Yankees MILB 6/28: Agustin Ramirez Hits First Scranton Homer

News:

None.

Scranton (45-33) (Defeated Worcester, 7-5)

CF Brandon Lockridge0-for-4, 2 K
3B Jorbit Vivas1-for-3, RS, 2 SB (6), BB
Vivas is hitting .255/.403/.388 in 126 PA for Scranton and is on a 6-game hitting streak. We talk about his good pop for a middle infielder, but he also can run a little. Last year, he stole 25 bases in 30 attempts.
2B Oswald Peraza3-for-4, 2B (2), RBI, 2 RS
Peraza is surging towards .200 (have to start somewhere). He is hitting .198/.324/.240 for Scranton. The lack of power stands out.
C Agustin Ramirez1-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, 2 K
Ramirez gets that first Triple-A homer. It’s his 17th HR overall (54 RBI)
1B T.J. Rumfield1-for-4, HR (8), 2 RBI, RS, K
For Scranton: .294/.347/.466 in 242 PA. The power has shown up in June (.296/.337/.556 with 6 doubles and 5 homers). Rumfield with power is an interesting prospect. Yes, the “Triple-A is juiced up!” disclaimer applies.
DH Carlos Narvaez0-for-4, K
LF Jose Rojas1-for-4, 2 K
RF Oscar Gonzalez2-for-3, HR (5), RBI, RS, K
SS Jeter Downs1-for-2, 2B (13), 2 CS (6), BB, K, Ejection!
Busy night for Downs!
   SS Kevin Smith0-for-0

LHP Edgar Barclay5 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Matt Sauer: (W, 1-2) 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Sauer has struggled since coming back. When you think about it, they are playing with house money since he couldn’t stick in Kansas City. Let’s see if he can get into a second-half groove.
LHP Anthony Misiewicz (S, 5): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K


Somerset (36-36) (Defeated Richmond, 7-5)

CF Spencer Jones1-for-5, 2B (10), RBI, 3 K
Jones has doubled in back-to-back games. He has 11 strikeouts in his last four games. When you are ranked #1 or #2 on 99.9% of Yankees’ prospect lists, there will be a large microscope. 
SS Ben Cowles2-for-5, RBI, 2 K
Cowles has a 9-game hitting streak and is hitting .303/.382/.480 in 296 PA. This is the 24-year-old’s debut season at this level, so this performance is impressive. When will he get to Scranton? It doesn’t matter much – he needs at-bats, and they are more available here.
1B Rafael Flores1-for-5, 2B (2), 3 K
C J.C. Escarra1-for-4, HBP
DH Elijah Dunham1-for-5, RS, SB (9), 2 K
LF Grant Richardson2-for-4, RS, SB (9), BB, K
3 multi-hit games in his last five games played.
2B Anthony Seigler0-for-2, 2 RS, 2 SB (13), 2 BB
.199/.300/.370 in 207 PA (10 doubles, 7 HR, 23 RBI, 25 R, 13-for-14 SB, 12.6% BB, 20.3% K). Taking walks is one thing he has always done well offensively.
RF Aaron Palensky1-for-3, RBI, 2 RS, SB (12), BB
3B Max Burt1-for-4, 2B (3), 3 RBI, RS

RHP Blane Abeyta5 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, HR
RHP Carlos Gomez (W, 3-1): 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Luis Velasquez1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
5.02 ERA (28.2 IP, 25 H, 24 R, 16 ER, 4 HR, 24 BB, 37 K).
RHP Jesus Liranzo (S, 1): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K


Hudson Valley (37-34) (Defeated Wilmington, 6-2)

2B Roc Riggio2-for-3, 2B (13), BB
Riggio has doubled in four straight games and is up to .225/.368/.395 in 247 PA. He was taking walks but not hitting much. Now, the bat is starting to get going.
SS Jared Serna1-for-4
LF Jace Avina1-for-4
Avina has a 7-game hitting streak (11-for-26, .423)
C Omar Martinez2-for-3, HR (8), RBI, 2 RS, BB
.241/.377/.407. Martinez is a part of the impressive/improving catching pipeline.
1B Josh Moylan: 1-for-4, RS, K
Moylan has a 7-game hitting streak. I remember reading a lot from Yankees’ Twitter draft experts about how he was a nice undrafted signing. Perhaps the bat is heating up.
RF Garrett Martin1-for-2, HR (6), 2 RBI, 2 RS, 2 BB
.221/.315/.450 in 154 PA. He has four homers in his last six games.
DH Christopher Familia1-for-4, HR (1), 3 RBI, RS, 2 K
It’s been a slow start for Familia coming off his injury.
CF Cole Gabrielson0-for-4, K
3B Kiko Romero0-for-2, BB, 2 K

LHP Ben Shields: (W, 3-2)  5.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 K
For Hudson Valley: 2.75 ERA (52.1 IP, 35 H, 19 R, 16 ER, 5 HR, 10 BB, 71 K). This is an impressive debut season for the undrafted free agent. At 25, he is old for the level but his lack of experience tells me this is the appropriate spot for him. I assume he will be on the list of promotions to Somerset.
RHP Luis Arejula1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Mason Vinyard1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Huey Morrill1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K


Tampa (27-45) (Defeated Ft. Myers, 9-2)

2B George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-4, RS, BB, K
3B Enmanuel Tejeda3-for-5, RBI, 3 SB (22)
.320/.364/.387 at this level. Tejeda is impressing me in 2024. 
SS Roderick Arias0-for-4, RS, BB, K
1B Dylan Jasso0-for-4, RBI, RS, 2 K
CF Jackson Castillo2-for-5, 2B (12), RS
.249/.378/.418 in 233 PA.
RF Willy Montero2-for-5, 2B (8), 2 RBI, 2 RS, SB (20), K
Montero is 32-for-83 in June. Yes, collecting 30+ hits in a calendar month is not an easy feat.
DH Coby Morales2-for-4, 2 RBI, RS, K
C Tomas Frick1-for-3, 2B (10), RBI, RS, SB (1), BB, 2 K
LF Daury Arias1-for-4, RBI, RS

RHP Josh Grosz: (W, 2-5) 6.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K
Suggestion to the Yankees: I know that there are times when you need an emergency arm at other levels. However, I would keep Grosz here regardless of those needs. This is the level where he is undoubtedly most comfortable right now.
RHP Harrison Cohen0.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
RHP Ocean Gabonia2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K


FCL (24-13) (Their games against the FCL Phillies were postponed. The new date for yesterday’s suspended game is July 5th. I do not see a makeup day listed for today’s regularly scheduled game)


DSL Yankees (7-12) (Lost to DSL Arizona Black, 4-3. There is a reason for it (mainly location), but I still like that the DSL squads play more than three teams, unlike the FCL teams)

DH Justin Capellan1-for-4, RBI, 3 K
.275/.370/.375 in 46 PA. This is the 17-year-old’s debut campaign.
CF Gabriel Lara0-for-3, RS, 2 SB (7), BB
.233/.340/.302 in 50 PA. Thus far, he isn’t showing off the power he displayed in 2023 (.411 SLG), but I am more locked into how he does on the basepaths.
C Luis Puello1-for-2, 2B (3), SB (1), BB

RHP Alexander Almonte3.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
2.63 ERA in 13.2 IP for the 6’4″ 17-year-old. This is his de2but season.
RHP Luis Burgos2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K


DSL Bombers (11-7) (Lost to DSL Colorado, 6-4)

CF Francisco Vilorio0-for-3, K
Vilorio’s first game since 6/15. The millionaire bonus baby is hitting .269/.367/.346 in eight games.
  CF Browm Martinez1-for-1, RS, SB (11)
While I can’t say for certain, it is a reasonable assumption that Viliorio was pulled because he is coming back from injury.
DH Queni Pineda: 1-for-4, 2B (3), RBI, 2 K
2B Luis Escudero1-for-3, RS, SB (12)
A DSL classic line of .375/.563/.500 in 48 PA with 12 stolen bases in 13 attempts.
1B Carlos Rondon1-for-2, 2 RS, BB
So many players down here are labeled as “catchers” (true of Rondon) and “shortstops” regardless of where they ultimately play. Anyway, Rondon is 3-for-16 with 8 walks and 7 strikeouts.
3B Rafael Martinez2-for-3, 2B (1), RBI

RHP Mariano Salomon4.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
The 21-year-old has a 1.56 ERA in 17.1 IP (12 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 5 BB, 19 K)

 

 

Yankees MILB 6/11: Josh Grosz Ks 10

News:

OF Christopher Familia‘s rehab is over. He reported to High-A Hudson Valley today. IF Enmanuel Tejeda‘s rehab is also complete, and he is back in Tampa (though he didn’t play tonight).

Scranton (39-25) (Rocked Rochester, 10-0)

2B Jorbit Vivas: 1-for-3, 2 RS, 2 BB
For Scranton: 9-for-51 with 11 walks (five walks in his last two games)
SS Oswald Peraza: 3-for-5, HR (1, grand slam), 4 RBI, RS, K
Peraza badly needed this night. I hope he can build from here.
CF Jasson Dominguez1-for-5, RBI, RS
All singles result in the runner reaching first base. However, they are special when they are hit 111.6 MPH. It isn’t just that Dominguez is hitting – it is that he is hitting the ball hard, which indicates his arm is fine when it comes to swinging the bat. The throwing? It’s likely not quite there yet, but it shouldn’t be long. It is beyond encouraging that he is playing full games in the field. 
C Ben Rice2-for-4, RS, BB
Since joining Scranton: 10-for-22 (3 doubles, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 8 R, 6 BB, 6 K). He has four games at C and 2 at first base. I keep saying catching = more value while 1B = present/future MLB need. If the Yankees had “near future” plans for a promotion, would he not receive more first-base reps?
DH Carlos Narvaez0-for-5, 2 K
1B T.J. Rumfield4-for-5, HR (5), 2 RBI, 3 RS
With Scranton: .299/.354/.454 in 192 PA (12 doubles, 5 HR, 31 RBI, 28 R). His last four games: 10-for-20, 3 doubles, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 7 R. Rumfield is a potential option, even without traditional first-base power.
RF Oscar Gonzalez1-for-5, RBI, RS, K
LF Taylor Trammell2-for-5, 2B (7), RBI, 2 K
3B Jeter Downs2-for-4, RBI, RS, BB

RHP Yoendrys Gomez(W, 2-2) 5.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K
2.79 ERA (42 IP, 25 H, 14 R, 13 ER, 4 HR, 23 BB, 48 K). I think Gomez has some trade value, but remember that this is his last option year. If a team looks to acquire him, they believe he will be on the MLB roster for 2025 and beyond. That isn’t an unrealistic expectation. Do I think the Yankees would trade Gomez? For the right piece, yes. 
RHP Duane Underwood Jr.1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
Underwood Jr. stranded two Gomez baserunners in the 6th.
RHP Art Warren: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Phil Bickford1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K


Somerset (28-30) (Lost to Binghamton, 6-3)

CF Spencer Jones0-for-2, RS, 2 BB, 2 K
.226/.311/.376 in 212 PA. In June, he is 9-for-36 with a double, triple, 3 HR, and 12 RBI. 
C Agustin Ramirez1-for-4, RS
When do you know a prospect is having a great season? Answer: When you look at “1-for-4, RS” and feel disappointed.
SS Ben Cowles2-for-4
.315/.385/.505 in 231 PA (20 doubles, 3 triples, 4 HR, 31 RBI, 32 R, 9-for-9 SB, 9.6% BB, 17.3% K). Is this “real”? I like the reduction in the strikeout rate. It stands out if you reduce your K% as you move to a higher level.  Cowles is 24 years old. In 2014, at 23, Rob Refsnyder hit .318/.387/.497 (18.2% K) between Double-A/Triple-A. Refsnyder isn’t a star but has carved out a decent career. No two players are alike – I am trying to give you a reference point.
RF Grant Richardson1-for-4, 2B (14), RBI, 2 K
.268/.328/.427 in 174 PA (14 doubles, 1 triple, 3 HR, 25 RBI, 20 R, 6.9% BB, 25.9% K). Richardson got off to a hot start but has slowed down lately. Maybe tonight jump starts him again.
1B J.C. Escarra0-for-4, K
DH Elijah Dunham0-for-4, 3 K
LF Jared Wegner0-for-4
2B Anthony Seigler0-for-2, BB
3B Max Burt0-for-3, RS

RHP Bailey Dees5 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 9 K
Dees’ 11th straight start where he has allowed 3 earned runs or less (every start since his first one). He owns a 3.59 ERA in 62.2 IP (54 H, 29 R, 25 ER, 7 HR, 22 BB, 68 K). His move to the rotation has gone as well as the Yankees could have ever imagined.
RHP Carlos Gomez2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
RHP Jesus Liranzo: (L, 1-1)  0.2 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, HR
The HR was a big one – a grand slam.
RHP Luis Velasquez0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K


Hudson Valley (30-27) (Mauled Brooklyn, 13-4)

2B Roc Riggio0-for-4, RS, BB, 2 K
SS Jared Serna: 1-for-4, RS, SB (8), BB, K
Serna has a 5-game hitting streak (8-for-21, 5 doubles)
C Jesus Rodriguez: 3-for-5, 3B (4), 3 RBI, 3 RS
Rodriguez is hitting .335/.417/.517 in 235 PA. He owns five 3+ hit games and 21-multi-hit efforts. In 79 High-A games overall going back to 2023, he is at .341/.432/.522 (347 plate appearances). Rodriguez is a hitting machine and I can’t wait to see how he fares in the upper levels.
1B Rafael Flores1-for-2, 2 RS, 3 BB, K
.318/.429/.503 in 182 PA. He has 616 High-A plate appearances over the last two years, so I think he will make his Somerset debut in the not-so-distant future. I will note that Flores played in four FCL games and skipped Low-A Tampa.
3B Tyler Hardman2-for-3, RS
   3B Beau Brewer2-for-2, 4 RBI, RS
Not bad for someone who didn’t start the game…
CF Jace Avina2-for-5, 3 RBI, RS
Avina was in a slump.  Hopefully, this ends that slump.
DH Omar Martinez2-for-5, RBI, K
.236/.386/.401 in 197 PA. 
RF Garrett Martin1-for-4, RBI, RS, BB, K
LF Christopher Familia1-for-4, 2 RS, BB
I hope Familia makes his Somerset debut this season.

RHP Jackson Fristoe3.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 3 K
Fristoe was coming off of a strong outing last time out. His inconsistency isn’t unexpected – hopefully, with time, the consistency will come. He owns a respectable 3.58 ERA in 32.2 IP, but has walked 26 batters.
RHP Cole Ayers1.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
2.31 ERA (35 IP, 27 H, 12 R, 9 ER, 1 HR, 9 BB, 41 K). 
RHP McKinley Moore1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Matt Keating2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
3.06 ERA (35.1 IP, 22 H, 13 R, 12 ER, 3 HR, 15 BB, 41 K)
LHP Joel Valdez1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
2.83 ERA (28.2 IP, 18 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 1 HR, 12 BB, 31 K). 2023: 10 HR allowed in 78.2 IP. Every other year, combined: 3 HR allowed in 158 IP.


Tampa (22-36) (Defeated Clearwater, 9-7, in 10 innings. Tampa had a 7-0 lead heading to the bottom of the 9th. Clearwater scored 7 to tie it)

2B George Lombard Jr: 2-for-6, 2B (8), 3 RBI, 2 K
Lombard Jr. needed a big hit and got it. He only has 8 extra-base hits in 40 games – I am hoping things start clicking as we approach the second half of 2024.
SS Roderick Arias0-for-6, RBI, 2 SB (16), 3 K
Hopefully, this is one bad night after a string of good ones. 
3B Dylan Jasso2-for-4, RBI, RS, 2 BB, K
CF Jackson Castillo0-for-4, 2 BB, 2 K
DH Hans Montero0-for-5, 3 K
RF Willy Montero2-for-5, 2B (11), HR (4), RBI, 2 RS
Montero is on a 7-game hitting streak (14-for-29 (.483; 4 doubles, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 8 R)). While he hasn’t walked this month, he also has only four strikeouts.
1B Coby Morales1-for-5, RS, SB (13), 2 K
C Tomas Frick0-for-1, 3 RS, 3 BB, HBP
About as productive as an 0-for-1 night can be.
LF Daury Arias1-for-2, 2B (6), 2 RS, 3 BB
Last 6 games: 7-for-14 (3 doubles, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 8 R, 8 BB)

RHP Josh Grosz: 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 10 K
Pure dominance. Grosz had a 12-strikeout performance earlier this season, but he allowed 4 runs (2 earned) in that one. He threw 48% four-seamers (95.5 MPH max/93.9 MPH average), 32% sliders, 18% change-ups, and 2% sinkers. Like many youngsters, consistency is needed. 
RHP Osiel Rodriguez2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
1.98 ERA (27.1 IP, 12 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 4 HR, 14 BB, 33 K). I have to assume his Hudson Valley debut is coming in 2024.
RHP Montana Semmel: (W, 4-3) 1 IP, 6 H, 7 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR
Not the way one wishes to “win” a game.
RHP Steven Fulgencio: (S, 1)  1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K


FCL (16-11) (Leading the Phillies, 4-1, in the 4th inning. This game was suspended and will be finished on 6/18. I won’t report on it today)


DSL Yankees (2-5) and DSL Bombers (3-3)

The DSL Bombers defeated the DSL Yankees, 7-1

Yankees:

3B Richard Matic: 1-for-2, 2 BB, K
7-for-16 with seven walks.
2B Geyber Blanco
2-for-3, 2B (2), RS
SS Jelson Coca: 0-for-2, 2 SB (2), BB, 2 K
Coca is an 18-year-old right-handed bat.

LHP Marco Manzano3 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
The 6’3″ Manzano is 20, but this is his debut season.

Bombers:

CF Francisco Vilorio0-for-3, RS, BB, 2 K
5-for-17 with a triple and 3 runs batted in.
DH Queni Pineda3-for-4, 2B (2), RBI, 2 RS, SB (1)
5-for-15 with a pair of doubles and a homer.
2B Luis Escudero1-for-2, 3B (1), 2 RBI, 2 RS, 2 SB (6), BB
The 18-year-old has a stat line we see often in the DSL. He is a modest 2-for-7 but has walked 10 times (58.9% rate!) and stolen six bases.
1B Remy Veldhuisen2-for-2, RS, CS (1)
His first two career hits – congrats!  He is a 19-year-old left-handed bat.

LHP Franyer Herrera3.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K