Yankees MILB 8/31: Drew Thorpe Ks 9

News:

Yesterday’s busy news day did not extend into today.

Scranton (64-63; 30-23 in the second half) (Defeated Rochester, 4-1, in ten innings. I won’t lie – with all the promotions to MLB and no big prospects replacing them, Scranton’s roster isn’t the most exciting in minor-league baseball. But they still have a playoff berth to chase)

Up to the second second-half title chase:
Durham: 31-21 (game in progress)
Lehigh Valley: 32-22
Worcester: 31-22
Buffalo: 30-22
Norfolk: 31-23 (first-half champions – if they repeat, the second-place team in the second half gets the playoff berth)
Jacksonville: 30-23
Scranton: 30-23

CF Estevan Florial0-for-4, 2 BB, 2 K
C Carlos Narvaez1-for-5, RS, BB, K, SB (5)
He is hitting .251 with a .777 OPS since his promotion. 
RF Franchy Cordero0-for-5, 3 K
1B Andres Chaparro2-for-5, 2B (20), RBI, RS
Chaparro adds 20 doubles to his 23 home runs. He is up to 79 RBI, which still is the top number in the organization.
3B Jamie Westbrook0-for-4, RS, BB, K
DH Jake Lamb: 1-for-3, 2B (5), RBI, RS, 2 BB, K
SS Jesus Bastidas1-for-5, 3 K, SB (9)
2B Wilmer Difo: 1-for-3, 2B (8), 2 RBI, 2 BB, K, 2 SB (19)
When rosters used to expand to 40 max, a player like Difo would always find his way up – he can run and play several positions. I still think the MLBPA shouldn’t have given up the 40-man roster callups easily, even if it made some sense from a competition standpoint. 
LF Brandon Lockridge1-for-3, 2 BB, K, 2 SB (19)
Lockridge has 36 stolen bases in 40 attempts between here and Somerset. He is having a solid season and can play all three outfield positions. I still see him as a Tim Locastro type (with the potential to have more of a hit tool), which is not a bad outcome – Locastro has been around for a while doing his craft. His best opportunity for playing time would be elsewhere, I am afraid. 

RHP Zach McAllister2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
He seemingly started instead of Randy Vasquez – given the bullpen usage in this game, one has to assume that Vasquez is a fresh arm on his way to Houston.
LHP Matt Krook1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
0.96 ERA (28 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 20 BB, 48 K)
RHP Greg Weissert2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
RHP Matt Bowman1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Aaron McGarity2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Zac Houston: (W, 1-1)  1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Wilmer Difo1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
Difo has appeared in enough games on the hill to qualify as the Triple-A Shohei Ohtani.

Somerset (75-47; 33-21 in the second half) (Defeated Portland, 5-2)

SS Caleb Durbin: 1-for-3, 2B (9), RBI, RS, HBP, 2 SB (21)
Durbin has 36 stolen bases in 42 attempts between here and Hudson Valley. With Jasson Dominguez (40 SB) on his way to MLB, Durbin has a chance to take the SB crown. If he didn’t get hurt, the crown would have been his anyway.
1B Ben Rice1-for-4, RS, 2 K
Rice has a 6-game hitting streak (13-for-28; 2 doubles, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 9 R). August: 38-for-110 (.345/.397/.700 (LOL); 7 doubles, 1 triple, 10 HR, 29 RBI, 24 R). Total season: .333/.442/.648 in 265 PA (13 doubles, 1 triple, 18 HR, 61 RBI, 52 R, 35 BB, 46 K, 10-for-11 SB)
CF Spencer Jones0-for-3, SF, RBI, K
Since promotion: 3-for-15 with a homer and five runs batted in. 
C Agustin Ramirez1-for-4, RBI
Since promotion: .241/.305/.356 in 95 PA. He has a 6-game hitting streak going (9-for-24)
RF Elijah Dunham1-for-4, 3B (1), RS, K
Let him finish his season in Triple-A.
2B Mickey Gasper0-for-4, K
DH Anthony Seigler1-for-2, HR (4), RBI, RS, 2 BB, K
Seigler still has more walks (48; 20.1%) than strikeouts (44). He accomplished the same in 2022 (91 walks, 82 strikeouts)
LF Aaron Palensky0-for-3, SF, RBI, 2 K
3B Eduardo Torrealba0-for-3, RS, BB, 2 K

RHP Drew Thorpe: (W, 4-0; 14-2 overall) 5.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 9 K
Thorpe was a bit off tonight, but the outcome shouldn’t be disappointing. Since his promotion: 1.37 ERA in 26.1 IP (12 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 HR, 5 BB, 39 K). Overall, Thorpe has an insane 177/38 K/BB over 135.1 innings. He has allowed one or fewer runs 12 times this season (zero runs eight times)
RHP Alex Mauricio1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Danny Watson1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Since promotion: 1.62 ERA (33.1 IP, 17 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 4 HR, 16 BB, 39 K). 
RHP Bailey Dees (S, 2): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Since promotion: 13 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 6 BB, 13 K. Overall, Dees owns a 72/21 K/BB over 55.1 innings.

Hudson Valley (67-56; 28-29 in the second half) (Lost to Wilmington, 7-5)

RF Anthony Hall3-for-5, RBI, RS
Hall needed this. He is at .211/.309/.324 in 82 plate appearances at this level and .255/.365/.419 in 354 PA overall between here and Tampa. 
2B Jared Serna2-for-5, 2B (5), RS, K
Serna has a 10-game hitting streak.
1B T.J. Rumfield2-for-3, 2B (1), 2 RBI, K
One has to assume that he won’t be rehabbing for long…
  1B Spencer Henson0-for-2, K
DH Antonio Gomez1-for-4, 2B (17), 2 K
SS Alexander Vargas0-for-4, K
3B Jesus Rodriguez0-for-3, BB, SB (2)
C Ramon Flores0-for-4
CF Cole Gabrielson1-for-4, 2B (1), RS, 2 K
LF Jared Wegner3-for-4, 2B (3), HR (2), 2 RBI, 2 RS, K
Wegner is hitting .306/.419/.556 in 43 PA at this level. He was drafted this year but is 24 years old, so you would expect a kid with his college experience to hit well in the lower minors. 

RHP Yorlin Calderon3 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Calderon’s High-A debut.
LHP Joel Valdez: (L, 3-7)  2.1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
RHP Luis Velasquez2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
At this level: 2.23 ERA (36.1 IP, 21 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 2 HR, 18 BB, 44 K). He allowed four runs in 1.2 innings in his fourth appearance at this level but has been very good since.

Tampa (58-63; 27-28 in the second half) (Defeated St. Lucie, 15-3)

SS George Lombard Jr: 1-for-3, 3 RS, 2 BB, K, SB (1)
Lombard’s first Low-A hit. Including the FCL playoffs, he has reached safely in all nine of his professional games.
2B Roc Riggio2-for-5, 2B (2), 2 RBI, K
At this level: 11-for-50 (2 doubles, 9 RBI, 10 R, 17 BB, 16 K). 
DH Jackson Castillo0-for-4, 2 RBI, RS, BB, K
C Omar Martinez1-for-2, HR (18), RBI, 3 RS, 3 BB
Martinez is hitting .259 with a .844 OPS in 411 PA (16 doubles, 1 triple, 18 HR, 70 RBI, 64 R, 62 BB (15.1%), 106 K (25.8%))
1B Josh Moylan: 2-for-4, HR (2), RBI, 2 RS, BB, K
Martinez and Moylan went back-to-back. Moylan is hitting .296 with a .806 OPS (18-for-60, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 11 R, 13 BB, 17 K). As stated previously, Moylan was a sought-after non-drafted free agent this year. So far, he is doing well adjusting to the pro game.
3B Kiko Romero1-for-3, HR (2), 4 RBI, 3 RS, 2 BB
For Tampa, Romero is at .205 with a .699 OPS in 94 plate appearances. He is a left-handed hitting corner infielder out of a big school (Arizona), so let’s see how he progresses.
RF Garrett Martin0-for-2, HBP, 2 K
Martin left the game after the HBP.
   
PR-RF Daury Arias: 0-for-1, 2 RS, HBP, K
CF Nelson Medina1-for-4, 3B (3), 3 RBI
One of the most exciting (and rare nowadays) things in baseball is the bases-clearing triple.
LF Tayler Aguilar1-for-4, RBI

RHP Jackson Fristoe3.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
An impressive Low-A debut for their 12th-round pick in the 2022 draft (Mississippi State). Since Low-A is a league that registers Savant data, I was able to get a look at Fristoe’s numbers. He averaged an impressive 96.1 on his 4-seam fastball, reaching as high as 98.1. His most used pitch (60%) was a cutter that averaged 91.1 (maxed out at 94.5). He mixed in a few sliders as well. Suffice to say, when you see a kid throwing this hard, you pay attention.  One issue he had in the FCL was his control (24 BB in 27.1 innings), so that is something to monitor as they work with him.
RHP Montana Semmel: (W, 4-1) 2.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
RHP Matt Keating0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K
RHP Osiel Rodriguez1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Since promotion: 4.96 ERA (16.1 IP, 11 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 2 HR, 14 BB, 22 K). His line is skewed by a 0 IP, 4 R, 3 BB effort on August 6. Life as a relief pitcher.
LHP Geoffrey Gilbert1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
3.22 ERA (44.2 IP, 34 H, 17 R, 16 ER, 1 HR, 26 BB, 55 K)

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

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

DSL Yankees (33-19)

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

DSL Bombers (27-26)

Their season is over.

Yankees MILB 8/29: Agustin Ramirez Heating Up?

News:

I would need someone to publish my novel if I went into details about every player promoted today.

To Hudson Valley:

OF Cole Gabrielson (2023 non-drafted free agent)
RHP Yorlin Calderon (2018 International free agent. 22 years old)
RHP Cam Schlittler (2022 7th round pick out of Northeastern)

To Tampa:

RHP Kris Bow (2022 non-drafted free agent. He was with Tampa earlier this season)
RHP Jackson Fristoe (2022 12th-round pick out of Mississippi State)
RHP Sebastian Keane (2022 18th round pick out of Northeastern – the Yankees must like RHP out of Northeastern!)
RHP Yoljeldriz Diaz (2018 International free agent. 22 years old)

The Yankees have shut down RHP Chase Hampton for the rest of the season. Hampton pitched to a 3.63 ERA (3.39 FIP) in 106.2 innings between Hudson Valley and Somerset (33.1% K, 8.4% BB). He is 21 years old and this is his first taste of professional baseball. In his two years in college (Texas Tech), Hampton tossed 101 innings. Hence, it is smart to shut him down now in anticipation of a higher innings load in 2024. If you are wondering about RHP Richard Fitts, he tossed 112 innings for Tampa/Hudson Valley last year and is up to 131 innings this year. He’s fine. Like Hampton, RHP Drew Thorpe is in his first professional season. The difference is that he tossed 104.2 innings for Cal Poly in 2022, after throwing 90.1 innings in 2021. They might still shut him down at some point, but his current 130 innings don’t put him in a danger zone.

Also, T.J. Rumfield will start a rehab assignment down in Hudson Valley. Rumfield was breaking out in the power department earlier this season before the injury bug got him.

Scranton (63-62; 29-22 in the second half) (Lost to Rochester, 2-1)

Up to the second second-half title chase:
Worcester: 31-20
Durham: 30-21 (game not over)
Scranton: 29-22
Lehigh Valley: 29-22 (game not over)

LF Estevan Florial0-for-5, 2 K
CF Jasson Dominguez1-for-4, RS, BB, SB (2)
Dominguez has 39 stolen bases between Somerset and Scranton. Last season, he stole 37 bases in 44 attempts. Since his promotion, he is 12-for-27 with five walks and two strikeouts. I don’t know what the Yankees will do but what I thought was impossible entering the season (reaching MLB) is very much possible now. Yes, some of that is due to the fact that the Yankees have underperformed. 
DH Austin Wells1-for-4, BB, K
1B Andres Chaparro2-for-4, RBI
Chaparro drives home his organization-leading 78th run.
C Carlos Narvaez1-for-3, BB, K
RF Franchy Cordero0-for-4, 3 K
2B Jamie Westbrook: 1-for-2, BB, CI
3B Jake Lamb0-for-3, BB, 2 K
SS Jesus Bastidas1-for-4

RHP Mitch Spence: (L, 8-7) 4.2 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
4.57 ERA (138 IP, 140 H, 77 R, 70 ER, 24 HR, 44 BB, 129 K)
RHP Aaron McGarity1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
LHP Anthony Misiewicz1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Matt Bowman1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Somerset (73-47; 31-21 in the second half) (Defeated Portland, 3-1)

2B Caleb Durbin2-for-5, 2 2B (8), K
Durbin’s power will likely not develop above the doubles/triples line, and that is fine given everything else he can potentially provide. He is hitting .283/.350/.414 in 160 PA at this level (8 doubles, 1 triple, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 22 R, 11 BB, 8 K, 19-for-23 SB). 
C Ben Rice2-for-5, RS, K
Rice is now 33-for-100 (.330) in August (6 doubles, 1 triple, 8 HR, 24 RBI, 19 R, 8 BB, 19 K). For Somerset, he is hitting .328/.389/.664.
CF Spencer Jones0-for-4, 3 K
DH Agustin Ramirez2-for-4, 2B (4), RS
Ramirez has three straight multi-hit games, raising his Double-A triple slash to .244/.314/.372 in 86 plate appearances. 
LF Elijah Dunham0-for-4, K
1B Mickey Gasper1-for-3, BB
RF Jeisson Rosario1-for-2, 2 RBI, 2 BB
.212/.358/.349 in 384 PA. Drawing walks is not an issue (18.5%). 
SS Max Burt0-for-4, 2 K
3B Eduardo Torrealba0-for-3, RS, BB

RHP Yoendrys Gomez4.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K
2.87 ERA in 53.1 IP (35 H, 19 R, 17 ER, 5 HR, 27 BB, 62 K). At the very least, if they determine he can’t do the 25-30 start thing, he can be a big-league bullpen option. His clock is ticking though for him to become something with the Yankees, however.
LHP Josh Maciejewski: (W, 1-2) 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
Maciejewski is doing his job as a “rover” (he has pitched at three levels this season). He owns a 2.06 ERA and 40/10 K/BB over 35 innings.
RHP Tanner Myatt1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
At this level: 3.10 ERA in 49.1 IP (29 H, 20 R, 17 ER, 3 HR, 32 BB, 59 K). Is there still something to unlock here? Teams rarely give up on good arms – though some run out of time and find their groove elsewhere.
LHP Ryan Anderson (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Since promotion: 1.42 ERA (19 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 6 BB, 20 K)

Hudson Valley (66-55; 27-28 in the second half) (Lost to Wilmington, 6-3)

CF Anthony Hall1-for-4, K
Since promotion: .177/.282/.306 in 72 PA
2B Jared Serna1-for-4, RS, SB (7)
Serna has an 8-game hitting streak (10-for-32). He is 7-for-8 stealing bases in 17 games since his promotion and 26-for-33 overall.
LF Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-2, RS, BB, HBP, SB (1)
His first High-A stolen base but he is no stranger to the craft: He is now 16-for-20 stealing bases between Hudson Valley and Tampa. In August, he is 21-for-60 (.350) with 11 walks. His positional breakdown (starts): 3B (48), C (22), 1B (15), LF (10), DH (2)
C Antonio Gomez1-for-4
SS Alexander Vargas0-for-4, K
3B Ben Cowles1-for-4, RBI, 2 K
39-game on-base streak (39-for-136 (.287) with 26 walks and three HBP. Heading into tonight (I don’t have the update number here), he had a 138 wRC+ during this streak.
DH Christopher Familia0-for-4, 3 K
1B Rafael Flores1-for-3, HR (7), RBI, RS, HBP
Flores has homered in back-to-back games. Six of his seven home runs have come since July 19th (30 games)
RF Jared Wegner0-for-2, BB, 2 K

RHP Justin Lange: (L, 1-1) 3 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 3 K
Since promotion: 5.68 ERA (12.2 IP, 12 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 0 HR, 8 BB, 16 K). Overall, in 95 innings, Lange has allowed only 62 hits with a 131/63 K/BB. Someone teach this kid some control before he kills somebody.
RHP Cole Ayers2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K
Since promotion: 2.51 ERA (14.1 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 5 BB, 18 K). Overall, he owns an 82/22 K/BB over 60.2 innings.
RHP Mason Vinyard1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Since promotion: 2.93 ERA (30.2 IP, 23 H, 11 R, 10 ER, 2 HR, 17 BB, 34 K). Overall, he owns a 66/27 K/BB over 55 innings in his debut season.
RHP Shane Gray1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Tampa (57-63; 26-28 in the second half)

Their game against St. Lucie was canceled due to Hurricane Idalia. They hope to resume play on Thursday.

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

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

DSL Yankees (33-19)

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

DSL Bombers (27-26)

Their season is over.

Yankees MILB 8/25: Drew Thorpe Dominates Again

News:

Nothing new.

Scranton (60-61; 26-21 in the second half) (Walked it off over Lehigh Valley, 6-5)

This is a big series against Lehigh Valley, the team they are chasing for the second-half title.

LF Estevan Florial0-for-4, 2 RS, BB, 2 K, SB (20)
The challenge system played a huge role in this game. They challenged a strike 3 call to Florial in the 9th and won it. He ended up walking and eventually scoring the winning run.
CF Jasson Dominguez2-for-5, RBI, K, SB (1)
Since promotion: 5-for-13, 1 double, 4 RBI, 2 BB, 1 K. Dominguez has 38 stolen bases between here and Somerset.
C Austin Wells0-for-3, 2 BB, K
Wells is at .255/.352/.445 at this level. Good to see him taking his walks.
DH Andres Chaparro1-for-3, RS, HBP, K
RF Franchy Cordero: 1-for-2, RBI, RS, 2 BB
Cordero with the walk-off single in the 9th.
1B Carlos Narvaez2-for-3, RS, BB
3B Jake Lamb2-for-3, RBI, RS, BB
2B Jamie Westbrook0-for-4, K
SS Wilmer Difo0-for-4, RBI, K

LHP Edgar Barclay4 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 6 BB, 2 K, 3 HR
Barclay continues to struggle at this level. After allowing one home run for Somerset, he has allowed eight in 19.2 innings here. The ball is lively here so that is probably a part of it. I hate to blame all struggles on the ball (just like I hate to credit all successes by hitters to the ball)
RHP Zach Greene1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
RHP Aaron McGarity: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Matt Bowman1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Greg Weissert: (W, 5-3) 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Somerset (70-47; 28-21 in the second half) (Defeated Hartford, 8-1)

2B Caleb Durbin2-for-5, 2B (6), RBI, 2 RS
Durbin is one of those kids who can become an instant fan favorite. He makes a lot of contact, can steal bases, etc. He has played SS in the past but the Yankees have not asked him to do it in 2023, instead giving him time at 2B and 3B. It makes you wonder if he can be a future DJ LeMahieu with some added speed. It’s a fascinating profile because the Yankees aren’t known for carrying kids with his profile (remember, he wasn’t drafted by the organization – he was a part of the Lucas Luetge trade with Atlanta)
DH Ben Rice2-for-4, 2B (7), RS, BB
The one knock on Rice right now is that he isn’t great against LHP. It is a legitimate concern, as he is 7-for-39 against LHP in 2023 (12-for-60 in 2022; 1-for-12 in 2021). Combined, that is 20-for-111 (.180) with three extra-base hits (one double, 2 HR), 14 walks, and 27 strikeouts.. One thing you notice in that profile is the sample size – it isn’t much. Without enough reps, it is hard to develop the skill.
C Agustin Ramirez1-for-4, RBI, RS, BB, K
Ramirez is hitting .194 (13-for-67) since his promotion with six runs batted in and ten runs scored. An encouraging sign is that the strikeout rate isn’t spiking much – he is at 17.6%. (17.7% in Tampa, 14% in Hudson Valley).
CF Elijah Dunham1-for-2, 2B (10), 2 RBI, 2 RS, 3 BB, K
Even in the offensive environment up in Triple-A, Dunham had issues there this year. Since being sent to Somerset, he seems to have figured things out. I will continue to push for him to get back up to Scranton to close out the season. There is room there, as Franchy Cordero continues to receive consistent playing time after Everson Pereira‘s promotion.
1B Josh Breaux: 2-for-5, RBI
RF Grant Richardson3-for-5, HR (1), 3 RBI, RS, K
Richardson puts together a big effort in his second Double-A game. Between here and Hudson Valley, he has 14 homers in 79 games after launching 16 homers in 90 games last season. Power has never been the concern…
LF Aaron Palensky0-for-4, BB, K
SS Max Burt0-for-4, 2 K
3B Eduardo Torrealba1-for-4, RS, K

RHP Drew Thorpe: (W, 3-0) 6.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K
Since promotion: 1.29 ERA in 21 IP (9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 2 BB, 30 K). Overall: 13-2 with a 2.56 ERA in 130 IP (93 H, 41 R, 37 ER, 12 HR, 35 BB, 168 K). The 13 wins and (more importantly) 168 strikeouts are the top numbers in all of minor-league baseball. There is nothing to dislike in his profile. They can give him a taste of the offensively souped-up International League (Triple-A) before the season comes to a close.
LHP Josh Maciejewski: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Alex Mauricio: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
3.16 ERA (42.2 IP, 38 H, 16 R, 15 ER, 4 HR, 13 BB, 41 K). He hasn’t allowed a run in 8.2 August innings.

Hudson Valley (65-53; 26-26 in the second half) (Held off Aberdeen, 6-5)

SS Jared Serna2-for-5, RBI, RS, SB (6)
Serna now has a 6-game hitting streak and has 34 multi-hit games in 110 games played this season. He is still looking for that elusive first High-A home run, which could give him a 20/20/20 season (doubles, homers, stolen bases)
CF Anthony Hall0-for-3, 2 BB, K, SB (1)
DH Jesus Rodriguez0-for-3, RS, BB
2B Alexander Vargas0-for-3, RS, BB
C Antonio Gomez: 2-for-4, 3B (1), 2 RBI, RS, K
.233/.289/.325 in 321 PA. The 32.1% K rate remains troublesome as well.
1B Rafael Flores0-for-4, 2 K
LF Christopher Familia2-for-4, RBI
Familia is up to 57 RBI in 58 games between here and Tampa. I think he is answering the challenge at this level just fine.
RF Jared Wegner1-for-3, 2 RS, BB, SB (1)
Wegner’s first professional stolen base – congrats! He is 7-for-27 at this level.
3B Marcos Cabrera: 2-for-3, RBI, BB, SB (5)

RHP Leonardo Pestana2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
LHP Joel Valdez: (W, 3-6) 2.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
RHP Shane Gray2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Mason Vinyard (S, 1): 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Old school save!

Tampa (57-62; 26-27 in the second half) (Swept by Palm Beach in a low-scoring doubleheader)

Game 1 (Lost, 3-0)

3B Kiko Romero0-for-3, K
.194/.318/.306 in 85 PA.
1B Josh Moylan1-for-3, K
Moylan increases his hitting streak to five (8-for-22)
C Omar Martinez1-for-3
CF Nelson Medina0-for-2, K
Medina’s first game since June 6th. The 22-year-old is hitting .275/.373/.443 in 153 PA with four home runs and a 7-for-8 SB rate. 
   CF Tayler Aguilar0-for-1, K
DH Brenny Escanio1-for-3, SB (19)
LF Garrett Martin0-for-3, K
RF Daury Arias1-for-3, K
SS Jose Colmenares0-for-3, K
2B Beau Brewer0-for-2, K

RHP Ryan Harvey: (L, 1-2) 5.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, HR
At this level: 4.26 ERA (25.1 IP, 20 H, 12 R, 12 ER, 4 HR, 13 BB, 18 K)
RHP Osiel Rodriguez1.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Since promotion: 5.40 ERA (15 IP, 11 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 2 HR, 13 BB, 20 K)

Game 2 (Lost, 2-1)

SS Brenny Escanio0-for-3, K
1B Josh Moylan0-for-3, K
His hitting streak is snapped. Moylan is hitting .281/.400/.333 in 70 PA with 12 walks and 16 strikeouts.
DH Omar Martinez0-for-3, 3 K
CF Cole Gabrielson0-for-3, K
RF Daury Arias: 1-for-2, RS, BB, K
LF Garrett Martin1-for-3, 2B (5), RBI
Five of Martin’s ten hits are doubles.
3B Jose Colmenares1-for-2, 2B (4), BB, K
2B Beau Brewer1-for-2, BB
C Manuel Palencia0-for-3

RHP Yorlin Calderon5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
3.07 ERA (73.1 IP, 64 H, 28 R, 25 ER, 5 HR, 23 BB, 91 K). Most of the top performers have received promotions this year – two Tampa players (Martinez, Calderon) stand out a bit as players who have stuck to one level. In the case of Calderon, it can be justified as they built him up to return to the rotation.
RHP Matt Keating0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
LHP Geoffrey Gilbert: (L, 5-3) 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

FCL Yankees (35-22; 1-1 in the playoffs) (Lost to the Braves, 3-2, in Game 1 of the championship series. They must win the next two to claim back-to-back titles. The last time that happened was in 2014-2015 when the Red Sox accomplished the feat. The Yankees, who have the most league titles with 13, last won back-to-back crowns in 2004-2005)

SS Keiner Delgado1-for-4, 2B (2), RS, 2 K, SB (1), CS (1)
Including the regular season, Delgado has 14 doubles and 37 stolen bases in 51 games.
DH George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-3, BB, K, CS (1)
Delgado and Lombard Jr. were both caught stealing in the top of the 6th, a key moment in the contest.
1B Dylan Jasso1-for-3, SF, RBI, RS, K
CF Willy Montero1-for-4
LF Jackson Castillo1-for-4
2B Enmanuel Tejeda1-for-4, RBI, 2 K
RF John Cruz0-for-2, BB
3B Hans Montero0-for-2, K
  PH Joel Mendez0-for-1, K
In the regular season, you rarely see “strategic” pinch-hitting. Even in the rookie leagues, managers are a little more strategic in the playoffs.
  3B Dayro Perez0-for-0
C Edinson Duran0-for-3, K

LHP Henry Lalane (L, 0-1): 2.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, HR
Lalane, who recently signed with Scott Boras, pitched to a 4.57 ERA in 21.1 IP during the regular season (17 H, 12 R, 11 ER, 3 HR, 4 BB, 34 K). The fact that he is 6’7″ and is able to keep the walks at bay is encouraging. 
RHP Jordarlin Mendoza3.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 5 K
RHP Sebastian Keane2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
Keane is a 22-year-old drafted in the 18th round in 2022. He predictably pitched well this year and hopefully will get a taste of Low-A next week.

DSL Yankees (33-19)

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

DSL Bombers (27-26)

Their season is over.

Yankees MILB 6/16: Juan Carela Ks 10 (Again)

News:

C Josh Breaux‘s rehab stint is finally over and he is on his way to Scranton. RHP Matt Sauer, who pitched one of the best games in the minors last season, will continue his rehab stint with Hudson Valley (pitched in a few games in the FCL).

Breaux joins Carlos Narvaez and Rodolfo Duran as catching options in Scranton, at least for as long as Ben Rortvedt is out.

Sauer will eventually end up in either Somerset or Scranton. He only made four starts for Somerset last year, so he will likely go there.

Scranton (30-36) (Defeated Rochester, 6-5)

LF Estevan Florial1-for-4, BB, K, CS (7)
Florial now has a 34-game on-base streak. He is hitting .310 with a 1.045 OPS.
SS Oswald Peraza1-for-4, HR (11), 2 RBI, RS, K
Peraza now has 579 Triple-A plate appearances. This is malpractice, folks.
CF Elijah Dunham: 2-for-4, HR (5), RBI, RS, K
Dunham has homered in back-to-back games and has hit safely in five of his last six games. It’s a start.
1B Andres Chaparro1-for-4, 2B (11), K
C Carlos Narvaez1-for-3, HR (3), RBI, RS, BB
Narvaez is 18-for-66 (.273) since his promotion. Last year was the only season where his average tanked (.194), though he did hit 11 home runs. The Yankees gave him a fairly long look in spring training as well.
DH Josh Breaux1-for-4
3B Jamie Westbrook1-for-4, HR (9), RBI, RS
Closing in on his fifth straight 10+ home run season.
2B Jesus Bastidas0-for-4, RS, K
RF Michael Hermosillo2-for-4, HR (7), RBI, RS

RHP Will Warren4 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 1 ER, HR, 2 BB, 6 K
6.29 ERA in 24.1 IP since his promotion. He has allowed 7 home runs (he didn’t allow any in 29.1 innings for Somerset)
LHP Josh Maciejewski2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP James Norwood1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
LHP D.J. Snelten: (W, 1-3)  1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
Snelten’s first win since 7/3/2018. 
RHP Michael Feliz (S, 1): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Since being signed: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 HR, 3 BB, 5 K

Somerset (37-23) (Lost to Altoona, 6-2)

SS Trey Sweeney0-for-5, K
His 12-game hitting streak is snapped.
CF Harrison Bader1-for-4, K
  RF Aaron Palensky0-for-0
LF Jasson Dominguez2-for-4, HR (10), RBI, RS, K
.212/.358/.394 in 254 PA. Maybe this is the moment where he no longer flirts with the Mendoza line for the rest of the season.
C Austin Wells0-for-3, BB
1B T.J. Rumfield0-for-4, K
3B Caleb Durbin1-for-3, HR (3), RBI, RS, BB
If Durbin is able to hit for even a hint of power, his prospect value goes up a bit. Does he *have* to hit for power? No. He can be a contact hitter who plays the infield positions and be very much useful.
RF-CF Jeisson Rosario2-for-3, BB, K
2B Max Burt0-for-4, K
DH Mickey Gasper2-for-4

RHP Richard Fitts: (L, 3-5)  6 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 0 BB, 8 K
4.27 ERA (65.1 IP, 66 H, 31 R, 31 ER, 10 HR, 15 BB, 73 K). Last 5 starts: 2.25 ERA (32 IP, 28 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 5 BB, 37 K)
LHP Lisandro Santos1.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Zac Houston1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K

Hudson Valley (36-25) (Defeated Rome, 4-3)

DH Spencer Jones: 3-for-5, HR (9), RBI, 2 RS
Last 5 games: 9-for-21 (2 doubles, 2 home runs). He is up to .281/.332/.516 in 241 plate appearances.
SS Ben Cowles1-for-5, RBI, RS, K
The one hit was a timely one – walk-ff single in the 9th.
1B Rafael Flores0-for-3, BB
RF Anthony Garcia2-for-3, 2 2B (5), RBI, BB
C Antonio Gomez2-for-4, RBI
Gomez is up to .248 and is 8-for-18 during a 5-game hitting streak. He is 14-for-33 in June.
CF Grant Richardson0-for-4, 3 K
2B Luis Santos0-for-4
3B Marcos Cabrera1-for-4
LF Kyle Battle1-for-3, RS, HBP, CS (1)

RHP Juan Carela7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 10 K
Carela’s third straight start with 10 K. He now owns a 3.04 ERA in 56.1 IP (40 H, 24 R, 19 ER, 2 HR, 20 BB, 72 K). On April 28th, he allowed 9 runs (8 earned) over 3.1 innings. Beyond that, he has pitched very well (obviously)
RHP Indigo Diaz1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Harrison Cohen (W, 1-1): 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Cohen’s first professional win – congrats!

Tampa (27-33) (Crushed Clearwater, 14-6)

SS Jared Serna: 2-for-6, RBI, 2 RS, 2 K, SB (15)
Serna’s 20th multi-hit game this season (55 games)
CF Anthony Hall1-for-3, 3 RS, 3 BB
Hall should be joining his fellow 2022 draftee Spencer Jones in Hudson Valley soon enough.
C Agustin Ramirez: 3-for-6, 2 2B (7), 5 RBI, RS, 2 K, CS (4)
.261/.397/.416 in 204 PA. The five RBI do not represent a personal best – he drove in six runs on 6/14/2022.
LF Daury Arias3-for-5, RBI, RS, BB
2B Brenny Escanio3-for-5, 2 RBI, RS, BB, CS (4)
Escanio gets the batting average over .200 (.207). He is 7-for-19 in his last four games.
DH Christopher Familia1-for-5, HR (7), 2 RBI, RS, K
Familia increases his hitting streak to 11 (he has hit safely in 13 of his 14 games played this season) and has 20 runs batted in.  He played 36 games at this level in 2022, so we’ll see how long he stays here.
3B Jesus Rodriguez2-for-3, HR (4), RBI, 2 RS, BB
Rodriguez is up to .308. In June, he is 23-for-50 (.460) with three of his four home runs (he has gone deep in back-to-back games)
RF Tayler Aguilar0-for-3, RS, 2 BB, 2 K
1B Jake Palmer2-for-4, 2B (1), RBI, 2 RS

RHP Sean Hermann: (W, 4-4)  5 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
6.45 ERA (51.2 IP, 69 H, 40 R, 37 ER, 5 H, 20 BB, 41 K). He continues to generate a lot of groundballs, but the overall results haven’t yet been there. He just turned 20 on 6/13.
RHP Yorlin Calderon: 3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
2.10 ERA (34.1 IP, 25 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 2 HR, 8 BB, 41 K). He is firmly on the “needs a promotion” list, alongside some relievers up in Hudson Valley, etc.
RHP Ocean Gabonia1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

FCL Yankees (6-3) (Outscored the Phillies, 18-14. They compiled 17 hits and walked 9 times)

3B Keiner Delgado2-for-7, RBI, 2 RS, 2 K, SB (9)
11-for-39 (.282) with 15 runs scored and a 9/5 BB/K ratio.
SS Roderick Arias0-for-4, RS, 2 BB, 2 K, SB (2)
.135/.304/.297 in 46 plate appearances.
RF Willy Montero2-for-6, 2B (3), RBI, 2 RS, K
Montero has hit safely in seven of his eight games (12-for-31)
DH Hans Montero: 1-for-2, 3B (1), RBI, 4 RS, BB, 2 HBP,  K, SB (3)
9-for-30 (3 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 11 R, 12 BB, 6 K, 3-for-3 SB)
2B Enmanuel Tejeda1-for-1, RBI, 4 RS, 4 BB, HBP, 3 SB (8)
9-for-26 with a pair of home runs, 12 runs, and a 14/7 BB/K.
CF John Cruz4-for-6, 2B (1), 3B (1), 8 RBI, 2 RS
Driving home eight runs in a professional game at an age when many are graduating high school is impressive. He is 8-for-32 with 13 RBI in eight games. Cruz was a $75,000 signing in the 2022 international class.
LF Dayro Perez2-for-4, SF, RBI, RS, HBP, K
C Edinson Duran4-for-6, 2B (1), 2 RBI, RS
1B Enger Castellano: 1-for-5, RS, BB

RHP Osiel Rodriguez2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
RHP Steven Fulgencio1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
RHP Sebastian Keane0.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

DSL Bombers (6-3) (Lost to the Mets Orange, 13-12. They scored ten runs in the 8th to turn a 10-2 deficit into a 12-10 lead, but promptly gave up three runs in the bottom of the inning)

3B Juan Matheus:  2-for-4, 2B (2), 2 RS, BB, 2 SB (9), CS (2)
CF Ramiro Altagracia1-for-4, HR (2), RBI, 2 RS, BB, 2 K
C Edgleen Perez1-for-1, 2 RS, 3 BB
5-for-17 with seven RBI and nine walks.
RF David Beckles: 2-for-4, 4 RBI, RS, BB
SS Rafael Martinez1-for-4, 2B (1), 3 RBI, RS, K

DSL Yankees (8-1) (Lost to Miami, 13-11)

DH Brando Mayea0-for-2, BB
Mayea (the $4.35 million bonus baby) is back. He missed several games after hitting a leadoff double in the season opener.
SS Santiago Gomez1-for-5, HR (1), 4 RBI, 2 RS, BB, 2 SB (6)
2B Luis Escudero:  1-for-4, RBI, RS, 2 BB, 3 K
1B Luis Ogando2-for-5, 2 RBI, 2 RS, SB (6)
Ogando has 25 RBI and 21 stolen bases in 42 career games.
C Edison Vivas: 1-for-3, K
Vivas’ professional debut (signed on February 24, 2023)
  C Gabriel Bersing: 1-for-2, HR (1), RBI, RS
LF Andry Javier3-for-4, 2B (2), RBI, 2 RS, BB, SB (5)
9-for-24 with two doubles and seven walks. He is 19 and repeating this level.
RF Niurby Asigen1-for-4, 2 RS, BB, K

RHP Joshua Quezada4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 3 K
Anyone who tosses four scoreless innings in a game like this deserves his name in lights.

 

Yankees MILB 6/11: Drew Thorpe Ks 12

News:

As a follow-up to yesterday’s note on Oswald Peraza, it appears he is out of action due to illness. He isn’t hurt. He hasn’t been traded. They don’t have him on standby to replace Anthony Volpe

RHP Tanner Myatt was promoted to Scranton, as their pitching staff was depleted during yesterday’s doubleheader. Drafted in the 11th round back in the 2018 draft, Myatt is a hard-throwing pitcher with control and injury concerns. This year for Somerset, he has compiled a 5.16 ERA (5.20 FIP) over 22.2 innings with a 23.6% K and 18.9% BB. The likelihood is decent that he probably will head back down to Somerset once things settle down – but you never know.

Scranton (29-33) (Defeated Norfolk, 7-4)

RF Estevan Florial2-for-4, HR (14), 2 RBI, 2 RS, BB
Florial extends his on-base streak to 30. He is hitting .309/.411/.617 in 224 PA (10 doubles, 3 triples, 14 HR, 34 RBI, 40 R, 34 BB, 67 K (29.9%), 12-for-18 SB). 
DH Franchy Cordero: 1-for-3, RS, 2 BB, K
1B Andres Chaparro0-for-5, 4 K
Rip up the boxscore and never look at it again. 
LF Elijah Dunham0-for-2, RS, 2 BB, K
.223/.340/.332 in 238 plate appearances.
2B Jamie Westbrook2-for-3, HR (8), 4 RBI, RS, BB
There are reasons that go beyond statistics, but I am still surprised that a player who consistently hits double-digit home runs and has versatility has yet to receive a big league chance after 1,038 minor league games.
C Carlos Narvaez2-for-4, HR (2), RBI, RS, K
Narvaez is hitting .281 (16-for-57) with more walks (18) than strikeouts (16) since his promotion.
CF Brandon Lockridge1-for-4, 2B (1), RS, K
SS Jesus Bastidas0-for-3, BB, 2 K
3B Wilmer Difo1-for-4, K, CS (3)

LHP Tanner Tully6.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, HR
The Railriders needed some length this afternoon and got it from Tully.
RHP Tanner Myatt: (W, 1-0)  1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
Earning a win in your debut is always a nice touch.
RHP Matt Bowman (S, 2): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Somerset (34-22) (Mauled Hartford, 10-2)

SS Trey Sweeney2-for-5, 2B (12), RS
Sweeney is now the owner of a 9-game hitting streak (12-for-41; .293). He has four doubles in his last six games.
CF Jasson Dominguez: 2-for-4, SF, 2 RBI, RS, K, SB (15)
.210/.364/.392 in 236 PA. He has 12 runs batted in so far in June (11 games)
DH Austin Wells0-for-4, BB, 2 K
1B T.J. Rumfield1-for-4, HR (10), 2 RBI, 2 RS, BB, K
Rumfield has homered in three straight games and in four of his last five games. He is hitting .235/.330/.470 in 176 plate appearances. His BABIP is only .210, so there might be more average to come.
3B Tyler Hardman1-for-5, RS, 2 K
2B Caleb Durbin: 3-for-5, 3 RBI, RS, SB (14)
Durbin is up to 29 stolen bases between here and Hudson Valley. He is hitting .271/.346/.396 since his promotion with an 8/4 BB/K rate. 
C Anthony Seigler0-for-4
LF Jeisson Rosario: 1-for-2, HR (8), RBI, RS, K
Rosario was ejected.
   LF Max Burt: 0-for-1, RS, BB, K
RF Aaron Palensky: 4-for-4, 2B (3), HR (2), 2 RBI, 2 RS, SB (4)
This is what you call production from the bottom of the order!  Palensky is hitting .241/.465/.552 in 43 PA since his promotion and .331/.441/.708 in 154 plate appearances overall (12 doubles, 2 triples, 14 HR, 38 RBI, 40 R, 14-for-14 SB)

RHP Clayton Beeter: (W, 5-2)  5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K
2.13 ERA (55 IP, 41 H, 13 R, 13 ER, 3 HR, 29 BB, 69 K). The walks are high – though he has shown slight improvement in that category from last year. The overall results are certainly very good.
RHP Zac Houston1.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, HR
RHP Danny Watson1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Justin Wilson1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Hudson Valley (33-24) (Shut down Jersey Shore (again), 1-0)

SS Alexander Vargas: 2-for-4, RS, SB (8)
Vargas needed a day like this badly.
2B Ben Cowles1-for-2, 2 BB
.281/.355/.445. He is on a 5-game hitting streak and could be seeing himself in Somerset soon enough. He can play 2B/SS/3B, so nobody is really going to “block” him.
DH Josh Breaux1-for-3, BB, K
Breaux has played 11 games down here on his “rehab” stint. He hasn’t done much but this is a bit of a longer stretch than is typical.
1B Rafael Flores1-for-4, 2B (8), RBI, K
.305/.361/.372 in 180 plate appearances (8 doubles, 1 HR, 17 RBI, 16 R, 15 BB, 46 K). The 25.6% K rate is certainly a bit high for a player who relies more on contact than power, but he has hit well. It is probably not a first baseman’s profile (unless he improves that power), but if he can stick behind the plate…
RF Anthony Garcia0-for-4, 4 K
C Antonio Gomez: 2-for-4, 2B (11), 2 K, CS (1)
.239/.306/.348 in 175 plate appearances. Entering June, his triple slash was .205/.272/.280 after his dreadful May, so we are at least seeing some improvement.
LF Grant Richardson0-for-2, BB, K
CF Aldenis Sanchez0-for-3, 2 K
3B Eduardo Torrealba1-for-3, K

RHP Drew Thorpe: (W, 5-1)  7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 12 K
This is pure domination. Like Chase Hampton, this is Thorpe’s first professional season and they were aggressive with him. In both cases, it looks like the right move. Season: 2.91 ERA (58.2 IP, 48 H, 23 R, 19 ER, 4 HR, 20 BB, 69 K). He has tossed 15 scoreless innings in his last two starts and could be in line for a promotion (along with Hampton himself)
RHP Jack Neely: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
1.57 ERA (23 IP, 12 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 12 BB, 34 K). The Renegades are loaded with pitching talent.
RHP Carlos Gomez (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Tampa (25-31) (Lost to Lakeland, 9-5. They started the game red hot again as they appeared headed to their 4th straight 10+ run game (5 runs in first two innings), but they finally slowed down)

2B Jared Serna2-for-4, 2B (11), HR (11), 3 RBI, 2 RS
This little guy continues to pack a lot of punch. He is now hitting .321/.384/.541 and is 9-for-23 with two doubles and three home runs during his 5-game hitting streak. 
CF Anthony Hall0-for-4, 2 K
Hall’s hitting streak is snapped at 9. He is hitting .272/.390/.419 in 164 plate appearances.
C Agustin Ramirez0-for-2, SF, RBI
I am not sure why Ramirez needed to leave the game.
  C Omar Martinez0-for-1, K
SS Brenny Escanio: 0-for-4, 2 K
DH Matt Pita0-for-4, K
LF Christopher Familia: 1-for-2, RS, 2 HBP
Familia increases his hitting streak to seven (well-deserved after getting hit by two pitches!)
3B Jesus Rodriguez2-for-4, 2 2B (6), RBI, RS
Rodriguez has five straight multi-hit games and seven multi-hit games during his 9-game hitting streak. He is all the way up to .301/.372/.411 in 165 plate appearances.
RF Tayler Aguilar1-for-3, 2 K
1B Jake Palmer0-for-2, RS, BB
Palmer’s Low-A debut. At 24 years old, he wasn’t going to stay in the FCL for long!

RHP Baron Stuart: (L, 1-4)  5.2 IP, 6 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 2 HR
RHP Ocean Gabonia1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Adam Stone: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
Stone cranked it up to just under 96 MPH. He threw a lot of cutters today, mixing in his 4-seamer, curve, and slider. 

FCL Yankees (3-2) 

Day off.

DSL Yankees (5-0) and the DSL Bombers (5-0)

Both had the day off.

Yankees MILB 6/2: Juan Carela Ks 10

News:

The Yankees made a (very very very very) minor trade today, sending C Jose Godoy to the Orioles for something. That something might be enough to buy a hot dog at Yankee Stadium. Godoy was on the Scranton Development Roster recently. When he did play for Scranton, he appeared in only 11 games, hitting .270/.341/.514 with three home runs. Godoy has 26 games of MLB experience with the Twins, Pirates, and Mariners. For the Yankees, he was signed for depth purposes but the catching position is logjammed in the minors. There simply wasn’t much playing time to distribute to him.

Scranton (27-28) (Lost to Lehigh Valley, 6-3)

LF Estevan Florial1-for-5, 2B (8)
Florial now has a 12-game hitting streak and a 24-game on-base streak.
SS Oswald Peraza: 1-for-4, RS, BB, CS (2)
Peraza now has a 9-game hitting streak (tonight’s walk is his first during the streak)
C Ben Rortvedt1-for-2, 3 BB, K, SB (1)
Rortvedt is 13-for-39 with eight walks for Scranton. He is 3-for-3 stealing bases in his minor league career (388 games!)
3B Andres Chaparro1-for-5, RBI, K
Chaparro has at least one hit in nine of his last ten games.
RF Elijah Dunham1-for-4, 2 K
DH Kole Calhoun0-for-3, RS, BB
1B Carlos Narvaez0-for-2, 2 BB, K
CF Billy McKinney: 2-for-3, HR (8), 2 RBI, RS, BB
The veteran has his OPS up to .899.
2B Wilmer Difo: 0-for-4

RHP Randy Vasquez: (L, 1-6) 4.2 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, HR
Vasquez pitched well in his spot start for the Yankees. Down here, he shows signs that he still needs some seasoning.
RHP Aaron McGarity1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Michael Gomez1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Greg Weissert1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

Somerset (28-20) (Defeated Portland, 9-7)

SS Trey Sweeney: 2-for-4, RS, HBP, K
Sweeney’s first multi-hit game since May 16th. The OBP is already established (.368) – if the hits start coming, his season is going to look very good.
LF Jasson Dominguez0-for-3, RS, 2 BB, K
Dominguez has 12 multi-walk games this season. 
DH Austin Wells1-for-4, 2B (5), 2 RBI, RS, BB, 2 K
3B Tyler Hardman: 2-for-5, HR (10), 2 RBI, 2 RS
Hardman has homered in back-to-back games and has his slugging percentage up to .530 (it was .464 for Hudson Valley in 2022)
1B T.J. Rumfield1-for-3, RS, BB
2B Caleb Durbin: 2-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, 2 RS, SB (11)
Durbin’s first home run as a member of the Yankees’ organization. Power will likely never be a big part of his game – he is about contact and speed. That said, he did hit 8 home runs in 105 games in the Braves organization last year. Anyway, he has five multi-hit games in 18 games since his promotion and is 26-for-30 stealing bases between here and Hudson Valley.
C Anthony Seigler: 1-for-3, RBI, RS, BB, SB (4)
Seigler’s BB% is 19.8. If he could just hit for a little bit of average, he can be a useful MLB ballplayer. 
CF Jeisson Rosario0-for-3, BB
RF Aaron Palensky0-for-3, SF, RBI

RHP Blane Abeyta: (W, 3-3) 6 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 7 K
RHP Shawn Semple1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Alex Mauricio0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Danny Watson (S, 1): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Things were getting a little dicey late, but Watson was able to close the door.

Hudson Valley (27-22) (Lost to Aberdeen, 2-1, in 12 innings. The pitching has been there the past few nights, but the offense has gone silent)

CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-4, RBI, BB, 2 K, CS (4)
.266/.313/.508 in 192 plate appearances. I bring up the K rate because I think that is important – but he is also slugging over .500. We have some good mixed with some not-so-good. We’ll see if good wins over evil.
SS Alexander Vargas0-for-5, 3 K
DH Josh Breaux0-for-5, 2 K
C Rafael Flores1-for-3, BB, K
  PR Kyle Battle0-for-0
  C Antonio Gomez1-for-1
1B Spencer Henson0-for-5, 3 K
LF Grant Richardson0-for-5, K
RF Aldenis Sanchez0-for-4, BB, 4 K, SB (10)
3B Marcos Cabrera1-for-3, RS, SB (3)
2B Luis Santos0-for-3, BB, K

RHP Juan Carela7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 10 K, HR
The home run was inside-the-park. This is Carela’s first career 10+ strikeout game (four career 9-strikeout efforts entering tonight). He is pitching to an impressive 3.09 ERA in 43.2 IP (32 H, 20 R, 15 ER, 17 BB, 52 K, 2 HR) and is only 21 years old. Yep, put him firmly on your radar.
RHP Nick Paciorek2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
3.31 ERA (16.1 IP, 10 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 9 BB, 20 K)
LHP Ryan Anderson: (L, 1-3)  2.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
Not exactly a “fair” loss.
RHP Bailey Dees: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K

Tampa (21-28) (Used a 3-run 9th to defeat Bradenton, 7-6. They won on a walk-off wild pitch (after tying the game on a balk – baseball!)

SS Jared Serna: 3-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 RS, 2 BB, CS (4)
Serna with back-to-back multi-hit games (14 multi-hit games in 43 games played). He is hitting .322/.387/.520 (8 doubles, 1 triple, 8 HR, 27 RBI, 30 R, 18 BB, 29 K, 11-for-15 SB)
CF Anthony Hall1-for-3, 3B (2), SF, 2 RBI, BB, 2 K
Hall has his OPS up to .800. 
C Agustin Ramirez0-for-4, BB, K
DH Brenny Escanio0-for-4, K
LF Christopher Familia0-for-4
1B Jesus Rodriguez3-for-4, 3B (2), RS
Rodriguez, who hit .196 in May, starts June with back-to-back 3-hit efforts. Baseball!
2B Brett Barrera0-for-4, RBI, RS
3B Beau Brewer1-for-3, RS, BB
RF Felix Negueis0-for-3, 2 RS, BB, K

RHP Sean Hermann4 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 2 HR
Teenagers in a full-season league will typically have their ups and downs.
RHP Luis Velasquez2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K
1.05 ERA (25.2 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 15 BB, 33 K). Velasquez is having a strong start. He is 21 years old.
RHP Manny Ramirez1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
LHP Geoffrey Gilbert (W, 3-1): 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
2.01 ERA (22.1 IP, 17 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 0 HR, 11 BB, 28 K)

Yankees MILB 5/20: Austin Wells Homers

News:

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

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

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

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

LF Elijah Dunham0-for-4, BB, 2 K
SS Oswald Peraza2-for-5, 2B (3), RS
Peraza has a 10-game Triple-A hitting streak and is 10-for-20 in his last five games. He is hitting .362/.413/.569 in 14 games.
1B Andres Chaparro0-for-4, BB, K, SB (3)
First 7 games:  0-for-27
Next 25 games: 34-for-94 (.362), 10 HR
Latest 9 games:  4-for-36 (.111), 1 HR
RF Franchy Cordero1-for-5, RBI, RS, K
3B Jesus Bastidas2-for-3, 2 BB, CS (3)
Bastidas has at least one hit in ten of his last 11 games (he drew a walk in the other game)
C Carlos Narvaez3-for-3, HR (1), 2 RBI, RS, BB
Narvaez was 0-for-15 since his promotion entering tonight. If you are going to break out, this is how you do it.
  PR Wilmer Difo: 0-for-1, RS, SB (10)
Difo has five stolen bases in his last three games.
CF Billy McKinney1-for-3, BB, K
2B Jamie Westbrook0-for-2, 2 BB, K
DH Michael Hermosillo1-for-3, 2 RBI, BB, K

RHP Mitch Spence6 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, HR
Spence did a nice job settling in after a 4-run second inning. Season: 5.28 ERA (44.1 IP, 45 H, 31 R, 26 ER, 10 HR, 17 BB, 39 K). In May: 3.00 ERA (24 IP, 21 H, 10 R, 8 ER, 3 BB, 20 K)
RHP Barrett Loseke1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
1.50 ERA (18 IP, 10 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 10 BB, 18 K). Loseke is already Rule 5 eligible and is auditioning for a job here – both for the Yankees’ system and elsewhere.
RHP James Norwood (L, 0-2): 1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

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

SS Trey Sweeney0-for-5
CF Jasson Dominguez0-for-3, 2 RS, 2 BB, K
C Austin Wells: 2-for-5, HR (7), RBI, RS, K
Wells is up to 19 HR in 69 games at the Double-A level. Complete dominance.
RF Everson Pereira1-for-3, 2B (9), SF, RBI, K
He now owns a 5-game hitting streak. In his last seven games: 11-for-24 with two doubles and three home runs. He is hitting .267/.331/.508.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 2-for-4, 2B (3), HR (6), 2 RBI, RS, K
.219/.322/.438 in 115 plate appearances. His BABIP is .200 and his strikeout rate is only 15.7%.
3B Caleb Durbin1-for-3, BB, 2 SB (9)
If this kid makes it to MLB, he has “fan favorite” kind of potential. He makes a lot of contact (7.3% K between here and Hudson Valley), steals bases (24), and can play multiple positions. 
LF Brandon Lockridge1-for-3, HR (2), RBI, RS, BB, K
He hit 12 HR in 2019, 13 HR in 2021, and 14 HR in 2022. He will need to get on a hot streak in the power department to keep the pattern going (remember, there wasn’t a season in 2020)
2B Max Burt0-for-4, 2 K
DH Mickey Gasper0-for-3, HBP, K

RHP Gray Fenter3 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR
3.96 ERA (25 IP, 18 H, 11 R, 11 ER, 3 HR, 11 BB, 31 K)
RHP Justin Maese2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Steven Jennings: (L, 2-2) 2.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
RHP Alex Mauricio1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
5.63 ERA (8 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 HR, 1 BB, 9 K)

Hudson Valley (22-15) 

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

CF Spencer Jones0-for-0
At some point, the Yankees will determine that Jones needs to be moved to Somerset regardless of his less-than-ideal strikeout rate. I continue to think they will do so once he cuts down the strikeout rate (33.6%) to a more reasonable level. In case you are wondering, Aaron Judge compiled a 25.3% K rate in 66 High-A games back in 2014 and never saw the level again (.283/.411/.442).
SS Alexander Vargas0-for-0
His 95 wRC+ is a vast improvement over 68 wRC+ from last year. I just need to see him break out of his recent slump. 
C Antonio Gomez0-for-0
Gomez’s glove has never been an issue. Last season, he gunned down 30.6% of base stealers. In 2023, the number is 27.8%. In 2023, the MLB average is 21%, which happens to be the rate that Yankees’ catchers are at. So, defense shouldn’t be an issue. The offense is where Gomez must find an above-average trait. Last season, he compiled a 103 wRC+, a number that would be fine as a defense-first MLB catcher. Of course, Gomez did that in the low minors and hasn’t been able to get into any kind of groove in 2023 (57 wRC+)
DH Rafael Flores0-for-0
Flores catches and plays first base. He is off to a .333/.389/.422 start in 102 plate appearances.
1B Spencer Henson0-for-0
LF Grant Richardson0-for-0
2B Eduardo Torrealba0-for-0
RF Aldenis Sanchez0-for-0
3B Marcos Cabrera0-for-0

RHP Chase Hampton0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Hampton’s first professional season has been successful, thus far. In 23.2 innings, he has posted a 3.04 ERA (2.53 FIP) with a 41.6% K rate and 8.9% BB rate. I wouldn’t rush him up to Double-A, but sometimes players force the issue.

Tampa (13-25)

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

Yankees MILB 5/3: Jared Serna: 3 Hits, HR

News:

Nothing new to report.

Scranton (11-17) 

The game against Rochester was postponed. They will play a doubleheader tomorrow.

The lineup is posted below for entertainment purposes. Also because, typically speaking, they just put the same lineup in place for Game 1 of the doubleheader. Time saver!

CF Estevan Florial0-for-0
.242/.405/.468 in 79 PA with a 21.5% BB and 31.6% K.
2B Jamie Westbrook0-for-0
RF Franchy Cordero0-for-0
In an ideal world, he is Triple-A depth for the rest of the season.
3B Andres Chaparro0-for-0
Chaparro has a reverse split thing going.
vs. RHP: .280/.349/.653 (all eight home runs)
vs. LHP: 2-for-28 with a walk
LF Kole Calhoun0-for-0
DH Ben Rortvedt0-for-0
C Rodolfo Duran0-for-0
.276/.323/.569 in 62 PA (5 doubles, 4 home runs). 
1B Billy McKinney0-for-0
SS Jesus Bastidas0-for-0

RHP Mitch Spence0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Somerset (13-9) (Lost to Binghamton, 5-1)

SS Trey Sweeney1-for-4, 2 K
CF Jasson Dominguez0-for-4, 3 K
Don’t read into stuff you see on Twitter: Dominguez is not ready regardless of his walk rate.
C Austin Wells1-for-3, K
  C Carlos Narvaez1-for-1, 2B (5), CS (2)
LF Everson Pereira0-for-4
DH Anthony Seigler0-for-2, 2 BB, K
Seigler has eight walks in 48 plate appearances (16.7%). Last season, he compiled a 21.8% rate at Tampa/Hudson Valley.
RF Brandon Lockridge1-for-4, K
1B Eric Wagaman2-for-4, HR (2), RBI, RS
2B Max Burt0-for-4, 2 K
3B Eduardo Torrealba2-for-4

RHP Richard Fitts: (L, 1-3)  7 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, HR
He allowed all four runs in the first inning. Impressive recovery, though the offense couldn’t quite make a game of it. He owns a 5.20 ERA in 27.2 IP (27 H, 16 R, 16 ER, 4 HR, 6 BB, 33 K). Solid enough peripherals.
RHP Justin Wilson1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, HR
RHP Tanner Myatt1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
0.87 ERA (10.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 6 BB, 13 K)

Hudson Valley (15-8) (Knocked down Wilmington, 9-4)

CF Spencer Jones: 2-for-5, 2B (7), 2 RBI, RS
He has broken out of his 4-for-33 slump nicely. He is 11-for-31 (.355) since with two doubles, three triples, and two home runs.
SS Alexander Vargas1-for-4, 2B (3), RS, HBP
Vargas started the season 1-for-13. He is 16-for-51 (.314) since with all nine of his extra-base hits.
3B Caleb Durbin: 3-for-5, 2 2B (5), RBI, 2 RS, CS (1)
Durbin is now 14-for-15 in the stolen base department. He is 23 and played 32 games at this level (for the Braves organization) in 2022. Hence, I assume he will be on the promotion list early if he keeps this up. 
DH Antonio Gomez0-for-3, BB
RF Anthony Garcia0-for-0, BB
  RF Grant Richardson1-for-3, RBI, K
C Rafael Flores0-for-3, BB
1B Spencer Henson1-for-3, RBI, 2 RS, BB
2B Ben Cowles2-for-4, RS, K
LF Aldenis Sanchez2-for-3, 2 3B (2), 2 RBI, 2 RS, BB, K
Triples are a lot of fun! Sanchez had two all of last year, which brings up another point: Triples are so unpredictable!

LHP Clay Aguilar2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
In his 2021 debut season (he missed all of 2022), Aguilar made five starts among his 22 appearances. We’ll see if they are attempting to stretch him out again.
RHP Harold Cortijo2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
LHP Ryan Anderson: (W, 1-1) 2.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Enrique Santana: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
9 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 6 BB, 9 K

Tampa (9-14) (Defeated Bradenton, 6-2)

SS Brenny Escanio0-for-5, 4 K
DH Daury Arias2-for-4, 3B (1), RS, K
C Agustin Ramirez0-for-3, BB
2B Jared Serna: 3-for-4, 2B (4), HR (1), 2 RBI, RS, SB (7)
.323/.421/.431 in 76 plate appearances. Serna did pop six home runs in 49 games last season, showing that there could be some pop in his smallish frame. He is a fun prospect to follow, given his ability to make a lot of contact (Only 6 strikeouts in 76 plate appearances (7.9%))
RF Anthony Hall: 1-for-4, RS, K
CF Nelson Medina0-for-3, RS, BB, K
LF Tayler Aguilar1-for-2, 2B (4), RS, SB (2)
   LF Felix Negueis: 0-for-1, RS, BB
1B Omar Martinez2-for-4, 3B (1), 4 RBI
Martinez has four straight multi-hit games. This is not a personal best for RBI, as he drove home six in a game back on 8/19/21, when he was down in the DSL.
3B Ronny Rojas0-for-3, BB, 3 K

RHP Leonardo Pestana4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 7 K
4.32 ERA (16.1 IP, 17 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 6 BB, 24 K)
RHP Ocean Gabonia1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Mason Vinyard: (W, 1-1) 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Vinyard’s first professional win. Congrats!
RHP Matt Keating2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
1.46 ERA (12.1 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 HR, 7 BB, 17 K)