Yankees MILB 7/10: Ben Shields Dazzles Again

News:

The Yankees have signed LHP Tim Mayza to a minor league contract.

Mayza pitched in 352 games from 2017-2024 with the Blue Jays, compiling a 3.87 ERA (3.63 FIP; 111 ERA+) in 283.2 innings. His 24.4% K and 51.9% GB rates are above league average.

Last season, Mayza had his best year to date. He compiled a 1.52 ERA in 53.1 IP with 24.7% K and 58.5% GB.

However, 2024 has been a struggle. In 35 games, he owns a ghastly 8.03 ERA (more respectable 4.92 FIP) over 24.2 IP with a minuscule 13.2% K and an alarming 38.7% GB. A reliever who can miss bats and keep the ball on the ground is gold. A reliever who can’t do either of those things is not.

To Yankees fans, Mayza’s claim to fame was allowing Aaron Judge‘s 61st home run in 2022.

There is no such thing as a bad minor-league deal. If he can figure out how to get back to his norms, he’s a solid relief pitcher. If not, he’ll be out of the organization.

Scranton (48-38) 

Their game against Syracuse was postponed due to the remnants of Beryl. There is a Tornado Watch in effect in that region.

They will attempt to play two tomorrow.


Somerset (42-41) (Defeated Erie, 9-3)

3B Ben Cowles1-for-4, 2B (23), 2 RBI, RS, BB, K
.300/.378/.483 in 336 PA (23 doubles, 3 triples, 8 HR, 46 RBI, 49 R, 13-for-15 SB, 10.4% BB, 18.8% K). A reminder that his 2023 K% was 28.0%. Cowles has played 57 games (54 starts) at SS, 18 games (15 starts) at 3B, and 9 games (all starts) at 2B.
CF Spencer Jones2-for-4, 3B (3), RS, BB, 2 K
.241/.321/.409 in 330 PA (13 doubles, 3 triples, 10 HR, 46 RBI, 47 R, 18-for-22 SB, 10.0% BB, 36.7% K)
1B Tyler Hardman1-for-4, RBI, RS, BB, K
For Somerset: 21-for-79 (.266/.341/.443; 2 doubles, 4 HR, 13 RBI)
DH Rafael Flores1-for-4, HR (3), 3 RBI, 2 RS, BB
Flores is 11-for-51 (.216) since his promotion but has 3 doubles and 3 home runs. 
LF Elijah Dunham: 2-for-4, 2B (15), SB (10), BB
Dunham has a 17-game hitting streak and is hitting .275/.361/.500 in 227 Double-A plate appearances. In July, he has five multi-hit efforts in eight games.
C J.C. Escarra2-for-4, 2B (17), RBI, RS, K
2B Anthony Seigler0-for-3, RS, BB, K
Seigler has 20 walks in 27 June/July games. Discipline is something he has displayed throughout his minor league career.
RF Aaron Palensky1-fot-4, 2B (9), RS
SS Max Burt1-for-4, RS, K

LHP Ben Shields (W, 1-0): 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K
Shields’ longest outing in his brief professional career. In 2 starts for Somerset: 12.1 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 13 K. Shields wasn’t drafted last year. The Yankees signed him as an undrafted free agent out of George Mason. In other words, don’t expect to see him pop up on many “Top Yankees Prospects” lists. But, who cares? If you perform, people will notice.
RHP Joey Gerber1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Kevin Stevens1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
3.00 ERA (30 IP, 26 H, 10 R, 10 ER, 1 HR, 11 BB, 45 K). Like Shields, Stevens is an unheralded, undrafted prospect performing very well. Remember: The draft is shorter nowadays. More talent slips through the draft than in the past.


Hudson Valley (41-40) (Lost to Jersey Shore, 10-4)

2B Roc Riggio1-for-5, CS (3), K
.221/.365/.381 in 285 PA (16 doubles, 3 triples, 5 HR, 24 RBI, 45 R, 15-for-18 SB, 16.1% BB, 17.9% K).
SS Jared Serna0-for-2, BB, HBP
While he wasn’t pulled after the HBP, it worries you that he left the game. That said, he didn’t leave the game until he was pinch-hit for in the 9th inning of a 10-4 game.
   PH Oscar Silverio0-for-1, K
CF Jace Avina0-for-5, 2 K
.274/.356/.452 in 298 PA (22 doubles, 8 HR, 41 RBI, 36 R, 4-for-5 SB, 9.7% BB, 25.2% K).
DH Omar Martinez0-for-3, BB, K
Martinez has an 18.1% BB and 22.5% K.
C Antonio Gomez1-for-3, BB, K
Gomez is 6-for-29 with a pair of home runs at this level.
3B Josh Moylan0-for-3, RS, BB, K
RF Garrett Martin0-for-2, RS, BB, HBP
LF Christopher Familia1-for-4, HR (3), 3 RBI, RS, K
In 64 High-A games (266 PA) going back to last season, Familia is hitting .236/.312/.422 with 13 HR.
1B Kiko Romero1-for-3, RS, BB

LHP Kyle Carr (L, 0-6): 3 IP, 6 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
6.53 ERA (62 IP, 70 H, 54 R, 45 ER, 5 HR, 40 BB, 55 K). It is all about control for last year’s 3rd round pick.
RHP Cole Ayers2.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
3.02 ERA (47.2 IP, 39 H, 20 R, 16 ER, 3 HR, 17 BB, 56 K). Going back to 2023, he has appeared in 41 games at this level. I think he gets to Somerset this season.
LHP Joel Valdez2.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K


Tampa (30-51) (Defeated Dunedin, 9-8)

2B George Lombard Jr.: 2-for-6, 2B (13), 2 RS, 2 K
Lombard Jr., who owns a .708 OPS, is 9-for-30 with a double and two home runs in July. 
SS Roderick Arias: 2-for-4, 2B (12), RBI, 2 RS, SB (22), BB, K
Back-to-back bullet doubles by Lombard Jr. and Arias brought home a run in the first inning.
1B Dylan Jasso1-for-5, 2B (21), RBI, 2 K
CF Jackson Castillo: 2-for-3, RBI, 2 RS, SB (13), 2 BB
Castillo continues to float under the radar. He has strong BB (18.0%) and K (19.5%) rates while playing mostly center field (50 starts). If he is a true center fielder, he is someone to watch despite a smallish frame (5’9″).
DH Willy Montero1-for-5, RBI, RS, K
3B Hans Montero: 2-for-3, RBI, 2 RS, 2 SB (8), 2 HBP
Montero has a 5-game hitting streak (8-for-16, 3B, 2 HR, 6 RBI)
C Josue Gonzalez0-for-3, BB, HBP
Since promotion: 7-for-21 with a pair of walks and strikeouts.
RF Coby Morales: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, BB, 2 K
LF Daury Arias0-for-4, BB, 3 K

RHP Luis Serna3.2 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 2 HR
5.97 ERA (63.1 IP, 59 H, 43 R, 42 ER, 6 HR, 21 BB, 71 K). Before tonight, the 19-year-old had never allowed multiple home runs in a game.
RHP Jordy Luciano1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K
Luciano (22) dialed it up to 95.5 MPH. Not bad when you stand 5’10”. The issue for him is walks (48/38 K/BB in 41 IP).
RHP Harrison Cohen: (W, 1-0)  1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Cohen’s rehab assignment continues.
RHP Montana Semmel: (S, 5)  2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 K


FCL (29-17)

Scheduled day off.


DSL Yankees (9-16)

Scheduled day off.


DSL Bombers (16-10)

Scheduled day off.

Yankees MILB 7/9: George Lombard Jr. Goes Yard

News:

Brian Cashman said today that RHP Clayton Beeter could be out for the season with a shoulder injury. Beeter appeared in one game for the Yankees (second game of the season) before being sent down to Scranton. For Scranton, he pitched to a 2.53 ERA in 7 starts (32 IP) with a 32.8% K and 15.7% BB. He is on the minor league 7-day injured list. If the Yankees need a 40-man roster spot, a move to the MLB 60-day injured list will be a consideration. While he would rather pitch than do that, he would accrue MLB service time if the Yankees made that move.

Scranton (48-38)  (Defeated Syracuse, 8-6, in ten innings. They were down 4-0 entering the top of the 7th and 5-4 entering the top of the 9th).

SS Oswald Peraza: 2-for-5, 2B (4), RS, SB (9), BB, 2 K
Peraza smoked a leadoff double against the rehabbing Kodai Senga. He is hitting .217 with a .596 OPS.
3B Jorbit Vivas0-for-3, 2 BB, K
C Agustin Ramirez0-for-4, BB, K
1B Carlos Narvaez: 1-for-5, 2 RBI, RS, SB (7), 2 K
47 RBI and 45 runs scored in 69 games. I see him as a Kyle Higashioka-type backup, which would be a solid outcome. And perhaps there is more…
2B Brandon Lockridge1-for-5, RS, SB (28), K
Lockridge’s 4th start at second base (no games in the infield before 2024)
LF Jose Rojas: 3-for-5, 2B (14), 2 RBI, 2 RS, 2 K
CF Taylor Trammell: 2-for-4, RS, BB
RF Oscar Gonzalez1-for-5, 2B (10), 2 RBI, RS
DH Jeter Downs1-for-5, HR (10), RBI, RS, K
Downs’ HR in the 9th tied the game at 5-5. He once hit 24 home runs (2019).

RHP Yoendrys Gomez2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, 1 HR
Gomez needed 60 pitches to complete two innings. He has a 4.21 ERA in 51.1 IP (35 H, 25 R, 24 ER, 6 HR, 33 BB, 59 K). He hasn’t pitched terribly but his season has been uneven. As for trade value, his uneven season + lack of options after 2024 will reduce his value.
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Alex Mauricio0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
LHP Chasen Shreve2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Shreve has tossed 6.1 scoreless innings since joining the organization.
RHP Scott Effross1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Effross has allowed 5 runs (4 earned) in 5.1 innings since joining Scranton. No need to be concerned. I expect him back shortly after the All-Star Break, as long as he is healthy.
RHP Cody Morris: (W, 6-0)  2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Duane Underwood Jr. (S, 3): 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K


Somerset (41-41) (Lost to Erie, 5-4)

CF Spencer Jones0-for-5
Jones made contact all night after a recent strikeout spree. We have to look at the little things to see if he can build off of them.
SS Ben Cowles1-for-4, RBI, BB, 2 K
Cowles has already set personal bests for doubles (22) and RBI (44).
3B Tyler Hardman1-for-4, BB, 3 K
C Rafael Flores1-for-5, K
RF Elijah Dunham1-for-5, RS, K
Dunham increases his hitting streak to 16.
1B J.C. Escarra1-for-4, HR (4), RBI, RS, K
.231/.326/.374 in 273 PA. The 29-year-old did some catching in college and the independent leagues but never in an affiliated league before the Yankees signed him last winter. He has caught 20 games this year in addition to his work at first base, third base, left field, and right field (1 game).
LF Grant Richardson: 2-for-4, HR (5), 2 RBI, RS, K
.260/.319/.407 in 254 PA. Richardson hit double digits in HR and SB in 2022 and 2023. He needs five more home runs to do it in 2024.
DH Jared Wegner1-for-4, 2 K
2B Anthony Seigler1-for-1, 2B (16), RS, SB (17), 3 BB
.226/.329/.404 in 240 PA. He set a new personal best for stolen bases in a season. In July, he is 8-for-18 with four doubles, six walks, and four stolen bases.

RHP Zach Messinger:  (L, 2-6) 6 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
The line doesn’t tell you how well he pitched. He allowed three runs in the first before putting up five zeroes. They let him start the 7th inning, he allowed a few baserunners, and both ended up scoring. This is a development setting – in an MLB game, they might pull him after the 6th inning. He owns a 3.86 ERA in 91 IP (75 H, 54 R, 39 ER, 6 HR, 30 BB, 97 K).
RHP Carlos Gomez1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Jesus Liranzo1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K


Hudson Valley (41-39) (Lost a tough one to Jersey Shore, 3-2)

2B Roc Riggio0-for-5, RBI, K
His on-base streak ends at 21, but he did drive in a run.
SS Jared Serna2-for-5, K
Back-to-back multi-hit efforts. When Serna gets hot, it tends to last. 
CF Jace Avina0-for-4, K
C Omar Martinez0-for-4, 2 K
DH Antonio Gomez1-for-4, 2 K
1B Josh Moylan0-for-2, CS (3), HBP, BB
RF Garrett Martin2-for-3, 2B (10), RS, 2 SB (8), BB
.220/.324/.453 in 180 PA. 
LF Cole Gabrielson2-for-4, RBI, RS, K
3B Brenny Escanio1-for-3, SB (3), BB
The 21-year-old is 13-for-45 (.289) with 6 doubles at this level.

RHP Sebastian Keane1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
The dreaded “Injury Delay” followed by the pitcher being pulled. Let’s hope it is nothing serious.
RHP Trent Sellers3.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
3.33 ERA (46 IP, 32 H, 25 R, 17 ER, 2 HR, 29 BB, 56 K). A nice job after being forced into duty earlier than he thought. 
RHP Luis Arejula: 3.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Arejula followed up Sellers with a strong outing of his own. He owns a 3.22 ERA in 36.1 IP (32 H, 17 R, 13 ER, 2 HR, 19 BB, 34 K)
RHP Mason Vinyard (L, 2-2): 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K


Tampa (29-51) (Lost to Dunedin, 5-4)

2B George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-3, HR (3), RBI, RS, BB, 2 K
Lombard Jr. crushed the homer (404 feet at 105.8 MPH).  He has three home runs in his last 16 games (0 HR in his first 59 professional games (62 if you include last year’s playoffs)). He had a .271 SLG in April, .288 in May, .370 in June, and .542 in July.
SS Roderick Arias0-for-3, CS (10), BB, 2 K
1B Dylan Jasso0-for-3, BB, 2 K
CF Jackson Castillo0-for-3, BB, K
RF Willy Montero0-for-4, 2 K
3B Hans Montero1-for-4, HR (6), RBI, RS
Montero has a triple and two home runs in his last three games. He set a new personal best for home runs in a season tonight.
C Josue Gonzalez1-for-4, 2B (1), RS, CS (1), K
Gonzalez has hit safely in all six games since his promotion (8-game hitting streak overall). “Is he a legitimate prospect?” Yes. Just like many catchers in this organization. Kids like Gonzalez aren’t package headliners, but don’t be surprised if teams ask about Yankees’ catching prospects as deal sweeteners.
DH Coby Morales0-for-2, BB, K
LF Daury Arias2-for-3, HR (2), 2 RBI, RS, CS (2)
Once an intriguing prospect in the DSL (he drove in 49 runs in 49 games in his debut season), Arias has struggled to get his footing since moving to a full-season league.

RHP Bryce Warrecker4 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, HR
The 6’8″ Warrecker will take some time to develop. Tonight, he featured a 4-pitch mix, throwing 66% 4-seamers and sinkers along with his slider (28%) and change (6%).
RHP Steven Fulgencio2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Osiel Rodriguez: (L, 0-2)  2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
2.43 ERA (40.2 IP, 20 H, 12 R, 11 ER, 5 HR, 21 BB, 48 K). His development is fascinating. Signed for $600,000 in 2018, Rodriguez features a 4-5 pitch mix but has yet to start a game (66 career appearances). As you may suspect, injuries are a part of his story.


FCL (29-17) (Knocked off the Blue Jays, 8-6. The FCL Tigers have won six in a row to pull within one game of the Yankees (2 in the loss column). The two teams square off on Thursday and Friday)

CF Brian Sanchez1-for-4, RBI, 2 RS, 2 SB (14), 2 K
.305/.395/.532 in 162 PA (14 doubles, 3 triples, 4 HR, 29 RBI, 33 R, 14-for-17 SB). It will be interesting to see who gets to Low-A once the FCL season ends. Sanchez has made his case.
C Engelth Urena1-for-2, HR (6), 2 RBI, 2 RS, SB (4), 2 BB, K
Urena has homered three times in the last two games and is 12-for-19 in his last six games (6 doubles, 4 HR, 12 RBI, 9 R, 6 BB, 2 K). He has raised his triple slash from .205/.315/.308 to .289/.407/.557. I would say that is a hot streak.
RF Anthony Hall1-for-5, 2 RBI, 4 K
3B Abrahan Ramirez1-for-4, BB, K
A little downturn (8-for-28 in July, which most players would gladly take) has lowered his triple slash to .370/.472/.541. Ramirez is another Low-A possibility.
2B Gabriel Terrero2-for-4, 2B (5), HR (1), RBI, 2 RS, SB (12), K
The 18-year-old hit 7 HR in 37 games in the DSL last year
1B Luis Ogando1-for-2, RBI, RS, SB (10), BB


DSL Yankees (9-16) (Lead the DSL Nationals, 5-2, in the third inning. This game was suspended due to rain. There is no make-up date listed)


DSL Bombers (16-10) (They defeated the DSL Rangers Blue, 6-1, in the conclusion of their suspended game on Opening Day. Today’s regularly scheduled game was postponed. The Bombers hold a half-game lead over the 14-9 DSL Rangers Blue for the division lead. The DSL playoffs include 8 teams – 6 division winners + 2 wild cards)

Yankees MILB 7/5: Ben Cowles’ Big Day

News:

RHP Phil Bickford rejected an outright assignment a few days ago. Today, he re-signed with the Yankees. Veterans often do this to earn extra money on minor league deals if they can’t secure an MLB opportunity elsewhere.

Scranton (47-37)  (Defeated Lehigh Valley, 7-4)

CF Brandon Lockridge1-for-3, SAC, CS (3)
.293/.406/.389 in 189 PA. I can’t wait until Lockridge makes his debut – it might not be with the Yankees, but I think someone is going to give him a shot.
3B Jorbit Vivas: 2-for-3, HR (4), 2 RBI, RS, SB (8), BB
On a night when Gleyber Torres leaves the game, Vivas has another big effort. He is hitting .269/.409/.429 in 152 PA. As for his ability to play third base: The scouting reports aren’t favorable and the Dodgers scaled back his time last season. The Yankees have used him sparingly there, indicating that they think he can handle it to an extent. Perhaps a “break glass in case of emergency” type of deal. If you believe reports, if Vivas is going to make it, it will be as a second baseman.
2B Oswald Peraza0-for-4, K
Peraza, another option to call up, is hitting .201/.318/.236. I am a big Peraza fan. I wanted him to take over SS for the Yankees halfway through 2022. But I can’t justify him being called up. He has not earned that.
1B Agustin Ramirez1-for-4, HR (3), RBI, RS, K
Ramirez has homered three times in his last seven games.
C Carlos Narvaez1-for-3, 2B (17), RS, CS (1), BB, K
Narvaez’s strong year continues: .269/.390/.454 in 292 PA (17 doubles, 9 HR, 45 RBI, 44 R). The 45 RBI are a personal best for RBI in a season. If the Yankees move on from Jose Trevino after 2024, Narvaez is a candidate to play with Austin Wells next season. We are a while away from worrying about that.
RF Oscar Gonzalez2-for-4, RBI, RS, K
LF Taylor Trammell: 2-for-3, 2B (11), HR (4), 2 RBI, 2 RS, BB
DH Jeter Downs1-for-4, RBI, RS
I have been asked about Downs. Given his name and prospect pedigree, fun story to follow. Do I think he is an MLB difference-maker at this stage? Probably not. But players figure things out at different rates. 
SS Kevin Smith1-for-4, RS, K

RHP JT Brubaker2.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 5 BB, 1 K, HR
Once his rehab stint is over, the Yankees must add him to the 40-man roster. The good news is that he has options. He is an interesting depth piece because he can be a starter/reliever/swingman.
RHP Duane Underwood Jr.1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Scott Effross1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
For Scranton: 4.1 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 K. Yes, we want to see zeroes – but we are still in a stage where the work is the most important thing.
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda: (W, 5-0)  1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Jack Neely1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Neely needed 30 pitches to get through his first inning but was able to come out to record two more outs. Everything they ask him to do has a purpose. He has yet to do back-to-back days, but you don’t necessarily have to prove you can do that in the minors.
LHP Anthony Misiewicz1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
LHP Victor Gonzalez (S, 1): 0.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
7 pitchers were used tonight. Thankfully for them, the squad has Sunday and Monday off.


Somerset (41-39) (Won two games against Reading)

Game 1 (Won, 8-2, in the conclusion of last night’s suspended game. This one went the full 9 innings)

CF Spencer Jones0-for-4, RS, BB, 3 K
SS Ben Cowles: 4-for-5, 2B (22), HR (7), 3 RBI, 2 RS, CS (2)
1B Tyler Hardman1-for-4, RBI, CI, 2 K
DH Rafael Flores1-for-4, HR (2), RBI, RS, HBP, K
Flores has three doubles and two home runs in 9 games since his promotion.
LF Elijah Dunham1-for-5, 2B (13), K
Dunham increases his hitting streak to 13.
C J.C. Escarra1-for-4, RS
RF Jared Wegner2-for-3, RS, BB
.248/.337/.393 in 205 PA.
2B Anthony Seigler1-for-3, 2B (15), RS, BB
This is Seigler’s third double in four July games.
3B Max Burt1-for-3, HR (4), SF, 2 RBI, RS, K

RHP Trystan Vrieling3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
At least he got three innings in before the rain started. Season: 5.67 ERA (85.2 IP, 94 H, 57 R, 54 ER, 9 HR, 27 BB, 83 K). His numbers were impacted greatly by his last two starts (8 IP, 22 H, 17 R, 16 ER, 4 BB, 9 K).
RHP Yorlin Calderon: (W, 1-1)  2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
RHP Luis Velasquez2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, HR
RHP Colby White1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Joey Gerber1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Game 2 (Won, 5-4)

CF Spencer Jones0-for-4, 4 K
Once he starts to reel you in, he has a 0-for-8 doubleheader with 7 strikeouts. He has to move on to tomorrow. 
2B Ben Cowles: 3-for-3, HR (8), RBI, 2 RS, BB
Have yourself a day, Ben Cowles!  His Game 1 homer was hit last night, but still – 7 hits in two games is insanity.  He entered the two games hitting .289/.367/.456 and is now hitting .306/.382/.493. 
1B Tyler Hardman1-for-4, 2B (2), RS, K
C Rafael Flores1-for-2, RS, 2 BB
DH Elijah Dunham2-for-3, HR (7, grand slam), 4 RBI, RS, BB
Dunham has a 14-game hitting streak. His grand slam was hit in the top of the 7th (final inning) with the team down 3-1. He owns a .267 average with a .838 OPS. Before the hitting streak, he was hitting .233/.344/.411 (.755 OPS).
3B J.C. Escarra1-for-4, 2B (16)
RF Grant Richardson1-for-4, K
LF Aaron Palensky0-for-3, BB, K
SS Max Burt0-for-3, K

RHP Bailey Dees5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
3.93 ERA (84.2 IP, 73 H, 42 R, 37 ER, 10 HR, 28 BB, 88 K). I love how he has taken to starting.
RHP Eric Reyzelman: (W, 1-0)  1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
After 16.1 scoreless innings, Reyzelman gives up his first run in 2024.
RHP Kevin Stevens (S, 5): 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
The bottom of the 7th was an adventure, but he worked his way through it.


Hudson Valley (40-37) (Lost to Brooklyn, 8-3)

2B Roc Riggio1-for-4, 2 RS, 3 SB (14), BB
This is the player the Yankees drafted – a pest who can play second base, has sneaky pop and can steal you a base. He owns a 21-game on-base streak.
SS Jared Serna0-for-4, K
LF Jace Avina2-for-4, 2B (22), RBI, RS, K
Avina has 30 extra-base hits (22 doubles, 8 HR) in 64 games. 
C Omar Martinez1-for-3, RBI, BB
DH Antonio Gomez1-for-4, K
3B Josh Moylan: 1-for-4, RBI, K
RF Christopher Familia1-for-4, K
CF Cole Gabrielson1-for-4, K
1B Kiko Romero1-for-4, 2 K

RHP Cam Schlittler: (L, 3-3)  4.2 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
2.97 ERA (63.2 IP, 42 H, 29 R, 21 ER, 6 HR, 32 BB, 81 K)
LHP Joel Valdez2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
RHP Mason Vinyard2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K


Tampa (29-49) (Swept a doubleheader against Lakeland)

Game 1 (Won, 2-1)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-2, BB, K
3B Enmanuel Tejeda0-for-3
2B Roderick Arias0-for-3, K
1B Dylan Jasso1-for-3, RS
CF Jackson Castillo1-for-3, RS, K
DH Hans Montero2-for-3, RBI
LF Willy Montero0-for-3, K
C Josue Gonzalez1-for-2, RBI
RF Coby Morales0-for-2, K

RHP Steven Fulgencio3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
Only his second career start.
RHP Cade Smith: (W, 4-6) 4 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
4.05 ERA (66.2 IP, 51 H, 36 R, 30 ER, 5 HR, 33 BB, 85 K)

Game 2 (Won, 7-6)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-4, RS, SB (24), K
.233/.362/.330 with 24 stolen bases in 27 attempts. I like what I see.
3B Enmanuel Tejeda1-for-1
   Tejeda left the game due to an injury. Update: Virginia Yankee (on Twitter) said Tejeda was helped off the field. Ugh.
  PR-3B Hans Montero1-for-3, HR (5), 2 RBI, RS, K
Tejeda’s replacement hits a huge 2-run HR in the bottom of the 6th to give Tampa the lead.
2B Roderick Arias0-for-3, 2 RS, 2 SB (21), BB, K
Arias is 21-for-30 in the stolen base department. He started the season 5-for-10 and is 16-for-20 (80%) since. This is the type of potential Arias has – he can be disruptive on days when he doesn’t earn hits. There is a lot of work to do, I am not going to lie.
1B Dylan Jasso1-for-3, 2B (20), RBI, K
LF Jackson Castillo2-for-2, 2B (14), RBI, RS, SB (11), BB
.256/.379/.420 in 253 PA (14 doubles, 1 triple, 6 HR, 18 RBI, 39 R, 11-for-15 SB). 
CF Willy Montero0-for-3
C Josue Gonzalez1-for-3, RBI, RS, K
Gonzalez is 5-for-10 with three RBI since his promotion.
DH Coby Morales2-for-3, SB (22), K
Once of the strangest stories in their system is the spike in stolen bases for Morales.
RF Daury Arias1-for-3, RBI, SB (6), K

RHP Gabriel Barbosa4 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
RHP Jordy Luciano: (W, 1-3)  2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Aaron Nixon: (S, 3)  1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K


FCL (27-15) (Defeated the FCL Phillies, 4-2. This was the conclusion of a game started on June 27th. They didn’t play a regularly scheduled game today, but will play two tomorrow).

We are rapidly approaching the end of the FCL season (July 25th). The Yankees own a 2.5-game lead over the Tigers for the division title. That is the easiest path to the playoffs.

RF Anthony Hall: 3-for-4, RBI, RS
3B Abrahan Ramirez1-for-4, 2B (9), 2 RBI
.395/.500/.588 in 145 PA (13 doubles, 2 triples, 2 HR, 20 RBI, 28 R, 6-for-7 SB). Before you ask: Everything in the boxscore is retroactive. That is why you see 9 doubles in the box score but 13 overall!

RHP Sabier Marte4 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
One of the most-used pitchers thus far at this level, Marte owns a 2.65 ERA in 37.1 innings with a 33/16 K/BB.
RHP Andrew Landry2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
The 22-year-old was the Yankees’ 16th-round pick in 2023 out of Southeastern Louisiana. In his final year of college, he started full-time.
RHP Yoljeldriz Diaz (W, 4-0): 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K


DSL Yankees (9-14) (Lost to the DSL Bombers, 4-0)

LF Gabriel Lara1-for-4, SB (8)
C Luis Puello1-for-3
DH Diego Flores: 1-for-2, SB (1), BB
The 17-year-old catcher is 3-for-14 in his debut season.

RHP Emanuel Vargas: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Vargas is 18 years old. If you think I know much about 99% of the players here, you give me too much credit.


DSL Bombers (13-9) (Defeated the DSL Yankees, 4-0)

CF Francisco Vilorio1-for-4, K
DH Queni Pineda1-for-2, 2B (5), RS, BB
The 17-year-old continues to be featured prominently in these reports. That is what a .264/.458/.472 line will do.
2B Luis Escudero: 1-for-2, RS, SB (15), BB
15-for-17 stealing bases in 17 games. Despite how crazy that is, he ranks 8th in the league in stolen bases.
LF Angel Ventura1-for-4, 2B (1), RBI, RS, SB (8), K
The 18-year-old is hitting .182/.308/.212 with 8 stolen bases in 9 attempts.

RHP Mariano Salomon (W, 3-0): 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K
The 21-year-old owns a 2.50 ERA in 68.1 IP over the last two seasons (85/15 K/BB). That seems like enough for a promotion.
RHP Anthony Mena1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Richard Jimenez0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K

Yankees MILB 6/23: Carlos Narvaez Goes 5-for-5

News:

The Yankees acquired 1B/3B J.D. Davis (and cash) from the Oakland Athletics for IF Jordan GroshansThe money will likely cover most (if not all) of what remains on Davis’ 1-year deal. It isn’t much.

Davis is hitting .236/.304/.366 (98 wRC+) in 135 PA. He has four home runs and five runs batted in. Interesting. The defensive metrics don’t love his performance, so he better hit if he wishes to keep a job. He had a run between 2019-2022 where he hit .276/.363/.457 (127 wRC+) over 1,258 plate appearances with a 10.5% BB and 27.3% K. However, the numbers haven’t been as strong in 2023-2024.

The Yankees need offense with Giancarlo Stanton out and there isn’t much available. They are not ready to give Agustin Ramirez a role, and none of the veterans in Triple-A excite you.

The bottom line? They wouldn’t need to do a signing like this if Gleyber Torres or DJ LeMahieu were producing. LeMahieu is showing no signs of life with the bat. He is moving towards “sunk cost” territory (if he isn’t there already).  I hope he doesn’t impact Ben Rice‘s playing time much. With the DH spot open, they can be flexible with playing time.

Scranton (42-32) (Mauled Buffalo, 18-9. They scored 12 runs in the 5th inning. As for last night’s postponed game, it is now listed as canceled. Instead of playing two in today’s heat (and pitching issues may have played a role), the game was permanently wiped off the calendar)

2B Jorbit Vivas2-for-5, RBI, RS, BB, K
Last 6 games: 7-for-23. Before you toss away the Victor Gonzalez deal, remember that Vivas was a part of it.
C Agustin Ramirez0-for-5, RBI, RS, HBP, K
Ramirez is 1-for-16 since his promotion. He is hitting .275/.358/.537 in 279 PA overall.
1B T.J. Rumfield2-for-5, 2B (14), HR (7), RBI, 2 RS, BB
Since promotion: .298/.354/.468 in 226 PA. He has four HR in his last 12 games.
DH Carlos Narvaez: 5-for-5, 2B (15), HR (8), 4 RBI, 4 RS, SB (5), BB
Entering today: .254/.382/.424. Now: .271/.396/.457 in 210 PA (15 doubles, 8 HR, 41 RBI, 40 R). His best for RBI in a season is 44, set in 100 games last year. Narvaez never had a 4-hit game before today, never mind a 5-hit effort.
SS Jeter Downs: 2-for-5, 2B (12), RBI, 2 RS, SB (13), HBP, 2 K
.279/.372/.541 in 208 PA (12 doubles, 3 triples, 9 HR, 31 RBI, 36 R, 13-for-17 SB). 
LF Taylor Trammell1-for-3, 2B (8), 3 RS, 2 SB (5), 3 BB
RF Oscar Gonzalez2-for-5, HR (4), 4 RBI, 2 RS, SB (3), K
For Scranton: .279/.327/.443 in 150 PA. Gonzalez has some appeal but is still a “break glass in case of emergency” type.
CF Brandon Lockridge: 3-for-5, 4 RBI, 2 RS, 2 SB (24), K
.285/.408/.369 in 157 PA. He has 24 stolen bases (26 attempts) in 47 games.
3B Kevin Smith1-for-4, RBI, RS, SB (9), BB, 3 K

RHP Cam Schlittler1.2 IP, 1 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 3 K
Schlittler also hit 3 batters. This will impact the strong numbers he had before today, but toss it. He was brought here from Hudson Valley because they needed a rested arm. Regardless, the offense bailed him out.
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Jake Cousins1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Yerry De Los Santos1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, HR
RHP Jesus Liranzo: (W, 1-0)  1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
LHP Josh Maciejewski3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Jack Neely1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Season (between here and Somerset): 2.45 ERA in 33 IP (25 H, 10 R, 9 ER, 2 HR, 13 BB, 53 K)


Somerset (32-36) (Lost two games to Erie. It is odd to see Somerset struggle. Though the players always change, winning has become expected here)

Game 1 (Lost, 10-7)

DH Spencer Jones1-for-5, 2 K
C Jesus Rodriguez1-for-4, HR (1), RBI, RS, BB
Rodriguez’s first Double-A home run. While he was pulled from this game and didn’t play in Game 2, I wouldn’t read into that (yet) – the heat is brutal in Somerset today.
  C Peter Serruto0-for-0
3B Tyler Hardman0-for-5, 2 K
For Somerset: 8-for-28 (.286) with a double and a pair of home runs.
2B Ben Cowles1-for-3, 2 BB, K
CF Grant Richardson2-for-5, SB (11)
RF Elijah Dunham1-for-5, RS, 2 K
1B J.C. Escarra1-for-3, 3 RS, 2 BB
LF Aaron Palensky3-for-5, 2B (4), 3 RBI
His reward was not playing in Game 2. He has a 5-game hitting streak (7-for-20).
SS Alexander Vargas4-for-5, 3 RBI, K
Useless fact of the day: Vargas has exactly one 4-hit game in each of the last four seasons.

RHP Bailey Dees1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
This will be a wasted start, but that isn’t a big deal. Season: 3.80 ERA (68.2 IP, 60 H, 33 R, 29 ER, 9 HR, 24 BB, 74 K).
RHP Trystan Vrieling: (L, 7-5) 5 IP, 12 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 2 HR
This was a tough afternoon for Vrieling. Season: 5.08 ERA (79.2 IP, 82 H, 48 R, 45 ER, 8 HR, 24 BB, 75 K). They knew there would be some growing pains by throwing him immediately into the Double-A fire. 
RHP Carlos Gomez2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP McKinley Moore1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Game 2 (Lost, 11-5)

CF Spencer Jones1-for-3, RS, BB
Jones entered the month with a .641 OPS. It is now .702.
3B Ben Cowles1-for-3, BB
Cowles is on a little 5-game hitting streak (5-for-18, 1 double, 1 HR). He has slumped a bit in June (18-for-75 (.240)), so I hope this is a start of a new hot streak.
C J.C. Escarra0-for-3, RBI, RS
DH Elijah Dunham: 3-for-3, 2B (9), HR (5), 3 RBI, 2 RS, SB (7)
Dunham is hitting .257/.363/.451 in 168 PA at this level.
RF Grant Richardson0-for-3, 2 K
.253/.314/.389 in 210 PA. He was strong in April/May but has struggled in June.
LF Jared Wegner1-for-3, RBI, K
2B Anthony Seigler0-for-2, BB
SS Alexander Vargas0-for-3, K
1B Max Burt1-for-3, RS, K

RHP Josh Grosz: (L, 0-1)  4 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, HR
Like Scranton, Somerset needed a starter and Grosz was available (from Tampa). I will say the same thing I said about Schlittler: Toss it.
RHP Danny Watson0.1 IP, 0 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 0 K
Watson is having trouble getting his season going after his injury. Let’s see what he does in the second half. 
RHP Colby White1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Kevin Stevens1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
2.52 ERA (25 IP, 21 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 0 HR, 9 BB, 40 K). The 26-year-old, who missed 2023, hasn’t allowed a home run in 29.2 career innings (43/13 K/BB)


Hudson Valley (34-34) (Outlasted Greensboro, 12-9. They hit 5 home runs)

2B Roc Riggio1-for-3, HR (5), 2 RBI, RS, 2 BB
Riggio is at .217/.370/.380 in 230 PA. He has three home runs in his last seven games. 
SS Jared Serna0-for-5, RBI, K
Serna is now 0-for-20 since missing a game after a HBP. That has dropped his triple slash from .280/.380/.504 to .258/.357/.464.
DH Jace Avina2-for-4, 2B (19), RS, BB, K
.275/.355/.459 in 251 PA (19 doubles, 7 HR, 37 RBI, 29 R, 4-for-5 SB). He has three doubles and multi-hit efforts in his last six games.
1B Rafael Flores1-for-4, 2 RS, BB, K
.286/.397/.469 in 229 PA (17 doubles, 6 HR, 35 RBI, 27 R). 
C Omar Martinez2-for-4, RBI, 2 RS, BB, 2 K
.243/.382/.405 in 228 PA. 
RF Garrett Martin2-for-4, 2 HR (5), 4 RBI, 3 RS, BB
Martin’s first career multi-HR game. He has 5 HR in 36 games this year (0 in 18 games during last year’s debut season).
3B Josh Moylan2-for-4, 2 HR (3), 3 RBI, 3 RS, BB, 2 K
Moylan’s first career multi-HR game. Hopefully, he can build off this effort as he had some “post-draft” buzz last year.
CF Cole Gabrielson1-for-4, RBI, SB (6), K
LF Nelson Medina0-for-5, K

RHP Jackson Fristoe0.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
Fristoe left the game due to a shoulder issue, according to GameCast. Yikes.
RHP Luis Arejula2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
3.14 ERA (28.2 IP, 24 H, 14 R, 10 ER, 1 HR, 16 BB, 30 K)
RHP Huey Morrill1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Cole Ayers1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR
2.68 ERA (40.1 IP, 31 H, 16 R, 12 ER, 2 HR, 15 BB, 49 K)
LHP Joel Valdez0.2 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Juan Crisp (W, 1-0): 2.2 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 3 K, 2 HR
Crisp is a catcher who was asked to get eight outs. The system used a lot of pitchers today (and recently), so tomorrow’s day off across the full-season leagues will come in handy.


Tampa (25-43) (Split a doubleheader against Palm Beach)

Game 1 (Won, 5-4, in the conclusion of the suspended game from Friday. This game went a full 9 innings)

DH Enmanuel Tejeda0-for-5, 2 K
For Tampa: .313/.366/.382 in 164 PA. He doesn’t go hitless often, so when he does it in back-to-back games, it stands out!
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-4, 2 K
2B Roderick Arias: 1-for-2, RS, SB (18), HBP, BB
1B Dylan Jasso1-for-4, RBI
CF Jackson Castillo1-for-4, RS, 2 K
3B Hans Montero1-for-2, RS, CS (2), HBP, BB
RF Willy Montero2-for-4, RS
LF Coby Morales: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, RS, 2 SB (15)
C Oscar Silverio:  0-for-0, BB
  PH-C Antonio Gomez1-for-1, 2 RBI, BB, K
Gomez with a big 2-run single as his rehab continues.

RHP Luis Serna4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K
The weather cuts Serna’s start for the second consecutive time. This effort pushes his ERA below 4.00 (3.98 in 52 IP (37 H, 23 R, 23 ER, 2 HR, 15 BB, 61 K)). His ERA was 10.32 in his first three starts and 6.97 after five starts. He has been on quite a roll and is still under 20 (until July 20th).
RHP Scott Effross: (W, 1-0)  2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Effross struck out the side in his second inning of work. Of his 26 pitches, 22 were strikes.
RHP Joey Gerber2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
RHP Cade Austin0.2 IP, 0 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Montana Semmel (S, 4): 0.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR
This game was dicey late, as Palm Beach turned a 5-0 deficit into a 5-4 deficit in the 9th. Tampa was able to hang on.

Game 2 (Lost, 13-11. This was a 7-inning game. They scored six runs in the bottom of the 7th (after scoring four in the 6th) and brought the winning run to the plate, but couldn’t take it further)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 2-for-5, 2B (11), 2 RBI, RS, SB (18)
Lombard is at .228 with a .676 OPS (11 doubles, 2 triples, 1 HR, 25 RBI, 24 R, 18-for-19 SB). This isn’t spectacular but he is holding his own.  He is 9-for-31 (.290) in his last 8 games with 3 doubles, a triple, a home run, and three stolen bases.
2B Roderick Arias1-for-4, 2B (10), RBI, RS, BB, K
Arias is hitting .212 with a .676 OPS. He has 22 extra-base hits (10 doubles, 6 triples, 6 HR) in 65 games, but also owns a 35.9% K rate.
1B Dylan Jasso0-for-5
LF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-3, RBI, 2 RS, 2 BB, 2 K
Castillo is hitting .249 with a .784 OPS. He has 38 walks (17.8%) and 44 strikeouts (20.6%) in 214 PA.
3B Hans Montero2-for-5, HR (4), RBI, RS, 3 K
A much-needed double-header for Montero, who started hot at this level but has cooled off recently.
CF Willy Montero2-for-4, RS
Montero has hit safely in 16 of his last 17 games (reached base safely in all 17 games). He is hitting .250 with a .675 OPS (before the streak, he was hitting .182/.250/.241). A jump of 184 points in OPS is impressive.
DH Coby Morales2-for-3, 2 RS, BB
C Tomas Frick0-for-1, 2 RBI, 2 RS, 3 BB
RF Daury Arias2-for-4, RBI, RS, K

RHP Cade Smith: (L, 3-5)  4 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
3.94 ERA in 61.2 IP (47 H, 33 R, 27 ER, 3 HR, 30 BB, 78 K). He has some ups-and-downs this season, but his overall season is impressive.
RHP Steven Fulgencio1.1 IP, 2 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Osiel Rodriguez1.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, HR
2.18 ERA (33 IP, 15 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 5 HR, 18 BB, 38 K)


FCL (23-13)

Scheduled day off. With a little more than a month to go in the season, the FCL team is two games up on the Tigers for first place.


DSL Yankees (5-10)

Scheduled day off.


DSL Bombers (9-5)

Scheduled day off.

 

Yankees MILB 5/19: Trystan Vrieling Sparkles

News:

The news section has been too quiet for my liking lately. Something big is about to happen…

Scranton (29-14) (Split a doubleheader with Worcester)

Game 1 (Won, 6-3)

3B Caleb Durbin1-for-4
.285/.402/.418 in 200 PA. Durbin has a reverse split, hitting .216/.341/.270 vs. LHP and .305/.419/.461 vs. RHP. 
SS Oswald Peraza0-for-4, K
Peraza was called up from Somerset to continue his rehab assignment here. 
DH Taylor Trammell0-for-3, CS (1), BB, 2 K
RF Everson Pereira: 2-for-3, 2 RS, SB (5)
1B Jose Rojas: 3-for-3, 2B (10), HR (9), RBI, 3 RS, SB (1)
LF Oscar Gonzalez2-for-3, RBI, K
Gonzalez is 14-for-43 (.326) at this level (4 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR). 
C Luis Torrens1-for-3, 2 RBI
CF Greg Allen1-for-2, RS, HBP
2B Josh VanMeter1-for-3, 2B (7), RBI, K

RHP Cody Poteet4 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 4 K
4.05 ERA (33.1 IP, 26 H, 16 R, 15 ER, 4 HR, 11 BB, 38 K)
RHP Cody Morris (W, 3-0): 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
RHP Ron Marinaccio (S, 2): 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Game 2 (Lost, 3-1)

LF Taylor Trammell0-for-4, K
C Carlos Narvaez: 2-for-3, HR (4), RBI, RS, BB, K
.244/.392/.420 in 153 PA. 
1B T.J. Rumfield1-for-2, BB
Rumfield has a 7-game hitting streak and is hititng .317/.385/.424 in 156 PA between here and Somerset.
DH Everson Pereira0-for-2, BB, K
.265/.346/.512 in 182 PA (8 doubles, 1 triple, 10 HR, 27 RBI, 33 R, 14.6% BB, 32.4%)
RF Jose Rojas1-for-3, K
SS Jeter Downs0-for-3, 2 K
2B Josh VanMeter0-for-3
3B Kevin Smith1-for-3, K
CF Brandon Lockridge0-for-3, 2 K

RHP Yoendrys Gomez: (L, 0-2)  4 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, HR
3.62 ERA (27.1 IP, 21 H, 12 R, 11 ER, 4 HR, 18 BB, 33 K). The Yankees have until the end of next year’s spring training to determine what they are going to do with Gomez. For now, he is depth.
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Alex Mauricio1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
1.29 ERA (21 IP, 16 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 5 BB, 23 K)


Somerset (19-19) (Shut down Portland, 7-0)

CF Spencer Jones1-for-5, 2B (5), RS, 2 K
Jones’ first extra-base hit since May 7th (9 consecutive games without one). We’ll see if it sparks him.
3B DJ LeMahieu: 1-for-1, RBI, 2 RS, 3 BB
The Yankees will play it cautiously with LeMahieu, but this is an encouraging day. Some may wonder about how he will impact what the MLB team is doing. One hates to upset the apple cart, but a healthy LeMahieu is still a useful baseball player.
   3B Jordan Groshans0-for-1
C Agustin Ramirez0-for-2, 2 RS, 2 BB
He ends Sunday with an OPS just below 1.000 (.998). vs. LHP: .382/.463/.912.  vs. RHP: .239/.369/.489. That is acceptable, especially since he has 7 HR, 20 RBI, and 18 walks in 110 PA vs. RHP.
1B Ben Rice0-for-3, SF, RBI
Rice has slumped in May (.192/.317/.269), but at least he did something productive this afternoon. His bat has been too dominant in Double-A (24 HR in 84 games) for this to continue.
SS Ben Cowles: 1-for-2, 2B (14), 2 RBI, RS, SB (6), 2 BB
.331/.414/.543 in 152 PA (14 doubles, 2 triples, 3 HR, 24 RBI, 22 R, 6-for-6 SB, 12.5% BB, 15.8% K). 
LF Grant Richardson0-for-2, SB (6), HBP, BB, K
DH Jared Wegner0-for-3, RBI, BB, K
2B Anthony Seigler1-for-4, RBI, SB (6), 2 K
RF Aaron Palensky0-for-3, RS, 2 SB (7), BB, K

RHP Trystan Vrieling: (W, 3-4)  5.1 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K
4.40 ERA (45 IP, 40 H, 24 R, 22 ER, 2 HR, 10 BB, 44 K). Earlier in the week, against this team, Vrieling allowed 9 runs in 4.2 innings so this was a nice adjustment. 
RHP Ryan Anderson0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Tommy Kahnle1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Kahnle has retired all 15 batters he has faced during his rehab stint (Tampa/Somerset), striking out 11. He is on his way to New York now.
RHP Luis Velasquez1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Leonardo Pestana1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
Since promotion: 7.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K


Hudson Valley (19-17) (Lost to Jersey Shore, 6-5, in 10 innings)

2B Roc Riggio0-for-5, RS, BB, 3 K
SS Jared Serna: 2-for-3, 2B (9), RBI, RS, SB (4), 2 BB, K
.263/.388/.489 in 165 PA. He has 7 multi-hit games in his last 17 games played.
CF Jace Avina2-for-5, 2B (12), 3 RBI, SB (4), BB, K
.310/.412/.550 in 119 PA  (12 doubles, 4 HR, 18 RBI, 17 R, 4-for-4 SB).  He has hit safely in 13 of 15 May games (18-for-61, 9 doubles, 2 HR, 13 RBI, 12 R)
LF Jesus Rodriguez1-for-5
.308/.384/.489 in 151 PA with a 10.6% BB and 14.6% K. 
DH Omar Martinez: 1-for-4, BB, 3 K
Martinez has a 6-game hitting streak (7-for-20; 7 walks). He is starting to get rolling.
  PR-DH Kyle Battle0-for-0
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-5, RS, 2 K
Flores has a 5-game hitting streak and is 13-for-32 (.406) in May with 5 doubles and 8 walks.
3B Josh Moylan0-for-4, BB, K
1B Kiko Romero0-for-4, RS, BB
RF Cole Gabrielson: 2-for-3, 2B (5), RBI, RS, BB, HBP, K

LHP Ben Shields3.1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, HR
3.86 ERA (25.2 IP, 22 H, 12 R, 11 ER, 3 HR, 4 BB, 34 K). You have to love that K/BB. He started strong in April but has struggled in May. This was only his second start.
RHP Trent Sellers: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 0 K
2.82 ERA (22.1 IP, 14 H, 11 R, 7 ER, 16 BB, 30 K). This is the first time in his career (which only started this year) that he didn’t strike out at least one batter in an appearance.
RHP Mason Vinyard1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Steven Fulgencio: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Cole Ayers:  (L, 1-2) 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K


Tampa (14-25) (Defeated Bradenton, 3-1)

2B Jorbit Vivas0-for-4, K
  2B Brenny Escanio0-for-0
DH Jasson Dominguez0-for-2, 2 BB, K
This is the first time Dominguez played back-to-back games this season.
SS Roderick Arias2-for-4, 2 K
.213/.345/.348 in 171 PA (5 doubles, 4 triples, 2 HR, 17 RBI, 21 R, 9-for-15 SB, 15.8% BB, 35.7% K). Last 12 games: 12-for-44 (.273), 10 BB, 16 K.
1B Dylan Jasso1-for-4, 2B (13), K
.319/.360/.551 with 7 doubles, 3 HR, and 16 RBI in 17 May games.
CF Willy Montero0-for-4, K
3B Hans Montero: 2-for-3, 3B (2), HR (2), RBI, 2 RS, BB, K
Montero is 16-for-48 (.333; 2 doubles, 2 triples, 2 HR). He was 3-for-18 in his first five games. Interestingly, we don’t know if he would be here right now if not for the injuries to George Lombard Jr. and (especially) Enmanuel Tejeda.
RF Coby Morales2-for-4, RBI, RS
.321/.426/.429 with 3 doubles, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 11 R, and 11 walks in 16 May games. Morales was their 18th-round pick in the 2023 draft out of Washington. He bats lefty and has an extreme split (.294/.416/.363 vs. RHP; .097/.222/.097 vs. LHP)
C Edinson Duran1-for-3, 3B (1), RBI, BB
LF Dayro Perez0-for-4, 2 K

RHP Ryan Harvey: (W, 1-2) 5.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K
Harvey sets a new personal best for strikeouts in a game.
LHP Rafelin Nivar: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
The 22-year-old was called up from the FCL. In 33 appearances between the DSL/FCL since 2022, he went 4-1 with a 4.70 ERA in 51.2 IP. He walked 30 and struck out 72. Today, he threw 20 sinkers (92.3 MPH average), 7 changeups, and 3 sliders.
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Montana Semmel (S, 2): 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K


FCL (5-6)

They never play on Sunday.


DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 5/17: Sebastian Keane’s Big Effort

News:

I have nothing to offer you.

Scranton (28-13) (Lost a pitcher’s duel to Worcester, 9-8. How did these two teams play a 1-0 game earlier this week?)

2B Caleb Durbin1-for-5, RBI, RS, SB (20)
Durbin has 56 stolen bases in 111 games since joining the organization. 
CF Everson Pereira2-for-5, 2B (8), RBI, RS, K
.261/.341/.516 in 176 PA. 
1B T.J. Rumfield1-for-5, RBI, RS
Rumfield has a 6-game hitting streak.
DH Carlos Narvaez0-for-5, 2 K
LF Oscar Gonzalez3-for-4, 2B (4), 3B (1), 2 RS, BB
Gonzalez came up with a runner on second and two outs in the 9th, giving himself a shot at a dramatic cycle. It wasn’t meant to be.
RF Jose Rojas2-for-3, RBI, RS, BB
3B Jeter Downs0-for-2, 2 SF, 2 RBI
Productive Outs!
C Luis Torrens: 3-for-4, 2B (5), RBI, RS
SS Kevin Smith1-for-4, 2B (5), RBI, RS, 2 K

LHP Tanner Tully4 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, HR
LHP Clayton Andrews1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Yerry De Los Santos1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Phil Bickford: (L, 2-1)  0.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
LHP Anthony Misiewicz1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K


Somerset (18-18) (Defeated Portland, 9-4)

DH Spencer Jones1-for-4, RS, SB (8), K
3B DJ LeMahieu1-for-2
Hopefully, he comes out of this feeling healthy.
   2B Anthony Seigler0-for-2, RS, SB (5), BB
C Ben Rice0-for-4, K
Rice is down to .238/.365/.454 in 157 PA. He is only 10-for-49 in May with a .286 SLG, his calling card. Everyone goes through slumps!
SS Ben Cowles2-for-4, 2 2B (13), RBI, 2 RS, BB
.331/.410/.545 in 144 PA (13 doubles, 2 triples, 3 HR, 22 RBI, 21 R, 11.8% BB, 15.3% K, 5-for-5 SB). He is floating under the radar a bit, but what a start to 2024.
CF Grant Richardson2-for-5, 2B (11), HR (3), 3 RBI, 2 RS, K
Speaking of under-the-radar, Richardson is at .294/.348/.490 (11 doubles, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 16 R, 6.3% BB, 25% K). Yeah, Richardson is a bit of a free-swinging type.
1B J.C. Escarra2-for-4, RBI, RS
2B-3B Jordan Groshans1-for-3, RS, HBP
RF Elijah Dunham2-for-2, RS, SB (3), 2 BB
.273/.391/.468 in 92 PA. Dunham is 9-for-24 (.375/.531/.458) in May. He conquered this level in 2022, but struggled in Scranton in 2023.
LF Jared Wegner1-for-4, RBI, K

RHP Zach Messinger: (W, 2-2) 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
3.83 ERA (44.2 IP, 32 H, 26 R, 19 ER, 4 HR, 15 BB, 48 K). Last 4 starts: 2.08 ERA (21.2 IP, 12 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 21 K). Is he figuring things out? 
LHP Ryan Anderson1.2 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Colby White0.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Luis Velasquez1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K


Hudson Valley (19-15) (Defeated Jersey Shore, 6-3)

2B Roc Riggio1-for-4
SS Jared Serna1-for-4, K
LF Jace Avina0-for-4, K
Avina’s 11-game hitting streak is snapped.
C Jesus Rodriguez0-for-2, 2 RS, 2 BB
DH Omar Martinez1-for-3, RS, BB, K
  PR-DH Kyle Battle0-for-0
1B Rafael Flores: 1-for-2, RBI, RS, 2 BB, K
Flores is now 11-for-28 with 8 RBI in May. He plays 1B/C.
3B Kiko Romero: 1-for-2, HR (4), 3 RBI, 2 RS, SB (4), 2 BB, K
Romero has a .231 BA with a .851 OPS. He has 10 walks in 9 May games.
CF Nelson Medina0-for-4, 4 K
RF Cole Gabrielson1-for-4, RBI, 2 K

RHP Sebastian Keane: (W, 2-3) 7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
Keane needed only 80 pitches to get 21 outs in his longest career outing. Season: 5.06 ERA (32 IP, 32 H, 18 R, 18 ER, 1 HR, 16 BB, 29 K). Remember that he was a relief pitcher in his 2023 debut season. The Yankees drafted him in 2022 out of Northeastern (he was a starter there).
RHP Steven Fulgencio1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Cole Ayers1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K


Tampa (12-25) (Defeated Bradenton, 5-2)

3B George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-4, 2B (4)
The double was crushed (106.4 MPH/406 feet). Lombard also lined out at 107.4 MPH.
DH Tyler Hardman1-for-4, RBI, 2 K
SS Roderick Arias0-for-3, RS, BB, 2 K
1B Dylan Jasso0-for-4, RS, K
CF Jackson Castillo3-for-3, 2 2B (7), RBI, RS, BB
.278/.422/.528 in 90 PA. He is 14-for-42 (.333) in May with 5 doubles, 3 HR, 6 RBI, and 12 runs scored. A switch suddenly turned on.
LF Willy Montero0-for-2, 2 BB, K
2B Hans Montero1-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, RS, 2 K
Montero, who is 13-for-44 (.295/.367/.455) since his promotion, hit 5 HR in 53 games during his breakout in the FCL last season.
RF Coby Morales0-for-2, RS, 2 BB, 2 K
Morales has six walks in his last three games.
C Tomas Frick0-for-4, K
This is the first time he hasn’t reached base this season (17th game)

LHP Allen Facundo: (W, 1-1)  5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K
2.88 ERA (25 IP, 16 H, 10 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 13 BB, 27 K). A lefty who can touch 96.7 MPH (which he did tonight) is worth watching.
RHP Cade Austin2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 2 HR
RHP Montana Semmel: (S, 1) 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
1.40 ERA (19.1 IP, 13 H, 6 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 5 BB, 16 K)


FCL (4-6) (Lost to the Phillies, 7-3, in a 7-inning game)

CF Brian Sanchez2-for-2, 2B (2), RS, SB (3), BB
3B Luis Ogando0-for-2, RS, SB (2), BB, K

RHP Jesus Liranzo1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HR
His rehab stint continues…
LHP Brady Rose (L, 0-1): 3.1 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Yoljeldriz Diaz1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Diaz compiled a 6.35 ERA in 11.1 IP for Low-A Tampa (14 BB/12 K)


DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 5/15: It’s Serna Day!

News:

I have nothing to offer you.

Scranton (28-12) (Squeaked past Worcester, 1-0)

3B Caleb Durbin0-for-4, SB (18), BB, K
Durbin is second in the International League in SB (Steward Berroa (Buffalo) has 20)
LF Everson Pereira0-for-4, BB, K
.259/.339/.524 (8.5% BB; 33.9% K) in 165 PA. It’s an interesting profile that shows off his power (7 doubles, 10 HR) and swing-and-miss. 
1B T.J. Rumfield1-for-5, SB (2)
Rumfield has hit safely in 8 of his last 9 games (13-for-34; .382). 
DH Taylor Trammell1-for-3, 2B (1), BB, K
Trammell is 4-for-16 with a double since joining the Railriders. 
RF Oscar Gonzalez0-for-3, HBP, 2 K
C Luis Torrens0-for-3, BB, K
2B Josh VanMeter0-for-3, SB (2), BB, K
SS Kevin Smith2-for-4, 2 2B (4), RS, K
CF Brandon Lockridge1-for-2, RBI, CS (2), 2 BB
.229/.373/.325 in 102 PA (6 doubles, 1 triple, 0 HR, 12 RBI, 15-for-17 SB). Lockridge hit 39 HR between 2019-2022 (there wasn’t a season in 2020) but has only three in 2023-2024. I still think he can carve out an MLB career.

RHP Clayton Beeter4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 5 BB, 3 K
2.53 ERA (32 IP, 17 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 1 HR, 21 BB, 44 K). Is the wildness what makes him tough to hit? Or would he still be tough to hit if he curtailed the wildness?  
RHP Cody Morris: (W, 2-0) 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K
1.40 ERA (19.1 IP, 12 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 11 BB, 26 K)
LHP Anthony Misiewicz2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Phil Bickford (S, 4): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
2.40 ERA (15 IP, 13 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 4 BB, 18 K). In MLB, Bickford has been a “meh” reliever with a high K rate (26.6%). This is mostly due to walks and fly balls. Whether the Yankees can find a way to work with this remains to be seen – but if you are a pitcher looking to find new ways to be effective, signing with the Yankees should be near the top of your list.


Somerset (17-17) (Win a pitching duel over Portland, 1-0. This follows a 11-10 loss last night. Baseball!)

CF Spencer Jones0-for-4, 4 K
.237/.306/.361 in 108 PA. There was a point early last year where people were wondering about Jasson Dominguez. We all know how that story ended up. So, we’ll see if Jones can build a similar story in 2024 (not that I expect him to march up to MLB regardless)
DH Oswald Peraza1-for-4, HR (2), RBI, RS, K
His home run in the 4th held up.
C Ben Rice0-for-3, 3 K
.246/.374/.467 in 148 PA (14.9% BB; 24.3% K). He is 9-for-41 (.220) in May (1 HR, 8 BB, 8 K).
1B Agustin Ramirez1-for-3, 2B (5), SB (8), K
.284/.403/.638 (15.8% BB; 18.7% K) in 139 PA. His BABIP, which I referenced last night, has normalized (.269). You can disparage “advanced” (not that BABIP is all that advanced) metrics all day – the data showed that a correction was coming for Ramirez and here it is. The Yankees need to decide whether his projected bat is too good to worry about catcher development, even if that development increases trade value.
SS Ben Cowles1-for-2, SB (5)
Cowles left the game after the stolen base.
   PR-3B J.C. Escarra0-for-1, K
3B-SS Jordan Groshans0-for-3
LF Jared Wegner0-for-3
2B Anthony Seigler0-for-2, SB (4), BB, K
RF Aaron Palensky0-for-2, SB (5), BB, 2 K

RHP Blane Abeyta: (W,2-3) 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
4.86 ERA (37 IP, 45 H, 29 R, 20 ER, 4 HR, 8 BB, 28 K)
RHP Yorlin Calderon2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Between Scranton/Somerset/Hudson Valley: 2.18 ERA (20.2 IP, 12 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 19 K)
RHP Kevin Stevens (S, 2): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K


Hudson Valley (17-15) (Defeated Jersey Shore, 9-3)

2B Roc Riggio1-for-5, 2B (5), SB (6), K
.213/.343/.382 in 108 PA. Riggio is hitting .204 in his first 45 professional games, which is something to monitor. He makes a lot of contact and it is nice to see some extra-base hits in 2024.
SS Jared Serna0-for-1, 3 RS, 4 BB
Serna’s first career 4 BB game (not that it should be common). He is hitting .250/.375/.448 (15.97% BB; 13.9% K) in 144 PA. Going back to 4/28, he is 20-for-55 (.364) with 9 walks and 10 strikeouts. Interestingly, the only three homers he has during this streak were hit on the same day (5/1). Baseball!
CF Jace Avina1-for-3, 2B (9), RS, 2 BB, K
Avina now owns a 10-game hitting streak and is hitting .293/.404/.476 in 99 PA. This is the 20-year-old’s first taste of High-A, and he is holding his own. Last year, in A ball for the Brewers’ organization, he hit .233/.373/.442.  Avina’s .440 BABIP will come down, so we’ll have to see where he settles in. 
C Jesus Rodriguez0-for-3, 3 RS, 2 BB
.322/.386/.517 (9.1% BB; 14.4% K) in 132 PA. He is second in the Sally League in average and 6th in slugging percentage. It is easy to see him in Somerset this season. Last year, the Yankees played him in 84 Low-A games before promoting him here. He is at 55 games at this level (his triple slash is a ridiculous .337/.422/.524).
DH Rafael Flores2-for-4, 2B (8), 3 RBI, RS, BB, K
Flores has three multi-hit games in his last four games played. 
1B Josh Moylan2-for-5, 3 RBI, RS, K
There’s a hot streak in Moylan somewhere…it hasn’t come out yet.
LF Nelson Medina1-for-4, 2B (2), 2 RBI, BB, 2 K
3B Beau Brewer0-for-4, K
RF Cole Gabrielson1-for-3, BB, K

RHP Baron Stuart: (W, 1-1)  6 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
4.13 ERA (24 IP, 23 H, 12 R, 11 ER, 1 HR, 11 BB, 16 K)
RHP Matt Keating2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
3.60 ERA (20 IP, 12 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 2 HR, 8 BB, 24 K). Keating (23) struck out 93 in 65.1 IP for Low-A Tampa last year.
RHP Luis Arejula1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K


Tampa (11-24) (Defeated Bradenton, 5-0)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-4, K
DH Tyler Hardman0-for-4, K
Hardman started his rehab here, went to the FCL for one game, and is now back. It makes sense to somebody, and that is all that matters.
3B Roderick Arias: 1-for-3, 2B (5), 2 RS, 2 SB (9), BB, K
I am asked what my honest assessment of Arias is. The answer? I don’t have one. We have to see how he progresses as the season goes along. Earlier in 2024, he was generating some power without the walks. Now, he is walking more but the power has drifted away (only two extra-base hits in May after compiling eight in April). It’s all a part of a process that will take a while to play out.
1B Dylan Jasso1-for-4, RBI, RS, 2 K
Jasso has 16 RBI in 13 May games.
LF Jackson Castillo0-for-2, RS, 2 BB
Castillo is 10-for-36 with 14 walks in May. As is the case with Jasso, he was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2023.
CF Willy Montero: 1-for-2, RBI, RS, 2 BB, K
Montero has hit safely in eight of his last nine games.
2B Hans Montero: 2-for-3, 2B (2), 2 RBI, BB, K
13-for-37 (.351). Last 6 games: 9-for-19. He has four multi-hit games in his last five starts.
C Manuel Palencia1-for-4, K
RF Daury Arias0-for-3

RHP Luis Serna: (W, 2-2)  6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K
Brilliance. Season: 5.40 ERA (26.2 IP, 23 H, 16 R, 16 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 31 K). Three May starts: 15.1 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 15 K.  Don’t forget that Serna is only 19 years old.
RHP Jordy Luciano: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 K
RHP Aaron Nixon: (S, 2) 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
2.33 ERA (19.1 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 0 HR, 16 BB, 21 K)


FCL (4-4) 

Scheduled day off.


DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

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 6/10: Fitts, Hampton Dominate

News:

OF Brandon Lockridge is now a member of the Scranton Railriders. The 26-year-old (who can play any of the three outfield positions) hit .313/.395/.510 in 114 plate appearances for Somerset, stealing 17 bases in 19 attempts. Don’t be fooled by the fact he has played mostly RF this season. There are kids named Jasson Dominguez and Everson Pereira who need their CF reps.

Last year, Lockridge had a shockingly down season, hitting only .230/.300/.378 in 108 games for Somerset. This was after hitting .328/.382/.557 in 43 games for Somerset in 2021. Interestingly, a repeat of his 2021 season may have forced the Yankees to protect him (or trade him). His down season likely kept him from being a Rule 5 target.

He is a legitimate depth outfielder who can make his debut at any point. At the very least, he could be a Tim Locastro type in the big leagues. It is all dependent on what the bat becomes – the glove and speed are in place.

SS Oswald Peraza missed today’s doubleheader against Norfolk. I learned later in the day that he fouled a ball off of his leg in yesterday’s game, so that can explain it.

Scranton (28-33) (Split a doubleheader with Norfolk)

Game 1 (Lost, 4-2)

LF Estevan Florial1-for-4, HR (13), 2 RBI, RS, K
Florial extends his on-base streak to 28. He is four home runs shy of his season-best, set in 2021.
CF Brandon Lockridge1-for-3, BB, 2 K
It is always nice to get that first hit out of the way when you join a new level.
C Rodolfo Duran0-for-2, 2 BB
.270/.333/.504 in 150 PA.
3B Andres Chaparro: 2-for-3, 2B (10)
Chaparro’s hitting streak reaches 7 (this is his first multi-hit game during the streak)
DH Franchy Cordero0-for-2, BB, K
1B Carlos Narvaez0-for-2, BB, 2 K
2B Jamie Westbrook2-for-3, K
SS Jesus Bastidas0-for-3, 2 K
RF Michael Hermosillo2-for-3, RS
Hermosillo’s first game since 5/20.

RHP Will Warren: (L, 2-3) 5 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, HR
Since promotion: 7.08 ERA (20.1 IP, 23 H, 19 R, 16 ER, 6 HR, 10 BB, 21 K)
RHP Aaron McGarity2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
4.91 ERA (29.1 IP, 17 H, 16 R, 16 ER, 6 HR, 12 BB, 40 K)

Game 2 (Won, 7-6, in 11 innings)

CF Estevan Florial1-for-5, RS, K
Florial extends his on-base streak to 29.
LF Elijah Dunham1-for-5, RS, 2 K, SB (8)
Dunham is 8-for-31 in June. He stole 37 bases in 2022, so he has the ability to run. He simply hasn’t been able to consistently get on base.
C Ben Rortvedt1-for-5, RBI, 2 RS, K, SB (2)
1B-3B Andres Chaparro0-for-4, RS, BB, K
Chaparro’s 7-game hitting streak is snapped.
RF-1B Franchy Cordero2-for-4, HR (4), 3 RBI, 2 RS, BB
3B-2B Jamie Westbrook2-for-4, 2B (7), RBI, BB
DH Carlos Narvaez1-for-4, RBI, 2 K
  PR-RF Michael Hermosillo0-for-1
SS Jesus Bastidas1-for-5, RBI
Walk-off RBI single in the 11th.
2B-P Wilmer Difo0-for-4

RHP Colten Brewer1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
They had to go with a bullpen game in Game 2.
RHP James Norwood2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Michael Gomez2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
LHP D.J. Snelten: 2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 2 HR
RHP Greg Weissert1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Wilmer Difo: (W, 1-0)  2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
The Railriders ran out of pitchers, so Difo had to do double duty!

Somerset (33-22) (Defeated Hartford, 5-2)

SS Trey Sweeney1-for-3, BB, K
Sweeney now has an 8-game hitting streak.
LF Jasson Dominguez0-for-4
.203/.364/.390 in 231 PA (5 doubles, 1 triple, 9 HR, 34 RBI, 39 R, 46 BB, 58 K, 14-for-17 SB). He has a .239 BABIP, which is impacting his bottom line. Overall, his season has been fine – not overwhelming, but fine.
C Austin Wells1-for-4, RS, K
.259/.358/.526 in 134 PA (7 doubles, 8 HR, 28 RBI, 18 R, 18 BB, 29 K). 
3B Tyler Hardman1-for-3, RS, BB, K, CS (2)
1B T.J. Rumfield1-for-4, HR (9), 2 RBI, RS, K
.234/.327/.455 in 171 PA. He has homered in back-to-back games and in three of his last four games. His power surge is an under-the-radar story.
DH Anthony Seigler1-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, RS, 2 K
Seigler is 6-for-21 in June with a pair of doubles and a home run. 
CF Jeisson Rosario1-for-2, RS, 2 BB, K, 2 SB (7)
Rosario is on a little 5-game hitting streak (6-for-17; HR, 3 SB). Maybe this will get him going.
2B Max Burt0-for-3, HBP, K, SB (8)
RF Aaron Palensky0-for-4, 2 K

RHP Richard Fitts: (W, 3-4): 8 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 10 K, HR
Fitts is starting to cruise along. This is his 4th straight strong start and second time he struck out 10 during this stretch. Overall: 4.25 ERA (59.1 IP, 59 H, 28 R, 28 ER, 8 HR, 15 BB, 65 K)
RHP Alex Mauricio1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

Hudson Valley (32-24) (Shut down Jersey Shore, 4-0)

CF Spencer Jones1-for-4, 2B (18), RS, BB, 2 K
Jones hasn’t homered in 21 games. He does have 7 doubles during this timeframe, so that’s something.
SS Alexander Vargas0-for-5, 3 K
Vargas is 1-for-27 in June and 1-for-32 if you include the last game in May. Eek. 
C Josh Breaux1-for-5, RS, 2 K
RF Anthony Garcia0-for-4, RBI, K
DH Antonio Gomez: 2-for-4, 2 2B (10), RBI, RS, 2 K
Gomez is 8-for-19 with three doubles and a home run in June. By the way, he hit exactly 10 doubles in both 2021 and 2022. Hopefully, for his sake, he surpasses that number this year.
1B Spencer Henson2-for-3, 2B (10), RBI, BB
.282/.358/.500 in 179 PA (10 doubles, 8 HR, 27 RBI, 32 R, 16 BB, 44 K)
LF Aldenis Sanchez0-for-3, BB, K
3B Marcos Cabrera2-for-4, 2B (7), 3B (2), RS
Cabrera is 6-for-19 in June with four doubles and a triple.
2B Luis Santos: 3-for-4, RBI, K, CS (2)

RHP Chase Hampton: (W, 2-1)  5.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K
The only negative is that it took him 92 pitches, which may be surprising given the lack of hits and walks. Regardless, that is the smallest of nitpicks as he continues his dominant run. Season: 2.68 ERA (47 IP, 31 H, 18 R, 14 ER, 5 HR, 16 BB, 77 K). 77 strikeouts in 47 innings for a pitcher in his first professional season. The Yankees challenged him from the start and he has responded. I am not comparing him to the rise of Joba Chamberlain as every prospect is different – what I will say is that the Yankees were very aggressive with Chamberlain in 2007. He pitched in High-A, Double-A, Triple-A, and New York in his first year. I am putting the cart before the horse – let’s get him to Double-A first.
RHP Luis Velasquez1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
A strong High-A debut for Velasquez, who pitched to a 1.05 ERA in 25.2 IP for Tampa (33/15 K/BB ratio)
LHP Josh Maciejewski: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Mason Vinyard: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K

Tampa (25-30) (Beat up on Lakeland, 13-7. The Tarpons have reached double digits in runs scored three games in a row)

2B Jared Serna1-for-4, RBI, RS, BB, HBP, K
.317/.382/.522 in 228 PA (10 doubles, 1 triple, 10 HR, 33 RBI, 36 R, 20 BB, 39 K, 13-for-17 SB)
CF Daury Arias2-for-6, 2 RBI, 2 RS, K
Daury did all of his damage in the 9-run first inning. 
DH Agustin Ramirez1-for-4, 2B (5), 2 RBI, RS, BB, K
.253/.398/.390 in 186 PA. 
SS Brenny Escanio0-for-4, SF, RBI, K
RF Matt Pita1-for-2, HR (1), 2 RBI, RS, HBP
Pita (26) is on a rehab stint (this is his first game of the season).
  
RF Felix Negueis1-for-1, RS, BB, SB (2)
LF Christopher Familia1-for-5, RS, 4 K
Familia has a 6-game hitting streak going. He homered in the first five games of the streak.
C Omar Martinez1-for-4, 2 RS, BB, K
Martinez has hit safely in 8 of his last 9 games (11-for-34; .324)
3B Ronny Rojas2-for-4, 2B (4), RBI, 3 RS, BB, K
1B Beau Brewer2-for-3, SF, 3 RBI, RS, 2 BB, K
Last year’s 19th-round pick has a 10/4 BB/K ratio (nice) but is still looking for his first extra-base hit in 2023.

RHP Justin Lange: 4.1 IP, 1 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 5 BB, 7 K, HR
This kind of stat line should just be dubbed the “Lange”.  Season: 4.30 ERA (37.2 IP, 20 H, 22 R, 18 ER, 2 HR, 30 BB, 65 K)
RHP Matt Keating (W, 4-4): 1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
RHP Alex Bustamante2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
3.16 ERA (25.2 IP, 14 H, 12 R, 9 ER, 0 HR, 17 BB, 25 K)
RHP Manny Ramirez1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K

FCL Yankees (3-2) (Mauled the Blue Jays, 10-2. This game had the makings of a crazy 25-4 score early, but they didn’t score after the 4th inning)

2B Keiner Delgado2-for-4, 2 RS, BB, 2 SB (4)
I talked a bit about Roderick Arias‘ chances to make it to Tampa this year – I wouldn’t count out Delgado, either. He is now 6-for-18 with eight walks and a 4-for-6 SB rate.
SS Roderick Arias0-for-5, 3 K
The prospect with all the hype didn’t join the party today.
CF Willy Montero3-for-5, 2 RBI, 2 RS
Montero is now 8-for-15 with a pair of doubles.
DH Hans Montero: 2-for-4, HR (2; grand slam), 4 RBI, 2 RS, BB, K
His DSL experience wasn’t the best but he has started strong here. You never know when (if?) something will click with a bonus baby.
3B Enmanuel Tejeda4-for-4, HR (2), 3 RBI, RS, 2 SB (4)
7-for-16 with five runs batted in and a perfect 4-for-4 stealing bases.
LF Dayro Perez0-for-3, RS, BB, 2 K
After a few games in RF, Perez makes his debut in LF. I have no quarrels with trying to develop him as more of a super-utility type. The up-the-middle field of prospects is a crowded one.
1B Kelvin Espino2-for-3, 2B (1), RBI, RS, BB

RHP Matt Sauer: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
One has to assume he won’t linger down here much longer.
RHP Jackson Fristoe: 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 2 K
Fristoe’s professional debut. He is listed at 6’4″ and comes out of Mississippi State.
LHP Edwar Polimir2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, HR
The 22-year-old struck out 59 hitters in 38.1 innings for the DSL squad last year.
RHP Montana Semmel0.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Semmel has tossed 32.2 innings at this level, compiling a 3.03 ERA and 31/11 K/BB ratio. If he is healthy, they will get him to Tampa soon enough.

DSL Yankees (5-0) and the DSL Bombers (5-0) both won. The Yankees won a crazy 13-12 game (they were down 12-5) while the Bombers took a much less crazy 5-2 decision.

For the Yankees:
2B Luis Escudero (17) went 2-for-4 with a big 3-run HR (first of his career) with two outs in the 8th inning…C Josue Gonzalez (19) contributed a huge 3-run double…DH Santiago Gomez (19) had a hit, three walks, two runs scored, and a stolen base…CF Andres Lacruz (18) had two hits (including a double), two runs batted in, and a stolen base…For such a crazy game, it ended in a mundane way: An RBI walk by LF Jhon Imbert, one of his three walks…RHP Ernesto Disla (19) calmed things down with 1.1 scoreless innings. He walked one and struck out two…

For the Bombers:

Both LF Abrahan Ramirez and 2B Geyber Blanco had a pair of hits. Blanco’s hits included a double…C Edgleen Perez drove home a pair of runs without a hit. He went 0-for-2 with two walks and an HBP…CF Ramiro Altagracia doubled, walked, and drove home a run…

RHP Joshawn Lampson2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Alejandro Gomez4.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K.
Gomez is 20 and this is his third year down here.