Yankees MILB 8/13: Jackson Castillo: 2 HR, 7 RBI

News:

Former farmhand Andres Chaparro made his debut for the Washington Nationals tonight. He hit three doubles as Washington helped the Yankees by beating the Orioles.

Chaparro spent several years in the Yankees organization before being lost to minor league free agency to the Arizona Diamondbacks last winter. The Diamondbacks traded him to the Nationals at the trade deadline.

A rebuilding team like Washington is a perfect spot for a prospect like Chaparro, who should get playing time over the next several weeks in an attempt to establish himself as a piece of the Nationals’ future. Good luck to him.

While the Yankees could have tried him as they struggled to hit, I don’t consider it a missed opportunity. The Rule 5 and minor league free agency exist for a reason – to give blocked players like Chaparro a chance to perform elsewhere. One game doesn’t define whether the Yankees made a mistake or not. I hope he has a productive MLB career.


Scranton (65-48) (Defeated Buffalo, 6-4)

2B Jorbit Vivas0-for-4, SB (14), BB, 2 K
Vivas is likely on a potential call-up list, but they didn’t use him in a series against the Orioles before the All-Star Break. I think they’ll leave him down here.  Plus, if they want someone who can handle 3B, there are questions about Vivas playing there.
3B Caleb Durbin1-for-3, HR (5), RBI, 2 RS, BB
Durbin has homered in back-to-back games. He is hitting .301/.421/.480 in 242 PA at this level. He should be considered for MLB playing time. However, the easiest solution will be Oswald Peraza
CF Jasson Dominguez1-for-4, RS, K
Dominguez is 8-for-51 since coming back from his latest injury.
SS Oswald Peraza1-for-4, RBI, RS, SB (17), K
Peraza has hit better lately (5-game hitting streak, though it features only one hit per game). His 40-man roster status benefits him.
1B T.J. Rumfield2-for-3, 2B (20), RBI, RS, CS (3), BB
Rumfield is 7-for-30 with 10 walks in August.
DH Taylor Trammell1-for-3, RBI, K
RF Cam Eden: 2-for-4, RBI, RS, SB (27)
Speed is his game.
C J.C. Escarra0-for-3, BB
LF Greg Allen1-for-4, 2B (8), RBI

LHP Tanner Tully: (W, 2-6) 5 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, HR
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, HR
RHP Nick Burdi1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
LHP Tim Mayza1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Scott Effross (S, 1): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Effross is starting to string together some scoreless outings, but it comes down to how his stuff looks, not statistics. Once he is ready, they aren’t going to hold him back.


Somerset (54-54) (Defeated Hartford, 6-2)

CF Spencer Jones1-for-4, RBI, RS, K
Jones is 12-for-36 (.333) in August (3 doubles, 2 HR, 7 RBI).
C Jose Trevino0-for-2
   C Rafael Flores1-for-2, 2B (8), K
Flores has 8 doubles and 9 HR in 38 games since his promotion.
3B Jesus Rodriguez1-for-4, HR (5), 4 RBI, RS
Rodriguez, who has homered in back-to-back games, turns a 2-1 deficit into a 5-2 lead with a grand slam in the 8th inning. He is hitting .239/.301/.463 in 73 PA since his promotion and .309/.386/.496 with 10 HR and 46 RBI overall. In addition to the bat, he is versatile (games at 1B, 2B, 3B, LF, and C this season).
1B Tyler Hardman0-for-4, 3 K
LF Elijah Dunham1-for-4, RS, 2 SB (14)
RF Cole Gabrielson1-for-3, RS, BB, K
DH Grant Richardson1-for-4, RS, K
SS Alexander Vargas1-for-4, 2B (4), RBI
2B Max Burt1-for-2, RS, SB (6), BB

RHP Trystan Vrieling: (W, 9-7)  7 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, HR
5.07 ERA (119 IP, 120 H, 70 R, 67 ER, 11 HR, 38 BB, 108 K). In his two August starts: 12 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 11 K. The Yankees sent him straight to Double-A, never pitching at any other level. That comes with many challenges, and Vrieling has done well enough to meet those challenges.
RHP Danny Watson: (S, 1): 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
6.15 ERA (26.1 IP, 28 H, 22 R, 18 ER, 3 HR, 12 BB, 17 K). I consider 2024 to be a rehab season for Watson, but he still has a month to end on a strong note.


Hudson Valley (56-51) (Smoked Hickory, 13-0)

2B Roc Riggio0-for-5, 2 K
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-4, RS, HBP, 2 K
Since promotion: 1-for-25. What do they do about this? The answer is simple: Keep throwing him out there.
1B Josh Moylan0-for-1, 2 RS, HBP, 2 BB
  PH-1B Kiko Romero: 1-for-1, 2B (12), RBI
DH Omar Martinez0-for-1, 3 RS, 2 HBP, 2 BB
3B Dylan Jasso: 2-for-4, 3B (1), HR (1), 3 RBI, 2 RS, BB
Since promotion: 6-for-19 (2 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 3 RBI). Jasso has 10 HR and 57 RBI between here and Tampa.
CF Jackson Castillo2-for-4, 2 HR (2), 7 RBI, 2 RS, BB
Castillo sets a personal best for RBI in a game, a mark he may never top (7 RBI is hard!). Since his promotion, he is 8-for-21 (2 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR, 11 RBI). He is one of their most consistent prospects in 2024.
C Antonio Gomez0-for-4, RS, BB, 2 K
RF Garrett Martin: 3-for-5, HR (8), 2 RBI, 2 RS
LF Anthony Hall2-for-3, 2 BB
Hall has four multi-hit efforts in his last nine games.

LHP Kyle Carr: (W, 1-6) 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K
Carr, in his debut season, earns his first professional win. Season: 5.13 ERA (86 IP, 80 H, 58 R, 49 ER, 5 HR, 50 BB, 80 K).  Last 5 games: 24 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 HR, 10 BB, 25 K. This is a sign of a pitcher figuring things out.
RHP Kelly Austin1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Since being acquired: 3.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
RHP Mason Vinyard1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
3.35 ERA (37.2 IP, 29 H, 20 R, 14 ER, 2 HR, 21 BB, 52 K)
RHP Matt Keating1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K


Tampa (43-63) (Lost to Clearwater, 7-2)

CF Brandon Jones1-for-2, RBI, 2 BB, K
Jones is 5-for-15 with 6 walks to begin his professional career.
SS Roderick Arias0-for-4, K
Arias is 5-for-36 with 7 walks and 15 strikeouts in August.
RF Willy Montero0-for-4, RS, K
LF Tyler Wilson1-for-4, 2B (2), RBI, 2 K
3B Hans Montero0-for-3, BB, 3 K
2B Austin Green0-for-4, K
1B Coby Morales0-for-3, RS, 2 SB (31), BB, K
31-for-37 in the stolen base category. He is hitting .256/.363/.328 in 372 PA.
DH Joe Delossantos0-for-1, HBP, 2 BB
C Josue Gonzalez0-for-2, HBP

RHP Bryce Warrecker: (L, 1-5)  4 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Osiel Rodriguez2.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
Not a fun night for Rodriguez, who allowed three inherited runners to score.
RHP Jordy Luciano: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K


FCL (35-22)

Their season is over.


DSL Yankees (17-33) (Lost to the DSL Mets Orange, 7-1)

1B Luis Puello2-for-4, RS
.342/.430/.514 in 128 PA. The 18-year-old has shown vast improvement over his debut 2023 season.
CF Isael Arias1-for-4, 3B (2), RBI

RHP Luis Burgos4 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K


DSL Bombers (29-21) (Defeated the DSL Mets Blue, 9-5)

CF Francisco Vilorio1-for-5, RS, 2 K
DH Queni Pineda: 3-for-4, 2B (8), RBI, RS
.252/.427/.395 in 157 PA (8 doubles, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 22.9% BB, 23.6% K)
SS Christofer Reyes2-for-5, 2B (5), HR (1), 4 RBI, RS, K
The 16-year-old blasts his first professional home run (.239/.335/.312; 16-for-25 SB)
C Carlos Villarroel1-for-3, RS, 2 BB, 2 K
LF Browm Martinez1-for-3, RBI, RS, BB
2B Juan Araujo0-for-1, RS, 2 BB
  2B Luis Suarez2-for-2, 2B (3), RBI

LHP Franyer Herrera (W, 4-1): 5 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K, HR
2.23 ERA (44.1 IP, 36 H, 16 R, 11 ER, 1 HR, 16 BB, 58 K)
RHP Jose Rosario (S, 1): 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K

Yankees MILB 8/11: Spencer Jones Homers

News:

Nothing.


Scranton (64-48) (Defeated Lehigh Valley, 6-2)

3B Jorbit Vivas0-for-4, RS, BB, K
2B Caleb Durbin: 2-for-3, HR (4), RBI, 2 RS, BB, HBP
For Scranton: .301/.419/.466 in 238 PA (18 doubles, 1 triple, 4 HR, 40 RBI, 37 R, 14.3% BB, 9.7% K, 20-for-22 sB). The injury sucked but one has to be encouraged by his season.
RF Jasson Dominguez0-for-4, BB
Dominguez grounded into two double plays. Bring him up!
SS Oswald Peraza1-for-3, 2B (10), RBI, RS, CS (6), 2 BB
.244/.352/.384 in 285 PA (10 doubles, 8 HR, 36 RBI, 41 R, 16-for-22 SB). Where does Peraza fit into the 2025 picture? It’s still up in the air. Let’s see what they do with him in the off-season.
1B T.J. Rumfield0-for-3, RBI, 2 BB
CF Taylor Trammell1-for-3, HR (14), 3 RBI, RS, BB, 2 K
Trammell has 8 HR in his last 12 games. 
LF Jahmai Jones1-for-4, CS (1), K
DH Josh VanMeter0-for-1, RS, 3 BB
C Peter Serruto1-for-3, SAC, 2 K
Serruto’s first professional hit. It isn’t common for a first professional hit to occur in Triple-A. Some background: Serruto is a 24-year-old who the Yankees signed as an undrafted free agent in 2023. Before today, he was 0-for-2 in his career. Both ABs were taken in the FCL last year. This year, he appeared in one game for Somerset but didn’t get to bat. He is here because the Yankees need a backup for J.C. Escarra, and they aren’t going to use someone like Rafael Flores or Jesus Rodriguez as a Triple-A backup. 

LHP Josh Maciejewski3.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
LHP Tim Mayza: (W, 1-0)  0.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Alex Mauricio1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
1.82 ERA (34.2 IP, 25 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 20 BB, 38 K)
RHP Phil Bickford2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
RHP Yerry De Los Santos1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
4.43 ERA (42.2 IP, 52 H, 29 R, 21 ER, 8 HR, 17 BB, 41 K)
LHP Anthony Misiewicz1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K


Somerset (53-54) (Lost to Binghamton, 6-4, in 10 innings)

CF Spencer Jones: 2-for-5, HR (14), 2 RBI, RS, 3 K
Since May 31st: .278/.357/.520 in 255 PA (14 doubles, 2 triples, 12 HR, 45 RBI, 38 R). I won’t hide that his K% is 37.6% during this stretch and a high BABIP is aiding him. However, it’s still an impressive stretch over an extended period.
C Jose Trevino0-for-1, BB
Trevino starts his journey back to MLB. How will he be used? Hopefully as a backup catcher, not a 50/50 catcher.
  C Rafael Flores0-for-3, K
3B Jesus Rodriguez: 3-for-4, HR (4), RBI, RS, BB
Rodriguez has two multi-hit efforts in his last three games. Given the small sample size at this level, it boosts his OPS to .733. Between here and Hudson Valley, he has 9 HR in 73 games. Last season, he hit 9 HR in 109 games.
1B Tyler Hardman0-for-5, 2 K
RF Greg Allen0-for-4, K
LF Grant Richardson1-for-2, RS, 2 BB
DH Jared Wegner0-for-4, K
2B Anthony Seigler0-for-4, RS
SS Alexander Vargas1-for-4, 3B (5), RBI, K
Vargas has 12 triples in 152 games over the last two seasons.

LHP Ben Shields4.1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 7 K
Since promotion: 2.53 ERA (32 IP, 26 H, 12 R, 9 ER, 1 HR, 13 BB, 37 K). Overall: 3,35 ERA (86 IP, 69 H, 40 R, 32 ER, 7 HR, 25 BB, 109 K). He might not be their minor league Pitcher of the Year but he could be the Surprise of the Year.
RHP Jesus Liranzo2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Leonardo Pestana0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Nice to see Pestana back. It’s his first appearance since June 7th. Pestana is Rule 5 eligible but injuries have likely limited interest. Now that he is in Double-A, however, someone might bite.
RHP Eric Reyzelman: (L, 1-1)  1.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, HR
Reyzelman had a lights-out 9th inning but allowed a 3-run home run in the 10th. Since promotion: 3.55 ERA (12.2 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 HR, 6 BB, 21 K)
RHP Colby White1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K


Hudson Valley (55-51) (Swept in a doubleheader by Brooklyn)

Game 1 (Lost, 4-2)

2B Roc Riggio0-for-3, 2 K
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-3
CF Jace Avina1-for-3, HR (10), RBI, RS, K
.251/.326/.407 in 384 PA (23 doubles, 10 HR, 48 RBI, 44 R, 8.3% BB, 26.8% K, 4-for-5 SB)
C Omar Martinez2-for-3, 2B (12), RS, K
1B Dylan Jasso1-for-3
DH Jackson Castillo1-for-3, RBI, K
RF Garrett Martin0-for-3
LF Anthony Hall0-for-3, K
3B Kiko Romero0-for-3, K

RHP Cade Smith4.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, HR
Smith was perfect through four innings before allowing a walk and homer in the 5th. Overall, this is a solid High-A debut.
RHP Huey Morrill (L, 3-3): 1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

Game 2 (Lost, 3-1)

2B Roc Riggio0-for-2, SB (19), BB, K
.213/.339/.372 in 384 PA (19 doubles, 4 triples, 8 HR, 33 RBI, 58 R, 14.3% BB, 18.2% K, 19-for-24 SB). I like the profile beyond the batting average. The .247 BABIP refuses to normalize in 2024.
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-3
Since promotion: 1-for-21. The good news is that he is making contact (4 strikeouts in 23 PA). His BABIP is a ridiculous .059.
DH Josh Moylan1-for-3, K
1B Omar Martinez0-for-3, 2 K
.235/.361/.413 in 360 PA (12 doubles, 1 triple, 13 HR, 38 RBI, 42 R, 16.1% BB, 23.1% K). Pop and walks define his offensive game.
C Antonio Gomez0-for-2, RS, BB
Gomez’s 8-game hitting streak is snapped.
CF Jackson Castillo1-for-3, 2B (2), RBI, K
Since promotion: 6-for-17 with two doubles and a triple.
LF Christopher Familia0-for-3, K
RF Anthony Hall0-for-2, 2 K
3B Brenny Escanio0-for-2, SB (6)

RHP Trent Sellers: (L, 6-3)  2.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, HR
2.58 ERA (66.1 IP, 37 H, 27 R, 19 ER, 3 HR, 32 BB, 79 K). As a starter: 1.04 ERA (17.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 20 K)
RHP Blane Abeyta1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Indigo Diaz1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Thomas Balboni Jr.: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K


Tampa (43-62) (Lost to Daytona, 4-1)

CF Brendan Jones1-for-3, 2B (2), 2 RBI, BB, K
Jones is off to a nice start in his career: 4-for-13 (2 doubles, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R, 4 BB, 3 K, 2-for-2 SB)
SS Roderick Arias1-for-3, RBI, CS (12), BB, K
DH Willy Montero2-for-4, RS
Montero has a 10-game hitting streak (14-for-36 (.389); 2 doubles, 1 HR).  His triple slash was .241/.299/.357 before the streak and .256/.313/375 now.
LF Marshall Toole1-for-3, 2B (2), BB, K
Toole is also off to a nice start to his career: 4-for-13 (2 doubles, 2 RBI, 3 BB, 4 K, 3-for-4 SB)
3B Hans Montero0-for-3, SF, RBI, K
2B Austin Green0-for-4, 2 K
RF Coby Morales0-for-3, RS, SB (29), BB, K
29-for-35 stealing bases.
1B Parks Harber0-for-3, RS, SB (1), BB, 2 K
C Josue Gonzalez1-for-2, RS, BB

RHP Gabriel Barbosa: (W, 5-8)  5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
5.36 ERA (99 IP, 102 H, 64 R, 59 ER, 11 HR, 33 BB, 100 K). 
RHP Yoljeldriz Diaz: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
LHP Rafelin Nivar1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Luis Arejula (S, 1): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K


FCL (35-22)

Their season is over.


DSL Yankees (17-31)

Scheduled day off.


DSL Bombers (27-21)

Scheduled day off.

Yankees MILB 7/21: Cade Smith Ks 8 in 5 Innings

News:

We are closing in on the trade deadline. I will watch closely to see if any prospect gets pulled out of a game over the next week. Today, I noted on Twitter that George Lombard Jr. has played third base and Roderick Arias has played shortstop in all three games since the All-Star Break. Is this a “weekend showcase” for scouts, or a coincidence?

Scranton (51-42) (Defeated Buffalo, 4-0)

CF Brandon Lockridge0-for-3, BB, K
3B Jorbit Vivas1-for-4, RBI
For Scranton: .255/.394/.414 in 183 PA (15.8% BB, 21.9% K, 9-for-13 SB). 
1B Agustin Ramirez1-for-4, 2B (2), RS, SB (5)
Since promotion: .186/.304/.349 in 102 PA with a 12.7% BB and 17.6% K. Earlier this season, his BABIP was lagging – eventually, he ended up with a normal .292 mark for Somerset. For Scranton, it is .185. There is likely another correction coming.
2B Oswald Peraza: 3-for-4, RBI, RS, 3 SB (12)
Peraza has reached base 8 times in the last two games, increasing his triple slash from .210/.325/.251 to .234/.348/.286.
DH T.J. Rumfield0-for-4, 2 K
RF Oscar Gonzalez1-for-3, RS, BB
C J.C. Escarra2-for-4, RBI, RS, K
Escarra is 6-for-9 in two games since his promotion. That pace should be easily maintained.
SS Kevin Smith0-for-3, RBI
LF Taylor Trammell0-for-3

LHP Tanner Tully4 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
RHP Scott Effross: (W, 1-0)  1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Effross’ 4th straight scoreless appearance (4 IP, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 K). He relies on command to generate outs, so the Yankees will wait until they are satisfied that his command is back. It looks like it is heading in that direction.
LHP Chasen Shreve1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
3.86 ERA (46.2 IP, 31 H, 24 R, 20 ER, 4 HR, 27 BB, 60 K). He has a 9-game scoreless streak (11.1 IP).
RHP Ron Marinaccio1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Duane Underwood Jr.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
2.57 ERA (35 IP, 25 H, 12 R, 10 ER, 5 HR, 21 BB, 35 K)


Somerset (46-44) (Squeaked past Altoona, 3-2)

CF Spencer Jones1-for-4, RBI, 2 K
Jones is hitting .238 with a .716 OPS
SS Ben Cowles1-for-4, HR (9), RBI, RS, K
Cowles, who has already set a personal best in doubles, is one away from his best in home runs (10, set last year).
1B Tyler Hardman0-for-3, BB, 2 K
C Rafael Flores0-for-2, RS, BB, K
LF Elijah Dunham1-for-3
Dunham has hit safely in 22 of his last 23 games
RF Grant Richardson0-for-2, SAC
2B Anthony Seigler: 1-for-2, CS (2), BB
DH Jared Wegner0-for-2, SF, RBI
3B Max Burt1-for-3, 2B (5), RS, K

RHP Zach Messinger5.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
3.90 ERA (101.2 IP, 85 H, 59 R, 44 ER, 7 HR, 34 BB, 103 K).
RHP Joey Gerber: (W, 1-0)  1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Matt Sauer1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Kevin Stevens (S, 6): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
2.76 ERA (32.2 IP, 27 H, 10 R, 10 ER, 1 HR, 14 BB, 46 K)


Hudson Valley (44-44) (Defeated Rome, 3-1)

2B Roc Riggio1-for-3, BB
.227/.359/.400 in 316 PA. Last 4 games: 6-for-16 (1 triple, 2 HR). 
SS Jared Serna0-for-4, K
.248/.339/.429 in 378 PA. He is 10-for-50 (.200) in July with only three extra-base hits (all doubles). That said, he has struck out only four times. Following him over the last few years, I have noticed a streaky trait in his profile.
C Omar Martinez1-for-4, HR (10), RBI, RS, 2 K
In his last two seasons, Martinez has 28 HR, 103 RBI, and 119 walks in 744 PA (15.99%).
LF Garrett Martin0-for-3, K
DH Christopher Familia2-for-3
Familia is 13-for-77 (.169/.256/.286) at this level with a pair of home runs.
RF Cole Gabrielson0-for-3, RS
1B Kiko Romero1-for-3, RBI, RS, SB (9)
3B Beau Brewer1-for-3, RBI
CF Nelson Medina0-for-3, 3 K

RHP Cam Schlittler: (W, 5-3)  5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 5 K
For Hudson Valley: 2.77 ERA (74.2 IP, 48 H, 31 R, 23 ER, 6 HR, 37 BB, 94 K). He had a tough emergency start for Scranton earlier this year, but I am not concerned about that.
RHP Yorlin Calderon: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Harrison Cohen: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Cohen’s rehab stint is over and he was assigned here. I thought they might place him in Somerset (where he finished in 2023).
LHP Joel Valdez (S, 3): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
3.16 ERA (42.2 IP, 29 H, 19 R, 15 ER, 2 HR, 21 BB, 50 K). In 2023, he allowed 10 HR in 78.2 IP. In his 172 other career innings, he has allowed 4 HR.


Tampa (35-53) (Defeated Bradenton, 9-6)

3B George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-3, RBI, 2 HBP, K
July: 16-for-60 (.267/.343/.483; 4 doubles, 3 HR, 5 BB, 18 K, 4-for-5 SB).  Season: .237/.358/.356 in 324 PA. 
SS Roderick Arias2-for-4, RBI, 3 RS, SB (26), BB
July: 16-for-52 (.308/.431/.365; 12 BB, 12 K, 12 R, 7-for-9 SB). I won’t ignore the warts but I will point out that July has been a good month for him.
1B Dylan Jasso: 2-for-5, 2B (22), 2 RBI, K
Jasso leads the FSL in doubles (22) and is second in RBI (52).
CF Jackson Castillo: 2-for-4, SF, 2 RBI, RS, 2 K
July: 15-for-51 (.294/.403/.431; 4 doubles, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 9 BB, 9 K, 3-for-3 SB). The 21-year-old was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Southern Nevada in 2023 and is overachieving. He owns a 16.8% BB and 19.2% K.
LF Willy Montero: 2-for-3, RBI, RS, SB (9), 2 BB
.245/.298/.361 in 329 PA (15 doubles, 1 triple, 6 HR, 41 RBI, 40 R, 9-for-10 SB, 6.7% BB, 22.5% K). Montero is a free-swinging type.
2B Hans Montero0-for-4, RS, SB (10), BB
RF Coby Morales: 1-for-4, 2 RS, BB
C Josue Gonzalez: 1-for-2, SF, RBI, HBP
Gonzalez is 9-for-34 (.265) since his promotion. He has three doubles and six RBI.
DH Tomas Frick1-for-4, RS
Frick’s first game since July 4th. He was never placed on the injured list.

RHP Cade Smith: (W, 6-6) 5 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K
3.61 ERA (77.1 IP, 53 H, 37 R, 31 ER, 5 HR, 36 BB, 103 K). July: 14.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 6 BB, 22 K. Last year’s 6th-round pick out of Mississippi State (the Yankees love SEC pitchers nowadays!) doesn’t throw exceptionally hard (averaged 91.4 with the 4-seamer) but generates whiffs with his slider. He also mixes in a curveball.
RHP Gabriel Barbosa (S, 1): 4 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, HR
It looks like they went the “tandem start” route today. In other words, I wouldn’t be concerned about Smith being pulled after five innings with a low pitch count. Barbosa has a 4.95 ERA (87.1 IP, 86 H, 52 R, 48 ER, 8 HR, 28 BB, 89 K)


FCL (34-21)

Scheduled day off.


DSL Yankees (11-22)

Scheduled day off.


DSL Bombers (20-14)

Scheduled day off.

Yankees MILB 6/19: George Lombard Jr. Hits First Pro HR

News:

There was a flurry of moves today, some of which were prompted by the promotion of Ben Rice to the Yankees from Scranton.

The Yankees promoted C/1B Agustin Ramirez from Somerset to replace Rice.

Ramirez’s ascent has been fun and fast. While he performed well as a 17-year-old in the DSL (18.9% K rate was telling), nothing in his triple slash suggested a monster was about to be born (.239/.300/.374 with 4 home runs). Like every minor leaguer, he missed a development year in 2020. In 2022, he spent the entire year in the FCL as a 20-year-old. Do you see where I am going with this? Prospects develop at different rates and you never know when one will explode.

With Ramirez leaving Somerset, the Patriots needed a catcher. Enter Hudson Valley’s Jesus Rodrigueza multi-positional player who carries a big stick. In his minor league career, he is hitting .319/.407/.483 in 1,077 plate appearances including a .339/.428/.515 line in 81 High-A games. He has seen time at catcher (101 games), first base (53; none in 2024), second base (3; all in 2024), third base (68), and left field (23).  Additionally, he played 16 games in right field during the 2023-2024 Venezuelan Winter League season. Despite the offense, Rodriguez hasn’t appeared on many Yankees prospect lists. I think that would change if he continues to rake in Somerset.

The train stopped there, as the Yankees didn’t promote anyone from Tampa to Hudson Valley. Rather, they activated Juan Crisp off of the development list. Crisp has been in the organization since 2019 but has only appeared in 60 games.

Unrelated to those moves, top relief prospect Jack Neely was promoted from Somerset to Scranton. In 33 Double-A games between 2023-2024, Neely pitched to a 2.59 ERA in 48.2 innings with an impressive 77/15 K/BB. I don’t see the 6’8″ Neely staying in Scranton for long – he is being fast-tracked to the Yankees, in my opinion. Unlike many Yankees relievers, Neely is not a groundball specialist (33.8%) but he does miss bats, which is needed.

Scranton (41-28) (Defeated Buffalo, 8-2)

2B Oswald Peraza1-for-4, RBI, RS, BB, 2 K
3B Jorbit Vivas1-for-4, 2B (1), 2 RBI, RS, BB, K
DH Agustin Ramirez1-for-5
Not the sexiest Triple-A debut, but he gets that first hit out of the way.
1B T.J. Rumfield1-for-4, HR (6), 2 RBI, RS, 2 K
Rumfield has four doubles and three homers in his last nine games.
C Carlos Narvaez2-for-3, RS, BB
LF Jose Rojas1-for-2, RS, 2 BB
RF Oscar Gonzalez0-for-4, RS, K
CF Taylor Trammell0-for-2, RS, 2 BB, K
SS Jeter Downs2-for-3, 2B (11), HR (9), SF, 2 RBI, RS
Downs has two doubles and three home runs in his last four games. He is hitting .276/.371/.546.

RHP Will Warren: (W, 5-4)  6 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 2 HR
6.65 ERA (66.1 IP,70 H, 51 R, 49 ER, 16 HR, 26 BB, 72 K). Warren allowed 15 HR in 99.2 IP at this level last season, so 31 HR allowed in 166 Triple-A innings. It’s a juiced-up environment, but that still stands out. If you want good news: Warren seems to be over his May blues. In 22 June innings, he has allowed seven runs on 19 hits with a 24/7 K/BB.
RHP Jesus Liranzo2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Liranzo dialed it up to 97.4 MPH. Despite what is a good arm, the 29-year-old has yet to make his MLB debut.
RHP Jack Neely1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Neely hit 98.1 MPH with his fastball. He could come to MLB quickly.


Somerset (32-33) (Lost to Erie, 11-2)

CF Spencer Jones0-for-4, 3 K
3B Jesus Rodriguez0-for-2, RS, HBP, BB
Rodriguez reaches base a pair of times in his Double-A debut.
DH Tyler Hardman0-for-4, 3 K
SS Ben Cowles1-for-4, 2B (21)
Cowles, trying to break out of a slump, hits his 21st double in 61 games.
C J.C. Escarra1-for-3, RS, BB
LF Jared Wegner1-for-3, 2B (8), RBI, BB
Wegner has four doubles in his last four games.
RF Elijah Dunham0-for-3, BB, K
2B Jordan Groshans0-for-3
1B Max Burt1-for-3, 2 K

LHP Brock Selvidge: (L, 6-5) 4.2 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
He pitched well through four innings but was roughed up in the fifth. Season: 3.95 ERA (68.1 IP, 57 H, 38 R, 30 ER, 4 HR, 34 BB, 70 K)
RHP McKinley Moore2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Moore was moved up here today.
RHP Carlos Gomez2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 2 HR


Hudson Valley (33-31) (Lost to Greensboro, 8-2)

2B Roc Riggio1-for-2, 2B (9), 2 BB
.210/.358/.364 in 218 PA. He has reached base safely in 10 straight games (10-for-40, 2 doubles, 2 HR, 7 BB)
SS Jared Serna0-for-3, BB, 2 K
.272/.373/.490 in 284 PA. Whether he is a long-term shortstop or not, they are getting a long look at him there (53 starts in 2024, 52 starts in 2023). Letting him play shortstop is also a showcase for opposing scouts.
RF Jace Avina1-for-4
.272/.352/.446 in 233 PA. It’s been a slow June for Avina, but a correction was likely after his incredible start. 
C Rafael Flores0-for-3, BB, K
Flores is hitting .297/.412/.497 in 211 PA. Given all his High-A experience (157 games, 645 PA), he likely was also in consideration for the Somerset promotion.  He likely will get there this year regardless.
DH Omar Martinez1-for-4, RS, K
The Yankees have never moved Martinez up a level during a season. That doesn’t mean he is stuck here for 2024, but trends sometimes have meaning. This is not necessarily a bad thing.
LF Christopher Familia0-for-3, RS, HBP, K
1B Josh Moylan0-for-4, 2 K
CF Cole Gabrielson1-for-4, 2B (10), 2 RBI, K
Gabrielson’s 2-run double broke up the shutout in the 9th, preventing back-to-back shutouts.
3B Kiko Romero1-for-4, 2 K

RHP Baron Stuart: (L, 4-2)  4.1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 10 K, HR
Stuart sets a new personal best with the 10-strikeout performance. 
RHP Eric Reyzelman1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Reyzelman hasn’t allowed a run in 10.2 IP between here and the FCL (3 H, 3 BB, 17 K)
RHP Matt Keating: 2 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, HR
Keating struck out the side in order in his first inning of work. Season: 3.63 ERA (39.2 IP, 27 H, 18 R, 16 ER, 4 HR, 17 BB, 48 K). The 23-year-old struck out 93 batters in 65.1 innings for Low-A Tampa in 2023.


Tampa (24-41) (Defeated Palm Beach, 3-2)

DH Enmanuel Tejeda: 2-for-3, 2B (6), RS, SB (17), BB
Back-to-back multi-hit efforts (15th on the season)
2B George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, RS, SB (17)
Lombard Jr. launches his first professional home run. He is on a 5-game hitting streak.
SS Roderick Arias0-for-4, 2 K
1B Dylan Jasso1-for-4, K
C Antonio Gomez0-for-1, BB
Gomez’s rehab assignment moved up to Tampa today.
  C Tomas Frick0-for-2, K
CF Jackson Castillo: 3-for-4, RS
.253/.383/.420 in 201 PA. Castillo has three 3-hit efforts (two this month)
3B Hans Montero1-for-4
LF Willy Montero2-for-3, RBI, BB
Montero walks it off with an RBI single in the bottom of the 9th.
RF Coby Morales0-for-3, K

RHP JT Brubaker3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Brubaker needs only 22 pitches in his first rehab appearance to get through three innings.
RHP Scott Effross1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Effross maxed out at 90.2 MPH with his sinker (remember that he isn’t a velocity guy!). Hopefully, he can get to New York soon enough.
RHP Gabriel Barbosa: (W, 2-7)  5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
A nice piggyback night for Barbosa. Season: 5.63 ERA (62.1 IP, 68 H, 40 R, 39 ER, 7 HR, 18 BB, 63 K). 


FCL (20-13)

Scheduled day off.


DSL Yankees (4-8)

Scheduled day off.


DSL Bombers (6-5) (Lost to the DSL Pirates, 7-6)

SS Christofer Reyes: 1-for-4, RBI, RS, SB (5), K
DH Browm Martinez
2-for-4, RBI, RS, SB (9)
Martinez runs wild. He has 8 hits, 2 walks, 1 HBP, and 9 stolen bases.
RF Richard Meran: 1-for-3

LHP Franyer Herrera3.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
RHP Mauricio Vargas1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
The 17-year-old’s second career appearance.

Yankees MILB 6/6: Ben Rice Homers Again

News:

Nothing interesting.

Scranton (34-25) (Lost to Norfolk, 9-3)

CF Jasson Dominguez: 3-for-4, 2B (2), RS
Dominguez is 4-for-11 since joining Scranton and 21-for-62 (.339) overall. Whenever the Yankees need him, he’ll be ready.
  RF Elijah Dunham0-for-1
3B Jorbit Vivas1-for-5, K
2B Oswald Peraza1-for-3, 2B (1), RBI, RS, BB, K
Peraza needed that double in the worst way.
C Ben Rice1-for-2, HR (2), 2 RBI, RS, SB (1), 2 BB
Rice has homered in back-to-back games since his promotion. As for the stolen base, he is sneakily 9-for-9 in that department this year. 
DH Carlos Narvaez0-for-4, 3 K
1B T.J. Rumfield0-for-3, HBP, K
SS Jeter Downs1-for-4, 2B (9)
LF Taylor Trammell0-for-3, BB, 3 K
RF-CF Greg Allen1-for-4, 3B (2), 2 K

LHP Josh Maciejewski: (L, 1-1) 2.2 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
No matter what happens, Maciejewski can always say he is one of a small percentage of baseball players to reach the highest level.
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K
4.50 ERA (30 IP, 21 H, 19 R, 15 ER, 3 HR, 17 BB, 45 K)
RHP Matt Sauer0.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Yerry De Los Santos: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Last 9 appearances: 12.2 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 11 K. You just never know when there will be a need at the MLB level and De Los Santos has the ground ball profile the organization likes.
LHP Clayton Andrews1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR


Somerset (25-28) (Lost to Hartford, 7-5)

DH Spencer Jones1-for-5, HR (4), 3 RBI, RS, 2 K
.221/.303/.349 in 195 PA (6 doubles, 2 triples, 4 HR, 25 RBI, 25 R, 13-for-16 SB, 10.3% BB, 34.9% K). He has a double, triple, and homer in five June games. It’s a start (we hope)!
1B Agustin Ramirez1-for-4, CS (1), 2 K
.273/.372/.536 in 215 PA with 12 stolen bases in 13 attempts. 
2B Ben Cowles1-for-4, RS, K
.315/.391/.516 in 215 PA. Cowles 36 starts at shortstop (38 games), 9 starts at 3B (11 games), and 6 starts at second base. The Yankees want their infield prospects to be versatile, and I agree with that strategy.
CF Grant Richardson2-for-4, 2B (13), CS (2), K
.273/.333/.441 in 159 PA. In his last 19 games, he has eight 2-hit games, a 1-hit game, and ten 0-hit games.
C J.C. Escarra1-for-3, 3B (3), RS, BB
RF Jared Wegner0-for-3, RS, BB, 3 K
3B Jordan Groshans1-for-3, RS, BB
LF Aaron Palensky0-for-3, SB (10), BB, K
SS Alexander Vargas0-for-3, SF, RBI, K

RHP Bailey Dees6.2 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 9 K, 2 HR
Dees struck out the first six batters he faced and tied his best for strikeouts in a game. Season: 3.75 ERA (57.2 IP, 52 H, 27 R, 24 ER, 7 HR, 19 BB, 59 K). He allowed 8 of those runs in 3.1 innings in his first start of the season (also his first professional start!). He has put himself on the radar.
RHP Danny Watson: (L, 0-2) 0.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Watson is still getting back into a groove. 
RHP Jack Neely1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
2.22 ERA (28.1 IP, 20 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 2 HR, 10 BB, 45 K). He has allowed runs in three of his last four games, but I am not worrying about that. 


Hudson Valley (27-25) (Split a doubleheader with Wilmington)

Game 1 (Won, 8-3)

2B Roc Riggio0-for-3, RS, BB, 2 K
SS Jared Serna1-for-4, K
3B Jesus Rodriguez1-for-2, SF, RBI, RS, SB (7), K
Don’t worry about Rodriguez being pulled, as he was the catcher for Game 2. 
  PH-3B Beau Brewer0-for-1
C Rafael Flores: 2-for-4, HR (4), 2 RBI, 2 RS, K
Flores has an 11-game hitting streak and five multi-hit games in his last seven games.
DH Omar Martinez0-for-1, RS, HBP, 2 BB
RF Garrett Martin0-for-4, RS, 2 K
1B Josh Moylan1-for-4, RBI, RS, K
Moylan has a 7-game hitting streak. During this stretch, he has increased his triple slash from .220/.352/.300 to .242/.368/.313.
CF Cole Gabrielson2-for-2, 2 RBI, RS, SB (5), BB
LF Kyle Battle1-for-3, 3B (1), 2 RBI, 2 K

RHP Bryce Warrecker2.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Warrecker’s High-A debut (he skipped Low-A). He stands 6’8″ and was the Yankees’ 20th-round pick in the 2023 draft out of Cal Poly. Despite his size, Warrecker isn’t a flamethrower (89-92). However, many prospects have ticked their velocity up under professional supervision. 
RHP Mason Vinyard: (W, 2-0)  2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR
LHP Joel Valdez2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

Game 2 (Lost, 4-0. This wasn’t the most exciting game in history)

2B Roc Riggio0-for-3
.199/.357/.331 in 171 PA. I think the hits will start coming…
SS Jared Serna0-for-2, BB
RF Jace Avina0-for-3, K
C Jesus Rodriguez1-for-3, 2B (13)
Hudson Valley’s lone hit. He is hitting .326/.408/.500 in 213 PA. Over his 234-game career, the 22-year-old is hitting .317/.406/.475 in 976 plate appearances. I say it every night (it appears): He doesn’t stop hitting while playing anywhere they ask him to play. I don’t know what the Yankees think of him, but the numbers are there.
DH Tyler Hardman0-for-3, 3 K
1B Rafael Flores0-for-1, BB, K
His hitting streak is snapped but his on-base streak lives on. He is hitting .307/.415/.504 in 164 PA. 
LF Garrett Martin0-for-2, 2 K
3B Kiko Romero0-for-1, BB, K
CF Nelson Medina0-for-2, K

RHP Sebastian Keane: (L, 4-4) 3.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 2 K
4.86 ERA (46.1 IP, 46 H, 26 R, 25 ER, 3 HR, 25 BB, 43 K). His three starts before tonight were solid (18 IP, 13 H, 5 R, 5 BB, 16 K), so we’ll toss this one. 
RHP Luis Arejula: 2.2 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K


Tampa (19-35) (Lost to Fort Myers, 9-4)

3B George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-3, 2 BB, K
Lombard Jr. has eight multi-walk games (only two since April). This is fine; you want to see your prospects swing the bat (as long as they are quality swings). Low-A walks aren’t getting him promoted.
SS Roderick Arias: 2-for-5, 2B (8), RBI, RS, SB (14), 2 K
Arias is off to a 6-for-21 (.286) start in June with a double, triple, and two stolen bases. Can he build off this? 
1B Dylan Jasso: 2-for-5, HR (6), 2 RBI, RS, K
Jasso is hitting .256/.350/.436 in 226 PA (15 doubles, 1 triple, 6 HR, 30 RBI, 28 R, 11.1% BB, 26.5% K). 
DH Christopher Familia1-for-5, K
CF Jackson Castillo3-for-4, K
Castillo is on a 6-game hitting streak (10-for-23) and is hitting .276/.399/.463 in 153 PA. After games of May 2, he was hitting .162/.262/.270. You have to figure he is under consideration for a promotion once they start handing them out in bulk. He has played 27 of his 37 games in CF (8 in LF, 2 as DH).
LF Willy Montero3-for-4, 2B (9), RS
Montero got off to a 2-for-21 start, dipping under .200 after his third game. He is finally back over that mark (.204/.266/.271 in 199 PA) thanks to a 6-for-11 stretch over the last three games.
RF Coby Morales0-for-4, K
2B Brenny Escanio0-for-4, RBI
C Edinson Duran0-for-1, HBP
Duran left the game after the HBP.
  PR-C Tomas Frick0-for-1, RS, BB

RHP Ryan Harvey: (L, 2-4) 5 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 3 K, HR
RHP Aaron Nixon3 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Steven Fulgencio1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K


FCL (14-10) (Defeated the Blue Jays, 4-3)

CF Brando Mayea0-for-3, SB (10), BB, K
Mayea has 32 stolen bases in 51 minor league games. A kid with his speed should be able to run at will at these lower levels.
1B Josue Gonzalez3-for-4, RS
.268/.435/.493 in 92 PA. He has five multi-hit efforts.
SS Enmanuel Tejeda3-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, RS, SB (1)
Tejeda should be back in Low-A Tampa soon enough. He wasn’t out for too long with his injury.
DH Antonio Gomez1-for-3, RS, 2 K
At one time, Gomez was my choice as the top catching prospect in the organization. It just hasn’t come together for him. He is here on a rehab stint.
LF Wilson Rodriguez1-for-3, RBI, CS (1)
3B Luis Ogando2-for-3, RS, 2 SB (6)

RHP Sabier Marte4.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
The 6’5″ hurler has a 2.42 ERA (22.1 IP, 19 H, 8 R, 6 ER, 0 HR, 12 BB, 21 K). He hasn’t allowed a HR in 63 IP over the last two seasons


DSL Yankees (1-2) and DSL Bombers (1-1)

The Yankees lost, 11-2.

SS Dexters Peralta scored a run and drew a walk…3B Richard Matic and CF Gabriel Lara each had a pair of hits. The 5’9″ Lara is considered one of the fastest players in organized baseball and is an interesting long-term lottery ticket. Matic signed for $850,000. Baseball America noted that he was one of the youngest players in the 2024 class…17-year-old LHP Ronald Tejada was a bright spot on the hill (1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K).

The Bombers won, 10-2. They drew 11 walks and compiled 10 hits. Walks are a good thing, but it is hard to take the insane walk rates in the DSL seriously.

CF Francisco Vilorio went 2-for-3 with an RBI, run scored, and walk. The 17-year-old is one of the bonus babies at this level. He was signed for $1.7 million…DH Richard Meran went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and 3 RBI. The 17-year-old played 13 games at this level in 2023…RF David Carrera went 2-for-4 with a  pair of doubles and runs scored. He added a stolen base. This is the 17-year-old’s debut season…C Queni Pineda drew three walks and scored four runs. He is another 17-year-old in his debut year…2B Christofer Reyes had two hits, two RBI, two runs, and two walks. He is 16 years old…LHP Franyer Herrera allowed one run in five innings. He struck out five. Herrera is 19 years old and this is his third season at this level…LHP Marco Manzano (20) made his professional debut, allowing a run over two innings with four strikeouts.

Yankees MILB 5/25: Jasson Dominguez’s Big Day

News:

Nothing important.

Scranton (32-18) (Lost to Syracuse, 9-6)

3B DJ LeMahieu0-for-3, RS, BB, K
LeMahieu was transferred to the 60-day injured list, but that was just a paper move to get Kevin Smith on the MLB roster. Once LeMahieu flies out to Anaheim, they will activate him and DFA Smith. 
  PH-3B Jeter Downs0-for-2, 2 K
SS Oswald Peraza2-for-4, 2 RS, BB
6-for-24 and back-to-back multi-hit efforts. Note: I don’t care about his Tampa/Somerset rehab numbers – I am just reporting on his Triple-A statistics.
1B T.J. Rumfield1-for-4, RS, BB, K
.298/.355/.411 in 138 PA here and .303/.372/.401 in 172 PA overall.
C Carlos Narvaez2-for-4, 2 RBI, RS, BB, 2 K
.274/.378/.468 with 6 doubles, 2 HR, and 15 RBI in 16 May games.
LF Taylor Trammell1-for-3, 2B (3), RS, 2 BB, K
RF Jose Rojas1-for-4, 2B (11), 3 RBI, BB
Rojas has been the productive veteran presence. He has 11 doubles, 9 HR, and 31 RBI in 39 games.
DH Oscar Gonzalez: 1-for-5, RBI, K
Gonzalez now has a 9-game hitting streak. 
2B Josh VanMeter0-for-3, BB, HBP, 2 K
CF Greg Allen2-for-5, SB (8), K
.246/.409/.377 in 89 PA

LHP Ben Shields: (L, 0-1)  1.2 IP, 8 H, 9 R, 7 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
You have to hope it doesn’t hurt the kid’s confidence. He was placed here only because Scranton needed a starter and he was rested.
LHP Clayton Andrews2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
RHP Alex Mauricio3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
1.13 ERA (24 IP, 18 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 26 K). 


Somerset (22-22) (Defeated New Hampshire, 5-3)

CF Spencer Jones1-for-5, RS, 2 K
.220/.302/.318 in 149 PA. He has hit safely in five of his last six games and has reached base safely in nine straight games. However, this is not a claim that he is “hot,” as he is only 6-for-35 with 6 walks in those games. 
DH Jasson Dominguez3-for-5, HR (1), 2 RBI, 2 RS
Dominguez has five hits in his last two games. He may be finding his groove, which is the first hurdle. They still haven’t put him in the outfield, and it may be a while before they do.
1B Agustin Ramirez1-for-5, 3B (1), 2 RBI, RS, K
Ramirez launches his second career triple (229 games). He has five RBI in his last three games. He is hitting .324/.422/.574 in May (6 doubles, 3 HR, 15 RBI) after hitting .247/.370/.610 in April (1 double, 9 HR, 19 RBI).  His BABIP in the first month was low. It has since normalized (.282) and we are seeing the results of that.
C Ben Rice0-for-2, 2 BB
.242/.371/.490 in 187 PA. In addition to hitting some HR lately, he is drawing walks. 
SS Ben Cowles: 1-for-3, SF, RBI, K
.329/.415/.541 in 176. After a .351/.433/.623 April, he is hitting .304/.395/.449 in May. He was never going to be able to maintain the April pace. The May stat line is impressive enough.
LF Grant Richardson2-for-3, BB
.288/.356/.483 in 132 PA. In his last 12 games, he has six 2-hit games and six 0-hit games. 
3B Jordan Groshans0-for-4, 3 K
RF Jared Wegner0-for-3, BB, 2 K
2B Alexander Vargas0-for-1, BB
Vargas’ first game since May 3rd.
   2B Anthony Seigler1-for-2, 2B (8), RS

RHP Trystan Vrieling5.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 6 K
4.44 ERA (50.2 IP, 45 H, 27 R, 25 ER, 2 HR, 14 BB, 50 K)
RHP Colby White: (W, 1-2)  1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
It was unknown by 99% of the fanbase that White was on the 40-man roster. Anyway, he recently cleared waivers and was outrighted to Somerset.
RHP Kevin Stevens: 1.1 IP,1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
3.31 ERA (16.1 IP, 15 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 8 BB, 23 K). The 2022 undrafted free agent signing missed all of 2023 due to injury.
RHP Leonardo Pestana: (S, 1) 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Since promotion: 9.1 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K. He continues his impressive run.


Hudson Valley (20-21) (Lost to Brooklyn, 7-3)

RF Jace Avina2-for-4, K
.306 with a .909 OPS. He has 9 multi-hit games (31 games played). 
SS Jared Serna0-for-4, RBI, SB (6), 2 K
Serna’s 22-game on-base streak is snapped. He has four straight successful stolen base attempts (1-for-6 to start the season)
LF Jesus Rodriguez0-for-4, 3 K
Only the second 3 K game in his career (223 games)
DH Tyler Hardman1-for-4, RS, SB (1), 3 K
C Omar Martinez0-for-4, 2 K
1B Rafael Flores1-for-3, 2B (11), RS, BB, K
Flores has 11 doubles in 31 games (he hit 15 in 105 games in 2023)
3B Kiko Romero1-for-4, 2B (5), RBI, 3 K
CF Nelson Medina0-for-4, 3 K
2B Beau Brewer1-for-3, 2B (2), RS

RHP Josh Grosz: (L, 0-1) 3.1 IP, 6 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 6 BB, 1 K, 2 HR
His High-A debut doesn’t go well, but it’s not his fault. He is not ready for this level (in my opinion), but they needed an arm and he was available.
RHP Cole Ayers3.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
2.22 ERA (28.1 IP, 21 H, 10 R, 7 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 35 K). Strong performance by Ayers in 2024.
RHP Huey Morrill1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R,  BB, 3 K


Tampa (17-27) (Defeated Jupiter, 6-1)

DH George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-5, 3 K
.225/.378/.265 in 127 PA (10-for-11 SB).
SS Roderick Arias1-for-5, RS, K
.209/.330/.337 in 194 PA. He has hit safely in six of his last seven games (7-for-30)
3B Dylan Jasso1-for-4, HR (5), 2 RBI, 2 RS, K
.268/.354/.465 in 181 PA (14 doubles, 1 triple, 5 HR, 27 RBI, 24 R, 9.9% BB, 25.97% K).  He has 8 doubles, 4 homers, and 19 RBI in May.
CF Jackson Castillo2-for-2, 2B (8), RBI, RS, SB (8), 2 BB
.264/.414/.473 in 116 PA (8 doubles, 1 triple, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 17 R, 20.7% BB, 20.7% K, 8-for-9 SB). He is 18-for-61 (.295/.470/.541) in May.
2B Hans Montero0-for-3, RS, BB
RF Willy Montero1-for-3, RBI, RS, BB, K
1B Coby Morales1-for-4, RBI, 2 K
C Tomas Frick0-for-4, K
LF Dayro Perez0-for-4, 3 K

RHP Ryan Harvey: (W, 2-2)  5.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
Last two starts: 10.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 14 K. This has dropped his ERA to 5.59 in 19.1 IP with a 23/9 K/BB.
RHP Cade Austin2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
3.72 ERA (29 IP, 25 H, 14 R, 12 ER, 5 HR, 6 BB, 35 K). This is a strong debut season, with only problematic home runs. I am more interested in that K/BB.
RHP Kris Bow1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
3.44 ERA (18.1 IP, 12 H, 10 R, 7 ER, 1 HR, 14 BB, 22 K). 


FCL (9-7) (Defeated the Phillies, 5-4, in a 9-inning game)

CF Brando Mayea1-for-5, RBI, 3 K
6-for-18 with two walks and six strikeouts. He has reached base in all five of his games.
C Edgleen Perez2-for-4, K
.324/.521/.500 in 48 PA. He has 12 RBI in 12 games.
1B Josue Gonzalez0-for-4, 3 K
.227/.452/.568 in 62 PA. He is in a little 0-for-11 slump.
DH Engelth Urena: 0-for-2, RS, 2 BB
LF Brian Sanchez1-for-4, HR (1), RBI, RS, K
.364/.451/.614 in 51 PA (6 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 10 R, 7 BB, 12 K, 6-for-6 SB). Acquired as part of the deal for Jake Bauers (along with Jace Avina), his HR today was his first career blast.
SS Juan Matheus1-for-3, 2B (2), RS, HBP, K
The 20-year-old switch-hitter has started at SS in 12 of the team’s 16 games. He is hitting .273/.377/.432.
2B Gabriel Terrero0-for-4, RBI, RS, SB (5), K
RF Joel Mendez2-for-4, 2B (3), 3B (1), RS, 2 K
3B Santiago Gomez1-for-3, RBI, SB (2), BB, K

RHP McKinley Moore1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
The hard-throwing Moore was moved here from the Development List. The Yankees are trying to work him through control issues.
RHP Jordarlin Mendoza2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 7 K
Mendoza owns a 23/10 K/BB over 13.2 IP.
RHP Orvis Fernandez (W, 2-0): 3.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
RHP Juan Sanchez (S, 1): 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Listed as a catcher, this is his professional debut on the hill. As a hitter, he hit .255/.265/.468 in 16 FCL games in 2023.


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 Pereira1-for-5, 3 RS, BB, K
1B T.J. Rumfield2-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 Narvaez3-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 Gonzalez1-for-5, 2B (3), 2 RBI, RS
RF Jose Rojas2-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 Downs1-for-3, RBI, RS, 2 BB, K
3B Josh VanMeter0-for-3, RS, 2 BB, K

LHP Edgar Barclay3.2 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 Santos1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda0.2 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 Warren0.2 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 Jones0-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 Peraza0-for-3, SB (1), BB, 3 K
C Agustin Ramirez1-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 Rice1-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 Richardson0-for-4, K
1B J.C. Escarra0-for-3, BB, K
3B Jordan Groshans1-for-3
RF Elijah Dunham1-for-3, 2 K
2B Anthony Seigler0-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 Kahnle1 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 Neely1 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 Pestana1 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 Riggio2-for-4, 2B (6), 2 RS, BB
SS Jared Serna2-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 Rodriguez1-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 Martinez1-for-3, RBI, RS, BB
C Rafael Flores3-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 Moylan0-for-3, BB, 2 K
RF Nelson Medina1-for-4, RBI, SB (6)
LF Kyle Battle0-for-4, 2 K

RHP Jackson Fristoe3 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 Vinyard2 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 Vivas0-for-3, K
  2B Brenny Escanio0-for-1
DH Jasson Dominguez2-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 Arias0-for-4, K
1B Dylan Jasso0-for-3
CF Jackson Castillo1-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 Montero0-for-3, K
RF Coby Morales1-for-2, 2B (4), BB
16-for-46 (.348) in May.
C Edinson Duran0-for-3
LF Daury Arias0-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 Gabonia3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
RHP Kris Bow1.2 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 Gonzalez0-for-3, BB
C Edgleen Perez: 0-for-1, 2 BB
SS Juan Matheus1-for-2, SB (2), CS (3), BB, K
CF Fidel Montero1-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 5/14: Agustin Ramirez Overshadows Jasson Dominguez’s Return

News:

OF Jasson Dominguez and IF Jorbit Vivas began their rehab stints in Tampa today. RHP Tommy Kahnle‘s rehab was moved up to Somerset today.

The unfortunate side of the minors is that players must be cut occasionally. The Yankees cut Tayler Aguilar, Kelvin Espino and Spencer HensonAguilar, their 15th-round pick in 2022, couldn’t find his bat in 117 games. Like many prospects, Espino couldn’t get past the rookie league hurdle. Henson showed some pop (32 HR in 750 career plate appearances) but dealt with some injuries.

Here is hoping that they all find jobs in other organizations.

Scranton (27-12) (Lost to Worcester, 8-4)

2B Caleb Durbin1-for-5, 2B (14), RBI, 2 K
Durbin has only two 2-K games this season (he had one last year). He has 14 doubles in 39 games (17 in 69 games last year)
RF Everson Pereira: 3-for-5, HR (10), RBI, RS, K
Pereira’s second 3-hit game this season. He is hitting .266/.344/.538.
1B T.J. Rumfield2-for-5, RBI
Back-to-back multi-hit games. Since his promotion, he continues to pile up the hits and is hitting .323/.379/.473.  This is the type of prospect he was before last year’s home run surge. Can he combine the high average with home runs? Who knows?
C Carlos Narvaez0-for-5, 3 K
LF Taylor Trammell2-for-3, RS, BB, K
SS Jeter Downs2-for-4, 2B (6), K
.268/.360/.526 in 115 PA. I won’t try to make you think he is suddenly a prospect again – but this is fun to follow!
DH Jose Rojas0-for-4, RBI, K
3B Kevin Smith1-for-4, 2B (2), RS, 3 K
CF Greg Allen0-for-3, RS, HBP, 2 K

RHP Will Warren: (L, 3-2) 4 IP, 9 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 2 HR
6.27 ERA (37.1 IP, 37 H, 28 R, 26 ER, 10 HR, 12 BB, 42 K). Triple-A is a high-octane offensive environment, but ten HR in 37.1 innings is a concerning number. After he seemed to figure things out after his first start of the season, Warren has allowed 15 runs in 10 IP in his last two starts.
LHP Clayton Andrews2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Art Warren1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
He is the latest veteran the Yankees are going to try to unlock. He didn’t pitch well in his initial rehab appearances (rust!) but pitched well tonight.
RHP Ron Marinaccio1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Did he deserve the demotion? No. Did it make sense from the Yankees perspective? Yes. 


Somerset (16-17) (Lost to Portland, 11-10)

CF Spencer Jones1-for-5, RBI, RS, SB (7)
SS Oswald Peraza0-for-3, RS, BB
   2B Anthony Seigler0-for-1, K
DH Ben Rice1-for-4, 3 RS, BB
C Agustin Ramirez: 4-for-5, HR (12), 5 RBI, 2 RS, SB (7), K
For the first several weeks, I kept bringing up his mediocre BABIP. Well, those batted balls are starting to fall in. He is hitting .283/.404/.637 with 12 HR and 29 RBI. 
2B-SS Ben Cowles0-for-3, SF, RBI, BB
3B Jordan Groshans0-for-4, BB, K
1B J.C. Escarra1-for-4, RS, BB, K
RF Grant Richardson2-for-4, 2 RS, 2 K
Richardson’s magic carpet ride continues, as he is up to .301 with a .832 OPS in 103 PA. He is 12-for-32 in May.
LF Elijah Dunham2-for-4, 2 RBI, K

RHP Trystan Vrieling: (L, 2-4)  4.2 IP, 9 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, HR
Sometimes, games don’t go your way. This spikes his ERA to 4.99 in 39.2 IP (it was 3.34 entering tonight). He has been off his game after a strong start to the season, but I will remind you (again) that he never pitched an inning in a level lower than this one.
RHP Colby White0.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, HR
The Yankees claimed White off of waivers (Tampa Bay) on May 9th. He has never appeared in MLB. Entering tonight, he owned a 2.83 ERA in 91 minor league games with a 167/58 K/BB over 111.1 IP. He was Tampa’s 6th-round pick in 2019 out of Mississippi State.
RHP Tommy Kahnle1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Between here and Tampa, Kahnle has retired all nine batters he has faced with six strikeouts. Yes, he is close.
LHP Josh Maciejewski3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K


Hudson Valley (16-15) (Defeated Jersey Shore, 8-5)

2B Roc Riggio2-for-5, RBI, K
.214/.350/.381 in 103 PA. He has more walks (18) than strikeouts (17). 
SS Jared Serna1-for-3, CS (5), BB
Serna is 2-for-7 in the stolen base department (70-for-87 (80.5%) entering this season)
RF Jace Avina1-for-3, 2B (7), SF, RBI, RS, 2 K
Avina has a 9-game hitting streak.
LF Jesus Rodriguez2-for-4, RBI, RS, 2 K
Back-to-back multi-hit games and 13th this season (29 games). Starts by position: Catcher: 12 (14 games overall), 2B: 3, 3B: 9 (10 games overall), LF: 4. Rodriguez has first base experience but hasn’t played there in 2024.
C Omar Martinez1-for-2, 2B (3), 2 RS, 2 BB, K
.223/.392/.404 in 120 PA. He has 25 walks in 27 games (67 in 105 games in 2023).
3B Josh Moylan1-for-2, 2 RS, 2 BB
.213/.360/.300 in 100 PA (18% BB, 23% K). 
1B Rafael Flores0-for-2, RBI, RS, BB, K
DH Kiko Romero1-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 K
CF Nelson Medina1-for-4, 2 RBI, RS, 2 K

RHP Cam Schlittler5 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, HR
2.03 ERA (31 IP, 13 H, 11 R, 7 ER, 4 HR, 12 BB, 37 K). It isn’t easy to maintain a hit rate like Schlittler had to enter tonight – eventually, the BABIP gods allow some of those balls to fall in. Entering tonight, his BABIP was a ridiculous .098.
RHP Huey Morrill: (W, 1-1) 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Cole Ayers: (S, 2)  2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
Now that is what you call a save! Ayers has a 2.29 ERA in 19.2 IP (13 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 7 BB, 28 K). He struck out 86 in 64.1 innings in 2023.


Tampa (10-24) (Lost to Bradenton, 4-3)

2B Jorbit Vivas0-for-1, SB (1), 2 BB
The last time he started a rehab stint, it lasted two games for Scranton. Let’s hope that is his final setback this season.
   2B Brenny Escanio0-for-2, K
DH Jasson Dominguez1-for-3, BB, K
The journey back begins. I think he will be the designated hitter for a while.
  PH-DH Manuel Palencia1-for-1, RBI
Palencia pinch-hit for Dominguez with the bases loaded and two outs in the 8th (Dominguez wasn’t likely available – told he was done after his 4th plate appearance). It is a part of the rehab process.
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-4, K
  3B Hans Montero0-for-1, K
3B-SS Roderick Arias1-for-5, 2 K
1B Dylan Jasso1-for-4, RS, BB
  PR Dayro Perez0-for-0, 2 SB (5)
LF Jackson Castillo2-for-4, HR (2), RBI, RS, BB
Castillo is up to .250 with a .845 OPS (5 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 12 R, 7-for-8 SB). He has four multi-hit efforts in his last six games. He has bounced back nicely after a tough start (he had a .532 OPS after games of 5/2).
CF Willy Montero0-for-3, RS, 2 BB, 2 K
RF Coby Morales0-for-2, 3 BB, K
C Tomas Frick1-for-4, RBI, HBP, K
Frick increases his season-long on-base streak to 16 (at least one hit in 14 of those games)

RHP Gabriel Barbosa4 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 8 K, HR
5.46 ERA (31.1 IP, 34 H, 19 R, 19 ER, 1 HR, 7 BB, 36 K). The ERA isn’t great but some of the underlying numbers are strong (one home run allowed, more than a strikeout an inning…)
RHP Osiel Rodriguez2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
2.25 ERA (16 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 HR, 9 BB, 16 K)
RHP Cade Austin1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Montana Semmel1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Semmel has 5.1 scoreless innings in May.


FCL (4-4) (Lost to the Tigers, 7-4)

1B Josue Gonzalez0-for-2, RBI, BB, HBP, 2 K
DH Tyler Hardman0-for-4
His rehab was moved here from Tampa.
3B Abrahan Ramirez1-for-3, 2 RS, SB (2), BB
LF Brian Sanchez2-for-4, 2B (1), 3B (1), 2 RBI, RS, K
Sanchez was the other prospect acquired (along with Jace Avina) for Jake Bauers.
2B Santiago Gomez1-for-4, RBI, K

RHP Danny Flatt4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 4 K
8 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 5 BB, 9 K


DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 5/12: Agustin Ramirez: 3 Extra-Base Hits

News:

Happy Mother’s Day!

Scranton (27-11) (Defeated Rochester, 6-4)

2B Caleb Durbin2-for-4, 2 RS, 2 SB (17), BB
Durbin continues his big season: .296/.420/.444 in 175 PA (13 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR, 28 RBI, 28 R, 15.4% BB, 10.3% K, 17-for-19 SB).
DH Everson Pereira2-for-5, RS, SB (4), K
10-for-43 (.233) in May with a double and two homers. He also has a whopping 15 strikeouts.
1B T.J. Rumfield2-for-4, RBI, 2 RS, SB (1)
14-for-40 (.350) in May and .318/.378/.477 since his promotion.
C Carlos Narvaez1-for-2, 2B (8), RBI, RS, 2 SB (4), 2 BB, K
Narvaez has three doubles in his last two games. His career best for stolen bases is 6, set last year.
RF Taylor Trammell1-for-4, RBI, K
3B Jeter Downs: 0-for-3, BB, K
LF Greg Allen1-for-3, RBI, BB
SS Kevin Smith0-for-4, K
CF Brandon Lockridge1-for-4, 3B (1), K

RHP Yoendrys Gomez3.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 4 K
3.47 ERA (23.1 IP, 17 H, 10 R, 9 ER, 3 HR, 16 BB, 28 K). Too many walks.
RHP Duane Underwood Jr.1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Alex Mauricio1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
1.50 ERA (18 IP, 14 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 2 BB, 21 K). A tremendous start to his 2024 campaign.
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda (W, 3-0): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
1.42 ERA (19 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 10 BB, 26 K).
RHP Yerry De Los Santos0.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Phil Bickford (S, 3): 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K


Somerset (16-16) (Split a doubleheader with Altoona)

Game 1 (Won, 5-2)

CF Spencer Jones0-for-3, SF, RBI, K
DH Oswald Peraza: 1-for-2, HR (1), RBI, 2 RS, 2 BB
C Agustin Ramirez2-for-4, 2B (3), HR (11), 2 RBI, RS
1B Ben Rice0-for-3, BB, 2 K
SS Ben Cowles1-for-3, RS, BB
RF Aaron Palensky1-for-3, BB
3B J.C. Escarra2-for-4, RS
LF Jared Wegner2-for-2, 2B (3), SF, RBI, BB
.256/.344/.462 in 90 PA (10% BB, 23.3% K)
2B Jordan Groshans0-for-3, BB, K

RHP Zach Messinger (W, 1-2): 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 8 K
4.19 ERA (38.2 IP, 28 H, 24 R, 18 ER, 4 HR, 14 BB, 45 K). Last 3 starts: 15.2 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 6 BB, 18 K.
RHP Leonardo Pestana1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Pestana has 5.1 scoreless innings since his promotion (3 H, 1 BB, 6 K)
RHP Kevin Stevens (S, 1): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K

Game 2 (Lost, 3-1)

CF Spencer Jones1-for-3, RS, K
.250/.323/.386 in 99 PA (10.1% BB, 29.3% K)
DH Agustin Ramirez1-for-3, 2B (4)
.259/.389/.602 in 131 PA (4 doubles, 11 HR, 24 RBI, 24 R, 16.8% BB, 18.3% K). Eastern League ranks: OPS – 3; SLG – 2; HR – 1; RBI – 2. The questions about his catching will continue but the bat alone could make him a Top 50 prospect or better.
C Ben Rice0-for-2, BB
.252/.381/.487 in 140 PA. He has 14 starts at catcher, 9 at first base, and 8 at designated hitter.
SS Ben Cowles0-for-2, SF, RBI, 2 K
.327/.409/.540 in 132 PA. He is fifth in the Eastern League in batting average and second in doubles.
1B J.C. Escarra0-for-2, CS (2), BB
2B Anthony Seigler0-for-2, K
3B Jordan Groshans0-for-2
LF Elijah Dunham0-for-2
RF Grant Richardson0-for-2, K

RHP Bailey Dees3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
I am not sure why he was pulled after 47 pitches. He owns a 4.41 ERA in 32.2 IP (28 H, 16 R, 16 ER, 5 HR, 15 BB, 33 K). The ERA is skewed high by his tough first start (3.1 IP, 8 ER)
LHP Ryan Anderson1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Luis Velasquez1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Jack Neely1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
1.62 ERA (16.2 IP, 12 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 5 BB, 25 K). Neely has the look of a high leverage relief pitcher.


Hudson Valley (15-15) (Defeated Aberdeen, 4-3)

2B Roc Riggio0-for-4, BB, 2 K
SS Jared Serna3-for-4, 2B (8), RBI, RS
.252/.358/.459 in 134 PA (8 doubles, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 20 R, 13.4% BB, 14.2% K). He is 13-for-40 (.325/.386/.650) in May with 12 RBI.
CF Jace Avina2-for-4, RBI, RS, BB
.289/.400/.461 in 90 PA.
3B Jesus Rodriguez2-for-5, RBI
Rodriguez doesn’t stop hitting. He is hitting .324/.382/.532 in 123 PA. In May, he is 14-for-36 (.389) and he leads the South Atlantic League in hits, is second in batting average, fifth in slugging percentage, and third in OPS. 
DH Omar Martinez1-for-4, 2B (2), BB, K
.217/.379/.391 in 116 PA (19.8% BB, 21.6% K)
C Rafael Flores2-for-5, RBI, 2 K
1B Kiko Romero1-for-3, BB, K
RF Cole Gabrielson0-for-4, K
LF Kyle Battle0-for-2, 2 RS, SB (3), 2 BB, 2 K

LHP Ben Shields3.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 8 K
Shields’ first professional start. One has to love the strikeouts!
RHP Trent Sellers2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
1.86 ERA (19.1 IP, 10 H, 8 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 13 BB, 26 K)
LHP Joel Valdez1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Mason Vinyard (W, 1-0): 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K


Tampa (10-23) (Lost to Clearwater, 8-2)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-2, 2B (3), 2 RS, SB (10), BB
This certainly screams “I’m Back!”
  2B Brenny Escanio0-for-2
2B-SS Roderick Arias2-for-4, CS (6), 2 K
.212/.354/.347 in 144 PA. Arias is 7-for-21 (.333) in his last six games. On the season, he owns a 16.7% BB and 35.4% K. His entire stat line suggests the raw talent that he is.
1B Dylan Jasso0-for-3, SF, RBI
.293/.391/.500 in 138 PA with 10 doubles, 4 homers, and 23 RBI. He has 15 RBI in 11 May games.
CF Jackson Castillo2-for-4, RBI
Castillo hit .200/.273/.333 in April. In May, he is hitting .267/.463/.467 with more walks (11) than strikeouts (10) and a 5-for-6 SB rate. He turned 21 in early May.
RF Willy Montero1-for-4, CS (1)
3B Hans Montero1-for-3, BB
Montero is hitting .303 (10-for-33) since his promotion.
LF Coby Morales1-for-4, 2 K
DH Manuel Palencia0-for-4, K
C Edinson Duran1-for-4, K

RHP Ryan Harvey (L, 0-2): 0.2 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 0 K
RHP Ocean Gabonia2.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
RHP Yoljeldriz Diaz2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Jordy Luciano1.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
RHP Aaron Nixon2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K


FCL (4-2)

Scheduled day off.


DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 5/7: A Big Day for Agustin Ramirez

News:

The following players are on the FCL 7-day injured list (according to the roster page):
OF Brando Mayea
RHP Carlos Lagrange
LHP Henry Lalane

Essentially, three of their top Rookie League prospects are hurt. That’s not what you want to see.

If you are wondering about his whereabouts, infielder Rougned Odor is also on the 7-day injured list. For now, he will have to strike out in his sleep.

Scranton (23-10) (Lost to Rochester, 8-5)

2B Caleb Durbin: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, RS, SB (15), HBP
.293/.417/.455 in 152 PA (12 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR, 25 RBI, 23 R, 15.1% BB, 9.9% K, 15-for-16 SB). He has been a nightmare for opposing pitchers and defenses.
CF Everson Pereira0-for-4, BB, K
1B T.J. Rumfield1-for-4, 2B (8), RBI, HBP, K
Rumfield has 8 doubles in 18 games since his promotion. 
C Carlos Narvaez0-for-4, RS, BB, 3 K
DH Jose Rojas1-for-4, BB, K
RF Oscar Gonzalez2-for-4, RS, K
Gonzalez is 6-for-20 since returning from his rehab stint (also went 6-for-20 on the rehab stint)
3B Josh VanMeter0-for-4, K
SS Jeter Downs: 1-for-3, 2B (4), SF, RBI, RS
.259/.340/.481 in 95 PA.
LF Luis Gonzalez2-for-4, 2 2B (5), RS, K

RHP Will Warren: (L, 3-1) 6 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 2 HR
Warren’s first rough outing since Opening Day. He allowed four runs without recording an out in the first and had trouble settling in. Season: 4.86 ERA (33.1 IP, 28 H, 20 R, 18 ER, 8 HR, 10 BB, 36 K)
RHP Nick Burdi1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
You can’t ask for much more in his first rehab appearance. He averaged 98 MPH (peaked at 98.8) with his fastball and threw his full slider/fastball/sinker combination. I assume he will be back in New York soon enough.
LHP Anthony Misiewicz1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR
LHP Clayton Andrews1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K


Somerset (13-14) (Knocked down Altoona, 8-1)

CF Spencer Jones1-for-4, 2B (4), RS, SB (5), BB
.250/.316/.417 in 79 PA. Jones has 60 stolen bases in 159 career games (15 caught stealing; 80%)
DH Agustin Ramirez: 3-for-3, 2B (2), HR (10), 3 RBI, 3 RS, SB (6), 2 BB
Ramirez gets the OPS over 1.000 (.258/.405/.618). This is the second time he reached base five times in a game this season and his BB% (18.9%) is better than his K% (18.0%). Flaws in his offensive game are difficult to find.
C Ben Rice0-for-5, 2 K
.263/.387/.505 in 120 PA. He is 5-for-18 with three walks in five May games but is looking for his first extra-base hit.
SS Ben Cowles0-for-5, 2 K
Not a good day for those named “Ben,” but their bright days outshine their darker ones in 2024.
1B J.C. Escarra1-for-4, HR (2), 2 RBI, 2 RS, HBP
3B Jordan Groshans2-for-5, 2B (1), RBI, K
LF Grant Richardson2-for-4, 2 2B (10), RS, K
.308/.375/.513 in 88 PA. He is tied with Cowles for the Eastern League lead in doubles and is 9th in average. The fun thing is that this is a continuation of what he did in 15 games at this level in 2023. When I combine the numbers, he is hitting .321/.396/.565 with 11 doubles, 7 homers, 25 RBI, and 10 stolen bases in 36 Double-A games.
RF Jared Wegner: 1-for-4, RS, 3 K
2B Anthony Seigler0-for-2, 2 BB

RHP Bailey Dees (W, 2-2): 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
4.55 ERA (29.2 IP, 26 H, 15 R, 15 ER, 5 HR, 15 BB, 31 K). Since allowing 8 runs in 3.1 innings in his 2024 debut: 2.39 ERA (26.1 IP, 21 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 10 BB, 28 K)
RHP Yorlin Calderon1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
LHP Josh Maciejewski1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Kevin Stevens1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K


Hudson Valley (14-11) (Lost to Aberdeen, 4-3)

2B Roc Riggio1-for-4, SB (4), K
SS Jared Serna1-for-4, 2B (6), RS, SB (2), K
Serna now owns a 6-game hitting streak (13-for-29; 4 doubles, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 6 R, 2 BB, 3 K)
CF Jace Avina1-for-4, 2B (5), 3 K
Avina has five doubles and two home runs in 15 games. 
C Jesus Rodriguez3-for-4, 2 HR (5), 3 RBI, 2 RS
Rodriguez’s second career 2-HR game and third 3+ hit game this season (10th multi-hit game). He is at .330 with a .956 OPS and has five HR in 23 games (13 HR in 185 games entering 2024).
DH Omar Martinez0-for-3, BB, K
1B Josh Moylan0-for-3, BB
LF Nelson Medina2-for-4, K
Medina has three multi-hit games in his last four games played.
3B Kiko Romero0-for-3, K
RF Cole Gabrielson0-for-3

RHP Cam Schlittler5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K
1.04 ERA (26 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 3 ER, 3 HR, 11 BB, 33 K). An impressive start to his 2024 campaign…
LHP Ben Shields: (L, 1-1)  2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR
The typically reliable Shields has his first tough outing in his short career. It happens. Season: 2.41 ERA (18.2 IP, 12 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 22 K)
RHP Huey Morrill1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K


Tampa (9-20) (Split a doubleheader with Clearwater)

Game 1 (Won, 8-2)

CF Jackson Castillo: 2-for-3, HR (1), RBI, 3 RS, 2 SB (6), BB
DH Oswald Peraza2-for-3, HR (1), RBI, 2 RS, SB (1), BB
This is one way to show the organization that you are healthy…
SS Roderick Arias1-for-2, 2 CS (5), 2 BB, K
3B Dylan Jasso1-for-4, 2 RBI
LF Willy Montero1-for-3, RBI, RS, BB, K
2B Hans Montero1-for-3, K
1B Coby Morales2-for-3, RBI, RS, CS (1)
C Tomas Frick1-for-2, HR (1), 2 RBI, RS, BB
Frick, who has reached base in all 13 of his games, launches his first professional home run.
RF Daury Arias0-for-3

RHP Luis Serna: (W, 1-2)  5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
6.97 ERA (20.2 IP, 20 H, 16 R, 16 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 24 K).  Serna had a 2.2 IP/7 H/8 R start in April which he is trying to overcome.
RHP Montana Semmel1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
1.80 ERA (15 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 5 BB, 12 K)
RHP Kris Bow1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
Bow threw one sinker at 97.2 MPH.

Game 2 (Lost, 4-3)

CF Jackson Castillo0-for-1, RBI, SB (7), 3 BB, K
Castillo’s solid doubleheader brings his triple slash up to .184/.344/.347 in 61 PA. He owns a 19.7% BB and 27.9% K. The 21-year-old was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2023.
DH Tyler Hardman0-for-4, 3 K
Before his injury last year, Hardman hit an incredible 26 homers in 77 games for Somerset. He is here on a rehab stint.
3B Dylan Jasso1-for-4, RS, K
Jasso is 11-for-30 (.367) in May with 3 doubles, 3 HR, 12 RBI, and 7 runs scored.
RF Willy Montero2-for-3, 2B (5), RS, BB
.184/.243/.235 in 107 PA. His start was so slow (.095/.208/.143 in his first seven games) that recovery has been a long process. In May, he is 6-for-24 with a pair of doubles, three walks, and four strikeouts.
SS Hans Montero0-for-3, 2 K
1B Coby Morales0-for-2, BB, 2 K
C Manuel Palencia1-for-3, 2B (4), 2 RBI, RS
.278/.322/.352 in 59 PA. Contact is his forte (11.9% K rate) and he has a .301 career average. He is looking for that elusive first career homer (he has played in 120 games).
LF Tayler Aguilar0-for-2, BB, K
2B Dayro Perez0-for-2, BB, K

RHP Gabriel Barbosa: (L, 0-4) 6 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
4.94 ERA (27.1 IP, 28 H, 15 R, 15 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 28 K). Overall, his pitching is better than his record would indicate. He generates a lot of ground balls (54.4% entering tonight) and hasn’t allowed a homer.
RHP Cade Austin1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K


FCL (1-2) (Lost to the FCL Phillies, 4-3, in a 7-inning game. Yeah, even on days where they don’t play doubleheaders, games might be limited to seven innings)

C Josue Gonzalez hit the squad’s first home run of 2024. The 20-year-old is off to a 4-for-9 start with a double and homer…
DH Josh Tiedemann compiled a pair of hits, giving him his first multi-hit game…
CF Fidel Montero went 1-for-2 with a walk, run scored, and two stolen bases. After stealing 40 bases in 59 games in 2023 (my goodness), he is 3-for-3 in three games in 2024…

RHP Danny Flatt, in his professional debut: 4 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K. The 19-year-old was their 14th-round pick in 2023 (South Carolina High School)


DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!