Tag: Cade Smith

Yankees Notes and Opinions for 11/7/25

Previous Notes:
October 30, 2025

1. Yankees pick up Tim Hill‘s option

This was a no-brainer, since Hill costs only $3M in 2026.

The soft-tossing worm killer pitched to a 3.09 ERA (4.30 FIP) over 67 innings with a 64.8% ground ball rate. Among pitchers who tossed 60+ innings, he ranked third in baseball in ground ball rate, behind Jose Soriano and Jhoan Duran. 

One weakness is the home run rate. In 2025, it was 1.07/9. Hill’s home run rates have fluctuated throughout his career. It doesn’t surprise me, as a fastball that doesn’t sink is batting practice.

I would love for the Yankees to add a power lefty to the bullpen, but those aren’t easy to find. Free agents include Gregory Soto (25.1% K rate in 2025), Drew Pomeranz (28.1% in his first taste of big league action since 2021), and former Yankee Justin Wilson (27.5%).

That list may not entice you. That’s fine, as it doesn’t entice me either.

2. The Yankees decline Jonathan Loaisiga‘s option

Loasiga was a fun “discovery” story by the Yankees’ scouts, but health issues that plagued him as a teenager in the Giants’ organization didn’t go away as a Yankee.

When he pitched, he was effective. In 193 games for the Yankees, he pitched to a 3.54 ERA (3.86 FIP) over 249.1 innings with a 21.9% K, 7.8% BB, and 54.4% GB. As a reliever, his ERA was 3.41 over 211 innings.

Loaisiga has talent, but it’s time to move on for both parties. Someone may get a bargain on a 1-year deal if his arm isn’t permanently shredded.

3. The Yankees attached the QO to Trent Grisham

Weird.

Grisham, who went into Spring Training as a bench player, started in only one of the team’s first five games. Nobody could have projected a .235/.348/.464 (129 wRC+; 3.2 fWAR; 34 home runs) season. Additionally, he set a personal best in walk rate and had his second-lowest strikeout rate.

A center fielder with those numbers should earn a multi-year contract somewhere. While it may not be for $22M/year, he may not mind a lower AAV over several seasons. This is a calculated risk by the Yankees. You only offer the QO if you are comfortable carrying a player for another year. You can’t rule out a trade if he accepts, either.

Grisham’s defense has declined, and he offers nothing on the basepaths. He is pure power (as evidenced by being one of only six players in history to hit 30+ home runs with fewer than ten doubles).

I am ready to move on. However, I don’t know what “moving on” means for the Yankees. Does it mean a potential shot for Spencer Jones?  Does it mean looking for an outfielder on the free agent or trade markets?

One thing that handcuffs the Yankees is that they are unlikely to try Jasson Dominguez in center field again, and it would be stupid to ask Aaron Judge to play there. If they engage in the trade or free-agent markets, it will either be for a center fielder or to trade Dominguez to open a corner outfield spot. In that scenario, you would still need a center fielder.

Maybe that is why they would welcome Grisham back. Meh.

4. The Yankees decline to offer Devin Williams a QO.

Before the 2025 season started, I would have predicted the opposite of what happened yesterday: no chance they would offer a QO to Grisham, while a highly likely chance they would offer one to Williams, with the idea of signing him long-term.

Williams had an uneven season, but Savant still painted a good picture.  His xBA, Chase%, Whiff%, and K% were elite while his xERA and Hard Hit% were well-above average. If he were someone else’s free agent, Yankees fans would be pining to sign him this winter as an obvious bounce-back candidate. The claim would even be that he has nothing to bounce back from. Pitching like he did in 2025 will produce a season closer to Williams’ norm in 2026.

I would be a proponent of bringing him back, but it seems unlikely. In the past, I would say no big deal, since a Brian Cashman strength is bullpen building. However, the bullpen was a weakness in 2025. They will have David Bednar, Fernando Cruz, and Camilo Doval at the end of the bullpen, but they will need a lot more than that. We shouldn’t just assume a rebound from Jake Bird.

The Yankees will likely engage in the trade and free agent markets, and perhaps they feel they can replace Williams’ production cheaply.

5. Don Mattingly leaves Toronto (and is on the Hall of Fame ballot)

While the Yankees might talk to Mattingly for their open first-base coach position, I doubt it. If Mattingly wants to stay involved in baseball without the daily grind, he can be to hitters what Andy Pettitte is to pitchers as an active special advisor. I think that is also unlikely, as I am not sure if Mattingly’s goal is to cut back on his schedule.  While they catch the ball with opposite hands, there’s no doubt Mattingly would be a useful presence for Ben Rice.

As a Mattingly fan (he was my favorite player growing up), I never wanted him to manage the Yankees. Some of that is for selfish reasons – I would have a hard time criticizing him and would probably defend him when it isn’t warranted.

That said, the managerial job isn’t open, and I wouldn’t have to worry about praising or criticizing him in other roles.

As for his Hall of Fame chances, I wouldn’t be sad if they elected him. However, does he belong? Probably not. His best argument is a 6-year period where he hit .327/.372/.530 (147 OPS+) while averaging 43 doubles, 27 home runs, 114 RBI, and 97 runs. During that period, he made six All-Star teams, won five Gold Gloves, three Silver Sluggers, and an MVP Award. Additionally, he came in second and fifth in the MVP race.

The problem is that he didn’t surround that peak with enough good seasons to make it to the Hall of Fame. While he won four additional Gold Glove Awards, he was never again an All-Star or Silver Slugger. He received some down-ballot MVP votes in 1993 and 1994, but neither year was special.

Would I place someone like Mattingly in the Hall of Fame over Harold Baines? Yes. I would take Mattingly’s dominant peak over Baines’ insane long-term consistency. When I look at the Hall of Fame, I want players who showed everyone that they were head and shoulders above the competition for a significant stretch. Mattingly did that, Baines did not.

But I have made this argument often: If Baines is the bar, I can find a lot of players who clear it.

I have long accepted that Mattingly is on the opposite side of the borderline.

6. Cade Smith makes Arizona Fall League “Fall Stars” Team

Smith earned it by posting a 2.13 ERA over 12.2 innings with a 14/2 K/BB.

Smith’s highest minor league level thus far is High-A Hudson Valley, and he would be a potential option for 2027, assuming there is a season.

7. Miscellaneous Roster Moves

Veteran 3B Jeimer Candelario and veteran SP Kenta Maeda elected free agency.

Meanwhile, the Yankees added RHP Kervin Castro to their 40-man roster, preventing him from entering free agency.

The 26-year-old Castro hasn’t appeared in MLB since 2022. In 2021, he posted a 0.00 ERA in 13.1 innings for the Giants, but followed that up with a 10.22 ERA in 12.1 innings in 2022.

In Triple-A Scranton this season, he posted a 1.53 ERA (3.09 FIP) over 47 innings with a 27.4% K and 11.6% BB. This was after missing the 2024 campaign.

The Yankees’ 40-man roster stands at 35, so there is a decent chance Castro will survive the winter and make it to spring training. That said, there will be plenty of maneuvering between now and then.

Yankees MILB: Arizona Fall League Roster

RHP Bryce Cunningham – The highest-ranked Yankees’ prospect on his way to Arizona is Cunningham, who pitched to a 2.82 ERA in 54.1 innings with a 55/19 K/BB. We will see him in Somerset in 2026.

RHP Cade Smith – Like Cunningham, Smith (ranked 19th), needs innings due to missing time to injury. He pitched only 39.2 innings this season, compiling a 2.50 ERA and 42/18 K/BB.

RHP Brady Kirtner – The 23-year-old pitched in 35 games between Tampa and Hudson Valley, compiling a 2.70 ERA and 52/21 K/BB over 46.2 innings in his first professional campaign. Why is he going to Arizona?  Likely a combination of missing some time in July/August and the Yankees liking something in his profile.

RHP Huey Morrill – Morrill, recently placed on the Development List, was dominant this season. pitching to a 0.76 ERA in 47.2 innings with only 18 hits allowed. Additionally, he struck out 42 while walking 17.  This could be a “Rule 5 Evaluation” move as he is eligible this winter.

RHP Adam Stone – If your first reaction is “Who?”, I understand. The 24-year-old hasn’t pitched since compiling a 7.20 ERA in 20 innings during his debut 2023 campaign. This is likely a situation where the planets lined up perfectly – he’s finally healthy just in time to go to Arizona.

1B/OF Coby Morales – Entering tonight, Morales has 468 plate appearances, so this isn’t a situation where he is making up for lost time. He is also not Rule 5 eligible (2026). So, why him? Perhaps they want him to do some defensive work, or they are tweaking his swing. Alternatively, it is also possible that they had a spot open and decided to go with Morales to fill out the roster.

C/1B Manuel Palencia – The Rule 5 eligible catcher is hitting .272/.322/.349 in 256 plate appearances between Hudson Valley and Somerset.

UTIL Enmanuel Tejeda – Only 20, Tejeda’s 2024 and 2025 campaigns were shortened by injury. He is going to make up for lost time in Arizona. In 35 games for Tampa, he walked more than he struck out (17.4%/13.4%) while stealing 14 bases in 19 attempts. Tejeda no longer plays shortstop, though he may do that in Arizona.

Yankees MILB 9/6: Cade Smith Pitches a Gem

Notes:

Trade analysis links:
Jose Caballero/Camilo Doval (link)
David Bednar/Jake Bird (link)
Ryan McMahon (link)
Amed Rosario (link)
Austin Slater (link)

My thoughts on Core Jackson.

Nothing.

Injury Log

Scranton (80-53; 42-19 in second half) 

Their game against Worcester was postponed. They will try to play a pair tomorrow.

Syracuse won and is 3.5 games behind. Lehigh Valley, Toledo, and Indianapolis are way back. The only team of the three with more than a faint pulse is Lehigh Valley, only because they play Scranton next week.

Scranton’s 80-53 overall mark is the best in the International League, but that is just a fun footnote as it has no playoff meaning.

Somerset (69-62; 34-28 in the second half) (Scored two in the bottom of the 9th to stun New Hampshire, 3-2)

Hartford lost and is now 2.5 games back. Portland lost and is 4.5 games out.

Somerset’s season ends on September 14th.

LF Brendan Jones: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
Jones has a 6-game walk streak (he has four stolen bases during the streak). The ability to take walks and create havoc on the basepaths is a major plus. After all, Jones is only 1-for-15 during this 6-game stretch.
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-4, 2 K
DH Jace Avina: 0-for-3, R, BB, 2 K
3B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-3, RBI, BB, 2 K
.266/.333/.417 in 502 PA (17 doubles, 6 triples, 13 HR, 71 RBI, 62 R, 7.4% BB, 23.5% K)
1B Tyler Hardman: 1-for-4, R, 3 K
RF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-2, R, 2 BB, K
CF Garrett Martin: 2-for-4, RBI, SB (20)
The ability to steal bases is there. The bat has not developed much, though.
2B Jake Gatewood: 2-for-4, RBI, 2 K
C Diomedes Hernandez: 0-for-3, K

LHP Brock Selvidge: 6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K
5.03 ERA (68 IP, 63 H, 40 R, 38 ER, 4 HR, 37 BB, 56 K). Selvidge should get a final regular-season start next week.
RHP Baron Stuart: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Carson Coleman: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
1.20 ERA (15 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 1 BB, 14 K).  
RHP Michael Arias (W, 2-0): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Hudson Valley (79-49; 41-23 second half) (Squeaked past Greensboro, 1-0. Hudson Valley’s pitching has shown up this week.)

Hudson Valley entered this week needing to go 5-1 against Greensboro to win the second-half crown. That was a tall task, given how dominant Greensboro has been all season. They are almost there, going 4-1 to set up a “winner goes to the playoffs” matchup for Sunday. Greensboro (87-43) will easily win the “overall” title, but a loss tomorrow keeps them out of the playoffs.

3B Juan Matheus: 1-for-3, RBI
Matheus drove home the only run in the bottom of the 6th.  The switch-hitting utility type has a 6-game hitting streak.
CF Dillon Lewis: 0-for-3, 2 K
2B Core Jackson: 0-for-3, K
1B Josh Moylan: 2-for-3, CS (2)
Moylan has six multi-hit efforts in his last ten games (14-for-35).
DH Engelth Urena: 0-for-3
SS Kaeden Kent: 0-for-3, K
RF Camden Troyer: 0-for-3, K
C John Cristino: 1-for-3, R, K
A big hit for Cristino, as it set up Matheus’ RBI single. After predictably hitting well in the FCL, Hudson Valley is proving to be a challenge (11-for-62, 3 doubles, 1 home run).
LF Luis Durango: 0-for-2, CS (7), K

RHP Cade Smith (W, 2-1): 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K
There is a reason why Smith is highly regarded. For Hudson Valley: 2.76 ERA in eight starts (32.2 IP, 20 H, 10 R, 10 ER, 2 HR, 16 BB, 35 K). Overall, he finishes the season (assuming he doesn’t go to Somerset) with a 2.50 ERA over 11 starts (39.2 IP, 24 H, 11 R, 11 ER, 2 HR, 18 BB, 42 K).
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Gabonia has been an unsung contributor this season, compiling a 3.27 ERA in 41.1 IP (34 H, 20 R, 15 ER, 0 HR, 15 BB, 42 K). 
RHP Brady Kirtner (S, 1): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Since promotion: 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K. Including his time with Tampa, he compiled a 2.70 ERA in 46.2 IP (32 H, 15 R, 14 ER, 2 HR, 21 BB, 52 K)

Tampa (63-63; 27-34 in the second half) (Defeated Clearwater, 6-2)

Tampa’s season ends on Sunday.

SS Dax Kilby: 1-for-3, R, 2 SB (16), 2 BB, K
Kilby has turned Low-A into his personal playground, hitting .353/.457/.441 in 81 PA (2 doubles, 2 triples, 0 HR, 9 RBI, 19 R, 16-for-17 SB, 13 BB, 11 K). Those are “lead-off hitter” numbers, though we are far away from knowing if he will maintain it.
3B Roderick Arias: 0-for-3, R, SB (34), BB, 2 K
2B Enmanuel Tejeda: 1-for-5, 2B (3), RBI, 3 K
CF Marshall Toole: 1-for-3, R, SB (44), 2 BB, K
Toole would have to go 0-for-6 on Sunday to finish his FSL season under .300. As stated the other day, the FSL batting title is sewn up.
DH Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek: 2-for-5, 2 R, 2 SB (6), 2 K
Martin-Grudzielanek is 19-for-77 (.247/.294/.416; 2 doubles, 4 triples, 1 HR) in 24 games.
LF Richie Bonomolo: 0-for-5, 2 K
RF Willy Montero: 2-for-5, RBI, K
1B Hans Montero: 1-for-3, BB, K
.269/.357/.431 in 334 plate appearances.
C Josue Gonzalez: 1-for-4, R, SB (14), K

LHP Henry Lalane: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K
2025 was nothing more than a “get healthy, and do something” season for Lalane, who tossed only 19.1 innings between here and the FCL.
RHP Jose M. Rodriguez (W, 4-1): 4 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 8 K
Since promotion: 5.14 ERA (28 IP, 24 H, 17 R, 16 ER, 3 HR, 19 BB, 28 K). He falls one shy of his personal best for strikeouts in a game.
LHP Tanner Bauman: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Jackson Fristoe: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
4.30 ERA (58.2 IP, 46 H, 32 R, 28 ER, 9 HR, 32 BB, 46 K). Fristoe followed up a 2.19 ERA in August with 3.2 hitless, scoreless innings in September.
RHP Chris Veach: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
2.53 ERA (57 IP, 46 H, 26 R, 16 ER, 5 HR, 29 BB, 75 K). A solid debut campaign for Veach.

FCL (28-30)

Their season is over.

DSL Yankees (24-32)

Their season is over.

DSL Bombers (31-25)

Their season is over.

Yankees MILB 8/31: Cade Smith: 5 Shutout Innings

Notes:

Trade analysis links:
Jose Caballero/Camilo Doval (link)
David Bednar/Jake Bird (link)
Ryan McMahon (link)
Amed Rosario (link)
Austin Slater (link)

My thoughts on Core Jackson.

No other news to report.

Injury Log

Scranton (77-52; 39-18 in second half) (Lost to Syracuse, 3-0. That’s back-to-back shutout losses. Yesterday, they faced a good prospect (Brandon Sproat). Today, Syracuse used a “bullpen game” to shut them down.)

Syracuse pulls within three games in the second-half title race, with Toledo and Indianapolis also in the picture. The season ends on September 21st.  Scranton’s last three series are against Worcester (road), Lehigh Valley (home), and Buffalo (road). Lehigh Valley is on the fringe of the playoff race.

2B Jorbit Vivas: 1-for-3, 2B (14), BB
I talked about his lack of pop in August – on the bright side, he doubled in three of his last five August games. 
RF Austin Slater: 0-for-2, BB
It is possible that Slater will not be ready for Tuesday (this is only his second rehab game, and he has yet to play a full game in the field). The Yankees could bring up someone else in the meantime. Slater has no options, so they can’t simply leave him here.
   RF Ismael Munguia: 0-for-1
CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-4, 2 K
Perhaps it is related to the back spasms from a month ago, but the surge in strikeouts is concerning. He played in 29 August games, striking out at least once in 25 of them (15 games with multiple strikeouts). Overall, his strikeout rate is 32.9% (36.8% in 2024).
LF Brennen Davis: 0-for-3, BB, K
For Scranton: .313/.378/.800 (that’s his SLG – not his OPS!) in 90 PA (3 doubles, 12 HR).
1B T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-4, 2 K
A rough August (23-for-109 (.211); 26 strikeouts) comes to an end.  Here’s hoping he finds his stroke for the September title race.
DH Bryan De La Cruz: 1-for-4, K
3B Jeimer Candelario: 0-for-3, K
C Omar Martinez: 0-for-3, 3 K
Martinez is hitting .208/.304/.333 in 15 games since his promotion (1 double, 1 triple, 1 HR).
SS Andrew Velazquez: 0-for-3, K

RHP Erick Leal (L, 8-10): 4 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 6 BB, 3 K
RHP Joel Kuhnel: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Since signing: 3.60 ERA (25 IP, 24 H, 16 R, 10 ER, 1 HR, 4 BB, 21 K). Maybe they will re-sign him to a minor league deal and invite him to spring training.
RHP Bailey Dees: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
He has a nice 1.59 ERA at this level, but has walked eight over 11.1 innings.  Dees is a big kid who doesn’t flash a big fastball (averaged 91 MPH today). 
RHP Scott Effross: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Ian Hamilton: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Somerset (64-62; 29-28 in second half) (Lost to Binghamton, 4-1, in a Sunday evening game.)

Hartford defeated Portland to move within 0.5 games of the Patriots. Portland remains 1.5 games behind.

Somerset’s season ends on September 14th. Their final two series are against New Hampshire and Reading, two of the worst teams in the Eastern League.  Can they take advantage?

LF Brendan Jones: 0-for-3, BB, 3 K
SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-4, K
It’s still interesting that despite his low batting average and not-so-great Double-A stats overall, he still had a 107 wRC+ at this level entering today. A lot of that is tied to his walk rate, which ranks sixth in the Eastern League.
RF Jace Avina: 1-for-4, R, K
Avina is hitting .216 with a .641 OPS since his promotion.
DH Dylan Jasso: 1-for-3, 2B (17), RBI, BB, 2 K
The right-handed bat entered today with a reverse split (.252/.313/.359 vs. LHP; .280/.347/.450 vs. RHP)
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-4, 3 K
CF Garrett Martin: 1-for-4, 3 K
2B Duncan Pastore: 1-for-4, K
3B Jake Gatewood: 0-for-3, 2 K
C Diomedes Hernandez: 0-for-3, K
The 20-year-old has spent most of 2025 on the “Development List,” participating in only five games.

LHP Brock Selvidge: (L, 2-6) 3.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
5.23 ERA (62 IP, 57 H, 38 R, 36 ER, 4 HR, 35 BB, 49 K). While an injury hurt his progress this season, it’s been a bit of a slog for him.
RHP Zach Messinger: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Mason Vinyard: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Kelly Austin: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
2.90 ERA (40.1 IP, 33 H, 15 R, 13 ER, 1 HR, 24 BB, 36 K). 

Hudson Valley (75-48; 37-22 second half) (Defeated Brooklyn, 8-3)

If Greensboro wins tonight, they will enter the season-ending 6-game series with a 3-game lead.  Hudson Valley will need to go 5-1 to make the playoffs. If Greensboro loses, the lead is cut to two. Hudson Valley will need to go 4-2. The first tiebreaker is head-to-head record in the second half, and the upcoming series is their only series in the second half.

CF Dillon Lewis: 1-for-3, 2 R, 2 BB, K
Lewis has done enough in Hudson Valley to make it to Somerset as a 22-year-old in 2026. His OPS is slightly below what he did in Tampa (from .800 to .783), but the reduction in his strikeout rate is impressive (from 28.2% to 20.5%).  As for his future position, the Yankees are giving him a lot of time in center field. Can he stick there? 
SS Core Jackson: 1-for-2, SF, 2 RBI, R, 2 BB
Jackson has hit safely in six of his last seven games.
3B Juan Matheus: 2-for-3, RBI, R, 2 BB
Matheus finishes a solid August at .270/.360/.440 (9 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 13 R, 5-for-6 SB). Overall, he is second in the organization in doubles (30) and stolen bases (40), and third in hits (111).
DH Kaeden Kent: 1-for-5, RBI, K
Kent has 14 hits in his professional career, five of which came on August 27th. 
C Engelth Urena: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K
7-for-61 (.115) since his promotion.
1B Josh Moylan: 3-for-5, 2 2B (19), 2 RBI, R, K
.219/.343/.348 in 429 PA. A .155/.308/.260 triple slash in his first half (56 games) crushed any chance of him having a strong overall campaign. That said, a young/inexperienced team that needed an offensive boost is benefiting from his strong second half (.286; 8 doubles, 2 triples, 5 HR, 27 RBI).
RF Camden Troyer: 2-for-5, HR (1), 2 RBI, 2 R
The 23-year-old launches his first professional home run. He is hitting .263/.354/.351 in 65 plate appearances.
LF Joe Delossantos: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K
2B Owen Cobb: 0-for-3, R, BB, K

RHP Cade Smith (W, 1-1):  5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K
Smith’s first High-A win. In seven starts at this level: 3.38 ERA (26.2 IP, 16 H, 10 R, 10 ER, 2 HR, 15 BB, 27 K). He threw 67 pitches today, which is in range of his recent appearances (74 is his maximum this season).  He has one more start before the Yankees decide what to do with him during the offseason. 
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 1.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Bryce Warrecker: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
2.21 ERA (53 IP, 33 H, 13 R, 13 ER, 1 HR, 12 BB, 59 K). His second half has been solid (3.55 ERA in 25.1 innings with a 25/6 K/BB), but hasn’t been as dominant as his first half (0.98 ERA in 27.2 innings with a 34/6 K/BB). 
RHP Jack Cebert: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
First three professional appearances: 3.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K

Tampa (60-61; 24-32 in the second half)

Their game against Bradenton was cancelled due to rain. Obviously, with one series left in the season, this one will not be made up.

Tampa’s season ends on September 7th.  Assuming there is no rain this week (wild assumption in Florida), the final series is seven games (including a doubleheader).

Their chances to win the second-half title are somewhere in the 0.0000001% range. However, they do play the current leader (Clearwater), and a 7-game sweep would push them ahead of the Threshers.

“So you’re saying there’s a chance?”

FCL (28-30)

Their season is over.

DSL Yankees (24-32)

Their season is over.

DSL Bombers (31-25)

Their season is over.

Yankees MILB 8/17: Ben Hess: 6 Scoreless Innings

Notes:

Trade analysis links:
Jose Caballero/Camilo Doval (link)
David Bednar/Jake Bird (link)
Ryan McMahon (link)
Amed Rosario (link)
Austin Slater (link)

SS Jackson Lovich isn’t in Scranton after all. My “gut” was telling me that it was a weird assignment, but I also know teams sometimes move players to advanced levels if they have an emergency need. Anyway, erase that from your memory – he was never assigned to Scranton and is instead in Tampa.

RHP Jonathan Loaisiga began his rehab stint today. The Yankees have three pitchers on rehab stints (Loaisiga, Ryan Yarbrough, and Fernando Cruz), which will make for interesting roster decisions in the coming days. Yesterday, I mentioned three possibilities, and they may be the three demotions: Yerry De los Santos, Cam Schlittler, and Brent Headrick.  We’ll cross that bridge and all that jazz.

Injury Log

Scranton (70-47; 32-13 in second half) (Defeated Indianapolis, 7-5)

The Railriders end the week with a 1-game lead over Syracuse for the second-half title. Indianapolis had a chance to get into the mix, but needed to do more than split the 6-game series.

3B Jorbit Vivas: 1-for-3, R, BB
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-4, HR (15), 3 RBI, R
.308/.393/.499 in 473 PA (30 doubles, 1 triple, 15 HR, 82 RBI, 73 R, 4-for-6 SB, 11.4% BB, 16.5% K). Can he reach 100 RBI?  The Triple-A schedule is longer than other levels, so it’s possible. So far, one minor leaguer has reached that plateau: Ryan Ward (LAD) has 105. He’s the “professional minor league hitter” I have mentioned many times this season. 
CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-4, 2B (7), R, K
Jones has hit safely in five of his last seven games. He’s only 6-for-31 during this timeframe, but we are looking for any little sign that he is starting to break out of his malaise.
2B Jose Rojas: 1-for-3, 2B (30), RBI, R, BB, K
Speaking of 100 RBI, it is Rojas who leads the Yankees’ organization with 84.
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 2-for-4, 3B (1), R, 2 K
De La Cruz has four multi-hit efforts in his last five games.
DH Jeimer Candelario: 1-for-3, 2B (13), SF, 2 RBI, R, K
SS Braden Shewmake: 1-for-4, RBI, K
C Omar Martinez: 1-for-4, R, 3 K
LF Duke Ellis: 1-for-3, SB (26)
Ellis has calmed down a tad, but he is 20-for-46 (.435) in August with a perfect 10-for-10 stolen base rate. Your reminder that he hit .390 in July.

RHP Erick Leal: (W, 8-9) 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
Baseball is a funny game: Indianapolis crushed Leal on Tuesday (4 IP, 7 H, 6 R)
RHP Jonathan Loaisiga: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Fernando Cruz: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR
His two rehab appearances haven’t gone well statistically – but as long as he is healthy…
RHP Scott Effross (S, 2): 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Somerset (61-53; 26-20 in second half) (Defeated Portland, 4-3, in ten innings)

Hartford has fallen off considerably, giving Somerset a comfortable lead in the second-half race (4.5 games). This is a big week for the race, as Somerset and Hartford begin a 6-game series on Tuesday. Portland is 5.5 games behind.

SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-4, R, BB, 3 K
As stated on the YES broadcast, Lombard Jr. has been good after a slow start here. It is important to note that he was still a teenager when he was promoted here. Patience.
CF Jace Avina: 0-for-4, 3 K
RF Brendan Jones: 1-for-4, 2B (8), RBI, CS (4), 2 K
I think Jones has a good chance to become a Major League player. What role that is (and for which team) is to be determined.
3B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-4, 2 K
  PR-2B Duncan Pastore: 0-for-0, R
1B Tyler Hardman: 2-for-3, 2B (20), R, BB, K
LF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-3, HR (1), 3 RBI, R, BB
Castillo’s first Double-A home run was a big one – a 3-run blast in the top of the 10th.
C Tomas Frick: 0-for-2, 2 BB
DH Coby Morales: 0-for-4, 3 K
2B Jake Gatewood: 0-for-4, 2 K

RHP Ben Hess: 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 5 K
After allowing six runs over nine innings in his first two Somerset starts, Hess shows us why he was last year’s first-round selection. Overall, he has 109 strikeouts in 81.2 innings.
LHP Will Brian: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
At this level: 2.37 ERA (30.1 IP, 23 H, 11 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 15 BB, 34 K)
RHP Hayden Merda: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Merda has impressed lately (one run allowed in last 12 innings).
RHP Kelly Austin: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Luis Pacheco: (W, 3-1)  1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Mason Vinyard (S, 2): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K

Hudson Valley (69-42; 31-16 second half) (Avenged being no-hit yesterday by squeaking out a 1-0 win over Aberdeen today)

The Renegades are playing .622 ball this season, but the playoffs remain out of reach. Greensboro has a 3-game lead for the second-half title.

DH Dillon Lewis: 2-for-4, 2B (11), R, K
Lewis is a proud member of the 20/20/20 club (20 doubles, 20 HR, 23 stolen bases). Those numbers show you why people are intrigued by his talent.
SS Kaeden Kent: 0-for-4
Kent continues to struggle (3-for-35 with a homer). As I keep saying, I don’t worry much about what the 2025 draftees do as they get their feet wet. Next year?  Yeah, more telling.
3B Juan Matheus: 0-for-3, BB, K
Since promotion: .275/.341/.475 in 44 PA (5 doubles, 1 HR, 5 RBI). 
1B Josh Moylan: 0-for-2, SF, RBI
His 6th inning sacrifice fly was all that was needed today.
CF Camden Troyer: 1-for-3, CS (1)
Troyer is 5-for-24 with a double to begin his professional journey.
RF Luis Durango: 0-for-1, 2 SB (8), BB
  RF Robbie Burnett: 0-for-1, K
LF Joe Delossantos: 0-for-2, SB (2), BB, 2 K
C John Cristino: 0-for-3, 3 K
2B Owen Cobb: 1-for-3

RHP Cade Smith: 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
At this level: 2.50 ERA in 18 IP (11 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 9 BB, 19 K). He tossed 64 pitches today (missed most of the season to injury.)
RHP Matt Keating: (W, 3-1) 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
2.79 ERA (42 IP, 30 H, 16 R, 13 ER, 1 HR, 18 BB, 49 K)
LHP Geoffrey Gilbert: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
2.55 ERA (35.1 IP, 23 H, 11 R, 10 ER, 2 HR, 17 BB, 51 K)
RHP Bryce Warrecker (S, 4): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
2.03 ERA (48.2 IP, 29 H, 11 R, 11 ER, 1 HR, 11 BB, 51 K). As you can see, the bullpen has been a big reason for Hudson Valley’s success.

Tampa (53-59; 17-30 in the second half) (Defeated Dunedin, 7-5)

I have nothing to offer about their playoff chances, which is painfully obvious.

SS Dax Kilby: 2-for-5, 2B (1), 2 RBI, R
Kilby swats his first professional extra-base hit (also his first multi-hit game). After starting 0-for-9, he is 4-for-13.
3B Roderick Arias: 1-for-3, RBI, BB, K
DH Enmanuel Tejeda: 1-for-3, R, BB
Tejeda’s stroke isn’t back yet, but the walks continue to pile up (19 in 22 games at this level). He hit .310 in 43 games at this level before his injury in 2024.
CF Marshall Toole: 0-for-3, BB, K
RF Wilson Rodriguez: 0-for-3, K
I am not sure why Rodriguez left the game.
  RF Eric Genther: 0-for-1
2B Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek: 0-for-3, R, BB, K
LF Willy Montero: 1-for-4, RBI, R
1B Jackson Lovich: 4-for-4, 2B (1), RBI, 3 R
Maybe they should have started him in Triple-A!  This is as good as it gets for a professional debut. As stated yesterday, he is listed as a shortstop but is likely more of a player who moves around the diamond.
C Ediel Rivera: 1-for-4, RBI

LHP Allen Facundo: 3.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 8 K
Facundo reached 97.2 MPH. A lefty throwing this hard deserves attention in prospect circles. He owns a 2.92 ERA in 24.2 innings since his promotion (20 H, 10 R, 8 ER, 0 HR, 8 BB, 27 K)
RHP Brady Kirtner: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Cade Austin: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
LHP Franyer Herrera (W,1-0): 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Since promotion: 4.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K. 
RHP Chris Veach (S, 7): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
2.59 ERA (48.2 IP, 39 H, 22 R, 14 ER, 5 HR, 26 BB, 64 K). The 23-year-old has put together a solid debut campaign.

FCL (28-30)

Their season is over.

The DSL ends on Tuesday.  Can the Bombers secure a spot in the DSL Cup Tournament with two games remaining?  13 squads have clinched, leaving three openings. The team currently in 16th position is 30-24. The Bombers are 29-25. One thing I am not factoring into my analysis is division winners (8) vs. wild-card entrants (8). I am not digging that deeply into it. Bottom line? Win Monday and Tuesday and see what happens.

DSL Yankees (23-31)

Day off.

DSL Bombers (29-25)

Day off.

Yankees MILB 8/11: Spencer Jones Homers

News:

Nothing.

Scranton (64-48) (Defeated Lehigh Valley, 6-2)

3B Jorbit Vivas: 0-for-4, RS, BB, K
2B Caleb Durbin: 2-for-3, HR (4), RBI, 2 RS, BB, HBP
For Scranton: .301/.419/.466 in 238 PA (18 doubles, 1 triple, 4 HR, 40 RBI, 37 R, 14.3% BB, 9.7% K, 20-for-22 sB). The injury sucked but one has to be encouraged by his season.
RF Jasson Dominguez: 0-for-4, BB
Dominguez grounded into two double plays. Bring him up!
SS Oswald Peraza: 1-for-3, 2B (10), RBI, RS, CS (6), 2 BB
.244/.352/.384 in 285 PA (10 doubles, 8 HR, 36 RBI, 41 R, 16-for-22 SB). Where does Peraza fit into the 2025 picture? It’s still up in the air. Let’s see what they do with him in the off-season.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-3, RBI, 2 BB
CF Taylor Trammell: 1-for-3, HR (14), 3 RBI, RS, BB, 2 K
Trammell has 8 HR in his last 12 games. 
LF Jahmai Jones: 1-for-4, CS (1), K
DH Josh VanMeter: 0-for-1, RS, 3 BB
C Peter Serruto: 1-for-3, SAC, 2 K
Serruto’s first professional hit. It isn’t common for a first professional hit to occur in Triple-A. Some background: Serruto is a 24-year-old who the Yankees signed as an undrafted free agent in 2023. Before today, he was 0-for-2 in his career. Both ABs were taken in the FCL last year. This year, he appeared in one game for Somerset but didn’t get to bat. He is here because the Yankees need a backup for J.C. Escarra, and they aren’t going to use someone like Rafael Flores or Jesus Rodriguez as a Triple-A backup. 

LHP Josh Maciejewski: 3.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
LHP Tim Mayza: (W, 1-0)  0.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Alex Mauricio: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
1.82 ERA (34.2 IP, 25 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 20 BB, 38 K)
RHP Phil Bickford: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
RHP Yerry De Los Santos: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
4.43 ERA (42.2 IP, 52 H, 29 R, 21 ER, 8 HR, 17 BB, 41 K)
LHP Anthony Misiewicz: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Somerset (53-54) (Lost to Binghamton, 6-4, in 10 innings)

CF Spencer Jones: 2-for-5, HR (14), 2 RBI, RS, 3 K
Since May 31st: .278/.357/.520 in 255 PA (14 doubles, 2 triples, 12 HR, 45 RBI, 38 R). I won’t hide that his K% is 37.6% during this stretch and a high BABIP is aiding him. However, it’s still an impressive stretch over an extended period.
C Jose Trevino: 0-for-1, BB
Trevino starts his journey back to MLB. How will he be used? Hopefully as a backup catcher, not a 50/50 catcher.
  C Rafael Flores: 0-for-3, K
3B Jesus Rodriguez: 3-for-4, HR (4), RBI, RS, BB
Rodriguez has two multi-hit efforts in his last three games. Given the small sample size at this level, it boosts his OPS to .733. Between here and Hudson Valley, he has 9 HR in 73 games. Last season, he hit 9 HR in 109 games.
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-5, 2 K
RF Greg Allen: 0-for-4, K
LF Grant Richardson: 1-for-2, RS, 2 BB
DH Jared Wegner: 0-for-4, K
2B Anthony Seigler: 0-for-4, RS
SS Alexander Vargas: 1-for-4, 3B (5), RBI, K
Vargas has 12 triples in 152 games over the last two seasons.

LHP Ben Shields: 4.1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 7 K
Since promotion: 2.53 ERA (32 IP, 26 H, 12 R, 9 ER, 1 HR, 13 BB, 37 K). Overall: 3,35 ERA (86 IP, 69 H, 40 R, 32 ER, 7 HR, 25 BB, 109 K). He might not be their minor league Pitcher of the Year but he could be the Surprise of the Year.
RHP Jesus Liranzo: 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Leonardo Pestana: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Nice to see Pestana back. It’s his first appearance since June 7th. Pestana is Rule 5 eligible but injuries have likely limited interest. Now that he is in Double-A, however, someone might bite.
RHP Eric Reyzelman: (L, 1-1)  1.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, HR
Reyzelman had a lights-out 9th inning but allowed a 3-run home run in the 10th. Since promotion: 3.55 ERA (12.2 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 HR, 6 BB, 21 K)
RHP Colby White: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Hudson Valley (55-51) (Swept in a doubleheader by Brooklyn)

Game 1 (Lost, 4-2)

2B Roc Riggio: 0-for-3, 2 K
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-3
CF Jace Avina: 1-for-3, HR (10), RBI, RS, K
.251/.326/.407 in 384 PA (23 doubles, 10 HR, 48 RBI, 44 R, 8.3% BB, 26.8% K, 4-for-5 SB)
C Omar Martinez: 2-for-3, 2B (12), RS, K
1B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-3
DH Jackson Castillo: 1-for-3, RBI, K
RF Garrett Martin: 0-for-3
LF Anthony Hall: 0-for-3, K
3B Kiko Romero: 0-for-3, K

RHP Cade Smith: 4.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, HR
Smith was perfect through four innings before allowing a walk and homer in the 5th. Overall, this is a solid High-A debut.
RHP Huey Morrill (L, 3-3): 1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

Game 2 (Lost, 3-1)

2B Roc Riggio: 0-for-2, SB (19), BB, K
.213/.339/.372 in 384 PA (19 doubles, 4 triples, 8 HR, 33 RBI, 58 R, 14.3% BB, 18.2% K, 19-for-24 SB). I like the profile beyond the batting average. The .247 BABIP refuses to normalize in 2024.
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-3
Since promotion: 1-for-21. The good news is that he is making contact (4 strikeouts in 23 PA). His BABIP is a ridiculous .059.
DH Josh Moylan: 1-for-3, K
1B Omar Martinez: 0-for-3, 2 K
.235/.361/.413 in 360 PA (12 doubles, 1 triple, 13 HR, 38 RBI, 42 R, 16.1% BB, 23.1% K). Pop and walks define his offensive game.
C Antonio Gomez: 0-for-2, RS, BB
Gomez’s 8-game hitting streak is snapped.
CF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-3, 2B (2), RBI, K
Since promotion: 6-for-17 with two doubles and a triple.
LF Christopher Familia: 0-for-3, K
RF Anthony Hall: 0-for-2, 2 K
3B Brenny Escanio: 0-for-2, SB (6)

RHP Trent Sellers: (L, 6-3)  2.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, HR
2.58 ERA (66.1 IP, 37 H, 27 R, 19 ER, 3 HR, 32 BB, 79 K). As a starter: 1.04 ERA (17.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 20 K)
RHP Blane Abeyta: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Indigo Diaz: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Thomas Balboni Jr.: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

Tampa (43-62) (Lost to Daytona, 4-1)

CF Brendan Jones: 1-for-3, 2B (2), 2 RBI, BB, K
Jones is off to a nice start in his career: 4-for-13 (2 doubles, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R, 4 BB, 3 K, 2-for-2 SB)
SS Roderick Arias: 1-for-3, RBI, CS (12), BB, K
DH Willy Montero: 2-for-4, RS
Montero has a 10-game hitting streak (14-for-36 (.389); 2 doubles, 1 HR).  His triple slash was .241/.299/.357 before the streak and .256/.313/375 now.
LF Marshall Toole: 1-for-3, 2B (2), BB, K
Toole is also off to a nice start to his career: 4-for-13 (2 doubles, 2 RBI, 3 BB, 4 K, 3-for-4 SB)
3B Hans Montero: 0-for-3, SF, RBI, K
2B Austin Green: 0-for-4, 2 K
RF Coby Morales: 0-for-3, RS, SB (29), BB, K
29-for-35 stealing bases.
1B Parks Harber: 0-for-3, RS, SB (1), BB, 2 K
C Josue Gonzalez: 1-for-2, RS, BB

RHP Gabriel Barbosa: (W, 5-8)  5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
5.36 ERA (99 IP, 102 H, 64 R, 59 ER, 11 HR, 33 BB, 100 K). 
RHP Yoljeldriz Diaz: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
LHP Rafelin Nivar: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Luis Arejula (S, 1): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

FCL (35-22)

Their season is over.

DSL Yankees (17-31)

Scheduled day off.

DSL Bombers (27-21)

Scheduled day off.

Yankees MILB 7/27: Josh Grosz Dominates

News:

Nothing to report.

Just kidding.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bottom Line:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Game 2 (Won, 2-1)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yankees MILB 7/21: Cade Smith Ks 8 in 5 Innings

News:

We are closing in on the trade deadline. I will watch closely to see if any prospect gets pulled out of a game over the next week. Today, I noted on Twitter that George Lombard Jr. has played third base and Roderick Arias has played shortstop in all three games since the All-Star Break. Is this a “weekend showcase” for scouts, or a coincidence?

Scranton (51-42) (Defeated Buffalo, 4-0)

CF Brandon Lockridge: 0-for-3, BB, K
3B Jorbit Vivas: 1-for-4, RBI
For Scranton: .255/.394/.414 in 183 PA (15.8% BB, 21.9% K, 9-for-13 SB). 
1B Agustin Ramirez: 1-for-4, 2B (2), RS, SB (5)
Since promotion: .186/.304/.349 in 102 PA with a 12.7% BB and 17.6% K. Earlier this season, his BABIP was lagging – eventually, he ended up with a normal .292 mark for Somerset. For Scranton, it is .185. There is likely another correction coming.
2B Oswald Peraza: 3-for-4, RBI, RS, 3 SB (12)
Peraza has reached base 8 times in the last two games, increasing his triple slash from .210/.325/.251 to .234/.348/.286.
DH T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-4, 2 K
RF Oscar Gonzalez: 1-for-3, RS, BB
C J.C. Escarra: 2-for-4, RBI, RS, K
Escarra is 6-for-9 in two games since his promotion. That pace should be easily maintained.
SS Kevin Smith: 0-for-3, RBI
LF Taylor Trammell: 0-for-3

LHP Tanner Tully: 4 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
RHP Scott Effross: (W, 1-0)  1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Effross’ 4th straight scoreless appearance (4 IP, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 K). He relies on command to generate outs, so the Yankees will wait until they are satisfied that his command is back. It looks like it is heading in that direction.
LHP Chasen Shreve: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
3.86 ERA (46.2 IP, 31 H, 24 R, 20 ER, 4 HR, 27 BB, 60 K). He has a 9-game scoreless streak (11.1 IP).
RHP Ron Marinaccio: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Duane Underwood Jr.: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
2.57 ERA (35 IP, 25 H, 12 R, 10 ER, 5 HR, 21 BB, 35 K)

Somerset (46-44) (Squeaked past Altoona, 3-2)

CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-4, RBI, 2 K
Jones is hitting .238 with a .716 OPS
SS Ben Cowles: 1-for-4, HR (9), RBI, RS, K
Cowles, who has already set a personal best in doubles, is one away from his best in home runs (10, set last year).
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
C Rafael Flores: 0-for-2, RS, BB, K
LF Elijah Dunham: 1-for-3
Dunham has hit safely in 22 of his last 23 games
RF Grant Richardson: 0-for-2, SAC
2B Anthony Seigler: 1-for-2, CS (2), BB
DH Jared Wegner: 0-for-2, SF, RBI
3B Max Burt: 1-for-3, 2B (5), RS, K

RHP Zach Messinger: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
3.90 ERA (101.2 IP, 85 H, 59 R, 44 ER, 7 HR, 34 BB, 103 K).
RHP Joey Gerber: (W, 1-0)  1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Matt Sauer: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Kevin Stevens (S, 6): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
2.76 ERA (32.2 IP, 27 H, 10 R, 10 ER, 1 HR, 14 BB, 46 K)

Hudson Valley (44-44) (Defeated Rome, 3-1)

2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-3, BB
.227/.359/.400 in 316 PA. Last 4 games: 6-for-16 (1 triple, 2 HR). 
SS Jared Serna: 0-for-4, K
.248/.339/.429 in 378 PA. He is 10-for-50 (.200) in July with only three extra-base hits (all doubles). That said, he has struck out only four times. Following him over the last few years, I have noticed a streaky trait in his profile.
C Omar Martinez: 1-for-4, HR (10), RBI, RS, 2 K
In his last two seasons, Martinez has 28 HR, 103 RBI, and 119 walks in 744 PA (15.99%).
LF Garrett Martin: 0-for-3, K
DH Christopher Familia: 2-for-3
Familia is 13-for-77 (.169/.256/.286) at this level with a pair of home runs.
RF Cole Gabrielson: 0-for-3, RS
1B Kiko Romero: 1-for-3, RBI, RS, SB (9)
3B Beau Brewer: 1-for-3, RBI
CF Nelson Medina: 0-for-3, 3 K

RHP Cam Schlittler: (W, 5-3)  5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 5 K
For Hudson Valley: 2.77 ERA (74.2 IP, 48 H, 31 R, 23 ER, 6 HR, 37 BB, 94 K). He had a tough emergency start for Scranton earlier this year, but I am not concerned about that.
RHP Yorlin Calderon: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Harrison Cohen: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Cohen’s rehab stint is over and he was assigned here. I thought they might place him in Somerset (where he finished in 2023).
LHP Joel Valdez (S, 3): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
3.16 ERA (42.2 IP, 29 H, 19 R, 15 ER, 2 HR, 21 BB, 50 K). In 2023, he allowed 10 HR in 78.2 IP. In his 172 other career innings, he has allowed 4 HR.

Tampa (35-53) (Defeated Bradenton, 9-6)

3B George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-3, RBI, 2 HBP, K
July: 16-for-60 (.267/.343/.483; 4 doubles, 3 HR, 5 BB, 18 K, 4-for-5 SB).  Season: .237/.358/.356 in 324 PA. 
SS Roderick Arias: 2-for-4, RBI, 3 RS, SB (26), BB
July: 16-for-52 (.308/.431/.365; 12 BB, 12 K, 12 R, 7-for-9 SB). I won’t ignore the warts but I will point out that July has been a good month for him.
1B Dylan Jasso: 2-for-5, 2B (22), 2 RBI, K
Jasso leads the FSL in doubles (22) and is second in RBI (52).
CF Jackson Castillo: 2-for-4, SF, 2 RBI, RS, 2 K
July: 15-for-51 (.294/.403/.431; 4 doubles, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 9 BB, 9 K, 3-for-3 SB). The 21-year-old was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Southern Nevada in 2023 and is overachieving. He owns a 16.8% BB and 19.2% K.
LF Willy Montero: 2-for-3, RBI, RS, SB (9), 2 BB
.245/.298/.361 in 329 PA (15 doubles, 1 triple, 6 HR, 41 RBI, 40 R, 9-for-10 SB, 6.7% BB, 22.5% K). Montero is a free-swinging type.
2B Hans Montero: 0-for-4, RS, SB (10), BB
RF Coby Morales: 1-for-4, 2 RS, BB
C Josue Gonzalez: 1-for-2, SF, RBI, HBP
Gonzalez is 9-for-34 (.265) since his promotion. He has three doubles and six RBI.
DH Tomas Frick: 1-for-4, RS
Frick’s first game since July 4th. He was never placed on the injured list.

RHP Cade Smith: (W, 6-6) 5 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K
3.61 ERA (77.1 IP, 53 H, 37 R, 31 ER, 5 HR, 36 BB, 103 K). July: 14.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 6 BB, 22 K. Last year’s 6th-round pick out of Mississippi State (the Yankees love SEC pitchers nowadays!) doesn’t throw exceptionally hard (averaged 91.4 with the 4-seamer) but generates whiffs with his slider. He also mixes in a curveball.
RHP Gabriel Barbosa (S, 1): 4 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, HR
It looks like they went the “tandem start” route today. In other words, I wouldn’t be concerned about Smith being pulled after five innings with a low pitch count. Barbosa has a 4.95 ERA (87.1 IP, 86 H, 52 R, 48 ER, 8 HR, 28 BB, 89 K)

FCL (34-21)

Scheduled day off.

DSL Yankees (11-22)

Scheduled day off.

DSL Bombers (20-14)

Scheduled day off.

Yankees MILB 7/13: Cade Smith Ks 10

News:

If you are wondering about the whereabouts of CF Spencer Jones and LHP Brock Selvidge, don’t worry. They were in Texas for this afternoon’s Futures Game.

Jones went 0-for-1 with a walk, stolen base, and a run scored. Selvidge didn’t appear in the game.

Scranton (48-42) (Lost to Syracuse, 7-4)

CF Brandon Lockridge: 1-for-4, 2B (12), BB
DH T.J. Rumfield: 2-for-5, HR (10), RBI, RS, K
Rumfield is hitting .295 in 266 PA since his promotion (15 doubles, 10 HR, 42 RBI, 41 R). You love seeing the power showing up, even in this souped up environment.
C Agustin Ramirez: 2-for-3, RS, SB (4), 2 BB
Since promotion: 13-for-70 (.186; 1 double, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 8 R, 4-for-4 SB, 12 BB, 17 K). Remember that he had a 1-for-24 start. He is 12-for-46 (.261) since.
1B Jose Rojas: 1-for-4, HR (18), 2 RBI, RS, BB, 3 K
Rojas has homered in back-to-back games. 
LF Taylor Trammell: 1-for-4, RS, 2 K
RF Oscar Gonzalez: 1-for-4, K
3B Jeter Downs: 1-for-4, 2B (15), RBI
2B Josh VanMeter: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
SS Kevin Smith: 0-for-4, 2 K

RHP Will Warren: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
Warren was cruising into the 5th, where he allowed four runs.
RHP Yerry De Los Santos: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
LHP Victor Gonzalez: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Cody Morris: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
LHP Chasen Shreve (L, 1-1):  1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR

Somerset (43-43) (Mauled Erie, 10-3)

2B Ben Cowles: 3-for-6, 2B (24), 2 RBI, RS, SB (14)
Cowles has three 3+ hit efforts this month (14-for-45 overall). He is hitting .300/.379/.479 and I am fully invested in his chase for .300 this season.
3B Tyler Hardman: 2-for-6, RBI, RS, 3 K
1B Rafael Flores: 0-for-4, RS, 2 BB, K
DH Elijah Dunham: 3-for-4, 2B (16), HR (9), 3 RBI, 2 RS, BB, K
In July, Dunham is 16-for-41 (.390/.432/.756) with 6 doubles and 3 home runs. Overall, he is hitting .280/.366/.517.
C J.C. Escarra: 2-for-5, RBI, RS, K
CF Grant Richardson: 2-for-4, 2 RS, BB, 2 K
Richardson is 9-for-30 in July.
LF Jared Wegner: 1-for-5, K
RF Aaron Palensky: 1-for-5, 2 RS, K
SS Alexander Vargas: 2-for-4, 3 RBI, SB (3)
Vargas’ first game since 6/27 is a successful one. He is hitting .250/.281/.357 at this level.
  SS Max Burt: 0-for-1, K

RHP Luis Velasquez: 1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
His second professional start (his first was in 2022).
RHP McKinley Moore: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Jesus Liranzo: (W, 4-1)  1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
RHP Joey Gerber: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
Since promotion: 5.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 8 K. Overall: 0.87 ERA (20.2 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 34 K)
RHP Kevin Stevens: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K
2.84 ERA (31.2 IP, 27 H, 10 R, 10 ER, 1 HR, 13 BB, 45 K)

Hudson Valley (42-42) (Lost to Jersey Shore, 9-1)

2B Roc Riggio: 0-for-4, 2 K
CF Jace Avina: 2-for-4, RS, K
Avina is hitting .275 with a .806 OPS. July has been a rough month but there is half a month remaining.
C Omar Martinez: 1-for-4, 2 K
DH Antonio Gomez: 1-for-4, K
1B Josh Moylan: 0-for-1, K
   3B Beau Brewer: 0-for-3, K
LF Garrett Martin: 0-for-4, K
3B-1B Kiko Romero: 0-for-3, 3 K
RF Cole Gabrielson: 1-for-3, SB (10), K
SS Brenny Escanio: 0-for-2, BB, 2 K

RHP Baron Stuart: (L, 5-3)  5 IP, 10 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR
Stuart pitched well lately (1 R in 12.2 July innings), so we’ll toss this one.
RHP Mason Vinyard: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
3.68 ERA (29.1 IP, 24 H, 18 R, 12 ER, 2 HR, 17 BB, 42 K)
RHP Cole Ayers: 0.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Luis Arejula: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
3.13 ERA (37.1 IP, 32 H, 17 R, 13 ER, 2 HR, 19 BB, 36 K)

Tampa (31-53) (Destroyed Dunedin, 10-0)

DH George Lombard Jr.: 2-for-6, HR (4), RBI, RS
3 of Lombard’s 4 HR have come in July. There is a lot to be excited about.
SS Roderick Arias: 2-for-5, RS, K
Arias has three multi-hit efforts in his last four games. He is hitting .217/.314/.358 in 366 PA.
3B Dylan Jasso: 4-for-4, 2 RS, HBP
Jasso’s first career 4-hit game. He is .226/.315/.387 in 336 PA.
LF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-4, HR (7), 2 RBI, 2 RS, BB, K
.256/.384/.419 in 279 PA. 
CF Willy Montero: 3-for-5, 2B (15), 3 RBI, RS
After an insane June (32-for-85 with six doubles and four homers), Montero was slumping in July (3-for-30) before tonight.
2B Hans Montero: 1-for-5, RS, 2 K
1B Coby Morales: 2-for-4, RBI, 2 RS, BB, K
C Josue Gonzalez: 1-for-4, 2B (2), SF, 2 RBI, 3 K
Gonzalez is 8-for-28 with a pair of doubles and five RBI since his promotion.
RF Anthony Hall: 2-for-5, RBI, 2 K

RHP Cade Smith: (W, 5-6)  5.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 10 K
Smith has three 10+ strikeout efforts this season. He is pitching to a 3.73 ERA in 72.1 IP (52 H, 36 R, 30 ER, 5 HR, 35 BB, 95 K). He was slumping (plus had a short outing due to rain) recently but brought it tonight. He was their 6th-round selection in the 2023 draft.
RHP Steven Fulgencio: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Smith left the game with the bases loaded and two outs. Fulgencio struck out Joey Votto (yes, that Joey Votto) to end the threat.
RHP Jordy Luciano: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Osiel Rodriguez: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
2.38 ERA (41.2 IP, 20 H, 12 R, 11 ER, 5 HR, 21 BB, 50 K)

FCL (31-18) (Split a pair of games against the Phillies. The Tigers lost to one of the worst teams in professional baseball (11-38 Blue Jays). Hence, the Yankees have a 2.5-game lead over the Tigers and 3.5 over the Phillies)

Game 1 (Won, 3-2)

DH Brando Mayea: 1-for-2
Mayea played a partial game for the second day in a row. Predictably, he didn’t play in Game 2.
C Edgleen Perez: 1-for-3, RS
1B Engelth Urena: 1-for-2, RS, BB
3B Abrahan Ramirez: 0-for-1, K
Ramirez was pulled early yesterday and batted only once today. He did not play in Game 2. This is something to monitor.
  3B Santiago Gomez: 1-for-2, 2 RBI, CS (6)
Gomez with the big game off the bench. His 2-run single in the 6th was the game-winner.
SS Juan Matheus: 1-for-3, HR (5), RBI, RS
In 41 games, the 20-year-old is hitting .307/.412/.474 with 31 runs batted in.

RHP Carlos Lagrange: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
The division race is fun, but from a prospect perspective, seeing Henry Lalane and Lagrange get in some 2024 innings is more important.
RHP Chalniel Arias: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
All the talk about Lalane and Lagrange overshadows Arias, who was 15th on Fangraphs’ Yankees prospects list last winter. This is his second appearance of the season.
RHP Danny Flatt (W, 3-0): 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
After receiving a taste of life in Low-A, the Yankees reassigned him. There is nothing wrong with that at this stage.

Game 2 (Lost, 2-1. After their comeback in Game 1, they allowed two in the top of the 7th to lose Game 2)

CF Brian Sanchez: 0-for-3
.295/.386/.510 in 171 PA.
DH Edgleen Perez: 0-for-3, K
.295/.456/.403 in 182 PA. In 175 DSL plate appearances in 2023, he hit .259/.389/.317.
C Engelth Urena: 0-for-2, BB
.292/.411/.547 in 129 PA.
LF Joel Mendez: 1-for-2, HR (5), RBI, RS, BB
After hitting .293/.363/.424 in 29 games here last year, Mendez (21) is hitting .311/.426/.585 in 38 games this year.

RHP Sabier Marte: 4.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
It looks like it went 14 up, and 14 down for Marte. Standing 6’5″, he owns a 2.74 ERA in 46 IP (36 H, 18 R, 14 ER, 3 HR, 16 BB, 41 K)
RHP Chris Kean: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
17.2 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 3 BB, 23 K. You never know what an organization’s plan is, but I expect to see him in Tampa to close out the season.

DSL Yankees (11-17) (Defeated the DSL Twins, 6-2. The Yankees stole 12 bases without being caught)

SS Dexters Peralta: 1-for-3, 4 SB (13), BB, K
This is one way to celebrate your recent 17-year-old birthday.
3B Richard Matic: 1-for-4, RBI, SB (2), K
Matic is hitting .213/.318/.253 in 88 plate appearances with three doubles.
C Justin Capellan: 0-for-3, RS, SB (6), BB, K
CF Gabriel Lara: 0-for-4, K
You can’t steal first base, but it’s funny that one of the fastest players in organized baseball had zero stolen bases on a day like this.
LF Isael Arias: 1-for-2, 2 RS, SB (5), BB
RF Estivenzon Montero: 0-for-2, RS, BB, K
DH Diego Flores: 1-for-2, 2 RBI, HBP, K
The 17-year-old is 4-for-16. He is listed as a catcher.
2B Edgar Jimenez: 1-for-3, RS, 2 SB (2), K
The 17-year-old is 4-for-20 with a double and a homer. This is his debut campaign.
1B Niurby Asigen: 2-for-2, 2 RBI, RS, 3 SB (4)
Asigen had 2 stolen bases in 38 career games before today.

RHP Jorge Luna: 4.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
1.85 ERA (24.1 IP, 17 H, 9 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 12 BB, 28 K)
RHP Oscar Vasquez (W, 1-1): 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
Vasquez’s first professional win.

DSL Bombers (18-11) (Defeated the DSL Marlins, 5-2)

CF Francisco Vilorio: 1-for-3, 2B (2), RS, CS (3), BB, K
SS Christofer Reyes: 1-for-2, RBI, RS, 2 SB (11), CS (8), 2 BB, K
I will assume you weren’t running all over the bases in a professional baseball league when you were 16.
LF Remy Veldhuisen: 1-for-4, 2B (3), SB (2), 2 K

RHP Jerson Alejandro: 3.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
4.22 ERA (21.1 IP, 11 H, 11 R, 10 ER, 0 HR, 21 BB, 30 K). The arm has potential but we see one thing he needs to work on.
RHP Anthony Mena (W, 1-1): 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
The 19-year-old’s first professional win.
RHP Joshua Leito: 2.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, HR
Leito continues to handle his transition to pitching well (5.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 8 K)
LHP Jose Ledesma (S, 4): 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Yankees MILB 6/9: Jasson Dominguez Goes Crazy

News:

Nothing.

Scranton (37-25) (Defeated Norfolk, 12-11, in ten innings)

2B Jorbit Vivas: 0-for-2, RS, 3 BB, 2 K
He hasn’t hit much yet, but he does have 9 walks in 59 PA for Scranton (15.3%).
SS Oswald Peraza: 0-for-4, RS, BB, K
CF Jasson Dominguez: 4-for-5, HR (2), RBI, 2 RS, SB (1)
A couple of firsts for Dominguez’s rehab today: The first time he has played a full game in the field and played the field in back-to-back games. It’s his 5th career 4-hit effort and he is 10-for-20 (3 doubles, 2 HR) since joining Scranton. Yes, these are signs that Dominguez is close and may not need a second 10-day rehab extension (if that doesn’t happen, they will need to add him to the 40-man roster and decide on his placement).
   LF Taylor Trammell: 0-for-0, SF, RBI
Trammell wins it with a sac fly in the 10th. Yes, technically this means Dominguez didn’t play a full game. That is semantics, as he played nine. 
1B Ben Rice: 1-for-4, 2B (3), 2 RBI, RS, BB, 3 K
For Scranton: 8-for-18 (3 doubles, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 7 R, 5 BB, 6 K)
C Carlos Narvaez: 0-for-4, RS, BB, K
DH T.J. Rumfield: 2-for-5, 2 2B (12), 2 RS, K
Before his HR spurt last year, high average with doubles appeared to be Rumfield’s game. He has 12 doubles in 43 games since his promotion.
RF Oscar Gonzalez: 2-for-5, 2 RS, K
LF Jose Rojas: 3-for-4, HR (11), 5 RBI, RS, K
Rojas has 11 homers and 39 RBI in 44 games.
  LF-CF Greg Allen: 0-for-1
3B Jeter Downs: 2-for-5, 3B (3), RBI, RS, K
.248/.347/.476 in 174 PA.

LHP Tanner Tully: (W, 2-4)  5 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, HR
RHP Matt Sauer: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
Sauer will need time to get into a groove. The Yankees may be “reprogramming” him as well (who knows what the Royals were teaching him and if it lined up with what the Yankees want him to do?)
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Yerry De Los Santos: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
3.45 ERA (28.2 IP, 35 H, 19 R, 11 ER, 4 HR, 11 BB, 22 K)
LHP Anthony Misiewicz: 1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
LHP Clayton Andrews (W, 1-3): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K

Somerset (28-29) (Defeated Hartford, 4-2)

CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-4, HR (6), RBI, RS, K
Jones has three homers in his last four games. He is hitting .228/.308/.380 in 208 PA. Interestingly, despite not hitting well, Jones compiled 15 walks in May. In eight June games, he has walked once. A more aggressive approach is not necessarily a bad thing as there is such a thing as being too selective.
1B Agustin Ramirez: 0-for-4
.276/.368/.566 in 228 PA (10 doubles, 1 triple, 15 HR, 41 RBI, 40 R, 12-for-13 SB, 12.3% BB, 16.7% K). Do you keep him behind the plate, where he has more value? Or do you drop the catching and have him concentrate on first base, where there is a future (and current) MLB need? That decision will be made by someone smarter than me.
3B Ben Cowles: 1-for-3, SB (9)
Somerset had only 6 hits and 1 walk in eight innings. Hence, only the first two hitters received 4 plate appearances. As for Cowles: .311/.383/.505 in 227 PA (20 doubles, 3 triples, 4 HR, 31 RBI, 32 R, 9-for-9 SB, 10.1% BB, 17.6% K). He hasn’t walked in ten games but is making contact and swatting doubles. We’ll take it.
LF Grant Richardson: 1-for-3, RS
C J.C. Escarra: 0-for-3, 2 K
DH Jared Wegner: 0-for-3, K
2B Anthony Seigler: 2-for-3, 2B (9), HR (6), 2 RBI, 2 RS
Seigler has 6 homers in his last 8 games. His season high is 7, set in 2022 (97 games). He is hitting .208/.278/.396 in 158 PA. That shows you how crazy baseball is – there wasn’t even a small hint that this streak was bubbling under the surface. 
RF Aaron Palensky: 1-for-3, RBI
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-3, K

RHP Gerrit Cole: 4.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, HR
Cole can’t even get deep enough to qualify for a win.
RHP Danny Watson: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
They needed a bridge to Messinger, who they didn’t want to bring into the middle of an inning. In other words, don’t be worried about Watson’s short afternoon.
RHP Zach Messinger: (W, 3-3) 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
3.50 ERA (64.1 IP, 51 H, 36 R, 25 ER, 5 HR, 20 BB, 74 K). How valuable is it for Messinger to “piggyback” off of Cole’s starts (he has relieved both of Gerrit’s rehab appearances)? Hopefully, he has peppered him with questions as Cole is a known pitching savant.

Hudson Valley (29-27) (Defeated Wilmington, 8-2)

2B Roc Riggio: 3-for-6, 2B (7), 2 RBI, 2 RS, SB (8)
A much-needed performance for Riggio, who raises his average from .201 to .213 in one day. 
SS Jared Serna: 2-for-5, 2B (17), RBI, 2 RS, K
Serna has five doubles in his last four games and 45 doubles (30 home runs) in 177 games in 2023-2024. 
3B Jesus Rodriguez: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, BB
.328/.413/.505 in 230 PA (12.6% BB, 13.0% K). He needs to buy signage outside of “prospect expert” headquarters stating “Look at me! Look at me!”
C Rafael Flores: 2-for-5
Flores has 7 multi-hit efforts in his last 11 games. He is hitting .315/.418/.497 in 177 PA (I will point out that he played a full season (107 games) here in 2023)
DH Tyler Hardman: 1-for-4, RBI, RS, 3 K
CF Jace Avina: 1-for-5
Avina’s high BABIP wasn’t going to be sustained. He is 3-for-30 in June but is hitting .273 with a .808 OPS.
RF Garrett Martin: 0-for-3, RS, 2 BB, 2 K
1B Josh Moylan: 1-for-3, RS, 2 BB, 2 K
LF Nelson Medina: 0-for-3, RBI, RS, 2 BB, 3 K

RHP Cam Schlittler: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 9 K, HR
2.15 ERA (50.1 IP, 26 H, 19 R, 12 ER, 5 HR, 25 BB, 65 K). The 9 strikeouts are a new personal best.
RHP Trent Sellers:(W, 5-2)  1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Mason Vinyard: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
Wow. Season: 2.76 ERA (16.1 IP, 11 H, 10 R, 5 ER, 2 HR, 6 BB, 25 K
LHP Joel Valdez:  1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

Tampa (21-36) (Doubled up Ft. Myers, 8-4)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-4, RS, HBP, 2 K
.208/.360/.268 in 186 PA (7 doubles, 1 triple, 0 HR, 13 RBI, 20 R, 15-for-16 SB, 17.7% BB, 23.1% K). I believe the power will come, but it will take time.
DH Roderick Arias: 1-for-3, 2B (9), RS, 2 BB, K
.224/.328/.379 in 250 PA (9 doubles, 6 triples, 4 HR, 31 RBI, 32 R, 12.4% BB, 35.2% K, 14-for-21 SB).  Arias is 13-for-35 in June with 2 doubles, 2 triples, and 2 home runs. That is more extra-base hits than he had in May (at the end of May, his OPS was .570 – now it’s .707). As for his splits: 8-for-45 without an extra-base hit against LHP and .237/.356/.432 vs. RHP. 
RF Christopher Familia: 1-for-4, 2B (1), RBI, RS, BB
1B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-2, SF, RBI, RS, 2 BB, K
CF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-5, 2B (10), RS, K
.271/.401/.451 in 167 PA. On May 5th, his slash line was .156/.283/.267. When you have a kid who is hitting and can play center field, you pay attention.
3B Hans Montero: 1-for-5, RBI, RS
RF Willy Montero: 1-for-4, RS, SB (7), K
6-game hitting streak (12-for-24, so this isn’t a garden variety streak!). He has increased his triple slash from .182/.250/.241 to .222/.278/.320.
C Tomas Frick: 2-for-3, 2B (7), HR (2), 2 RBI, RS, BB
.289/.395/.423 in 114 PA (7 doubles, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 15 R, 11.4% BB, 14.9% K). Frick is a 23-year-old college draftee (North Carolina), so he can move up to Hudson Valley when the organization starts doing the promotion thing.
2B Brenny Escanio: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 K

RHP Cade Smith: (W, 3-4) 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 11 K (ties personal best)
2.85 ERA (53.2 IP, 38 H, 23 R, 17 ER, 2 HR, 24 BB, 68 K). Smith threw his slider 42 times (50%), generating 15 whiffs. He mixed in a 4-seamer (36%) and curve (13%). A singular changeup was also recorded.
LHP Rafelin Nivar: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Gabonia’s ERA is 5.00, but he has started off well in June: 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 K
RHP Aaron Nixon: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Kris Bow: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

FCL (16-10)

Sundays are off days.

DSL Yankees (1-4) and DSL Bombers (2-2)

Sundays are off days.