Yankees MILB 7/1: Roc Riggio Continues Hot Streak

News:

Typically speaking, full-season leagues have Monday off. Not this week. Rather, they will play a Monday – Saturday schedule with Sunday off. That means they will get both Sunday and Monday off next week.

RHP Chase Hampton, who I assumed may not pitch in 2024, threw a rehab game for the FCL today.  I don’t think Hampton will impact the 2024 Yankees. However, it gives potential trade partners a chance to take a look at him.

C Josh Breaux, released by the Yankees on June 29th, found a job quickly. The Phillies signed him to a minor league deal and he was in tonight’s lineup for Double-A Reading against the Somerset Patriots. Organizations are always looking for catching depth, so it isn’t a shock that Breaux landed on his feet quickly.

Scranton (45-34)

The Railriders are rebels this week. They were off on Monday and will play two games on Wednesday instead.


Somerset (38-38) (Defeated Reading, 7-6, walk-off style)

CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-4, 2B (13), RS, SB (18), HBP, 3 K
Jones has doubled in five straight games. The power spike is encouraging (5 doubles, 3 HR in last 7 games) though the strikeouts keep piling up. I find his potential outcomes to be widely spread out. 
SS Ben Cowles0-for-5
DH Tyler Hardman1-for-4, RS, 2 SB (4), BB, 2 K
Not known for his speed, Hardman did steal 14 bases in 18 attempts in 2022.
C Rafael Flores: 2-for-5, 2B (3), 2 RS, SB (2), K
In his first six Double-A games: 7-for-25 (3 doubles, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 6 R). Overall, he has 20 doubles and 7 home runs in 63 games.
RF Elijah Dunham2-for-5, 2B (11), 3 RBI
Dunham walks it off with an RBI double in the bottom of the 9th.
1B J.C. Escarra2-for-4, RS
2B Anthony Seigler: 3-for-4, 2B (13), 2 RS, 2 SB (15)
Seigler has his OPS over .700 (.701). In his last 9 games, he is 11-for-31 (.355) with 4 doubles, a homer, 10 RBI, 10 runs, and 4 stolen bases.
LF Aaron Palensky: 3-for-4, 2 RBI, SB (13), CS (4)
3B Max Burt0-for-4, K

LHP Brock Selvidge5.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 8 K
Selvidge cruised through four innings but allowed five runs in the 5th and 6th. Season: 3.95 ERA (79.2 IP, 69 H, 45 R, 35 ER, 4 HR, 39 BB, 80 K). I love that he keeps the ball in the ballpark. The walk rate is something he’ll continue to work on. 
RHP Colby White1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Luis Velasquez: (W, 2-2)  2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K


Hudson Valley (39-35) (Shut down Brooklyn, 5-0)

2B Roc Riggio2-for-3, 2B (15), 2 RBI, SB (10), 2 BB
Riggio has a 19-game on-base streak, a 7-game hitting streak, and a 6-game doubles streak. His OPS is .781.
SS Jared Serna1-for-5, SB (10), K
Serna reaches double digits in homers and stolen bases for the second straight season.
CF Jace Avina0-for-1, K
I am not sure why Avina left the game early. This will end his 8-game hitting streak.
   CF Cole Gabrielson0-for-4
C Omar Martinez0-for-3, RS, BB, K
3B Josh Moylan2-for-4, 2B (8), RS
Moylan has a 9-game hitting streak (15-for-34 (.441)). He is hitting .259 with a .733 OPS.
DH Garrett Martin: 1-for-2, HR (7), RBI, RS, 2 BB, K
Martin has 5 HR in his last 8 games.
LF Christopher Familia: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, RS, 2 K
1B Kiko Romero0-for-4, RS, K
RF Nelson Medina0-for-4, 2 K

RHP Baron Stuart: (W, 5-2) 6.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K
Including his solid emergency start with Scranton, Stuart owns a 3.36 ERA (61.2 IP, 51 H, 25 R, 23 ER, 2 HR, 29 BB, 51 K). Stuart is a ground ball pitcher (52.6% entering tonight) who is pitching well. He was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Pittsburgh last year.
LHP Joel Valdez1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
3.28 ERA (35.2 IP, 24 H, 16 R, 13 ER, 2 HR, 18 BB, 42 K)
RHP Cole Ayers1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
2.51 ERA (43 IP, 32 H, 16 R, 12 ER, 2 HR, 15 BB, 52 K)


Tampa (27-47) (Lost to Lakewood, 7-1)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-3, RS, SB (23), BB, K
Lombard Jr. has six stolen bases in his last seven games. 
LF Enmanuel Tejeda1-for-4
Tejeda’s first career outfield start. Given his profile, it makes sense that they are trying to increase his versatility.
2B Roderick Arias1-for-3, BB
vs. RHP: .213/.323/.396. vs. LHP: .192/.218/.192. Correct: All 23 extra-base hits have come against RHP. Will the Yankees have to eventually think about asking him to bat left-handed against everyone? Who knows?
3B Dylan Jasso0-for-4
CF Jackson Castillo0-for-4
DH Hans Montero0-for-3
C Josue Gonzalez1-for-3
Gonzalez’s Low-A debut after hitting .233/.395/.433 in 152 PA for the FCL squad. He is 20 years old.
1B Coby Morales0-for-3, 2 K
RF Daury Arias0-for-3

RHP Steven Fulgencio2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 1 K
Fulgencio’s first career start (43 relief appearances)
LHP Rafelin Nivar1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Jordy Luciano: (L, 0-3)  2.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, HR
RHP Montana Semmel1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
RHP Ocean Gabonia1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR


FCL (25-13) (Knocked off the 9-32 (what?) Blue Jays, 9-6)

CF Brian Sanchez1-for-5, RBI, RS, 2 K
.321/.413/.569 in 126 PA with 24 runs batted in.
C Edgleen Perez2-for-3, HR (2), RBI, RS
.287/.475/.426 in 139 PA with more walks (33) than strikeouts (24). This is a nice follow-up to the 18-year-old’s 2023 DSL campaign (.259/.389/.317).
RF Anthony Hall2-for-4, 2B (1), RS, BB, K
Hall was placed here on a rehab stint last week. The 23-year-old started 3-for-33 in Hudson Valley before being placed on the IL on April 26th. He was their 4th round pick in 2022 out of Oregon.
DH-1B Engelth Urena2-for-4, 2 RBI, RS, CS (1), BB
After missing the 2023 season, Urena is off to a .208/.301/.319 start here (83 plate appearances)
3B Abrahan Ramirez2-for-5, RS, CS (1), K
Imagine going 2-for-5 and having it not help your batting average. That happens when you hit .404/.516/.577 in 129 PA. He has six consecutive multi-hit games (10 multi-hit efforts in his last 11 games. That is nuts)
SS Juan Matheus1-for-1, RBI, RS, SB (8), 3 BB
The 20-year-old is hitting .330/.443/.500 in 122 PA with three homers and 22 RBI.
1B Luis Ogando1-for-3, HR (3, grand slam), 4 RBI, RS, BB
.293/.373/.500 in 67 PA. It’s his second grand slam this season (May 28th, also against the Blue Jays)

RHP Chase Hampton1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
It will be a while before the results begin to matter. Last year, in his professional debut season, he pitched to a 3.63 ERA in 106.2 IP with a 145/37 K/BB. He pitched for Hudson Valley and Somerset.
RHP Danny Flatt (W, 2-0): 4 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, HR
2.90 ERA (31 IP, 26 H, 12 R, 10 ER, 2 HR, 18 BB, 35 K).  He should make it to Tampa in 2024.


DSL Yankees (9-12) (Defeated the DSL Phillies White, 9-2)

SS Dexters Peralta2-for-5, 2B (3), 2 RBI, RS, K
LF Gabriel Lara1-for-5, RBI, RS
CF Isael Arias2-for-3, 3B (1), 2 RS, SB (4), 2 BB
The 18-year-old is in his debut season. He has more walks (11) than strikeouts (9) and is hitting .200/.411/.275 with a double, triple, and a 4-for-5 SB rate.
C Luis Puello0-for-2, 3 BB
A perfectly normal .441/.568/.706 line in 44 PA (2 HR, 11 RBI)

RHP Edinzo Marquez4.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K
A huge effort by Marquez, who owns a 1.47 ERA in 18.1 IP (12 H, 7 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 8 BB, 24 K


DSL Bombers (12-8) (Defeated the DSL Phillies Red, 6-3)

CF Francisco Vilorio2-for-5, HR (1), 3 RBI, RS, CS (2), 2 K
The bonus baby’s first professional home run (he also has a triple). He is hitting .265/.342/.412 in 38 PA.
C Queni Pineda: 2-for-3, 2B (4), RBI, RS, BB, K
4 doubles and 2 homers in 16 games for the 17-year-old.
SS Christofer Reyes2-for-4, RBI, CS (5)
I always say that speedsters should run as often as possible in the minors. Reyes (16) is 9-for-14 stealing bases in 16 games.
3B Luis Suarez2-for-3, 2 RS, SB (2), BB

RHP Joshawn Lampson3.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
RHP Enixon Sanchez (W, 1-0): 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
The 16-year-old’s first career win. In 9.2 innings, he has allowed 6 runs (2 earned) on 4 hits with an 8/6 K/BB.

Yankees MILB 6/26: Sebastian Keane Tosses 6 Scoreless Innings

News:

LHP Victor Gonzalez cleared waivers and was outrighted to Scranton. He couldn’t decline the outright. He will serve as depth for the remainder of 2024.

RHP Scott Effross will report to Scranton for the remainder of his rehab. Scranton’s game was postponed tonight, so expect him to get into one of tomorrow’s games. It shouldn’t be long before he is activated.

C/3B/OF/Everything Jesus Rodriguez was placed on the injured list for Somerset. Rodriguez is having a big season, hitting .327/.412/.504 with a 156 wRC+. He is the organizational leader in batting average and wRC+ among players in full-season leagues.

C/1B Rafael Flores was promoted from Hudson Valley to replace Rodriguez. The 23-year-old earned the promotion by hitting .285/.403/.466 (145 wRC+) in 233 PA. This was his second season at the level, but he only played four games in the FCL and skipped Low-A.

Former Yankees prospect Armando Alvarez went 3-for-5 in his MLB debut for Oakland. Alvarez is a story you root for: He is 29 years old with 700 minor league games. He was with the Yankees from 2016 to 2022 after being drafted in the 17th round out of Eastern Kentucky. When looking at Baseball Reference, he is the 8th player from Eastern Kentucky to make MLB—his big night already jumped him to 3rd on the bWAR list. Alvarez is why minor league free agency exists. It allows him to shop his services around. He landed in Oakland after spending one season in the Giants organization. While he never appeared in a game for the Yankees, he should be considered a developmental/scouting success for the organization.

Scranton (43-32) 

Their game against Worcester was postponed.  They will try a Thursday doubleheader.


Somerset (34-36) (Scored four runs in the first inning and that was enough in a 4-3 win over Richmond)

CF Spencer Jones0-for-4, 4 K
Jones is hitting better but the strikeouts remain at a less-than-ideal rate (35.2%). In 78 PA after his promotion last season, he struck out at a 28.2% rate. 
SS Ben Cowles1-for-4, RS, SB (13)
Cowles now has a 7-game hitting streak. His June numbers are looking better (.256/.326/.378).
DH Tyler Hardman0-for-4, 3 K
1B Rafael Flores1-for-3, RS, BB, K
A nice Double-A debut for Flores.
C J.C. Escarra0-for-3, RS, BB
2B Anthony Seigler1-for-3, 2 RBI, RS, BB
Seigler has 3 multi-RBI games in his last five games played.  He is hitting .201/.296/.374 in 203 PA. He hasn’t hit for average in June (.196) but is reaching base and showing some pop (.328 OBP/.446 SLG). I am not trying to convince you that he is a prospect again. I am simply highlighting a solid stretch of games.
RF Jared Wegner1-for-3, 2B (10), 2 RBI
Wegner has 6 doubles in his last 8 games (4 in his first 42 games). Baseball randomness is fascinating.
LF Aaron Palensky1-for-3, K
3B Max Burt0-for-3, K

LHP Brock Selvidge6 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Selvidge struck out the final two batters he faced. Season: 3.75 ERA in 74.1 IP (64 H, 40 R, 31 ER, 4 HR, 36 BB, 72 K). The walks are on the high side (he has already walked more batters this year than last year (35 in 127.2 IP), but he keeps the ball in the ballpark (11 HR allowed in 248.1 career innings).
RHP Jesus Liranzo1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Danny Watson1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
A much-needed clean inning for Watson. 
RHP Kevin Stevens (S, 3): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
2.42 ERA (26 IP, 21 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 0 HR, 9 BB, 42 K). You know what? Minor league stats aren’t everything, but these stats still stand out.


Hudson Valley (36-34) (Shut down Wilmington, 5-0. The game was called in the 8th inning due to rain)

2B Roc Riggio1-for-4, 2B (11), RS, K
Riggio has 6 extra-base hits in his last 9 games (13 in his first 43 games). On June 14th, he owned a .327 SLG. It is now .385.
SS Jared Serna2-for-4, HR (12), 2 RBI, 2 RS
Serna is putting that 0-for-20 in his rearview mirror. He is hitting .265/.361/.481 in 305 PA (20 doubles, 12 HR, 52 RBI, 47 R, 11.8% BB, 17.7% K). He continues to be impressively productive. As for a promotion, he played 107 games for Tampa before getting to Hudson Valley. He has played 94 games at this level. I don’t think it is far off.
CF Jace Avina1-for-3, 2B (20), RS, HBP
Avina has a 5-game hitting streak that features four extra-base hits (3 doubles, 1 home run). After solid efforts in April and May, he has slumped in June. Like Serna, perhaps he is breaking out of it.
C Omar Martinez1-for-4, 2 RBI, K
Martinez is 7-for-24 (.292) with a homer and 4 RBI in his last 6 games. 
LF Garrett Martin1-for-4, 3B (2), K
3B Josh Moylan1-for-3, RS, BB
Moylan has a 5-game hitting streak (7-for-18, 1 double, 2 HR).
RF Cole Gabrielson0-for-1, SB (7), CS (3), HBP, BB
1B Kiko Romero1-for-3, 2B (7), RBI, 2 K
DH Beau Brewer1-for-3, K

RHP Sebastian Keane: (W, 6-5)  6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
4.55 ERA (63.1 IP, 59 H, 33 R, 32 ER, 6 HR, 29 BB, 60 K). Keane is pitching as expected, given this is his first full season of starting as a professional. I will note that, for the most part, he has kept his team in the game even on days he struggles.
RHP Eric Reyzelman1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
The zeroes keep coming for Reyzelman (8 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 14 K). Health is his only concern. He has the ability to move fast up the chain.
RHP Huey Morrill0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K


Tampa (26-44) (Lost a shootout to Fort Myers, 11-9)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 2-for-4, 2B (12), RBI, RS, SB (21), CS (2), BB
Lombard Jr. has reached base 9 times in his last three games (5-for-12, 2 doubles, 4 BB). Furthermore, in his last 10 games, he is 12-for-38 (.316) with 4 doubles, a homer, 6 walks, and a 6-for-7 SB rate. I won’t call this his breaking-out party, but one of the fascinating (often annoying) aspects of following prospects is the sudden breakout party. You never know when (or if) it will happen.
DH Enmanuel Tejeda1-for-5, RS, SB (18)
2B Roderick Arias1-for-4, 3B (7), RBI, SB (19), CS (9), BB, K
His raw talent continues to carry him (10 doubles, 7 triples, 6 HR, 43 RBI in 67 games) while the rest of his game tries to develop (110 strikeouts in 308 PA).
1B Dylan Jasso1-for-5, RBI, 2 RS, 3 K
CF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-4, RS, SB (10), BB, K
The 21-year-old has played well while occupying center field (42 starts in 2024). If he is a true center fielder, he has prospect value.
3B Hans Montero1-for-4, RBI, RS, SB (5), HBP, 3 K
RF Willy Montero0-for-4, 2 K
LF Coby Morales2-for-4, RBI, 2 RS, 4 SB (19), K
I have pointed this out before, but it is worth repeating: Morales stole one base in college (plus one in a college summer league). Low-A baseball can be crazy, but 19 stolen bases (and four in one night) for Coby Morales? That goes beyond crazy.
C Tomas Frick0-for-3, BB, K

RHP Bryce Warrecker3 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
His development will be a process. Not only is he inexperienced, he stands 6’8″. Don’t expect him to fly through the system.
RHP Jordy Luciano1.1 IP, 0 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
RHP Steven Fulgencio2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
RHP Montana Semmel: (L, 4-4)  1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K


FCL (24-13)

Scheduled day off.


DSL Yankees (6-11)

Scheduled day off.


DSL Bombers (10-6)

Scheduled day off.

 

Yankees MILB 6/13: Brock Selvidge Ks 9

News:

OF Everson Pereira was placed on the full-season injured list by Scranton. As you might be able to guess, that means he is done for the year.

Pereira will end the season at .265/.346/.512 (118 wRC+) in 182 PA for Scranton. He swatted 10 home runs and drove in 27. However, his strikeout rate was up (32.4%).

Injuries are a part of his story, but he accumulated 448 plate appearances in 2022 and 446 in 2023.

Pereira likely had trade value. That is no longer the case. With Jasson Dominguez‘s rehab stint over, Pereira’s value as big-league depth was lower, but you never want to lose depth.

Hopefully, Pereira can get back on the field in 2025.

Scranton (40-26) (Lost to Rochester, 5-4)

3B Jorbit Vivas2-for-4, RBI, SB (1), CS (4), BB
SS Oswald Peraza0-for-5, 2 K
C Ben Rice0-for-5, 2 K
So much for the Ben Rice Experiment…seriously, this is the first time he hasn’t reached base in eight Triple-A games.
1B T.J. Rumfield2-for-3, RS, BB
For Scranton: .305/.362/.458 in 196 PA. He is on a 5-game hitting streak (multiple hits in all games: 12-for-23).
DH Carlos Narvaez0-for-2, RS, 2 BB, K
Narvaez has a .376 OBP (16.2% BB)
RF Jose Rojas1-for-4, HR (12), 3 RBI, RS, K
Rojas has 12 homers and 42 RBI. A mostly unnoticed transaction last week was that he opted out of his contract, only to be re-signed. This likely means the Yankees offered him a little extra money to re-sign (and he couldn’t find an MLB opportunity)
LF Taylor Trammell0-for-3, BB, 2 K
CF Greg Allen2-for-3, 2B (7), RS, HBP
2B Josh VanMeter0-for-4

RHP Will Warren5.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, HR
Warren was cruising along until a 3-run homer in the 6th. His ERA is still north of 7.00 (7.01) but has shown signs of breaking out of his slump (he owns a 2.81 ERA in 16 June innings).
RHP Matt Sauer: (L, 0-1) 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR
LHP Clayton Andrews1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K


Somerset (29-30) (Bombarded Binghamton, 12-5)

CF Spencer Jones0-for-5, RBI, RS, SB (16), K
1B Agustin Ramirez2-for-5, 2B (12), 2 RBI, RS, SB (13)
Ramirez is hitting .289/.374/.569 in 243 PA (12 doubles, 1 triple, 15 HR, 46 RBI, 44 R, 13-for-14 SB). He is making his share of errors at first base, but that is the learning process. 
3B Ben Cowles0-for-3, 2 RS, SB (11), 2 BB, K
.314/.390/.498 in 241 PA. 
DH Tyler Hardman: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, RS, BB, K
Hardman was promoted here today. This is where he spent 2023.
LF Grant Richardson0-for-4, RS, BB, 2 K
C J.C. Escarra: 3-for-4, 2 2B (13), HR (3), 4 RBI, 3 RS
Back-to-back 4-RBI efforts for Escarra. Yes, I know he is a 29-year-old non-prospect. I like to highlight strong performances. As for catching, he has never done it before 2024.
RF Elijah Dunham3-for-4, 2B (6), HR (4), 3 RBI, 2 RS, K
2B Anthony Seigler0-for-3, SB (10), BB
SS Alexander Vargas2-for-4, RS, K

LHP Brock Selvidge5 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 9 K, HR
3.25 ERA (63.2 IP, 48 H, 31 R, 23 ER, 4 HR, 32 BB, 66 K). 
RHP Danny Watson1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
3.38 ERA (6.1 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K). Watson is still in “rehab” mode even if he was never on an official rehab assignment.
LHP Ryan Anderson2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
2.66 ERA (23.2 IP, 19 H, 9 R, 7 ER, 1 HR, 5 BB, 28 K). Anderson compiled a 1.01 ERA in 26.2 IP (27/12 K/BB) at this level in 2023. If he continues to perform, someone will give him a shot. This is not a knock on the Yankees.
RHP Kevin Stevens1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K


Hudson Valley (32-27) (Squeaked past Brooklyn, 6-5)

2B Roc Riggio1-for-4, 2B (8), RBI, RS, K
SS Jared Serna2-for-4, 2B (19), 2 RBI, K
In his last seven games, Serna has seven doubles. He is hitting .274/.375/.504 in 269 PA (19 doubles, 11 HR, 46 RBI, 43 R, 8-for-14 SB, 13.0% BB, 17.5% K). The presence of Riggio has pushed Serna to shortstop for most of the season. As I like to write about, that increases value. However, most “experts” see him as a second baseman long-term. He should get to Somerset when they start to promote players.
LF Jesus Rodriguez1-for-4, RS
Rodriguez increases his hitting streak to 6 (10-for-24). I wouldn’t be able to tell you if you asked me to find his fatal flaw. That said, he must prove this is real in the upper minors. That is how you get noticed for a player who doesn’t appear on many prospect lists.
DH Rafael Flores1-for-4, HR (5), 2 RBI, RS, K
.308/.416/.503 in 190 PA. He is 15-for-41 in June with a pair of doubles and three home runs.
C Omar Martinez1-for-4, 2B (7)
RF Christopher Familia0-for-4, 2 K
3B Josh Moylan1-for-4, 2 RS, K
1B Kiko Romero0-for-2, 2 BB, K
CF Nelson Medina1-for-3, 3B (1), RS

RHP Sebastian Keane: (W, 5-4) 5.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, HR
4.85 ERA (52 IP, 51 H, 29 R, 28 ER, 4 HR, 27 BB, 48 K). That may not overwhelm you, but remember that Keane was a reliever in 2023.
RHP Trent Sellers1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
RHP Mason Vinyard1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
2.60 ERA (17.1 IP, 11 H, 10 R, 5 ER, 2 HR, 8 BB, 26 K)
RHP McKinley Moore: (S, 1) 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K


Tampa (23-37) (Lost to Clearwater, 7-3, in a rain-shortened game)

2B Enmanuel Tejeda1-for-3, RS, 2 SB (14), K
For Tampa: .330/.383/.398 in 116 PA (14-for-17 SB). 
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-2, SF, RBI
DH Roderick Arias0-for-3, 3 K
3B Dylan Jasso0-for-0, HBP
  PH-3B Hans Montero0-for-1, BB, K
CF Jackson Castillo0-for-2, BB, K
RF Willy Montero1-for-2, HR (5), RBI, RS, K
Montero has four home runs in his last six games. The 19-year-old hit .331/.389/.436 in 203 plate appearances in the FCL last season. He started slow in 2024 and is still recovering but is up to .229 with a .644 OPS.
1B Coby Morales2-for-2, 3B (1), RS
LF Daury Arias0-for-2, 2 K
C Oscar Silverio1-for-2, 2B (1), RBI
Silverio finally gets to the plate (he played in five games before tonight without receiving a plate appearance, pitching in three of them!)

RHP Gabriel Barbosa5 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 3 HR
On the bright side, this goes in the record books as a complete game.


FCL (17-11) (Defeated the Blue Jays, 5-4)

C Josue Gonzalez: 1-for-4, RBI, BB, 2 K
3B Abrahan Ramirez2-for-4, 2B (5), RS, SB (4), K
CF Brian Sanchez0-for-4, K
He is still hitting .348/.451/.609 after today’s effort. Sanchez is a candidate for Low-A when promotions start happening. He turns 20 on the 4th of July.
SS Juan Matheus2-for-4, RBI, RS, 2 SB (5), 2 K
.274/.379/.411 in 87 PA. He has started 21 games, 20 at shortstop. That gets my attention. He is 20 years old (won’t be 21 until next April).
LF Joel Mendez2-for-4, 2 RS, K
A 21-year-old in his second FCL season should crush this level, and he is.
2B Sebastian Gomez2-for-3, 2B (1), CS (3), BB
RF Fidel Montero0-for-2, SF, RBI, BB, K

RHP Bryce Warrecker: 4.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K


DSL Yankees (2-6) (Lost to the DSL Twins, 7-2)

LF Gabriel Lara2-for-3, 2 RS, 3 SB (3)
Lara is one of the few DSL prospects that has my attention.  Before you ask, this isn’t because I think the level lacks talent. Rather, many players at this level are interchangeable. Lara has a top-tier tool (80-grade speed) to build on.

RHP Michell Chirinos4.2 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
RHP Josue Silvestre: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
The professional debut for the 6’7″ 19-year-old. 

DSL Bombers (4-3) (Defeated the Phillies Red, 12-7 (12 runs, 5 hits (all singles), 9 walks, 5 HBP. I “love” the DSL….)

CF Francisco Vilorio2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 RS, 4 SB (4), BB, K
Besides Lara, Vilorio has my attention because he is a bonus baby. The 17-year-old is 7-f0r-21.
SS Christofer Reyes1-for-3, 2 RS, SB (4), 2 RS, HBP
RF Richard Meran1-for-2, RBI, 2 RS, 2 HBP
3B Andry Javier1-for-3, 2 RBI, RS, BB

LHP Jose Ledesma (W, 1-0): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Ledesma’s first professional win – congrats!

Yankees MILB 5/22: Caleb Durbin Walks it Off

News:

There is no news that is fit for print.

Scranton (30-16) (Walked it off against Syracuse, 12-10. They came back from 6-1 and 10-6 deficits. Triple-A is insane. No lead should ever be considered safe)

2B Caleb Durbin4-for-5, 2B (16), HR (3), 4 RBI, 3 RS, SAC
Durbin walked it off with a 2-run HR with two outs in the 9th. It’s his second 4-hit game and third 4-RBI game this season. He is hitting .301/.413/.457 in 210 PA (16 doubles, 1 triple, 3 HR, 36 RBI, 33 R, 14.3% BB, 10% K, 20-for-22 SB). As of this writing, he is tied for first in doubles and stolen bases in the International League. 
DH Oswald Peraza1-for-5, RBI
Peraza is 2-for-13 since joining Scranton.
1B Carlos Narvaez0-for-3, SF, RBI, BB, 3 K
.230/.377/.397 in 162 PA (17.3% BB, 27.8% K)
RF Oscar Gonzalez: 1-for-5, 2B (5), RBI, 2 K
SS Jeter Downs: 2-for-4, 2B (7), HR (6), RBI, RS, SB (5), CS (3), BB, K
A little bit of everything. Downs got the 9th-inning rally started with a solo home run.
C Luis Torrens: 2-for-5, 2B (6), HR (3), RBI, 2 RS
.272/.340/.435 in 103 PA. When the Yankees need someone in the short term, it will be Narvaez, as he doesn’t require a 40-man move. If a long-term need occurred (let’s hope not), I don’t know who they would choose between Narvaez and Torrens. 
CF Greg Allen: 2-for-3, 2B (3), RBI, 2 RS, 2 SB (7), 2 BB
.241/.413/.397 in 76 PA. He is 11-for-34 (.324) in May. If the Yankees moved on from Trent Grisham, Allen could at least be a temporary fill-in. The organization (obviously) likes him, as he keeps coming back.
3B Kevin Smith: 1-for-4, RS, SB (7), BB, 2 K
LF Brandon Lockridge: 2-for-3, 2B (7), RBI, RS, SB (16)
I am not sure why Lockridge left the game.
  LF Taylor Trammell0-for-1, 2 RS, BB
Trammell reached on an error with two outs in the 9th. It scored Allen to tie the game, followed by Durbin’s heroics.

LHP Edgar Barclay4 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 5 BB, 3 K, 2 HR
6.59 ERA (41 IP, 44 H, 33 R, 30 ER, 9 HR, 27 BB, 40 K).  Simply put, it will be hard for Barclay to succeed with that many walks. He doesn’t have the overpowering stuff to compensate.
RHP Cody Morris0.2 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
Morris’ ERA spikes to 2.95.
LHP Anthony Misiewicz2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda (W, 4-0): 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
Durbin is the headline hero, but Misiewicz and Mosqueda deserve credit too. 


Somerset (20-20) (Revenged yesterday’s 10-2 loss with a 11-2 win over New Hampshire)

CF Spencer Jones1-for-4, RS, SB (10), BB, 2 K
It is hardly a “breakout” but he has hit safely in his last three games. We have to look for the small things right now.
DH Jasson Dominguez0-for-5, K
Patience will be required as he gets his stroke back.
C Agustin Ramirez0-for-3, 3 RS, SB (9), BB, HBP, K
That’s a lot of activity for an 0-for-3 afternoon. Season: .265/.391/.576 in 161 PA (5 doubles, 12 HR, 29 RBI, 32 R, 16.1% BB, 18.6% K, 9-for-9 SB). In his last 6 games, he is 3-for-19 with four walks and six runs. A good hitter can contribute even when the hits aren’t falling in.
1B Ben Rice: 2-for-2, 2 HR (10), 4 RBI, 4 RS, 2 SB (7), HBP, 2 BB
Wow. This insane day increases his triple slash to .245/.373/.496 in 170 PA (14.7% BB, 22.4% K). He isn’t a big base stealer in volume, but he is efficient: 7-for-7 this season and 23-for-27 (85.2%) in his career.  This is his third multi-HR game in the last two years, all with Somerset (86 games played). Most importantly, it appears Rice is breaking out of his malaise.
SS Ben Cowles: 2-for-5, 2B (15), 2 RBI, 2 RS
Cowles hasn’t stopped hitting, as his triple slash is now .326/.410/.533 in 161 PA.  He has 12 multi-hit games and is 2nd in the Eastern League in doubles, 4th in runs (Ramirez and Rice are 1st and 3rd) and RBI (Ramirez is 2nd). 
LF Grant Richardson: 2-for-4, 2B (12), 2 RBI, RS, BB, K
.296/.364/.509 in 121 Double-A plate appearances this year and .311/.385/.553 in 182 Double-A plate appearances over the last two years.
3B Jordan Groshans1-for-4, 2B (2), 3 RBI, BB
2B Anthony Seigler0-for-5
RF Aaron Palensky0-for-3, BB

LHP Brock Selvidge: (W, 4-2) 5 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 6 K
3.07 ERA (44 IP, 32 H, 20 R, 15 ER, 3 HR, 21 BB, 47 K). His control has betrayed him in his last two starts (9 BB in 14 IP), but he limited the damage today (both runs allowed were scored after he left the game). With injuries and ineffectiveness at the upper levels, Selvidge could find himself somewhere on the MLB depth chart – I wouldn’t get your hopes up on a 2024 debut, but the Yankees have a depth issue right now.
RHP Jesus Liranzo1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Jack Neely2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
Both walks came at the end of his outing – may have been tiring. Season: 1.29 ERA (21 IP, 12 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 8 BB, 32 K). 
LHP Ryan Anderson0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Neely seemingly ran out of gas late. Anderson did a nice job saving the inherited runners.


Hudson Valley (19-19) (Lost to Brooklyn, 3-1. The offense has only two runs in the first two games of the series)

2B Roc Riggio1-for-3, SB (7), HBP, K
.211/.346/.358 in 133 PA (15.8% BB, 17.3% K; 7-for-9 SB).
SS Jared Serna0-for-3, BB, 2 K
Serna extended his on-base streak to 20 in his last plate appearance of the day.
3B-C Jesus Rodriguez1-for-4, RS
.312/.384/.496 in 159 PA (9 doubles, 1 triple, 5 HR, 20 RBI, 25 R, 10.06% BB, 14.5% K). 
DH Tyler Hardman0-for-3, BB, K
RF Jace Avina1-for-4, RBI, K
12 doubles, 4 HR, 19 RBI, 17 runs, and 4 stolen bases in 28 games.
C Rafael Flores0-for-1
Flores left the game due to an apparent injury.
  3B Kiko Romero1-for-3, 2B (3), K
RF Garrett Martin0-for-2, K
His first game since April 25th.
   RF Cole Gabrielson0-for-2
1B Josh Moylan0-for-3, K
CF Nelson Medina0-for-2, SB (7), BB, 2 K

RHP Jackson Fristoe: (L, 0-2)  3 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 5 K
5.40 ERA (20 IP, 18 H, 13 R, 12 ER, 1 HR, 18 BB, 24 K). The Yankees haven’t yet asked him to stretch out much. While you can’t prove it caused any issues, Fristoe walked three straight batters after Flores left the game.
RHP Cole Ayers2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
2.52 ERA (25 IP, 20 H, 10 R, 7 ER, 1 HR, 7 BB, 33 K). Ayers pitched in 11 games at this level in 2023, with similar dominant results. We should see him in Somerset soon enough. He turns 25 in August.
RHP Luis Arejula2.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K


Tampa (14-27) (Lost to Jupiter, 5-1)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-4, K
2B Roderick Arias1-for-4, 2B (7), RS, K
In his last four games, Arias has three extra-base hits (2 doubles, 1 triple). He is hitting .215 with a .697 OPS (7 doubles, 4 triples, 2 home runs, 17 RBI, 22 R, 15.1% BB, 35.2% K)
1B Dylan Jasso1-for-4, 2B (14), RBI
Jasso has four doubles in his last four games and has 17 RBI in May. He has 25 starts at 1B and 13 at 3B. 
CF Jackson Castillo1-for-3, BB
Castillo increases his on-base streak to 14. 
3B Hans Montero1-for-4, K
Montero is hitting .309 with a .914 OPS in 62 plate appearances. One has to love how he has taken advantage of his opportunity.
LF Coby Morales1-for-4, 2 K
DH Manuel Palencia0-for-3
C Tomas Frick0-for-3
RF Daury Arias0-for-3

RHP Luis Serna: (L, 2-3) 5.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K
Pitch distribution: 41% changeups (9 whiffs), 31% sinkers (91.4 MPH average); 23% sliders, 5% curve. Season: 4.78 ERA (32 IP, 25 H, 17 R, 17 ER, 1 HR, 9 BB, 38 K). The 19-year-old had a 10.32 ERA in 11.1 April innings. It is 1.74 in May.
RHP Aaron Nixon1.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
3.57 ERA (22.2 IP, 17 H, 13 R, 9 ER, 0 HR, 19 BB, 23 K). Walks were also an issue in college.  The Yankees are hoping to clean that up.
RHP Osiel Rodriguez1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
1.86 ERA (19.1 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 HR, 10 BB, 20 K). He has pitched well, though he isn’t dominating. 


FCL (7-6)

Scheduled day off.


DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 5/11: Brock Selvidge’s CG Effort Leads Somerset

News:

The Yankees released OF Luis Gonzalez from his minor league contract, finally getting their revenge for that game-winning hit in the 2001 World Series. Sorry, Luis, you are guilty by association even if you don’t have any association.

Gonzalez hit .282/.374/.397 in 91 plate appearances for Scranton.

Expect a report delay on Sunday due to Mother’s Day.

Scranton (26-11) (Split a doubleheader with Rochester)

Game 1 (Lost a close one, 15-3)

3B Caleb Durbin0-for-2, RBI, 2 BB, K
CF Everson Pereira1-for-4, RBI, 3 K
.248/.333/.519 in 150 PA. The 35.3% K is concerning.
1B T.J. Rumfield0-for-4, K
C Carlos Narvaez2-for-4, 2 2B (7), RS, 2 K
LF Taylor Trammell0-for-3, BB, 2 K
Trammell cleared waivers and was outrighted to Scranton, where the Yankees will try to tap into some of what once made him a top prospect.
RF Oscar Gonzalez0-for-1, RS, 2 BB, K
DH-P Jose Rojas0-for-2, RS, BB
SS Kevin Smith0-for-1, SF, RBI, BB
2B Josh VanMeter0-for-2, BB

LHP Edgar Barclay: (L, 3-2) 4 IP, 6 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 3 HR
This is a “toss it out” outing. Season: 4.86 ERA (33.1 IP, 30 H, 21 R, 18 ER, 5 HR, 19 BB, 34 K). 
RHP Cody Morris1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
LHP Clayton Andrews1 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Jose Rojas1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, HR

Game 2 (Won, 5-3 – proving that one game rarely builds momentum to the next)

CF Greg Allen1-for-3, K
3B Caleb Durbin0-for-2, BB
.290/.414/.442 in 170 PA. He owns a 15-game on-base streak.
1B T.J. Rumfield1-for-2, 2 RBI, BB
.310/.372/.476 with 18 RBI in 94 PA since his promotion. 
DH Taylor Trammell0-for-3, K
RF Oscar Gonzalez1-for-3, HR (2), RBI, RS
LF Jose Rojas1-for-3, HR (7), RBI, RS, K
Pitches in Game 1, homers in Game 2 – is there anything Jose Rojas can’t do?
  LF Brandon Lockridge0-for-0
C Luis Torrens1-for-3, RS, 2 K
SS Jeter Downs1-for-1, 2B (5), 2 RS, 2 BB
.267/.358/.533 in 107 PA. This is Downs’ 4th season in Triple-A, and he didn’t do much in the first three years. 
2B Josh VanMeter1-for-3, 2B (6), RBI, K

RHP Cody Poteet (W, 3-0): 5 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 9 K, HR
3.68 ERA (29.1 IP, 21 H, 13 R, 12 ER, 4 HR, 7 BB, 34 K). One thing the Yankees don’t lack is adequate pitching depth.
LHP Anthony Misiewicz (S, 3): 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K


Somerset (15-15) (Defeated Altoona, 7-3, in a 7-inning game. This was supposed to be a doubleheader, but Game 1 was delayed, so they postponed Game 2. They will try to play two tomorrow)

CF Spencer Jones2-for-3, 3 RBI, SB (6), BB, K
His recent slump is documented, so this is nice to see. 
SS Oswald Peraza0-for-4, 3 K
  2B Anthony Seigler: 0-for-0
C Ben Rice2-for-4, HR (8), RBI, 2 RS, 2 K
Rice’s first HR since April 30. He is hitting .264/.386/.509 in 133 PA.
1B Agustin Ramirez2-for-4, RS, K
HR >>>>> Singles. However, I like the fact he compiled a couple of singles today. Maybe this is the start of non-HR falling in more often. He is hitting .248/.387/.564 in 124 PA.
2B-SS Ben Cowles1-for-3, 2B (11), 2 RS, BB
.333/.416/.556 in 125 PA (11 doubles, 2 triples, 3 HR, 18 RBI, 18 R, 11.2% BB, 16% K). He is on pace to match last year’s HR total (10) while eclipsing last year’s doubles pace (18 in 453 PA).
DH Grant Richardson2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 K
.299/.361/.483 in 97 PA. When do we take his Double-A performance (which goes back to the second half of 2023) seriously?
3B J.C. Escarra3-for-4, 2 RS
Escarra was in a 1-for-17 slump entering today.
RF Elijah Dunham0-for-2, RBI, BB
LF Jared Wegner0-for-3, 2 K

LHP Brock Selvidge: (W, 3-1): 7 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, HR
The rare minor league complete game. Selvidge needed 93 pitches to get through this one. Season: 2.18 ERA (33 IP, 26 H, 13 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 12 BB, 33 K). Selvidge won’t be 22 until late August. I think he belongs on midseason Top 100 lists, but when you get towards the bottom of those lists, there are a lot of prospects for the “experts” to choose from.


Hudson Valley (14-15) (Lost to Aberdeen, 6-5, in extra innings. This game started extremely late due to rain)

2B Roc Riggio1-for-5, K
SS Jared Serna0-for-4, RS, BB, 2 K
Serna’s 9-game hitting streak is snapped.
RF Jace Avina1-for-4, RS, BB, 2 K
C-3B Jesus Rodriguez1-for-3, 2B (6), 2 RBI, RS, K
Rodriguez is hitting .321 with a .919 OPS (6 doubles, 1 triple, 5 HR, 17 RBI, 16 R). 
3B Beau Brewer: 1-for-3, RS, BB, K
  PR-LF Kyle Battle0-for-0, RS
1B Rafael Flores: 2-for-3, 2 2B (7), RBI, BB, K
DH Kiko Romero0-for-1, 3 BB, K
CF Nelson Medina0-for-2, 2 BB, K
LF Cole Gabrielson0-for-4, K
  C Juan Crisp0-for-0

LHP Kyle Carr4 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 7 K
Carr sets a new personal best for strikeouts (only his 6th start). He owns a 5.64 ERA in 22.1 IP (26 H, 21 R, 14 ER, 1 HR, 20 BB, 19 K).
RHP Matt Keating1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
4.00 ERA (18 IP, 10 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 2 HR, 8 BB, 23 K)
RHP Cole Ayers: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
RHP Steven Fulgencio: (L, 1-1) 0.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K


Tampa (10-22) (Lost to Clearwater, 9-4. By the way, I love it when affiliates play well and win titles. However, do I worry about a 10-22 Low-A team? No)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-3, 3 K
Not the return he wanted, but at least he is back. He is hitting .226/.422/.258 in 83 PA.
  2B Brenny Escanio2-for-2
13-for-43 (.302) in limited action. 
2B-SS Roderick Arias0-for-4, RBI, BB, K
1B Dylan Jasso1-for-4, RS, 2 K
7-game hitting streak (13-for-29)
CF Jackson Castillo1-for-4, 2B (5), BB, K
RF Willy Montero1-for-4, RBI, RS
3B Hans Montero2-for-4, SB (1)
Montero’s third straight multi-hit effort jumps his average to .300 (9-for-30). When Enmanuel Tejeda returns from injury, there will be an infield crunch to sort through. Will Montero head to the FCL?
LF Coby Morales0-for-3, BB, 2 K
DH Tomas Frick2-for-4, 2B (6), RS
Frick is hitting .373 with a 1.033 OPS (6 doubles, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 9 R, 8 BB, 11 K). He has reached base safely in all 15 of his games.
C Manuel Palencia: 2-for-4, RS

RHP Tommy Kahnle1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
It’s only a matter of time before he is activated.
RHP Josh Grosz4 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, 2 HR
6.66 ERA (25.2 IP, 33 H, 28 R, 19 ER, 7 HR, 12 BB, 40 K). The K rate is solid and the HR rate needs to come down (his HR/FB was 27.8% entering today, which will likely go up. Is that unlucky? Let me say this: 13% is considered “awful”)  He is 21 and in his first professional season – he deserves a load of patience.
RHP Cade Austin1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Montana Semmel1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Kris Bow0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, HR


FCL (4-2) (Defeated the Blue Jays, 9-3, in a 7-inning game)

(Remember, I do not list out the entire lineup for the FCL/DSL games)

C Edgleen Perez1-for-3, RBI, 2 RS, 2 BB, K
Perez went 0-for-2 with a HBP in the season opener. Since: 5-for-10, 2 doubles, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 5 R, 5 BB, 1 K
1B Josue Gonzalez1-for-2, RBI, RS, 3 BB, K
7-for-15 (2 doubles, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 4 R, 7 BB, 4 K). When Perez is 17, Gonzalez is 20. Since the FCL starts earlier and ends earlier now, some of these kids will trickle up to Low-A once this season ends. Gonzalez already looks like a good candidate.
DH Engelth Urena: 1-for-4, SF, RBI, 2 K
Season debut for the 19-year-old who hadn’t played since 2022. Oh, in case you are wondering, he too is listed as a catcher. I would love to be in the room when the Yankees discuss all their catching prospects.
SS Juan Matheus1-for-2, HR (1), 3 RBI, RS, 2 BB
Two good signs for Matheus: They are playing him extensively at shortstop and batting him in the middle of the order. That indicates some level of trust.
3B Luis Ogando2-for-3, HR (1), 2 RBI, 2 RS, HBP
Ogando hit 6 HR in 70 DSL games.

RHP Omar Gonzalez2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Alejandro Gomez1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Jose Guzman (W, 1-0): 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
LHP Rafelin Nivar1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K


DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 5/3: Ben Rice Reaches Base 4 Times

News:

C Josh Breaux has been added to the Development List. Essentially, the Development List is…what you think it is. A place where organizations place players for help in their development. Breaux is no longer a young prospect, so you can wonder what they are trying to develop (could be as simple as first base reps outside of doing it during a game). Breaux can do everything he typically does and continues to get paid. However, he cannot play in games.

Players on the Development List do not count towards Scranton’s roster. They do count against the organization’s overall roster.  An organization is “only” allowed to have 180 players in their minor league systems (this does not include the Dominican Summer League (DSL)). Breaux still counts against that while not counting against Scranton’s roster limit.

There will be a quiz on this topic next week.

IF Enmanuel Tejeda, hitting .330 after back-to-back 4-hit nights, was placed on the 7-day injured list for Tampa. They replaced him on the roster with IF Hans Montero, a $1.7 million bonus baby signed in 2021. At ages 17-18. Montero struggled in the DSL. At 19, he had a good year in the FCL, hitting .257/.419/.404 (127 wRC+) in 234 plate appearances with 5 HR, 23 RBI, 41 runs, and 17 stolen bases.

Scranton (21-9) (Defeated Jacksonville, 7-2)

SS Caleb Durbin1-for-4, 2B (12), 2 RS, HBP
Durbin is on a 9-game hitting streak (12-for-37; .324) and is up to .287/.411/.461 in 142 PA (12 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR, 22 RBI, 22 R, 22 BB (15.5%), 14 K (9.9%), 13-for-14 SB (92.9%).
DH Everson Pereira0-for-5, 4 K
.257/.331/.523 in 121 PA (6 doubles, 1 triple, 7 HR, 19 RBI, 20 R, 9 BB, 46 K (38.0%), 3-for-5 SB). He owned a 27.8% K rate for Scranton in 2023. A 10.2% increase is not what anyone wants to see, including trade partners.
1B T.J. Rumfield2-for-5, 2B (6), HR (2), RBI, RS, K
Rumfield is at .300/.338/.500 in 65 PA since his promotion (6 doubles, 2 HR, 12 RBI).
C Carlos Narvaez2-for-4, 2B (5), 3 RBI, BB, K
Narvaez got a taste of MLB life (and now has their health insurance plan).
3B Jose Rojas1-for-4, HR (4), RBI, RS
2B Josh VanMeter1-for-3, 2B (5), RS, BB, K
LF Greg Allen0-for-3, RS, SB (4), BB, 2 K
RF Luis Gonzalez1-for-3, RBI, RS, SB (3), BB
CF Brandon Lockridge1-for-4, RBI, RS, K

LHP Edgar Barclay (W, 3-1): 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
Barclay allowed a pair of runs in the first inning but settled in from there. Season: 3.07 ERA (29.1 IP, 24 H, 13 R, 10 ER, 2 HR, 16 BB, 32 K)
LHP Clayton Andrews2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
LHP Anthony Misiewicz1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K


Somerset (11-14) (Defeated New Hampshire, 4-3)

CF Spencer Jones0-for-5, 4 K
Jones’ strikeout rate has ticked above 30% (31.4) thanks to ten strikeouts in his last 19 plate appearances. He will have swing-and-miss in his game – it’s just the nature of the beast. This also shows you to calm down a bit – there’s still development time needed. He is hitting .266/.329/.438 in 70 plate appearances.
1B Ben Rice: 2-for-3, RBI, RS, SB (3), 2 BB
Rice’s hitting streak reaches 7 (10-for-27; 2 doubles, 2 HR, 8 walks). He is hitting .286/.414/.549 and does not belong here. 
C Agustin Ramirez1-for-2, SB (5), 2 BB, K
Ramirez has five walks in his last two games and 19 walks in 23 games. He is hitting .233/.377/.558 in 106 PA.
SS Ben Cowles1-for-4, RBI
.337/.417/.596 in 103 PA (10 doubles, 2 triples, 3 HR, 17 RBI, 15 R, 12 BB, 17 K, 3-for-3 SB). He hasn’t run much this season but he was 23-for-27 in that category in 2023.
3B Jordan Groshans1-for-3, RS, BB
DH J.C. Escarra0-for-2, RS, 2 BB
LF Grant Richardson1-for-3, BB, K
Richardson is up to .296/.363/.453 in 80 PA (8 doubles, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 10 R, 6 BB, 18 K, 5-for-6 SB). He has ability – whether it becomes MLB viable is the question.
RF Elijah Dunham0-for-1, RBI, RS, SB (2), 2 BB, HBP
2B Alexander Vargas1-for-1, RBI
Vargas left the game due to injury after his RBI single (he was thrown out trying to go to second)
   2B Anthony Seigler1-for-3, K

LHP Brock Selvidge: (W, 2-1) 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
This game was a slog for Selvidge (including his error), but he used the power of the ground ball to fight through it. Season: 1.73 ERA (26 IP, 21 H, 10 R, 5 ER, 0 HR, 9 BB, 28 K).  Selvidge has allowed seven homers in 200 career innings. He should be a contender for the 2025 rotation, though we have seen Brian Cashman flip plenty of upper-level pitchers over the last few years.
RHP Carlos Gomez2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
0.73 ERA (12.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 HR, 8 BB, 9 K). Throughout his career, walks have been the problem.
RHP Luis Velasquez: (S, 1) 2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K


Hudson Valley (14-10) (Lost to Wilmington, 13-8. GameCast had issues with this game. I know that Juan Crisp came into this game to pitch in the 9th, for example – GameCast doesn’t yet show it. UPDATE: GameCast is fixed)

RF Jace Avina1-for-6, 2 RBI, RS, 2 K
SS Jared Serna2-for-4, 2B (5), 2 RBI, BB, 2 K
Serna has 12 hits in his last five games. He has turned around his season quickly and is up to .244 with a .835 OPS. 
C Omar Martinez1-for-4, BB, 2 K
3B Jesus Rodriguez1-for-3, 2 RS, SB (3), 2 BB
Rodriguez is hitting .310 with a .864 OPS. 
1B Josh Moylan: 1-for-4, 2B (2), RS, BB
DH Kiko Romero: 1-for-5, RS, 3 K
CF Nelson Medina: 3-for-5, 3 RBI, RS, SB (3), K
LF Cole Gabrielson1-for-3, RS, 2 BB, K
2B Beau Brewer: 2-for-4, RS, BB

LHP Kyle Carr: (L, 0-2)  4 IP, 9 H, 9 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
This is one of those starts you toss into the wastebasket.
RHP Luis Arejula1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
RHP Cole Ayers: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
1.80 ERA (15 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 6 BB, 20 K)
RHP Steven Fulgencio: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Juan Crisp0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Crisp was activated today – he isn’t a pitcher, however. He is a catcher who was sitting on the Development List. He replaced C Ramon Flores on the roster, who was placed on the injured list today.


Tampa (7-18) (Lost to Dunedin, 5-2)

DH Coby Morales2-for-3, RBI, RS, SB (6), BB, K
Morales was the offense tonight and is now hitting .225/.355/.258 thanks to a solid start to May (5-for-12)
SS Roderick Arias0-for-4, 3 K
Arias is in a 0-for-14 slump that includes eight strikeouts. I have a feeling that this is going to be a streaky season, which is fine as long as he is showing progress.
1B Dylan Jasso0-for-4, 2 K
CF Willy Montero0-for-4, K
3B Hans Montero0-for-4, K
RF Daury Arias0-for-4, 2 K
C Edinson Duran0-for-2, HBP
LF Tayler Aguilar0-for-2, RS, BB, 2 K
2B Dayro Perez0-for-2, BB, K

LHP Allen Facundo5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 8 K, HR
He maxed out at 96.4 MPH (averaged 93.9) and threw mainly sliders (54%) and 4-seamers (34%) with some sinkers and change-ups mixed in. Season: 2.76 ERA (16.1 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 9 BB, 15 K). Before tonight, Facundo hadn’t allowed a home run in 90.1 career innings. In his debut season (2021), Facundo struck out 84 hitters in 48.2 IP (40.6% K rate) in the DSL. He missed all of 2022 before tossing 30.1 innings in 2023.
RHP Yoljeldriz Diaz1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Kris Bow1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
3.97 ERA (11.1 IP, 6 H, 8 R, 5 ER, 0 HR, 8 BB, 12 K)
RHP Ocean Gabonia: (L, 0-1) 1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K


FCL (0-0)

The season starts on 5/4.


DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 4/27: Brock Selvidge: 7 IP, 0 R, 11 K

News:

Nothing for you tonight.

Scranton (17-8) (Defeated Durham, 8-1)

2B Caleb Durbin: 2-for-4, RBI, BB, K
.295/.424/.474 in 118 PA. He has three multi-hit games in his last four games played.
LF Everson Pereira1-for-5, 3 K
1B T.J. Rumfield: 3-for-5, 2 2B (5), 2 RBI, 2 RS
Rumfield has five doubles in 43 plate appearances since his promotion. He has five hits in his last two games.
C Luis Torrens0-for-5, RS, 2 K
SS Jeter Downs1-for-3, HR (4), 2 RBI, 2 RS, BB, K
.283/.371/.533 in 71 PA. He is 6-for-14 with two homers in his last four games.
DH Jose Rojas1-for-4, 2B (7), 3 RBI, 2 K
3B Kevin Smith1-for-4, RS, 2 K
RF Luis Gonzalez3-for-4, RS, K
CF Brandon Lockridge1-for-4, RS, 2 K

RHP Cody Poteet: (W, 2-0) 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
1.74 ERA (20.2 IP, 12 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 HR, 4 BB, 20 K)
RHP Phil Bickford1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Cody Morris1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Yerry De Los Santos: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K


Somerset (9-11) (Crushed Reading, 9-0)

CF Spencer Jones: 2-for-6, 3B (1), 2 RBI, RS
.348/.412/.587 in 51 PA (3 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 10 R, 5 BB, 12 K, 3-for-6 SB). He has five multi-hit games in his last seven games played. Crazy.
C Agustin Ramirez: 2-for-4, HR (9), 2 RBI, 3 RS, BB, K
Ramirez is hitting .261 with a 1.060 OPS. In addition to the power, he has 14 walks and 15 strikeouts. He has homered in back-to-back games after not homering in six games (rather shocking!)
1B Ben Rice1-for-3, 2B (3), RS, 2 BB, K
.257/.382/.500 in 89 PA (3 doubles, 5 HR, 8 RBI, 16 R, 13 BB, 22 K, 2-for-2 SB)
2B Ben Cowles3-for-5, HR (2), 3 RBI, RS
Cowles is hitting .362 with a 1.074 OPS. He has a 6-game hitting streak (10-for-25).  Both homers have come in the last three games (he also has 8 doubles and 2 triples). This is how you become noticed.
SS Jordan Groshans0-for-1
  SS Alexander Vargas1-for-4, 3B (1), RBI, K
Vargas has 18 career triples in 307 games. 
3B J.C. Escarra0-for-4, HBP
LF Elijah Dunham2-for-4, 3B (2), 2 RS, BB, K
DH Jared Wegner2-for-4, 2B (2), BB, K
.263/.344/.474 in 64 PA. A 24-year-old right-handed bat showing off some pop.
RF Aaron Palensky0-for-2, SF, RBI, RS, 2 BB, K

LHP Brock Selvidge7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 11 K
Selvidge sets a new personal best for strikeouts in a game. Season: 1.71 ERA (21 IP, 17 H, 8 R, 4 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 26 K). This kid’s talent is real and he is only 21 (won’t be 22 until August)
RHP Yorlin Calderon1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Kevin Stevens1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K


Hudson Valley (11-8) (Lost to Bowling Green, 3-0)

LF Jace Avina1-for-4, K
Avina has a 5-game hitting streak (7-for-19)
SS Jared Serna0-for-3, BB
.148/.304/.279 in 79 PA. His BB/K remains strong (14/10) and his BABIP is ridiculously low (.135). A correction should come, but he must be frustrated.
DH Omar Martinez0-for-4, K
C Jesus Rodriguez0-for-3
Games by position: Catcher (8), 3B (5), 2B (2), LF (1), DH (1). He also has experience at first base in his career.
3B Josh Moylan0-for-3, K
1B Kiko Romero1-for-2, BB, K
CF Nelson Medina0-for-3
2B Beau Brewer1-for-3
RF Cole Gabrielson0-for-3

LHP Kyle Carr:(L,0-1)  4.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
3.77 ERA (14.1 IP, 13 H, 10 R, 6 ER, 1 HR, 14 BB, 10 K). Command/control hasn’t been great, but he is 21 and learning. Give him some slack.
RHP Leonardo Pestana2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
1.86 ERA (9.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 5 BB, 15 K)
RHP Cole Ayers2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
1.54 ERA (11.2 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 5 BB, 16 K)


Tampa (5-15) (Destroyed Lakeland, 10-2)

3B Enmanuel Tejeda0-for-3, RS, BB, K, CI
Tejeda’s hitting streak is snapped at eight. 
1B Oscar Gonzalez1-for-4, 3B (1), 2 RBI, 2 RS, BB
Gonzalez hit one ball at 110.5 MPH. Methinks he is ready to go to Scranton.
SS Roderick Arias2-for-4, HR (2), 3 RBI, 2 RS, BB, K
Arias extends his walk streak to eight, but that wasn’t the best thing he did tonight. He is hitting .224/.344/.408 in 90 PA (4 doubles, 2 triples, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 10 R, 13 BB, 35 K, 4-for-7 SB).  
DH Dylan Jasso2-for-5, 2 2B (6), RBI, RS, K
.234/.383/.359 in 81 PA. He has 14 walks (17.3%) and 22 strikeouts (27.2%).
LF Coby Morales0-for-4, RS, BB, K
CF Jackson Castillo1-for-3, 2B (2), 2 RS, BB
  RF Daury Arias0-for-0
RF-CF Willy Montero0-for-4, K
C Tomas Frick3-for-3, 3 RBI, RS, BB
Frick’s first career 3-hit effort. He is 10-for-27 and has hit safely in seven of his eight games (reached base in all games)
2B Brenny Escanio2-for-4, K

RHP Josh Grosz: (W, 1-2) 5 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 HR, 3 BB, 5 K
Grosz earns his first professional win. He has 22 strikeouts in 16 innings, which is encouraging. Like many, the 21-year-old is in his debut season and will have his share of ups, downs, and everything in between.
RHP Art Warren1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Jordy Luciano: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Yoljeldriz Diaz: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Ocean Gabonia1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K


FCL (0-0)

The season starts on 5/4.


DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 4/21: Spencer Jones’ Big Day

News:

I wish I had something to report. I may need to start making things up (it works for some people on Twitter!)

Scranton (13-7) (Lost to Lehigh Valley, 7-4)

2B Caleb Durbin1-for-5, 2B (8), RS, K
.284/.419/.459 in 93 PA (8 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 16 RBI, 15 R, 17 BB, 9 K, 10-for-10 SB). He has scored a run in six straight games.
CF Everson Pereira2-for-5, 2B (4), 3B (1), RBI, 2 RS, K
Pereira’s contact tends to be loud. The double was hit 101.6 MPH while the triple was scorched (108.6). He is hitting .254/.351/.612 in 77 PA (4 doubles, 1 triple, 6 HR, 14 RBI, 13 R, 8 BB, 28 K, 2-for-4 SB)
DH T.J. Rumfield0-for-3, SF, 2 RBI
Rumfield is 6-for-22 with six RBI since his promotion (.300/.379/.360 in 58 PA)
1B Carlos Narvaez0-for-3, BB, K
.207/.392/.310 in 79 PA. He has 11 games at catcher, four at first base, three at DH, and one at third base (only three innings)
RF Jose Rojas0-for-2, SF, RBI, BB
C Luis Torrens1-for-3, BB
3B Josh VanMeter1-for-3, BB, K
SS Jeter Downs0-for-4
LF Luis Gonzalez2-for-4, 2B (3), RS, K

LHP Edgar Barclay: (L, 1-1) 4.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 3 BB, 5 K
3.06 ERA (17.2 IP, 17 H, 9 R, 6 ER, 2 HR, 11 BB, 19 K)
LHP Clayton Andrews0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP McKinley Moore0 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
He also hit a batter. Trying to unlock Moore is going to be a challenge. 
LHP Josh Maciejewski2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
He was close to escaping Moore’s bases loaded, nobody out jam but allowed a 2-out run on a HBP.
LHP Anthony Misiewicz1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 0 BB, 2 K
LHP Tanner Tully1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K


Somerset (7-8) (Knocked off Hartford, 8-2)

CF Spencer Jones: 3-for-4, HR (1), RBI, 3 RS, 2 SB (3), K
Jones has done a lot in six games: 8-for-21 (.381; 1 double, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 7 R, 3-for-4 SB, 3 BB, 5 K)
C Agustin Ramirez1-for-4, RBI, K
.245/.362/.673 in 58 PA (7 HR, 15 RBI, 11 R, 8 BB, 12 K, 2-for-2 SB). This is the first game this year where he drove home a run in a game where he didn’t homer.
DH Ben Rice0-for-3, RBI, HBP, K
.271/.338/.542 in 65 PA (1 double, 5 HR). He has six games at C, six at DH, and two at 1B. 
RF Elijah Dunham0-for-4, 3 K
3B Ben Cowles1-for-4, 2B (7), K
Cowles has seven doubles in 15 games. Does he think he is Earl Webb or something?
1B J.C. Escarra1-for-4, RS
LF Grant Richardson1-for-4, RS
2B Anthony Seigler2-for-4, 2B (1), RBI, RS, CS (1), K
SS Alexander Vargas2-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 RS
After starting 0-for-11 at this level, he has back-to-back multi-hit games. If he shows any life with the bat, trade value will follow. His defense reportedly is elite-level.

LHP Brock Selvidge5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 4 K
2.57 ERA (14 IP, 15 H, 8 R, 4 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 15 K). It’s far from a terrible line but it just feels as if he hasn’t yet been able to get into a groove. It’s only three starts.
RHP Carlos Gomez: (W, 1-0)  1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Jack Neely1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 10 K. This is his first non-strikeout game this season (four in 42 games in 2023).
RHP Alex Mauricio1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K


Hudson Valley (9-5) (Lost to Aberdeen, 6-3)

SS Roc Riggio0-for-5, CS (1), 2 K
2B Jared Serna1-for-3, RS, BB, K
CF Jace Avina1-for-4, 2B (1), RS, K
Avina’s first extra-base hit as a member of the Yankees’ organization.
C Jesus Rodriguez1-for-3, 2B (2), 2 RBI, RS, BB, K
DH Omar Martinez1-for-1, RBI, 3 BB
Martinez has nine walks and nine strikeouts (18.8%) in 48 PA. As I stated multiple times last year, Martinez was one of the few high-performing prospects (.251/.367/.445 with 18 HR for Tampa) who didn’t receive a promotion. Is the goal to go one level at a time? Was it a catcher crunch? We’ll find out.
RF Garrett Martin0-for-4, SB (4), K
Martin is being frisky on the basepaths! In college, his best for stolen bases in a season was seven.
1B Rafael Flores0-for-3, SB (1), BB, K
Not surprising that his SB was on the backside of a double steal. He only has four in 119 games.
3B Kiko Romero0-for-4, 3 K
LF Cole Gabrielson0-for-4, 2 K

RHP Cam Schlittler4 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 7 K
0.60 ERA (15 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 9 BB, 19 K)
RHP Matt Keating: (L, 0-1)  3 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
They tried extending his outing to four innings and it didn’t work well. Season: 8.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 HR, 6 BB, 11 K
RHP Trent Sellers1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
1.86 ERA (9.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 4 BB, 17 K)
RHP Yorlin Calderon: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K


Tampa (4-11) (Lost to St. Lucie, 8-4)

DH Enmanuel Tejeda1-for-3, RS, 2 BB
Tejeda walked over 20% of the time in the rookie leagues. Life is a little harder in a full-season league, as he is currently at 7.7%. That can improve as he gets more comfortable and nobody complains over a .310 start.
SS Roderick Arias1-for-4, 3B (2), RBI, BB
His K% is down to 41.5%. That may seem like something I shouldn’t brag about, but he was at 50% after Wednesday’s game. This is also the first game he hasn’t struck out in this season. He is hitting .196/.308/.393 in 65 plate appearances with seven extra-base hits (4 doubles, 2 triples, 1 home run). While Tejeda is flashing solid contact skills and Lombard Jr. is showing outstanding patience, Arias’ extra-base hits are his calling card thus far.
3B Dylan Jasso1-for-4, BB, 2 K
.250/.443/.364 in 61 PA. 
1B Coby Morales1-for-4, RBI, BB, K
CF Willy Montero1-for-5, RS, K
.160/.204/.180 in 54 PA. They say the jump to Double-A is the hardest but rookie league to a full-season league has its share of challenges.
RF Daury Arias0-for-4, 2 K
C Tomas Frick0-for-3, BB
LF Tayler Aguilar0-for-2, RS, 2 BB, K
2B Brenny Escanio1-for-3, 2B (2), SF, 2 RBI
Escanio has two doubles and two triples in eight games.

LHP Brady Rose: (L, 0-1)  1.1 IP, 7 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Rose was exceptional in his professional debut – his second appearance wasn’t quite as good. It happens.
RHP Aaron Nixon1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
9.1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 11 BB, 11 K
RHP Kris Bow: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Bow does a great job covering some innings. Like many prospects in the Yankees system, he is sinker-heavy (71% today).
RHP Huey Morrill2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
This could have been a disaster game for the pitching staff. Good job by the three who settled the game down. Morrill reached 95.4 with his sinker. 


FCL (0-0)

The season starts on 5/4.


DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 4/16: Enmanuel Tejeda: 3 Hits, 2 SB

News:

LHP Josh Maciejewski cleared waivers and was outrighted back to Scranton. I believe the rule is that teams get one chance to outright you after you clear waivers. After that, a player can elect free agency if they get through waivers a second time.

Scranton (10-5) (Lost to Lehigh Valley, 7-1)

CF Brandon Lockridge:  0-for-5, K
2B-SS Caleb Durbin0-for-4, RS, BB, K
1B T.J. Rumfield1-for-3, BB, K
Triple-A debut for Rumfield. He was 9-for-28 with a double, six walks, and four strikeouts for Somerset. While he didn’t hit for average in Somerset last season (.219), he had a power surge (17 HR in 82 games). So far this season, the power hasn’t shown up but the average is there.
C-3B Carlos Narvaez2-for-3, BB
Last four games: 6-for-16 with two doubles and a homer.
RF Jose Rojas2-for-3, 2B (4), BB
SS Jeter Downs0-for-2, HBP
  C Josh Breaux0-for-1
3B-2B Josh VanMeter0-for-4, K
DH Jordan Groshans0-for-3, BB
LF Luis Gonzalez0-for-4, K

LHP Tanner Tully2.2 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Alex Mauricio2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
6.2 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 0 BB, 11 K. One has to love the number of walks! He touched 95.1 MPH with his 4-seamer tonight.
RHP McKinley Moore0.2 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 1 K
Moore throws very hard (topped out at 99.7, averaged 97.7). The problem? Control. He has 90 walks in 133.2 minor league innings (200 strikeouts). The Yankees claimed him off waivers from the Phillies over the winter (he made his big league debut last year). One of those arms you hope you can unlock.
RHP Phil Bickford1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Cody Morris2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 1 BB, 2 K


Somerset (4-6) (Lost to Hartford, 5-1)

CF Spencer Jones0-for-3, BB, 2 K
The results don’t matter yet – the good news is that he is back on the field.
C Agustin Ramirez0-for-3, BB, 2 K
Did you expect him to keep up with his 95 HR pace?
DH Ben Rice: 0-for-4, K
He is down to .179 (7-for-39) with four walks and 12 strikeouts. He had an 18.7% K rate last season. Thus far this year, it is 27.9%. He’ll likely snap out of it soon enough…
LF Elijah Dunham1-for-4, 3B (1), RS, K
3B J.C. Escarra: 3-for-4, 2B (3), RBI, K
SS Ben Cowles1-for-3, 2B (6), BB, K
His average falls to an unacceptable .412.
RF Jared Wegner1-for-4, K
2B Anthony Seigler0-for-3
1B Spencer Henson0-for-3, K

LHP Brock Selvidge: (L, 0-1) 5 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
It’s a better effort this time around. Selvidge’s error contributed to the unearned runs.
RHP Luis Velasquez2.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
RHP Tanner Myatt1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K. Impressive start to the 2024 campaign for Myatt, who once had some prospect buzz attached to him.


Hudson Valley (6-3) (Scored two in the 9th to beat Aberdeen, 3-2)

2B Roc Riggio0-for-4, BB, 3 K
SS Jared Serna0-for-4, RBI, BB
Tied the game with an RBI walk in the 9th.
DH Omar Martinez0-for-3, RBI, 2 BB, K
Won the game with an RBI walk in the 9th.
3B Jesus Rodriguez2-for-4
.303/.343/.424 in 35 PA.
1B Josh Moylan0-for-3, RS, BB, 2 K
LF Garrett Martin1-for-3, 3B (1), RBI, HBP, K
RF Anthony Hall0-for-3, BB, K
C Rafael Flores0-for-2, CS (1), 2 BB, K
CF Nelson Medina1-for-2, RS, SB (2), BB, HBP, K

RHP Baron Stuart5.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Stuart’s 2024 debut. In 2023, he pitched to a 4.47 ERA between here and Tampa with an 85/46 K/BB over 100.2 IP. He was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Pittsburgh.
LHP Ben Shields: 2.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 HR, 0 BB, 4 K
RHP Leonardo Pestana: (W, 1-0) 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K


Tampa (2-8) (Lost to St. Lucie, 11-3. Tampa isn’t having a perfect start to 2024. They have scored 32 runs and allowed 71 runs. It’s a young roster that you hope improves as the season moves along)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-5, RS, 3 K
Lombard Jr. has reached base safely in ten straight games to start the season.
DH Enmanuel Tejeda: 3-for-5, RBI, RS, 2 SB (7), K
12-for-35 (.343) with six RBI and five runs scored. He is 7-for-9 stealing bases.
2B Roderick Arias1-for-4, SB (2), BB, 2 K
8-for-40
1B Dylan Jasso0-for-2, RBI, SB (1), 2 BB
LF Coby Morales1-for-4, RBI, K
CF Willy Montero0-for-4, 2 K
4-for-34
RF Tayler Aguilar0-for-3, BB, 2 K
C Edinson Duran1-for-3, BB, 2 K
3B Brenny Escanio1-for-4, 3B (1), RS, K

RHP Gabriel Barbosa: (L, 0-2) 4.2 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
RHP Ocean Gabonia0.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Art Warren1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Warren’s first action since 2022. The 31-year-old has 71 games of big league experience, pitching to a 4.19 ERA in 62.1 innings for the Mariners and Reds between 2019-2022. He is a sinker/slider/changeup type.
RHP Cade Austin1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
RHP Steven Fulgencio: 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K


FCL (0-0)

The season starts on 5/4.


DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 4/11: 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 Narvaez0-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 Smith0-for-4, 3 K
3B Jeter Downs2-for-4, HR (2), RBI, RS, K
8-for-26 start with a triple and two home runs (.615 SLG)
1B Jordan Groshans0-for-4, RS
DH Josh Breaux1-for-4, RS, 2 K
2B Josh VanMeter0-for-3, BB, 2 K
CF Brandon Lockridge1-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 Gomez3 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 Mauricio2 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 Misiewicz0.2 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 Rice1-for-5, RS, K
5-for-22 (1 HR, 1 RBI, 4 R, 3 BB, 9 K, 2-for-2 SB). 
C Agustin Ramirez1-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. Rumfield1-for-3, RS, BB, K
CF Elijah Dunham2-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 Palensky1-for-3, RBI, SB (1), BB, K
RF Jared Wegner0-for-4, 2 K
2B Anthony Seigler0-for-4, 3 K
SS Max Burt0-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 Neely1.1 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 Myatt1.1 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 Tejeda1-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 Morales0-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 Palencia0-for-4, K
RF Daury Arias1-for-4, 2B (1), 2 K
DH Edinson Duran0-for-3, BB, 2 K
   PR Willy Montero0-for-0
LF Dayro Perez0-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 Austin3.2 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!