Yankees MILB 9/12: Ben Shields Ks 10

News:

Nothing


Scranton (80-59) (Defeated Lehigh Valley, 3-1. Worcester refuses to lose (5 straight wins; 9-1 in their last 10 games) so their lead over Scranton remains 2 games. Rochester has fallen out of it)

2B Jorbit Vivas1-for-3, 2B (17), BB, K
In his last 12 games, Vivas has 5 doubles, a triple, and a pair of home runs. In his previous 15 games, Vivas had one extra-base hit (double). I mentioned before this streak that I was disappointed in his power output. You’re welcome.
3B Caleb Durbin0-for-4, K
Durbin is 5-for-23 with a pair of home runs since coming off the injured list.
1B Ben Rice0-for-3, RS, BB, K
SS Oswald Peraza0-for-2, RS, HBP, BB, K
DH T.J. Rumfield1-for-4, HR (13), 3 RBI, RS, K
At this level: .295/.361/.455 in 451 PA. As I stated last week, he is Rule 5 eligible. Do the Yankees value him as a prospect? I honestly do not know.
CF Taylor Trammell1-for-2, SB (18), BB
C J.C. Escarra0-for-3
LF Jahmai Jones0-for-2, HBP, K
RF Greg Allen1-for-3, SB (12)

RHP Will Warren: (W, 6-5)  5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 9 K
6.11 ERA (104.2 IP, 109 H, 78 R, 71 ER, 19 HR, 37 BB, 130 K). Call me an optimist but Warren can still help this franchise next year. His trade value doesn’t figure to be high.
LHP Victor Gonzalez1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Nick Burdi1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Burdi cleared waivers and was outrighted to Scranton. He had the right to decline the outright and become a free agent but decided not to (he has declined outright assignments in the past)
RHP Phil Bickford1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Ron Marinaccio (S, 7): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K


Somerset (72-61) (Lost to New Hampshire, 5-3. Portland lost, so Somerset maintains a half-game lead with 3 games to play)

DH Spencer Jones1-for-4
C Rafael Flores1-for-3, 2B (13), RS, BB, K
At this level: .274/.360/.526 in 261 PA. He has 30 doubles and 21 home runs in 119 games between here and Hudson Valley. Impressive.
1B Tyler Hardman0-for-2, SF, RBI, BB, K
2B Anthony Seigler0-for-4, 2 K
RF Grant Richardson2-for-3, RBI, RS, BB, K
LF Jared Wegner0-for-4
CF Cole Gabrielson0-for-3
SS Alexander Vargas1-for-3, RBI, K
3B Max Burt1-for-2, RS, BB

LHP Ben Shields4.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 10 K
Shields sets a personal best for strikeouts in his final appearance of the regular season. Since his promotion: 3.12 ERA in 52 IP (41 H, 21 R, 18 ER, 3 HR, 21 BB, 65 K). Overall: 3.48 ERA in 106 IP (84 H, 49 R, 41 ER, 9 HR, 33 BB, 137 K). 
RHP Sean Boyle: (L, 3-1)  1.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Leonardo Pestana1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Colby White0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Eric Reyzelman1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
At this level: 2.01 ERA (22.1 IP, 14 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 HR, 12 BB, 37 K). He could be an option as early as next Opening Day.


Hudson Valley (1-1) (Lost to Greensboro, 3-1. The series is tied at 1 and will go to a deciding third game tomorrow night)

2B Roc Riggio0-for-4, K
SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-4
1B Josh Moylan1-for-4, HR (1), RBI, RS, K
Moylan homers in the 9th to avoid the shutout.
RF Garrett Martin0-for-4, 3 K
DH Omar Martinez1-for-3, K
CF Jackson Castillo0-for-3, 2 K
3B Dylan Jasso0-for-1, 2 BB
LF Coby Morales2-for-3, K
C Antonio Gomez0-for-3, 3 K

RHP Brian Hendry2 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
Including the regular season, Hendry has allowed 4 runs (1 earned) over 20.2 IP with a 27/11 K/BB. He missed most of the campaign due to injury.
RHP Harrison Cohen2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Cohen is too good for this level (to put it mildly)
RHP Thomas Balboni Jr.: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Yorlin Calderon: 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Huey Morrill0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
RHP Sebastian Keane0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K


Tampa (54-74)

Their season is over.


FCL (35-22)

Their season is over.


DSL Yankees (17-36)

Their season is over.


DSL Bombers (30-25) 

Their season is over.

Yankees MILB 8/25: Jasson Dominguez: 2 More Hits

News:

Nothing.


Scranton (71-53) (Defeated St. Paul, 5-2)

2B Caleb Durbin0-for-4
LF Jasson Dominguez2-for-4, 2B (7), RS, SB (13), K
Dominguez has five multi-hit efforts in his last eight games (13-for-35; .371).  He has stolen a base in four straight games (6 in his last 8 games)
SS Oswald Peraza2-for-4, RBI, RS
DH T.J. Rumfield0-for-3, RS, BB, K
1B Carlos Narvaez2-for-4, K
Narvaez is on a 5-game hitting streak.
C J.C. Escarra0-for-3, RBI, RS, BB, K
3B Jahmai Jones1-for-4, HR (1), 3 RBI, RS, SB (4), K
CF Cam Eden0-for-3
   PH Taylor Trammell0-for-1
RF Greg Allen0-for-3

LHP Thomas Pannone: (W, 8-9)  5 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Before coming to the Yankees (Cubs organization): 4.37 ERA in 90.2 IP with an 87/32 K/BB
Since signing with the Yankees: 1.95 ERA in 37 IP with a 32/3 K/BB.
Have the Yankees found something or is this just a random stretch of strong pitching?
RHP Alex Mauricio1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Yerry De Los Santos: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
LHP Victor Gonzalez: (S, 2)  1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K


Somerset (61-57) (Defeated Portland, 4-1. I said they needed 5 out of 6 and took 4 out of 6. That pulls them within 3.5 games with 19 games left)

3B Jon Berti0-for-2, 2 K
   3B Alexander Vargas1-for-3, RS, SB (9), K
Vargas is 5-for-5 stealing bases in his last seven games.
DH Anthony Rizzo0-for-4, 3 K
CF Spencer Jones1-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 K
.249/.330/.417 in 466 PA with a 10.5% BB and 37.1% K.  Last year, he hit .266/.336/.444 in 537 PA with a 9.1% BB and 28.9% K.
C Rafael Flores2-for-4, 2B (9), RS
Since promotion: .266/.347/.503 in 199 PA. Overall, Flores has 43 extra-base hits in 432 PA. Last season, he compiled 24 in 434 PA.
1B Tyler Hardman0-for-3, BB, 2 K
RF Cole Gabrielson0-for-3, RBI, RS, BB, K
2B Anthony Seigler3-for-4, 2B (21), RBI, SB (24)
August: 18-for-60 (.300; 5 doubles, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 13 R, 13 BB, 9 K, 6-for-7 SB). He has seven hits and five walks in his last four games.
LF Jared Wegner0-for-3, RS, BB, 2 K
SS Max Burt0-for-4, 2 K

RHP Cody Poteet3.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
A solid second rehab appearance for Poteet.
RHP McKinley Moore: (W, 3-1)  0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
The easiest win he will ever earn.
RHP Lou Trivino1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
I don’t know how he “looks,” but he is likely not far away from being an MLB option.
RHP Leonardo Pestana1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Since promotion: 1.65 ERA (16.1 IP, 12 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 6 BB, 17 K)
LHP Ryan Anderson1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
The tall (6’6″) lefty hadn’t pitched since June 16th. Season: 3.24 ERA (25 IP, 20 H, 11 R, 9 ER, 1 HR, 7 BB, 30 K). Anderson has allowed 3 homers in 83 innings over the last two seasons.
RHP Danny Watson1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Sean Boyle (S, 1): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K


Hudson Valley (65-54) (Defeated Wilmington, 6-3, to complete a 6-game sweep. It is their 7th win in a row)

2B Roc Riggio: 3-for-4, 3B (5), HR (9), RBI, 2 RS, K
Riggio ends up a double shy of the cycle. He is hitting .222/.350/.389 in 433 PA (23 doubles, 5 triples, 9 HR, 37 RBI, 64 R, 24-for-30 SB, 14.5% BB, 19.4% K). If he gets the average up, he is exactly what you want a leadoff hitter to be.
SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-4, 2B (1), RBI, K
Lombard Jr.’s first extra-base hit since his promotion (18th game)
CF Brendan Jones0-for-4, RS, K
While he scored a run, he didn’t reach base safely. It is the first time in his 15-game career that he didn’t accomplish that (.283/.500/.478 in 66 PA)
RF Garrett Martin0-for-3, RS, HBP, K
3B Josh Moylan: 3-for-4, 2B (13), RBI, RS, K
.244/.361/.375 in 357 PA (13 doubles, 1 triple, 8 HR, 36 RBI, 46 R, 14.0% BB, 25.8% K)
LF Jackson Castillo2-for-3, RBI, BB
Since promotion: 14-for-34 (.412/.487/.706; 2 HR, 15 RBI). A pint-sized Aaron Judge?
1B Dylan Jasso1-for-4, RBI, 2 K
DH Coby Morales1-for-3, 2B (2), RS, BB, 2 K
C Antonio Gomez0-for-4, 3 K

RHP Baron Stuart: (W, 8-4) 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K
3.45 ERA (107 IP, 91 H, 44 R, 41 ER, 4 HR, 41 BB, 88 K). This includes his 7 IP/1 ER start for Scranton, because why shouldn’t I include that?
RHP Sebastian Keane1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
4.85 ERA (78 IP, 73 H, 45 R, 42 ER, 7 HR, 40 BB, 79 K). It’s been evident for a while that they decided to slow down Keane, as he is pitching 1-2 innings every 3-4 days.
RHP Blane Abeyta1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Mason Vinyard0.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
RHP Yorlin Calderon (S, 3): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K


Tampa (49-68) (Lost to Ft. Myers, 10-8, in 10 innings)

SS Roderick Arias0-for-3, RS, 2 BB, 2 K
.227/.328/.380 in 503 PA (19 doubles, 7 triples, 11 HR, 66 RBI, 68 R, 31-for-44 SB (70.5%), 12.1% BB, 32.0% K).
Splits, by month:
April: .214/.327/.381; 2 HR, 8 RBI, 13 BB, 36 K
May: .189/.307/.263; 0 HR, 11 RBI, 15 BB, 38 K
June: .220/.278/.430; 4 HR, 24 RBI, 7 BB, 41 K
July: .282/.380/.423; 2 HR, 11 RBI, 13 BB, 20 K
August: .240/.363/.413; 3 HR, 12 RBI, 13 BB, 26 K
His second-half OPS is 101 points higher than the first half (.766 to .665). What does this mean? I have been consistent and I won’t change now: Arias, like many teenagers, shows signs of promise mixed with reasons to pause. It’s enough to get him to Hudson Valley.
LF Marshall Toole0-for-2, 2 RS, HBP, BB
I don’t know why he left the game (it wasn’t immediately after the HBP). Toole is hitting .268/.474/.317 in 57 PA (2 doubles, 8 RBI, 5 R, 7-for-9 SB, 13 BB, 14 K)
   LF Tyler Wilson1-for-1
CF Willy Montero0-for-4, RS, SB (11), BB, 2 K
2B Hans Montero: 2-for-4, 2B (7), 2 RBI, RS, BB
.207/.304/.344 in 343 PA (7 doubles, 5 triples, 8 HR, 31 RBI, 45 R, 12-for-15 SB, 11.1% BB, 29.4% K)
DH JoJo Jackson0-for-4, K
  PH Dillon Lewis0-for-1
1B Parks Harber1-for-5, 2B (3), 3 RBI, RS
.271/.397/.479 in 58 PA (3 doubles, 2 triples, 1 HR, 12 RBI, 13 R, 4-for-4 SB, 10 BB, 12 K)
   PR Duncan Pastore0-for-0, RS
RF Joe Delossantos0-for-3, RS, 2 SB (8), 2 BB, 2 K
.231/.423/.282 in 52 PA (2 doubles, 3 RBI, 9 R, 8-for-9 SB, 11 BB, 13 K)
C Josue Gonzalez: 1-for-3, 2 SF, 3 RBI
Fun with stats: Gonzalez has four sacrifice flies in his last two games (he has 2 in his career before yesterday).
2B Owen Cobb1-for-4, 2B (3), SB (5), BB

RHP Gabriel Barbosa6 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 0 BB, 10 K, 2 HR
Barbosa’s first career 10+ strikeout effort. Season: 5.33 ERA (109.2 IP, 111 H, 70 R, 65 ER, 13 HR, 34 BB, 117 K)
RHP Cade Austin1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
3.98 ERA (43 IP, 33 H, 22 R, 19 ER, 7 HR, 13 BB, 47 K)
RHP Chris Kean1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Since promotion: 7.1 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 10 K
RHP Luis Pacheco: (L, 2-1): 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Luis Arejula0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K


FCL (35-22)

Their season is over.


DSL Yankees (17-36)

Their season is over.


DSL Bombers (30-25) 

Their season is over. The Bombers had a good season but it wasn’t enough to make the playoffs.

Yankees MILB 7/31: Jesus Rodriguez: HR, 4 RBI

News:

Brian Cashman said Jack Flaherty‘s medical records didn’t scare the Yankees. Without any evidence to support my theory, I think the Tigers and Yankees had a deal in place (whether the Cardinals were involved, who knows?). The Yankees saw the medicals and tried to amend the terms. The Tigers didn’t like the “secondary” prospects the Yankees switched to (which was confirmed by Bryan Hoch tonight I honestly wrote that sentence before Hoch’s tweet). If true, Cashman and Ken Rosenthal are at least partially telling the truth.

Regardless, the Yankees didn’t have a “wow” deadline. Hardly anyone did. Most of the best players rumored to be on the market went nowhere. While I wish the Yankees did more, this is a good thing. Why? Because I don’t think the Yankees would have been able to compete with other teams regarding prospect packages for top players. Do we think the Yankees had the chips for Tarik Skubal or Garrett CrochetI don’t.


Scranton (57-45) (Squeaked past Louisville, 2-1)

CF Jasson Dominguez1-for-3, RS, BB
Dominguez’s hitting streak ended yesterday but he still owns a 12-game on-base streak.
  RF Aaron Palensky0-for-0
2B Jorbit Vivas2-for-4, RBI, RS, CS (5)
Vivas is 8-for-24 (.333) in his last six games.
SS Oswald Peraza2-for-4, 2B (8), HR (4), 3 RBI, RS, K
.242/.348/.336 in 248 PA. Entering July, his triple slash was .216/.336/.256.
1B T.J. Rumfield1-for-4, RS, K
Rumfield has a 5-game hitting streak and has hit safely in 8 of his last 9 games (12-for-36). 
RF-CF Taylor Trammell1-for-4, HR (8), 2 RBI, RS
1B J.C. Escarra0-for-1, 3 BB
3B Kevin Smith0-for-4, 3 K
DH Josh VanMeter0-for-2, RS, SB (4), 2 BB

LHP Josh Maciejewski2.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
The Railriders’ pitching staff may be running on fumes soon. They’ve had to adjust over the past week. Luckily, Edgar Barclay gave them some length on Tuesday.
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda (W, 6-0): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
3.71 ERA (51 IP, 32 H, 25 R, 21 ER, 5 HR, 28 BB, 64 K). Under the old rules (didn’t have to face three batters, rosters expanding to 40), Mosqueda would be a September call-up candidate. He is holding left-handed hitters to a .118 batting average.
RHP Nick Burdi1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Burdi has options, so they can place him here after his rehab stint ends.
LHP Victor Gonzalez0.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
LHP Anthony Misiewicz1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
LHP Tim Mayza1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K


Somerset (49-49) (Defeated Bowie, 13-12, in a crazy one. The Patriots had a 10-3 lead at one point)

3B Caleb Durbin0-for-3, 2 RS, 2 BB, K
Durbin is 2-for-17 with four walks and two strikeouts since being placed here.
  3B Alexander Vargas0-for-1, K
CF Spencer Jones2-for-4, 2B (16), SF, 3 RBI, BB, K
.240/.323/.412 in 384 PA (16 doubles, 3 triples, 12 HR, 54 RBI, 51 R, 21-for-26 SB, 10.4% BB, 36.7% K). July: .203/.297/.392.
C Jesus Rodriguez2-for-6, HR (3), 4 RBI, 2 RS, SB (1)
Rodriguez has homered in back-to-back games. Over his last three games, he has played 1B/3B/C, showing us his unique versatility profile. 
1B Rafael Flores3-for-6, 2B (4), HR (6), RBI, RS, 3 K
Since promotion: .239/.325/.440 in 123 PA with 4 doubles and 6 homers (3 HR in last 7 games).
DH Tyler Hardman0-for-3, SF, RBI, 2 RS, HBP
LF Grant Richardson3-for-3, RS, SB (11), HBP, BB
Richardson’s 5th 3+ hit game this season. 
2B Anthony Seigler0-for-4, RS, BB, 2 K
RF Jared Wegner0-for-2, RBI, RS, 3 BB, 2 K
SS Max Burt1-for-3, 2 RBI, 3 RS, SB (3), 2 BB, K

RHP Bailey Dees4 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 3 K, 3 HR
4.63 ERA (105 IP, 92 H, 59 R, 54 ER, 18 HR, 41 BB, 107 K). Dees’ gas tank may be closing in on empty. The reliever-to-starter transition isn’t easy.
RHP Jesus Liranzo (W, 5-1): 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Joey Gerber2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
RHP Colby White1 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Eric Reyzelman (S, 2): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
A performance like this stands out in a wild scorefest. At this level: 2.89 ERA (9.1 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 5 BB, 15 K). With Jack Neely gone, Reyzelman is probably the top relief prospect in the system.


Hudson Valley (48-48) (Defeated Jersey Shore, 6-5. They scored 4 in the bottom of the 9th to win it)

2B Roc Riggio1-for-5, 2B (18), RS, K
RF Jace Avina0-for-3, K
   RF Nelson Medina0-for-0, RS, HBP, BB
3B Josh Moylan2-for-4, 2B (10), 3 RBI, BB
Moylan hit a game-winning 3-run single in the bottom of the 9th (the third run scored on an error). He is hitting .252/.372/.372 in 301 PA and has three straight multi-hit games. The most important thing is that his power is starting to show up.
C Omar Martinez1-for-3, 2B (11), BB
.229/.363/.399 in 331 PA (11 doubles, 1 triple, 11 HR, 34 RBI, 37 R). 
DH Christopher Familia1-for-4, HR (3), RBI, RS, 2 K
1B Kiko Romero1-for-4, RS
LF Anthony Hall1-for-4, RS, K
CF Cole Gabrielson1-for-3, RBI, RS, BB
SS Brenny Escanio1-for-4, K

LHP Kyle Carr5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
5.61 ERA (77 IP, 77 H, 57 R, 48 ER, 5 HR, 45 BB, 70 K). Last 3 starts: 15 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 5 BB, 15 K. Carr appears to be adjusting…
RHP Yorlin Calderon1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Cole Ayers2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
3.15 ERA (54.1 IP, 46 H, 23 R, 19 ER, 5 HR, 20 BB, 66 K)
RHP Huey Morrill (W, 3-2): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K


Tampa (41-55) (Split a doubleheader against Lakeland)

Game 1 (Won, 3-2)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-3
2B Roderick Arias1-for-3, HR (8), 2 RBI, RS, K
1B Dylan Jasso2-for-3, 3B (2), RS
CF Jackson Castillo0-for-1, 2 BB
RF Willy Montero0-for-2, SF, RBI, K
3B Hans Montero1-for-3
DH Coby Morales: 0-for-3, 2 K
C Tomas Frick: 0-for-3
LF Daury Arias0-for-1, RS, 2 BB

RHP Bryce Warrecker (W, 1-3): 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
Warrecker’s first career win- congrats (he has only 13 starts, and this was the first time they let him qualify for a win!)
RHP Matt Givin1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Montana Semmel (S, 6): 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

Game 2 (Lost, 12-5)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-4, HR (5), 2 RBI, RS, K
Lombard Jr. was in a 4-for-29 slump before his homer. He is hitting .232 with a .702 OPS and 4 of his 5 homers were hit in July.
2B Roderick Arias1-for-3, BB, K
Arias finishes 22-for-78 in July (.282) with five doubles and a pair of homers. He walked 13 times and struck out 20 times (41 strikeouts in June).
1B Dylan Jasso0-for-2, RBI, 2 BB, 2 K
Jasso is tied for third (with Roderick Arias) in the FSL with 54 RBI.
DH Jackson Castillo0-for-3, 2 K
CF Willy Montero1-for-3, K
3B Hans Montero1-for-3, 2B (5), RS, K
C Josue Gonzalez1-for-3, RS
Gonzalez is 12-for-45 (.267) since his promotion. 
RF Coby Morales1-for-3, RS, 2 K
LF Daury Arias1-for-3, RBI, RS, 2 K

RHP Luis Serna: (L, 2-6)  1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Luis, the cousin of Jared Serna (traded yesterday), left tonight’s game due to an injured elbow.
RHP Osiel Rodriguez2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
2.59 ERA (48.2 IP, 27 H, 15 R, 14 ER, 7 HR, 25 BB, 59 K)
RHP Kristofer Bow0 IP, 1 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
Bow’s first appearance since June 15th. Tonight’s results aren’t what he wanted, but at least he is back.
LHP Rafelin Nivar: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
RHP Yoljeldriz Diaz1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K


FCL (35-22)

Their season is over.


DSL Yankees (15-25) (Defeated Padres Gold, 7-5)

DH Dexters Peralta2-for-4, 2B (5), RBI, RS
Peralta has four multi-hit efforts in his last eight games.
C Luis Puello3-for-4, HR (3), RBI, RS
.313/.421/.475 in 95 PA. He is 18 years old.
LF Gabriel Lara2-for-3, RBI, RS, SB (13), CS (4), HBP
.228/.343/.293 in 108 PA. Will the hit tool develop? That’s the question.
RF Estivenzon Montero1-for-3, 2B (4), RBI, RS, BB

RHP Alexander Almonte3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
The 17-year-old owns a 2.53 ERA in 21.1 IP (17 H, 8 R, 6 ER, 3 HR, 9 BB, 21 K)


DSL Bombers (23-19)

Scheduled day off.

Yankees MILB 7/30: Spencer Jones Homers, Steals 2 Bases

News:

The Yankees released IF Jeter Downs today, allowing him to sign in Japan.  Downs hit .264/.360/.498 (117 wRC+) in 274 plate appearances for Scranton.

The Yankees signed Brett Phillips to a minor-league deal. They signed him as a pitcher, which could be fun. Phillips’ best attribute as a position player was his Immaculate Grid game, as he appeared in 393 games for five different clubs. He recently threw 97 MPH in an NBC World Series game, whatever that is (Update: The NBC World Series is an annual event going back to 1935! I never heard of it).

It will be fun to follow his progress.

Trades:

LHP Caleb Ferguson was traded to Houston for international bonus pool money and RHP Kelly Austin

The Yankees acquired a pair of left-handed relievers from the Dodgers over the winter, and neither panned out. Ferguson pitched to a 5.13 ERA (4.27 FIP) over 33.1 IP with a 26.5% K, 10.3% BB, and 1.35 HR/9. The Yankees acquired him because of his ability to miss bats, and his strikeout rate was his highest since 2020. However, he didn’t impress overall. The Yankees acquired him for LHP Matt Gage and RHP Christian ZazuetaThe Dodgers traded Gage to the Mets (he was called up yesterday) while Zazueta owns a 7.10 ERA in 41.1 innings for the Dodgers’ Rookie League/Low-A affiliates.

Austin (23) was signed by the Astros as an undrafted free agent in 2023. The UCLA product owns a 2.21 ERA (3.60 FIP) over 36.2 IP between Low-A/High-A with impressive strikeout (31.1%) and walk (4.7%) rates.

IF Ben Cowles and RHP Jack Neely were traded to the Chicago Cubs for RHP Mark Leiter Jr.

Cowles and Neely have raised their stock in 2024, and the Yankees cashed in the chips. I sound like a broken record, but if you are a Yankees fan, your reality has to be that most prospects are built up as trade chips.

Leiter Jr. doesn’t throw hard, but he generates a ton of strikeouts, a need for the Yankees’ bullpen. A starter in the minors (he made some starts for the Phillies in 2017), Leiter has found a groove as a relief pitcher. Over the past three seasons, he owns a 3.85 ERA (3.62 FIP) over 168.1 innings with a 28.8% K and 8.8% BB. While his ERA is up in 2024 (4.21), his FIP (2.11) is the best of his career.  This season, he abandoned his 4-seam fastball while increasing his slider/sweeper usage. When pitchers move to the bullpen, they dump most of their pitches and concentrate on two or three. That isn’t the case with Leiter, who continues to throw a 5-pitch mix. In back-to-back games in late May, he allowed 7 runs while recording only three outs. Beyond that and a hiccup in mid-June, he has pitched well.

Cowles is hitting .294/.376/.472 (141 wRC+) in 378 plate appearances in Double-A. The University of Maryland product has played second, short, and third base. He could have been in the 2025 mix at second base/utility, but players of his ilk don’t typically make it to the Bronx. He will have an opportunity in Chicago.

Neely was the Yankees’ top relief prospect. The 24-year-old owns a 2.81 ERA in 41.2 IP between Double-A and Triple-A with a 63/16 K/BB. He stands an impressive 6’8″ and will likely debut for the Cubs this season.

While I label Neely as their top relief prospect, the Yankees are good at building up relief prospects. As I stated the other day, the Yankees likely would have considered Neely if they couldn’t find someone on the market.

OF Brandon Lockridge was traded to the San Diego Padres for RHP Enyel De Los Santos and RHP Thomas Balboni Jr.

De Los Santos is a 28-year-old who misses bats (28.2% K). He also allows an insane number of home runs (2.45/9 this season). However, his home run rates were fine in 2022 and 2023. Unlike Leiter, he is traditional as he comes at hitters with a mid-90s fastball, a slider, and an occasional change-up. His profile doesn’t “wow” me, but the Yankees had an obvious objective to acquire relievers who can strike hitters out. If they feel his HR rate will normalize (20.9% HR/FB is ridiculous), maybe they have a diamond in the rough.

Balboni Jr. (it doesn’t appear that he has a relation to former Yankees’ first baseman Steve Balboni) was drafted by the Padres in the 15th round of the 2022 draft out of Northeastern. The 23-year-old pitched for Low-A Lake Eisinore this season, compiling a 4.46 ERA in 34.1 IP with a ridiculous 38.2% strikeout rate. However, he walks batters at a 12.7% clip.

Lockridge is a speedy grinder (34-for-38 stealing bases this year) with a 4th/5th outfielder profile. He hit .295/.405/.383 for Scranton this season. He is 27 years old and might be approaching minor league free agency.

Overall Deadline Thoughts:

Jazz Chisholm Jr. is the headline move. How you think about this deadline is how you evaluate him (so far, so good). The Yankees did not add to their rotation but added a pair of strikeout arms to their bullpen (an obvious need).

The Dodgers pulled off a deal for RHP Jack Flaherty. The return included former Yankees’ farmhand Trey Sweeney. In theory, the Yankees could have beat the Dodgers offer.  However, it is hard to know how organizations value prospects. Hence, when people tweet “comparable packages” on Twitter, that is based on prospect rankings and values that may not (probably don’t) match the Tigers’ internal evaluations.

It wasn’t a bad deadline. I tend to agree that it feels incomplete.


Scranton (57-45) (Squeaked past Louisville, 2-1)

CF Jasson Dominguez0-for-2, SB (3), BB
When Dominguez starts playing full games in the field, the “call-up” clock starts. They won’t do it unless there is a clear path to playing time.
  LF Josh VanMeter0-for-1
2B Jorbit Vivas0-for-2, 2 BB
For Scranton: .244/.385/.381 in 221 PA. He owns a 14.9% BB rate at this level.
SS Oswald Peraza0-for-2, 2 BB, K
Peraza has a 13.1% BB rate for Scranton (9.7% in 2023)
1B T.J. Rumfield1-for-4, RS
DH Oscar Gonzalez0-for-3, 2 K
C J.C. Escarra0-for-3
3B Kevin Smith2-for-3, HR (3), 2 RBI, RS
Smith’s 2-run HR in the 7th won the game.
RF-CF Taylor Trammell0-for-3, K
LF-RF Aaron Palensky0-for-3, K

LHP Edgar Barclay6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
6.59 ERA (95.2 IP, 106 H, 75 R, 70 ER, 21 HR, 49 BB, 84 K). Last 3 starts: 16 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 6 BB, 14 K.
LHP Chasen Shreve (W, 2-1): 1.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Phil Bickford (S, 5): 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K


Somerset (48-49) (Lost to Bowie, 7-6)

DH Caleb Durbin1-for-4, RS, CS (1), BB, K
Durbin was CS in the top of the 9th, down by a run with no outs and Spencer Jones at the plate. Tsk, tsk.
CF Spencer Jones: 2-for-4, HR (12), 2 RBI, RS, 2 SB (21), BB, K
When he has nights like this, you become excited. I believe the Yankees were willing to deal Jones, but not for a rental starter. That would have taken him off the table for Jack Flaherty.
3B Jesus Rodriguez1-for-5, HR (2), 2 RBI, RS, 3 K
Rodriguez is 6-for-31 (.194) since his promotion. He missed a month due to injury.
C Rafael Flores0-for-4, K
1B Tyler Hardman0-for-4, 2 K
LF Elijah Dunham1-for-4, 2 K
RF Grant Richardson2-for-4, RS, K
2B Anthony Seigler2-for-4, HR (8), RBI, RS
Seigler had a home run binge earlier this season. This is his first since June 20th.
SS Alexander Vargas1-for-3, 2B (3), RBI, RS, BB, 2 K
Vargas is hitting a respectable .252 with a .676 OPS at this level.

RHP Trystan Vrieling5.1 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, HR
5.47 ERA (107 IP, 115 H, 68 R, 65 ER, 10 HR, 35 BB, 97 K). This season has been a learning experience for Vrieling. Here’s hoping he finishes strongly.
RHP Danny Watson1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
With Neely leaving the nest, Watson moves up the list of relief prospects. An injury delayed his progress in 2024, but six of his last seven appearances have been scoreless. 
RHP Luis Velasquez (L, 3-3): 1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR


Hudson Valley (47-48) (Defeated Jersey Shore, 6-1)

2B Roc Riggio0-for-5
CF Jace Avina0-for-5, K
DH Omar Martinez0-for-4, 3 K
C Antonio Gomez2-for-3, 3 RS, 2B (4), HBP
1B Josh Moylan2-for-2, RBI, 2 RS, 2 BB
.248/.368/.366 in 296 PA. Last 6 games: 8-for-23 (1 double, 3 HR, 4 RBI, 6 R, 3 BB, 4 K).
RF Garrett Martin1-for-4, 2B (11), RS, 2 K
LF Christopher Familia2-for-3, 2B (4), 3 RBI, BB
.191/.277/.303 in 101 PA. Familia has struggled somewhat in High-A (.240/.313/.416) after annihilating Low-A pitching (.290/.368/.611).
3B Kiko Romero1-for-3, RBI, BB, K
SS Brenny Escanio1-for-3, RBI, BB, K

RHP Trent Sellers4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K
2.56 ERA (59.2 IP, 34 H, 25 R, 17 ER, 2 HR, 30 BB, 73 K). As a starter (3 starts): 10.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 14 K. 
RHP Sean Boyle (W, 1-0): 2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Sebastian Keane2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
4.91 ERA (69.2 IP, 64 H, 39 R, 38 ER, 6 HR, 34 BB, 67 K). Keane was a starter until recently. I assume they are controlling his innings down the stretch.
RHP Harrison Cohen1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K


Tampa (39-54) 

Their game against Lakeland was postponed.


FCL (35-22)

I was wrong. Will wonders never cease? When the FCL squad lost to the Pirates on Saturday, their season ended. The semi-finals are single elimination.


DSL Yankees (14-25) (Destroyed Arizona Black, 12-1)

SS Dexters Peralta0-for-4, RBI, 2 RS, 2 SB (20), 2 BB, 2 K
While strong stolen base rates are common at this level, it impresses me that he is 20-for-23 given his inexperience.
DH Richard Matic1-for-4, 2B (6), RBI, RS, BB, 2 K
C Justin Capellan1-for-4, 2B (9), 3 RBI, RS, SB (7), 2 BB
CF Gabriel Lara2-for-5, RS, SB (12), BB, K
2B Jelson Coca2-for-5, 2B (2), 3B (1), 3 RBI, 2 RS
Coca entered the game 4-for-58. This was likely a relief for him!
1B Niurby Asigen2-for-4, 2 RBI, RS, BB, K

RHP Edinzo Marquez (W, 1-0): 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K
The 19-year-old owns a 1.99 ERA (31.2 IP, 24 H, 11 R, 7 ER, 0 HR, 12 BB, 36 K). Goal 1 for an international signee: Get off the island and come stateside. Marquez is likely earning that for 2025.
RHP Jesus Mejia2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
The 18-year-old owns a 1.88 ERA (14.1 IP, 12 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 9 BB, 11 K)


DSL Bombers (23-19) (Split a doubleheader against the DSL Rangers Red)

Game 1 (Won, 3-0)

CF Francisco Vilorio0-for-4, 2 K
C Queni Pineda: 1-for-3, RS, 2 K
SS Christofer Reyes1-for-3, RS, SB (13)
Still 16, Reyes is hitting .200/.313/.227 in 128 PA.
2B Luis Escudero2-for-2, 3B (4), RBI, RS, SB (23), BB
1B Carlos Villarroel2-for-3, RBI, SB (2), CS (3)

RHP Franyer Herrera (W, 2-1): 5.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K
2.34 ERA (34.2 IP, 29 H, 13 R, 9 ER, 0 HR, 13 BB, 44 K). Herrera hasn’t allowed an HR in 55 career IP.
LHP Jose Ledesma (S, 6): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
1.10 ERA (16.1 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 12 BB, 20 K)

Game 2 (Lost, 6-5)

CF Browm Martinez1-for-4, 2B (3), RS, SB (17), 2 K
17-for-23 SB in 29 games.
DH Carlos Villarroel1-for-1, 2B (3), RBI, 2 RS, 2 BB
  PR-DH Luis Escudero0-for-1
.303/.479/.472 in 121 PA with a 23-for-28 stolen base rate. He has 28 walks and 11 strikeouts.

Yankees MILB 6/29: Cam Schlittler Ks 7

News:

C/1B Josh Breaux was released. The 2nd round pick in the 2018 draft showed off his trademark power at times (69 HR, .457 SLG in 326 games) but the rest of his game didn’t develop. Injuries didn’t help in his progression.

C/1B Josue Gonzalez was moved from the FCL to Tampa. After a spectacular 2023 in the DSL, Gonzalez wasn’t hitting as much in the FCL (.233/.395/.433), though he did launch 6 homers and drive in 21 runs in 35 games. Gonzalez did nothing but catch in the DSL, but has played more first base in the FCL (21 starts at first base, 13 games at catcher).

Scranton (45-33)

Their game against Worcester was postponed due to rain. They will attempt to make this up on July 24th. Tomorrow’s weather is iffy in Scranton, which is likely why they didn’t schedule two games.


Somerset (36-38) (Lost to Richmond, 11-3)

CF Spencer Jones1-for-4, 2B (11), RS, 2 K
Jones has doubled in three straight games.
SS Ben Cowles0-for-4, K
Cowles’ 9-game hitting streak is snapped.
1B Tyler Hardman1-for-4, RBI, K
C Rafael Flores0-for-4, 2 K
3B J.C. Escarra0-for-4
LF Elijah Dunham1-for-4, 3B (3)
DH Grant Richardson: 2-for-4, HR (4), RBI, 2 RS, 2 K
He launched 18 HR in 92 games (including 5 in 15 games here) last season.
2B Anthony Seigler: 2-for-4, 2 2B (12), RBI
.205/.303/.384. He has 19 extra-base hits in 59 games (10 in 67 games in 2023).
RF Aaron Palensky1-for-3, 2B (5)

RHP Trystan Vrieling: (L, 7-6) 3 IP, 10 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, HR
5.88 ERA (82.2 IP, 92 H, 57 R, 54 ER, 9 HR, 26 BB, 81 K). I am not saying the Yankees made a mistake. I am saying that you are seeing why the vast majority of prospects don’t start their careers in Double-A. He’s had good moments (including a 7 IP, 1 R effort two starts ago) but this is not easy. 
RHP Yorlin Calderon2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
For Somerset: 2.10 ERA (25.2 IP, 19 H, 11 R, 6 ER, 1 HR, 10 BB, 21 K)
RHP Danny Watson1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Back-to-back scoreless efforts for Watson, who hopefully is finding his groove.
RHP Kevin Stevens1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR
This is the first time he has allowed multiple runs since April 23rd (17 straight appearances)
RHP McKinley Moore 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K


Hudson Valley (38-35) (Defeated Wilmington, 4-3)

2B Roc Riggio1-for-4, 2B (14), K
Riggio has doubled in five straight contests (six straight with at least one extra-base hit – he homered in the other game). Additionally, he has an 18-game on-base streak and has reached base safely in 38 of his last 39 games. Impressive.
SS Jared Serna0-for-4
CF Jace Avina: 2-for-3, 2B (21), HR (8), RBI, 2 RS, BB
Avina has an 8-game hitting streak (13-for-29 (.448), 4 doubles, 2 HR, 4 BB). Overall, he is hitting .289/.369/.481 in 271 PA.
DH Omar Martinez0-for-2, RS, 2 BB
Martinez has 44 walks in 248 PA (17.7%). 
C Antonio Gomez1-for-3, HR (1), 2 RBI, RS, BB, K
Gomez’s first home run since June 22, 2023.
1B Josh Moylan: 2-for-4, 2B (7), RBI, CS (2), K
Moylan with a walk-off RBI single in the 9th. He has an 8-game hitting streak (13-for-30 (.433), 3 doubles, 2 HR). His average is up to .254 (it hasn’t been this high since he was hitting  .261 on April 17th)
RF Garrett Martin0-for-3, K
LF Cole Gabrielson0-for-3, K
3B Brenny Escanio0-for-3

RHP Cam Schlittler4.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, HR
For Hudson Valley: 2.44 ERA (59 IP, 36 H, 23 R, 16 ER, 6 HR, 30 BB, 78 K).  This was his first start since an emergency appearance with Scranton.
RHP Eric Reyzelman1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
Since joining Hudson Valley: 9.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 17 K.
RHP Trent Sellers2.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Sellers deserves props for keeping Reyzelman’s ERA at 0.00, as he stranded two baserunners with one out in the 7th.
RHP Matt Keating: (W, 2-1) 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K


Tampa (27-45) (Their game against Fort Myers was suspended. They trail 2-0 in the second inning. I have no idea why they even tried to start this one. They will try to make it up tomorrow. This game will go the full nine innings, while Game 2 will go seven innings)

2B George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-1, SB (22)
DH Enmanuel Tejeda0-for-1, K
SS Roderick Arias0-for-1, K
1B Dylan Jasso0-for-1
LF Jackson Castillo1-for-1
3B Hans Montero0-for-1, SB (6)
CF Willy Montero0-for-1, K
RF Coby Morales0-for-0
C Tomas Frick0-for-0

RHP Cade Smith1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, HR
This will go down as a wasted start, but that is OK. 


FCL (24-13) (Their game against the FCL Blue Jays was postponed due to wet grounds. Maybe this squad will play again by 2026)


DSL Yankees (8-12) (Defeated DSL Phillies White, 6-1)

SS Dexters Peralta1-for-3, RS, BB, K
.193/.281/.228 in 64 PA. Peralta, a switch-hitter, turns 17 on July 11th.
3B Richard Matic0-for-3, RBI, BB
CF Louis Pierre1-for-2, 2 RS, SB (2), BB, K
1B Niurby Asigen1-for-1, 2B (2), SF, RBI, RS, BB

RHP Jorge Luna (W, 1-2): 4.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K
1.50 ERA (18 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 10 BB, 22 K). 
RHP Rafael Arias2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
The 20-year-old has a 7/1 K/BB in his first 2.2 professional innings.


DSL Bombers (11-8) (Lost to DSL Giants Orange, 6-0)

DH Francisco Vilorio0-for-3, 2 K
He played a partial game yesterday and a full contest at DH today. This is the typical formula for a player coming back from injury.
2B Luis Escudero1-for-3, CS (2)
A 5’8″ middle infielder. Two things the Yankees like to target (probably because they think they are undervalued and can grab them for small bonsues): Small-ish middle infielders and tall pitchers. Escudero is hitting .371/.549/.486 in 51 PA

RHP Jerson Alejandro (L, 0-3): 3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 3 K
Speaking of tall pitchers, Alejandro is 6’6″ and listed at 255 pounds.

Yankees MILB 6/27: Jorbit Vivas’ Hot Streak Continues

News:

None.

Scranton (44-33) (Split a doubleheader against Worcester)

Game 1 (Lost, 8-3)

3B Oswald Peraza0-for-3, RS, HBP
DH Jorbit Vivas: 3-for-4, HR (3), 2 RBI, 2 RS, SB (4)
Vivas’ third straight multi-hit effort.
C Agustin Ramirez0-for-3, SB (1), BB
1B T.J. Rumfield0-for-3, 2 K
LF Jose Rojas0-for-3, RBI
SS Jeter Downs0-for-2, BB, K
CF Taylor Trammell0-for-3, 2 K
RF Oscar Gonzalez1-for-3, K
2B Josh VanMeter1-for-2, BB

LHP Tanner Tully: (L, 1-6)  4 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 2 HR
RHP Art Warren1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Scott Effross1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Aaron Boone said that Effross is still a while away. That can mean anything, but I wouldn’t expect him to be down here for too long. 
RHP Yerry De Los Santos1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Game 2 (Won, 6-5)

CF Brandon Lockridge0-for-3, RS, SB (25), HBP
25 stolen bases in 49 games (last season, he stole 40 bases in 92 games).
2B Jorbit Vivas1-for-2, 2 RS, HBP, CI
Vivas is rolling. He is on a 5-game hitting streak (9-for-20, 2 HR, 6 R) and is 13-for-33 (.394, 8 BB) in his last 9 games. If he keeps this up, he can be in the second half MLB conversation. 
3B Oswald Peraza1-for-3, SF, RBI, 2 RS, SB (8)
Any hot streak for Peraza would be a welcome sight.
DH Agustin Ramirez2-for-3, 2 RBI, SB (2), BB
Ramirez needed these hits in the worst way. He is 3-for-27 since his promotion. As for stealing two bases today? He is now 15-for-16 in that department between here and Somerset.
1B T.J. Rumfield1-for-4, K
C Carlos Narvaez1-for-3, RBI, 2 K
Last 3 games: 8-for-13, double, 2 home runs, 6 RBI.
LF Jose Rojas1-for-3, HR (16), RBI, RS
Rojas ties Agustin Ramirez for the organizational HR lead.
RF Taylor Trammell1-for-1, 2 BB
SS Kevin Smith1-for-3

RHP Cody Morris1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 K
Scranton went with a bullpen game in Game 2.
RHP Duane Underwood Jr.1.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, HR
LHP Chasen Shreve: (W, 1-0)  1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Jack Neely2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Since promotion: 4.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K. He is a 24-year-old reliever. Anyone who knows me knows this: I am aggressive with relievers. I can’t tell you he is ready. However, how much time does he realistically need?
RHP Ron Marinaccio (S, 4): 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K


Somerset (35-36) (Defeated Richmond, 6-2)

DH Spencer Jones1-for-5, 2B (9), 2 K
2B Ben Cowles2-for-4, RBI, BB, K
Cowles has an 8-game hitting streak as he gets his batting average back over .300 (.301/.381/.482). The results are encouraging and he might be trade bait. He could be in the infield mix in 2025 if he isn’t.
1B Tyler Hardman0-for-4, 2 K
C Rafael Flores1-for-3, 2B (1), RS, BB, K
Flores’ first Double-A extra-base hit (he has 18 doubles in 59 games overall)
CF Grant Richardson0-for-4, 2 K
3B J.C. Escarra1-for-3, 2 RBI, RS, BB, K
RF Elijah Dunham1-for-3, HR (6), 2 RBI, 2 RS, SB (8), BB, K
LF Jared Wegner1-for-3, 2B (11), BB, K
Wegner has 7 doubles in his last 9 games. 
SS Alexander Vargas0-for-1, RBI, RS, BB
   SS Max Burt0-for-2, K

RHP Zach Messinger6 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K
3.60 ERA (80 IP, 64 H, 45 R, 32 ER, 6 HR, 25 BB, 90 K). I like to look at how young pitchers bounce back from a tough start (4.2 IP, 6 H, 5 R last time out). I would say Messinger bounced back nicely. As of this writing, his 90 strikeouts are tied for the Eastern League lead.
RHP McKinley Moore (W, 1-0): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Colby White1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Joey Gerber1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Gerber was activated from his rehab stint and placed here.


Hudson Valley (36-34) (Lost to Wilmington, 7-5. They put up five runs in the 8th to make it close, but couldn’t get any closer)

2B Roc Riggio1-for-5, 2B (12), RBI
Riggio has doubled in three straight games and has an extra-base hit in four straight contests (he homered in the 4th game).
SS Jared Serna1-for-4, RS, HBP, K
RF Jace Avina: 3-for-4, RBI, RS
His 6-game hitting streak has raised his triple slash from .267/.346/.437 to .285/.365/.465.
DH Omar Martinez0-for-3, RS, BB
1B Josh Moylan3-for-4, 2B (6), 2 RBI, K
Moylan has three multi-hit games during his 6-game hitting streak. He has raised his triple slash from .220/.357/.277 to .249/.373/.343 during the streak.
C Antonio Gomez0-for-2, SF, RBI, BB
LF Christopher Familia1-for-3, 2B (1), BB
   PR-LF Cole Gabrielson0-for-0
3B Brenny Escanio1-for-4, 2B (5), RS, 2 K
CF Nelson Medina0-for-4, K

LHP Kyle Carr: (L, 0-4) 5.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR
Carr left his last start early due to a batted ball off his ankle. I’m glad to see it wasn’t anything serious. He has tossed 17 innings in June, allowing 7 runs on 13 hits with a 17/8 K/BB. It’s progress.
RHP Cole Ayers1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
2.57 ERA (42 IP, 32 H, 16 R, 12 ER, 15 BB, 51 K, 2 HR)
RHP Matt Keating1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 3 HR
Everyone has a bad day. For a reliever, it can skew their results. This spikes his ERA to 4.43 in 42.2 IP (33 H, 23 R, 21 ER, 7 HR, 17 BB, 52 K)
LHP Joel Valdez1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K


Tampa (26-45) (Lost to Fort Myers, 6-2)

DH George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-4, K
2B Enmanuel Tejeda2-for-4, 2B (7), SB (19), K
.310/.356/.379 in 161 PA (19-for-23 SB). In the FCL last year, he hit .307/.465/.458. The 19-year-old is showing he can hit. I don’t know if there will be power to tap into, but a contact guy with speed who can play multiple positions has value.
SS Roderick Arias0-for-4, 2 K
1B Dylan Jasso1-for-4, RS, 2 K
CF Jackson Castillo0-for-3, RS, BB
3B Hans Montero1-for-4, 2B (4), RBI
Montero has a 6-game hitting streak.
RF Willy Montero1-for-3, HBP
.250/.305/.365 in 266 PA. He has 30 hits in June (30-for-78, 6 doubles, 4 HR).
LF Daury Arias0-for-4, K
C Oscar Silverio1-for-4, RBI, 3 K
The 22-year-old doesn’t play much. It’s nice to see him contribute an RBI single.

RHP Luis Serna: (L, 2-4)  4 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, HR
A tough night for Serna, but toss it. The 19-year-old owns a 4.34 ERA in 56 IP (41 H, 28 R, 27 ER, 3 HR, 17 BB, 64 K)
RHP Osiel Rodriguez2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
2.02 ERA (35.2 IP, 16 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 5 HR, 18 BB, 42 K). The .147 BABIP is absurd but don’t let that distract you. He is pitching very well.
RHP Aaron Nixon1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K


FCL (24-13) (Lead the Phillies, 4-0, in the 4th inning. This game was suspended due to rain. They will try to finish it up tomorrow, which is when I will type up a report)

I will note that Abrahan Ramirez has a double (9) and 2 RBI. Low-A Tampa is loaded with infielders. However, Ramirez is forcing his way into a promotion conversation.


DSL Yankees (7-11) (Defeated the DSL Mets Blue, 2-0, in a 7-inning game)

SS Dexters Peralta1-for-3, RS, K
3B Richard Matic1-for-3
Matic, one of the bonus babies from the international signing class, is hitting .265/.379/.327 in 15 games.
DH Gabriel Lara0-for-2, RS, 2 SB (5), CS (3), BB
The only way Lara will learn how to steal bases is by repetition. He should run as often as possible.

RHP Michell Chirinos: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 7 K
12.2 IP, 11 H, 10 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 9 BB, 19 K
LHP Ronald Tejada (W, 2-0): 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
12 IP, 10 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 3 BB, 10 K. The 17-year-old is doing well in his debut season.
RHP Jesus Mejia (S, 2): 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K. This is the 18-year-old’s debut season.


DSL Bombers (11-6) (Defeated the DSL Mets Orange, 6-2. Who needs to beat the Mets in MLB games when you can take care of business in the DSL?)

SS Christofer Reyes4-for-4, 2 2B (2), 3 RS, 2 SB (9), CS (4), BB
This is impressive at any level. Only 16, he is hitting .273/.407/.318 in 54 PA. The two doubles today were his first career extra-base hits.
2B Luis Escudero: 3-for-3, 2B (2), RS, SB (10), BB
Escudero has four multi-hit efforts in his last seven games.
CF Browm Martinez: 1-for-3, SB (10), CS (2), BB, K
.297/.364/.324 in 44 PA.
DH David Carrera1-for-3, RS, BB, 2 K
Only 17, Carrera is hitting .294/.444/.471. I don’t take numbers down here seriously, but the only way off the island is by playing well.

RHP Carlos Almonte3.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Richard Jimenez1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R,0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Chaury Gomez (W,1-0): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
The 17-year-old’s first professional win. Congrats!
RHP Anthony Mena1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
LHP Jose Ledesma1.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Ledesma is old for the level (21), but this is his debut season. 

 

Yankees MILB 6/23: Carlos Narvaez Goes 5-for-5

News:

The Yankees acquired 1B/3B J.D. Davis (and cash) from the Oakland Athletics for IF Jordan GroshansThe money will likely cover most (if not all) of what remains on Davis’ 1-year deal. It isn’t much.

Davis is hitting .236/.304/.366 (98 wRC+) in 135 PA. He has four home runs and five runs batted in. Interesting. The defensive metrics don’t love his performance, so he better hit if he wishes to keep a job. He had a run between 2019-2022 where he hit .276/.363/.457 (127 wRC+) over 1,258 plate appearances with a 10.5% BB and 27.3% K. However, the numbers haven’t been as strong in 2023-2024.

The Yankees need offense with Giancarlo Stanton out and there isn’t much available. They are not ready to give Agustin Ramirez a role, and none of the veterans in Triple-A excite you.

The bottom line? They wouldn’t need to do a signing like this if Gleyber Torres or DJ LeMahieu were producing. LeMahieu is showing no signs of life with the bat. He is moving towards “sunk cost” territory (if he isn’t there already).  I hope he doesn’t impact Ben Rice‘s playing time much. With the DH spot open, they can be flexible with playing time.

Scranton (42-32) (Mauled Buffalo, 18-9. They scored 12 runs in the 5th inning. As for last night’s postponed game, it is now listed as canceled. Instead of playing two in today’s heat (and pitching issues may have played a role), the game was permanently wiped off the calendar)

2B Jorbit Vivas2-for-5, RBI, RS, BB, K
Last 6 games: 7-for-23. Before you toss away the Victor Gonzalez deal, remember that Vivas was a part of it.
C Agustin Ramirez0-for-5, RBI, RS, HBP, K
Ramirez is 1-for-16 since his promotion. He is hitting .275/.358/.537 in 279 PA overall.
1B T.J. Rumfield2-for-5, 2B (14), HR (7), RBI, 2 RS, BB
Since promotion: .298/.354/.468 in 226 PA. He has four HR in his last 12 games.
DH Carlos Narvaez: 5-for-5, 2B (15), HR (8), 4 RBI, 4 RS, SB (5), BB
Entering today: .254/.382/.424. Now: .271/.396/.457 in 210 PA (15 doubles, 8 HR, 41 RBI, 40 R). His best for RBI in a season is 44, set in 100 games last year. Narvaez never had a 4-hit game before today, never mind a 5-hit effort.
SS Jeter Downs: 2-for-5, 2B (12), RBI, 2 RS, SB (13), HBP, 2 K
.279/.372/.541 in 208 PA (12 doubles, 3 triples, 9 HR, 31 RBI, 36 R, 13-for-17 SB). 
LF Taylor Trammell1-for-3, 2B (8), 3 RS, 2 SB (5), 3 BB
RF Oscar Gonzalez2-for-5, HR (4), 4 RBI, 2 RS, SB (3), K
For Scranton: .279/.327/.443 in 150 PA. Gonzalez has some appeal but is still a “break glass in case of emergency” type.
CF Brandon Lockridge: 3-for-5, 4 RBI, 2 RS, 2 SB (24), K
.285/.408/.369 in 157 PA. He has 24 stolen bases (26 attempts) in 47 games.
3B Kevin Smith1-for-4, RBI, RS, SB (9), BB, 3 K

RHP Cam Schlittler1.2 IP, 1 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 3 K
Schlittler also hit 3 batters. This will impact the strong numbers he had before today, but toss it. He was brought here from Hudson Valley because they needed a rested arm. Regardless, the offense bailed him out.
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Jake Cousins1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Yerry De Los Santos1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, HR
RHP Jesus Liranzo: (W, 1-0)  1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
LHP Josh Maciejewski3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Jack Neely1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Season (between here and Somerset): 2.45 ERA in 33 IP (25 H, 10 R, 9 ER, 2 HR, 13 BB, 53 K)


Somerset (32-36) (Lost two games to Erie. It is odd to see Somerset struggle. Though the players always change, winning has become expected here)

Game 1 (Lost, 10-7)

DH Spencer Jones1-for-5, 2 K
C Jesus Rodriguez1-for-4, HR (1), RBI, RS, BB
Rodriguez’s first Double-A home run. While he was pulled from this game and didn’t play in Game 2, I wouldn’t read into that (yet) – the heat is brutal in Somerset today.
  C Peter Serruto0-for-0
3B Tyler Hardman0-for-5, 2 K
For Somerset: 8-for-28 (.286) with a double and a pair of home runs.
2B Ben Cowles1-for-3, 2 BB, K
CF Grant Richardson2-for-5, SB (11)
RF Elijah Dunham1-for-5, RS, 2 K
1B J.C. Escarra1-for-3, 3 RS, 2 BB
LF Aaron Palensky3-for-5, 2B (4), 3 RBI
His reward was not playing in Game 2. He has a 5-game hitting streak (7-for-20).
SS Alexander Vargas4-for-5, 3 RBI, K
Useless fact of the day: Vargas has exactly one 4-hit game in each of the last four seasons.

RHP Bailey Dees1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
This will be a wasted start, but that isn’t a big deal. Season: 3.80 ERA (68.2 IP, 60 H, 33 R, 29 ER, 9 HR, 24 BB, 74 K).
RHP Trystan Vrieling: (L, 7-5) 5 IP, 12 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 2 HR
This was a tough afternoon for Vrieling. Season: 5.08 ERA (79.2 IP, 82 H, 48 R, 45 ER, 8 HR, 24 BB, 75 K). They knew there would be some growing pains by throwing him immediately into the Double-A fire. 
RHP Carlos Gomez2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP McKinley Moore1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Game 2 (Lost, 11-5)

CF Spencer Jones1-for-3, RS, BB
Jones entered the month with a .641 OPS. It is now .702.
3B Ben Cowles1-for-3, BB
Cowles is on a little 5-game hitting streak (5-for-18, 1 double, 1 HR). He has slumped a bit in June (18-for-75 (.240)), so I hope this is a start of a new hot streak.
C J.C. Escarra0-for-3, RBI, RS
DH Elijah Dunham: 3-for-3, 2B (9), HR (5), 3 RBI, 2 RS, SB (7)
Dunham is hitting .257/.363/.451 in 168 PA at this level.
RF Grant Richardson0-for-3, 2 K
.253/.314/.389 in 210 PA. He was strong in April/May but has struggled in June.
LF Jared Wegner1-for-3, RBI, K
2B Anthony Seigler0-for-2, BB
SS Alexander Vargas0-for-3, K
1B Max Burt1-for-3, RS, K

RHP Josh Grosz: (L, 0-1)  4 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, HR
Like Scranton, Somerset needed a starter and Grosz was available (from Tampa). I will say the same thing I said about Schlittler: Toss it.
RHP Danny Watson0.1 IP, 0 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 0 K
Watson is having trouble getting his season going after his injury. Let’s see what he does in the second half. 
RHP Colby White1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Kevin Stevens1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
2.52 ERA (25 IP, 21 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 0 HR, 9 BB, 40 K). The 26-year-old, who missed 2023, hasn’t allowed a home run in 29.2 career innings (43/13 K/BB)


Hudson Valley (34-34) (Outlasted Greensboro, 12-9. They hit 5 home runs)

2B Roc Riggio1-for-3, HR (5), 2 RBI, RS, 2 BB
Riggio is at .217/.370/.380 in 230 PA. He has three home runs in his last seven games. 
SS Jared Serna0-for-5, RBI, K
Serna is now 0-for-20 since missing a game after a HBP. That has dropped his triple slash from .280/.380/.504 to .258/.357/.464.
DH Jace Avina2-for-4, 2B (19), RS, BB, K
.275/.355/.459 in 251 PA (19 doubles, 7 HR, 37 RBI, 29 R, 4-for-5 SB). He has three doubles and multi-hit efforts in his last six games.
1B Rafael Flores1-for-4, 2 RS, BB, K
.286/.397/.469 in 229 PA (17 doubles, 6 HR, 35 RBI, 27 R). 
C Omar Martinez2-for-4, RBI, 2 RS, BB, 2 K
.243/.382/.405 in 228 PA. 
RF Garrett Martin2-for-4, 2 HR (5), 4 RBI, 3 RS, BB
Martin’s first career multi-HR game. He has 5 HR in 36 games this year (0 in 18 games during last year’s debut season).
3B Josh Moylan2-for-4, 2 HR (3), 3 RBI, 3 RS, BB, 2 K
Moylan’s first career multi-HR game. Hopefully, he can build off this effort as he had some “post-draft” buzz last year.
CF Cole Gabrielson1-for-4, RBI, SB (6), K
LF Nelson Medina0-for-5, K

RHP Jackson Fristoe0.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
Fristoe left the game due to a shoulder issue, according to GameCast. Yikes.
RHP Luis Arejula2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
3.14 ERA (28.2 IP, 24 H, 14 R, 10 ER, 1 HR, 16 BB, 30 K)
RHP Huey Morrill1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Cole Ayers1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR
2.68 ERA (40.1 IP, 31 H, 16 R, 12 ER, 2 HR, 15 BB, 49 K)
LHP Joel Valdez0.2 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Juan Crisp (W, 1-0): 2.2 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 3 K, 2 HR
Crisp is a catcher who was asked to get eight outs. The system used a lot of pitchers today (and recently), so tomorrow’s day off across the full-season leagues will come in handy.


Tampa (25-43) (Split a doubleheader against Palm Beach)

Game 1 (Won, 5-4, in the conclusion of the suspended game from Friday. This game went a full 9 innings)

DH Enmanuel Tejeda0-for-5, 2 K
For Tampa: .313/.366/.382 in 164 PA. He doesn’t go hitless often, so when he does it in back-to-back games, it stands out!
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-4, 2 K
2B Roderick Arias: 1-for-2, RS, SB (18), HBP, BB
1B Dylan Jasso1-for-4, RBI
CF Jackson Castillo1-for-4, RS, 2 K
3B Hans Montero1-for-2, RS, CS (2), HBP, BB
RF Willy Montero2-for-4, RS
LF Coby Morales: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, RS, 2 SB (15)
C Oscar Silverio:  0-for-0, BB
  PH-C Antonio Gomez1-for-1, 2 RBI, BB, K
Gomez with a big 2-run single as his rehab continues.

RHP Luis Serna4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K
The weather cuts Serna’s start for the second consecutive time. This effort pushes his ERA below 4.00 (3.98 in 52 IP (37 H, 23 R, 23 ER, 2 HR, 15 BB, 61 K)). His ERA was 10.32 in his first three starts and 6.97 after five starts. He has been on quite a roll and is still under 20 (until July 20th).
RHP Scott Effross: (W, 1-0)  2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Effross struck out the side in his second inning of work. Of his 26 pitches, 22 were strikes.
RHP Joey Gerber2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
RHP Cade Austin0.2 IP, 0 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Montana Semmel (S, 4): 0.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR
This game was dicey late, as Palm Beach turned a 5-0 deficit into a 5-4 deficit in the 9th. Tampa was able to hang on.

Game 2 (Lost, 13-11. This was a 7-inning game. They scored six runs in the bottom of the 7th (after scoring four in the 6th) and brought the winning run to the plate, but couldn’t take it further)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 2-for-5, 2B (11), 2 RBI, RS, SB (18)
Lombard is at .228 with a .676 OPS (11 doubles, 2 triples, 1 HR, 25 RBI, 24 R, 18-for-19 SB). This isn’t spectacular but he is holding his own.  He is 9-for-31 (.290) in his last 8 games with 3 doubles, a triple, a home run, and three stolen bases.
2B Roderick Arias1-for-4, 2B (10), RBI, RS, BB, K
Arias is hitting .212 with a .676 OPS. He has 22 extra-base hits (10 doubles, 6 triples, 6 HR) in 65 games, but also owns a 35.9% K rate.
1B Dylan Jasso0-for-5
LF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-3, RBI, 2 RS, 2 BB, 2 K
Castillo is hitting .249 with a .784 OPS. He has 38 walks (17.8%) and 44 strikeouts (20.6%) in 214 PA.
3B Hans Montero2-for-5, HR (4), RBI, RS, 3 K
A much-needed double-header for Montero, who started hot at this level but has cooled off recently.
CF Willy Montero2-for-4, RS
Montero has hit safely in 16 of his last 17 games (reached base safely in all 17 games). He is hitting .250 with a .675 OPS (before the streak, he was hitting .182/.250/.241). A jump of 184 points in OPS is impressive.
DH Coby Morales2-for-3, 2 RS, BB
C Tomas Frick0-for-1, 2 RBI, 2 RS, 3 BB
RF Daury Arias2-for-4, RBI, RS, K

RHP Cade Smith: (L, 3-5)  4 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
3.94 ERA in 61.2 IP (47 H, 33 R, 27 ER, 3 HR, 30 BB, 78 K). He has some ups-and-downs this season, but his overall season is impressive.
RHP Steven Fulgencio1.1 IP, 2 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Osiel Rodriguez1.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, HR
2.18 ERA (33 IP, 15 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 5 HR, 18 BB, 38 K)


FCL (23-13)

Scheduled day off. With a little more than a month to go in the season, the FCL team is two games up on the Tigers for first place.


DSL Yankees (5-10)

Scheduled day off.


DSL Bombers (9-5)

Scheduled day off.

 

Yankees MILB 5/15: It’s Serna Day!

News:

I have nothing to offer you.

Scranton (28-12) (Squeaked past Worcester, 1-0)

3B Caleb Durbin0-for-4, SB (18), BB, K
Durbin is second in the International League in SB (Steward Berroa (Buffalo) has 20)
LF Everson Pereira0-for-4, BB, K
.259/.339/.524 (8.5% BB; 33.9% K) in 165 PA. It’s an interesting profile that shows off his power (7 doubles, 10 HR) and swing-and-miss. 
1B T.J. Rumfield1-for-5, SB (2)
Rumfield has hit safely in 8 of his last 9 games (13-for-34; .382). 
DH Taylor Trammell1-for-3, 2B (1), BB, K
Trammell is 4-for-16 with a double since joining the Railriders. 
RF Oscar Gonzalez0-for-3, HBP, 2 K
C Luis Torrens0-for-3, BB, K
2B Josh VanMeter0-for-3, SB (2), BB, K
SS Kevin Smith2-for-4, 2 2B (4), RS, K
CF Brandon Lockridge1-for-2, RBI, CS (2), 2 BB
.229/.373/.325 in 102 PA (6 doubles, 1 triple, 0 HR, 12 RBI, 15-for-17 SB). Lockridge hit 39 HR between 2019-2022 (there wasn’t a season in 2020) but has only three in 2023-2024. I still think he can carve out an MLB career.

RHP Clayton Beeter4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 5 BB, 3 K
2.53 ERA (32 IP, 17 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 1 HR, 21 BB, 44 K). Is the wildness what makes him tough to hit? Or would he still be tough to hit if he curtailed the wildness?  
RHP Cody Morris: (W, 2-0) 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K
1.40 ERA (19.1 IP, 12 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 11 BB, 26 K)
LHP Anthony Misiewicz2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Phil Bickford (S, 4): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
2.40 ERA (15 IP, 13 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 4 BB, 18 K). In MLB, Bickford has been a “meh” reliever with a high K rate (26.6%). This is mostly due to walks and fly balls. Whether the Yankees can find a way to work with this remains to be seen – but if you are a pitcher looking to find new ways to be effective, signing with the Yankees should be near the top of your list.


Somerset (17-17) (Win a pitching duel over Portland, 1-0. This follows a 11-10 loss last night. Baseball!)

CF Spencer Jones0-for-4, 4 K
.237/.306/.361 in 108 PA. There was a point early last year where people were wondering about Jasson Dominguez. We all know how that story ended up. So, we’ll see if Jones can build a similar story in 2024 (not that I expect him to march up to MLB regardless)
DH Oswald Peraza1-for-4, HR (2), RBI, RS, K
His home run in the 4th held up.
C Ben Rice0-for-3, 3 K
.246/.374/.467 in 148 PA (14.9% BB; 24.3% K). He is 9-for-41 (.220) in May (1 HR, 8 BB, 8 K).
1B Agustin Ramirez1-for-3, 2B (5), SB (8), K
.284/.403/.638 (15.8% BB; 18.7% K) in 139 PA. His BABIP, which I referenced last night, has normalized (.269). You can disparage “advanced” (not that BABIP is all that advanced) metrics all day – the data showed that a correction was coming for Ramirez and here it is. The Yankees need to decide whether his projected bat is too good to worry about catcher development, even if that development increases trade value.
SS Ben Cowles1-for-2, SB (5)
Cowles left the game after the stolen base.
   PR-3B J.C. Escarra0-for-1, K
3B-SS Jordan Groshans0-for-3
LF Jared Wegner0-for-3
2B Anthony Seigler0-for-2, SB (4), BB, K
RF Aaron Palensky0-for-2, SB (5), BB, 2 K

RHP Blane Abeyta: (W,2-3) 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
4.86 ERA (37 IP, 45 H, 29 R, 20 ER, 4 HR, 8 BB, 28 K)
RHP Yorlin Calderon2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Between Scranton/Somerset/Hudson Valley: 2.18 ERA (20.2 IP, 12 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 19 K)
RHP Kevin Stevens (S, 2): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K


Hudson Valley (17-15) (Defeated Jersey Shore, 9-3)

2B Roc Riggio1-for-5, 2B (5), SB (6), K
.213/.343/.382 in 108 PA. Riggio is hitting .204 in his first 45 professional games, which is something to monitor. He makes a lot of contact and it is nice to see some extra-base hits in 2024.
SS Jared Serna0-for-1, 3 RS, 4 BB
Serna’s first career 4 BB game (not that it should be common). He is hitting .250/.375/.448 (15.97% BB; 13.9% K) in 144 PA. Going back to 4/28, he is 20-for-55 (.364) with 9 walks and 10 strikeouts. Interestingly, the only three homers he has during this streak were hit on the same day (5/1). Baseball!
CF Jace Avina1-for-3, 2B (9), RS, 2 BB, K
Avina now owns a 10-game hitting streak and is hitting .293/.404/.476 in 99 PA. This is the 20-year-old’s first taste of High-A, and he is holding his own. Last year, in A ball for the Brewers’ organization, he hit .233/.373/.442.  Avina’s .440 BABIP will come down, so we’ll have to see where he settles in. 
C Jesus Rodriguez0-for-3, 3 RS, 2 BB
.322/.386/.517 (9.1% BB; 14.4% K) in 132 PA. He is second in the Sally League in average and 6th in slugging percentage. It is easy to see him in Somerset this season. Last year, the Yankees played him in 84 Low-A games before promoting him here. He is at 55 games at this level (his triple slash is a ridiculous .337/.422/.524).
DH Rafael Flores2-for-4, 2B (8), 3 RBI, RS, BB, K
Flores has three multi-hit games in his last four games played. 
1B Josh Moylan2-for-5, 3 RBI, RS, K
There’s a hot streak in Moylan somewhere…it hasn’t come out yet.
LF Nelson Medina1-for-4, 2B (2), 2 RBI, BB, 2 K
3B Beau Brewer0-for-4, K
RF Cole Gabrielson1-for-3, BB, K

RHP Baron Stuart: (W, 1-1)  6 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
4.13 ERA (24 IP, 23 H, 12 R, 11 ER, 1 HR, 11 BB, 16 K)
RHP Matt Keating2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
3.60 ERA (20 IP, 12 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 2 HR, 8 BB, 24 K). Keating (23) struck out 93 in 65.1 IP for Low-A Tampa last year.
RHP Luis Arejula1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K


Tampa (11-24) (Defeated Bradenton, 5-0)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-4, K
DH Tyler Hardman0-for-4, K
Hardman started his rehab here, went to the FCL for one game, and is now back. It makes sense to somebody, and that is all that matters.
3B Roderick Arias: 1-for-3, 2B (5), 2 RS, 2 SB (9), BB, K
I am asked what my honest assessment of Arias is. The answer? I don’t have one. We have to see how he progresses as the season goes along. Earlier in 2024, he was generating some power without the walks. Now, he is walking more but the power has drifted away (only two extra-base hits in May after compiling eight in April). It’s all a part of a process that will take a while to play out.
1B Dylan Jasso1-for-4, RBI, RS, 2 K
Jasso has 16 RBI in 13 May games.
LF Jackson Castillo0-for-2, RS, 2 BB
Castillo is 10-for-36 with 14 walks in May. As is the case with Jasso, he was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2023.
CF Willy Montero: 1-for-2, RBI, RS, 2 BB, K
Montero has hit safely in eight of his last nine games.
2B Hans Montero: 2-for-3, 2B (2), 2 RBI, BB, K
13-for-37 (.351). Last 6 games: 9-for-19. He has four multi-hit games in his last five starts.
C Manuel Palencia1-for-4, K
RF Daury Arias0-for-3

RHP Luis Serna: (W, 2-2)  6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K
Brilliance. Season: 5.40 ERA (26.2 IP, 23 H, 16 R, 16 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 31 K). Three May starts: 15.1 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 15 K.  Don’t forget that Serna is only 19 years old.
RHP Jordy Luciano: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 K
RHP Aaron Nixon: (S, 2) 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
2.33 ERA (19.1 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 0 HR, 16 BB, 21 K)


FCL (4-4) 

Scheduled day off.


DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 4/30: Jared Serna is Heating Up

News:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3B Caleb Durbin1-for-4, 2B (10), RBI, RS, BB
Durbin finishes April with a .294 average and .896 OPS (10 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR, 22 RBI, 20 R, 17.3% BB, 11.0% K, 12-for-13 SB). Games by position: 2B: 10; SS: 3; 3B: 4; LF: 5 (4 starts); CF: 1; DH: 2.  One has to be intrigued.
DH Everson Pereira2-for-4, RBI, RS, HBP, K
Pereira hits .263 with a .914 OPS in April. He finishes the month on a 5-game hitting streak that featured three multi-hit efforts.
1B T.J. Rumfield2-for-5, HR (1), 2 RBI, RS, 2 K
Rumfield is hitting .292 with a .785 OPS since his promotion. He has three multi-hit games in his last four games played.
LF Oscar Gonzalez1-for-5, 2 K
RF Jose Rojas0-for-5, RBI
C Luis Torrens2-for-5, RS, K
CF Greg Allen0-for-4, BB, 2 K
SS Jeter Downs2-for-4, 2B (3), 2 RS, SB (4), K
Downs impresses in his first month in the organization, hitting .294 with a .916 OPS.  He has a 6-game hitting streak going (9-for-22)
2B Josh VanMeter1-for-3, HR (3), 2 RBI, RS, K
  PH-2B Kevin Smith0-for-0, BB

RHP Will Warren6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, HR
If you told me that Warren would get his ERA under 4.00 after allowing five ER in 0.1 innings in his 2024 debut, I would have called you crazy. Yet, here we are: 3.95 ERA (27.1 IP, 20 H, 13 R, 12 ER, 6 HR, 9 BB, 33 K)
RHP Yerry De Los Santos: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, HR
LHP Anthony Misiewicz: (W, 1-0)  1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Phil Bickford (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K


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

DH Ben Rice1-for-3, HR (7), RBI, RS, BB, K
Rice has homered in back-to-back games and has 23 home runs in 319 Double-A plate appearances.
3B Jon Berti0-for-2, SB (1), 2 BB
Berti didn’t miss much time with his injury, so you have to assume he will be back in MLB soon.
   SS Alexander Vargas0-for-0
CF Spencer Jones0-for-4, 3 K
.320/.382/.540 in 55 PA.
C Agustin Ramirez0-for-4, K
.247/.370/.610 in 92 PA. As great as he has been, he is being brought down by a .200 BABIP.
SS-3B Ben Cowles1-for-4
Cowles extends his hitting streak to 8. He ends April at .351/.433/.623 in 90 PA (8 doubles, 2 triples, 3 HR, 14 RBI, 14 R, 12.2% BB, 16.7% K, 3-for-3 SB). He has 11 starts at SS, 7 starts at 3B (9 games total), and 3 starts at 2B. What more can you ask for?
1B J.C. Escarra0-for-2, RS, BB
LF Elijah Dunham1-for-3, 2B (3), RS, 2 K
.226/.317/.472 in 60 PA (3 doubles, 2 triples, 2 homers)
RF Jared Wegner1-for-3, 2 RBI
Wegner picked the perfect time to extend his hitting streak to 13: A 2-run single in the 7th that gave Somerset the lead they wouldn’t give up. He hit .270/.352/.508 in April. He is 24 years old and this is his first taste of Double-A.
2B Anthony Seigler0-for-3, 2 K

RHP Bailey Dees5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 3 K
Last four starts: 3.10 ERA (20.1 IP, 18 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 10 BB, 24 K). I will remind you that he is converting to starting, so that line is promising.
LHP Ryan Anderson: (W, 1-1)  2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
4.82 ERA (9.1 IP, 14 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 HR, 2 BB, 11 K). His BABIP is .467.
RHP Carlos Gomez (S, 2): 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K
0.87 ERA (10.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 8 K)


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

2B Roc Riggio3-for-5, 2B (3), RBI, 2 RS, SB (2)
A nice return for Riggio (first game since 4/21), who compiled two hits in the 9-run 7th inning. This is his first career 3-hit game.
  2B Beau Brewer1-for-1
SS Jared Serna: 3-for-6, 2B (4), 2 RBI, 2 RS
Serna, who also had two hits in the 7th inning, has back-to-back 3-hit efforts. These two games have jumped his triple slash from .148/.304/.279 to .211/.344/.352. 
LF Jace Avina3-for-6, 2 2B (3), 2 RBI, RS, K
Avina’s second 3-hit effort this season (11 games). The 20-year-old is hitting .333/.447/.564 in 47 PA (3 doubles, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 5 R). A strong start to his Yankees’ career.
C Jesus Rodriguez1-for-6, HR (2), 2 RBI, RS, K
If you are going to have only one hit, make it count. He ends April at .293/.354/.440 in 82 PA while playing several positions.
DH Omar Martinez0-for-5, K
There is always someone not invited to the party. Martinez, who has prospect buzz, hit .242/.367/.424 in 79 April plate appearances.
3B Josh Moylan3-for-5, 3B (1), 2 RS
Moylan hit .231/.359/.327 in 64 April plate appearances. The power has yet to show up in his brief professional career, but he is only 21 and has shown some plate discipline (15.8% BB)
1B Rafael Flores2-for-5, HR (2), 2 RBI, RS, K
.211/.308/.404 in 65 PA. 
CF Nelson Medina: 2-for-5, 2B (1), 2 RS, 2 K
RF Cole Gabrielson1-for-3, 2B (3), RBI, RS, CS (1), 2 HBP

RHP Baron Stuart4.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
4.61 ERA (13.2 IP, 13 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 0 HR, 8 BB, 9 K). He is a ground ball pitcher.
RHP Luis Arejula0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
LHP Ben Shields: (W, 1-0)  2..2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K
0.54 ERA (16.2 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 HR, 3 BB, 20 K). Anyone who has read my stuff in the past knows that I am not patient with college pitchers – when they show a level isn’t challenging them, you move them. Perhaps it’s still a tad early for Shields, but they have to start thinking about it.
RHP Cole Ayers1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
1.38 ERA (13 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 5 BB, 17 K). He pitched to a 2.50 ERA and 22/6 K/BB in 18 IP at this level last year.


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

2B Enmanuel Tejeda0-for-4, 3 K
A slump to close out April has him down to .276/.330/.310 in 98 PA. Given his style of play, he will need to bring down that 24.5% K rate.
RF Coby Morales0-for-4, 3 K
SS Roderick Arias0-for-4, K
.214/.327/.381 in 98 PA. His statistical profile in April shows his raw ability: Eight of his 18 hits went for extra bases. He stole four bases but was caught three times. He owned a 50% K rate at one point, so it is impressive that he dropped that to 36.7%. Overall, it’s encouraging. You have to be willing to accept some warts as he progresses.
1B Dylan Jasso0-for-4, 2 K
CF Jackson Castillo1-for-3, K
LF Willy Montero0-for-3, K
.162/.213/.203 in 80 PA. Baseball is a game of constant adjustments. We’ll see how he adjust.
C Tomas Frick1-for-3, K
Frick is hitting .367/.500/.433 in 38 PA with six walks and six strikeouts. He has reached base safely in all nine games (at least one hit in eight of them)
DH Manuel Palencia0-for-3, K
3B Brenny Escanio1-for-2, 2B (4), BB

RHP Gabriel Barbosa:(L, 0-3)  6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 9 K
Barbosa ties his personal best for strikeouts in a game. Last two starts: 12 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 17 K. He is not a major prospect as a minor league Rule 5 draftee, but you never know if/when something will click. Something had to impress the Yankees to lead them to draft him in the first place.
RHP Osiel Rodriguez2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
2.45 ERA (11 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 HR, 6 BB, 12 K). If it wasn’t for those pesky home runs…


FCL (0-0)

The season starts on 5/4.


DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!