Yankees MILB 8/2: Francisco Vilorio Homers Twice

News:

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

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

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

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

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


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

CF Jasson Dominguez0-for-4, 3 K
Dominguez’s first full game in the field since coming back.
2B Jorbit Vivas2-for-4, 2B (8)
Vivas has four multi-hit efforts in his last seven games.
3B Oswald Peraza0-for-4
1B T.J. Rumfield2-for-3, 2B (18), RS, BB
Since promotion: .291/.343/.470 in 329 PA (18 doubles, 12 HR, 51 RBI, 50 R, 6.7% BB, 17.6% K). He is on a 7-game hitting streak (9-for-30).
DH Oscar Gonzalez2-for-4
RF Taylor Trammell1-for-4
SS Kevin Smith1-for-4, 2B (11), RBI, 2 K
C J.C. Escarra1-for-4, HR (1), RBI, RS, K
14-for-39 (.359) with four doubles and a homer since his promotion. He is 29 years old, but didn’t convert to catching until recently.
LF Aaron Palensky: 0-for-4, K

LHP Thomas Pannone (L, 5-9): 4 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, HR
LHP Victor Gonzalez1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Yerry De Los Santos: 0.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Phil Bickford: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
LHP Tim Mayza1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
LHP Anthony Misiewicz1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K


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

2B Caleb Durbin1-for-4, 2B (2), K
CF Spencer Jones0-for-4, 4 K
Yes, I get the frustration of fans who see Jones go on a run only to have a night like this. The Yankees love him and are willing to live through the growing pains. That could change if the right trade opportunity comes along this winter. Yes, signing Juan Soto long-term can be a factor.
C Jesus Rodriguez0-for-4, 2 K
DH Rafael Flores1-for-4, RS
3B Tyler Hardman1-for-2, HR (6), RBI, RS, CS (1), 2 BB
Hardman has 32 home runs in 118 Double-A games.
LF Elijah Dunham0-for-2, 2 BB
RF Jared Wegner: 1-for-4, RBI, K
SS Alexander Vargas0-for-3, BB, 2 K
1B Max Burt0-for-3, K

RHP Chase Hampton3.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K
Hampton’s first Somerset appearance this season. I can see him finishing the year in Scranton if all goes well.
RHP Matt Sauer1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, HR
RHP Danny Watson (L, 1-3): 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
I mentioned Eric Reyzelman as the organization’s best relief prospect. A healthy Watson is high on the list, as well. I am not worried about his overall 2024 statistics.
RHP Jesus Liranzo1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Carlos Gomez0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K


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

2B Roc Riggio0-for-4
CF Jace Avina1-for-3, RS, K
1B Omar Martinez0-for-2, RS, BB
C Antonio Gomez1-for-3, 2B (6), RBI, RS
I wish Gomez’s bat would develop, as he is one of the few catching prospects who has few questions about sticking there. 
DH Garrett Martin0-for-3, RS, SB (10), K
3B Kiko Romero: 2-for-3, HR (6), RBI, 2 RS
Romero’s first home run since July 4th. 
LF Cole Gabrielson0-for-2, RBI, RS, BB
RF Anthony Hall2-for-3, 2 RBI
Hall has a pair of multi-hit efforts in his last three games. Hopefully, this is a sign that he will finish strongly.
SS Brenny Escanio0-for-3, 2 K

RHP Cam Schlittler: (W, 6-4) 5 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K
2.60 ERA (86.2 IP, 60 H, 34 R, 25 ER, 7 HR, 38 BB, 108 K). Schlittler tied his personal best for strikeouts in a game and may be their most consistent minor league starter this season. 
RHP Kelly Austin1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
The organizational debut for Austin, who was acquired from the Houston Astros for Caleb Ferguson. He pitched to a 2.21 ERA in 36.2 innings for Houston’s Low-A/High-A clubs.
RHP Luis Arejula1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K


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

2B George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-5, RS, SB (29), 2 K
Lombard Jr. is 29-for-33 (87.9%) in the stolen base department.
SS Roderick Arias1-for-3, RS, SB (27), BB
Arias is 27-for-38 (71.1%) in the stolen base department. That should improve with experience. His strikeout rate is 32.5%, which is an improvement over where he was earlier this season.
1B Dylan Jasso2-for-4, RS, SB (2)
Jasso has three multi-hit efforts in his last six games.
CF Jackson Castillo1-for-3, BB, K
.255/.388/.407 in 327 PA. 
RF Willy Montero1-for-4, 2 RBI, K
3B Hans Montero0-for-2, 2 BB
C Josue Gonzalez0-for-3, SF, RBI, K
LF Coby Morales0-for-4, 3 K
DH Tomas Frick0-for-2, 2 K
   PH-DH Joe Delossantos0-for-1, BB, K
Delossantos is the first 2024 draftee to make his debut. He was their 10th-round pick, signing for a mere $7,500 (he had zero leverage). The right-handed hitting outfielder out of William & Mary is 23 years old, so it makes sense that they would place him here out of the shoot. He hit .330/.431/.584 in 57 games for the Tribe this season.

RHP Andrew Landry2.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Last year’s 16th-round pick makes his Tampa debut. In the FCL, he tossed 9.1 innings, giving up two runs on nine hits with a 14/3 K/BB. He showed off a 6-pitch mix tonight, maxing out at 95.7 with his 4-seam fastball and 95 with his sinker. He mixed in a slider, curve, change, and cutter. The Yankees have a track record of success with mid-round pitching, so watch him.
LHP Will Brian2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
This is not the 25-year-old’s Tampa debut, as he appeared in 2022 and 2023. The 10th-round pick in 2022 out of Eastern Kentucky is 25 years old and features a sinker/curve combo. He generated an impressive ten whiffs tonight.
RHP Jordy Luciano1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Luis Pacheco1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Ocean Gabonia (L, 3-3): 0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K


FCL (35-22)

Their season is over.


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

SS Dexters Peralta2-for-5, 2 RS, SB (21), 2 K
Peralta has three multi-hit efforts in his last four games and is 21-for-24 in the stolen base category.
3B Richard Matic0-for-2, 2 RS, 2 BB, K
C Luis Puello2-for-4, HR (4), RBI, 2 RS, K
.321/.424/.512 in 99 PA (4 doubles, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 16 R, 3-for-3 SB). He is only 18 years old.
2B Geyber Blanco2-for-4, 2B (6), RBI, RS
LF Estivenzon Montero1-for-3, 2B (5), 3 RBI, RS, K
CF Louis Pierre2-for-4, 2 RBI, RS, 2 SB (12)
1B Niurby Asigen2-for-4, SB (7), K
DH Diego Gonzalez1-for-3, 2 RBI, BB, K
The 17-year-old left-handed hitting outfielder makes his professional debut.


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

DH Francisco Vilorio3-for-7, 2B (7), 2 HR (3), 5 RBI, 2 RS, 2 K
A big day for the bonus baby outfielder. This increases his triple slash from .190/.265/.295 to .205/.280/.366. He is only 17.
C Queni Pineda2-for-5, 2B (7), HR (3), RBI, 2 RS, BB, K
The 17-year-old has a .245/.437/.415 line in 126 plate appearances.
SS Christofer Reyes3-for-7, 3 RS, SB (14), 1 BB, 3 K
2B-1B Luis Escudero: 1-for-4, 2 RS, 2 BB, K
1B Carlos Villarroel: 2-for-4, 2 2B (5), RBI, 2 RS, BB, K
LF David Carrera2-for-6, 3 RBI, RS, K
CF Angel Ventura2-for-7, RBI, 3 RS, CS (2), 2 K

RHP Mariano Salomon5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, HR
Yes, the game got out of hand after he left the game. They used nine total pitchers. Salomon (21) has a 1.75 ERA and 40/10 K/BB over 36 innings.

Yankees MILB 7/1: Roc Riggio Continues Hot Streak

News:

Typically speaking, full-season leagues have Monday off. Not this week. Rather, they will play a Monday – Saturday schedule with Sunday off. That means they will get both Sunday and Monday off next week.

RHP Chase Hampton, who I assumed may not pitch in 2024, threw a rehab game for the FCL today.  I don’t think Hampton will impact the 2024 Yankees. However, it gives potential trade partners a chance to take a look at him.

C Josh Breaux, released by the Yankees on June 29th, found a job quickly. The Phillies signed him to a minor league deal and he was in tonight’s lineup for Double-A Reading against the Somerset Patriots. Organizations are always looking for catching depth, so it isn’t a shock that Breaux landed on his feet quickly.

Scranton (45-34)

The Railriders are rebels this week. They were off on Monday and will play two games on Wednesday instead.


Somerset (38-38) (Defeated Reading, 7-6, walk-off style)

CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-4, 2B (13), RS, SB (18), HBP, 3 K
Jones has doubled in five straight games. The power spike is encouraging (5 doubles, 3 HR in last 7 games) though the strikeouts keep piling up. I find his potential outcomes to be widely spread out. 
SS Ben Cowles0-for-5
DH Tyler Hardman1-for-4, RS, 2 SB (4), BB, 2 K
Not known for his speed, Hardman did steal 14 bases in 18 attempts in 2022.
C Rafael Flores: 2-for-5, 2B (3), 2 RS, SB (2), K
In his first six Double-A games: 7-for-25 (3 doubles, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 6 R). Overall, he has 20 doubles and 7 home runs in 63 games.
RF Elijah Dunham2-for-5, 2B (11), 3 RBI
Dunham walks it off with an RBI double in the bottom of the 9th.
1B J.C. Escarra2-for-4, RS
2B Anthony Seigler: 3-for-4, 2B (13), 2 RS, 2 SB (15)
Seigler has his OPS over .700 (.701). In his last 9 games, he is 11-for-31 (.355) with 4 doubles, a homer, 10 RBI, 10 runs, and 4 stolen bases.
LF Aaron Palensky: 3-for-4, 2 RBI, SB (13), CS (4)
3B Max Burt0-for-4, K

LHP Brock Selvidge5.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 8 K
Selvidge cruised through four innings but allowed five runs in the 5th and 6th. Season: 3.95 ERA (79.2 IP, 69 H, 45 R, 35 ER, 4 HR, 39 BB, 80 K). I love that he keeps the ball in the ballpark. The walk rate is something he’ll continue to work on. 
RHP Colby White1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Luis Velasquez: (W, 2-2)  2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K


Hudson Valley (39-35) (Shut down Brooklyn, 5-0)

2B Roc Riggio2-for-3, 2B (15), 2 RBI, SB (10), 2 BB
Riggio has a 19-game on-base streak, a 7-game hitting streak, and a 6-game doubles streak. His OPS is .781.
SS Jared Serna1-for-5, SB (10), K
Serna reaches double digits in homers and stolen bases for the second straight season.
CF Jace Avina0-for-1, K
I am not sure why Avina left the game early. This will end his 8-game hitting streak.
   CF Cole Gabrielson0-for-4
C Omar Martinez0-for-3, RS, BB, K
3B Josh Moylan2-for-4, 2B (8), RS
Moylan has a 9-game hitting streak (15-for-34 (.441)). He is hitting .259 with a .733 OPS.
DH Garrett Martin: 1-for-2, HR (7), RBI, RS, 2 BB, K
Martin has 5 HR in his last 8 games.
LF Christopher Familia: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, RS, 2 K
1B Kiko Romero0-for-4, RS, K
RF Nelson Medina0-for-4, 2 K

RHP Baron Stuart: (W, 5-2) 6.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K
Including his solid emergency start with Scranton, Stuart owns a 3.36 ERA (61.2 IP, 51 H, 25 R, 23 ER, 2 HR, 29 BB, 51 K). Stuart is a ground ball pitcher (52.6% entering tonight) who is pitching well. He was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Pittsburgh last year.
LHP Joel Valdez1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
3.28 ERA (35.2 IP, 24 H, 16 R, 13 ER, 2 HR, 18 BB, 42 K)
RHP Cole Ayers1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
2.51 ERA (43 IP, 32 H, 16 R, 12 ER, 2 HR, 15 BB, 52 K)


Tampa (27-47) (Lost to Lakewood, 7-1)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-3, RS, SB (23), BB, K
Lombard Jr. has six stolen bases in his last seven games. 
LF Enmanuel Tejeda1-for-4
Tejeda’s first career outfield start. Given his profile, it makes sense that they are trying to increase his versatility.
2B Roderick Arias1-for-3, BB
vs. RHP: .213/.323/.396. vs. LHP: .192/.218/.192. Correct: All 23 extra-base hits have come against RHP. Will the Yankees have to eventually think about asking him to bat left-handed against everyone? Who knows?
3B Dylan Jasso0-for-4
CF Jackson Castillo0-for-4
DH Hans Montero0-for-3
C Josue Gonzalez1-for-3
Gonzalez’s Low-A debut after hitting .233/.395/.433 in 152 PA for the FCL squad. He is 20 years old.
1B Coby Morales0-for-3, 2 K
RF Daury Arias0-for-3

RHP Steven Fulgencio2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 1 K
Fulgencio’s first career start (43 relief appearances)
LHP Rafelin Nivar1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Jordy Luciano: (L, 0-3)  2.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, HR
RHP Montana Semmel1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
RHP Ocean Gabonia1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR


FCL (25-13) (Knocked off the 9-32 (what?) Blue Jays, 9-6)

CF Brian Sanchez1-for-5, RBI, RS, 2 K
.321/.413/.569 in 126 PA with 24 runs batted in.
C Edgleen Perez2-for-3, HR (2), RBI, RS
.287/.475/.426 in 139 PA with more walks (33) than strikeouts (24). This is a nice follow-up to the 18-year-old’s 2023 DSL campaign (.259/.389/.317).
RF Anthony Hall2-for-4, 2B (1), RS, BB, K
Hall was placed here on a rehab stint last week. The 23-year-old started 3-for-33 in Hudson Valley before being placed on the IL on April 26th. He was their 4th round pick in 2022 out of Oregon.
DH-1B Engelth Urena2-for-4, 2 RBI, RS, CS (1), BB
After missing the 2023 season, Urena is off to a .208/.301/.319 start here (83 plate appearances)
3B Abrahan Ramirez2-for-5, RS, CS (1), K
Imagine going 2-for-5 and having it not help your batting average. That happens when you hit .404/.516/.577 in 129 PA. He has six consecutive multi-hit games (10 multi-hit efforts in his last 11 games. That is nuts)
SS Juan Matheus1-for-1, RBI, RS, SB (8), 3 BB
The 20-year-old is hitting .330/.443/.500 in 122 PA with three homers and 22 RBI.
1B Luis Ogando1-for-3, HR (3, grand slam), 4 RBI, RS, BB
.293/.373/.500 in 67 PA. It’s his second grand slam this season (May 28th, also against the Blue Jays)

RHP Chase Hampton1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
It will be a while before the results begin to matter. Last year, in his professional debut season, he pitched to a 3.63 ERA in 106.2 IP with a 145/37 K/BB. He pitched for Hudson Valley and Somerset.
RHP Danny Flatt (W, 2-0): 4 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, HR
2.90 ERA (31 IP, 26 H, 12 R, 10 ER, 2 HR, 18 BB, 35 K).  He should make it to Tampa in 2024.


DSL Yankees (9-12) (Defeated the DSL Phillies White, 9-2)

SS Dexters Peralta2-for-5, 2B (3), 2 RBI, RS, K
LF Gabriel Lara1-for-5, RBI, RS
CF Isael Arias2-for-3, 3B (1), 2 RS, SB (4), 2 BB
The 18-year-old is in his debut season. He has more walks (11) than strikeouts (9) and is hitting .200/.411/.275 with a double, triple, and a 4-for-5 SB rate.
C Luis Puello0-for-2, 3 BB
A perfectly normal .441/.568/.706 line in 44 PA (2 HR, 11 RBI)

RHP Edinzo Marquez4.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K
A huge effort by Marquez, who owns a 1.47 ERA in 18.1 IP (12 H, 7 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 8 BB, 24 K


DSL Bombers (12-8) (Defeated the DSL Phillies Red, 6-3)

CF Francisco Vilorio2-for-5, HR (1), 3 RBI, RS, CS (2), 2 K
The bonus baby’s first professional home run (he also has a triple). He is hitting .265/.342/.412 in 38 PA.
C Queni Pineda: 2-for-3, 2B (4), RBI, RS, BB, K
4 doubles and 2 homers in 16 games for the 17-year-old.
SS Christofer Reyes2-for-4, RBI, CS (5)
I always say that speedsters should run as often as possible in the minors. Reyes (16) is 9-for-14 stealing bases in 16 games.
3B Luis Suarez2-for-3, 2 RS, SB (2), BB

RHP Joshawn Lampson3.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
RHP Enixon Sanchez (W, 1-0): 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
The 16-year-old’s first career win. In 9.2 innings, he has allowed 6 runs (2 earned) on 4 hits with an 8/6 K/BB.