Tag: Roc Riggio

My Take: Yankees Acquire David Bednar & Jake Bird

Other takes:

Jose Caballero/Camilo Doval (link)
Ryan McMahon (link)
Amed Rosario (link)
Austin Slater (link)

The Details:

The Yankees acquire RHP David Bednar and RHP Jake Bird
The Pirates acquire C/1B Rafael Flores, C Edgleen Perez, and OF Brian Sanchez
The Rockies acquire 2B Roc Riggio and LHP Ben Shields

This isn’t a 3-team deal, as the Pirates and Rockies didn’t interact with each other. Nor should they ever interact with each other.

However, from the Yankees’ standpoint, I will combine the moves due to time and laziness.

What the Yankees get:

While Brian Cashman was likely looking for a right-handed and a left-handed reliever, left-handed relievers aren’t easy to find on the market. So he pivoted to a pair of right-handed options with team control.

I will start with the more significant of the two.

Bednar, the Pirates’ closer over the past four seasons, is in the upper echelon of relievers in baseball, even with his odd 2024 campaign. Off to a Devin Williams-like start (11.70 ERA in March/April), Bednar turned that around in May and June before sustaining an oblique injury. I don’t know if that impacted his August (10.97 ERA), but he bounced back again to post a solid September.

That silliness aside, Bednar has been good for a while. This season, the 30-year-old owns a 2.37 ERA (1.96 FIP) over 38 innings with strong strikeout (33.1%) and walk (6.5%) rates. Additionally, his 41.3% ground ball rate is slightly below the league average. If you know me, you know that right-handed flyball pitchers scare me in Yankee Stadium. Bednar’s ground ball rate is fine, and when you combine it with top-notch strikeout rates, that is a good combination. From his profile, he doesn’t beat himself. The Yankees can use him in the 7th, 8th, or 9th innings with the possibility of being their 2026 closer. I don’t know what the organization thinks of Williams at this point, but I wouldn’t completely write him off as an extension candidate. Same with Luke Weaver. 

One thing to watch is Bednar’s splits and how Matt Blake tries to negate those splits. He is vastly better against left-handed hitters (.416 OPS) than right-handed hitters (.776 OPS) this year. His splits are more even throughout his career, so this could be a fluke.

Bednar is still in his arbitration years, earning $5.9 million this year. The Yankees are on the hook for $1.87M of that.

While I label Jake Bird as the “lesser” of the two acquisitions, we shouldn’t mistake that for him being mediocre. The 29-year-old, who is controlled through 2028, doesn’t own Bednar’s eye-popping stats. His career ERA (4.57) and FIP (4.14) don’t stand out, though is 4.73 ERA this year comes with a 3.45 FIP. Additionally, thanks to ballpark adjustments, his career ERA+ is 105.

The most intriguing thing about Bird is the spike in his strikeout rate, which is up to 26.3% in 2025 (19.3% entering this year).  Combine that with a strong GB% (48%), and you have an intriguing arm coming out of Colorado. Yes, he is indeed more dominant at home than on the road, which seems to go against the laws of baseball. That may be hard to explain, but it shouldn’t bother you.

One negative is the awful July Bird has experienced. After a strong start, Bird suddenly crashed and burned, compiling a 19.89 ERA and 12.5% strikeout rate. If the Yankees are comfortable that it isn’t injury-related, we can chalk it up to a bump in the road. His BABIP this month is unsustainable (.481).

Bird doesn’t throw as hard as Bednar. He averages 94.2 MPH with his seldom-used 4-seamer (0.7%!), relying more on a sinker/slider/curve combination with a few cutters mixed in. His ability to mix pitches allows him to average more than an inning per appearance, which adds to his value. The Yankees are unlikely to need him to close games, but he can be used as a 6th/7th inning guy alongside Fernando Cruz and/or Mark Leiter Jr. when they come back.

What the Pirates Get:

Rafael Flores should make his debut in 2025. A top ten prospect in the Yankees’ system, he is hitting .279/.351/.475 in 419 plate appearances with 23 doubles, 16 home runs, and 51 runs batted in. He has had a slow start since his promotion to Scranton (.211/.388/.289), but I do not doubt that Flores will hit. Whether he can hit enough to be an MLB first baseman, I don’t know. Whether he is good enough defensively to stick as an MLB catcher, I don’t know.  What I do know is this: The Yankees took an undrafted free agent and developed him to the point where his value was good enough to be the top prospect in a deal for an elite relief pitcher. That’s a win.

Edgleen Perez is an interesting teenager who made it to Low-A this season. The first thing that stands out is his ability to take walks. He owns a 17.9% BB that goes with a solid 19.5% K rate. The power has yet to show up in his profile (.236 slugging percentage), but that could be tied back to him being a developing teenage catcher. His advanced hitting approach is tantalizing, and the ceiling as an MLB starting catcher exists. However, that is a long time away, and catchers can be tricky in their development arc.

I talked about Flores going from an undrafted free agent to the top prospect dealt in a significant trade. Brian Sanchez went from being part of a Jake Bauers trade to a deal sweetener. Currently on the injured list, Sanchez is hitting .281/.373/.438 in 286 Low-A plate appearances with four homers and 24 stolen bases. The 21-year-old has plenty of minor league control (he isn’t Rule 5 eligible until after 2027). There are a lot of Sanchez-like players in Low-A. The Yankees have a few of their own. I wouldn’t worry about his development.

What the Rockies Get:

Roc Riggio had a fun name and an interesting profile. He isn’t built like a big-time power threat, yet he hit 18 home runs in 62 games this season, including 11 in 40 games for Somerset. Known for his dead-pull power profile (which probably made you excited to see him in Yankee Stadium), his biggest issue is where he plays. He is anchored to second base, which is fine if he can keep hitting at an above-average rate. In a world where MLB teams value versatility, he loses a few points. However, I can see him as a 30-double, 20-home run (at least) threat in Colorado. Whether that power comes with solid hitting skills elsewhere, we’ll see. But I think he is a good get for the Rockies. A 156 wRC+ in your first 40 Double-A games is nothing to sneeze at. I am a fan.

Like Flores, Ben Shields was an undrafted asset whom they converted into a desirable trade piece. The 26-year-old jumped on the prospect scene last season, compiling a 3.48 ERA (3.23 FIP) over 106 innings between Hudson Valley, Somerset, and Scranton.  His one awful appearance in Scranton impacted those solid numbers. This year, thanks to injury, he has appeared in only nine games (35.1 innings). He has MLB potential but was unlikely to make it as a Yankee.

The Bottom Line:

For new readers, you may be starting to get the sense that I am not your typical “prospect-hugging” blogger. To me, prospects have two purposes: Keep them or trade them. Some prospects don’t fit into your long-term plans, but fit in someone else’s. Hence, a trade is born. If you are a Yankees fan, your default setting should be MLB talent over minor league talent, because that is ultimately how they operate. And, despite what you may think of Cashman, the prospects he trades away rarely come back to haunt the team. That doesn’t mean the returns have always worked out. However, the organization appears to have a decent grasp of who to retain and who to trade.

These are two solid moves at reasonable prices, given the team control that comes with Bedner and Bird. The prices they paid are in line with what other teams have been offering for similarly skilled players.

The Yankees haven’t given up a top prospect at the deadline, trading off Rafael Flores, Roc Riggio, Edgleen Perez, Brian Sanchez, Clayton Beeter, Ben Shields, Griffin Herring, Josh Grosz, Gage Ziehl, and Browm Martinez. Interestingly, they used more of their position player depth in these trades, which goes against their typical usage of pitching depth. That comes down to what other teams are desiring. The Pirates reportedly were looking for position players at the deadline, and that is what the Yankees gave them.

This is another solid deadline deal. The Yankees filled their bullpen needs while trading away only one Top 10 prospect.

If you are fretting over the prospects given up, relax. I like Flores. I think Riggio is fun, and Herring is having a fantastic season. However, they didn’t give up any of their significant prospects while improving their roster where it was needed.

That’s a win.

Yankees MILB 7/26: 3 Hits for George Lombard Jr.

Notes:

In case you missed it, here is my article on the Ryan McMahon transaction.

As stated yesterday, Hudson Valley has lost a lot of pitching lately. Today, RHP Gage Ziehl was moved up from Tampa. He made his debut during the game. Earlier in the season, he made an emergency start for Somerset. Ziehl was their 4th-round pick in the 2024 draft out of Miami.

OF Spencer Jones was missing from the lineup again tonight (back spasms). OF Everson Pereira, who I think is a candidate to replace Aaron Judge for as long as he is on the injured list, was in the Scranton lineup, as was veteran outfielder Bryan De La Cruz.  Duke Ellis, who swatted four hits (including three doubles) last night, was not in the lineup. I don’t think he would be the replacement for Judge, but anything is possible. It is a long trip from Rochester to the Bronx (over five hours), so asking Pereira to play and hop into a car for that journey would be weird. We’ll find out soon enough.

I saw Heyman’s note about the Yankees not dealing Jones unless someone like Paul Skenes (yeah, right) became available. I don’t trust Heyman, and smoke screens exist. However, I think the Yankees will hold onto Jones and add him to the 40-man roster this winter (if he isn’t called up to the MLB).

Injury Log

Scranton (58-39; 20-5 in second half) (Defeated Rochester, 6-2)

DH Jesus Rodriguez: 2-for-5, RBI, SB (15), K
Rodriguez extends his hitting streak to 14 (20-for-59 (.339).
CF Everson Pereira: 0-for-3, R, 2 BB, K
1B T.J. Rumfield: 2-for-5, 2B (27), RBI, R
Rumfield has ten multi-hit efforts this month (30-for-76 (.360) with ten doubles). Since the question was asked, I did a little research: I don’t believe Rumfield is eligible for minor league free agency this winter. He remains eligible for the Rule 5 if he isn’t added to the 40-man roster.  
C Rafael Flores: 0-for-3, 2 BB
Flores had a 9.0% Double-A walk rate. So far for Scranton, he has nine walks in 36 plate appearances (25%). Small sample size noise? Likely.
3B Jeimer Candelario: 1-for-4, R, BB, K
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 1-for-5, RBI, 2 K
LF Jose Rojas: 1-for-4, 2B (25), RBI, R, SB (4), 2 K
2B Nicky Lopez: 2-for-4, RBI, R
Lopez is hitting .273 (15-for-55) since signing.
SS Andrew Velazquez: 2-for-4, 2B (14), RBI, R, K

RHP Carlos Carrasco: (W, 4-2) 7 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, HR
Carrasco’s third straight 7-inning effort.
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
3.92 ERA (39 IP, 25 H, 17 R, 17 ER, 5 HR, 39 BB, 41 K). Reyzelman won’t survive with that walk rate, but lowering his ERA under 4.00 shows his talent. 
RHP Kervin Castro: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K

Somerset (51-44; 16-10 in second half) (Defeated Erie, 9-6)

CF Brendan Jones: 1-for-3, 3B (3), 3 R, 2 BB
After hitting .236/.349/.362 in 44 High-A games, he is at .232/.325/.430 in 40 Double-A games. He has turned it up in July (18-for-67; 3 doubles, 1 triple, 4 HR, 13 RBI, 14 R, 8-for-8 SB, 13 BB, 18 K).
SS George Lombard Jr.: 3-for-5, 2B (12), RBI, 2 R
Lombard Jr.’s first 3-hit game as a member of the Patriots. A solid stretch of games has improved his Double-A triple slash from .202/.335/.303 on July 5th to .215/.332/.342 now. It may not seem like much, but it is a 36-point jump in his OPS.
2B Roc Riggio: 3-for-5, HR (11), 2 RBI, R
Double-A is not slowing down Riggio, who has homered in back-to-back games (after doubling in back-to-back games). To be exact, he’s hitting better here than he did at any other level.  He is at .273/.346/.573 in 159 PA (11 doubles, 11 HR, 28 RBI, 25 R, 7-for-10 SB, 7.5% BB, 22.6% K).  
1B Dylan Jasso: 3-for-5, 3 RBI, R
Jasso owns a 5-game hitting streak (9-for-23). He is at .270/.338/.448 in 367 PA (13 doubles, 5 triples, 12 HR, 50 RBI, 51 R). He has 14 games at first base, 18 games at second base, and 49 games at third base. As you may guess, his time at second base has gone down since Riggio’s promotion.
   PR Cam Eden: 0-for-0, R
   1B Duncan Pastore: 0-for-0
RF Jace Avina: 1-for-5, RBI, K
Since promotion: .250/.386/.472 in 44 PA.  After going 0-for-6 in his first two games (though he reached base in both games), he is now on an 8-game hitting streak.
C Omar Martinez: 0-for-5, 2 K
DH Tyler Hardman: 1-for-5, 3B (2), R, K
LF Jared Wegner: 1-for-3, SF, 2 RBI, K
3B Max Burt: 0-for-4

RHP Trent Sellers: 5.1 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR
A rare misstep for Sellers, who is typically solid in his relatively short outings (he has yet to complete six innings professionally). Season: 4.16 ERA (75.2 IP, 66 H, 38 R, 35 ER,8 HR, 37 BB, 87 K)
RHP Cole Ayers: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Mason Vinyard (W, 3-2): 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Hudson Valley (56-36; 19-10 second half) (Took down Rome, 5-1)

LF Jackson Castillo: 2-for-3, 2B (15), HR (5), 2 RBI, R, SB (19), BB, K
Castillo is hitting .247/.345/.348 in 368 PA (15 doubles, 1 triple, 5 HR, 43 RBI, 43 R, 19-for-20 SB, 12.2% BB, 20.1% K). He is 22-for-69 (.319) with 11 walks over his last 20 games.
CF Dillon Lewis: 1-for-4, SB (7), 2 K
Like Castillo, Lewis has turned it up in July (17-for-57 (.298); 2 doubles, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 7 R, 5-for-5 SB, 7 BB, 11 K). Between Tampa and Hudson Valley, he has 16 home runs and 20 stolen bases in 21 attempts.
DH Coby Morales: 0-for-3, RBI, BB, K
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-4, K
2B Jose Colmenares: 1-for-3, 2B (16), BB, 2 K
Colmenares has two doubles and two homers in his last four games.
3B Josh Moylan: 1-for-4, SB (7), K
C Manuel Palencia: 1-for-4, R
1B Kiko Romero: 1-for-3, HR (2), 2 RBI, R, BB, K
RF Anthony Hall: 0-for-1, 2 R, SB (6), 3 BB

RHP Ben Hess: 4.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K
Hess tossed 71 pitches tonight. He owns a 3.65 ERA in 61.2 IP (40 H, 29 R, 25 ER, 2 HR, 32 BB, 89 K). Last four appearances: 16 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 4 BB, 23 K.
RHP Bryce Warrecker: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Warrecker was used as a bridge tonight.
RHP Gage Ziehl (W, 1-0): 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
Ziehl’s High-A debut goes well.

Tampa (45-46; 9-17 in the second half) (Lost to Clearwater, 5-3)

C Edgleen Perez: 1-for-4
Perez had a hot stretch before the All-Star Break but is in a 2-for-31 slide and has zero extra-base hits in 15 July games.  Could it be fatigue? Certainly.
SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-4, RBI, K
DH Engelth Urena: 0-for-2, R, 2 BB
.205/.334/.326 in 371 PA. Urena is having a rough July (10-for-53; 2 doubles, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 8 BB, 17 K)
3B Juan Matheus: 0-for-3, R, HBP
CF Willy Montero: 2-for-4
Montero is 14-for-46 (.304) since coming back from his rehab stint. 
RF Wilson Rodriguez: 0-for-2, SF, RBI, HBP
Since promotion: .227/.294/.341 in 13 games (2 doubles, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 4 BB, 7 K)
LF Marshall Toole: 0-for-4, K
A little 0-for-11 slump has dropped his triple slash to .300/.409/.479. 
2B Owen Cobb: 1-for-3
1B Josue Gonzalez: 1-for-3, 2B (7), R, K

LHP Allen Facundo: (L, 0-1) 4 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
Since people love to hear about his velocity, he hit 97.8 MPH today. He throws both a hard 4-seamer and sinker, though his most-used pitch is his slider. The 6’0″ lefty has the raw talent. It’s all about putting it together. Season (including FCL time): 16.1 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 25 K.
RHP Cole Zaffiro: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 1 K
RHP Mariano Salomon: 3.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR

FCL (28-30)

Their season is over.

DSL Yankees (16-23) (Defeated the DSL Bombers, 6-5)

CF Francisco Vilorio: 3-for-5, 2B (6), RBI, R, SB (6), CS (3), K
There is zero doubt Vilorio is coming stateside in 2026. He is on a 6-game hitting streak (10-for-25).
DH Mani Cedeno: 0-for-3, SB (12), 2 BB, 3 K
I don’t want to get too deep with a 16-year-old, but yeah – the strikeout rate isn’t ideal (36.4%).
3B Richard Matic: 2-for-3, 3B (2), R, BB
Matic should join Vilorio stateside in 2026. He is hitting .358/.493/.575 in 140 PA (10 doubles, 2 triples, 3 HR, 25 RBI, 29 R, 5-for-10 SB, 20% BB, 22.9% K)
C Justin Capellan: 0-for-4, RBI, K
RF Estivenzon Montero: 2-for-4, RBI, R, SB (7)
.296/.384/.537 in 125 PA. Last season, he wasn’t overwhelmed at this level (.242/.361/.364 as a 17-year-old). Another prospect to watch for the FCL next season.
1B Edgar Jimenez: 1-for-3, R, SB (4), BB
LF Angel Ventura: 2-for-3, 2B (4), 2 R, SB (13), BB, K
In 59 career games, Ventura is 31-for-36 in the stolen base department.
2B Adrian Feliz: 1-for-3, RBI, SB (4), CS (3), BB, K

RHP Anthony Mena:  5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K
4.15 ERA (34.2 IP, 36 H, 29 R, 16 ER, 5 HR, 14 BB, 42 K). He has 22 strikeouts in 14 innings over his last three starts.
RHP Varis Villarreal (W, 3-2): 2.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

DSL Bombers (21-18) (Lost to the DSL Yankees, 6-5)

SS Stiven Marinez: 0-for-4, 2 K
CF Ruben Castillo: 1-for-3, 2 R, SB (16), 2 CS (6), BB, K
LF Jose Castro: 1-for-4, R, SB (11), 2 K
C Carlos Villarroel: 0-for-3, RBI, R, BB, K
.237/.370/.454 in 119 PA. Last season, in his professional debut, he hit .299/.390/.410.
2B Juan Torres: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, R, SB (11)
The strong offense continues. He is hitting .340/.398/.510 and has 25 RBI and 24 runs in 32 games.

RHP Luis Burgos: 3.2 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 7 K
2.48 ERA (36.1 IP, 25 H, 15 R, 10 ER, 2 HR, 14 BB, 38 K)
RHP Diego Carrillo: 3.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
3.75 ERA (24 IP, 21 H, 12 R, 10 ER, 3 HR, 10 BB, 20 K)

Yankees MILB 7/19: Spencer Jones, George Lombard Jr. Homer

Notes:

C/1B Rafael Flores has finally been promoted to Scranton. Given Jesus Rodriguez‘s ability to play third base, there will be plenty of playing time for both.

After playing in 162 games for High-A Hudson Valley, Flores played in 152 for Somerset. He hit .281/.351/.505 with 37 doubles, a triple, 30 home runs, 89 RBI, 88 runs, 12 stolen bases (12 attempts), 25.97% K, and 9.0% BB. After posting a 153 wRC+ in Double-A in 2024, he compiled a 147 wRC+ in 2025.

Other promotions today include RHP Bailey Dees going to Scranton, C Tomas Frick going to Somerset, and C/1B John Cristino going from the FCL to Hudson Valley. Cristino has little professional experience (32 games) but is 25 years old.

RHP Yerry De los Santos, who pitched fairly well for the Yankees earlier this season, has started a rehab stint in Somerset.

Injury Log

Scranton (54-37; 16-3 in second half) (Outslugged Worcester, 10-8. They’ve scored 21 runs in two games since the break)

RF Everson Pereira: 1-for-5, HR (17), RBI, 2 R, K
Pereira leads off the game with a 357-foot home run.  He has homered in back-to-back games and has five in his last nine games. His triple slash sits at .260/.360/.519 in 275 plate appearances. I mentioned last night that he had 82 homers in 392 games. I should have added that he hit four home runs in his first 59 career games.
CF Spencer Jones: 4-for-5, 2B (4), HR (8), 3 RBI, R, BB
Not to be outdone, Jones followed up Pereira’s home run with a 433-foot, 107.4 MPH bomb to center. For Scranton, he is hitting .397/.459/.841 in 74 PA (4 doubles, 8 HR, 18 RBI, 19 R, 6-for-6 SB, 12.2% BB, 27.0% K). Overall, he is hitting .307/.408/.660 in 282 PA (12 doubles, 24 HR, 50 RBI, 61 R, 16-for-18 SB, 14.5% BB, 31.9% K). Amongst all minor leaguers who have played in full-season leagues all season, his 1.068 OPS is tied for first with Mike Sirota (LAD). Incredible.
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-6, 2 K
Flores finally makes his Triple-A debut.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 2-for-3, 2B (23), RBI, R, 3 BB, K
.306/.388/.498 in 353 PA with 11 homers and an organization-leading 64 RBI. Rumfield is on a 7-game hitting streak that features five multi-hit efforts and has seven multi-hit games over his last ten contests.
3B Jeimer Candelario: 1-for-6, R, K
2B Jose Rojas: 4-for-5, 3B (3), 3 HR (17), 5 RBI, 3 R
Prospect or not (he’s 32!), this is a tremendous game. It’s his second 3-HR game this season (May 1st). He has 63 RBI, one behind organizational leader T.J. Rumfield.
SS Nicky Lopez: 1-for-4, 2B (2), BB, 2 K
Lopez is 13-for-36 (.361) since joining the organization.
LF Duke Ellis: 1-for-3, 2B (3), 2 R, SB (13), BB, K

RHP Erick Leal: 5 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, HR
LHP Jayvien Sandridge: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
LHP Brent Headrick: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Headrick was activated off the injured list today.
RHP Clayton Beeter (W, 1-0): 1 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Can we put quotation marks around that “win”?
RHP Kervin Castro (S, 2): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
1.80 ERA (25 IP, 11 H, 8 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 12 BB, 32 K)

Somerset (48-41; 13-7 in second half) (Lost to Hartford, 6-5, in ten innings. The minors are about development. It’s going to be tough for Somerset to replace Spencer Jones and Rafael Flores, but others will need to pick up the slack.)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 2-for-5, 2B (10), HR (3), RBI, R
Coming out of the break, Lombard Jr. has a pair of doubles and a homer. He is hitting .208/.329/.325 in 255 plate appearances since his promotion.
2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-3, HR (9), RBI, R, SB (6), CS (3), HBP, BB, 2 K
Since promotion: .276/.359/.578 in 131 PA (8 doubles, 9 HR, 24 RBI, 23 R, 6-for-9 SB, 8.4% BB, 22.1% K). Overall, Riggio has 12 doubles and 16 home runs in 53 games. His stolen base percentage has taken a hit this year (8-for-15 after a 27-for-33 rate last year)
CF Jace Avina: 1-for-4, 2B (1), R, BB, K
3B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-5, 2B (13), RBI, 3 K
.263/.335/.457 in 340 PA (13 doubles, 5 triples, 12 HR, 46 RBI, 48 R, 0-for-2 SB (not everyone is a speedster!), 7.9% BB, 22.4% K).  Jasso is on a 5-game hitting streak.
C Omar Martinez: 0-for-3, 2 BB, K
DH Brendan Jones: 0-for-4, SB (9), K
Jones is 32-for-37 (86.5%) stealing bases between here and Hudson Valley. In his career, he is an impressive 50-for-55 in 102 games.
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-3, R, BB, 3 K
LF Cam Eden: 2-for-4, 3B (1), R, SB (5), CS (2)
RF Jared Wegner: 0-for-3, SF, RBI, K
Wegner’s sacrifice fly tied the game at five in the 9th.

RHP Trent Sellers: 4.2 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, HR
3.71 ERA (70.1 IP, 55 H, 32 R, 29 ER, 7 HR, 36 BB, 85 K). Sellers has shown the ability to miss bats (185 strikeouts in 154 career innings) and, despite what happened tonight, limits hits (98). The walks are high (76).
RHP Mason Vinyard: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Yerry De los Santos: 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR
De los Santos makes his first rehab appearance. He has a 1.89 ERA (3.58 FIP) in 20 innings for the Yankees this season.
RHP Cole Ayers: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Indigo Diaz: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Danny Watson: (L, 1-3)  1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Hudson Valley (52-35; 14-9 second half) (Lost to Jersey Shore, 4-1)

CF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-3, BB
.245/.343/.339 in 347 PA. 
LF Coby Morales: 1-for-4, 2 K
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-4
3B Jose Colmenares: 0-for-3, 2 K
DH Josh Moylan: 2-for-2, 3B (3), R, BB
C Manuel Palencia: 0-for-3, RBI
1B Kiko Romero: 0-for-3, 2 K
2B Brenny Escanio: 2-for-3, CS (6)
RF Anthony Hall: 0-for-3, 2 K

RHP Ben Hess: 4 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
3.95 ERA (57 IP, 38 H, 29 R, 25 ER, 2 HR, 32 BB, 83 K). Hess threw 62 pitches (42 strikes) tonight.
RHP Tony Rossi: (L, 0-1)  1.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Bryce Warrecker: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
A rare misstep for Warrecker. His ERA is up to 1.38.
RHP Jordany Ventura: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Tampa (45-42; 9-13 in second half) (Lost to Dunedin, 12-4)

DH Edgleen Perez: 0-for-4, 2 K
I jinxed Perez before the break, and I will never forgive myself.
SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-4, 2 K
C Engelth Urena: 1-for-4, 2 K
CF Willy Montero: 0-for-4, 2 K
3B Juan Matheus: 1-for-4, 2B (20), R
LF Wilson Rodriguez: 1-for-4, 2B (2), R, K
Rodriguez is 10-for-40 since his promotion. 
RF Tyler Wilson: 1-for-3, HR (5), RBI, R, K
   RF Marshall Toole: 1-for-1
Talk about clutch – Toole gets one shot to extend his hitting streak and does it!  His streak is up to 11, which has increased his triple slash from .287/.388/.443 to .317/.421/.505.
1B Hans Montero: 2-for-4, HR (9), 2 RBI, R, K
Montero has sneakily hit nine balls over the fence in 64 games. It’s a new personal best. 
2B Owen Cobb: 1-for-3, 2B (8)

LHP Xavier Rivas: (L, 2-2)  3 IP, 6 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, HR
Since promotion: 5.61 ERA (33.2 IP, 30 H, 23 R, 21 ER, 5 HR, 21 BB, 41 K). 
RHP Cole Zaffiro: 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Jack Sokol: 2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Jackson Fristoe: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K, HR

FCL (26-29) (Won a thriller against the FCL Tigers, 7-6, in ten innings. They scored three runs in the bottom of the 9th to tie it, only for the Tigers to score a pair in the top of the 10th. The Yankees countered with three runs in the bottom half of the inning. Interestingly, they scored seven runs on seven hits without the aid of an extra-base hit. They walked “only” five times. Good things happen when you go 4-for-6 with a sacrifice fly with RISP.)

SS Dexters Peralta: 1-for-5, R, SB (8), K
After a disastrous 6-for-62 start, Peralta is 14-for-66 (.212). That includes going 11-for-38 (.282) in July. At least he will go into the offseason on a good note.
2B Enmanuel Tejeda: 1-for-3, RBI, R, 2 SB (2), CS (1), K
Tejeda is 7-for-23 with three doubles during his rehab stint. In 43 games for Tampa last season, he hit .310/.353/.369 with 24 stolen bases in 28 attempts. He did that as a 19-year-old.
   2B Luis Escudero: 1-for-1, RBI, R
DH Ediel Rivera: 0-for-3, R, SB (10), BB, K
CF Isael Arias: 0-for-3, RBI, R, SB (23), 2 BB, K
C John Cristino: 1-for-3, RBI, BB, K
Cristino was moved to Hudson Valley after this game.
LF Gabriel Lara: 1-for-3, SF, RBI
1B-P Santiago Gomez: 1-for-4, RBI
Gomez is their Shohei Ohtani.
3B Kevin Verde: 0-for-4, R, 2 K
RF Luis Puello: 0-for-3, R, BB

RHP Edinzo Marquez: 4.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K
2.19 ERA (53.1 IP, 42 H, 18 R, 13 ER, 4 HR, 20 BB, 41 K). The 20-year-old continues his impressive campaign.
RHP Josh Tiedemann: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
LHP Pedro Rodriguez: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Chance Nolan: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
The converted quarterback owns a 1.08 ERA in 16.2 IP (12 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 11 BB, 11 K)
RHP Santiago Gomez (W, 3-0): 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Gomez is their good luck charm!

DSL Yankees (14-20)

Day off.

DSL Bombers (17-17)

Day off.

Yankees MILB 7/5: Everson Pereira Completes the Cycle

Notes:

1B/3B Jeimer Candelario was signed to a minor league deal after being released by the Cincinnati Reds.

Candelario, a 31-year-old switch-hitter, hit a robust .113/.198/.213 (10 wRC+ – they give you nine points just for spelling your name right)  in 91 plate appearances for the Reds this season. Yay.

In an ill-advised deal, the Reds signed him to a  3-year, $45 million contract heading into 2024. This was after a 4-year stretch where he hit .254/.329/.437 (113 OPS+). In 134 games for the Reds, he hit .207/.265/.394 in 554 plate appearances with 25 doubles, 22 homers, and 66 RBI.

In case you are wondering, the Reds are still on the hook for most of the money. The Yankees will pay him the prorated league minimum, which gets deducted from his Reds pay.

Will they call him up? They likely signed him with that possibility in mind, but he shouldn’t excite anyone at this point. His bat has tanked, and his defense doesn’t make up for it.

The Yankees also signed veteran RHP Joel Kuhnel to a minor league contract. He was recently released from his minor league deal with the Phillies.

Kuhnel, 30, has 82 games of MLB experience, mostly with the Cincinnati Reds, in addition to cameos with the Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays. Most of his action came with the 2022 Reds, where he posted a 6.36 ERA in 53 games (58 IP, 67 H, 8 HR, 14 BB, 56 K). Overall, in 82 MLB games, he owns a 5.86 ERA in 93.2 IP with a 52% GB, 18.7% K, and 5.9% BB. His pitch mix includes a 4-seamer, sinker, slider, and changeup.

Left-handed reliever Will Brian was placed on the injured list for Somerset today.

RHP Geoff Hartlieb, designated for assignment by the Yankees earlier this week, has elected free agency, while former Top 100 prospect (not as a Yankee!) Ronaldo Hernandez was released. The right-handed hitting catcher wasn’t used much, appearing in 25 games for Scranton, hitting .221/.287/.351 with a pair of homers and 13 RBI.

Injury Log

Scranton (45-37) (Crushed Lehigh Valley, 16-6)

2B Jorbit Vivas: 0-for-3, 2 R, 3 BB, 2 K
We’ll take the three walks, but Vivas is in a 3-for-29 slump.
3B Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-5, 2B (13), 2 RBI, 2 R, BB, K
RF Spencer Jones: 2-for-4, SF, RBI, 2 R, SB (2), BB, K
Since promotion: .393/.486/.821 in 35 PA (2 doubles, 3 HR, 4 RBI, 8 R, 2-for-2 SB, 6 BB, 11 K (31.4%)). Overall, he is hitting .291/.403/.626 in 243 PA (11 doubles, 19 HR, 36 RBI, 50 R, 12-for-14 SB, 15.6% BB, 33.3% K). If I was a General Manager, it would be difficult for me to give up a talent like this, even if I recognize the bust potential.
CF Everson Pereira: 5-for-6, 2B (7), 3B (1), 2 HR (15), 6 RBI, 4 R
Pereira with the cycle!  This is his second career 5-hit game (8/12/21; 5-for-5, 2 HR, 4 RBI), and he misses his personal best for RBI (7 on 6/17/22). As for past cycles, Ryder Green accomplished one for Pulaski (a Yankees affiliate at the time) in 2019. Green was an interesting prospect once upon a time. Injuries derailed him. If there has been a more recent one (probably), I can’t find it. Back to Pereira: He has 3 HR and 9 RBI in his last two games (11 RBI in four July contests). 
1B T.J. Rumfield: 3-for-5, 4 RBI, BB
.287/.371/.464 in 310 PA (18 doubles, 1 triple, 9 HR, 50 RBI, 47 R, 4-for-5 SB, 10.9% BB, 18.4% K). 
DH Bryan De La Cruz: 2-for-5, HR (8), RBI, R, BB, K
Since signing with the Yankees’ organization, De La Cruz has eight homers in 46 games.
SS Nicky Lopez: 2-for-4, 2 R, 2 BB, K
His debut as a member of the Yankees’ organization. The signing of Candelario doesn’t invade his space, given that they only overlap at third base. 
C Alex Jackson: 0-for-3, 2 R, 2 BB
LF Duke Ellis: 2-for-5, 2B (2), 2 RBI, R, SB (9), K

RHP Allan Winans: (W, 8-0)  5.1 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
1.30 ERA (55.1 IP, 45 H, 10 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 15 BB, 59 K). Winans has done his job here. I won’t try to convince you that he showed much in MLB. He’s a pitcher who has to be precise with everything, or he is going to get hit.
RHP Luis Pacheco: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
This is as sharp as we have seen Reyzelman this year. Can he follow it up? Season: 3.82 ERA (33 IP, 20 H, 14 R, 14 ER, 4 HR, 37 BB, 34 K)
RHP Joel Kuhnel: 1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
His Yankees’ organizational debut didn’t go as planned.
RHP Leonardo Pestana: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Somerset (41-39) (Walked it off against Reading, 4-3)

2B Roc Riggio: 4-for-5, 2 2B (8), 2 RBI, R
Riggio walks it off with a 1-out, 2-run single. It’s his first career 4-hit effort, and he is hitting .282/.339/.592 since his promotion. The pop continues to show up, as he has 16 extra-base hits in 26 games for Somerset (8 doubles, 8 HR). As a Yankees fan, the thing that should intrigue you is his pull power. If he stays with the organization, the porch will play into his game.
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-3, HBP
Lombard Jr. has run into a little 2-for-20 slump. Typically, when he isn’t hitting, he still gets on base. However, this slump includes only two walks and two HBP.  It happens.
C Rafael Flores: 0-for-3, BB, K
1B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-3, SF, RBI
LF Garrett Martin: 1-for-4, R, 2 K
CF Brendan Jones: 0-for-2, R, SB (4), 2 BB
Jones is 27-for-32 (84.4%) stealing bases between here and Hudson Valley. 
DH Omar Martinez: 1-for-4, 2B (2), K
Martinez is 6-for-27 with two doubles and a homer since being promoted.
RF Cam Eden: 0-for-3, R, BB, 3 K
3B Max Burt: 1-for-4, RBI, 2 K
The veteran minor leaguer kept the line moving with an RBI single in the 9th.

LHP Ben Shields: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K
For Somerset: 8 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 13 K. They stretched him to 70 pitches tonight (Shields has been rehabbing from an injury)
RHP Mason Vinyard: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
RHP Hayden Merda: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 2 K
Double-A can be tough to adjust to. That’s a statement that always stands the test of time.
RHP Indigo Diaz: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
3.78 ERA (33.1 IP, 23 H, 15 R, 14 ER, 2 HR, 15 BB, 30 K)

Hudson Valley (46-32) (Shut down Brooklyn, 7-0)

DH Jace Avina: 1-for-4, SB (3), BB, K
.284/.402/.438 in 204 PA (13 doubles, 4 HR, 24 RBI, 31 R, 14.2% BB, 25% K). Who was the better prospect acquired for Jake Bauers? Most say Avina over Brian Sanchez, though Sanchez is making strides.
CF Dillon Lewis: 0-for-4, BB, K
1B Coby Morales: 0-for-5, 2 K
LF Jackson Castillo: 2-for-4, 2 R, SB (14), BB, K
Last 7 games: 9-for-26 (.346) with five runs scored. 
SS Alexander Vargas: 1-for-3, 2 R, SB (7), 2 BB
Vargas has a 14-game hitting streak. Would you be shocked, given what baseball is, to find out that he started this streak after a 2-for-23 stretch?
3B Jose Colmenares: 2-for-4, 2B (11), RBI, R, BB
C Manuel Palencia: 1-for-5, 2B (1), 3 RBI, R, 2 K
This was a 1-0 game in the 8th inning, when Palencia cleared the bases with a double.
RF Luis Durango: 1-for-4, R, K
2B Duncan Pastore: 1-for-3, BB, K

RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz: (W, 6-4)  7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 8 K
2.26 ERA (83.2 IP, 52 H, 27 R, 21 ER, 1 HR, 37 BB, 99 K). Will the 21-year-old finish the season in Somerset? Possible. This is the second time this season that he tossed seven shutout innings. He has two other starts where he pitched 6.1 shutout frames. By the way, he tossed 89.2 innings in 2024.
RHP Jordany Ventura: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
RHP Tyrone Yulie: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Tampa (43-35) (Lost a doubleheader to Clearwater)

Game 1 (Lost, 6-3. This was the conclusion of Thursday’s game.)

CF Brian Sanchez: 1-for-5, R, K
C Engelth Urena: 1-for-5, 2B (12), 3 K
SS Roderick Arias: 2-for-5, HR (5), 2 RBI, R, 2 K
Arias has homered three times in his last two games.
3B Juan Matheus: 3-for-4, 2B (17), SB (30)
Matheus leads the Yankees’ organization in stolen bases. This is his 19th multi-hit game this year.
RF Wilson Rodriguez: 0-for-4
Rodriguez’s Low-A debut.
LF Austin Green: 0-for-3, R, BB, 3 K
1B Hans Montero: 1-for-4
RF Marshall Toole: 1-for-3, 3B (8), RBI, BB
Toole is among the minor league leaders in triples (only Raudi Rodriguez (LAA) has reached double digits).
2B Owen Cobb: 1-for-3, BB
Cobb’s first game since June 13th. He is hitting .333/.389/.538 in 110 plate appearances while playing second base, shortstop, and third base.

LHP Xavier Rivas: 3 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 3 K, HR
Not the way he wanted to follow up his 13-strikeout effort. That’s the way it goes.
RHP Mariano Salomon (L, 0-1): 3.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Salomon’s Low-A debut. We get some Savant data now. He featured a four-pitch mix that includes a 4-seamer, change, slider, and curve. He didn’t throw hard (max: 89.5 MPH).
RHP Michael Arias: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Arias averaged 96.1 MPH with his sinker (max: 97.3), if you are wondering why the Yankees acquired him. He is here on a rehab stint.

Game 2 (Lost, 4-2, in six innings. More rain wiped out the 7th inning)

C Edgleen Perez: 0-for-3
CF Brian Sanchez: 0-for-3
SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-2, R, BB, K
DH Engelth Urena: 0-for-3, R
3B Juan Matheus: 1-for-3, 2B (18), RBI, K
Matheus has yet to homer, but he has 18 doubles and 34 RBI to go with his 30 stolen bases in 73 games. He hit five homers (all in the FCL) in 54 games last year but was only 12-for-19 stealing bases.
LF Wilson Rodriguez: 1-for-2, SB (1), BB
Rodriguez’s first Low-A hit.
RF Marshall Toole: 1-for-1, 2 BB
.299/.403/.471 in 221 PA (10 doubles, 8 triples, 2 HR, 22 RBI, 42 R, 26-for-28 SB, 14.5% BB, 19.9% K). 
2B Owen Cobb: 0-for-2, BB, 2 K
1B Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-3, 2 K

RHP Andrew Landry: 3 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
4.20 ERA (64.1 IP, 70 H, 39 R, 30 ER, 4 HR, 26 BB, 63 K)
RHP Justin Lange: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Lange’s rehab is over, and he was assigned here.
RHP Jackson Fristoe: (L, 3-2)  1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 0 K, HR
RHP Cole Zaffiro: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

FCL (20-24) (Tried to play two games against the Phillies. They completed one of them)

Game 1 (Lost, 4-1)

SS Dexters Peralta: 2-for-3, 2B (3)
DH Enmanuel Tejeda: 0-for-2, BB, K
The first rehab game for Tejeda, one of my favorite under-the-radar prospects. Before his injury in 2024, Tejeda hit .326/.371/.408 in 203 plate appearances. In those 48 games, he stole 26 bases in 30 attempts. I think there is utility upside with this kid, who is on the smaller side of the ledger (5’9″).
CF Willy Montero: 2-for-3, BB
I assume Montero’s rehab stint is nearly over.
C Ediel Rivera: 1-for-3, K
RF JoJo Jackson: 1-for-1
Good news: Jackson earns his first hit during his rehab stint. Bad news: He was immediately lifted for a pinch-runner.
3B Santiago Gomez: 0-for-3
They cleared the logjam in Low-A by returning Gomez here. While he hit only .170/.310/.255 in 15 Low-A games, he did steal nine bases in ten attempts and started playing better towards the end. It’s a numbers game.

RHP Omar Gonzalez (L, 1-3): 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 2 HR
4.30 ERA (37.2 IP, 24 H, 18 R, 18 ER, 5 HR, 22 BB, 39 K)

Game 2 (Tied, 1-1, in the bottom of the 8th. This game was suspended. I don’t see a date for conclusion as the FCL is off on Sundays)

LF Gabriel Lara: 1-for-2, 2B (5), K
  PH-LF Santiago Gomez: 1-for-1, CS (2)
Lara hadn’t played in a while, so that is likely why he wasn’t going to play the full game.
RF Luis Puello: 1-for-3, R, SB (3)
2B Gabriel Terrero: 1-for-3, RBI, SB (6), K

RHP Edinzo Marquez: 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K
The 20-year-old is pitching well: 2.66 ERA (44 IP, 36 H, 18 R, 13 ER, 4 HR, 16 BB, 34 K)

DSL Yankees (11-14) (Lost to the DSL Tigers 1, 8-7)

SS Mani Cedeno: 1-for-4, 2 R, BB, K
Cedeno has a little 4-game hitting streak going (4-for-15 with a pair of doubles and four runs).
CF Francisco Vilorio: 2-for-4, RBI, 2 R, BB
3B Richard Matic: 2-for-3, 3B (1), 2 RBI, CS (3), 2 BB
What a difference a year makes, as Matic is up to .313/.432/.594 in 84 PA (7 doubles, 1 triple, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 18 R). I don’t always like when prospects repeat levels, but he was 16 when he tried to conquer this place last year (.196/.333/.248). He will get to the FCL in 2026.
DH Justin Capellan: 0-for-3, SF, RBI, R, K
LF Estivenzon Montero: 2-for-5, 2B (1), 2 RBI, 3 K
.308/.384/.462 in 73 PA (1 double, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 8 R)

RHP Hector Moreno: 2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
The 17-year-old has struggled with control (understatement). Look at his numbers at your own risk.
RHP Anthony Mena: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, HR

DSL Bombers (11-13) (Defeated DSL Colorado, 8-7)

SS Stiven Marinez: 1-for-2, RBI, R, 2 SB (12), CS (3), BB
Marinez is a year older than Mani Cedeno, and perhaps that is why his performance has been better. He is hitting .262/.466/.328 in 88 PA with 23 walks (26.1% – ridiculous. I love the DSL) and 16 strikeouts.
DH Queni Pineda: 1-for-1, 2B (4), RBI, 2 R, 3 BB
.288/.475/.407 in 80 PA. His OPS was .872 in 2024, so he has conquered this place.
CF Ruben Castillo: 0-for-3, BB
2B Christofer Reyes: 2-for-4, HR (1), 3 RBI, R, SB (15)
Reyes has three 2-hit games in his last four games played, raising his small sample triple slash from .156/.255/.178 to .232/.333/.321.
LF Jose Castro: 1-for-3, HR (2), RBI, R, CS (1), BB
The 19-year-old has only played in seven games and is making the most of it with his double and two homers.
RF David Carrera: 2-for-3, R, BB
The 18-year-old has declined from his 2024 campaign. Hopefully, he finishes strong.
1B Remy Veldhuisen: 4-for-4, 2B (2), RBI, R, 2 SB (3)
His first career 4-hit effort (6th multi-hit game this season)

LHP Andre Avila: 4.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K
Avila calmed down a game that was high-scoring early. He allowed his squad to chip away and eventually win the game.
RHP Chaury Gomez (W, 1-0): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K

Yankees MILB 7/2: Spencer Jones Homers Again

Notes:

RHP Colten Brewer, on his third tour with the Yankees organization, was released. In 22 games for Scranton, he pitched to a 3.94 ERA and 32/15 K/BB over 29.2 innings.

A lot happened on the farm today, as the affiliates went 6-0 while scoring 46 runs.

Injury Log

Scranton (44-35) (Outlasted Lehigh Valley, 9-8)

2B Jorbit Vivas: 1-for-5, R
3B Jesus Rodriguez: 2-for-5, 2 R, 2 K
Rodriguez needed a game like this (4-for-38 slump entering tonight). His overall average (including his time with Somerset) has dipped below .300 (.295). For Scranton, he’s at .318/.407/.399 in 273 PA.
CF Spencer Jones: 2-for-3, 2B (1), HR (3), RBI, 2 R, 2 BB, K
The home run was crushed (412 feet at 108.1 MPH). Jones (6-for-16 since his promotion) sets a new personal best with his 19th home run (53rd game) and has nine homers in his last 17 games. This breaks his streak of homering every other day, as he has homered in back-to-back games. I am sure he isn’t disappointed. 
RF Everson Pereira: 2-for-5, 2B (6), RBI, K
.245/.336/.459 in 226 PA (6 doubles, 12 HR, 35 RBI, 45 R, 11.1% BB, 33.6% K).
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-3, 2B (18), SF, RBI, R, BB, 2 K
C Alex Jackson: 2-for-5, 2 HR (10), 5 RBI, 2 R, K
Jackson has two multi-homer games this year. Minor league pop has never been an issue (137 doubles, 123 HR in 663 games)
DH Jose Rojas: 1-for-3, BB
SS Andrew Velazquez: 1-for-4
LF Ismael Munguia: 1-for-4

RHP Cam Schlittler: 2.1 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR
After two innings, it looked like another dominant start was in progress. Then the third inning happened. Schlittler, who has generated a lot of buzz, took a punch to the gut tonight. Let’s see how he responds. By the way, his velocity was fine tonight. Just one of those games.
RHP Zach Messinger: (W, 3-3)  2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
As a reliever: 2.25 ERA (20 IP, 14 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 11 BB, 21 K)
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
3.98 ERA (31.2 IP, 19 H, 14 R, 14 ER, 4 HR, 36 BB, 31 K).
RHP Scott Effross: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Harrison Cohen (S, 2): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
Since promotion: 6.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 5 BB, 5 K

Somerset (39-38) (Swept a doubleheader against Reading)

Game 1 (Won, 9-4)

2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-3, 2B (5), 2 RBI, R, BB
SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-4, RBI, R, 2 K
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-3, 2B (21), SF, RBI, R
RF Garrett Martin: 1-for-4, HR (9), 3 RBI, R, K
CF Brendan Jones: 0-for-4, 2 K
Jones is hitting .190/.256/.304 in 90 PA since his promotion (.221/.321/.344 with 25 stolen bases in 30 attempts overall).
3B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-3, 2 R, BB, K
DH Omar Martinez: 1-for-1, 2B (1), RBI, R, 2 BB
1B Tyler Hardman: 1-for-3, 2B (14), RBI, R, 2 K
LF Cam Eden: 1-for-3, R, SB (4), 2 K

RHP Carlos Lagrange: (W, 3-2)  6 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 10 K
Lagrange has been inconsistent since his promotion, alternating good and not-so-good performances. That shouldn’t be shocking as a 6’7″ 22-year-old with control concerns but extreme upside.. For Somerset: 4.97 ERA (25.1 IP, 18 H, 14 R, 14 ER, 2 HR, 17 BB, 34 K). 
RHP Kelly Austin: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
LHP Ryan Anderson: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Game 2 (Won, 8-5)

2B Roc Riggio: 2-for-2, 2B (6), HR (8), 3 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB
Riggio goes 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles, a homer, five RBI, four runs, and three walks in today’s doubleheader. He has 15 home runs in 45 games between the FCL/Hudson Valley/Somerset (14 in 43 games if we take out the two FCL games).
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-2, SF, RBI, HBP
A quiet doubleheader for Lombard, though he contributed a pair of RBI. He is hitting .208 with a .651 OPS in 50 Double-A contests.
DH Rafael Flores: 2-for-4, HR (14), 3 RBI, R, K
Flores’ 25th multi-hit effort. He has 21 doubles, 14 HR, and 52 RBI in 76 games.
CF Garrett Martin: 0-for-4, 3 K
1B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-2, HR (11), RBI, R, 2 BB, K
Jasso is trying to put his slump behind him. He still owns an .818 OPS (10 doubles, 5 triples, 11 HR, 41 RBI, 43 R). His walk rate has certainly jumped recently (15 walks in the last 26 games).
C Omar Martinez: 1-for-4
Martinez is 5-for-19 with a double and homer since his promotion.
LF Cole Gabrielson: 0-for-4, 3 K
RF Jared Wegner: 1-for-2, R, HBP, K
3B Max Burt: 1-for-2, 2 R, HBP, K

RHP Cole Ayers: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
Ayers’ first professional start (124th game). He didn’t start in college but made four starts in the 2019 Cape Cod League and five in the 2021 MLB Draft League. That’s your useless information for the night.
RHP Mason Vinyard: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Hayden Merda: 0.1 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
RHP Indigo Diaz: (W, 6-1) 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
LHP Will Brian: (S, 2) 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Since promotion: 2.42 ERA (26 IP, 21 H, 9 R, 7 ER, 1 HR, 11 BB, 30 K)

Hudson Valley (44-31) (Swept a doubleheader against Brooklyn)

Game 1 (Won, 5-3)

LF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-4, RBI, K
CF Dillon Lewis: 0-for-2, SB (3), BB
1B Coby Morales: 1-for-2, R, BB
DH Jace Avina: 1-for-3, R, K
SS Alexander Vargas: 1-for-2, HR (4), 3 RBI, R, SB (6), BB, K
Vargas has a 10-game hitting streak that includes three home runs.
3B Jose Colmenares: 1-for-3, 3B (2), R, K
2B Brenny Escanio: 0-for-3, K
C Tomas Frick: 0-for-3, K
RF Luis Durango: 2-for-3, R, K

RHP Ben Hess: 4 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, HR
Hess’ second start since coming back. A 2-run home run in his fourth inning of work hurt his final line, but as long as he is healthy. He owns a 4.53 ERA in 45.2 IP (31 H, 27 R, 23 ER, 2 HR, 28 BB, 66 K)
LHP Geoffrey Gilbert (W, 1-0): 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
2.95 ERA (21.1 IP, 19 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 1 HR, 10 BB, 35 K)
RHP Bryce Warrecker (S, 3): 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
0.82 ERA (33 IP, 15 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 37 K). Possibly the most impressive reliever in the system this year, Warrecker likely deserves a trip to Somerset. Again, I base that on the assumption that they aren’t planning to move him back into the rotation. 

Game 2 (Won, 2-0)

LF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-3
.228/.323/.305 in 300 PA. Since June 15th, he is 15-for-57 (.263).
CF Dillon Lewis: 0-for-2, SB (4), BB
When Lewis gets on base, he can cause havoc (20-for-21 stealing bases in his career). Between here and Tampa, he has 12 doubles, 13 HR, 42 RBI, 43 runs, and 17 stolen bases in 18 attempts.
DH Coby Morales: 0-for-3, K
SS Alexander Vargas: 1-for-3
Vargas extends his hitting streak to 11 (18-for-41).
3B Jose Colmenares: 0-for-1, R, SB (10), 2 BB, K
C Manuel Palencia: 1-for-3, R, K
1B Josh Moylan: 1-for-2, RBI
2B Brenny Escanio: 1-for-2, RBI
RF Anthony Hall: 0-for-2, 2 K

LHP Kyle Carr: (W, 3-5) 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 7 K
Carr needed 87 pitches (60 strikes) to accomplish the shutout. On a night like tonight, it wasn’t even enough to secure the headline. Tough crowd, I am!  He owns a 2.57 ERA in 70 IP (47 H, 28 R, 20 ER, 5 HR, 35 BB, 57 K). The H/IP ratio stands out the most.

Tampa (43-33) (Outscored Clearwater, 13-7)

C Edgleen Perez: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB, K
Is the patience paying off?  Last nine games: 12-for-38 (.316) with ten walks. He is up to 57 walks in 307 PA (18.6%) and has 132 walks in 157 career games. A reminder that he turned 19 on May 25th and is showing off this level of plate discipline. 
CF Brian Sanchez: 1-for-4, HR (4), 3 RBI, 2 R, BB, 3 K
.284/.372/.450 in 249 PA (15 doubles, 4 triples, 4 HR, 35 RBI, 35 R, 24-for-28 SB). He has walked six times in his last three games, and all four of his homers have come since June 13th.
SS Roderick Arias: 3-for-5, 2 HR (4), 5 RBI, 2 R, 2 K
To say Arias needed a night like this is an understatement. It’s his second career multi-HR game (7/6/2023). Arias has shown a little life recently, raising his triple slash from .168/.306/.255 to .192/.316/.303. He has to start somewhere.
DH Engelth Urena: 1-for-5, SB (8), K
Known for his pop, he has sneakily added eight stolen bases. That said, any speed catchers have in the minors tends to dissipate as they get closer to MLB. 
3B Juan Matheus: 0-for-5, 2 K
LF Hans Montero: 1-for-4, CS (4), BB, 2 K
RF Marshall Toole: 2-for-4, 3B (7), 3 R, 2 SB (26), BB
Toole is an exciting player – whether he is an exciting career minor league player or a potential MLB player is what we need to determine. He’s hitting .295/.393/.459 in 214 PA.
1B Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-2, R, 3 BB, K
2B Santiago Gomez: 1-for-2, SF, 2 RBI, 2 R, SB (9), 2 BB, K
Between here and the FCL, Gomez is 22-for-24 stealing bases (9-for-10 here). He started 2-for-22 after his promotion. Since then, he is 6-for-25 (.240) with six walks and eight stolen bases. With Owen Cobb activated, it will be interesting to see how they figure out the playing time situation.

RHP Michael Arias: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Arias’ rehab stint was moved here today (from the FCL)
LHP Tanner Bauman: 2.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
RHP Cade Austin: (W, 4-1)  2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 1 K
RHP Sean Hermann: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
He tamed the BB% after April, but the walks returned tonight.
RHP Gus Hughes: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR

FCL (19-23)

Day off.

DSL Yankees (10-10)

Day off.

DSL Bombers (8-11)

Day off.

Yankees MILB 6/24: Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz Pitches Well

Notes:

A trio of players made rehab appearances in the FCL today. None are on the Pipeline Top 30 list, though Facundo and Arias have received blurbs in the past on Fangraphs.

OF JoJo Jackson was their 17th-round pick in the 2024 draft. He played in six games for Low-A Tampa last season, going 4-for-21 without an extra-base hit. The right-handed bat out of Georgia State showed some thump at the mid-major school, hitting 30 home runs in 141 games.

LHP Allen Facundo (22) impressed in 30 Low-A innings last year, compiling a 2.40 ERA (3.16 FIP), 30.2% K, and 11.1% BB. Seven of his eight games were starts.

RHP Michael Arias (23) was acquired from the Cubs for cash last winter (after Chicago designated him for assignment).  In 49 Double-A/Triple-A games in 2024, he posted a 4.77 ERA (4.69 FIP) over 60.1 innings with a 25.2% K, 16.8% BB, and 40.4% GB. Originally signed by the Blue Jays as a shortstop, he’s had (predictably) mixed results on the hill. That said, he impressed the Cubs enough to be placed on the 40-man roster after the 2023 season.

The Yankees promoted C Omar Martinez from Hudson Valley to Somerset. After one year in Low-A, they decided to give Martinez 1+ years in High-A, where he hit .235/.361/.394 in 679 plate appearances. Martinez, a left-handed bat, has some home run pop, takes walks, and has played only C/DH this year (he played some first base in previous campaigns).

Reliever Hayden Merda will join him in Somerset. The 25-year-old pitched in 22 High-A games, posting a 3.68 ERA (3.57 FIP) over 29.1 innings with a 34.7% K and 10.5% BB. Moved to the bullpen this year, he has seen a significant jump in his strikeout rate (from 21.8% last year in Low-A).

Injury Log

Scranton (39-34) (Defeated Worcester, 6-5)

C Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-3, RBI, 2 BB, K
Since I mentioned how Chase Burns schooled him, I will also bring up that his RBI single was off of rehabbing pitcher Tanner Houck. He is hitting .340/.427/.431 in 246 PA (13% BB, 14.2% K) and continues to lead the International League in batting average.
2B Jorbit Vivas: 1-for-4, 2B (9), RBI, K
CF Everson Pereira: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K
Pereira is in a little 2-for-18 slump (9 K)
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-4, 2 R, BB
DH Alex Jackson: 0-for-3, R, HBP, 3 K
3B CJ Alexander: 0-for-3, SB (2), BB, 3 K
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 0-for-1, 2 R, SB (4), 3 BB, K
LF Jose Rojas: 2-for-4, 2B (17), 3 RBI, R, K
Rojas is your prototypical “AAAA” player who couldn’t get anything going in 83 games for the Angels between 2021 and 2022.
SS Andrew Velazquez: 0-for-2, RBI, 2 BB

RHP Erick Leal: (W, 2-7)  5 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, HR
Leal is doing his job as a veteran innings leader, but his profile doesn’t lead you to believe he will be more than that (7.34 ERA in 57.2 IP. As one positive, he has 72 strikeouts).
LHP Jayvien Sandridge: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
I wish we saw him after his (very) brief call-up. For Scranton: 1.13 ERA (8 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 16 K). Overall, he owns a 23/7 K/BB over 13 innings.
RHP Scott Effross: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Clayton Beeter: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
Beeter has mostly been on his game, but didn’t have it tonight. I don’t think we will ever see spectacular walk rates, but that can be OK if he supplements that with plenty of strikeouts.
RHP Harrison Cohen (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Since promotion: 3.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K

Somerset (35-35) (Destroyed by Erie, 12-5, despite (supposedly) having a Major League pitcher on the hill)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-3, BB
Lombard Jr. has reached base safely in nine straight contests.
CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-4, R, 3 K
Jones has hit safely in ten of his last 11 games (13-game on-base streak)
C Rafael Flores: 2-for-4, 2B (19), RBI, R, K
.279/.341/.483 in 296 PA (19 doubles, 12 HR, 44 RBI, 39 R). 
2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-3, HR (7), 2 RBI, R, K
Riggio has seven home runs in 17 games since his promotion (13 in 38 games overall). He isn’t the biggest guy (5’9″), but he loves to launch balls to right field. He isn’t a utility prospect as 2B is likely his only position. Can he overachieve his way to an MLB starting job? So far, he is overachieving his way to making you feel as if it is possible.
3B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-4, 3B (5), R, K
Jasso has hit safely in 12 of his last 13 games and has a 28-game on-base streak. 
RF Garrett Martin: 0-for-3, SF, RBI, 2 K
LF Brendan Jones: 0-for-4, 2 K
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-4
DH Cole Gabrielson: 2-for-3, HR (5), RBI, R, K

RHP Marcus Stroman: (L, 0-1)  3.2 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
Given he pitched like he does when he is with the big club, that’s a good sign that he’s ready. Or something like that. I can’t believe that a Ryan Yarbrough injury was something we would fret this year.
RHP Trystan Vrieling: 2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, HR
RHP Kelly Austin: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Cole Ayers: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Hayden Merda: 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Not how he wanted his Double-A debut to go, but his feet are wet.

Hudson Valley (40-27) (Lost to Wilmington, 1-0. The minors are about development. When you lose George Lombard Jr., Roc Riggio, Brendan Jones, and Omar Martinez to promotion, the offense will suffer. Plus, Parks Harber is still MIA.)

LF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-3, BB, K
.226/.327/.309 in 269 PA (13-for-13 SB). Castillo caused some excitement with his 21-game audition here in 2024 (.314/.383/.514), but it hasn’t carried over.
CF Dillon Lewis: 0-for-4, K
Since promotion: .185/.214/.407 in 84 PA. Small sample. I think he’ll get it going.
1B Coby Morales: 0-for-4, 3 K
DH Jace Avina: 0-for-4, 3 K
While it didn’t tonight, Avina’s return should help this offense. He is hitting .281/.409/.460 in 176 PA (13 doubles, 4 HR)
2B Jose Colmenares: 0-for-4, K
SS Alexander Vargas: 2-for-3, SB (5)
3B Josh Moylan: 0-for-2, BB, 2 K
RF Luis Durango: 0-for-3, K
C Tomas Frick: 1-for-3, 2B (7)

RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz: (L, 5-3)  6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, HR (!!!!)
Why the exclamation points? That was Rodriguez-Cruz’s first HR allowed in 2025 (72 IP). Season: 2.50 ERA (72 IP, 44 H, 23 R, 20 ER, 1 HR, 30 BB, 85 K)
RHP Tyrone Yulie: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
4.87 ERA (20.1 IP, 14 H, 11 R, 11 ER, 1 HR, 14 BB, 29 K). Some good, some not-so-good in his first full season as a reliever.
RHP Bryce Warrecker: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
Warrecker wasn’t his usual dominant self, but a zero is a zero. Season: 0.88 ERA (30.2 IP, 14 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 36 K)

Tampa (38-31) (Defeated Ft. Myers, 6-3)

DH Edgleen Perez: 1-for-3, HBP, BB, K
49 walks in 60 games. So far, that is his offensive calling card.
CF Brian Sanchez: 0-for-4, R, SB (18), BB, K
SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
C Engelth Urena: 1-for-4, 2B (10), RBI, R
The extra-base hits are starting to show up (2 doubles, 2 HR in last six games). 
3B Juan Matheus: 1-for-2, 2B (15), RBI, 2 R, SB (21), HBP, BB
1B Tyler Wilson: 1-for-3, RBI, CI
LF Hans Montero: 2-for-4, HR (6), 2 RBI, R, 2 K
RF Marshall Toole: 1-for-4, R, SB (21)
Toole is 11-for-12 stealing bases in June.
2B Santiago Gomez: 1-for-4, SB (2), K
He hasn’t been getting on base enough since his promotion to show his ability to steal some bases.

RHP Brandon Decker: 3.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
Decker tossed 60 pitches. He owns a 2.91 ERA in 34 IP (29 H, 16 R, 11 ER, 1 HR, 14 BB, 34 K). As you would expect, his numbers were better as a reliever, but they are trying to stretch him out to start. Not unreasonable (he was a hybrid starter/reliever for Oakland University last year), and likely the plan all along.
RHP Justin Lange: (W, 1-0)  1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
Lange’s rehab stint was moved here today.  His fastball didn’t reach 90 MPH, and he didn’t emphasize it much, going more with his sinker, slider, curve, and change. We don’t have full data as Tampa is home (remember, they aren’t playing at George M. Steinbrenner Field this year)
RHP Cole Zaffiro: 2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Brady Kirtner: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Chris Veach: (S, 6) 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
1.57 ERA (28.2 IP, 19 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 3 HR, 17 BB, 42 K)

FCL (17-21) (Lost to the FCL Tigers, 2-0)

LF JoJo Jackson: 0-for-2
   PH-RF Luis Puello: 2-for-2
RF-LF Wilson Rodriguez: 1-for-4, K
DH Willy Montero: 0-for-4
He started a rehab stint on May 30th, but it didn’t last. Hopefully, it does this time.
3B Luis Escudero: 2-for-3, CS (4), K

RHP Michael Arias: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
The Yankees didn’t acquire him without a reason. They think there is something to work with here. No risk.
LHP Allen Facundo: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K
Facundo’s first appearance since May 24, 2024.  He was rolling at the time of his injury, striking out 11 in five shutout innings that day (struck out eight in five shutout innings in his previous start).
RHP Jose M Rodriguez (L, 0-3): 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
Talk about a tough luck 0-3. Rodriguez owns a 0.99 ERA in 27.1 IP (16 H, 7 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 12 BB, 29 K)

DSL Yankees (7-9) (Defeated the DSL Rockiers, 4-2)

SS Mani Cedeno: 0-for-0, HBP
Ugh. Let’s hope he was pulled for precautionary reasons.
  PR-SS Emmanuel Orozco: 0-for-2, R, SB (2), BB, K
CF Francisco Vilorio: 2-for-3, RBI, R
3B Richard Matic: 0-for-3, R, BB, K
C Justin Capellan: 1-for-3, 2B (5), R, SB (5), BB, K
.308/.364/.590 in 44 PA. Five doubles and a homer in 44 plate appearances is nice power production.
2B Alfred Ciriaco: 3-for-4, 2 RBI, SB (4), 3 CS (3)
A mixed bag of craziness, but we’ll take the three hits and pair of RBI.

RHP Enixon Sanchez: 4.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K
1.98 ERA (13.2 IP, 13 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 12 BB, 18 K). The 17-year-old impressed in his age-16 season last year. He is keeping up the pace so far this year (walks are an issue, but he is too young to worry about it)
RHP Emanuel Vargas (W, 2-1): 3 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
LHP Luis Rodriguez (S, 1): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Rodriguez earns his first professional save.

DSL Bombers (6-9) (They have a 7-0 lead against Arizona Black. The game was stopped due to a power outage, I guess)

CF Ruben Castillo: 1-for-2, 2B (3), RBI, R, BB, K
SS Stiven Marinez: 0-for-1, R, CS (1), 2 BB
DH Queni Pineda: 0-for-2, RBI, R, BB
LF Browm Martinez: 3-for-3, 2B (1), 3 RBI
These numbers don’t yet count, but I will add them to his start to 2025: 16-for-35 with three homers and 12 RBI. It will be his third 3-hit effort.
C Carlos Rodon: 1-for-1, SF, 2 RBI, R

RHP Alexander Almonte: 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Once these numbers count (I guess assuming they do), he will have 15 innings without allowing an earned run this season (two unearned runs)

Yankees MILB 6/18: Roc Riggio, Spencer Jones Homer

Notes:

Utilityman Pablo Reyes was outrighted to Scranton after clearing waivers.

As a general reminder, I am not a scout. I don’t work for the Yankees. When I hype up someone like Jesus Rodriguez, I can’t tell you how the Yankees feel about him internally. Guess what? Nobody who writes or talks about these guys has any idea either. I have never been afraid to admit that.

However, I will always share my personal opinions and try to discern trends. I will provide the statistical anecdotes and Savant readings when they are available.

When they promote prospects, there is a reason for it. When they don’t, there is a reason for it. Trying to read between the lines is fun for me, even if my opinion won’t always be correct.

“Anyone who claims they know everything about baseball prospects is lying”.

Injury Log

Scranton (36-32) (Lost to Louisville, 8-1. Louisville had two pitchers who hit 100+ MPH: Chase Burns (7 IP, 7 K) and Zach Maxwell)

C Jesus Rodriguez: 0-for-4, 2 K
One concern with any prospect is how they react to velocity. You can’t tell anything by today alone, but he missed 100.1 and 98.7 MPH fastballs and grounded out (86.9 MPH) on a 99.1 MPH fastball. We can use that as a point of reference if nothing else.
2B Jorbit Vivas: 0-for-4
LF Everson Pereira: 0-for-3, 2 K
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-3, 2B (15), R
Rumfield has a 5-game hitting streak (7-for-19; 2 doubles, 1 triple, 5 RBI). 
3B CJ Alexander: 0-for-3, K
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 0-for-2, SF, RBI, 2 K
.234/.292/.387 in 137 PA (4 doubles, 5 HR, 17 RBI, 17 R, 3-for-3 SB, 6.6% BB, 28.5% K)
DH Jose Reyes: 0-for-3, 2 K
SS Braden Shewmake: 1-for-3, 2B (7), K
Shewmake has an 11-game hitting streak. He is hitting .255/.350/.409 in 158 PA (.186/.307/.289 before the streak). No, he isn’t an Anthony Volpe replacement, even if you are tempted to ask.
CF Ismael Munguia: 1-for-3, CS (5)

RHP Erick Leal (L, 1-7): 5 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 3 HR
RHP Zach Messinger: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
As reliever: 3.29 ERA (13.2 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 8 BB, 14 K). Overall: 6.05 ERA (41.2 IP, 46 H, 29 R, 28 ER, 3 HR, 27 BB, 40 K)
RHP Geoff Hartlieb: 0.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Harrison Cohen: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Cohen reached 94.6 MPH with his 4-seamer, which he featured 70% of the time. 

Somerset (31-34) (Swept a doubleheader against New Hampshire)

Game 1 (Won, 5-3)

2B Roc Riggio: 2-for-4, HR (6), 2 RBI, R, SB (2), K
Riggio takes over the organizational lead with his 13th home run (6 for Somerset, 6 for Hudson Valley, 1 in the FCL).
SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-4, 2B (3), R, 2 K
Lombard Jr. has a double, triple, and homer in his last six games.
DH Spencer Jones: 1-for-2, RBI, SB (9), 2 BB, K
C Rafael Flores: 0-for-4, 3 K
3B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-4, 2 K
LF Garrett Martin: 1-for-3, R, K
CF Brendan Jones: 1-for-2, 3B (1), RBI, CS (1), BB
Jones has four triples between here and Hudson Valley. 
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-3, R, SB (6), 2 K
RF Cole Gabrielson: 0-for-2, R, BB, K

RHP Marcus Stroman: 3.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
With JT Brubaker activated today, it will be interesting to see how the Yankees handle Stroman when he is ready. Yerry De los Santos would be the most logical to go back to Scranton.
RHP Bailey Dees (W, 2-4): 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
For Somerset: 4.53 ERA (49.2 IP, 45 H, 26 R, 25 ER, 7 HR, 26 BB, 62 K)
RHP Danny Watson (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Watson had a 16.71 ERA in April. Since: 4.11 ERA (15.1 IP, 14 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 2 BB, 14 K). He hasn’t allowed a walk in seven straight appearances.

Game 2 (Won, 6-1)

2B Roc Riggio: 2-for-3, RBI, R, 2 SB (4), K
Riggio doesn’t have blazing speed, but he is an aggressive baserunner. That allowed him to be an impressive 27-for-33 stealing bases in 2024, but he is only 6-for-11 in 2025. 
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-3, 2 R, SB (12), BB
Lombard Jr. is 23-for-27 stealing bases between here and Hudson Valley (66-for-80 (82.5%) in his career). The bat isn’t there yet. I remain confident it will get there.
CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-2, HR (13), 2 RBI, R, 2 BB, K
Jones ties Riggio for the organizational home run lead.  He has a 6-game hitting streak (9-for-19; 1 double, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 7 R, 5 BB, 5 K) and owns a .943 OPS.
DH Rafael Flores: 0-for-2, R, 2 BB
Flores is in a 0-for-17 slump.
1B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-4, 2B (10), 3 RBI
Jasso had a big bases-clearing double.  He has an 8-game hitting streak (10-for-28) and is hitting .281/.346/.484 in 239 PA.
LF Brendan Jones: 0-for-3, 2 K
RF Cam Eden: 0-for-3, 2 K
C Diomedes Hernandez: 0-for-3, 2 K
3B Max Burt: 1-for-2, 2B (5), R

RHP Trystan Vrieling: 3.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
Slowly, but surely, building up the pitching count. He wasn’t efficient tonight (72), but I still consider him to be in spring training mode. For Somerset: 4.71 ERA (21 IP, 24 H, 12 R, 11 ER, 3 HR, 11 BB, 14 K). 
LHP Ryan Anderson (W, 1-1): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Mason Vinyard: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Kelly Austin:   1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Hudson Valley (38-26) (Defeated Jersey Shore, 9-2)

CF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-3, RBI, 3 R, SB (13), HBP, BB, K
DH Dillon Lewis: 1-for-5, HR (3; grand slam), 4 RBI, R, K
If you are only going to compile one hit, make it a special one. Between Tampa and Hudson Valley, he has ten doubles, three triples, 12 home runs, 38 RBI, 39 runs, and 15 stolen bases in 16 attempts. There are warts (not hitting for much average) but he has dropped his K% since being promoted. Small sample blip or a trend?
1B Coby Morales: 1-for-5, HR (6), 2 RBI, R, 2 K
Morales has six homers in 58 games (five in 123 games entering this season)
C Omar Martinez: 0-for-4, RBI, 2 K
2B Jose Colmenares: 1-for-3, SB (8), BB
SS Alexander Vargas: 1-for-4, HR (2), RBI, R
LF Luis Durango: 1-for-3, R, CS (4), HBP
3B Josh Moylan: 0-for-3, R, BB, K
RF Anthony Hall: 1-for-4, R, 2 K

RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz: (W, 5-2)  6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
2.59 ERA (66 IP, 41 H, 22 R, 19 ER, 0 HR, 28 BB, 78 K). He wasn’t completely on his game tonight, but what a season. No home runs in 66 innings is ridiculous.
RHP Hayden Merda: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Huey Morrill: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
0.39 ERA (23 IP, 11 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 7 BB, 18 K)
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K

Tampa (36-28) (Defeated Bradenton, 8-6)

C Edgleen Perez: 1-for-4, 2B (6), 2 R, BB
Perez caught two runners out of six trying to steal. He is 13-for-82 (15.9%) this season. That is down considerably from his rookie league days (26% last season, for example), which is hardly surprising. As for the offense, he has a pair of doubles in his last three games.
CF Brian Sanchez: 1-for-5, 2 R, 2 K
SS Roderick Arias: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, 3 R, BB
Is Arias heating up? He has three multi-hit efforts in his last six games, increasing his triple slash from .152/.302/.239 to .181/.316/.263. I never claimed the jump was significant.
DH Engelth Urena: 2-for-5, HR (6), 3 RBI, R, 3 K
Urena (20) ends an 18-game homerless streak. Power is his game (13 doubles, 11 HR in 51 rookie league games). Can he find it consistently as he navigates full-season leagues? 
3B Juan Matheus: 1-for-4, RBI
LF Tyler Wilson: 3-for-4, 2 RBI, K
Wilson continues his incredible June (22-for-46; 2 doubles, 12 RBI, 12 R, 11 BB, 7 K). The 22-year-old is hitting .305/.389/.394 in 244 plate appearances as he tries to earn a promotion. The Florida State League leans towards pitching, so his .305 batting average ranks third.
1B Hans Montero: 1-for-4, K
RF Marshall Toole: 2-for-4, CS (2)
.308/.408/.483 in 169 PA. Toole is playing well, though he doesn’t have enough plate appearances to qualify for rate statistic leader boards.
2B Santiago Gomez: 0-for-3, CS (1), HBP, K

RHP Brandon Decker: 2.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, HR
Decker tossed 56 pitches (34 strikes), the most pitches he has thrown this year. This was his fifth consecutive start after starting his career with eight relief appearances. He owns a 2.97 ERA (30.1 IP, 27 H, 15 R, 10 ER, 1 HR, 13 BB, 30 K).
RHP Cole Zaffiro: 2.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 2 HR
RHP Brady Kirtner: (W, 4-2)  1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
RHP Chris Veach: (S, 4) 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K
1.69 ERA (26.2 IP, 19 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 3 HR, 16 BB, 39 K). Veach is allowing a few too many walks, but is also missing bats. He generated ten whiffs on 13 swings, including six on his bread-and-butter changeup. I like the differential in his pitches (averaged 92.2 with his 4-seamer, 91.7 with his sinker, and 76.7 with his change).

FCL (16-17)

Day off.

DSL Yankees (4-7)

Day off.

DSL Bombers (5-6)

Day off.

Yankees MILB 6/11: George Lombard Jr.’s Big Night

Notes:

The Yankees released OF Christopher Familia.

I talk about “cult followings” because it is fun to watch an unheralded prospect get some love. In 2023, that player was Familia. He hit 22 home runs in 68 games between Tampa and Hudson Valley, putting up a strong .307/.378/.617 line. Injuries and ineffectiveness have plagued him since then. In 2024, his triple slash fell to .248/.320/.433 in 45 games.

RHP Marcus Stroman began his rehab stint with Somerset today. I am not sure what his role will be, but my first guess is that he will move to the #5 slot in the rotation with LHP Ryan Yarbrough becoming a multi-inning long man. They can swap those roles. I don’t care. My expectations are low, but they won’t release him.

With Giancarlo Stanton coming back soon, questions about where Ben Rice fits into the equation have been raised. It seems the Yankees may make him the backup catcher, which would be bad news for J.C. Escarra.  Aaron Boone will need to be creative to get enough at-bats for everyone. It would make sense to give Stanton and Paul Goldschmidt off days as well. Can they rotate Rice into the lineup 3-4 times a week?

Injury Log

Scranton (31-31) (Defeated Syracuse, 7-5)

C Jesus Rodriguez: 0-for-4, BB
3B Jorbit Vivas: 3-for-5, HR (4), RBI, 2 R
Vivas is 7-for-24 with a pair of homers since his demotion.
CF Everson Pereira: 0-for-4, R, BB, 2 K
1B T.J. Rumfield: 2-for-4, HR (8), 3 RBI, R, 2 K
Yesterday, I talked about his home run drought. Now? He has homered in back-to-back games. Baseball!
LF Brennen Davis: 2-for-4, HR (3), RBI, R, SB (1)
At this level: 11-for-26 (2 doubles, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 7 R, 1-for-1 SB). Overall, he has eight home runs in 21 games (three of those in six rehab games for the FCL squad)
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 0-for-4, 2 K
DH Jose Rojas: 2-for-4, HR (10), RBI, R, K
SS Braden Shewmake: 3-for-4, R
Shewmake has a 7-game hitting streak (12-for-26). 
2B Andrew Velazquez: 1-for-4, RBI, 2 K

RHP Allan Winans: (W, 6-0)  5 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 8 K, HR
Winans’ ERA jumps from 0.23 to 0.61 (44 IP, 34 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 12 BB, 53 K)
RHP Erick Leal: 3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, HR
It’s been a struggle for the veteran, so nice to see him put together a strong outing.
RHP Geoff Hartlieb: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Somerset (27-32) (Split a doubleheader against Portland)

Game 1 (Lost, 4-3)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 2-for-4, R, 2 SB (10)
A delicious appetizer…
DH Giancarlo Stanton: 1-for-4, 2B (1), RBI, K
3-for-7 with a double and four RBI.
CF Spencer Jones: 0-for-3, R, BB, K
C Rafael Flores: 0-for-4
In 123 Double-A games (521 PA): .278/.349/.504 (28 doubles, 26 HR, 71 RBI, 73 R, 11-for-11 SB, 9% BB, 27.3% K)
2B Roc Riggio: 2-for-3, HR (5), 2 RBI, R, K
Since promotion: 11-for-30 (.367/.367/.967; 3 doubles, 5 HR, 10 RBI, 7 R, 1-for-1 SB). Riggio has five homers in his last five games and leads the organization with 12 home runs (in only 29 games).
3B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-3, 2 K
RF Garrett Martin: 0-for-3, 2 K
LF Brendan Jones: 0-for-3, K
1B Tyler Hardman: 1-for-3, SB (4), K

RHP Marcus Stroman: 3.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
Stroman tossed 46 pitches (27 strikes) and had a 4/1 GO/FO ratio.
RHP Baron Stuart: (L, 0-2)  1.2 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Harrison Cohen: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
2.01 ERA (22.1 IP, 12 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 13 BB, 30 K). Cohen has nine straight scoreless appearances (11.2 IP, 3 H, 
RHP Mason Vinyard: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Game 2

SS George Lombard Jr.: 2-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, 2 R, K
…a perfect entree. Lombard Jr. launches his first Double-A home run. He is on a 5-game hitting streak (8-for-19, 5 runs). Before the streak, his OPS at this level was .581. Now, it’s .664. Between Hudson Valley and Somerset, he is 21-for-25 stealing bases in 56 games.
DH Spencer Jones: 3-for-4, 2B (7), HR (11), 2 RBI, 3 R
Jones has 11 home runs in 37 games. All prospects come with risk, but Jones remains one of the biggest boom-bust guys I have covered (yes, Aaron Judge was once on that list. No, I am not saying Jones is Judge)
3B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-2, RBI, R, HBP, BB, K
.272/.341/.480 in 223 PA (9 doubles, 3 triples, 9 HR, 33 RBI, 32 R, 6.7% BB, 21.97% K). Jasso is a pleasant 2025 surprise.
CF Brendan Jones: 0-for-3, R, SB (1), BB
If Jones can consistently get on base, his wheels are legit. He is 24-for-28 stealing bases in 52 games this year.
1B Tyler Hardman: 1-for-4, RBI, SB (5)
RF Cole Gabrielson: 0-for-2, 2 RBI, HBP, BB
LF Cam Eden: 0-for-4
C Antonio Gomez: 0-for-3, R, BB, 2 K
2B Max Burt: 1-for-2, R, BB, K

RHP Trystan Vrieling: 4 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 2 K
Vrieling allowed a pair of solo home runs in the first before settling down.
RHP Indigo Diaz: (W, 3-1)  1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Jordany Ventura: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Luis Pacheco: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
4.91 ERA (22 IP, 22 H, 14 R, 12 ER, 2 HR, 10 BB, 29 K)

Hudson Valley (35-22) (Lost to Greenville, 6-4)

CF Dillon Lewis: 2-for-5
Lewis is 8-for-38 since his promotion. 
LF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-5, 2 SB (10), K
DH Coby Morales: 2-for-4, R, K
3B Parks Harber: 1-for-3, 2B (11), RBI, R, BB
Harber has an 8-game hitting streak. It’s his second 8-game hitting streak this season.
C Omar Martinez: 2-for-4, HR (8), 2 RBI, R
He is pretty much the same hitter he was last year at this level (.247/.356/.409 this year; .238/.374/.404 last year).
2B Jose Colmenares: 0-for-4, 3 K
SS Alexander Vargas: 1-for-3, R, 2 SB (3), BB
1B Josh Moylan: 0-for-4, 2 K
RF Luis Durango: 1-for-4, RBI, K

RHP Josh Grosz: 6.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 6 K
Grosz reached 96 pitches tonight. Season: 3.54 ERA (53.1 IP, 38 H, 25 R, 21 ER, 3 HR, 20 BB, 62 K). He has shown the ability to go deep into games (for a modern pitcher), including a pair of 7-inning outings in addition to pitching into the 7th inning twice.
RHP Chris Kean: (L, 3-2) 1.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, HR
RHP Sebastian Keane: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
Keane hadn’t allowed a run since his second appearance (April 9th).
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Tampa (32-25)

Their game against Clearwater was postponed. They will attempt to play two tomorrow.

FCL (14-14) 

Day off.

DSL Yankees (2-4) 

Day off.

DSL Bombers (2-4)

Day off.

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 6/8: Roc Riggio Hits 2 HR

Notes:

The Yankees claimed utilityman CJ Alexander off waivers from the Athletics and assigned him to Scranton. No corresponding 40-man roster move was needed because they had space.

Alexander, who has experience at the “four corners”, is 4-for-25 in his MLB career without an extra-base hit, walk, or stolen base. That’s impressive. He spent time with the Royals in 2024 and the Athletics in 2025. Remember that the next time those teams intersect on the Immaculate Grid.

He will turn 29 years old in July and bats left-handed. During his long minor-league career (528 games), he owns a .254/.320/.461 line with 85 home runs. He was a 20th-round pick by the Atlanta Braves in 2018, so he deserves credit for earning his way to a Major League roster.

Injury Log

Scranton (29-31) (Defeated St. Paul, 7-2)

C Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-4, BB, K
Rodriguez has tied his walk output from May (23 games in May; 7 games in June). He is hitting .354 with a .898 OPS for Scranton (9 doubles, 2 triples, 1 HR, 21 RBI, 31 R, 9-for-13 SB, 12.3% BB, 12.3% K).
3B Jorbit Vivas: 0-for-3, R, HBP, BB
DH T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-3, R, 2 BB
RF Bryan De La Cruz: 0-for-4, 2 K
1B Jose Rojas: 1-for-4, 2B (14), 2 RBI, R, K
LF Brennen Davis: 2-for-4, 2B (2), HR (2), 2 RBI, 2 R, K
Davis is now 9-for-19 at this level and has four homers in 13 games between here and Somerset. His combination of prospect status (at one time) and youth (25) separates him from typical minor league signings.
SS Braden Shewmake: 1-for-3, 2 R, BB
Nobody is going to be more disappointed going home than Shewmake. He finishes the series 8-for-19.
2B Andrew Velazquez: 1-for-2, RBI, SAC, BB
CF Ismael Munguia: 1-for-4, SB (15)

RHP JT Brubaker: 2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K
According to Savant, Brubaker generated six swings with his slider, and all resulted in whiffs.  The decision on his future is getting close. His first rehab appearance was on May 18th, and pitchers receive a maximum of 30 days. I believe teams can ask for extensions, but only for arm injuries. Brubaker was placed on the injured list due to left rib fractures.
RHP Zach Messinger: (W, 1-3)  1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
As a reliever: 11.1 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 5 BB (2 intentional), 10 K. Today, he hit 96.2 MPH with his fastball. I wish I knew exactly how that compares to his time as a starter, but I don’t remember him throwing *this* hard.
RHP Scott Effross: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Carlos Carrasco: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Geoff Hartlieb: 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR

Somerset (25-30) (Lost to Binghamton, 7-4. There is interesting talent in Somerset (especially after the recent promotions). However, it is hardly surprising to see the team struggle as a whole in the first half.)

2B Roc Riggio: 3-for-4, 2 HR (4), 3 RBI, 2 R
If you were skeptical of the power he was showing in Hudson Valley (6 HR in 20 games), perhaps this surge will convince you otherwise?  Riggio has homered four times in his last three games and has 11 home runs (tied for the organizational lead with Rafael Flores) in 27 games this season. That includes his FCL rehab time, though that was only one homer in two games.  He hit 11 home runs in 128 career games entering 2025.
SS George Lombard Jr.: 2-for-4, R, SB (8), K
One good reason to leave TwitterX was that people were clamoring for him to make the Opening Day roster. Anyway, today’s multi-hit effort gets his average back to .200.
LF Spencer Jones: 0-for-4, K
Jones is down to .218 as he is 5-for-29 (.172) with 13 strikeouts since coming off the injured list.
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-4, 3 K
.283/.342/.498 in 240 plate appearances. After playing 162 High-A games, he has 121 Double-A games. I think he’ll get to Scranton sometime in the second half. They’ll figure out how to distribute the playing time.
CF Brendan Jones: 1-for-4, RBI
Unlike Riggio, Jones has struggled since the promotion. Nice to see him get an RBI single today.
DH Garrett Martin: 1-for-4
1B Tyler Hardman: 1-for-4, SB (3), K
RF Cole Gabrielson: 0-for-4, 2 K
3B Max Burt: 0-for-3, R, HBP, 2 K

RHP Trent Sellers: (L, 1-3)  2.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
3.98 ERA (43 IP, 28 H, 19 R, 19 ER, 4 HR, 20 BB, 51 K). He has thrown only 43 innings in ten starts.
LHP Ryan Anderson: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Danny Watson: 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, HR
RHP Luis Pacheco: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Harrison Cohen: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
2.11 ERA (21.1 IP, 12 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 12 BB, 27 K). This is his 8th consecutive scoreless appearance.
RHP Kelly Austin: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, HR

Hudson Valley (34-22) (Lost to Aberdeen, 4-1)

CF Dillon Lewis: 0-for-4, K
Lewis is 6-for-30 with a double, triple, and homer since his promotion. His strikeout rate is 16.1% (28.2% for Tampa. We’ll see if he can keep this up as the sample size becomes larger.)
LF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-4
1B Coby Morales: 1-for-3, R, BB, K
3B Parks Harber: 1-for-3, BB, K
Harber has a 6-game hitting streak (9-for-22). He is tied with Rafael Flores for the organizational lead in hits and is second to Jesus Rodriguez in batting average.
DH Omar Martinez: 0-for-3, BB, K
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-3
2B Brenny Escanio: 1-for-2, RBI, BB
RF Luis Durango: 0-for-3, K
Durango is 8-for-28 (.286) with a 5-for-8 stolen base rate at this level. He has zero extra-base hits.
C Tomas Frick: 0-for-3

LHP Griffin Herring: 6 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
Herring with a solid “bend-don’t-break” outing. He generated two double plays and was aided by a strikeout-caught stealing double play.  Since promotion (2 starts): 12 IP, 10 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 4 BB, 6 K.
RHP Hayden Merda: (L, 1-1)  1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, HR
Merda struck out the side in his first inning, but allowed a home run to lead off his second inning.  He owns a 3.55 ERA and 37/11 K/BB over 25.1 innings.
RHP Bryce Warrecker: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
A rare run allowed by Warrecker (who also allowed an inherited run). His ERA climbs over 1.00 (1.08), the first time it has been there since April 29th.

Tampa (31-25) (Lost to Jupiter, 5-4. They were on the verge of sweeping the 6-game set, but it wasn’t meant to be)

SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-5, K
.155/.313/.240 in 160 PA.  In the past, his struggles against left-handed pitchers were well-documented, and that continues (3-for-27). However, he is struggling mightily against RHP, and that is a problem (.167/.328/.265).  He wasn’t great against RHP last season (.235/.346/.430), but it was something seemingly to build on.
RF Brian Sanchez: 0-for-5, 2 K
Sanchez has been so good lately that we will let this one slide.
C Edgleen Perez: 1-for-3, BB, K
DH Engelth Urena: 0-for-3, R, BB, K
The minors are for development over winning games (notice that I don’t say that winning is unimportant!). Incredibly, the Tarpons have played so well lately despite the struggles of Arias, Perez, and Urena at the top of the lineup.
3B Juan Matheus: 1-for-3, 3B (1), 2 R, SB (17), BB, K
LF Tyler Wilson: 2-for-3, RBI, R, SB (15), BB
Wilson has hit safely in all six June games (11-for-21).
2B Owen Cobb: 1-for-2, SF, RBI, BB, K
CF Marshall Toole: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, K
One of the reasons why they have played so well is their group of “unheralded” prospects that includes Matheus (.272/.351/.356; 17-for-22 SB), Wilson (.287/.372/.383; 29 runs; 15-for-20 SB), Cobb (.366/.415/.598; 11-for-13 SB), and Toole (.316/.426/.513; 7 doubles, 5 triples, 2 HR, 30 runs; 16-for-17 SB).
1B Josue Gonzalez: 1-for-3, 2B (6), K
   PH Hans Montero: 0-for-1, K

LHP Ben Shields: 2.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
The rehab stint continues.  He threw 49 pitches (57% sliders; 43% sinkers). He touched 94.5 MPH with the sinker.
RHP Chris Veach: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
1.21 ERA (22.1 IP, 15 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 12 BB, 35 K). There’s only so much room on pitching staffs, but Veach’s changeup deserves a shot in Hudson Valley.
RHP Jack Sokol: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Unlike Veach, Sokol features a “harder” changeup that reached 88.1 MPH today. He owns a 3.72 ERA (19.1 IP, 19 H, 11 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 9 BB, 16 K)
RHP Brady Kirtner: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
LHP Tanner Bauman: (L, 2-5)  1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 0 K

FCL (13-13)

Day off.

DSL Yankees (0-4)

Day off.

DSL Bombers (2-2) 

Day off.