Tag: Jace Avina

Yankees MILB 9/9: Brendan Jones: 3 Hits

Notes:

Trade analysis links:
Jose Caballero/Camilo Doval (link)
David Bednar/Jake Bird (link)
Ryan McMahon (link)
Amed Rosario (link)
Austin Slater (link)

Updated look at the trade deadline.

My thoughts on Core Jackson.

I have nothing more to offer today.

Injury Log

Scranton (81-55; 43-21 in second half) (Lost to Lehigh Valley, 5-4. They scored a run in the bottom of the 9th and had 2nd and 3rd with one out, but couldn’t get the tying run home.)

Syracuse won to pull within three games of the lead.  Lehigh Valley is within six games. The Phillies are 82-55 overall, so this is not an easy opponent.

2B Jorbit Vivas: 0-for-4, 2 K
C J.C. Escarra: 0-for-3, BB
CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-4, R, 2 K
Jones has a 5-game hitting streak that features one hit per game (5-for-19; 2 doubles, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 4 R, 1 BB, 12 K). Yes, he has made 14 outs, 12 of which are strikeouts.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-3, BB, K
  PR Duke Ellis: 0-for-0, R
DH Jose Rojas: 2-for-3, 2 HR (29), 3 RBI, 2 R, BB
Rojas is one home run and one RBI short of his second career 30 HR, 100+ RBI season (31 HR, 107 RBI for Salt Lake in 2019).  This is his 4th multi-HR effort this season.
  PR Ismael Munguia: 0-for-0
LF Brennen Davis: 1-for-4, 2B (5), RBI, 2 K
   PR Andrew Velazquez: 0-for-0
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 0-for-4
3B Jeimer Candelario: 0-for-3, BB, K
SS Braden Shewmake: 1-for-3, SB (13), CS (2)

RHP Kenta Maeda: 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 2 K
Menta batted his way through this one. 
RHP Joel Kuhnel: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
LHP Brent Headrick: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Scott Effross: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Jake Bird: (L, 1-2) 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Effross has a 7.18 Triple-A ERA. Bird’s is now 7.15.

Somerset (71-62; 36-28 in the second half) (Defeated Reading, 7-6, in 11 innings. Somerset extends their winning streak to seven)

Hartford won to remain 3.5 games back with five games left. Portland is eliminated.

CF Brendan Jones: 3-for-6, 2B (13), RBI, 3 R, SB (22), 2 K
Jones is having a fun September: 6-for-22 (.273) with a pair of doubles, seven runs, eight walks, and a 7-for-7 stolen base rate. He will win the organization’s stolen base title (45), and his 84 runs rank third (behind Spencer Jones (94) and George Lombard Jr. (87)). When a player is promoted from High-A to Double-A and does better, that is something you need to pay attention to.
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-4, 2 BB, 2 K
At this level: .213/.336/.358 in 444 PA (22 doubles, 4 triples, 8 home runs, 34 RBI, 65 R, 22-for-25 SB, 13.7% BB, 26.1% K). 
LF Jace Avina: 3-for-5, 2B (10), RBI, HBP, K
Avina’s first 3-hit Double-A effort. He is hitting .214/.303/.338 in 175 plate appearances since his promotion.
3B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-3, 2 SF, 3 RBI, BB, 2 K
Two sacrifice flies and an RBI walk. Whatever it takes!  His clutch hitting (.296/.357/.400 with RISP) has helped him achieve a 74-RBI season. That is within one RBI of the Eastern League lead (Ryan Clifford (NYM) has 75).
1B Tyler Hardman: 1-for-5, RBI, R, SB (12), BB, 2 K
RF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-5, 3 K
DH Coby Morales: 0-for-4, 2 K
   PH-DH Garrett Martin: 0-for-1, K
C Manuel Palencia: 0-for-5, R, K
2B Jake Gatewood: 1-for-3, 2 R, CI, BB, 2 K

LHP Kyle Carr: 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
Carr’s second Double-A start goes much better than his first (3.2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 4 K). He might start again on Sunday, but if he doesn’t, this would be his final stat line: 24 starts, 8-6, 2.25 ERA (128 IP, 87 H, 41 R, 32 ER, 6 HR, 52 BB, 113 K)
RHP Mason Vinyard:  1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
At this level: 4.11 ERA (46 IP, 33 H, 21 R, 21 ER, 4 HR, 24 BB, 51 K)
RHP Indigo Diaz: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
2.63 ERA (51.1 IP, 35 H, 18 R, 15 ER, 2 HR, 22 BB, 46 K).  Second half: 0.73 ERA (24.2 IP, 15 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 10 BB, 21 K)
RHP Zach Messinger: 2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Michael Arias (W, 3-0): 1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Baron Stuart (S, 1): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Hudson Valley (79-50; 41-24 second half) 

Their season is over.

Tampa (63-63; 27-34 in the second half)

Their season is over.

FCL (28-30)

Their season is over.

DSL Yankees (24-32)

Their season is over.

DSL Bombers (31-25)

Their season is over.

Yankees MILB 7/22: Kyle Carr is Rolling

Notes:

Just in time for the trade deadline, LHP Henry Lalane began a rehab assignment in the FCL today.

Injury Log

Scranton (55-38; 17-4 in second half) (Lost to Rochester, 7-1)

LF Everson Pereira: 0-for-4, K
CF Spencer Jones: 0-for-3, BB, K
He’s human!  Jones is now 29-for-71 (.408) since his promotion.
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-2, HR (1), RBI, R, 2 BB
Flores hits his first Triple-A home run (16th HR overall this season)
1B T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
3B Jeimer Candelario: 0-for-4, 2 K
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 2-for-4, 2 K
DH Jose Rojas: 0-for-3, K
2B Nicky Lopez: 0-for-2, BB, K
SS Andrew Velazquez: 1-for-3

RHP Sean Boyle: (L, 7-7)  3.2 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, HR
Boyle was activated off the injured list today.
RHP Yerry De los Santos: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
His rehab was moved here from Somerset today.
LHP Jayvien Sandridge: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Joel Kuhnel: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Harrison Cohen: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Since promotion: 0.87 ERA (10.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 6 BB, 9 K)

Somerset (48-43; 13-9 in second half) (Lost to Erie, 4-3, in ten innings)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-3, 2 BB
Lombard Jr. owns a 5-game hitting streak (6-for-21; 2 doubles, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB, 3 K). Known for his ability to draw walks, tonight ended an 8-game drought in that category. Additionally, he hasn’t stolen a base since June 28th. Those last two facts shouldn’t concern you, but the hitting streak that includes some power should encourage you.
RF Jace Avina: 1-for-5, HR (2), 2 RBI, R, K
Since promotion: 5-for-25 with a double and a pair of homers. Overall, he is hitting .284/.405/.502 in 252 PA (14 doubles, 10 HR, 36 RBI, 44 R, 4-for-5 SB). He has reached double digits in homers in all four of his minor league seasons.
2B Roc Riggio: 0-for-5, 3 K
Riggio is 3-for-22 since his 4-for-5 day on July 5th. Baseball!
3B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-5
C Omar Martinez: 1-for-5, 2B (4), R, 2 K
Since promotion: .226/.306/.387 in 72 PA (4 doubles, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 10 R, 8 BB, 19 K). 
CF Brendan Jones: 0-f0r-3, BB, 2 K
1B Tyler Hardman: 1-for-4, K
DH Cole Gabrielson: 0-for-3, SB (12), BB, K
LF Jared Wegner: 1-for-3, 2B (5), R, SB (4), BB, K

RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz: 7 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, HR
His first start at this level wasn’t great (6 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 3 K). The follow-up is much better. The home run is only the second home run he has allowed this season (96.2 IP), and he owns a 109/39 K/BB.  Expect his name to come up in trade talks.
LHP Ryan Anderson: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Hayden Merda: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Last four appearances: 4.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 6 K. All four walks were in one of those appearances.
RHP Indigo Diaz: (L, 7-2)  0.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Hudson Valley (52-35; 15-9 second half) (Defeated Rome, 4-3)

CF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-4
LF Coby Morales: 2-for-4, 2B (17), 2 K
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-4, 2 R
2B Jose Colmenares: 1-for-4, 2B (15), RBI, R, 2 K
3B Josh Moylan: 2-for-3, 2B (13), BB
Moylan has three multi-hit efforts in his last four games and is hitting .306/.432/.528 in July.
C Manuel Palencia: 2-for-4, RBI, R
Since promotion: 9-for-44 with a double and six RBI.
1B Kiko Romero: 1-for-3, BB, K
DH John Cristino: 1-for-4, 3 K
Cristino’s High-A debut after hitting .333/.400/.538 in the FCL.
RF Anthony Hall: 1-for-3, RBI, K

LHP Kyle Carr: 6.2 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K
2.18 ERA (82.2 IP, 57 H, 29 R, 20 ER, 5 HR, 36 BB, 72 K).  Last five starts: 0.00 ERA (29 IP, 17 H, 4 R, 0 ER, 0 HR, 10 BB, 31 K). The 23-year-old, who was drafted in the third round in 2023, is making his case for a trip to Somerset.
RHP Sebastian Keane: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
LHP Geoffrey Gilbert (W, 3-0): 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Gilbert did allow both inherited runners to score.
RHP Huey Morrill (S, 5): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Between here and Somerset (2 games): 0.51 ERA (35 IP, 14 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 11 BB, 25 K)

Tampa (45-44; 9-15 in the second half) (Lost to Dunedin, 6-3)

DH Edgleen Perez: 1-for-4, R, BB, K
Perez puts an end to his 0-for-23 slide.
SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-4, 2 K
C Engelth Urena: 1-for-4, R, K
3B Juan Matheus: 2-for-4, R, K
.265/.359/.350 in 348 PA (20 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 39 RBI, 44 R, 35-for-43 SB, 12.9% BB, 20.4% K).  This is his 21st multi-hit effort this season
CF Willy Montero: 3–for-4, RBI, CS (2)
Montero is 12-for-40 (.300) since returning from his rehab stint.
2B Enmanuel Tejeda: 0-for-3, RBI, BB
Tejeda’s rehab is over, and he has been officially assigned to Tampa.
RF Tyler Wilson: 0-for-3, K
  1B Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-1, K
LF Marshall Toole: 0-for-2, RBI, 2 BB
1B-RF Hans Montero: 0-for-4, 3 K

RHP Andrew Landry: (L, 4-4) 4.1 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, HR
Landry is back after making one emergency start for Hudson Valley.
RHP Sean Hermann: 1.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Gus Hughes: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
4.22 ERA (32 IP, 29 H, 20 R, 15 ER, 4 HR, 13 BB, 33 K)

FCL (28-29) (Defeated the Phillies, 8-5, in ten innings. If they can get the Tigers on Thursday, they will finish the season at .500.)

SS Dexters Peralta: 2-for-4, HR (2), RBI, 3 R, 2 SB (10), BB, K
It was going to be impossible for Peralta to recover fully from his dreadful start. After a .097/.171/.097 May, he put up a .103/.232/.121 June. All the credit to the 18-year-old for not giving up on his season, and he is hitting .271/.333/.438 in July.
CF Isael Arias: 1-for-4, RBI, R, SB (26), CS (2), K
Imagine how many stolen bases he would have compiled if his OBP were higher than .264.
C Ediel Rivera: 1-for-4, HR (2), 3 RBI, R, BB, 2 K
Rivera hit a walk-off 3-run home run in the 10th. The 19-year-old is hitting .233/.348/.353 in 181 plate appearances during his debut season.
DH Luis Escudero: 1-for-2, HR (3), RBI, 2 R, 2 BB, K
It hasn’t been a long career (three seasons), but he has set a new personal best for home runs in a season.
1B Santiago Gomez: 1-for-3, R, HBP, K

LHP Henry Lalane: 3 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR
You likely know the Lalane story by now. The talent is immense. Staying healthy has been a problem (36 innings the last three seasons).
RHP Jose Martinez: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
3.20 ERA (19.2 IP, 19 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 2 HR, 4 BB, 23 K). The 20-year-old has shown impressive control in his young career (17 BB in 86 innings).
LHP Pedro Rodriguez: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Hansel Rosario (W, 2-1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

DSL Yankees (14-22) (Lost to the DSL Twins, 12-7. They allowed six runs in the top of the 9th.)

CF Francisco Vilorio: 1-for-5, R, 2 K
SS Mani Cedeno: 3-for-5, 2B (3), 2 RBI, R, 4 SB (11), K
It is fair to say that this is a career-best performance for the 16-year-old. It’s his second 3-hit effort this season, and he is hitting .194/.374/.259 in 139 PA (3 doubles, 2 triples, 0 HR, 10 RBI, 28 R, 11-for-12 SB, 17.99% BB, 35.97% K).
2B Carlos Bello: 1-for-3, R, 2 SB (9), 2 BB, K
3B Richard Matic: 1-for-4, R, BB, 2 K
C Justin Capellan: 1-for-4, 2B (10), 2 RBI, 2 R,  2 SB (11), BB, K
The 19-year-old is expected to reach the FCL in 2026. He is hitting .273/.377/.522 in 122 PA.
RF Estivenzon Montero: 1-for-4, 2B (5), SB (6), CS (3), BB, 2 K
Only 18, Montero has put together a strong campaign: .293/.386/.525 (5 doubles, 6 HR, 20 RBI, 14 R)

RHP Enixon Sanchez: 4.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, HR
3.48 ERA (31 IP, 32 H, 16 R, 12 ER, 1 HR, 20 BB, 38 K)

DSL Bombers (19-17) (Squeaked past the 27-9 Rockies, 9-7)

SS Stiven Marinez: 1-for-3, RBI, R, CS (5), 2 BB, 2 K
.262/.443/.320 in 140 PA (4 doubles, 1 triple, 0 HR, 11 RBI, 26 R, 19-for-24 SB, 23.6% BB, 25% K). A strong debut campaign for the 17-year-old bonus baby.
CF Ruben Castillo: 0-for-3, R, SB (14), BB, K
3B Juan Torres: 2-for-5, HR (3), 2 RBI, R
Speaking of 17-year-olds having strong debut campaigns, Torres has been incredible. He is hitting .337/.398/.488 in 98 PA (4 doubles, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 21 R, 10-for-15 SB, 4.1% BB, 13.3% K).
1B Leni Done: 1-for-5, RBI, R
LF David Carrera: 1-for-3, HR (1), RBI, 3 R, BB, K
The 18-year-old launches his first professional home run (65th game).
C Carlos Rodon: 2-for-4, 2B (3), 3 RBI, R, K

LHP Ronald Tejada: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
RHP Alexis Gonzalez (W, 3-0): 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K

Yankees MILB 7/18: Brendan Beck: 5 Hitless Innings

Notes:

In case you missed it (or you want to read it for the 50th time), I wrote up a mid-season review of the Yankees’ system.

OF Spencer Jones was missing from tonight’s Scranton lineup. That raises an eyebrow because the Railriders just had four days off. As I said last week, being out of a lineup doesn’t mean a trade is coming. Something is up because there isn’t a reason to give him five days off. If it is injury-related, I hope it isn’t the same injury that caused him to miss weeks of action earlier this season.

The Yankees signed several undrafted free agents to minor league deals:

OF Eric Genther
RHP Tommy O’Rourke
OF Robbie Burnett

The left-handed hitting Genther spent his entire collegiate career (that still happens?) with Rhode Island. This season, at age 23, he hit .361/.478/.584 with ten homers and 53 RBI in 60 games. While he has experience in LF and CF, he spent the entire 2025 season in right field.

Burnett, who also hits lefty, spent the 2025 season at the University of Georgia (transferred from UNC Asheville). He hit 307/.477/.693 with 20 homers, 66 RBI, and 17 stolen bases in 56 games. When a hitter does that in the SEC, you notice. While listed as an outfielder, he played 20 games at second base in addition to 34 games in right field, four games in left field, and two games in center field.

O’Rourke is a 23-year-old who spent 2025 pitching for Vanderbilt. It was his first action since 2022, when he threw for Stanford. This year, he posted a 4.02 ERA in 15.2 innings with an 18/6 K/BB. The fact that he caught Stanford’s eye in the first place tells you he had talent coming out of high school.

By the way, in addition to drafting Jeff Kent‘s son (Kaeden Kent), the Yankees drafted Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek, son of Mark Grudzielanek, in the latest example of how old I am getting. He was drafted in the 20th (final) round out of USC.

Plenty of the 2025 draftees were assigned to the FCL. That doesn’t mean they will make their debuts immediately, but we might see a few of them before the FCL season ends on July 24th. Some may get playing time for Tampa. In 2024, many of the draftees/undrafted free agent signings went that route, including Brendan Jones, Marshall Toole, and Parks Harber. As you may suspect, pitchers are less likely to debut.

Injury Log

Scranton (53-37; 15-3 in second half) (Defeated Worcester, 11-3)

C Jesus Rodriguez: 2-for-4, SB (13), CS (7), BB
He will likely have to tone down that baserunning. Anyway, Rodriguez has a 10-game hitting streak (12-for-38; .316) and is hitting .313/.413/.411 at this level.
DH Jose Rojas: 3-for-4, 2B (23), HR (14), RBI, 2 R, BB, K
RF Everson Pereira: 1-for-5, HR (16), 2 RBI, 2 R
Pereira is 14-for-39 (.359; 3 doubles, 1 triple, 4 HR, 13 RBI, 13 R) in July and has 16 homers in 61 games. Over his minor league career, he has 82 homers in 1,720 plate appearances (392 games).
1B T.J. Rumfield: 3-for-5, HR (11), 3 RBI, 2 R, 2 K
Rumfield has a 6-game hitting streak and has compiled six multi-hit efforts in his last nine games. In those nine games, he is 17-for-38 (.447; 4 doubles, 2 HR, 17 RBI, 8 R). His triple slash has climbed from .281/.365/.462 to .302/.380/.493.
3B Jeimer Candelario: 2-for-5, 2B (5), 2 RBI, K
2B Nicky Lopez: 1-for-5, R, 2 K
LF Ismael Munguia: 2-for-5, 2B (9), RBI, R, SB (21)
SS Andrew Velazquez: 2-for-3, 2B (12), RBI, R, SB (23), BB
CF Duke Ellis: 0-for-3, SAC, K

RHP Brendan Beck: (W, 2-0)  5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 9 K (new personal best)
Beck throws 79 pitches in a dominant effort. This drops his Scranton ERA to 3.89 (23.1 IP, 18 H, 10 R, 10 ER, 4 HR, 3 BB, 22 K). A healthy Beck has “modern day bulldog” potential, given that he can keep the walks low. The keyword in that sentence is “healthy”. While Beck is not a consistently hard thrower, he did dial up to 94.2 MPH today and generated 12 whiffs with his slider/curve combo.
RHP Baron Stuart: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
The Yankees probably like his mid-90s sinker, though swing-and-miss is an issue (zero strikeouts in six innings since his promotion). 
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR
4.17 ERA (36.2 IP, 22 H, 17 R, 17 ER, 5 HR, 39 BB, 36 K).
RHP Joel Kuhnel: 1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Zach Messinger: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
5.16 ERA (52.1 IP, 56 H, 31 R, 30 ER, 4 HR, 34 BB, 51 K). As reliever: 2.59 ERA (24.1 IP, 20 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 15 BB, 25 K)

Somerset (48-40; 13-6 in second half) (Defeated Hartford, 8-5)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-5, 2B (9), K
C Rafael Flores: 2-for-4, 2 R, BB, 2 K
Flores has 28 multi-hit efforts this season. 
3B Dylan Jasso: 2-for-5, 2B (12), RBI, 2 R, 3 K
RF Jace Avina: 1-for-4, HR (1), 3 RBI, R, BB, K
Avina’s first Double-A homer (9th HR overall this season).
CF Brendan Jones: 1-for-3, R, SB (8), 2 BB, K
Jones started slow here but is now 13-for-40 (.325; 3 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 9 R, 6-for-6 SB, 9 BB, 10 K) in July.
DH Omar Martinez: 1-for-3, RBI, R, BB, K
Since promotion: .260 (13-for-50).
1B Tyler Hardman: 1-for-4, HR (14), 3 RBI, R, 2 K
Hardman has four doubles and three home runs in 11 July games. His trade value isn’t much, but if Andres Chaparro and Eric Wagaman can find MLB jobs, perhaps Hardman can too.
LF Cole Gabrielson: 0-for-2, 2 BB
2B Max Burt: 0-for-4, 2 K

RHP Luis Gil: 3.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, HR
Gil allowed a 2-run homer to the third batter he faced before settling in. He threw 57 pitches tonight and likely has a few more rehab starts to get through.
RHP Hayden Merda: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Merda was used as a bridge tonight.
LHP Brock Selvidge: (W, 2-2)  4.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
Selvidge piggybacked off of Gil and put together a strong effort. At this level: 3.07 ERA (29.1 IP, 19 H, 11 R, 10 ER, 1 HR, 19 BB, 25 K)
LHP Ryan Anderson: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

Hudson Valley (52-34; 14-8 second half) (Lost to Jersey Shore, 9-3. Former Yankees’ farmhand Gabriel Barbosa got some revenge on his former organization by tossing five hitless innings)

LF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K
CF Dillon Lewis: 2-for-4, RBI
Lewis collects their only two hits. He owns a 5-game hitting streak (8-for-19; 1 double, 2 HR). 
1B Coby Morales: 0-for-3, BB, K
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-4, 2 K
2B Jose Colmenares: 0-for-3, R, BB, K
3B Josh Moylan: 0-for-2, R, 2 BB, K
C Manuel Palencia: 0-for-3, R, BB, K
DH Kiko Romero: 0-for-2, RBI, 2 BB, K
RF Anthony Hall: 0-for-4, K

LHP Griffin Herring: (L, 3-2) 4 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 6 K
One of the Yankees’ biggest 2025 success stories couldn’t find a groove in his first start out of the break, though damage was limited. He required 90 pitches to get those 12 outs. Since promotion: 2.22 ERA (44.2 IP, 32 H, 13 R, 11 ER, 1 HR, 20 BB, 44 K). Overall, he has passed the 100 strikeout mark (102/36 K/BB over 89.1 innings)
RHP Matt Keating: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
RHP Tyrone Yulie: 1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
3.52 ERA (23 IP, 24 H, 14 R, 9 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 21 K)
RHP Chris Kean: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Tampa (45-41; 9-12 in second half) (Lost to Dunedin, 4-3)

C Edgleen Perez: 0-for-4, R, 2 K
CF Brian Sanchez: 1-for-1
I am not sure why he left the game.
   CF Marshall Toole: 1-for-3, R, BB
Toole is the proud owner of a 10-game hitting streak (15-for-34 with two doubles and five triples. How often do you see five triples during a 10-game hitting streak?)  His triple slash has climbed from .287/.388/.443 to .313/.418/.502.
SS Roderick Arias: 1-for-2, R, 2 SB (22), 2 BB, K
Broken record. I am not sure why he left the game.  If you want some positive news for their struggling bonus baby, he has hit fairly well in July (.244/.358/.467; 1 double, 3 HR).
  1B Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-1, K
DH Engelth Urena: 0-for-2, CS (2), 2 BB, K
RF Willy Montero: 0-for-3, BB, K
3B Juan Matheus: 0-for-2, RBI, 2 BB, K
LF Wilson Rodriguez: 2-for-4, SB (3)
Since promotion: 9-for-36 (1 double, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 6 R, 3-for-3 SB, 4 BB, 4 K)
1B-2B Hans Montero: 1-for-4, 3 K
2B Austin Green: 0-for-0, SB (8), BB
More broken records: I am not sure why he left the game. 
   PH-2B-SS Owen Cobb: 0-for-3, K

LHP Allen Facundo: 3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Facundo continues to hum. Tonight, he reached 99.7 MPH and averaged 96.4…with his sinker. His 4-seam fastball “only” reached 98.4. He also uses a slider (his top pitch tonight – 40%). Signed for an undisclosed amount, his main issue is health. Including tonight, he has tossed 121.1 innings in his career (which traces back to 2021). He has the talent – can he harness it and stay healthy?
RHP Gus Hughes: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Sean Hermann: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
1.96 ERA (41.1 IP, 24 H, 16 R, 9 ER, 0 HR, 27 BB, 35 K). One loves a reliever who can keep the ball in the ballpark. The walks have come down considerably since April, but remain something he needs to work on.
RHP Justin Lange (L, 1-1): 0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 2 HR
That didn’t go according to plan.
RHP Cade Austin: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

FCL (25-29 – they have no shot at the playoffs) (Lost to the FCL Tigers (35-20), 7-6)

DH Dexters Peralta: 2-for-5, R
After a miserable start (he was hitting .097 on July 1st), Peralta is 10-for-30 (.333). That’s enough to raise his average to .154.
C Ediel Rivera: 2-for-3, SB (9), CS (4), K
   RF Luis Puello: 1-for-2, HR (3), 2 RBI, R
1B-C John Cristino: 3-for-5, HR (4), RBI, 2 R, SB (6)
Cristino is 30-for-90 (.333/.396/.544) with four homers, 16 RBI, and 20 runs.
LF Gabriel Lara: 2-for-4, R
.287/.326/.437 in 92 PA.
SS Kevin Verde: 2-for-4, 2B (5), 3 RBI

RHP Omar Gonzalez: 4 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 6 BB, 3 K
I think this is known as a “bend-don’t-break” performance/

DSL Yankees (14-20) (Lost to the DSL Bombers, 10-4)

CF Francisco Vilorio: 1-for-4, 2B (5), RBI, BB, 2 K
.279/.406/.327 in 128 PA (5 doubles, 0 HR, 12 RBI, 26 R, 5-for-6 SB)
SS Mani Cedeno: 0-for-3, R, 2 SB (7), 2 BB, 2 K
.176/.364/.235 in 132 PA (2 doubles, 2 triples, 0 HR, 8 RBI, 26 R, 7-for-8 SB). Reps, reps, reps.
2B Carlos Bello: 1-for-4, RBI, CS (2), BB
.260/.405/.438 in 121 PA (6 doubles, 1 triple, 3 HR, 23 RBI, 25 R, 7-for-9 SB). Impressive for a 17-year-old in his debut campaign.
3B Richard Matic: 2-for-3, R, 2 BB, K
.341/.475/.560 in 120 impressive plate appearances. How crazy is this league? Not only is Matic not in the top ten in any category, but there is a hitter at this level (Cristian Arguelles (COL)) who is hitting .463/.561/.720 with 12 doubles and 45 RBI in 33 games.
C Edgar Jimenez: 2-for-4, R, K
.324/.378/.441 in 37 PA.

DSL Bombers (17-17) (Knocked off the DSL Yankees, 10-4)

SS Stiven Marinez: 2-for-5, 2B (4), RBI, 2 R, SB (19), 2 K
Marinez is hitting .250/.431/.313 in 130 PA. This season will be considered a success for the 17-year-old.
CF Ruben Castillo: 2-for-4, 2B (5), 2 RBI, 2 R, SB (12), BB
Castillo’s debut season has its ups and downs. He has back-to-back multi-hit games to build on.
LF Jose Castro: 1-for-4, 2 R, 2 SB (10), BB, K
28-for-32 stealing bases in 50 career games.
C Carlos Villarroel: 0-for-2, R, 2 BB, 2 K
2B Juan Torres: 1-for-2, SF, 3 RBI, R, SB (10), BB
Torres is having an under-the-radar debut campaign, hitting .333/.398/.457 in 93 plate appearances. He is 17.
3B Leni Done: 0-for-3, RBI, SB (7), BB, 2 K

RHP Carlos Hampshire (W, 2-2): 3.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 3 K
RHP Diego Carrillo: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K

Yankees MILB 7/9: The Spencer Jones Show

Notes:

As I said last night, pulling a player from the lineup doesn’t mean they were traded.

OF Everson Pereira is sick. OF Bryan De La Cruz is injured.

As for DJ LeMahieu, I have been rough on him over the last few seasons, as he hasn’t been productive. The only reason why it should be shocking that he was designated for assignment is because of the money he is owed and his clubhouse presence. Will he end up somewhere, or is he going down the path of Anthony Rizzo? I would bet more on the latter, but a team in desperate need at second base can take a flyer.

Injury Log

Scranton (48-37) (Defeated Buffalo, 7-2)

2B Jorbit Vivas: 1-for-3, R, CS (7), BB
Triple-A in the afternoon, MLB at night…
C Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-3, HR (3), 2 RBI, 2 R, BB
At this level: .315/.416/.417 in 303 PA with a 14.2% BB and 15.5% K. He had a 9.9% BB in 2024.
CF Spencer Jones: 2-for-4, HR (5), RBI, 3 R, SB (4), K
The home run traveled 418 feet at 110 MPH. Including his time with Somerset, he has 11 home runs in his last 23 games. Since promotion: 15-for-39 (.385/.469/.846; 3 doubles, 5 HR, 9 RBI, 12 R, 4-for-4 SB, 8 BB, 15 K). Overall, Jones has 21 home runs and 14 stolen bases. If he stays in the minors the rest of the season, he has a legitimate shot at 30 home runs. The last Yankees prospect to accomplish that was Dermis Garcia, who hit 31 in 2021.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 2-for-3, RBI, R, BB
Rumfield has three multi-hit efforts in his last four games (10-for-27 in July).
3B Jeimer Candelario: 0-for-4, 3 K
SS Nicky Lopez: 2-for-4, 3B (1), 2 RBI
Although he has only one good offensive season on his MLB ledger, his defense has always been solid. 
DH Jose Rojas: 0-for-4
LF Duke Ellis: 0-for-4, 2 K
RF Ismael Munguia: 0-for-3

RHP Sean Boyle (W, 7-6): 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, HR
4.36 ERA (84.2 IP, 76 H, 47 R, 41 ER, 10 HR, 27 BB, 83 K). Boyle keeps providing Triple-A innings.
RHP Leonardo Pestana: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
LHP Jayvien Sandridge: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K

Somerset (44-39) (Defeated New Hampshire, 9-1, in a rain-shortened contest)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-3, K
2B Roc Riggio: 0-for-1, 2 R, SB (5), 2 BB
At this level: .282/.358/.573 in 123 PA (8 doubles, 8 HR, 23 RBI, 22 R, 5-for-7 SB)
C Rafael Flores: 2-for-3, R, SB (6)
Flores has 26 multi-hit efforts this season.
3B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-3
CF Brendan Jones: 2-for-2, 3B (2), HR (2), 4 RBI, 3 R, SB (5), BB
Jones is getting hot (three multi-hit efforts in his last six games). He is up to .253 with a .749 OPS since his promotion (he started 3-for-26 (.115/.219/.115))
DH Omar Martinez: 2-for-2, HR (2), 3 RBI, 2 R, BB
Martinez is 10-for-36 (3 doubles, 2 HR, 8 RBI) since his promotion. Overall, he has ten home runs and 44 RBI (third straight double-digit HR season). He hit 11 HR in the first 120 games in his career and 41 HR in 267 games since.
1B Tyler Hardman: 2-for-3, 2B (16), HR (13), 2 RBI, R
RF Cole Gabrielson: 0-for-3
LF Cam Eden: 0-for-3

LHP Brock Selvidge: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 1 K
Selvidge needed 74 pitches to record nine outs. This is his 9th start coming back from injury, so they weren’t going to push him when he didn’t “have it.” Anyway, for Somerset, he owns a 2.88 ERA in 25 innings with a 21/16 K/BB.
RHP Cole Ayers: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
RHP Hayden Merda: (W, 1-0)  1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
A much-needed scoreless effort by Merda.

Hudson Valley (49-32) (Defeated Asheville, 4-1)

CF Jace Avina: 2-for-4, 2 HR (8), 3 RBI, 2 R
Avina hits multiple home runs for the second night in a row. These games raised his SLG from .434 to .511.
LF Dillon Lewis: 0-for-4, K
DH Coby Morales: 0-for-2, HBP, BB
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-3, CS (1), BB
Vargas’ hitting streak is snapped at 16.
2B Jose Colmenares: 1-for-4, 2B (12), 2 K
1B Josh Moylan: 1-for-3, 3B (2), R, K
Moylan is 5-for-16 with a triple and a homer in July.
3B Brenny Escanio: 0-for-2, CS (5), BB
C Tomas Frick: 0-for-2, R, HBP
RF Anthony Hall: 1-for-3, RBI

LHP Kyle Carr: (W, 4-5) 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K (ties personal best)
2.37 ERA (76 IP, 51 H, 29 R, 20 ER, 5 HR, 35 BB, 65 K). June/July: 0.69 ERA (39 IP, 20 H, 10 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 18 BB, 40 K)
RHP Michael Arias: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
His rehab stint was moved here.
RHP Tony Rossi (S, 4): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
At this level: 1.31 ERA (20.2 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 11 BB, 25 K). This is his debut season, but he just turned 26 years old. It may be time to throw him into the Double-A fire.

Tampa (44-37) (Defeated Lakeland, 7-1)

C Edgleen Perez: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, BB
Last 12 games: 16-for-45 (.356) with 13 walks. His triple slash has risen from .194/.353/.223 to .223/.383/.250.
CF Brian Sanchez: 1-for-3, BB, K
SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-2, 2 BB, K
.189/.312/.304 in 270 PA (11 doubles, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 36 R, 20-for-25 SB, 14.4% BB, 28.5% K)
DH Willy Montero: 0-for-4, 2 K
3B Juan Matheus: 1-for-3, 2 R, BB
.268/.358/.353 in 316 PA (18 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 36 RBI, 41 R, 30-for-38 SB). He is on a 5-game hitting streak and is 8-for-27 (.296) in July.
LF Wilson Rodriguez: 3-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, 3 R
Rodriguez hits his first Low-A homer (two in 26 FCL games). This is his first career 3-hit effort.
1B Hans Montero: 0-for-4, R, 2 K
RF Marshall Toole: 1-for-3, 2B (11), 2 RBI, R, SB (27), BB, K
.306/.413/.487 in 230 PA (11 doubles, 9 triples, 2 HR, 25 RBI, 44 R, 27-for-30 SB, 15.2% BB, 20% K). Toole is third in the FSL in batting average and second in OPS. The leader in OPS (19-year-old Konnor Griffin) is now in High-A for the Pirates.
2B Austin Green: 1-for-4, RBI

LHP Allen Facundo: 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K
Facundo was activated off the injured list today (5.1 rehab innings in the FCL). He was humming today, topping out at 98.3 MPH while generating 13 whiffs. Beyond that, this game didn’t have StatCast data.
RHP Jack Sokol (W, 4-1): 1.2 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
3.49 ERA (28.1 IP, 25 H, 14 R, 11 ER, 1 HR, 15 BB, 23 K)
RHP Cole Zaffiro: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Jackson Fristoe: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
4.85 ERA (39 IP, 36 H, 25 R, 21 ER, 7 HR, 24 BB, 30 K)

FCL (23-24)

Day off.

DSL Yankees (12-15)

Day off.

DSL Bombers (13-14) (Lost to DSL Arizona Black, 8-6, in a rare Wednesday contest)

SS Stiven Marinez: 0-for-3, BB, 3 K
.274/.461/.342 in 102 PA. This breaks a 5-game hitting streak, but his on-base streak is up to 15.
2B Christofer Reyes: 0-for-3, R, SB (17)
RF Jose Castro: 0-for-2, R, SB (3), BB, K
1B Remy Veldhuisen: 1-for-1, 2B (4), 2 R, HBP, BB
LF Richard Meran: 2-for-3, 2 2B (5), 3 RBI, R
The good news: .351/.442/.703 in 43 PA. The bad news: This is his third year at this level.

RHP Christopher Vasquez: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K

Yankees MILB 7/8: Carlos Lagrange Ks 8

Notes:

RHP Cade Smith, ranked 14th in the organization by Pipeline, made a rehab appearance for the FCL yesterday. He went two perfect innings, striking out three.

Last season, in 93.2 innings between Tampa and Hudson Valley (8 innings), Smith went 6-7 with a 3.65 ERA (3.37 FIP). 42.8% GB, 30.6% K, and 11.1% BB. He was drafted in the 6th round in the 2023 draft out of Mississippi State.

OF Everson Pereira being pulled from tonight’s lineup in Scranton is interesting, only because the Yankees are (obviously) in the third base and bullpen markets. Most of the time, this is just a way for people on Twitter to get impressions by making you think a trade is imminent. It could be a trade. It could be an injury. It could be an illness. It could be a mistake in the original lineup. It could be that he is about to be summoned to MLB for some reason. Have fun with it, but don’t automatically think a trade is imminent.

As for the debut of RHP Cam Schlittler, I like the move. At the very least, he will get his feet wet in MLB, which I find more valuable than going with Carlos Carrasco. How will he do? We know he throws hard. We know that one concern was his ability to command pitches. I never expect much from rookie pitchers, but he has the swing-and-miss stuff that intrigues and can get through an order a few times. Either way, whether he sticks for a while or not, it will be a learning experience.

Injury Log

Scranton (47-37) (Defeated Buffalo, 5-2)

3B Jorbit Vivas: 3-for-4, RBI, BB, K
Vivas has seven 3-hit efforts this season. He is hitting .285/.408/.394 in 242 PA with more walks (34) than strikeouts (23).
C Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-3, RBI, 2 BB
Rodriguez is 7-for-23 with seven walks in July. 
CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-3, SB (3), 2 BB, 2 K
Since promotion: 13-for-35 (3 doubles, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 9 R, 3-for-3 SB, 8 BB, 14 K). We focus on the power (11 doubles, 20 HR) and the strikeouts, but we shouldn’t ignore the 40 walks in 58 games.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-5, K
DH Jeimer Candelario: 0-for-3, R, BB, K
Candelario’s Scranton debut. 
2B Nicky Lopez: 0-for-4, K
LF Jose Rojas: 2-for-4, 2 2B (20), R, 2 K
SS Andrew Velazquez: 1-for-3, SF, RBI, R, SB (20)
RF Ismael Munguia: 3-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 R, SB (20), K
.231/.304/.314 in 259 PA (8 doubles, 1 triple, 3 HR, 25 RBI, 33 R, 20-for-25 SB). This is his first career 20+ SB season.

RHP Carlos Carrasco: (W, 1-2)  5.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
RHP Harrison Cohen: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Since promotion: 8 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 5 BB, 7 K. 13 of his 18 pitches tonight were cutters, and he generated four whiffs on six swings with that pitch. His 4-seamer sits comfortably in the low 90s.
RHY Eric Reyzelman: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
3.71 ERA (34 IP, 21 H, 14 R, 14 ER, 4 HR, 37 BB, 35 K). He’s done a decent job of preventing runs lately, but we need to see a consistent run of good control. By the way, he reached 96.2 MPH with his 4-seamer (averaged 94.9).
RHP Joel Kuhnel (S, 3): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
First save as a member of the Yankees’ organization (had two for Lehigh Valley this year).

Somerset (43-39) (Defeated New Hampshire, 5-1)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-4, R
2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-4
Riggio is 10-for-25 in July (4 doubles, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 4 BB, 2 K)
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-4, HR (15), RBI, R
Flores is third in the Eastern League in HR, behind Ryan Clifford (Binghamton) and former teammate Spencer Jones.
3B Dylan Jasso: 2-for-3, 2 R, BB
CF Brendan Jones: 3-for-4, 2 2B (7), RBI, R
Jones is 8-for-22 with three doubles in July. He has seven doubles in 27 games since his promotion. 
RF Garrett Martin: 0-for-4, K
DH Omar Martinez: 1-for-3, 2B (3), SF, 3 RBI, K
Martinez is 8-for-34 with three doubles, a homer, and five RBI since his promotion.
LF Cole Gabrielson: 0-for-2, HBP, BB
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-4, K

RHP Carlos Lagrange: 5.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 8 K
Since promotion: 4.40 ERA (30.2 IP, 20 H, 15 R, 15 ER, 2 HR, 21 BB, 42 K). Pure talent. Between here and Hudson Valley, he owns a 106/33 K/BB over 72.1 innings. Yes, his BB rate has risen considerably since his promotion. That does not shock me.
RHP Luis Pacheco (W, 2-0): 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
LHP Ryan Anderson: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Kelly Austin: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Hudson Valley (48-32) (Defeated Asheville, 7-6)

CF Jace Avina: 3-for-4, 2 HR (6), 4 RBI, 2 R, K
One of the homers was a lead-off blast. This is his fourth career 2-HR game (last one was in 2023) and he is on a 6-game hitting streak (9-for-22). He is hitting .294/.406/.476.
RF Dillon Lewis: 1-for-3, SB (5), BB
1B Coby Morales: 1-for-4, SB (13), K
LF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-2, R, CS (1), BB, 2 K
Castillo is now 14-for-15 stealing bases. He is 8-for-24 (.333) with three walks and five strikeouts in July.
SS Alexander Vargas: 1-for-4, R
Vargas increases his hitting streak to 16 (this was his 8th straight 1-hit game). He is 23-for-59 (.390) during the streak.
2B Jose Colmenares: 0-for-3, CS (4), HBP, K
C Manuel Palencia: 1-for-4, R, K
DH Josh Moylan: 2-for-4, HR (4), 3 RBI, R, K
Moylan is on a bit of a run (10-for-28 with two homers in his last eight games). 
3B Brenny Escanio: 0-for-4, R, 2 K

RHP Ben Hess: 3.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 K
In his third start back, Hess tossed 53 pitches. He owns a 4.20 ERA in 49.1 IP (32 H, 27 R, 23 ER, 2 HR, 31 BB, 72 K). Missing bats, missing the strike zone. There is plenty of time to work on the latter.
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Jordany Ventura: 1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
RHP Tyrone Yulie: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Sebastian Keane (W, 5-0): 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
3.32 ERA (19 IP, 13 H, 9 R, 7 ER, 1 HR, 13 BB, 22 K). His stay in Somerset was short-lived (one game), so it was likely a “need” thing.

Tampa (43-37) (Lost to Lakeland, 10-5)

DH Edgleen Perez: 0-for-3, HBP, BB, K
RF Brian Sanchez: 1-for-3, 3B (5), R, 2 BB
SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-5, K
C Engelth Urena: 2-for-2
In the inning before he was pulled, Urena was wiped off the basepaths due to a line drive double play. Hopefully, no injury occurred on that play. I will let others try to tell you that the Yankees are packaging Pereira and Urena for a random superstar.
   C Josue Gonzalez: 1-for-2, HR (3), 2 RBI, 2 R, HBP
The presence of Perez and Urena hasn’t allowed Gonzalez to get much time behind the plate (5 games, 1 start).
3B Juan Matheus: 1-for-4, R, HBP
CF Willy Montero: 2-for-5, 2B (1), 3B (1), 2 RBI, R
Montero’s rehab stint is over.
LF Wilson Rodriguez: 0-for-4, BB
Since promotion: 1-for-12 with a stolen base, four walks, and only one strikeout.
1B Hans Montero: 1-for-3, BB
2B Owen Cobb: 2-for-4, 3B (3), RBI

RHP Gage Ziehl: (L, 4-4)  5 IP, 10 H, 9 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 2 HR
4.08 ERA (68.1 IP, 70 H, 39 R, 31 ER, 6 HR, 11 BB, 57 K). He’s pitched well lately, so we’ll toss this one aside.
LHP Tanner Bauman: 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
RHP Justin Lange: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Cade Austin: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K

FCL (23-24) (Defeated the FCL Blue Jays, 4-2. By the way, the regular season ends on July 24th)

SS Dexters Peralta: 0-for-2, SB (6), BB, 2 K
3B Enmanuel Tejeda: 0-for-2, K
Tejeda has played 2B/SS/3B in his career (one game in LF).
1B John Cristino: 2-for-2, 3B (1), RBI, 2 R, HBP
Cristino continues to beat up FCL competition. He is hitting .323/.397/.538 in 73 plate appearances and will hopefully make his way to Tampa after the FCL season ends (at the latest).
2B Luis Escudero: 2-for-3, HR (2), 3 RBI, R, CS (5)
.223/.338/.317 in 151 PA (23 BB, 21 K, 12-for-17 SB)

RHP Jose Martinez: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K

DSL Yankees (12-15) (Lost to the DSL Tigers, 13-1)

SS Mani Cedeno: 0-for-3
Since the rookie leagues are the only leagues in action, I tend to skip Monday reports. Of course, Cedeno had one of his better games yesterday (2-for-4, 3 runs, 2 BB). That temporarily moved his average over .200. After today, he’s hitting .195/.374/.247.
CF Francisco Vilorio: 1-for-3
Vilorio has reached base safely in 21 of his 22 games (14 straight).
3B Richard Matic: 0-for-1, 2 BB, K
.314/.444/.571 in 90 PA. He has reached base safely in 21 of his 22 games (20 straight).
LF Estivenzon Montero: 2-for-2, 2 2B (3), RBI, BB
.338/.427/.549 in 82 PA (3 doubles, 4 HR, 18 RBI, 10 R, 5-for-7 SB, 12.2% BB, 29.3% K). Montero (18) is having a solid year in his second tour at this level.

RHP Enixon Sanchez (L, 0-2): 3.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
3.00 ERA (21 IP, 21 H, 11 R, 7 ER, 0 HR, 18 BB, 29 K). The 18-year-old hasn’t allowed a home run in his first 50 professional innings.

DSL Bombers (13-13) (Outscored the DSL Cardinals, 10-9)

SS Stiven Marinez: 2-for-5, RBI, R, CS (4), K
.286/.469/.357 in 98 PA (3 doubles, 1 triple, 0 HR, 9 RBI, 18 R, 13-for-17 SB, 24.5% BB, 19.4% K). He is on a 5-game hitting streak (7-for-17).
CF Ruben Castillo: 1-for-4, 2B (4), R, SB (10), BB, K
.216/.310/.432 in 100 PA (4 doubles, 3 triples, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 15 R, 10-for-13 SB)
2B Christofer Reyes: 1-for-4, 2 R, SB (16)
Reyes is 16-for-17 stealing bases in 19 games.
RF Jose Castro: 0-for-2, 2 R, SB (2), 2 BB, K
3B Juan Torres: 3-for-5, 2B (4), 3 RBI, 3 R
The 17-year-old records his first career 3-hit game.
DH Remy Veldhuisen: 3-for-5, 2B (3), 2 RBI, K
Veldhuisen’s 7th multi-hit game. He had a 4-hit game on 7/5.
LF Richard Meran: 2-for-4, R, BB, 2 K

RHP Alexander Almonte: 3.2 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, HR
3.32 ERA (21.2 IP, 16 H, 11 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 10 BB, 23 K). In 14 DSL starts, the 18-year-old owns a 3.42 ERA in 47.1 IP (36 H, 25 R, 18 ER, 4 HR, 22 BB, 49 K)

Yankees MILB 7/3: Griffin Herring Continues to Cruise

Notes:

The Yankees have signed veteran infielder Nicky Lopez to a minor league deal. This comes a couple of days after he opted out of his minor league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Yankees likely offered him more money.

The 30-year-old Lopez played in 18 games for the Angels and Cubs this season, hitting .042/.179/.042 (1-for-24). In 2024, he was a big part of one of the worst teams in history, as he hit .241/.312/.294 in 124 games for the White Sox. Lopez’s main strength is versatility, as he has experience at 2B/SS/3B plus a handful of games at first base and left field. OAA likes him wherever he plays, while DRS isn’t fond of his shortstop play.

By far, his best season was with the 2021 Royals. That year, he produced an amazing 5.5 fWAR (he has 2.5 fWAR in all his other seasons combined), hitting .300/.365/.378 in 565 plate appearances with 22 stolen bases in 23 attempts.

Lopez once added value on the basepaths, but is only 11-for-20 stealing bases from 2023 to 2025.

Bottom line:

Lopez is a left-handed hitting bench piece who doesn’t add much value offensively. Braden Shewmake recently landed on the injured list for Scranton, so he will likely take his place. I assume he has negotiated an opt-out into this contract as well.

Several transactions for the Tampa Tarpons today. OF Wilson Rodriguez and RHP Mariano Salomon were promoted from the FCL, and 2B/OF Austin Green added to the position player logjam by being activated off the injured list. With Owen Cobb‘s activation yesterday, they will need to be creative with the lineup.

Rodriguez, their 17th-round pick in 2023, hit .263/.359/.375 in 93 plate appearances with a pair of homers and 13 RBI. He was also 8-for-10 stealing bases. Salomon (22) pitched to a 2.30 ERA (4.26 FIP) over 31.1 innings (2 starts/9 relief appearances) with 33.9% K, 6.1% BB, and 39.4% GB rates. He pitched well in the DSL in 2023 and 2024.

Despite being listed on “rehab stints,” RHPs Carson Coleman and Kevin Stevens haven’t pitched in a month. It is likely their stints have been stalled.

Hopefully, RHP Clarke Schmidt doesn’t need Tommy John surgery. Even if he doesn’t, forearm strains don’t heal overnight. Who would replace him? It won’t be Luis Gil, who is starting a rehab assignment soon but won’t be ready for weeks (he has an option left, so they can burn it to extend his rehab). I know most will want to see Cam Schlittler, despite his struggles on Wednesday night. Brendan Beck would be a long-shot choice.  Sean Boyle would be a fun story, but stories don’t always equate to MLB success.  Veterans Carlos Carrasco and Allan Winans don’t excite anyone.

Heading into 2025, I had concerns about their depth. Those concerns were elevated when Gerrit Cole went down early in spring training. Now, they might be without Ryan Yarbrough (who was signed for his ability to start if needed) and Schmidt for a while. This is not an ideal situation.

Injury Log

Scranton (44-36) (Lost a heartbreaker to Lehigh Valley, 6-5)

3B Jorbit Vivas: 1-for-4, BB, 2 K
C Jesus Rodriguez: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K
CF Spencer Jones: 3-for-5, 2B (2), R, K
Spencer is hitting a decent .429 since his promotion (9-for-21; 2 doubles, 3 HR, 3 RBI, 6 R). Given that he has struck out eight times, I will assume that the BABIP gods are loving him right now in this small sample size craziness.
DH Everson Pereira: 1-for-4, RBI, R, K
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-3, 2 R, BB
2B Jose Rojas: 2-for-4, RBI, R, K
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 0-for-4
His trip to Toronto was short-lived, as Trent Grisham‘s injury didn’t keep him down for long.
SS Andrew Velazquez: 2-for-4, 2 2B (10), 2 RBI, CS (3), 2 K
LF Duke Ellis: 1-for-4, SB (8), 2 K
Ellis is 8-for-11 stealing bases for Scranton.

RHP Carlos Carrasco: 6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Carrasco is in line to be on perfect rest for Schmidt’s next start. Note: I am not advocating for that, but it would be the easy way out.
RHP Baron Stuart: 2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
This is not Stuart’s Triple-A debut, as he tossed a 7-inning complete game here last season.
RHP Leonardo Pestana: (L, 1-3)  0.2 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
RHP Harrison Cohen : 0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
It was only to get one out (which wasn’t accomplished), but this is the first time that Cohen has been asked to pitch on back-to-back days in his professional career.

Somerset (39-39) (Lost to Reading, 2-1)

2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-4, CS (2)
Since promotion: .269/.333/.591 in 102 PA (6 doubles, 8 HR, 21 RBI)
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-4, 2 K
Since promotion: .203/.330/.308 in 221 PA (7 doubles, 3 triples, 2 HR, 16 RBI, 35 R, 14-for-16 SB, 14.5% BB, 24.4% K). There are some good things there, even if you aren’t enamored with the OPS.
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-3, 2B (22), BB
.291/.350/.505 in 329 PA (22 doubles, 14 HR, 52 RBI, 44 R, 5-for-5 SB, 8.2% BB, 26.7% K). He owns a 5-game hitting streak (8-for-19; 2 doubles, 2 HR). Eastern League ranks: Batting average: 6th; Hits: 2nd; Doubles: 3rd; HR: 2nd (behind former teammate Spencer Jones!); RBI: 2nd; SLG: 3rd; OPS: 4th. 
LF Garrett Martin: 1-for-4, R
3B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-4
CF Brendan Jones: 4-for-4, RBI, SB (3)
The wonder of small sample sizes: This one game raised his Double-A triple slash from .190/.256/.304 to .229/.287/.349. There’s some feast/famine in his Double-A profile, as he owns three 3+ hit games since his promotion but also has 12 zero-hit efforts. It’s part of the adjustment for a 23-year-old in his first taste of Double-A.
DH Omar Martinez: 0-for-4, K
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-2, SB (7), CS (1), BB, K
RF Cole Gabrielson: 0-for-3, 2 K

LHP Brock Selvidge: (L, 1-2)  4.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
As I said the last time he started, they were likely to start amping up his pitch count. Tonight, he tossed 75 pitches. At this level: 3.27 ERA (22 IP, 14 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 12 BB, 20 K). Overall, he is up to 29.2 innings over eight starts. 
RHP Danny Watson: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
7.14 ERA (29 IP, 35 H, 23 R, 23 ER, 6 HR, 7 BB, 33 K). Watson’s ERA was still 10.95 on May 18th. Since then: 4.32 ERA (16.2 IP, 18 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 0 BB, 17 K). The walks, or lack thereof, stand out. 
RHP Bailey Dees: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
At this level: 4.47 ERA (58.1 IP, 49 H, 30 R, 29 ER, 7 HR, 30 BB, 69 K). After tossing seven shutout innings in a start for Hudson Valley (he was sent down for only one game), he came back as a multi-inning reliever. Stats: 2.93 ERA (15.1 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 5 BB, 17 K)

Hudson Valley (45-31) (Defeated Brooklyn, 4-1)

DH Jackson Castillo: 1-for-3, R, BB
.229/.326/.305 in 304 PA (12 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR, 37 RBI, 32 R, 13-for-13 SB, 11.8% BB, 20.1% K). The power has completely disappeared, which is interesting. He has one extra-base hit (double) in his last 28 games. He had eight extra-base hits in 18 April games.
CF Dillon Lewis: 1-for-4, 2 K
1B Coby Morales: 3-for-4, 2B (14), 2 RBI, R
LF Jace Avina: 2-for-2, SF, RBI, BB
.288/.407/.451 in 194 PA. I like the 14.4% BB rate.
3B Alexander Vargas: 1-for-4, RBI
Vargas increases his hitting streak to 12.
2B Jose Colmenares: 1-for-3, BB, K
C Manuel Palencia: 0-for-3, CS (1), BB, K
SS Brenny Escanio: 0-for-2, R, SB (9), 2 BB, K
RF Anthony Hall: 1-for-4, R, K

LHP Griffin Herring: (W, 2-1) 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
Since promotion: 2.14 ERA (33.2 IP, 25 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 14 BB, 29 K). Overall: 1.61 ERA (78.1 IP, 49 H, 16 R, 14 ER, 3 HR, 30 BB, 87 K). His ERA continues to lead all qualified minor league pitchers.
RHP Huey Morrill: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
0.33 ERA (27 IP, 11 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 22 K). Including his two games with Somerset: 0.60 ERA (30 IP, 13 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 11 BB, 23 K)
RHP Matt Keating (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
2.49 ERA (25.1 IP, 16 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 1 HR, 11 BB, 27 K). 

Tampa (43-33) (Lead Clearwater, 3-2, in the 4th. This game was suspended. They will try to complete it tomorrow)

CF Brian Sanchez: 1-for-3, R, K
C Engelth Urena: 1-for-2, 2B (12), K
SS Roderick Arias: 1-for-2, HR (5), 2 RBI, R
Once this is official, he will have three HR in his last two games.
3B Juan Matheus: 1-for-2, SB (30)
While not yet official, he will be the first Yankees’ prospect to 30 stolen bases this season.
RF Wilson Rodriguez: 0-for-2
Rodriguez’s Low-A debut.
LF Austin Green: 0-for-1, R, BB, K
1B Hans Montero: 0-for-2
RF Marshall Toole: 1-for-2, 3B (9), RBI
2B Owen Cobb: 0-for-1, BB

LHP Xavier Rivas: 3 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 3 K, HR

FCL (20-23) (Shut down the FCL Tigers, 2-0, in a rain-shortened five-inning contest. Nobody was credited with an RBI in the game)

CF Willy Montero: 1-for-2, R
DH Dexters Peralta: 1-for-2, 2B (2), K
C Ediel Rivera: 0-for-1, R, HBP
3B Luis Escudero: 1-for-2, SB (10)

RHP Jose Rodriguez (W, 1-3): 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K
Kyle Carr tossed a shutout for Hudson Valley last night. Rodriguez does it in the FCL today. He finally figured out that, if he wants to win, he can’t allow any runs. He is 1-3 despite a 0.84 ERA (32.1 IP, 17 H, 7 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 12 BB, 35 K)

DSL Yankees (10-13) (Lost a pair of games to the DSL Rangers Red)

Game 1 (Lost, 10-6. This was the conclusion of a suspended game from June 16th. I won’t go into too many details.)

SS Mani Cedeno: 0-for-5, R, 2 K
C Justin Capellan: 3-for-4, HR (2), 4 RBI, R
.293/.373/.534 in 67 PA (5 doubles, 3 HR, 14 RBI, 14 R, 7-for-8 SB). Remember that the number in the line score is retrofitted back to when the game started, which is why that shows two home runs while he has three.
1B Jesus Guerrero: 2-for-3, 2 2B (2), RBI
The 18-year-old earns his first two professional extra-base hits.

RHP Jhosneyker Colina: 5 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
I bet that first name is easier to pronounce than you think!

Game 2 (Lost, 6-4)

3B Alfred Ciriaco: 1-for-3
.341/.431/.364 in 51 PA
SS Carlos Bello: 0-for-3, SF, RBI, 3 K
C Carlos Villarroel: 1-for-3, HR (1), RBI, R, BB, 2 K
The 18-year-old launches his third career home run. He is hitting .285/.393/.394 in 51 career games at this level.
CF Angel Ventura: 1-for-3, R, 2 SB (10), BB
Ventura has a 7-game hitting streak (9-for-24). He has stolen eight bases in those seven games.

LHP Marco Manzano: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
2.31 ERA (11.2 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 16 K)

DSL Bombers (9-12) (Defeated the DSL Mets Blue, 5-4, in a 7-inning game. They were down 4-3 entering the bottom of the 7th)

SS Stiven Marinez: 1-for-2, R, 2 BB, K
Marinez’s strong start continues. He is hitting .280/.500/.340 in 74 PA (1 double, 1 triple, 0 HR, 6 RBI, 14 R, 9-for-11 SB, 21 BB, 15 K). He has reached base safely in 16 of his 18 games and has at least one walk in nine straight contests.
C Queni Pineda: 1-for-3, R, BB
CF Ruben Castillo: 1-for-3, HR (2), 2 RBI, 2 R, K
.239/.329/.463 in 76 PA (3 doubles, 3 triples, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 12 R, 8-for-10 SB). He started his career 2-for-22 but has picked up the pace.
LF Browm Martinez: 1-for-2, RBI, R, 2 SB (13), 2 BB
Marinez is hitting a cool .400/.507/.636 in 67 PA (4 doubles, 3 HR, 16 RBI, 21 R, 13-for-14 SB, 8.96% BB, 11.9% K). The DSL is crazy, as Martinez is one of seven players hitting .400+ (including a kid (Cristian Arguelles, Rockies) who is 41-for-86 (.477)).
2B Christofer Reyes: 0-for-1, SF, RBI, SB (14), 2 BB
DH Jose Castro: 1-for-2, SF, RBI
No, Castillo’s 2-run home run wasn’t the hit that sent everyone home. Rather, it was the back-to-back sacrifice flies by Reyes and Castro.

LHP Junior Tavera: 4 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
RHP Chaury Gomez: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
The 18-year-old makes his 2025 debut.
LHP Kevin Centeno (W, 1-1): 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, HR
He likely thought the home run in the top of the 7th would doom his squad, but they picked him up. The 19-year-old picks up his first professional win.

Yankees MILB 5/29: Spencer Jones Returns

Notes:

OF Spencer Jones, out since May 3rd due to an “intercostal injury,” returned to the Somerset lineup tonight. He joined Jazz Chisholm Jr., who is in Somerset on a rehab stint.

Unfortunately, when someone comes off the injured list, someone has to go. The Yankees have released OF Grant Richardson. Drafted in the 17th round in 2021 out of Indiana, Richardson struggled between Somerset/Scranton this year, hitting .198/.288/.363 with three homers and a stolen base in 32 games. In 2022 and 2023, he accomplished a double-double in home runs and stolen bases. Last season, he just missed, hitting 9 homers while stealing 16 bases. Hopefully, he finds work elsewhere.

Injury Log

Scranton (23-28) (Lost to Worcester, 3-2)

C Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-5, 2 RBI
He was looking at a 0-for until his 2-run single in the 9th.  He is hitting .366/.445/.458 at this level.
LF Dominic Smith: 1-for-5, 2 K
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-4, K
DH Alex Jackson: 1-for-4, 2 K
2B Jose Rojas: 2-for-4, R, K
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 2-for-4, R
CF Ismael Munguia: 2-for-4, 2 SB (13)
Munguia is well within a career best for stolen bases (18, set in 2023 and 2024).
SS Andrew Velazquez: 1-for-3, SB (12)
3B Jake Gatewood: 0-for-3, BB, K

RHP Erick Leal:(L, 1-6)  4.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, HR
LHP Jayvien Sandridge: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
If the Yankees unlock him, he could be a bullpen threat in the big leagues. It’s all about those walks.
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR
Reyzelman cannot find a groove….
RHP Zach Messinger: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Messinger as a reliever can be interesting. In his first three games in the role: 8 IP, 6 R, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 7 K. It is possible they placed him in the bullpen temporarily to reset him as a starter, where he has struggled this year.

Somerset (23-24) (Destroyed Akron, 12-0)

3B Jazz Chisholm Jr.: 2-for-3, 2 R, BB
It’s hilarious that this franchise, adamant about moving Chisholm Jr. back to his natural position, may move him to third to accommodate the remnants of DJ LeMahieu. We would be laughing if the Colorado Rockies did something like this.
   3B Alexander Vargas: 0-for-1
SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-5, 3B (1), RBI
CF Spencer Jones: 2-for-3, 2B (4), RBI, R, SB (7), CS (2)
Good to see Jones running in his first game back (plus, they played him in center field, a good sign they think he is fully healed). 
   CF Cole Gabrielson: 0-for-2, K
C Rafael Flores: 0-for-4, R, BB, K
RF Garrett Martin: 2-for-4, HR (6), RBI, 2 R
.221/.329/.393 in 171 PA. 
LF Brennen Davis: 2-for-2, HR (2), 2 RBI, 3 R, HBP, BB
4-for-15 with two home runs and six runs scored. Davis has 167 games of Triple-A experience, and I assume he will get back there. It might be a roster space game more than anything else.
1B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-3, R, BB, K
DH Tyler Hardman: 3-for-3, 2 HR (6), 6 RBI, 2 R, BB
Hardman’s first multi-HR game since 2023 (he had five such games that season, including a 3-HR effort). He has 15 RBI in 19 May games.
2B Max Burt: 1-for-4, K

RHP JT Brubaker: 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Solid start for Brubaker, who has a ticking clock that the Yankees will eventually need to decide on.
RHP Brendan Beck (W, 4-1): 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
2.33 ERA (38.2 IP, 25 H, 10 R, 10 ER, 2 HR, 8 BB, 40 K). Beck has been impressive and healthy. Let’s hope he keeps it going.

Hudson Valley (30-16) (Lost to Wilmington, 7-6, in ten innings)

2B Roc Riggio: 2-for-5, HR (6), RBI, 2 R, K
Riggio has six home runs in 17 games (7 HR in 19 games if you want to include his FCL rehab stint)
LF Brendan Jones: 0-for-5, 2 K
RF Jace Avina: 1-for-3, 2B (12), 2 R, 2 BB
Avina 12 doubles and four homers in 38 games. He has 20 RBI and 28 runs scored (15.3% BB).
DH Parks Harber: 1-for-5, 2B (8), RBI, R, K
CF Jackson Castillo: 2-for-5, 3B (1), 3 RBI, R
Castillo is hitting .230/.331/.355 with 11 doubles, a triple, and a pair of home runs. He has 29 RBI in 39 games (he is 17-for-52 (.327) with RISP)
C Omar Martinez: 1-for-3, RBI, BB
  PR Luis Durango: 0-for-0
   C Tomas Frick: 0-for-0, BB
3B Jose Colmenares: 1-for-5, K
1B Josh Moylan: 0-for-3, HBP, K
SS Brenny Escanio: 0-for-3, BB, K

RHP Ben Hess: 4.1 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 7 K
4.05 ERA (40 IP, 27 H, 22 R, 18 ER, 1 HR, 24 BB, 59 K). Not giving up home runs and striking out 59 in 40 innings is good. The walks are the biggest issue he will need to work on.
RHP Bryce Warrecker: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Warrecker has been outstanding all year, but it’s fair to point out that he allowed two of Hess’ runs to score tonight (he entered the game with the bases loaded and one out).  Season: 0.83 ERA (21.2 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 4 BB, 29 K).
RHP Hayden Merda: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
3.22 ERA (22.1 IP, 16 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 11 BB, 32 K). Merda has a 1.38 ERA in May (5.79 in April)
RHP Huey Morrill: (L, 2-1): 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Tampa (25-22) (Split two games with Lakeland)

Game 1 (Won, 2-0, in the completion of yesterday’s game)

SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-1, 2 BB
CF Cam Eden: 1-for-2
His rehab was moved to Tampa.
   PH-CF Marshall Toole: 0-for-1
DH Edgleen Perez: 0-for-2, BB, K
C Engelth Urena: 0-for-3
RF Dillon Lewis: 0-for-2, BB, K
3B Juan Matheus: 2-for-3, R, K
LF Tyler Wilson: 0-for-3, K
2B Austin Green: 1-for-3, HR (3), 2 RBI, R, K
1B Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-3

RHP Carson Coleman: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Coleman’s rehab was moved here from the FCL.
RHP Andrew Landry: (W, 2-3)  3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
6.43 ERA (35 IP, 49 H, 30 R, 25 ER, 4 HR, 15 BB, 37 K). 
RHP Jackson Fristoe: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
5.11 ERA (24.2 IP, 27 H, 18 R, 14 ER, 4 HR, 16 BB, 20 K)
RHP Brady Kirtner (S, 2): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
2.08 ERA (26 IP, 14 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 HR, 10 BB, 30 K). A call to Hudson Valley may not be far off.

Game 2 (Lost, 3-1)

SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-2, SF, RBI, 2 K
The struggle is real.
CF Brian Sanchez: 0-for-2, K
C Edgleen Perez: 0-for-2, BB
DH Engelth Urena: 0-for-3
RF Cam Eden: 0-for-2, BB
LF Dillon Lewis: 0-for-3, K
3B Juan Matheus: 1-for-3, R
.290/.355/.359 in 169 PA (10 doubles, 23 RBI, 20 R, 12-for-17 SB, 10.7% BB, 22.5% K). Matheus is doing a solid job adjusting to full-season ball, but is a cautionary tale about taking K/BB rates seriously in the rookie leagues (he compiled 84 walks and 76 strikeouts in 104 rookie league games)
1B Tyler Wilson: 1-for-2, 2B (5), BB
2B Owen Cobb: 2-for-2
.391/.429/.667 in 78 PA (6 doubles, 2 triples, 3 HR, 16 RBI, 19 R, 8-for-10 SB, 6.4% BB, 19.2% K). 
  PH Austin Green: 0-for-1, K
Unless the idea was that Green would get an AB in Game 2 (weird) or Cobb was injured, I don’t get the idea of pinch-hitting for a kid hitting .391 with two outs and nobody on.

RHP Brandon Decker: (L, 1-1)  2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
2.14 ERA (21 IP, 18 H, 10 R, 5 ER, 0 HR, 8 BB, 21 K). This is his second straight start. I am not sure if they are starting to stretch him out but it would make sense.
LHP Tanner Bauman: 2.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Sean Hermann: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
1.54 ERA (23.1 IP, 14 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 0 HR, 19 BB, 22 K). His BB rate has come down considerably in May.

FCL (8-11) (Lost to the Tigers, 3-0)

LF Brando Mayea: 0-for-3, HBP
.288/.366/.493 in 83 PA (4 doubles, 1 triple, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 19 R, 4-for-7 SB)
C Ediel Rivera: 2-for-4, CS (2), K
.283/.400/.413 in 55 PA (3 doubles, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 7 R, 4-for-6 SB)
2B Gabriel Terrero: 1-for-2, 3B (1), BB, K
Terrero has a double, triple, and homer in ten games this season.
RF Santiago Gomez: 0-for-2, 2 SB (8), HBP

RHP Omar Gonzalez (L, 0-2): 4 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 5 BB, 5 K
RHP Mariano Salomon: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
0.68 ERA (13.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 15 K). Salomon has impressed in his career, throwing to a 2.67 ERA in 104.1 innings with a 131/24 K/BB.
RHP Chance Nolan: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
The former collegiate quarterback has yet to allow an earned run (5.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 3 K)

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 5/28: Carlos Lagrange’s Big Effort

Notes:

Early-season standout Griffin Herring was promoted from Tampa to Hudson Valley.

The Yankees went heavy on SEC pitchers in the 2024 draft, and the left-handed Herring was no exception. Out of LSU, the Yankees drafted him in the 6th round and signed him to an overslot bonus (as a draft-eligible sophomore, he had leverage). He was an instant sensation for Tampa, pitching to a 0.39 ERA in his four April starts.

While no pitcher at any level can keep up that pace forever, Herring came close. In eight starts, he went 4-1 with a 1.21 ERA (2.87 FIP) over 44.2 innings with a 33.3% K and 9.2% BB. The K rate matches what he did for LSU in 2024. As you may suspect from a pitcher with his numbers, there is some luck involved. He owned a whopping 89% strand rate.

At any rate, he joins fellow 2024 SEC draftees Bryce Cunningham (Vanderbilt) and Ben Hess (Alabama) in the Hudson Valley rotation. The rotation also includes Carlos Lagrange, Kyle Carr, Josh Grosz, and Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz. Amongst this group, only Grosz (who has talent) isn’t on the MLB Pipeline Top 30 Yankees Prospects list.

No, I don’t expect them to go with a 7-man rotation. They will either do some piggybacking, or someone is on their way to Somerset.

Injury Log

Scranton (23-27) (Lost to Worcester, 5-4)

3B Jesus Rodriguez: 0-for-4, SF, RBI
Is he receiving more time at 3B?  Four of his last six games have been at third base, including back-to-back games. Before this stretch, he caught three straight games. The not-so-fulfilling answer is that I don’t know, but one thing is showing up this year: They haven’t asked him to play 1B/2B/OF at all (second base was never likely to happen, and he doesn’t really *need* to play first base regularly). I think they want him to get comfortable at third base while showing other organizations what he can do behind the plate. 
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-3, 2 BB
.297/.392/.493 in 176 PA. Rumfield is 23-for-61 (.377) with four doubles and a pair of homers in May. He will likely go down the path of Dermis Garcia, Andres Chaparro, and Eric Wagaman – eventually making MLB on squads that can afford them the opportunity. 
DH Everson Pereira: 1-for-5, 2 RBI
The long May layoff interrupted what was a good month (.255/.406/.617 with a double and 6 home runs).
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 0-for-3, 2 BB, 2 K
LF Jose Rojas: 0-for-5, K
C Ronaldo Hernandez: 2-for-4, R, BB, 2 K
This is Hernandez’s first game since May 7th. If you want to get on the “Rodriguez is playing more 3B!” train, perhaps adding Hernandez back to the roster is a sign for you (the other catcher is Alex Jackson). 
CF Ismael Munguia: 0-for-3, R, HBP
SS Andrew Velazquez: 0-for-3, R, BB, 2 K
2B Jake Gatewood: 0-for-1, R, HBP, 2 BB, K

LHP Brandon Leibrandt: 4.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
RHP Scott Effross: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Effross has a 27.00 ERA for Scranton (2 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 3 K).
RHP Geoff Hartlieb: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
2.57 ERA (21 IP, 23 H, 9 R, 6 ER, 0 HR, 8 BB, 22 K). It may be hard to remember that Hartlieb was amongst the final spring training cuts.
RHP Leonardo Pestana: (L, 1-2)  1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR

Somerset (22-24) (Lost to Akron, 1-0. The Patriots have scored one run in their last two games.

SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-5, 2 K
When the leadoff hitter gets five plate appearances in a shutout loss, you know there was some annoyance. In this case, Somerset left ten runners on base and went 1-for-12 with RISP. As for Lombard Jr., I know we have been waiting for the power to show up, and it hasn’t. Patience.  He went on an extra-base hit splurge just before his promotion here.
DH Rafael Flores: 0-for-3, BB, 3 K
Flores is having a strong season (.300/.355/.533), but it is reasonable to worry about those darn strikeouts (28.9%). You can live with that if a player mashes, but it could limit his upside. By the way, watching the Yankees-Angels last night gave me an interesting comparison: Logan O’Hoppe. 
RF Garrett Martin: 0-for-2, HBP, BB
2B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-4, 2 K
.286/.339/.497 in 174 PA. 
LF Cole Gabrielson: 2-for-3, SB (10), BB, K
Gabrielson can take walks (.351 career OBP) and steal bases (28-for-35 in 138 career games) but the rest of the tools haven’t shown up (.225/.351/.335 career triple slash).
CF Grant Richardson: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-4, K
3B Alexander Vargas: 1-for-2, SB (9), HBP, K
C Antonio Gomez: 0-for-3, K

RHP Trent Sellers: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
His stay on the inactive list was a short one. Season: 3.19 ERA (36.2 IP, 20 H, 13 R, 13 ER, 4 HR, 16 BB, 47 K)
RHP Danny Watson: (L, 1-2)  1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Harrison Cohen: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
2.55 ERA (17.2 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 9 BB, 24 K). Cohen has been steady since entering the organization in 2023, compiling a 2.79 ERA over 96.2 IP with only 66 hits allowed and a 120/44 K/BB.
RHP Luis Pacheco: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Indigo Diaz: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Kelly Austin: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
1.80 ERA (15 IP, 11 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 4 BB, 16 K). He needed a boost to the strikeout rate, and today provided that!

Hudson Valley (30-16) (Defeated Wilmington, 7-1. I love baseball – Somerset turned over the lineup for a fifth time while being shut out. Hudson Valley? Three of their hitters didn’t get to the plate four times in a 7-run effort!)

DH Roc Riggio: 0-for-3, CS (4), BB, 2 K
.246/.434/.614 in 76 PA. He came out of his rehab stint smoking but has settled down (0-for-10 in his last three games). He is 2-for-6 stealing bases after going 27-for-33 in 2024.
CF Jace Avina: 3-for-4, 2 2B (11), HR (4), 2 RBI, 3 R, K
.296/.418/.480 in 158 PA (11 doubles, 4 HR, 20 RBI, 26 R, 14.6% BB, 25.3% K). This is his 4th 3-hit effort this season (the other three were in consecutive games from 4/26 – 4/29).
RF Coby Morales: 2-for-4, RBI, SB (8), 2 K
1B Parks Harber: 0-for-4, K
Since promotion: .333/.389/.540 in 95 PA. He has been feast-or-famine lately (in his last 9 games, he has two 4-hit efforts, one 3-hit effort, one 1-hit effort, and five no-hit efforts)
C Omar Martinez: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
SS Jose Colmenares: 1-for-4, HR (3), RBI, 2 R
3B Josh Moylan: 1-for-3, 2B (9), RBI
LF Luis Durango: 1-for-3, R, K
Durango is 5-for-13 since returning from his rehab stint (3-for-3 SB)
2B Duncan Pastore: 1-for-3, RBI, R, K

RHP Carlos Lagrange (W, 4-2): 6.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K, HR
4.10 ERA (41.2 IP, 31 H, 20 R, 19 ER, 4 HR, 12 BB, 64 K). Other than the hiccup (4 BB in 3.2 innings) in his last start, Lagrange continues to show tremendous growth in that department. 
RHP Chris Kean: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
3.26 ERA (19.1 IP, 18 H, 9 R, 7 ER, 2 HR, 8 BB, 18 K)
RHP Tony Rossi: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Since promotion: 9 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 10 K. Overall: 16.2 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 22 K

Tampa (24-21) (Tried to play a doubleheader, but rain got in the way. Game 1 was suspended. Game 2 was canceled and will not be made up)

Game 1 (Lead, 2-0, in the 5th inning)

SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-1, BB
CF Cam Eden: 1-for-2
His rehab was moved to Tampa.
DH Edgleen Perez: 0-for-1, BB, K
C Engelth Urena: 0-for-2
RF Dillon Lewis: 0-for-2, K
3B Juan Matheus: 1-for-2, R, K
LF Tyler Wilson: 0-for-2, K
2B Austin Green: 1-for-2, HR (3), 2 RBI, R, K
1B Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-2

RHP Carson Coleman: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Coleman’s rehab was moved here from the FCL.
RHP Andrew Landry: 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K

FCL (8-10)

Day off.

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 5/18: Rafael Flores Homers Again

Notes:

RHP JT Brubaker started his latest rehab stint in Hudson Valley today. Acquired for infield prospect Keiner Delgado in April 2024, Bruaker hasn’t been able to stay healthy. He tossed only 16.2 innings in the Yankees system last year.

The difference between Brubaker and Scott Effross and Clayton Beeter is that Brubaker is out of options.  Once the rehab is up, and assuming he is healthy, decisions need to be made.

As for Delgado, reading Twitter at the time made one feel as if the Yankees relinquished the next coming of Roberto Alomar. After hitting .231/.318/.347 in Low-A in 2024, he was moved to High-A Greensboro, hitting .252/.329/.394 with a 9-for-9 stolen base rate. Prospects develop at different rates, but it seems doubtful this trade will haunt the Yankees.

Injury Log

Scranton (21-22) (Lost to Toledo, 10-8)

LF Cooper Hummel: 3-for-5, RBI, R, K
Hummel is 8-for-29 since the Yankees signed him.
CF Everson Pereira: 0-for-3, R, SB (4), BB, 2 K
Pereira was 21-for-28 stealing bases in 102 games in 2022. Since then, he is 20-for-24 in 150 games.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 2-for-5, 2B (10), RBI, R, SB (3), K
.305/.404/.519 in 156 PA (10 doubles, 6 HR, 27 RBI, 29 R, 3-for-4 SB, 11.5% BB, 20.5% K). 
C Alex Jackson: 2-for-5, HR (6), 3 RBI, R, K
Jackson continues to alternate games with and without a home run.  He has four home runs in his last seven games (HR, no HR, HR, no HR, HR, no HR, HR)
DH Dominic Smith: 1-for-4, HR (6), RBI, R, BB
Smith has five homers in 14 May games.
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 1-for-5, 2B (3), R, 2 K
3B Jose Rojas: 1-for-4, RBI, R, SB (2), 2 K
2B Jake Gatewood: 1-for-3, 2B (2), SB (1), CS (2), BB, 2 K
SS Andrew Velazquez: 1-for-4, RBI, R

RHP Carlos Carrasco: 1.2 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, HR
RHP Leonardo Pestana: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 0 K
4.24 ERA (17 IP, 9 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 19 BB, 18 K). Control has always been an issue (19 BB in 38.2 IP in 2024), but it is amplified this season. Furthermore, his K% isn’t making up for the high walk total. Last year, he struck out 63 (40.9%). This season, entering today, his K% was 26.1%. 
RHP Kervin Castro: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
2.18 ERA (20.2 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 9 BB, 24 K)
RHP Geoff Hartlieb: 2.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
3.00 ERA (18 IP, 19 H, 9 R, 6 ER, 0 HR, 8 BB, 18 K)
LHP Ismael Munguia (L, 0-1): 1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Minor league baseball = sometimes bringing in a position player during an 8-8 game.  This was his first career pitching appearance.

Somerset (17-21) (Lost to Portland, 4-1)

3B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-4, 2 K
.275/.329/.493 in 149 PA (7 doubles, 1 triple, 7 HR, 23 RBI, 20 R).  He has played 14 games at 3B, 12 at 2B, 6 at 1B, and 2 at designated hitter.
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-2, CS (1), HBP, BB, K
Since promotion: .182/.378/.182 in 45 PA (3 RBI, 7 R, 3-for-4 SB, 10 BB, 9 K)
1B Rafael Flores: 1-for-3, HR (9), RBI, R, BB, 2 K
Flores has homered in three straight games and ties Spencer Jones for the Eastern League lead. He is hitting .304/.354/.554 in 161 PA. Going back to last year, Flores has hit .285/.357/.532 in 434 Double-A plate appearances (24 doubles, 24 HR, 63 RBI, 60 R, 8.99% BB, 28.3% K)
DH Garrett Martin: 0-for-4, K
RF Coby Morales: 2-for-4, 2 K
CF Grant Richardson: 0-for-4, 3 K
LF Jared Wegner: 1-for-3
C Antonio Gomez: 0-for-2, BB, K
2B Max Burt: 0-for-3, K

RHP Bailey Dees: (L, 1-3)  6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
4.50 ERA (34 IP, 33 H, 18 R, 17 ER, 5 HR, 16 BB, 37 K). Bees walked 13 in 18.1 April innings. That number has dropped to three in 15.2 May innings.
RHP Indigo Diaz: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Cole Ayers: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, HR
RHP Danny Watson: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K

Hudson Valley (26-12) (Defeated Aberdeen, 3-2)

LF Brendan Jones: 1-for-4, K
RF Jace Avina: 1-for-3, HR (3), RBI, R
.297/.421/.455 in 126 PA. Avina has a pair of homers and 3 RBI in three games since returning from injury.
  RF Anthony Hall: 1-for-1, 2B (4)
DH Parks Harber: 0-for-4, 4 K
From four hits to four strikeouts. Explain baseball to me.
CF Jackson Castillo: 2-for-3, 2B (9), BB
Back-to-back multi-hit games as Castillo tries to get on track. He is hitting .234/.342/.355 in 146 PA and is 5-for-5 stealing bases.
2B Jose Colmenares: 0-for-4, K
3B Josh Moylan: 0-for-3, K
SS Brenny Escanio: 1-for-3, 2B (4), R
C Tomas Frick: 1-for-3, K
1B Duncan Pastore: 1-for-3, RBI, R

RHP JT Brubaker: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
His climb back to MLB begins yet again…
RHP Bryce Cunningham: (W, 5-1)  5.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 2 HR
2.14 ERA (42 IP, 32 H, 12 R, 10 ER, 3 HR, 10 BB, 44 K). It is hard to deny that Cunningham has impressed the most (so far) amongst the 2024 draftees.
RHP Huey Morrill (S, 2): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Tampa (19-20) (Walked it off against Palm Beach, 5-4)

C Edgleen Perez: 1-for-4, SF, RBI, R, K
It saddens me that I won’t be able to call him an 18-year-old much longer, as he turns 19 on 5/25. 
DH Engelth Urena: 1-for-3, RBI, R, 2 BB, K
His RBI single with one out in the 9th tied the game.
LF Dillon Lewis: 0-for-3, R, 2 BB, K
2B Juan Matheus: 2-for-3, 2B (8), RBI, 2 BB
Matheus has gone insane. He is 15-for-25 (.600) during his 7-game hitting streak. The streak has spiked his triple slash to .316/.378/.386 (.236/.321/.303 before the streak started). He ranks fifth in the Florida State League in batting average.  He is a switch-hitter who has thus far hit lefties well in a small sample (9-for-22). Last year, he was 8-for-40 against southpaws.
RF Austin Green: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, SB (5), 2 K
Green has a 5-game hitting streak (8-for-18). 
1B Tyler Wilson: 0-for-4, 2 K
3B Hans Montero: 0-for-4, 3 K
SS Owen Cobb: 2-for-4, R
No extra-base hits? I’m appalled! Cobb is now 21-for-47 (.447) with 11 extra-base hits (6 doubles, 2 triples, 3 HR). He is on a 6-game hitting streak (10-for-22) and has eight multi-hit efforts in 14 games.
CF Marshall Toole: 1-for-3, R, CS (1), BB
Toole has a 7-game hitting streak (8-for-22).  He is hitting .326/.398/.447 in 98 PA.

RHP Gage Ziehl: 4.1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, HR
RHP Gus Hughes: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Sean Hermann: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
1.80 ERA (20 IP, 14 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 0 HR, 17 BB, 20 K). The walks have settled down since he walked 15 in 12.1 April innings.
RHP Cole Zaffiro: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Jackson Fristoe (W, 3-1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
5.75 ERA (20.1 IP, 24 H, 17 R, 13 ER, 3 HR, 14 BB, 17 K)

FCL (5-6) 

Day off.

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 5/16: Jesus Rodriguez is Scorching

Notes:

RHP Clayton Beeter‘s rehab is over. The Yankees have optioned him to Scranton.

The Yankees traded LHP Rob Zastryzny to the Brewers for cash considerations. This is a massive win since I no longer need to type that name. The 33-year-old has pitched for several organizations, including MLB stops with the Cubs, Mets, Angels, and Pirates. This will be his second stint with the Brewers.

He never pitched in MLB for the Yankees. In 13 games for Scranton, he pitched to a 4.50 ERA over 12 innings with a 12/2 K/BB.

LHP Edgar Barclay, who looked like he was making a push to get to MLB a few years ago, was transferred from the 7-day injured list to the Full Season list for Somerset. RHP Luis Velasquez suffered the same fate.

Injury Log

Scranton (20-21) (Lost to Toledo, 6-3)

C Jesus Rodriguez: 3-for-5, CS (1), K
This is silly. He has back-to-back 3-hit efforts and is 14-for-31 (.452) during his 8-game hitting streak. Since his promotion: .385/.482/.495 in 112 PA (5 doubles, 3 triples, 1 HR, 13 RBI, 23 R, 5-for-6 SB, 16.1% BB, 12.5% K)
RF Cooper Hummel: 0-for-3, CS (1), BB, 2 K
  CF Ismael Munguia: 0-for-0
   PH T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-1
CF Everson Pereira: 1-for-3, 2 R, 2 BB, K
.289/.391/.577 in 115 PA. 16 walks in 115 PA this season. 16 walks in 182 PA last year. He is on an 11-game on-base streak (at least one hit in ten of those games)
DH Alex Jackson: 1-for-4, K
1B Dominic Smith: 1-for-4, RBI
LF Bryan De La Cruz: 1-for-4, 2B (2), RBI, K
3B Jose Rojas: 2-for-4, 2 2B (10), K
2B Jake Gatewood: 0-for-4, K
SS Andrew Velazquez: 2-for-4, HR (2), RBI, R, 2 K

RHP Jake Woodford (L, 1-2): 6 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, HR
3.86 ERA (30.1 IP, 32 H, 16 R, 13 ER, 6 HR, 12 BB, 28 K). 
RHP Wilking Rodriguez: 1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Colten Brewer: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K

Somerset (16-20) (Defeated Portland, 4-2, in ten innings. As the home team, you know what that means!)

DH Dylan Jasso: 2-for-5, HR (7), 2 RBI, R, K
Yes, that is what it means:  Jasso hit a walk-off 2-run blast. He has homered in back-to-back games and owns a .271/.329/.504 triple slash in his first taste of Double-A. Hitting him at the top of the lineup all season shows that the Yankees like something about this kid.
3B George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-3, R, BB, 3 K
You don’t see Lombard Jr. have many no-contact games. Sometimes, he will remind you that he is still a teenager.
C Rafael Flores: 2-for-4, HR (7), 2 RBI, R, K
.293/.342/.514 in 152 PA. Flores has slumped in the power department this month, so it’s nice to see him hit one out.
CF Garrett Martin: 0-for-2, SB (6), HBP, K
LF Coby Morales: 1-for-3, 2 K
Morales’s first Double-A hit.
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-4, 2 K
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-3, SB (5), BB, K
RF Grant Richardson: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
2B Max Burt: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K

RHP Trystan Vrieling: 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 1 K
Vrieling’s rehab is over. This is his first start for Somerset this season. He tossed 60 pitches (34 strikes).
RHP Baron Stuart: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Jon Olsen: 2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Olsen’s Somerset debut. It’s his first game in affiliated ball since 2022.
LHP Ryan Anderson: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Mason Vinyard (W, 1-1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
After a slow start, he is pitching better (4.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 7 K this month)

Hudson Valley (24-12) (Lost to Aberdeen, 4-3. They scored a pair in the 9th to make it interesting but couldn’t get over the hump)

CF Brendan Jones: 0-for-5, 2 K
2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-4, 2 K
DH Jace Avina: 1-for-4, HR (2), RBI, R, 3 K
Avina was activated from the injured list today. He is hitting .305 with a .879 OPS.
LF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-2, R, SB (5), 2 BB
Jackson has a 14.6% BB rate and has 102 walks in 637 career plate appearances. He showed he could hit here in a brief audition in 2024, so his slow start is somewhat surprising.
C Omar Martinez: 0-for-4, 2 K
3B Jose Colmenares: 2-for-4, 2 2B (5), RBI, R, K
1B Josh Moylan: 0-for-2, HBP, BB, K
  PR Luis Durango: 0-for-0
SS Brenny Escanio: 0-for-4, 3 K
RF Anthony Hall: 1-for-3, RBI, BB, 2 K

RHP Josh Grosz: (L, 2-2)  5 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
4.18 ERA (28 IP, 24 H, 17 R, 13 ER, 2 HR, 12 BB, 37 K)
RHP Chris Kean: 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
1.10 ERA (16.1 IP, 12 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 5 BB, 14 K)
RHP Matt Keating: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
2.45 ERA (11 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 9 K)

Tampa (18-19)

Scheduled day off.

The Tarpons have won four in a row and are 9-3 in their last 12 as they pulled themselves out of an abyss.

FCL (5-5) (Lost to the Phillies, 15-5)

CF Cam Eden: 1-for-4, SB (2)
DH Brennen Davis: 3-for-4, 2B (2), HR (3), RBI, 2 R, K
OK, get him to Scranton.
LF Brando Mayea: 2-for-4, R
.297/.381/.459 in 43 PA. At this level last year, the 19-year-old bonus baby hit .281/.370/.326 in 154 PA. I would be shocked if he doesn’t make his Low-A debut this year.
2B Luis Escudero: 3-for-4, 3B (1), RBI, R
SS Santiago Gomez: 1-for-3, RBI, SB (2), K

None of the pitching lines warrant inclusion!

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.