Yankees MILB 4/19: Bryce Cunningham Dominates

Notes:

No news.

I have started a minor league injury log (below)

Injury Log

The Baseball Reference links stopped functioning at some point tonight, so some players don’t have their links (for now). You’ll live.


Scranton (11-8) (No-hit by Durham, 4-0)

3B Jorbit Vivas0-for-4
His 6-game hitting streak is snapped. His K% is down to 4.8%.
LF Everson Pereira0-for-3, 3 K
   PH Edinson Duran: 0-for-1
I am not sure why Duran pinch-hit with two outs in the 9th.
1B T.J. Rumfield0-for-3, 2 K
C Jesus Rodriguez0-for-2, BB
CF Ismael Munguia0-for-2, BB
DH Dominic Smith: 0-for-3
Smith, a candidate to replace Ben Rice if the injury required an IL stint (doesn’t seem likely) is an uninspiring 7-for-49 with a double and a homer.
SS Andrew Velazquez0-for-3
RF Grant Richardson0-for-3, 3 K
2B Max Burt0-for-2, BB, K

RHP Zach Messinger: (L, 0-1)  5 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 8 K
4.32 ERA (16.2 IP, 19 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 0 HR, 10 BB, 17 K). He has allowed 9 HR in 166.2 IP over the last two seasons (0.49 HR/9)
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
3.52 ERA (7.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 5 BB, 10 K)
RHP Geoff Hartlieb: 1.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
LHP Rob Zastryzny: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K


Somerset (6-8) (Lost to Altoona, 2-1)

3B Dylan Jasso1-for-4, K
.275/.341/.450 in 44 PA (2 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 10 R, 3 BB, 7 K)
CF Spencer Jones0-for-4, 3 K
.235/.361/.549 in 61 PA (1 double, 5 HR, 10 RBI, 11 R, 4-for-4 SB, 14.8% BB, 32.8% K).  In case you forgot, Jones had a 9.9% BB and 36.8% K in 2024.
DH Rafael Flores1-for-4, 2 K
.264/.339/.415 in 59 PA (2 doubles, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 3 R, 2-for-2 SB, 10.2% BB, 33.9% K).  The K% is high so far.
RF Garrett Martin0-for-2, R, 2 HBP
1B Tyler Hardman0-for-4, 2 K
SS Jake Gatewood1-for-3, 2B (7), RBI
.300/.391/.600 in 46 PA (7 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 9 R, 1-for-2 SB). Gatewood is not a prospect, but watching a 29-year-old still trying to realize his MLB dream is fun.
LF Jared Wegner0-for-3
2B Alexander Vargas1-for-3, SB (3), K
Vargas has reached base safely in 9 of his 10 games (hits in eight of those games).
C Antonio Gomez0-for-3, K

LHP Edgar Barclay4.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
RHP Mason Vinyard1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 6 BB, 7 K
RHP Harrison Cohen: (L, 0-1)  1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
RHP Kelly Austin0.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K


Hudson Valley (10-4) (Defeated Wilmington, 8-0)

LF Brendan Jones2-for-4, 2 R, SB (8)
.196/.339/.391 in 56 PA (1 double, 1 triple, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 12 R, 8-for-9 SB, 14.3% BB, 28.6% K). Jones’ combination of patience, speed, and defense allows you to envision his floor as a #4-#5 outfielder.
CF Jace Avina0-for-3, R, HBP, K
.205/.373/.231 in 51 PA. He hit 10+ HR in his first three professional campaigns.
C Omar Martinez: 2-for-4, 3 RBI, R
Martinez is off to a slow start (.240/.309/.280). Maybe this is the game that gets him going.
2B Jose Colmenares0-for-2, R, HBP, BB
3B Josh Moylan1-for-3, 2B (3), 2 RBI, R, SB (1), CS (1)
SS Brenny Escanio1-for-4, 2B (2), 2 RBI, R, K
1B Coby Morales2-for-4
C Tomas Frick1-for-4, K
RF Anthony Hall1-for-4, R, K
Hall has hit safely in five of his six games.

RHP Bryce Cunningham: (W, 2-1)  7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 9 K
3.50 ERA (18 IP, 16 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 1 HR, 2 BB, 22 K). Cunningham allowed five runs in the first inning in his second start. While all stats count, that has thus far been his lone bad inning.
RHP Bryce Warrecker1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
4.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K. That is a strong start to his campaign.
RHP Tyrone Yulie1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K


Tampa (7-7) (Lost to St. Lucie, 4-3, in 12 innings)

SS Roderick Arias1-for-5, R, SB (6), 2 K
Arias has reached base safely in five straight games (4-game hitting streak). He has 3 extra-base hits (2 doubles, HR) and 3 stolen bases during this stretch.
CF Brian Sanchez1-for-5, 3 K
C Engelth Urena1-for-5, HR (3), RBI, R, K
Urena hit a game-tying HR in the top of the 9th.  He has homered three times in his last four games. As I keep saying, his power potential is real (14 HR in 63 career games).
3B Parks Harber1-for-5, RBI, SB (3), 2 K
Harber has an 8-game hitting streak (10-for-29)
1B Tyler Wilson0-for-5, K
LF Dillon Lewis0-for-5, 4 K
RF Austin Green0-for-5, R, K
2B Juan Matheus2-for-4, RBI, K
Matheus gave Tampa a 3-2 lead in the 10th.
DH Josue Gonzalez2-for-4
A much-needed multi-hit effort for Gonzalez (2-for-30 entering the game).

RHP Greysen Carter: 4.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 7 K
Carter was pumping fastballs north of 100 MPH this evening, but his control wasn’t sharp (which is why he will be a work in progress). In his three starts: 10.2 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 HR, 10 BB, 17 K.
RHP Brady Kirtner: 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
2.35 ERA (7.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 4 BB, 5 K)
RHP Brandon Decker: 3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
Decker generated 13 whiffs tonight (7 with his slider, 5 with his change, 1 with his sinker). Every swing against his changeup resulted in a whiff.
RHP Gus Hughes (L, 2-1): 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K


FCL (0-0)

Their season starts on May 3rd.


DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 4/12: Greysen Carter Hits 99.5 MPH

Notes:

RHP Allan Winans was called up to take Marcus Stroman‘s roster spot.

Winans (29) was selected off waivers from the Braves over the winter. He was drafted by the Mets in the 17th round in 2018 and spent four years in the organization before being sent to the Braves as “part of a conditional trade” in 2021. In MLB, he has made eight starts, going 1-4 with a 7.20 ERA in 40 innings with a 20.9% K, 6.6% BB, and 46.9% GB.


Scranton (7-5)

Their game against Rochester was postponed. They will try to make it up on May 7th.


Somerset (4-4) (Swept a doubleheader over Reading)

Game 1 (Won, 10-5)

3B Dylan Jasso2-for-4, RBI, 2 R
Jasso swatted 44 extra-base hits (including 30 doubles) in 120 games last season. He is still looking for his first in 2025 (five games).
CF Spencer Jones1-for-4, R, 2 K
C Rafael Flores1-for-3, 2B (1), RBI, R, BB, K
RF Cole Gabrielson2-for-3, 2B (2), SF, 3 RBI, R
1B Tyler Hardman1-for-3, 2B (2), 2 RBI
CF Garrett Martin0-for-3, R, SB (2), K
LF Jared Wegner2-for-3, HR (1), 2 RBI, 2 R
Wegner hit the organization’s only home run today.
SS Jake Gatewood0-for-1, R, 2 BB
2B Max Burt1-for-3, 2B (1), RBI, R

RHP Baron Stuart2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
Somerset debut for Stuart (he already made his Scranton debut last year, when he tossed a 7-inning complete game during a doubleheader). The 25-year-old was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2022 (Pitt).
RHP Mason Vinyard1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Colby White: (W, 1-1)  1.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
White was claimed off waivers from the Rays in 2024. He has yet to make his MLB debut.
LHP Ryan Anderson2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K

Game 2 (Won, 4-1)

C Jesus Rodriguez1-for-3, RBI, SB (1), K
LF Spencer Jones0-for-3, 2 K
Jones’s first career game in LF (all 224 of his non-DH starts were in CF before tonight). He has three career innings in RF as well. His K% sits at 36.4%.
DH Rafael Flores0-for-3, 2 K
1B Tyler Hardman1-for-2, 2B (3), R, SB (1), BB
CF Cole Gabrielson0-for-0, R, SB (3), 3 BB
Gabrielson’s first career 3 BB game.
RF Grant Richardson0-for-2, SAC, K
3B Jake Gatewood: 2-for-3, 2 2B (3), 2 RBI, R, K
Gatewood had a 40 double campaign in 2017. 
SS Alexander Vargas0-for-3, R, SB (1)
2B Max Burt0-for-3

LHP Edgar Barclay3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
RHP Indigo Diaz: (W, 1-1) 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
Diaz was the other prospect (along with Caleb Durbin) the Yankees acquired for Lucas Luetge in December 2022.
RHP Kelly Austin: (S, 1)  1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K


Hudson Valley (5-3) (Split a doubleheader against Brooklyn)

Game 1 (Won, 2-0)

CF Brendan Jones2-for-4, R, CS (1)
.160/.276/.280 in 29 PA (1 double, 1 triple, 3 RBI, 3 R, 3-for-4 SB, 4 BB, 10 K). The caught stealing was the first in his career (21-for-22 SB)
2B George Lombard Jr.2-for-4, R
Lombard Jr. played 19 games at 2B in 2024.  This season (7 games): .250/.406/.333 in 32 plate appearances.
RF Jackson Castillo1-for-3, 2B (3), BB, K
LF Jace Avina0-for-2, BB, 2 K
DH Omar Martinez1-for-2, RBI, BB
3B Josh Moylan0-for-2, BB, 2 K
C Antonio Gomez0-for-3, K
.316/.350/.632 in 20 PA (1 BB, 7 K)
SS Brenny Escanio0-for-3, 2 K
1B Kiko Romero0-for-3, K

LHP Kyle Carr4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
Carr threw 61 pitches this afternoon. In two starts: 8.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 8 K. The Yankees aggressively placed him here to begin his career last year, and he had his share of struggles. Hopefully, he is more comfortable in 2025.
RHP Chris Kean (W, 1-0): 1.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
28 career games: 0.99 ERA (36.1 IP, 20 H, 7 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 6 BB, 47 K). They signed Kean as an undrafted free agent in 2023.
RHP Cole Ayers (S, 1): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
4.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K. Ayers has thrown in 50 games at this level and should get back to Somerset (8 appearances there last year) this season.

Game 2 (Lost, 2-1. They loaded the bases (and scored a run) with one out in the 7th, but couldn’t push across the tying run.)

CF Jace Avina1-for-2, RBI, SB (1), HBP, BB
LF Jackson Castillo0-for-3, BB, K
.269/.387/.385 in 35 PA (3 doubles, 7 RBI, 2-for-2 SB, 6 BB, 9 K). Castillo isn’t on their top prospects lists, but he is interesting.
C Omar Martinez0-for-3, K
.276/.382/.345 in 34 PA (2 doubles, 4 RBI, 2 R, 5 BB, 12 K)
2B Jose Colmenares1-for-3, K
3B Josh Moylan0-for-3, 2 K
SS Brenny Escanio0-for-3, 2 K
1B Coby Morales1-for-3, 3B (1), R
DH Tomas Frick0-for-2, BB, K
RF Anthony Hall1-for-2, BB, K

RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz: (L, 0-1)  5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
9.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 HR, 6 BB, 9 K. Given he came from the Red Sox for Carlos Narvaez, the spotlight will be brighter than your typical “lottery ticket” type.
RHP Tyrone Yulie1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Yulie has been used as a short reliever in his first three games this season. Before this season, 57 of his 59 appearances were starts.


Tampa (4-4) (Lost to Fort Myers, 2-1)

SS Roderick Arias0-for-5, 2 K
.147/.275/.206 in 40 PA.
DH Edgleen Perez1-for-4, BB, 3 K
“If he continues to struggle, could he be demoted to the FCL?”  Since he is only 18, it’s possible, but I wouldn’t call it probable. We still have several weeks until the FCL begins, so keep throwing Perez out there.
CF Brian Sanchez0-for-4, CS (1), BB
C Engelth Urena1-for-5, 2B (2), R, SB (1), K
Urena steals home on the backend of a double steal.
3B Parks Harber1-for-3, SB (2), BB, K
LF Tyler Wilson: 2-for-4, 2 SB (3), K
8-for-27  with eight walks and ten strikeouts.
RF Dillon Lewis: 2-for-4, SB (3), K
2B Juan Matheus0-for-3, BB
1B Josue Gonzalez0-for-3, BB, 2 K

RHP Greysen Carter: (L, 0-1)  3.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
Carter doesn’t always know where the ball is going, but he topped out at 99.5 MPH today. In addition to the 4-seamer, he can dial it up with his cutter (98.6 max; 94.9 average) and features a slider and curve. This is a golden arm that they need to harness.
RHP Brady Kirtner1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
3.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
RHP Jack Sokol2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
3.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
RHP Alex Bustamante1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K


FCL (0-0)

Their season starts on May 3rd.


DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 4/6: Bryce Cunningham Impresses in Debut

Notes:

Nothing to report


Scranton (5-4) (Doubled Up Syracuse, 8-4)

CF Ismael Munguia2-for-5, 2 R, SB (2)
Munguia’s solid start continues (11-for-35 (.314/.400/.371)).
RF Everson Pereira2-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, 2 R, BB, K
Do the Yankees feel that Pereira can be the right-handed bat they seek? I have no idea.
1B T.J. Rumfield0-for-4, R, BB, K
C Alex Jackson1-for-4, 2 RBI, R, BB, K
LF Dominic Smith0-for-3, BB
3B Jose Rojas1-for-4, RBI, K
  3B Jorbit Vivas1-for-1, HR (2), 3 RBI, R
Vivas makes the most of his at-bat. He is 10-for-33 (.303) with a pair of doubles, homers, and 9 RBI.
DH Ronaldo Hernandez1-for-5, 2 K
SS Andrew Velazquez1-for-5
2B Braden Shewmake1-for-3, R, BB, K

RHP Zach Messinger4 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
8 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 4 K
RHP Colten Brewer1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Allan Winans2.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
RHP Kervin Castro (W, 1-0): 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K


Somerset (1-2) (Mauled by Hartford, 16-5)

3B Jesus Rodriguez0-for-5, R
Rodriguez is facing a challenge for the first time in his career, as he is hitting .204/.257/.367 in 26 Double-A games. He will need to adjust to the upper level.
DH Spencer Jones1-for-3, R, BB, K
3-for-11 with a double, two walks, and five strikeouts.
C Rafael Flores1-for-4, HR (2), 3 RBI, R, K
Flores has homered in back-to-back games and has 17 in 68 Double-A games over the last two seasons. The power looks real.
1B Tyler Hardman1-for-3, BB, K
LF Cole Gabrielson0-for-4, 3 K
CF Garrett Martin0-for-2, R, SB (1), 2 BB, 2 K
RF Jared Wegner0-for-3, BB, 2 K
SS Jake Gatewood0-for-3, R, SB (1), HBP, K
2B Alexander Vargas1-for-2, RBI, HBP
  PH Max Burt0-for-1

RHP Trent Sellers3 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, HR
The 25-year-old broke out in 2024, pitching to a 2.26 ERA in 83.2 IP with a 100/40 K/BB (only allowed 43 hits). While he made an emergency appearance for Scranton, I would consider today his upper-level debut (he spent last year in Hudson Valley).
RHP Colby White (L, 0-1): 1.1 IP, 4 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, HR
RHP Cole Percival0.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR
Percival was signed to a minor league contract in January. This is his first go-around for an East Coast organization (previously with the Dodgers, Angels, and Diamondbacks).  Yes, he is the son of former Angels’ closer Troy Percival.
RHP Zach Greene: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
It’s been a long road for the 28-year-old drafted by the Yankees in 2019. He was drafted in the Rule 5 by the Mets in 2022, but injuries kept him off the MLB roster. He was returned to the Yankees in 2023 and this is his first appearance since that year.
RHP Luis Pacheco0.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Danny Watson1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
A healthy season for Watson would add some extra punch to the organization. Before a tough 2024 season (coming off of an injury), he was dominant in 2023 (1.58 ERA with an 82/25 K/BB over 62.2 IP)


Hudson Valley (2-1) (Defeated Jersey Shore, 6-2)

LF Brendan Jones0-for-5, 3 K
SS George Lombard Jr.1-for-3, R, CS (1), BB, HBP, K
3-for-10 with a triple and a pair of walks. 
C Omar Martinez2-for-5, R, 2 K
5-for-13
CF Jace Avina2-for-5, 2 R, 2 K
3B-1B Josh Moylan: 0-for-2, SF, RBI, HBP
2B Jose Colmenares2-for-4, 2B (1), 2 RBI, R, K
The 23-year-old had a strong 26-game audition here in 2023 (.244/.410/.564 with seven home runs). However, he missed all of 2024 to injury.
RF Anthony Hall2-for-4, 2B (1), HR (1), 3 RBI, R, K
An interesting prospect when he was drafted in the 4th round in 2022, injuries have limited Hall’s playing time. In 48 games last year, he hit .222/.320/.316 with a pair of home runs.
DH Tomas Frick0-for-3, BB
1B Kiko Romero2-for-3, 2B (1), K
  3B Brenny Escanio1-for-1

RHP Bryce Cunningham (W, 1-0): 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 7 K
The Yankees drafted a lot of pitchers in 2024. Cunningham (22; 6’5″) was taken in the 2nd round out of Vanderbilt. Throwing in the mid-to-upper 90s, he has a chance to become your favorite pitching prospect in the system. That is his ceiling. Will he reach it?
LHP Will Brian1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
The 25-year-old pitched in two games in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Hopefully, he can break the 3-game barrier in 2025 (injuries, injuries, injuries).
RHP Chris Kean1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Kean had an impressive 2024 debut, pitching to a 1.08 ERA in 25 games (33.1 IP). He allowed 15 hits, walked five, and struck out 44.
RHP Bryce Warrecker1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Warrecker stands an impressive 6’8″. In 19 starts last year, he went 2-7 with a 5.79 ERA and 46/30 K/BB over 65.1 innings.
RHP Huey Morrill1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K


Tampa (2-1) (The undefeated dream is over as they lose to Lakeland, 6-5)

SS Roderick Arias0-for-5, K
A tough start to the season for Arias (0-for-12, 1 R, 3 BB, 5 K)
DH Edgleen Perez1-for-5, R, 2 K
RF Brian Sanchez1-for-4, 3B (1), 2 RBI, 2 R, BB, K
Sanchez has 9 triples in 341 career plate appearances.
C Engelth Urena0-for-3, SF, RBI, BB, 2 K
3B Parks Harber0-for-3, R, BB, K
LF Tyler Wilson1-for-4, BB, K
2B Austin Green3-for-5, 2 RBI, K
Green’s first career multi-hit effort.
1B Josue Gonzalez0-for-4
CF Marshall Toole1-for-3, R, SB (1), BB, K
Last year’s 15th-round pick (Tulsa) hit .255/.449/.353 in 17 games with an 8-for-10 stolen base rate in his debut at this level.

RHP Greysen Carter3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 4 K
The professional debut for their 5th-round pick in the 2024 draft (Vanderbilt). Carter is known to hit triple digits, but the talent is raw. Last season for Vanderbilt, he posted a 6.58 ERA in 39.2 IP with a 38/31 K/BB.
LHP Tyler Matzek1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
The first rehab appearance for the 34-year-old.  The Yankees have an upcoming bullpen jam to work out.
RHP Jackson Fristoe2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
The strong-armed 24-year-old has dealt with injuries and wildness in his brief professional career.
RHP Jack Sokol (L, 0-1): 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
The professional debut for Sokol, who was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Pittsburgh in 2024.
RHP Tony Rossi1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Rossi, who turns 26 in July, makes his professional debut. He was signed as an undrafted free agent last year (UNC Charlotte). 


FCL (0-0)

Their season starts on May 3rd.


DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.