Tag: Rafael Flores

Yankees MILB 6/21: Spencer Jones is Scorching

Notes:

I wish I had something to offer you.

Injury Log

Scranton (37-34) (Defeated Louisville, 4-3, in ten innings)

C Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-4, BB
.340/.423/.432 in 241 PA. Rodriguez has been in an extra-base hit drought lately (3, all doubles, in his last 13 games).
2B Jorbit Vivas: 1-for-4, CI, K
CF Everson Pereira: 1-for-5, 3 K
Pereira’s strikeouts remain a concern (33.2%). I “obsess” a bit over strikeout rates because MLB pitchers will exploit your holes over and over and over and over.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-4, 2B (16)
LF Brennen Davis: 2-for-4, 2 HR (7), 2 RBI, 2 R
I don’t have delusions of grandeur, but he is impressing. He is 18-for-51 (.353) with three doubles and seven home runs at this level. Overall, he has 12 home runs in 28 games (if you take out his FCL rehab games, it’s still an impressive 9 HR in 22 games). 
3B Jose Rojas: 2-for-4, 3B (2), R
   3B Andrew Velazquez: 0-for-0, R
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 0-for-4, RBI
DH Alex Jackson: 1-for-4, 2B (5), RBI, K
  PR Ismael Munguia: 0-for-0
SS Braden Shewmake: 0-for-4, K

RHP Sean Boyle: 5 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
4.57 ERA (69 IP, 64 H, 41 R, 35 H, 8 HR, 22 BB, 68 K)
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 K
4.18 ERA (28 IP, 14 H, 13 R, 13 ER, 2 HR, 32 BB, 29 K). If you are a glass 99% full type, Reyzelman is seemingly as tough to hit as ever (43 hits allowed in 78.1 career innings). He won’t survive with the 2025 walk rate.
RHP Geoff Hartlieb: (W, 3-2)  2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Colten Brewer (S, 5): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K

Somerset (34-34) (Defeated New Hampshire, 11-2. 11 runs, 15 hits, 11 walks)

DH Brendan Jones: 2-for-5, RBI, R, BB, K
Jones’ numbers are improving, thanks to an 8-for-27 (.296) stretch.
2B George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 R, HBP, 2 BB
.215/.350/.326 in 177 PA (15.8% BB, 24.3% K). 
CF Spencer Jones: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 BB, K
Jones is in one of his zones. He is hitting .268/.395/.586 in 190 PA (8 doubles, 14 HR, 29 RBI, 36 R, 10-for-12 SB, 16.8% BB, 33.7% K). He is 6-for-9 over the last two nights and 15-for-31 in his last nine games. The talent is immense, even with the warts.
C Rafael Flores: 2-for-5, 2B (16), 2 RBI, BB, K
.273/.338/.473 in 287 PA. He has 16 doubles, 12 HR, and 42 RBI. He ranks third in the Eastern League in RBI and second in hits (72).
3B Dylan Jasso: 2-for-4, HR (10), RBI, R, 2 BB
Jasso has 40 doubles and 21 homers in 180 games over the last two seasons. 
LF Garrett Martin: 3-for-6, RBI, 2 R
Martin has three multi-hit efforts (including a pair of 3-hit efforts) in his last six games.
1B Tyler Hardman: 1-for-6, 2B (12), R, 2 K
RF Cole Gabrielson: 1-for-2, 2 R, 2 CS (3), 3 BB, K
SS Max Burt: 1-for-5, RBI, R, 3 K

RHP Trent Sellers: 4.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 7 K, HR
4.26 ERA (50.2 IP, 38 H, 27 R, 24 ER, 6 HR, 24 BB, 60 K)
RHP Indigo Diaz: (W, 5-1)  2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
LHP Ryan Anderson: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Luis Pacheco: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Hudson Valley (40-26) (Defeated Jersey Shore, 9-6)

DH Jackson Castillo: 3-for-5, 2 RBI, R, K
Castillo is hitting .229 with a .644 OPS. He isn’t “hot” but is showing signs recently (9-for-31 (.290) in his last eight games).
RF Dillon Lewis: 0-for-5, 2 K
As I stated yesterday, the tools are “loud,” but he has things to work on. Hey, he’s a 22-year-old in High-A. That is where you learn.
1B Coby Morales: 2-for-4, RBI, 2 R, SB (10), BB, 2 K
CF Duke Ellis: 0-for-3, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 K
C Omar Martinez: 1-for-4, BB, 3 K
SS Alexander Vargas: 2-for-5, 2B (2), 4 RBI, R, SB (4)
A nice day for Vargas…
3B Josh Moylan: 1-for-5, 2 RBI, K
2B Brenny Escanio: 2-for-4, 2 R, K
LF Luis Durango: 2-for-4, R, CS (5)

LHP Kyle Carr: (W, 2-5)  5.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 5 BB, 5 K
Interesting line.  Carr owns a 3.05 ERA in 59 IP (42 H, 28 R, 20 ER, 5 HR, 31 BB, 46 K)
RHP Tony Rossi: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Rossi’s “perfect” season is over, as he allowed two inherited runners to score. However, he maintains that 0.00 ERA (between Tampa and Hudson Valley: 20 games, 24 IP, 8 H, 0 R, 7 BB, 32 K). Insanity.
RHP Huey Morrill: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
0.38 ERA (24 IP, 11 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 19 K)
RHP Hayden Merda: 1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR

Tampa (37-30) (Squeaked past Bradenton, 2-1. Anytime you can win when your 1-2-3 hitters go 0-for-12, you take it and run)

DH Edgleen Perez: 0-for-4, K
LF Brian Sanchez: 0-for-4, K
SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-4, K
C Engelth Urena: 1-for-3, HR (7), RBI, 2 R, BB, K
.214/.342/.345 in 278 PA. Urena has a double and a pair of homers in his last four games and has three multi-hit efforts in his last eight games (13 straight games without multiple hits before this stretch).  His 41 runs scored rank fourth in the FSL.
3B Juan Matheus: 0-for-4, K
RF Hans Montero: 1-for-4, RBI, K
CF Marshall Toole: 1-for-3, 2B (10)
.309/.406/.483 in 175 PA (10 doubles, 5 triples, 2 HR, 20 RBI, 34 R, 19-for-21 SB, 13.7% BB, 21.1% K).  Toole still doesn’t have enough plate appearances to qualify for leaderboards. If he did, his .309 average would rank second behind Konnor Griffin (Bradenton (Pittsburgh); 19 years old). Griffin is now in High-A.
1B Josue Gonzalez: 1-for-3
2B Santiago Gomez: 0-for-2, BB

LHP Xavier Rivas: (W, 1-1)  5.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, HR
Since promotion: 3.06 ERA (17.2 IP, 11 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 1 HR, 11 BB, 15 K). He throws in the low 90s and features a 4-seam/sinker/slider/change mix.
RHP Sean Hermann: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
1.10 ERA (32.2 IP, 18 H, 10 R, 4 ER, 0 HR, 23 BB, 24 K). He is a groundball specialist (63% entering tonight).
RHP Brady Kirtner: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Chris Veach (S, 5): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
1.63 ERA (27.2 IP, 19 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 3 HR, 16 BB, 41 K). Veach has pitched well, but will need to cut down on the walk rate as he moves up.

FCL (17-19) (Lost to the Blue Jays, 11-1. Rookie League baseball at its finest – the Blue Jays scored 11 runs on seven hits and 12 walks)

1B Manuel Palencia: 1-for-4
LF Wilson Rodriguez: 0-for-3, R, SB (7), BB, K
C Ediel Rivera: 1-for-4, RBI
.267/.343/.400 in 105 PA.
SS Dexters Peralta: 1-for-4, K
RF Gabriel Lara: 1-for-4, CS (5), 2 K
I have said it before: Lara is known for his blazing speed, but the ability to steal bases requires more than that. The best thing they can do is tell him to keep running. That’s how you learn.

RHP Mariano Salomon (L, 3-2): 4.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, HR
The game didn’t get out of hand due to his performance. The 22-year-old owns a 2.73 ERA in 26.1 innings (13 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 5 HR, 6 BB, 32 K). 

DSL Yankees (5-9) (Lost to the DSL Rangers Red, 14-7)

SS Mani Cedeno: 0-for-3, 2 R, 2 HBP, BB, 2 K
.200/.396/.250 in 53 PA (1 triple, 5 RBI, 11 R, 2-for-2 SB, 18.9% BB, 37.7% K). It’s too early to worry about a 16-year-old’s strikeout rate.
CF Francisco Vilorio: 1-for-5, R, BB, K
.235/.435/.265 in 46 PA. Don’t worry about Cedeno, but Vilorio must show something in 2025.
LF Isaias Castillo: 0-for-3, RBI, 2 R, 2 BB, K
.333/.444/.600 in 36 PA.  Castillo begins his career with a 9-game on-base streak.
DH Estivenzon Montero: 1-for-2, HR (2), 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB, K
9-for-30 with a pair of homers and eight RBI. Montero (18) has 30 RBI in 40 career games.
2B Alfred Ciriaco: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, HBP, SB (3), BB

RHP Anthony Mena: 3.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, HR
RHP Jose Vargas: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
3.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
LHP Luis Rodriguez: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
12 IP, 16 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 1 HR, 6 BB, 10 K

DSL Bombers (6-8) (Lost to DSL Mets Blue, 7-4)

CF Ruben Castillo: 4-for-4, 2B (2), SB (8), CS (2)
The 17-year-old has back-to-back multi-hit efforts. Thanks to the small sample size, his triple slash spiked from .118/.231/.235 to .238/.333/.381.
DH Stiven Marinez: 0-for-3, R, BB, K
8-for-32 with nine walks and ten strikeouts. He has scored nine runs and is 8-for-8 stealing bases.
C Queni Pineda: 1-for-2, 2 R, SB (5), 2 BB, K
.361/.489/.528 in 45 PA. In 218 plate appearances at this level, the 18-year-old is hitting .277/.445/.458 with 12 doubles and six home runs. He also has more walks (50) than strikeouts (45).
LF Browm Martinez: 0-for-3, R, HBP, K
SS Christofer Reyes: 0-for-4, RBI, SB (10), K
Reyes is 31-for-40 stealing bases in 55 career games.

RHP Randy Angomas: 3 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 2 K
The 17-year-old is in his learning phase (9.2 IP, 9 H, 8 R, 5 ER, 9 BB, 4 K)

Yankees MILB 6/12: Cam Schlittler Ks 7

Notes:

RHP Anthony DeSclafani has opted out of his contract, instantly signing with the Arizona Diamondbacks. It isn’t uncommon for a veteran on a minor league deal to do this. The Yankees could have added him to the 26-man roster, but there wasn’t a need.

RHP McKinley Moore, as big of a project as you will find, was released. The 6’6″ Moore spent time on Scranton’s active roster, injured list, and development list. When he pitched, the results weren’t great (6.23 ERA in 8.2 IP with a 6/9 K/BB). The walks have always kept him down, preventing him from getting back to MLB (he briefly pitched for the Phillies in 2023).

RHP Harrison Cohen has earned a promotion to Scranton. Cohen dominated for Somerset, and it will be fun to get some Savant pitch breakdowns.

RHP (catch a theme?) Bailey Dees‘ stay in Hudson Valley was short. He is back with Somerset after making one start.

By the way, for those who wonder how long I have written these reports: I used to write them on the public Yankees newsgroup (and later a private one). The earliest report I found was from 2002, though it wasn’t in this form.  That’s 23 years ago, which ages and surprises me.

Injury Log

Scranton (32-31) (Defeated Syracuse, 6-1)

C Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-4, RBI, R, K
At this level: .347/.438/.438 in 214 PA. He has an 11-game on-base streak.
2B Jorbit Vivas: 1-for-2, RBI, R, 2 BB
DH Everson Pereira: 2-for-4, 2 2B (4), 2 RBI, R
A much-needed effort, as he is only 7-for-37 in June.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-4, K
LF Brennen Davis: 1-for-3, RBI, BB, K
  PR-CF Andrew Velazquez: 0-for-0, SB (17)
3B CJ Alexander: 0-for-3, BB, K
Alexander’s organizational debut.
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 1-for-4, R, 2 SB (3), K
SS Braden Shewmake: 1-for-4, 2B (4), R
Shewmake, who has survived on the 40-man roster all year, owns an 8-game hitting streak.
CF-LF Ismael Munguia: 1-for-4, RBI, R

RHP Cam Schlittler: (W, 1-1)  5.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 7 K, HR
First two Scranton starts: 10.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 HR, 6 BB, 15 K. The only runs allowed are solo home runs. The walks are elevated, but that doesn’t scare me. His fastball reached 97.9 MPH, and he generated 12 whiffs on 36 swings. This kid’s talent is real.
RHP Leonardo Pestana: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Clayton Beeter: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Beeter topped out at 97.3 MPH, and he generated four whiffs on six swings against his slider. June: 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 7 K
RHP Colten Brewer: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Somerset (27-33) (Lost to Portland, 6-1)

3B George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-3, SB (11), BB, K
At this level: .219/.355/.298 (2 doubles, 2 triples, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 23 R, 11-for-13 SB, 17% BB, 24.1% K). Between Somerset and Hudson Valley, he has 45 runs in 56 games. 
DH Giancarlo Stanton: 0-for-4, 2 K
Stanton is 3-for-11 with a walk and three strikeouts. We’ll see how much longer they keep him down here.
CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-4, R, K
C Rafael Flores: 3-for-4, 2B (15), RBI, K
Flores has eight 3-hit games this season (16 multi-hit games). He is 12-for-39 (.308) with a pair of doubles and a homer in June.
2B Roc Riggio: 0-for-3, BB, K
You are supposed to hit a home run every night, Roc!
LF Garrett Martin: 0-for-4, K
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-4
RF Cam Eden: 0-for-2, 2 BB, K
SS Max Burt: 0-for-2, BB

RHP Carlos Lagrange: (L, 1-1)  4 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 5 BB, 2 K
Lagrange walked only one in his Double-A debut, but didn’t have it tonight. Am I concerned? No. Did I wonder about how advanced hitters would approach him? Yes. You always worry about the control with a kid of his size. Additionally, Portland ran crazy on him. They stole 11 bases in 11 attempts over four innings. Yes, some of that may be on Flores as well (he entered tonight with a 16% CS rate)
RHP Bailey Dees: 4 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K
At this level: 4.79 ERA (47 IP, 44 H, 26 R, 25 ER, 6 HR, 25 BB, 59 K). He struck out nine in seven innings in his Hudson Valley start.
RHP Kelly Austin: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K

Hudson Valley (35-23) (Lost to Greenville, 3-2)

CF Dillon Lewis: 1-for-4, BB, K
LF Jackson Castillo: 2-for-5, R, SB (11)
Castillo has three multi-hit games this month (nine games played). He is 6-for-6 stealing bases.
RF Coby Morales: 2-for-4, 2B (11), R
Morales is 13-for-42 (4 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR) in June.
3B Parks Harber: 1-for-3, SF, 2 RBI, 2 K
Harber has a 9-game hitting streak (12-for-32). Harber has 40 RBI in 52 games.
DH Omar Martinez: 1-for-4, K
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-4
1B Josh Moylan: 1-for-3, SB (4), BB
   PR Luis Durango: 0-for-0
2B Brenny Escanio: 0-for-3, SAC, 2 K
C Tomas Frick: 1-for-3, 2B (6), BB, K

RHP Hayden Merda: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
3.33 ERA (27 IP, 20 H, 11 R, 10 ER, 2 HR, 12 BB, 39 K). This was Merda’s first start in 2025 (20 starts in 2023 before missing 2024). If they aren’t starting to stretch him out, it was likely an emergency start.
LHP Geoffrey Gilbert: 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
3.94 ERA (16 IP, 15 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 1 HR, 6 BB, 25 K). 
RHP Tyrone Yulie: (L, 1-2)  1 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Matt Keating: 2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Bryce Warrecker: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
1.01 ERA (26.2 IP, 12 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 6 BB, 32 K)

Tampa (32-25)

Their doubleheader against Clearwater was postponed. They will try to play two tomorrow. No word on when they will try to make up the second game (it isn’t marked as cancelled, so I assume they will try)

FCL (15-14) (Knocked off the Blue Jays, 7-1)

CF Duke Ellis: 0-for-3, RBI, R, SB (3), BB, 2 K
DH Manuel Palencia: 1-for-3, 2 R, BB
Palencia is 12-for-25 in June. Every game he played last year (29) was in Low-A, so keep that in mind. He showed off contact skills (.281/.314/.344; 11.8% K) in that short stint.
C Ediel Rivera: 1-for-3, 2B (5), 3 RBI, R, 2 K
.265/.366/.382 in 82 PA (5 doubles, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 13 R, 5-for-7 SB, 8.5% BB, 29.3% K). The 19-year-old is having a solid professional debut, even with the elevated strikeouts.
RF Wilson Rodriguez: 2-for-3, R, 2 SB (5), BB
.364/.429/.477 in 50 PA. He has six multi-hit efforts. While this is the 20-year-old’s third season here, he played in only 23 games in the first two years.
3B Santiago Gomez: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, BB, K
LF Gabriel Lara: 2-for-3, RBI, BB
Lara is 15-for-38 (.395/.452/.632; 3 doubles, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 10 R, 4 BB, 3 K)

RHP Omar Gonzalez (W, 1-2): 5 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 8 K
5.40 ERA (23.1 IP, 12 H, 14 R, 14 ER, 2 HR, 16 BB, 28 K). This is a new personal best for strikeouts in a game.
RHP Yarison Ruiz: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
The 25-year-old is on a rehab stint. He has yet to pitch above this level but was assigned to Tampa before the season. He has tossed only 38 innings in his career, 30 of which came in 2021.
LHP Franyer Herrera: 2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
12.2 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 6 BB, 18 K
RHP Sunayro Martina: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

DSL Yankees (3-4) (Defeated the DSL Mets Blue, 4-2)

SS Mani Cedeno: 0-for-3, R, BB, 3 K
4-for-22 with a pair of runs batted in and five runs.
CF Francisco Vilorio: 2-for-4, R, 2 SB (4), 2 K
5-for-16 with a double, six runs, four stolen bases, and eight walks.
DH Richard Matic: 0-for-3, R, BB, 2 K
C Carlos Villarroel: 2-for-3, RBI, R, CS (1), BB
RF Estivenzon Montero: 2-for-4, RBI, 2 SB (3), CS (2), K
7-for-18 with a homer and six RBI.
LF Isaias Castillo: 0-for-1, 3 SB (3), 2 BB, K
The 16-year-old collects his first three stolen bases.

RHP Jhosneyker Colina: 3 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
The 17-year-old makes his professional debut.
RHP Emanuel Vargas (W, 1-0): 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
The 19-year-old earns his first professional win in his 2025 debut (he tossed 18 innings last year)

DSL Bombers (3-4) (Squeaked past the DSL Tigers 2, 7-6. They were 10-for-11 stealing bases. I love the rookie leagues)

DH Stiven Marinez: 0-for-2, R, 2 SB (4), 2 BB
.250/.429/.250 with a pair of RBI and six runs scored.
C Queni Pineda: 0-for-2, R, 3 SB (4), 2 BB, K
SS Christofer Reyes: 0-for-2, 2 R, 4 SB (7), 2 BB
Reyes has 28 stolen bases in 50 career games.
CF Browm Martinez: 1-for-2, 2 R, SB (6), BB, K
RF David Carrera: 2-for-3, 2 RBI, R, K
2B Juan Torres: 1-for-3

LHP Junior Tavera (W, 1-0): 5 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
RHP Alexis Gonzalez (S, 1): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K

Yankees MILB 6/10: Pitching Rules the Night

Notes:

RHP Bryce Cunningham‘s return from the injured list was short-lived, as he is back on the list after only one start.

Cunningham has arguably impressed the most from last year’s pitching class, compiling a 1.93 ERA (3.33 FIP) over 46.2 innings with a 25.7% K, 6% BB, and 45.4% GB.

The Yankees released veteran LHP Brandon Leibrandt. In 41 innings for Scranton, Leibrandt posted a 2.85 ERA (4.70 FIP). He was recently placed on the inactive list before his release.

According to Erik Boland, RHP Jake Cousins has halted his rehab stint due to “feeling something” in his elbow. That’s never good. A pleasant surprise for the 2024 club, Cousins compiled a 2.37 ERA (4.06 FIP) with a 34.2% K and 12.9% BB over 38 innings.

Unless you live under a boulder, you already know about Giancarlo Stanton‘s rehab stint. It will be interesting to see what the Yankees do with their roster when he returns. No doubt that Pablo Reyes is their most dispensable player, but he does nothing more than occupy bench space. The biggest question is what happens with Ben Rice, who figures to lose the most playing time. Rice’s numbers have dipped lately, but a look at his Savant page shows a strong hitter who may be hitting in bad luck (his June BABIP is .176).

Injury Log

Scranton (30-31) (Defeated Syracuse, 5-3)

3B Jesus Rodriguez: 2-for-4, 2 K
Rodriguez has a 6-game hitting streak (9-for-23; .391). 
2B Jorbit Vivas: 0-for-4, K
CF Everson Pereira: 0-for-4, 3 K
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-4, HR (7), RBI, R, 2 K
His first HR since May 14th (broke a 19-game slump)
DH Brennen Davis: 0-for-3, R, BB, 2 K
LF Bryan De La Cruz: 2-for-3, HR (5), RBI, 2 R
De La Cruz has three homers in seven June games. 
RF Jose Rojas: 2-for-3, 2B (15), HR (9), 3 RBI, R, K
C Alex Jackson: 0-for-3, K
SS Braden Shewmake: 1-for-3

RHP Anthony DeSclafani: (W, 1-1)  6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
His first win as a member of the Yankees’ organization.
LHP Jayvien Sandridge: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR
Even when he has an “encouraging” outing, he allows a homer. One has to hope that something clicks to turn his season around.
RHP Clayton Beeter: (S, 1) 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
1.64 ERA (11 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 9 BB, 17 K). These are the outings that will get him back to MLB. He earns his first professional save in the process. 

Somerset (26-30) (Defeated Portland, 8-1)

2B Roc Riggio: 2-for-5, 2 2B (3), RBI, 2 R, K
Since promotion: 9-for-27 (3 doubles, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 6 R, 1-for-1 SB). Riggio has yet to draw a walk, but who in their right mind would complain about this output?  He has shown the ability to take walks in the lower minors. 
DH Giancarlo Stanton: 2-for-3, 3 RBI, BB
If he is healthy, the rehab stint should be a quick one.
  PR-DH Cole Gabrielson: 0-for-0, R
As you should know by now, rehabbing players don’t play full games at first. The fact that Stanton doesn’t need to get any time in the field, however, hastens his stint.
SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-3, R, BB
CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-4, 2B (6), R, SB (8), K
16 of his 27 hits have gone for extra bases (6 doubles, 10 HR). You can’t look past the strikeout rate as that is the one thing that will keep him from reaching his potential. That said, he is hitting more flyballs and showing off his power.
C Rafael Flores: 2-for-4, R, K
Flores has a 5-game hitting streak (8-for-21). 
RF Brendan Jones: 1-for-3, SF, 3 RBI
Hopefully, Jones is starting to get more comfortable here.
3B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-4, 3B (3), RBI, K
LF Garrett Martin: 1-for-4, R, SB (11)
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-3, R, BB, K

RHP Brendan Beck: (W, 5-2)  6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
Beck needed only 69 pitches in an incredibly efficient appearance. Season: 1.99 ERA (49.2 IP, 34 H, 12 R, 11 ER, 2 HR, 11 BB, 47 K).
RHP Cole Ayers: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
LHP Will Brian: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

Hudson Valley (35-22) (Defeated Greenville, 2-1)

CF Dillon Lewis: 0-for-3, SB (1), BB, 3 K
Lewis is 17-for-18 stealing bases in his 67-game career. The strikeout rate (27.4%) is certainly elevated.
LF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-3, SB (8), BB
3B Parks Harber: 1-for-3, 2B (10), R, BB, K
Harber has a 7-game hitting streak (10-for-26). Since promotion: .326/.396/.488. Overall: .318/.405/.510 in 227 PA (14 doubles, 3 triples, 6 HR, 37 RBI, 31 R, 6-for-8 SB). 
1B Coby Morales: 1-for-4, RBI, 2 K
C Omar Martinez: 0-for-4, 2 K
2B Jose Colmenares: 2-for-3, R, SB (6), BB
SS Alexander Vargas: 1-for-4, 2B (1), RBI, K
DH Josh Moylan: 0-for-3, K
RF Anthony Hall: 0-for-3, K

LHP Kyle Carr: (W, 1-4)  6.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, HR
3.44 ERA (49.2 IP, 36 H, 21 R, 19 ER, 5 HR, 21 BB, 37 K). Carr has put together back-to-back solid starts after posting a 5.75 ERA in May (2.16 in April).
RHP Tony Rossi: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Between here and Tampa: 20.1 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 6 BB, 26 K. Silly.
RHP Huey Morrill (S, 3): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Tampa (32-25) (Shut down Clearwater, 4-0)

SS Roderick Arias: 1-for-5, 2B (9), R, K
CF Brian Sanchez: 2-for-5, R, 3 SB (17), 2 K
.287/.364/.434 in 165 PA (13 doubles, 4 triples, 0 HR, 23 RBI, 18 R, 17-for-21 SB). Sanchez is 9-for-28 with a 7-for-8 stolen base rate in June.
DH Edgleen Perez: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 BB
C Engelth Urena: 1-for-2, 3 BB
Urena draws three walks for the second time this season. His BB% is 15.1.
3B Juan Matheus: 0-for-4, R, K
LF Tyler Wilson: 1-for-4, 2B (7), RBI, R
Wilson owns a 7-game hitting streak (12-for-25; 2 doubles, 8 RBI, 9 R, 5-for-6 SB, 7 BB, 2 K)
RF Marshall Toole: 2-for-4, RBI, SB (17)
Toole owns a 7-game hitting streak (10-for-22; 1 double, 1 triple, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 6 R, 7-for-7 SB, 8 BB, 2 K)
1B Hans Montero: 0-for-3, SB (9), BB
2B Owen Cobb: 0-for-4

RHP Andrew Landry: (W, 3-3)  7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K
Landry’s longest career outing. He has a mix of good and not-so-good outings this season. Numbers: 5.09 ERA (46 IP, 55 H, 32 R, 26 ER, 4 HR, 17 BB, 47 K)
RHP Sean Hermann: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
1.23 ERA (29.1 IP, 15 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 0 HR, 21 BB, 22 K). He allowed a lot of walks early in the season. He hasn’t allowed a run since April 25th (12 straight scoreless outings).

FCL (14-14) (Lost to the Phillies, 1-0)

C Manuel Palencia: 3-for-4
Palencia compiled three of their five hits. He is 11-for-22 in June.
2B Santiago Gomez: 0-for-3, SB (13), K
RF Gabriel Lara: 1-for-4
Lara is 12-for-20 in his last six games.

RHP Jose M. Rodriguez (L, 0-2): 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
That’s a tough luck loss. Rodriguez owns a 1.04 ERA in 17.1 innings (11 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 10 BB, 16 K).
RHP Hansel Rosario: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K
14 IP, 9 H, 9 R, 7 ER, 2 HR, 15 BB, 21 K. 

DSL Yankees (2-4) (Defeated the DSL Tigers 2, 9-2)

SS Mani Cedeno: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 R, BB, 2 K
Cedeno is 4-for-19 to begin his professional journey. These were his first career RBI.
CF Francisco Vilorio: 1-for-2, 2 BB, K
Vilorio is 3-for-12 with a double and nine walks. That’s how you compile a .571 OBP.
DH Carlos Bello: 1-for-3, RBI, R
3B Richard Matic: 2-for-3, RBI, R, K
His solid start continues (5-for-15, 1 double, 2 HR, 5 RBI)
   PH-3B Emmanuel Orozco: 1-for-1, 2B (1), RBI
The 16-year-old earns his first professional hit.
C Justin Capellan: 1-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, R
The 18-year-old launches his second career home run.
2B Alfred Ciriaco: 2-for-3, R
RF Alfiery Matos: 1-for-2, R, BB
LF Angel Ventura: 2-for-3, 2 2B (2), RBI, 2 R, SB (1), K
Causing havoc from the bottom of the lineup. The 19-year-old was 18-for-20 stealing bases in 33 games last season.

RHP Enixon Sanchez: 3 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
LHP Luis Rodriguez: 2.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
LHP Marco Manzano (W, 1-0): 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

DSL Bombers (2-4) (Lost to the DSL Cardinals, 6-1)

SS Stiven Marinez: 1-for-3, RBI, K
Marinez is 5-for-18 with four walks and two stolen bases.
DH Queni Pineda: 2-for-3
The 18-year-old is hitting .258/.426/.437 in 197 PA at this level. I can’t guarantee anything, but a trip to the FCL is likely in store for 2026.
RF Eddinson Charles: 1-for-3, 2B (1), K
Charles earns his first professional extra-base hit.
2B Adrian Feliz: 1-for-3, 2B (1), R, K
Feliz earns his first professional extra-base hit.

RHP Alexander Almonte: 3.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K
The 18-year-old sets a new personal best for strikeouts in a game. He hasn’t allowed an earned run in seven innings this season.
LHP Ronald Tejada: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K

Yankees MILB 6/6: Carlos Lagrange’s Double-A Debut

Notes:

I have nothing to report.

Injury Log

Scranton (28-30) (Defeated St. Paul, 5-1)

C Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-4, BB, K
Reaching base twice in five plate appearances feels like a “meh” night for Rodriguez. He is 8-for-21 (.381) with four doubles in his last six games.
3B Jorbit Vivas: 1-for-3, BB
LF Everson Pereira: 1-for-4, K
1B T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-4, K
DH Alex Jackson: 1-for-4, 2B (4), R, K
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 1-for-3, HR (4), RBI, R, BB
De La Cruz is 9-for-23 with a double and two homers in his last six games.
SS Braden Shewmake: 2-for-4, RBI, R
Shewmake may beg to stay here (series: 7-for-16; 2 doubles, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 5 R). He had a .596 OPS entering this series. It is now .700.
CF Ismael Munguia: 1-for-4, 2B (8), RBI, R, SB (14)
2B Jake Gatewood: 0-for-4, 2 K

RHP Allan Winans: (W, 5-0)  5.2 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K
0.23 ERA (39 IP, 28 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 11 BB, 45 K). This is insanity. He has been so good that 5.2 scoreless innings dropped his ERA only 0.04 points.
RHP Leonardo Pestana: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Clayton Beeter: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Beeter reached 98.6 MPH with his fastball. 
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 0.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K, HR
Before 2025 started, I would have told you that Reyzelman was on the verge of breaking into MLB. I don’t know what is wrong, but there is no denying that he has fallen off (25 walks in 23 innings).
RHP Colten Brewer (S, 4): 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Somerset (25-29) (Defeated Binghamton, 10-4)

2B Roc Riggio: 2-for-5, 2B (1), HR (1), 2 RBI, R, K
Riggio launches his first Double-A home run. He has eight homers in 25 games this season.
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-4, R, BB, 3 K
C Rafael Flores: 3-for-5, 3 R, K
Flores has seven 3-hit games this season. He is hitting .284/.345/.507 in 232 PA. He is a hitter. That’s the best way to describe him.
3B Dylan Jasso: 2-for-4, 2B (9), 3 RBI, R, BB, 2 K
.274/.337/.484 in 208 PA. The undrafted free agent has been solid since Day 1 this year. I have no idea if he can do it, but I wonder if they would see if he can play LF in addition to 1B/2B/3B. 
CF Brendan Jones: 0-for-2, SF, RBI, R, 2 BB, 2 K
Jones is 1-for-13 since his promotion. Growing pains.
RF Garrett Martin: 1-for-4, RBI, R, SB (10), 2 K
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-4, RBI, BB, 2 K
DH Cole Gabrielson: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, BB, 3 K
LF Cam Eden: 2-for-5, 2 2B (2), R, 3 K

RHP Carlos Lagrange: (W, 1-0)  6 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 2 HR
Lagrange impresses in his Double-A debut (allowed a 2-run home run in the first before settling in). Including his time with Hudson Valley, he owns a 70/13 K/BB over 47.2 innings. Entering this season, he had a 133/63 K/BB over 95.2 innings. The improvement in his walk rate is remarkable. His 70 strikeouts place him in the top ten in all of minor league baseball, but that could have changed based on other outings tonight.
RHP Mason Vinyard: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Cole Ayers: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 K
LHP Will Brian: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
2.55 ERA (17.2 IP, 15 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 7 BB, 22 K)

Hudson Valley (34-20) (Shut down Aberdeen, 6-0)

CF Dillon Lewis: 1-for-5, RBI
Lewis is 5-for-21 (.238) with a triple and a homer since his promotion.
LF Jackson Castillo: 2-for-3, RBI, 2 R, SB (6), HBP, BB, K
Castillo is 8-for-29 (.276) in his seven games. Hopefully, he is coming out of his slump.
DH Coby Morales: 1-for-4, RBI, BB, 2 K
Morales has a 5-game hitting streak.
3B Parks Harber: 1-for-4, RBI, R, BB
C Omar Martinez: 2-for-5, 2B (6), HR (7), 2 RBI, R, K
Martinez has 21 doubles and 20 homers in 150 High-A games. He is on a 5-game hitting streak.
1B Josh Moylan: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K
SS Brenny Escanio: 1-for-4, K
RF Anthony Hall: 0-for-4, R, K
2B Duncan Pastore: 1-for-3, R, K
  2B Jose Colmenares: 0-for-1, K

RHP Bailey Dees: (W, 1-0) 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 K
Dees spent all of 2024 and the first two months of 2025 in Somerset. It’s not fun getting demoted, but he handled it well tonight. Hard to know if this is a permanent assignment or if they needed an arm for tonight’s start.
RHP Tyrone Yulie: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
2.96 ERA (18.1 IP, 14 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 1 HR, 9 BB, 24 K). He is handling the bullpen just fine, though he will eventually be asked to pitch on shorter rest.
RHP Huey Morrill: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
0.46 ERA (19.2 IP, 10 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 15 K)

Tampa (30-24) (Knocked out Jupiter, 11-4. 11 runs, 7 hits, 15 walks. They are scorching hot. After going 9-for-9 stealing bases last night, they went 7-for-7 tonight. Think they have a scouting report?)

DH Roderick Arias: 0-for-2, 3 R, 3 SB (16), 4 BB, 2 K
His .160 batting average comes with a .327 OBP, so there’s that. He once had a 5-walk game (2022), and this is his second 3-SB effort.
RF Brian Sanchez: 1-for-3, 2B (12), RBI, 4 R, SB (13), 3 BB
Nowhere in my Pitching for Dummies manual does it refer to walking the first two batters seven times as an effective strategy. Sanchez is hitting .287/.367/.442 in 150 PA (12 doubles, 4 triples, 23 RBI, 16 R, 13-for-17 SB, 11.3% BB, 25.3% K). He is on a 5-game hitting streak (has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games).
C Edgleen Perez: 0-for-4, RBI, HBP, BB, K
SS Juan Matheus: 1-for-3, RBI, 3 BB
1B Tyler Wilson: 1-for-5, SF, 3 RBI, K
.265/.353/.365 in 207 PA (6 doubles, 4 HR, 27 RBI, 26 R, 14-for-18 SB, 12.1% BB, 25.6% K). Wilson was hitting .219/.315/.228 after games of May 11th.
LF Austin Green: 1-for-4, BB, 2 K
3B Hans Montero: 1-for-5, HR (4), RBI, R, 2 K
2B Owen Cobb: 1-for-4, R, SB (11), BB, 2 K
CF Marshall Toole: 1-for-3, 2 R, 2 SB (14), 2 BB
June: 6-for-11 (1 double, 1 triple, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 4 R, 4-for-4 SB, 7 BB, 1 K). That works.

RHP J.T. Etheridge: (W, 2-0)  5 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 8 K, 2 HR
Etheridge hit 94.1 MPH with his fastball and heavily featured his slider (56% of his pitches). This was his first Low-A start, though his first two appearances were extended relief outings. Between Tampa and the FCL, he has 40 strikeouts in 25.2 innings.
RHP Cole Zaffiro: 2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Gus Hughes: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
3.71 ERA (17 IP, 15 H, 9 R, 7 ER, 1 HR, 9 BB, 17 K)

FCL (12-13) (Lost to the Tigers, 6-3)

DH Duke Ellis: 0-for-4, 2 K
Ellis begins his rehab stint. Along with Cam Eden, they fulfill the “speedy outfielder depth” quota.
SS Dexters Peralta: 0-for-4, R, K
LF Wilson Rodriguez: 1-for-4, RBI, 2 K
2B Luis Escudero: 0-for-3, SF, RBI, K
3B Kevin Verde: 2-for-2, 2B (2), RBI, SB (5), BB
1B John Cristino: 1-for-3, SB (2), K

RHP Edinzo Marquez (L, 0-2): 5.1 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
RHP Jose Martinez: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
5.2 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 10 K
LHP Jose Ledesma: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K

DSL Yankees (0-3) (Lost to the DSL Marlins, 4-3)

CF Isaias Castillo: 2-for-4, 2B (1), RBI, K
Castillo (16) is officially 4-for-8 with a double and a homer to begin his career. I say “officially” because he was 1-for-2 with three stolen bases in a suspended game yesterday. Those stats will eventually count.
3B Richard Matic: 2-for-2, 2B (1), HR (2), RBI, R, SB (1), BB
Matic hit zero home runs in 46 games last season. He has two in three games this year.

LHP Carlos De La Rosa: 2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, HR
A solid professional debut for the 17-year-old.
RHP Jose Vargas: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Vargas (17) makes his professional debut.

DSL Bombers (1-1) (Lost to the DSL Phillies Red, 4-1)

2B Christofer Reyes: 1-for-3, SB (2), K
RF Richard Meran: 1-for-2, HR (1), RBI, R, K
Meran’s first home run since 2023.

RHP Cesar Acosta: 3.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
Acosta (18) makes his professional debut.
LHP Andre Avila: 3.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
Avila’s first professional appearance.

Yankees MILB 6/1: Cam Schlittler Tosses 5 Shutout Innings

Notes:

RHP Jake Woodford triggered his May 31st opt-out and is now a free agent. Most veteran players include various opt-out clauses in their spring training and minor league deals. The opt-outs are a way to force the MLB team to either add them to the 26-man roster or let them go. On occasion, the player may renegotiate their minor league deal for a higher salary.

A veteran of five seasons with the Cardinals, White Sox, and Pirates, Woodford pitched to a 4.54 ERA (5.09 FIP) over 39.2 innings for Scranton. He owned a 9.4% BB, 21.5% K, and 42.4% GB.

With Woodford likely gone, the Yankees’ veteran minor league pitching depth (with MLB experience) consists of Allan Winans, Anthony DeSclafani, and Brandon Leibrandt. Carlos Carrasco was called up to the big club today as an extra arm and will need to go through the DFA process again.

After a hot May, 1B/OF Dominic Smith also exercised his opt-out clause. Given how the season has played out, there wasn’t a path to MLB for Smith.

Injury Log

Scranton (25-29) (Lost to Worcester, 7-4)

C Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-2, 2B (7), R, 2 BB, K
.362/.443/.461 in 167 PA. I will reiterate what I have been saying all year: If there were any plans on deploying Rodriguez at 3B in MLB, they would be playing him there more often than they are. It’s not coming soon. With Chisholm Jr. almost back and the insistence that DJ LeMahieu has something to offer, there isn’t room anyway.
LF Everson Pereira: 1-for-3, R, CS (1), BB, 2 K
.275/.380/.517 in 142 PA. 
1B T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-3, SF, RBI, K
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 3-for-4, HR (3), 3 RBI, R, K
For De La Cruz to have any value, he has to hit home runs. It’s what he does. He has three in 22 games since joining Scranton.
2B Braden Shewmake: 0-for-4, K
DH Ronaldo Hernandez: 0-for-3, SB (1), BB, K
CF Ismael Munguia: 0-for-4
SS Andrew Velazquez: 0-for-3, SB (14), BB, K
3B Jake Gatewood: 0-for-2, R, HBP, K

RHP Sean Boyle: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
4.72 ERA (55.1 IP, 47 H, 33 R, 29 ER, 8 HR, 20 BB, 57 K). The Yankees could have summoned Boyle to Los Angeles instead of Carrasco, but it isn’t surprising they went with the disposable veteran over their minor league depth.
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
I don’t know if it was strategy or not, but taking Reyzelman out of the game after recording a strikeout (and stranding a runner) wasn’t a bad idea. Let him build some confidence.
RHP Scott Effross: (L, 0-1)  1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR
Effross has allowed eight runs in three innings since moving to Scranton. It is possible that his injuries won’t be overcome, which would be a sad outcome. I would argue we aren’t there yet.
RHP Leonardo Pestana: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Geoff Hartlieb: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Somerset (24-26) (Defeated Akron, 3-0)

DH Jazz Chisholm Jr.: 0-for-3, K
The Yankees have yet to let him play a full game in the field. I believe that’s coming, and he will be activated soon.
   DH Max Burt: 0-for-1
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-2, R, CS (2), 2 BB, 2 K
Lombard Jr. continues to try to find his stroke. The good news is that the walks keep coming (20 in 23 games). Today is the last day we can call him a teenage prospect. Happy 20th Birthday tomorrow, George! 
CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-3, R, 2 K
.240/.382/.550 in 123 PA (4 doubles, 9 HR, 17 RBI, 24 R, 7-for-9 SB, 17.9% BB, 36.6% K).
   CF Cole Gabrielson: 0-for-0, BB
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-4, HR (11), 3 RBI, R, K
Flores’s 3-run homer in the first was all the scoring they needed. He leads the Eastern League in homers and is tied for second in RBI (37).
3B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-3, HBP, K
.274/.335/.469 in 191 PA. Jasso hit .260/.311/.385 in May after a .303/.369/.592 April.
RF Brennen Davis: 1-for-3, BB
Davis is 6-for-26 with a pair of homers, eight walks, and nine strikeouts.
LF Garrett Martin: 1-for-3, 2B (9), BB
.231/.339/.442 in 184 PA. 17 of his 36 hits have gone for extra bases (9 doubles, 8 HR). Over his career, 55 of his 111 hits have gone for extra bases.
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-3, 2 K
2B Alexander Vargas: 1-for-3

RHP Cam Schlittler (W, 4-5): 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K
2.38 ERA (53 IP, 47 H, 19 R, 14 ER, 1 HR, 17 BB, 64 K). Schlittler has been among the best pitchers in the Eastern League. He entered today as the league leader in FIP and is in the top five in strikeouts and K-BB%. The only bad thing in his profile is something that is hard for him to control: An elevated BABIP (.357 after today’s game).
RHP Danny Watson: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Indigo Diaz: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Harrison Cohen: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
2.41 ERA (18.2 IP, 12 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 10 BB, 26 K)
RHP Kelly Austin (S, 3): 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
1.69 ERA (16 IP, 13 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 4 BB, 16 K)
Trying to figure out which relief prospects are legitimate is a tough exercise. We’ve seen pitchers like Brooks Kriske dominate in the minors, only to struggle once in MLB. By the way, in case you are wondering, Kriske is still out there. He recently tossed two scoreless innings for the Cubs but has since been designated for assignment.

Hudson Valley (31-19) (Defeated Wilmington, 2-1, in ten innings)

2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-4, BB, 3 K
CF Brendan Jones: 0-for-2, 2 SB (23), CS (4), 3 BB, K
Jones is 41-for-45 (91.1%) stealing bases in 68 minor league games. He was 70-for-77 (90.9%) in college.
LF Jace Avina: 1-for-3, RBI, 2B (13), 2 BB
Avina’s walked it off with a … walk. He has 13 doubles in 40 games (8 doubles in 17 May games).
1B Coby Morales: 1-for-4, K
3B Parks Harber: 0-for-4, K
DH Omar Martinez: 1-for-4, 2 K
Martinez slowed down after an insane hot stretch but still finished May at .293/.424/.533 with five home runs.
SS Jose Colmenares: 1-for-3, 3B (1), R, BB
Colmenares tripled with one out in the 9th. He scored the tying run on a wild pitch.
C Tomas Frick: 0-for-3, BB, K
RF Anthony Hall: 0-for-4, 3 K
  PR Luis Durango: 0-for-0, R

LHP Griffin Herring: 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
Herring is dominant in his High-A debut. He has my full attention.
RHP Hayden Merda: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Tony Rossi: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Between here and Tampa: 17.2 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 24 K. Impressive.
RHP Bryce Warrecker: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
0.79 ERA (22.2 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 5 BB, 29 K). Pure dominance. This is the first time he didn’t strike out a batter in his professional career (33rd game).
RHP Huey Morrill (W, 3-1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Tampa (26-23) (Lost a heartbreaker to Fort Myers, 3-2. They had a 2-1 lead entering the 9th)

SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-4, R, BB, K
CF Brian Sanchez: 2-for-4, SF, RBI, SB (11), K
Sanchez has seven multi-hit efforts in his last nine games. He is hitting .286/.341/.445 in 132 PA (4 doubles, 20 RBI, 10 R, 11-for-14 SB). 
C Edgleen Perez: 0-for-4, K
DH Engelth Urena: 1-for-3, HBP, K
.212/.346/.341 in 208 PA. Urena has shown flashes of the power he is known for, but it hasn’t been consistent. Not surprising for a 20-year-old playing in Low-A. 
LF Cam Eden: 1-for-3, BB
RF Dillon Lewis: 2-for-4, R, 2 K
The raking continues. He is hitting .250/.323/.477 in 195 PA (9 doubles, 2 triples, 9 HR, 29 RBI, 33 R, 13-for-14 SB, 9.2% BB, 28.2% K). 
3B Juan Matheus: 0-for-4, 2 K
2B Austin Green: 0-for-4, K
1B Hans Montero: 2-for-4, RBI

LHP Xavier Rivas: 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
Rivas’s Low-A debut (he tossed 15.2 innings in the FCL before his promotion). The 22-year-old was another SEC draft pick last year, nabbed in the 16th round out of Ole Miss. There is no StatCast data available today, so the information is limited. He generated 9 whiffs and hit the low 90s with his 4-seam fastball and sinker. His arsenal also includes a changeup and slider.
RHP Kevin Stevens: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
Stevens’ rehab assignment was moved here from the FCL.
RHP Carson Coleman: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
This is Coleman’s fourth rehab appearance. It likely won’t be long before he is in Scranton’s bullpen. Perhaps Somerset.
RHP Sean Hermann: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Chris Veach: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K
1.35 ERA (20 IP, 15 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 12 BB, 32 K). Veach hasn’t allowed a run since April 27th. He has ten straight scoreless appearances (10.2 IP).
RHP Brady Kirtner (L, 2-2): 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
Kirtner has been strong in his debut season. Today wasn’t his day. Season: 2.67 ERA (27 IP, 16 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 2 HR, 13 BB, 31 K)

FCL (9-11)

Day off. They have a doubleheader scheduled against the Phillies tomorrow.

DSL Yankees (0-0)

Their season begins on Monday.

DSL Bombers (0-0)

Their season begins on Monday.

My coverage of the DSL is even lighter than my FCL coverage. I will probably write a report tomorrow since it is Opening Day.

Yankees MILB 5/25: George Lombard Jr. Reaches Base 4 Times

Notes:

The Yankees elected not to add Cooper Hummel to the 26-man roster.  He is now a free agent.

LHP Brock Selvidge‘s rehab was moved from the FCL to Tampa.

Injury Log

Scranton (22-26)

Their game against Nashville was cancelled and won’t be made up. T.J. Rumfield homered before the rain started, but it won’t count.

Somerset (22-22) (Lost to New Hampshire, 7-5)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 2-for-3, 3 R, 2 SB (6), 2 BB
Lombard Jr.’s second multi-hit game since his promotion. He is 7-for-26 (.269) in his last eight games (1 double, 3 RBI, 8 R, 8 BB, 3-for-4 SB). Has the adjustment begun?  Since I haven’t shown it in a while, here are his combined numbers: .287/.457/.390 in 184 PA (9 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 18 RBI, 35 R, 17-for-20 SB, 21.2% BB, 19.6% K).
DH Rafael Flores: 2-for-4, 2B (12), RBI, SB (5), BB, K
Flores is 8-for-17 in his last four games (2 doubles, 1 HR). He is the organizational leader in doubles (12), homers (10), and hits (53). He is second in RBI (34) to veteran Jose Rojas. He is one of only three qualified Yankees’ prospects hitting over .300 (Parks Harber and Jesus Rodriguez are the others).
3B Dylan Jasso: 3-for-5, HR (8), 3 RBI, R
.286/.337/.500 in 166 PA (7 doubles, 1 triple, 8 HR, 27 RBI, 23 R, 0-for-2 SB, 5.4% BB, 19.3% K). His walk rate is down (9.8% in 2024), but it comes with a reduced strikeout rate (24.4% in 2024). He is a right-handed bat who can play 1B/2B/3B, which is something this organization can use. Whether or not he is MLB material, we’ll see.
   PR Alexander Vargas: 0-for-0, SB (8)
LF Brennen Davis: 0-for-3, 2 BB, K
CF Garrett Martin: 0-for-5, 3 K
.213/.316/.375 in 159 PA
1B Tyler Hardman: 1-for-5, K
It’s possible that Hardman’s insane run in 2023 (26 HR in 77 games, though it came with a lot of strikeouts) was his peak. However, I continue to wonder if the injury he suffered that year sapped his offense because it has been nothing close to that since.
RF Grant Richardson: 1-for-4, 2B (2), 2 K
C Antonio Gomez: 0-for-4, K
Since promotion: .177/.241/.215 in 88 PA. They are giving him plenty of playing time, but the bat hasn’t responded.
2B Max Burt: 1-for-4, R, 2 K

RHP Bailey Dees: 4.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 8 K
4.46 ERA (38.1 IP, 37 H, 20 R, 19 ER, 5 HR, 19 BB, 45 K). Dees will end May with a 2.70 ERA and 24/6 K/BB over 20 innings.
RHP Harrison Cohen: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
2.87 ERA (15.2 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 21 K)
RHP Jordany Ventura (L, 2-1): 1 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, HR
For a relief pitcher, an outing like this can kill your season. He’s had a few such appearances, explaining his 9.24 ERA.
RHP Indigo Diaz: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Luis Pacheco: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Hudson Valley (29-15) (Defeated Winston-Salem, 5-4)

LF Brendan Jones: 1-for-5, 2 R, SB (18)
It feels as if Jones will run every time second base is open. That is what I want prospects to do. He leads the organization in stolen bases and is tied with Lombard Jr. for first in runs scored (35).  He grounded into a double play today. It was only the second time he has done that in his 63-game career.
RF Jace Avina: 1-for-3, SF, 2 RBI, 2 K
DH Coby Morales: 1-for-4, RBI, R, SB (7)
1B Parks Harber: 0-for-3, SB (1), BB, 2 K
CF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-3, SF, RBI K
2B Jose Colmenares: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
3B Josh Moylan: 1-for-4, R, 2 K
SS Brenny Escanio: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
C Tomas Frick: 3-for-3, RBI, R, BB
Frick’s third career 3-hit effort.

RHP Bryce Warrecker:  2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
Did they need an arm for today’s start, or are they building him up for a return to the rotation? Warrecker has been a dominant force out of the pen this year (0.50 ERA in 18 IP with a 24/3 K/BB). Last year, as a starter, he posted a 5.79 ERA in 19 starts with a 46/30 K/BB over 65.1 innings.
LHP Geoffrey Gilbert: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
RHP Hayden Merda: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
3.54 ERA (20.1 IP, 16 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 10 BB, 28 K). Like Warrecker, Merda has pitched well in the bullpen after spending his first season in the rotation (Merda’s first season was 2023 – he missed 2024). 
RHP Huey Morrill: (W, 2-0)  1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
0.57 ERA (15.2 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 6 BB, 11 K)
RHP Ocean Gabonia: (S, 1)  1.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Tampa (24-21) (Defeated Dunedin, 9-5. The Tarpons have, remarkably, caught the Blue Jays in the standings, and are in a three-way tie for second (Clearwater is the other team). The three squads are chasing Lakeland.)

SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-4, SB (11), BB, 2 K
It’s more of the same from Arias. Season: .165/.330/.282 in 106 PA (7 doubles, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 12 R, 11-for-13 SB, 18.9% BB, 29.2% K). After hitting .222/.291/.253 vs. LHP last year, he is 1-for-17 this year. Not that he is lighting up the scoreboard against RHP this year. I don’t give up on 20-year-olds, but the red flags are serious.
C Edgleen Perez: 0-for-4, BB, K
CF Brian Sanchez: 2-for-4, 2B (11), R, 2 K
Sanchez has 11 doubles in 26 games (34 doubles, 12 triples, 4 HR in 108 career games).
  CF Marshall Toole: 0-for-1
DH Engelth Urena: 0-for-3, R, SB (5), 2 BB, K
RF Dillon Lewis: 2-for-4, HR (8), 3 RBI, 2 R, BB, K
.241/.318/.475 in 176 PA (9 doubles, 2 triples, 8 HR, 26 RBI, 30 R, 11-for-12 SB, 9.7% BB, 27.8% K). He owns a 6-game hitting streak and is hitting .313/.389/.688 in May (5 doubles, 2 triples, 7 HR, 23 RBI, 22 R). He has turned it up several notches.
3B Juan Matheus: 1-for-4, 2B (10), R, BB, K
Matheus has 100 RBI, 93 runs, 107 walks, and 50 stolen bases in 149 career games. 
LF Tyler Wilson: 2-for-3, HR (4), RBI, 2 R, SB (10), BB
2B Austin Green: 1-for-4, HR (2), 4 RBI, R, K
Green’s grand slam turned a 4-2 deficit into a 6-4 lead.
1B Hans Montero: 0-for-2, SF, RBI, CS (3), BB, K

LHP Brock Selvidge: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
Selvidge’s second rehab appearance. Since he is in Low-A now, we have some Savant data: He reached 94.2 MPH with his 4-seamer (averaged 92.4) and generated five whiffs on his slider (17 pitches).
RHP J.T. Etheridge (W, 1-0): 4.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, HR
Etheridge generated 14 whiffs (5 with his 4-seamer, 5 with his slider, 3 with his changeup, and 1 with his curve).
RHP Chris Veach: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
1.50 ERA (18 IP, 13 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 10 BB, 29 K). Average velocity on sinker: 92.4 MPH. Average velocity on change-up: 75.1 MPH. I like the differential, at least.
RHP Brady Kirtner: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
2.16 ERA (25 IP, 14 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 HR, 10 BB, 28 K)

FCL (8-8)

Day off.

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 5/24: Rafael Flores Hits 10th HR

Notes:

Nothing to see here.

Injury Log

Scranton (22-26) (Lost to Nashville, 12-5)

C Jesus Rodriguez: 0-for-4, BB, K
Rodriguez’s hitting streak is snapped at 13. He is now hitting only .376 with a .943 OPS at this level.
1B Dominic Smith: 3-for-5, 3B (1), 2 R, 2 SB (3), K
DH Alex Jackson: 0-for-4, K
LF Jose Rojas: 0-for-4, RBI, K
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 1-for-4, R, K
SS Braden Shewmake: 1-for-4, 2 R
2B Andrew Velazquez: 1-for-4, 2B (5), RBI, K
CF Ismael Munguia: 2-for-4, 2B (6), RBI, SB (9), K
2B Jake Gatewood: 0-for-4, 2 K

RHP Anthony DeSclafani: (L, 0-1)  2.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, HR
RHP Jake Woodford: 4.1 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
Not a good night for a pair of veterans trying to get on the depth chart.
RHP Colten Brewer: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR

Somerset (22-21) (Swept a doubleheader against New Hampshire. The Patriots have dug themselves out of a hole and are three games behind Binghamton and Portland for the first-half crown)

Game 1 (Won, 7-1. The Patriots scored 7 runs on 11 singles, two walks, and a HBP)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-3, R, BB
DH Rafael Flores: 2-for-4, R
Flores has 13 multi-hit games this season (including six 3-hit efforts)
CF Garrett Martin: 1-for-4, R, SB (8), K
RF Brennen Davis: 1-for-3, 2 R, BB, 2 K
1B Tyler Hardman: 2-for-4, 3 RBI, 2 R
Hardman has 8 RBI in his last three games.
3B Alexander Vargas: 1-for-4, RBI
LF Jared Wegner: 0-for-0, HBP
He stayed in the game to run, but was replaced in the field.
   LF Grant Richardson: 2-for-3, RBI, SB (1)
Enter the game, play well. How often do we see that happen?  Perceived answer: All the time!  Reality: Not nearly as often as you think!
C Antonio Gomez: 1-for-4, 2 RBI
2B Max Burt: 0-for-3, K

RHP Trystan Vrieling: 4.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K
Only his second start since returning from his rehab stint. This is the first time in his professional career where he didn’t strike a batter out.
RHP Danny Watson (W, 1-1): 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
After a rough start to the season (understatement), Watson has five straight scoreless outings (4 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 3 K)
RHP Cole Ayers: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

Game 2 (Won, 6-3)

3B George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-2, R, 2 BB
Since promotion: .196/.368/.216 in 68 PA with ten runs scored. He has a 20.6% BB and 20.6% K.
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-3, HR (10), 2 RBI, 2 R, BB, K
Flores breaks the tie with Spencer Jones and Everson Pereira to become the first Yankees’ farmhand to reach 10 home runs this year. Additionally, he leads the Eastern League in homers and is hitting an impressive .302/.353/.544 in 184 PA (11 doubles, 10 HR, 33 RBI, 26 R)
RF Garrett Martin: 1-for-3, CI
2B Dylan Jasso: 2-for-4, RBI, R, K
.275/.329/.477 in 161 PA (7 doubles, 1 triple, 7 HR, 24 RBI, 22 R, 5.6% BB, 19.9% K)
CF Grant Richardson: 0-for-4
LF Cole Gabrielson: 1-for-2, HR (2), 2 RBI, 2 R, BB, K
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-3, K
SS Alexander Vargas: 1-for-3, K
DH Antonio Gomez: 0-for-2, RBI, SB (2), BB

RHP Baron Stuart: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K
LHP Will Brian:(W, 2-0)  1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Since promotion: 1.38 ERA (13 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 3 BB, 17 K). Overall, he owns a 0.90 ERA in 20 innings with a 29/4 K/BB.
LHP Ryan Anderson: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Kelly Austin: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
1.93 ERA (14 IP, 11 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 4 BB, 13 K)
RHP Mason Vinyard: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, HR

Hudson Valley (28-15) (Allowed five runs in the 9th (yikes) to lose to Winston-Salem, 5-4)

DH Roc Riggio: 0-for-2, R, HBP, 2 BB
.275/.456/.686 in 68 PA. His walk percentage in 22.1. He spent all of April on the injured list so I don’t mind him being here. Eventually, they will need to consider Somerset.
RF Brendan Jones: 2-for-5, HR (4), RBI, R, K
.237/.346/.382 in 182 PA. Jones hit three home runs in a 5-game period in April before going on a 24-game homerless streak. Baseball!
1B Coby Morales: 0-for-3, R, SB (6), 2 BB, K
LF Jace Avina: 1-for-5, 2B (9), RBI, 2 K
.284/.411/.440 in 146 PA (9 doubles, 3 HR, 16 RBI, 22 R)
CF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-4, RBI, BB, 2 K
C Omar Martinez: 1-for-4, 2 K
3B Josh Moylan: 1-for-4, 3B (1), R, 2 K
SS Brenny Escanio: 0-for-4, K
2B Duncan Pastore: 2-for-3, 2B (3), 2 CS (2), BB

RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz  6.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 4 K
2.74 ERA (42.2 IP, 25 H, 15 R, 13 ER, 0 HR, 21 BB, 47 K). The walks are a little high but he is offsetting that with solid strikeout and ground ball rates (52.9% GB entering tonight)
RHP Tony Rossi: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Since promotion: 8 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 8 K. Overall: 15.2 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 20 K
LHP Jayvien Sandridge: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Chris Kean: (L, 2-1): 0.1 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR
Kean was having a solid year until tonight. We all have bad days.
RHP Tyrone Yulie: 0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Tampa (23-21) (Held off Dunedin, 4-3)

DH Edgleen Perez: 0-for-5, 2 K
C Engelth Urena: 3-for-5, 2B (7), HR (5), RBI, 2 R, K
Urena follows up a 4-hit game with a 3-hit effort. His power potential comes out from time to time, and he has three doubles and a homer in his last two games.  Season: .232/.359/.377 in 184 PA (7 doubles, 5 HR, 19 RBI, 30 R, 14.1% BB, 19.6% K). 
CF Dillon Lewis: 1-for-3, HR (7), 2 RBI, R, BB
.234/.310/.455 in 171 PA (9 doubles, 2 triples, 7 HR, 23 RBI, 28 R, 11-for-12 SB, 9.4% BB, 28.1% K). Lewis is on  a 5-game hitting streak (8-for-21; 2 doubles, 2 HR, 6 RBI) and has 13 extra-base hits in 19 May games (5 doubles, 2 triples, 6 HR). 
SS Juan Matheus: 0-for-4, 2 K
After an insane hot streak, Matheus is 0-for-11 in his last three games. He is hitting .281/.348/.348 in 158 plate appearances.
LF Tyler Wilson: 3-for-4, R, CS (4)
Wilson follows up a 4-hit game with a 3-hit effort. In his last four games, he is 10-for-17, raising his triple slash from .224/.307/.261 to .265/.339/.351. 
RF Austin Green: 0-for-2, HBP, BB
2B Hans Montero: 0-for-3, BB, K
3B Owen Cobb: 0-for-3, SF, RBI, K
The video game numbers have predictably dwindled, though he is still hitting .373/.413/.657 in 76 PA. 
1B Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-3, BB, K

RHP Gage Ziehl: (W, 1-2)  5 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 7 K
Ziehl’s first professional win. The seven strikeouts are a personal best.
RHP Gus Hughes: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
RHP Cade Austin: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Sean Hermann (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Hermann’s first career save as his transition to the bullpen continues to pay dividends: 1.61 ERA (22.1 IP, 14 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 0 HR, 18 BB, 22 K). This was his 8th straight scoreless appearance. The walk rate is high, but most of that was in April. In May, he has allowed three walks over 10 innings.

FCL (8-8) (Pulverized the Phillies again, 15-3. They have outscored the Phillies 30-3 the last two days)

LF Brando Mayea: 2-for-5, 2B (4), 2 RBI, 3 R, BB, K
.295/.377/.541 in 70 PA. Mayea is second in the FCL with 17 runs.
CF Cam Eden: 4-for-6, 2 2B (3), 5 RBI, 2 R, K
Tick tock. Get him to Scranton already.
RF Isael Arias: 1-for-4, R, SB (4), BB
C Ediel Rivera: 0-for-3, R, SB (4), 2 BB, K
Always pay attention to the catchers in the Yankees system.
SS Dexters Peralta: 1-for-5, RBI, 2 K
Peralta received a $500,000 signing bonus during the 2024 international signing period. He is 2-for-20 so far this year after hitting .219/.320/.325 with 26 stolen bases in 30 attempts in 46 DSL games last year.
1B Manuel Palencia: 2-for-4, 2B (2), RBI, 2 R, K
2B Luis Escudero: 2-for-4, HR (1), 3 RBI, 2 R
Escudero’s first HR since July 16, 2024. The 19-year-old is hitting .267/.353/.400 with more walks (6) than strikeouts (5) in his first taste of the FCL.
3B Santiago Gomez: 1-for-3, 3 R, 2 BB, K

RHP Kevin Stevens: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Stevens is here on a rehab assignment. The 27-year-old pitched to a 2.54 ERA in 39 innings for Somerset last season (56/16 K/BB). Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2022, Stevens was invited to spring training this year, pitching a scoreless inning.
RHP Carson Coleman: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Coleman’s second rehab appearance.
RHP Greysen Carter (W, 1-0): 3.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 8 BB, 1 K
I wish I could put “Yikes!” in big, bold, red, flashing font. But he gets the win!
RHP Jose Martinez: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Martinez (20) now has a 79/13 K/BB in 69 career innings.

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 5/23: An Offensive Explosion

Notes:

Nothing to see here.

Injury Log

Scranton (22-25) (Doubled up Nashville, 10-5)

DH Jesus Rodriguez: 3-for-4, RBI, SB (8), CS (4), BB, K
Rodriguez extends his hitting streak to 13 (seven multi-hit efforts).  He is hitting .389 with a .970 OPS since his promotion (44 hits in 30 games). All he does is hit, hit, hit (I seem to type that often, eh?)
LF Dominic Smith: 1-for-5, HR (7), 3 RBI, R, K
Smith has six homers in 18 May games.
C Alex Jackson: 1-for-3, 3 R, 2 BB, 2 K
Jackson has a 1.115 OPS in 21 games.
1B Jose Rojas: 3-for-4, 2 2B (12), 2 RBI, R, BB, K
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 2-for-5, 2B (4), RBI, R, 2 K
SS Braden Shewmake: 0-for-5, 2 K
2B Andrew Velazquez: 0-for-3, RBI, R, SAC, K
CF Ismael Munguia: 0-for-4, R
3B Jake Gatewood: 1-for-4, R, SB (2), K

RHP Allan Winans: (W, 3-0)  5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
Winans finally allows an earned run. Season: 0.32 ERA (28 IP, 20 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 9 BB, 36 K)
RHP Leonardo Pestana: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Jon Olsen: 1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Geoff Hartlieb: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Clayton Beeter: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
I wonder when Beeter will get the call to MLB. The Yankees seem to like Yerry De los Santos, but Beeter has more upside.

Somerset (20-21) (Defeated New Hampshire, 9-6)

2B George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-5, 2B (1), R, BB, 3 K
Lombard Jr. earns his first Double-A extra-base hit. 
C Rafael Flores: 3-for-6, 2B (11), RBI, 2 R
.296/.347/.531 in 176 PA (11 doubles, 9 HR, 31 RBI, 23 R, 4-for-4 SB, 6.8% BB, 28.98% K). Keith Law’s opinion of Flores sees him as a platoon bat in MLB. He doesn’t see a full-time catcher, but the Yankees are stubborn about keeping players behind the plate for as long as possible. Some of that is definitely for trade value purposes.
CF Garrett Martin: 2-for-3, HR (5), 2 RBI, 4 R, HBP, BB
Martin ends his 18-game homerless streak. He has 30 doubles, 17 homers, and 24 stolen bases (27 attempts) in 141 career games.
DH Brennen Davis: 1-for-3, HR (1), 2 RBI, R, SB (1), 2 BB, K
Davis’s rehab is over, and he was assigned here. A no-risk flyer on a once highly-regarded kid. We’ll see how it goes.
LF Cole Gabrielson: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, K
  LF Grant Richardson: 0-for-2, 2 K
1B Tyler Hardman: 3-for-5, 2 2B (9), 2 RBI, K
Hardman’s third straight multi-hit effort.
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-4, BB
RF Jared Wegner: 0-for-3, CS (2), 2 BB, 2 K
3B Max Burt: 0-for-4, R, 2 SB (5), BB

RHP JT Brubaker: 2.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 0 K
Brubaker’s rehab was moved here today. Your reminder that, unlike with Scott Effross and Clayton Beeter, Brubaker doesn’t have any options left.
RHP Brendan Beck (W, 3-1): 5.1 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 2 HR
2.67 ERA (33.2 IP, 24 H, 10 R, 10 ER, 2 HR, 7 BB, 37 K).  Beck’s appearances are widely spread out (first time we’ve seen him since 5/15).  Given his history of injuries, this makes sense.
RHP Indigo Diaz (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K

Hudson Valley (28-14) (Walloped Winston-Salem, 10-1. Hudson Valley has outscored them 23-3 over the last two nights)

2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-5, 2B (4), 2 R, BB, K
Riggio has a 7-game hitting streak (11-for-27). He has three doubles, a triple, and four home runs during the streak.
CF Brendan Jones: 2-for-4, 2B (6), 2 RBI, 2 R, SB (17), 2 BB
.231/.345/.361 in 177 PA (6 doubles, 2 triples, 3 HR, 22 RBI, 32 R, 17-for-20 SB, 14.1% BB, 17.5% K). There is an interesting prospect bubbling under the surface here.
1B Coby Morales: 1-for-6, RBI, R, 2 K
DH Parks Harber: 4-for-5, 2B (6), 4 RBI, R, BB
Harber is hitting better here than in Low-A, though with fewer walks. He is hitting .368/.422/.592 in 83 PA here after hitting .304/.422/.551 in 83 PA for Tampa. He has three 3+ hit efforts in his last five games, including a pair of 4-hit efforts. I am not here to spread bullcrap – he is doing what you want college bats to do at the lower levels and it could be meaningless. However, it isn’t meaningless for him as this will get him to Double-A.
LF Jace Avina: 2-for-2, 2B (8), SF, RBI, 3 BB
.288/.418/.441 in 141 PA.
SS Jose Colmenares: 0-for-6
Colmenares is simply saving his hits for when the team needs them.
3B Josh Moylan: 1-for-4, BB, K
C Tomas Frick: 0-for-2, SF, RBI, 2 R, HBP, BB, K
RF Anthony Hall: 1-for-4, 2 R, BB, 2 K

RHP Josh Grosz: (W, 3-2)  7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 8 K, HR
Grosz was efficient tonight, needing only 88 pitches to record 21 outs. Season: 3.60 ERA (35 IP, 28 H, 18 R, 14 ER, 3 HR, 12 BB, 45 K). Last three starts: 18.2 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 3 BB, 23 K.
RHP Sebastian Keane: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
1.64 ERA (11 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 5 BB, 12 K). He hasn’t allowed a run in seven straight appearances.
RHP Matt Keating: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
2.25 ERA (12 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 8 BB, 9 K)

Tampa (22-21) (Lost a slugfest to Dunedin, 13-9)

SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-4, R, SB (10), BB, 3 K
.173/.337/.296 in 101 PA (7 doubles, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 12 R, 10-for-12 SB, 18.8% BB, 28.7% K).
C Edgleen Perez: 2-for-5, R
Perez is 19-for-69 (.275; 3 doubles, 8 RBI, 11 R, 14 BB, 14 K) in May. He is hitting .232/.391/.264 in 161 PA.
CF Brian Sanchez: 1-for-3, K
Sanchez’s first game since May 10th.
  CF Marshall Toole: 0-for-2, R, K
DH Engelth Urena: 4-for-5, 2 2B (6), RBI, 3 R
This is his second career 4-hit effort. Known as an intriguing bat prospect, Urena has struggled this year. Hopefully, this gets him going. Season: .219/.352/.342 in 179 PA (6 doubles, 4 HR, 18 RBI, 28 R, 4-for-5 SB, 14.5% BB, 19.6% K). 
LF Dillon Lewis: 3-for-5, 2B (9), RBI, 2 R, 2 SB (11), K
Lewis is 22-for-73 (.301; 5 doubles, 2 triples, 5 HR, 18 RBI, 19 R, 5-for-5 SB) in May.  Overall, he is hitting .232/.305/.437 in 167 PA.
3B Juan Matheus: 0-for-5, RBI, K
RF Tyler Wilson: 4-for-5, 2B (4), HR (3), 4 RBI, R, K
Wilson’s first career 4-hit game. Last year’s 8th-round pick is hitting .252/.329/.340 in 164 PA. 
2B Owen Cobb: 0-for-4, HBP, 2 K
1B Hans Montero: 0-for-4, 2 K

RHP Brandon Decker: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
Decker’s first career start. I don’t know if this is the start of a transition to the rotation or if they wanted him to open the game for some other reason. In college, he was used as a starter and reliever.  Season: 1.93 ERA (18.2 IP, 16 H, 9 R, 4 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 20 K)
RHP Cole Zaffiro: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, HR
LHP Tanner Bauman: (L, 1-4)  2 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
RHP Jack Sokol: 1 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Brady Kirtner: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
2.25 ERA (24 IP, 14 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 HR, 10 BB, 27 K)

FCL (7-8) (Phlasted the Phillies, 15-0. The 4-team division that keeps playing each other is ruled by the Tigers and Blue Jays, with the Yankees in striking range. The Phillies are 4-11 with the division’s lone negative run differential)

DH Cam Eden: 1-for-4, 2B (1), 3 RBI, SB (3), BB, 2 K
Eden is only 3-for-20 on his rehab stint, but how long does a 27-year-old need to be here?
CF Brando Mayea: 2-for-5, 3B (1), 2 R, SB (4), 2 K
.286/.365/.536 in 64 PA (7.8% BB; 25% K).
LF Wilson Rodriguez: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, R, K
C Ediel Rivera: 2-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, 3 R, K
Rivera’s first professional home run. The 19-year-old is 9-for-35 with three doubles and a home run.
3B Luis Escudero: 2-for-5, RBI, 3 R, SB (4)
SS Kevin Verde: 2-for-4, SF, 3 RBI, R, K
1B John Cristino: 2-for-3, 2 RBI, R, SB (1), HBP, K
4-for-11 with three walks and two strikeouts.
2B Santiago Gomez: 0-for-3, SF, 2 RBI, R

RHP Edinzo Marquez: 4.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K
The 20-year-old owns a 4.05 ERA. (13.1 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 HR, 7 BB, 11 K)
RHP Mariano Salomon (W, 3-0): 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
0.87 ERA (10.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 12 K). Any reliever with the first name “Mariano” gets my eyes.
RHP Chance Nolan: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Alexis Paulino: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Control has been an issue for the 22-year-old (84 in 90 career innings). This season, he owns a 14/3 K/BB over 7.2 IP. Progress!

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 5/18: Rafael Flores Homers Again

Notes:

RHP JT Brubaker started his latest rehab stint in Hudson Valley today. Acquired for infield prospect Keiner Delgado in April 2024, Bruaker hasn’t been able to stay healthy. He tossed only 16.2 innings in the Yankees system last year.

The difference between Brubaker and Scott Effross and Clayton Beeter is that Brubaker is out of options.  Once the rehab is up, and assuming he is healthy, decisions need to be made.

As for Delgado, reading Twitter at the time made one feel as if the Yankees relinquished the next coming of Roberto Alomar. After hitting .231/.318/.347 in Low-A in 2024, he was moved to High-A Greensboro, hitting .252/.329/.394 with a 9-for-9 stolen base rate. Prospects develop at different rates, but it seems doubtful this trade will haunt the Yankees.

Injury Log

Scranton (21-22) (Lost to Toledo, 10-8)

LF Cooper Hummel: 3-for-5, RBI, R, K
Hummel is 8-for-29 since the Yankees signed him.
CF Everson Pereira: 0-for-3, R, SB (4), BB, 2 K
Pereira was 21-for-28 stealing bases in 102 games in 2022. Since then, he is 20-for-24 in 150 games.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 2-for-5, 2B (10), RBI, R, SB (3), K
.305/.404/.519 in 156 PA (10 doubles, 6 HR, 27 RBI, 29 R, 3-for-4 SB, 11.5% BB, 20.5% K). 
C Alex Jackson: 2-for-5, HR (6), 3 RBI, R, K
Jackson continues to alternate games with and without a home run.  He has four home runs in his last seven games (HR, no HR, HR, no HR, HR, no HR, HR)
DH Dominic Smith: 1-for-4, HR (6), RBI, R, BB
Smith has five homers in 14 May games.
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 1-for-5, 2B (3), R, 2 K
3B Jose Rojas: 1-for-4, RBI, R, SB (2), 2 K
2B Jake Gatewood: 1-for-3, 2B (2), SB (1), CS (2), BB, 2 K
SS Andrew Velazquez: 1-for-4, RBI, R

RHP Carlos Carrasco: 1.2 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, HR
RHP Leonardo Pestana: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 0 K
4.24 ERA (17 IP, 9 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 19 BB, 18 K). Control has always been an issue (19 BB in 38.2 IP in 2024), but it is amplified this season. Furthermore, his K% isn’t making up for the high walk total. Last year, he struck out 63 (40.9%). This season, entering today, his K% was 26.1%. 
RHP Kervin Castro: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
2.18 ERA (20.2 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 9 BB, 24 K)
RHP Geoff Hartlieb: 2.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
3.00 ERA (18 IP, 19 H, 9 R, 6 ER, 0 HR, 8 BB, 18 K)
LHP Ismael Munguia (L, 0-1): 1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Minor league baseball = sometimes bringing in a position player during an 8-8 game.  This was his first career pitching appearance.

Somerset (17-21) (Lost to Portland, 4-1)

3B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-4, 2 K
.275/.329/.493 in 149 PA (7 doubles, 1 triple, 7 HR, 23 RBI, 20 R).  He has played 14 games at 3B, 12 at 2B, 6 at 1B, and 2 at designated hitter.
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-2, CS (1), HBP, BB, K
Since promotion: .182/.378/.182 in 45 PA (3 RBI, 7 R, 3-for-4 SB, 10 BB, 9 K)
1B Rafael Flores: 1-for-3, HR (9), RBI, R, BB, 2 K
Flores has homered in three straight games and ties Spencer Jones for the Eastern League lead. He is hitting .304/.354/.554 in 161 PA. Going back to last year, Flores has hit .285/.357/.532 in 434 Double-A plate appearances (24 doubles, 24 HR, 63 RBI, 60 R, 8.99% BB, 28.3% K)
DH Garrett Martin: 0-for-4, K
RF Coby Morales: 2-for-4, 2 K
CF Grant Richardson: 0-for-4, 3 K
LF Jared Wegner: 1-for-3
C Antonio Gomez: 0-for-2, BB, K
2B Max Burt: 0-for-3, K

RHP Bailey Dees: (L, 1-3)  6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
4.50 ERA (34 IP, 33 H, 18 R, 17 ER, 5 HR, 16 BB, 37 K). Bees walked 13 in 18.1 April innings. That number has dropped to three in 15.2 May innings.
RHP Indigo Diaz: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Cole Ayers: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, HR
RHP Danny Watson: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K

Hudson Valley (26-12) (Defeated Aberdeen, 3-2)

LF Brendan Jones: 1-for-4, K
RF Jace Avina: 1-for-3, HR (3), RBI, R
.297/.421/.455 in 126 PA. Avina has a pair of homers and 3 RBI in three games since returning from injury.
  RF Anthony Hall: 1-for-1, 2B (4)
DH Parks Harber: 0-for-4, 4 K
From four hits to four strikeouts. Explain baseball to me.
CF Jackson Castillo: 2-for-3, 2B (9), BB
Back-to-back multi-hit games as Castillo tries to get on track. He is hitting .234/.342/.355 in 146 PA and is 5-for-5 stealing bases.
2B Jose Colmenares: 0-for-4, K
3B Josh Moylan: 0-for-3, K
SS Brenny Escanio: 1-for-3, 2B (4), R
C Tomas Frick: 1-for-3, K
1B Duncan Pastore: 1-for-3, RBI, R

RHP JT Brubaker: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
His climb back to MLB begins yet again…
RHP Bryce Cunningham: (W, 5-1)  5.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 2 HR
2.14 ERA (42 IP, 32 H, 12 R, 10 ER, 3 HR, 10 BB, 44 K). It is hard to deny that Cunningham has impressed the most (so far) amongst the 2024 draftees.
RHP Huey Morrill (S, 2): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Tampa (19-20) (Walked it off against Palm Beach, 5-4)

C Edgleen Perez: 1-for-4, SF, RBI, R, K
It saddens me that I won’t be able to call him an 18-year-old much longer, as he turns 19 on 5/25. 
DH Engelth Urena: 1-for-3, RBI, R, 2 BB, K
His RBI single with one out in the 9th tied the game.
LF Dillon Lewis: 0-for-3, R, 2 BB, K
2B Juan Matheus: 2-for-3, 2B (8), RBI, 2 BB
Matheus has gone insane. He is 15-for-25 (.600) during his 7-game hitting streak. The streak has spiked his triple slash to .316/.378/.386 (.236/.321/.303 before the streak started). He ranks fifth in the Florida State League in batting average.  He is a switch-hitter who has thus far hit lefties well in a small sample (9-for-22). Last year, he was 8-for-40 against southpaws.
RF Austin Green: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, SB (5), 2 K
Green has a 5-game hitting streak (8-for-18). 
1B Tyler Wilson: 0-for-4, 2 K
3B Hans Montero: 0-for-4, 3 K
SS Owen Cobb: 2-for-4, R
No extra-base hits? I’m appalled! Cobb is now 21-for-47 (.447) with 11 extra-base hits (6 doubles, 2 triples, 3 HR). He is on a 6-game hitting streak (10-for-22) and has eight multi-hit efforts in 14 games.
CF Marshall Toole: 1-for-3, R, CS (1), BB
Toole has a 7-game hitting streak (8-for-22).  He is hitting .326/.398/.447 in 98 PA.

RHP Gage Ziehl: 4.1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, HR
RHP Gus Hughes: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Sean Hermann: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
1.80 ERA (20 IP, 14 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 0 HR, 17 BB, 20 K). The walks have settled down since he walked 15 in 12.1 April innings.
RHP Cole Zaffiro: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Jackson Fristoe (W, 3-1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
5.75 ERA (20.1 IP, 24 H, 17 R, 13 ER, 3 HR, 14 BB, 17 K)

FCL (5-6) 

Day off.

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 5/17: Roc Riggio Homers Twice

Notes:

The rumblings about Jesus Rodriguez are starting. I get it – the Yankees have an issue with offense at third base, and Rodriguez can further help balance the lineup.

But is he a third baseman?  The Yankees have tried various positions with him. A natural catcher, he also has experience at 1B/2B (limited)/3B/LF. MLB Pipeline’s write-up on his defense was rather…scary? Pipeline, however, isn’t the only source for your prospect needs. Fangraphs was more flattering, even talking him up as potentially above-average at the hot corner.

I have been bullish on his offense for several years now. He crushed the Complex League in 2022 (which should always come with hesitation) before his promotion to Low-A in 2023.  While with the Tampa Tarpons, he showed his FCL game was no fluke, as he hit .297/.378/.426, earning a promotion to High-A after 84 games. All he did in Hudson Valley the rest of that season was hit .356/.464/.533 in 25 games. His 2024 season was similarly exciting, though he ran into trouble after his promotion to Somerset. That trouble continued into 2025, and his current Double-A triple slash is .196/.250/.339 in 30 games. When Alex Jackson was injured earlier this season, the Yankees moved Rodriguez to Scranton, where he started flourishing again. His issues in Double-A may be sample-size related. His BABIP there is only .207.  You want a prospect to conquer Double-A. It’s Prospect Following 101. He didn’t, but it’s hard to argue against his success.

Rodriguez isn’t your traditional corner power hitter, but we need to look at what he is up against: Strong defender Oswald Peraza, who the organization hasn’t shown much faith in; Jorbit Vivas, who isn’t seen as much of a defender at third base and has struggled to hit; Pablo Reyes, who Rodriguez could replace right now and nobody would flinch; DJ LeMahieu, who I think the Yankees want to play mostly at second base until Jazz Chisholm Jr. returns. The Yankees wouldn’t ask him to take over for current MLB All-Stars. We are talking about being better than replacement level.

Would I do it? It’s tempting. Even if you are skeptical about his profile, you can ride a hot streak for a while. Or, maybe your skepticism is misguided, and his bat will play just fine in MLB. Most of the hesitation comes from an aggressive approach and the questions about whether he can hit velocity. The problem with the latter is that he hasn’t faced enough velocity to draw any conclusions.

What is working against this possibility? The Yankees aren’t playing him every day at third base in the minors. If the plan was for Rodriguez to play third, that would be his position nearly every night. He has played third base in only nine of his 33 games between Somerset and Scranton.

Injury Log

Scranton (21-21) (Defeated Toledo, 7-2)

C Jesus Rodriguez: 2-for-5, 3B (2), R, CS (2), 2 K
Rodriguez owns a 9-game hitting streak that includes five multi-hit games (four consecutive). He is hitting .385/.479/.510 in 117 PA. Fire is too soft a word to use.
LF Dominic Smith: 2-for-4, RBI, 2 R
A veteran like Smith is not only auditioning for the Yankees, as veterans can easily ask out of their minor league deals (or, like with Luis Torrens last year, can be traded in small deals). Smith is 16-for-42 (.381) with four homers and 16 RBI in May.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-3, R, HBP, K
RF Everson Pereira: 0-for-4, 3 K
DH Cooper Hummel: 1-for-2, 2B (1), SF, RBI, BB
3B Jose Rojas: 1-for-3, HR (8, grand slam), 4 RBI, BB, K
Rojas has three grand slams this month (5/1, 5/7, 5/17). He has 8 HR and 34 RBI in 36 games. If only he weren’t a 32-year-old journeyman.
2B Braden Shewmake: 1-for-3, R, BB
SS Andrew Velazquez: 1-for-4, 2 K
CF Ismael Munguia: 1-for-4, 3B (1), RBI
A fun story in spring training, Munguia is hitting only .219/.321/.328 in 164 PA. He is 8-for-10 stealing bases.

RHP Anthony DeSclafani: 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
He touched 95.3 MPH with his sinker, which likely has Matt Blake drooling.
LHP Brent Headrick: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Headrick, a victim of the numbers game earlier this season, reached 97.1 MPH with his fastball today.
RHP Allan Winans: (W, 2-0) 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
0.00 ERA (23 IP, 16 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 31 K). They used him in a piggyback role today, which doesn’t bother me. His season has been impressive.

Somerset (17-20) (Defeated Portland, 11-5)

3B George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-3, SF, RBI, 2 R, BB
Lombard Jr. plays third base for the second day in a row (hadn’t played the position before that since his promotion). For Somerset: 6-for-31 (3 RBI, 7 R, 3-for-3 SB, 9 BB, 8 K). Overall, he is at .292/.461/.407 in 152 PA with more walks (32) than strikeouts (30). He is 14-for-16 stealing bases.
C Rafael Flores: 3-for-5, HR (8), 3 RBI, 3 R
Flores has homered in back-to-back games and is surging. His triple slash is .303/.350/.538 in 145 PA (10 doubles, 8 HR, 29 RBI, 19 R, 6.4% BB, 29.9% K). He has three 3-hit games in May. By the way, his 8 HR are tied for second in the Eastern League. Spencer Jones (who has missed several games now) still leads with 9.
CF Garrett Martin: 3-for-5, 2B (7), 3 RBI, R
.222/.336/.398 in 128 PA. He isn’t striking out much (20.3%). I don’t have info on his quality of contact, though.
2B Dylan Jasso: 3-for-5, 3 RBI
.284/.338/.507 (7 doubles, 1 triple, 7 HR, 23 RBI, 20 R).  Last 9 games: 13-for-36 (.361; 2 doubles, 2 HR, 9 RBI). 
LF Coby Morales: 0-for-5
1B Tyler Hardman: 2-for-4, R, 2 K
SS Alexander Vargas: 1-for-2, 2B (7), R, 2 SB (7), CS (4), 2 BB
.250/.333/.402 in 105 PA. Vargas is having a strong May (.282/.378/.513).
RF Jared Wegner: 1-for-3, RBI, 2 R, SB (3), BB
DH Antonio Gomez: 0-for-3, BB, 3 K
He left the game after an “injury delay.” That is not encouraging.
  PR-DH Grant Richardson: 0-for-0, R

RHP Trent Sellers: 5.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 2 HR
Sellers was cruising until he allowed a 2-run HR with two outs in the 6th. The 6th inning remains his “blocker” as he has yet to complete six full innings during his career. Season: 3.48 ERA (33.2 IP, 19 H, 13 R, 13 ER, 4 HR, 14 BB, 44 K)
RHP Danny Watson: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Scott Effross: (W, 1-0)  1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
A tough outing for Effross, who has struggled to get back to MLB.
RHP Luis Pacheco: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
4.11 ERA (15.1 IP, 15 H, 9 R, 7 ER, 1 HR, 5 BB, 20 K)
RHP Kelly Austin: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
1.54 ERA (11.2 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 3 BB, 11 K)

Hudson Valley (25-12) (Outlasted Aberdeen, 10-7)

LF Brendan Jones: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, SB (16), BB
.229/.338/.366 in 157 PA. 
2B Roc Riggio: 2-for-5, 2 HR (3), 2 RBI, 2 R
Riggio’s first career multi-HR game. He is 8-for-34 (.235) since returning from his rehab stint (2 doubles, 3 HR, 9 RBI)
DH Parks Harber: 4-for-5, 3B (1), HR (3), 3 RBI, 2 R
Harber’s first career 4-hit effort.  Since promotion: .362/.413/.603 in 63 PA (3 doubles, 1 triple, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 12 R). Overall, Harber is hitting .331/.418/.575 in 146 PA (7 doubles, 3 triples, 6 HR, 26 RBI). Yes, he may move two levels this season and get to Somerset.
RF Jace Avina: 0-for-3, SF, RBI, K
  RF Luis Durango: 0-for-1, SB (1)
Durango was 21-for-22 in the stolen base department in 2024.
CF Jackson Castillo: 2-for-5, R, K
C Omar Martinez: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K
3B Jose Colmenares: 1-for-2, 3 R, SB (4), HBP, BB, K
1B Josh Moylan: 1-for-2, 2B (7), 2 RBI, R, 2 BB
SS Brenny Escanio: 1-for-3, BB, 2 K

RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz: 4.1 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 5 BB, 2 K
He didn’t have it today, but his teammates bailed him out. Season: 3.22 ERA (36.1 IP, 22 H, 15 R, 13 ER, 0 HR, 17 BB, 43 K). Rodriguez-Cruz has allowed only 9 HR in 219.2 career innings.
RHP Sebastian Keane: (W, 3-0)  1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
1.80 ERA (10 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 5 BB, 10 K)
RHP Hayden Merda: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
3.78 ERA (16.2 IP, 14 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 0 HR, 8 BB, 22 K). As a starter in 2023 (he missed 2024 due to injury), he allowed ten homers in 95.2 innings.
RHP Bryce Warrecker (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Warrecker’s first career save. His dominant season continues: 0.53 ERA (17 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 3 BB, 23 K)

Tampa (18-20) (Lost to Palm Beach, 5-4)

DH Edgleen Perez: 1-for-4, BB, 2 K
Perez is 15-for-53 (.283) in May after going 10-for-56 (.179/.373/.196) in April. I’ve said it multiple times: The only thing missing is power. That isn’t concerning as he is 18 years old. You hope he grows into some pop.
C Engelth Urena: 1-for-4, BB
RF Dillon Lewis: 1-for-5, R, SB (8), 2 K
SS Juan Matheus: 1-for-4, R, SB (10), 2 K
Matheus is 13-for-22 (.591) during his 6-game hitting streak. He is an under-the-radar switch-hitting middle infielder prospect.
LF Tyler Wilson: 1-for-4, R, K
2B Hans Montero: 2-for-4, 2B (4), 2 RBI
Sneakily, Montero is up to .278 with a .846 OPS. He is 12-for-33 (.364) in May with four doubles and two home runs.
3B Owen Cobb: 1-for-4, 2B (6), RBI
Cobb has 11 extra-base hits (6 doubles, 2 triples, 3 HR) in 13 games.
CF Marshall Toole: 2-for-4, 2B (6), R, K
Toole is 7-for-19 (.368) during his 6-game hitting streak. He has four doubles and a triple during the streak. 
1B Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-4, K

RHP Greysen Carter: (L, 1-3)  1.1 IP, 2 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 6 BB, 1 K
Carter is why the Development List exists. I advocate for continuing to throw kids out there to learn, but he is lost (6.75 ERA in 24 IP with a 25/27 K/BB)
RHP Brandon Decker: 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
1.59 ERA (17 IP, 14 H, 7 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 5 BB, 20 K)
LHP Jayvien Sandridge: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
This line defines Sandridge’s career. Looking at the data, Sandridge peaked at 95.8 MPH (averaged 94.2) and generated four whiffs (on 11 pitches) with his slider. The Yankees are trying to unlock the 26-year-old who allows few hits, walks half the ballpark, and strikes out the other half.
RHP Chris Veach: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
1.80 ERA (15 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 9 BB, 26 K). I know Savant isn’t always perfect, but Veach used six different pitches to earn four outs (change, curve, sinker, 4-seamer, cutter, slider). You may ask if Veach was a starter in college. The answer is no, as none of his 57 college appearances (mostly with South Carolina) were starts.
RHP Cade Austin: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Brady Kirtner: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K

FCL (5-6) (Lost to the Blue Jays, 5-1. The Yankees compiled only two hits)

CF Brando Mayea: 1-for-4, HR (2), RBI, R, 2 K
It’s not so bad when one of those hits is a home run by their best prospect at the level. I don’t love the strikeouts for a big prospect repeating the level (27.7%), but his start remains encouraging (.293/.370/.512).
RF Brennen Davis: 1-for-3, K

RHP Jose Rodriguez (L, 0-1): 2.2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
RHP Jose Martinez: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
Martinez’s 2025 debut. The Yankees grabbed him after the Red Sox released him in February. Not that DSL numbers tell a full story, but Martinez put together a 45/9 K/BB over 41.1 IP (3.48 ERA) for Boston’s DSL squad last year.
RHP Mariano Salomon: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
LHP Franyer Herrera: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
LHP Jose Ledesma: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Ledesma’s 2025 debut. Last season, the 22-year-old pitched to a 1.25 ERA in 21.2 IP with a 28/14 K/BB in the DSL.

DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.