Yankees MILB 5/17: Roc Riggio Homers Twice

Notes:

The rumblings about Jesus Rodriguez are starting. I get it – the Yankees have an issue with offense at third base, and Rodriguez can further help balance the lineup.

But is he a third baseman?  The Yankees have tried various positions with him. A natural catcher, he also has experience at 1B/2B (limited)/3B/LF. MLB Pipeline’s write-up on his defense was rather…scary? Pipeline, however, isn’t the only source for your prospect needs. Fangraphs was more flattering, even talking him up as potentially above-average at the hot corner.

I have been bullish on his offense for several years now. He crushed the Complex League in 2022 (which should always come with hesitation) before his promotion to Low-A in 2023.  While with the Tampa Tarpons, he showed his FCL game was no fluke, as he hit .297/.378/.426, earning a promotion to High-A after 84 games. All he did in Hudson Valley the rest of that season was hit .356/.464/.533 in 25 games. His 2024 season was similarly exciting, though he ran into trouble after his promotion to Somerset. That trouble continued into 2025, and his current Double-A triple slash is .196/.250/.339 in 30 games. When Alex Jackson was injured earlier this season, the Yankees moved Rodriguez to Scranton, where he started flourishing again. His issues in Double-A may be sample-size related. His BABIP there is only .207.  You want a prospect to conquer Double-A. It’s Prospect Following 101. He didn’t, but it’s hard to argue against his success.

Rodriguez isn’t your traditional corner power hitter, but we need to look at what he is up against: Strong defender Oswald Peraza, who the organization hasn’t shown much faith in; Jorbit Vivas, who isn’t seen as much of a defender at third base and has struggled to hit; Pablo Reyes, who Rodriguez could replace right now and nobody would flinch; DJ LeMahieu, who I think the Yankees want to play mostly at second base until Jazz Chisholm Jr. returns. The Yankees wouldn’t ask him to take over for current MLB All-Stars. We are talking about being better than replacement level.

Would I do it? It’s tempting. Even if you are skeptical about his profile, you can ride a hot streak for a while. Or, maybe your skepticism is misguided, and his bat will play just fine in MLB. Most of the hesitation comes from an aggressive approach and the questions about whether he can hit velocity. The problem with the latter is that he hasn’t faced enough velocity to draw any conclusions.

What is working against this possibility? The Yankees aren’t playing him every day at third base in the minors. If the plan was for Rodriguez to play third, that would be his position nearly every night. He has played third base in only nine of his 33 games between Somerset and Scranton.

Injury Log


Scranton (21-21) (Defeated Toledo, 7-2)

C Jesus Rodriguez2-for-5, 3B (2), R, CS (2), 2 K
Rodriguez owns a 9-game hitting streak that includes five multi-hit games (four consecutive). He is hitting .385/.479/.510 in 117 PA. Fire is too soft a word to use.
LF Dominic Smith2-for-4, RBI, 2 R
A veteran like Smith is not only auditioning for the Yankees, as veterans can easily ask out of their minor league deals (or, like with Luis Torrens last year, can be traded in small deals). Smith is 16-for-42 (.381) with four homers and 16 RBI in May.
1B T.J. Rumfield1-for-3, R, HBP, K
RF Everson Pereira0-for-4, 3 K
DH Cooper Hummel1-for-2, 2B (1), SF, RBI, BB
3B Jose Rojas1-for-3, HR (8, grand slam), 4 RBI, BB, K
Rojas has three grand slams this month (5/1, 5/7, 5/17). He has 8 HR and 34 RBI in 36 games. If only he weren’t a 32-year-old journeyman.
2B Braden Shewmake1-for-3, R, BB
SS Andrew Velazquez1-for-4, 2 K
CF Ismael Munguia1-for-4, 3B (1), RBI
A fun story in spring training, Munguia is hitting only .219/.321/.328 in 164 PA. He is 8-for-10 stealing bases.

RHP Anthony DeSclafani4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
He touched 95.3 MPH with his sinker, which likely has Matt Blake drooling.
LHP Brent Headrick: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Headrick, a victim of the numbers game earlier this season, reached 97.1 MPH with his fastball today.
RHP Allan Winans: (W, 2-0) 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
0.00 ERA (23 IP, 16 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 31 K). They used him in a piggyback role today, which doesn’t bother me. His season has been impressive.


Somerset (17-20) (Defeated Portland, 11-5)

3B George Lombard Jr.1-for-3, SF, RBI, 2 R, BB
Lombard Jr. plays third base for the second day in a row (hadn’t played the position before that since his promotion). For Somerset: 6-for-31 (3 RBI, 7 R, 3-for-3 SB, 9 BB, 8 K). Overall, he is at .292/.461/.407 in 152 PA with more walks (32) than strikeouts (30). He is 14-for-16 stealing bases.
C Rafael Flores: 3-for-5, HR (8), 3 RBI, 3 R
Flores has homered in back-to-back games and is surging. His triple slash is .303/.350/.538 in 145 PA (10 doubles, 8 HR, 29 RBI, 19 R, 6.4% BB, 29.9% K). He has three 3-hit games in May. By the way, his 8 HR are tied for second in the Eastern League. Spencer Jones (who has missed several games now) still leads with 9.
CF Garrett Martin: 3-for-5, 2B (7), 3 RBI, R
.222/.336/.398 in 128 PA. He isn’t striking out much (20.3%). I don’t have info on his quality of contact, though.
2B Dylan Jasso3-for-5, 3 RBI
.284/.338/.507 (7 doubles, 1 triple, 7 HR, 23 RBI, 20 R).  Last 9 games: 13-for-36 (.361; 2 doubles, 2 HR, 9 RBI). 
LF Coby Morales0-for-5
1B Tyler Hardman: 2-for-4, R, 2 K
SS Alexander Vargas1-for-2, 2B (7), R, 2 SB (7), CS (4), 2 BB
.250/.333/.402 in 105 PA. Vargas is having a strong May (.282/.378/.513).
RF Jared Wegner: 1-for-3, RBI, 2 R, SB (3), BB
DH Antonio Gomez0-for-3, BB, 3 K
He left the game after an “injury delay.” That is not encouraging.
  PR-DH Grant Richardson0-for-0, R

RHP Trent Sellers5.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 2 HR
Sellers was cruising until he allowed a 2-run HR with two outs in the 6th. The 6th inning remains his “blocker” as he has yet to complete six full innings during his career. Season: 3.48 ERA (33.2 IP, 19 H, 13 R, 13 ER, 4 HR, 14 BB, 44 K)
RHP Danny Watson0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Scott Effross: (W, 1-0)  1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
A tough outing for Effross, who has struggled to get back to MLB.
RHP Luis Pacheco1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
4.11 ERA (15.1 IP, 15 H, 9 R, 7 ER, 1 HR, 5 BB, 20 K)
RHP Kelly Austin1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
1.54 ERA (11.2 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 3 BB, 11 K)


Hudson Valley (25-12) (Outlasted Aberdeen, 10-7)

LF Brendan Jones1-for-4, 2 RBI, SB (16), BB
.229/.338/.366 in 157 PA. 
2B Roc Riggio2-for-5, 2 HR (3), 2 RBI, 2 R
Riggio’s first career multi-HR game. He is 8-for-34 (.235) since returning from his rehab stint (2 doubles, 3 HR, 9 RBI)
DH Parks Harber: 4-for-5, 3B (1), HR (3), 3 RBI, 2 R
Harber’s first career 4-hit effort.  Since promotion: .362/.413/.603 in 63 PA (3 doubles, 1 triple, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 12 R). Overall, Harber is hitting .331/.418/.575 in 146 PA (7 doubles, 3 triples, 6 HR, 26 RBI). Yes, he may move two levels this season and get to Somerset.
RF Jace Avina0-for-3, SF, RBI, K
  RF Luis Durango0-for-1, SB (1)
Durango was 21-for-22 in the stolen base department in 2024.
CF Jackson Castillo2-for-5, R, K
C Omar Martinez0-for-4, BB, 2 K
3B Jose Colmenares: 1-for-2, 3 R, SB (4), HBP, BB, K
1B Josh Moylan: 1-for-2, 2B (7), 2 RBI, R, 2 BB
SS Brenny Escanio1-for-3, BB, 2 K

RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz4.1 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 5 BB, 2 K
He didn’t have it today, but his teammates bailed him out. Season: 3.22 ERA (36.1 IP, 22 H, 15 R, 13 ER, 0 HR, 17 BB, 43 K). Rodriguez-Cruz has allowed only 9 HR in 219.2 career innings.
RHP Sebastian Keane: (W, 3-0)  1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
1.80 ERA (10 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 5 BB, 10 K)
RHP Hayden Merda2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
3.78 ERA (16.2 IP, 14 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 0 HR, 8 BB, 22 K). As a starter in 2023 (he missed 2024 due to injury), he allowed ten homers in 95.2 innings.
RHP Bryce Warrecker (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Warrecker’s first career save. His dominant season continues: 0.53 ERA (17 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 3 BB, 23 K)


Tampa (18-20) (Lost to Palm Beach, 5-4)

DH Edgleen Perez1-for-4, BB, 2 K
Perez is 15-for-53 (.283) in May after going 10-for-56 (.179/.373/.196) in April. I’ve said it multiple times: The only thing missing is power. That isn’t concerning as he is 18 years old. You hope he grows into some pop.
C Engelth Urena: 1-for-4, BB
RF Dillon Lewis1-for-5, R, SB (8), 2 K
SS Juan Matheus1-for-4, R, SB (10), 2 K
Matheus is 13-for-22 (.591) during his 6-game hitting streak. He is an under-the-radar switch-hitting middle infielder prospect.
LF Tyler Wilson1-for-4, R, K
2B Hans Montero2-for-4, 2B (4), 2 RBI
Sneakily, Montero is up to .278 with a .846 OPS. He is 12-for-33 (.364) in May with four doubles and two home runs.
3B Owen Cobb1-for-4, 2B (6), RBI
Cobb has 11 extra-base hits (6 doubles, 2 triples, 3 HR) in 13 games.
CF Marshall Toole: 2-for-4, 2B (6), R, K
Toole is 7-for-19 (.368) during his 6-game hitting streak. He has four doubles and a triple during the streak. 
1B Josue Gonzalez0-for-4, K

RHP Greysen Carter: (L, 1-3)  1.1 IP, 2 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 6 BB, 1 K
Carter is why the Development List exists. I advocate for continuing to throw kids out there to learn, but he is lost (6.75 ERA in 24 IP with a 25/27 K/BB)
RHP Brandon Decker2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
1.59 ERA (17 IP, 14 H, 7 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 5 BB, 20 K)
LHP Jayvien Sandridge: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
This line defines Sandridge’s career. Looking at the data, Sandridge peaked at 95.8 MPH (averaged 94.2) and generated four whiffs (on 11 pitches) with his slider. The Yankees are trying to unlock the 26-year-old who allows few hits, walks half the ballpark, and strikes out the other half.
RHP Chris Veach1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
1.80 ERA (15 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 9 BB, 26 K). I know Savant isn’t always perfect, but Veach used six different pitches to earn four outs (change, curve, sinker, 4-seamer, cutter, slider). You may ask if Veach was a starter in college. The answer is no, as none of his 57 college appearances (mostly with South Carolina) were starts.
RHP Cade Austin1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Brady Kirtner1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K


FCL (5-6) (Lost to the Blue Jays, 5-1. The Yankees compiled only two hits)

CF Brando Mayea1-for-4, HR (2), RBI, R, 2 K
It’s not so bad when one of those hits is a home run by their best prospect at the level. I don’t love the strikeouts for a big prospect repeating the level (27.7%), but his start remains encouraging (.293/.370/.512).
RF Brennen Davis1-for-3, K

RHP Jose Rodriguez (L, 0-1): 2.2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
RHP Jose Martinez1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
Martinez’s 2025 debut. The Yankees grabbed him after the Red Sox released him in February. Not that DSL numbers tell a full story, but Martinez put together a 45/9 K/BB over 41.1 IP (3.48 ERA) for Boston’s DSL squad last year.
RHP Mariano Salomon2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
LHP Franyer Herrera0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
LHP Jose Ledesma0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Ledesma’s 2025 debut. Last season, the 22-year-old pitched to a 1.25 ERA in 21.2 IP with a 28/14 K/BB in the DSL.


DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 5/7: Everson Pereira Walks it Off

Notes:

Jonathan Loaisiga‘s rehab was moved to Scranton today. He tossed a pair of scoreless innings.

Injury Log


Scranton (17-17) (Split a doubleheader against Rochester)

Game 1 (Won, 5-3, on a walk-off blast by Everson Pereira. Scranton hit three home runs in the bottom of the 7th to take the win)

LF Everson Pereira2-for-4, HR (7), 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 K
Pereira has four home runs in his last four games (six in his last ten games).  He is hitting .295/.364/.577 in 88 PA (1 double, 7 HR, 17 RBI, 17 R, 2-for-2 SB, 9.1% BB, 34.1% K)
3B DJ LeMahieu2-for-3
Weird that Aaron Boone said 2B was in play for LeMahieu, only for him to play third base tonight (his first appearance at third base during his rehab stint). This is the first time he played a full game in the field during his stint, but remember that it was a 7-inning game.  As for his return, Jorbit Vivas isn’t doing anything to claim second base over the next several weeks. The loss of Jazz Chisholm Jr., even with his warts, is potentially devastating.
DH T.J. Rumfield0-for-3, RBI, K
1B Dominic Smith0-for-3
RF Bryan De La Cruz1-for-3, HR (1), RBI, R, K
He started the home run binge with his first one as a member of the Yankees’ organization.
2B Jose Rojas0-for-3
C Alex Jackson3-for-3, HR (3), RBI, R
Jackson’s HR tied the game.
SS Braden Shewmake0-for-3, 2 K
CF Ismael Munguia0-for-2, R, BB
Munguia set the stage for Pereira’s dramatics by earning a walk.

LHP Brandon Leibrandt3 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Clayton Beeter1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K
Beeter threw 26 pitches (18 fastballs, 8 sliders). He hit 96.8 MPH (averaged 95.8)
RHP Jonathan Loaisiga2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Loaisiga threw 16 pitches in an efficient outing. He used all four pitches (4-seam, sinker, curve, changeup) and reached 96.5 MPH on his 4-seamer and sinker. If he comes out of this outing OK, he’s close.
LHP Brent Headrick (W, 1-0): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Headrick was activated off the injured list today.

Game 2 (Lost, 8-5. This was a sloppy game where the Railriders committed five errors)

CF Ismael Munguia1-for-4, R, SB (8)
3B Jesus Rodriguez1-for-3, R, SB (5), BB
Rodriguez is 22-for-63 (.349) since his promotion (3 doubles, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 16 R, 5-for-5 SB, 18.5% BB, 12.3% K).  He has forced the Yankees hand. I don’t think the plan was to keep him here once Alex Jackson returned. 
1B T.J. Rumfield: 3-for-3, 2B (9), RBI, R, BB
Rumfield is 9-for-19 with a pair of doubles in May.
2B Jose Rojas1-for-3, HR (7, grand slam), 4 RBI, R, BB
Rojas has two grand slams in May (4 HR, 12 RBI in six May games, though all those numbers have come in two games)
LF Bryan De La Cruz0-for-3, HBP
DH Dominic Smith1-for-3, BB
C Ronaldo Hernandez1-for-4, K
RF Grant Richardson0-for-3, BB, 2 K
SS Andrew Velazquez1-for-4, 2B (4), R, 2 K

RHP Sean Boyle: (L, 3-4)  6 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
Boyle is a mix-it-up righty who can hit 90-92 with his fastball. He has battled injuries and I would love for him to make his MLB debut. Whether that is in a Yankees uniform, I don’t know. Season: 4.14 ERA (37 IP, 31 H, 20 R, 17 ER, 5 HR, 11 BB, 40 K)
RHP Leonardo Pestana: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
LHP Rob Zastryzny0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K


Somerset (12-17) (Lost to Akron, 3-0. Somerset hasn’t scored a run since George Lombard Jr.‘s promotion. Coincidence? I think not)

SS George Lombard Jr.0-for-3, BB
1-for-7 with a walk and two strikeouts. 
C Rafael Flores1-for-4, 2B (10), 2 K
94 Double-A games: .276/.350/.521 in 397 PA (24 doubles, 21 HR, 56 RBI, 54 R, 9-for-9 SB, 9.3% BB, 28.5% K). The strikeout rate has spiked this season (32.3%).
2B Dylan Jasso1-for-4
.255/.321/.471 in 112 PA (5 doubles, 1 triple, 5 HR, 14 RBI, 17 R, 7.1% BB, 16.1% K). He is off to a 3-for-26 start in May.
CF Garrett Martin0-for-4, K
.192/.344/.410 in 96 PA (5 doubles, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 13 R, 4-for-5 SB, 13.5% BB, 16.7% K)
1B Tyler Hardman0-for-3, BB
RF Jared Wegner0-for-4, 4 K
3B Alexander Vargas1-for-3, K
LF Christopher Familia0-for-3, 2 K
DH Antonio Gomez0-for-3, 2 K

RHP Cam Schlittler: (L, 2-3)  6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 7 K
2.18 ERA (33 IP, 25 H, 13 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 10 BB, 36 K). Schlittler is the upper-level arm to be excited over, while Brendan Beck has placed himself on the map. They are two names to watch, but are they MLB viable in 2025?
RHP Danny Watson1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Harrison Cohen1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
4.22 ERA (10.2 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 6 BB, 14 K)


Hudson Valley (19-9) (Walloped Wilmington, 12-1)

CF Brendan Jones: 4-for-6, 2B (5), RBI, R, SB (12)
.247/.348/.412 in 115 PA (5 doubles, 1 triple, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 21 R, 12-for-15 SB, 12.2% BB, 18.3% K).  This is his first career 4-hit effort.
2B Roc Riggio0-for-4, CS (1), BB
  2B Duncan Pastore0-for-1, K
RF Jace Avina0-for-5, BB
  RF Anthony Hall0-for-0
LF Jackson Castillo2-for-5, RBI, R, BB, 3 K
.247/.358/.360 in 106 PA. He needed a solid night, as he was 1-for-15 in May entering it.
3B Parks Harber1-for-5, 2 R, BB, 2 K
DH Coby Morales: 2-for-4, 2B (3), RBI, 3 R, BB
C Omar Martinez: 4-for-5, 2B (5), HR (3), 5 RBI, 3 R, K
Martinez is 10-for-19 in May (3 doubles, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 7 R). He has homered in back-to-back games and has three doubles in his last four games. He started the month .211/.299/.276. Now, his triple slash is .274/.358/.421. How crazy is that? 
SS Brenny Escanio2-for-4, RBI, R, BB, K
1B Josh Moylan: 2-for-5, 2B (5), 3 RBI, R, K

RHP Carlos Lagrange: (W, 3-1)  5.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K (ties personal best)
3.55 ERA (25.1 IP, 18 H, 11 R, 10 ER, 2 HR, 7 BB, 41 K). A 41/7 K/BB is insane. Half of those earned runs were compiled in his first start. Last season, in 21 innings, he compiled a 27/20 K/BB. Once a pitcher like Lagrange figures out control/command, the sky is the limit. Yes, it is still too early to know if this is real, and we need to see Lagrange stay healthy for a full season.
RHP Matt Keating1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Keating stranded a pair of runners in the 6th to preserve Lagrange’s night.
RHP Ocean Gabonia1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Chris Kean1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
1.38 ERA (13 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 4 BB, 12 K)


Tampa (11-17)

Their game against Daytona was postponed due to lightning.


FCL (2-1)

Day off.


DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 5/1: Griffin Herring Ks 11

Notes:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Injury Log


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

CF Ismael Munguia: 3-for-5, RBI, 3 R, SB (7), BB
.255/.373/.382 in 128 PA
DH Everson Pereira: 2-for-5, 2 HR (5), 3 RBI, 3 R, BB, K
Pereira tends to go on home run binges from time to time.  This is his 10th career multi-home run game (including a 3-HR effort on September 5, 2021)
1B T.J. Rumfield4-for-5, RBI, 3 R, BB
.272/.387/.489. He has broken free of his 1-for-24 slump.
C Jesus Rodriguez3-for-6, 3 R
Rodriguez has five multi-hit games in 14 contests since his promotion, including three 3-hit games. For Scranton, he is hitting .388/.500/.490 and, during his 6-game hitting streak, he is 13-for-24.  Red hot.
RF Dominic Smith: 2-for-6, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 K
3B Jose Rojas: 3-for-6, 3 HR (6), 8 RBI, 3 R
Rojas’s first career 3-HR game. He also set a new personal record for RBI in a game.
2B Jake Gatewood3-for-6, RBI, 2 K
Gatewood is 7-for-28 with a homer and 7 RBI since his promotion.
LF Grant Richardson: 2-for-4, 2 2B (4), RBI, R, 2 BB, K
SS Andrew Velazquez1-for-6, R, K

RHP Zach Messinger4.1 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, HR
6.48 ERA (25 IP, 30 H, 18 R, 18 ER, 3 HR, 15 BB, 23 K)
RHP Kervin Castro: (W, 3-0)  1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
1.10 ERA (16.1 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 7 BB, 19 K)
RHP Colten Brewer2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Wilking Rodriguez1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K


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

3B Dylan Jasso0-for-3, BB, K
DH Spencer Jones: 1-for-3, SB (6), BB, K
.235/.375/.553 in 104 PA. Overall, in Double-A, his triple slash is .256/.342/.461 in 163 games with 34 doubles, 6 triples, 28 HR, 102 RBI, 101 runs, and 39 stolen bases in 52 attempts.
C Rafael Flores1-for-4, 2 K
1B Tyler Hardman0-for-4, 3 K
LF Cole Gabrielson1-for-2, 2B (4), R, SB (9), 2 BB
2B Jose Colmenares0-for-3, BB, K
CF Garrett Martin1-for-3, 2B (4), BB
Martin has seven walks in his last three games and four extra-base hits (2 doubles, 2 HR) in his last five games. Before this run, his triple slash was .174/.333/.348. Now, it is .210/.388/.468.
RF Jared Wegner0-for-3, 2 K
SS Alexander Vargas1-for-3, RBI, K

RHP Cam Schlittler: (L, 2-2) 5 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
2.33 ERA (27 IP, 22 H, 12 R, 7 ER, 1 HR, 6 BB, 29 K).  He hadn’t allowed more than one earned run in a start this season (allowed 6 runs, but only one earned, on 4/17)
RHP Cole Ayers1.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Huey Morrill1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Morrill’s Double-A debut.


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

RF Brendan Jones0-for-3, SF, RBI, BB
SS George Lombard Jr.1-for-4, BB, K
There goes the .500 OBP! Bust!  Lombard has reached base safely in 21 of 22 games and has drawn a walk in five straight contests.
CF Jackson Castillo0-for-4, R, BB, 2 K
LF Jace Avina0-for-3, HBP, 2 K
His insane 8-game hitting streak, where he averaged two hits per game, is over.
3B Parks Harber1-for-4, K
Harber is 5-for-12 since his promotion 
1B Coby Morales0-for-3, RBI, BB, K
C Omar Martinez2-for-3, R, BB
.228/.319/.291 in 91 PA. The lack of power (2 doubles, 1 HR) is the most surprising thing in his profile (15 doubles, 13 HR, .404 SLG in 104 games here last year)
DH Josh Moylan0-for-3, BB, K
2B Brenny Escanio0-for-2, 2 BB

RHP Josh Grosz (L, 1-1): 4.2 IP, 11 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, HR
6.06 ERA (16.1 IP, 18 H, 12 R, 11 ER, 2 HR, 9 BB, 22 K)
LHP Geoffrey Gilbert1.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Hayden Merda1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Matt Keating1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
4.05 ERA (6.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 6 BB, 6 K). Keating has 184 strikeouts in 142.1 career innings. However, he has walked 76.
RHP Ocean Gabonia1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K


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

C Edgleen Perez1-for-4
.183/.367/.200 in 79 PA (21.5% BB, 25.3% K)
DH Engelth Urena0-for-2, HBP, BB
.173/.337/.320 in 95 PA (15.8% BB, 21.1% K)
LF Dillon Lewis0-for-4, 2 K
Lewis’s rough start continues (.159/.233/.241 in 90 PA).
2B Austin Green0-for-3, BB, 2 K
RF Tyler Wilson: 0-for-3, BB, K
SS Juan Matheus0-for-3, SB (5), CS (3), BB, 2 K
CF Marshall Toole0-for-3, BB, K
1B Hans Montero1-for-3, HBP
Montero’s first career game at first base. 
3B Owen Cobb0-for-3, 2 K

LHP Griffin Herring: (L, 3-1)  6.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 11 K, HR
Tough luck loss. Season: 0.60 ERA (30 IP, 17 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 10 BB, 39 K). Herring generated 26 whiffs with his slider (8 whiffs)/sinker (7)/changeup (8)/4-seamer (3) combination. What do I make of the 21-year-old’s start?  What is there to say? This is domination for last year’s 6th-round pick out of LSU, and he could/should find himself in Hudson Valley relatively soon.
RHP Cade Austin0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Chris Veach1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
2.61 ERA (10.1 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 5 BB, 18 K). 


FCL (0-0)

Their season starts on May 3rd.


DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 4/3: Braden Shewmake Homers

Notes:

RHP Jake Woodford, whom the Yankees signed on March 28th, has been assigned to Scranton. To make room, LHP Edgar Barclay was sent down to Somerset.

Woodford is a 28-year-old who pitched in 89 games (25 starts) for the Cardinals between 2020 and 2024. He compiled a 10-13 record with a 4.88 ERA (4.94 FIP; 84 ERA+) over 219.2 innings with a 15.2% K, 7.5% BB, and 45.8% GB. The ground balls likely attracted the Yankees to him, as he does not have overpowering stuff.


Scranton (3-3) (Defeated Syracuse, 5-1)

CF Ismael Munguia0-for-5
I mention his 5-game hitting streak, and he puts up a 0-fer. My bad. He is still hitting .360 with a .888 OPS.
3B Jorbit Vivas0-for-3, R, BB
1B T.J. Rumfield0-for-3, R, K
LF Everson Pereira1-for-3, RBI, 2 R, SB (2), BB, K
He finally plays a full game in the field. That is encouraging. He is 6-for-21.
DH Dominic Smith0-for-4, 2 K
His debut as a member of the Yankees’ organization (no, I don’t care about spring training)
RF Jose Rojas1-for-2, 2B (2), 3 RBI, 2 BB
  PR-RF Duke Ellis0-for-0, CS (1)
When your only tool is stealing bases, you don’t want to be caught trying to do it very often!
C Ronaldo Hernandez2-for-4, 2B (2)
SS Braden Shewmake1-for-4, HR (1), RBI, R, 2 K
Shewmake’s first HR as a member of the Yankees’ organization. He hit 16 in 122 games for Triple-A Gwinnett in 2023.
3B Andrew Velazquez0-for-3, BB

LHP Brandon Leibrandt: (W, 1-0)  5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K
If you are wondering, yes, Leibrandt is the son of former MLB pitcher Charlie Leibrandt.
RHP Kervin Castro2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR
In December 2023, Castro was selected in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft. He missed the entire 2024 season due to injury, so this is his Yankees’ organizational debut. He maxed at 94 MPH with his 4-seamer and featured a sweeper/curve/cutter/sinker
RHP Colten Brewer1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
RHP Yerry De Los Santos1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K


Somerset (0-0)

Their season starts on Friday.


Hudson Valley (0-0)

Their season starts on Friday.


Tampa (0-0)

Their season starts on Friday.


FCL (0-0)

Their season starts on May 3rd.


DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.