Tag: Omar Martinez

Yankees MILB 8/10: Spencer Jones Hits #30

Notes:

Trade analysis links:
Jose Caballero/Camilo Doval (link)
David Bednar/Jake Bird (link)
Ryan McMahon (link)
Amed Rosario (link)
Austin Slater (link)

My concern about J.C. Escarra being pulled last night? I should have been more concerned about Amed Rosario not being in the lineup against a left-handed pitcher yesterday. It’s too bad that the Yankees finally cared about adding some bench pieces to counteract teams going heavy with left-handed pitchers, only for Rosario and Austin Slater to end up on the injured list. Jose Caballero is also better against LHP, but it is a stretch to say he is a lefty masher.

Injury Log

Scranton (67-44; 29-10 in second half) (Outlasted Lehigh Valley, 9-7)

Right now, the second-half title is a two-horse race between Scranton and Syracuse, who are 29-10. They have one series left (August 26-31 in Scranton). Indianapolis has fallen off the pace (24-15) but can get back into it this week, as they play Scranton.

2B Jorbit Vivas: 1-for-4, RBI, BB, K
Vivas is 9-for-23 with 11 walks in August.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-5, K
LF Spencer Jones: 1-for-4, HR (14), RBI, 2 R, SB (15), HBP, 2 K
Jones becomes the first Yankees’ farmhand to reach 30 home runs since Dermis Garcia in 2021 and is up to 25 stolen bases in his quest for a 30/30 campaign. This one went 436 feet at 110.9 MPH. If you haven’t noticed yet, Jones doesn’t hit many cheapies.
DH Jose Rojas: 2-for-5, 3B (4), R, K
3B Jeimer Candelario: 0-for-4, R, BB, K
C Omar Martinez: 2-for-5, 2B (1), 3 RBI, R, K
For as long as Escarra is in New York, Martinez (4-for-13 since his promotion) figures to get the overwhelming majority of the catching reps in Scranton. They activated Edinson Duran off the Development List to back him up.
SS Jake Gatewood: 2-for-3, 2 HR (5), 3 RBI, 3 R, BB
Gatewood hasn’t shown off much of the trademark power that continues to get him jobs (though this season is his first taste of affiliated ball since 2022). 
CF Duke Ellis: 2-for-4, 2 2B (10), RBI, R, K
Ellis is hitting .366/.408/.482 in 123 PA at this level. After going 16-for-41 (.390) in July, he is 15-for-32 (.469) in August. That’s what I call ridiculous, regardless if you are a top prospect or just an organizational depth piece.
RF Ismael Munguia: 1-for-4, SB (22)

RHP Brendan Beck: (W, 5-1) 5 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, HR
Since promotion: 4.67 ERA (44.1 IP, 39 H, 23 R, 23 ER, 10 HR, 12 BB, 36 K). Overall, this was his 10th win of the season (10-3, 3.10 ERA; 98.2 IP, 77 H, 35 R, 34 ER, 12 HR, 24 BB, 88 K)
RHP Jake Bird: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
The Yankees likely feel that Bird needs a reset. They can afford to give him time.
RHP Baron Stuart: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, HR
LHP Jayvien Sandridge: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Zach Messinger (S, 3): 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

Somerset (58-50; 23-16 in second half) (Outdueled Binghamton, 2-0. This was another battle between rising Somerset pitcher Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz and minor league strikeout leader Jonah Tong. They also faced each other on Tuesday. Rodriguez-Cruz won that duel as well.)

Somerset is 1.5 games up on Hartford in the race for the second-half title. Binghamton is ahead of both, but that is irrelevant since they won the first-half title.

CF Brendan Jones: 1-for-3, 3B (4), RBI, R, BB, K
Jones hit his RBI triple off of Tong. 
SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-4, 2B (13), RBI, 2 K
Lombard Jr. has a double, a triple, and a home run in his last five games. He had two extra-base hits (double, triple; .224 SLG) in his first 24 Double-A games and 21 extra-base hits in his last 54 games (12 doubles, 3 triples, 6 HR). 
3B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
RF Jace Avina: 1-for-3, 2 K
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-3, 2 K
LF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-3, K
DH Coby Morales: 1-for-3, R, SB (1), 2 K
C Manuel Palencia: 0-for-3
2B Duncan Pastore: 1-for-3, K

RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz: (W, 3-1) 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K
At this level: 1.41 ERA (32 IP, 20 H, 8 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 30 K). Overall, he owns a 129/45 K/BB over 115.2 innings with only two home runs allowed. Oh, did I mention he has tossed 19 scoreless innings over his last three starts?
RHP Mason Vinyard: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
4.26 ERA (38 IP, 28 H, 18 R, 18 ER, 4 HR, 19 BB, 40 K)
LHP Will Brian: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Kelly Austin (S, 7): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K

Hudson Valley (65-40; 27-14 second half) (Lost to Brooklyn, 8-4)

At 65-40, the Renegades are having a fantastic season – one that can easily end without a playoff berth. Unfortunately for them, Brooklyn won the first-half tiebreaker over Greensboro. That’s important, as Greensboro is 31-11 in the second half. That would be irrelevant if they won the first half, but that’s how it goes.

DH Dillon Lewis: 3-for-5, 2 R, SB (9), K
Lewis has two 3-hit efforts in his last four games. He is up to .246/.314/.463 in 227 PA since his promotion (8 doubles, 3 triples, 10 HR, 40 RBI, 26 R, 9-for-10 SB, 8.4% BB, 18.9% K). His K% with Tampa was 28.2%. At first, I thought the reduction was small sample size noise, but it doesn’t appear to be the case. 
3B Juan Matheus: 3-for-4, 2B (2), HR (1), 3 RBI, R, SB (1), BB, K
Matheus may be your next small-ish infielder obsession. He leads the organization with 36 stolen bases (44 attempts) and has 25 doubles, 2 triples, and 3 home runs in 98 games.  His combined triple slash is .271/.359/.379 in 410 PA.
C Engelth Urena: 0-for-5
Urena is 2-for-20 since his promotion. On a good note, he has struck out only four times in 23 plate appearances (17.4%).
1B Josh Moylan: 2-for-4, SF, RBI, K
SS Core Jackson: 2-for-4, 2 2B (2), BB
This year’s 5th-round pick is 3-for-15.
LF Tyler Wilson: 2-for-4, BB
Wilson is 4-for-10 since his promotion and is hitting .287/.378/.376 in 325 plate appearances overall.
RF Cam Troyer: 0-for-4, K
CF Robbie Burnett: 1-for-4, K
2B Owen Cobb: 1-for-4, R, SB (1), K
Cobb’s High-A debut after hitting .313/.366/.492 in 39 games for Tampa (missed time due to injury)

RHP Cade Smith: 2.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 4 K
Smith is continuing to ramp up after missing a lot of time to injury. He tossed 59 pitches today.
RHP Matt Keating: 2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Bryce Warrecker (L, 2-1): 1.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
A rare 2025 misstep for Warrecker. This spikes his ERA to 2.12 (46.2 IP, 27 H, 11 R, 11 ER, 1 HR, 11 BB, 50 K)
LHP Geoffrey Gilbert: 1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Huey Morrill: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
0.41 ERA (44.1 IP, 15 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 16 BB, 36 K). Simply a ridiculous season.

Tampa (48-56; 12-27 in the second half) (Lost to St. Lucie, 8-5)

SS Dax Kilby: 0-for-4
  3B Hans Montero: 1-for-1, RBI, R
DH Roderick Arias: 1-for-5, 2B (15), RBI, R, K
1B Kyle West: 2-for-5, 2B (1), K
West is 3-for-18 with a double to begin his professional journey.
2B Enmanuel Tejeda: 0-for-2, CS (2), 3 BB
Tejeda has 14 walks and seven strikeouts in 14 games.
RF Marshall Toole: 0-for-5
CF Willy Montero: 1-for-4, R, K
LF Wilson Rodriguez: 1-for-2, R, 2 BB
3B-SS Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek: 2-for-4, RBI, R
Martin-Grudzielanek is 4-for-13 with a pair of walks and three strikeouts to begin his professional career. He’ll want to make it to MLB as a Yankee, as I am not sure how that name will fit on the back of most uniforms.
C Ediel Rivera: 1-for-3, RBI, K
Rivera earns his first Low-A hit (1-for-12).
  DH Eric Genther: 0-for-1

LHP Allen Facundo: 5.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Facundo has touched the upper-90s this season, but settled in at 94-95 today. At this level: 1.71 ERA (21 IP, 14 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 19 K). 
RHP Chris Veach (L, 2-3): 2.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Antonio Gomez: 0.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
Gomez continues to hum, hitting 100.3 MPH. The results do not matter at this point.
RHP Sean Hermann: 0.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Mariano Salomon: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

FCL (28-30)

Their season is over.

In case you are wondering, the DSL ends on August 19th. The Yankees have no shot at the playoffs. The Bombers still have a chance to make it into the 16-team field.

DSL Yankees (22-27) 

Day off.

DSL Bombers (26-23) 

Day off.

Yankees MILB 7/9: The Spencer Jones Show

Notes:

As I said last night, pulling a player from the lineup doesn’t mean they were traded.

OF Everson Pereira is sick. OF Bryan De La Cruz is injured.

As for DJ LeMahieu, I have been rough on him over the last few seasons, as he hasn’t been productive. The only reason why it should be shocking that he was designated for assignment is because of the money he is owed and his clubhouse presence. Will he end up somewhere, or is he going down the path of Anthony Rizzo? I would bet more on the latter, but a team in desperate need at second base can take a flyer.

Injury Log

Scranton (48-37) (Defeated Buffalo, 7-2)

2B Jorbit Vivas: 1-for-3, R, CS (7), BB
Triple-A in the afternoon, MLB at night…
C Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-3, HR (3), 2 RBI, 2 R, BB
At this level: .315/.416/.417 in 303 PA with a 14.2% BB and 15.5% K. He had a 9.9% BB in 2024.
CF Spencer Jones: 2-for-4, HR (5), RBI, 3 R, SB (4), K
The home run traveled 418 feet at 110 MPH. Including his time with Somerset, he has 11 home runs in his last 23 games. Since promotion: 15-for-39 (.385/.469/.846; 3 doubles, 5 HR, 9 RBI, 12 R, 4-for-4 SB, 8 BB, 15 K). Overall, Jones has 21 home runs and 14 stolen bases. If he stays in the minors the rest of the season, he has a legitimate shot at 30 home runs. The last Yankees prospect to accomplish that was Dermis Garcia, who hit 31 in 2021.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 2-for-3, RBI, R, BB
Rumfield has three multi-hit efforts in his last four games (10-for-27 in July).
3B Jeimer Candelario: 0-for-4, 3 K
SS Nicky Lopez: 2-for-4, 3B (1), 2 RBI
Although he has only one good offensive season on his MLB ledger, his defense has always been solid. 
DH Jose Rojas: 0-for-4
LF Duke Ellis: 0-for-4, 2 K
RF Ismael Munguia: 0-for-3

RHP Sean Boyle (W, 7-6): 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, HR
4.36 ERA (84.2 IP, 76 H, 47 R, 41 ER, 10 HR, 27 BB, 83 K). Boyle keeps providing Triple-A innings.
RHP Leonardo Pestana: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
LHP Jayvien Sandridge: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K

Somerset (44-39) (Defeated New Hampshire, 9-1, in a rain-shortened contest)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-3, K
2B Roc Riggio: 0-for-1, 2 R, SB (5), 2 BB
At this level: .282/.358/.573 in 123 PA (8 doubles, 8 HR, 23 RBI, 22 R, 5-for-7 SB)
C Rafael Flores: 2-for-3, R, SB (6)
Flores has 26 multi-hit efforts this season.
3B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-3
CF Brendan Jones: 2-for-2, 3B (2), HR (2), 4 RBI, 3 R, SB (5), BB
Jones is getting hot (three multi-hit efforts in his last six games). He is up to .253 with a .749 OPS since his promotion (he started 3-for-26 (.115/.219/.115))
DH Omar Martinez: 2-for-2, HR (2), 3 RBI, 2 R, BB
Martinez is 10-for-36 (3 doubles, 2 HR, 8 RBI) since his promotion. Overall, he has ten home runs and 44 RBI (third straight double-digit HR season). He hit 11 HR in the first 120 games in his career and 41 HR in 267 games since.
1B Tyler Hardman: 2-for-3, 2B (16), HR (13), 2 RBI, R
RF Cole Gabrielson: 0-for-3
LF Cam Eden: 0-for-3

LHP Brock Selvidge: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 1 K
Selvidge needed 74 pitches to record nine outs. This is his 9th start coming back from injury, so they weren’t going to push him when he didn’t “have it.” Anyway, for Somerset, he owns a 2.88 ERA in 25 innings with a 21/16 K/BB.
RHP Cole Ayers: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
RHP Hayden Merda: (W, 1-0)  1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
A much-needed scoreless effort by Merda.

Hudson Valley (49-32) (Defeated Asheville, 4-1)

CF Jace Avina: 2-for-4, 2 HR (8), 3 RBI, 2 R
Avina hits multiple home runs for the second night in a row. These games raised his SLG from .434 to .511.
LF Dillon Lewis: 0-for-4, K
DH Coby Morales: 0-for-2, HBP, BB
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-3, CS (1), BB
Vargas’ hitting streak is snapped at 16.
2B Jose Colmenares: 1-for-4, 2B (12), 2 K
1B Josh Moylan: 1-for-3, 3B (2), R, K
Moylan is 5-for-16 with a triple and a homer in July.
3B Brenny Escanio: 0-for-2, CS (5), BB
C Tomas Frick: 0-for-2, R, HBP
RF Anthony Hall: 1-for-3, RBI

LHP Kyle Carr: (W, 4-5) 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K (ties personal best)
2.37 ERA (76 IP, 51 H, 29 R, 20 ER, 5 HR, 35 BB, 65 K). June/July: 0.69 ERA (39 IP, 20 H, 10 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 18 BB, 40 K)
RHP Michael Arias: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
His rehab stint was moved here.
RHP Tony Rossi (S, 4): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
At this level: 1.31 ERA (20.2 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 11 BB, 25 K). This is his debut season, but he just turned 26 years old. It may be time to throw him into the Double-A fire.

Tampa (44-37) (Defeated Lakeland, 7-1)

C Edgleen Perez: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, BB
Last 12 games: 16-for-45 (.356) with 13 walks. His triple slash has risen from .194/.353/.223 to .223/.383/.250.
CF Brian Sanchez: 1-for-3, BB, K
SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-2, 2 BB, K
.189/.312/.304 in 270 PA (11 doubles, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 36 R, 20-for-25 SB, 14.4% BB, 28.5% K)
DH Willy Montero: 0-for-4, 2 K
3B Juan Matheus: 1-for-3, 2 R, BB
.268/.358/.353 in 316 PA (18 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 36 RBI, 41 R, 30-for-38 SB). He is on a 5-game hitting streak and is 8-for-27 (.296) in July.
LF Wilson Rodriguez: 3-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, 3 R
Rodriguez hits his first Low-A homer (two in 26 FCL games). This is his first career 3-hit effort.
1B Hans Montero: 0-for-4, R, 2 K
RF Marshall Toole: 1-for-3, 2B (11), 2 RBI, R, SB (27), BB, K
.306/.413/.487 in 230 PA (11 doubles, 9 triples, 2 HR, 25 RBI, 44 R, 27-for-30 SB, 15.2% BB, 20% K). Toole is third in the FSL in batting average and second in OPS. The leader in OPS (19-year-old Konnor Griffin) is now in High-A for the Pirates.
2B Austin Green: 1-for-4, RBI

LHP Allen Facundo: 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K
Facundo was activated off the injured list today (5.1 rehab innings in the FCL). He was humming today, topping out at 98.3 MPH while generating 13 whiffs. Beyond that, this game didn’t have StatCast data.
RHP Jack Sokol (W, 4-1): 1.2 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
3.49 ERA (28.1 IP, 25 H, 14 R, 11 ER, 1 HR, 15 BB, 23 K)
RHP Cole Zaffiro: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Jackson Fristoe: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
4.85 ERA (39 IP, 36 H, 25 R, 21 ER, 7 HR, 24 BB, 30 K)

FCL (23-24)

Day off.

DSL Yankees (12-15)

Day off.

DSL Bombers (13-14) (Lost to DSL Arizona Black, 8-6, in a rare Wednesday contest)

SS Stiven Marinez: 0-for-3, BB, 3 K
.274/.461/.342 in 102 PA. This breaks a 5-game hitting streak, but his on-base streak is up to 15.
2B Christofer Reyes: 0-for-3, R, SB (17)
RF Jose Castro: 0-for-2, R, SB (3), BB, K
1B Remy Veldhuisen: 1-for-1, 2B (4), 2 R, HBP, BB
LF Richard Meran: 2-for-3, 2 2B (5), 3 RBI, R
The good news: .351/.442/.703 in 43 PA. The bad news: This is his third year at this level.

RHP Christopher Vasquez: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K

Yankees MILB 5/13: Omar Martinez: 4 Hits, HR

Notes:

The Yankees signed RHP Anthony DeSclafani to a minor league contract and assigned him to Scranton.

The 35-year-old has 180 games (169 starts) of MLB experience from 2014 to 2023. He is 54-56 in those appearances with a 4.20 ERA (4.16 FIP). He has pitched for the Marlins, Reds, and Giants. In 2023, he posted a 4.88 ERA (4.35 FIP) over 99.2 innings with an 18.9% K/4.8% BB/41.5% GB. The Twins signed him in 2024, but he missed the season due to an elbow injury.

The Yankees need depth, and he provides that. He isn’t exciting, but he can provide some innings, if needed.

As a fun sidenote, he was a part of the 12-player trade between the Marlins and Blue Jays in 2012. The notable names in that deal were Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle, and Josh Johnson.

George Lombard Jr. was the highest riser in the MLB Pipeline update, which is (very) good news. The bad news is that none of their other prospects are on the list. I think the system is in a down period. I am never afraid to say that. Whether or not the next wave of pitchers in Hudson Valley/Tampa can improve that standing is to be determined. Whether some bats beyond Lombard Jr. can emerge to ease the pain is to be determined. We may not get those answers until later this year and into 2026.

Injury Log

Scranton (19-19) (Lost to Toledo, 7-0. The game was shortened due to rain after eight innings)

DH Cooper Hummel: 0-for-3, BB, K
3B Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-4, K
Rodriguez is on a 5-game hitting streak and is 11-for-34 in May with six walks and three strikeouts.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 2-for-3
.304/.401/.513 in 137 PA (9 doubles, 5 HR, 24 RBI, 25 R). He is 14-for-28 in May.
C Alex Jackson: 0-for-3
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 0-for-3, 2 K
LF Dominic Smith: 1-for-2, BB
2B Jake Gatewood: 0-for-3, 2 K
CF Ismael Munguia: 0-for-3
SS Andrew Velazquez: 1-for-3

RHP Carlos Carrasco: 4.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
Carrasco’s first Scranton appearance.
RHP Leonardo Pestana: 0.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, HR
RHP Jonathan Loaisiga: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Loaisiga needed only 12 pitches in another efficient outing. His sinker reached 95.8 MPH.
RHP Clayton Beeter: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Beeter needed 17 pitches (12 strikes). He reached 96.2 MPH and generated four whiffs with his fastball/slider combo.
RHP Wilking Rodriguez: 0.1 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
A struggle for Rodriguez, though he reached 98.8 MPH with his 4-seamer (averaged 97.8)
LHP Rob Zastryzny: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
The skies opened up before Reyzelman threw a pitch.

Somerset (14-19)

Their game against Portland was postponed. They will attempt to make it up on Thursday.

Hudson Valley (23-10) (Lost to Aberdeen, 7-6, in 10 innings)

RF Brendan Jones: 1-for-3, SF, RBI, R, SB (15), BB
Jones seems to do something in every game. 
DH Roc Riggio: 0-for-4, RBI, R, BB, 3 K
1B Parks Harber: 1-for-2, RBI, R, K
I am not sure why Harber left the game.
  1B Duncan Pastore: 0-for-2, BB, K
LF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-5, RBI, 2 K
C Omar Martinez: 4-for-5, HR (6), 2 RBI, R
Martinez is 17-for-39 (.436) in May (3 doubles, 5 HR, 12 RBI, 12 R, 7 BB, 9 K). This was his second 4-hit effort this month.
2B Jose Colmenares: 0-for-4, HBP, 2 K
SS Brenny Escanio: 0-for-5, 3 K
3B Josh Moylan: 1-for-1, 2B (6), R, 4 BB
Reaching base five times will always impress.
CF Luis Durango: 2-for-4, R, HBP, 2 K
Durango’s rehab stint is over. This is the 22-year-old’s High-A debut. If you don’t remember, the Yankees chose him in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft last winter (Cleveland).

LHP Kyle Carr: 3.2 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
3.20 ERA (25.1 IP, 20 H, 11 R, 9 ER, 1 HR, 12 BB, 19 K). A mixed bag of stuff in his 2025 profile.
RHP Bryce Warrecker: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
0.56 ERA (16 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 3 BB, 22 K). Warrecker is dominating out of the pen.
RHP Hayden Merda: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
3.68 ERA (14.2 IP, 12 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 0 HR, 8 BB, 19 K)
RHP Ocean Gabonia (L, 0-2): 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
LHP Geoffrey Gilbert: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Tampa (15-19) (Defeated Palm Beach, 9-1)

C Edgleen Perez: 0-for-3, R, CS (1), 2 BB, 2 K
.196/.378/.227 in 127 PA. His patient approach is apparent. 
C Engelth Urena: 0-for-4, 2 K
LF Dillon Lewis: 1-for-3, 3B (2), RBI, R, BB, K
.204/.280/.398 in 125 PA (6 doubles, 2 triples, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 18 R, 7-for-8 SB). We know Lewis has speed. It’s good to see some pop showing up as well. Yes, the bat tool needs more work. That’s why he is here.
SS Juan Matheus: 1-for-3, CS (5), 2 K
RF Austin Green: 1-for-3, 2B (3), RBI, R
1B Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-2, R, BB, 2 K
2B Hans Montero: 2-for-4, 2 HR (3), 4 RBI, 2 R, K
Montero’s first career multi-HR game (also tied his best for RBI)
CF Marshall Toole: 1-for-3, 2B (3), R, BB, K
.294/.392/.426 in 79 PA (3 doubles, 3 triples, 5 RBI, 13 R, 7-for-7 SB). 
3B Owen Cobb: 1-for-4, 2B (5), RBI, K
8 of Cobb’s 12 hits have gone for extra bases (5 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR)

RHP Andrew Landry (W, 1-3): 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, HR
A much-needed performance for Landry (easily the best in his young career)
LHP Jayvien Sandridge: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Sandridge is on a rehab stint from Scranton. The 26-year-old was signed to a minor league contract last winter. Throughout his minor league career, Sandridge has struck out 303 hitters in 205.2 innings. The issue? He has allowed 168 walks. To give you an example of his insanity, he struck out 95 and walked 49 in 61 innings last year.
RHP Chris Veach: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
1.98 ERA (13.2 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 9 BB, 22 K)
RHP Brandon Decker: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
1.88 ERA (14.1 IP, 14 H, 7 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 5 BB, 17 K). Veach and Decker are shining in their debut campaigns and should be promotion candidates sometime this year.

FCL (5-3) (Split a doubleheader against the Tigers)

Game 1 (Lost, 7-3)

LF Brando Mayea: 1-for-3, R, K
RF Brennen Davis: 2-for-3, 2B (1), HR (2), RBI, R, SB (1)
As I like to say, Davis hitting in the FCL is like a high schooler in a Little League game. He shouldn’t be here much longer.
CF Cam Eden: 0-for-2, K
The speedy depth piece is on a rehab stint.
  CF Isael Arias: 1-for-1, HR (1), 2 RBI, R
The 19-year-old hit one HR in 38 games in the DSL last year (his professional debut).
SS Santiago Gomez: 2-for-3, CS (1)

RHP J.T. Etheridge: 4.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 8 K
Etheridge has 17 strikeouts in 8.1 innings. Yes, he is too old for this level and shouldn’t be here long.

Game 2 (Won, 6-0)

CF Brando Mayea: 1-for-3, 2 R, BB, K
.321/.424/.536 in 33 PA. He is on a 7-game hitting streak.
C Manuel Palencia: 2-for-4, 2B (1), 2 RBI, R
3B Santiago Gomez: 1-for-3, RBI
9-for-24. He has hit safely in all six of his games.
LF Gabriel Lara: 1-for-3, HR (1), RBI, R
Lara hitting his first HR before stealing a base is a story in its own right.

LHP Xavier Rivas: 4.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K
Rivas’s first two professional appearances:  8.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 13 K. He was their 16th-round pick in the 2024 draft (Ole Miss).
RHP Mariano Salomon (W, 2-0): 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 5/8: Ben Hess Dominates

Notes:

OF Brennen Davis started his rehab stint in the FCL today. Once a top prospect for the Cubs (Baseball America ranked him 16th in 2022, and he played in the 2021 Futures Game), injuries have slowed him down. In 2021, as a 21-year-old trying Double-A for the first time, he hit an impressive .252/.367/.474 (134 wRC+) in 76 games with 13 homers and 36 RBI.

Injuries are a part of the game, and Davis can’t shake the bug. The Yankees signed him, hoping to tap into what he once was. Last season, in Triple-A Iowa, he hit .214/.359/.469 (110 wRC+) in 181 plate appearances with 11 home runs.

When his rehab is over, he’ll join Everson Pereira and Bryan De La Cruz as right-handed hitting outfield depth.

RHP Jon Olsen was signed to a minor league contract and assigned to Somerset. The 27-year-old was a 12th-round pick by the Twins in 2018, but was out of the organization in 2022. After not pitching in 2023, he ended up in the Independent Atlantic League in 2024, where he compiled a 12-3 record with a 3.60 ERA in 127.2 IP for York. This season, he pitched in the Mexican League, where he was 2-1 with a 3.18 ERA in three starts (17 IP) with a 19/6 K/BB. For now, he is organizational depth. We’ll monitor his progress.

RHP Carlos Carrasco cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to Scranton. I have no problem with that, as they need the pitching depth.

Due to some feedback, I have updated the injury log below. It is now sorted by last name, with the Top 30 organizational prospects listed at the top.

Injury Log

Scranton (17-17) (After waiting for 3+ hours, they postponed this game against Rochester due to rain. Weird that they waited so long. The lineup was provided and is below.)

CF Everson Pereira: 0-for-0
2B DJ LeMahieu: 0-for-0
1B T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-0
C Jesus Rodriguez: 0-for-0
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 0-for-0
LF Dominic Smith: 0-for-0
3B Jose Rojas: 0-for-0
DH Alex Jackson: 0-for-0
SS Braden Shewmake: 0-for-0

RHP Zach McAllister: 0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Until the Yankees find starters, McAllister can put himself on the map for spot starts. However, he hasn’t pitched well thus far.

Somerset (12-18) (Lost to Akron, 5-0. Somerset has suffered three straight shutouts since George Lombard Jr.‘s promotion. The kid is going to develop a complex)

3B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-4, K
2B George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-4, K
1-for-11 with a walk and three strikeouts. This is his second start at second base this season (24 at SS; 1 at 3B)
1B Rafael Flores: 1-for-4, K
Flores hasn’t drawn a walk in seven May games (9 in 23 April games)
DH Tyler Hardman: 0-for-4, 2 K
CF Garrett Martin: 1-for-4, 2 K
.195/.340/.402 in 100 PA. Martin has a .200 BABIP, which should normalize.
LF Jared Wegner: 1-for-4, K
RF Christopher Familia: 0-for-3, BB
With Spencer Jones and Cole Gabrielson on the injured list, Familia should see extended playing time.
C Antonio Gomez: 0-for-3, K
SS Max Burt: 1-for-2, BB

RHP Brendan Beck: (L, 2-1) 4.1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 7 K (personal best)
2.28 ERA (23.2 IP, 15 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 0 HR, 4 BB, 26 K). The start to Beck’s season is encouraging.
LHP Will Brian: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Brian allowed two of Beck’s runners to score before tossing a clean 6th inning. Since promotion: 9 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 9 K
RHP Luis Pacheco: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Kelly Austin: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
9.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 9 K. If you want to get yourself on the radar, throw up a bunch of zeroes in your first eight Double-A games.

Hudson Valley (20-9) (Walloped Wilmington, 12-1. It’s their second straight 12-1 triumph)

CF Brendan Jones: 2-for-6, RBI, R, SB (13)
Jones is 31-for-34 (91.2%) stealing bases in 49 career games.
LF Jackson Castillo: 2-for-5, 2B (8), 2 R, SB (4), BB
.255/.366/.372 in 112 PA. He has back-to-back multi-hit efforts after a 1-for-15 start to May.
3B Parks Harber: 2-for-5, RBI, 3 R, BB, K
Harber is hitting .314 (11-for-35) since his promotion (he has hit safely in seven of eight games).
DH Omar Martinez: 2-for-4, 2 HR (5), 3 RBI, 2 R, HBP, BB, K
Martinez has homered in three straight games. In six May games: 12-for-23 (3 doubles, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 9 R, 4 BB, 4 K).  He is up to .283/.374/.485 in 115 PA. I would consider swapping him and Antonio Gomez.
2B Jose Colmenares: 1-for-5, BB, 2 K
SS Brenny Escanio: 2-for-5, 2B (3), RBI, 2 R, BB, 2 K
1B Josh Moylan: 0-for-3, SF, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 2 K
C Tomas Frick: 1-for-3, 2B (4), RBI, R, 2 BB, K
RF Anthony Hall: 2-for-5, 2 RBI, K

RHP Ben Hess: (W, 2-2)  6.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K
Hess has three 9-strikeout efforts this season. He lost the no-hitter with no outs in the 7th, but instantly generated a ground ball double play before leaving. He tossed 88 pitches (63 strikes). Season: 3.24 ERA (25 IP, 12 H, 12 R, 9 ER, 1 HR, 12 BB, 39 K). The spotlight will be brighter on Hess, since he was their first-round pick in 2024. He is performing well.
RHP Huey Morrill: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Tony Rossi: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Since promotion: 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K. Overall: 11.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 18 K. That’s how you make an impression in your first professional campaign.

Tampa (13-17) (Swept a doubleheader against Daytona)

Game 1 (Won, 13-2. 13 runs, 11 hits, 10 walks)

C Edgleen Perez: 2-for-5, RBI
Perez hits the .200 mark for the first time since April 6th. 
CF Brian Sanchez: 2-for-4, 3B (3), RBI, 2 R, CS (3), BB, K
DH Engelth Urena: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB, K
LF Dillon Lewis: 1-for-4, 2B (5), RBI, 2 R, BB, K
SS Juan Matheus: 2-for-4, R, BB, K
RF Tyler Wilson: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, R, BB
2B Austin Green: 0-for-2, RBI, R, 2 BB
1B Josue Gonzalez: 1-for-3, RBI, 2 R, SB (6), BB
.159/.286/.261 in 84 PA. 
3B Hans Montero: 1-for-2, RBI, 2 R, SB (4), BB, K
.240/.356/.328 in 59 PA. 

LHP Griffin Herring: 4.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
1.04 ERA (34.2 IP, 20 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 13 BB, 44 K). The Max Fried of the Florida State League (it’s a joke, don’t take it seriously) allows more than one run for the first time in his 6-start career.
RHP Brady Kirtner (W, 2-0): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
1.56 ERA (17.1 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 14 K)
RHP Chris Veach: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
2.13 ERA (12.2 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 7 BB, 20 K)

Game 2 (Won, 6-3)

DH Edgleen Perez: 2-for-4, RBI, HBP, K
I love that they keep throwing him out there, even if he caught the first game of a doubleheader. He needs reps, reps, reps.  His batting average is now .214.
RF Brian Sanchez: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, R, BB
Sanchez is having himself a doubleheader (4-for-8, 3B, 3 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB). He has three straight multi-hit efforts.
C Engelth Urena: 1-for-2, R, 2 BB
Drawing walks is nothing new for Urena (49 in 322 career plate appearances; 15.2%)
LF Dillon Lewis: 1-for-4, 2B (6), RBI, R, 2 K
Lewis has two doubles and two homers in six May games (five extra-base hits in 21 April games)
3B Juan Matheus: 0-for-2, SF, RBI, BB, K
1B Tyler Wilson: 0-for-4, 2 K
2B Austin Green: 0-for-3, R, BB, K
CF Marshall Toole: 2-for-4, 2B (2), 3B (2), 2 K
Toole’s third straight 2-hit effort (6-for-11, 1 double, 2 triples).
SS Owen Cobb: 2-for-3, 2B (4), 2 R, CS (1), BB
9-for-18 with four doubles, a homer, 10 runs, and a 6-for-7 stolen base rate.

RHP Danny Flatt: (W, 1-2)  5 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
The rain delay (which occurred in the second inning) wasn’t long enough to knock Flatt out of the game, which worked well for him. Nobody wants a wasted start.  Season: 5.40 ERA (18.1 IP, 19 H, 12 R, 11 ER, 2 HR, 13 BB, 15 K)
RHP Jack Sokol: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
4.22 ERA (10.2 IP, 13 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 4 BB, 10 K)
RHP Cade Austin (S, 1): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

FCL (3-1) (Defeated the Phillies, 3-1. I told you they keep playing the same teams!)

DH Brando Mayea: 1-for-4, 2B (3), RBI, R, SB (2), CS (2), BB, K
Mayea has three doubles in four games (4 extra-base hits (2 doubles, 2 triples) in 35 games at this level in 2024). I don’t worry about stolen base rates in the low minors – if a kid has speed, they learn by running.
CF Isael Arias: 2-for-5, RBI, SB (2)
5-for-15
RF Brennen Davis: 1-for-2, K
His first rehab game.
  RF Gabriel Lara: 1-for-2, CS (1)
SS Santiago Gomez: 2-for-4, R

RHP Omar Gonzalez: 3.2 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
Only 19, Gonzalez has spent four years in the rookie leagues. However, he has compiled only 58.1 innings (28 hits, 42 BB, 80 K)
RHP Sunayro Martina (W, 1-1): 3.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 9 K
LHP Franyer Herrera (S, 1): 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Herrera’s first career save.

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 5/7: Everson Pereira Walks it Off

Notes:

Jonathan Loaisiga‘s rehab was moved to Scranton today. He tossed a pair of scoreless innings.

Injury Log

Scranton (17-17) (Split a doubleheader against Rochester)

Game 1 (Won, 5-3, on a walk-off blast by Everson Pereira. Scranton hit three home runs in the bottom of the 7th to take the win)

LF Everson Pereira: 2-for-4, HR (7), 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 K
Pereira has four home runs in his last four games (six in his last ten games).  He is hitting .295/.364/.577 in 88 PA (1 double, 7 HR, 17 RBI, 17 R, 2-for-2 SB, 9.1% BB, 34.1% K)
3B DJ LeMahieu: 2-for-3
Weird that Aaron Boone said 2B was in play for LeMahieu, only for him to play third base tonight (his first appearance at third base during his rehab stint). This is the first time he played a full game in the field during his stint, but remember that it was a 7-inning game.  As for his return, Jorbit Vivas isn’t doing anything to claim second base over the next several weeks. The loss of Jazz Chisholm Jr., even with his warts, is potentially devastating.
DH T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-3, RBI, K
1B Dominic Smith: 0-for-3
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 1-for-3, HR (1), RBI, R, K
He started the home run binge with his first one as a member of the Yankees’ organization.
2B Jose Rojas: 0-for-3
C Alex Jackson: 3-for-3, HR (3), RBI, R
Jackson’s HR tied the game.
SS Braden Shewmake: 0-for-3, 2 K
CF Ismael Munguia: 0-for-2, R, BB
Munguia set the stage for Pereira’s dramatics by earning a walk.

LHP Brandon Leibrandt: 3 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Clayton Beeter: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K
Beeter threw 26 pitches (18 fastballs, 8 sliders). He hit 96.8 MPH (averaged 95.8)
RHP Jonathan Loaisiga: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Loaisiga threw 16 pitches in an efficient outing. He used all four pitches (4-seam, sinker, curve, changeup) and reached 96.5 MPH on his 4-seamer and sinker. If he comes out of this outing OK, he’s close.
LHP Brent Headrick (W, 1-0): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Headrick was activated off the injured list today.

Game 2 (Lost, 8-5. This was a sloppy game where the Railriders committed five errors)

CF Ismael Munguia: 1-for-4, R, SB (8)
3B Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-3, R, SB (5), BB
Rodriguez is 22-for-63 (.349) since his promotion (3 doubles, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 16 R, 5-for-5 SB, 18.5% BB, 12.3% K).  He has forced the Yankees hand. I don’t think the plan was to keep him here once Alex Jackson returned. 
1B T.J. Rumfield: 3-for-3, 2B (9), RBI, R, BB
Rumfield is 9-for-19 with a pair of doubles in May.
2B Jose Rojas: 1-for-3, HR (7, grand slam), 4 RBI, R, BB
Rojas has two grand slams in May (4 HR, 12 RBI in six May games, though all those numbers have come in two games)
LF Bryan De La Cruz: 0-for-3, HBP
DH Dominic Smith: 1-for-3, BB
C Ronaldo Hernandez: 1-for-4, K
RF Grant Richardson: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
SS Andrew Velazquez: 1-for-4, 2B (4), R, 2 K

RHP Sean Boyle: (L, 3-4)  6 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
Boyle is a mix-it-up righty who can hit 90-92 with his fastball. He has battled injuries and I would love for him to make his MLB debut. Whether that is in a Yankees uniform, I don’t know. Season: 4.14 ERA (37 IP, 31 H, 20 R, 17 ER, 5 HR, 11 BB, 40 K)
RHP Leonardo Pestana: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
LHP Rob Zastryzny: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Somerset (12-17) (Lost to Akron, 3-0. Somerset hasn’t scored a run since George Lombard Jr.‘s promotion. Coincidence? I think not)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-3, BB
1-for-7 with a walk and two strikeouts. 
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-4, 2B (10), 2 K
94 Double-A games: .276/.350/.521 in 397 PA (24 doubles, 21 HR, 56 RBI, 54 R, 9-for-9 SB, 9.3% BB, 28.5% K). The strikeout rate has spiked this season (32.3%).
2B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-4
.255/.321/.471 in 112 PA (5 doubles, 1 triple, 5 HR, 14 RBI, 17 R, 7.1% BB, 16.1% K). He is off to a 3-for-26 start in May.
CF Garrett Martin: 0-for-4, K
.192/.344/.410 in 96 PA (5 doubles, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 13 R, 4-for-5 SB, 13.5% BB, 16.7% K)
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-3, BB
RF Jared Wegner: 0-for-4, 4 K
3B Alexander Vargas: 1-for-3, K
LF Christopher Familia: 0-for-3, 2 K
DH Antonio Gomez: 0-for-3, 2 K

RHP Cam Schlittler: (L, 2-3)  6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 7 K
2.18 ERA (33 IP, 25 H, 13 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 10 BB, 36 K). Schlittler is the upper-level arm to be excited over, while Brendan Beck has placed himself on the map. They are two names to watch, but are they MLB viable in 2025?
RHP Danny Watson: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Harrison Cohen: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
4.22 ERA (10.2 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 6 BB, 14 K)

Hudson Valley (19-9) (Walloped Wilmington, 12-1)

CF Brendan Jones: 4-for-6, 2B (5), RBI, R, SB (12)
.247/.348/.412 in 115 PA (5 doubles, 1 triple, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 21 R, 12-for-15 SB, 12.2% BB, 18.3% K).  This is his first career 4-hit effort.
2B Roc Riggio: 0-for-4, CS (1), BB
  2B Duncan Pastore: 0-for-1, K
RF Jace Avina: 0-for-5, BB
  RF Anthony Hall: 0-for-0
LF Jackson Castillo: 2-for-5, RBI, R, BB, 3 K
.247/.358/.360 in 106 PA. He needed a solid night, as he was 1-for-15 in May entering it.
3B Parks Harber: 1-for-5, 2 R, BB, 2 K
DH Coby Morales: 2-for-4, 2B (3), RBI, 3 R, BB
C Omar Martinez: 4-for-5, 2B (5), HR (3), 5 RBI, 3 R, K
Martinez is 10-for-19 in May (3 doubles, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 7 R). He has homered in back-to-back games and has three doubles in his last four games. He started the month .211/.299/.276. Now, his triple slash is .274/.358/.421. How crazy is that? 
SS Brenny Escanio: 2-for-4, RBI, R, BB, K
1B Josh Moylan: 2-for-5, 2B (5), 3 RBI, R, K

RHP Carlos Lagrange: (W, 3-1)  5.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K (ties personal best)
3.55 ERA (25.1 IP, 18 H, 11 R, 10 ER, 2 HR, 7 BB, 41 K). A 41/7 K/BB is insane. Half of those earned runs were compiled in his first start. Last season, in 21 innings, he compiled a 27/20 K/BB. Once a pitcher like Lagrange figures out control/command, the sky is the limit. Yes, it is still too early to know if this is real, and we need to see Lagrange stay healthy for a full season.
RHP Matt Keating: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Keating stranded a pair of runners in the 6th to preserve Lagrange’s night.
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Chris Kean: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
1.38 ERA (13 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 4 BB, 12 K)

Tampa (11-17)

Their game against Daytona was postponed due to lightning.

FCL (2-1)

Day off.

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 5/6: George Lombard Jr.’s Somerset Debut

Notes:

Outfielder Spencer Jones was placed on the injured list for Somerset, robbing us of a chance to see arguably the top two prospects in the system in the same lineup. In a related move, Christopher Familia was activated from the Development List.

RP Scott Effross (yes, he does exist) is on a rehab stint in the FCL.

Speaking of the FCL, 2B Roc Riggio was activated off the injured list for Hudson Valley. He played only two rehab games for the FCL squad before his activation.

DJ LeMahieu‘s rehab was moved up to Scranton.

Carlos Carrasco being DFA’d was not surprising from a performance perspective. The Yankees, however, remain short when it comes to starting pitchers. He could clear waivers and come back, but that’s hardly exciting. They can start Ryan Yarbrough for now, with the potential to see Allan Winans take a turn or two. It’s going to be a revolving door and evolving story until/unless they add someone more stable.

Since it happened after I posted my report on Sunday, SS George Lombard Jr. is now in Somerset. That’s news to nobody’s ears.  I agree with this move, as High-A was not challenging him.  Double-A is the ultimate test for every prospect, and Lombard Jr. will be the youngest player in the Eastern League. I know the fanbase doesn’t understand patience, but be patient. If he dominates Double-A from the jump, he might just be a unicorn. If he doesn’t, he is still a top prospect. It’s a win-win, and it will be fun to watch.

Injury Log

Scranton (16-16)

Their game against Rochester was postponed due to rain.

Somerset (12-16) (Lost to Akron, 3-0)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-4, 2 K
Lombard Jr. earns his first Double-A hit.
C Rafael Flores: 0-for-4, 2 K
.282/.333/.527 in 120 PA (9 doubles, 6 HR, 23 RBI, 14 R). 
2B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-4, 3 K
CF Garrett Martin: 0-for-4
RF Cole Gabrielson: 1-for-4, K
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-3, 2 K
LF Jared Wegner: 1-for-3
3B Alexander Vargas: 0-for-3, 3 K
DH Antonio Gomez: 1-for-3, K
Gomez is 5-for-14 in his last four games.

RHP Bailey Dees: (L, 1-2)  4.1 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, HR
5.96 ERA (22.2 IP, 26 H, 16 R, 15 ER, 5 HR, 14 BB, 25 K)
LHP Ryan Anderson: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
RHP Jordany Ventura: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Mason Vinyard: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K

Hudson Valley (18-9) (Lost to Wilmington, 4-3. Wilmington’s Branden Boissiere hit a walk-off 2-run home run)

CF Brendan Jones: 1-for-4, K
DH Roc Riggio: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
Riggio hit .221/.349/.397 in 480 PA at this level last season. He walked 14.8% of the time and stole 27 bases in 33 attempts.
RF Jace Avina: 1-for-4, 2B (7), R, K
Avina has five doubles in his last seven games.
LF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-3, BB, K
3B Parks Harber: 2-for-4, RBI
Harber is 8-for-25 with four RBI since his promotion.
1B Coby Morales: 0-for-4, 2 K
2B Jose Colmenares: 1-for-4, 2 K
Colmenares was moved back to Hudson Valley with Lombard Jr.’s promotion to Somerset.
C Omar Martinez: 1-for-4, HR (2), RBI, R, 2 K
Martinez has two doubles and a homer in four May games (2 doubles, 1 HR in 20 April games)
SS Brenny Escanio: 1-for-3, R, CS (3), BB, K

LHP Kyle Carr: 5 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
2.08 ERA (21.2 IP, 13 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 9 BB, 17 K). His K% isn’t ideal but he is generating a lot of grounders (60% GB entering tonight; 9 groundouts tonight)
RHP Bryce Warrecker: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
0.77 ERA (11.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 3 BB, 17 K). Warrecker continues to impress in the early going. As a starter last year, he posted a 5.79 ERA (5.34 FIP) over 65.1 innings with a 10.2% BB and 15.7% K. Does this mean he will never start again? No. However, he is taking to the bullpen thus far, including a strikeout rate above 40%.
RHP Hayden Merda: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Tyrone Yulie (L, 1-1): 0.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR

Tampa (11-17) (Lost to Daytona, 10-7)

DH Edgleen Perez: 1-for-4, 2B (2), R, BB, 2 K
Perez has hit safely in four of five May games. 
CF Brian Sanchez: 2-for-5, 2B (9), 3 RBI, R, SB (6)
Sanchez leads the Florida State League with 9 doubles. 
C Engelth Urena: 0-for-4, BB, K
LF Dillon Lewis: 0-for-5, K
SS Juan Matheus: 0-for-3, SB (8), BB, K
RF Tyler Wilson: 0-for-4, K
2B Austin Green: 0-for-4, K
1B Josue Gonzalez: 1-for-3, HR (1), RBI, R, SB (5), BB, K
3B Owen Cobb: 2-for-2, 2 2B (3), 3 R, SB (5), 2 BB
Cobb is 7-for-15 (3 doubles, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 8 R, 5-for-5 SB, 4 BB, 3 K). Nice start to his 2025 campaign.

RHP Andrew Landry (L, 0-3): 5 IP, 11 H, 8 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, HR
8.18 ERA (22 IP, 38 H, 26 R, 20 ER, 3 HR, 10 BB, 21 K)
RHP Gus Hughes: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Brandon Decker: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
2.03 ERA (13.1 IP, 13 H, 7 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 5 BB, 16 K)

FCL (2-1) (Knocked off the Phillies, 9-2)

CF Brando Mayea: 2-for-5, 2B (2), R, SB (1)
Mayea also doubled yesterday. It would be a nice boost to the system if Mayea has a breakout.
RF Luis Durango: 1-for-4, R, K
I assume, like with Riggio, that Durango’s rehab won’t last much longer.
C Ediel Rivera: 1-for-3, 2B (2), RBI, R, BB, 2 K
3-for-10 with a pair of doubles.
LF Isael Arias: 2-for-4, 2B (2), 2 RBI, 2 R
3B Luis Escudero: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, SB (2)
SS Kevin Verde: 2-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, R, K
The 19-year-old hits his first home run since 2023.
2B Gabriel Terrero: 1-for-3, 2B (1), RBI, 2 SB (2), CS (1), BB, K

RHP Scott Effross: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
A healthy Effross can help the bullpen. But can he regain his 2022 form?
RHP J.T. Etheridge (W, 1-0): 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 K
Professional debut for the 23-year-old (yes, very old for this level) Etheridge. The Yankees signed him as an undrafted free agent (Louisiana-Lafayette) last August. He stands an impressive 6’5″.
RHP Hansel Rosario: 2 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 2 K
RHP Alexis Paulino: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

 

 

 

Yankees MILB 5/2: Spencer Jones Goes Yard

Notes:

With Jazz Chisholm Jr. out until early-to-mid June or longer, the opportunity is there for Jorbit Vivas to make an impression. I won’t ignore the fact that it will eventually open a spot for DJ LeMahieu. Beyond that, your depth is Braden Shewmake (activated off the IL today and on the 40-man), Jake Gatewood, and Andrew Velazquez. If anyone dares to ask about George Lombard Jr., it’s grounds for me to block you from reading my website.

Given his absurdly low K% in Triple-A, it was funny that Vivas struck out in his first plate appearance. Baseball!

Clayton Beeter is in Scranton to continue his rehab. He isn’t far away.

Many players were activated on the FCL roster for tomorrow’s opener. I won’t get into that. Of note, 2B Roc Riggio and RHP Trystan Vrieling will begin rehab assignments. OF Luis Durango, chosen in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 out of Cleveland, will also start a rehab assignment. The 22-year-old hit .250/.344/.311 in 153 plate appearances for Low-A Lynchburg last season. He was an impressive 21-for-22 stealing bases. 21 stolen bases in 41 games? Nice.

Injury Log

Scranton (15-15) (Lost to Syracuse, 6-3)

SS Braden Shewmake: 0-for-3, 2 K
  PH-SS Andrew Velazquez: 0-for-1, K
No worries about Shewmake. It is his first game back, so they didn’t allow him to play a full game.
DH Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-4, 2B (3), K
Rodriguez is 14-for-28 (.500) during his 7-game hitting streak. He continues to play C/DH for Scranton. They haven’t deployed him at his other positions (mainly 3B and 1B, though he has a little LF (24 games) and 2B (3) experience).
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-4, R, 2 K
C Alex Jackson: 1-for-4, 2B (2), R, K
Jackson, not known for his offense (especially in MLB), has a 6-game hitting streak.
   C Ronaldo Hernandez: 0-for-0
RF Dominic Smith: 2-for-4, 2B (5), 2 RBI, R
LF Bryan De La Cruz: 0-for-3, BB, K
De La Cruz makes his Yankees’ organizational debut.
3B Jose Rojas: 0-for-3, BB, K
2B Jake Gatewood: 0-for-4, RBI, 2 K
CF Ismael Munguia: 0-for-3, K

LHP Brandon Leibrandt: 4 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
Leibrandt was activated off the injured list today.
RHP McKinley Moore: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Clayton Beeter: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Beeter topped out at 97.4 MPH (averaged 95.7).  He threw ten sliders and nine 4-seam fastballs.
RHP Geoff Hartlieb: (L, 2-2)  0.1 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
LHP Rob Zastryzny: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Somerset (11-14) (Lost to Richmond, 8-7, in 10 innings)

1B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-6, 2 K
Jasso has been on fire recently. Throw this game out and start over tomorrow.
2B DJ LeMahieu: 0-for-3, R, BB, K
I am not an idiot. If LeMahieu is healthy (BIG IF), Vivas’s stay in the Bronx could be short. That isn’t what I want. It is what I expect.
  PH-2B Jose Colmenares: 2-for-2, 2B (1)
Colmenares earns his first Double-A hits (0-for-15 entering tonight)
CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-4, HR (9), 2 RBI, R, 2 BB, 2 K
Jones leads the Eastern League with 9 home runs and 20 runs scored.  The next highest home run total (as of this writing) is 6.
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-6, 2B (8), K
Flores is tied for the Eastern League lead with 21 RBI.
DH Tyler Hardman: 1-for-5, R, 2 K
RF Cole Gabrielson: 1-for-2, 2 R, HBP, 2 BB, K
Get on base any way you can…
3B Alexander Vargas: 3-for-4, 3B (1), 2 RBI, BB, K
Vargas hit six triples in 2023 and 2024. This triple came in the 9th, narrowing a 7-4 deficit to 7-6.
LF Jared Wegner: 2-for-5, 2 RBI, K
His RBI single in the top of the 9th tied the game at 7.
SS Max Burt: 1-for-4, R, SB (3), BB, K

RHP Baron Stuart: 4 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 2 HR
RHP Danny Watson: 2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, HR
RHP Mason Vinyard: 1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR
LHP Ryan Anderson: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
Anderson, typically a consistent bullpen arm, has struggled this year. This was a needed appearance.
RHP Harrison Cohen: (L, 0-2)  0.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

Hudson Valley (17-8) (Defeated Jersey Shore, 9-1)

CF Brendan Jones: 0-for-4, R, BB
SS George Lombard Jr.: 2-for-5, 2B (6), 3 RBI, R, 2 K
His 3-run double in the 7th turned a tight 4-1 game into a 7-1 game. All six of his doubles have come in his last 14 games. He is hitting .312/.491/.455 in 106 PA. I don’t mind throwing “cold water” on a prospect to give people a reality check. With Lombard Jr., the faucet is shut off. I have nothing to offer you as a “weakness.”  We’ll see what happens in the upper minors.
LF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-4, RBI, BB, K
RF Jace Avina: 1-for-3, R, SB (2), BB, K
.316/.450/.405 in 100 PA. Avina isn’t much of a basestealer (20-for-28 in 279 career games)
3B Parks Harber: 0-for-4, K
DH Coby Morales: 1-for-4, 2B (1), RBI, R, 2 K
C Omar Martinez: 2-for-3, 2B (3), RBI, 2 R, BB
.244/.337/.317 in 95 PA. Let’s hope he is starting to turn the corner.
1B Josh Moylan: 2-for-4, R
2B Brenny Escanio: 1-for-3, HR (2), 2 RBI, 2 R, SB (5), BB, K
A nice night for Escanio, who does his job as an organizational utility guy. He offers speed and infield defense, but the bat lags.

RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz: (W, 3-1) 5.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
What, he couldn’t repeat his 6.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 12 K performance? Bust!  Season: 2.25 ERA (28 IP, 14 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 0 HR, 9 BB, 35 K). Impressive.
RHP Bryce Warrecker: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
0.93 ERA (9.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 HR, 2 BB, 15 K). Warrecker, who stands an impressive 6’8″, allowed 30 walks in 65.1 innings during his debut 2024 season. If something clicks with his control/command, his prospect status goes up either as a starter or a reliever.
RHP Tyrone Yulie: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
3.38 ERA (10.2 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 HR, 6 BB, 14 K). Not a bad start to his first full season as a reliever.

Tampa (9-16) (Lost to Bradenton, 9-2. They are quickly falling out of the first-half title race)

DH Edgleen Perez: 0-for-4, K
CF Brian Sanchez: 1-for-3, 2B (8), R, BB
Sanchez leads the Florida State League with his 8 doubles (as of this writing).
C Engelth Urena: 1-for-3, SF, RBI, SB (4), K
2B Austin Green: 0-for-4, 2 K
RF Tyler Wilson: 0-for-4, K
SS Juan Matheus: 1-for-4, 2B (6), R, 3 K
1B Josue Gonzalez: 2-for-4, 2 2B (4)
On April 17th, he was hitting .067/.216/.100. Now, he is hitting .153/.268/.220 (7-for-29 with three doubles and four walks since his low point). He isn’t “hot” – he is playing better.
LF Marshall Toole: 2-for-4, RBI, SB (5), 2 K
.286/.375/.306 in 56 PA (1 double, 4 RBI, 7 R, 5-for-5 SB, 12.5% BB, 26.8% K). Poole has four multi-hit efforts in his last seven games.
3B Hans Montero: 0-for-3, K

LHP Tanner Bauman (L, 0-2): 5 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 2 K
7.91 ERA (19.1 IP, 20 H, 18 R, 17 ER, 0 HR, 21 BB, 16 K). Some first-year prospects jump out of the gate like Griffin Herring, some have initial struggles like Bauman, and some are between those extremes.  N
RHP Gus Hughes: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
His name is Alexander David Hughes. I would love to know the story behind “Gus.”
RHP Brandon Decker: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
2.31 ERA (11.2 IP, 12 H, 7 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 5 BB, 14 K)
RHP Jack Sokol: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
9 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 4 BB, 8 K

FCL (0-0)

Their season starts on May 3rd.

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 4/24: Cam Schlittler Dominates

Notes:

Nothing newsworthy.

Injury Log

Scranton (12-11) (Lost to Charlotte, 10-3)

CF Ismael Munguia: 1-for-4, HR (2), RBI, R, K
Munguia hits a lead-off blast. The rest of the night didn’t go their way.
2B Jorbit Vivas: 0-for-3, R, BB, K
Vivas was called up to MLB in 2024 and 2025. He has yet to appear in a game.
C Jesus Rodriguez: 2-for-4
Since promotion: 8-for-29 (.276/.436/.310). Rodriguez started showing some pop in 2023 and 2024. This year, between Somerset and Scranton, his “pop” consists of one double in 16 games. It’s early. By the way, while Rodriguez is known for his versatility, the only positions he has played for Scranton are catcher and DH.
LF Dominic Smith: 0-for-3, R, BB
1B Jose Rojas: 2-for-4
DH Ronaldo Hernandez: 0-for-4, 2 K
3B Jake Gatewood: 0-for-3, BB, 3 K
SS Andrew Velazquez: 0-for-4, 3 K
RF Grant Richardson: 0-for-3, CS (1), BB, K

RHP Sean Boyle: (L, 2-3)  5.2 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 3 HR
4.91 ERA (25.2 IP, 20 H, 14 R, 14 ER, 5 HR, 8 BB, 27 K)
RHP Mason Vinyard: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 2 HR
Vinyard’s Triple-A debut wasn’t impressive, but it’s only Game 1.
LHP Rob Zastryzny: 0.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP McKinley Moore: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Somerset (8-10) (Shut down Hartford, 2-0)

3B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-3, HR (3), RBI, R, K
Jasso has swatted a double and two home runs in his last three games. He is hitting .286/.333/.536 in 60 PA.
2B DJ LeMahieu: 0-for-2, K
He hasn’t played back-to-back days yet. We’ll see if he is the designated hitter tomorrow.
   2B Jose Colmenares: 0-for-1, K
CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-3, HR (7), RBI, R, K
7th HR in his last 15 games. Now hitting .254/.382/.619.
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-3, 2B (4), 2 K
Flores has 18 doubles and 18 home runs in 83 Double-A games (.502 SLG)
LF Garrett Martin: 0-for-3, K
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-3, K
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-2, BB
RF Jared Wegner: 0-for-3, 2 K
DH Antonio Gomez: 0-for-3

RHP Cam Schlittler: (W, 2-1)  7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 9 K (ties personal best)
1.23 ERA (22 IP, 13 H, 8 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 5 BB, 24 K). I don’t know if he makes his MLB debut this year, but it is possible. He may also be in the “trade zone” for the Yankees. History tells us that the Yankees like to trade pitchers who throw well in Double-A.
RHP Danny Watson: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
LHP Ryan Anderson (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Both Watson and Anderson needed uneventful outings.

Hudson Valley (12-6) (Defeated Asheville, 9-4)

CF Brendan Jones: 1-for-4, 2B (3), RBI, R, BB
Jones continues to show off pop early in his career (8 doubles, 1 triple, 6 HR in 39 games). He is also 28-for-29 stealing bases and has more walks (39) than strikeouts (38). All that in a center field package? Color me intrigued.
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-2, 2 R, HBP, 2 BB, K
Lombard continues to reach base.  He has 14 hits, 17 walks, and 3 HBP in 72 PA. He has the speed (9-for-10 SB) to make opponents pay for allowing him to get on base. The power? It will come.
LF Jackson Castillo: 2-for-5, 2B (5), RBI, 2 R, K
Castillo has five doubles in 13 games. 
RF Jace Avina: 2-for-5, 2B (2), 2 RBI, K
Avina can use a surge. He has back-to-back multi-hit games. This is only his second extra-base hit this season (34 in 92 games in 2024)
DH Omar Martinez: 1-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, R, BB, K
Finally, Martinez fills the home run column. He launched 13 in 104 games at this level in 2024.
1B Coby Morales: 1-for-5, R, 2 K
3B Josh Moylan: 0-for-3, R, 2 BB, 3 K
2B Brenny Escanio: 1-for-3, R, 2 BB, 2 K
C Tomas Frick: 0-for-3, SF, RBI, BB, K

RHP Josh Grosz: 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
His pitch count was elevated (73). He owns a 3.09 ERA (11.2 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 19 K).
RHP Huey Morrill (W, 1-0): 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
9 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K
RHP Hayden Merda: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
RHP Bryce Warrecker: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
His first run allowed in 2025 comes via a balk. Blah. Season: 6.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 11 K. I assume they will let him start again, but you never know what they think about any prospect. As a reminder, he was a starter in 2023 but missed all of 2024.

Tampa (8-10) (Defeated Dunedin, 7-2. After leaving the game early last night, Edgleen Perez wasn’t in the lineup tonight)

SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-3, BB
.154/.295/.262 in 78 PA. Yikes.
C Engelth Urena: 0-for-4, K
1B Parks Harber: 1-for-3, 2B (4), 2 R, BB
Harber continues to rake (he has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games). I am not there yet, but soon you may see me typing “Get him off this level.”
LF Dillon Lewis: 2-for-4, 2 2B (3), R
RF Tyler Wilson: 1-for-3, R, BB
2B Austin Green: 1-for-3, SF, 2 RBI, R
CF Marshall Toole: 3-for-4, 2B (1), 2 R
Early season baseball: Two games back, he was hitting .200/.360/.300. Now, he is hitting .313/.405/.344.
3B Juan Matheus: 2-for-3, 2B (5), SF, 3 RBI, SB (4)
.243/.354/.378 in 48 PA (5 doubles, 10 RBI, 5 R, 4-for-5 SB, 16.7% BB, 12.5% K). Matheus intrigues me.
DH Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-4

LHP Griffin Herring: (W, 3-0)  7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 K
0.39 ERA (23.1 IP, 12 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 10 BB, 28 K).  We call these video game numbers, though he has walked 10 hitters in 17.2 IP in his last three starts. 
RHP Jack Sokol: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Chris Veach: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
2.45 ERA (7.1 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 HR, 3 BB, 14 K)

FCL (0-0)

Their season starts on May 3rd.

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 4/9: Ben Hess Dominates in Debut

Notes:

Nothing to report

Scranton (6-5) (Split a doubleheader against Rochester)

Game 1 (Lost, 7-4)

RF Ismael Munguia: 1-for-4
2B Jorbit Vivas: 0-for-3, SF, RBI
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-3, 2B (3), R, BB
LF Dominic Smith: 3-for-4, R
C Alex Jackson: 2-for-3, 2B (1), HR (1), 3 RBI, R, BB
Hitting in the minors hasn’t been a massive problem for Jackson (.241/.324/.460 in 628 career games). The majors are a much different story (.132/.224/.232 in 124 games)
DH Jose Rojas: 1-for-2, BB, K
3B Braden Shewmake: 0-for-3, 2 K
SS Andrew Velazquez: 0-for-3, 2 K
CF Duke Ellis: 1-for-2, R, CS (2), BB, K

RHP Erick Leal (L, 0-2): 4 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
The Yankees’ starting pitching depth doesn’t have the same “vibe” as previous years.
LHP Tyler Matzek: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Matzek, who had a good chance to make the roster out of spring training, was officially activated off the injured list today.
RHP Wilking Rodriguez: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K

Game 2 (Won, 4-3, on a walk-off)

RF Ismael Munguia: 1-for-4, K
13-for-43 (.302/.375/.349; 2 doubles, 2 RBI, 6 R, 2-for-2 SB, 2 BB, 5 K)
CF Everson Pereira: 0-for-2, 2 BB, 2 K
9-for-31 (.290/.378/.387; 1 HR, 6 RBI, 5 R, 2-for-2 SB, 5 BB, 12 K)
2B Jorbit Vivas: 1-for-3, R, BB
11-for-39 (.282; 2 doubles, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 8 R, 6 BB, 4 K)
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-3, R, BB, K
12-for-43 (.279/.392/.558; 3 doubles, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 7 BB, 7 K)
LF Cooper Hummel: 1-for-2, 2 R, 2 BB
Hummel’s organizational debut.
DH Dominic Smith: 2-for-4, 2B (1), RBI, K
Smith, who goes 5-for-8 on the day, walks it off with an RBI single.
C Ronaldo Hernandez: 1-for-3, RBI, K
3B Braden Shewmake: 0-for-3, 2 RBI
Productive outs!
SS Andrew Velazquez: 0-for-3, K

LHP Brandon Leibrandt: 5 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, HR
1.93 ERA (14 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 8 BB, 16 K)
LHP Brent Headrick: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Headrick did nothing wrong to deserve a demotion. The problem he has is that the Yankees have so many bullpen options. Let’s see how it all shakes out.
RHP Yerry De Los Santos: (W, 1-0)  1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Somerset (1-4) (Lost to Reading, 3-1)

C Jesus Rodriguez: 0-for-3, BB
Rodriguez’s tough start continues (1-for-21). If you want a positive, he has four strikeouts in 23 plate appearances (17.4%)). An .059 BABIP screams early-season sample size issues.
DH Spencer Jones: 0-for-3, R, BB, 2 K
4-for-16 (1 double, 1 HR, 5 BB, 7 K). His early-season K% is 31.8%.
1B Rafael Flores: 0-for-2, 2 BB, 2 K
6-for-19 (2 HR, 5 RBI, 2 BB, 7 K)
3B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-4, K
2-for-15 with a pair of walks.
RF Jared Wegner: 1-for-4, RBI, SB (1), 2 K
SS Jake Gatewood: 0-for-3, 3 K
Gatewood is receiving a lot of early-season playing time. Eventually, the hope is that George Lombard Jr. will occupy the shortstop position….
LF Cole Gabrielson: 0-for-2, 2 SB (2), BB, 2 K
CF Grant Richardson: 0-for-3, K
2B Max Burt: 1-for-3, K

RHP Bailey Dees: 4.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
Dees was converted to starting last season. At this level, he went 7-7 with a 4.25 ERA and 145/54 K/BB over 137.2 innings. He stands an impressive 6’8″.
RHP Cole Percival: (L, 0-1)  1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 0 K
RHP Luis Pacheco: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
RHP Danny Watson: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
It will be a nice boost to their bullpen depth if Watson is over his injuries.

Hudson Valley (3-2) (Defeated Brooklyn, 7-2)

CF Jace Avina: 0-f0r-1
Avina had a quick afternoon, as he was ejected from the game in the first inning.
   LF Coby Morales: 1-for-3, R, 2 SB (3)
Morales stole 34 bases in 42 attempts last year. The funny thing about that fact is that he never stole more than one base in a season while in college.
SS George Lombard: 1-for-5, RBI, 2 K
4-for-18 with a triple and a pair of RBI. He has three walks and seven strikeouts.
LF-CF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-4, BB, K
DH Omar Martinez: 2-for-4, R, BB, 2 K
7-for-21 with a pair of doubles and three runs batted in.
2B Jose Colmenares: 1-for-3, RBI, R, SB (1), BB, 2 K
1B Josh Moylan: 0-for-4, R
C Antonio Gomez: 2-for-3, HR (2, grand slam), 4 RBI, R, K
Gomez, who started with the organization in 2019, ties his best for RBI in a game.
  PH-C Tomas Frick: 0-for-1, K
3B Brenny Escanio: 2-for-4, 2B (1), HR (1), RBI, 2 R, 2 K
Escanio’s first home run since August 10, 2023. He didn’t homer in 76 games last year.
RF Anthony Hall: 0-for-4, 3 K

RHP Ben Hess: 4.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 9 K
Hess dominates in his professional debut. He was drafted in the 1st round in 2024 (Alabama), standing an imposing 6’5″/255 pounds. Hess has two plus pitches (fastball, curve) and is trying to rediscover his slider. There are comparisions to Lance Lynn, though his profile also screams a bit of Joba Chamberlain to me.
RHP Sebastian Keane (W, 1-0): 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Tyrone Yulie: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Matt Keating: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Chris Kean: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Tampa (3-2) (Lost to Fort Myers, 5-1)

SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-5, 2 K
The brutal start to his campaign continues (1-for-21 with a double, four walks, and nine strikeouts). It’s early, but we need to see progress this year.
DH Edgleen Perez: 1-for-3, RBI, HBP, BB, K
3-for-15
LF Brian Sanchez: 2-for-4, 2B (2), SB (1)
7-for-21 with two doubles and two triples. He hasn’t yet shown HR power (4 in 87 games) but he has shown some extra-base pop (25 doubles, 10 triples).
C Engelth Urena: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
3B Parks Harber: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
1B Tyler Wilson: 0-for-2, R, 2 BB, 2 K
RF Dillon Lewis: 0-f0r-2, 2 BB, K
CF Marshall Toole: 1-for-4, K
2B Hans Montero: 1-for-3, BB, 2 K

RHP Danny Flatt: (L, 0-1)  4 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Only 20, Flatt was drafted in the 14th round in 2023. Last year, in his professional debut, he pitched well in the FCL but (predictably) struggled a bit here.
RHP Brandon Decker: 3 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Decker’s professional debut. He was drafted in the 19th round in 2024 (Oakland). He was featuring five pitches tonight, mainly throwing a sinker/slider/change combo.
RHP Brady Kirtner: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

FCL (0-0)

Their season starts on May 3rd.

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 9/17: Spencer Jones Homers, Collects 3 Hits

News:

The Yankees recently released LHP Victor Gonzalez, who was toiling in Triple-A after mediocre results in MLB earlier this season. Seen as a potential Wandy Peralta replacement, Gonzalez was never able to get into a consistent groove. The trade with the Dodgers comes down to how the two prospects (Trey Sweeney (now with Detroit) and Jorbit Vivas) perform.

Scranton (85-59) (Defeated Buffalo, 10-5, in 12 innings. Worcester won, so the two teams remain tied with five games to play. If they finish tied, Scranton wins the tiebreaker)

2B Caleb Durbin: 0-for-6, RS, K
Durbin has 19 games this season with 5+ AB. He earned at least one hit in the previous 18 games.
3B Jorbit Vivas: 1-for-4, HR (8), RBI, 2 RS, SB (19), 2 BB, K
Vivas has 8 extra-base hits (5 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR) in 14 September games. 
1B Ben Rice: 2-for-3, HR (9), 2 RBI, RS, HBP, 2 BB
Rice has 6 HR in 14 September games.
  PR-CF Cam Eden: 0-for-0, RS
SS Oswald Peraza: 1-for-4, RS, 2 SB (22), HBP, BB, K
Peraza, who will be out of options, will be a fun story to watch over the winter and into next spring (if he is still in the organization)
CF-LF Taylor Trammell: 1-for-5, 3B (2), 3 RBI, RS, HBP, 4 K
Trammell’s 3-run triple in the 12th was the big blow in the game.
DH Carlos Narvaez: 0-for-5, 2 K
   PR-DH Duke Ellis: 0-for-0, RS
   PH-DH T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-0, RS, BB
C J.C. Escarra: 2-for-6, 2B (12), K
Escarra has 30 doubles between here and Somerset.
RF Oscar Gonzalez: 2-for-6, HR (8), 3 RBI, RS, 2 K
Gonzalez’s 3-run HR in the 12th was the dagger that put the game out of reach.
LF-1B Jahmai Jones: 2-for-5, SF, RBI, K

RHP Cody Poteet: 3.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
RHP Alex Mauricio: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Clayton Beeter: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Beeter topped out at 95.8 MPH (94.6 average)
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Yerry De Los Santos: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
RHP Joey Gerber : 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Phil Bickford: (W, 4-4)  1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

Somerset (1-0) (Defeated Hartford, 3-2, to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-3 series. The series shifts to Hartford, starting on Thursday)

CF Spencer Jones: 3-for-5, HR (1), RBI, RS, SB (1)
Jones has eight 3+ hit efforts during the regular season.  A lot has been written about his 200-strikeout season. Nobody denies that the strikeout rate has to come down (if they are, they are in denial). However, there is (obviously) a lot of talent to tap into. Will the Yankees be patient or cash in one of their biggest chips?
C Rafael Flores: 0-for-3, BB, K
2B Anthony Seigler: 0-for-2, RS, 2 BB
RF Elijah Dunham: 1-for-4, RS, 2 K
1B Tyler Hardman: 1-for-4, RBI, 2 K
Hardman’s RBI single in the bottom of the 8th tied the game at 2.
LF Grant Richardson: 1-for-2, CS (1), BB, K
DH Jared Wegner: 0-for-2, BB, 2 K
SS Alexander Vargas: 2-for-4, RBI, CS (1), K
Vargas’ RBI single in the bottom of the 8th broke the 2-2 tie.
3B Max Burt: 1-for-4, K

RHP Bailey Dees: 6.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 9 K, HR
Dees pitched strongly down the stretch and it continued into tonight’s playoff start. He could factor into the Yankees’ 2025 plans at some point, though he is Rule 5 eligible. It is either protect him or trade him. I cannot imagine them leaving him exposed.
RHP Danny Watson: (W, 1-0)  1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
Watson also pitched well down the stretch (8 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 9 K in his last seven appearances). Like Dees, he is Rule 5 eligible this winter.
RHP Eric Reyzelman (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
I can’t guarantee that the Yankees will hold onto Reyzelman, but he has high-leverage reliever potential.

Hudson Valley (3-2) (Defeated Bowling Green, 6-2, to tie the best-of-3 series at 1-1. They will play for the title tomorrow night)

2B Roc Riggio: 0-for-3, RS, BB, K
Riggio is 6-for-19 (.316) with a double and homer during the postseason.
SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-3, RS, BB, 2 K
Lombard is 5-for-18 (.278) with three doubles and three walks during the postseason.
1B Josh Moylan: 0-for-4, 2 K
RF Garrett Martin: 1-for-3, 2B (1), RS, HBP
DH Omar Martinez: 1-for-3, HR (1), 4 RBI, RS, BB, K
Martinez’s grand slam broke a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the 5th.
LF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-3, SF, RBI
3B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-4, K
CF Brendan Jones: 0-for-1, RS, 2 BB, K
C Antonio Gomez: 1-for-2, RBI, RS, BB, K

RHP Josh Grosz: 3.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
Grosz was one of the best pitchers in the minors from June 28th through the end of the season. Tonight, he was in “bend, don’t break” mode. He limited the damage nicely.
RHP Indigo Diaz: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Thomas Balboni Jr.: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 0 K
RHP Kelly Austin: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Austin was impressive after being acquired for Caleb Ferguson. 

Tampa (54-74)

Their season is over.

FCL (35-22)

Their season is over.

DSL Yankees (17-36)

Their season is over.

DSL Bombers (30-25) 

Their season is over.