Yankees MILB: Arizona Fall League Roster

RHP Bryce Cunningham – The highest-ranked Yankees’ prospect on his way to Arizona is Cunningham, who pitched to a 2.82 ERA in 54.1 innings with a 55/19 K/BB. We will see him in Somerset in 2026.

RHP Cade Smith – Like Cunningham, Smith (ranked 19th), needs innings due to missing time to injury. He pitched only 39.2 innings this season, compiling a 2.50 ERA and 42/18 K/BB.

RHP Brady Kirtner – The 23-year-old pitched in 35 games between Tampa and Hudson Valley, compiling a 2.70 ERA and 52/21 K/BB over 46.2 innings in his first professional campaign. Why is he going to Arizona?  Likely a combination of missing some time in July/August and the Yankees liking something in his profile.

RHP Huey Morrill – Morrill, recently placed on the Development List, was dominant this season. pitching to a 0.76 ERA in 47.2 innings with only 18 hits allowed. Additionally, he struck out 42 while walking 17.  This could be a “Rule 5 Evaluation” move as he is eligible this winter.

RHP Adam Stone – If your first reaction is “Who?”, I understand. The 24-year-old hasn’t pitched since compiling a 7.20 ERA in 20 innings during his debut 2023 campaign. This is likely a situation where the planets lined up perfectly – he’s finally healthy just in time to go to Arizona.

1B/OF Coby Morales – Entering tonight, Morales has 468 plate appearances, so this isn’t a situation where he is making up for lost time. He is also not Rule 5 eligible (2026). So, why him? Perhaps they want him to do some defensive work, or they are tweaking his swing. Alternatively, it is also possible that they had a spot open and decided to go with Morales to fill out the roster.

C/1B Manuel Palencia – The Rule 5 eligible catcher is hitting .272/.322/.349 in 256 plate appearances between Hudson Valley and Somerset.

UTIL Enmanuel Tejeda – Only 20, Tejeda’s 2024 and 2025 campaigns were shortened by injury. He is going to make up for lost time in Arizona. In 35 games for Tampa, he walked more than he struck out (17.4%/13.4%) while stealing 14 bases in 19 attempts. Tejeda no longer plays shortstop, though he may do that in Arizona.

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 Rodriguez1-for-5, K
Rodriguez increases his hitting streak to 16 in his last at-bat of the evening.
2B Jorbit Vivas0-for-4, BB
CF Everson Pereira1-for-5, 2B (9)
RF Spencer Jones2-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 Flores1-for-4, RBI
Since promotion: 8-for-36 (.222) with a homer and four RBI.
1B T.J. Rumfield2-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 Candelario1-for-4, 2B (7), RBI, R, K
LF Bryan De La Cruz1-for-4, K
SS Braden Shewmake: 1-for-3, SF, RBI

RHP Luis Gil4.1 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 Messinger1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Kervin Castro2 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 Pestana0.2 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 Avina1-for-3
2B Roc Riggio1-for-3
Riggio is 19-for-66 (.288/.382/.561) in July.
3B Dylan Jasso1-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 Jones0-for-2, CS (2), BB
C Omar Martinez0-for-3, 2 K
1B Tyler Hardman0-for-2, BB, K
LF Cole Gabrielson0-for-3, K
DH Jared Wegner0-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 Merda1 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 Castillo1-for-6, RBI, R, 2 K
CF Dillon Lewis3-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 Colmenares2-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 Moylan1-for-6, RBI, 2 K
3B Alexander Vargas0-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 Romero2-for-4, 2 R, BB
Romero is 8-for-32 (.250/.390/.438) since coming back from injury.
SS Brenny Escanio2-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 Gilbert1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
RHP Jordany Ventura1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Bryce Warrecker1.1 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 Matheus1-for-5, K
C Edgleen Perez1-for-4, RBI, R, BB, K
SS Roderick Arias1-for-5, HR (6), 2 RBI, 2 R, 3 K
Nice to see Arias go yard during an otherwise disappointing campaign.
DH Engelth Urena1-for-5, R
RF Wilson Rodriguez1-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 Montero2-for-5, RBI, R, K
Montero is hitting .304 (17-for-56) at this level.
1B Tyler Wilson0-for-3, R, 2 BB, K
2B Enmanuel Tejeda2-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 Toole1-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 Lalane2 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 Austin1 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 Veach1.1 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 Vilorio0-for-5, R, BB, K
SS Mani Cedeno2-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 Bello0-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 Matic3-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 Montero2-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 Jimenez2-for-3, R, SB (5), CS (1), 2 BB, K
   PR Alfiery Matos0-for-0, SB (9)
RF Angel Ventura2-for-4, RBI, R, BB, K
1B-C Diego Flores2-for-4, 2 RBI, SB (1)

RHP Enixon Sanchez4 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 Vargas3.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 3 K
LHP Fredy Penuelas0.2 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 Marinez1-for-5, SB (20), K
.230/.404/.286 in 166 PA. Marinez is in a 2-for-23 slump.
CF Ruben Castillo1-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 Torres2-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 Reyes2-for-4, 2 R, SB (21)
3B Leni Done1-for-4, K
LF David Carrera1-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 Gonzalez0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Yankees MILB 6/2: Isaias Castillo (16) Homers in Professional Debut

Notes:

If you missed it yesterday (it was a late addition to my report), 1B/OF Dominic Smith exercised his opt-out clause. Given how the season has played out, there wasn’t a path to MLB for Smith with the Yankees. He is hoping to convert his hot May into an MLB contract somewhere.

Injury Log


Scranton (25-29)

Day off


Somerset (24-26)

Day off


Hudson Valley (31-19)

Day off


Tampa (26-23)

Day off


FCL (11-11) (Swept a doubleheader against the Phillies. Brando Mayea, who left the game the other day due to some sort of injury, did not play)

Game 1 (Won, 8-7)

RF Isael Arias1-for-4, 2 R, 3 SB (7), 2 K
SS Dexters Peralta0-for-1, 3 R, SB (4), 3 BB
Sometimes, pitchers in the rookie leagues can be incredibly wild. In this game, however, Peralta drew the only three walks.
C Ediel Rivera2-for-3, 2 RBI, 3 R, HBP
LF Wilson Rodriguez2-for-4, 2 2B (2), 3 RBI
3B Santiago Gomez0-for-3, 2 SB (11)
11 stolen bases in 19 games.

LHP Ben Shields2.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
One of the Yankees’ most surprising prospects in 2024 is on a rehab stint. Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2023, Shields pitched at three levels in his 2024 debut season (Hudson Valley, Somerset, Scranton (one start)). Combined, he went 5-5 with a 3.48 ERA (3.23 FIP) over 106 innings with a 31.1% K and 7.5% BB. His numbers were solid, yet skewed negatively by that one emergency Scranton appearance (1.2 IP, 8 H, 9 R, 7 ER).
RHP Sunayro Martina (W, 2-3): 2.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
RHP Alexis Paulino (S, 1): 1.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR
Not all saves are pretty.

Game 2 (Won, 7-1)

SS Dexters Peralta0-for-3, 2 R, HBP, K
C Manuel Palencia: 4-for-4, 2 2B (6), 3B (1), HR (1), 5 RBI, R
It finally happened! Palencia hits his first career home run in his 150th game. Yes, it’s one of those baseball things that he hits his first career home run on a day he falls a single short of the cycle (he hit a double in his final at-bat. Jeff Frye would have stopped at first base). He is 22 years old and has played only as high as Low-A, but this is a nice moment of him.
DH Ediel Rivera1-for-3, 2B (4), SF, 2 RBI, K
.296/.400/.426 in 65 PA. A solid start to his professional career.

RHP Greysen Carter (W, 2-0): 6 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
His control struggles are well-documented, so this is good to see.


DSL Yankees (0-1) (Lost to the Rockies, 13-6. The Rockies should promote all these guys to the MLB club immediately)

SS Mani Cedeno1-for-5, R, 3 K
Their most hyped DSL prospect earns his first professional hit. Want to feel old? Cedeno is 16 and was born in 2008.
CF Francisco Vilorio0-for-3, R, 2 BB, K
As I said the other day, this is a huge year for the bonus baby. Ideally, he would have crushed this league in 2024 and would be in the FCL right now. That didn’t happen, so he has to crush this league now.
2B Carlos Bello1-for-5, HR (1), 2 RBI, R, K
Nothing like getting that first professional home run out of the way in your first professional game. Bello signed for $350,000.
3B Richard Matic1-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, R
Matic hits his first professional home run. Matic signed for $850,000. Like Vilorio, he struggled here in 2024 (.196/.333/.248 in 186 PA)
C Justin Capellan2-for-4, 2B (1), R
The 18-year-old hit .242/.365/.359 with 12 doubles in 41 games at this level in 2024. The Yankees used money acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates for Billy McKinney to sign Capellan. “Why didn’t the Pirates simply use that money for international prospects instead of trading it for a retread like McKinney?”  Do you even need to ask?
DH Carlos Villarroel0-for-4, K
Villarroel returns coming off of an impressive .299/.390/.410 campaign in 2024. Last season, he split time between catcher and first base.
LF Isaias Castillo2-for-4, HR (1), RBI, R, K
A 16-year-old launching a home run in his professional debut is impressive. Castillo was a $750,000 investment during the 2025 signing period. He is a right-handed bat.
RF Angel Ventura1-for-4, 3B (1), RBI
The 19-year-old hit .245/.336/.276 in 113 plate appearances here in 2024.
1B Diego Flores2-for-3, 2B (1), BB, K
Flores compiles his first career extra-base hit (the 18-year-old played in 15 games at this level in 2024)

RHP Manuel Cruz (L, 0-1): 1.2 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
Cruz (19) makes his professional debut.
RHP Anthony Mena1 IP, 2 H, 6 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 0 K
Crazy pitching lines aren’t abnormal in the DSL!
LHP Luis Rodriguez1.1 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
He’s already 20, but this was his professional debut.
RHP Varis Villarreal3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
The 19-year-old pitched in 17 games at this level last year, compiling a 4.43 ERA and 20/11 K/BB over 22.1 innings.
RHP Jesus Guerrero1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
The 18-year-old’s professional debut. Interestingly, his debut is on the hill even though he is listed as a catcher. Don’t ask me, folks. I just report what I see.

DSL Bombers (1-0) (Defeated Rangers Blue, 10-8, in a crazy game that featured a walk-off 3-run home run for Browm Martinez. This came after the Rangers scored three runs in the top of the 9th to take the lead)

CF Ruben Castillo: 0-for-4, R, BB, K
Castillo was a $875,000 signing.
SS Stiven Marinez
2-for-3, 3 R, SB (1), BB
Impressive professional debut for the 17-year-old. The Yankees gave Marinez a $1.65 million signing bonus near the end of the 2024 signing period (Cedeno, who received $2.5 million, was part of the 2025 class)
C Queni Pineda0-for-3, SB (1), BB, K
I remember Pineda from last year, and it isn’t because of his unique first name. He hit .254/.434/.438 in 44 games with nine doubles and five home runs. He drew an impressive 41 walks in 173 PA (23.7%).  He signed for $350,000 in 2024.
DH David Carrera0-for-4, RBI, BB, 2 K
The 18-year-old played well down here in 2024 (.278/.402/.418). When it comes to kids who don’t get the extreme signing bonuses, they just need to put their heads down and keep performing to get noticed. Not the same situation, but Andy Pettitte always talked about needing to prove himself every step of the way.
2B Christofer Reyes1-for-4, R, SB (1), BB, 3 K
Reyes signed for $100,000 in 2024. Last year, as a 16-year-old, he hit .250/.346/.314 in 179 plate appearances.
RF Browm Martinez: 2-for-4, HR (1), 3 RBI, 3 R, 2 SB (2)
You may as well make your first professional home run a memorable one. Martinez is coming off a solid 2024 (.278/.386/.313 with 21 stolen bases in 27 attempts). He is an 18-year-old right-handed batter.
1B Leni Done1-for-3, RBI, BB, 2 K
Done’s professional debut. There isn’t any information I can find on his signing bonus (which means he signed for little)
3B Juan Torres2-for-4, 2B (1), RBI, CS (1), 2 K
Torres’s professional debut. Like with Done, no information on what he signed for.
LF Eddinson Charles0-for-4, 4 K
Not the debut the 6’4″ 17-year-old wanted, but it can only get better from here. He was a $300,000 signing.

RHP Randy Angomas3.1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
Angomas (17) makes his professional debut.
RHP Luis Burgos4.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
The 19-year-old pitched in 14 games here last season.
LHP Ronald Tejada1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
Tough day today, but he was good in last year’s debut season (1.75 ERA and 24/12 K/BB over 25.2 IP).
RHP Josue Silvestre (W, 1-0): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Silvestre’s first professional win.