Tag: Luis Gil

Yankees MILB 7/29: Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz Tosses 6 Scoreless Innings

Notes:

In case you missed them, here is my article on the Ryan McMahon transaction and my analysis of the Amed Rosario transaction.

Antonio Gomez was assigned to Tampa today. The catcher-turned-pitcher was on the Development List. He made his first appearance on the hill tonight, maxing out at 99.9 MPH.

LHP Henry Lalane‘s rehab assignment is over, which makes sense since the FCL season is over. The system’s #13 prospect (Pipeline) is officially with Tampa. Essentially, he is resuming his rehab, but it won’t be called that.

Spencer Jones was back in the lineup after missing three games due to back spasms.

The Yankees traded RHP Carlos Carrasco to the Braves for cash or a player to be named (I would place strong odds on it being money). Carrasco pitched to a 5.91 ERA (5.31 FIP; 69 ERA+) in 32 innings for the Yankees. For Scranton, he was a valuable innings-eating veteran.

Injury Log

Scranton (59-40; 21-6 in second half) (Lost to Nashville, 7-3)

DH Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-5, K
Rodriguez increases his hitting streak to 16 in his last at-bat of the evening.
2B Jorbit Vivas: 0-for-4, BB
CF Everson Pereira: 1-for-5, 2B (9)
RF Spencer Jones: 2-for-4, 2B (6), R, K
Jones hits as if his back never spasmed.  He is hitting .405/.459/.940 (again, that’s his SLG, not his OPS!) in 98 PA since his promotion and .317/.412/.707 (LOL) overall.
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-4, RBI
Since promotion: 8-for-36 (.222) with a homer and four RBI.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 2-for-3, 2B (28), R, HBP, K
.312/.395/.502 in 392 PA for the doubles machine (he has 11 in 21 July games)
3B Jeimer Candelario: 1-for-4, 2B (7), RBI, R, K
LF Bryan De La Cruz: 1-for-4, K
SS Braden Shewmake: 1-for-3, SF, RBI

RHP Luis Gil: 4.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, HR
Gil threw 75 pitches (50 strikes) and reached 98.4 MPH (averaged 95.8). He threw 40% 4-seamers, 37% sliders, and 23% changeups, generating 15 whiffs. I don’t like “rushing” players coming off injury, but everything looks good with Gil – he is using his entire mix, throwing as hard as you would expect, and generating whiffs.  I have no problem with him pitching for the MLB club this weekend.
RHP Zach Messinger: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Kervin Castro: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
1.52 ERA (29.2 IP, 14 H, 8 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 13 BB, 40 K)
RHP Scott Effross (L, 1-3): 0.1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
At this point, Effross is a shuttle arm for the Yankees. Is he in danger of being cut from the 40-man roster? Perhaps not yet, but the likelihood that he will return to form seems low.
RHP Leonardo Pestana: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Somerset (52-45; 17-11 in second half) (Outpitched Richmond, 1-0)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-4, HR (5), RBI, R
Lombard Jr.’s home run in the 6th was all that was needed tonight.  Since promotion: .212/.326/.347 in 291 PA. He has a .411 SLG in July and has eight doubles and three home runs in his last 24 games. 
RF Jace Avina: 1-for-3
2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-3
Riggio is 19-for-66 (.288/.382/.561) in July.
3B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-3, 2 K
Jasso has a 7-game hitting streak and is hitting .308/.349/.449 in July. Like every hitter at every level in baseball history, he’s had his share of struggles, but he has been pretty consistent all year. 
CF Brendan Jones: 0-for-2, CS (2), BB
C Omar Martinez: 0-for-3, 2 K
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-2, BB, K
LF Cole Gabrielson: 0-for-3, K
DH Jared Wegner: 0-for-2, HBP

RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz: (W, 1-1)  6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K
Rodriguez-Cruz is likely going to be asked about a lot over the next few days. Since promotion: 2.37 ERA (19 IP, 15 H, 8 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 4 BB, 15 K). Overall: 2.28 ERA (102.2 IP, 67 H, 35 R, 26 ER, 2 HR, 41 BB, 114 K).  Is he untouchable? Of course not. However, the 21-year-old has impressed with his ability to miss bats and keep the ball in the ballpark. He owned a 53.1% GB entering tonight.
RHP Hayden Merda: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
Merda’s 5th straight scoreless outing (5.2 IP). It’s lowered his ERA (since his promotion) from 14.54 to 6.30.
RHP Danny Watson (S, 4): 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
6.25 ERA (36 IP, 45 H, 26 R, 25 ER, 6 HR, 7 BB, 38 K). He owns a 2.08 ERA in 8.2 July innings and hasn’t walked a batter in 17 straight appearances (23.2 innings).

Hudson Valley (58-36; 21-10 second half) (Defeated Wilmington, 13-6)

LF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-6, RBI, R, 2 K
CF Dillon Lewis: 3-for-5, 2B (7), SF, 3 RBI, 2 R
He is on an impressive 10-game hitting streak that has increased his triple slash from .183/.243/.357 to .244/.306/.439 since his promotion. 
RF Coby Morales: 3-for-5, 3 RBI, 2 R, BB
2B Jose Colmenares: 2-for-6, 3B (3), 2 RBI, R, 2 K
Colmenares has a 6-game hitting streak (9-for-24; 4 doubles, 2 HR, 10 RBI)
DH Josh Moylan: 1-for-6, RBI, 2 K
3B Alexander Vargas: 0-for-3, 2 BB
C Manuel Palencia: 4-for-5, 2 2B (3), 2 RBI, 2 R, K
Palencia’s 4th career 4-hit effort (including one in the FCL this year). 
1B Kiko Romero: 2-for-4, 2 R, BB
Romero is 8-for-32 (.250/.390/.438) since coming back from injury.
SS Brenny Escanio: 2-for-4, 2B (6), RBI, 2 R, CS (7), BB

RHP Andrew Landry: (W, 1-1)  5.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 1 K, HR
Landry was promoted from Tampa for the second time in three weeks. With trades and injuries, Hudson Valley needs arms.
LHP Geoffrey Gilbert: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
RHP Jordany Ventura: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Bryce Warrecker: 1.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR
Rare misstep for Warrecker, but at least it happened during a blowout. He owns a 1.70 ERA in 42.1 IP (24 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 9 BB, 45 K)

Tampa (45-48; 9-19 in the second half)  (Lost to Clearwater, 11-8, in ten innings)

3B Juan Matheus: 1-for-5, K
C Edgleen Perez: 1-for-4, RBI, R, BB, K
SS Roderick Arias: 1-for-5, HR (6), 2 RBI, 2 R, 3 K
Nice to see Arias go yard during an otherwise disappointing campaign.
DH Engelth Urena: 1-for-5, R
RF Wilson Rodriguez: 1-for-2, 3B (1), RBI, R, 3 BB, K
Since promotion: 12-for-48 (.250; 2 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 9 R, 9 BB, 9 K)
CF Willy Montero: 2-for-5, RBI, R, K
Montero is hitting .304 (17-for-56) at this level.
1B Tyler Wilson: 0-for-3, R, 2 BB, K
2B Enmanuel Tejeda: 2-for-4, 2B (1), 2 RBI, R, K
Tejeda is versatile and speedy enough with excellent bat-to-ball skills. Power? Not likely to be a part of his profile. His ceiling is likely in the Ronald Torreyes area. And there is nothing wrong with that ceiling.
LF Marshall Toole: 1-for-4, SB (28), 3 K
Toole has 28 stolen bases in 31 attempts. His K% was 20.0% entering tonight, and this was the first time he struck out three times this season (once last season).

LHP Henry Lalane: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K
As stated above, don’t expect extended outings for a while.  The big lefty wasn’t throwing hard tonight (low-90s), but that can be attributed to his time off.  
RHP Sunayro Martina: 3 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
The 21-year-old Martina makes his Tampa debut. His rookie league resume isn’t great (5.45 ERA; 79.1 IP, 67 H, 63 R, 48 ER, 5 HR, 59 BB, 84 K). We don’t have full StatCast data tonight, but I do see that he reached 96.8 MPH.
RHP Cade Austin: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Antonio Gomez: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Gomez threw 19 pitches (11 strikes) in his pitching debut. One of the runs allowed scored after he left the game. This is a fun story to follow.
RHP Chris Veach: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
LHP Tanner Bauman: (L, 2-7)  2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

FCL (28-30)

Their season is over.

DSL Yankees (17-24) (Outlasted the DSL Twins, 11-10, in ten innings. This game was a DSL Special, as the Yankees scored 11 runs on 15 hits and nine walks. They scored seven runs between the 8th and 10th innings. They tied the game in the 10th on a walk and “walked it off” with a hit-by-pitch.)

CF Francisco Vilorio: 0-for-5, R, BB, K
SS Mani Cedeno: 2-for-6, 2 R, 2 SB (14), 3 K
.183/.360/.238 in 161 PA (3 doubles, 2 triples, 0 HR, 11 RBI, 30 R, 14-for-15 SB, 18.0% BB, 37.3% K)
2B Carlos Bello: 0-for-4, 2 R, CS (3), HBP, BB, K
The 17-year-old got off to a strong start but is 3-for-35 in his last ten games. He has drawn six walks.
3B Richard Matic: 3-for-4, 3B (3), 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 SB (7), 2 BB, K
Matic has certainly adjusted in 2025, hitting .368/.500/.614 in 150 PA (10 doubles, 3 triples, 4 HR, 28 RBI, 32 R, 7-for-12 SB, 20% BB, 22.7% K). The crazy thing is that a .500 OBP ranks him only 6th in this league (he is 4th in SLG and OPS). He turned 18 on July 26th.
DH Justin Capellan: 2-for-6, 2 K
LF Estivenzon Montero: 2-for-4, 3B (1), HR (8), 2 RBI, 2 R, SB (8), 2 BB, K
.302/.393/.569 in 135 PA (5 doubles, 1 triple, 8 HR, 27 RBI, 18 R, 8-for-11 SB, 12.6% BB, 27.4% K). The 18-year-old has 14 extra-base hits in 33 games (8 in 31 games in 2024).
C Edgar Jimenez: 2-for-3, R, SB (5), CS (1), 2 BB, K
   PR Alfiery Matos: 0-for-0, SB (9)
RF Angel Ventura: 2-for-4, RBI, R, BB, K
1B-C Diego Flores: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, SB (1)

RHP Enixon Sanchez: 4 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, HR
4.11 ERA (35 IP, 38 H, 21 R, 16 ER, 2 HR, 23 BB, 39 K)
RHP Emanuel Vargas: 3.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 3 K
LHP Fredy Penuelas: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Rafael Arias (W, 5-0): 1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

DSL Bombers (21-19) (Lost to the DSL Phillies White, 4-3)

SS Stiven Marinez: 1-for-5, SB (20), K
.230/.404/.286 in 166 PA. Marinez is in a 2-for-23 slump.
CF Ruben Castillo: 1-for-3, 2B (8), R, SB (19), CS (7), HBP, BB
Castillo is on a 5-game hitting streak and has hit safely in eight of his last nine games.
DH Juan Torres: 2-for-4, RBI
Of all the Yankees’ debuting talents in the DSL, I think Torres has impressed the most. The 17-year-old is at .339/.393/.495 in 122 PA and is on an 11-game hitting streak. The funniest part is that, in a sea of huge signing bonuses, he received $50,000.  Yes, I realize that one DSL season doesn’t make or break a prospect.
2B Christofer Reyes: 2-for-4, 2 R, SB (21)
3B Leni Done: 1-for-4, K
LF David Carrera: 1-for-2, SF, 2 RBI, BB

LHP Junior Tavera: 4.2 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
LHP Ronald Tejada (L, 1-3): 2.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K
The 18-year-old is missing more bats in 2025, but the overall numbers have tumbled (1.75 ERA in 25.2 IP in 2024; 7.08 ERA in 20.1 IP in 2025).
RHP Alexis Gonzalez: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Yankees MILB 7/23: Jesus Rodriguez Extends Hitting Streak

Notes:

Pipeline released a new Top 30 list, and Carlos Lagrange has jumped all the way to #2 (behind George Lombard Jr.). He also joined the Top 100. RHP Cam Schlittler is now third while Spencer Jones, despite his incredible hot streak, dropped to 4th.  LHP Griffin Herring surged up the list to 8th. Seven of their top ten prospects are pitchers (Lombard Jr., Jones, and Rafael Flores are the position players.)

This was not a “full” update, which will come in August. They decided to update the list to better reflect prospect value at the Trade Deadline.  Hence, no recent draftees appear on the list.

Injury Log

Scranton (56-38; 18-4 in second half) (Defeated Rochester, 8-6, in 11 innings)

DH Jesus Rodriguez: 2-for-6, R, CS (8), K
Rodriguez increases his hitting streak to 11 (14-for-44 (.318), 9 BB). 
LF Everson Pereira: 2-for-6, HR (19), 3 RBI, R, K
Pereira has homered in four of his last five games. He is tied for third in the International League in homers (though I don’t know how the players he is tied with did today/tonight).
CF Spencer Jones: 0-for-4, SF, RBI, R, HBP, K
His Triple-A average drops below .400 (the horrors!)
C Rafael Flores: 0-for-3, R, 3 BB, 2 K
Flores has an interesting power profile that is elevated if he can catch even part-time (think Ben Rice, in that regard). If another organization projects him as a viable catcher, that should increase his trade value. He is Rule 5 eligible this winter. 
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-6, RBI, 2 K
3B Jeimer Candelario: 0-for-5
If you thought he could help the third base situation, look somewhere else. He is 7-for-49 since signing.
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 2-for-4, 2 2B (9), R, BB, 2 K
SS Braden Shewmake: 0-for-2, K
Shewmake was activated off the injured list today.
  2B Jose Rojas: 2-for-2, 2B (24), RBI, R
  PR Duke Ellis: 0-for-0
Ellis came in to pinch run and was instantly picked off. That would fit in perfectly with the big club.
  2B Nicky Lopez: 0-for-1, R, SB (3)
2B-SS Andrew Velazquez: 1-for-4, 2B (13), R, BB

RHP Luis Gil: 3.1 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, HR
The numbers weren’t impressive, but he got in his work. Gil used his fastball (36%), slider (43%), and changeup (21%) mix, topping out at 96.2 with the fastball (94.4 average). He generated 11 whiffs on 32 swings.
RHP Kervin Castro: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
Castro hit 95.3 MPH, generating six whiffs on ten swings with his fastball. He owns a 1.69 ERA (26.2 IP, 14 H, 8 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 12 BB, 36 K)
RHP Clayton Beeter: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Beeter’s live arm (maxed at 98.7) will allow him to get plenty of MLB chances. Can he harness fastball/slider combo to develop into a consistent option?
RHP Baron Stuart: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
LHP Brent Headrick: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
Reyzelman was humming in his first inning of work, reaching 98.4 MPH while striking out the side. They put him out there in the 10th, and the velocity was down, though he did record a 4th strikeout. Season: 4.03 ERA (38 IP, 24 H, 17 R, 17 ER, 5 HR, 39 BB, 40 K).
RHP Leonardo Pestana: (W, 2-3)  2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
RHP Edinson Duran (S, 1): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Scranton ran out of pitchers, so they trotted out their #3 catcher to get the final out. It was his second career pitching appearance (2022). 

Somerset (49-43; 14-9 in second half) (Defeated Erie, 3-1)

CF Brendan Jones: 1-for-4, HR (4), RBI, 2 R, BB, 2 K
Since promotion: .231/.322/.408 in 152 PA (7 doubles, 2 triples, 4 HR, 25 RBI, 19 R, 9-for-10 SB, 12.5% BB, 21.1% K). It’s not always a perfect barometer, but one way to gauge a team’s sentiment about a prospect is their lineup placement. 
SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-5, 2B (11), R, 3 K
Lombard Jr. has a 6-game hitting streak (7-for-26; 3 doubles, 2 HR). He owns a .404 SLG in July. While he showed off his plate discipline upon promotion, he is now showcasing more power. If he is good enough, the package will come together.
2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-5, 2B (9), RBI, K
18 of his 33 Double-A hits have gone for extra bases (9 doubles, 9 HR).
LF Jace Avina: 1-for-2, 2 BB, K
Since promotion: 6-for-27 (2 doubles, 1 HR, 8 BB, 7 K). While he is hitting only .222, his small sample OBP (.400) and SLG (.481) are solid.
3B Dylan Jasso: 2-for-4, RBI
.263/.334/.449 in 353 PA (13 doubles, 5 triples, 12 HR, 47 RBI, 48 R, 7.9% BB, 21.8% K).  Jasso’s game features a reverse split (.833 OPS vs. RHP; .615 vs. LHP)
DH Omar Martinez: 1-for-4
Since promotion: .227/.303/.379 in 76 PA
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-4, K
C Tomas Frick: 0-for-3, BB, K
Frick’s Double-A debut (.227/.344/.383 in 44 High-A games)
RF Cam Eden: 1-for-4, 2 K

RHP Trystan Vrieling: 4.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K
Vrieling was pulled after 73 pitches. He owns a 4.39 ERA in 41 IP (45 H, 22 R, 20 ER, 5 HR, 16 BB, 38 K). In July: 13.2 IP, 10 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 0 BB, 16 K. 
RHP Cole Ayers (W, 1-1): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Mason Vinyard: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Danny Watson (S, 3): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
6.48 ERA (33.1 IP, 42 H, 25 R, 24 ER, 6 HR, 7 BB, 36 K). July: 6 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 0 BB, 7 K.  Watson hasn’t allowed a walk over his last 15 appearances. 

Hudson Valley (52-36; 15-10 second half) (Lost to Rome, 6-1)

CF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-4, K
.239/.335/.330 in 355 PA (14 doubles, 1 triple, 4 HR, 41 RBI, 40 R, 18-for-19 SB, 11.8% BB, 19.7% K). After a red-hot start to July, he is in a 0-for-15 slide (his July triple slash is still .278/.371/.426).
DH Dillon Lewis: 2-for-4
Since promotion: .221/.280/.416 in 162 PA (4 doubles, 2 triples, 7 HR, 21 RBI, 14 R, 6-for-6 SB, 6.8% BB, 19.8% K). His BABIP is .236.
LF Coby Morales: 1-for-3, R, BB
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-4, 3 K
3B Josh Moylan: 1-for-4, 2B (14), RBI, K
.191/.328/.321. He entered July at .170/.311/.282. Moylan had some hype as an undrafted free agent but the bat has yet to come around.
C John Cristino: 0-for-4, SB (1), 2 K
1B Kiko Romero: 0-for-2, BB, K
2B Brenny Escanio: 0-for-3
RF Anthony Hall: 1-for-3

RHP Josh Grosz (L, 4-8): 6.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
4.14 ERA (87 IP, 66 H, 46 R, 40 ER, 5 HR, 35 BB, 94 K). 
RHP Tyrone Yulie: 0.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 2 HR
His first full year as a reliever hasn’t gone to plan: 6.23 ERA (26 IP, 23 H, 19 R, 18 ER, 3 HR, 16 BB, 35 K). June and July have been especially rough.
RHP Bryce Warrecker: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
1.33 ERA (40.2 IP, 20 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 0 HR, 9 BB, 42 K). Hitters have a .147/.203/.199 triple slash off of him.
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Tampa (45-44; 9-15 in the second half)

Their game against Dunedin was postponed due to rain.

FCL (28-29)

Day off. Their season concludes with a game against the Tigers tomorrow.

DSL Yankees (14-22)

Day off.

DSL Bombers (19-17)

Day off.

Yankees MILB 7/18: Brendan Beck: 5 Hitless Innings

Notes:

In case you missed it (or you want to read it for the 50th time), I wrote up a mid-season review of the Yankees’ system.

OF Spencer Jones was missing from tonight’s Scranton lineup. That raises an eyebrow because the Railriders just had four days off. As I said last week, being out of a lineup doesn’t mean a trade is coming. Something is up because there isn’t a reason to give him five days off. If it is injury-related, I hope it isn’t the same injury that caused him to miss weeks of action earlier this season.

The Yankees signed several undrafted free agents to minor league deals:

OF Eric Genther
RHP Tommy O’Rourke
OF Robbie Burnett

The left-handed hitting Genther spent his entire collegiate career (that still happens?) with Rhode Island. This season, at age 23, he hit .361/.478/.584 with ten homers and 53 RBI in 60 games. While he has experience in LF and CF, he spent the entire 2025 season in right field.

Burnett, who also hits lefty, spent the 2025 season at the University of Georgia (transferred from UNC Asheville). He hit 307/.477/.693 with 20 homers, 66 RBI, and 17 stolen bases in 56 games. When a hitter does that in the SEC, you notice. While listed as an outfielder, he played 20 games at second base in addition to 34 games in right field, four games in left field, and two games in center field.

O’Rourke is a 23-year-old who spent 2025 pitching for Vanderbilt. It was his first action since 2022, when he threw for Stanford. This year, he posted a 4.02 ERA in 15.2 innings with an 18/6 K/BB. The fact that he caught Stanford’s eye in the first place tells you he had talent coming out of high school.

By the way, in addition to drafting Jeff Kent‘s son (Kaeden Kent), the Yankees drafted Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek, son of Mark Grudzielanek, in the latest example of how old I am getting. He was drafted in the 20th (final) round out of USC.

Plenty of the 2025 draftees were assigned to the FCL. That doesn’t mean they will make their debuts immediately, but we might see a few of them before the FCL season ends on July 24th. Some may get playing time for Tampa. In 2024, many of the draftees/undrafted free agent signings went that route, including Brendan Jones, Marshall Toole, and Parks Harber. As you may suspect, pitchers are less likely to debut.

Injury Log

Scranton (53-37; 15-3 in second half) (Defeated Worcester, 11-3)

C Jesus Rodriguez: 2-for-4, SB (13), CS (7), BB
He will likely have to tone down that baserunning. Anyway, Rodriguez has a 10-game hitting streak (12-for-38; .316) and is hitting .313/.413/.411 at this level.
DH Jose Rojas: 3-for-4, 2B (23), HR (14), RBI, 2 R, BB, K
RF Everson Pereira: 1-for-5, HR (16), 2 RBI, 2 R
Pereira is 14-for-39 (.359; 3 doubles, 1 triple, 4 HR, 13 RBI, 13 R) in July and has 16 homers in 61 games. Over his minor league career, he has 82 homers in 1,720 plate appearances (392 games).
1B T.J. Rumfield: 3-for-5, HR (11), 3 RBI, 2 R, 2 K
Rumfield has a 6-game hitting streak and has compiled six multi-hit efforts in his last nine games. In those nine games, he is 17-for-38 (.447; 4 doubles, 2 HR, 17 RBI, 8 R). His triple slash has climbed from .281/.365/.462 to .302/.380/.493.
3B Jeimer Candelario: 2-for-5, 2B (5), 2 RBI, K
2B Nicky Lopez: 1-for-5, R, 2 K
LF Ismael Munguia: 2-for-5, 2B (9), RBI, R, SB (21)
SS Andrew Velazquez: 2-for-3, 2B (12), RBI, R, SB (23), BB
CF Duke Ellis: 0-for-3, SAC, K

RHP Brendan Beck: (W, 2-0)  5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 9 K (new personal best)
Beck throws 79 pitches in a dominant effort. This drops his Scranton ERA to 3.89 (23.1 IP, 18 H, 10 R, 10 ER, 4 HR, 3 BB, 22 K). A healthy Beck has “modern day bulldog” potential, given that he can keep the walks low. The keyword in that sentence is “healthy”. While Beck is not a consistently hard thrower, he did dial up to 94.2 MPH today and generated 12 whiffs with his slider/curve combo.
RHP Baron Stuart: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
The Yankees probably like his mid-90s sinker, though swing-and-miss is an issue (zero strikeouts in six innings since his promotion). 
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR
4.17 ERA (36.2 IP, 22 H, 17 R, 17 ER, 5 HR, 39 BB, 36 K).
RHP Joel Kuhnel: 1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Zach Messinger: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
5.16 ERA (52.1 IP, 56 H, 31 R, 30 ER, 4 HR, 34 BB, 51 K). As reliever: 2.59 ERA (24.1 IP, 20 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 15 BB, 25 K)

Somerset (48-40; 13-6 in second half) (Defeated Hartford, 8-5)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-5, 2B (9), K
C Rafael Flores: 2-for-4, 2 R, BB, 2 K
Flores has 28 multi-hit efforts this season. 
3B Dylan Jasso: 2-for-5, 2B (12), RBI, 2 R, 3 K
RF Jace Avina: 1-for-4, HR (1), 3 RBI, R, BB, K
Avina’s first Double-A homer (9th HR overall this season).
CF Brendan Jones: 1-for-3, R, SB (8), 2 BB, K
Jones started slow here but is now 13-for-40 (.325; 3 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 9 R, 6-for-6 SB, 9 BB, 10 K) in July.
DH Omar Martinez: 1-for-3, RBI, R, BB, K
Since promotion: .260 (13-for-50).
1B Tyler Hardman: 1-for-4, HR (14), 3 RBI, R, 2 K
Hardman has four doubles and three home runs in 11 July games. His trade value isn’t much, but if Andres Chaparro and Eric Wagaman can find MLB jobs, perhaps Hardman can too.
LF Cole Gabrielson: 0-for-2, 2 BB
2B Max Burt: 0-for-4, 2 K

RHP Luis Gil: 3.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, HR
Gil allowed a 2-run homer to the third batter he faced before settling in. He threw 57 pitches tonight and likely has a few more rehab starts to get through.
RHP Hayden Merda: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Merda was used as a bridge tonight.
LHP Brock Selvidge: (W, 2-2)  4.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
Selvidge piggybacked off of Gil and put together a strong effort. At this level: 3.07 ERA (29.1 IP, 19 H, 11 R, 10 ER, 1 HR, 19 BB, 25 K)
LHP Ryan Anderson: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

Hudson Valley (52-34; 14-8 second half) (Lost to Jersey Shore, 9-3. Former Yankees’ farmhand Gabriel Barbosa got some revenge on his former organization by tossing five hitless innings)

LF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K
CF Dillon Lewis: 2-for-4, RBI
Lewis collects their only two hits. He owns a 5-game hitting streak (8-for-19; 1 double, 2 HR). 
1B Coby Morales: 0-for-3, BB, K
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-4, 2 K
2B Jose Colmenares: 0-for-3, R, BB, K
3B Josh Moylan: 0-for-2, R, 2 BB, K
C Manuel Palencia: 0-for-3, R, BB, K
DH Kiko Romero: 0-for-2, RBI, 2 BB, K
RF Anthony Hall: 0-for-4, K

LHP Griffin Herring: (L, 3-2) 4 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 6 K
One of the Yankees’ biggest 2025 success stories couldn’t find a groove in his first start out of the break, though damage was limited. He required 90 pitches to get those 12 outs. Since promotion: 2.22 ERA (44.2 IP, 32 H, 13 R, 11 ER, 1 HR, 20 BB, 44 K). Overall, he has passed the 100 strikeout mark (102/36 K/BB over 89.1 innings)
RHP Matt Keating: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
RHP Tyrone Yulie: 1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
3.52 ERA (23 IP, 24 H, 14 R, 9 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 21 K)
RHP Chris Kean: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Tampa (45-41; 9-12 in second half) (Lost to Dunedin, 4-3)

C Edgleen Perez: 0-for-4, R, 2 K
CF Brian Sanchez: 1-for-1
I am not sure why he left the game.
   CF Marshall Toole: 1-for-3, R, BB
Toole is the proud owner of a 10-game hitting streak (15-for-34 with two doubles and five triples. How often do you see five triples during a 10-game hitting streak?)  His triple slash has climbed from .287/.388/.443 to .313/.418/.502.
SS Roderick Arias: 1-for-2, R, 2 SB (22), 2 BB, K
Broken record. I am not sure why he left the game.  If you want some positive news for their struggling bonus baby, he has hit fairly well in July (.244/.358/.467; 1 double, 3 HR).
  1B Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-1, K
DH Engelth Urena: 0-for-2, CS (2), 2 BB, K
RF Willy Montero: 0-for-3, BB, K
3B Juan Matheus: 0-for-2, RBI, 2 BB, K
LF Wilson Rodriguez: 2-for-4, SB (3)
Since promotion: 9-for-36 (1 double, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 6 R, 3-for-3 SB, 4 BB, 4 K)
1B-2B Hans Montero: 1-for-4, 3 K
2B Austin Green: 0-for-0, SB (8), BB
More broken records: I am not sure why he left the game. 
   PH-2B-SS Owen Cobb: 0-for-3, K

LHP Allen Facundo: 3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Facundo continues to hum. Tonight, he reached 99.7 MPH and averaged 96.4…with his sinker. His 4-seam fastball “only” reached 98.4. He also uses a slider (his top pitch tonight – 40%). Signed for an undisclosed amount, his main issue is health. Including tonight, he has tossed 121.1 innings in his career (which traces back to 2021). He has the talent – can he harness it and stay healthy?
RHP Gus Hughes: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Sean Hermann: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
1.96 ERA (41.1 IP, 24 H, 16 R, 9 ER, 0 HR, 27 BB, 35 K). One loves a reliever who can keep the ball in the ballpark. The walks have come down considerably since April, but remain something he needs to work on.
RHP Justin Lange (L, 1-1): 0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 2 HR
That didn’t go according to plan.
RHP Cade Austin: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

FCL (25-29 – they have no shot at the playoffs) (Lost to the FCL Tigers (35-20), 7-6)

DH Dexters Peralta: 2-for-5, R
After a miserable start (he was hitting .097 on July 1st), Peralta is 10-for-30 (.333). That’s enough to raise his average to .154.
C Ediel Rivera: 2-for-3, SB (9), CS (4), K
   RF Luis Puello: 1-for-2, HR (3), 2 RBI, R
1B-C John Cristino: 3-for-5, HR (4), RBI, 2 R, SB (6)
Cristino is 30-for-90 (.333/.396/.544) with four homers, 16 RBI, and 20 runs.
LF Gabriel Lara: 2-for-4, R
.287/.326/.437 in 92 PA.
SS Kevin Verde: 2-for-4, 2B (5), 3 RBI

RHP Omar Gonzalez: 4 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 6 BB, 3 K
I think this is known as a “bend-don’t-break” performance/

DSL Yankees (14-20) (Lost to the DSL Bombers, 10-4)

CF Francisco Vilorio: 1-for-4, 2B (5), RBI, BB, 2 K
.279/.406/.327 in 128 PA (5 doubles, 0 HR, 12 RBI, 26 R, 5-for-6 SB)
SS Mani Cedeno: 0-for-3, R, 2 SB (7), 2 BB, 2 K
.176/.364/.235 in 132 PA (2 doubles, 2 triples, 0 HR, 8 RBI, 26 R, 7-for-8 SB). Reps, reps, reps.
2B Carlos Bello: 1-for-4, RBI, CS (2), BB
.260/.405/.438 in 121 PA (6 doubles, 1 triple, 3 HR, 23 RBI, 25 R, 7-for-9 SB). Impressive for a 17-year-old in his debut campaign.
3B Richard Matic: 2-for-3, R, 2 BB, K
.341/.475/.560 in 120 impressive plate appearances. How crazy is this league? Not only is Matic not in the top ten in any category, but there is a hitter at this level (Cristian Arguelles (COL)) who is hitting .463/.561/.720 with 12 doubles and 45 RBI in 33 games.
C Edgar Jimenez: 2-for-4, R, K
.324/.378/.441 in 37 PA.

DSL Bombers (17-17) (Knocked off the DSL Yankees, 10-4)

SS Stiven Marinez: 2-for-5, 2B (4), RBI, 2 R, SB (19), 2 K
Marinez is hitting .250/.431/.313 in 130 PA. This season will be considered a success for the 17-year-old.
CF Ruben Castillo: 2-for-4, 2B (5), 2 RBI, 2 R, SB (12), BB
Castillo’s debut season has its ups and downs. He has back-to-back multi-hit games to build on.
LF Jose Castro: 1-for-4, 2 R, 2 SB (10), BB, K
28-for-32 stealing bases in 50 career games.
C Carlos Villarroel: 0-for-2, R, 2 BB, 2 K
2B Juan Torres: 1-for-2, SF, 3 RBI, R, SB (10), BB
Torres is having an under-the-radar debut campaign, hitting .333/.398/.457 in 93 plate appearances. He is 17.
3B Leni Done: 0-for-3, RBI, SB (7), BB, 2 K

RHP Carlos Hampshire (W, 2-2): 3.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 3 K
RHP Diego Carrillo: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K

Yankees MILB 7/13: Carlos Lagrange: 5 Hitless Innings

Notes:

RHP Luis Gil made his first rehab appearance today for Somerset.

The draft is tonight. The Yankees, along with the Dodgers and Mets, were penalized for having the audacity to improve their roster and had their draft position dropped ten slots. They will pick 39th.

Recent history suggests that the Yankees will likely select someone who attended an SEC school or was committed to one. Four of their last six top picks fit that description (Anthony Volpe, Spencer Jones, George Lombard Jr., Ben Hess). The two exceptions were Austin Wells (Arizona) and Trey Sweeney (Eastern Illinois).

The latest mock from Pipeline has them choosing either Alabama RHP Riley Quick (Jonathan Mayo) or Tennessee RHP Marcus Phillips (Jim Callis). Both are playing the percentages. When you read their scouting reports, they feel like the types of pitchers the Yankees would target. Quick is big (6’6″) and powerful. His write-up feels like Ben Hess 2.0. Phillips can reach triple digits, but he has command issues.

As stated yesterday, all full-season leagues are on a 4-day break after today. What will I be doing? Likely nothing, though maybe I will type up a “mid-season, though it isn’t” review.

Injury Log

Scranton (52-37; 14-3 in second half) (Defeated Buffalo, 5-4)

By the way, Triple-A playoffs are different than the rest. Because they play an “overall championship” game between the PCL and the International League, the regular playoffs are condensed into one championship series. The division you play in doesn’t matter – the best record in the first half faces the best record in the second half for the title. The good news is that Scranton has the overall second-half lead right now.

DH Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, CS (6), 2 K
Rodriguez has a 9-game hitting streak. Since they traded Alex Jackson, he has become an “iron man” catcher. They are giving him five days off from those duties. Between here and Somerset, he enters the break at .291/.389/.381 in 352 PA (.310/.410/.410 for Scranton).
CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-4, HR (7), RBI, R, K
Jones’ 23rd HR places him one behind minor league leader Ryan Wood (Dodgers), who has 24 in 87 games. Wood is a 27-year-old minor league veteran who consistently hits a bunch of homers. Of more significance is a player Jones is tied with: 21-year-old Mariners’ prospect Lazaro Montes, the 28th-ranked prospect in baseball (Pipeline). Anyway, he is hitting .362/.426/.776 in 68 PA here and .296/.399/.639 in 276 PA overall. With his K%, you may wonder what his BABIP is. It is certainly high (.377) but perhaps not as insane as you would have expected it to be. That’s because of all the home runs. Regardless, what a season he is having. 
RF Everson Pereira: 0-for-3, R, BB, K
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-3, R, BB, K
Rumfield doesn’t want the break to come. He is in a 5-game hitting streak and is 16-for-43 (.372) in July. 
3B Jeimer Candelario: 0-for-4, K
Candelario is 2-for-24 since signing. That won’t give the Yankees any incentive to give him a chance!
2B Jake Gatewood: 0-for-3, K
SS Andrew Velazquez: 2-for-3, 2 RBI, R, SB (22)
C Edinson Duran: 1-for-3, R, SB (1)
Duran’s first game since April 27th. I guess if I were on the sidelines for that long, I would be frisky on the basepaths too! Signed by the Yankees in 2021, the 22-year-old has played in only 122 games. In 2023, in the FCL, he hit .314/.405/.457 in 32 games.
LF Duke Ellis: 1-for-2, 2 SB (12), BB

RHP Carlos Carrasco: (W, 2-2)  7 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, HR
RHP Harrison Cohen: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
Cohen allows his first run since his promotion (9.1 IP)
RHP Kervin Castro (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
1.88 ERA (24 IP, 10 H, 8 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 10 BB, 31 K). Can the 26-year-old be an addition to the 2025 bullpen?  He isn’t a fireballer, though he is in the 91-93 range with his cutter. The Yankees need to look for something better, but Castro is proving to be decent depth.

Somerset (45-41; 12-6 in second half) (Defeated New Hampshire, 5-1)

LF Brendan Jones: 1-for-5, HR (3), RBI, R, K
Jones’ HR was a leadoff blast. Since promotion: .241/.323/.420 in 130 PA (7 doubles, 2 triples, 3 HR, 24 RBI, 16 R, 7-for-8 SB, 11.5% BB, 19.2% K). He is 12-for-37 (.324) with three doubles, a triple, and two home runs (.622 SLG) in July.
C Rafael Flores: 2-for-3, 3B (1), HBP
Flores is an extra-base hit machine, but it usually manifests as doubles and homers. This is only his second career triple (first since 2023). He goes into the break hitting .284/.342/.495 in 365 PA with visions of Scranton in his dreams.
3B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-4, K
CF Jace Avina: 1-for-3, 2 R, BB
DH Omar Martinez: 2-for-4, R
Since promotion: .255/.321/.447 in 53 PA. 
1B Tyler Hardman: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, R, BB
RF Cam Eden: 1-for-4, RBI, CS (1), K
SS Max Burt: 1-for-3, SB (10), HBP, K
2B Duncan Pastore: 0-for-4, 2 K
I assume Pastore will be back in Hudson Valley once Lombard Jr. is back on Friday.

RHP Luis Gil: 3.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, HR
Gil’s first rehab start. He tossed 50 pitches (36 strikes)
RHP Luis Pacheco: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Carlos Lagrange: (W, 4-2) 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K
I always wonder if going from “starter” to “piggyback” impacts a youngster in any way. The answer is an emphatic “no” from Carlos Lagrange. For Somerset: 3.79 ERA (35.2 IP, 20 H, 15 R, 15 ER, 3 HR, 22 BB, 49 K). Overall: 8-4 with a 3.96 ERA (77.1 IP, 51 H, 35 R, 34 ER, 7 HR, 34 BB, 113 K). He leads Yankees’ farmhands in strikeouts and is in the top five in all of minor league baseball.

Hudson Valley (52-33; 14-7 second half) (Defeated Asheville, 3-2. Eight of Hudson Valley’s starters collected at least one hit, though only one went for extra bases)

LF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-4, R
July: 15-for-39 (.385; 2 doubles, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 9 R, 5-for-6 SB, 5 BB). He was hitting .225 after the June 26th game. He is now hitting .251.
CF Dillon Lewis: 2-for-4, 2B (4), R, K
Lewis has a modest 4-game hitting streak (6-for-15; 1 double, 2 HR). Hopefully, this is the start of a strong finish.
1B Coby Morales: 1-for-4, 2 RBI
SS Alexander Vargas: 2-for-4
2B Jose Colmenares: 2-for-4, R, K
3B Josh Moylan: 2-for-4, RBI, K
C Tomas Frick: 1-for-3, K
DH Kiko Romero: 1-for-3
RF Anthony Hall: 0-for-3

RHP Ben Hess: 3.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K
Speaking of first-round picks, Hess blew away Asheville hitters today (they are limiting his pitches after he was out for nearly a month between late May and June. In his last start before being shut down, he tossed 99 pitches.) He owns a 4.08 ERA in 53 IP (34 H, 28 R, 24 ER, 2 HR, 32 BB, 80 K). His 34% K rate entering today will be going up.
RHP Bryce Warrecker: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Warrecker reaches the break with a 0.96 ERA in 37.1 IP (17 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 HR, 8 BB, 39 K). I think that is more than enough to get him to New Jersey.
RHP Ocean Gabonia: (W, 2-2) 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
3.74 ERA (21.2 IP, 23 H, 14 R, 9 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 19 K)
RHP Jordany Ventura: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K
RHP Huey Morrill: (S, 4)  1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
0.29 ERA (31 IP, 12 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 22 K)

Tampa (45-40; 9-11 in second half) (Lost to Lakeland, 3-2)

C Edgleen Perez: 0-for-3, R, BB
Perez is hitting .214/.375/.240 in 344 PA (7 doubles, 0 HR, 25 RBI, 38 R, 5-for-6 SB, 18.6% BB, 18.6% K). One has to like the 1.00 K/BB. After a nice surge, he went 0-for-12 in his final three games before the break. He’s played a lot this year (75 games; 51 was his previous high), and fatigue can certainly set in, even as a teenager. Let’s hope he comes back refreshed.
RF Brian Sanchez: 1-for-2, 2 BB
.278/.371/.436 in 285 PA (24-for-28 SB). The 21-year-old has adjusted nicely in his first year in a full-season league. 
DH Roderick Arias: 2-for-4
It’s been a tough go for Arias from the start. At no point during the first half did he reach .200 (.194/.315/.306). His continued lack of success against LHP hurts (7-for-51 with one extra-base hit), but he isn’t crushing RHP either (.209/.333/.346). He has a major uphill battle.
LF Willy Montero: 1-for-4, 2B (2), K
Montero is 9-for-25 with a pair of doubles and a triple. He has multiple hits in four of his six Low-A games.
3B Juan Matheus: 0-for-2, SF, RBI, BB
.263/.355/.349 in 332 PA (19 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 38 RBI, 41 R, 31-for-39 SB (79.5%), 12.7% BB, 20.8% K). He has six starts at second base, 24 at shortstop, and 48 at third base.
CF Wilson Rodriguez: 0-for-4, 2 K
2B Austin Green: 0-for-4, R, SB (7), K
SS Owen Cobb: 0-for-3, K
1B Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-2, SF, RBI, K

RHP Gage Ziehl: 6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
Including his one emergency start with Somerset: 4.25 ERA (78.1 IP, 85 H, 45 R, 37 ER, 7 HR, 14 BB, 67 K). Last year’s 4th-round pick (Miami) has pitched well enough to be intriguing. By the way, he wasn’t drafted in the 4th round to “save money” as he received a slightly over-slot bonus ($637,000).
RHP Chris Veach: (L, 2-2)  2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Jackson Fristoe: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

FCL (25-26)

Day off.

DSL Yankees (12-18)

Day off.

DSL Bombers (15-15)

Day off.

Yankees MILB 9/7: Will Warren: 7 Shutout Innings

News:

I have nothing important to share.

Scranton (66-66; 32-26 in the second half) (Lost to Columbus, 2-1. They tried to steal this game by compiling only one hit (a solo HR), but runs were allowed in the 8th and 9th)

CF Estevan Florial: 0-for-4, 2 K
.278/.377/.544 in 467 PA with 65 walks and 138 strikeouts (29.6%). He won’t be in this organization in 2024, so where does he go? There are plenty of small-to-mid-market teams who are looking for cheap talent. Jonathan Davis has squeezed out 454 career MLB plate appearances on defense and speed alone. I don’t take the “he passed through waivers in spring training” thing with a lot of salt because teams already settled on their 26-man and 40-man rosters. It comes as no surprise that teams wouldn’t bend over backward to find a slot for him in 2023. 2024 will be a different story, as he likely will need to settle for a MILB deal with a spring invite.
C Carlos Narvaez: 0-for-3, K
1B Andres Chaparro: 0-for-3, K
RF Franchy Cordero: 0-for-3, K
3B Jamie Westbrook: 0-for-3
DH Jake Lamb: 0-for-3, K
LF Michael Hermosillo: 1-for-3, HR (13), RBI, RS
2B Wilmer Difo: 0-for-3, K
SS Jesus Bastidas: 0-for-3, K

RHP Will Warren:7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 9 K
Another impressive outing for Warren, who lowered his Triple-A ERA to 4.07 (84 IP, 72 H, 48 R, 38 ER, 15 HR, 40 BB, 89 K).
Last 7 starts: 2.48 ERA (40 IP, 29 H, 13 R, 11 ER, 14 BB, 43 K)
This is the moment where he should be brought up to get some MLB innings in. He has 113.1 innings this season and 242.1 career innings. That is enough for a 24-year-old who logged 205.1 college innings + 72 innings in off-season leagues.
RHP Aaron McGarity (L, 6-3): 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, HR
LHP Josh Maciejewski: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Somerset (77-51; 35-25 in the second half) (Lost to Erie, 4-3)

SS Trey Sweeney: 0-for-3, BB
  PH Eduardo Torrealba: 0-for-1
I typically say don’t worry about this when a player is rehabbing – but weird that they pulled Sweeney for a PH in the 9th.
C Ben Rice: 2-for-5, K
Rice has 24 multi-hit games (67 games)
CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-4, HBP, K, CS (1)
Jones was picked off first twice tonight (one was recorded as a caught stealing)
DH Agustin Ramirez: 0-for-3, RS, BB, K
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-3, 2B (12), RS, BB, 2 K
Rice has likely passed by him, but Rumfield is younger and has a 2023 power surge to fall back on. There isn’t enough room at the inn for all of them, but hopefully one of them can be a solid contributor.
2B Anthony Seigler: 0-for-2, SF, RBI, BB, K
RF Grant Richardson: 0-for-2, RS, BB, HBP, K
LF Aaron Palensky: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
3B Max Burt: 1-for-4, RBI, K

RHP Matt Sauer: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 3 HR
As they say, if you are going to allow HR, make them solo shots. Yeah, you probably don’t want to give up three!  Anyway, Sauer owns a 3.79 ERA at this level with a 69/23 K/BB over 57 IP.
RHP Bailey Dees: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
At this level: 4.32 ERA (16.2 IP, 12 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 16 K). He is in the group with Jack Neely and Danny Watson as big RHP who have their eyes set on the 2024 MLB bullpen. I don’t *think* any of them make it to MLB out of spring training, but much stranger things have happened. I would put the odds of at least one of them making it to the MLB bullpen out of spring as better than Anthony Volpe being the everyday SS coming out of 2023 spring training.
RHP Tanner Myatt: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Hudson Valley (69-60; 30-33 in the second half) (Lost a rain-soaked game to Jersey Shore, 6-1)

CF Anthony Hall: 0-for-3, BB, K, SB (2)
2B Jared Serna: 1-for-4, 2 K
Serna has hit safely in 15 of his last 16 games (he has reached base safely in all 16 games)
3B Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-4, 2 K
Rodriguez has struck out multiple times in only four of 23 games since his promotion.
DH Antonio Gomez: 0-for-3, HBP, 2 K
SS Ben Cowles: 0-for-4, K
LF Christopher Familia: 3-for-4, HR (11), RBI, RS
His 21-game sample in Tampa (.398/.474/.928) was obviously never going to be matched. He is holding his own here, however (.817 OPS with 11 homers in 46 games). Overall, he has 22 homers and 63 RBI in 67 games (291 PA).
C Rafael Flores: 0-for-2, 2 BB, 2 K
1B Spencer Henson: 1-for-3, 2B (17), K
RF Jared Wegner: 0-for-3

RHP Zach Messinger: (L, 1-10)  1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
A long rain delay cuts his night short. His ERA is at 4.36 in 97 IP with a 113/53 K/BB. Yeah, his record doesn’t exactly match up to his overall performance!
RHP Mason Vinyard: 2.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
Between here and Tampa, Vinyard owns a 73/29 K/BB over 59.2 IP.
LHP Joel Valdez: 3.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
RHP Shane Gray: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Luis Santos: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Essentially, Hudson Valley was out of pitchers so Santaos (a utility infielder) received a turn. It is his second pitching appearance in 2023.

Tampa (60-67; 29-32 in the second half) (Lost to Lakeland, 8-6)

SS Brenny Escanio: 0-for-5, K
3B Kiko Romero: 1-for-4, 2B (5), K
Romero has nine extra-base hits in 24 games at this level to go along with 19 walks. 
CF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-4, RS, 2 K
DH Omar Martinez: 0-for-3, RS, BB
1B Josh Moylan: 1-for-4, RS, 2 K
LF Nelson Medina: 1-for-3, HR (5), 2 RBI, RS, BB, K, CS (3)
Medina is hitting .276 with a .848 OPS in 48 games (lost a lot of time to injury). This is the 22-year-old’s first taste of a full-season league and he is holding his own.
RF Daury Arias: 1-for-4, 2B (14), 2 RBI, RS
I won’t say that Arias has a lot of “hype” but he is often grouped in with guys like Christopher Familia as bats to watch (Fangraphs report) – Familia has exploded a bit, so who knows what will happen with Arias? 
2B Jose Colmenares: 2-for-4, HR (7), 2 RBI, RS, K
Colmenares has seven homers in 24 games (four HR in 57 games entering 2023)
C Manuel Palencia: 0-for-3, BB

RHP Luis Gil: 2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
If you care about the stat line for Gil, you have too much time on your hands. His FB is looking good, velocity-wise (97.8 max tonight) and he struck out a hitter with three straight sliders. Like many pitchers coming off of arm injuries, he is likely going to have some command issues (and he has never been the king of command)
RHP Ryan Harvey: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Alex Bustamante: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
RHP Yoljeldriz Diaz: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
RHP Nolberto Henriquez: (L, 1-1) 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 0 K
One number that likely intrigues the organization: He averaged 95 MPH with his sinker tonight. Of his 28 pitches, 23 were sinkers.
RHP Adam Stone: 0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K
LHP Geoffrey Gilbert: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
3.02 ERA in 47.2 IP (35 H, 17 R, 16 ER, 1 HR, 26 BB, 57 K). He sits mostly in the lower 90s with both his 4-seam fastball and sinker. 

FCL Yankees (35-22; 1-2 in the playoffs)

They lost to the Braves in the championship series. Their season is over.

DSL Yankees (33-19)

Their season is over, as they missed the playoffs by a half-game.

DSL Bombers (27-26)

Their season is over.

Yankees MILB 9/1: Matt Sauer Ks 11

News:

Nothing.

Scranton (64-64; 30-24 in the second half) (Lost to Rochester, 2-1, in ten innings)

CF Estevan Florial: 1-for-5, 2B (20), RS, 4 K
This is a pretty typical night for Florial. Anyway, he reaches the 20/20/20 club (doubles, HR, SB). 
C Carlos Narvaez: 1-for-2, RBI, 2 BB, K
Between here and Somerset: .250/.381/.406 in 339 PA (13 doubles, 10 HR, 36 RBI, 42 R, 53 BB, 86 K, 6-for-8 SB)
1B Andres Chaparro: 2-for-4, 2B (21)
.249/.338/.459 in 518 PA (21 doubles, 2 triples, 23 HR, 79 RBI, 73 R, 59 BB, 109 K). For the second year in a row, he is hitting enough to get your attention. Will another organization give him a chance?
RF Franchy Cordero: 1-for-4
DH Jamie Westbrook: 0-for-4, K
3B Jake Lamb: 0-for-3, BB
LF Michael Hermosillo: 0-for-3, BB, K
SS Jesus Bastidas: 0-for-4
2B Wilmer Difo: 0-for-3, BB, K

RHP Will Warren: 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K
At this level: 4.44 ERA in 77 IP (69 H, 48 R, 38 ER, 15 HR, 38 BB, 80 K). A 4.44 ERA in the offense-fest known as Triple-A is not so bad in 2023. In August, he pitched to a 3.67 ERA and 28/10 K/BB over 27 innings.
LHP Anthony Misiewicz: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
LHP Nick Ramirez: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Michael Gomez (L, 1-5): 0 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Somerset (76-47; 34-21 in the second half) (Defeated Portland, 2-1)

2B Caleb Durbin: 2-for-4, 2B (10), HBP, 2 CS (7)
Durbin has a 5-game hitting streak (including three multi-hit games). He is hitting ..290/.368/.426 in 174 PA at this level and .305/.402/.416 in 271 PA overall (15 doubles, 1 triple, 3 HR, 21 RBI, 44 R, 26 BB, 36 K, 36-for-44 SB). After spending most of the season at 2B/3B, Durbin has mixed in a few games at SS lately.
DH Ben Rice: 0-for-5, 4 K
I don’t care if you are Ben Rice or Don Mattingly – this game always finds a way to humble you.
CF Spencer Jones: 0-for-3, BB
Since promotion: 3-for-18 with a homer, three walks and seven strikeouts. Overall, he is hitting .263/.334/.445 in 481 PA (28 doubles, 4 triples, 14 HR, 61 RBI, 65 R, 45 BB, 140 K, 36-for-45 SB)
C Agustin Ramirez: 1-for-4, RS, 2 K
.242/.303/.352 in 99 PA since his promotion. He is now on a 7-game hitting streak (10-for-28)
RF Elijah Dunham: 1-for-4, 2B (12), RS, K
Scranton is playing with a short roster – I don’t know why Dunham hasn’t been promoted to fill one of those slots. He has 24 doubles, 15 HR, and 30 stolen bases between here and Scranton.
1B Mickey Gasper: 2-for-2, RBI, BB, SB (6), CS (1)
Gasper is another player who can easily fill in a slot at Triple-A. He plays C/1B and even has a few games at 2B under his belt this season.
LF Jeisson Rosario: 1-for-3, SF, RBI, K
3B Max Burt: 0-for-3, BB, K
SS Eduardo Torrealba: 1-for-3, K

RHP Matt Sauer: (W, 4-3) 6.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 11 K
Sauer’s highest strikeout output since he struck out 17 on August 22, 2022. His season for Somerset: 3.68 ERA in 51.1 IP (39 H, 22 R, 21 ER, 6 HR, 21 BB, 65 K)
LHP Josh Maciejewski: (S, 1) 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Between Hudson Valley/Somerset/Scranton: 1.93 ERA in 37.1 IP (31 H, 10 R, 8 ER, 2 HR, 10 BB, 42 K)

Hudson Valley (67-57; 28-30 in the second half) (Lost to Wilmington, 3-2)

DH Anthony Hall: 1-for-3, RS, BB, K
SS Jared Serna: 1-for-4, RS
Serna’s hitting streak reaches 11. He is hitting .289/.341/.373 in 91 PA since his promotion and .284/.348/.464 in 534 PA overall. His K% is 10.99 since his promotion so these pitchers are not fooling him. 
LF Christopher Familia: 1-for-4, RBI, K
Familia has 11 doubles, 21 HR, and 60 RBI in 63 games this season.
C Antonio Gomez: 2-for-3, SF, RBI
2B Ben Cowles: 1-for-3, BB
Cowles has a 41-game on-base streak.
1B Spencer Henson: 1-for-4, K
CF Cole Gabrielson: 0-for-3, HBP, K, CS (1)
RF Jared Wegner: 1-for-4, 2B (4), K
Wegner being 24 is what makes you nervous – if he continues to hit, you won’t worry about it as much. There are successful MLB careers that started late (Kevin Millar didn’t get his first extended look until he was 27, for example)
3B Marcos Cabrera: 0-for-3, K

RHP Zach Messinger: (L, 1-9) 3.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 2 K
4.31 ERA (96 IP, 81 H, 58 R, 46 ER, 13 HR, 52 BB, 113 K)
LHP Clay Aguilar: 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 3 K
2.48 ERA (40 IP, 28 H, 13 R, 11 ER, 2 HR, 21 BB, 58 K)
RHP Shane Gray: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K

Tampa (59-63; 28-28 in the second half) (Defeated St. Lucie, 7-5)

SS George Lombard Jr: 0-for-2, RS, 2 BB
Lombard is only 1-for-8 at this level (very small sample size!) but has drawn five walks. He has reached base in all 11 of his professional games.
2B Roc Riggio: 0-for-4, K
CF Jackson Castillo: 2-for-4, HR (1), 3 RBI, RS, 2 K
Castillo’s first professional HR. He is only 20 years old.
C Omar Martinez: 0-for-4, K
3B Kiko Romero: 1-for-3, RS, BB, K
1B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-4
DH Nelson Medina: 2-for-3, 2 RS, BB
Medina is 4-for-11 with two triples, three RBI, and four runs scored since coming off of the IL.
RF Tayler Aguilar: 1-for-2, 2B (13), RS, 2 BB, SB (8)
LF Daury Arias: 0-for-2, RBI, RS, 2 BB, SB (11)

RHP Luis Gil: 2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
Gil topped out at 98.5 in his first rehab appearance.
RHP Nolberto Henriquez: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Hayden Merda: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 2 K
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
RHP Adam Stone: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Alex Bustamante (S, 3): 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

FCL Yankees (35-22; 1-2 in the playoffs)

They lost to the Braves in the championship series. Their season is over.

DSL Yankees (33-19)

Their season is over, as they missed the playoffs by a half-game.

DSL Bombers (27-26)

Their season is over.