Tag: Cam Schlittler

Yankees MILB 6/1: Cam Schlittler Tosses 5 Shutout Innings

Notes:

RHP Jake Woodford triggered his May 31st opt-out and is now a free agent. Most veteran players include various opt-out clauses in their spring training and minor league deals. The opt-outs are a way to force the MLB team to either add them to the 26-man roster or let them go. On occasion, the player may renegotiate their minor league deal for a higher salary.

A veteran of five seasons with the Cardinals, White Sox, and Pirates, Woodford pitched to a 4.54 ERA (5.09 FIP) over 39.2 innings for Scranton. He owned a 9.4% BB, 21.5% K, and 42.4% GB.

With Woodford likely gone, the Yankees’ veteran minor league pitching depth (with MLB experience) consists of Allan Winans, Anthony DeSclafani, and Brandon Leibrandt. Carlos Carrasco was called up to the big club today as an extra arm and will need to go through the DFA process again.

After a hot May, 1B/OF Dominic Smith also exercised his opt-out clause. Given how the season has played out, there wasn’t a path to MLB for Smith.

Injury Log

Scranton (25-29) (Lost to Worcester, 7-4)

C Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-2, 2B (7), R, 2 BB, K
.362/.443/.461 in 167 PA. I will reiterate what I have been saying all year: If there were any plans on deploying Rodriguez at 3B in MLB, they would be playing him there more often than they are. It’s not coming soon. With Chisholm Jr. almost back and the insistence that DJ LeMahieu has something to offer, there isn’t room anyway.
LF Everson Pereira: 1-for-3, R, CS (1), BB, 2 K
.275/.380/.517 in 142 PA. 
1B T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-3, SF, RBI, K
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 3-for-4, HR (3), 3 RBI, R, K
For De La Cruz to have any value, he has to hit home runs. It’s what he does. He has three in 22 games since joining Scranton.
2B Braden Shewmake: 0-for-4, K
DH Ronaldo Hernandez: 0-for-3, SB (1), BB, K
CF Ismael Munguia: 0-for-4
SS Andrew Velazquez: 0-for-3, SB (14), BB, K
3B Jake Gatewood: 0-for-2, R, HBP, K

RHP Sean Boyle: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
4.72 ERA (55.1 IP, 47 H, 33 R, 29 ER, 8 HR, 20 BB, 57 K). The Yankees could have summoned Boyle to Los Angeles instead of Carrasco, but it isn’t surprising they went with the disposable veteran over their minor league depth.
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
I don’t know if it was strategy or not, but taking Reyzelman out of the game after recording a strikeout (and stranding a runner) wasn’t a bad idea. Let him build some confidence.
RHP Scott Effross: (L, 0-1)  1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR
Effross has allowed eight runs in three innings since moving to Scranton. It is possible that his injuries won’t be overcome, which would be a sad outcome. I would argue we aren’t there yet.
RHP Leonardo Pestana: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Geoff Hartlieb: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Somerset (24-26) (Defeated Akron, 3-0)

DH Jazz Chisholm Jr.: 0-for-3, K
The Yankees have yet to let him play a full game in the field. I believe that’s coming, and he will be activated soon.
   DH Max Burt: 0-for-1
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-2, R, CS (2), 2 BB, 2 K
Lombard Jr. continues to try to find his stroke. The good news is that the walks keep coming (20 in 23 games). Today is the last day we can call him a teenage prospect. Happy 20th Birthday tomorrow, George! 
CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-3, R, 2 K
.240/.382/.550 in 123 PA (4 doubles, 9 HR, 17 RBI, 24 R, 7-for-9 SB, 17.9% BB, 36.6% K).
   CF Cole Gabrielson: 0-for-0, BB
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-4, HR (11), 3 RBI, R, K
Flores’s 3-run homer in the first was all the scoring they needed. He leads the Eastern League in homers and is tied for second in RBI (37).
3B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-3, HBP, K
.274/.335/.469 in 191 PA. Jasso hit .260/.311/.385 in May after a .303/.369/.592 April.
RF Brennen Davis: 1-for-3, BB
Davis is 6-for-26 with a pair of homers, eight walks, and nine strikeouts.
LF Garrett Martin: 1-for-3, 2B (9), BB
.231/.339/.442 in 184 PA. 17 of his 36 hits have gone for extra bases (9 doubles, 8 HR). Over his career, 55 of his 111 hits have gone for extra bases.
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-3, 2 K
2B Alexander Vargas: 1-for-3

RHP Cam Schlittler (W, 4-5): 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K
2.38 ERA (53 IP, 47 H, 19 R, 14 ER, 1 HR, 17 BB, 64 K). Schlittler has been among the best pitchers in the Eastern League. He entered today as the league leader in FIP and is in the top five in strikeouts and K-BB%. The only bad thing in his profile is something that is hard for him to control: An elevated BABIP (.357 after today’s game).
RHP Danny Watson: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Indigo Diaz: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Harrison Cohen: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
2.41 ERA (18.2 IP, 12 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 10 BB, 26 K)
RHP Kelly Austin (S, 3): 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
1.69 ERA (16 IP, 13 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 4 BB, 16 K)
Trying to figure out which relief prospects are legitimate is a tough exercise. We’ve seen pitchers like Brooks Kriske dominate in the minors, only to struggle once in MLB. By the way, in case you are wondering, Kriske is still out there. He recently tossed two scoreless innings for the Cubs but has since been designated for assignment.

Hudson Valley (31-19) (Defeated Wilmington, 2-1, in ten innings)

2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-4, BB, 3 K
CF Brendan Jones: 0-for-2, 2 SB (23), CS (4), 3 BB, K
Jones is 41-for-45 (91.1%) stealing bases in 68 minor league games. He was 70-for-77 (90.9%) in college.
LF Jace Avina: 1-for-3, RBI, 2B (13), 2 BB
Avina’s walked it off with a … walk. He has 13 doubles in 40 games (8 doubles in 17 May games).
1B Coby Morales: 1-for-4, K
3B Parks Harber: 0-for-4, K
DH Omar Martinez: 1-for-4, 2 K
Martinez slowed down after an insane hot stretch but still finished May at .293/.424/.533 with five home runs.
SS Jose Colmenares: 1-for-3, 3B (1), R, BB
Colmenares tripled with one out in the 9th. He scored the tying run on a wild pitch.
C Tomas Frick: 0-for-3, BB, K
RF Anthony Hall: 0-for-4, 3 K
  PR Luis Durango: 0-for-0, R

LHP Griffin Herring: 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
Herring is dominant in his High-A debut. He has my full attention.
RHP Hayden Merda: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Tony Rossi: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Between here and Tampa: 17.2 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 24 K. Impressive.
RHP Bryce Warrecker: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
0.79 ERA (22.2 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 5 BB, 29 K). Pure dominance. This is the first time he didn’t strike out a batter in his professional career (33rd game).
RHP Huey Morrill (W, 3-1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Tampa (26-23) (Lost a heartbreaker to Fort Myers, 3-2. They had a 2-1 lead entering the 9th)

SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-4, R, BB, K
CF Brian Sanchez: 2-for-4, SF, RBI, SB (11), K
Sanchez has seven multi-hit efforts in his last nine games. He is hitting .286/.341/.445 in 132 PA (4 doubles, 20 RBI, 10 R, 11-for-14 SB). 
C Edgleen Perez: 0-for-4, K
DH Engelth Urena: 1-for-3, HBP, K
.212/.346/.341 in 208 PA. Urena has shown flashes of the power he is known for, but it hasn’t been consistent. Not surprising for a 20-year-old playing in Low-A. 
LF Cam Eden: 1-for-3, BB
RF Dillon Lewis: 2-for-4, R, 2 K
The raking continues. He is hitting .250/.323/.477 in 195 PA (9 doubles, 2 triples, 9 HR, 29 RBI, 33 R, 13-for-14 SB, 9.2% BB, 28.2% K). 
3B Juan Matheus: 0-for-4, 2 K
2B Austin Green: 0-for-4, K
1B Hans Montero: 2-for-4, RBI

LHP Xavier Rivas: 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
Rivas’s Low-A debut (he tossed 15.2 innings in the FCL before his promotion). The 22-year-old was another SEC draft pick last year, nabbed in the 16th round out of Ole Miss. There is no StatCast data available today, so the information is limited. He generated 9 whiffs and hit the low 90s with his 4-seam fastball and sinker. His arsenal also includes a changeup and slider.
RHP Kevin Stevens: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
Stevens’ rehab assignment was moved here from the FCL.
RHP Carson Coleman: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
This is Coleman’s fourth rehab appearance. It likely won’t be long before he is in Scranton’s bullpen. Perhaps Somerset.
RHP Sean Hermann: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Chris Veach: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K
1.35 ERA (20 IP, 15 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 12 BB, 32 K). Veach hasn’t allowed a run since April 27th. He has ten straight scoreless appearances (10.2 IP).
RHP Brady Kirtner (L, 2-2): 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
Kirtner has been strong in his debut season. Today wasn’t his day. Season: 2.67 ERA (27 IP, 16 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 2 HR, 13 BB, 31 K)

FCL (9-11)

Day off. They have a doubleheader scheduled against the Phillies tomorrow.

DSL Yankees (0-0)

Their season begins on Monday.

DSL Bombers (0-0)

Their season begins on Monday.

My coverage of the DSL is even lighter than my FCL coverage. I will probably write a report tomorrow since it is Opening Day.

Yankees MILB 5/21: Roc Riggio’s Big Night

Notes:

RHP Greysen Carter, the hard thrower with no idea where the ball is going, was sent to the FCL today. Carter, who hit 100+ MPH earlier this season, made seven starts for Tampa, going 1-3 with a 6.75 ERA over 24 innings with a 20.2% K and 21.8% BB.

RHP J.T. Etheridge replaces Carter on Tampa’s roster. Signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2024, the 23-year-old pitched in three games for the FCL squad this year, posting a 2.31 ERA over 11.2 innings with a 42.3% K and 15.4% BB.

Carter is an intriguing talent but needs work. If your job is to work with young pitchers, Carter presents a fun challenge.

Injury Log

Scranton (21-24) (Lost a doubleheader to Nashville. The bats didn’t show up. Everson Pereira didn’t play in either game, which always raises a red flag.)

Game 1 (Lost, 3-0)

C Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-4, SB (6), K
Rodriguez has a 10-game hitting streak.
DH Dominic Smith: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
LF Cooper Hummel: 0-for-2, BB, K
1B T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-3, 2 K
3B Jose Rojas: 1-for-2, BB
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 1-for-3, K
2B Braden Shewmake: 1-for-3
SS Andrew Velazquez: 1-for-3, SB (10), K
CF Ismael Munguia: 0-for-3

RHP Sean Boyle: (L, 3-5)  4.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
4.23 ERA (44.2 IP, 37 H, 25 R, 21 ER, 6 HR, 16 BB, 51 K)
RHP Colten Brewer: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 1 K
4.41 ERA (16.1 IP, 13 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 2 HR, 10 BB, 21 K)

Game 2 (Lost, 2-1)

3B Jesus Rodriguez: 2-for-3, CS (3)
Rodriguez extends his hitting streak to 11 (19-for-43; .442). He is hitting .388 with a .981 OPS in 28 games since his promotion.
LF Dominic Smith: 0-for-3, SB (1)
1B T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-3, 2 K
Rumfield is hitting .292 with an .885 OPS. 
C Alex Jackson: 0-for-3
DH Jose Rojas: 0-for-3, 2 K
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 2-for-2, HR (2), RBI, R, BB
De La Cruz has 34 homers in 535 minor league games. He has 58 homers in 491 major league games.
SS Braden Shewmake: 0-for-1, 2 BB
2B Jake Gatewood: 0-for-3, K
CF Ismael Munguia: 1-for-3

LHP Brandon Leibrandt: 4.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, HR
RHP Wilking Rodriguez: (L, 1-1)  1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
4.50 ERA (16 IP, 12 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 12 BB, 22 K)

Somerset (19-21) (Defeated New Hampshire, 4-1)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-4, RBI, K
Since promotion: 8-for-41 (.195/.352/.195; 10 walks, 11 strikeouts).
1B Rafael Flores: 0-for-4, K
After a .295/.357/.545 triple slash in April, Flores has a .297/.338/.531 triple slash in May. I like consistency!
CF Garrett Martin: 0-for-4
3B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-3, BB
DH Cole Gabrielson: 1-for-3, R, CS (1), BB, 2 K
RF Grant Richardson: 0-for-2, 2 R, 2 BB
LF Jared Wegner: 1-for-4, 3 K
C Antonio Gomez: 3-for-4, 2B (3), 3 RBI, R
Gomez has two 3-hit games in May (back-to-back multi-hit games).
2B Max Burt: 0-for-4, K

RHP Cam Schlittler (W, 3-4): 6 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K
2.47 ERA (43.2 IP, 37 H, 17 R, 12 ER, 1 HR, 15 BB, 52 K). Schlittler has allowed 15 homers in 210.1 career innings (0.64 HR/9). Impressively, he has maintained a strong strikeout rate while reducing his walk rate by a comfortable margin.
LHP Ryan Anderson: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Mason Vinyard: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Luis Pacheco: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

Hudson Valley (26-14) (Lost to Winston-Salem, 11-8)

DH Roc Riggio: 2-for-2, 3B (1), HR (4), 3 RBI, 4 R, SB (2), CS (3), 3 BB
.275/.431/.700 in 51 PA (3 doubles, 1 triple, 4 HR, 12 RBI, 11 R, 2-for-5 SB, 21.6% BB, 21.6% K). I hope Riggio gets to Somerset this season.
CF Jace Avina: 0-for-4, R, HBP, 3 K
1B Coby Morales: 2-for-5, 3 RBI, K
C Omar Martinez: 2-for-5, RBI, R, K
.261/.367/.433 in 158 PA. In 588 plate appearances at this level, Martinez is hitting .244/.372/.412 with 20 doubles, 2 triples, 19 HR, 67 RBI, and 76 runs. He has drawn 95 walks (16.2%) and has struck out 146 times (24.8%).
LF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-3, 2 BB, K
.229/.342/.344 in 155 PA (9 doubles, 2 HR, 22 RBI, 14 R, 5-for-5 SB). He hasn’t been able to carry over his hot 81 plate appearance stretch after being promoted here in 2024.
2B Jose Colmenares: 1-for-5, RBI, 2 K
3B Josh Moylan: 0-for-3, BB, K
SS Brenny Escanio: 0-for-4, 2 K
RF Luis Durango: 2-for-3, 2 R, 2 SB (3), BB, K
His speed is likely what attracted the Yankees to him. He has never shown any hints of power (hasn’t hit a home run since 2021. This was his 145th game since that season.)

RHP Carlos Lagrange: 3.2 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 6 K
4.63 ERA (35 IP, 28 H, 19 R, 18 ER, 3 HR, 11 BB, 56 K). Lagrange’s first rough start since April 8th (his 2025 debut). This is the first time he’s allowed more than two walks this season (did it four times in nine games in 2024).
RHP Chris Kean: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
1.02 ERA (17.2 IP, 14 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 6 BB, 15 K)
LHP Jayvien Sandridge: (L, 0-1)  1.2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Hayden Merda: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, HR
4.00 ERA (18 IP, 15 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 9 BB, 25 K)

Tampa (21-20) (Defeated Dunedin, 9-5. Getting over .500 was something I didn’t anticipate in the first half)

DH Roderick Arias: 1-for-2, 2B (7), RBI, R, CS (2), 3 BB, K
His first two games coming off the injured list have been encouraging (3-for-6, 3 doubles, 2 RBI, 1 R, 4 BB, 2 K). Let’s see if he can keep it going.
C Engelth Urena: 1-for-5
LF Dillon Lewis: 2-for-5, 2B (8), RBI, K
.218/.297/.408 in 158 PA (8 doubles, 2 triples, 5 HR, 19 RBI, 24 R, 9-for-10 SB, 9.5% BB, 27.8% K).
SS Juan Matheus: 1-for-5, R, SB (11), 2 K
Matheus has a 9-game hitting streak (17-for-35). He is hitting .306/.366/.379 in 145 PA (9 doubles, 22 RBI, 16 R, 11-for-16 SB, 10.3% BB, 22.8% K). Matheus has some speed but has to work on his base-stealing technique (49-for-71 (69%)).
RF Tyler Wilson: 2-for-4, 2B (3), HR (2), 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 K
3B Owen Cobb: 3-for-5, RBI, R, SB (8), CS (2)
Cobb has an 8-game hitting streak (14-for-31). He is hitting .446/.484/.786 in 63 plate appearances. The 23-year-old should find his way to Hudson Valley this season.
2B Hans Montero: 2-for-5, RBI, R,  2 K
CF Marshall Toole: 1-for-3, 2 R, 2 SB (10), BB, K
.297/.396/.429 in 106 PA (6 doubles, 3 triples, 7 RBI, 22 R, 10-for-11 SB, 13.2% BB, 25.5% K). 
1B Josue Gonzalez: 1-for-2, HR (2), SF, 3 RBI, R, CS (2), HBP

RHP Danny Flatt: 4.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
4.33 ERA (27 IP, 27 H, 17 R, 13 ER, 2 HR, 17 BB, 21 K). 
RHP Cade Austin: (W, 2-0)  1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Sean Hermann: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Gus Hughes: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

FCL (6-7)

Day off.

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 5/15: Carlos Lagrange Ks 9

Notes:

Minor league news has gone cold.

Injury Log

Scranton (20-20) (Lost to Toledo, 20-7)

3B Jesus Rodriguez: 3-for-5, 2B (5), 2 R, K
Since his promotion, Rodriguez is up to .372 with four 3-hit efforts in 24 games. He is on a 7-game hitting streak (11-for-26).
DH-LF Dominic Smith: 2-for-4, 2B (6), HR (5), 2 RBI, 2 R, BB, K
The depth piece has three homers in his last four starts.
RF Everson Pereira: 1-for-4, HR (9), RBI, 2 R, BB, 2 K
Pereira’s 6th HR in May (9 games). Four hitters are tied for 1st in the International League in homers with 10. Pereira has played fewer games than all of them.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-4, BB, 3 K
Rumfield has a 6-game hitting streak.
LF-P Jose Rojas: 2-for-5, 2B (8), 2 RBI, K
C Alex Jackson: 3-for-5, HR (5), 2 RBI, R, 2 K
Jackson is 18-for-56 (.321; 2 doubles, 1 triple, 5 HR, 19 RBI) in 16 games.
SS Braden Shewmake: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K
2B Andrew Velazquez: 0-for-5, K
CF Ismael Munguia: 1-for-4

RHP Erick Leal: (L, 1-5) 1.2 IP, 4 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 4 BB, 3 K, 3 HR
RHP Zach Messinger: 2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, K
Messinger also allowed two of Leal’s runs to score. He owns a 7.20 ERA (30 IP, 39 H, 24 R, 24 ER, 3 HR, 21 BB, 27 K). This is a year where Messinger can realize his MLB dreams, but it hasn’t been a sharp start.
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
Reyzelman is surprisingly struggling. He owns a 4.70 ERA in 15.1 IP (9 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 15 BB, 18 K). Walks, walks, walks, WALKS.
RHP Geoff Hartlieb: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Clayton Beeter: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
For Scranton: 5.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 7 K. He is still on his rehab stint.
RHP Kervin Castro: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
2.29 ERA (19.2 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 23 K). His first earned runs allowed since April 6th.
RHP Jose Rojas: 0.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
His fourth career appearance on the hill.

Somerset (15-20) (Split a low-scoring doubleheader against Portland)

Game 1 (Lost, 4-2)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-2, SB (3), 2 BB
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-3, BB, K
CF Garrett Martin: 1-for-3, SB (5)
2B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-2, HBP, K
RF Coby Morales: 0-for-3, 2 K
Morales’s Double-A debut.
1B Tyler Hardman: 1-for-3, HR (3), RBI, R, 2 K
3B Alexander Vargas: 1-for-3, HR (1), RBI, R, K
.253/.320/.402 in 97 PA. He is 10-for-34 (.294) with a double, two triples, and a homer in May.
LF Jared Wegner: 0-for-3, K
DH Antonio Gomez: 0-for-3, 2 K

RHP Cam Schlittler (L, 2-4): 4.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 8 K
2.87 ERA (37.2 IP, 31 H, 17 R, 12 ER, 1 HR, 13 BB, 44 K). A mixed bag today, as he allowed some runs but missed some bats. I like the lack of homers allowed. Also, his BB/9 has fallen from 4.10 last year to 3.11 this year. Can he make his MLB debut in 2025? Yes. There isn’t too much blocking him if there is a need.
RHP Cole Ayers: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Scott Effross: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
LHP Will Brian: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Since promotion: 1.80 ERA (10 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 11 K). Health hasn’t been on his side (29 innings in 3+ seasons), but he has potential if he clears that hurdle.

Game 2 (Won, 3-0)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-2, R, BB, K
Since promotion: 5-for-25 (7 BB, 5 K, 3-for-3 SB). The hits will start coming.
DH Rafael Flores: 0-for-2, HBP, K
.287/.338/.493 in 148 PA (10 doubles, 6 HR, 24 RBI, 15 R, 3-for-3 SB). I would be unsurprised if he is used as a deal sweetener this summer.
LF Garrett Martin: 1-for-3, RBI, K
.210/.328/.390 in 119 PA (6 doubles, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 15 R, 5-for-6 SB). He has 29 doubles and 16 HR to go along with a 22-for-25 SB rate in 135 minor league games. The issue is the batting average (.212)
3B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-3, HR (6), RBI, R, K
I saw the HR on YES – he hit it to the opposite field, which is always nice to see in this organization! He is hitting .266/.326/.484 in 135 PA (7 doubles, 1 triple, 6 HR, 18 RBI, 19 R, 5.9% BB, 19.3% K). Last season, he owned a 9.8% BB and 24.4% K.
1B Coby Morales: 0-for-3, K
CF Grant Richardson: 0-for-3, 2 K
RF Jared Wegner: 1-for-2, 2B (4), R, K
C Antonio Gomez: 0-for-2, K
2B Max Burt: 1-for-2, RBI, K

RHP Brendan Beck: 4.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K
1.91 ERA (28.1 IP, 18 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 6 BB, 32 K). Beck is below Schlittler on my depth chart but he was considered a quick rise prospect when he was drafted (injuries, injuries, injuries)
RHP Harrison Cohen (W, 1-2): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
3.65 ERA (12.1 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 6 BB, 17 K). 
RHP Jordany Ventura (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Ventura earns his first career save in his 46th relief appearance.

Hudson Valley (24-11) (Split a low-scoring doubleheader against Aberdeen)

Game 1 (Won, 4-2)

CF Brendan Jones: 0-for-3, K
2B Roc Riggio: 2-for-3, 2B (2), K
Since returning from his rehab stint, Riggio is 5-for-25 (2 doubles, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 7 BB, 8K).
DH Parks Harber: 0-for-3, 2 K
Whatever the cause was for him leaving the game a few days ago was nothing to worry about.
LF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-3, HR (2), RBI, R, K
His first HR since April 26th.
C Omar Martinez: 0-for-1, 2 BB
3B Jose Colmenares: 0-for-3, R, K
SS Brenny Escanio: 1-for-2, RBI, R, K
1B Josh Moylan: 1-for-2, HR (2), 2 RBI, R, K
RF Anthony Hall: 0-for-2

RHP Ben Hess (W, 3-2): 5.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 6 K
3.23 ERA (30.2 IP, 15 H, 14 R, 11 ER, 1 HR, 16 BB, 45 K). He is third in the South Atlantic League in strikeouts. His control hasn’t been sharp yet, but the overall performance is encouraging.
RHP Tony Rossi: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
Between here and Tampa: 13.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 18 K. He continues to put up zeroes.
RHP Huey Morrill (S, 1): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Game 2 (Lost, 2-0)

CF Brendan Jones: 0-for-3, K
.238/.347/.385 in 147 PA. His average and OBP are similar to his April totals, but his power has fallen. Ebbs and flows.
LF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-3
.219/.323/.343 in 133 PA. Castillo is only 6-for-45 in May (.275/.370/.420 in April)
DH Omar Martinez: 0-for-3
.277/.379/.471 in 140 PA (5 doubles, 6 HR, 25 RBI, 21 R, 13.6% BB, 28.6% K).
2B Jose Colmenares: 0-for-2, BB
3B Josh Moylan: 0-for-3, K
SS Brenny Escanio: 0-for-1, BB
C Tomas Frick: 1-for-1, 2B (5), HBP
Frick earns their only hit in Game 2.
RF Luis Durango: 0-for-2
1B Duncan Pastore: 0-for-2

RHP Carlos Lagrange: (L, 3-2)  6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 9 K, HR
3.45 ERA (31.1 IP, 23 H, 13 R, 12 ER, 3 HR, 7 BB, 50 K). He leads the South Atlantic League in strikeouts. Lagrange has an impressive 50/7 K BB over 31.1 IP after compiling a 27/20 rate over 21 IP last year. His K% is up while his BB% has fallen considerably. If you aren’t encouraged about this, check your status as a prospect follower because you are too harsh. 
RHP Tyrone Yulie: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
3.95 ERA (13.1 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 1 HR, 7 BB, 19 K). It’s his first season as a reliever only. 

Tampa (18-19) (Shut down Palm Beach, 8-0. The Tarpons are hot)

C Edgleen Perez: 3-for-4, RBI, R, BB
.229/.397/.267 in 136 PA (4 doubles, 12 RBI, 16 R, 3-for-4 SB, 19.9% BB, 22.1% K). Perez (18) is starting to figure things out. He is 14-for-49 (.286/.426/.347; 3 doubles, 10 BB, 10 K) in May.
DH Engelth Urena: 0-for-4, RBI, R, BB, K
RF Dillon Lewis: 1-for-5, RBI, K
SS Juan Matheus: 3-for-4, 2B (7), RBI, R
This follows his 6-for-6 doubleheader on Wednesday. His remarkable run (11-for-14 over his last four games) has spiked his triple slash to .308/.365/.374. Before this stretch, he was hitting .237/.318/.301. Matheus (21) hit .303/.421/.463 in 54 games last season, so low-level offense hasn’t been an issue.
2B Austin Green: 1-for-4, R, 2 K
LF Tyler Wilson: 1-for-4, RBI, R, 2 K
1B Hans Montero: 0-for-2, R, 2 BB, 2 K
CF Marshall Toole: 1-for-4, 2B (5), 2 RBI, R, 2 K
.295/.389/.436 in 90 PA. He has three doubles and a triple during a 5-game hitting streak.
3B Owen Cobb: 3-for-4, 3B (2), RBI, R, K
Cobb is auditioning for a promotion. He is hitting .462/.511/.923 (yes, that’s his slugging percentage) in 45 PA (5 doubles, 2 triples, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 16 R, 5-for-6 SB). To make this even more fun: He started the season 0-for-6.

LHP Tanner Bauman: (W, 1-3)  5 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
7.33 ERA (27 IP, 35 H, 23 R, 22 ER, 1 HR, 24 BB, 24 K). A solid effort for Bauman, who earns his first professional win.
RHP Sean Hermann: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
2.00 ERA (18 IP, 12 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 0 HR, 16 BB, 19 K)
RHP Cole Zaffiro: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Jackson Fristoe: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K

FCL (5-4) (Lost to the Phillies, 3-2, in ten innings. The game was tied 0-0 entering the 10th)

DH Brando Mayea: 0-for-5, K
Good or bad, I will always report on what Mayea is doing…
CF Cam Eden: 1-for-3, SB (1)
Whenever a minor league veteran is rehabbing in the FCL, I want them to leave ASAP. The playing time can be useful to others.
   PH-LF-RF Gabriel Lara: 0-for-2
RF Brennen Davis: 0-for-4, K
See Eden, Cam.
LF-CF Isael Arias: 1-for-4, 2B (4), K
1B Johan Contreras: 1-for-3, 2B (2), BB, 2 K
2B Gabriel Terrero: 4-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, R, SB (3)
Terrero’s second career 4-hit effort. He has ten career homers, seven of which came in 2023.

RHP Omar Gonzalez: 4.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
RHP Sunayro Martina: 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Chance Nolan: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
It’s the former college quarterback’s second career appearance (2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K)

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 5/7: Everson Pereira Walks it Off

Notes:

Jonathan Loaisiga‘s rehab was moved to Scranton today. He tossed a pair of scoreless innings.

Injury Log

Scranton (17-17) (Split a doubleheader against Rochester)

Game 1 (Won, 5-3, on a walk-off blast by Everson Pereira. Scranton hit three home runs in the bottom of the 7th to take the win)

LF Everson Pereira: 2-for-4, HR (7), 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 K
Pereira has four home runs in his last four games (six in his last ten games).  He is hitting .295/.364/.577 in 88 PA (1 double, 7 HR, 17 RBI, 17 R, 2-for-2 SB, 9.1% BB, 34.1% K)
3B DJ LeMahieu: 2-for-3
Weird that Aaron Boone said 2B was in play for LeMahieu, only for him to play third base tonight (his first appearance at third base during his rehab stint). This is the first time he played a full game in the field during his stint, but remember that it was a 7-inning game.  As for his return, Jorbit Vivas isn’t doing anything to claim second base over the next several weeks. The loss of Jazz Chisholm Jr., even with his warts, is potentially devastating.
DH T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-3, RBI, K
1B Dominic Smith: 0-for-3
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 1-for-3, HR (1), RBI, R, K
He started the home run binge with his first one as a member of the Yankees’ organization.
2B Jose Rojas: 0-for-3
C Alex Jackson: 3-for-3, HR (3), RBI, R
Jackson’s HR tied the game.
SS Braden Shewmake: 0-for-3, 2 K
CF Ismael Munguia: 0-for-2, R, BB
Munguia set the stage for Pereira’s dramatics by earning a walk.

LHP Brandon Leibrandt: 3 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Clayton Beeter: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K
Beeter threw 26 pitches (18 fastballs, 8 sliders). He hit 96.8 MPH (averaged 95.8)
RHP Jonathan Loaisiga: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Loaisiga threw 16 pitches in an efficient outing. He used all four pitches (4-seam, sinker, curve, changeup) and reached 96.5 MPH on his 4-seamer and sinker. If he comes out of this outing OK, he’s close.
LHP Brent Headrick (W, 1-0): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Headrick was activated off the injured list today.

Game 2 (Lost, 8-5. This was a sloppy game where the Railriders committed five errors)

CF Ismael Munguia: 1-for-4, R, SB (8)
3B Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-3, R, SB (5), BB
Rodriguez is 22-for-63 (.349) since his promotion (3 doubles, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 16 R, 5-for-5 SB, 18.5% BB, 12.3% K).  He has forced the Yankees hand. I don’t think the plan was to keep him here once Alex Jackson returned. 
1B T.J. Rumfield: 3-for-3, 2B (9), RBI, R, BB
Rumfield is 9-for-19 with a pair of doubles in May.
2B Jose Rojas: 1-for-3, HR (7, grand slam), 4 RBI, R, BB
Rojas has two grand slams in May (4 HR, 12 RBI in six May games, though all those numbers have come in two games)
LF Bryan De La Cruz: 0-for-3, HBP
DH Dominic Smith: 1-for-3, BB
C Ronaldo Hernandez: 1-for-4, K
RF Grant Richardson: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
SS Andrew Velazquez: 1-for-4, 2B (4), R, 2 K

RHP Sean Boyle: (L, 3-4)  6 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
Boyle is a mix-it-up righty who can hit 90-92 with his fastball. He has battled injuries and I would love for him to make his MLB debut. Whether that is in a Yankees uniform, I don’t know. Season: 4.14 ERA (37 IP, 31 H, 20 R, 17 ER, 5 HR, 11 BB, 40 K)
RHP Leonardo Pestana: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
LHP Rob Zastryzny: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Somerset (12-17) (Lost to Akron, 3-0. Somerset hasn’t scored a run since George Lombard Jr.‘s promotion. Coincidence? I think not)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-3, BB
1-for-7 with a walk and two strikeouts. 
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-4, 2B (10), 2 K
94 Double-A games: .276/.350/.521 in 397 PA (24 doubles, 21 HR, 56 RBI, 54 R, 9-for-9 SB, 9.3% BB, 28.5% K). The strikeout rate has spiked this season (32.3%).
2B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-4
.255/.321/.471 in 112 PA (5 doubles, 1 triple, 5 HR, 14 RBI, 17 R, 7.1% BB, 16.1% K). He is off to a 3-for-26 start in May.
CF Garrett Martin: 0-for-4, K
.192/.344/.410 in 96 PA (5 doubles, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 13 R, 4-for-5 SB, 13.5% BB, 16.7% K)
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-3, BB
RF Jared Wegner: 0-for-4, 4 K
3B Alexander Vargas: 1-for-3, K
LF Christopher Familia: 0-for-3, 2 K
DH Antonio Gomez: 0-for-3, 2 K

RHP Cam Schlittler: (L, 2-3)  6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 7 K
2.18 ERA (33 IP, 25 H, 13 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 10 BB, 36 K). Schlittler is the upper-level arm to be excited over, while Brendan Beck has placed himself on the map. They are two names to watch, but are they MLB viable in 2025?
RHP Danny Watson: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Harrison Cohen: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
4.22 ERA (10.2 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 6 BB, 14 K)

Hudson Valley (19-9) (Walloped Wilmington, 12-1)

CF Brendan Jones: 4-for-6, 2B (5), RBI, R, SB (12)
.247/.348/.412 in 115 PA (5 doubles, 1 triple, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 21 R, 12-for-15 SB, 12.2% BB, 18.3% K).  This is his first career 4-hit effort.
2B Roc Riggio: 0-for-4, CS (1), BB
  2B Duncan Pastore: 0-for-1, K
RF Jace Avina: 0-for-5, BB
  RF Anthony Hall: 0-for-0
LF Jackson Castillo: 2-for-5, RBI, R, BB, 3 K
.247/.358/.360 in 106 PA. He needed a solid night, as he was 1-for-15 in May entering it.
3B Parks Harber: 1-for-5, 2 R, BB, 2 K
DH Coby Morales: 2-for-4, 2B (3), RBI, 3 R, BB
C Omar Martinez: 4-for-5, 2B (5), HR (3), 5 RBI, 3 R, K
Martinez is 10-for-19 in May (3 doubles, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 7 R). He has homered in back-to-back games and has three doubles in his last four games. He started the month .211/.299/.276. Now, his triple slash is .274/.358/.421. How crazy is that? 
SS Brenny Escanio: 2-for-4, RBI, R, BB, K
1B Josh Moylan: 2-for-5, 2B (5), 3 RBI, R, K

RHP Carlos Lagrange: (W, 3-1)  5.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K (ties personal best)
3.55 ERA (25.1 IP, 18 H, 11 R, 10 ER, 2 HR, 7 BB, 41 K). A 41/7 K/BB is insane. Half of those earned runs were compiled in his first start. Last season, in 21 innings, he compiled a 27/20 K/BB. Once a pitcher like Lagrange figures out control/command, the sky is the limit. Yes, it is still too early to know if this is real, and we need to see Lagrange stay healthy for a full season.
RHP Matt Keating: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Keating stranded a pair of runners in the 6th to preserve Lagrange’s night.
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Chris Kean: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
1.38 ERA (13 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 4 BB, 12 K)

Tampa (11-17)

Their game against Daytona was postponed due to lightning.

FCL (2-1)

Day off.

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 4/24: Cam Schlittler Dominates

Notes:

Nothing newsworthy.

Injury Log

Scranton (12-11) (Lost to Charlotte, 10-3)

CF Ismael Munguia: 1-for-4, HR (2), RBI, R, K
Munguia hits a lead-off blast. The rest of the night didn’t go their way.
2B Jorbit Vivas: 0-for-3, R, BB, K
Vivas was called up to MLB in 2024 and 2025. He has yet to appear in a game.
C Jesus Rodriguez: 2-for-4
Since promotion: 8-for-29 (.276/.436/.310). Rodriguez started showing some pop in 2023 and 2024. This year, between Somerset and Scranton, his “pop” consists of one double in 16 games. It’s early. By the way, while Rodriguez is known for his versatility, the only positions he has played for Scranton are catcher and DH.
LF Dominic Smith: 0-for-3, R, BB
1B Jose Rojas: 2-for-4
DH Ronaldo Hernandez: 0-for-4, 2 K
3B Jake Gatewood: 0-for-3, BB, 3 K
SS Andrew Velazquez: 0-for-4, 3 K
RF Grant Richardson: 0-for-3, CS (1), BB, K

RHP Sean Boyle: (L, 2-3)  5.2 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 3 HR
4.91 ERA (25.2 IP, 20 H, 14 R, 14 ER, 5 HR, 8 BB, 27 K)
RHP Mason Vinyard: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 2 HR
Vinyard’s Triple-A debut wasn’t impressive, but it’s only Game 1.
LHP Rob Zastryzny: 0.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP McKinley Moore: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Somerset (8-10) (Shut down Hartford, 2-0)

3B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-3, HR (3), RBI, R, K
Jasso has swatted a double and two home runs in his last three games. He is hitting .286/.333/.536 in 60 PA.
2B DJ LeMahieu: 0-for-2, K
He hasn’t played back-to-back days yet. We’ll see if he is the designated hitter tomorrow.
   2B Jose Colmenares: 0-for-1, K
CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-3, HR (7), RBI, R, K
7th HR in his last 15 games. Now hitting .254/.382/.619.
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-3, 2B (4), 2 K
Flores has 18 doubles and 18 home runs in 83 Double-A games (.502 SLG)
LF Garrett Martin: 0-for-3, K
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-3, K
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-2, BB
RF Jared Wegner: 0-for-3, 2 K
DH Antonio Gomez: 0-for-3

RHP Cam Schlittler: (W, 2-1)  7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 9 K (ties personal best)
1.23 ERA (22 IP, 13 H, 8 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 5 BB, 24 K). I don’t know if he makes his MLB debut this year, but it is possible. He may also be in the “trade zone” for the Yankees. History tells us that the Yankees like to trade pitchers who throw well in Double-A.
RHP Danny Watson: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
LHP Ryan Anderson (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Both Watson and Anderson needed uneventful outings.

Hudson Valley (12-6) (Defeated Asheville, 9-4)

CF Brendan Jones: 1-for-4, 2B (3), RBI, R, BB
Jones continues to show off pop early in his career (8 doubles, 1 triple, 6 HR in 39 games). He is also 28-for-29 stealing bases and has more walks (39) than strikeouts (38). All that in a center field package? Color me intrigued.
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-2, 2 R, HBP, 2 BB, K
Lombard continues to reach base.  He has 14 hits, 17 walks, and 3 HBP in 72 PA. He has the speed (9-for-10 SB) to make opponents pay for allowing him to get on base. The power? It will come.
LF Jackson Castillo: 2-for-5, 2B (5), RBI, 2 R, K
Castillo has five doubles in 13 games. 
RF Jace Avina: 2-for-5, 2B (2), 2 RBI, K
Avina can use a surge. He has back-to-back multi-hit games. This is only his second extra-base hit this season (34 in 92 games in 2024)
DH Omar Martinez: 1-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, R, BB, K
Finally, Martinez fills the home run column. He launched 13 in 104 games at this level in 2024.
1B Coby Morales: 1-for-5, R, 2 K
3B Josh Moylan: 0-for-3, R, 2 BB, 3 K
2B Brenny Escanio: 1-for-3, R, 2 BB, 2 K
C Tomas Frick: 0-for-3, SF, RBI, BB, K

RHP Josh Grosz: 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
His pitch count was elevated (73). He owns a 3.09 ERA (11.2 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 19 K).
RHP Huey Morrill (W, 1-0): 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
9 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K
RHP Hayden Merda: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
RHP Bryce Warrecker: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
His first run allowed in 2025 comes via a balk. Blah. Season: 6.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 11 K. I assume they will let him start again, but you never know what they think about any prospect. As a reminder, he was a starter in 2023 but missed all of 2024.

Tampa (8-10) (Defeated Dunedin, 7-2. After leaving the game early last night, Edgleen Perez wasn’t in the lineup tonight)

SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-3, BB
.154/.295/.262 in 78 PA. Yikes.
C Engelth Urena: 0-for-4, K
1B Parks Harber: 1-for-3, 2B (4), 2 R, BB
Harber continues to rake (he has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games). I am not there yet, but soon you may see me typing “Get him off this level.”
LF Dillon Lewis: 2-for-4, 2 2B (3), R
RF Tyler Wilson: 1-for-3, R, BB
2B Austin Green: 1-for-3, SF, 2 RBI, R
CF Marshall Toole: 3-for-4, 2B (1), 2 R
Early season baseball: Two games back, he was hitting .200/.360/.300. Now, he is hitting .313/.405/.344.
3B Juan Matheus: 2-for-3, 2B (5), SF, 3 RBI, SB (4)
.243/.354/.378 in 48 PA (5 doubles, 10 RBI, 5 R, 4-for-5 SB, 16.7% BB, 12.5% K). Matheus intrigues me.
DH Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-4

LHP Griffin Herring: (W, 3-0)  7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 K
0.39 ERA (23.1 IP, 12 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 10 BB, 28 K).  We call these video game numbers, though he has walked 10 hitters in 17.2 IP in his last three starts. 
RHP Jack Sokol: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Chris Veach: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
2.45 ERA (7.1 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 HR, 3 BB, 14 K)

FCL (0-0)

Their season starts on May 3rd.

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 4/10: Jackson Castillo: 2 Doubles, 6 RBI

Notes:

RHP McKinley Moore and OF Christopher Familia have been moved to the organization’s Development List.

The Development List was introduced in 2021, and its purpose is what you think it is. If a player has something to work on, and the organization wants them to do so outside of game competition, the Development List is there for them to use.

Scranton (6-5) 

Their game against Rochester was postponed.  Tomorrow’s weather doesn’t look promising.

Somerset (2-4) (Defeated Reading, 4-1)

3B Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-4, RBI, CS (1), K
CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-3, RBI, SB (2), BB, K
.263/.462/.474 in 26 PA (1 double, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 5 R, 2-for-2 SB, 6 BB, 8 K)
C Rafael Flores: 0-for-2, SB (2), 2 BB, K
6-for-21 (2 HR, 5 RBI, 2 R, 2-for-2 SB, 4 BB, 8 K)
LF Garrett Martin: 1-for-3, R, BB
RF Cole Gabrielson: 2-for-4, 2B (1), R, 2 K
1B Tyler Hardman: 1-for-4, RBI, K
DH Grant Richardson: 0-for-3, BB, 3 K
SS Alexander Vargas: 2-for-4, 2B (3), RBI, CS (1), K
6-for-12 (3 doubles, 3 RBI, 0 BB, 1 K). This is a continuation of his strong spring training.
2B Max Burt: 0-for-2, R, SB (2), BB, K

RHP Clarke Schmidt: 4 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
Schmidt could be in an MLB rotation as soon as next week.
RHP Cam Schlittler: (W, 1-0): 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
10.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 2 BB, 12 K

Hudson Valley (4-2) (Defeated Brooklyn, 8-3)

CF Brendan Jones: 0-for-3, R, 2 SB (3), 2 BB, 2 K
2-for-21 (1 double, 1 triple, 3 RBI, 2 R, 3-for-3 SB, 4 BB, 10 K). Jones is 21-for-21 stealing bases in his short career.
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-2, 3 R, SB (2), 3 BB, K
Lombard had four 3+ BB games in 2024 (including one 4 BB game)
LF Jackson Castillo: 3-for-5, 2 2B (2), 6 RBI, SB (2), K
Castillo swats a pair of 3-run doubles. Interestingly, this is not a new best for him for RBI. He knocked in 7 runs on August 13, 2024.
C Omar Martinez: 0-for-3, 2 BB, 3 K
2B Jose Colmenares: 0-for-5, 4 K
1B Josh Moylan: 1-for-4, R, 2 K
DH Antonio Gomez: 1-for-4, 2 K
RF Coby Morales: 1-for-3, R, BB, K
3B Brenny Escanio: 0-for-2, 2 R, SB (3), 2 BB

RHP Josh Grosz: 2.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 4 K
The 6’4″ Grosz had a solid debut season in 2024 (24 games (23 starts), 7-8, 3.85 ERA; 121.2 IP, 101 H, 14 HR, 52 BB, 131 K). He had his best ERA in seven starts at this level (2.77). He was the Yankees’ 11th-round pick in 2023 (East Carolina).
LHP Will Brian: (W, 1-0)  2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
RHP Bryce Warrecker: 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
Impressive outing for the 6’8″ Warrecker. Like many kids his size, he needs to work on his command/control.
RHP Hayden Merda: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Huey Morrill: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Tampa (4-2) (Defeated Fort Myers, 4-1)

SS Roderick Arias: 2-for-4, 2B (2), 2 SB (3), BB, K
Arias needed this night in a bad way.
LF Brian Sanchez: 0-for-2, SB (2), BB, 2 K
Sanchez left the game after striking out in the 5th inning.
  LF Dillon Lewis: 0-for-1, K
C Engelth Urena: 0-for-2, R, 2 HBP, 2 K
Urena is off to a 1-for-17 start, though he does have seven walks and two HBP.
3B Parks Harber: 1-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, R, K
Harber hit one homer in 23 games in last year’s debut season.
RF Tyler Wilson: 0-for-3, CS (2), BB, K
2B Austin Green: 0-for-3, R, HBP
1B Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
CF Marshall Toole: 1-for-4, K
DH Duncan Pastore: 1-for-4, 2B (1), RBI, R
Signed as an undrafted free agent last year, Pastore went 10-for-27 in ten games with four stolen bases. He is still looking for his first career extra-base hit.

LHP Griffin Herring: 4.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
10.1 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 13 K. I’d say that’s a nice start to one’s professional career.
RHP Sean Hermann: (W, 1-0)  2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Chris Veach: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Tony Rossi (S, 1): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Rossi’s first career save. He was pumping mid-90s sinkers tonight.

FCL (0-0)

Their season starts on May 3rd.

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 4/4: Griffin Herring Dazzles in Debut

Notes:

The Yankees have signed C/OF Cooper Hummel to a minor league deal after he elected free agency yesterday. The Astros outrighted him off their 40-man roster, and he had the right to declare free agency.

While listed as a C/OF, Hummell hasn’t caught at any level since 2023 (96 innings). Offensively, the 30-year-old hasn’t done much with his limited MLB playing time, hitting .159/.255/.275 (51 OPS+) over 235 PA. He has clubbed three homers and driven home 17. If tomorrow’s Immaculate Grid has any combination of Diamondbacks, Mariners, and Astros, remember his name. He has appeared in MLB for all three organizations.

For the Yankees, he is depth.

Scranton (4-3) (Mauled Syracuse, 12-4)

LF Ismael Munguia: 0-for-5, R, SB (1), HBP, 2 K
3B Jorbit Vivas: 3-for-4, HR (1), 3 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB, K
Despite what “scouts” say, the Yankees continue to give Vivas reps at third base. It doesn’t hurt to try, and it would increase his trade value if he impresses.
DH T.J. Rumfield: 3-for-6, 2 RBI
9-for-30 (2 doubles, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 6 R, 3 BB, 5 K). If one continues to hit, they eventually get a chance somewhere.
1B Dominic Smith: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K
RF Jose Rojas: 1-for-4, R, BB, 2 K
  PR-RF Grant Richardson: 0-for-0, SF, RBI, R
C Alex Jackson: 1-for-4, 2 R, 2 BB, 3 K
2B Braden Shewmake: 3-for-4, HR (2), 3 RBI, 2 R, BB
Season: 6-for-24 (2 HR, 4 RBI, 4 R, 6 BB, 6 K). The Railriders are using him at 2B/SS/3B.
SS Andrew Velazquez: 0-for-3, R, SB (4), SAC, BB, 2 K
CF Duke Ellis: 2-for-5, 3 RBI, R, K

RHP Jake Woodford:  3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, HR
Woodford’s organizational debut.
RHP Leonardo Pestana: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
The Yankees have many bullpen options, making a Pestana debut difficult to imagine. However, if he can stay healthy, he could make things interesting. There is talent here.
RHP Ian Hamilton: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Supposedly, he’ll be back in Detroit?
LHP Ryan Anderson: (W, 1-0)  1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
LHP Rob Zastryzny: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Geoff Hartlieb: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Wilking Rodriguez: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
J.C. Escarra is a great story. Rodriguez would be a good one as well – he hasn’t appeared in MLB in 11 years.  I am going to root for it to happen.

Somerset (0-1) (Lost a heartbreaker to Hartford, 5-4, on a 9th-inning walk-off HR)

3B Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-4, BB, K
The Yankees added the versatile Rodriguez to the 40-man roster this past winter. Listed as a catcher, he also has minor league experience at 1B/2B/3B/LF. So far in his career, he has hit everywhere they place him. Double-A (where he struggled a bit in 23 games last year) will be his ultimate test.
CF Spencer Jones: 0-for-4, HBP, 2 K
Must I say anything? Jones remains the ultimate boom-bust prospect in a sport where boom-bust prospects are more the norm than the exception. He must show more progress in 2025. The clock has started to tick (Rule 5 eligible this winter).
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-4, SB (1), 2 K
Flores (24) has jumped up on prospect radars. Upon his promotion here in 2024, he hit .274/.359/.519 with 15 home runs in only 65 games. Can he catch long-term or is first base his future calling?  We should expect to hear his name thrown around at the trade deadline if he continues to rake.
1B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-4, R, K
Only 22, Jasso hit 30 doubles in 120 games in 2024.
DH Tyler Hardman: 0-for-3, R, BB, 2 K
RF Cole Gabrielson: 0-for-4, 3 K
LF Garrett Martin: 1-for-3, R, BB
The 24-year-old showed off some HR pop in Hudson Valley last year (12 HR in 87 games). However, he struck out 97 times in 346 PA (28.0%).
2B Alexander Vargas: 1-for-2, 2B (1), R
Vargas had a fun spring, going 8-for-14 with two doubles, three homers, and 7 RBI. While that doesn’t tell us anything, it was a nice story for him. He was once a highly-regarded bonus baby. He is trying to regain some steam.
   2B Max Burt: 0-for-1, SF, RBI, K
SS Jake Gatewood: 2-for-3, 3 RBI, CS (1), BB
Where do the Yankees find these guys? Tonight was his first appearance in affiliated ball since 2022, where he hit .211/.261/.439 in 108 games for the Angels’ Triple-A affiliate in Salt Lake. Last year, he was the Bobby Witt Jr. of the independent Atlantic League. He hit .295/.395/.607 in 506 PA with 34 doubles, 33 HR, and 121 RBI.

RHP Cam Schlittler: 5.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, HR
The Yankees invited Schlittler to spring training. Yes, I think you should read into that – who gets invited vs. who doesn’t can show you where the Yankees currently stand with a prospect (especially those at the upper levels). Can he get to MLB in 2025? It’s not impossible.
RHP Mason Vinyard: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 2 K
RHP Jordany Ventura: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Originally with the Mets organization, Ventura elected free agency this past winter. He is a 24-year-old with experience as a starter and reliever.
RHP Indigo Diaz: (L, 0-1): 0.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 HR, 0 BB, 0 K

Hudson Valley (0-1) (Lost to Jersey Shore, 3-1)

CF Brendan Jones: 0-for-5, 2 K
The 22-year-old left-handed bat made an immediate impression in his debut 2024 season. In 24 games, he hit .267/.471/.453 with 5 doubles, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 16 R, 29 BB, 21 K, and 18 stolen bases in 18 attempts. He was their 12th round pick out of Kansas State.
SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-3, R, BB, K
Spring training certainly raised the hype for the teenager, but let’s calm down for a second. He is still more projection than production. He may not make it to Somerset as a teenager (he turns 20 on 6/2), but we’ll see.
LF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-4, K
In a late-season trial at this level, Castillo thrived (.314/.383/.514 in 21 games). 
RF Jace Avina: 0-for-3, BB, K
Acquired from the Brewers for Jake Bauers, Avina (21) hit .245/.317/.399 in 397 PA at this level in 2024. 
C Omar Martinez: 2-for-4, 2B (1), RBI, SB (1), K
The Yankees had Martinez play a full season at Tampa in 2023 and Hudson Valley in 2024. They decided not to start him at Somerset in 2025. Is there anything to read into that? Nah.
3B Josh Moylan: 0-for-2, 2 BB
1B Coby Morales: 0-for-3, SB (1), HBP, 2 K
DH Antonio Gomez: 1-for-4, 2 K
Once considered (by me and others!) as the top pure catching prospect in the system, Gomez has never put the entire package together. That said, even though it seems he has been here for an eternity, he is only 23, and late-blooming catchers aren’t uncommon. 
2B Jose Colmenares: 0-for-4, K

LHP Kyle Carr: (L, 0-1)  4.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
It’s not the most efficient outing, but it is an effective one. The Yankees aggressively placed Carr at this level in 2024 without any experience anywhere else, and he went 1-8 with a 4.76 ERA over 104 IP (95/55 K/BB). They are hoping that experience translates into better results in 2025.
LHP Geoffrey Gilbert: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
After an effective 2023 debut season for Tampa, Gilbert was limited to only five games in 2024. He will hopefully pick up from where he left off.
RHP Matt Keating: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Cole Ayers: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Tampa (1-0) (Squeaked past Lakeland, 2-1)

SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-3, R, BB, 2 K
It’s a big season for Arias, who hit .233/.335/.393 with 21 doubles, 8 triples, 13 HR, 74 RBI, 78 R, and 37 stolen bases in 50 attempts at this level last year. When asked how I would describe him, I always say his athletic ability carries him. In other words, he can make up for his shortcomings with his pure athleticism. As you move up the chain, that’s not enough to become MLB-viable. We’ll see how 2025 unfolds.
DH Edgleen Perez: 0-for-2
Full-season league debut for Perez, a catcher who hit .283/.444/.380 in 216 PA for the FCL squad last year. He had more walks (45) than strikeouts (35). We’ll see if he can keep a strong ratio at a more advanced level (don’t expect more BB than K!). As for why he left the game, I am not sure.
   PH-DH Juan Matheus: 1-for-2
The 20-year-old switch-hitter dominated in the FCL last season. At this level, he went 1-for-13 with a pair of stolen bases.
CF Brian Sanchez: 3-for-4, 2B (1), RBI
Also acquired in the Bauers’ deal, Sanchez earned his promotion by hitting .306/.394/.514 with 16 stolen bases in 19 attempts in the FCL last year.
C Engelth Urena: 0-for-3, BB
Only 20, Urena destroyed the FCL (.301/.420/.564 in 162 PA) to earn his spot here in 2025. He’s a fun long-range lottery ticket to follow.
3B Parks Harber: 0-for-4, 3 K
RF Tyler Wilson: 2-for-2, R, SB (1), 2 BB
Last year’s 8th-round pick out of Grand Canyon had a rough start to his professional career, though he did walk 14 times in 92 PA (15.2%). Many players do. It’s all about whether they can bounce back.
LF Dillon Lewis: 0-for-4, SB (1)
2B Austin Green: 0-for-3
1B Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-3, K

LHP Griffin Herring: (W, 1-0) 5.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K
The professional debut for the Yankees’ 6th-round pick in the 2024 draft out of LSU. Standing 6’2″, he went 6-1 with a 1.79 ERA and 67/13 K/BB over 50.1 innings last season. He was used primarily from the bullpen (21 of his 22 appearances).
RHP Sean Hermann: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Hermann, their 14th-round pick in 2021, missed 2024 due to injury.
RHP Brady Kirtner (S, 1): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Drafted by the Mets in 2023, Kirtner never made his debut. The Yankees signed him last July, and he finally makes his professional debut tonight. I pay close attention when the Yankees target a random arm sitting on the market.

FCL (0-0)

Their season starts on May 3rd.

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 9/14: Ben Rice Homers Twice

News:

Nothing

Scranton (82-59) (Mauled Lehigh Valley, 10-1. Worcester lost, so the division is tied with seven games to play)

SS Caleb Durbin: 2-for-4, SF, RBI, RS, SB (27), K
.294/.405/.477 in 340 PA (20 doubles, 2 triples, 9 HR, 56 RBI, 51 R, 27-for-29 SB). I don’t know what the Yankees plan to do with their infield next year, but Durbin will be in the spring training mix.
2B Jorbit Vivas: 0-for-3, 2 RS, 2 SB (18), 2 BB, K
Don’t discount Vivas being in that mix.
3B Oswald Peraza: 3-for-5, 3 RBI, RS, 2 K
Speaking of being in the mix, Peraza has more prospect history than any of their options. He is hitting .241/.338/.372 in 374 PA with 20 stolen bases in 27 attempts.
C Ben Rice: 3-for-3, 2 HR (8), 3 RBI, 3 RS, 2 BB
I like that the Yankees are still giving him catching reps. This is his third multi-HR game this season (including the 3-HR game in MLB). 
DH T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-3, 2 BB
LF Taylor Trammell: 1-for-3, HR (18), 2 RBI, RS, HBP, BB
Trammell is a year too late. Last year, he likely gets 50+ games in the MLB outfield.
RF J.C. Escarra: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
  RF Cam Eden: 0-for-1, K
1B Jahmai Jones: 2-for-4, 2 RS, SB (8)
CF Greg Allen: 1-for-3, SAC

LHP Edgar Barclay: 4 IP, 4 H. 1 R. 1 ER. 4 BB. 4 K, HR
RHP Joey Gerber (W, 1-1): 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Clayton Beeter: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
I think Beeter has a reliever written all over him. That is where they will extract the most value out of him long-term, though I understand why you want to keep a kid in the rotation for as long as possible.
RHP Yerry De Los Santos: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Somerset (73-62) (Defeated New Hampshire, 3-1. Portland won again. The Patriots own a 0.5-game lead with one game to play. It all comes down to tomorrow)

CF Spencer Jones: 0-for-2, RS, CS (9), 2 BB, K
Jones reaches the 200-strikeout barrier. It doesn’t surprise me, given his profile and the work still needed to make him a viable MLB player. 
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-4, 2B (14), K
There was some buzz surrounding Flores but I never expected this kind of extra-base hit explosion (31 doubles, 21 home runs in 502 PA)
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-3, 3 K
2B Anthony Seigler: 0-for-0, SF, RBI, RS, 3 BB
Seigler has a 14.9% BB and 17.7% K. 
DH Grant Richardson: 0-for-3, 2 K
LF Elijah Dunham: 1-for-2, HR (14), 2 RBI, RS, 2 SB (18), BB, K
Dunham has homered three times in his last four games.
RF Cole Gabrielson: 2-for-2, 2 SB (3), BB
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-3
3B Max Burt: 0-for-3, K

RHP Cam Schlittler: (W, 2-4)  5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 9 K
Overall season (Hudson Valley, Somerset, spot start with Scranton): 3.36 ERA (120.2 IP, 98 H, 58 R, 45 ER, 10 HR, 55 BB, 154 K). Nice job.
RHP Matt Sauer: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Sauer continues his late surge (14 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 17 K in his last 10 games). In a “Baseball is fun” twist, Sauer earns a ring if the Royals win the championship but does not if the Yankees do.
RHP Luis Velasquez: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Danny Watson (S, 4): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Hudson Valley (2-1)

The championship series against Bowling Green starts on Sunday. It is a best-of-3 series.

Tampa (54-74)

Their season is over.

FCL (35-22)

Their season is over.

DSL Yankees (17-36)

Their season is over.

DSL Bombers (30-25) 

Their season is over.

Yankees MILB 9/8: Josh Grosz Continues His Dazzling Pitching

News:

Nothing

Scranton (79-57) (Defeated Syracuse, 8-7, in 11 innings. Worcester beat Rochester again, leaving Scranton and Worcester tied at the top of the standings at 36-26. Rochester has fallen to 34-29)

2B Caleb Durbin: 2-for-6, RS, K
Durbin has a 5-game hitting streak (8-for-19; 1 double, 1 triple, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 4 R)
LF Jasson Dominguez: 0-for-3, SF, RBI, BB
In addition to all the hitting, Dominguez has 6 walks in his last 10 games. The whole package is coming together.
C Ben Rice: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K
SS Oswald Peraza: 1-for-5, RS, SB (20)
Last 8 games: 8-for-29 (.276; 1 double, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 7 R, 2-for-2 SB)
3B Jorbit Vivas: 1-for-3, RS, 2 BB
Vivas has an 8-game hitting streak (9-for-28; 2 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR)
1B T.J. Rumfield: 2-for-4, RBI, RS, K
At this level: .297/.365/.454 in 441 PA (26 doubles, 12 HR, 66 RBI, 67 R, 3-for-6 SB, 8.6% BB, 16.8% K). He makes contact and has hit for some power at this juiced-up level. Is it enough for the Yankees to give him a look? Your guess is as good as mine. He is Rule 5 eligible this winter.
  PR Cam Eden: 0-for-0, SB (30)
  1B Carlos Narvaez: 0-for-1
CF Taylor Trammell: 3-for-5, 2 RS, SB (17), K
DH J.C. Escarra: 1-for-3, HR (8, grand slam), 4 RBI, RS, 2 BB
Escarra has homered in five straight games (6 HR during the streak). He has 12 HR between here and Somerset, one short of his best (13 in 2019). 
RF Greg Allen: 0-for-3, SF, RBI, RS, 2 SB (11), K

LHP Edgar Barclay: 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
6.13 ERA (135 IP, 141 H, 98 R, 92 ER, 28 HR, 63 BB, 110 K). Barclay had a shot to be a shuttle arm this season but the performance wasn’t there. If he is to earn an opportunity, it will likely be elsewhere.
LHP Victor Gonzalez: 1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Joey Gerber: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Scott Effross: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
LHP Anthony Misiewicz: 1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 2 HR
RHP Yerry De Los Santos: (W, 2-1) 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda (S, 5): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Yesterday, he was asked to get one out to close a 19-0 game. Today’s situation was more exciting.

Somerset (70-61) (Lost to Binghamton, 2-1. They had their chances to score some runs, but it wasn’t meant to be. Portland won to move 1.5 games ahead of the Patriots with one week left)

CF Spencer Jones: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
Jones has a 9.8% BB and 37.9% K. He is two strikeouts away from a 200 K season. Don’t get me wrong: Jones is a legitimate prospect. Part of me is mesmerized by the raw talent. The other part of me can’t get past the insanity of that strikeout rate.  Whichever side of the coin you fall on, nobody should say you are wrong to have that position.
C Rafael Flores: 0-for-2, BB, HBP, K
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-4, K
2B Anthony Seigler: 0-for-2, RS, 2 BB, 2 K
Seigler’s BB% is 14.4% (17.8% K). Because he is no longer considered a “prospect,” it is hard to find information on how he handles second base defensively. He has 14 errors, but that doesn’t paint the full picture.
LF Grant Richardson: 2-for-4, K
DH Jared Wegner: 0-for-4, K
SS Alexander Vargas: 3-for-4, K
Vargas is 11-for-31 (.355) in September after hitting .256/.322/.402 in August. His Double-A OPS is over .700 (.702). Because he has a sacrifice fly and zero walks, his September batting average is higher than his OBP. Plate discipline isn’t his path to MLB.
RF Cole Gabrielson: 0-for-3, RBI, BB, 2 K
3B Max Burt: 0-for-3, K
  PH Elijah Dunham: 0-for-1
Dunham flew into an unassisted double play to end the game with Jones on deck. That’s not good (unassisted fly ball double play? What was Vargas doing? Do I want to know?)

RHP Cam Schlittler: (L, 1-4) 4.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K (ties personal best)
Since promotion: 4.94 ERA (27.1 IP, 33 H, 18 R, 15 ER, 3 HR, 11 BB, 34 K). Overall: 3.42 ERA (115.2 IP, 94 H, 57 R, 44 ER, 10 HR, 53 BB, 145 K). Yesterday, I mentioned that Zach Messinger was an Organizational Pitcher of the Year candidate. Schlittler should be a finalist as well.
RHP Luis Pacheco: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
LHP Ryan Anderson: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Colby White: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Hudson Valley (73-58) (Defeated Asheville, 8-1, to end their regular season. The playoffs begin on Tuesday when they take on Greensboro. It’s a best-of-3 series)

LF-CF Brendan Jones: 2-for-3, 2B (2), RS, 2 SB (13), 2 BB
Jones is 18-for-18 stealing bases in 24 games between here and Tampa. I hope his game develops because his speed can be game-changing.
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-5, 2 K
Full-season numbers, between here and Tampa: .231/.338/.334 in 497 PA (25 doubles, 2 triples, 5 HR, 45 RBI, 56 R, 39-for-47 SB (just under 83%), 12.3% BB, 22.9% K). There were peaks and valleys this season. If the Yankees kept him in Tampa all season, I bet his numbers would look much better. That’s not the goal of development.
C Omar Martinez: 3-for-5, RBI, 3 RS, K
.238/.374/.404 in 430 PA (15 doubles, 2 triples, 13 HR, 41 RBI, 53 R, 16.98% BB, 23.5% K). Is Martinez a long-range catcher? You would be shocked to hear that most minor league catchers have to answer this. It isn’t unique to the Yankees organization. Offensively, he is a left-handed bat with some patience and pop. If you like under-the-radar prospects, he is one to put on your list. The Yankees have moved him up one level per season the last two years (full season in Tampa in 2023, full season in Hudson Valley in 2024).
RF Garrett Martin: 1-for-2, 2B (17), 2 RS, SB (17), 2 HBP, K
Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2023, Martin hit .216/.326/.422 in 346 PA.
CF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-2, RBI, CS (1), K
I am not sure why he left the game early. Castillo (21) hit .268/.386/.426 in 415 PA between here and Tampa. He stole 21 bases in 27 attempts. His Hudson Valley sample size was small but encouraging (.314/.383/.514). To top it off, he has a good chance to stick in CF.
   PH-LF Anthony Hall: 2-for-2, 2B (5), RBI
Injuries have been a theme during Hall’s brief career. His average at this level dipped to .068 at one point. He finished at .181/.286/.241.
3B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-2, 2 SF, 3 RBI
Between here and Tampa: .243/.329/.399 in 508 PA with 30 doubles, 3 triples, 11 homers, and 67 RBI. He is a 21-year-old 1B/3B.
1B Coby Morales: 0-for-4, 3 K
After being promoted, Morales hit .286/.417/.327 in 60 PA. The 1B/corner outfielder hit only 4 home runs between here and Tampa but stole a surprising 34 bases in 42 attempts.
DH Antonio Gomez: 1-for-1, RS, BB
.238/.315/.431 in 184 PA. Is he still a prospect? I hate giving up on 22-year-old catchers with some prospect pedigree but he has a lot to prove.
   PH-DH Edison Vivas: 0-for-2, K
2B Owen Cobb: 0-for-3, RS, CI, K
Cobb, signed as an undrafted free agent this year, spent only three games at this level after hitting .278/.365/.352 with 7 stolen bases for Tampa.

RHP Josh Grosz: 5 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, HR
At this level: 2.77 ERA (39 IP, 22 H, 14 R, 12 ER, 4 HR, 20 BB, 31 K). Overall: 3.85 ERA (121.2 IP, 101 H, 70 R, 52 ER, 14 HR, 52 BB, 131 K). That line includes a tough emergency start for Somerset (4 IP/6 H/6 R/5 ER). That start could have discouraged him, but it did not. His stats after that game: 11 starts, 1.27 ERA (64 IP, 31 H, 12 R, 9 ER, 21 BB, 57 K, 3 HR). Given the playoff schedule, his season could be over. He could be ready for Game 3 of the best-of-3 series on Friday (if necessary). Like Messinger and Schlittler, Grosz deserves a spot in the Pitcher of the Year conversation.
RHP Mason Vinyard: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
3.26 ERA (47 IP, 35 H, 23 R, 17 ER, 2 HR, 25 BB, 61 K)
LHP Joel Valdez: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
3.41 ERA (58 IP, 42 H, 26 R, 22 ER, 3 HR, 29 BB, 72 K)
RHP Thomas Balboni Jr.: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
After allowing 4 runs without recording an out on 9/28, Balboni struck out 8 over 3 hitless innings (1 BB).
RHP Harrison Cohen: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Let him finish his season in Somerset. They would miss him in the High-A playoffs, but that isn’t the goal. He pitched to a 0.93 ERA in 19.1 innings at this level (10 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 23 K).

Tampa (54-74) (Lost to Dunedin, 4-2, to conclude their 2024 campaign)

DH Roderick Arias: 2-for-5, 2 2B (21), RS, 2 K
Arias’ final line: .233/.335/.393 in 552 PA (21 doubles, 8 triples, 13 HR, 74 RBI, 78 R, 37-for-50 SB (74%), 12.3% BB, 30.98% K). After he doubled in his first two plate appearances today, I thought he would make a run at a .400 SLG. Anyway, this isn’t bad for a teenager. I won’t argue with you if you expected more because of his pedigree. But if you eliminate the “expectations” and look at his season at face value, it’s good enough for a teenager. He is off to Hudson Valley in 2025.
RF Willy Montero: 1-for-4
.244/.311/.355 in 486 PA (23 doubles, 2 triples, 7 HR, 58 RBI, 64 R, 15-for-16 SB, 8.2% BB, 21.2% K). The 20-year-old earned his way to a full-season league via a .331/.389/.436 line in the FCL last year. 
3B Hans Montero: 0-for-4, 2 K
.206/.305/.333 in 391 PA (9 doubles, 5 triples, 8 HR, 38 RBI, 49 R, 13-for-17 SB, 11.3% BB, 28.9% K). Montero is a bonus baby ($1.7 million) who hasn’t gotten much going (.213/.345/.321 in 1,000 career plate appearances). He had a decent 2023 campaign but his first taste of full-season ball didn’t go as planned.
LF Dillon Lewis: 0-for-3, RS, BB
Lewis goes 13-for-52 (.250/.304/.385) in his first professional campaign. 
CF Marshall Toole: 1-for-3, BB, K
Toole goes 13-for-51 (.255/.449/.353; 8-for-10 SB, 15 BB, 18 K) in his first professional campaign.
2B Austin Green: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, K
Green played in only seven games, going 3-for-26 with 5 RBI.
1B Parks Harber: 1-for-3, BB, 2 K
Harber goes 21-for-78 (.269/.389/.449; 7 doubles, 2 triples, 1 HR, 19 RBI, 19 R, 4-for-4 SB) in his first professional campaign. He was signed as an undrafted free agent out of North Carolina.
SS Juan Matheus: 0-for-3, BB, K
Matheus earned a late-season promotion (only played a handful of games) in preparation for 2025.
C Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-4, K
.235/.299/.348 in 137 PA. I am not going to judge a player on 137 plate appearances.  I will make this point: They talk about which level is the hardest to jump to. I agree that Double-A is that hurdle. However, going from the FCL to Low-A has its challenges. I haven’t taken the FCL/DSL seriously for years, and nothing in recent times has changed my perception.

RHP Andrew Landry: 4 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
6.98 ERA (19.1 IP, 19 H, 18 R, 15 ER, 1 HR, 16 BB, 12 K). I provide the results but do they matter for Landry? Not this year, they don’t.
RHP Luis Arejula: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Jordy Luciano (L, 2-6): 2.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, HR
RHP Yoljeldriz Diaz: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Chris Kean: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
At this level: 0.71 ERA (12.2 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 17 K). Kean will turn 23 years old next June. I hope he is in Hudson Valley before then.

FCL (35-22)

Their season is over.

DSL Yankees (17-36)

Their season is over.

DSL Bombers (30-25) 

Their season is over.

Yankees MILB 8/2: Francisco Vilorio Homers Twice

News:

Since the Olympics are front and center, the last few days with the “thrill of victory” (promotions) and the “agony of defeat” (releases). It’s the unfortunate reality of prospect-watching.

The releases are RHP Montana Semmel, RHP Nicio Rodriguez, RHP Nick Paciorek, 3B Beau Brewer, and CF Nelson Medina. There are other players down in the FCL/DSL, as well. You have seen me write about most of these players. Rodriguez hadn’t pitched since 2021 due to injuries. Paciorek pitched well in Hudson Valley in 2023 but was also a victim of the injury bug.

Hopefully, they can find jobs with other organizations or independent ball.

Veteran infielder Rougned Odor (who never appeared in a game after the Yankees signed him to a minor league deal) was also released.

With releases come promotions. I will report on them as they start playing.

Scranton (58-47) (Lost to Louisville, 4-2)

CF Jasson Dominguez: 0-for-4, 3 K
Dominguez’s first full game in the field since coming back.
2B Jorbit Vivas: 2-for-4, 2B (8)
Vivas has four multi-hit efforts in his last seven games.
3B Oswald Peraza: 0-for-4
1B T.J. Rumfield: 2-for-3, 2B (18), RS, BB
Since promotion: .291/.343/.470 in 329 PA (18 doubles, 12 HR, 51 RBI, 50 R, 6.7% BB, 17.6% K). He is on a 7-game hitting streak (9-for-30).
DH Oscar Gonzalez: 2-for-4
RF Taylor Trammell: 1-for-4
SS Kevin Smith: 1-for-4, 2B (11), RBI, 2 K
C J.C. Escarra: 1-for-4, HR (1), RBI, RS, K
14-for-39 (.359) with four doubles and a homer since his promotion. He is 29 years old, but didn’t convert to catching until recently.
LF Aaron Palensky: 0-for-4, K

LHP Thomas Pannone (L, 5-9): 4 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, HR
LHP Victor Gonzalez: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Yerry De Los Santos: 0.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Phil Bickford: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
LHP Tim Mayza: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
LHP Anthony Misiewicz: 1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K

Somerset (50-50) (Lost to Bowie, 3-2)

2B Caleb Durbin: 1-for-4, 2B (2), K
CF Spencer Jones: 0-for-4, 4 K
Yes, I get the frustration of fans who see Jones go on a run only to have a night like this. The Yankees love him and are willing to live through the growing pains. That could change if the right trade opportunity comes along this winter. Yes, signing Juan Soto long-term can be a factor.
C Jesus Rodriguez: 0-for-4, 2 K
DH Rafael Flores: 1-for-4, RS
3B Tyler Hardman: 1-for-2, HR (6), RBI, RS, CS (1), 2 BB
Hardman has 32 home runs in 118 Double-A games.
LF Elijah Dunham: 0-for-2, 2 BB
RF Jared Wegner: 1-for-4, RBI, K
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
1B Max Burt: 0-for-3, K

RHP Chase Hampton: 3.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K
Hampton’s first Somerset appearance this season. I can see him finishing the year in Scranton if all goes well.
RHP Matt Sauer: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, HR
RHP Danny Watson (L, 1-3): 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
I mentioned Eric Reyzelman as the organization’s best relief prospect. A healthy Watson is high on the list, as well. I am not worried about his overall 2024 statistics.
RHP Jesus Liranzo: 1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Carlos Gomez: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Hudson Valley (50-48) (Defeated Jersey Shore, 7-1, in a 7-inning game. The game started late due to rain, so they cut it short)

2B Roc Riggio: 0-for-4
CF Jace Avina: 1-for-3, RS, K
1B Omar Martinez: 0-for-2, RS, BB
C Antonio Gomez: 1-for-3, 2B (6), RBI, RS
I wish Gomez’s bat would develop, as he is one of the few catching prospects who has few questions about sticking there. 
DH Garrett Martin: 0-for-3, RS, SB (10), K
3B Kiko Romero: 2-for-3, HR (6), RBI, 2 RS
Romero’s first home run since July 4th. 
LF Cole Gabrielson: 0-for-2, RBI, RS, BB
RF Anthony Hall: 2-for-3, 2 RBI
Hall has a pair of multi-hit efforts in his last three games. Hopefully, this is a sign that he will finish strongly.
SS Brenny Escanio: 0-for-3, 2 K

RHP Cam Schlittler: (W, 6-4) 5 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K
2.60 ERA (86.2 IP, 60 H, 34 R, 25 ER, 7 HR, 38 BB, 108 K). Schlittler tied his personal best for strikeouts in a game and may be their most consistent minor league starter this season. 
RHP Kelly Austin:  1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
The organizational debut for Austin, who was acquired from the Houston Astros for Caleb Ferguson. He pitched to a 2.21 ERA in 36.2 innings for Houston’s Low-A/High-A clubs.
RHP Luis Arejula: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Tampa (41-56) (Lost to Lakeland, 4-3)

2B George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-5, RS, SB (29), 2 K
Lombard Jr. is 29-for-33 (87.9%) in the stolen base department.
SS Roderick Arias: 1-for-3, RS, SB (27), BB
Arias is 27-for-38 (71.1%) in the stolen base department. That should improve with experience. His strikeout rate is 32.5%, which is an improvement over where he was earlier this season.
1B Dylan Jasso: 2-for-4, RS, SB (2)
Jasso has three multi-hit efforts in his last six games.
CF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-3, BB, K
.255/.388/.407 in 327 PA. 
RF Willy Montero: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, K
3B Hans Montero: 0-for-2, 2 BB
C Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-3, SF, RBI, K
LF Coby Morales: 0-for-4, 3 K
DH Tomas Frick: 0-for-2, 2 K
   PH-DH Joe Delossantos: 0-for-1, BB, K
Delossantos is the first 2024 draftee to make his debut. He was their 10th-round pick, signing for a mere $7,500 (he had zero leverage). The right-handed hitting outfielder out of William & Mary is 23 years old, so it makes sense that they would place him here out of the shoot. He hit .330/.431/.584 in 57 games for the Tribe this season.

RHP Andrew Landry: 2.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Last year’s 16th-round pick makes his Tampa debut. In the FCL, he tossed 9.1 innings, giving up two runs on nine hits with a 14/3 K/BB. He showed off a 6-pitch mix tonight, maxing out at 95.7 with his 4-seam fastball and 95 with his sinker. He mixed in a slider, curve, change, and cutter. The Yankees have a track record of success with mid-round pitching, so watch him.
LHP Will Brian: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
This is not the 25-year-old’s Tampa debut, as he appeared in 2022 and 2023. The 10th-round pick in 2022 out of Eastern Kentucky is 25 years old and features a sinker/curve combo. He generated an impressive ten whiffs tonight.
RHP Jordy Luciano: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Luis Pacheco: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Ocean Gabonia (L, 3-3): 0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

FCL (35-22)

Their season is over.

DSL Yankees (15-26) (Lost to DSL Cardinals, 11-9. This was the TAME game down in the DSL today)

SS Dexters Peralta: 2-for-5, 2 RS, SB (21), 2 K
Peralta has three multi-hit efforts in his last four games and is 21-for-24 in the stolen base category.
3B Richard Matic: 0-for-2, 2 RS, 2 BB, K
C Luis Puello: 2-for-4, HR (4), RBI, 2 RS, K
.321/.424/.512 in 99 PA (4 doubles, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 16 R, 3-for-3 SB). He is only 18 years old.
2B Geyber Blanco: 2-for-4, 2B (6), RBI, RS
LF Estivenzon Montero: 1-for-3, 2B (5), 3 RBI, RS, K
CF Louis Pierre: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, RS, 2 SB (12)
1B Niurby Asigen: 2-for-4, SB (7), K
DH Diego Gonzalez: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, BB, K
The 17-year-old left-handed hitting outfielder makes his professional debut.

DSL Bombers (23-20) (Lost to the DSL Twins, 21-19, in 13 innings. That isn’t a typo)

DH Francisco Vilorio: 3-for-7, 2B (7), 2 HR (3), 5 RBI, 2 RS, 2 K
A big day for the bonus baby outfielder. This increases his triple slash from .190/.265/.295 to .205/.280/.366. He is only 17.
C Queni Pineda: 2-for-5, 2B (7), HR (3), RBI, 2 RS, BB, K
The 17-year-old has a .245/.437/.415 line in 126 plate appearances.
SS Christofer Reyes: 3-for-7, 3 RS, SB (14), 1 BB, 3 K
2B-1B Luis Escudero: 1-for-4, 2 RS, 2 BB, K
1B Carlos Villarroel: 2-for-4, 2 2B (5), RBI, 2 RS, BB, K
LF David Carrera: 2-for-6, 3 RBI, RS, K
CF Angel Ventura: 2-for-7, RBI, 3 RS, CS (2), 2 K

RHP Mariano Salomon: 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, HR
Yes, the game got out of hand after he left the game. They used nine total pitchers. Salomon (21) has a 1.75 ERA and 40/10 K/BB over 36 innings.