Tag: Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz

Yankees MILB 7/5: Everson Pereira Completes the Cycle

Notes:

1B/3B Jeimer Candelario was signed to a minor league deal after being released by the Cincinnati Reds.

Candelario, a 31-year-old switch-hitter, hit a robust .113/.198/.213 (10 wRC+ – they give you nine points just for spelling your name right)  in 91 plate appearances for the Reds this season. Yay.

In an ill-advised deal, the Reds signed him to a  3-year, $45 million contract heading into 2024. This was after a 4-year stretch where he hit .254/.329/.437 (113 OPS+). In 134 games for the Reds, he hit .207/.265/.394 in 554 plate appearances with 25 doubles, 22 homers, and 66 RBI.

In case you are wondering, the Reds are still on the hook for most of the money. The Yankees will pay him the prorated league minimum, which gets deducted from his Reds pay.

Will they call him up? They likely signed him with that possibility in mind, but he shouldn’t excite anyone at this point. His bat has tanked, and his defense doesn’t make up for it.

The Yankees also signed veteran RHP Joel Kuhnel to a minor league contract. He was recently released from his minor league deal with the Phillies.

Kuhnel, 30, has 82 games of MLB experience, mostly with the Cincinnati Reds, in addition to cameos with the Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays. Most of his action came with the 2022 Reds, where he posted a 6.36 ERA in 53 games (58 IP, 67 H, 8 HR, 14 BB, 56 K). Overall, in 82 MLB games, he owns a 5.86 ERA in 93.2 IP with a 52% GB, 18.7% K, and 5.9% BB. His pitch mix includes a 4-seamer, sinker, slider, and changeup.

Left-handed reliever Will Brian was placed on the injured list for Somerset today.

RHP Geoff Hartlieb, designated for assignment by the Yankees earlier this week, has elected free agency, while former Top 100 prospect (not as a Yankee!) Ronaldo Hernandez was released. The right-handed hitting catcher wasn’t used much, appearing in 25 games for Scranton, hitting .221/.287/.351 with a pair of homers and 13 RBI.

Injury Log

Scranton (45-37) (Crushed Lehigh Valley, 16-6)

2B Jorbit Vivas: 0-for-3, 2 R, 3 BB, 2 K
We’ll take the three walks, but Vivas is in a 3-for-29 slump.
3B Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-5, 2B (13), 2 RBI, 2 R, BB, K
RF Spencer Jones: 2-for-4, SF, RBI, 2 R, SB (2), BB, K
Since promotion: .393/.486/.821 in 35 PA (2 doubles, 3 HR, 4 RBI, 8 R, 2-for-2 SB, 6 BB, 11 K (31.4%)). Overall, he is hitting .291/.403/.626 in 243 PA (11 doubles, 19 HR, 36 RBI, 50 R, 12-for-14 SB, 15.6% BB, 33.3% K). If I was a General Manager, it would be difficult for me to give up a talent like this, even if I recognize the bust potential.
CF Everson Pereira: 5-for-6, 2B (7), 3B (1), 2 HR (15), 6 RBI, 4 R
Pereira with the cycle!  This is his second career 5-hit game (8/12/21; 5-for-5, 2 HR, 4 RBI), and he misses his personal best for RBI (7 on 6/17/22). As for past cycles, Ryder Green accomplished one for Pulaski (a Yankees affiliate at the time) in 2019. Green was an interesting prospect once upon a time. Injuries derailed him. If there has been a more recent one (probably), I can’t find it. Back to Pereira: He has 3 HR and 9 RBI in his last two games (11 RBI in four July contests). 
1B T.J. Rumfield: 3-for-5, 4 RBI, BB
.287/.371/.464 in 310 PA (18 doubles, 1 triple, 9 HR, 50 RBI, 47 R, 4-for-5 SB, 10.9% BB, 18.4% K). 
DH Bryan De La Cruz: 2-for-5, HR (8), RBI, R, BB, K
Since signing with the Yankees’ organization, De La Cruz has eight homers in 46 games.
SS Nicky Lopez: 2-for-4, 2 R, 2 BB, K
His debut as a member of the Yankees’ organization. The signing of Candelario doesn’t invade his space, given that they only overlap at third base. 
C Alex Jackson: 0-for-3, 2 R, 2 BB
LF Duke Ellis: 2-for-5, 2B (2), 2 RBI, R, SB (9), K

RHP Allan Winans: (W, 8-0)  5.1 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
1.30 ERA (55.1 IP, 45 H, 10 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 15 BB, 59 K). Winans has done his job here. I won’t try to convince you that he showed much in MLB. He’s a pitcher who has to be precise with everything, or he is going to get hit.
RHP Luis Pacheco: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
This is as sharp as we have seen Reyzelman this year. Can he follow it up? Season: 3.82 ERA (33 IP, 20 H, 14 R, 14 ER, 4 HR, 37 BB, 34 K)
RHP Joel Kuhnel: 1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
His Yankees’ organizational debut didn’t go as planned.
RHP Leonardo Pestana: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Somerset (41-39) (Walked it off against Reading, 4-3)

2B Roc Riggio: 4-for-5, 2 2B (8), 2 RBI, R
Riggio walks it off with a 1-out, 2-run single. It’s his first career 4-hit effort, and he is hitting .282/.339/.592 since his promotion. The pop continues to show up, as he has 16 extra-base hits in 26 games for Somerset (8 doubles, 8 HR). As a Yankees fan, the thing that should intrigue you is his pull power. If he stays with the organization, the porch will play into his game.
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-3, HBP
Lombard Jr. has run into a little 2-for-20 slump. Typically, when he isn’t hitting, he still gets on base. However, this slump includes only two walks and two HBP.  It happens.
C Rafael Flores: 0-for-3, BB, K
1B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-3, SF, RBI
LF Garrett Martin: 1-for-4, R, 2 K
CF Brendan Jones: 0-for-2, R, SB (4), 2 BB
Jones is 27-for-32 (84.4%) stealing bases between here and Hudson Valley. 
DH Omar Martinez: 1-for-4, 2B (2), K
Martinez is 6-for-27 with two doubles and a homer since being promoted.
RF Cam Eden: 0-for-3, R, BB, 3 K
3B Max Burt: 1-for-4, RBI, 2 K
The veteran minor leaguer kept the line moving with an RBI single in the 9th.

LHP Ben Shields: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K
For Somerset: 8 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 13 K. They stretched him to 70 pitches tonight (Shields has been rehabbing from an injury)
RHP Mason Vinyard: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
RHP Hayden Merda: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 2 K
Double-A can be tough to adjust to. That’s a statement that always stands the test of time.
RHP Indigo Diaz: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
3.78 ERA (33.1 IP, 23 H, 15 R, 14 ER, 2 HR, 15 BB, 30 K)

Hudson Valley (46-32) (Shut down Brooklyn, 7-0)

DH Jace Avina: 1-for-4, SB (3), BB, K
.284/.402/.438 in 204 PA (13 doubles, 4 HR, 24 RBI, 31 R, 14.2% BB, 25% K). Who was the better prospect acquired for Jake Bauers? Most say Avina over Brian Sanchez, though Sanchez is making strides.
CF Dillon Lewis: 0-for-4, BB, K
1B Coby Morales: 0-for-5, 2 K
LF Jackson Castillo: 2-for-4, 2 R, SB (14), BB, K
Last 7 games: 9-for-26 (.346) with five runs scored. 
SS Alexander Vargas: 1-for-3, 2 R, SB (7), 2 BB
Vargas has a 14-game hitting streak. Would you be shocked, given what baseball is, to find out that he started this streak after a 2-for-23 stretch?
3B Jose Colmenares: 2-for-4, 2B (11), RBI, R, BB
C Manuel Palencia: 1-for-5, 2B (1), 3 RBI, R, 2 K
This was a 1-0 game in the 8th inning, when Palencia cleared the bases with a double.
RF Luis Durango: 1-for-4, R, K
2B Duncan Pastore: 1-for-3, BB, K

RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz: (W, 6-4)  7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 8 K
2.26 ERA (83.2 IP, 52 H, 27 R, 21 ER, 1 HR, 37 BB, 99 K). Will the 21-year-old finish the season in Somerset? Possible. This is the second time this season that he tossed seven shutout innings. He has two other starts where he pitched 6.1 shutout frames. By the way, he tossed 89.2 innings in 2024.
RHP Jordany Ventura: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
RHP Tyrone Yulie: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Tampa (43-35) (Lost a doubleheader to Clearwater)

Game 1 (Lost, 6-3. This was the conclusion of Thursday’s game.)

CF Brian Sanchez: 1-for-5, R, K
C Engelth Urena: 1-for-5, 2B (12), 3 K
SS Roderick Arias: 2-for-5, HR (5), 2 RBI, R, 2 K
Arias has homered three times in his last two games.
3B Juan Matheus: 3-for-4, 2B (17), SB (30)
Matheus leads the Yankees’ organization in stolen bases. This is his 19th multi-hit game this year.
RF Wilson Rodriguez: 0-for-4
Rodriguez’s Low-A debut.
LF Austin Green: 0-for-3, R, BB, 3 K
1B Hans Montero: 1-for-4
RF Marshall Toole: 1-for-3, 3B (8), RBI, BB
Toole is among the minor league leaders in triples (only Raudi Rodriguez (LAA) has reached double digits).
2B Owen Cobb: 1-for-3, BB
Cobb’s first game since June 13th. He is hitting .333/.389/.538 in 110 plate appearances while playing second base, shortstop, and third base.

LHP Xavier Rivas: 3 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 3 K, HR
Not the way he wanted to follow up his 13-strikeout effort. That’s the way it goes.
RHP Mariano Salomon (L, 0-1): 3.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Salomon’s Low-A debut. We get some Savant data now. He featured a four-pitch mix that includes a 4-seamer, change, slider, and curve. He didn’t throw hard (max: 89.5 MPH).
RHP Michael Arias: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Arias averaged 96.1 MPH with his sinker (max: 97.3), if you are wondering why the Yankees acquired him. He is here on a rehab stint.

Game 2 (Lost, 4-2, in six innings. More rain wiped out the 7th inning)

C Edgleen Perez: 0-for-3
CF Brian Sanchez: 0-for-3
SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-2, R, BB, K
DH Engelth Urena: 0-for-3, R
3B Juan Matheus: 1-for-3, 2B (18), RBI, K
Matheus has yet to homer, but he has 18 doubles and 34 RBI to go with his 30 stolen bases in 73 games. He hit five homers (all in the FCL) in 54 games last year but was only 12-for-19 stealing bases.
LF Wilson Rodriguez: 1-for-2, SB (1), BB
Rodriguez’s first Low-A hit.
RF Marshall Toole: 1-for-1, 2 BB
.299/.403/.471 in 221 PA (10 doubles, 8 triples, 2 HR, 22 RBI, 42 R, 26-for-28 SB, 14.5% BB, 19.9% K). 
2B Owen Cobb: 0-for-2, BB, 2 K
1B Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-3, 2 K

RHP Andrew Landry: 3 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
4.20 ERA (64.1 IP, 70 H, 39 R, 30 ER, 4 HR, 26 BB, 63 K)
RHP Justin Lange: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Lange’s rehab is over, and he was assigned here.
RHP Jackson Fristoe: (L, 3-2)  1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 0 K, HR
RHP Cole Zaffiro: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

FCL (20-24) (Tried to play two games against the Phillies. They completed one of them)

Game 1 (Lost, 4-1)

SS Dexters Peralta: 2-for-3, 2B (3)
DH Enmanuel Tejeda: 0-for-2, BB, K
The first rehab game for Tejeda, one of my favorite under-the-radar prospects. Before his injury in 2024, Tejeda hit .326/.371/.408 in 203 plate appearances. In those 48 games, he stole 26 bases in 30 attempts. I think there is utility upside with this kid, who is on the smaller side of the ledger (5’9″).
CF Willy Montero: 2-for-3, BB
I assume Montero’s rehab stint is nearly over.
C Ediel Rivera: 1-for-3, K
RF JoJo Jackson: 1-for-1
Good news: Jackson earns his first hit during his rehab stint. Bad news: He was immediately lifted for a pinch-runner.
3B Santiago Gomez: 0-for-3
They cleared the logjam in Low-A by returning Gomez here. While he hit only .170/.310/.255 in 15 Low-A games, he did steal nine bases in ten attempts and started playing better towards the end. It’s a numbers game.

RHP Omar Gonzalez (L, 1-3): 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 2 HR
4.30 ERA (37.2 IP, 24 H, 18 R, 18 ER, 5 HR, 22 BB, 39 K)

Game 2 (Tied, 1-1, in the bottom of the 8th. This game was suspended. I don’t see a date for conclusion as the FCL is off on Sundays)

LF Gabriel Lara: 1-for-2, 2B (5), K
  PH-LF Santiago Gomez: 1-for-1, CS (2)
Lara hadn’t played in a while, so that is likely why he wasn’t going to play the full game.
RF Luis Puello: 1-for-3, R, SB (3)
2B Gabriel Terrero: 1-for-3, RBI, SB (6), K

RHP Edinzo Marquez: 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K
The 20-year-old is pitching well: 2.66 ERA (44 IP, 36 H, 18 R, 13 ER, 4 HR, 16 BB, 34 K)

DSL Yankees (11-14) (Lost to the DSL Tigers 1, 8-7)

SS Mani Cedeno: 1-for-4, 2 R, BB, K
Cedeno has a little 4-game hitting streak going (4-for-15 with a pair of doubles and four runs).
CF Francisco Vilorio: 2-for-4, RBI, 2 R, BB
3B Richard Matic: 2-for-3, 3B (1), 2 RBI, CS (3), 2 BB
What a difference a year makes, as Matic is up to .313/.432/.594 in 84 PA (7 doubles, 1 triple, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 18 R). I don’t always like when prospects repeat levels, but he was 16 when he tried to conquer this place last year (.196/.333/.248). He will get to the FCL in 2026.
DH Justin Capellan: 0-for-3, SF, RBI, R, K
LF Estivenzon Montero: 2-for-5, 2B (1), 2 RBI, 3 K
.308/.384/.462 in 73 PA (1 double, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 8 R)

RHP Hector Moreno: 2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
The 17-year-old has struggled with control (understatement). Look at his numbers at your own risk.
RHP Anthony Mena: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, HR

DSL Bombers (11-13) (Defeated DSL Colorado, 8-7)

SS Stiven Marinez: 1-for-2, RBI, R, 2 SB (12), CS (3), BB
Marinez is a year older than Mani Cedeno, and perhaps that is why his performance has been better. He is hitting .262/.466/.328 in 88 PA with 23 walks (26.1% – ridiculous. I love the DSL) and 16 strikeouts.
DH Queni Pineda: 1-for-1, 2B (4), RBI, 2 R, 3 BB
.288/.475/.407 in 80 PA. His OPS was .872 in 2024, so he has conquered this place.
CF Ruben Castillo: 0-for-3, BB
2B Christofer Reyes: 2-for-4, HR (1), 3 RBI, R, SB (15)
Reyes has three 2-hit games in his last four games played, raising his small sample triple slash from .156/.255/.178 to .232/.333/.321.
LF Jose Castro: 1-for-3, HR (2), RBI, R, CS (1), BB
The 19-year-old has only played in seven games and is making the most of it with his double and two homers.
RF David Carrera: 2-for-3, R, BB
The 18-year-old has declined from his 2024 campaign. Hopefully, he finishes strong.
1B Remy Veldhuisen: 4-for-4, 2B (2), RBI, R, 2 SB (3)
His first career 4-hit effort (6th multi-hit game this season)

LHP Andre Avila: 4.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K
Avila calmed down a game that was high-scoring early. He allowed his squad to chip away and eventually win the game.
RHP Chaury Gomez (W, 1-0): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K

Yankees MILB 6/24: Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz Pitches Well

Notes:

A trio of players made rehab appearances in the FCL today. None are on the Pipeline Top 30 list, though Facundo and Arias have received blurbs in the past on Fangraphs.

OF JoJo Jackson was their 17th-round pick in the 2024 draft. He played in six games for Low-A Tampa last season, going 4-for-21 without an extra-base hit. The right-handed bat out of Georgia State showed some thump at the mid-major school, hitting 30 home runs in 141 games.

LHP Allen Facundo (22) impressed in 30 Low-A innings last year, compiling a 2.40 ERA (3.16 FIP), 30.2% K, and 11.1% BB. Seven of his eight games were starts.

RHP Michael Arias (23) was acquired from the Cubs for cash last winter (after Chicago designated him for assignment).  In 49 Double-A/Triple-A games in 2024, he posted a 4.77 ERA (4.69 FIP) over 60.1 innings with a 25.2% K, 16.8% BB, and 40.4% GB. Originally signed by the Blue Jays as a shortstop, he’s had (predictably) mixed results on the hill. That said, he impressed the Cubs enough to be placed on the 40-man roster after the 2023 season.

The Yankees promoted C Omar Martinez from Hudson Valley to Somerset. After one year in Low-A, they decided to give Martinez 1+ years in High-A, where he hit .235/.361/.394 in 679 plate appearances. Martinez, a left-handed bat, has some home run pop, takes walks, and has played only C/DH this year (he played some first base in previous campaigns).

Reliever Hayden Merda will join him in Somerset. The 25-year-old pitched in 22 High-A games, posting a 3.68 ERA (3.57 FIP) over 29.1 innings with a 34.7% K and 10.5% BB. Moved to the bullpen this year, he has seen a significant jump in his strikeout rate (from 21.8% last year in Low-A).

Injury Log

Scranton (39-34) (Defeated Worcester, 6-5)

C Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-3, RBI, 2 BB, K
Since I mentioned how Chase Burns schooled him, I will also bring up that his RBI single was off of rehabbing pitcher Tanner Houck. He is hitting .340/.427/.431 in 246 PA (13% BB, 14.2% K) and continues to lead the International League in batting average.
2B Jorbit Vivas: 1-for-4, 2B (9), RBI, K
CF Everson Pereira: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K
Pereira is in a little 2-for-18 slump (9 K)
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-4, 2 R, BB
DH Alex Jackson: 0-for-3, R, HBP, 3 K
3B CJ Alexander: 0-for-3, SB (2), BB, 3 K
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 0-for-1, 2 R, SB (4), 3 BB, K
LF Jose Rojas: 2-for-4, 2B (17), 3 RBI, R, K
Rojas is your prototypical “AAAA” player who couldn’t get anything going in 83 games for the Angels between 2021 and 2022.
SS Andrew Velazquez: 0-for-2, RBI, 2 BB

RHP Erick Leal: (W, 2-7)  5 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, HR
Leal is doing his job as a veteran innings leader, but his profile doesn’t lead you to believe he will be more than that (7.34 ERA in 57.2 IP. As one positive, he has 72 strikeouts).
LHP Jayvien Sandridge: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
I wish we saw him after his (very) brief call-up. For Scranton: 1.13 ERA (8 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 16 K). Overall, he owns a 23/7 K/BB over 13 innings.
RHP Scott Effross: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Clayton Beeter: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
Beeter has mostly been on his game, but didn’t have it tonight. I don’t think we will ever see spectacular walk rates, but that can be OK if he supplements that with plenty of strikeouts.
RHP Harrison Cohen (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Since promotion: 3.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K

Somerset (35-35) (Destroyed by Erie, 12-5, despite (supposedly) having a Major League pitcher on the hill)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-3, BB
Lombard Jr. has reached base safely in nine straight contests.
CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-4, R, 3 K
Jones has hit safely in ten of his last 11 games (13-game on-base streak)
C Rafael Flores: 2-for-4, 2B (19), RBI, R, K
.279/.341/.483 in 296 PA (19 doubles, 12 HR, 44 RBI, 39 R). 
2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-3, HR (7), 2 RBI, R, K
Riggio has seven home runs in 17 games since his promotion (13 in 38 games overall). He isn’t the biggest guy (5’9″), but he loves to launch balls to right field. He isn’t a utility prospect as 2B is likely his only position. Can he overachieve his way to an MLB starting job? So far, he is overachieving his way to making you feel as if it is possible.
3B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-4, 3B (5), R, K
Jasso has hit safely in 12 of his last 13 games and has a 28-game on-base streak. 
RF Garrett Martin: 0-for-3, SF, RBI, 2 K
LF Brendan Jones: 0-for-4, 2 K
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-4
DH Cole Gabrielson: 2-for-3, HR (5), RBI, R, K

RHP Marcus Stroman: (L, 0-1)  3.2 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
Given he pitched like he does when he is with the big club, that’s a good sign that he’s ready. Or something like that. I can’t believe that a Ryan Yarbrough injury was something we would fret this year.
RHP Trystan Vrieling: 2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, HR
RHP Kelly Austin: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Cole Ayers: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Hayden Merda: 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Not how he wanted his Double-A debut to go, but his feet are wet.

Hudson Valley (40-27) (Lost to Wilmington, 1-0. The minors are about development. When you lose George Lombard Jr., Roc Riggio, Brendan Jones, and Omar Martinez to promotion, the offense will suffer. Plus, Parks Harber is still MIA.)

LF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-3, BB, K
.226/.327/.309 in 269 PA (13-for-13 SB). Castillo caused some excitement with his 21-game audition here in 2024 (.314/.383/.514), but it hasn’t carried over.
CF Dillon Lewis: 0-for-4, K
Since promotion: .185/.214/.407 in 84 PA. Small sample. I think he’ll get it going.
1B Coby Morales: 0-for-4, 3 K
DH Jace Avina: 0-for-4, 3 K
While it didn’t tonight, Avina’s return should help this offense. He is hitting .281/.409/.460 in 176 PA (13 doubles, 4 HR)
2B Jose Colmenares: 0-for-4, K
SS Alexander Vargas: 2-for-3, SB (5)
3B Josh Moylan: 0-for-2, BB, 2 K
RF Luis Durango: 0-for-3, K
C Tomas Frick: 1-for-3, 2B (7)

RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz: (L, 5-3)  6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, HR (!!!!)
Why the exclamation points? That was Rodriguez-Cruz’s first HR allowed in 2025 (72 IP). Season: 2.50 ERA (72 IP, 44 H, 23 R, 20 ER, 1 HR, 30 BB, 85 K)
RHP Tyrone Yulie: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
4.87 ERA (20.1 IP, 14 H, 11 R, 11 ER, 1 HR, 14 BB, 29 K). Some good, some not-so-good in his first full season as a reliever.
RHP Bryce Warrecker: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
Warrecker wasn’t his usual dominant self, but a zero is a zero. Season: 0.88 ERA (30.2 IP, 14 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 36 K)

Tampa (38-31) (Defeated Ft. Myers, 6-3)

DH Edgleen Perez: 1-for-3, HBP, BB, K
49 walks in 60 games. So far, that is his offensive calling card.
CF Brian Sanchez: 0-for-4, R, SB (18), BB, K
SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
C Engelth Urena: 1-for-4, 2B (10), RBI, R
The extra-base hits are starting to show up (2 doubles, 2 HR in last six games). 
3B Juan Matheus: 1-for-2, 2B (15), RBI, 2 R, SB (21), HBP, BB
1B Tyler Wilson: 1-for-3, RBI, CI
LF Hans Montero: 2-for-4, HR (6), 2 RBI, R, 2 K
RF Marshall Toole: 1-for-4, R, SB (21)
Toole is 11-for-12 stealing bases in June.
2B Santiago Gomez: 1-for-4, SB (2), K
He hasn’t been getting on base enough since his promotion to show his ability to steal some bases.

RHP Brandon Decker: 3.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
Decker tossed 60 pitches. He owns a 2.91 ERA in 34 IP (29 H, 16 R, 11 ER, 1 HR, 14 BB, 34 K). As you would expect, his numbers were better as a reliever, but they are trying to stretch him out to start. Not unreasonable (he was a hybrid starter/reliever for Oakland University last year), and likely the plan all along.
RHP Justin Lange: (W, 1-0)  1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
Lange’s rehab stint was moved here today.  His fastball didn’t reach 90 MPH, and he didn’t emphasize it much, going more with his sinker, slider, curve, and change. We don’t have full data as Tampa is home (remember, they aren’t playing at George M. Steinbrenner Field this year)
RHP Cole Zaffiro: 2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Brady Kirtner: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Chris Veach: (S, 6) 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
1.57 ERA (28.2 IP, 19 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 3 HR, 17 BB, 42 K)

FCL (17-21) (Lost to the FCL Tigers, 2-0)

LF JoJo Jackson: 0-for-2
   PH-RF Luis Puello: 2-for-2
RF-LF Wilson Rodriguez: 1-for-4, K
DH Willy Montero: 0-for-4
He started a rehab stint on May 30th, but it didn’t last. Hopefully, it does this time.
3B Luis Escudero: 2-for-3, CS (4), K

RHP Michael Arias: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
The Yankees didn’t acquire him without a reason. They think there is something to work with here. No risk.
LHP Allen Facundo: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K
Facundo’s first appearance since May 24, 2024.  He was rolling at the time of his injury, striking out 11 in five shutout innings that day (struck out eight in five shutout innings in his previous start).
RHP Jose M Rodriguez (L, 0-3): 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
Talk about a tough luck 0-3. Rodriguez owns a 0.99 ERA in 27.1 IP (16 H, 7 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 12 BB, 29 K)

DSL Yankees (7-9) (Defeated the DSL Rockiers, 4-2)

SS Mani Cedeno: 0-for-0, HBP
Ugh. Let’s hope he was pulled for precautionary reasons.
  PR-SS Emmanuel Orozco: 0-for-2, R, SB (2), BB, K
CF Francisco Vilorio: 2-for-3, RBI, R
3B Richard Matic: 0-for-3, R, BB, K
C Justin Capellan: 1-for-3, 2B (5), R, SB (5), BB, K
.308/.364/.590 in 44 PA. Five doubles and a homer in 44 plate appearances is nice power production.
2B Alfred Ciriaco: 3-for-4, 2 RBI, SB (4), 3 CS (3)
A mixed bag of craziness, but we’ll take the three hits and pair of RBI.

RHP Enixon Sanchez: 4.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K
1.98 ERA (13.2 IP, 13 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 12 BB, 18 K). The 17-year-old impressed in his age-16 season last year. He is keeping up the pace so far this year (walks are an issue, but he is too young to worry about it)
RHP Emanuel Vargas (W, 2-1): 3 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
LHP Luis Rodriguez (S, 1): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Rodriguez earns his first professional save.

DSL Bombers (6-9) (They have a 7-0 lead against Arizona Black. The game was stopped due to a power outage, I guess)

CF Ruben Castillo: 1-for-2, 2B (3), RBI, R, BB, K
SS Stiven Marinez: 0-for-1, R, CS (1), 2 BB
DH Queni Pineda: 0-for-2, RBI, R, BB
LF Browm Martinez: 3-for-3, 2B (1), 3 RBI
These numbers don’t yet count, but I will add them to his start to 2025: 16-for-35 with three homers and 12 RBI. It will be his third 3-hit effort.
C Carlos Rodon: 1-for-1, SF, 2 RBI, R

RHP Alexander Almonte: 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Once these numbers count (I guess assuming they do), he will have 15 innings without allowing an earned run this season (two unearned runs)

Yankees MILB 6/18: Roc Riggio, Spencer Jones Homer

Notes:

Utilityman Pablo Reyes was outrighted to Scranton after clearing waivers.

As a general reminder, I am not a scout. I don’t work for the Yankees. When I hype up someone like Jesus Rodriguez, I can’t tell you how the Yankees feel about him internally. Guess what? Nobody who writes or talks about these guys has any idea either. I have never been afraid to admit that.

However, I will always share my personal opinions and try to discern trends. I will provide the statistical anecdotes and Savant readings when they are available.

When they promote prospects, there is a reason for it. When they don’t, there is a reason for it. Trying to read between the lines is fun for me, even if my opinion won’t always be correct.

“Anyone who claims they know everything about baseball prospects is lying”.

Injury Log

Scranton (36-32) (Lost to Louisville, 8-1. Louisville had two pitchers who hit 100+ MPH: Chase Burns (7 IP, 7 K) and Zach Maxwell)

C Jesus Rodriguez: 0-for-4, 2 K
One concern with any prospect is how they react to velocity. You can’t tell anything by today alone, but he missed 100.1 and 98.7 MPH fastballs and grounded out (86.9 MPH) on a 99.1 MPH fastball. We can use that as a point of reference if nothing else.
2B Jorbit Vivas: 0-for-4
LF Everson Pereira: 0-for-3, 2 K
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-3, 2B (15), R
Rumfield has a 5-game hitting streak (7-for-19; 2 doubles, 1 triple, 5 RBI). 
3B CJ Alexander: 0-for-3, K
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 0-for-2, SF, RBI, 2 K
.234/.292/.387 in 137 PA (4 doubles, 5 HR, 17 RBI, 17 R, 3-for-3 SB, 6.6% BB, 28.5% K)
DH Jose Reyes: 0-for-3, 2 K
SS Braden Shewmake: 1-for-3, 2B (7), K
Shewmake has an 11-game hitting streak. He is hitting .255/.350/.409 in 158 PA (.186/.307/.289 before the streak). No, he isn’t an Anthony Volpe replacement, even if you are tempted to ask.
CF Ismael Munguia: 1-for-3, CS (5)

RHP Erick Leal (L, 1-7): 5 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 3 HR
RHP Zach Messinger: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
As reliever: 3.29 ERA (13.2 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 8 BB, 14 K). Overall: 6.05 ERA (41.2 IP, 46 H, 29 R, 28 ER, 3 HR, 27 BB, 40 K)
RHP Geoff Hartlieb: 0.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Harrison Cohen: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Cohen reached 94.6 MPH with his 4-seamer, which he featured 70% of the time. 

Somerset (31-34) (Swept a doubleheader against New Hampshire)

Game 1 (Won, 5-3)

2B Roc Riggio: 2-for-4, HR (6), 2 RBI, R, SB (2), K
Riggio takes over the organizational lead with his 13th home run (6 for Somerset, 6 for Hudson Valley, 1 in the FCL).
SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-4, 2B (3), R, 2 K
Lombard Jr. has a double, triple, and homer in his last six games.
DH Spencer Jones: 1-for-2, RBI, SB (9), 2 BB, K
C Rafael Flores: 0-for-4, 3 K
3B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-4, 2 K
LF Garrett Martin: 1-for-3, R, K
CF Brendan Jones: 1-for-2, 3B (1), RBI, CS (1), BB
Jones has four triples between here and Hudson Valley. 
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-3, R, SB (6), 2 K
RF Cole Gabrielson: 0-for-2, R, BB, K

RHP Marcus Stroman: 3.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
With JT Brubaker activated today, it will be interesting to see how the Yankees handle Stroman when he is ready. Yerry De los Santos would be the most logical to go back to Scranton.
RHP Bailey Dees (W, 2-4): 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
For Somerset: 4.53 ERA (49.2 IP, 45 H, 26 R, 25 ER, 7 HR, 26 BB, 62 K)
RHP Danny Watson (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Watson had a 16.71 ERA in April. Since: 4.11 ERA (15.1 IP, 14 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 2 BB, 14 K). He hasn’t allowed a walk in seven straight appearances.

Game 2 (Won, 6-1)

2B Roc Riggio: 2-for-3, RBI, R, 2 SB (4), K
Riggio doesn’t have blazing speed, but he is an aggressive baserunner. That allowed him to be an impressive 27-for-33 stealing bases in 2024, but he is only 6-for-11 in 2025. 
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-3, 2 R, SB (12), BB
Lombard Jr. is 23-for-27 stealing bases between here and Hudson Valley (66-for-80 (82.5%) in his career). The bat isn’t there yet. I remain confident it will get there.
CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-2, HR (13), 2 RBI, R, 2 BB, K
Jones ties Riggio for the organizational home run lead.  He has a 6-game hitting streak (9-for-19; 1 double, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 7 R, 5 BB, 5 K) and owns a .943 OPS.
DH Rafael Flores: 0-for-2, R, 2 BB
Flores is in a 0-for-17 slump.
1B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-4, 2B (10), 3 RBI
Jasso had a big bases-clearing double.  He has an 8-game hitting streak (10-for-28) and is hitting .281/.346/.484 in 239 PA.
LF Brendan Jones: 0-for-3, 2 K
RF Cam Eden: 0-for-3, 2 K
C Diomedes Hernandez: 0-for-3, 2 K
3B Max Burt: 1-for-2, 2B (5), R

RHP Trystan Vrieling: 3.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
Slowly, but surely, building up the pitching count. He wasn’t efficient tonight (72), but I still consider him to be in spring training mode. For Somerset: 4.71 ERA (21 IP, 24 H, 12 R, 11 ER, 3 HR, 11 BB, 14 K). 
LHP Ryan Anderson (W, 1-1): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Mason Vinyard: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Kelly Austin:   1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Hudson Valley (38-26) (Defeated Jersey Shore, 9-2)

CF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-3, RBI, 3 R, SB (13), HBP, BB, K
DH Dillon Lewis: 1-for-5, HR (3; grand slam), 4 RBI, R, K
If you are only going to compile one hit, make it a special one. Between Tampa and Hudson Valley, he has ten doubles, three triples, 12 home runs, 38 RBI, 39 runs, and 15 stolen bases in 16 attempts. There are warts (not hitting for much average) but he has dropped his K% since being promoted. Small sample blip or a trend?
1B Coby Morales: 1-for-5, HR (6), 2 RBI, R, 2 K
Morales has six homers in 58 games (five in 123 games entering this season)
C Omar Martinez: 0-for-4, RBI, 2 K
2B Jose Colmenares: 1-for-3, SB (8), BB
SS Alexander Vargas: 1-for-4, HR (2), RBI, R
LF Luis Durango: 1-for-3, R, CS (4), HBP
3B Josh Moylan: 0-for-3, R, BB, K
RF Anthony Hall: 1-for-4, R, 2 K

RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz: (W, 5-2)  6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
2.59 ERA (66 IP, 41 H, 22 R, 19 ER, 0 HR, 28 BB, 78 K). He wasn’t completely on his game tonight, but what a season. No home runs in 66 innings is ridiculous.
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
0.39 ERA (23 IP, 11 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 7 BB, 18 K)
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K

Tampa (36-28) (Defeated Bradenton, 8-6)

C Edgleen Perez: 1-for-4, 2B (6), 2 R, BB
Perez caught two runners out of six trying to steal. He is 13-for-82 (15.9%) this season. That is down considerably from his rookie league days (26% last season, for example), which is hardly surprising. As for the offense, he has a pair of doubles in his last three games.
CF Brian Sanchez: 1-for-5, 2 R, 2 K
SS Roderick Arias: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, 3 R, BB
Is Arias heating up? He has three multi-hit efforts in his last six games, increasing his triple slash from .152/.302/.239 to .181/.316/.263. I never claimed the jump was significant.
DH Engelth Urena: 2-for-5, HR (6), 3 RBI, R, 3 K
Urena (20) ends an 18-game homerless streak. Power is his game (13 doubles, 11 HR in 51 rookie league games). Can he find it consistently as he navigates full-season leagues? 
3B Juan Matheus: 1-for-4, RBI
LF Tyler Wilson: 3-for-4, 2 RBI, K
Wilson continues his incredible June (22-for-46; 2 doubles, 12 RBI, 12 R, 11 BB, 7 K). The 22-year-old is hitting .305/.389/.394 in 244 plate appearances as he tries to earn a promotion. The Florida State League leans towards pitching, so his .305 batting average ranks third.
1B Hans Montero: 1-for-4, K
RF Marshall Toole: 2-for-4, CS (2)
.308/.408/.483 in 169 PA. Toole is playing well, though he doesn’t have enough plate appearances to qualify for rate statistic leader boards.
2B Santiago Gomez: 0-for-3, CS (1), HBP, K

RHP Brandon Decker: 2.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, HR
Decker tossed 56 pitches (34 strikes), the most pitches he has thrown this year. This was his fifth consecutive start after starting his career with eight relief appearances. He owns a 2.97 ERA (30.1 IP, 27 H, 15 R, 10 ER, 1 HR, 13 BB, 30 K).
RHP Cole Zaffiro: 2.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 2 HR
RHP Brady Kirtner: (W, 4-2)  1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
RHP Chris Veach: (S, 4) 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K
1.69 ERA (26.2 IP, 19 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 3 HR, 16 BB, 39 K). Veach is allowing a few too many walks, but is also missing bats. He generated ten whiffs on 13 swings, including six on his bread-and-butter changeup. I like the differential in his pitches (averaged 92.2 with his 4-seamer, 91.7 with his sinker, and 76.7 with his change).

FCL (16-17)

Day off.

DSL Yankees (4-7)

Day off.

DSL Bombers (5-6)

Day off.

Yankees MILB 6/13: Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz Ks 8

Notes:

No news.

Injury Log

Scranton (33-31) (Stayed hot by defeating Syracuse, 10-3. The Railriders crushed Frankie Montas (1.2 IP, 7 H, 8 R, 1 BB, 1 K))

C Jesus Rodriguez: 3-for-5, 2 2B (11), R
Rodriguez is amazing. This is his 8th 3-hit effort this season and 18th multi-hit game. The new triple slash for Scranton: .354/.442/.453 in 215 PA. Those numbers are impossible to ignore. 
2B Jorbit Vivas: 0-for-2, SF, RBI, 2 R, HBP, BB
CF Everson Pereira: 2-for-5, 2B (5), 2 RBI, R, 2 K
Back-to-back multi-hit efforts with three doubles.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-4, 3B (1), 2 RBI, K
LF Brennen Davis: 2-for-4, 2B (3), HR (4), 2 RBI, R, 2 K
Davis is crushing this level (14-for-33, 3 doubles, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 8 R). He has five multi-hit efforts this month.
3B CJ Alexander: 1-for-4, R, K
Alexander earns his first hit as a member of the Yankees’ organization.
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 1-for-4, R, K
DH Jose Rojas: 1-for-4, 2B (16), RBI, R, K
SS Andrew Velazquez: 2-for-4, 2B (7), 2 RBI, 2 R

RHP JT Brubaker: (W, 1-0)  5 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
With his rehab clock approaching zero, Brubaker puts together a strong start. He hit 94.5 MPH with his sinker, which he featured 50% of the time. The question is where he would fit in on the current roster, especially with Marcus Stroman nearing a return.
RHP Zach Messinger: 0.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
More scoreless outings, please!
LHP Jayvien Sandridge: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
He hit 96.4 MPH and generated six whiffs on nine swings against his 4-seam fastball. Sandridge with control has potential. That’s always been known. He owns a 12/4 K/BB over 6.1 innings at this level.

Somerset (28-33) (Defeated Portland, 4-1)

2B Roc Riggio: 0-for-4, K
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-4, K
RF Spencer Jones: 2-for-3, R, BB
It feels strange to see Jones compile two singles. He is hitting .241/.362/.533 in 163 PA and is 6-for-11 in his last three games.
1B Rafael Flores: 0-for-4, K
CF Brendan Jones: 1-for-4, R, K
3B Dylan Jasso: 2-for-4, R, K
9-for-34 (.265/.375/.500) with a double, two triples, and a homer in June.
DH Garrett Martin: 3-for-3, 3B (1), R, SB (12)
.229/.323/.415 in 218 PA. This is his second 3-hit effort in 2025.
LF Cole Gabrielson: 1-for-2, 2B (5), 2 RBI, BB
C Antonio Gomez: 0-for-2, 2 BB, 2 K

LHP Brock Selvidge: (W, 1-1)  5.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, HR
An impressive outing for Selvidge (5th start since coming back from injury, second at this level). In those five combined starts, he has a 2.76 ERA in 16.1 IP with a 16/9 K/BB.
RHP Danny Watson: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
LHP Ryan Anderson (S, 2): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Hudson Valley (36-23) (Shut down Greenville, 1-0. The Renegades compiled two hits and allowed two hits)

CF Dillon Lewis: 0-for-3, 2 K
LF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-2, BB
RF Coby Morales: 0-for-2, SB (9), BB
2B Jose Colmenares: 0-for-3
3B Alexander Vargas: 0-for-3, K
1B Josh Moylan: 1-for-3, 2B (11), R
SS Brenny Escanio: 1-for-3, CS (4), K
C Tomas Frick: 0-for-2, SF, RBI, 2 K
A seemingly harmless sacrifice fly in the 5th inning turns out to be the only run all night.
DH Duncan Pastore: 0-for-3, 2 K

LHP Ben Shields: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K
Shields’ third rehab start (one in the FCL, one in Tampa, one here)
RHP Huey Morrill: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
0.41 ERA (22 IP, 10 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 17 K). He also had two appearances for Somerset (3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 2 K)
RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz: (W, 4-2)  5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K
Before you panic, he was simply piggybacking tonight – he isn’t moving to a bullpen role!  Rodriguez-Cruz is cruising along. Season: 2.70 ERA (60 IP, 37 H, 20 R, 18 ER, 0 HR, 25 BB, 74 K). There is some element of luck involved when you throw 60 innings without allowing a home run, but it is still mightily impressive. 

Tampa (33-26) (Split a pair of games against Clearwater)

Game 1 (Lost, 4-2)

SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-4, K
CF Brian Sanchez: 2-for-4, K
C Edgleen Perez: 0-for-2, BB, K
.207/.371/.229 in 229 PA (4 doubles, 0 HR, 19 RBI, 24 R, 4-for-5 SB, 19.2% BB, 21.8% K). A lot of his metrics aren’t far off from what he did in the rookie leagues. His BB% is remarkably consistent. His strikeout rate, as expected, has increased but it isn’t bad (plus, his swinging strike percentage is 6.9%, which is excellent). The ground ball percentage (50% entering today) isn’t ideal and is likely the biggest reason for the .207 batting average. I have been a broken record all season: The Yankees have to keep throwing him out there. It’s all about the reps, reps, reps.
DH Engelth Urena: 0-for-2, R, BB
3B Juan Matheus: 3-for-3, 2B (14), R, SB (18)
Matheus has three 3+ hit games this season. 
LF Tyler Wilson: 2-for-2, RBI, 2 CS (7), BB
RF Marshall Toole: 0-for-3, 2 K
1B Hans Montero: 0-for-3, 2 K
2B Owen Cobb: 0-for-2, BB, K

RHP Brandon Decker: 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
2.25 ERA (28 IP, 24 H, 12 R, 7 ER, 0 HR, 12 BB, 27 K). In his four starts: 11 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 7 BB, 7 K. Obviously, they haven’t asked him to stretch out yet. 
RHP Gus Hughes: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
3.86 ERA (18.2 IP, 16 H, 10 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 9 BB, 19 K). 
RHP Chris Veach (L, 0-1): 0.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, HR
A rare misstep for Veach, who hadn’t allowed a run since April 27th. He owns a 1.97 ERA in 20 games (23 IP, 18 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 3 HR, 13 BB, 35 K)
RHP Brady Kirtner: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
2.64 ERA in 21 games (30.2 IP, 19 H, 10 R, 9 ER, 2 HR, 16 BB, 34 K).
All four pitchers who threw in Game 1 are in their debut campaigns.

Game 2 (Won, 7-6, in a walkoff fashion)

DH Roderick Arias: 2-for-4, 2B (10), RBI
We need to see a lot more of this the rest of the season.
CF Brian Sanchez: 1-for-4, HR (1), RBI, R
Sanchez isn’t known for home run power (5th career HR in 119 games). It’s his ability to compile other types of extra-base hits that allows him to put up solid SLG numbers. This year, he is hitting .291/.364/.450 in 173 PA.
C Engelth Urena: 1-for-4, 2B (8), R, K
SS Juan Matheus: 2-for-3, R, SB (19), 2 CS (7), BB
Matheus puts together a 5-hit day. That’s how you go from .266/.344/.348 to .284/.360/.368. 
RF Tyler Wilson: 3-for-4, RBI, R, SB (16)
Wilson had the walk-off RBI single to increase his hitting streak to nine. Like Matheus, he compiles a 5-hit day. It increased his triple slash from .286/.370/.385 to .303/.385/.399. 
LF Marshall Toole: 0-for-2, R, BB, K
3B Hans Montero: 2-for-2, 2 RBI, R, BB
2B Owen Cobb: 0-for-2, SF, RBI, CS (3)
1B Josue Gonzalez: 1-for-2, 3B (2), RBI, BB

RHP Gage Ziehl: 5 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
4.19 ERA (43 IP, 43 H, 22 R, 20 ER, 3 HR, 7 BB, 35 K). You have to love the control numbers.
RHP Cole Zaffiro: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 0 K
RHP Cade Austin (W, 3-0): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

FCL (15-15) (Lost to the Blue Jays, 5-4. They allowed three runs in the bottom of the 7th (final inning) to lose it)

CF Isael Arias: 1-for-4, RBI, K
SS Dexters Peralta: 1-for-2, R, BB, K
Peralta is off to a 6-for-55 (.109) start. His BABIP is .167.
DH Ediel Rivera: 1-for-3, 3B (1), K
.268/.365/.408 in 85 PA. He has five doubles, a triple, and a homer.
LF Wilson Rodriguez: 0-for-2, R, BB, K
RF Luis Puello: 2-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 SB (2)
After hitting .361 in the DSL last season, Puello (19) has struggled in the FCL this year (.205/.270/.324).

RHP Edinzo Marquez: 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
3.72 ERA (29 IP, 26 H, 16 R, 12 ER, 4 HR, 13 BB, 24 K). The mission is always to do enough to get to Low-A. So far, Marquez is accomplishing that.

DSL Yankees (3-5) (Lost to the DSL Mets Blue, 11-3)

CF Isaias Castillo: 1-for-3, RBI, K
His strong start continues (6-for-15; 2 doubles, 1 HR, 3-for-3 SB)
2B Alfred Ciriaco: 1-for-2, R, HBP
3B Richard Matic: 1-for-3, 2B (2), SB (2), K
The 17-year-old compiled eight extra-base hits (all doubles) in 46 games in 2024. This season, he has four (2 doubles, 2 HR) in seven games.
DH Justin Capellan: 1-for-3, RBI, R, 2 SB (4)

LHP Carlos De La Rosa (L, 0-1): 3 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
5.2 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 0 BB, 8 K

DSL Bombers (3-5) (Lost to the Phillies Red, 4-3)

CF Ruben Castillo: 1-for-4, R, 2 SB (5), K
The left-handed bat is only 3-for-26, but he has a pair of triples and five stolen bases.
SS Stiven Marinez: 0-for-2, SB (5), BB, 2 K
LF David Carrera: 1-for-3, SB (3), BB
2B Juan Torres: 1-for-4, SB (2)
6-for-20 with a pair of doubles and a homer.
3B Adrian Feliz: 1-for-4, R, SB (1), K
Only 16, Feliz is 3-for-14.
RF Eddinson Charles: 1-for-3, R, SB (1), 2 K
C Carlos Rondon: 2-for-2, 2B (1), 2 RBI, BB
1B Edgar Jimenez: 1-for-3, SB (1), K
The 18-year-old is 3-for-8. Jimenez is listed as a catcher, but he has only caught three innings in his short career (last year). He is playing more first base (8 games) and second base (10). 

RHP Cesar Acosta: 4 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
7.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 6 BB, 12 K

Yankees MILB 6/7: Cam Schlittler Hums in His Scranton Debut

Notes:

A few days ago, OF Brando Mayea was pulled from the game due to an apparent injury. Today, he was placed on the FCL’s injured list. Ranked #26 by MLB Pipeline, the 19-year-old is hitting .297/.373/.500 (132 wRC+) with three homers and 19 runs scored. This is his second season in the FCL, but he was making a push to get to Low-A.

LHP Brock Selvidge‘s rehab stint is over. He started this evening for Somerset.

Injury Log

Scranton (28-31) (Lost to St. Paul, 4-1)

DH Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-4, RBI
The slumping Rodriguez is only 7-for-21 (.333) with seven walks in June. I can’t wait to see people taking that sentence seriously. Back to the seven walks: He walked only eight times in May.
3B Jorbit Vivas: 1-for-3, BB
CF Everson Pereira: 0-for-4, K
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-4
C Alex Jackson: 0-for-4, K
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 0-for-4
2B Jose Rojas: 2-for-3, 2B (13), R, SB (5), BB, K
LF Brennen Davis: 1-for-4, 2B (1), K
Davis is 7-for-15 with a double and a homer at this level and 22-for-60 (.367) with three doubles and six home runs overall. Yes, some of that was a rehab stint in the FCL.
SS Andrew Velazquez: 1-for-2, SB (16), BB, K
Velazquez can’t hit the ball, but he has speed and can field the ball. In other words, better than Pablo Reyes. Why is Reyes rostered again?

RHP Cam Schlittler: (L, 0-1)  5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 8 K
Schlittler hit 98.7 MPH and averaged 96.3. StatCast had a correction after the game – at first, it was showing that he featured the fastball over 70% of the time. However, the numbers appear accurate now: 45% sliders, 33% 4-seamers, 13% curveballs, and 9% sweepers. St. Paul swung at his 4-seamer 14 times and missed six times.
RHP Sean Boyle: 3 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
4.63 ERA (58.1 IP, 52 H, 36 R, 30 ER, 8 HR, 20 BB, 59 K). Boyle is a fun guy to root for, given the work he has put in as a 28-year-old. Whether he realizes his MLB dream or not, who knows?

Somerset (25-29) (Lost to Binghamton, 5-2)

2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-4, HR (2), 2 RBI, R, K
Riggio has homered in back-to-back games. In 26 games (which includes two FCL rehab games), he is hitting .260/.398/.615 (5 doubles, 1 triple, 9 HR, 21 RBI, 24 R)
SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-4, 2B (2), 3 K
The strikeouts have started to pile up a bit (25.6%; but, more importantly, ten in six June games). I don’t care what level you are at, it’s a game of adjustments. If he is good enough, he’ll adjust. As simple as that (and I think he is good enough).
CF Spencer Jones: 0-for-4, 3 K
.226/.360/.530 in 139 PA. His strikeout rate is 38.1% (last season, it was 36.8%).
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-4, 2 K
1B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-3, BB, K
LF Garrett Martin: 1-for-3
RF Cam Eden: 0-for-3
DH Antonio Gomez: 0-for-3, K
3B Max Burt: 1-for-3, R, 2 K

LHP Brock Selvidge: (L, 0-1)  3 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
He threw 64 pitches tonight. Results aren’t important…yet.
RHP Baron Stuart: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Jordany Ventura: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K
RHP Indigo Diaz: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K

Hudson Valley (34-21) (Lost to Aberdeen, 3-2, in ten innings)

CF Dillon Lewis: 1-for-5, 2B (1), RBI, R, K
Lewis lives for the extra-base hit (6-for-26 with a double, triple, and home run since his promotion). Overall, 23 of his 50 hits have gone for extra bases and he has reached double digits in doubles (10), homers (10), and stolen bases (13).
LF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-4, SB (7), BB
1B Coby Morales: 0-for-5, 2 K
3B Parks Harber: 2-for-5, 2B (9), RBI, 2 K
Harber had no trouble in Low-A (.304/.422/.551) and is having little trouble in High-A (.325/.390/.488). Yeah, I would be considering a promotion to Somerset.
C Omar Martinez: 0-for-3, 2 BB
2B Jose Colmenares: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
SS Alexander Vargas: 2-for-4, SB (1)
DH Josh Moylan: 0-for-2, 2 BB, 2 K
RF Luis Durango: 1-for-4, R, SB (5)

RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz:  7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 9 K
2.95 ERA (55 IP, 35 H, 20 R, 18 ER, 0 HR, 23 BB, 66 K). No home runs in 55 innings is an impressive feat and it fits with his career (9 homers in 238.1 innings). His ground ball rates are solid (consistently over 50%). Combine ground balls with strikeouts and you have yourself a fun prospect.
RHP Jake Cousins: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
He is on the road back….
RHP Matt Keating (L, 1-1): 0.2 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

Tampa (31-24) (Knocked out Jupiter, 7-3. They weren’t as efficient tonight on the basepaths (3-for-5 SB), but they compiled ten hits and took advantage of five errors. The other day, I said their hot streak may have started too late to make a run at the first-half title. Now? They are 1-game behind Lakeland)

SS Roderick Arias: 1-for-5, RBI, CS (4), 2 K
RF Brian Sanchez: 2-for-4, 2B (13), R, SB (14)
Sanchez is on fire. He is on a 6-game hitting streak (9-for-22; 2 doubles, 7 R, 9 BB, 6-for-7 SB). As impressive as that is, if we look at his last 13 games: 21-for-50 (.480; 5 doubles, 2 triples, 15 RBI, 12 R, 12 BB, 9-for-11 SB). He had a .217/.275/.361 triple slash before this stretch. Now, it’s .293/.374/.451.
DH Edgleen Perez: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K
C Engelth Urena: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K
3B Juan Matheus: 1-for-4, 2B (13), R, 3 K
1B Tyler Wilson: 4-for-4, 2 R, CS (5)
.281/.365/.378 in 211 PA.  He is 9-for-18 in June as he tries to follow-up his solid May (.275/.320/.451). The 22-year-old was selected in the 8th round in last year’s draft and is auditioning for a trip to Hudson Valley.
LF Austin Green: 0-for-3, R, BB
2B Owen Cobb: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, K
Cobb is maintaining the 1.000+ OPS (.363/.411/.600 in 92 PA)
CF Marshall Toole: 1-for-3, HR (2), RBI, 2 R, 2 SB (16), BB
.319/.431/.522 in 137 PA (7 doubles, 5 triples, 2 HR, 16 RBI, 30 R, 16-for-17 SB, 16.1% BB, 21.2% K). Toole is 7-for-14 with a double, triple, and two home runs in June. He had one career home run in 48 games before June.

LHP Xavier Rivas: 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
Rivas doesn’t throw hard (though a 91.6 MPH sinker can work), but he confused hitters with his change tonight (six whiffs on eight swings). 
RHP Sean Hermann: (W, 2-1): 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
1.32 ERA (27.1 IP, 15 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 0 HR, 21 BB, 22 K)
RHP Cade Austin: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Jackson Fristoe: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR
Fristoe hit 97.6 MPH with the 4-seamer.

FCL (13-13) (Outlasted the Tigers, 13-12. All 11 players who played for the Yankees scored at least one run. The teams combined for 25 runs, 29 hits, and eight walks. Additionally, they committed nine errors. What a game.)

CF Duke Ellis: 1-for-2, 2B (1), R, SB (1), BB
   CF Isael Arias: 1-for-3, R, SB (9)
DH Ediel Rivera: 0-for-3, R, SB (5), BB
SS Dexters Peralta: 1-for-3, R, SB (5), CS (1), 2 BB, K
RF-LF Wilson Rodriguez: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, R, 2 K
Rodriguez is 12-for-36 (2 doubles, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 3 R)
2B Luis Escudero: 0-for-4, RBI, R, CS (2), BB, K
3B Kevin Verde: 2-for-5, 2 2B (4), 3 RBI, 2 R, K
LF Gabriel Lara: 2-for-4, 2B (3), RBI, 2 R, SB (1), K
I would give Lara more playing time. He is 12-for-31 (.387/.441/.677; 3 doubles, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 10 R) and is on a 5-game hitting streak that features four multi-hit games.
   PH-1B John Cristino: 1-for-1, R
1B-RF Johan Contreras: 2-for-5, HR (1), 4 RBI, R, 2 K
Contreras has two 4-RBI games in his career. He is 20 years old and this is his fourth season in rookie ball (his first in the FCL).
C Luis Puello: 1-for-5, R, 2 K

RHP Sunayro Martina: 3.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
Martina deserves as much credit as anyone for this win.
RHP Chance Nolan (W, 1-0): 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
Nolan earns his first professional win.
RHP Alexis Paulino (S, 2): 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR
Paulino has a 19/4 K/BB ratio in 12 innings. Coming into this season, he owned a 107/81 K/BB over 82.1 innings. 

DSL Yankees (0-4) (Lost to the DSL Twins, 9-4. The object of baseball is to score more runs than the other team. Just in case someone needs to remind them of that)

DH Mani Cedeno: 0-for-4, 3 K
Good or bad, I am going to report on Cedeno every day as he is the big bonus baby. The 16-year-old is 2-for-13 to begin his professional career.
CF Francisco Vilorio: 0-for-2, R, 2 BB
Vilorio is 1-for-8 with five walks.
SS Alfred Ciriaco: 2-for-3, 2B (1), RBI, R, SB (1)
The 18-year-old left-handed bat earns his first two professional hits. Whenever I see a teenager who actually plays shortstop (and isn’t just listed as one), I become interested. That said, Ciriaco was not a high profile signing.
3B Emmanuel Orozco: 0-for-2, R, SB (1), BB, K

LHP Fredy Penuelas: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

DSL Bombers (2-2) (Defeated the DSL Nationals, 6-3)

C Queni Pineda: 1-for-3, R
SS Christofer Reyes: 1-for-2, 2 R, BB, K
CF Browm Martinez: 1-for-1, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 SB (4), BB
Martinez is off to a nice start (3-for-8, HR, 5 RBI, 5 R, 4-for-4 SB)
3B Leni Done: 3-for-3, 2B (1), RBI, SB (1)

RHP Carlos Hampshire: 4 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
The 20-year-old posted a 7.91 ERA in 19.1 innings in his 2024 debut campaign.
RHP Diego Carrillo (W, 1-0): 2.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, HR
LHP Kevin Centeno (S, 1): 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Yankees MILB 5/24: Rafael Flores Hits 10th HR

Notes:

Nothing to see here.

Injury Log

Scranton (22-26) (Lost to Nashville, 12-5)

C Jesus Rodriguez: 0-for-4, BB, K
Rodriguez’s hitting streak is snapped at 13. He is now hitting only .376 with a .943 OPS at this level.
1B Dominic Smith: 3-for-5, 3B (1), 2 R, 2 SB (3), K
DH Alex Jackson: 0-for-4, K
LF Jose Rojas: 0-for-4, RBI, K
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 1-for-4, R, K
SS Braden Shewmake: 1-for-4, 2 R
2B Andrew Velazquez: 1-for-4, 2B (5), RBI, K
CF Ismael Munguia: 2-for-4, 2B (6), RBI, SB (9), K
2B Jake Gatewood: 0-for-4, 2 K

RHP Anthony DeSclafani: (L, 0-1)  2.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, HR
RHP Jake Woodford: 4.1 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
Not a good night for a pair of veterans trying to get on the depth chart.
RHP Colten Brewer: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR

Somerset (22-21) (Swept a doubleheader against New Hampshire. The Patriots have dug themselves out of a hole and are three games behind Binghamton and Portland for the first-half crown)

Game 1 (Won, 7-1. The Patriots scored 7 runs on 11 singles, two walks, and a HBP)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-3, R, BB
DH Rafael Flores: 2-for-4, R
Flores has 13 multi-hit games this season (including six 3-hit efforts)
CF Garrett Martin: 1-for-4, R, SB (8), K
RF Brennen Davis: 1-for-3, 2 R, BB, 2 K
1B Tyler Hardman: 2-for-4, 3 RBI, 2 R
Hardman has 8 RBI in his last three games.
3B Alexander Vargas: 1-for-4, RBI
LF Jared Wegner: 0-for-0, HBP
He stayed in the game to run, but was replaced in the field.
   LF Grant Richardson: 2-for-3, RBI, SB (1)
Enter the game, play well. How often do we see that happen?  Perceived answer: All the time!  Reality: Not nearly as often as you think!
C Antonio Gomez: 1-for-4, 2 RBI
2B Max Burt: 0-for-3, K

RHP Trystan Vrieling: 4.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K
Only his second start since returning from his rehab stint. This is the first time in his professional career where he didn’t strike a batter out.
RHP Danny Watson (W, 1-1): 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
After a rough start to the season (understatement), Watson has five straight scoreless outings (4 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 3 K)
RHP Cole Ayers: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

Game 2 (Won, 6-3)

3B George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-2, R, 2 BB
Since promotion: .196/.368/.216 in 68 PA with ten runs scored. He has a 20.6% BB and 20.6% K.
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-3, HR (10), 2 RBI, 2 R, BB, K
Flores breaks the tie with Spencer Jones and Everson Pereira to become the first Yankees’ farmhand to reach 10 home runs this year. Additionally, he leads the Eastern League in homers and is hitting an impressive .302/.353/.544 in 184 PA (11 doubles, 10 HR, 33 RBI, 26 R)
RF Garrett Martin: 1-for-3, CI
2B Dylan Jasso: 2-for-4, RBI, R, K
.275/.329/.477 in 161 PA (7 doubles, 1 triple, 7 HR, 24 RBI, 22 R, 5.6% BB, 19.9% K)
CF Grant Richardson: 0-for-4
LF Cole Gabrielson: 1-for-2, HR (2), 2 RBI, 2 R, BB, K
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-3, K
SS Alexander Vargas: 1-for-3, K
DH Antonio Gomez: 0-for-2, RBI, SB (2), BB

RHP Baron Stuart: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K
LHP Will Brian:(W, 2-0)  1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Since promotion: 1.38 ERA (13 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 3 BB, 17 K). Overall, he owns a 0.90 ERA in 20 innings with a 29/4 K/BB.
LHP Ryan Anderson: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Kelly Austin: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
1.93 ERA (14 IP, 11 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 4 BB, 13 K)
RHP Mason Vinyard: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, HR

Hudson Valley (28-15) (Allowed five runs in the 9th (yikes) to lose to Winston-Salem, 5-4)

DH Roc Riggio: 0-for-2, R, HBP, 2 BB
.275/.456/.686 in 68 PA. His walk percentage in 22.1. He spent all of April on the injured list so I don’t mind him being here. Eventually, they will need to consider Somerset.
RF Brendan Jones: 2-for-5, HR (4), RBI, R, K
.237/.346/.382 in 182 PA. Jones hit three home runs in a 5-game period in April before going on a 24-game homerless streak. Baseball!
1B Coby Morales: 0-for-3, R, SB (6), 2 BB, K
LF Jace Avina: 1-for-5, 2B (9), RBI, 2 K
.284/.411/.440 in 146 PA (9 doubles, 3 HR, 16 RBI, 22 R)
CF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-4, RBI, BB, 2 K
C Omar Martinez: 1-for-4, 2 K
3B Josh Moylan: 1-for-4, 3B (1), R, 2 K
SS Brenny Escanio: 0-for-4, K
2B Duncan Pastore: 2-for-3, 2B (3), 2 CS (2), BB

RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz  6.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 4 K
2.74 ERA (42.2 IP, 25 H, 15 R, 13 ER, 0 HR, 21 BB, 47 K). The walks are a little high but he is offsetting that with solid strikeout and ground ball rates (52.9% GB entering tonight)
RHP Tony Rossi: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Since promotion: 8 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 8 K. Overall: 15.2 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 20 K
LHP Jayvien Sandridge: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Chris Kean: (L, 2-1): 0.1 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR
Kean was having a solid year until tonight. We all have bad days.
RHP Tyrone Yulie: 0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Tampa (23-21) (Held off Dunedin, 4-3)

DH Edgleen Perez: 0-for-5, 2 K
C Engelth Urena: 3-for-5, 2B (7), HR (5), RBI, 2 R, K
Urena follows up a 4-hit game with a 3-hit effort. His power potential comes out from time to time, and he has three doubles and a homer in his last two games.  Season: .232/.359/.377 in 184 PA (7 doubles, 5 HR, 19 RBI, 30 R, 14.1% BB, 19.6% K). 
CF Dillon Lewis: 1-for-3, HR (7), 2 RBI, R, BB
.234/.310/.455 in 171 PA (9 doubles, 2 triples, 7 HR, 23 RBI, 28 R, 11-for-12 SB, 9.4% BB, 28.1% K). Lewis is on  a 5-game hitting streak (8-for-21; 2 doubles, 2 HR, 6 RBI) and has 13 extra-base hits in 19 May games (5 doubles, 2 triples, 6 HR). 
SS Juan Matheus: 0-for-4, 2 K
After an insane hot streak, Matheus is 0-for-11 in his last three games. He is hitting .281/.348/.348 in 158 plate appearances.
LF Tyler Wilson: 3-for-4, R, CS (4)
Wilson follows up a 4-hit game with a 3-hit effort. In his last four games, he is 10-for-17, raising his triple slash from .224/.307/.261 to .265/.339/.351. 
RF Austin Green: 0-for-2, HBP, BB
2B Hans Montero: 0-for-3, BB, K
3B Owen Cobb: 0-for-3, SF, RBI, K
The video game numbers have predictably dwindled, though he is still hitting .373/.413/.657 in 76 PA. 
1B Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-3, BB, K

RHP Gage Ziehl: (W, 1-2)  5 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 7 K
Ziehl’s first professional win. The seven strikeouts are a personal best.
RHP Gus Hughes: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
RHP Cade Austin: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Sean Hermann (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Hermann’s first career save as his transition to the bullpen continues to pay dividends: 1.61 ERA (22.1 IP, 14 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 0 HR, 18 BB, 22 K). This was his 8th straight scoreless appearance. The walk rate is high, but most of that was in April. In May, he has allowed three walks over 10 innings.

FCL (8-8) (Pulverized the Phillies again, 15-3. They have outscored the Phillies 30-3 the last two days)

LF Brando Mayea: 2-for-5, 2B (4), 2 RBI, 3 R, BB, K
.295/.377/.541 in 70 PA. Mayea is second in the FCL with 17 runs.
CF Cam Eden: 4-for-6, 2 2B (3), 5 RBI, 2 R, K
Tick tock. Get him to Scranton already.
RF Isael Arias: 1-for-4, R, SB (4), BB
C Ediel Rivera: 0-for-3, R, SB (4), 2 BB, K
Always pay attention to the catchers in the Yankees system.
SS Dexters Peralta: 1-for-5, RBI, 2 K
Peralta received a $500,000 signing bonus during the 2024 international signing period. He is 2-for-20 so far this year after hitting .219/.320/.325 with 26 stolen bases in 30 attempts in 46 DSL games last year.
1B Manuel Palencia: 2-for-4, 2B (2), RBI, 2 R, K
2B Luis Escudero: 2-for-4, HR (1), 3 RBI, 2 R
Escudero’s first HR since July 16, 2024. The 19-year-old is hitting .267/.353/.400 with more walks (6) than strikeouts (5) in his first taste of the FCL.
3B Santiago Gomez: 1-for-3, 3 R, 2 BB, K

RHP Kevin Stevens: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Stevens is here on a rehab assignment. The 27-year-old pitched to a 2.54 ERA in 39 innings for Somerset last season (56/16 K/BB). Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2022, Stevens was invited to spring training this year, pitching a scoreless inning.
RHP Carson Coleman: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Coleman’s second rehab appearance.
RHP Greysen Carter (W, 1-0): 3.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 8 BB, 1 K
I wish I could put “Yikes!” in big, bold, red, flashing font. But he gets the win!
RHP Jose Martinez: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Martinez (20) now has a 79/13 K/BB in 69 career innings.

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 5/10: Everson Pereira is Scorching

Notes:

I have nothing to offer you.

Injury Log

Scranton (18-18) (Split a doubleheader against Rochester)

Game 1 (Won, 7-6, in 8 innings)

DH Cooper Hummel: 1-for-4
The veteran was activated off the injured list today.
  PR-DH Andrew Velazquez: 0-for-0
CF Everson Pereira: 1-for-3, 2 R, BB
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-3, R, HBP, K
  PR Ismael Munguia: 0-for-0, R
3B Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-3, RBI, R, BB
LF Dominic Smith: 1-for-3, HR (3, grand slam), 4 RBI, R, BB
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
DH Alex Jackson: 0-for-4, RBI, 2 K
.311/.436/.600 in 55 PA (3 HR, 13 RBI). It is a good idea to keep an eye on the #3 catcher on the depth chart.
SS Braden Shewmake: 0-for-3, 2 K
2B Jake Gatewood: 1-for-3, 2B (1), R

RHP Zach McAllister: 3 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 3 K
The tough start to his 2025 campaign continues.
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 1 K
2.45 ERA (14.2 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 12 BB, 17 K). Solid ERA, but the walks are worrisome. I don’t care if a dominant reliever walks some hitters (Dellin Betances, for example). But you better be dominant if you are going to carry a high BB rate.
RHP Clayton Beeter: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
23 pitches/13 strikes. Beeter has options, so the Yankees can option him to this level when his rehab is complete (if they don’t have a slot for him in MLB).
RHP Geoff Hartlieb: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
3.21 ERA (14 IP, 15 H, 8 R, 5 ER, 0 HR, 4 BB, 14 K)
RHP Wilking Rodriguez (W, 1-0): 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Game 2 (Lost, 5-4)

DH Everson Pereira: 1-for-2, HR (8), RBI, 3 R, 2 BB, K
.301/.385/.602 in 96 PA. Pereira is on a 7-game hitting streak (10-for-23 with five home runs). When Pereira hits a hot streak, they tend to be crazy.
2B DJ LeMahieu: 2-for-4, K
The rumors are out there that LeMahieu will be back in time for the Mariners’ series. As the likely everyday Yankees’ 2B, this scares me considerably. But what can you do?
1B T.J. Rumfield:  2-for-3, HR (5), SF, 2 RBI, R, SB (2)
.295/.396/.509 in 134 PA (9 doubles, 5 HR, 24 RBI, 25 R, 11.9% BB, 19.4% K). The Yankees haven’t used him and he slipped through the Rule 5. That is telling, but I bet he gets an opportunity somewhere. After all, eventually Andres Chaparro and Eric Wagaman received opportunities.
C Jesus Rodriguez: 2-for-4, RBI
Rodriguez is hitting .357/.472/.443 in 89 PA since his promotion. Can a player outplay their scouting report? The answer is yes. I just can’t ignore someone who continues to hit like Rodriguez does.
LF Jose Rojas: 1-for-4, K
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 0-for-4
3B Jake Gatewood: 1-for-3, K
CF Ismael Munguia: 1-for-3, K
SS Andrew Velazquez: 0-for-3, 2 K

RHP Erick Leal (L, 1-4):  5 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 2 HR
RHP Kervin Castro: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
0.98 ERA (18.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 22 K). He is pitching well, though he isn’t overpowering (averaged 92.3 MPH with his 4-seamer today). 
RHP Colten Brewer: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

Somerset (14-18) (Shut down Akron, 5-0)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-3, RBI, SB (2), BB
4-for-18 since promotion (2 RBI, 3 R, 2-for-2 SB, 3 BB, 3 K). He still needs to fill the extra-base hit column, but he is not showing signs of being overwhelmed here. His overall triple slash sits at .310/.470/.440 in 132 PA with more walks (26) than strikeouts (25).
DH Rafael Flores: 1-for-4, RBI
CF Garrett Martin:  1-for-4, R, 2 K
1B Dylan Jasso: 2-for-4, RBI, R, 2 K
.270/.328/.470 in 125 PA. He has three multi-hit efforts in his last six games.
CF Grant Richardson: 1-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, R, K
Richardson is bouncing back and forth between Somerset and Scranton. He has three HR between the two levels.
3B Alexander Vargas: 0-for-3, BB
RF Jared Wegner: 0-for-4, R, K
LF Tyler Hardman: 1-for-5, 2 K
2B Max Burt: 1-for-4, R, K
C Antonio Gomez: 1-for-3, SAC, SB (1), K

RHP Trent Sellers (W, 1-1): 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K
3.21 ERA (28 IP, 15 H, 10 R, 10 ER, 2 HR, 12 BB, 37 K). He isn’t talked about often, but is it time to count him amongst the Yankees’ pitching depth? The 25-year-old has pitched well since being signed as an undrafted free agent in 2023.
RHP Scott Effross: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Like Beeter, Effross has minor league options.
RHP Mason Vinyard: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
After initially struggling here, Vinyard has back-to-back scoreless appearances. It’s a start.
RHP Danny Watson: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Hudson Valley (22-9) (Defeated Wilmington, 5-2, in ten innings)

RF Brendan Jones: 1-for-4, R, BB, K
Jones has a 5-game hitting streak (9-for-24)
2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-4, 2B (1), RBI, 2 R, BB
1B Parks Harber: 2-for-4, 2B (3), 3 RBI, BB
The raking continues for Harber, who is 15-for-44 (.341/.396/.477) since his promotion and .319/.412/.522 in 131 PA overall. He has three consecutive 2-hit efforts (four in his last five games)
LF Coby Morales: 3-for-5, 2B (4), RBI, CS (2), K
.242/.342/.421 in 111 PA.
CF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-5
DH Omar Martinez: 0-for-3, CS (2), 2 BB, K
The 9-game hitting streak is over, but he draws a pair of walks to increase the on-base streak to ten.
3B Jose Colmenares: 1-for-4, SB (2)
SS Brenny Escanio: 1-for-3, 3B (1), BB
C Tomas Frick: 0-for-3, 2 R, HBP, K

RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz: 4 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
1.97 ERA (32 IP, 15 H, 9 R, 7 ER, 0 HR, 12 BB, 41 K). He needed 89 pitches to get 12 outs today, but damage was limited. 
RHP Tyrone Yulie: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Sebastian Keane: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K
RHP Bryce Warrecker: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
0.66 ERA (13.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 3 BB, 20 K). The 6’8″ Warrecker is a beast out of the bullpen. Will they ask him to start again, or let him stay in this role?
RHP Matt Keating (W, 1-0): 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
2.79 ERA (9.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 7 K)

Tampa (14-18) (Defeated Daytona, 10-7, in 10 innings)

DH Edgleen Perez: 1-for-4, 2B (3), R, 2 BB
Perez is 9-for-35 (.257) with a pair of doubles, five runs, and six walks in May.
CF Brian Sanchez: 3-for-5, 2B (10), 4 RBI, 2 SB (8), BB
Sanchez hit a big 3-run double in the 10th. His ten doubles are tops in the Florida State League, and he has four straight multi-hit games (9-for-18 – 1 double, 2 triples, 10 RBI, 4 R, 3 BB, 1 K, 3 SB). Sanchez has been a fun surprise since the Yankees acquired him.
C Engelth Urena: 0-for-5, 2 K
SS Juan Matheus: 0-for-5, 2 K
LF Tyler Wilson: 0-for-4, SB (9), BB, K
1B Josue Gonzalez: 2-for-4, 3B (1), R, BB
RF Marshall Toole: 0-for-4, RBI, R, BB, K
2B Hans Montero: 2-for-3, 2B (2), 3 R, SB (5), 2 BB
3B Owen Cobb: 2-for-4, 2B (5), HR (2), SF, 4 RBI, 2 R, K
Cobb maintains his .500 pace (11-for-22, 5 doubles, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 13 R, 5-for-6 SB, 5 BB, 4 K). That is an insane start to anyone’s season.

RHP Greysen Carter: 2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 R, 4 BB, 2 K
The only way he will learn is by throwing him out there.
RHP Cole Zaffiro: 2.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, HR
RHP Sean Hermann: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
2.25 ERA (16 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 0 HR, 16 BB, 17 K)
RHP Jackson Fristoe: (W, 2-1)  3.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
6.38 ERA (18.1 IP, 24 H, 17 R, 13 ER, 4 HR, 10 BB, 15 K)

FCL (4-2) (Defeated the Blue Jays, 4-3, walk-off style. What kind of walk-off?  How about a walk-off steal of home? Oh, how I love the rookie leagues!)

CF Brando Mayea: 2-for-2, R, SB (3), BB
Mayea is 7-for-22 (.318) and has hit safely in five straight games. Encouraging.
LF Isael Arias: 2-for-4, 2B (3), 2 R, SB (3), K
Arias stole home to win the game. It was a straight steal.
RF Brennen Davis: 2-for-3, HR (1), 2 RBI, R, BB
The rehabbing Davis hits his first HR as a member of the Yankees’ organization.
1B John Cristino: 1-for-2, BB, K
The 25-year-old out of Towson makes his professional debut. The Yankees signed him in March. He is a local kid out of Voorhees, NJ.

RHP Jose M. Rodriguez: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
The 21-year-old pitched in six games for the DSL in 2024, and it wasn’t pretty. It’s a new year!
RHP Josh Tiedemann: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
The 13th round pick in 2023 (High School) in 20 years old. He has only 5.2 innings of professional experience.
RHP Alexis Paulino: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K
4 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 5/2: Spencer Jones Goes Yard

Notes:

With Jazz Chisholm Jr. out until early-to-mid June or longer, the opportunity is there for Jorbit Vivas to make an impression. I won’t ignore the fact that it will eventually open a spot for DJ LeMahieu. Beyond that, your depth is Braden Shewmake (activated off the IL today and on the 40-man), Jake Gatewood, and Andrew Velazquez. If anyone dares to ask about George Lombard Jr., it’s grounds for me to block you from reading my website.

Given his absurdly low K% in Triple-A, it was funny that Vivas struck out in his first plate appearance. Baseball!

Clayton Beeter is in Scranton to continue his rehab. He isn’t far away.

Many players were activated on the FCL roster for tomorrow’s opener. I won’t get into that. Of note, 2B Roc Riggio and RHP Trystan Vrieling will begin rehab assignments. OF Luis Durango, chosen in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 out of Cleveland, will also start a rehab assignment. The 22-year-old hit .250/.344/.311 in 153 plate appearances for Low-A Lynchburg last season. He was an impressive 21-for-22 stealing bases. 21 stolen bases in 41 games? Nice.

Injury Log

Scranton (15-15) (Lost to Syracuse, 6-3)

SS Braden Shewmake: 0-for-3, 2 K
  PH-SS Andrew Velazquez: 0-for-1, K
No worries about Shewmake. It is his first game back, so they didn’t allow him to play a full game.
DH Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-4, 2B (3), K
Rodriguez is 14-for-28 (.500) during his 7-game hitting streak. He continues to play C/DH for Scranton. They haven’t deployed him at his other positions (mainly 3B and 1B, though he has a little LF (24 games) and 2B (3) experience).
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-4, R, 2 K
C Alex Jackson: 1-for-4, 2B (2), R, K
Jackson, not known for his offense (especially in MLB), has a 6-game hitting streak.
   C Ronaldo Hernandez: 0-for-0
RF Dominic Smith: 2-for-4, 2B (5), 2 RBI, R
LF Bryan De La Cruz: 0-for-3, BB, K
De La Cruz makes his Yankees’ organizational debut.
3B Jose Rojas: 0-for-3, BB, K
2B Jake Gatewood: 0-for-4, RBI, 2 K
CF Ismael Munguia: 0-for-3, K

LHP Brandon Leibrandt: 4 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
Leibrandt was activated off the injured list today.
RHP McKinley Moore: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Clayton Beeter: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Beeter topped out at 97.4 MPH (averaged 95.7).  He threw ten sliders and nine 4-seam fastballs.
RHP Geoff Hartlieb: (L, 2-2)  0.1 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
LHP Rob Zastryzny: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Somerset (11-14) (Lost to Richmond, 8-7, in 10 innings)

1B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-6, 2 K
Jasso has been on fire recently. Throw this game out and start over tomorrow.
2B DJ LeMahieu: 0-for-3, R, BB, K
I am not an idiot. If LeMahieu is healthy (BIG IF), Vivas’s stay in the Bronx could be short. That isn’t what I want. It is what I expect.
  PH-2B Jose Colmenares: 2-for-2, 2B (1)
Colmenares earns his first Double-A hits (0-for-15 entering tonight)
CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-4, HR (9), 2 RBI, R, 2 BB, 2 K
Jones leads the Eastern League with 9 home runs and 20 runs scored.  The next highest home run total (as of this writing) is 6.
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-6, 2B (8), K
Flores is tied for the Eastern League lead with 21 RBI.
DH Tyler Hardman: 1-for-5, R, 2 K
RF Cole Gabrielson: 1-for-2, 2 R, HBP, 2 BB, K
Get on base any way you can…
3B Alexander Vargas: 3-for-4, 3B (1), 2 RBI, BB, K
Vargas hit six triples in 2023 and 2024. This triple came in the 9th, narrowing a 7-4 deficit to 7-6.
LF Jared Wegner: 2-for-5, 2 RBI, K
His RBI single in the top of the 9th tied the game at 7.
SS Max Burt: 1-for-4, R, SB (3), BB, K

RHP Baron Stuart: 4 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 2 HR
RHP Danny Watson: 2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, HR
RHP Mason Vinyard: 1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR
LHP Ryan Anderson: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
Anderson, typically a consistent bullpen arm, has struggled this year. This was a needed appearance.
RHP Harrison Cohen: (L, 0-2)  0.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

Hudson Valley (17-8) (Defeated Jersey Shore, 9-1)

CF Brendan Jones: 0-for-4, R, BB
SS George Lombard Jr.: 2-for-5, 2B (6), 3 RBI, R, 2 K
His 3-run double in the 7th turned a tight 4-1 game into a 7-1 game. All six of his doubles have come in his last 14 games. He is hitting .312/.491/.455 in 106 PA. I don’t mind throwing “cold water” on a prospect to give people a reality check. With Lombard Jr., the faucet is shut off. I have nothing to offer you as a “weakness.”  We’ll see what happens in the upper minors.
LF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-4, RBI, BB, K
RF Jace Avina: 1-for-3, R, SB (2), BB, K
.316/.450/.405 in 100 PA. Avina isn’t much of a basestealer (20-for-28 in 279 career games)
3B Parks Harber: 0-for-4, K
DH Coby Morales: 1-for-4, 2B (1), RBI, R, 2 K
C Omar Martinez: 2-for-3, 2B (3), RBI, 2 R, BB
.244/.337/.317 in 95 PA. Let’s hope he is starting to turn the corner.
1B Josh Moylan: 2-for-4, R
2B Brenny Escanio: 1-for-3, HR (2), 2 RBI, 2 R, SB (5), BB, K
A nice night for Escanio, who does his job as an organizational utility guy. He offers speed and infield defense, but the bat lags.

RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz: (W, 3-1) 5.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
What, he couldn’t repeat his 6.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 12 K performance? Bust!  Season: 2.25 ERA (28 IP, 14 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 0 HR, 9 BB, 35 K). Impressive.
RHP Bryce Warrecker: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
0.93 ERA (9.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 HR, 2 BB, 15 K). Warrecker, who stands an impressive 6’8″, allowed 30 walks in 65.1 innings during his debut 2024 season. If something clicks with his control/command, his prospect status goes up either as a starter or a reliever.
RHP Tyrone Yulie: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
3.38 ERA (10.2 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 HR, 6 BB, 14 K). Not a bad start to his first full season as a reliever.

Tampa (9-16) (Lost to Bradenton, 9-2. They are quickly falling out of the first-half title race)

DH Edgleen Perez: 0-for-4, K
CF Brian Sanchez: 1-for-3, 2B (8), R, BB
Sanchez leads the Florida State League with his 8 doubles (as of this writing).
C Engelth Urena: 1-for-3, SF, RBI, SB (4), K
2B Austin Green: 0-for-4, 2 K
RF Tyler Wilson: 0-for-4, K
SS Juan Matheus: 1-for-4, 2B (6), R, 3 K
1B Josue Gonzalez: 2-for-4, 2 2B (4)
On April 17th, he was hitting .067/.216/.100. Now, he is hitting .153/.268/.220 (7-for-29 with three doubles and four walks since his low point). He isn’t “hot” – he is playing better.
LF Marshall Toole: 2-for-4, RBI, SB (5), 2 K
.286/.375/.306 in 56 PA (1 double, 4 RBI, 7 R, 5-for-5 SB, 12.5% BB, 26.8% K). Poole has four multi-hit efforts in his last seven games.
3B Hans Montero: 0-for-3, K

LHP Tanner Bauman (L, 0-2): 5 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 2 K
7.91 ERA (19.1 IP, 20 H, 18 R, 17 ER, 0 HR, 21 BB, 16 K). Some first-year prospects jump out of the gate like Griffin Herring, some have initial struggles like Bauman, and some are between those extremes.  N
RHP Gus Hughes: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
His name is Alexander David Hughes. I would love to know the story behind “Gus.”
RHP Brandon Decker: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
2.31 ERA (11.2 IP, 12 H, 7 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 5 BB, 14 K)
RHP Jack Sokol: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
9 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 4 BB, 8 K

FCL (0-0)

Their season starts on May 3rd.

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 4/25: Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz Strikes Out 12

Notes:

Some pitching promotions to announce.

LHP Will Brian and RHP Cole Ayers are coming to Somerset from Hudson Valley.
RHP Tony Rossi was promoted from Tampa to Hudson Valley.

In his debut season, the 25-year-old Rossi (undrafted free agent, 2024) was predictably overwhelming Low-A hitters (7.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 12 K).
The 26-year-old Brian (10th round, 2022) was equally effective for Hudson Valley (7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 12 K).
Ayers (16th round, 2021) has the most experience of the trio (106 games from 2022 to 2025). Like the others, he owns a 0.00 ERA this season (6.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K). This isn’t his first taste of Somerset, as he appeared in eight games for the Patriots in 2024.

Unfortunately, promotions sometimes come with cuts. The Yankees released right-handed relievers Cole Percival and Colby White from their minor league contracts.

RHP Yoendrys Gomez nearly cleared waivers but the Dodgers nabbed him. Oh well.

Injury Log

Scranton (12-12) (Lost to Charlotte, 4-1. This game started late due to rain so they decided to only play 7 innings)

CF Ismael Munguia: 0-for-2, SB (5), BB
3B Jorbit Vivas: 0-for-2, CS (3), BB
After an insane, unsustainable stretch, Vivas is now 1-for-12 in his last four games. He has drawn three walks, however.
DH Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-2, R, BB
Rodriguez is hitting .290 with a .775 OPS in 42 PA since his promotion.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-3
Rumfield’s first game since Sunday. No idea why, but it was obviously minor.  
LF Dominic Smith: 1-for-3, 2B (2), RBI
C Ronaldo Hernandez: 0-for-3
SS Jake Gatewood: 0-for-3, 2 K
2B Andrew Velazquez: 0-for-2, K
RF Grant Richardson: 1-for-2

RHP Zach Messinger: (L, 0-2)  4 IP,3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 2 HR
4.79 ERA (20.2 IP, 22 H, 11 R, 11 ER, 2 HR, 13 BB, 22 K). It’s only the 4th time in Messinger’s career where he has allowed 2+ HR in a game (tonight was his 85th game/67th start).
RHP Leonardo Pestana: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
4.82 ERA (9.1 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 8 BB, 13 K)
RHP Wilking Rodriguez: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
He did allow an inherited runner to score. Season: 0.00 ERA (8.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 6 BB, 12 K)

Somerset (8-11) (Mauled by Hartford, 19-4)

2B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-2, 3 BB
Jasso had three walks in 14 games entering tonight. Baseball!  By the way, walks aren’t a foreign concept to Jasso (he had a solid 9.8% rate last season). Tonight’s three walks jumped his 2025 rate to 9.2.
LF Spencer Jones: 0-for-3, 2 BB, 2 K
.242/.383/.591 in 81 PA (2 doubles, 7 HR, 12 RBI, 14 R, 4-for-5 SB, 17.3% BB, 33.3% K). It’s the theme for Jones – encouraging profile with an obvious red flag.
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-4, SF, RBI, 2 R
DH Garrett Martin: 2-for-4, 2B (3), HR (3), 3 RBI, R, K
Martin has two doubles and two homers in his last four games (one of each in his first 12 games)
CF Cole Gabrielson: 0-for-4, 2 K
1B Tyler Hardman: 1-for-2, 2 BB
RF Jared Wegner: 0-for-3, BB, K
SS Alexander Vargas: 1-for-4, 2B (5), R
3B Max Burt: 0-for-4, K

RHP Baron Stuart: (L, 0-1) 2.2 IP, 4 H, 9 R, 7 ER, 6 BB, 3 K
RHP Luis Pacheco: 1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Indigo Diaz: 1.1 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Cole Ayers: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Ayers ate a few innings and slowed down the Hartford machine.
RHP Diomedes Hernandez: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
The 20-year-old catcher/first baseman makes his 4th career pitching appearance. Perhaps he should have started?

Hudson Valley (13-6) (Shut down Asheville, 3-0)

LF Brendan Jones: 0-for-4, K
SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-4, CS (2), K
.273/.461/.400 in 76 PA (2 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 14 R, 9-for-11 SB, 22.4% BB, 21.1% K). A lot to like in his profile so far. 
DH Jackson Castillo: 0-for-4, 2 K
.240/.377/.340 in 61 PA (5 doubles, 9 RBI, 4 R, 3-for-3 SB, 18.0% BB, 29.5% K)
CF Jace Avina: 1-for-2, R, 2 BB
.250/.403/.286 in 72 PA (2 doubles, 6 RBI, 9 R, 1-for-2 SB, 16.7% BB, 25.0% K)
C Omar Martinez: 0-for-4, 3 K
1B Coby Morales: 0-for-2, R, SB (4), BB, K
3B Josh Moylan: 2-for-3, 2B (4), RBI, R, SB (2)
2B Brenny Escanio: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, CS (2), K
RF Anthony Hall: 0-for-3, K

RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz: (W, 2-1)  6.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 12 K (new personal best; struck out seven in a row at one point)
Since he was acquired for Carlos Narvaez, here is a Narvaez update: The catcher has played in 18 of Boston’s 27 games, slashing .210/.269/.371 with 4 doubles and 2 home runs. He is grading out well defensively, however. As for Rodriguez-Cruz, the 21-year-old owns a 2.42 ERA (22.1 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 30 K). That works.
RHP Sebastian Keane: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
3.18 ERA (5.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 2 BB, 7 K)
RHP Tony Rossi (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
His first Hudson Valley appearance results in a save. Can he be fast-tracked to Somerset this season? Certainly. I am not a fan of holding relief pitchers back. However, let’s be patient.

Tampa (8-11) (Lost to Dunedin, 4-2. Edgleen Perez remains out of the lineup but is not on the injured list.)

3B Roderick Arias: 0-for-3, RBI, BB, 2 K
After a 5-game hitting streak (5-for-21), Arias is 0-for-10 in his last three games. He is hitting .147/.293/.250 in 82 PA (15.9% BB, 26.8% K). Arias owns a paltry .200 BABIP, which should normalize. There is a “positive” for you.
DH Engelth Urena: 1-for-4
.172/.329/.362 in 73 PA (16.4% BB, 23.3% K). Like Arias, there is a small sample size BABIP issue (.179).
1B Parks Harber: 0-for-4, 2 K
LF Dillon Lewis: 0-for-4, 2 K
RF Tyler Wilson: 1-for-4, R, SB (5)
Wilson is 5-for-7 stealing bases. He is searching for his first extra-base hit of 2025 (17 games)
2B Austin Green: 1-for-3, R, SB (2), BB, K
SS Juan Matheus: 1-for-3, BB, K
.250/.365/.375 in 52 PA (5 doubles, 10 RBI, 5 R, 4-for-5 SB, 9 BB, 7 K). Matheus owns a BB/K rate above 1.00 in his career (98/89).
C Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-3, K
CF Marshall Toole: 0-for-2, RBI, BB, 2 K

LHP Tanner Bauman: 5 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 3 K
Bauman needed a decent outing after a pair of rough ones. This qualifies. The biggest issue is walks (17 in 14.1 IP).
RHP Cade Austin: 2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Sean Hermann (L, 1-1): 2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K

FCL (0-0)

Their season starts on May 3rd.

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 4/18: Roderick Arias Hits a Slam

Notes:

I don’t typically write much about releases, as they happen often (especially in the lower minors and DSL), but I saw today that the Yankees released RHP Kristofer Bow, their 14th-round pick in 2022.

Bow didn’t lack talent, but control is an issue. Last season, for Tampa, he went 3-2 with a pair of saves and a 5.45 ERA. He owned a 24.0% K, 15.6% BB, and 46.9% GB.

Nowadays, with roster limits, prospects have to show something to stay. Even if the Yankees think there is something here to work with, roster space is an issue, and talented but erratic prospects feel the squeeze.

Scranton placed veteran LHP Brandon Leibrandt on the 7-day injured list.

Scranton (11-7) (Defeated Durham, 5-0)

3B Jorbit Vivas: 3-for-4, 2 R, SB (3), HBP
Vivas has four multi-hit efforts during his 6-game hitting streak (13-for-24). He has five 3-hit games this season and has a strikeout rate of 5% (BB% is 11.3). Crazy start to his campaign (.364/.443/.530).
LF Everson Pereira: 0-for-3, BB, K
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-4, HR (4), 2 RBI, R
.286/.400/.571 in 75 PA (6 doubles, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 15 R, 13.3% BB, 13.3% K). I will say it again: Rumfield will likely make his MLB debut at some point. The odds aren’t high it will happen with the Yankees.
C Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-4, 2B (1), RBI, R, SB (1), 2 K
Since the promotion: 5-for-15 (..333). Rodriguez stole 21 bases in 2023, but that number fell to 9 last season.
CF Ismael Munguia: 1-for-3, R, SB (4), HBP
DH Jose Rojas: 1-for-3, 2B (6), 2 RBI, BB, K
SS Andrew Velazquez: 0-for-3, BB, K
RF Grant Richardson: 1-for-4, 2B (2), 2 K
2B Max Burt: 0-for-4, K
Burt has been grinding through the system since being drafted in the 28th round in 2018. This is his 44th Triple-A contest (329 games at Double-A)

RHP Allan Winans: 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K
RHP Sean Boyle: (W, 2-2)  5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 5 K
Boyle’s last two games: 10 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 10 K. He could make his MLB debut in 2025. I can envision that in an “emergency” situation (ie, second game of a double-header, etc.)
RHP Yerry De Los Santos: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
6.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 8 K

Somerset (6-7) (Annihilated Altoona, 12-1)

2B Dylan Jasso: 2-for-4, 2B (2), RBI, R, BB
.278/.350/.472 in 40 PA (2 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 10 R, 3 BB, 6 K). He started the season 2-for-15 without an extra-base hit. He is 8-for-21 with four extra-base hits since.
CF Spencer Jones: 0-for-3, R, 2 BB
It was not an eventful night, but it dropped Jones’s K% below 30 (29.82%).
C Rafael Flores: 2-for-5, 2B (2), 4 RBI
Flores equals his personal best for RBI in a game (6th time in his career)
1B Tyler Hardman: 1-for-5, 2B (5), R, K
Hardman has four doubles and a homer in his last six games.
LF Cole Gabrielson: 1-for-5, R, 4 K
SS Alexander Vargas: 1-for-3, 2B (4), SF, 2 RBI, 2 R, BB, K
.333/.406/.481 in 32 PA. He hit well in limited spring training time and has carried that over into the early regular season.
3B Jake Gatewood: 2-for-5, HR (1), 3 RBI, R
Gatewood has 125 career minor league home runs (842 games). 
DH Antonio Gomez: 2-for-5, 2 R, K
RF Christopher Familia: 2-for-4, 2B (1), 3B (1), RBI, 2 R, K
A nice 2025/Double-A debut for Familia

RHP Baron Stuart: 4.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
RHP Luis Pacheco (W, 1-0): 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Jordany Ventura: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Cole Percival: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K

Hudson Valley (9-4) (Defeated Wilmington, 2-1)

CF Brendan Jones: 1-for-4, R, SB (7)
.167/.314/.381 in 51 PA.
3B George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-3, BB
His 10th career game at 3B (first this season). He is on a 6-game hitting streak (9-for-19; 6 BB). If you want a blossoming prospect, Lombard Jr. is doing that before your very eyes.
CF Jace Avina: 0-for-3, CS (1), BB, K
2B Jose Colmenares: 0-for-4, 2 K
DH Josh Moylan: 0-for-4, 2 K
SS Brenny Escanio: 0-for-3, R, BB, K
C Tomas Frick: 0-for-3
RF Anthony Hall: 1-for-2, RBI, CI, K
1B Kiko Romero: 0-for-1, HBP
   PR-1B Coby Morales: 0-for-1

RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz: (W, 1-1)  6.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 9 K
3.38 ERA (16 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 0 HR, 6 BB, 18 K). He falls one short of his personal best for strikeouts in a game.
RHP Chris Kean: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
4.1 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
RHP Sebastian Keane (S, 1): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Keane’s third career save (one in each year of his career – 2023, 2024, 2025)

Tampa (7-6) (Outlasted St. Lucie, 14-9)

3B Roderick Arias: 1-for-3, HR (1, grand slam), 4 RBI, 2 R, SB (5), HBP, 2 BB, K
This kind of night shows you the raw potential Arias has. He is hitting .167/.322/.315 in 59 PA (5-for-5 SB).
C Edgleen Perez: 2-for-4, RBI, R, 2 BB, K
Perez is 3-for-8 with a double and three walks the last two nights. Perhaps the 18-year-old is starting to get comfortable.
DH Engelth Urena: 0-for-4, R, 2 BB, 2 K
1B Parks Harber: 2-for-5, RBI, BB
Harber’s hits were 110.8 and 110.5 MPH.
LF Tyler Wilson: 1-for-5, 2 R, 3 K
RF Dillon Lewis: 2-for-5, RBI, 2 R, 3 K
2B Hans Montero: 1-for-3, 2 R, CS (1), 2 BB, K
CF Marshall Toole: 0-for-3, RBI, R, 2 BB, 2 K
SS Juan Matheus: 1-for-2, 2B (2), SF, 4 RBI, 3 R, SB (3), 2 BB
Matheus has shown off his discipline. It is nice to see him have a productive night beyond that. He came up one short of his personal best for RBI in a game (set in 2022 in the DSL).  His 2025 BB%/K%:  22.9/8.6.

LHP Tanner Bauman: 2.2 IP, 4 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 5 BB, 2 K
After a solid first career start, his last two haven’t gone according to plan. If you are concerned about that, you worry too much. 
RHP Jackson Fristoe: (W, 1-0)  4 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 2 HR
Fristoe threw 44% cutters (average 91 MPH), 31% 4-seamers (max 95.4; average 92.6), 21% sliders, and 4% change-ups.
RHP Jack Sokol: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Gamecast registered six different pitches, so he was featuring a starter’s arsenal out of the pen. This makes sense, as he was a starter in college.
RHP Alex Bustamante: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K

FCL (0-0)

Their season starts on May 3rd.

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.