their pitchers struck out 14 batters.

FCL (0-0)

The season starts on 5/4.

DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 4/6: Omar Martinez: 4 Hits, HR

News:

No news is good news, except when it isn’t.

Scranton (3-4) (Lost a doubleheader to Syracuse)

Game 1 (Lost, 4-2)

RF Greg Allen: 1-for-1, RS, SB (3)
Allen left the game early.
   RF Josh VanMeter: 0-for-3
LF Caleb Durbin: 0-for-3, RS, SB (5), BB
C Carlos Narvaez: 1-for-2, SB (1), 2 BB, K
Narvaez is 3-for-19 with eight walks. That is how you turn a .158 batting average into a .393 OBP.
DH Everson Pereira: 0-for-2, 2 BB, K
1B Luis Torrens: 0-for-2, RBI, BB, K
SS Kevin Smith: 0-for-1, SF, RBI, BB, K
2B Jeter Downs: 0-for-3, K
3B Jordan Groshans: 0-for-3, 2 K
CF Brandon Lockridge: 1-for-2, 3 SB (7), BB, K

RHP Will Warren: 4 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
Warren didn’t pitch well in not-so-ideal Opening Day conditions. He bounced back tonight.
LHP Tanner Tully (L, 0-1): 3 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 0 BB, 3 K
Tully cleared waivers and was outrighted to Scranton, where he will eat some innings as needed.

Game 2 (Lost, 9-6, in eight innings. Remember that minor-league doubleheaders are 7-inning games. Syracuse scored five in the 7th to take the lead, only for Scranton to answer with three. However, Syracuse pulled away in the 8th).

CF Brandon Lockridge: 1-for-2, RBI, RS, 2 SB (9), 2 BB
Lockridge has nine stolen bases in six games. He stole 40 in 92 games in 2023.
SS Caleb Durbin: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, K
Durbin is 11-for-26 (2 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 5 R, 6 BB, 2 K, 5-for-5 SB). So far this season, he has already played 2B/SS/3B/LF/DH. This kid has serious “fan favorite” ability because he can do so many things.
DH-1B Jose Rojas: 1-for-4, HR (3), 2 RBI, RS, 2 K
The 31-year-old depth piece has three homers in five games.
RF Everson Pereira: 1-for-4, 2 K
6-for-26 (.231) with a pair of home runs. He has four walks and 11 strikeouts.
1B-2B Luis Torrens: 1-for-3, RS, BB
LF Luis Gonzalez: 0-for-4, K
3B Jeter Downs: 1-for-2, RBI, RS, BB, K
C Josh Breaux: 0-for-2, RS, 2 BB, K
2B-P Josh VanMeter: 0-for-2, RS, BB, K

RHP Clayton Beeter: 3.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 5 BB, 5 K
As usual, Beeter was fastball/slider-heavy. He topped out at 94.5 MPH but averaged 91.8. On a good note: He generated 12 whiffs. There’s talent here – I still wonder where that talent is best utilized.
LHP Clayton Andrews: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Yerry De Los Santos (L, 0-1): 0.1 IP, 2 H, 5 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
De Los Santos is throwing hard (95.9 MPH sinkers). With the injuries happening with the big club, there will be opportunities for some of these relievers to shine. That can change once Tommy Kahnle/Scott Effross/Lou Trivino emerge from their injuries.
LHP Anthony Misiewicz: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Josh VanMeter: 1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
VanMeter was forced into some relief duty. It isn’t foreign to him, as he has three games of MLB experience on the hill. Those games didn’t go much better.

Somerset (1-1) (Lost to Richmond, 13-3)

C Ben Rice: 1-for-5, RS
1B T.J. Rumfield: 2-for-3, 2B (1), BB, K
Rumfield’s HR spiked from four homers in 2021-2022 to 17 in 2023. If the power game continues to develop, he will become interesting.
DH Agustin Ramirez: 1-for-4, HR (2), 2 RBI, RS, 2 K
After his promotion last year, he hit two home runs in 31 games. This year? Two home runs in two games. You will hear about whether the 22-year-old can stick behind the plate. Remember this: We heard that about Austin Wells since day one. I like that Fangraphs said that he isn’t ready to be an MLB catcher YET instead of making a decisive prediction on his future position.
RF Elijah Dunham: 0-for-2, 2 K
I think many were hoping that Dunham would get some MLB at-bats last year. However, he had a tough year. I don’t know why he was pulled today.
  RF Jared Wegner: 1-for-2, 3B (1), RS
LF J.C. Escarra: 1-for-3, 2B(1), BB, K
Typically a 1B/DH, this is Escarra’s first career game in the outfield. He was signed to a minor league contract over the winter.
3B Ben Cowles: 1-for-4
CF Grant Richardson: 0-for-4, 3 K
2B Aaron Palensky: 0-for-1, 2 BB, HBP, K
Anthony Seigler at 2B yesterday…Aaron Palensky (typically an OF) today! He played one game at 2B in 2023.
SS Max Burt: 0-for-4, 2 K

RHP Bailey Dees (L, 0-1): 3.1 IP, 5 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 5 BB, 3 K
Dees is undergoing a role change, it appears. With that will come growing pains, as we saw tonight. He is listed at 6’8″, 255 pounds.
LHP Clay Aguilar: 1.1 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 1 BB, 1 K
Typically reliable, Aguilar had a tough time today in his Double-A debut (he pitched four games for Scranton last year). 
RHP Kevin Stevens: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
Stevens (26) was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He didn’t pitch in 2023. This is only his sixth career game.
RHP Carlos Gomez: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K

Hudson Valley (1-1) (Walloped Bowling Green, 14-2)

2B Jared Serna: 1-for-3, HR (1), RBI, 3 RS, 2 BB
I wrote last night about his lack of home runs since joining Hudson Valley last year. It must feel good to get that first one out of the way finally.
 PH-2B Beau Brewer: 0-for-1, K
3B Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-6, RS, 2 K
C Omar Martinez: 4-for-5, HR (1), 2 RBI, 3 RS, BB
The left-handed hitting catcher hit .291/.367/.445 with 18 HR in 105 games for Tampa last year. He was one of the few performing prospects who did not receive a promotion, but I wouldn’t read into that. 
RF Garrett Martin: 2-for-5, 2B (1), 3 RBI, 2 RS, K
  RF Kyle Battle: 0-for-0, HBP
LF Anthony Hall: 0-for-5, RS, BB, K
DH Rafael Flores: 3-for-5, HR (1), 3 RBI, 2 RS
The 23-year-old C/1B spent the entire season here last year, hitting .259/.346/.366 with eight home runs.
1B Kiko Romero: 1-for-4, RBI, RS, SB (1), HBP, 2 K
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-4, RBI, BB
Vargas has the glove to stick at SS. However, the bat has yet to develop.
CF Cole Gabrielson: 1-for-5, RBI, RS, SB (1), K
Gabrielson was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2023. MLB shortened the draft a few years ago, so talented kids will slip through. 

LHP Kyle Carr: 2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
Carr (21) is receiving a lot of buzz. This represented the professional debut for the 21-year-old, who was drafted in the third round in the 2023 draft out of Palomar College.
RHP Trent Sellers: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K
Professional debut for the 24-year-old Sellers, who was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2023. In 15 starts for Oregon State, he posted a 4.86 ERA and 106/32 K/BB over 74 innings. It looks like he continued the strikeout tradition tonight.
RHP Leonardo Pestana: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
LHP Joel Valdez: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K

Tampa (1-1) (Lost to Fort Myers, 6-4)

2B George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K
SS Roderick Arias: 1-for-4, 3B (1), RS, K
A homer and triple in his first two games? We’ll take it.
3B Enmanuel Tejeda: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, SB (1)
This looks like it will be the infield configuration early. It is smart, as Arias should play a lot at SS. It should change as players eventually move around levels. Plus, there will be off days, DH days, etc. Back to Tejeda: He stole 24 bases in 30 attempts in the FCL last year.
LF Coby Morales: 1-for-4, RS, 3 K
1B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-3, BB, 3 K
CF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-4, RS, K
DH Willy Montero: 0-for-3, RBI, SB (1), BB, K
Montero was productive last season, but only stole five bases. In 2022, he stole 16 in 53 games.
RF Daury Arias: 0-for-4, RBI, 2 K
The toolsy Arias didn’t perform well here last season (.217/.335/.318 with six home runs)
C Manuel Palencia: 1-for-3, 2B (1), RS, BB, K
The 21-year-old played ten games at this level in 2023 (11-for-35). 

RHP Ryan Harvey: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
The 23-year-old was the Yankees 11th round pick in the 2022 draft. He pitched to a 3.94 ERA with a 48/22 K/BB ratio over 45.2 innings last year (his debut year).
LHP Allen Facundo: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Fucando threw one of his 4-seamers 96.1 MPH. His sinker? Maxed at 97.4. That will get my attention, as will the 127 strikeouts in 80.2 career innings.
RHP Jordy Luciano (L, 0-1): 2.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
Throughout his brief career, the 22-year-old’s issue has been control. 
RHP Kris Bow: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
The Yankees drafted Bow in the 14th round of the 2022 draft. He is a sinker/slider type, who threw one sinker 94.8 MPH tonight. Control has been an issue in his short career.

FCL (0-0)

The season starts on 5/4.

DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 3/31: Brandon Lockridge: 2 Hits, BB, SB

News:

LHP Nick Ramirez was designated for assignment after the Yankees promoted LHP Tanner Tully to the big league club. Just in case you missed the news, Tully replaces Clayton Beeter, who will now get regular rotation turns in Scranton until he is needed again. While I think Beeter’s future might be in the bullpen, there isn’t a need to put him there permanently now. Plus, who says I’m right? I am wrong more than I am right. I am just not afraid to admit it.

“Why Tully?”

It’s simple: 1. He has a starter’s pedigree, so he can eat innings out of the bullpen as needed; 2. He is expendable. If he has to pitch four innings out of the bullpen, he can be designated for assignment the next day. That sounds harsh, but for many MLB players, this is their way to earn some paychecks.

Not that Will Warren was available anyway, but you aren’t going to add him to the 40-man roster for this purpose.

RHP Yorlin Calderon was added to the roster with the need for an arm in Scranton. He made an appearance in today’s game. Further information is in his blurb below.

Ramirez being designated for assignment may seem like a surprise. In 32 games (40.2 IP) for the big club last year, he compiled a solid 2.66 ERA and 2.94 FIP. With the need for relief arms throughout baseball, I will be surprised if he isn’t claimed. However, I’ve been surprised many times before.

Scranton (2-1) (Lost to Buffalo, 4-3)

RF Luis Gonzalez: 1-for-5, 3B (1), RBI, RS, 3 K
DH Caleb Durbin: 1-for-3, RBI, 2 BB, SB (2)
Durbin is off to a 4-for-12 start with a pair of doubles, 4 RBI, and two stolen bases.
1B Carlos Narvaez: 0-for-4, BB, K
The Yankees need first base depth. Narvaez played 16 games at the position last year and started a game today. As stated the other day, he is also the organization’s #3 catcher.
CF Everson Pereira: 1-for-4, K
2B Kevin Smith: 0-for-4, 2 K
3B Jordan Groshans: 2-for-4, 2B (1)
SS Jeter Downs: 1-for-3, RS, SAC
C Josh Breaux: 1-for-4, K
LF Brandon Lockridge: 2-for-3, 2B (2), RBI, RS, BB, SB (4)
Lockridge is off to a 3-for-6 start with a pair of doubles, three walks, and four stolen bases.

RHP Cody Morris: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K
The Yankees acquired the 27-year-old Morris from Cleveland for Estevan Florial. He owns a 3.41 ERA in 31.2 career MLB innings (13 games/5 starts) with a 32/18 K/BB. As expected, Florial made the Guardians’ Opening Day roster (just like when he was with the Yankees, he would need to go through waivers if they decide to send him down). 
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Yorlin Calderon: 3.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, HR
Calderon is 22 years old and hadn’t pitched above High-A until today. In 2022, in his Low-A debut, Calderon tossed a 7-inning no-hitter. This could be a situation where Scranton needed an arm for a day, and he was readily available to provide that. Calderon doesn’t appear on many (if any) Top 30 lists, but he did receive a blurb on the Fangraphs list last year, where he was praised for his breaking ball and potential to add velocity.
LHP Clayton Andrews: (L, 0-1)  1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
The organizational debut for Andrews, who the Yankees acquired for minor league RHP Joshua Quezada. He didn’t have any fun in his MLB debut last season (27.00 ERA in four games), but he pitched well for their Triple-A affiliate. Walks appear to be an issue, but he did touch 95.4 on the gun today. That’s valuable for an LHP if you can figure out everything else.
RHP Dennis Santana: 0.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Santana allowed two inherited runners to score.

Somerset (0-0)

The season starts on 4/5.

Hudson Valley (0-0)

The season starts on 4/5.

Tampa (0-0)

The season starts on 4/5.

FCL (0-0)

The season starts on 5/4.

DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!