Tag: Brandon Lockridge

Yankees MILB 7/6: Roderick Arias Homers Twice

News:

RHP Zach Greene‘s rehab is over and is on his way to Scranton. Greene has some credibility in the baseball world, as the Mets chose him in last winter’s Rule 5 draft. The 26-year-old pitched to a 3.42 ERA in 68.1 innings with a 96/32 K/BB ratio for Scranton in 2022.

The Yankees claimed LHP Anthony Misiewicz off of waivers from the Tigers organization. He will take the 40-man roster spot that was occupied by RHP Jimmy Cordero. The Yankees will have another 40-man roster decision to make tomorrow when LHP Carlos Rodon is activated off of the 60-day injured list. It is possible they can transfer OF Greg Allen to the 60-day list. It also isn’t impossible that they will simply DFA Misiewicz himself and try to get him through waivers.

Scranton (40-42; 5-2 in the second half) (Leveled Lehigh Valley (again), 18-2. Remember, they won 14-0 last night)

CF Estevan Florial: 1-for-4, HR (21), 3 RBI, RS, 2 K
.295/.391/.601 in 317 PA (11 doubles, 4 triples, 21 HR, 50 RBI, 57 R, 45 BB, 91 K, 18-for-27 SB)
  PH-RF Max Burt: 0-for-0, BB
SS Oswald Peraza: 1-for-6, RS, 2 K
DH Ben Rortvedt: 3-for-6, 2 HR (6), 3 RBI, 2 RS, K
.311/.431/.567 in 109 PA at this level (5 doubles, 6 HR, 21 RBI, 19 R)
1B Andres Chaparro: 1-for-3, RBI, 2 RS, 3 BB, K
We love the power – but Chaparro is adding some walks lately. He has walked six times in the last three games and 13 times in his last 11 games.
C Carlos Narvaez: 1-for-4, 2 RS, 2 BB, 2 K
LF Franchy Cordero: 3-for-4, HR (7), 3 RBI, 3 RS, BB
3B Jamie Westbrook: 2-for-5, 3 RS, K
2B Jesus Bastidas: 1-for-4, HR (8), 2 RBI, 2 RS, HBP
RF-CF Brandon Lockridge: 4-for-4, 2B (5), 2 RBI, RS, BB, SB (6)
Lockridge has three 4-hit games in his career. He is hitting .317/.388/.483 since his promotion and .314/.392/.500 overall (12 doubles, 4 triples, 3 HR, 21 RBI, 22 R, 21 BB, 39 K, 23-for-26 SB)

RHP Mitch Spence: (W, 7-4)  7.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, HR
Spence tosses 7+ innings for the second start in a row and 4th time this season. He now owns a 4.45 ERA in 91 IP (90 H, 51 R, 45 ER, 17 HR, 34 BB, 79 K)
RHP Blas Castano: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
He was called up today to replace Deivi Garcia and did his job to close this one out.

Somerset (47-30; 5-4 in the second half) (Lost to Reading, 3-2)

SS Trey Sweeney: 0-for-2, 2 BB, K, SB (11), CS (5)
CF Jasson Dominguez: 0-for-3, BB, 3 K
Dominguez keeps going above and below the Mendoza line – he is back below at .198.
DH Austin Wells: 0-for-4, 2 K
LF Elijah Dunham: 0-for-2, RS, 2 BB, K
3B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-4, 2 K
1B Eric Wagaman: 2-for-4, CS (2)
Wagaman is hitting .339 and has four straight multi-hit games (6-game hitting streak)
RF Jeisson Rosario: 0-for-3, BB, K
C Josh Breaux: 0-for-4, 3 K
2B Matt Pita: 0-for-1, RBI, RS, 2 BB, K

RHP Chase Hampton: 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 10 K, HR
Hampton has struck out ten batters exactly four times this season. At this level: 4.03 ERA (22.1 IP, 19 H, 11 R, 10 ER, 2 HR, 6 BB, 26 K). Overall, Hampton is up to 103 strikeouts in 69.1 innings.
LHP Lisandro Santos: (L, 1-3)  2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Jesus Liranzo: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
Since signing: 4.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 2 BB, 7 K

Hudson Valley (4-33; 6-3 in the second half) (Defeated Jersey Shore, 5-4)

CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-3, BB, HBP, K, 2 SB (21), CS (7)
.263/.330/.470 in 312 PA. I think most would have expected 21 HR and 10 stolen bases, not vise versa. Anyway, he has the athleticism to steal some bases – whether he will do a lot of that in a few years is anyone’s guess.
SS Ben Cowles: 3-for-4, 2 RBI, BB, K
Cowles’ second 3-hit game of 2023. 
C Agustin Ramirez: 0-for-5, 2 K
You didn’t expect him to hit .500 the rest of the way, right?
DH Christopher Familia: 0-for-5, 2 K
1B Rafael Flores: 1-for-4, HR (2), RBI, RS, BB, K
.291/.362/.370 in 257 PA. He isn’t small (6’4″), so you wonder if the Yankees think there is some future power to tap into.
RF Anthony Garcia: 0-for-3, 2 BB, K
LF Grant Richardson: 1-for-4, HR (7), RBI, RS, HBP, 3 K
3B Marcos Cabrera: 2-for-5, HR (5), RBI, 2 RS, 3 K
Cabrera has homered in back-to-back games.
2B Luis Santos: 1-for-2, RS, 2 BB

LHP Joel Valdez: (W, 2-4) 6.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 2 K
Too many walks, but he gives them some length and keeps runs off the board.
RHP Jack Neely: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
2.48 ERA (36.1 IP, 19 H, 12 R, 10 ER, 3 HR, 14 BB, 58 K). At some point, you have to make room at the next level for a prospect.
RHP Indigo Diaz: (S, 1) 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR

Tampa (37-41; 6-6 in the second half) (Squeaked past Dunedin, 5-4)

2B Jared Serna: 2-for-5, 2 2B (18), RS, K
Serna now has an 8-game hitting streak (11-for-38; .289). No player goes through a full season without a slump, but Serna has been consistent most of the season.
SS Brenny Escanio: 1-for-4, RS, BB, 2 K
C Ben Rice: 2-for-5, 2B (2), 2 RBI, RS, K, SB (1)
Rice plays a full game behind the plate, so he is probably close to being done with his rehab. Of course, there are logjams at catcher all over the organization.
1B Omar Martinez: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, BB, K, SB (5)
3B Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-5, RBI, 2 K
He made his one hit count: Broke a 4-4 tie in the top of the 9th.
CF Daury Arias: 1-for-4, BB, K
DH Brett Barrera: 0-for-4, BB
LF Jake Palmer: 3-for-3, 3B (1), RS, HBP
Palmer has back-to-back 3-hit games. He is hitting .343/.500/.486 in 46 PA since his promotion (9 BB, 2 K)
RF Felix Negueis: 0-for-4, 2 K

RHP Hayden Merda: 4.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 5 BB, 5 K
RHP Shane Gray: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
Gray had a tough game two outings back (0.2 IP, 5 R) – good to see this kind of bounce back.
RHP Yorlin Calderon: (W, 3-2)  2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
2.68 ERA (43.2 IP, 32 H, 15 R, 13 ER, 4 HR, 12 BB, 54 K)
RHP Cole Ayers (S, 4): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

FCL Yankees (12-11) (Lost a crazy one to the Blue Jays, 14-10)

DH Keiner Delgado: 1-for-6, 2B (9), RS, K, SB (15)
Delgado is in a little 4-for-21 slump since the start of July. After drawing 16 walks in June, he has yet to walk in July.
SS Roderick Arias: 2-for-3, 2 HR (6), 5 RBI, 3 RS, BB, K, SB (9)
Arias’ first career multi-HR game extends his hitting streak to 11. He ties his personal best for RBI in a game, set exactly one month ago.
3B Hans Montero: 1-for-4, RS, BB, 2 SB (10)
.333/.505/.580 in 109 PA. He has reached base safely in 22 of his 23 games played.
2B Enmanuel Tejeda: 3-for-4, RBI, BB, 2 SB (15), CS (3)
.347/.534/.528 in 103 PA. He increases his hitting streak to seven and he has reached base safely in 21 of his 22 games played.
CF Willy Montero: 2-for-5, RBI, RS, 2 K
Montero’s third straight 2-hit game.
RF John Cruz: 1-for-4, RS, BB, 2 K
LF Dayro Perez: 2-for-5, RS, K, CS (1)
C Edinson Duran: 0-for-4, HBP, 2 K
1B Enger Castellano: 2-for-4, 2B (4), 2 RBI, 2 RS, HBP
13-for-45 (.289) since the 0-for-9 start to the season.

RHP Ryan Harvey (L, 0-1): 0.2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
Every pitcher has their “first rough professional appearance.” Let’s see how he rebounds.
RHP Sebastian Keane: 2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

DSL Yankees (16-6) (Split a doubleheader with the Mets Blue)

Game 1 (Won, 5-1)

3B Luis Suarez: 1-for-4, RBI, RS, 2 K, SB (10)
26-for-30 stealing bases in his 51-game career.
CF Jose Castro: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, RS, 2 K, 2 SB (3)
2B Santiago Gomez: 2-for-4, 2B (6), RBI, RS
.351/.494/.561 in 77 PA with 19 RBI and 19 runs scored. He was a $10,000 signing. One issue is that he is 19, but he won’t turn 20 until April.

RHP Sabier Marte: 4.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K
2.93 ERA (15.1 IP, 15 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 0 HR, 6 BB, 19 K

Game 2 (Lost, 14-9, in extra innings)

CF Brando Mayea: 0-for-2, 3 BB, CS (1)
Four walks in ten June games. Five walks in three July games. 
2B Luis Escudero: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, RS, 2 BB, K, SB (2)
LF Jhon Imbert: 1-for-2, 2 RS, 2 BB, SB (6)
.294/.456/.529 in 68 PA.
C Gabriel Bersing: 2-for-5, 3B (1), 3 RBI, 2 RS, K
SS Anthony Pena: 1-for-2, RBI, RS, 3 BB
The 17-year-old is 10-for-29 with three doubles and a home run.
3B Joshua Leito: 0-for-0, RS, 4 BB, CS (1)
2-for-6 with seven walks in limited action for the 18-year-old.

DSL Bombers (11-11) (Lost to Astros Blue, 6-2)

DH Edgleen Perez: 1-for-4, RBI, 3 K
CF Gabriel Lara: 1-for-3, SF, RBI, K, SB (7)
.271/.397/.475 in 73 PA with 13 RBI and 13 runs scored. The $30,000 signing was described as being one of the fastest runners in all of professional baseball the moment he put his pen to paper. They don’t hand out scores of 80 often on the 20-80 scouting scale, but he got exactly that for his speed. Now to develop everything else.
1B Johan Ferreira: 1-for-2, 2 BB, K, SB (4), CS (1)

RHP Sunayro Martina: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K
8.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 10 BB, 14 K

Yankees MILB 6/8: Jared Serna: 3 Hits, HR

News:

Nothing to report.

Scranton (27-31) (Lost to Norfolk, 5-3)

CF Estevan Florial: 1-for-4, 2B (10), RS, BB, SB (12)
Florial now has a 14-game hitting streak and a 26-game on-base streak.
3B Oswald Peraza: 0-for-4, RS, HBP, K, SB (7)
Peraza is in a little 3-for-20 slump. You couldn’t expect him to stay scorching forever.
1B Andres Chaparro: 1-for-4, 2 K
Chaparro has exactly one hit in five straight games (5-for-21). He hasn’t homered in 15 straight games.
LF Elijah Dunham: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, BB, K
DH Rodolfo Duran: 0-for-4, 2 K
2B Jamie Westbrook: 1-for-4, RS, K
RF Franchy Cordero: 1-for-3, RBI, BB, K, SB (3)
C Carlos Narvaez: 1-for-3, BB, K
SS Jesus Bastidas: 0-for-3, BB, K

RHP Mitch Spence: 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 K, 2 HR
Norfolk is very good with a strong offense. Spence held them down nicely. He now owns a 4.21 ERA in 62 IP (59 H, 34 R, 29 ER, 23 BB, 53 K, 12 HR). He was very strong in May (2.21 ERA in 36.1 innings) and keeps it up in his first June appearance.
RHP Michael Gomez: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
LHP D.J. Snelten: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Matt Bowman: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
RHP Greg Weissert (L, 1-1): 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Weissert hasn’t been as sharp in 2023 as he was in 2022.

Somerset (31-22) (Defeated Hartford, 7-5)

SS Trey Sweeney: 2-for-5, 2B (10)
Sweeney is on a 6-game hitting streak (8-for-28; 2 doubles)
DH Jasson Dominguez: 1-for-3, 2 RS, 2 BB, K
His plate discipline is impressive for a kid his age at this level. He has 46 walks in 49 games.
3B Caleb Durbin: 1-for-5, 2B (4), RS, K, SB (13)
Durbin’s 28th stolen base between here and Hudson Valley.
CF Brandon Lockridge: 3-for-5, 3 2B (7), 3 RBI, RS
It’s not often you see three RBI doubles in a game.
C Anthony Seigler: 0-for-4, BB
LF Jeisson Rosario: 1-for-5, RBI, 2 K
RF Aaron Palensky: 0-for-2, RS, BB, HBP
1B Eric Wagaman: 1-for-4, RS, K
2B Max Burt: 1-for-3, HR (7), 3 RBI, RS, BB, 2 K, CS (2)

RHP Blane Abeyta: (W, 4-3)  6.2 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 BB, 11 K, HR
Abeyta sets a new personal best for strikeouts.
LHP Lisandro Santos: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Zac Houston (S, 1): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Hudson Valley (30-24) (Swept in a doubleheader against Jersey Shore. The pitching continues to pitch extremely well – but the offense did not show up today)

Game 1 (Lost, 1-0)

CF Spencer Jones: 0-for-3, 2 K
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-3
C Josh Breaux: 0-for-3, K
Breaux is hitting .231/.268/.333 in 41 plate appearances during his rehab stint.
DH Rafael Flores: 1-for-3, K
1B Spencer Henson: 1-for-3
2B Ben Cowles: 1-for-3
RF Grant Richardson: 0-for-1, HBP
LF Aldenis Sanchez: 0-for-2, K
3B Eduardo Torrealba: 0-for-2

RHP Zach Messinger (L, 0-4): 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, HR
Messinger has pitched better than the record. He now owns a 2.68 ERA in 50.1 IP (42 H, 22 R, 15 ER, 3 HR, 24 BB, 61 K)
RHP Jack Neely: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
1.64 ERA (22 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 12 BB, 34 K)

Game 2 (Lost, 2-1)

CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-2, BB, K, SB (13)
.272/.324/.497 in 213 plate appearances (17 doubles, 3 triples, 7 HR, 30 RBI, 30 R, 15 BB, 74 K, 13-for-18 SB)
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-3, 2 K
1B Rafael Flores: 0-for-3
.310/.368/.374 in 171 plate appearances.
C Antonio Gomez: 0-for-3
3B Ben Cowles: 1-for-3, 2 K
.279/.344/.450 in 157 plate appearances. 
DH Grant Richardson: 0-for-3
RF Aldenis Sanchez: 0-for-3, K
2B Luis Santos: 1-for-2, 2B (2), RS, K
LF Kyle Battle: 0-for-2

RHP Tyrone Yulie: (L, 1-4)  5.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
5.02 ERA (43 IP, 34 H, 32 R, 24 ER, 6 HR, 29 BB, 50 K)
RHP Carlos Gomez: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Tampa (24-30) (Mauled Lakeland, 11-3)

2B Jared Serna: 3-for-6, 2B (10), HR (9), 2 RBI, 2 RS, K
Whenever Serna seems to go into a little slump, he seems to bounce right out of it. He is listed at 5’6″, yet has 21 doubles and 15 HR in 97 games over the last two seasons. This season, his triple slash is up to .316/.375/.515.
DH Daury Arias: 1-for-4, RS, 2 BB
CF Anthony Hall: 2-for-4, 2B (6), RBI, 2 RS, 2 BB, K, CS (4)
Hall increases his hitting streak to 8 and is entering “Does he belong here anymore?” territory. He is 8-for-26 in June after hitting .338/.477/.471 in May.
SS Brenny Escanio: 2-for-4, 2 RS, 2 BB, K
LF Christopher Familia: 2-for-4, 2B (2), HR (5), 3 RBI, 2 RS, 2 BB, K, CS (1)
Familia: 5 HR in 7 games. 
C Jesus Rodriguez: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 2 K
Rodriguez is now on a 7-game hitting streak (three straight multi-hit games)
RF Tayler Aguilar: 1-for-5, 2 RBI, 4 K
3B Beau Brewer: 0-for-2, RS, 3 BB
1B Ronny Rojas: 1-for-4, RS, BB, 2 K

LHP Brock Selvidge: (W, 3-3)  5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 8 K
Selvidge was stretched out to 100 pitches tonight. He is throwing in the mid-90s (hit 96.7 tonight) and generated 19 swing and misses. Season: 3.02 ERA (50.2 IP, 46 H, 21 R, 17 ER, 2 HR, 12 BB, 56 K)
RHP Shane Gray: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, HR
4.28 ERA (27.1 IP, 23 H, 14 R, 13 ER, 4 HR, 9 BB, 35 K)
RHP Alex Bustamante: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

FCL Yankees (2-1) (Defeated the Phillies, 7-1)

DH Keiner Delgado: 1-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, 2 RS, BB, K, SB (1), CS (1)
Just like we said with Serna last year: If he taps into some power, his stock will go up. Without power? He still would have a chance because he can play up the middle positions.
SS Roderick Arias: 2-for-5, 2B (1), RBI, 2 RS, 2 K
If Arias develops to his potential, he will have above-average power for a shortstop. I think the Yankees will be patient with him, but they won’t keep a bonus baby down here any longer than he needs to be.
CF Willy Montero: 2-for-4, RBI, BB, K, CS (1)
The 18-year-old did enough in the DSL last season (.262/.396/.382; 16-for-20 SB) to earn a shot here in 2023. I don’t see any info on his signing bonus (again, likely an indicator that it wasn’t much) but the fact that he is a CF hitting third in the lineup tells you that the organization is impressed with something.
3B Hans Montero: 1-for-2, HR (1), RBI, RS, 3 BB
Montero, who was signed for $1.7 million (the highest bonus the Yankees handed out in 2021), struggled badly in the DSL. Now 19, they simply couldn’t throw him back down there for a third season. Something has to start clicking.
2B Enmanuel Tejeda: 0-for-3, 2 BB, K
Tejeda (18) hit ..289/.463/.493 in 46 DSL games last season. As I keep saying: DSL stats are wacky. However, if you don’t perform down there, you will probably die on the vine (unless you are someone like Montero, who they invested significant money in)
RF Dayro Perez: 0-for-2, RBI, RS, 2 BB, SB (1)
Perez, signed as an infielder, gets his first career start in the OF. He was given a taste of Low-A earlier this season, where he went 13-for-85 (.153) with a 2-for-3 stolen base rate.

RHP Ryan Harvey: 4.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, HR
A strong professional debut for Harvey. Bobby Milone (on Twitter) pointed out that he was a college reliever so it appears this is another case of the Yankees drafting a relief pitcher and converting him to a starter. It really is not a bad strategy. It isn’t hard to convert them back to the bullpen.
RHP Jordarlin Mendoza (W, 1-0): 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K
Mendoza received some praise from Josh Norris of Baseball America. In 2022, down in the DSL, he pitched to a 2.95 ERA in 55 IP with a 77/19 K/BB ratio. Given that he tossed three innings today, he likely is still seen as a starting pitcher.

DSL Yankees (3-0) and the DSL Bombers (3-0) both won. The Yankees knocked off the Pirates Black, 8-5, while the Bombers knocked off the Mets Orange, 7-6. The Bombers overcame a 6-0 deficit entering the bottom of the 7th.

As I keep saying, DSL stats are insane. The Yankees’ eight runs came on 6 hits and *16* walks. C Josue Gonzalez and DH Luis Escudero each drew three walks while 3B Ovandy Frias doubled home two runs and drew a pair of walks. RHP Jorge Luna went 2.2 innings in his professional debut, allowing no runs on two hits with a pair of walks and three strikeouts.

As for the Bombers, CF Ramiro Altagracia hit his first home run of the season. This is his third season at this level and he has done little of note offensively in his first two years…SS Kevin Verde (17) had one of the biggest knocks in the game: A 2-run double. He made his first professional hit memorable…DH Gabriel Lara (17) went 1-for-3 with an RBI, 2 runs scored, a walk, and a stolen base…

 

Yankees MILB 5/20: Austin Wells Homers

News:

The Yankees have signed RHP Michael Feliz to a minor league deal.

Feliz, soon to be 30, has 228 games of MLB experience, recording a 17-9 record with one save and an ugly 5.29 ERA over 250 innings. His calling card is his ability to miss bats, given his 29.9% career strikeout rate. However, he also owns a 1.5 HR/9 and walks batters at a 9.9% rate. He had enough talent for the Pirates to take him as a part of the package from the Astros for Gerrit Cole. While he was never ranked on a Top 100 Prospects list, he did make it to the Futures Game in 2014.

This season, he pitched down in the Mexican League, where he allowed one run in 8.1 innings with a 13/2 K/BB ratio. For now, Feliz is depth, but he has the type of arm that could tantalize the Yankees enough to give him a chance if a need arises.

Scranton (21-23) (Lost to Charlotte, 7-5)

LF Elijah Dunham: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K
SS Oswald Peraza: 2-for-5, 2B (3), RS
Peraza has a 10-game Triple-A hitting streak and is 10-for-20 in his last five games. He is hitting .362/.413/.569 in 14 games.
1B Andres Chaparro: 0-for-4, BB, K, SB (3)
First 7 games:  0-for-27
Next 25 games: 34-for-94 (.362), 10 HR
Latest 9 games:  4-for-36 (.111), 1 HR
RF Franchy Cordero: 1-for-5, RBI, RS, K
3B Jesus Bastidas: 2-for-3, 2 BB, CS (3)
Bastidas has at least one hit in ten of his last 11 games (he drew a walk in the other game)
C Carlos Narvaez: 3-for-3, HR (1), 2 RBI, RS, BB
Narvaez was 0-for-15 since his promotion entering tonight. If you are going to break out, this is how you do it.
  PR Wilmer Difo: 0-for-1, RS, SB (10)
Difo has five stolen bases in his last three games.
CF Billy McKinney: 1-for-3, BB, K
2B Jamie Westbrook: 0-for-2, 2 BB, K
DH Michael Hermosillo: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, BB, K

RHP Mitch Spence: 6 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, HR
Spence did a nice job settling in after a 4-run second inning. Season: 5.28 ERA (44.1 IP, 45 H, 31 R, 26 ER, 10 HR, 17 BB, 39 K). In May: 3.00 ERA (24 IP, 21 H, 10 R, 8 ER, 3 BB, 20 K)
RHP Barrett Loseke: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
1.50 ERA (18 IP, 10 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 10 BB, 18 K). Loseke is already Rule 5 eligible and is auditioning for a job here – both for the Yankees’ system and elsewhere.
RHP James Norwood (L, 0-2): 1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

Somerset (23-14) (Lost to Reading, 6-5)

SS Trey Sweeney: 0-for-5
CF Jasson Dominguez: 0-for-3, 2 RS, 2 BB, K
C Austin Wells: 2-for-5, HR (7), RBI, RS, K
Wells is up to 19 HR in 69 games at the Double-A level. Complete dominance.
RF Everson Pereira: 1-for-3, 2B (9), SF, RBI, K
He now owns a 5-game hitting streak. In his last seven games: 11-for-24 with two doubles and three home runs. He is hitting .267/.331/.508.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 2-for-4, 2B (3), HR (6), 2 RBI, RS, K
.219/.322/.438 in 115 plate appearances. His BABIP is .200 and his strikeout rate is only 15.7%.
3B Caleb Durbin: 1-for-3, BB, 2 SB (9)
If this kid makes it to MLB, he has “fan favorite” kind of potential. He makes a lot of contact (7.3% K between here and Hudson Valley), steals bases (24), and can play multiple positions. 
LF Brandon Lockridge: 1-for-3, HR (2), RBI, RS, BB, K
He hit 12 HR in 2019, 13 HR in 2021, and 14 HR in 2022. He will need to get on a hot streak in the power department to keep the pattern going (remember, there wasn’t a season in 2020)
2B Max Burt: 0-for-4, 2 K
DH Mickey Gasper: 0-for-3, HBP, K

RHP Gray Fenter: 3 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR
3.96 ERA (25 IP, 18 H, 11 R, 11 ER, 3 HR, 11 BB, 31 K)
RHP Justin Maese: 2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Steven Jennings: (L, 2-2) 2.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
RHP Alex Mauricio: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
5.63 ERA (8 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 HR, 1 BB, 9 K)

Hudson Valley (22-15) 

The game against Brooklyn was postponed. They posted the lineup prior to the postponement, so I will throw a few notes in below.

CF Spencer Jones: 0-for-0
At some point, the Yankees will determine that Jones needs to be moved to Somerset regardless of his less-than-ideal strikeout rate. I continue to think they will do so once he cuts down the strikeout rate (33.6%) to a more reasonable level. In case you are wondering, Aaron Judge compiled a 25.3% K rate in 66 High-A games back in 2014 and never saw the level again (.283/.411/.442).
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-0
His 95 wRC+ is a vast improvement over 68 wRC+ from last year. I just need to see him break out of his recent slump. 
C Antonio Gomez: 0-for-0
Gomez’s glove has never been an issue. Last season, he gunned down 30.6% of base stealers. In 2023, the number is 27.8%. In 2023, the MLB average is 21%, which happens to be the rate that Yankees’ catchers are at. So, defense shouldn’t be an issue. The offense is where Gomez must find an above-average trait. Last season, he compiled a 103 wRC+, a number that would be fine as a defense-first MLB catcher. Of course, Gomez did that in the low minors and hasn’t been able to get into any kind of groove in 2023 (57 wRC+)
DH Rafael Flores: 0-for-0
Flores catches and plays first base. He is off to a .333/.389/.422 start in 102 plate appearances.
1B Spencer Henson: 0-for-0
LF Grant Richardson: 0-for-0
2B Eduardo Torrealba: 0-for-0
RF Aldenis Sanchez: 0-for-0
3B Marcos Cabrera: 0-for-0

RHP Chase Hampton: 0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Hampton’s first professional season has been successful, thus far. In 23.2 innings, he has posted a 3.04 ERA (2.53 FIP) with a 41.6% K rate and 8.9% BB rate. I wouldn’t rush him up to Double-A, but sometimes players force the issue.

Tampa (13-25)

They had this afternoon off (which is why they played a doubleheader yesterday)

Yankees MILB 5/4: Will Warren Dominates

News:

Nothing new to report.

Scranton (12-18) (Split a doubleheader with Rochester)

Game 1 (Won, 6-1)

CF Estevan Florial: 1-for-3, BB, 2 K
RF Franchy Cordero: 2-for-4, RS, SB (1)
Hopefully, Cordero stays down in Triple-A – but I have a feeling we will see him on the shuttle until everything settles down (or is that IF everything settles down?)
3B Andres Chaparro: 1-for-2, 2B (3), RBI, 2 RS, BB
LF Kole Calhoun: 1-for-3, HR (1), 2 RBI, RS, K
As a veteran depth piece, I have no issues with Calhoun. 
C Ben Rortvedt: 2-for-3, 2B (1), RBI, RS
Rortvedt, still considered to be on his rehab assignment, is 3-for-6 here and 7-for-18 with four doubles overall.
2B Jesus Bastidas: 0-for-2, RS, BB
1B Billy McKinney: 0-for-2, HBP, K, SB (2)
DH Jose Godoy: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, SB (1)
SS Wilmer Difo: 0-for-3, K

RHP Mitch Spence: (W, 2-2) 6 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K
It has been a rough start for the 24-year-old, so this is nice to see. Season: 6.49 ERA in 26.1 IP with 31 hits allowed and a 25/14 K/BB ratio. Spence has allowed seven home runs, so that is a big part of his bloated ERA.
RHP Greg Weissert: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K

Game 2 (Lost, 9-6)

CF Estevan Florial: 1-for-4, 2B (4), RS, 2 K
2B Jamie Westbrook: 1-for-4, HR (4), 3 RBI, RS
Westbrook, a 27-year-old with 1,038 career minor league hits (103 home runs), would be a nice story if he can finally reach MLB – whether it is here or elsewhere.
RF Elijah Dunham: 0-for-3, RS, BB
3B Andres Chaparro: 1-for-3, RS, BB, K
He is over .230 (.231). Even though his slump is long past, it is still hard to get the numbers all the way up to norms. He hasn’t homered in eight games but is at least getting his share of hits (7-for-25 in his last seven games)
DH Franchy Cordero: 2-for-4, RBI, RS, K
C Rodolfo Duran: 2-for-4, 2B (6), RBI
Duran is up to .290 with 6 doubles, 4 home runs, and 13 RBI in 66 plate appearances.
LF Michael Hermosillo: 0-for-3, SF, RBI, K
Hermosillo, who has MLB experience (but hasn’t hit when given a chance), is hitting only .141.
1B Mickey Gasper: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
SS Jesus Bastidas: 3-for-4, RS
Bastidas, off to a slow start, really need this game. His future comes down to whether the 27 home runs (662 plate appearances) between 2021-2022 is sustainable. If it is, he is a utility player with some pop. 

RHP Sean Boyle: (L, 1-2)  0.1 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Eeeek. Listen, Boyle is on the depth chart somewhere. An outing like this won’t help his MLB debut cause. That said, he has to spit it out and move on to the next.
LHP D.J. Snelten: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
13 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 14 BB, 14 K. This is the ultimate flyer, given that these are his first apperances since 2018.
RHP Deivi Garcia: 2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
3.44 ERA (18.1 IP, 16 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 1 HR, 14 BB, 18 K). He is doing an OK job at preventing runs – but the walks are just too darn high.
RHP James Norwood: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Shawn Semple: 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

Somerset (14-9) (Bludgeoned Binghamton, 10-0)

SS Trey Sweeney: 2-for-4, RS, 2 BB, K
.267/.378/.373 in 90 plate appearances. It feels to me as if Sweeney has flown a bit under the radar so far – he isn’t crushing it in Somerset, but he isn’t dying on the vine either. 
DH Jasson Dominguez: 2-for-3, RBI, RS, 2 BB, K
I commented on Twitter that I wanted to see him swing the bat more after his first walk tonight – I guess the baseball gods listened, as he ended up with a pair of hits. He is hitting .153/.393/.322 in 84 plate appearances. That is a crazy stat line.
CF Everson Pereira: 0-for-4, RS, BB, 2 K, SB (3)
LF Jeisson Rosario: 1-for-4, RBI, 2 RS, BB, 2 K
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-2, HR (4, GS), 4 RBI, 2 RS, 2 BB
Rumfield has tied his career-best in home runs in only 18 games. He probably would have hit more than four last year but only played in 57 games due to injury. Anyway, if he can spike his power numbers, he becomes a very intriguing left-handed hitting prospect. He is 22 years old.
RF Brandon Lockridge: 2-for-4, 2 RS, HBP, K, SB (12)
Lockridge is up to .302/.350/.434 in 60 plate appearances. In his last five games, he is 8-for-15 with a double, two triples, five runs scored, and five stolen bases.
2B Max Burt: 1-for-2, 3B (2), SF, RBI, BB, HBP
C Carlos Narvaez: 0-for-4, HBP, 2 K
3B Eduardo Torrealba: 1-for-3, RBI, RS, 2 BB, SB (2)

RHP Will Warren: (W, 2-0) 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K
Absolutely brilliant. His ERA falls to 3.09 over 23.1 IP (22 H, 10 R, 8 ER, 0 HR, 8 BB, 37 K). He was always seen as a potential fast mover. He should get to Triple-A in his second professional season soon enough. And his MLB debut may not be long after that. Yes, I am bullish on Warren.
LHP Lisandro Santos: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Justin Maese: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
LHP Michael Giacone: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
10 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 5 BB, 15 K. The 26-year-old has only been able to pitch in 33 career games. He has 90 strikeouts (27 walks) in 63.1 innings.

Hudson Valley (16-8) (Tripled up Wilmington, 6-2. The Renegades have been so good that scoring six runs is actually below their season average)

SS Alexander Vargas: 1-for-4, RS, K, SB (5)
5-game hitting streak (9-for-17)
CF Grant Richardson: 0-for-3, RS, BB, 2 K, SB (4)
DH Caleb Durbin: 1-for-3, RBI, RS, BB, SB (15)
5-game hitting streak (8-for-19). If the Yankees can squeeze some value out of the Lucas Luetge deal, that would be nice (they also received Double-A reliever Indigo Diaz)
C Antonio Gomez: 1-for-4, HR (1), 3 RBI, RS, K
.246/.333/.348 in 18 games. His power hasn’t really shown up, but he is still only 21 years old and catching in A+ ball. The best I can say is that we need to be patient to see if his game develops.
1B Spencer Henson: 3-for-4, 2 2B (5), RS
At 25 years old, Henson will need to start moving. He didn’t hit well here last year (.211/.312/.384) but is doing his job this year.
LF Aaron Palensky: 3-for-4, HR (8), 2 RBI, RS
Palensky is up to .407 with 8 home runs and 22 RBI in 63 plate appearances. That’s what you call a hot streak.
3B Marcos Cabrera: 1-for-4, K, CS (1)
RF Aldenis Sanchez: 0-for-3
2B Luis Santos: 0-for-3, K

RHP Tyrone Yulie: 4.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 5 K
6.11 ERA (17.2 IP, 15 H, 14 R, 12 ER, 3 HR, 14 BB, 17 K). His control has been an issue (110 walks in 167 career innings)
RHP Danny Watson: (W, 2-1) 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K
In his last 6.1 innings, Watson has 19 strikeouts. Correct – every out is via the strikeout. Overall, he owns a 2.84 ERA over 12.2 IP with a 25/8 K/BB ratio. He is one of those mid-round (15th) draft picks that the Yankees seem to strike some gold with. He is 22 years old, so his age is fine for this level.
RHP Carlos Gomez: 2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Harrison Cohen: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
6.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 7 K

Tampa (9-15) (Lost to Bradenton, 7-6)

SS Brenny Escanio: 2-for-3, 2 RS, 2 BB, SB (8), CS (3)
.250/.358/.300 in 96 plate appearances. 
RF Daury Arias: 3-for-5, 2B (3), 2 RBI, RS
Arias has six career 3-hit games (compiled five of those games in 2021 down in the silly DSL – silly in terms that you sometimes see crazy statistics down there)
3B Jared Serna: 4-for-4, 2 RBI, BB
Serna has seven hits in his last two games and is hitting .362/.457/.464 in 81 PA with a 7-for-10 stolen base rate. He has 11 walks and only six strikeouts. Just incredible.
LF Anthony Hall: 2-for-4, 2B (2), BB
Hall was intentionally walked with two outs in the 9th. Personally, I hate that – it was the right strategic move, but don’t you want your pitching prospects to try to get the tough out? Isn’t that part of development?  Hall is only at .178/.275/.289 in a mere 51 plate appearances. That offense should improve.
2B Dayro Perez: 0-for-4, 2 K
DH Nelson Medina: 0-for-4, K
C Omar Martinez: 0-for-2, RS, 2 BB
This breaks a string of four straight multi-hit games, but he did reach base twice.
1B Ronny Rojas: 1-for-3, 2 RS, BB, SB (3)
CF Alan Mejia: 1-for-4, RBI, K

LHP Brock Selvidge: (L, 1-2) 5 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, HR
4.01 ERA (24.2 IP, 24 H, 12 R, 11 ER, 1 HR, 6 BB, 25 K). Selvidge pitched very well in the GCL and is off to a good enough start here. He is 20 years old (21 on 8/28, so he will pitch most of this season at 20)
LHP Geoffrey Gilbert: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
11.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 8 BB, 15 K
RHP Manny Ramirez: 1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Luis Velasquez: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
1.93 ERA (14 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 6 BB, 16 K). Velasquez has allowed one home run in 73 career innings.
RHP Cole Ayers: 0.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Yankees MILB 4/27: Jared Serna: 4 Hits

News:

Nothing to report.

Scranton (10-14) (Lost to Worcester, 5-4)

CF Estevan Florial: 2-for-5, HR (3), RBI, RS, 3 K
I don’t think it is traceable – but I would love to know how many leadoff home runs Florial has in his MILB career. Anyway, this game is Florial in a nutshell – strong performance but it comes with the three strikeouts.
3B Jamie Westbrook: 2-for-4, RBI, BB, 2 K
1B Andres Chaparro: 1-for-4, RS, BB
.218/.284/.517 in 95 plate appearances. I am not concerned about the average, given how poorly he started. Everything should continue to come together.
LF Jake Bauers: 1-for-4
A potential call up if Aaron Judge requires IL time – or not.
DH Rodolfo Duran: 2-for-5, 2B (5), K
.306/.358/.592 in 53 plate appearances. Strong start for Duran, who is somewhere on the depth chart.
RF Michael Hermosillo: 0-for-3, BB, K, SB (3)
With Aaron Judge injured, it is interesting that he was pulled from this game – could very well be unrelated as Scranton was trying to tie up the game and McKinney may have been a better option. 
  PH Billy McKinney: 0-for-1
C Mickey Gasper: 1-for-4, 2B (2), RS, K
2B Jesus Bastidas: 1-for-4, K
SS Wilmer Difo: 2-for-3, RBI, RS, SAC, SB (2)
A rare sacrifice bunt in the Yankees’ organization. They just don’t believe in it – and it wouldn’t surprise me if Difo was bunting for a hit.

RHP Mitch Spence: (L, 1-2) 4 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 2 HR
RHP Barrett Loseke: 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
3.12 ERA (8.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 6 BB, 9 K). He is a 26-year-old who was drafted in the 17th round of the 2018 draft out of Arkansas. Another mid-to-late-round reliever who the Yankees are trying to cash in on.
RHP Michael Gomez: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K

Somerset (11-7) (Defeated Harrisburg, 7-5)

SS Trey Sweeney: 0-for-4, BB, K
CF Jasson Dominguez: 1-for-3, 3B (1), RS, 2 BB
Dominguez has the OPS up over .700 (.707). This is mostly due to his OBP, but five of his six hits have gone for extra bases.
LF Jeisson Rosario: 0-for-4, RBI, RS, BB, 3 K
3B Tyler Hardman: 1-for-4, RS, SB (4)
1B T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-3, SF, RBI, K
C Carlos Narvaez: 0-for-3, RS, BB, 2 K
RF Brandon Lockridge: 2-for-4, 2B (3), RBI, RS, SB (8)
Once again, we would all love to see Lockridge get it going with the bat because he can field and run. It just hasn’t fully come together.
DH Eric Wagaman: 3-for-4, 2 2B (2), RBI, RS, SB (5)
10-for-30 with two doubles and a home run.
2B Eduardo Torrealba: 2-for-3, SF, 3 RBI, CS (1)

RHP Will Warren: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K
Warren cruised through four innings before running into a little trouble in the 5th (partially due to an error). Season: 4.15 ERA (17.1 IP, 18 H, 10 R, 8 ER, 7 BB, 29 K). He is missing bats, and that is important.
RHP Zac Houston: 0 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 0 K
RHP Steven Jennings: (W, 1-1)  2.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Indigo Diaz: (S, 1)  1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K

Hudson Valley (12-5)

The game against Greenville was postponed due to rain. They will play two tomorrow.

Tampa (7-11) (Destroyed Jupiter, 12-2)

2B Brenny Escanio: 2-for-3, 3B (1), SF, 2 RBI, 2 BB, K
.254/.357/.322 in 71 PA. Patience has been his thing in his brief MILB career. If he can add some average to that…
CF Daury Arias: 0-for-5, RBI, BB, K
RF Anthony Hall: 0-for-4, 2 RS, 2 BB, K, SB (1)
DH Agustin Ramirez: 0-for-3, 2 RS, 2 BB, K
SS Jared Serna: 4-for-5, 2 RBI, 2 RS, 3 SB (6), CS (3)
Serna’s first career 4-hit game. He is up to .320/.414/.380 in 58 plate appearances. Defensive distribution thus far: 2B – 6; SS – 5; 3B – 3. He had one career start at SS prior to 2023.
1B Omar Martinez: 3-for-4, 2B (1), 2 RBI, BB
.222/.364/.378 in 55 plate appearances. The left-handed bat can catch in addition to play first base, though he has caught only two games thus far this season.
LF Tayler Aguilar: 0-for-4, RS, BB, 2 K, SB (1)
C Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-3, RBI, 2 RS, 2 BB
Rodriguez has done a little bit of everything, including three games at 3B and a game in LF.
3B Ronny Rojas: 3-for-5, 2B (2), HR (1), 3 RBI, 2 RS, 2 K
Rojas has four career 3-hit games.

LHP Brock Selvidge: (W, 1-1) 5 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
3.66 ERA (19.2 IP, 19 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 0 HR, 4 BB, 20 K). Very encouraging start for the 20-year-old, who has allowed two home runs in 66 career innings.
LHP Geoffrey Gilbert: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
9.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 15 K. College reliever should move to Hudson Valley soon enough, though he is only 21.
RHP Cole Ayers: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K