Yankees MILB 9/1: Rafael Flores, Roc Riggio Go Off

News:

I could rant about today’s roster moves, but I have done enough of that.

Hence, no news today.


Scranton (74-56) (Lost to Rochester, 5-4)

2B Jorbit Vivas2-for-5, 3B (2), HR (7), RBI, RS, 2 K
Vivas is trying to put a tough August behind him (.191/.291/.287).  That said, he hit a double on 8/30 and a homer on 8/31. 
LF Jasson Dominguez0-for-4, BB, K
And you wanted him called up? The Yankees are playing chess.
SS Oswald Peraza1-for-3, RBI, RS, SB (18), HBP, BB, 2 K
DH T.J. Rumfield4-for-5
Rumfield has four multi-hit efforts in his last 9 games. He has one 2-hit game, two 3-hit games, and one 4-hit game. Since promotion: .294/.364/.459 in 423 PA. Can he figure into the future first base picture? You don’t hear much about him and he is Rule 5 eligible this winter. Like I said with Caleb Durbin, the Yankees will show their cards during the offseason.
  PR Cam Eden0-for-0, CS (8)
The game ended on his CS. Why do I envision this happening with Duke Ellis at some point?
CF Taylor Trammell0-for-3, SB (14), BB, K
1B J.C. Escarra0-for-4, 2 K
C Carlos Narvaez1-for-3, 2B (18), RBI, RS, HBP
.271/.390/.445 in 356 PA (18 doubles, 11 HR, 56 RBI, 51 R, 8-for-9 SB. He is more than capable of being an MLB backup. However, my thought process is they will be willing to keep him down here as a #3 catcher in 2025.
RF Oscar Gonzalez0-for-4
3B Jahmai Jones0-for-3, RS, SB (5), HBP, 2 K

LHP Thomas Pannone5.2 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, HR
Since joining the Yankees: 2.32 ERA (44.2 IP, 42 H, 13 R, 11 ER, 5 HR, 4 BB, 36 K). He is 30, so I don’t have illusions of greatness. He has pitched well, however.
RHP Alex Mauricio: (L, 4-1)  1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Joey Gerber1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
LHP Anthony Misiewicz: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K


Somerset (65-59) (Destroyed Reading, 15-5)

CF Spencer Jones1-for-5, HR (15), 2 RBI, RS, 2 K
In his last 8 games, Jones has 5 doubles, 1 triple, a homer, and 10 RBI.  Yes, he also has 12 strikeouts. He is hitting .258/.336/.438 in 491 PA with 25 doubles, 15 homers and 73 RBI. His K% sits at 37.1.
DH Jon Berti: 1-for-3, 3 RS, HBP, BB, K
C Rafael Flores: 4-for-5, 2 2B (11), HR (12), 4 RBI, 4 RS, SB (6)
Flores has 11 doubles, 12 HR, 27 RBI, and 33 runs scored in 53 games since his promotion (.276/.357/.513). Overall, he has 18 HR in 110 games between here and Hudson Valley. He hit 8 HR in 105 games in 2023. He has impressed.
1B Tyler Hardman: 3-for-4, 2 2B (5), RBI, 3 RS, 2 SB (12), BB
It’s been a tough season for Hardman (.189/.282/.315 at this level). Perhaps he can finish with a flourish.
RF Grant Richardson1-for-5, 2 RBI, RS, K
LF Jared Wegner1-for-3, HR (6), 2 SF, 3 RBI, RS, K
2B Anthony Seigler1-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 BB, K
SS Alexander Vargas2-for-5, CS (9), 2 K
Since promotion: .256/.301/.395 in 209 PA.  
3B Max Burt: 2-for-4, 2 RS, SB (12), K

RHP Luis Gil3.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
Gil barely missed any time and should be back shortly. He threw 80 pitches today.
RHP Matt Sauer: (W, 2-0)  2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
3.32 ERA (19 IP, 14 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 3 BB, 14 K). Last 7 games: 10 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 10 K. He started slow after being returned to the franchise but has thrown well lately.
RHP Jesus Liranzo1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Eric Reyzelman1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Since promotion: 2.41 ERA (18.2 IP, 13 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 HR, 11 BB, 28 K)
RHP Leonardo Pestana0.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Colby White0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K


Hudson Valley (68-57) (Defeated Jersey Shore, 6-2, to extend their lead to 3 games over the BlueClaws. This was a huge win)

2B Roc Riggio3-for-5, 2 2B (25), HR (11), 4 RBI, 2 RS
Riggio launched a grand slam today and has homered in back-to-back days. He is hitting .220/.345/.399 in 456 PA (25 doubles, 5 triples, 11 HR, 44 RBI, 67 R, 24-for-30 SB, 14.3% BB, 20.2% K)
SS George Lombard Jr.: 2-for-5, RS, CS (4), K
Lombard has a 7-game hitting streak that features five multi-hit games. He is hitting .221 since his promotion (he was hitting .036 after games of August 14th). He has adjusted to this level and is still a teenager (won’t be 20 until next June). 
1B Josh Moylan: 2-for-4, SF, RBI
DH Omar Martinez1-for-5, 3B (2),  2 K
CF Jackson Castillo3-for-5, RBI, K
Since promotion: .315/.377/.537 in 61 PA with 17 RBI. Overall: .265/.385/.426 in 395 PA with 9 HR, 49 RBI, and 59 runs.
3B Dylan Jasso1-for-5, 2 K
LF Coby Morales0-for-3, RS, 2 BB, 2 K
C Antonio Gomez1-for-2, RS, 2 BB, K
RF Anthony Hall0-for-3, RS, BB, K

RHP Brian Hendry2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
0.57 ERA (15.2 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 8 BB, 21 K)
RHP Harrison Cohen1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
1.08 ERA (16.2 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 1 BB, 22 K). He needs to be in Somerset.
RHP Thomas Balboni Jr.: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Yorlin Calderon1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, HR
LHP Joel Valdez1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Ocean Gabonia1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Indigo Diaz1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Mason Vinyard1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
This is what we used to see in MLB every September! 


Tampa (54-69) (Destroyed Bradenton, 18-4)

SS Roderick Arias2-for-5, 3B (8), RBI, RS, BB
.229/.333/.385 in 531 PA (19 doubles, 8 triples, 12 HR, 72 RBI, 73 R, 12.4% BB, 30.9% K, 32-for-45 SB). Arias has certainly turned his profile into an encouraging one. Since striking out 3 times on August 20th, he has 5 strikeouts in his last ten games.
CF Willy Montero: 1-for-3, SF, 2 RBI, 2 RS, BB, 2 K
.249/.311/.364 in 466 PA (23 doubles, 2 triples, 7 HR, 58 RBI, 62 R, 12-for-13 SB)
LF Tyler Wilson2-for-6, 3 RBI, RS
3B Hans Montero1-for-5, 2B (9), 2 RBI, RS, BB, 2 K
RF Dillon Lewis0-for-5, 2 RS, BB, K
1B Parks Harber3-for-5, 2B (6), 2 RBI, 3 RS, BB
.286/.407/.471 in 86 PA. This is his second 3-hit effort.
DH Joe Delossantos: 3-for-6, 2 2B (4), 2 RBI, 2 RS, 2 K
Delossantos had 4 hits in yesterday’s doubleheader. He is hitting .281/.423/.351 in 71 PA with four doubles and 12 runs scored.
C Josue Gonzalez2-for-3, 2B (4), HR (2), SF, 3 RBI, 3 RS, BB
Since promotion: .250/.317/.346 in 126 PA with a pair of homers and 19 RBI. Including his time in the FCL, Gonzalez has 8 homers and 41 RBI in 74 games. He is only 20 years old.
2B Owen Cobb3-for-4, 2B (4), 2 RBI, 3 RS, BB
I wonder if Cobb is our next Rob Refsnyder/Ben Cowles type. Unlike them, he wasn’t drafted but the profile is similar. He is hitting .278/.365/.352 in 63 PA with 10 runs batted in and 13 runs scored.

RHP Andrew Landry2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
According to Savant, Landry mixed 6 pitches, though he mainly featured a 4-seamer/slider/curve combination. When I say that “results don’t matter right now,” it means that some prospects are in “get their feet wet” mode. Landry is in that group.
RHP Alejandro Gomez: (W, 2-0)  2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Since promotion: 2.61 ERA (10.1 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 7 BB, 10 K). Gomez is a sinker/slider/change type.
RHP Tanner Myatt1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Jordy Luciano2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
At this level: 4.88 ERA (51.2 IP, 48 H, 38 R, 28 ER, 3 HR, 45 BB, 62 K). I can’t figure out what he may need to work on.
RHP Chris Kean1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Since promotion: 9.2 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 14 K. Kean features a 4-seamer/curve/slider and generated whiffs with all three today. His nine 4-seamers today sat between 91.5 – 93.5.
RHP Luis Arejula1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K


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 6/10: Joel Mendez Homers Twice

News:

Nothing.

Scranton (37-25)

Scheduled day off.


Somerset (28-29) 

Scheduled day off.


Hudson Valley (29-27)

Scheduled day off.


Tampa (21-36) 

Scheduled day off.


FCL (16-11) (Lost a pitching duel to the Phillies, 11-10)

CF Brando Mayea0-for-5, RS, 2 K
.250/.342/.297 in 73 PA. Mayea slugged .400 in his debut season for the DSL squad last year, so pop does exist. It hasn’t shown itself yet in 2024.
SS Enmanuel Tejeda2-for-4, 2B (2), RBI, SB (2), BB
I wonder if he will join Tampa for Tuesday’s contest.
C Edgleen Perez3-for-5, 3B (1), RS, K
.286/.462/.429 in 93 PA. 
1B Josue Gonzalez1-for-5, HR (5), 2 RBI, RS, K
Gonzalez is second in the FCL with 5 homers.
DH Antonio Gomez2-for-4, 2 2B (2), RS, BB
I am not sure where Gomez will land once his rehab is done.
2B Abrahan Ramirez: 2-for-5
Ramirez is second in the FCL in batting average (.361).
LF Brian Sanchez2-for-3, 2 2B (8), BB
Sanchez is first in the FCL in batting average (.369), SLG (.646), OPS (1.120), and doubles (8).
RF Joel Mendez3-for-3, 3B (2), 2 HR (4), SF, 5 RBI, 3 RS, BB
Mendez has homered in three straight games; this is his first career multi-HR effort. He is 21 years old and played two seasons in the DSL (this is his second year in the FCL).
3B Luis Ogando2-for-5, 3B (1), RBI
.286/.340/.500 in 47 PA.

RHP Omar Gonzalez3 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, HR
RHP Hansel Rosario3 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K


DSL Yankees (2-4) and DSL Bombers (2-3)

The DSL Yankees defeated the DSL Bombers, 2-0.

The Bombers:

CF Francisco Vilorio1-for-4, 2 K
The 17-year-old bonus baby is 5-for-14 with a triple and 3 RBI in his debut season.
C Queni Pineda1-for-3, 2B (1)
The 17-year-old is 2-for-11 with five runs and five walks in his debut season.
SS Christofer Reyes0-for-3, 3 K
Reyes is only 16. He is 3-for-11 with five walks.
RF Richard Meran0-for-2, BB, 2 K
The 17-year-old was a $100,000 signing during the 2023 international signing period.
2B Luis Escudero0-for-1, SB (4), 2 BB, K
Escudero is an 18-year-old switch-hitter.
LF Browm Martinez1-for-3, CS (1), K
3B Kevin Verde0-for-2, BB
DH Jesus Marquez1-for-3, 2B (1)
Marquez’s first professional hit. The 17-year-old is listed as a catcher, though he hasn’t played the position yet (only three games).
1B David Beckles0-for-2, BB

LHP Junior Tavera (L, 0-2): 2.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, HR
RHP Alexis Paulino3.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K

The Yankees:

SS Dexters Peralta0-for-3, 3 K
3-for-17 with three stolen bases for the 16-year-old switch-hitter. Peralta is 6’1″.
3B Richard Matic0-for-3, 3 K
The 16-year-old bonus baby is 6-for-14 with five walks.
DH Justin Capellan1-for-3, 2 K
The 17-year-old catcher (he has three starts behind the plate) is a $450,000 signee. He is 3-for-12.
CF Gabriel Lara2-for-3, HR (1), RBI, RS
One surprising aspect of Lara’s 2023 season was his pop, as he slugged .411 with four home runs.  He is known more for his elite speed.
LF Isael Arias0-for-2, BB, K
RF Louis Pierre0-for-1, RS, SB (1), 2 BB
C Luis Puello0-for-2
2B Geyber Blanco1-for-2, 2B (1), RBI, K
The 17-year-old (he turns 18 tomorrow) was impressive at this level in 2023, hitting .313/.391/.433 in 133 plate appearances. 
1B Johan Contreras0-for-2

RHP Edinzo Marquez3.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K
RHP Christopher Vasquez (W, 1-0): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
Vasquez pulls out a win in his professional debut.
RHP Richard Jimenez (S, 1): 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K


 

Yankees MILB 5/21: Josue Gonzalez Doubles, Homers

News:

Oswald Peraza‘s rehab stint is over and he has been assigned to Scranton. While this was inevitable, it is now official: Peraza’s final option has been used. They won’t be able to demote him in 2025 without exposing him to waivers.

OF Brando Mayea made his 2024 debut on Monday, going 0-for-1 with a walk. He earned his first hit of the season this afternoon.

With Somerset in New Hampshire and Hudson Valley in Brooklyn, the Yankees transferred DJ LeMahieu‘s rehab from the former to the latter. He will reportedly join the Yankees in Anaheim.

According to the roster page, Clayton Beeter is on the injured list down in Scranton. With Will Warren struggling and Chase Hampton on the shelf, the starting pitching depth has taken some hits. Yoendrys Gomez is talented but they haven’t stretched him out much. Cody Poteet pitched well in a start earlier this season. Like Warren, Edgar Barclay has struggled lately. This is something to monitor as it is nearly impossible to get through a full season using only 5-6 starters.

Scranton (29-16) (Didn’t have a fun night against Syracuse, losing 12-1)

3B Caleb Durbin1-for-3, 2B (15), BB
Durbin has 111 walks (10.9%) and 92 strikeouts (9.1%) in his minor league career.
SS Oswald Peraza1-for-4, RBI, 3 K
1B T.J. Rumfield0-for-3, HBP
C Carlos Narvaez0-for-4, 2 K
LF Taylor Trammell0-for-3, K
Trammell is 6-for-30 as the Yankees try to do what others failed at: Tap into the potential he once had.
RF Oscar Gonzalez1-for-3, K
13-for-38 (4 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR) at this level.
DH-P Jose Rojas0-for-3, K
2B Jeter Downs0-for-3, K
CF Brandon Lockridge1-for-3, RS, K

RHP Will Warren: (L, 3-3) 4 IP, 6 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 4 BB, 4 K, 2 HR
Oof. Warren was dominant in his four April starts (his rough opener was in March), pitching to a 2.33 ERA in 27 innings. May hasn’t been so kind: 24 runs (23 earned) over 14 innings with six home runs allowed. Triple-A is a crazy offensive environment, but that doesn’t explain *all* struggles.
RHP Yerry De Los Santos1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Art Warren2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Phil Bickford1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Jose Rojas1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
Pulling double duty for the second time this season.


Somerset (19-20) (Lost to New Hampshire, 10-2)

CF Spencer Jones1-for-4, SB (9), K
DH Jasson Dominguez0-for-3, RS, BB, 3 K
Dominguez’s rehab was moved here from Tampa.
1B Agustin Ramirez0-for-3, BB, K
C Ben Rice1-for-4, 2B (5), RBI, K
Rice has 3 extra-base hits in May (10 in April). Perhaps this will get him going…
SS Ben Cowles0-for-3, RS, SB (7), BB
Cowles is 30-for-34 (88.2%) stealing bases the last two seasons.
LF Jared Wegner1-for-4, 2 K
3B J.C. Escarra0-for-2, BB
2B Jordan Groshans0-for-2, SF, RBI
RF Elijah Dunham0-for-3

RHP Blane Abeyta: (L, 2-4)  4.1 IP, 9 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 4 HR
RHP Carlos Gomez1.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Yorlin Calderon: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
For Somerset: 2.08 ERA in 8.2 IP (5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 8 K)


Hudson Valley (19-18) (Lost to Brooklyn, 7-1)

3B DJ LeMahieu1-for-3, RBI, K
   3B-2B Beau Brewer0-for-0
SS Jared Serna0-for-3, BB, 2 K
Serna’s on-base streak is up to 19.
2B Jorbit Vivas0-for-3, K
Vivas is 2-for-21 during his rehab stints this year.
  PH-3B Kiko Romero: 0-for-1
DH Tyler Hardman0-for-3, BB, 2 K
LF Jesus Rodriguez2-for-4, 2 2B (9), K
.314/.387/.504 in 155 PA. After hitting a solid .293/.354/.440 in April, he has elevated his game to .339/.425/.581 in May. This is the stuff that promotions are made of, though I think we are several weeks away from the first batch of in-season promotions.
CF Jace Avina0-for-4, K
C Omar Martinez1-for-4, 2B (5), K
Martinez increases his hitting streak to 7.
1B Rafael Flores0-for-3, K
RF Cole Gabrielson1-for-2, 3B (1), RS

RHP Cam Schlittler: (L, 3-1)  4 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 6 BB, 5 K
1.80 ERA (35 IP, 15 H, 13 R, 7 ER, 4 HR, 18 BB, 42 K). Other than a few bouts of wildness, Schlittler has thrown well in 2024. 
RHP Huey Morrill1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 2 HR
RHP Matt Keating3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR
3.24 ERA (25 IP, 16 H, 10 R, 9 ER, 3 HR, 10 BB, 27 K). Keating is a multi-inning reliever with four outings where he has compiled 9 outs. 


Tampa (14-26) (Lost to Jupiter, 3-0)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-3, BB, K
.202/.380/.250 in 108 PA. He is 3-for-25 with two walks since coming back from the injured list (20 walks in 16 games before his injury)
2B Roderick Arias1-for-4, 2B (6), K
Arias hit the double 107.2 MPH. All 12 of his extra-base hits have come hitting left-handed. As a right-handed bat, he is only 7-for-33 with one walk and 18 strikeouts. If you go back to his debut season (2022), he has one extra-base hit (double) against LHP. Is this meaningful? Yes, since you want to see progress in all phases of his game.  Is it fixable? Yes, as he is still a teenager.
1B Dylan Jasso1-for-4, K
CF Jackson Castillo0-for-3, SB (7), BB
.266/.404/.494 in 99 PA. In May, he has 16 walks and 5 stolen bases in 15 games.
3B Hans Montero0-for-3, BB, 2 K
RF Willy Montero0-for-4, K
LF Coby Morales0-for-3, K
C Manuel Palencia1-for-3, 2B (6)
Palencia has 13 strikeouts in 122 Low-A plate appearances (10.7%). For now, he is a contact guy (.301 career average) who hasn’t shown much power (he has yet to hit a home run in his career).
DH Tomas Frick0-for-3, K

RHP Gabriel Barbosa: (L, 0-6)  4.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
5.50 ERA (36 IP, 40 H, 22 R, 22 ER, 1 HR, 9 BB, 39 K). The Yankees likely love his ability to keep the ball on the ground. That elevated ERA doesn’t have anything “bad” attached to it. A little over a hit per inning but a reasonable walk rate, etc. 
RHP Cade Austin2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
4.10 ERA (26.1 IP, 24 H, 14 R, 12 ER, 5 HR, 6 BB, 31 K). Not bad for his debut season…
RHP Kris Bow1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
3.63 ERA (17.1 IP, 11 H, 10 R, 7 ER, 1 HR, 13 BB, 21 K). It’s all about whether or not he can keep the walks at a reasonable level.


FCL (7-6) (Defeated the Tigers, 6-4)

CF Brando Mayea1-for-3, BB
Mayea was signed for $4.35 million during the 2023 international signing period. He hit .276/.382/.400 in 38 DSL games last year.
DH Edgleen Perez1-for-5, RBI, K
C Josue Gonzalez2-for-4, 2B (3), HR (4), RBI, 2 RS
Gonzalez is tied for the FCL lead in home runs and is second in slugging percentage (.758). His OPS (1.289) leads the league.
LF-CF Brian Sanchez1-for-4, 2B (4), RBI, SB (6), BB, K
3B Abrahan Ramirez0-for-3, 2 BB
SS Juan Matheus3-for-4, RBI, RS, BB, K
Matheus’ 6th career 3-hit game (first since 2022)

RHP Danny Flatt4.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K
1.42 ERA (12.2 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 15 K). The 19-year-old could make his Low-A debut this season.
RHP Hansel Rosario2.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 4 K
RHP Yoljeldriz Diaz (W, 1-0): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K


DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 5/9: Roderick Arias: 3B, 2 RBI, 2 R

News:

RHP Nick Burdi is heading to Tampa to join the Yankees, while Ron Marinaccio (who has pitched well) was sent back down to Scranton. Marinaccio was on a similar shuttle in 2022, seemingly sent down at moments when he was pitching well. His 2023 season was not up to par, but he has bounced back in 2024.

Scranton (25-10) (Came back to beat Rochester, 14-12. They were down 12-6 in this game)

CF Greg Allen2-for-5, 2 RS, BB, K
3B Caleb Durbin2-for-6, RBI, RS, CS (2), 2 K
Durbin has hit safely in 13 of his last 14 games and is a tad shy of .300 (.299). He has 12 multi-hit games (35 games played). What is there to criticize?
1B T.J. Rumfield2-for-4, 3 RBI, RS, BB
Rumfield has hit safely in eight of his last nine games and is 11-for-30 in May.
LF Everson Pereira0-for-3, 2 RS, HBP, BB
DH Jose Rojas3-for-3, 2B (8), HR (6), 3 RBI, 4 RS, BB
The veteran has provided some offensive depth, swatting six home runs and driving in 22 in 27 games.
C Luis Torrens0-for-4, RS, BB, 2 K
SS Jeter Downs: 2-for-5, 3B (2), HR (5), 5 RBI, 2 RS, K
Downs is hitting .258 with a .857 OPS (4 doubles, 2 triples, 5 HR, 17 RBI, 20 R, 10 BB, 24 K)
2B Josh VanMeter1-for-3, RBI, 2 HBP, K
RF Brandon Lockridge1-for-2, RBI, SB (15), BB
I am not sure why Lockridge left the game.
  RF Oscar Gonzalez1-for-2, RS

LHP Tanner Tully4.1 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 2 HR
RHP Art Warren0.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, HR
RHP Yerry De Los Santos1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, HR
RHP Duane Underwood Jr.1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Alex Mauricio: (W, 2-0)  1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
1.69 ERA (17 IP, 13 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 2 BB, 21 K)


Somerset (14-15) (Defeated Altoona, 7-4. It’s been a tough year for Altoona (7-24), so it is a good opportunity for Somerset to get over .500)

DH Spencer Jones1-for-3, 2 BB
.241/.318/.392 in 88 PA (4 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 11 R, 10.2% BB, 29.5% K, 5-for-8 SB)
1B Ben Rice: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, BB
.255/.383/.481 in 129 PA (3 doubles, 7 HR, 13 RBI, 20 R, 14.7% BB, 22.9% K)
C Agustin Ramirez0-for-4, BB, K
Ramirez is in a 4-for-24 slide, though he does have eight walks during that stretch.
SS Ben Cowles1-for-4, RBI, HBP
Cowles made Altoona pay for intentionally walking Ramirez by notching an RBI single. He is hitting .333/.413/.552 in 121 PA (10 doubles, 2 triples, 3 HR, 18 RBI, 16 R, 10.7% BB, 16.5% K)
RF Grant Richardson0-for-5, K
3B Jordan Groshans: 1-for-3, 2 RS, 2 BB
CF Elijah Dunham: 3-for-5, 2B (5), RBI, 2 RS
.250/.360/.484 in 75 PA. 
2B Anthony Seigler2-for-4, 2B (7), RBI, RS
LF Aaron Palensky0-for-2, 2 RS, 2 BB, K

RHP Blane Abeyta4.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
RHP Carlos Gomez: (W, 2-0)  2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
0.63 ERA (14.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 8 BB, 11 K). Walks have always been his bugaboo.
RHP Jack Neely (S, 4): 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Neely was recently listed as a future closer prospect by MLB.com. He is a fastball/slider pitcher (the slider is his bread-and-butter) who stands at 6’8″. How can he possibly be a fun at-bat?  Season: 1.72 ERA (15.2 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 5 BB, 23 K). If you want to find a flaw, he has allowed ten homers in 82 IP over the past two years. 


Hudson Valley (14-13) (Lost to Aberdeen, 9-2)

2B Roc Riggio1-for-4, 3B (2), RBI, RS
.212/.361/.409 in 83 PA. Walks have been his calling card but he also has seven extra-base hits (3 doubles, 2 triples, 2 HR).
SS Jared Serna1-for-4, RBI, 2 K
Serna owns an 8-game hitting streak. After games of 4/27, he was hitting .148/.304/.279.  He is now hitting .242/.345/.455.
LF Jace Avina1-for-3, BB, 2 K
C Jesus Rodriguez2-for-4, K
Rodriguez has 11 multi-hit games (25 games played) and is hitting .333/.394/.556.  This was his 50th game at High-A going back to last season. In those games, he is hitting .344/.430/.545. Incredible hitting.
1B Omar Martinez0-for-4, K
3B Josh Moylan0-for-3, BB, 2 K
CF Nelson Medina0-for-3, SB (4), BB, 2 K
DH Kiko Romero0-for-3, CS (1), BB, 2 K
RF Cole Gabrielson0-for-2, RS, BB, 2 K

RHP Jackson Fristoe: (L, 0-1) 4.1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, HR
5.79 ERA (14 IP, 13 H, 10 R, 9 ER, 1 HR, 12 BB, 14 K)
RHP Mason Vinyard1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
RHP Steven Fulgencio1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
LHP Joel Valdez1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K


Tampa (10-21) (Lost to Clearwater, 5-4)

LF Jackson Castillo: 2-for-3, 2 RS, CS (1), BB
Castillo seems to like the leadoff spot (5-for-15, double, HR, 8 BB)
SS Roderick Arias2-for-4, 3B (3), 2 RBI, 2 RS
.209/.356/.355 in 135 PA (4 doubles, 3 triples, 2 HR, 13 RBI, 17 R, 17% BB, 35.6% K). He is on a mini 4-game hitting streak (5-for-13, 6 walks, 3 strikeouts)
3B Dylan Jasso2-for-3, RBI, HBP, K
.303/.403/.523 in 129 PA (10 doubles, 1 triple, 4 HR, 22 RBI, 18 R, 12.4% BB, 27.1% K). He is on a 6-game hitting streak (12-for-25, 10 RBI)  and is 16-for-38 (.421) with three homers and 14 RBI in May. 
CF Willy Montero: 1-for-3, SF, RBI
2B Hans Montero2-for-4
Montero is 7-for-26 since his promotion.
1B Coby Morales0-for-4, K
DH Manuel Palencia: 0-for-4, 2 K
C Edinson Duran1-for-4, K
  PR Dayro Perez0-for-0
RF Daury Arias0-for-4, 2 K

LHP Allen Facundo: 3.2 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
RHP Jordy Luciano: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Yoljeldriz Diaz1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Osiel Rodriguez: (L, 0-1) 1.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
2.70 ERA (13.1 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 HR, 7 BB, 14 K)


FCL (2-2) (Mauled the Phillies, 10-3 in a 7-inning game. The Yankees scored 8 runs in the 4th inning)

(Remember, I do not list out the entire lineup for the FCL/DSL games)

C Edgleen Perez2-for-3, 2 2B (2), 4 RBI, RS, BB
Perez (17 years old) ranked #14 on the preseason Fangraphs’ Yankees list. A strong season here could land him a full-season league at 18. The Yankees have a fun catching pipeline…
1B Josue Gonzalez1-for-1, HR (2), RBI, 2 RS, 2 BB
…a pipeline that includes Gonzalez, who has homered in back-to-back games.
3B Abrahan Ramirez3-for-4, HR (1), 3 RBI, RS
The 19-year-old hit .319 in 60 DSL games with a homer, 31 RBI, 19.9% BB, and 16.1% K. He is listed as a shortstop on his player card but has never played there professionally. They likely signed him as one but converted him instantly. He has time at 2B (primary)/3B/LF/RF (6 innings).
2B Gabriel Terrero2-for-4, RS, SB (1)
Terrero compiled two hits in the 4th inning.
DH Kelvin Espino1-for-2, 2B (1), 2 RS, BB

RHP Josh Tiedemann2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
“Wait! The Yankees have two players named Josh Tiedemann?” The answer is no as Tiedemann is a 2-way player who is 3-for-6 with a pair of walks as a designated hitter. He was considered the top third baseman to come out of an Arizona High School last year, but the Yankees aren’t yet having him focus on that. In high school, he supposedly was throwing in the low 90s. That seems to be the minimum to get your foot in the door nowadays.
RHP Hansel Rosario (W, 1-0): 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Chris Kean2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K. I assume he will be among the first promotions from here when space opens up in Tampa.


DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 5/4: Zach Messinger: 5.2 Hitless Innings

News:

RHP Chase Hampton was transferred to the 60-day injured list today. This is unfortunate for a pitcher many thought could give the team some innings in 2024. We don’t know the reason for the transfer, though you instantly fear Tommy John Surgery.

Scranton (22-9) (Outlasted Jacksonville, 10-9. The Railriders crushed five home runs today. As you may suspect, they are at the top of their division and have one of the best (but not the best) winning percentages in the minor leagues)

LF Greg Allen1-for-4, HR (2), 2 RBI, 2 RS, SB (5), BB
Allen is disruptive. You don’t want him starting often in MLB, but he provides a speed/defense combo that can be useful. Players like him were amongst the most screwed by MLB limiting September rosters.
RF Everson Pereira2-for-5, 2B (7), HR (8), 2 RBI, RS, K
Pereira’s homer was hit at 101.4 MPH. He is hitting .263/.333/.553 in 126 PA. 16 of his 30 hits have gone for extra bases (7 doubles, 1 triple, 8 HR). He has 16 homers in 63 Triple-A games.
1B T.J. Rumfield0-for-4, RS, BB, K
C Carlos Narvaez1-for-5, HR (3), 2 RBI, RS, 2 K
DH Oscar Gonzalez: 2-for-4, 2B (1), HR (1), RBI, RS, BB, K
As long as he is healthy, I like the depth he provides the organization. He is a LF/RF, but the Yankees have given him a pair of starts at first base in Scranton (his only two career games there).
3B Luis Torrens2-for-4, RS, CS (1), K
   3B Caleb Durbin0-for-0
It is rare to see a minor league manager go the defensive substitution route but in a crazy game like this, I guess you don’t want a catcher at third base in the 9th!
SS Jeter Downs0-for-3, RS, BB, 2 K
2B Kevin Smith1-for-4, HR (1), 3 RBI, RS, 3 K
CF Brandon Lockridge2-for-4, 2B (5), RS, SB (13), K
.208/.345/.278 in 87 PA (5 doubles, 10 RBI, 13 R, 13-for-14 SB). 

RHP Cody Poteet3.2 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, HR
3.33 ERA (24.1 IP, 17 H, 10 R, 9 ER, 3 HR, 6 BB, 25 K). He has pitched very well, so we’ll toss this one.
RHP Duane Underwood Jr. (W, 2-0): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
1.76 ERA (15.1 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 HR, 6 BB, 17 K)
RHP Yerry De Los Santos2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Art Warren0.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
The 31-year-old had strikeout chops before his injury (29.5% K rate in 65 MLB games).
RHP Phil Bickford (S, 2): 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K


Somerset (12-14) (Outpitched New Hampshire, 2-0. Somerset didn’t have a hit entering the 7th inning. New Hampshire didn’t earn a hit until the 6th inning)

DH Spencer Jones0-for-4, 2 K
.250/.311/.412 in 74 PA. He is in a 1-for-22 slump but he’s too good for that to continue for much longer (uh oh, why did I have to say that?)
C Ben Rice0-for-3, SB (4), CI
.277/.404/.532 in 115 PA. Rice is 20-for-24 stealing bases in his career.
SS Ben Cowles2-for-4, RS
Cowles broke up the New Hampshire no-hitter in the 7th. This is his 9th multi-hit effort (25th game). He is hitting .344/.421/.591 in 107 PA. How long can he maintain an OPS > 1.000?
CF Grant Richardson1-for-3, RS, BB, K
.297/.369/.486 in 84 PA (8 doubles, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 11 R, 5-for-6 SB, 8.3% BB, 22.6% K). He had a 31.1% K rate in 61 PA here last year. He’s having a solid season and he has more power to tap into.
3B J.C. Escarra0-for-3, 2 K
LF Elijah Dunham1-for-3, 2B (4), 2 RBI, K
8 of Dunham’s 13 hits have gone for extra bases.
RF Jared Wegner0-for-2, SB (4), HBP, K
2B Anthony Seigler0-for-3, 2 K
1B Spencer Henson0-for-3, 2 K
Henson’s first game since 4/19.

RHP Zach Messinger5.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 7 K
Messinger threw 91 pitches today. This performance drops his ERA to 4.28 (33.2 IP, 25 H, 22 R, 16 ER, 4 HR, 13 BB, 37 K). 
LHP Ryan Anderson0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Leonardo Pestana: (W, 1-0) 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
So far, Pestana is taking to a relief role. That would be par for the course with the Yankees if he developed into an MLB-quality bullpen arm.
RHP Jack Neely: (S, 3) 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, HR
2.03 ERA (13.1 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 5 BB, 20 K)


Hudson Valley (14-10)

Their game against Wilmington was postponed.


Tampa (7-19) (Lost to Dunedin, 6-5)

CF Jackson Castillo1-for-5, 2B (3), RS, SB (3), K
SS Roderick Arias0-for-3, RBI, RS, SB (5), 2 BB, 2 K
Arias made up for a big error in the 6th by drawing an important walk in the 7th. Tampa couldn’t hold the lead though…
3B Dylan Jasso2-for-4, 2 HR (4), 3 RBI, 2 RS
Jasso had zero HR in his first 18 games this season and one in his first 39 professional games. He has four in his last six games. Baseball!
1B Coby Morales1-for-4, K
2B Hans Montero: 1-for-4, RS, 2 K
Montero’s first Low-A hit. Congrats!
C Tomas Frick0-for-3, HBP
Frick has started his career with an 11-game on-base streak.
LF Tayler Aguilar1-for-2 HBP, BB
DH Manuel Palencia1-for-4, RBI
RF Daury Arias0-for-4, 2 K

RHP Josh Grosz5.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 12 K, 2 HR
Grosz struck out the first two hitters in the 6th before Dunedin took advantage of a costly error. Grosz generated 19 whiffs (10 with the slider, six with the 4-seamer) in his most impressive professional performance. Last two starts: 10.2 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 17 K. This is the 21-year-old’s debut season.
RHP Cade Austin: (L, 0-2)  2.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 1 HR


FCL (0-1) (Lost to the FCL Tigers, 5-4, in ten innings)

I will do a full lineup today, but that is not how I will treat the FCL throughout the season. I will instead highlight anything interesting that happens.

RF Wilson Rodriguez2-for-5, RBI, RS, 2 K
Rodriguez was drafted in the 17th round in the 2023 draft out of Puerto Rico. The 19-year-old went 9-for-41 (.220/.360/.430) in last year’s debut season, hitting a pair of home runs.
C Edgleen Perez0-for-2, HBP, K
I don’t know why he was lifted, but the HBP is likely a clue. Only 17 years old, Perez hit .259/.389/.317 in 39 DSL games in 2023.
   3B Abrahan Ramirez0-for-2
The 19-year-old left-handed bat hit .311/.471/.379 in the DSL in 2023.
1B-C Josue Gonzalez3-for-5, 2B (1), RBI, K
The 20-year-old had a big season in the DSL last year. That earned him a shot at this level, which is all he can ask for. 
CF Fidel Montero: 0-for-4, BB, 3 K
All I want to happen is for Willy (Tampa), Hans (Tampa), and Fidel Montero to make it to MLB simultaneously!
LF Joel Mendez1-for-4, 2B (1), BB, K
Mendez is 21. He went 29-for-99 (.292/.363/.424) at this level in 2023.
3B-1B Luis Ogando1-for-4, RS, K
Ogando hit .352/.446/.541 in 148 DSL plate appearances in 2023. He is 20 years old.
DH Josh Tiedemann1-for-2, RS, 2 BB
The other 2023 draftee besides Rodriguez in today’s lineup was Tiedemann, the Yankees’ 13th-round pick out of an Arizona high school. The 19-year-old went 1-for-9 in his professional debut last year.
2B Gabriel Terrero0-for-4, RBI, BB, 3 K
The 18-year-old hit .299/.407/.533 in 37 games in his debut season (DSL) last year. He clubbed seven home runs, drove home 27,  and stole 14 bases in 20 attempts.
SS Juan Matheus: 1-fot-5, 3B (1), RS, CS (1), K
After hitting .252/.442/.472 in 45 DSL games in 2022, he only played in ten games in 2023 (he was on the 60-day injured list for most of the season).

RHP Angel Benitez: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
The 20-year-old stands 6’7″. In the DSL last year (his debut season), he pitched to a 1.06 ERA in 17 innings with a 24/7 K/BB.
RHP Omar Gonzalez2.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Gonzalez was likely one of the youngest players in professional baseball in 2022 when he compiled a 0.44 ERA in 20.1 innings in the DSL. He was 16 years old when he made his debut on June 11th. He only tossed 11 innings in 2023.
RHP Chris Kean1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
The 21-year-old was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Louisiana-Monroe last year. This is his professional debut. He stands a mere 6’5″, making him a backup point guard for the Yankees Pitching Trees rec basketball league.
RHP Mason Vinyard1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
Vinyard pitched in 24 games for Hudson Valley last season, compiling a 2.97 ERA. He is here on a rehab assignment.
RHP Hansel Rosario2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K
Control has been Rosario’s issue in his brief career. Let’s see if this is the start of turning the corner.
RHP Alejandro Gomez (L, 0-1): 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Now 21, he spent 2021-2023 in the DSL. 


DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!