Tag: Griffin Herring

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

Notes:

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

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

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

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

Injury Log

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FCL (9-11)

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

DSL Yankees (0-0)

Their season begins on Monday.

DSL Bombers (0-0)

Their season begins on Monday.

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

Yankees MILB 5/22: Griffin Herring Dazzles (6 IP, 0 H, 10 K)

Notes:

Cooper Hummel has exercised an opt-out clause in his contract and will become a free agent if the Yankees don’t add him to their 26-man roster. I find that unlikely, as his MLB career (.159/.255/.275 in 82 games) hardly inspires confidence. Furthermore, he is primarily an outfielder, which the Yankees don’t need.

I wouldn’t cry if he replaced Pablo Reyes, but that bar is hardly high.

Injury Log

Scranton (21-25) (Lost to Nashville, 7-6, in 11 innings. I just noticed that former Yankees’ prospect Anthony Seigler plays for Nashville. He is hitting .282 with a .946 OPS in 150 plate appearances. The first-round pick in the 2018 draft reached minor league free agency last winter and signed with the Brewers.)

3B Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-6, R, SB (7), K
Not his best effort during the streak, but Rodriguez’s hitting streak reaches 12. He has 25 hits in 16 May games.
LF Dominic Smith: 1-for-6, R, K
C Alex Jackson: 2-for-4, 2 HR (8), 2 RBI, 2 R, SB (1), BB
The alternating home run streak continues!  Jackson has homered in five of his last nine games (HR, no HR, HR, no HR, HR, no HR, HR, no HR, 2 HR). 
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-3, SF, RBI, K
   2B Braden Shewmake: 0-for-1, SB (4)
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 1-for-4, RBI, BB, K
DH Jose Rojas: 1-for-4, R, SB (3), BB
SS Andrew Velazquez: 1-for-5, R, SB (11), 2 K
2B-1B Jake Gatewood: 0-for-3, SAC, BB, 2 K
One thing Gatewood has done well in his minor league career is hit home runs. This season, he has only two in 33 games.
CF Ismael Munguia: 1-for-5, 2B (5), 2 RBI, 2 K

RHP Erick Leal: 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 2 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
4.26 ERA (19 IP, 9 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 1 HR, 21 BB, 20 K). He may be hard to hit (38 hits/98 strikeouts in 69.1 career innings), but those darn walks (47).
RHP Scott Effross: 0.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
If I didn’t mention it, Effross is no longer on a rehab stint. The Yankees officially optioned him to Scranton.
RHP Zach Messinger: (L, 0-3) 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
Back-to-back relief outings for Messinger. He hit 95 MPH with his 4-seam fastball. A story to watch if this is a permanent move, though he was given a starter’s workload here.

Somerset (19-21)

Their game against New Hampshire was postponed. They will attempt to make it up on Saturday.

Hudson Valley (27-14) (Trounced Winston-Salem, 13-2)

2B Roc Riggio: 2-for-4, HR (5), 2 RBI, 3 R, HBP, BB, K
Riggio is scorching (.295/.456/.750; 3 doubles, 1 triple, 5 HR, 14 RBI, 14 R in 12 games). He has homered in back-to-back games and has four home runs in his last four games.
CF Brendan Jones: 0-for-4, 2 R, 2 BB, K
RF Coby Morales: 4-for-5, 2 2B (7), HR (4), 3 RBI, 3 R, BB, K
Morales earns his first career 4-hit effort. He went 3-for-19 in his brief Somerset stay. If he continues to rake here, he’ll get a longer stay.
1B Parks Harber: 3-for-6, 2 2B (5), 2 RBI, 2 R, K
Since promotion: .338/.390/.563 in 77 PA with three 3+ hit efforts. As an undrafted college bat, you won’t see Harber high on any organizational prospect lists. Nobody will care if he keeps raking as he moves up the chain.
DH Omar Martinez: 1-for-4, RBI, BB, K
LF Jackson Castillo: 2-for-5, 2 2B (11), 2 RBI, R
Castillo continues a recent surge, collecting multiple hits for the third time in his last five games. That has increased his triple slash from .216/.328/336 to .235/.334/.360. As you know, as sample sizes get larger, brief surges don’t increase your numbers significantly.
SS Jose Colmenares: 0-for-3, R, SB (5), 2 BB, K
3B Josh Moylan: 1-for-4, RBI, HBP, K
C Tomas Frick: 0-for-2, R, HBP, 2 BB, K

RHP Ben Hess (W, 4-2): 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 7 K
3.28 ERA (35.2 IP, 20 H, 16 R, 13 ER, 1 HR, 20 BB, 52 K). I love the strikeouts. The walk rate needs work. That is why they have the minor leagues.
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Huey Morrill: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Bryce Warrecker: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
0.50 ERA (18 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 3 BB, 24 K). If the plan is to keep him in the bullpen permanently, a trip to Somerset may not be far off.

Tampa (22-20) (Their hot streak continues, courtesy of a 3-1 win over Dunedin. Dunedin entered this series as one of the top dogs in the division. They are now in second place. Tampa is in 4th place, but only 2.5 games behind first-place Lakeland.)

DH Edgleen Perez: 0-for-3, 2 BB
.225/.391/.258 in 156 PA. Perez has 31 walks (19.9%). 
C Engelth Urena: 0-for-4, BB
RF Dillon Lewis: 1-for-4, HR (6), RBI, R, 3 K
.219/.296/.425 in 162 PA (8 doubles, 2 triples, 6 HR, 20 RBI, 25 R, 9-for-10 SB, 9.3% BB, 29% K). His power/speed combination is enticing, and he has hit better overall in May (.279/.355/.618 with five homers and 17 RBI)
SS Juan Matheus: 0-for-2, R, SB (12), 2 BB
The hitting streak is over, but he still contributed. He is hitting .302/.369/.373 in 149 PA. Scouting reports are scarce, but Fangraphs ranked him 26th in the organization, touting his versatility (shortstop should remain part of that profile) and bat-to-ball skills. Power? Not likely to be one of his strengths.
LF Tyler Wilson: 1-for-3, RBI, BB, K
3B Hans Montero: 0-for-4, 2 K
2B Owen Cobb: 0-for-4, 2 K
His hitting streak comes to an end. He is hitting .417/.455/.733 in 67 PA while playing 2B/SS/3B.
CF Marshall Toole: 2-for-4, 3B (4), R
.305/.400/.453 in 110 PA. 
1B Josue Gonzalez: 2-for-4, K

LHP Griffin Herring (W, 4-1): 6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 10 K
I said earlier this week that Bryce Cunningham has been the most impressive 2024 draftee. Given the level difference, I still believe that, but Herring has made a case. He owns a 1.21 ERA in 44.2 IP (24 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 2 HR, 16 BB, 58 K). He leads the Florida State League in strikeouts and batting average against (second in ERA and WHIP).
RHP Jackson Fristoe: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Chris Veach (S, 3): 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
1.59 ERA (17 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 10 BB, 29 K)

FCL (6-8) (Lost to the Tigers, 6-4)

LF Brando Mayea: 0-for-4
CF Cam Eden: 0-for-3, SF, RBI
RF Wilson Rodriguez: 1-for-2, 2 SB (2), BB
The left-handed hitting outfielder (20) was drafted out of high school in the 17th round in 2023. This was only his 25th career game.
3B Santiago Gomez: 1-for-3, SB (3), BB, K
.297/.325/.297 in 40 plate appearances.
2B Luis Escudero: 1-for-3, 2 R, BB, K

RHP Stanly Alcantara: 4.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Alcantara has allowed five walks in ten innings. Before this season, he walked 56 in 38.1 innings. Progress!

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 5/14: Juan Matheus Goes 6-for-6

Notes:

There is nothing new.

Injury Log

Scranton (20-19) (Defeated Toledo, 5-4)

C Jesus Rodriguez: 2-for-4, 2B (4), R
Since promotion: .358/.471/.469 in 102 PA (4 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 14 RBI, 21 R, 17.6% BB, 11.8% K).  His career triple slash sits at .309/.397/.467 in 1,300 plate appearances. He hits, hits, hits and is on a 6-game hitting streak.
LF Cooper Hummel: 2-for-4, R, SB (1)
DH Everson Pereira: 1-for-3, R, BB
.289/.381/.567 in 105 PA (1 double, 8 HR, 19 RBI, 25 R, 3-for-3 SB, 12.4% BB, 31.4% K). The K% is slowly falling.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-3, HR (6), 2 RBI, 2 R, BB
.305/.404/.534 in 141 PA (9 doubles, 6 HR, 26 RBI, 27 R, 2-for-3 SB, 12.1% BB, 18.4% K).  He is 15-for-31 (.484/.528/.742) in May with a pair of doubles and homers.
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 K
Since the Yankees claimed him, he has gone 4-for-33 (.121) with a homer, three walks, and 12 strikeouts.
3B Jose Rojas: 0-for-2, SF, RBI
   3B Andrew Velazquez: 0-for-1
2B Jake Gatewood: 0-for-4, 2 K
SS Braden Shewmake: 1-for-3, SB (3), K
.203/.338/.344 in 78 PA (1 double, 1 triple, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 9 R, 3-for-3 SB). 
CF Ismael Munguia: 0-for-3

LHP Brandon Leibrandt: 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, HR
LHP Brent Headrick (W, 2-0): 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR
4.15 ERA (8.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 4 BB, 5 K)
RHP Sean Boyle (S, 1): 3 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, HR
Boyle’s 5th career save. Season: 4.28 ERA (40 IP, 33 H, 22 R, 19 ER, 6 HR, 14 BB, 45 K)

Somerset (14-19)

Their game against Portland was postponed. They will attempt to make it up on June 11th. They have a doubleheader scheduled for tomorrow (makeup of Tuesday’s game).

Hudson Valley (23-10)

Their game against Aberdeen was postponed. They will attempt to play two tomorrow.

Tampa (17-19) (Scored 21 runs in a doubleheader sweep of Palm Beach)

Game 1 (Won, 9-2)

DH Dillon Lewis: 0-for-4, R, K
C Engelth Urena: 2-for-4, HR (4), RBI, 2 R
Urena’s first HR since April 19th (at the time, he had hit three HR in four games).
SS Juan Matheus: 4-for-4, RBI, 2 R
Matheus compiles his first career 4-hit game.
RF Austin Green: 2-for-2, HR (1), 2 RBI, R, HBP, BB
LF Tyler Wilson: 1-for-4, RBI
1B Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-4, 2 K
2B Hans Montero: 1-for-3, R, K
CF Marshall Toole: 1-for-3, 2B (4), R
3B Owen Cobb: 1-for-3, HR (3), 3 RBI, R, K
9 extra-base hits in 10 games this season (4 (all doubles) in 18 games last year).

LHP Griffin Herring: 4 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, HR
1.40 ERA (38.2 IP, 24 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 2 HR, 14 BB, 48 K). Herring is averaging 87 pitches per start (77 today). 
RHP Gus Hughes (W, 3-1): 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Cade Austin: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
3.21 ERA (14 IP, 14 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 6 BB, 12 K)

Game 2 (Won, 12-4)

C Edgleen Perez: 2-for-4, 2B (4), RBI, R
Watch out once his offensive game (beyond the walks) starts improving.
DH Engelth Urena: 2-for-3, 2 R, BB
Urena entered the doubleheader 7-for-36 in May. 
CF Dillon Lewis: 3-for-3, 2B (7), HR (5), 2 RBI, 3 R, BB
Lewis is 13-for-42 (.310; 3 doubles, 2 triples, 4 HR, 13 RBI, 14 R) in 11 May contests (.167/.244/.256 in April)
3B Juan Matheus: 2-for-2, 2 SF, 2 RBI, R
Matheus is hitting .291 with a .702 OPS and is 8-for-10 in his last three games (his OPS was .619 before that).
2B Austin Green: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, R, K
RF Tyler Wilson: 2-for-4, 2B (2), HR (1), 4 RBI, R, 2 K
Wilson sets a personal best for RBI in a game.
1B Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-3, BB
LF Marshall Toole: 1-for-3, 2 R, BB
SS Owen Cobb: 2-for-3, R
Cobb didn’t add to his extra-base hit totals, but the raking continues. He is 15-for-35 (.429).

RHP Danny Flatt: 4 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
4.43 ERA (22.1 IP, 21 H, 14 R, 11 ER, 2 HR, 14 BB, 20 K)
RHP Jack Sokol (W, 1-1): 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Sokol’s first professional win. Season: 3.55 ERA (12.2 IP, 14 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 4 BB, 12 K)
RHP Brady Kirtner: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR
2.75 ERA (19.2 IP, 12 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 HR, 7 BB, 20 K)

FCL (5-3)

Day off.

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 5/8: Ben Hess Dominates

Notes:

OF Brennen Davis started his rehab stint in the FCL today. Once a top prospect for the Cubs (Baseball America ranked him 16th in 2022, and he played in the 2021 Futures Game), injuries have slowed him down. In 2021, as a 21-year-old trying Double-A for the first time, he hit an impressive .252/.367/.474 (134 wRC+) in 76 games with 13 homers and 36 RBI.

Injuries are a part of the game, and Davis can’t shake the bug. The Yankees signed him, hoping to tap into what he once was. Last season, in Triple-A Iowa, he hit .214/.359/.469 (110 wRC+) in 181 plate appearances with 11 home runs.

When his rehab is over, he’ll join Everson Pereira and Bryan De La Cruz as right-handed hitting outfield depth.

RHP Jon Olsen was signed to a minor league contract and assigned to Somerset. The 27-year-old was a 12th-round pick by the Twins in 2018, but was out of the organization in 2022. After not pitching in 2023, he ended up in the Independent Atlantic League in 2024, where he compiled a 12-3 record with a 3.60 ERA in 127.2 IP for York. This season, he pitched in the Mexican League, where he was 2-1 with a 3.18 ERA in three starts (17 IP) with a 19/6 K/BB. For now, he is organizational depth. We’ll monitor his progress.

RHP Carlos Carrasco cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to Scranton. I have no problem with that, as they need the pitching depth.

Due to some feedback, I have updated the injury log below. It is now sorted by last name, with the Top 30 organizational prospects listed at the top.

Injury Log

Scranton (17-17) (After waiting for 3+ hours, they postponed this game against Rochester due to rain. Weird that they waited so long. The lineup was provided and is below.)

CF Everson Pereira: 0-for-0
2B DJ LeMahieu: 0-for-0
1B T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-0
C Jesus Rodriguez: 0-for-0
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 0-for-0
LF Dominic Smith: 0-for-0
3B Jose Rojas: 0-for-0
DH Alex Jackson: 0-for-0
SS Braden Shewmake: 0-for-0

RHP Zach McAllister: 0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Until the Yankees find starters, McAllister can put himself on the map for spot starts. However, he hasn’t pitched well thus far.

Somerset (12-18) (Lost to Akron, 5-0. Somerset has suffered three straight shutouts since George Lombard Jr.‘s promotion. The kid is going to develop a complex)

3B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-4, K
2B George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-4, K
1-for-11 with a walk and three strikeouts. This is his second start at second base this season (24 at SS; 1 at 3B)
1B Rafael Flores: 1-for-4, K
Flores hasn’t drawn a walk in seven May games (9 in 23 April games)
DH Tyler Hardman: 0-for-4, 2 K
CF Garrett Martin: 1-for-4, 2 K
.195/.340/.402 in 100 PA. Martin has a .200 BABIP, which should normalize.
LF Jared Wegner: 1-for-4, K
RF Christopher Familia: 0-for-3, BB
With Spencer Jones and Cole Gabrielson on the injured list, Familia should see extended playing time.
C Antonio Gomez: 0-for-3, K
SS Max Burt: 1-for-2, BB

RHP Brendan Beck: (L, 2-1) 4.1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 7 K (personal best)
2.28 ERA (23.2 IP, 15 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 0 HR, 4 BB, 26 K). The start to Beck’s season is encouraging.
LHP Will Brian: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Brian allowed two of Beck’s runners to score before tossing a clean 6th inning. Since promotion: 9 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 9 K
RHP Luis Pacheco: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Kelly Austin: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
9.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 9 K. If you want to get yourself on the radar, throw up a bunch of zeroes in your first eight Double-A games.

Hudson Valley (20-9) (Walloped Wilmington, 12-1. It’s their second straight 12-1 triumph)

CF Brendan Jones: 2-for-6, RBI, R, SB (13)
Jones is 31-for-34 (91.2%) stealing bases in 49 career games.
LF Jackson Castillo: 2-for-5, 2B (8), 2 R, SB (4), BB
.255/.366/.372 in 112 PA. He has back-to-back multi-hit efforts after a 1-for-15 start to May.
3B Parks Harber: 2-for-5, RBI, 3 R, BB, K
Harber is hitting .314 (11-for-35) since his promotion (he has hit safely in seven of eight games).
DH Omar Martinez: 2-for-4, 2 HR (5), 3 RBI, 2 R, HBP, BB, K
Martinez has homered in three straight games. In six May games: 12-for-23 (3 doubles, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 9 R, 4 BB, 4 K).  He is up to .283/.374/.485 in 115 PA. I would consider swapping him and Antonio Gomez.
2B Jose Colmenares: 1-for-5, BB, 2 K
SS Brenny Escanio: 2-for-5, 2B (3), RBI, 2 R, BB, 2 K
1B Josh Moylan: 0-for-3, SF, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 2 K
C Tomas Frick: 1-for-3, 2B (4), RBI, R, 2 BB, K
RF Anthony Hall: 2-for-5, 2 RBI, K

RHP Ben Hess: (W, 2-2)  6.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K
Hess has three 9-strikeout efforts this season. He lost the no-hitter with no outs in the 7th, but instantly generated a ground ball double play before leaving. He tossed 88 pitches (63 strikes). Season: 3.24 ERA (25 IP, 12 H, 12 R, 9 ER, 1 HR, 12 BB, 39 K). The spotlight will be brighter on Hess, since he was their first-round pick in 2024. He is performing well.
RHP Huey Morrill: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Tony Rossi: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Since promotion: 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K. Overall: 11.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 18 K. That’s how you make an impression in your first professional campaign.

Tampa (13-17) (Swept a doubleheader against Daytona)

Game 1 (Won, 13-2. 13 runs, 11 hits, 10 walks)

C Edgleen Perez: 2-for-5, RBI
Perez hits the .200 mark for the first time since April 6th. 
CF Brian Sanchez: 2-for-4, 3B (3), RBI, 2 R, CS (3), BB, K
DH Engelth Urena: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB, K
LF Dillon Lewis: 1-for-4, 2B (5), RBI, 2 R, BB, K
SS Juan Matheus: 2-for-4, R, BB, K
RF Tyler Wilson: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, R, BB
2B Austin Green: 0-for-2, RBI, R, 2 BB
1B Josue Gonzalez: 1-for-3, RBI, 2 R, SB (6), BB
.159/.286/.261 in 84 PA. 
3B Hans Montero: 1-for-2, RBI, 2 R, SB (4), BB, K
.240/.356/.328 in 59 PA. 

LHP Griffin Herring: 4.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
1.04 ERA (34.2 IP, 20 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 13 BB, 44 K). The Max Fried of the Florida State League (it’s a joke, don’t take it seriously) allows more than one run for the first time in his 6-start career.
RHP Brady Kirtner (W, 2-0): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
1.56 ERA (17.1 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 14 K)
RHP Chris Veach: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
2.13 ERA (12.2 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 7 BB, 20 K)

Game 2 (Won, 6-3)

DH Edgleen Perez: 2-for-4, RBI, HBP, K
I love that they keep throwing him out there, even if he caught the first game of a doubleheader. He needs reps, reps, reps.  His batting average is now .214.
RF Brian Sanchez: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, R, BB
Sanchez is having himself a doubleheader (4-for-8, 3B, 3 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB). He has three straight multi-hit efforts.
C Engelth Urena: 1-for-2, R, 2 BB
Drawing walks is nothing new for Urena (49 in 322 career plate appearances; 15.2%)
LF Dillon Lewis: 1-for-4, 2B (6), RBI, R, 2 K
Lewis has two doubles and two homers in six May games (five extra-base hits in 21 April games)
3B Juan Matheus: 0-for-2, SF, RBI, BB, K
1B Tyler Wilson: 0-for-4, 2 K
2B Austin Green: 0-for-3, R, BB, K
CF Marshall Toole: 2-for-4, 2B (2), 3B (2), 2 K
Toole’s third straight 2-hit effort (6-for-11, 1 double, 2 triples).
SS Owen Cobb: 2-for-3, 2B (4), 2 R, CS (1), BB
9-for-18 with four doubles, a homer, 10 runs, and a 6-for-7 stolen base rate.

RHP Danny Flatt: (W, 1-2)  5 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
The rain delay (which occurred in the second inning) wasn’t long enough to knock Flatt out of the game, which worked well for him. Nobody wants a wasted start.  Season: 5.40 ERA (18.1 IP, 19 H, 12 R, 11 ER, 2 HR, 13 BB, 15 K)
RHP Jack Sokol: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
4.22 ERA (10.2 IP, 13 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 4 BB, 10 K)
RHP Cade Austin (S, 1): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

FCL (3-1) (Defeated the Phillies, 3-1. I told you they keep playing the same teams!)

DH Brando Mayea: 1-for-4, 2B (3), RBI, R, SB (2), CS (2), BB, K
Mayea has three doubles in four games (4 extra-base hits (2 doubles, 2 triples) in 35 games at this level in 2024). I don’t worry about stolen base rates in the low minors – if a kid has speed, they learn by running.
CF Isael Arias: 2-for-5, RBI, SB (2)
5-for-15
RF Brennen Davis: 1-for-2, K
His first rehab game.
  RF Gabriel Lara: 1-for-2, CS (1)
SS Santiago Gomez: 2-for-4, R

RHP Omar Gonzalez: 3.2 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
Only 19, Gonzalez has spent four years in the rookie leagues. However, he has compiled only 58.1 innings (28 hits, 42 BB, 80 K)
RHP Sunayro Martina (W, 1-1): 3.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 9 K
LHP Franyer Herrera (S, 1): 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Herrera’s first career save.

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 5/1: Griffin Herring Ks 11

Notes:

The Yankees claimed OF Bryan De La Cruz off waivers from the Braves. In a corresponding move, Giancarlo Stanton was moved to the 60-day IL.

De La Cruz is a one-dimensional power hitter. In 2024, with the Marlins and Pirates, he hit .233/.271/.384 with 21 home runs in 622 plate appearances. This year, the power hasn’t shown up in a small sample size, as he didn’t homer in 50 PA for the Braves. De La Cruz is meh defensively, rating strongly with his arm but not with his range.  He has experience at all three outfield positions. Speed-wise, he rates out fine on Baseball Savant and is 15-for-19 (78.9%) stealing bases in his career.

My take:  The Yankees are looking for right-handed pop, so adding De La Cruz as a depth piece makes sense. It’s a zero-risk move. As a prospect guy, I hope Everson Pereira is above him on the depth chart, but nothing wrong with depth chart competition.

RHP Huey Morrill was promoted from Hudson Valley to Somerset. Morrill owned a 0.93 ERA in seven games for Hudson Valley with a 6/4 K/BB over 9.2 innings.

The FCL season starts on Saturday. I cover the FCL/DSL for those new to this report, but not as extensively as the other levels. For example, you won’t get daily lineups except on (maybe) Opening Day.

Infielder DJ LeMahieu is scheduled to resume his rehab stint on Friday.

Injury Log

Scranton (15-14) (Outslugged Syracuse, 19-8. The Railriders compiled 23 hits, with eight hitters accomplishing multi-hit efforts.)

CF Ismael Munguia: 3-for-5, RBI, 3 R, SB (7), BB
.255/.373/.382 in 128 PA
DH Everson Pereira: 2-for-5, 2 HR (5), 3 RBI, 3 R, BB, K
Pereira tends to go on home run binges from time to time.  This is his 10th career multi-home run game (including a 3-HR effort on September 5, 2021)
1B T.J. Rumfield: 4-for-5, RBI, 3 R, BB
.272/.387/.489. He has broken free of his 1-for-24 slump.
C Jesus Rodriguez: 3-for-6, 3 R
Rodriguez has five multi-hit games in 14 contests since his promotion, including three 3-hit games. For Scranton, he is hitting .388/.500/.490 and, during his 6-game hitting streak, he is 13-for-24.  Red hot.
RF Dominic Smith: 2-for-6, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 K
3B Jose Rojas: 3-for-6, 3 HR (6), 8 RBI, 3 R
Rojas’s first career 3-HR game. He also set a new personal record for RBI in a game.
2B Jake Gatewood: 3-for-6, RBI, 2 K
Gatewood is 7-for-28 with a homer and 7 RBI since his promotion.
LF Grant Richardson: 2-for-4, 2 2B (4), RBI, R, 2 BB, K
SS Andrew Velazquez: 1-for-6, R, K

RHP Zach Messinger: 4.1 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, HR
6.48 ERA (25 IP, 30 H, 18 R, 18 ER, 3 HR, 15 BB, 23 K)
RHP Kervin Castro: (W, 3-0)  1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
1.10 ERA (16.1 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 7 BB, 19 K)
RHP Colten Brewer: 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Wilking Rodriguez: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Somerset (11-13) (Lost to Richmond, 5-1)

3B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-3, BB, K
DH Spencer Jones: 1-for-3, SB (6), BB, K
.235/.375/.553 in 104 PA. Overall, in Double-A, his triple slash is .256/.342/.461 in 163 games with 34 doubles, 6 triples, 28 HR, 102 RBI, 101 runs, and 39 stolen bases in 52 attempts.
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-4, 2 K
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-4, 3 K
LF Cole Gabrielson: 1-for-2, 2B (4), R, SB (9), 2 BB
2B Jose Colmenares: 0-for-3, BB, K
CF Garrett Martin: 1-for-3, 2B (4), BB
Martin has seven walks in his last three games and four extra-base hits (2 doubles, 2 HR) in his last five games. Before this run, his triple slash was .174/.333/.348. Now, it is .210/.388/.468.
RF Jared Wegner: 0-for-3, 2 K
SS Alexander Vargas: 1-for-3, RBI, K

RHP Cam Schlittler: (L, 2-2) 5 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
2.33 ERA (27 IP, 22 H, 12 R, 7 ER, 1 HR, 6 BB, 29 K).  He hadn’t allowed more than one earned run in a start this season (allowed 6 runs, but only one earned, on 4/17)
RHP Cole Ayers: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Huey Morrill: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Morrill’s Double-A debut.

Hudson Valley (16-8) (Lost to Jersey Shore, 9-2)

RF Brendan Jones: 0-for-3, SF, RBI, BB
SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-4, BB, K
There goes the .500 OBP! Bust!  Lombard has reached base safely in 21 of 22 games and has drawn a walk in five straight contests.
CF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-4, R, BB, 2 K
LF Jace Avina: 0-for-3, HBP, 2 K
His insane 8-game hitting streak, where he averaged two hits per game, is over.
3B Parks Harber: 1-for-4, K
Harber is 5-for-12 since his promotion 
1B Coby Morales: 0-for-3, RBI, BB, K
C Omar Martinez: 2-for-3, R, BB
.228/.319/.291 in 91 PA. The lack of power (2 doubles, 1 HR) is the most surprising thing in his profile (15 doubles, 13 HR, .404 SLG in 104 games here last year)
DH Josh Moylan: 0-for-3, BB, K
2B Brenny Escanio: 0-for-2, 2 BB

RHP Josh Grosz (L, 1-1): 4.2 IP, 11 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, HR
6.06 ERA (16.1 IP, 18 H, 12 R, 11 ER, 2 HR, 9 BB, 22 K)
LHP Geoffrey Gilbert: 1.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Hayden Merda: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Matt Keating: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
4.05 ERA (6.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 6 BB, 6 K). Keating has 184 strikeouts in 142.1 career innings. However, he has walked 76.
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Tampa (9-15) (Lost to Bradenton, 1-0)

C Edgleen Perez: 1-for-4
.183/.367/.200 in 79 PA (21.5% BB, 25.3% K)
DH Engelth Urena: 0-for-2, HBP, BB
.173/.337/.320 in 95 PA (15.8% BB, 21.1% K)
LF Dillon Lewis: 0-for-4, 2 K
Lewis’s rough start continues (.159/.233/.241 in 90 PA).
2B Austin Green: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
RF Tyler Wilson: 0-for-3, BB, K
SS Juan Matheus: 0-for-3, SB (5), CS (3), BB, 2 K
CF Marshall Toole: 0-for-3, BB, K
1B Hans Montero: 1-for-3, HBP
Montero’s first career game at first base. 
3B Owen Cobb: 0-for-3, 2 K

LHP Griffin Herring: (L, 3-1)  6.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 11 K, HR
Tough luck loss. Season: 0.60 ERA (30 IP, 17 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 10 BB, 39 K). Herring generated 26 whiffs with his slider (8 whiffs)/sinker (7)/changeup (8)/4-seamer (3) combination. What do I make of the 21-year-old’s start?  What is there to say? This is domination for last year’s 6th-round pick out of LSU, and he could/should find himself in Hudson Valley relatively soon.
RHP Cade Austin: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Chris Veach: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
2.61 ERA (10.1 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 5 BB, 18 K). 

FCL (0-0)

Their season starts on May 3rd.

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 4/24: Cam Schlittler Dominates

Notes:

Nothing newsworthy.

Injury Log

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FCL (0-0)

Their season starts on May 3rd.

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 4/17: Spencer Jones Homers Twice (Again)

Notes:

The catching carousel continues. Today, Somerset activated 20-year-old Diomedes Hernandez from the Development List. He played first base in tonight’s game but is also a catcher.

Scranton placed IF Braden Shewmake on the injured list. IF Max Burt was promoted to Scranton to take his place. Shewmake is likely the most random player on the Yankees’ 40-man roster. The 27-year-old is hitting .222/.386/.378 in 58 plate appearances for Scranton while playing 2B/SS/3B.

Scranton (10-7) (Lost to Durham, 7-1)

RF Ismael Munguia: 1-for-3, 2B (4), SF, RBI
2B Jorbit Vivas: 2-for-4
Vivas has five multi-hit games and is hitting .339/.419/.500. He is on a 5-game hitting streak (10-for-20).
DH Everson Pereira: 2-for-4
Nobody follows Pereira for singles, but we’ll take it!  He is hitting .288/.356/.481 in 59 PA.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-4, 2 K
LF Dominic Smith: 0-for-4
3B Jose Rojas: 1-for-4
C Ronaldo Hernandez: 0-for-3, K
SS Andrew Velazquez: 1-for-3, 2B (3), R, K
CF Duke Ellis: 0-for-3, K

RHP Jake Woodford: (L, 0-1)  2.2 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 H, 2 HR
RHP Kervin Castro: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP McKinley Moore: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
The erratic Moore was recently activated off the Development List.
LHP Brent Headrick: 2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
Headrick pitched well in his appearances for the Yankees this season. We’ll toss this.

Somerset (5-7) (Lost to Altoona, 6-4)

SS Jake Gatewood: 0-for-4, R, BB, 2 K
LF Spencer Jones: 3-for-5, 2 HR (5), 3 RBI, 2 R
Jones has two 2-HR games this season (five in his career).  He is hitting .273/.385/.636 in 52 PA (1 double, 5 HR, 10 RBI, 10 R, 4-for-4 SB, 13.5% BB, 32.7% K). I talk about the strikeouts because that is important. It is also important to point out how talented this kid is. There might be a unicorn here, which could be good or bad.
C Rafael Flores: 2-for-4, 2 K
3B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-4, 4 K
CF Garrett Martin: 1-for-4
DH Cole Gabrielson: 1-for-3, 2 SB (5), BB
The 24-year-old is hitting .250/.371/.357 in 35 PA. He is 23-for-29 stealing bases in his career.
RF Jared Wegner: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
2B Alexander Vargas: 0-for-3, R, SB (2), BB, 2 K
1B Diomedes Hernandez: 2-for-4, 2B (1), RBI, 2 K
Hernandez’s first Double-A at-bat resulted in an RBI double. He played in 28 games for the FCL/Tampa squads last year, hitting .272/.341/.333 with a homer and 14 RBI.

RHP Cam Schlittler: (L, 1-1)  4.1 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
The Patriots didn’t help his cause behind him (four errors, one after he left the game that allowed a 6th run to score).  Season: 1.80 ERA (15 IP, 11 H, 8 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 4 BB, 15 K).
RHP Indigo Diaz: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Harrison Cohen: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
4.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 2 BB, 6 K
RHP Danny Watson: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K

Hudson Valley (8-4) (Defeated Wilmington, 5-1)

CF Brendan Jones: 1-for-2, HR (1), RBI, 3 R, 3 SB (6), 3 BB
Jones has homered in back-to-back games.  He has eight walks in 10 games (29 BB in 24 games in 2024).  He is 24-for-25 stealing bases in his brief career.
SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 SB (7), BB, K
.333/.500/.500 in 50 PA (1 double, 1 triple, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 11 R, 7-for-8 SB, 22% BB, 22% K). You can’t ask for much more from his first 50 plate appearances.
LF Jackson Castillo: 2-for-5, 2B (4), RBI, 2 K
.263/.429/.368 in 49 PA. In 133 minor league games, Castillo is hitting .261/.390/.404 (26 doubles, 4 triples, 10 HR, 72 RBI, 80 R, 26-for-32 SB, 16.9% BB, 21.7% K). Certainly something to build on.
RF Jace Avina: 1-for-2, SF, RBI, BB, K
DH Omar Martinez: 0-for-4, 4 K
3B Josh Moylan: 0-for-4, 2 K
1B Coby Morales: 0-for-2, 2 BB
2B Brenny Escanio: 1-for-4, R
C Tomas Frick: 1-for-4, R, K

RHP Josh Grosz: (W, 1-0) 5.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K, HR
Nice bounceback after a tough 2025 debut. Grosz struck out 12 in a game last season, so striking hitters out is a part of his game.
RHP Huey Morrill: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Hayden Merda: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Tampa (6-6) (Defeated St. Lucie, 6-1. Tampa pitchers combined for 17 strikeouts)

SS Roderick Arias: 1-for-4, 2B (4), RBI, R, BB, K
Back-to-back games with a double for Arias.  He is hitting .156/.283/.244 in 53 PA.
DH Edgleen Perez: 1-for-4, 2B (1), 2 RBI, R, BB, K
A much-needed 2-run double for the struggling 18-year-old. Hopefully, he can build off that.
RF Brian Sanchez: 0-for-5, 2 K
C Engelth Urena: 1-for-4, HR (2), 2 RBI, R
Urena has homered in back-to-back games. You should watch this kid closely, as he has big-time power potential.
3B Parks Harber: 1-for-2, HR (3), RBI, 2 R, 2 BB, K
Harber should hit here, and he is (.270/.401/.496 in 34 games the last two years). He should get to Hudson Valley at some point.
LF Tyler Wilson: 1-for-4, 2 K
2B Austin Green: 1-for-4, K
CF Marshall Toole: 0-for-3, BB, K
1B Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-3, R, BB, 3 K

LHP Griffin Herring: (W, 2-0)  6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 9 K
Herring allows his first career earned run.  Season: 0.55 ERA (16.1 IP, 10 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 22 K). Herring isn’t a hard-throwing lefty, but he can live at 92-94 with his 4-seamer and sinker. If he continues to throw well, there is no reason to keep him from Hudson Valley.
RHP Tony Rossi: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
Rossi (25) threw a 96.7 MPH sinker and a 90.4 MPH changeup tonight. Go ahead and try to hit that.  As previously stated, he is old for the level, but it is his debut season. They will move him quickly if he continues to throw like this (6.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 10 K).
RHP Chris Veach: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
5 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 10 K

FCL (0-0)

Their season starts on May 3rd.

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 4/4: Griffin Herring Dazzles in Debut

Notes:

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

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

For the Yankees, he is depth.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FCL (0-0)

Their season starts on May 3rd.

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.