Yankees MILB 8/9: Oswald Peraza Homers

News:

The Yankees acquired OF Cam Eden from the Blue Jays for cash considerations.

“I thought the trade deadline was a hard deadline!”

It is. However, any player who has not appeared on a 40-man roster this season can be traded. Eden was on a 40-man roster in 2023, but not in 2024.

The 26-year-old, who has one career MLB hit, played in 91 games for Toronto’s Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo, hitting .198/.299/.322 in 332 plate appearances with 26 stolen bases in 33 attempts. He plays all three outfield positions.

I see him as a replacement for Brandon Lockridge, who was traded at the deadline. He would be a good candidate for a September call-up under the old rules (pinch running, late defensive replacement, etc.) but I don’t know where he fits in under the new rules.


Scranton (62-47) (Defeated Lehigh Valley, 4-1)

DH Jorbit Vivas: 1-for-3, RS, BB, K
LF Caleb Durbin1-for-2, RS, 2 BB, K
Durbin has 38 walks and 26 strikeouts this season (32/23 rate for Scranton)
CF Jasson Dominguez0-for-4, 3 K
Patience. Patience. Did I mention patience?
SS Oswald Peraza1-for-4, HR (8), 3 RBI, RS
Peraza has four homers in his last four games (7 HR in last 14 games)
1B T.J. Rumfield0-for-4, K
RF Taylor Trammell1-for-4, HR (12), RBI, RS
Taylor has homered 6 times in his last 9 games. 
2B Jahmai Jones1-for-4, 2 K
C J.C. Escarra1-for-4, K
3B Kevin Smith0-for-4, 2 K

LHP Thomas Pannone5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
LHP Tim Mayza: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Scott Effross: (W, 2-1)  2 IP, 0 H,0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
For Scranton: 4.86 ERA (16.2 IP, 16 H, 10 R, 9 ER, 2 HR, 5 BB, 15 K)
RHP Yerry De Los Santos (S, 1): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K


Somerset (53-51)

Their game against Binghamton was postponed. They already have a doubleheader scheduled for tomorrow. This game has not yet been rescheduled. The two squads play one more series (in early September), so they will likely try to squeeze it in there or cancel the game.


Hudson Valley (54-49)

Their game against Brooklyn was postponed. They will play a doubleheader on Sunday.


Tampa (42-61) (Lost to Daytona, 6-2)

LF Marshall Toole: 2-for-4, 2 SB (3), CS (1)
Toole’s first career multi-hit effort (third game).
SS Roderick Arias0-for-3, RS, BB, 2 K
After a hot stretch, Arias is 3-for-25 in August, though he has 6 walks (11 strikeouts).
CF Willy Montero: 1-for-3, 2B (17), RS, SB (10), BB, 2 K
DH Tyler Wilson1-for-4, 2B (1), RBI
3B Hans Montero0-for-3, BB, K
1B Parks Harber0-for-2, 2 BB, 2 K
C Manuel Palencia1-for-3
  C-P Diomedes Hernandez0-for-0
  C Josue Gonzalez0-for-1
RF Joe Delossantos0-for-4, K
2B Owen Cobb1-for-4, K

LHP Henry Lalane: (L, 0-1)  0.2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, HR
His Low-A debut didn’t go as planned, but Lalane missed most of 2024 and needs the work. Since he is in Low-A, we can see some data: Lalane featured four pitches (threw his slider only once), maxing out at 94.0 MPH with his 4-seamer (averaged 91.9; 39% usage). He also featured a change (34%) and sinker (24%).  Lalane is an intriguing long-term prospect. That’s the best I can offer as I am timid with pitching prospects.
RHP Jordy Luciano2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
For Tampa: 5.10 ERA (42.1 IP, 38 H, 32 R, 24 ER, 2 HR, 40 BB, 49 K). Control hasn’t been a strength for the 23-year-old.
RHP Kristofer Bow: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Luis Pacheco: 2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR
The stats aren’t great but Pacheco was humming tonight, hitting 97.6 with his 4-seamer and 97.3 with his sinker. Pacheco is a 25-year-old project who pitched in the Phillies organization from 2017 to 2019. He didn’t pitch in an affiliated league from 2020 to 2023.
RHP Osiel Rodriguez1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
2.33 ERA (54 IP, 29 H, 15 R, 14 ER, 7 HR, 28 BB, 64 K). Interestingly, they allow Rodriguez to throw his full assortment of pitches while never using him as a starter.
RHP Diomedes Hernandez: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
The catcher’s second career pitching appearance.


FCL (35-22)

Their season is over.


DSL Yankees (17-30) (Lost to the DSL Marlins, 7-6)

CF Gabriel Lara0-for-2, RS, 2 BB
I remember commenting last season that his power surprised me (.411 SLG/4 HR). He hasn’t been able to replicate that (.264 SLG/1 HR). 
3B Richard Matic0-for-3, RS, BB
C Luis Puello2-for-4, 3B (1), 2 RS
.327/.426/.510 in 115 PA for the 18-year-old. This is his second year at this level (.222/.372/.300 in 113 PA last year). As an 18-year-old, it doesn’t bother me that he is repeating the DSL. He should not be here for a third year, though.
LF Estivenzon Montero1-for-3, 3B (2), SF, 2 RBI, 2 K
The 17-year-old is hitting .256/.367/.402 in 98 plate appearances during his debut season.
RF Yael Zapata1-for-2, RBI, BB, K
Not every prospect can get off to a hot start. Zapata was 0-for-25 entering today. He finally earned that elusive first professional hit.

RHP Emanuel Vargas3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K
15.1 IP, 11 H, 11 R, 8 ER, 3 HR, 9 BB, 18 K


DSL Bombers (26-21) 

Scheduled day off.

Yankees MILB 8/6: Spencer Jones Continues Surge

News:

Today was a mass promotion day. With that, more cuts were required. That is the harsh reality of minor-league baseball.

The biggest name on the promotion list is George Lombard Jr., who is off to Hudson Valley. Last year’s first-round pick didn’t have overwhelming numbers (.232/.344/.348 (105 wRC+); 12.8% BB, 24% K, 30-for-34 SB) but organizations don’t only look at statistical profiles. They feel the 19-year-old is ready for a challenge at the level he will likely start at in 2025. OF Jackson Castillo and 1B Dylan Jasso will join him. Castillo (21) hit .256/.386/.404 (132 wRC+) with 16 stolen bases in 21 attempts while Jasso (21) hit .238/.331/.392 (109 wRC+) with 54 RBI.

Also promoted are big (6’7″) pitching prospects Carlos Lagrange (RHP) and Henry Lalane (LHP). Both pitchers missed most of the season due to injury, so they need innings.

Three of their successful pitchers this season are also on the move: RHP Cam Schlittler (Somerset), RHP Cade Smith (Hudson Valley), and RHP Josh Grosz (Hudson Valley). Grosz had an emergency start for Hudson Valley earlier this season, so this isn’t his first taste.

IF Caleb Durbin was promoted to Scranton. He was in Somerset for what was essentially a rehab stint. It just wasn’t labeled that way.

As for the releases: OF Aaron Palensky, RHP Duane Underwood Jr., RHP Art Warrenand RHP Carlos Gomez were let go today.
Palensky is probably the most recognizable to long-time readers, as he started the 2023 season unconscious for Hudson Valley (.352/.434/.744 in 32 games). He wasn’t able to replicate that success at the higher minors.

Underwood Jr. was a minor-league free agent signing this past winter while Warren was a rehab project. The Yankees hoped to tap into Warren’s 29.5% MLB K rate between 2019 and 2022, but he wasn’t throwing well for Scranton.

Gomez (25) started his Yankees journey in 2018 and pitched fairly well in his minor league career (3.86 ERA in 265.2 IP with 304 strikeouts) but had trouble getting with his control.


Scranton (60-47)

Their game against Lehigh Valley was postponed. It’s going to be a crazy week, weather-wise.


Somerset (52-51) (Lost to Binghamton, 6-4)

CF Spencer Jones2-for-4, RS, CS (7), K
Last 10 games: 13-for-37 (.351; 5 doubles, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 7 BB, 13 K). Overall: .248/.333/.428 in 406 PA (19 doubles, 3 triples, 13 HR, 58 RBI, 56 R, 21-for-28 SB (75%), 10.8% BB, 36.5% K). K%, by month: April: 27.3%; May: 38.5%; June: 36.4%; July: 40.7%; August: 31.8% (only 22 PA). The season ends in mid-September. My wish is for his strikeout percentage to dip down the stretch.
1B Jesus Rodriguez1-for-4, K
C Rafael Flores2-for-3, HR (8), RBI, RS, BB
Flores has 14 HR in 90 games between here and Hudson Valley. Before 2024, he hit 10 homers in 109 games. His 8 Double-A homers have come in 33 games. He is trying to place himself squarely on the prospect map. It is important to note that Flores is not Rule 5 eligible until after the 2025 season.
DH Tyler Hardman2-for-4, RBI, SB (7), K
LF Elijah Dunham1-for-4, 2B (18), SB (12), K
RF Grant Richardson0-for-4, 2 K
2B Anthony Seigler0-for-3, RS, SB (19), BB, 2 K
SS Alexander Vargas0-for-4, 3 K
3B Max Burt1-for-4, RBI, RS, SB (4), CS (1)

RHP Bailey Dees (L, 4-7):  6 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
Dees was throwing well but he ran into trouble in the 7th inning. Season: 4.70 ERA (111 IP, 99 H, 63 R, 58 ER, 18 HR, 42 BB, 113 K). How you judge his season is based on your expectations for a reliever-turned-starter.
RHP Danny Watson1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
RHP Matt Sauer1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Jesus Liranzo1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K


Hudson Valley (52-48)

Their game against Brooklyn was postponed due to rain. It’s going to be a crazy week, weather-wise.

The debuts of George Lombard Jr., Dylan Jasso, and Jackson Castillo will need to wait.


Tampa (42-58) (Lost to Daytona, 17-10)

SS Roderick Arias0-for-3, RS, SB (28), 3 BB, K
Yes, Lombard Jr. is ready for Hudson Valley while Arias is not. That’s OK.
LF JoJo Jackson1-for-2, RS, BB
Jackson was their 17th-round pick out of Georgia State, where he hit .310/.394/.655 in 199 PA (15 home runs, 45 RBI). He is a switch-hitter attempting to become the third Georgia State graduate to make it to MLB (Hunter Gaddis, David Buchanan). Jackson would be the first positional player to pull it off.
  PH-LF Marshall Toole1-for-2, 2B (1), 2 RBI, BB
Toole hit a 2-run double in his first professional AB. He was drafted in the 15th round out of Wofford
DH Tyler Wilson0-for-5, 2 RBI, RS, BB, K
Wilson was their 8th-round pick out of Grand Canyon, a school that pulled off an NCAA Tournament upset in 2024. The switch-hitter hit .378/.441/.691 with 17 HR and 65 RBI in 58 games.
RF Willy Montero: 3-for-6, HR (7), RBI, 2 RS, K
Montero’s HR was hit 431 feet at 109.6 MPH.
CF Brendan Jones: 2-for-3, 2B (1), RBI, RS, SB (1), CS (1), 2 BB
The left-handed bat was their 12th-round pick out of Kansas State. He hit .302/.442/.500 with 69 runs scored and 40 stolen bases in 42 attempts over 61 games for the Wildcats. At the very least, he’ll add speed to the organization.
2B Austin Green0-for-3, SF, 2 RBI, HBP, 2 K
Green was their 14th-round pick out of Texas Tech. He hit .322/.435/.546 in 51 games this season. He is 22 years old and bats right-handed.
3B Hans Montero0-for-4, RS, BB, K
C Josue Gonzalez: 2-for-4, RBI, 2 RS, SB (1), BB, 2 K
1B Coby Morales0-for-2, RBI, RS, 2 SB (28), CS (5), 2 BB, HBP, K

RHP Gabriel Barbosa: (L, 4-8)  1.2 IP, 7 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 2 HR
5.65 ERA (94 IP, 99 H, 63 R, 59 ER, 11 HR, 31 BB, 97 K)
RHP Jordy Luciano2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Kristofer Bow1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 2 HR
RHP Luis Pacheco2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
RHP Aaron Nixon: 2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 1 K


FCL (35-22)

Their season is over.


DSL Yankees (16-28) (Lost to the DSL Tigers, 5-3)

SS Dexters Peralta1-for-3, HR (2), RBI, RS, BB
.230/.310/.324 in 155 PA (22-for-25 SB).
DH Richard Matic1-for-4, 2B (7), 2 RBI, K

RHP Alexander Almonte2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
2.66 ERA (23.2 IP, 19 H, 9 R, 7 ER, 3 HR, 10 BB, 25 K). Not bad for a 17-year-old in his debut season.
RHP Miguelangel Rodriguez3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K


DSL Bombers (25-21) (Defeated the DSL Twins, 4-3)

CF Francisco Vilorio0-for-1, RS, 2 BB, K
.214/.301/.393 in 133 PA. He is 5-for-12 with 3 HR in August.
DH Queni Pineda1-for-3, RS, K
SS Christofer Reyes1-for-3, 2B (4), RBI, K

LHP Franyer Herrera4.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
The 19-year-old owns a 50/15 K/BB over 39.1 innings.
RHP Carlos Almonte (W, 2-0): 2.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K