Yankees MILB 5/8: Everson Pereira Walks it Off

News:

Nothing.

Scranton (24-10) (Walked it off against Rochester, 5-3. Scranton compiled ten walks but couldn’t do much with the baserunners. In the end, however, it didn’t matter)

2B Caleb Durbin2-for-5, 2B (13), RBI, 2 RS, K
His double in the 9th tied the game. Slugging percentage, by year: 2021: .304 (17 games); 2022: .372; 2023: .427; 2024: .461.  
RF Everson Pereira1-for-4, HR (9), 2 RBI, RS, BB, K
Pereira hit a walk-off 2-run homer with one out in the 9th. He has 17 homers in 66 Triple-A games and 61 in 263 games from 2021-2024.
1B Carlos Narvaez0-for-0, 4 BB
Narvaez compiles his second career 4-BB game. Drawing walks is a part of his game (.362 career OBP)
DH Oscar Gonzalez0-for-2, K
  PH-DH T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-2
It’s too early to tell, but maybe his 17 HR in 86 games last year will not be the norm. That said, he hit .222 while hitting those home runs while he is hitting .314 in 2024 – an interesting storyline to follow.
C Luis Torrens: 0-for-3, RBI, BB, 2 K
3B Jeter Downs: 0-for-3, RBI, BB
CF Greg Allen0-for-3, CS (1), BB, K
SS Kevin Smith0-for-3, BB
LF Brandon Lockridge1-for-3, 2 RS, SB (14), BB, K
.213/.352/.280 in 91 PA (5 doubles, 10 RBI, 15 R, 14-for-15 SB).

RHP Clayton Beeter5 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, HR
2.89 ERA (28 IP, 17 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 1 HR, 16 BB, 41 K)
RHP Cody Morris1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, HR
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
1.50 ERA (18 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 8 BB, 23 K)
RHP Phil Bickford (W, 2-0): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
2.92 ERA (12.1 IP, 13 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 4 BB, 16 K). With Nick Burdi and Tommy Kahnle on rehab stints, slots in the Yankees’ bullpen are about to become tight. They do have nice veteran depth to tap into whenever needed.


Somerset (13-15) (Fell asleep against Altoona, 3-0)

CF Spencer Jones0-for-4, 2 K
Jones is 2-for-26 with 11 strikeouts in May and his slugging percentage has dipped under .400 (.395). I am not concerned but, if you listened to some of the “experts,” they said Jones needs time. He’ll get it going again.
1B Ben Rice0-for-3, SB (5), BB
Rice has “sneaky” stolen base ability (21-for-25 in his career) but that won’t be his calling card!
DH Agustin Ramirez0-for-4, 2 K
SS Ben Cowles2-for-3, BB
.337/.414/.564 in 116 PA with an 11.2% BB and 16.4% K. His .388 BABIP is high, but his career mark is .368 in 1,046 PA.
C J.C. Escarra0-for-4, K
3B Jordan Groshans0-for-2, BB
LF Elijah Dunham0-for-2, CS (3), BB, 2 K
2B Anthony Seigler1-for-3, 2B (6), SB (3)
RF Aaron Palensky0-f0r-3, 2 K

RHP Trystan Vrieling: (L, 2-3): 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
3.34 ERA (35 IP, 26 H, 15 R, 13 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 35 K). This is your reminder that Vrieling was shipped straight to Double-A to make his professional debut. Sometimes, you want to give an advanced kid some time in the lower minors to get his feet wet. The Yankees didn’t deem that necessary. It seems like the correct call.
RHP Leonardo Pestana1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
In 14 innings between here and Hudson Valley, Pestana has allowed two hits with a 19/6 K/BB. Is the move to the bullpen unlocking something? So far, the results are encouraging.
RHP Luis Velasquez1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K


Hudson Valley (14-12) (Lost to Aberdeen, 6-5)

2B Roc Riggio1-for-4, HR (2), RBI, 2 RS, BB
Riggio led off the game with a home run.
SS Jared Serna1-for-5, 2 RBI, K
Serna increases his hitting streak to 7.
RF Jace Avina1-for-4, 2B (6), RS, K
Avina has eight extra-base hits in 16 games. 76 of his 153 career hits have gone for extra bases. Having nearly 50% of your hits go for extra bases seems like a high rate, no?
3B Jesus Rodriguez1-for-4, 2B (5), RBI
Rodriguez is hitting .328 with a .948 OPS. He is hitting .316 in 209 career games while playing several positions, including catcher. I will once again say that performance matters.
C Omar Martinez0-for-2, 2 BB, K
DH Josh Moylan0-for-2, 2 BB, K
CF Nelson Medina0-for-4, 3 K
1B Kiko Romero1-for-2, HR (3), RBI, 2 RS, 2 BB
LF Kyle Battle1-for-4, 2 K

RHP Baron Stuart4.1 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
4.50 ERA (18 IP, 20 H, 10 R, 9 ER,0 HR, 10 BB, 12 K). 
RHP Trent Sellers: (L, 3-1)  0.2 IP, 1 H, 3 R,0 ER, 4 BB, 1 K
RHP Matt Keating: 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, HR
4.32 ERA (16.2 IP, 10 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 2 HR, 8 BB, 20 K)
RHP Cole Ayers1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
1.69 ERA (16 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 6 BB, 21 K)


Tampa (10-20) (Outlasted Clearwater, 9-8)

2B-SS Roderick Arias: 1-for-3, RBI, RS, 2 SB (7), 2 BB
Arias has holes in his game but can impact games. Can we remember that he is only 19 and nobody knows exactly where his career is going?
SS Oswald Peraza0-for-2, RS, BB, K
I wouldn’t worry about him being pulled – it is his second rehab game (first in the field). It is how the Yankees typically do things.
   2B Dayro Perez0-for-2, K
DH Tyler Hardman3-for-5, 2 2B (2), HR (1), 4 RBI, 2 RS, CS (1), K
If you kept Hardman down here for 50 games, he might just hit 35 home runs. That said, he is swinging the bat well in the early days of his rehab stint.
1B Dylan Jasso: 3-for-5, 2B (10), RBI, RS, 2 K
Jasso has 13 RBI in eight May games and is hitting .292 with a .911 OPS.  Furthermore, he has a 5-game hitting streak that features three multi-hit efforts. Would they consider an early promotion to Hudson Valley? If he keeps this up, do they have a choice?
CF Willy Montero1-for-5, RS, K
3B Hans Montero2-for-4, 2B (1), 3B (1), RS, BB, 2 K
Montero’s first career multi-extra-base hit game.
RF Coby Morales: 3-for-5, RBI, RS, SB (7), K
Morales has five multi-hit games and 10 RBI in May (eight games played). During this stretch, he has improved his triple slash from .195/.333/.208 to .269/.375/.324.
C Tomas Frick: 2-for-4, 2 2B (5), 2 RBI, RS, K
Frick increases his season-long on-base streak to 14 (12 games feature at least one hit)
LF Tayler Aguilar0-for-3, BB, 3 K

RHP Tommy Kahnle1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Kahnle maxed out at 95.5 MPH. His signature changeup resulted in two whiffs (as did his slider)
RHP Cade Smith4.2 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 1 HR
I wonder if a starter being asked to follow a rehabbing pitcher throws them off. I have no data to support any theory, and Smith’s first inning of work was scoreless so it could just be a tough night. Season: 2.77 ERA (26 IP, 16 H, 11 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 11 BB, 38 K)
RHP Aaron Nixon: (W, 1-0) 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Nixon’s first professional win – congrats!
RHP Ocean Gabonia: (S, 1) 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K


FCL (1-2)

Scheduled day off.


DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 5/4: Zach Messinger: 5.2 Hitless Innings

News:

RHP Chase Hampton was transferred to the 60-day injured list today. This is unfortunate for a pitcher many thought could give the team some innings in 2024. We don’t know the reason for the transfer, though you instantly fear Tommy John Surgery.

Scranton (22-9) (Outlasted Jacksonville, 10-9. The Railriders crushed five home runs today. As you may suspect, they are at the top of their division and have one of the best (but not the best) winning percentages in the minor leagues)

LF Greg Allen1-for-4, HR (2), 2 RBI, 2 RS, SB (5), BB
Allen is disruptive. You don’t want him starting often in MLB, but he provides a speed/defense combo that can be useful. Players like him were amongst the most screwed by MLB limiting September rosters.
RF Everson Pereira2-for-5, 2B (7), HR (8), 2 RBI, RS, K
Pereira’s homer was hit at 101.4 MPH. He is hitting .263/.333/.553 in 126 PA. 16 of his 30 hits have gone for extra bases (7 doubles, 1 triple, 8 HR). He has 16 homers in 63 Triple-A games.
1B T.J. Rumfield0-for-4, RS, BB, K
C Carlos Narvaez1-for-5, HR (3), 2 RBI, RS, 2 K
DH Oscar Gonzalez: 2-for-4, 2B (1), HR (1), RBI, RS, BB, K
As long as he is healthy, I like the depth he provides the organization. He is a LF/RF, but the Yankees have given him a pair of starts at first base in Scranton (his only two career games there).
3B Luis Torrens2-for-4, RS, CS (1), K
   3B Caleb Durbin0-for-0
It is rare to see a minor league manager go the defensive substitution route but in a crazy game like this, I guess you don’t want a catcher at third base in the 9th!
SS Jeter Downs0-for-3, RS, BB, 2 K
2B Kevin Smith1-for-4, HR (1), 3 RBI, RS, 3 K
CF Brandon Lockridge2-for-4, 2B (5), RS, SB (13), K
.208/.345/.278 in 87 PA (5 doubles, 10 RBI, 13 R, 13-for-14 SB). 

RHP Cody Poteet3.2 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, HR
3.33 ERA (24.1 IP, 17 H, 10 R, 9 ER, 3 HR, 6 BB, 25 K). He has pitched very well, so we’ll toss this one.
RHP Duane Underwood Jr. (W, 2-0): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
1.76 ERA (15.1 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 HR, 6 BB, 17 K)
RHP Yerry De Los Santos2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Art Warren0.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
The 31-year-old had strikeout chops before his injury (29.5% K rate in 65 MLB games).
RHP Phil Bickford (S, 2): 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K


Somerset (12-14) (Outpitched New Hampshire, 2-0. Somerset didn’t have a hit entering the 7th inning. New Hampshire didn’t earn a hit until the 6th inning)

DH Spencer Jones0-for-4, 2 K
.250/.311/.412 in 74 PA. He is in a 1-for-22 slump but he’s too good for that to continue for much longer (uh oh, why did I have to say that?)
C Ben Rice0-for-3, SB (4), CI
.277/.404/.532 in 115 PA. Rice is 20-for-24 stealing bases in his career.
SS Ben Cowles2-for-4, RS
Cowles broke up the New Hampshire no-hitter in the 7th. This is his 9th multi-hit effort (25th game). He is hitting .344/.421/.591 in 107 PA. How long can he maintain an OPS > 1.000?
CF Grant Richardson1-for-3, RS, BB, K
.297/.369/.486 in 84 PA (8 doubles, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 11 R, 5-for-6 SB, 8.3% BB, 22.6% K). He had a 31.1% K rate in 61 PA here last year. He’s having a solid season and he has more power to tap into.
3B J.C. Escarra0-for-3, 2 K
LF Elijah Dunham1-for-3, 2B (4), 2 RBI, K
8 of Dunham’s 13 hits have gone for extra bases.
RF Jared Wegner0-for-2, SB (4), HBP, K
2B Anthony Seigler0-for-3, 2 K
1B Spencer Henson0-for-3, 2 K
Henson’s first game since 4/19.

RHP Zach Messinger5.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 7 K
Messinger threw 91 pitches today. This performance drops his ERA to 4.28 (33.2 IP, 25 H, 22 R, 16 ER, 4 HR, 13 BB, 37 K). 
LHP Ryan Anderson0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Leonardo Pestana: (W, 1-0) 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
So far, Pestana is taking to a relief role. That would be par for the course with the Yankees if he developed into an MLB-quality bullpen arm.
RHP Jack Neely: (S, 3) 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, HR
2.03 ERA (13.1 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 5 BB, 20 K)


Hudson Valley (14-10)

Their game against Wilmington was postponed.


Tampa (7-19) (Lost to Dunedin, 6-5)

CF Jackson Castillo1-for-5, 2B (3), RS, SB (3), K
SS Roderick Arias0-for-3, RBI, RS, SB (5), 2 BB, 2 K
Arias made up for a big error in the 6th by drawing an important walk in the 7th. Tampa couldn’t hold the lead though…
3B Dylan Jasso2-for-4, 2 HR (4), 3 RBI, 2 RS
Jasso had zero HR in his first 18 games this season and one in his first 39 professional games. He has four in his last six games. Baseball!
1B Coby Morales1-for-4, K
2B Hans Montero: 1-for-4, RS, 2 K
Montero’s first Low-A hit. Congrats!
C Tomas Frick0-for-3, HBP
Frick has started his career with an 11-game on-base streak.
LF Tayler Aguilar1-for-2 HBP, BB
DH Manuel Palencia1-for-4, RBI
RF Daury Arias0-for-4, 2 K

RHP Josh Grosz5.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 12 K, 2 HR
Grosz struck out the first two hitters in the 6th before Dunedin took advantage of a costly error. Grosz generated 19 whiffs (10 with the slider, six with the 4-seamer) in his most impressive professional performance. Last two starts: 10.2 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 17 K. This is the 21-year-old’s debut season.
RHP Cade Austin: (L, 0-2)  2.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 1 HR


FCL (0-1) (Lost to the FCL Tigers, 5-4, in ten innings)

I will do a full lineup today, but that is not how I will treat the FCL throughout the season. I will instead highlight anything interesting that happens.

RF Wilson Rodriguez2-for-5, RBI, RS, 2 K
Rodriguez was drafted in the 17th round in the 2023 draft out of Puerto Rico. The 19-year-old went 9-for-41 (.220/.360/.430) in last year’s debut season, hitting a pair of home runs.
C Edgleen Perez0-for-2, HBP, K
I don’t know why he was lifted, but the HBP is likely a clue. Only 17 years old, Perez hit .259/.389/.317 in 39 DSL games in 2023.
   3B Abrahan Ramirez0-for-2
The 19-year-old left-handed bat hit .311/.471/.379 in the DSL in 2023.
1B-C Josue Gonzalez3-for-5, 2B (1), RBI, K
The 20-year-old had a big season in the DSL last year. That earned him a shot at this level, which is all he can ask for. 
CF Fidel Montero: 0-for-4, BB, 3 K
All I want to happen is for Willy (Tampa), Hans (Tampa), and Fidel Montero to make it to MLB simultaneously!
LF Joel Mendez1-for-4, 2B (1), BB, K
Mendez is 21. He went 29-for-99 (.292/.363/.424) at this level in 2023.
3B-1B Luis Ogando1-for-4, RS, K
Ogando hit .352/.446/.541 in 148 DSL plate appearances in 2023. He is 20 years old.
DH Josh Tiedemann1-for-2, RS, 2 BB
The other 2023 draftee besides Rodriguez in today’s lineup was Tiedemann, the Yankees’ 13th-round pick out of an Arizona high school. The 19-year-old went 1-for-9 in his professional debut last year.
2B Gabriel Terrero0-for-4, RBI, BB, 3 K
The 18-year-old hit .299/.407/.533 in 37 games in his debut season (DSL) last year. He clubbed seven home runs, drove home 27,  and stole 14 bases in 20 attempts.
SS Juan Matheus: 1-fot-5, 3B (1), RS, CS (1), K
After hitting .252/.442/.472 in 45 DSL games in 2022, he only played in ten games in 2023 (he was on the 60-day injured list for most of the season).

RHP Angel Benitez: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
The 20-year-old stands 6’7″. In the DSL last year (his debut season), he pitched to a 1.06 ERA in 17 innings with a 24/7 K/BB.
RHP Omar Gonzalez2.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Gonzalez was likely one of the youngest players in professional baseball in 2022 when he compiled a 0.44 ERA in 20.1 innings in the DSL. He was 16 years old when he made his debut on June 11th. He only tossed 11 innings in 2023.
RHP Chris Kean1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
The 21-year-old was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Louisiana-Monroe last year. This is his professional debut. He stands a mere 6’5″, making him a backup point guard for the Yankees Pitching Trees rec basketball league.
RHP Mason Vinyard1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
Vinyard pitched in 24 games for Hudson Valley last season, compiling a 2.97 ERA. He is here on a rehab assignment.
RHP Hansel Rosario2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K
Control has been Rosario’s issue in his brief career. Let’s see if this is the start of turning the corner.
RHP Alejandro Gomez (L, 0-1): 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Now 21, he spent 2021-2023 in the DSL. 


DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 4/24: Will Warren Tosses 6 Strong Innings

News:

I have no news, real or otherwise..

Scranton (14-8) (Defeated Durham, 6-1)

2B Jorbit Vivas0-for-3, HBP, CS (1), 3 K
  PH-2B Josh VanMeter0-for-1
LF Caleb Durbin: 2-for-4, RS, 2 SB (12), BB, K
Durbin was in a 4-for-34 slide after his last multi-hit game on 4/12. Hopefully, tonight’s performance puts him back on the right track. He is hitting .280/.412/.439, which shows how hot he was before his slump.
RF Everson Pereira: 2-for-5, HR (7), 2 RBI, RS, 2 K
Pereira has 15 homers and 49 RBI in 55 Triple-A games. 
1B Carlos Narvaez0-for-4, BB, 3 K
DH Jose Rojas0-for-3, RS, BB, 3 K
C Luis Torrens2-for-4, 2B (3), K
While Narvaez would be the simple move (he is on the 40-man), don’t rule out Torrens as the #3 catcher if a need ever presented itself in MLB.
SS Jeter Downs: 2-for-3, HR (3), 2 RBI, 2 RS, SB (3), BB
Downs’ home run was quite a blast: 427 feet at 105.9 MPH. He is hitting .265/.351/.510 in 58 plate appearances.
3B Kevin Smith1-for-4, RBI, RS, 2 SB (5), K
CF Brandon Lockridge0-for-4, 3 K

RHP Will Warren: (W, 3-0) 6 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 HR, 1 BB, 6 K
4.22 ERA (21.1 IP, 14 H, 11 R, 10 ER, 5 HR, 9 BB, 26 K). When you allow five runs in 0.1 innings in your first start, it takes a while to bring the ERA down. Warren has allowed one run in 12 innings with a 13/2 K/BB over his last two starts. Tonight, he mixed all his pitches nicely: 29% sinkers, 26% sweepers, 20% 4-seamers, 14% cutters, 11% changeups.
LHP Clayton Andrews2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
RHP Alex Mauricio: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Mauricio isn’t the biggest of pitchers, but he packs some punch (maxed out at 95.7 with his 4-seamer). 


Somerset (7-10) (Lost to Reading, 4-3. They had baserunners all day: 11 walks, 1 HBP, 2 errors)

CF Spencer Jones: 0-for-5, 2 K
DH Agustin Ramirez0-for-4, BB, K
Ramirez has four hits in his last eight games (4-for-26). The good news is that he has eight walks in that timeframe.
1B Ben Rice0-for-1, RS, 3 BB, HBP
.250/.351/.500 in 74 PA.
SS Ben Cowles2-for-4, HR (1), RBI, RS, BB
After swatting eight doubles and two triples, Cowles fills in the home run column.
C J.C. Escarra0-for-4, CS (1), BB, K
3B Jordan Groshans1-for-4, BB
RF Elijah Dunham0-for-2, CS (2), 2 BB
LF Jared Wegner1-for-4, RS, BB, K
2B Anthony Seigler1-for-3, 2B (2), RBI, BB

RHP Bailey Dees: (L, 1-2) 5 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 6 K
Dees, who allowed eight runs in 3.1 IP in his 2024 debut, has allowed six runs in 15.1 IP since (3.52 ERA). Today was one of those days where he could have imploded but kept the runs to a minimum.
RHP Carlos Gomez1.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 0 K
RHP Jack Neely: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K


Hudson Valley (9-7) (Lost to tough one to Bowling Green, 3-2)

CF Jace Avina: 3-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, RS, SB (1)
Avina’s first HR (and stolen base) as a member of the Yankees’ organization. Expect more as raw power is the top tool in his offensive arsenal. His RBI single in the bottom of the 8th broke the 1-1 tie, but the Renegades couldn’t hold the lead.
SS Jared Serna0-for-3, BB
Serna is now 7-for-50 with a double, two home runs, 13 walks, and eight strikeouts. The walks and strikeouts are nice – the balls need to start finding grass.
2B Jesus Rodriguez0-for-3, BB
A new position for Rodriguez’s resume. He has now played C/1B/2B/3B/LF in his professional career (he has yet to play first base in 2024)
C Omar Martinez1-for-4
.298/.411/.532 in 56 PA. I think Martinez gets lost in the shuffle but he is a legitimate prospect. The Yankees have a lot of them to sort through.
DH Josh Moylan1-for-4, K
1B Rafael Flores0-for-4, K
3B Kiko Romero1-for-4, 2B (1), K
CF Nelson Medina0-for-4, 2 K
LF Kyle Battle0-for-2, RS, BB, K

RHP Jackson Fristoe3.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
The fireballer threw 50 pitches today (37 in his first start, 35 in his second (didn’t get out of the first)). They are simply building him up.
LHP Ben Shields2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
0.64 ERA (14 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 HR, 2 BB, 15 K). I don’t know much about him (besides he went to UMass and George Mason), but he is doing the job. Although it is his debut season, I will note that he is 25.
LHP Joel Valdez: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
2.61 ERA (10.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 3 BB, 12 K). You see me writing about T.J. Rumfield often in these reports. Valdez was the other piece in the trade with the Phillies that sent Nick Nelson and Donny Sands to Philadelphia.
RHP Huey Morrill (L, 0-1):  1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 0 BB, 0 K
Morrill’s Hudson Valley debut (he was in Tampa) didn’t go as planned, but there’s always next time.


Tampa (4-13) (Lost to Lakeland, 14-5)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-5
RF Oscar Gonzalez: 2-for-4, HR (1), RBI, RS, BB
Gonzalez didn’t miss much time in spring training so one has to assume he will make his way up to Scranton soon enough.
3B Enmanuel Tejeda2-fot-5, 2B (3), RS
Tejeda increases his hitting streak to six (10-for-27). All three of his doubles have come during this streak.
2B Roderick Arias: 3-for-4, RS, BB, K
Arias’ first career 3-hit game. He is up to .238 with a .764 OPS thanks to a 7-for-16 surge in his last four games. He has walked once in five consecutive games.
1B Coby Morales: 2-for-4, RBI, RS, HBP, K
CF Willy Montero: 2-for-4, 2 2B (3), RBI, RS, BB
After games of 4/12, Montero was hitting .095/.208/.143. His average is now .172. Hey, it’s a start!
DH Jackson Castillo0-for-4, 2 K
C Manuel Palencia: 2-for-4, 2 2B (3), 2 RBI, K
LF Daury Arias0-for-4, 2 K

RHP Luis Serna: (L, 0-2) 2.2 IP, 7 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 4 BB, 2 K
There’s not much you can do but move on. Season: 11.1 IP, 14 H,  13 R, 13 ER, 1 HR, 7 BB, 16 K
RHP Yoljeldriz Diaz0.1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 0 K
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 2.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 HR, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Art Warren1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
RHP Jordy Luciano2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K


FCL (0-0)

The season starts on 5/4.


DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 4/21: Spencer Jones’ Big Day

News:

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

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

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

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


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

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

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


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

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

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


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

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

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


FCL (0-0)

The season starts on 5/4.


DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 4/18: George Lombard Jr. Reaches Base 6 Times

News:

The Yankees claimed OF Taylor Trammell off waivers from the Dodgers. In a corresponding move, IF Kevin Smith was designated for assignment. Trammell is out of options so he must be placed on the MLB roster.

Once one of baseball’s brightest prospects, Trammell has struggled in MLB, hitting .165/.266/.361 in 357 plate appearances with 15 homers and 39 RBI. His walk rate is solid (10.9%) but his career strikeout rate is 37.3%.

It’s a low-risk move and it is easy to cut bait if it doesn’t work out.

As for Smith, the Yankees lose shortstop depth by waiving him. Anthony Volpe‘s only backup is Oswaldo Cabrera, who is playing third base. One has to assume that DJ LeMahieu is close to returning.

Scranton (12-5) (Doubled Up Lehigh Valley, 8-4)

SS Caleb Durbin1-for-5, 2B (7), RBI, RS, 2 K
How rare is a multiple-strikeout game for Durbin? This is his first such game in 2024 after doing it once in 2023.  It has happened five times in 208 career games. Amazing.
CF Everson Pereira: 3-for-4, 2 HR (6), 4 RBI, 2 RS
Pereira’s 9th career multi-HR game.  He has six homers and 13 RBI in 15 games.
1B T.J. Rumfield0-for-4, 4 K
Three hits last night. Four Ks tonight. You cannot find a game more humbling than baseball. 
C Carlos Narvaez0-for-2, RS, 2 HBP
LF Jose Rojas0-for-2, 2 RS, CS (1), 2 BB, K
  LF Brandon Lockridge0-for-0
3B Jordan Groshans1-for-4, K
2B Josh VanMeter1-for-2, 2B (1), 2 RBI, RS, 2 BB
DH Josh Breaux0-for-4, 4 K
RF Luis Gonzalez1-for-2, 2B (2), RBI, RS, 2 BB, K

RHP Will Warren: (W, 2-0) 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K
Since his tough season-opening start against Buffalo (bad weather):
2.40 ERA (15 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 5 BB, 20 K)
LHP Josh Maciejewski0.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 1 BB, 1 K
LHP Anthony Misiewicz: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
LHP Clayton Andrews1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K


Somerset (5-7) (Defeated Hartford, 5-3)

CF Spencer Jones0-for-4, K
3-for-13 with a double, two walks, and three strikeouts.
DH Agustin Ramirez1-for-3, RS, BB, K
Ramirez reaches base twice in four plate appearances, qualifying as a boring night for him.
1B Ben Rice2-for-4, HR (3), RBI, 2 RS
I commented last night that he hadn’t played a game at first base this season. Well, now he has. Anyway, Rice is starting to heat up. He has homered in back-to-back games and is up to .250 with a .766 OPS.
RF Elijah Dunham1-for-3, RS, BB, K
C J.C. Escarra2-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, RS, K
The 28-year-old is 8-for-21 with three doubles and a homer while playing C/3B/LF/RF. He never caught professionally before this season.
3B Ben Cowles0-for-2, RBI, 2 BB, K
Cowles has reached base safely in all 12 games this season (at least one hit in ten of those games)
LF Grant Richardson: 1-for-3, SF, RBI
2B Anthony Seigler0-for-3, BB, K
SS Alexander Vargas0-for-4

RHP Bailey Dees: (W, 1-1) 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 0 BB, 9 K
The Yankees aren’t holding back, despite this being his first year as a starter. Tonight, he threw 90 pitches so he may not be far away from being asked to go 100. His first start was rough (3.1 IP, 8 ER), but he followed that up with a 4.1 IP/1 R start and tonight’s performance. It’s encouraging for the 6’8″ 25-year-old.
LHP Ryan Anderson2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Jack Neely (S, 2): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
5.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3, BB, 10 K. 


Hudson Valley (8-3) (Won a wild one over Aberdeen, 8-7)

SS Roc Riggio1-for-4, RS, BB
.207/.400/.345 with ten walks and six strikeouts. Pesky.
2B Jared Serna0-for-3, RS, CS (2), 2 BB, K
DH Jace Avina1-for-2, 2 RS, BB, HBP, K
Avina earns his first hit as a member of the Yankees’ organization.
C Carlos Martinez1-for-3, BB
RF-LF Garrett Martin: 2-for-4, 2B (4), 4 RBI, RS, SB (3)
.281/.361/.469 in 37 PA with nine runs batted in. 
1B Josh Moylan0-for-3, RS, BB, 2 K
CF Nelson Medina0-for-3, 2 K
  RF Anthony Hall: 0-for-1, K
3B Kiko Romero1-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, RS, 3 K
Romero hit three homers in 29 games during his 2023 debut season.
LF-CF Cole Gabrielson1-for-2, RS, CS (1), BB, HBP, K
Gabrielson scored the winning run in the 9th on a wild pitch.

RHP Brian Hendry:  4 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
In his first two professional starts: 9 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 11 K. He was last year’s 10th-round pick out of Oklahoma State.
RHP Yorlin Calderon2 IP, 3 H. 3 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 0 BB, 4 K
LHP Joel Valdez (W, 1-0): 3 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K


Tampa (3-8) (Defeated St. Lucie, 9-5. Everyone in the lineup earned at least one hit and the Tarpons stole eight bases)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 2-for-2, 2B (1), 3 RS, 3 SB (8), 4 BB
An 18-year-old reaching base six times in a full-season league is eye-opening. The double is his first extra-base hit of 2024. He is hitting .244/.492/.268 and has reached base safely in all 12 games.
3B Enmanuel Tejeda1-for-5, 2B (1), SF, 2 RBI, RS, K
Tejeda’s first extra-base hit in 2024. He is hitting .289/.320/.311 with eight RBI in 50 PA.
1B Dylan Jasso1-for-5, 2B (2), RS, BB, 2 K
LF Coby Morales2-for-5, 3 RBI, RS, SB (2), K
C Tomas Frick1-for-2, 2 RS, 2 BB, HBP, K
4-for-13  with four RBI and three runs scored.
RF Daury Arias1-for-4, RBI, BB, SB (1), K
DH Manuel Palencia: 1-for-5, RBI, SB (1), K
CF Tayler Aguilar2-for-5, RBI, SB (3), 2 K
.227/.452/.409 in 31 PA. He is 15-for-17 stealing bases in his career.
2B Brenny Escanio1-for-4, RS, SB (1), BB

RHP Cade Smith3.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
2.89 ERA (9.1 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 8 BB, 15 K). Last year’s 6th-round pick is off to a good enough start in his debut season.
RHP Aaron Nixon1.2 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
RHP Yoljeldriz Diaz: (W, 1-0)  1.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
RHP Osiel Rodriguez: (S, 1)  2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 1 K
Not all saves are pretty.


FCL (0-0)

The season starts on 5/4.


DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 4/12: Agustin Ramirez Hits 5th HR in 6 Games

News:

Nada.

Scranton (8-4) (Defeated Norfolk, 6-4. Even without Jackson Holliday, this lineup is dangerous. Scranton has held them to 12 runs in four games. The Railriders are 4-0 in those games)

CF Brandon Lockridge1-for-5, 2 RS, SB (11), K
Lockridge leads minor league baseball with his 11 stolen bases.
2B Caleb Durbin2-for-5, 2B (6), RBI, SB (8)
.386 (17-for-44, 6 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 15 RBI, 8 R, 11 BB, 3 K, 8-for-8 SB)
DH Everson Pereira2-for-4, HR (4), RBI, 2 RS, SB (2), BB
And, just like that, he is hitting .244 with a .926 OPS. That’s what four solid games (5-for-15, 1 double, 2 HR, 3 BB) will do for you early in the season.
C Carlos Narvaez3-for-5, 2 2B (3), 2 RBI, 2 RS
Hopefully, this is the start of a hot streak.
RF Jose Rojas2-for-4, 2 2B (3), 2 RBI, 2 K
1B Luis Torrens0-for-4, 2 K
SS Jeter Downs: 2-for-4, 2B (1), SB (2), K
10-for-30 with a double, triple, and two home runs. The odds are long but this is fun.
LF Luis Gonzalez0-for-1, 2 BB, K
3B Jordan Groshans1-for-4, 2 K

RHP Will Warren: (W, 1-0) 5 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 HR, 2 BB, 8 K
Warren allowed a pair of homers in the first inning but settled down from there. He reached 95.8 with his sinker and 95.3 with his 4-seamer. His sinker didn’t generate a whiff, but his slider and 4-seamer did. It will take a while for his stat line to look normal, given his rough Opening Day start in Buffalo: 8.68 ERA (9.1 IP, 10 H, 10 R, 9 ER, 4 HR, 7 BB, 13 K)
RHP Yerry De Los Santos2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
De Los Santos needed a clean outing and he got it. He loves his sinker (71% usage tonight)
RHP Phil Bickford1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
6 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 4 BB, 10 K


Somerset (2-3) (Lost to New Hampshire, 10-8. They imploded in this one (7-1 lead))

C Ben Rice1-for-4, RS, BB
DH Agustin Ramirez1-for-5, HR (5), 2 RBI, RS
Ramirez has five homers in six games. He is at .259/.310/.815 in 29 PA (5 HR, 12 RBI, 5 R, 2 BB, 6 K). A young catcher displaying this power at an advanced level grabs your attention.
1B T.J. Rumfield1-for-5
LF Elijah Dunham1-for-4, HR (1), RBI, RS
It would be nice if Dunham were able to get back on track…
SS Ben Cowles:  2-for-4, RS, K
CF Grant Richardson2-for-4, 2B (2), HR (1), 2 RBI, RS
Richardson has displayed pop in the minors, as seen by his .450 career slugging percentage (846 PA). He hit 18 HR in 92 games between Hudson Valley and Somerset last year.
2B Aaron Palensky1-for-4, 2B (1), RS
RF Jared Wegner2-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, 2 RS
Last year’s 9th-round pick hit four HR in 24 games in his debut season, including a pair in 19 games for High-A Hudson Valley.
3B Max Burt1-for-4

RHP Zach Messinger6.1 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 HR, 1 BB, 8 K
They stretched him into the 7th (92 pitches) and he hit a wall – that is a part of development. He was pitching well until that point.
LHP Ryan Anderson: (L, 0-1) 1.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 0 K


Hudson Valley (3-2) (Split a doubleheader against Rome)

Game 1 (Lost, 3-2, in eight (extra) innings)

2B Roc Riggio: 2-for-2, 2B (2), RBI, RS, 2 BB
He added more in Game 2 (how’s that for suspense?)
SS Jared Serna1-for-4, RBI, CS (1)
4-for-14 (2 HR, 3 RBI, 4 R, 4 BB, 2 K, 0-for-1 SB). Serna went 29-for-37 (78.4%) in the stolen base department in 2023.
C Jesus Rodriguez2-for-4, K
6-for-18 (1 double, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 3 RS, 1 BB, 4 K). It is a small sample, but this kid keeps hitting. In 207 career games (854 PA), he is hitting .315/.404/.477.
DH Josh Moylan0-for-4, K
LF Garrett Martin0-for-3, RS, HBP
RF Anthony Hall0-for-4, 2 K
1B Rafael Flores0-for-4, 3 K
3B Kiko Romero: 1-for-2, BB, K
CF Nelson Medina1-for-2, BB

RHP Jackson Fristoe2.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
It isn’t that the Yankees lack velocity in their system – but many of their prospects aren’t upper-90s fireballers. Fristoe goes against that trend, as he supposedly has been clocked as high as 101. Control is something he needs to harness.
LHP Ben Shields3.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
5.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
RHP Leonardo Pestana1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
RHP Cole Ayers (L, 0-1): 0.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

Game 2 (Won, 1-0)

2B Roc Riggio0-for-1, 3 BB
Riggio reached base safely in seven of his eight plate appearances today (single, double, five walks)
RF Anthony Hall0-for-3, BB
C Omar Martinez0-for-4, 2 K
I guess he wasn’t going to hit .462 all season.
1B Josh Moylan1-for-3, K
DH Rafael Flores1-for-3, RS, K
SS Alexander Vargas2-for-2, 2B (1), RBI, SB (1), CS (1), BB
It’s all about the bat for Vargas. The glove is good enough to stick at SS.
CF Cole Gabrielson0-for-2, SB (2), BB, 2 K
3B Beau Brewer1-for-3, K
LF Kyle Battle0-for-3, K

RHP Brian Hendry: (W, 1-0) 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K
Signed as an undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma State, tonight marked the 24-year-old’s professional debut. As I have often said, don’t underestimate an undrafted free agent. The draft was shortened and Hendry is on the older side of the spectrum.
RHP Matt Keating: (S, 1)  2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K


Tampa (1-6) (Lost to Dunedin, 11-2. An ugly game that featured six Tampa errors)

3B George Lombard Jr.: 2-for-4, SB (3), RS, K
.238/.529/.238 in 34 PA. That is what you call a small sample size triple slash. Lombard doesn’t have much experience at 3B, and he committed two of the errors. He has five total this season.
SS Roderick Arias0-for-3, HBP, 2 K
.179/.281/.393 in 32 PA. 
2B Enmanuel Tejeda0-for-3, SF, RBI, K
His 6-game hitting streak to start the season is snapped.
1B Dylan Jasso1-for-4, 2B (1), RBI, 3 K
A solid 6-for-19 start to his campaign with a double, triple, and four RBI.
LF Coby Morales0-for-2, 2 BB, K
CF Willy Montero0-for-3, BB, 2 K
DH Manuel Palencia0-for-4
RF Daury Arias1-for-3, K
C Edinson Duran1-for-3, 2B (1), RS, K

LHP Allen Facundo: 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Jordy Luciano (L, 0-2): 2.1 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
RHP Montana Semmel2.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Steven Fulgencio2 IP, 0 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
RHP Ocean Gabonia0.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K


FCL (0-0)

The season starts on 5/4.


DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 4/9: Everson Pereira: HR, 4 RBI

News:

Nada.

Scranton (5-4) (Shut down Norfolk, 5-2. Norfolk entered tonight with 100 runs (29 HR) and a 1.104 OPS in nine games. Life is going to become a little easier for opposing pitchers, as Jackson Holliday (the top prospect in baseball) was promoted to MLB after this game)

CF Caleb Durbin2-for-4, 2B (5), 2 RS
The Railriders have used Durbin at five different positions in nine games. He likely will never be known for power, but he does have 44 doubles in 852 career plate appearances. Up-to-the-second numbers: 15-for-32 (5 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 14 RBI, 8 R, 8 BB, 2 K, 7-for-7 SB)
DH Everson Pereira2-for-4, HR (3), 4 RBI, RS
8-for-34 (1 double, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 5 R, 4 BB, 15 K, 1-for-2 SB)
1B Carlos Narvaez0-for-3, BB, K
3-for-23 with 12 walks and eight strikeouts.
LF Jose Rojas0-for-4, K
   LF Brandon Lockridge: 0-for-0
C Luis Torrens0-for-4, 2 K
2B Kevin Smith0-for-4, 3 K
RF Luis Gonzalez: 1-for-3, RS, SB (1), BB, K
SS Jeter Downs0-for-3
3B Josh VanMeter1-for-3, RBI, RS, K

LHP Edgar Barclay: (W, 1-0) 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 HR, 3 BB, 7 K
Barclay did a nice job shutting them down. He used his 4-seam/change/curve mix to befuddle them, generating 19 swings & misses. With a revolving door of pitchers, Barclay could provide some MLB innings this year.
RHP Cody Morris3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
It would be shocking if Morris didn’t pitch for the Yankees this year. He still has options, so they won’t need to expose him to waivers if they need to send him back down.
RHP Yerry De Los Santos: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
The Yankees must love his sinker, but he is all over the place to start the season.
LHP Anthony Misiewicz: (S, 1) 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
He saved the day.


Somerset (2-2) (Lost to New Hampshire, 8-2)

C Ben Rice0-for-3, SB (2), 2 BB, 3 K
4-for-17 with a homer (first AB of the season). Rice is not known for speed but he did steal 11 bases in 14 attempts last year.
DH Agustin Ramirez1-for-4, 2 RBI, BB, 2 K
.278 (5-for-18; 3 HR, 8 RBI, 3 R, 1 BB, 6 K).
1B T.J. Rumfield1-for-4, 2 K
RF Elijah Dunham0-for-3, BB, 2 K
SS Ben Cowles1-for-4, 2B (3), 2 K
6-for-16 with three doubles 
CF Grant Richardson0-for-4, 3 K
LF Jared Wegner0-for-3, SB (1), BB, K
2B Anthony Seigler: 1-for-3, SB (2), RS, BB
Seigler once had a 16 SB season (2022). It was more evidence that he wasn’t your prototypical catcher. Injuries, injuries, injuries.
3B Max Burt0-for-3, RS, HBP, 3 K

RHP Blane Abeyta: (L, 0-1)  4 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
On the bright side, he put up three zeroes after a 5-run first.
RHP Carlos Gomez2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
RHP Luis Velasquez: 2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 3 BB, 3 K
Control has been an issue for Velasquez throughout his career.


Hudson Valley (2-1)

Their game in Rome was postponed. All that traveling for nothing.

They have an 11:00 AM game tomorrow followed by a doubleheader on Thursday.


Tampa (1-3) (Lost to Dunedin, 6-2)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-1, RS, CS (1), 3 BB, HBP, K
Lombard has a perfectly normal .083 batting average with a .450 on-base percentage.
2B Roderick Arias0-for-5, 5 K
Arias has a triple and a homer in four games but has 12 strikeouts without a walk. Growing pains are going to happen.
DH Enmanuel Tejeda1-for-4, RS, CS (2), BB, K
5-for-16 (all singles) with four RBI and a pair of runs scored. He is 2-for-4 stealing bases. In the rookie leagues, he owned an 85/69 BB/K. We’ll see how that translates as he moves up the ladder.
LF Coby Morales0-for-3, RBI, BB, 2 K
1B Dylan Jasso3-for-4, RBI
Jasso had a pair of 3-hit games in 2023 (his debut season)
CF Jackson Castillo1-for-4, 2B (1), K
RF Willy Montero0-for-4, K
C Edinson Duran1-for-4, 2 K
3B Brenny Escanio1-for-4, K

RHP Gabriel Barbosa: (L, 0-1)  4.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
The 22-year-old Barbosa, formerly a Rockies prospect, was selected in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft. He used six pitches tonight, with the curve (36%) being the most prominent. 
RHP Osiel Rodriguez2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Doesn’t it feel like Rodriguez has been around forever? The 22-year-old maxed out at 95.9 with his sinker and 95.4 with his 4-seamer. There could be something to work with, but he has to start moving.
RHP Steven Fulgencio2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
The 23-year-old didn’t pitch well in the rookie leagues over the past few years but gets a shot with Tampa. In his small professional sample size, he has generated a strong GB%. That makes sense as he came out of the bullpen throwing sinkers (maxing out at 95.8)


FCL (0-0)

The season starts on 5/4.


DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 4/4: Everson Pereira Goes Yard

News:

The Yankees released the Somerset/Hudson Valley/Tampa rosters this week. I don’t read too much into that, to be honest. The Yankees have their reasons for placing players at certain levels.

The biggest surprise, to me, was Keiner Delgado not being assigned to a full-season level. While it is true that George Lombard Jr. and Roderick Arias are occupying spots in Tampa, they could have found playing time for Delgado.

However, it isn’t a life sentence. Delgado will get to Tampa soon enough is my guess.

Tomorrow begins the insane portion of the season, as Somerset, Hudson Valley, and Tampa are scheduled for their openers. The weather looks chilly but fine for Somerset and Hudson Valley (road against Bowling Green (Kentucky)), while Tampa’s trip to Fort Myers should be met with plenty of sunshine.

RHP Zach Messinger is announced as the starter for Somerset, while RHP Sebastian Keane and LHP Cade Smith are listed as the scheduled starters for Hudson Valley and Tampa. For Smith, it will be the 2023 draftee’s professional debut. Keane pitched mostly out of the bullpen in 2023 but made a pair of starts for Low-A Tampa.

Scranton (2-2) (Lost an ugly game (especially in the 9th) to Syracuse, 5-4)

CF Greg Allen0-for-5, 4 K
2B Caleb Durbin: 4-for-5, 3B (1), RBI
Not known for his power, three of Durbin’s first eight hits have gone for extra bases (two doubles, one triple). 
DH Carlos Narvaez0-for-4, 3 K
RF Everson Pereira1-for-3, HR (2), RBI, 2 RS, BB, K
It is easy to toss a prospect out of your mind when their first taste of MLB doesn’t go well. I wouldn’t dismiss Pereira quickly, especially since many people weren’t surprised by his initial struggles. For now, he is MLB depth and a potential trade piece.
1B Jose Rojas1-for-4, K
C Luis Torrens1-for-3, SF, RBI, K
Torrens’ first official game back with the organization since September 5, 2016. Since he is on the 40-man, Narvaez is the default #3 catcher but Torrens (with his MLB experience) is also in the mix.
SS Jeter Downs: 2-for-4, 3B (1), HR (1), RBI, RS, 2 K
I can’t be the only one hoping that Downs earns at least a cup of coffee with the big club. This home run went an impressive 409 feet.
LF Luis Gonzalez1-for-4, K
3B Jordan Groshans: 1-for-4, 2B (2), RS

LHP Edgar Barclay4.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
Barclay survived the Rule 5 over the winter. Last season, he pitched well as a reliever for Somerset before struggling as a starter for Scranton. Barclay doesn’t throw hard (topped out at 91.6 MPH tonight, averaged 89.8) so he relies more on commanding his stuff than overpowering you. He also featured a changeup (41%) and curve (16%) tonight. He generated nine whiffs amongst the 19 swings when he threw the changeup.
LHP Anthony Misiewicz: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
RHP Duane Underwood Jr.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K
Underwood threw a changeup that registered 91.3 on the gun. That could be an error.
RHP Yerry De Los Santos1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
De Los Santos threw a 94.9 MPH sinker – that is not likely an error.
LHP Clayton Andrews: (L, 0-1) 0.1 IP, 1 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 0 K
Ooph.
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
He had a chance to stop the bleeding, but couldn’t do it.


Somerset (0-0)

The season starts on 4/5.


Hudson Valley (0-0)

The season starts on 4/5.


Tampa (0-0)

The season starts on 4/5.


FCL (0-0)

The season starts on 5/4.


DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 3/29: Opening Day!

Notes:

C/1B Ben Rice appears to be starting his campaign in Somerset. The left-handed slugger hit .327/.401/.648 in 222 PA for Somerset last year, so hopefully this is temporary.

Scranton (1-0) (Defeated Buffalo, 12-8)

CF Greg Allen: 2-for-4, HR (1), RBI, 3 RS, 2 SB (2)
Allen starts the season off with a lead-off home run. If they need a player in a pinch, he will be on the list of early call-ups.
2B Caleb Durbin: 2-for-5, 2B (1), 3 RBI, RS, HBP, SB (1)
Durbin is somewhere on the MLB depth chart. He has speed and versatility. Last season, he stole 36 bases in 69 games (an injury kept him out of action for a while)
C Carlos Narvaez: 2-for-4, 2B (1), SF, 3 RBI, BB
Narvaez is often overlooked, but stop doing that. He is our #3 catcher, after all.
LF Everson Pereira2-for-6, HR (1), 2 RBI, RS, 3 K
Pereira didn’t have a great start to his MLB career but is in the #5 outfielder mix.
DH Jose Rojas: 1-for-4, HR (1), RBI, RS, 2 BB, 2 K
The veteran utility type hasn’t played in MLB since 2022. He is depth.
SS Kevin Smith1-for-5, BB, K
Smith has MLB experience but isn’t much of a bat.
1B Jordan Groshans: 0-for-4, RS, BB, 2 K
Groshans was a Pipeline and Prospectus Top 100 prospect as recently as 2022 (Baseball America listed him in 2021). In 17 games for the 2022 Marlins, he hit .262/.308/.311 with a homer. They are taking a flyer here.
3B Jeter Downs2-for-4, 2 RS, SB (1), BB, K
A main piece in the trade that sent Mookie Betts to the Dodgers, Downs has yet to live up to the hype. Like with Groshans, you take a flyer. If it doesn’t work out, you have some minor-league depth.
RF Brandon Lockridge: 1-for-3, 2B (1), 2 RBI,  2 RS, 2 BB, 2 SB (2)
I often talk about Lockridge having a Tim Locastro-like ceiling, and I still believe that. Will he ever be a Yankee? I don’t know – but, just like Oliver Dunn (former Yankees prospect who made the Brewers’ roster out of spring training), he can find opportunities elsewhere in the future.

RHP Will Warren0.1 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 0 K, HR
A tough first outing, but we’ll let it slide given the weather. It would be a surprise if he didn’t make his MLB debut this season. He would require a 40-man roster move.
LHP Josh Maciejewski2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Maciejewski has been in the system since 2018, filling a variety of roles. Last year, however, he was a reliever for all 30 of his appearances.
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda: (W, 1-0)  1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Danny Santana1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
I don’t even need to describe who Santana is – this line does it for you.
RHP Ron Marinaccio2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
It would be great if Marinaccio got back on track.
LHP Nick Ramirez: 2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Ramirez is on the 40-man and could be on the shuttle this season.


Somerset (0-0)

Season starts on April 5th.


Hudson Valley (0-0)

Season starts on April 5th.


Tampa (0-0)

Season starts on April 5th.


FCL (0-0)


DSL (0-0)

Yankees MILB 8/21: Promotions!

News:

The Yankees have promoted top prospect Jasson Dominguez from Somerset to Scranton for the final month of the season. Remember that the Yankees did the same with Anthony Volpe last season and he took over the shortstop role for the big club in 2023. Can Dominguez make a similar jump? I wouldn’t rule it out. With Harrison Bader a free agent and left field still in shambles (more on that in a second), there can be a path for Dominguez.

Dominguez, who was hitting .198/.341/.343 after games of July 6th, has certainly turned it on since. He is hitting .350/.415/.535 (159 wRC+) in 36 games (176 plate appearances) since that date with a 10.2% BB and 19.9% K. He was first in the Eastern League in runs (83), fourth in RBI (66), third in stolen bases (37), and sixth in BB% (15.2%). The International League is known for its offense, but there could still be an adjustment period for Dominguez. He will be the second 20-year-old to make his debut in the International League this season, joining Tampa prospect Carson Williams. Williams joined the league on August 15th.

Speaking of the left field position, there is another candidate who is going to try to take the job. The Yankees have called up OF Everson Pereira from Triple-A Scranton. The 22-year-old has split time between Somerset and Scranton this season, hitting .300/.373/.548 in 343 plate appearances. Pereira’s BB% is OK (9.3%), but it is the K% we will need to watch. He has a 28.6% rate in 2023 and it has been an issue his entire minor league career. He is aggressive with a lot of power to tap into. I wouldn’t expect that to translate into a .300 hitter in MLB, but he has the bat speed and power to hit 25+ homers. Don’t be surprised if MLB pitchers feed him a steady stream of curves and sliders to see if they can take advantage of his aggressiveness.

Both of these moves make sense. Pereira deserves a chance to get accustomed to MLB pitching, and Dominguez has demonstrated that Double-A pitching is no longer giving him enough of a challenge.

In addition, the Yankees are bringing back IF Oswald Peraza. Everyone who is reading this knows his story so I don’t need to discuss it too much. I thought he was ready in 2022, and he did nothing to disprove that last September. He hasn’t performed at a high level in MLB in 2023, but it is time for him to get a consistent look.

As for others who may appear in 2023, it is hard to say. This is a year where the Yankees probably wish that rosters could expand to more than 28. C Austin Wells will be a talked-about name but I don’t think it is criminal if he sticks in Triple-A. They would need to find a 40-man slot for him, but they need to do that this winter anyway.

Scranton (57-60; 23-20 in the second half)

Day off. The Railriders have a hill to climb if they wish to make the playoffs. They are only four games behind Lehigh Valley for the second-half title, but there are four other teams ahead of them.

Somerset (67-46; 25-20 in the second half)

Day off. Somerset is already in the playoffs, courtesy of their first-half title. That said, the Patriots are in first place in the second half as well. If they pull off the Daily Double, the playoff berth will go to whoever comes in second place in the second half.

Hudson Valley (63-51; 24-24 in the second half) 

Day off. Hudson Valley is already in the playoffs, courtesy of their first-half title.

Tampa (55-59; 24-24 in the second half) 

Day off. Tampa isn’t going to make the playoffs in 2023, as they are seven games out of first place in the second half.

FCL Yankees (35-21) (Defeated the Blue Jays, 11-9)

2B Keiner Delgado3-for-5, HR (8), 2 RBI, 2 RS, BB, K, 2 SB (36), CS (7)
The FCL ends this week, so we’ll see if they send Delgado to Tampa after that. He is hitting .294/.415/.490 in 234 PA with 35 walks, 30 strikeouts, and a 36-for-43 stolen base rate. He has 14 stolen bases in August.
SS George Lombard Jr.: 2-for-4, RS, BB, 2 SB (2)
Lombard is 4-for-8 with a pair of stolen bases and four walks. I tend to doubt they will send him to Tampa after this week.
RF Willy Montero1-for-3, SF, RBI, 2 RS, BB, K
1B Dylan Jasso2-for-5, 3B (1), HR (1), 3 RBI, 2 RS
.357/.478/.571 in 69 plate appearances for the 20-year-old. The undrafted free agent is another candidate for Tampa.
LF John Cruz4-for-5, 2B (6), RBI
Cruz is on the list of prospects that had little hype entering the season and put himself squarely on the prospect map. He is hitting .297/.381/.541 in 197 PA with ten home runs and 47 runs batted in. He will be 18 on August 29th and could debut in Tampa at that age in 2024.
DH Enmanuel Tejeda0-for-4, BB, 2 K
3B Hans Montero0-for-2, 2 RS, 3 BB, CS (1)
Montero is a bonus baby who is being asked to hit 8th. That is how insanely deep this roster is. He is hitting .264/.428/.416 in 229 plate appearances.

RHP Chalniel Arias3.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K
Since his promotion: 8.2 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 8 BB, 7 K
RHP Kris Bow (W, 1-0): 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K

DSL Yankees (33-19) (Split two games with the DSL Marlins)

Game 1 (Lost, 5-3)

CF Brando Mayea3-for-3, RS, BB, SB (22), CS (7)
.276/.382/.400 in 170 PA with 22 walks and 27 strikeouts. He has a pair of 3-hit games this month.
C Josue Gonzalez0-for-2, BB
.324/.517/.529 in 147 PA with 38 walks and 21 strikeouts.
3B Santiago Gomez0-for-1, RS, 2 BB, 2 SB (20)
The 19-year-old is hitting .284/.467/.403 in 184 PA (31 BB, 33 K, 20-for-23 SB)
SS Luis Suarez0-for-2, BB, K, SB (22)

RHP Orvis Fernandez: 3.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K

Game 2 (Won, 4-1)

SS Luis Suarez1-for-3, 3B (4), RS, 2 K
.212/.333/.342 in 174 PA (5 doubles, 4 triples, 2 HR, 25 RBI, 31 R, 21 BB, 51 K, 22-for-24 SB)
C Edison Vivas2-for-3, 2B (2), RBI, RS
.219/.318/.247 in 85 PA. He is 9-for-28 in August.
3B Anthony Pena0-for-1, RS, 2 BB, SB (5)
.247/.344/.383 in 93 PA. He has five doubles and a pair of home runs.

RHP Christian Zazueta4.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
3.29 ERA (52 IP, 41 H, 21 R, 19 ER, 6 HR, 16 BB, 50 K). A solid year for the 18-year-old.
RHP Keninson Diaz (W, 5-0): 2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

DSL Bombers (27-26) (Squeaked past the Twins, 8-7)

2B Gabriel Terrero1-for-3, 2B (9), RBI, 2 RS, BB, K, CS (6)
.299/.407/.533 in 162 PA (9 doubles, 1 triple, 7 HR, 27 RBI, 33 R, 22 BB, 35 K, 14-for-20 SB)
C Edgleen Perez2-for-4, 2B (8), RS, K, 2 SB (5)
3B Kevin Verde2-for-4, 2B (9), HR (4), 4 RBI, 2 RS, K
.258/.316/.433 in 133 PA for the 17-year-old. This is Verde’s debut season and he is certainly holding his own.
RF Ramiro Altagracia2-for-4, RS, K

RHP Sunayro Martina3 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
3.86 ERA (28 IP, 19 H, 21 R, 12 ER, 1 HR, 23 BB, 34 K). This is a fairly typical DSL line.