Tag: Jace Avina

Yankees MILB 5/18: Jasson Dominguez is Heating Up

News:

I have nothing to offer you.

Scranton (28-13) 

Their game against Worcester was postponed. Instead of playing two tomorrow, they will attempt to make this up on Monday. The posted lineup is below.

2B Caleb Durbin: 0-for-0
.286/.405/.422 in 196 PA (14 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR, 32 RBI, 30 R, 20-for-22 SB, 14.8% BB, 10.7% K). His SLG has, predictably, slipped (only four extra-base hits (all doubles) in May), but the rest of his profile has motored along. Starts, by position: 2B: 17; 3B: 10; SS: 7; LF: 4; CF: 1. 
SS Oswald Peraza: 0-for-0
Peraza’s rehab stint was moved here from Somerset.
RF Taylor Trammell: 0-for-0
1B Carlos Narvaez: 0-for-0
After a .215/.384/.354 April, Narvaez is hitting .275/.396/.475 in May.
DH Jose Rojas: 0-for-0
3B Jeter Downs: 0-for-0
.265/.358/.510 in 124 PA.  How souped up is this league? A .510 SLG is strong on paper. In the International League, it is good enough to be ranked 33rd. In the Double-A Eastern League (where Somerset plays), the 33rd-best slugging percentage is .394.
C Luis Torrens: 0-for-0
LF Greg Allen: 0-for-0
CF Brandon Lockridge: 0-for-0

RHP Cody Poteet: 0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Somerset (18-19) (Lost to Portland, 2-1)

CF Spencer Jones: 0-for-3, BB, 3 K
.222/.298/.333 in 121 PA. He hasn’t homered since April 23rd (20 straight games without one). Eventually, you figure someone is going to pay.
1B Agustin Ramirez: 1-for-3, SF, RBI, 2 K
.285/.395/.618 in 147 PA. His hitting streak is at 7 (12-for-26).
SS Ben Cowles: 1-for-4, 2 K
.328/.405/.536 in 148 PA. 
C J.C. Escarra: 0-for-4, 2 K
3B Jordan Groshans: 0-for-4, K
RF Jared Wegner: 0-for-3, BB, K
DH Elijah Dunham: 1-for-4, K
2B Anthony Seigler: 1-for-3, RS, K
LF Aaron Palensky: 0-for-2, BB, K

RHP Bailey Dees: (L, 2-3) 5.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K
I was concerned when he only pitched three innings last time, but he is fine, it appears. Season: 3.99 ERA (38.1 IP, 33 H, 18 R, 17 ER, 17 BB, 41 K). His first 8 professional starts have gone as well as you can hope for.
RHP Kevin Stevens: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
LHP Josh Maciejewski: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Jack Neely: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
In his last five appearances: 6.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 13 K. Overall, he has a 1.45 ERA and 30/6 K/BB over 18.2 IP. In his career, he has 222 strikeouts in 137.1 innings. He is a legitimate high-leverage relief prospect.

Hudson Valley (19-16) (Lost to Jersey Shore, 14-8)

2B Roc Riggio: 0-for-4, RS, BB, HBP, K
His BB% (16.3) continues to be higher than his K% (15.4). I expect the bat to eventually get going.
SS Luis Serna: 1-for-5, HR (7), RBI, RS, SB (3), BB
Serna has homered in two of his last three games and is hitting .305/.406/.627 in May (4 doubles, 5 HR, 14 RBI, 12 R).  While many see him as a 2B long-term, he has started 26 games at SS and 8 at 2B.
RF Jace Avina: 3-for-4, 2B (11), HR (4), 3 RBI, 2 RS, SB (3), BB
.305/.407/.547 in 113 PA (11 doubles, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 17 R, 11.5% BB, 28.3% K). 
DH Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-3, RS, 2 BB, K
.313/.390/.500 in 146 PA (7 doubles, 1 triple, 5 HR, 20 RBI, 24 R, 10.96% BB, 15.1% K). He owns a 12-game on-base streak.
C Omar Martinez: 2-for-4, 2B (4), 2 RS, BB, K
Martinez has a 5-game hitting streak. He is at .240/.406/.413 in 133 PA (21.1% BB and 21.1% K).
1B Rafael Flores: 2-for-4, 2B (10), 2 RBI, BB, K
Flores is up to .281/.387/.461 in 106 PA (10 doubles, 2 HR, 18 RBI, 10 R, 14.2% BB, 23.6% K). He has five multi-hit efforts in his last seven games (12-for-24; 5 doubles, 10 RBI – he has at least one RBI in seven straight games). Before this streak, he was hitting .200/.307/.369.
3B Josh Moylan: 3-for-5, 2B (3), 2 RBI, CS (1)
In his last four games, Moylan is 6-for-15 with five RBI. It has lifted his triple slash from .205/.344/.295 to .237/.368/.323. It’s a start!
CF Nelson Medina: 0-for-5, 2 K
LF Kyle Battle: 0-for-4, RS, SB (4), BB, K

LHP Kyle Carr: 4 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, HR
6.49 ERA (26.1 IP, 32 H, 27 R, 18 ER, 2 HR, 23 BB, 22 K). I won’t try to trick you into thinking that is a good line. I will say that this is his debut season and everyone develops at a different pace. How does he adjust? That is the question you want answered.
RHP Matt Keating: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Luis Arejula: (L, 1-3) 1.2 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
RHP Huey Morrill: 1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
LHP Joel Valdez: 0.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Tampa (13-25) (Defeated Bradenton, 10-9, in ten innings)

2B Jorbit Vivas: 1-for-3, 2 RS, BB, HBP, K
Vivas is 1-for-7 since he restarted his rehab stint (he went 1-for-7 for Scranton during his first rehab stint)
   2B Brenny Escanio: 0-for-1, RS
DH Jasson Dominguez: 2-for-4, 2B (1), 2 RBI, 2 RS, BB, K
Dominguez’s double was hit 106.5 MPH. On his rehab stint: 5-for-11 (1 double, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 K).
   PH Hans Montero: 1-for-1
Again, they probably told Dominguez his night was over after his 5th plate appearance, which is why he didn’t hit in the 10th inning.
3B George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-5, RBI, RS, HBP, K
He is hitting .210 with a .644 OPS.
SS Roderick Arias: 1-for-4, 3B (4), SF, 3 RBI, RS, BB, K
Arias walked it off in the bottom of the 10th with a bases-loaded sacrifice fly. 
1B Dylan Jasso: 2-for-4, 2 2B (12), BB, 2 K
Jasso has 20 doubles in 57 career games.
CF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-4, SF, 3 RBI, K
All 9 of Castillo’s RBI have come in his last ten games. In those ten games, he is 14-for-31 with four doubles and three homers.
LF Willy Montero: 2-for-5, 2 K
For a moment, he lifted his average over .200. At he end of the night, he settled in at .198.
RF Coby Morales: 0-for-4, 2 RS, BB, 2 K
C Manuel Palencia: 2-for-4, RS, BB

RHP Josh Grosz: 3.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 8 K, HR
7.06 ERA (29.1 IP, 37 H, 32 R, 23 ER, 8 HR, 13 BB, 48 K). That line shows off his raw ability and things he needs to work on. His rate numbers show bad luck: Entering tonight, he had a .413 BABIP and 35% HR/FB. A 35% HR/FB is insane – something like that can’t be sustained. 
RHP Osiel Rodriguez: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
1.96 ERA (18.1 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 HR, 9 BB, 18 K). Rodriguez hit 96.3 with his 4-seamer and 95.1 with his sinker.
RHP Jordy Luciano: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
RHP Aaron Nixon: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
2.14 ERA (21 IP, 12 H, 9 R, 5 ER, 0 HR, 17 BB, 22 K)
RHP Kris Bow: (W, 1-0)  1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
He just comes at you with hard sinkers and sliders. They don’t always hit the zone, but there is no way Bow is a comfortable AB. Season: 3.94 ERA (16 IP, 9 H, 10 R, 7 ER, 1 HR, 13 BB, 19 K)

FCL (5-6) (Defeated the Blue Jays, 6-2)

1B Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-3, RBI, 2 RS, HBP, K
8-for-29 (2 doubles, 3 HR, 10 BB, 8 K, 2-for-2 SB)
DH Tyler Hardman: 0-for-2, 2 RS, BB, HBP, K
My thick skull finally figured it out: They send Hardman to the FCL for rehab on days Jasson Dominguez plays for Tampa. For now, both are only playing DH.
C Edgleen Perez: 1-for-3, 2B (3), 2 RBI, BB
7-for-22 (3 doubles, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 11 BB, 4 K). The 17-year-old (for one more week) is making an early impression.
SS Juan Matheus: 1-for-3, SF, 2 RBI
7-for-30 (1 triple, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 2-for-5 SB)
3B Luis Ogando: 2-for-4, RS

RHP Bryce Warrecker: 3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 4 K
Last year’s 20th-round pick stands 6’8″. His ERA wasn’t great at Cal Poly, but he kept the walks in check, which is unusual for a kid this big.
RHP Omar Gonzalez: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Sabier Marte (W, 2-0): 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K
9.2 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 6 BB, 9 K
RHP Chris Kean: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K. I doubt he will be in the FCL for long.

DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 5/16: Jasson Dominguez: 2 Hits

News:

I have nothing to offer you.

Scranton (28-13) (Lost a pitcher’s duel to Worcester, 13-12)

2B Caleb Durbin: 2-for-5, 2 RBI, RS, SB (19), BB
.288/.411/.429 in 191 PA. He has 14 multi-hit games this season (41 games)
CF Everson Pereira: 1-for-5, 3 RS, BB, K
1B T.J. Rumfield: 2-for-6, RBI, RS, K
Rumfield has a 5-game hitting streak (8-for-22). He is at .317/.368/.452 since his promotion.
C Carlos Narvaez: 3-for-5, 2B (9), 2 RBI, RS, HBP, K
.243/.396/.405 in 144 PA. He has four doubles in his last five games (walks and power have always been his offensive trademark – and it’s proving to be the case in 2024 as well)
LF Taylor Trammell: 2-for-4, 2B (2), 3 RBI, RS, SB (1), 2 BB, 2 K
DH Oscar Gonzalez: 1-for-5, 2B (3), 2 RBI, RS
RF Jose Rojas: 2-for-4, 2B (9), HR (8), RBI, 2 RS, BB, K
The veteran depth piece is hitting .221/.376/.538 in 133 PA. If this was 2023, he would be in the MLB lineup.
SS Jeter Downs: 1-for-3, RBI, RS, 2 BB, K
3B Josh VanMeter: 0-for-3, RS, 2 BB, K

LHP Edgar Barclay: 3.2 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 HR, 3 BB, 3 K
Back-to-back rough starts (14 R in 7.2 IP) have spiked his ERA to 5.84 in 37 IP. 
RHP Yerry De Los Santos: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda: 0.2 IP, 4 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, HR
Yikes.
RHP Alex Mauricio: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Art Warren: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Ron Marinaccio (L, 0-1): 0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR
Allowed a walk-off HR with two outs in the 9th.

Somerset (17-18) (Lost to Portland, 5-1)

CF Spencer Jones: 0-for-3, BB, K
Jones is 7-for-50 (.140) in May. There was a time in May 2023, when Jasson Dominguez was hitting .125/.367/.304. You never know when a top prospect will start to break out. Hopefully, Jones does soon.
SS Oswald Peraza: 0-for-3, SB (1), BB, 3 K
C Agustin Ramirez: 1-for-4, RS
Ramirez has a 6-game hitting streak (11-for-23, 3 doubles, 2 homers). He is 22 (23 in September) and dominating Double-A (1.024 OPS). Yes, he should be considered one of the better offensive prospects in baseball.
DH Ben Rice: 1-for-4, 2B (4), RBI
.246/.371/.468 in 152 PA. The bar is high for a 1B/DH. The bar lowers if he can be a backup catcher as well. 
LF Grant Richardson: 0-for-4, K
1B J.C. Escarra: 0-for-3, BB, K
3B Jordan Groshans: 1-for-3
RF Elijah Dunham: 1-for-3, 2 K
2B Anthony Seigler: 0-for-3

LHP Brock Selvidge: (L, 3-2)  6 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 8 K, 2 HR
This is Selvidge’s second time he has allowed multiple home runs in a game (45th game; 41st start). Season: 3.00 ERA (39 IP, 30 H, 18 R, 13 ER, 3 HR, 16 BB, 41 K)
RHP Tommy Kahnle: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
He is toying with minor-league hitters, retiring all 12 he has faced. For Somerset, he has faced six batters and struck them all out. In Tampa, he faced six batters and struck out three.
RHP Jack Neely: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
1.53 ERA (17.2 IP, 12 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 6 BB, 27 K). It may be time to send him to Scranton.
RHP Leonardo Pestana: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Pestana has tossed 6.1 scoreless innings since his promotion and owns a 1.13 ERA in 16 IP overall. This is his first full season in the bullpen and he is seemingly throwing well.

Hudson Valley (18-15) (Defeated Jersey Shore, 8-5)

2B Roc Riggio: 2-for-4, 2B (6), 2 RS, BB
SS Jared Serna: 2-for-5, HR (6), RBI, 2 RS, K
He is hitting .256 with a .847 OPS. After games of 4/27, his OPS was .583. An incredible run (22-for-60, 6 doubles, 4 HR, 9 BB) has turned around his fortunes. We have seen this throughout his brief career: When he gets hot, he is special.
CF Jace Avina: 2-for-5, 2B (10), HR (3), 2 RBI, 2 RS
11-game hitting streak. He is up to .299 with a .921 OPS and has 13 extra-base hits in 23 games (50% of his hits have gone for extra bases).
3B Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-5, 2B (7), RBI, RS, 2 K
I have written a lot about him. So, why isn’t he prominently on Yankees prospect lists? It is possible he doesn’t have the “loud” tools that prospect watchers love. However, he continues hitting well while playing anywhere the Yankees ask him to. It’s an interesting package regardless of what the rankings say.
1B Omar Martinez: 1-for-3, RBI, RS, BB
C Rafael Flores: 3-for-4, 2B (9), RBI
Flores has four multi-hit games in his last five games, increasing his triple slash from .200/.307/.369 to .265/.361/.446.
DH Josh Moylan: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
RF Nelson Medina: 1-for-4, RBI, SB (6)
LF Kyle Battle: 0-for-4, 2 K

RHP Jackson Fristoe: 3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
It is hard to get a good read on Fristoe, as the Yankees have protected him thus far (17 IP in six starts this season). He throws as hard as anyone in the system. The question is whether he can put the entire intriguing package together.
RHP Trent Sellers: (W, 4-1)  1.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, HR
3.00 ERA (21 IP, 12 H, 11 R, 7 ER, 2 HR, 13 BB, 30 K)
RHP Mason Vinyard: 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
LHP Joel Valdez: (S, 2) 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
2.33 ERA (19.1 IP, 11 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 HR, 6 BB, 23 K). After allowing 10 HR in 78.2 innings in 2023, he hasn’t allowed any in 2024.

Tampa (11-25) (Lost to Bradenton, 3-1)

2B Jorbit Vivas: 0-for-3, K
  2B Brenny Escanio: 0-for-1
DH Jasson Dominguez: 2-for-4
Dominguez’s first hit was smoked (111 MPH). His second hit was exactly half that. They both count the same in the boxscore. By the way, I am 100% for officially placing him in Scranton after rehab. The Yankees don’t care about “burning” options. He has three left and you hope they don’t need to use all of them. He will essentially become the team’s 4th outfielder – unlike most 4th outfielders, he will be in Triple-A as an insurance policy in case of injury instead of playing once a week while riding the pine the other days. 
SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-4, K
1B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-3
CF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-3, HR (3), RBI, RS
.246/.395/.478 in 86 PA (5 doubles, 1 triple, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 14 R, 6-for-7 SB, 19.8% BB, 22.1% K). He is 11-for-32 in his last ten games with three doubles and three home runs.
3B Hans Montero: 0-for-3, K
RF Coby Morales: 1-for-2, 2B (4), BB
16-for-46 (.348) in May.
C Edinson Duran: 0-for-3
LF Daury Arias: 0-for-3, K

RHP Cade Smith: (L, 1-2)  4.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 3 K
2.97 ERA (30.1 IP, 21 H, 14 R, 10 ER, 1 HR, 16 BB, 41 K). 
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
RHP Kris Bow: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Bow hit 98.3 MPH with his sinker, which he threw 82% of the time. If I threw a 98.3 MPH sinker, I’d use it 100% of the time. While he didn’t walk anyone tonight, walks have been his issue (12 in 15 IP this year, 36 in 36.2 innings last year). He has a legitimate chance if he can harness that (he doesn’t need to become a control specialist to be effective). 

FCL (4-5) (Lost to the Phillies, 19-1, in a 7-inning (thankfully) game)

1B Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-3, BB
C Edgleen Perez: 0-for-1, 2 BB
SS Juan Matheus: 1-for-2, SB (2), CS (3), BB, K
CF Fidel Montero: 1-for-2, HR (1), RBI, RS, BB, K
Montero hit 11 homers in 108 DSL games (to go along with the 59 stolen bases in 72 attempts)

RHP Angel Benitez (L, 1-1): 1.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K

DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 5/10: Edgleen Perez Homers in FCL Win

News:

Expect report delays on Saturday and Sunday due to Mother’s Day weekend.

Scranton (25-10)

Their game against Rochester was postponed. They will try to play two on Saturday.

Somerset (14-15) 

Their game against Altoona was postponed. They will try to play two on Saturday.

The lineup was posted before the postponement.

CF Spencer Jones: 0-for-0
His first 19 games this season (10.2% BB; 29.5% K, 105 wRC+) are close to his 17 Somerset games last season (9% BB; 28.2% K; 104 wRC+). I expect his bat to take off at some point.
SS Oswald Peraza: 0-for-0
Peraza’s rehab moves to Somerset for the weekend. A reminder that Peraza has one option year remaining so he can be assigned to a minor league team once his rehab is over.
C Ben Rice: 0-for-0
The Yankees remain somewhat committed to him behind the plate, as he has 12 starts (8 each at first base and designated hitter). If opposing scouts like what he does behind the plate, they see power at a premium position. That may not be the goal here, but one has to consider it. If it weren’t for the catching, he would have no reason to be here (.301/.394/.589 in 351 Double-A plate appearances).
1B Agustin Ramirez: 0-for-0
139 PA for Somerset in 2023: .211/.273/.313.  In 120 PA in 2024:  .237/.383/.567.  His 2024 average is being impacted by a low BABIP (.203). Imagine if the number was league average.
2B Ben Cowles: 0-for-0
What can Cowles be? I don’t know the answer to that. A Rob Refsnyder outcome would be a win (Refsnyder has carved out a 392-game career with a .758 OPS vs. LHP). That outcome likely doesn’t keep him in the Yankees organization, but maybe the higher-ups see a potential second base option. Who knows?  If he keeps up his current hitting, he won’t have to worry about making it to MLB.
DH Grant Richardson: 0-for-0
For Hudson Valley last year, Richardson hit .204/.306/.389 (92 wRC+) with an 11.2% BB and 31.3% K.  The Yankees decided to promote him. As one would expect to happen (sarcasm), he is hitting .309/.383/.544 with an 8.4% BB and 25.97% K since that promotion. Don’t question it – go with it.
3B J.C. Escarra: 0-for-0
RF Elijah Dunham: 0-for-0
LF Jared Wegner: 0-for-0
Wegner is one of those prospects that hardly anyone pays attention to…then, he suddenly gets called up to make his MLB debut. 

LHP Brock Selvidge: 0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
A 51.5% GB and 25.9% K is a formula for success. He has allowed 7 HR in 200 career innings. The number of teams who would use him in MLB in 2024 is not zero.

Hudson Valley (14-14) (Lost to Aberdeen, 5-3)

SS Roc Riggio: 1-for-4, 2B (4), RS, CS (2), BB, K
Riggio is hitting .214 with a .778 OPS. He has an eye (19.3% BB) and pop (.414 SLG). His BABIP is low.
2B Jared Serna: 1-for-4, 2B (7), BB, K
Serna extends his hitting streak to 9 (15-for-42; 5 doubles, 3 HR)
CF Jace Avina: 1-for-5, 2B (7), RBI, RS, SB (2), 4 K
With the extra-base power comes the high strikeout rate. The Yankees weren’t getting a polished prospect for Jake Bauers – they accepted a worthwhile lottery ticket.
LF Jesus Rodriguez: 0-for-3, SF, RBI, BB, K
Games by position: C: 13 (11 starts); 3B: 8; 2B: 3; LF: 3; DH: 1
C Omar Martinez: 0-for-2, 3 BB, K
Martinez is 3-for-22 in May but has 9 walks. Taking it back further, he is in a 3-for-34 slump.
   PR Kyle Battle: 0-for-0, SB (2)
1B Josh Moylan: 1-for-5, 2 K
DH Rafael Flores: 0-for-3, BB, K
Thankfully, his stay on the IL wasn’t a long one (first game since 5/2)
RF Nelson Medina: 1-for-3, RS, SB (5), BB, 2 K
3B Beau Brewer: 1-for-2, 2 BB, K

RHP Sebastian Keane:  4.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
6.12 ERA (25 IP, 29 H, 17 R, 17 ER, 1 HR, 16 BB, 25 K). 
RHP Luis Arejula: (L, 1-2) 2.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Huey Morrill: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR

Tampa (10-21)

Scheduled day off (they played a scheduled doubleheader earlier this week)

FCL (3-2) (Defeated the Blue Jays, 6-1, in a 7-inning game)

“Why are so many games seven innings?”

Firstly, this is a manager’s decision before the game starts. They have the option to play 7 innings or 9 innings.

The reason why the number of 7-inning games has gone up comes down to:
1. The earlier start to the season (no new draftees filtering onto the roster);
2. “Domestic roster limits” – Teams can only carry 165 players between the FCL/A/A+/AA/AAA (this is down 15 players from 2023);
3. Related to the above: Lack of pitching. Starters aren’t asked to go deep often (especially early on), so teams need enough pitchers to get through a game. It is easier to do that in seven innings than in nine innings.

For example, seven FCL games were played today – four went nine innings while three went seven.

(Remember, I do not list out the entire lineup for the FCL/DSL games. However, since today was light on action, I will do it)

RF Wilson Rodriguez: 1-for-2, 2 RS, BB, K
In 17 FCL games, Rodriguez is hitting .218/.377/.382 in 69 PA (18.8% BB, 28.99% K). He is a long-range 19-year-old prospect.
C Edgleen Perez: 1-for-2, HR (1), 2 RBI, 2 RS, BB
4-for-9 (2 doubles, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 3 BB)
DH Josue Gonzalez: 1-for-3, 2B (2), SB (2), 2 K
6-for-13 (2 doubles, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 4 BB, 2 SB)
SS Juan Matheus: 1-for-3, CS (2), K
The 20-year-old is 3-for-15.
3B Abrahan Ramirez: 2-for-3, 2 RBI, RS
5-for-13 with a homer and 5 RBI.
CF Fidel Montero: 1-for-2, 2B (1), RS, BB, K
3-for-11 with a double and three stolen bases. Montero hit 11 homers and stole 59 bases in 108 DSL games.
1B Luis Ogando: 0-for-2, SF, RBI, K
Now 20, Ogando hit .352/.446/.541 in 148 DSL plate appearances in 2023. He played a pair of games at SS in his 2022 debut season but has been 1B/3B with a sprinkle of LF the last two seasons.
LF Ramiro Altagracia: 1-for-3, RBI, K
Season debut for the 20-year-old. He spent 2021-2023 in the DSL and didn’t show much at the plate until last year.
2B Gabriel Terrero: 0-for-2, BB, K
Terrero will play the entire 2024 season at 18 years of age.

RHP Jesus Liranzo: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
This is a rehab appearance for the 29-year-old. He compiled a 7.09 ERA in 20 games for Somerset last season. Liranzo is a lifer who started his professional journey in 2013 but has yet to make a big league appearance.
RHP Angel Benitez (W, 1-0): 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K
This is the second appearance of 2024 for the 6’7″ Benitez. He didn’t pitch in 2023 due to the elbow surgery he needed in mid-2022. He is an intriguing 20-year-old lottery ticket.
LHP Brady Rose (S, 1): 3.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
If the name looks familiar, it is because he pitched in four games for Tampa earlier this year. Having a stretched-out arm is beneficial down here, though I would guess that Rose preferred the full-season league experience.

DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 4/30: Jared Serna is Heating Up

News:

The Yankees sent IF Keiner Delgado to the Pirates to complete the trade that landed the Yankees JT Brubaker and $500,000 of International bonus pool money.

Ranked 22nd on my Yankees’ Top 30 prospects list, Delgado hit .293/.414/.485 in 49 FCL games in 2023. He scored 54 runs, drove in 31, and went 36-for-43 in the stolen base department. As I stated in his blurb, video game numbers.  Whether that performance will translate into a full-season league, we don’t know. The Yankees did not move him to Low-A Tampa to begin 2024.

There is a logjam of middle infield prospects in the system. Delgado was blocked by the Roderick Arias, George Lombard Jr., Enmanuel Tejeda trio to begin this season. I have Arias and Lombard ranked ahead of him and Tejeda one spot underneath him.

In case you forgot, Brubaker is out following Tommy John surgery last April. He could eat some innings for the Yankees in the second half of the season. The $500,000 shouldn’t be ignored, as the Yankees tend to be good in the international market. An example of that is Delgado, who signed for $100,000.

RHP Leonardo Pestana was promoted to Somerset from Hudson Valley. The 25-year-old Pestana pitched to a 1.86 ERA in 9.2 innings with a 15/5 K/BB for Hudson Valley. Typically a starter in his career, it appears he was moved to the bullpen for 2024.

OF Oscar Gonzalez is done with his rehab stint and has been assigned to Scranton.

Scranton (18-9) (Defeated Jacksonville, 7-6)

3B Caleb Durbin: 1-for-4, 2B (10), RBI, RS, BB
Durbin finishes April with a .294 average and .896 OPS (10 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR, 22 RBI, 20 R, 17.3% BB, 11.0% K, 12-for-13 SB). Games by position: 2B: 10; SS: 3; 3B: 4; LF: 5 (4 starts); CF: 1; DH: 2.  One has to be intrigued.
DH Everson Pereira: 2-for-4, RBI, RS, HBP, K
Pereira hits .263 with a .914 OPS in April. He finishes the month on a 5-game hitting streak that featured three multi-hit efforts.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 2-for-5, HR (1), 2 RBI, RS, 2 K
Rumfield is hitting .292 with a .785 OPS since his promotion. He has three multi-hit games in his last four games played.
LF Oscar Gonzalez: 1-for-5, 2 K
RF Jose Rojas: 0-for-5, RBI
C Luis Torrens: 2-for-5, RS, K
CF Greg Allen: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K
SS Jeter Downs: 2-for-4, 2B (3), 2 RS, SB (4), K
Downs impresses in his first month in the organization, hitting .294 with a .916 OPS.  He has a 6-game hitting streak going (9-for-22)
2B Josh VanMeter: 1-for-3, HR (3), 2 RBI, RS, K
  PH-2B Kevin Smith: 0-for-0, BB

RHP Will Warren: 6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, HR
If you told me that Warren would get his ERA under 4.00 after allowing five ER in 0.1 innings in his 2024 debut, I would have called you crazy. Yet, here we are: 3.95 ERA (27.1 IP, 20 H, 13 R, 12 ER, 6 HR, 9 BB, 33 K)
RHP Yerry De Los Santos: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, HR
LHP Anthony Misiewicz: (W, 1-0)  1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Phil Bickford (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Somerset (10-12) (Defeated New Hampshire, 3-2)

DH Ben Rice: 1-for-3, HR (7), RBI, RS, BB, K
Rice has homered in back-to-back games and has 23 home runs in 319 Double-A plate appearances.
3B Jon Berti: 0-for-2, SB (1), 2 BB
Berti didn’t miss much time with his injury, so you have to assume he will be back in MLB soon.
   SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-0
CF Spencer Jones: 0-for-4, 3 K
.320/.382/.540 in 55 PA.
C Agustin Ramirez: 0-for-4, K
.247/.370/.610 in 92 PA. As great as he has been, he is being brought down by a .200 BABIP.
SS-3B Ben Cowles: 1-for-4
Cowles extends his hitting streak to 8. He ends April at .351/.433/.623 in 90 PA (8 doubles, 2 triples, 3 HR, 14 RBI, 14 R, 12.2% BB, 16.7% K, 3-for-3 SB). He has 11 starts at SS, 7 starts at 3B (9 games total), and 3 starts at 2B. What more can you ask for?
1B J.C. Escarra: 0-for-2, RS, BB
LF Elijah Dunham: 1-for-3, 2B (3), RS, 2 K
.226/.317/.472 in 60 PA (3 doubles, 2 triples, 2 homers)
RF Jared Wegner: 1-for-3, 2 RBI
Wegner picked the perfect time to extend his hitting streak to 13: A 2-run single in the 7th that gave Somerset the lead they wouldn’t give up. He hit .270/.352/.508 in April. He is 24 years old and this is his first taste of Double-A.
2B Anthony Seigler: 0-for-3, 2 K

RHP Bailey Dees: 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 3 K
Last four starts: 3.10 ERA (20.1 IP, 18 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 10 BB, 24 K). I will remind you that he is converting to starting, so that line is promising.
LHP Ryan Anderson: (W, 1-1)  2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
4.82 ERA (9.1 IP, 14 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 HR, 2 BB, 11 K). His BABIP is .467.
RHP Carlos Gomez (S, 2): 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K
0.87 ERA (10.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 8 K)

Hudson Valley (13-8) (Mauled Wilmington (thanks to a 9-run 7th), 12-2)

2B Roc Riggio: 3-for-5, 2B (3), RBI, 2 RS, SB (2)
A nice return for Riggio (first game since 4/21), who compiled two hits in the 9-run 7th inning. This is his first career 3-hit game.
  2B Beau Brewer: 1-for-1
SS Jared Serna: 3-for-6, 2B (4), 2 RBI, 2 RS
Serna, who also had two hits in the 7th inning, has back-to-back 3-hit efforts. These two games have jumped his triple slash from .148/.304/.279 to .211/.344/.352. 
LF Jace Avina: 3-for-6, 2 2B (3), 2 RBI, RS, K
Avina’s second 3-hit effort this season (11 games). The 20-year-old is hitting .333/.447/.564 in 47 PA (3 doubles, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 5 R). A strong start to his Yankees’ career.
C Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-6, HR (2), 2 RBI, RS, K
If you are going to have only one hit, make it count. He ends April at .293/.354/.440 in 82 PA while playing several positions.
DH Omar Martinez: 0-for-5, K
There is always someone not invited to the party. Martinez, who has prospect buzz, hit .242/.367/.424 in 79 April plate appearances.
3B Josh Moylan: 3-for-5, 3B (1), 2 RS
Moylan hit .231/.359/.327 in 64 April plate appearances. The power has yet to show up in his brief professional career, but he is only 21 and has shown some plate discipline (15.8% BB)
1B Rafael Flores: 2-for-5, HR (2), 2 RBI, RS, K
.211/.308/.404 in 65 PA. 
CF Nelson Medina: 2-for-5, 2B (1), 2 RS, 2 K
RF Cole Gabrielson: 1-for-3, 2B (3), RBI, RS, CS (1), 2 HBP

RHP Baron Stuart: 4.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
4.61 ERA (13.2 IP, 13 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 0 HR, 8 BB, 9 K). He is a ground ball pitcher.
RHP Luis Arejula: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
LHP Ben Shields: (W, 1-0)  2..2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K
0.54 ERA (16.2 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 HR, 3 BB, 20 K). Anyone who has read my stuff in the past knows that I am not patient with college pitchers – when they show a level isn’t challenging them, you move them. Perhaps it’s still a tad early for Shields, but they have to start thinking about it.
RHP Cole Ayers: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
1.38 ERA (13 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 5 BB, 17 K). He pitched to a 2.50 ERA and 22/6 K/BB in 18 IP at this level last year.

Tampa (5-17) (Lost to Dunedin, 2-0)

2B Enmanuel Tejeda: 0-for-4, 3 K
A slump to close out April has him down to .276/.330/.310 in 98 PA. Given his style of play, he will need to bring down that 24.5% K rate.
RF Coby Morales: 0-for-4, 3 K
SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-4, K
.214/.327/.381 in 98 PA. His statistical profile in April shows his raw ability: Eight of his 18 hits went for extra bases. He stole four bases but was caught three times. He owned a 50% K rate at one point, so it is impressive that he dropped that to 36.7%. Overall, it’s encouraging. You have to be willing to accept some warts as he progresses.
1B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-4, 2 K
CF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-3, K
LF Willy Montero: 0-for-3, K
.162/.213/.203 in 80 PA. Baseball is a game of constant adjustments. We’ll see how he adjust.
C Tomas Frick: 1-for-3, K
Frick is hitting .367/.500/.433 in 38 PA with six walks and six strikeouts. He has reached base safely in all nine games (at least one hit in eight of them)
DH Manuel Palencia: 0-for-3, K
3B Brenny Escanio: 1-for-2, 2B (4), BB

RHP Gabriel Barbosa:(L, 0-3)  6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 9 K
Barbosa ties his personal best for strikeouts in a game. Last two starts: 12 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 17 K. He is not a major prospect as a minor league Rule 5 draftee, but you never know if/when something will click. Something had to impress the Yankees to lead them to draft him in the first place.
RHP Osiel Rodriguez: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
2.45 ERA (11 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 HR, 6 BB, 12 K). If it wasn’t for those pesky home runs…

FCL (0-0)

The season starts on 5/4.

DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 4/24: Will Warren Tosses 6 Strong Innings

News:

I have no news, real or otherwise..

Scranton (14-8) (Defeated Durham, 6-1)

2B Jorbit Vivas: 0-for-3, HBP, CS (1), 3 K
  PH-2B Josh VanMeter: 0-for-1
LF Caleb Durbin: 2-for-4, RS, 2 SB (12), BB, K
Durbin was in a 4-for-34 slide after his last multi-hit game on 4/12. Hopefully, tonight’s performance puts him back on the right track. He is hitting .280/.412/.439, which shows how hot he was before his slump.
RF Everson Pereira: 2-for-5, HR (7), 2 RBI, RS, 2 K
Pereira has 15 homers and 49 RBI in 55 Triple-A games. 
1B Carlos Narvaez: 0-for-4, BB, 3 K
DH Jose Rojas: 0-for-3, RS, BB, 3 K
C Luis Torrens: 2-for-4, 2B (3), K
While Narvaez would be the simple move (he is on the 40-man), don’t rule out Torrens as the #3 catcher if a need ever presented itself in MLB.
SS Jeter Downs: 2-for-3, HR (3), 2 RBI, 2 RS, SB (3), BB
Downs’ home run was quite a blast: 427 feet at 105.9 MPH. He is hitting .265/.351/.510 in 58 plate appearances.
3B Kevin Smith: 1-for-4, RBI, RS, 2 SB (5), K
CF Brandon Lockridge: 0-for-4, 3 K

RHP Will Warren: (W, 3-0) 6 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 HR, 1 BB, 6 K
4.22 ERA (21.1 IP, 14 H, 11 R, 10 ER, 5 HR, 9 BB, 26 K). When you allow five runs in 0.1 innings in your first start, it takes a while to bring the ERA down. Warren has allowed one run in 12 innings with a 13/2 K/BB over his last two starts. Tonight, he mixed all his pitches nicely: 29% sinkers, 26% sweepers, 20% 4-seamers, 14% cutters, 11% changeups.
LHP Clayton Andrews: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
RHP Alex Mauricio: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Mauricio isn’t the biggest of pitchers, but he packs some punch (maxed out at 95.7 with his 4-seamer). 

Somerset (7-10) (Lost to Reading, 4-3. They had baserunners all day: 11 walks, 1 HBP, 2 errors)

CF Spencer Jones: 0-for-5, 2 K
DH Agustin Ramirez: 0-for-4, BB, K
Ramirez has four hits in his last eight games (4-for-26). The good news is that he has eight walks in that timeframe.
1B Ben Rice: 0-for-1, RS, 3 BB, HBP
.250/.351/.500 in 74 PA.
SS Ben Cowles: 2-for-4, HR (1), RBI, RS, BB
After swatting eight doubles and two triples, Cowles fills in the home run column.
C J.C. Escarra: 0-for-4, CS (1), BB, K
3B Jordan Groshans: 1-for-4, BB
RF Elijah Dunham: 0-for-2, CS (2), 2 BB
LF Jared Wegner: 1-for-4, RS, BB, K
2B Anthony Seigler: 1-for-3, 2B (2), RBI, BB

RHP Bailey Dees: (L, 1-2) 5 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 6 K
Dees, who allowed eight runs in 3.1 IP in his 2024 debut, has allowed six runs in 15.1 IP since (3.52 ERA). Today was one of those days where he could have imploded but kept the runs to a minimum.
RHP Carlos Gomez: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 0 K
RHP Jack Neely: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

Hudson Valley (9-7) (Lost to tough one to Bowling Green, 3-2)

CF Jace Avina: 3-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, RS, SB (1)
Avina’s first HR (and stolen base) as a member of the Yankees’ organization. Expect more as raw power is the top tool in his offensive arsenal. His RBI single in the bottom of the 8th broke the 1-1 tie, but the Renegades couldn’t hold the lead.
SS Jared Serna: 0-for-3, BB
Serna is now 7-for-50 with a double, two home runs, 13 walks, and eight strikeouts. The walks and strikeouts are nice – the balls need to start finding grass.
2B Jesus Rodriguez: 0-for-3, BB
A new position for Rodriguez’s resume. He has now played C/1B/2B/3B/LF in his professional career (he has yet to play first base in 2024)
C Omar Martinez: 1-for-4
.298/.411/.532 in 56 PA. I think Martinez gets lost in the shuffle but he is a legitimate prospect. The Yankees have a lot of them to sort through.
DH Josh Moylan: 1-for-4, K
1B Rafael Flores: 0-for-4, K
3B Kiko Romero: 1-for-4, 2B (1), K
CF Nelson Medina: 0-for-4, 2 K
LF Kyle Battle: 0-for-2, RS, BB, K

RHP Jackson Fristoe: 3.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
The fireballer threw 50 pitches today (37 in his first start, 35 in his second (didn’t get out of the first)). They are simply building him up.
LHP Ben Shields: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
0.64 ERA (14 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 HR, 2 BB, 15 K). I don’t know much about him (besides he went to UMass and George Mason), but he is doing the job. Although it is his debut season, I will note that he is 25.
LHP Joel Valdez: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
2.61 ERA (10.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 3 BB, 12 K). You see me writing about T.J. Rumfield often in these reports. Valdez was the other piece in the trade with the Phillies that sent Nick Nelson and Donny Sands to Philadelphia.
RHP Huey Morrill (L, 0-1):  1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 0 BB, 0 K
Morrill’s Hudson Valley debut (he was in Tampa) didn’t go as planned, but there’s always next time.

Tampa (4-13) (Lost to Lakeland, 14-5)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-5
RF Oscar Gonzalez: 2-for-4, HR (1), RBI, RS, BB
Gonzalez didn’t miss much time in spring training so one has to assume he will make his way up to Scranton soon enough.
3B Enmanuel Tejeda: 2-fot-5, 2B (3), RS
Tejeda increases his hitting streak to six (10-for-27). All three of his doubles have come during this streak.
2B Roderick Arias: 3-for-4, RS, BB, K
Arias’ first career 3-hit game. He is up to .238 with a .764 OPS thanks to a 7-for-16 surge in his last four games. He has walked once in five consecutive games.
1B Coby Morales: 2-for-4, RBI, RS, HBP, K
CF Willy Montero: 2-for-4, 2 2B (3), RBI, RS, BB
After games of 4/12, Montero was hitting .095/.208/.143. His average is now .172. Hey, it’s a start!
DH Jackson Castillo: 0-for-4, 2 K
C Manuel Palencia: 2-for-4, 2 2B (3), 2 RBI, K
LF Daury Arias: 0-for-4, 2 K

RHP Luis Serna: (L, 0-2) 2.2 IP, 7 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 4 BB, 2 K
There’s not much you can do but move on. Season: 11.1 IP, 14 H,  13 R, 13 ER, 1 HR, 7 BB, 16 K
RHP Yoljeldriz Diaz: 0.1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 0 K
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 2.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 HR, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Art Warren: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
RHP Jordy Luciano: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K

FCL (0-0)

The season starts on 5/4.

DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 4/19: Trystan Vrieling: 7.2 Hitless Innings

News:

RHP Tanner Myatt was promoted to Scranton today. He entered the game tonight, but it wasn’t his Scranton debut.

IF DJ LeMahieu was supposed to be in Somerset this weekend on a rehab stint but it isn’t happening. Who knows when he will be ready?

Scranton (12-6) (Lost to Lehigh Valley, 9-3)

LF Brandon Lockridge: 0-for-5, RBI, 2 K
Lockridge is in a little 0-for-14 slide. 
SS Caleb Durbin: 1-for-2, RS, 2 BB
.303/.440/.485 in 84 PA (7 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 16 RBI, 13 R, 16 BB, 8 K, 10-for-10 SB). What is there to dislike in that stat line? 
CF Everson Pereira: 0-for-4, 3 K
There has been feast-or-famine in his profile this year. He is hitting .237/.338/.576 in 68 PA, but it comes with a 38.2% K rate.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 2-for-4, 2B (2), RBI
Rumfield is 6-for-15 with two doubles since his promotion. The Yankees do not have tremendous first base depth – if anything happens to Anthony Rizzo, Rumfield could find himself in the mix.
C Carlos Narvaez: 0-for-3, BB, K
DH Jose Rojas: 0-for-4, K
3B Jordan Groshans: 0-for-3, BB
2B Josh VanMeter: 1-for-3, 2B (2), RS, BB, K
RF Luis Gonzalez: 1-for-4, RS, 2 K

RHP Clayton Beeter: (L, 1-1) 4 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 5 K
Beeter wasn’t throwing hard tonight, maxing at 94.9 and averaging only 91.8.  These are the first runs he has allowed this season (8.1 scoreless here and one scoreless in MLB)
RHP Tanner Myatt: 2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
When Myatt was drafted, there was talk about how hard he threw. However, injuries have likely sapped him of some of that. He maxed at 92.6 MPH tonight.
RHP Phil Bickford: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Duane Underwood Jr.: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 HR, 0 BB, 2 K

Somerset (6-7) (Walked it off against Hartford, 1-0)

1B Ben Rice: 2-for-4, HR (4), RBI, RS, 2 K
Walk-off homer to break the scoreless tie. Rice has homered in three straight games (7-for-13, double, 3 HR). He is up to .269/.321/.519 in 56 PA. Before these three games, he was hitting .179/.256/.256. Early-season sample sizes!
C Agustin Ramirez: 0-for-3, 2 K
.244/.370/.711 in 54 PA. He needs to hit the ball over the fence because he isn’t having much luck when he doesn’t (.148 BABIP)
CF Elijah Dunham: 1-for-2, CS (1), BB
SS Ben Cowles: 0-for-3
RF Jared Wegner: 1-for-3, K
.250/.302/.525 in 43 PA. 16 of his 32 career hits have gone for extra-bases (.517 SLG). Last year’s 9th-round pick (Arkansas) is 24 years old.
LF Aaron Palensky: 0-for-3, K
2B Anthony Seigler: 1-for-3
3B Alexander Vargas: 0-for-3, K
0-for-11 since his promotion. When you struggle with the bat, a trip to Double-A isn’t often a cure (though pitchers in Double-A tend to have better control/command). 
DH Spencer Henson: 0-for-3, 2 K

RHP Trystan Vrieling: 7.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K (100 pitches)
Vrieling was brilliant tonight. His ERA through three starts is 0.48 in 18.2 IP (5 H, 1 R, 6 BB, 18 K). In case you forgot, this is his debut season. The Yankees sent the 3rd round pick in the 2022 draft (he didn’t pitch in 2023) straight to Double-A, which is not something they ever do. They knew what they were doing.
RHP Kevin Stevens (W, 2-0): 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
6.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 1 BB, 8 K. The 26-year-old was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and missed the entire 2023 season.

Hudson Valley (8-4) (Lost to Aberdeen, 6-2)

SS Roc Riggio: 0-for-3. RS, BB
If you haven’t seen his remarkable double play from last night, do it.
2B Jared Serna: 0-for-3, BB
Serna is hitting only .132 (5-for-38) though he does have a 10/6 BB/K.
CF Jace Avina: 2-for-3, HBP
I am intrigued to see if Avina’s bat can develop beyond the power.  From the scouting reports, he should be able to handle all three outfield positions.
C Jose Rodriguez: 0-for-3, HBP, 2 K
RF Garrett Martin: 0-for-3, HBP, K
LF Anthony Hall: 1-for-2, RBI, RS, SB (1), 2 BB, K
Hall entered this game struggling (2-for-27), so it is nice to see him have a good game.
DH Rafael Flores: 0-for-2, HBP, 2 K
1B Kiko Romero: 0-for-3, BB, 3 K
3B Beau Brewer: 1-for-4, RBI

RHP Sebastian Keane: (L, 0-2) 4 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 1 K
Shrug it off and move on to the next one.
RHP Leonardo Pestana: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
5.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 7 K
RHP Cole Ayers: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 HR, 0 BB, 1 K
7.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 HR, 2 BB, 10 K
LHP Geoffrey Gilbert: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
5.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K. Nice start to his 2024 campaign.

Tampa (4-9) (Lost to St. Lucie, 3-1)

2B George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-4, 2 K
It is rare for Lombard not to reach base. This is only the second time in 26 career games (29 if you include the 2023 playoffs) that he did not reach base.
3B Enmanuel Tejeda: 2-for-4, 2B (2), 2 K
He has back-to-back games with a double after compiling zero extra-base hits in his first 11 games. He is hitting .306/.333/.347.
SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-3, RS, SB (3), BB, K
.170/.278/.340 in 54 PA. He is taking some time to adjust, which is hardly surprising. He has stolen three bases in his last four games.
1B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-4, 4 K
LF Coby Morales: 1-for-3, 2B (1), RBI, K
CF Willy Montero: 0-for-3, 2 K
C Manuel Palencia: 1-for-3, K
RF Tayler Aguilar: 0-for-3, K
DH Edinson Duran: 0-for-3

LHP Allen Facundo: (L, 0-1) 3 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 1 K
Facundo hit 96.7 MPH with his 4-seamer (averaged 93.3). His control has been an issue but the Yankees likely feel there is something to work with.
RHP Jordy Luciano: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Gabonia threw a 95.5 MPH sinker tonight. After walking 29 in 53.2 innings last season, he has yet to walk anyone in 5.2 (small sample size) innings this year.
RHP Steven Fulgencio: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K

FCL (0-0)

The season starts on 5/4.

DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!