Yankees MILB 8/1: Zach Messinger Goes 7 Strong

News:

LHP Chasen Shreve was released from his contract for Scranton. Today is August 1st, so the odds are good that he had an opt-out. He pitched in ten games for Scranton, posting a 2.45 ERA in 11 innings.

As I pointed out yesterday, RHP Nick Burdi has options. Today, his rehab stint ended and he was optioned to Scranton. How far have the Yankees come? Jake Cousins, Michael Tonkin, and Tim Hill are blocking Burdi, who many saw as a potential key contributor when the season began. He still can be, but it will require an injury/implosion for him to get his next chance. If/when RHP Scott Effross is ready, he will join the mix.


Scranton (57-46) (Lost to Louisville, 10-8)

2B Jorbit Vivas0-for-4, BB, K
SS Oswald Peraza1-for-4, 2B (9), 2 RS, SB (16), K
Peraza is attempting to build on his .279/.367/.453 July.
1B T.J. Rumfield1-for-5, HR (12), 2 RBI, RS, 2 K
Rumfield is hitting .288 with a .803 OPS since his promotion. If Rumfield can combine batting average with home runs, there could be something to work with (before 2023, he was a decent batting average guy with little power. In 2023, he showed off power with a low batting average). 
CF Taylor Trammell: 2-for-2, 2B (16), HR (9), 2 RBI, 3 RS, 2 BB
Trammell has three homers in his last four games. 
RF Oscar Gonzalez2-for-4, HR (6), 2 RBI, RS
C J.C. Escarra1-for-3, 2B (4), RBI, RS, BB
Escarra is 14-for-38 (.371) with four doubles since his promotion.
3B Kevin Smith1-for-4, RBI
DH Josh VanMeter0-for-4
LF Aaron Palensky0-for-4, 3 K

LHP Tanner Tully4 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Duane Underwood Jr.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, HR
RHP Alex Mauricio1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
1.13 ERA (32 IP, 21 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 18 BB, 37 K). I hope Mauricio makes it to MLB. It’s been a grind going back to 2017.
RHP Art Warren: (L, 1-1) 0.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
RHP Scott Effross1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Effross needs clean outings before he is considered for the big club.
RHP Ron Marinaccio1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K


Somerset (50-49) (Defeated Bowie, 6-2)

DH Spencer Jones: 1-for-2, 2B (17), 3 RS, 3 BB, K
Jones’ OPS is .745. This is his highest number since May 3rd (.767). In his last 6 games, he is 7-for-21 (.333) with 3 doubles, 1 HR, 5 RBI, and 6 walks.
1B Tyler Hardman: 3-for-5, 2B (3), 2 RBI, RS, 2 SB (6)
C Rafael Flores1-for-4, HR (7), 3 RBI, RS, BB
Flores’ power display has become serious. He has homered in back-to-back games and four times in his last eight games. Overall, he has 13 HR in 86 games between here and Hudson Valley. Last season, he hit 8 HR in 105 games.
RF Elijah Dunham0-for-3, SF, RBI, BB, K
CF Grant Richardson2-for-5, 2 K
Richardson has three straight multi-hit efforts.
LF Jared Wegner0-for-4, BB, K
2B Anthony Seigler1-for-4, RS, BB, K
SS Alexander Vargas: 2-for-3, CS (5), HBP
Vargas is 29-for-111 (.261/.297/.396) since his promotion. That may not jump out at you, but his defense provides additional value.
3B Max Burt0-for-4, 2 K

RHP Zach Messinger:  (W, 3-8) 7 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
3.61 ERA (114.2 IP, 95 H, 63 R, 46 ER, 7 HR, 38 BB, 110 K). Messinger is an interesting prospect who stands 6’6″. He might have that “bulldog” quality. Can he translate that to MLB? We’ll see.
RHP McKinley Moore0.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
His arm is worth investing development time in. But it’s going to take a lot of work.
RHP Kevin Stevens: (S, 7)  1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
2.37 ERA (38 IP, 28 H, 10 R, 10 ER, 1 HR, 16 BB, 55 K). He has impressed.


Hudson Valley (49-48) (Defeated Jersey Shore, 4-3)

2B Roc Riggio1-for-4, HR (8), RBI, RS
.223/.349/.394 in 351 PA. Much of Riggio’s profile is solid – his .254 BABIP is on the low side.
CF Jace Avina2-for-3, HR (9), SF, 2 RBI, RS
Avina and Riggio went back-to-back. Avina needed the calendar change after going 7-for-73 in July.
1B Omar Martinez2-for-4
It appears that Martinez is a “one level at a time” prospect. They didn’t move him away from Tampa in 2023 and may not move him away from Hudson Valley in 2024. There is nothing wrong with that. No two players are developed the same.
C Antonio Gomez1-for-4, 2B (5), 2 K
LF Garrett Martin1-for-4, K
DH Christopher Familia 0-for-2, RS, BB, K
RF Cole Gabrielson1-for-3, 2B (12), RBI, SB (11), K
3B Kiko Romero0-for-3
SS Brenny Escanio1-for-3, 2B (7), RS

RHP Blane Abeyta4.1 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, HR
RHP Mason Vinyard: (W, 4-2)  1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
3.71 ERA (34 IP, 28 H, 20 R, 14 ER, 2 HR, 20 BB, 48 K)
LHP Joel Valdez1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Matt Keating (S, 3): 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
4.50 ERA (56 IP, 40 H, 31 R, 28 ER, 8 HR, 23 BB, 66 K)


Tampa (41-55)

Their game against Lakeland was postponed. A lineup was never posted.


FCL (35-22)

Their season is over.


DSL Yankees (15-25)

Their game against DSL Phillies Red was canceled due to a tropical rainstorm. It will not be made up.


DSL Bombers (23-19)

Their game against DSL Mets Orange was canceled due to a tropical rainstorm. It will not be made up.

Yankees MILB 7/19: Hudson Valley’s No-Hitter

News

The draft was interesting for the Yankees. Everyone assumed the Yankees had an “all pitching” mentality but that doesn’t appear to be the case. I applaud the Yankees for not “reaching” for a position player just because they had already drafted many pitchers. The draft fell in a way where the most valuable thing on their board was pitching.

Will this cause a glut of pitching? Potentially, but that’s a concern for 2025 and beyond. As college arms, you want them to move up the chain quickly. However, not all of them will. A lot will happen between July 19, 2024, and the beginning of the 2025 season. I am not worrying about a logjam now.

As for my favorite pick, just based on what I am reading it is RHP Bryce Cunningham, their second-round pick. He seemingly can move fast with Keith Law claiming that he zoom up to Double-A next season. The arm that jumps out at you is RHP Greysen Carter, who has dialed it up to 103. An arm like his would be a no-doubt first-round pick if not for that thing called control. I like pitchers who come into the system with a plus pitch in their arsenal. Cunningham’s changeup and Carter’s fastball will play in professional ball, though Carter needs work.

Anyway, I will give more background as the players start filtering into levels and making their debuts. A reminder that they changed the FCL schedule in 2024. Instead of a month left in the season, there’s one week. Hence, there isn’t a “get your feet wet” spot. If players sign quickly, we could see them in Tampa this season. With many college pitchers selected, Low-A is not a daunting place to start. Times have changed and organizations have adjusted.

(For a full review of the draft, check out this article from VirginiaYankee1)

The Yankees have released Jose Rojas from his minor-league contract for the second time this season. Rojas is hitting .254/.359/.561 with 18 home runs and 57 RBI in 67 games. While I haven’t read anything to indicate why, the odds are good that Rojas negotiated an opt-out when he re-signed in June and exercised it. That is what happened the first time he was released.

The Yankees have signed 30-year-old LHP Thomas Pannone to a minor league deal. Pannone, released by the Cubs on July 17th, has appeared in 50 MLB games (13 starts), going 7-7 with a 5.46 ERA (5.06 FIP) over 118.2 innings. He owns a 19.6% K, 9.0% BB, and 33.8% GB. With the Iowa Cubs this season, he went 4-8 with a 4.37 ERA (4.78 FIP) in 19 starts. He spent time in Korea in 2022 and 2023. Recently, the Yankees signed fellow left-handers Chasen Shreve and Tim Mayza, but they are relievers. Pannone can give Scranton innings as a starter or long reliever.

As we enter the post-ASB portion of the season, none of the full-season leagues won their first-half titles (the “first half” ended a while ago, but I never noted that). As of now, it looks unlikely that a full-season affiliate will make the playoffs as the second-half standings aren’t favorable. There’s still time, though.

Scranton (49-42) (Lost to Buffalo, 1-0, in ten innings)

CF Brandon Lockridge0-for-5, 4 K
We all have bad days…
2B Jorbit Vivas1-for-4, 2B (6), 2 K
It isn’t a complete loss (he spent three days on an MLB roster), but it still felt meaningless to bring him up if his playing time was going to be zero. It is interesting that Oswald Peraza didn’t play tonight in the first game after the All-Star Break.
C Agustin Ramirez1-for-3, BB
1B T.J. Rumfield1-for-4, K
Rumfield is 7-for-24 with four walks in July.
SS Jeter Downs0-for-4, 3 K
RF Oscar Gonzalez: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
LF Taylor Trammell0-for-3, HBP, 2 K
3B Kevin Smith0-for-3, SB (11), HBP, K
DH Josh VanMeter0-for-4, 4 K

LHP Edgar Barclay 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K
I have documented how he hasn’t done well in Triple-A. It is nice to see him have a strong outing here.
RHP Jack Neely 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Since promotion: 7 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 8 K
RHP Scott Effross1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
The Yankees luckily had options to use on Effross as he continues his rehab-that-technically-isn’t-a-rehab. I assume it won’t be long until he is up with the big club.
RHP Ron Marinaccio1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
LHP Victor Gonzalez1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Duane Underwood Jr.: (L, 2-1)  0.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Hard to blame any reliever when a ghost runner scores!


Somerset (44-44) (Toss a 1-hitter against Altoona in a 2-0 win)

DH Spencer Jones1-for-4, RS, K
Has Jones’ trade value taken a hit? Maybe, but not as much as you think it has. Teams will still be interested in the crazy ceiling. Will the Yankees move him? I think it would have to be a special trade for them to give him up. Don’t expect him to be trade bait for a swing-and-miss reliever. 
SS Ben Cowles1-for-3, RS, BB
.299/.380/.474 in 358 PA. Cowles has never spent a full season at one level. I would expect the 24-year-old to finish up in Scranton (he went there briefly in 2023 before being sent to the Arizona Fall League).
1B Tyler Hardman0-for-4, K
C Rafael Flores3-for-4, RBI
On a night where pitching was the story, Flores stands out. He broke a 0-0 tie in the bottom of the 8th.  Since his promotion: .229/.325/.400 in 80 PA. He had a pair of 3-hit efforts for Hudson Valley earlier this season.
RF Elijah Dunham2-for-4, RBI, 2 K
Dunham didn’t let the break cool him off. He is 20-for-48 (.417) in July (6 doubles, 4 HR, 13 RBI)
CF Grant Richardson0-for-4, 2 K
LF Jared Wegner0-for-3, K
2B Anthony Seigler0-for-2, BB
3B Max Burt1-for-3, 2 K

RHP Trystan Vrieling6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K
Outstanding performance by Vrieling. It lowers his ERA to 5.21 (96.2 IP, 100 H, 59 R, 56 ER, 9 HR, 33 BB, 91 K). In July: 14 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 7 BB, 10 K. 
RHP Carlos Gomez1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP McKinley Moore: (W, 2-0) 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K
Moore is a work in progress. If they unlock him, the dividends will be high. But he will be a tough one to unlock.
RHP Eric Reyzelman (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Since promotion: 2.84 ERA (6.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 3 BB, 10 K). He is a contender for the 2025 bullpen. 


Hudson Valley (43-43) (No-hit Rome, 1-0)

2B Roc Riggio: 2-for-4, HR (7), RBI, RS, CS (4)
Riggio walks it off in the bottom of the 9th, earning the Renegades a combined no-hitter!  He is hitting .222/.356/.393 in 307 PA and has homered in back-to-back games.
SS Jared Serna0-for-3
.252/.344/.437 in 369 PA. He is only 9-for-46 (.196) in July.
CF Jace Avina0-for-3, K
C Omar Martinez1-for-3, K
DH Antonio Gomez0-for-3, K
1B Josh Moylan0-for-3, 2 K
RF Garrett Martin1-for-3, SB (9)
Martin is 9-for-10 in the stolen base category.
LF Cole Gabrielson0-for-3, 2 K
3B Brenny Escanio1-for-3, K

LHP Kyle Carr5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K
A much-needed outing for last year’s 3rd round pick. It lowers his ERA to 6.04 (67 IP, 70 H, 54 R, 45 ER, 5 HR, 43 BB, 58 K). Last time out, he allowed 7 runs (6 earned) over 3 IP. Can he get into a second-half groove?
RHP Trent Sellers3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
2.94 ERA (53.2 IP, 33 H, 27 R, 19 ER, 2 HR, 32 BB, 65 K). He started his last time out, but they moved him back to the bullpen tonight. He tossed three innings, so is there a major difference?
RHP Huey Morrill: (W, 2-2)  1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
3.52 ERA (30.2 IP, 28 H, 17 R, 12 ER, 6 HR, 9 BB, 33 K). The 24-year-old was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma State in 2022. The plot twist? He played shortstop for Oklahoma State (though he did make 17 appearances on the hill in college). 


Tampa (32-53) (Tied with Bradenton, 0-0, in the 5th. The game is in a delay. I will update this if they conclude the game tonight)

3B George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-2, K
SS Roderick Arias0-for-1, SB (25), BB
1B Dylan Jasso0-for-2, K
CF Jackson Castillo0-for-2
RF Willy Montero1-for-2
2B Hans Montero0-for-2, 2 K
DH Coby Morales0-for-1
C Josue Gonzalez0-for-1
LF Daury Arias0-for-1

RHP Chase Hampton3.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Hampton retired 11 of the 12 batters he faced (hit a batter) and averaged 92 MPH (94 max). He threw 45 pitches (30 strikes) and should be on his way to Somerset shortly.
RHP Aaron Nixon0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Nixon was used as a “bridge” between Hampton and Serna.
RHP Luis Serna1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
That bridge will be meaningless, as Serna will not return to this game.


FCL (33-20) (Lost to the Tigers, 4-0. With five games left, they own a 1.5-game lead over the Tigers. The two squads play a doubleheader tomorrow and have another matchup beyond that. There is a wild card in this league. The Tigers are currently in that position, but there’s a 3-team race in the South. The two teams that lose that race will be in the wild-card race. Those teams will undoubtedly play games against each other, so the Yankees are in good shape. The FCL squad and one of the DSL teams could be the only playoff representatives we get in 2024)

CF Brando Mayea1-for-4, K
Mayea is hitting .288 (good) though the power has yet to show up. At 18 years old, there’s time for the power to shine.
C Edgleen Perez1-for-3, BB
1B Engelth Urena2-for-3, K
His magical season continues (.308/.421/.575 in 145 PA with 7 homers and 29 RBI). In July, he is an incredible 23-for-49 (.469/.587/.959) with nine doubles and five home runs. Is the 19-year-old (20 on August 17th) ready for a full-season test?

RHP Chalniel Arias (L, 0-1): 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
5.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
RHP Indigo Diaz2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
His rehab continues.
RHP Sabier Marte3 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, HR
Marte is getting his work in (he leads the league with 49 IP). In those 49 IP, he owns a 2.76 ERA and 44/16 K/BB.


DSL Yankees (11-22) (Their game against the DSL Mets Orange was suspended. They own a 6-1 lead in the 5th)

So far, SS Dexters Peralta is 2-for-3, while CF Gabriel Lara (1 hit) and LF Isael Arias (2 hits, SB) have an RBI and run scored.

RHP Jorge Luna4 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K


DSL Bombers (20-14) (Defeated the DSL Giants Orange, 5-4)

CF Francisco Vilorio1-for-3, 2B (5), K
.200/.278/.325 in 90 PA (5 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 13 RBI)
SS Christofer Reyes1-for-3, RS, SB (12)
2B Luis Escudero0-for-2, RS, BB
DH Angel Ventura1-for-3, 3B (1), 2 RBI, RS, 2 K
I haven’t said much about Ventura, but the 18-year-old is hitting .276/.382/.328 in 68 PA.
LF Browm Martinez1-for-3, 2B (2), 2 RBI, RS, SB (16), K
.271/.369/.300 in 84 PA with 16 stolen bases in 20 tries.

RHP Jerson Alejandro: 3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K
4.07 ERA (24.1 IP, 14 H, 12 R, 11 ER, 0 HR, 23 BB, 38 K). The eight strikeouts are a personal best.
LHP Jose Ledesma (S, 5): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Yankees MILB 7/14: George Lombard Jr.: 2 Doubles

News

RHP JT Brubaker has an oblique injury, which will temporarily shut down his rehab stint.

As for where the system is at the midway point, it is a mixed bag that leans slightly towards disappointment. Some of that is due to injuries. Some of it is because we don’t have Drew Thorpe throwing 7 shutout innings every five days. Some of it is underperformance by upper-tier prospects.

It isn’t all negative – Ben Rice ascended to the majors, Agustin Ramirez has raked since Day 1 (despite a bumpy road in Scranton), and George Lombard Jr. is showing signs of adjusting to Low-A pitching. RHP Cade Smith has pitched well in Tampa.

Many depth prospects have played above expectations. Whether that is attractive to trade partners remains to be seen. When a system isn’t performing, it lessens your trade capital. The Yankees have routinely moved pitchers up the chain and used them in trades. This year? In my opinion, that supply isn’t as robust. However, one of my favorite mantras is that you never know how other organizations view your system.

There are still several weeks left in the season for the kids to end on a good note.

Tonight is the MLB Draft. Judging by social media and general buzz, you may not even know about it. I am not a draft expert. I will watch the draft and read everything I can about the Yankees’ selections. That way, I can give you a general idea about who they are when they begin playing. On Twitter, you can look up VirginiaYankee1 and BobbyMilone29 for analysis. VirginiaYankee1 writes up a post-draft report which I will retweet.

As you may suspect, writing these things every night can be a little tiring by the time we get to mid-July. I cherish the next four days off. Maybe I will write quick blurbs (like usual) for the FCL and DSL, but that’s it. I did a “midseason Top 30” a few years ago. It drove me crazy. Never again.

Scranton (49-42) (Defeated Syracuse, 3-2, in a thriller)

2B Oswald Peraza0-for-3, RS, 2 BB, K
.210/.325/.251 in 198 PA. Peraza hasn’t earned a promotion but I don’t know why they chose Jorbit Vivas for bench-riding purposes. 
DH T.J. Rumfield1-for-4, K
Rumfield is 7-for-24 in July with a double and a pair of homers.
C Agustin Ramirez0-for-3, SF, RBI, K
His full profile at the break (including his time with Somerset): .262/.355/.518 in 349 PA (15 doubles, 1 triple, 20 HR, 61 RBI, 55 R, 11.5% BB, 17.5% K, 17-for-18 SB). Offensively, he is a legitimate MLB prospect. Where does he fit defensively? We’ll see.
1B Jose Rojas0-for-3, BB, K
SS Jeter Downs1-for-4, 2B (16), RS, K
.266/.364/.505 in 262 PA (16 doubles, 3 triples, 10 HR, 37 RBI, 42 R, 15-for-21 SB)
CF Taylor Trammell1-for-3, HR (6), 2 RBI, RS, SB (9)
Trammell hit a game-winning 2-run HR in the top of the 9th (it followed Downs’ double)
   CF Brandon Lockridge0-for-0
RF Oscar Gonzalez1-for-4, K
3B Kevin Smith2-for-4, CS (2), K
LF Josh VanMeter1-for-3, 2B (8), BB

RHP Yoendrys Gomez4.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR
4.20 ERA (55.2 IP, 39 H, 27 R, 26 ER, 7 HR, 34 BB, 61 K). I wouldn’t be surprised to see him included in a deadline deal, but he won’t be a headliner.
RHP Alex Mauricio0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
0.98 ERA (27.2 IP, 19 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 12 BB, 32 K)
RHP Scott Effross1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Back-to-back scoreless outings as he works his way back to MLB. His rehab clock doesn’t have much time left, but they can ask for an extension if need be.
LHP Anthony Misiewicz1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Ron Marinaccio (W, 1-2): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda (S, 3): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
3.94 ERA (45.2 IP, 30 H, 24 R, 20 ER, 4 HR, 27 BB, 60 K). He has eight consecutive scoreless outings (10.1 IP).


Somerset (43-44) (Lost to Erie, 6-1. The Patriots have teetered around .500 all season).

SS Ben Cowles0-for-2, 2 BB
.298 with a .854 OPS (24 doubles, 3 triples, 8 HR, 49 RBI, 50 R, 10.5% BB, 17.8% K, 14-for-16 SB). You are impossible to please if you find fault in Cowles’ profile this season. He has played 2B (10 games)/SS (60)/3B (19).
1B Tyler Hardman0-for-4, 2 K
Hardman is hitting .240 with a .696 OPS for Somerset (107 PA).
C Rafael Flores1-for-4, 2 K
Since promotion: 13-for-66 (.197; 3 doubles, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 11 R, 9 BB, 24 K). His 31.6% K rate for Somerset is high but he didn’t get here long ago.
CF Elijah Dunham: 2-for-3, HR (10), RBI, RS, BB
July: 18-for-44 (.409; 6 doubles, 4 HR, 12 RBI, 7 R). He has hit safely in 19 of his last 20 games (9 multi-hit efforts).
3B J.C. Escarra1-for-4, 2B (18)
DH Grant Richardson0-for-4
2B Anthony Seigler: 0-for-2, 2 BB, K
Seigler has a 13.8% BB (9/6 BB/K in July). He has played his entire season at second base.
RF Jared Wegner0-for-3, BB, 2 K
LF Aaron Palensky0-for-3, BB

RHP Zach Messinger: (L, 2-7) 5 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, HR
3.94 ERA (96 IP, 80 H, 57 R, 42 ER, 7 HR, 31 BB, 100 K). Messinger is the first to record 100 strikeouts in the system (he leads the Eastern League). I think other organizations would have an interest in trade talks. He is 6’6″ and durability hasn’t been a concern (he has never been on the injured list).
RHP Colby White1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Danny Watson1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Watson has three consecutive scoreless outings (four of his last five). Before the season started, you could have placed him in the same realm as Jack Neely. An injury left him behind.
RHP Matt Sauer1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 0 K


Hudson Valley (42-43) (Lost to Jersey Shore, 5-3)

2B Roc Riggio1-for-4, HR (6), RBI, 2 RS
Riggio’s HR was a lead-off blast. He enters the break at .218/.354/.379 in 303 PA (16 doubles, 3 triples, 6 HR, 26 RBI, 48 R, 15-for-18 SB, 15.2% BB, 18.2% K). The average hasn’t shown up consistently yet but I think it will. 
SS Jared Serna: 1-for-2, RBI, CS (7), HBP, BB
.254/.347/.441 in 366 PA (23 doubles, 12 HR, 53 RBI, 49 R, 10-for-17 SB, 10.7% BB, 16.1% K). Serna played 107 games at Low-A Tampa and has 108 games at High-A Hudson Valley. I expect him to be called up soon.
LF Jace Avina0-for-4, 2 K
.271/.356/.440 in 315 PA. He has performed well in his first taste of High-A and should stay here for the season (he is only 21)
DH Omar Martinez1-for-3, SF, RBI, K
.240/.378/.403 in 288 PA (9 doubles, 1 triple, 9 HR, 31 RBI, 34 R, 17.7% BB, 22.6% K). Statistically, a similar profile to 2023. The “under the hood” stuff shows a kid hitting more balls in the air. 
C Antonio Gomez0-for-4, K
RF Christopher Familia0-for-4, 2 K
1B Kiko Romero0-for-3, SB (6), BB, 2 K
3B Beau Brewer0-for-4
CF Nelson Medina: 1-for-3, 2B (3), RS, 2 K

RHP Trent Sellers3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
Sellers, a starter for Oregon State last year, makes his first professional start. He struck out the side in his final inning. Season: 3.12 ERA (49 IP, 32 H, 25 R, 17 ER, 2 HR, 29 BB, 60 K)
RHP Matt Keating: (L, 3-3)  1.1 IP, 2 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
4.93 ERA (49.1 IP, 38 H, 29 R, 27 ER, 7 HR, 21 BB, 61 K). Some players don’t want a 4-day break, while others welcome it. Keating can use the rest.
RHP Yorlin Calderon2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
LHP Joel Valdez1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
3.24 ERA (41.2 IP, 29 H, 19 R, 15 ER, 2 HR, 21 BB, 48 K). His BB rate still needs work but it is down considerably from 2023.


Tampa (32-53) (Defeated Dunedin, 9-5)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 2-for-6, 2 2B (15), 2 RS, SB (25), 3 K
.234/.350/.352 in 311 PA (15 doubles, 2 triples, 4 HR, 29 RBI, 38 R, 25-for-29 SB, 14.1% BB, 23.5% K). April: 2 extra-base hits (both doubles); May: 4 extra-base hits (3 doubles, 1 triple); June: 9 extra-base hits (7 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR); July: 6 extra-base hits (3 doubles, 3 HR). It is fun to watch a prospect adjust to a level.
DH Roderick Arias: 2-for-4, 3 RS, SB (24), 2 BB, K
.220/.320/.360 in 372 PA (13 doubles, 7 triples, 6 HR, 44 RBI, 50 R, 24-for-35 SB, 11.8% BB, 33.6% K). He owns a .423 OBP in July.  As I keep saying, you look for positive signs as he tries to iron out the rest of his game.
3B Dylan Jasso2-for-4, HR (9), SF, 3 RBI, RS, BB, K
Jasso doesn’t want the All-Star Break, as he is 6-for-8 in his last two games. 
LF Jackson Castillo: 3-for-4, 2B (15), 2 RBI, 2 RS, HBP, BB, K
Castillo ends the first half on a 5-game hitting streak (8-for-19) and is 12-for-40 (.300/.440/.450) in July. Overall, he is hitting .264/.393/.429 in 285 PA (15 doubles, 1 triple, 7 HR, 24 RBI, 46 R, 13-for-17 SB, 17.5% BB, 18.9% K)
CF Willy Montero: 2-for-6, HR (6), 3 RBI, RS, K
Montero has 6 RBI in his last two games. He is hitting .243/.293/.363 in 317 PA.
2B Hans Montero1-for-4, BB, 2 K
You don’t want anyone to get hurt, and Montero would have received playing time regardless of Enmanuel Tejeda‘s status. That said, he is 12-for-38 (.316/.435/.579) in July with a pair of triples and homers.
1B Coby Morales0-for-3, RBI, 2 BB, 2 K
RF Anthony Hall0-for-4, BB, 3 K
C Diomedes Hernandez0-for-3, 2 BB

RHP Bryce Warrecker3.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
Warrecker tossed 61 pitches today. They are understandably taking it easy with him (11 starts, 32 IP) in his first professional season.
RHP Harrison Cohen: (W, 2-0) 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K
I will assume that Cohen’s rehab is nearing completion and a trip to Somerset is upcoming.
LHP Rafelin Nivar1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Aaron Nixon1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Montana Semmell: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Ocean Gabonia1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
4.40 ERA (43 IP, 44 H, 24 R, 21 ER, 4 HR, 11 BB, 49 K). He entered June with a 6.14 ERA and has steadily brought it down.


FCL (31-18)

Scheduled day off. Unlike the full-season leagues, the FCL does not go on break.


DSL Yankees (11-17)

Scheduled day off. Unlike the full-season leagues, the DSL does not go on break.


DSL Bombers (18-11)

Scheduled day off. Unlike the full-season leagues, the DSL does not go on break.

Yankees MILB 7/4: Jorbit Vivas Doubles Twice

News:

Happy 4th of July!

LHP Henry Lalane made his 2024 debut today. Standing 6’7″, Lalane was born in the Bronx but moved to the Dominican Republic when he was four months old (which is why he was an international signing and not a draftee). What makes him interesting? A kid his size typically has control issues, which showed up in his 2022 debut season. However, last year, he compiled a 34/4 K/BB over 21.2 IP. Don’t expect instant gratification – he has to develop a third pitch to go with his fastball/change combination (for now, the third pitch is a slider) and has yet to make his full-season debut. His talent could be that of a unicorn, but we are years away from knowing what direction he will go in.

Scranton (46-37)  (Lost to Lehigh Valley, 7-5)

2B Jorbit Vivas2-for-4, 2 2B (5), RBI, 2 RS, HBP
Going back to 6/13: 18 games; 21-for-65 (.323; 5 doubles, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 13 R, 13 BB, 13 K). Yes, he has found his groove and it is impressive.
SS Oswald Peraza0-for-4, BB, K
C Agustin Ramirez: 1-for-4, K
Last 7 games: 6-for-22 (.273; 2 HR)
1B T.J. Rumfield0-for-3, BB
DH Carlos Narvaez1-for-4, 2 K
LF Jose Rojas2-for-4, RS
   PR-CF Brandon Lockridge: 0-for-0
RF Oscar Gonzalez0-for-4, K
CF-LF Taylor Trammell1-for-4, 2B (10), RS, K
3B Jeter Downs1-for-3, RBI, RS, BB, K
.277/.382/.524 in 234 PA (14 doubles, 3 triples, 9 HR, 34 RBI, 39 R, 14-for-20 SB)

LHP Edgar Barclay: (L, 3-7)  5 IP, 11 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 3 HR
After his promotion last year, Barclay has struggled in Triple-A. Would they consider moving him back into a bullpen/swingman role?
RHP Cody Morris1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Alex Mauricio1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
1.03 ERA (26.1 IP, 19 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 10 BB, 30 K). It may not be with the Yankees, but I expect to see the 27-year-old get a chance somewhere. He is a 4-seamer, slider type.
LHP Chasen Shreve1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Ron Marinaccio1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K


Somerset (39-39) (Their game against Reading was suspended due to unplayable playing conditions in the top of the 4th (Somerset has a 5-0 lead). They will resume it tomorrow. This happens sometimes in the minors: The field is unplayable even when the rain stops)

CF Spencer Jones0-for-1, RS, BB, K
SS Ben Cowles1-for-2, HR (7), 3 RBI, RS
This will be Cowles’ 4th 3-RBI game this season.
1B Tyler Hardman0-for-2, K
DH Rafael Flores1-for-1, HR (2), RBI, RS, HBP
Flores has three doubles and two home runs in 9 games since his promotion.
LF Elijah Dunham0-for-2
C J.C. Escarra0-for-1
RF Jared Wegner1-for-1, RS
2B Anthony Seigler1-for-1, 2B (15), RS
This is Seigler’s third double in four July games.
3B Max Burt0-for-0, SF, RBI

RHP Trystan Vrieling3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
At least he got three innings in before the rain started. Season: 5.67 ERA (85.2 IP, 94 H, 57 R, 54 ER, 9 HR, 27 BB, 83 K). His numbers were impacted greatly by his last two starts (8 IP, 22 H, 17 R, 16 ER, 4 BB, 9 K).


Hudson Valley (40-37) (Shut down Brooklyn, 6-0)

2B Roc Riggio1-for-4, 2B (16), RS, HBP
Riggio has a 20-game on-base streak and has doubled in seven of his last eight games.  He is hitting .229/.374/.402 in 265 PA with a 16.2% BB and 17.7% K. The walks have been there all year – it’s nice to see the rest of his offensive game start to heat up.
SS Jared Serna1-for-5, 2B (21), RS
Serna is tied for second in the Sally League in doubles and RBI (52). 
RF Jace Avina1-for-4, RS, 2 K
DH Omar Martinez2-for-4, HR (9), 3 RBI, RS, 2 K
.238/.381/.410 in 260 PA. For Tampa in 2023, he hit .251/.367/.445. 
C Antonio Gomez2-for-4, HR (2), RBI, RS, K
3B Josh Moylan1-for-3, SB (1), BB, K
Moylan’s first career stolen base.
LF Garrett Martin: 0-for-3, BB, K
1B Kiko Romero: 2-for-4, HR (5), RBI, RS, SB (5)
.223/.357/.392 in 157 PA. 
CF Cole Gabrielson1-for-3, SB (8), BB, K

RHP Blane Abeyta: (W, 1-1)  6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
A solid start for the 25-year-old. He essentially is a minor-league innings eater for the Yankees, but there’s no shame in that.
RHP Matt Keating2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
4.20 ERA (45 IP, 34 H, 23 R, 21 ER, 7 HR, 18 BB, 56 K). Keating recently had rough outings (2 IP, 4 R; 1 IP, 5 R) but has been solid most of the season.
RHP Cole Ayers1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
2.45 ERA (44 IP, 33 H, 16 R, 12 ER, 2 HR, 15 BB, 54 K). Ayers (24) is up to 62 IP at this level. I assume he will make his way to Somerset sometime in the second half.


Tampa (27-49) (Lost a tough one to Lakeland, 1-0)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 2-for-4
Lombard Jr.’s OPS briefly went over .700 tonight but ended the night at .699. Going back to June 11th: 19 games; 21-for-72 (.292; 5 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 11 R, 9 BB, 16 K, 8-for-10 SB)
DH Enmanuel Tejeda1-for-4, SB (24)
Between here and the FCL (rehab stint), Tejeda has 26 stolen bases in 46 games.
2B Roderick Arias1-for-4, 2B (11), K
Arias’ first extra-base hit against an LHP this season.
1B Dylan Jasso0-for-3, HBP
  PR Coby Morales0-for-0
CF Jackson Castillo0-for-3, BB, K
3B Hans Montero0-for-3, BB, 2 K
LF Willy Montero0-for-4, K
C Tomas Frick1-for-4
RF Daury Arias1-for-3

RHP Bryce Warrecker: (L, 0-2)  1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Warrecker was pulled only because there was a long rain delay.
RHP Osiel Rodriguez3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
1.86 ERA (38.2 IP, 17 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 5 HR, 20 BB, 45 K). 
RHP Montana Semmel2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Ocean Gabonia1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Gabonia owns a 4.62 ERA with a 45/10 K/BB over 39 IP.


FCL (26-15) (Lost to the Tigers, 8-1)

CF Brian Sanchez0-for-3, SB (12), BB
1B Engelth Urena2-for-4, HR (3), RBI, RS, K
He has 5 doubles and 3 homers in 24 games.
3B Abrahan Ramirez2-for-4, 2 2B (12)
Ramirez is back to .400. Statistics at this level can be misleading, but .400/.507/.591 stands out. That is *not* normal at this level.

LHP Henry Lalane1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, HR
Results won’t matter for a while.
RHP Omar Gonzalez4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K
The 18-year-old didn’t want to be overshadowed today! Standing 6’4″, walks have been an issue (18 in 18.2 IP this year).
RHP Chris Kean1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Kean likely needs his ticket to Low-A Tampa stamped.


DSL Yankees (9-13) (Lost to the DSL Cardinals, 2-1)

SS Dexters Peralta0-for-4, SB (8), K
3B Richard Matic: 0-for-3, BB, K
C Justin Capellan1-for-4, K
.255/.333/.340 in 54 PA for the 17-year-old.

RHP Luis Burgos: 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K


DSL Bombers (12-9) (Lost to the DSL Mets Orange, 9-5)

CF Francisco Vilorio1-for-3, 2B (1), 2 RBI, RS, BB, K
He filled in the “triples” and “home runs” columns earlier this season. He is hitting .270/.357/.432 in 42 PA with 10 runs batted in.
2B Luis Escudero0-for-3, RS, 2 SB (14), BB, K
14-for-16 stealing bases in 16 games. 
LF Angel Ventura1-for-4, 2B (1), RBI, RS, SB (8), K
The 18-year-old is hitting .182/.308/.212 with 8 stolen bases in 9 attempts.

RHP Carlos Almonte: 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
8 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K

Yankees MILB 7/1: Roc Riggio Continues Hot Streak

News:

Typically speaking, full-season leagues have Monday off. Not this week. Rather, they will play a Monday – Saturday schedule with Sunday off. That means they will get both Sunday and Monday off next week.

RHP Chase Hampton, who I assumed may not pitch in 2024, threw a rehab game for the FCL today.  I don’t think Hampton will impact the 2024 Yankees. However, it gives potential trade partners a chance to take a look at him.

C Josh Breaux, released by the Yankees on June 29th, found a job quickly. The Phillies signed him to a minor league deal and he was in tonight’s lineup for Double-A Reading against the Somerset Patriots. Organizations are always looking for catching depth, so it isn’t a shock that Breaux landed on his feet quickly.

Scranton (45-34)

The Railriders are rebels this week. They were off on Monday and will play two games on Wednesday instead.


Somerset (38-38) (Defeated Reading, 7-6, walk-off style)

CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-4, 2B (13), RS, SB (18), HBP, 3 K
Jones has doubled in five straight games. The power spike is encouraging (5 doubles, 3 HR in last 7 games) though the strikeouts keep piling up. I find his potential outcomes to be widely spread out. 
SS Ben Cowles0-for-5
DH Tyler Hardman1-for-4, RS, 2 SB (4), BB, 2 K
Not known for his speed, Hardman did steal 14 bases in 18 attempts in 2022.
C Rafael Flores: 2-for-5, 2B (3), 2 RS, SB (2), K
In his first six Double-A games: 7-for-25 (3 doubles, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 6 R). Overall, he has 20 doubles and 7 home runs in 63 games.
RF Elijah Dunham2-for-5, 2B (11), 3 RBI
Dunham walks it off with an RBI double in the bottom of the 9th.
1B J.C. Escarra2-for-4, RS
2B Anthony Seigler: 3-for-4, 2B (13), 2 RS, 2 SB (15)
Seigler has his OPS over .700 (.701). In his last 9 games, he is 11-for-31 (.355) with 4 doubles, a homer, 10 RBI, 10 runs, and 4 stolen bases.
LF Aaron Palensky: 3-for-4, 2 RBI, SB (13), CS (4)
3B Max Burt0-for-4, K

LHP Brock Selvidge5.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 8 K
Selvidge cruised through four innings but allowed five runs in the 5th and 6th. Season: 3.95 ERA (79.2 IP, 69 H, 45 R, 35 ER, 4 HR, 39 BB, 80 K). I love that he keeps the ball in the ballpark. The walk rate is something he’ll continue to work on. 
RHP Colby White1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Luis Velasquez: (W, 2-2)  2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K


Hudson Valley (39-35) (Shut down Brooklyn, 5-0)

2B Roc Riggio2-for-3, 2B (15), 2 RBI, SB (10), 2 BB
Riggio has a 19-game on-base streak, a 7-game hitting streak, and a 6-game doubles streak. His OPS is .781.
SS Jared Serna1-for-5, SB (10), K
Serna reaches double digits in homers and stolen bases for the second straight season.
CF Jace Avina0-for-1, K
I am not sure why Avina left the game early. This will end his 8-game hitting streak.
   CF Cole Gabrielson0-for-4
C Omar Martinez0-for-3, RS, BB, K
3B Josh Moylan2-for-4, 2B (8), RS
Moylan has a 9-game hitting streak (15-for-34 (.441)). He is hitting .259 with a .733 OPS.
DH Garrett Martin: 1-for-2, HR (7), RBI, RS, 2 BB, K
Martin has 5 HR in his last 8 games.
LF Christopher Familia: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, RS, 2 K
1B Kiko Romero0-for-4, RS, K
RF Nelson Medina0-for-4, 2 K

RHP Baron Stuart: (W, 5-2) 6.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K
Including his solid emergency start with Scranton, Stuart owns a 3.36 ERA (61.2 IP, 51 H, 25 R, 23 ER, 2 HR, 29 BB, 51 K). Stuart is a ground ball pitcher (52.6% entering tonight) who is pitching well. He was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Pittsburgh last year.
LHP Joel Valdez1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
3.28 ERA (35.2 IP, 24 H, 16 R, 13 ER, 2 HR, 18 BB, 42 K)
RHP Cole Ayers1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
2.51 ERA (43 IP, 32 H, 16 R, 12 ER, 2 HR, 15 BB, 52 K)


Tampa (27-47) (Lost to Lakewood, 7-1)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-3, RS, SB (23), BB, K
Lombard Jr. has six stolen bases in his last seven games. 
LF Enmanuel Tejeda1-for-4
Tejeda’s first career outfield start. Given his profile, it makes sense that they are trying to increase his versatility.
2B Roderick Arias1-for-3, BB
vs. RHP: .213/.323/.396. vs. LHP: .192/.218/.192. Correct: All 23 extra-base hits have come against RHP. Will the Yankees have to eventually think about asking him to bat left-handed against everyone? Who knows?
3B Dylan Jasso0-for-4
CF Jackson Castillo0-for-4
DH Hans Montero0-for-3
C Josue Gonzalez1-for-3
Gonzalez’s Low-A debut after hitting .233/.395/.433 in 152 PA for the FCL squad. He is 20 years old.
1B Coby Morales0-for-3, 2 K
RF Daury Arias0-for-3

RHP Steven Fulgencio2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 1 K
Fulgencio’s first career start (43 relief appearances)
LHP Rafelin Nivar1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Jordy Luciano: (L, 0-3)  2.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, HR
RHP Montana Semmel1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
RHP Ocean Gabonia1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR


FCL (25-13) (Knocked off the 9-32 (what?) Blue Jays, 9-6)

CF Brian Sanchez1-for-5, RBI, RS, 2 K
.321/.413/.569 in 126 PA with 24 runs batted in.
C Edgleen Perez2-for-3, HR (2), RBI, RS
.287/.475/.426 in 139 PA with more walks (33) than strikeouts (24). This is a nice follow-up to the 18-year-old’s 2023 DSL campaign (.259/.389/.317).
RF Anthony Hall2-for-4, 2B (1), RS, BB, K
Hall was placed here on a rehab stint last week. The 23-year-old started 3-for-33 in Hudson Valley before being placed on the IL on April 26th. He was their 4th round pick in 2022 out of Oregon.
DH-1B Engelth Urena2-for-4, 2 RBI, RS, CS (1), BB
After missing the 2023 season, Urena is off to a .208/.301/.319 start here (83 plate appearances)
3B Abrahan Ramirez2-for-5, RS, CS (1), K
Imagine going 2-for-5 and having it not help your batting average. That happens when you hit .404/.516/.577 in 129 PA. He has six consecutive multi-hit games (10 multi-hit efforts in his last 11 games. That is nuts)
SS Juan Matheus1-for-1, RBI, RS, SB (8), 3 BB
The 20-year-old is hitting .330/.443/.500 in 122 PA with three homers and 22 RBI.
1B Luis Ogando1-for-3, HR (3, grand slam), 4 RBI, RS, BB
.293/.373/.500 in 67 PA. It’s his second grand slam this season (May 28th, also against the Blue Jays)

RHP Chase Hampton1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
It will be a while before the results begin to matter. Last year, in his professional debut season, he pitched to a 3.63 ERA in 106.2 IP with a 145/37 K/BB. He pitched for Hudson Valley and Somerset.
RHP Danny Flatt (W, 2-0): 4 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, HR
2.90 ERA (31 IP, 26 H, 12 R, 10 ER, 2 HR, 18 BB, 35 K).  He should make it to Tampa in 2024.


DSL Yankees (9-12) (Defeated the DSL Phillies White, 9-2)

SS Dexters Peralta2-for-5, 2B (3), 2 RBI, RS, K
LF Gabriel Lara1-for-5, RBI, RS
CF Isael Arias2-for-3, 3B (1), 2 RS, SB (4), 2 BB
The 18-year-old is in his debut season. He has more walks (11) than strikeouts (9) and is hitting .200/.411/.275 with a double, triple, and a 4-for-5 SB rate.
C Luis Puello0-for-2, 3 BB
A perfectly normal .441/.568/.706 line in 44 PA (2 HR, 11 RBI)

RHP Edinzo Marquez4.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K
A huge effort by Marquez, who owns a 1.47 ERA in 18.1 IP (12 H, 7 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 8 BB, 24 K


DSL Bombers (12-8) (Defeated the DSL Phillies Red, 6-3)

CF Francisco Vilorio2-for-5, HR (1), 3 RBI, RS, CS (2), 2 K
The bonus baby’s first professional home run (he also has a triple). He is hitting .265/.342/.412 in 38 PA.
C Queni Pineda: 2-for-3, 2B (4), RBI, RS, BB, K
4 doubles and 2 homers in 16 games for the 17-year-old.
SS Christofer Reyes2-for-4, RBI, CS (5)
I always say that speedsters should run as often as possible in the minors. Reyes (16) is 9-for-14 stealing bases in 16 games.
3B Luis Suarez2-for-3, 2 RS, SB (2), BB

RHP Joshawn Lampson3.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
RHP Enixon Sanchez (W, 1-0): 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
The 16-year-old’s first career win. In 9.2 innings, he has allowed 6 runs (2 earned) on 4 hits with an 8/6 K/BB.

Yankees MILB 6/29: Cam Schlittler Ks 7

News:

C/1B Josh Breaux was released. The 2nd round pick in the 2018 draft showed off his trademark power at times (69 HR, .457 SLG in 326 games) but the rest of his game didn’t develop. Injuries didn’t help in his progression.

C/1B Josue Gonzalez was moved from the FCL to Tampa. After a spectacular 2023 in the DSL, Gonzalez wasn’t hitting as much in the FCL (.233/.395/.433), though he did launch 6 homers and drive in 21 runs in 35 games. Gonzalez did nothing but catch in the DSL, but has played more first base in the FCL (21 starts at first base, 13 games at catcher).

Scranton (45-33)

Their game against Worcester was postponed due to rain. They will attempt to make this up on July 24th. Tomorrow’s weather is iffy in Scranton, which is likely why they didn’t schedule two games.


Somerset (36-38) (Lost to Richmond, 11-3)

CF Spencer Jones1-for-4, 2B (11), RS, 2 K
Jones has doubled in three straight games.
SS Ben Cowles0-for-4, K
Cowles’ 9-game hitting streak is snapped.
1B Tyler Hardman1-for-4, RBI, K
C Rafael Flores0-for-4, 2 K
3B J.C. Escarra0-for-4
LF Elijah Dunham1-for-4, 3B (3)
DH Grant Richardson: 2-for-4, HR (4), RBI, 2 RS, 2 K
He launched 18 HR in 92 games (including 5 in 15 games here) last season.
2B Anthony Seigler: 2-for-4, 2 2B (12), RBI
.205/.303/.384. He has 19 extra-base hits in 59 games (10 in 67 games in 2023).
RF Aaron Palensky1-for-3, 2B (5)

RHP Trystan Vrieling: (L, 7-6) 3 IP, 10 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, HR
5.88 ERA (82.2 IP, 92 H, 57 R, 54 ER, 9 HR, 26 BB, 81 K). I am not saying the Yankees made a mistake. I am saying that you are seeing why the vast majority of prospects don’t start their careers in Double-A. He’s had good moments (including a 7 IP, 1 R effort two starts ago) but this is not easy. 
RHP Yorlin Calderon2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
For Somerset: 2.10 ERA (25.2 IP, 19 H, 11 R, 6 ER, 1 HR, 10 BB, 21 K)
RHP Danny Watson1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Back-to-back scoreless efforts for Watson, who hopefully is finding his groove.
RHP Kevin Stevens1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR
This is the first time he has allowed multiple runs since April 23rd (17 straight appearances)
RHP McKinley Moore 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K


Hudson Valley (38-35) (Defeated Wilmington, 4-3)

2B Roc Riggio1-for-4, 2B (14), K
Riggio has doubled in five straight contests (six straight with at least one extra-base hit – he homered in the other game). Additionally, he has an 18-game on-base streak and has reached base safely in 38 of his last 39 games. Impressive.
SS Jared Serna0-for-4
CF Jace Avina: 2-for-3, 2B (21), HR (8), RBI, 2 RS, BB
Avina has an 8-game hitting streak (13-for-29 (.448), 4 doubles, 2 HR, 4 BB). Overall, he is hitting .289/.369/.481 in 271 PA.
DH Omar Martinez0-for-2, RS, 2 BB
Martinez has 44 walks in 248 PA (17.7%). 
C Antonio Gomez1-for-3, HR (1), 2 RBI, RS, BB, K
Gomez’s first home run since June 22, 2023.
1B Josh Moylan: 2-for-4, 2B (7), RBI, CS (2), K
Moylan with a walk-off RBI single in the 9th. He has an 8-game hitting streak (13-for-30 (.433), 3 doubles, 2 HR). His average is up to .254 (it hasn’t been this high since he was hitting  .261 on April 17th)
RF Garrett Martin0-for-3, K
LF Cole Gabrielson0-for-3, K
3B Brenny Escanio0-for-3

RHP Cam Schlittler4.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, HR
For Hudson Valley: 2.44 ERA (59 IP, 36 H, 23 R, 16 ER, 6 HR, 30 BB, 78 K).  This was his first start since an emergency appearance with Scranton.
RHP Eric Reyzelman1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
Since joining Hudson Valley: 9.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 17 K.
RHP Trent Sellers2.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Sellers deserves props for keeping Reyzelman’s ERA at 0.00, as he stranded two baserunners with one out in the 7th.
RHP Matt Keating: (W, 2-1) 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K


Tampa (27-45) (Their game against Fort Myers was suspended. They trail 2-0 in the second inning. I have no idea why they even tried to start this one. They will try to make it up tomorrow. This game will go the full nine innings, while Game 2 will go seven innings)

2B George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-1, SB (22)
DH Enmanuel Tejeda0-for-1, K
SS Roderick Arias0-for-1, K
1B Dylan Jasso0-for-1
LF Jackson Castillo1-for-1
3B Hans Montero0-for-1, SB (6)
CF Willy Montero0-for-1, K
RF Coby Morales0-for-0
C Tomas Frick0-for-0

RHP Cade Smith1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, HR
This will go down as a wasted start, but that is OK. 


FCL (24-13) (Their game against the FCL Blue Jays was postponed due to wet grounds. Maybe this squad will play again by 2026)


DSL Yankees (8-12) (Defeated DSL Phillies White, 6-1)

SS Dexters Peralta1-for-3, RS, BB, K
.193/.281/.228 in 64 PA. Peralta, a switch-hitter, turns 17 on July 11th.
3B Richard Matic0-for-3, RBI, BB
CF Louis Pierre1-for-2, 2 RS, SB (2), BB, K
1B Niurby Asigen1-for-1, 2B (2), SF, RBI, RS, BB

RHP Jorge Luna (W, 1-2): 4.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K
1.50 ERA (18 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 10 BB, 22 K). 
RHP Rafael Arias2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
The 20-year-old has a 7/1 K/BB in his first 2.2 professional innings.


DSL Bombers (11-8) (Lost to DSL Giants Orange, 6-0)

DH Francisco Vilorio0-for-3, 2 K
He played a partial game yesterday and a full contest at DH today. This is the typical formula for a player coming back from injury.
2B Luis Escudero1-for-3, CS (2)
A 5’8″ middle infielder. Two things the Yankees like to target (probably because they think they are undervalued and can grab them for small bonsues): Small-ish middle infielders and tall pitchers. Escudero is hitting .371/.549/.486 in 51 PA

RHP Jerson Alejandro (L, 0-3): 3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 3 K
Speaking of tall pitchers, Alejandro is 6’6″ and listed at 255 pounds.

Yankees MILB 6/28: Agustin Ramirez Hits First Scranton Homer

News:

None.

Scranton (45-33) (Defeated Worcester, 7-5)

CF Brandon Lockridge0-for-4, 2 K
3B Jorbit Vivas1-for-3, RS, 2 SB (6), BB
Vivas is hitting .255/.403/.388 in 126 PA for Scranton and is on a 6-game hitting streak. We talk about his good pop for a middle infielder, but he also can run a little. Last year, he stole 25 bases in 30 attempts.
2B Oswald Peraza3-for-4, 2B (2), RBI, 2 RS
Peraza is surging towards .200 (have to start somewhere). He is hitting .198/.324/.240 for Scranton. The lack of power stands out.
C Agustin Ramirez1-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, 2 K
Ramirez gets that first Triple-A homer. It’s his 17th HR overall (54 RBI)
1B T.J. Rumfield1-for-4, HR (8), 2 RBI, RS, K
For Scranton: .294/.347/.466 in 242 PA. The power has shown up in June (.296/.337/.556 with 6 doubles and 5 homers). Rumfield with power is an interesting prospect. Yes, the “Triple-A is juiced up!” disclaimer applies.
DH Carlos Narvaez0-for-4, K
LF Jose Rojas1-for-4, 2 K
RF Oscar Gonzalez2-for-3, HR (5), RBI, RS, K
SS Jeter Downs1-for-2, 2B (13), 2 CS (6), BB, K, Ejection!
Busy night for Downs!
   SS Kevin Smith0-for-0

LHP Edgar Barclay5 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Matt Sauer: (W, 1-2) 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Sauer has struggled since coming back. When you think about it, they are playing with house money since he couldn’t stick in Kansas City. Let’s see if he can get into a second-half groove.
LHP Anthony Misiewicz (S, 5): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K


Somerset (36-36) (Defeated Richmond, 7-5)

CF Spencer Jones1-for-5, 2B (10), RBI, 3 K
Jones has doubled in back-to-back games. He has 11 strikeouts in his last four games. When you are ranked #1 or #2 on 99.9% of Yankees’ prospect lists, there will be a large microscope. 
SS Ben Cowles2-for-5, RBI, 2 K
Cowles has a 9-game hitting streak and is hitting .303/.382/.480 in 296 PA. This is the 24-year-old’s debut season at this level, so this performance is impressive. When will he get to Scranton? It doesn’t matter much – he needs at-bats, and they are more available here.
1B Rafael Flores1-for-5, 2B (2), 3 K
C J.C. Escarra1-for-4, HBP
DH Elijah Dunham1-for-5, RS, SB (9), 2 K
LF Grant Richardson2-for-4, RS, SB (9), BB, K
3 multi-hit games in his last five games played.
2B Anthony Seigler0-for-2, 2 RS, 2 SB (13), 2 BB
.199/.300/.370 in 207 PA (10 doubles, 7 HR, 23 RBI, 25 R, 13-for-14 SB, 12.6% BB, 20.3% K). Taking walks is one thing he has always done well offensively.
RF Aaron Palensky1-for-3, RBI, 2 RS, SB (12), BB
3B Max Burt1-for-4, 2B (3), 3 RBI, RS

RHP Blane Abeyta5 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, HR
RHP Carlos Gomez (W, 3-1): 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Luis Velasquez1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
5.02 ERA (28.2 IP, 25 H, 24 R, 16 ER, 4 HR, 24 BB, 37 K).
RHP Jesus Liranzo (S, 1): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K


Hudson Valley (37-34) (Defeated Wilmington, 6-2)

2B Roc Riggio2-for-3, 2B (13), BB
Riggio has doubled in four straight games and is up to .225/.368/.395 in 247 PA. He was taking walks but not hitting much. Now, the bat is starting to get going.
SS Jared Serna1-for-4
LF Jace Avina1-for-4
Avina has a 7-game hitting streak (11-for-26, .423)
C Omar Martinez2-for-3, HR (8), RBI, 2 RS, BB
.241/.377/.407. Martinez is a part of the impressive/improving catching pipeline.
1B Josh Moylan: 1-for-4, RS, K
Moylan has a 7-game hitting streak. I remember reading a lot from Yankees’ Twitter draft experts about how he was a nice undrafted signing. Perhaps the bat is heating up.
RF Garrett Martin1-for-2, HR (6), 2 RBI, 2 RS, 2 BB
.221/.315/.450 in 154 PA. He has four homers in his last six games.
DH Christopher Familia1-for-4, HR (1), 3 RBI, RS, 2 K
It’s been a slow start for Familia coming off his injury.
CF Cole Gabrielson0-for-4, K
3B Kiko Romero0-for-2, BB, 2 K

LHP Ben Shields: (W, 3-2)  5.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 K
For Hudson Valley: 2.75 ERA (52.1 IP, 35 H, 19 R, 16 ER, 5 HR, 10 BB, 71 K). This is an impressive debut season for the undrafted free agent. At 25, he is old for the level but his lack of experience tells me this is the appropriate spot for him. I assume he will be on the list of promotions to Somerset.
RHP Luis Arejula1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Mason Vinyard1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Huey Morrill1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K


Tampa (27-45) (Defeated Ft. Myers, 9-2)

2B George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-4, RS, BB, K
3B Enmanuel Tejeda3-for-5, RBI, 3 SB (22)
.320/.364/.387 at this level. Tejeda is impressing me in 2024. 
SS Roderick Arias0-for-4, RS, BB, K
1B Dylan Jasso0-for-4, RBI, RS, 2 K
CF Jackson Castillo2-for-5, 2B (12), RS
.249/.378/.418 in 233 PA.
RF Willy Montero2-for-5, 2B (8), 2 RBI, 2 RS, SB (20), K
Montero is 32-for-83 in June. Yes, collecting 30+ hits in a calendar month is not an easy feat.
DH Coby Morales2-for-4, 2 RBI, RS, K
C Tomas Frick1-for-3, 2B (10), RBI, RS, SB (1), BB, 2 K
LF Daury Arias1-for-4, RBI, RS

RHP Josh Grosz: (W, 2-5) 6.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K
Suggestion to the Yankees: I know that there are times when you need an emergency arm at other levels. However, I would keep Grosz here regardless of those needs. This is the level where he is undoubtedly most comfortable right now.
RHP Harrison Cohen0.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
RHP Ocean Gabonia2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K


FCL (24-13) (Their games against the FCL Phillies were postponed. The new date for yesterday’s suspended game is July 5th. I do not see a makeup day listed for today’s regularly scheduled game)


DSL Yankees (7-12) (Lost to DSL Arizona Black, 4-3. There is a reason for it (mainly location), but I still like that the DSL squads play more than three teams, unlike the FCL teams)

DH Justin Capellan1-for-4, RBI, 3 K
.275/.370/.375 in 46 PA. This is the 17-year-old’s debut campaign.
CF Gabriel Lara0-for-3, RS, 2 SB (7), BB
.233/.340/.302 in 50 PA. Thus far, he isn’t showing off the power he displayed in 2023 (.411 SLG), but I am more locked into how he does on the basepaths.
C Luis Puello1-for-2, 2B (3), SB (1), BB

RHP Alexander Almonte3.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
2.63 ERA in 13.2 IP for the 6’4″ 17-year-old. This is his de2but season.
RHP Luis Burgos2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K


DSL Bombers (11-7) (Lost to DSL Colorado, 6-4)

CF Francisco Vilorio0-for-3, K
Vilorio’s first game since 6/15. The millionaire bonus baby is hitting .269/.367/.346 in eight games.
  CF Browm Martinez1-for-1, RS, SB (11)
While I can’t say for certain, it is a reasonable assumption that Viliorio was pulled because he is coming back from injury.
DH Queni Pineda: 1-for-4, 2B (3), RBI, 2 K
2B Luis Escudero1-for-3, RS, SB (12)
A DSL classic line of .375/.563/.500 in 48 PA with 12 stolen bases in 13 attempts.
1B Carlos Rondon1-for-2, 2 RS, BB
So many players down here are labeled as “catchers” (true of Rondon) and “shortstops” regardless of where they ultimately play. Anyway, Rondon is 3-for-16 with 8 walks and 7 strikeouts.
3B Rafael Martinez2-for-3, 2B (1), RBI

RHP Mariano Salomon4.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
The 21-year-old has a 1.56 ERA in 17.1 IP (12 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 5 BB, 19 K)

 

 

Yankees MILB 6/21: Jace Avina Doubles, Homers

News:

RHP Yoendrys Gomez and Phil Bickford were promoted to MLB today. RHP Ron Marinaccio was demoted to Scranton while LHP Victor Gonzalez was designated for assignment. Gonzalez doesn’t have enough service time to refuse an outright assignment, nor has he been outrighted before. Hence, if he somehow clears waivers (unlikely), the Yankees could store him for depth. Gonzalez looked like a good replacement for Wandy Peralta, but it hasn’t worked out. In 27 games, he pitched to a 3.86 ERA (5.93 FIP) with an 11/13 K/BB ratio over 23.1 innings. His calling card (ground balls) was still a strength (52.9%)

I would like to see Gomez get an extended look. He is out of options in 2025, so the time is now for evaluation. That said, he threw a lot of pitches tonight. Will the Yankees replace him for tomorrow’s contest? It isn’t impossible, but I hope not.

When Bickford debuts, it will become his 4th MLB organization since 2020. Unlike other Yankees’ relievers, Bickford is not a ground ball pitcher (35.2% career GB). However, he can miss bats (26.6%). Last season, he pitched to a 4.62 ERA in 25.1 innings for the Mets.

Scranton (41-29) (Down to Buffalo, 11-0, in the third inning. This game is suspended and, unfortunately, will need to be completed)

2B Brandon Lockridge0-for-1, K
DH Jorbit Vivas0-for-1, K
3B Oswald Peraza0-for-1, K
1B Agustin Ramirez0-for-1, K
C Carlos Narvaez0-for-1
LF Jose Rojas0-for-1
RF Oscar Gonzalez0-for-0
CF Taylor Trammell0-for-0
SS Kevin Smith0-for-0

LHP Edgar Barclay2.2 IP, 12 H, 11 R, 11 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 3 HR
And you thought you had a bad day…
RHP Matt Sauer0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K


Somerset (32-35) (Lost to Erie, 8-2. I guess this game got a bit chippy, as an Erie pitcher was ejected in the 9th inning. Sounds like fun)

CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-3, BB, K
Jones has played well in June (21-for-73 (.288), 3 homers), though one still feels he hasn’t yet gone on a season-altering tear.
3B Jesus Rodriguez1-for-3, RS, HBP
Rodriguez is 3-for-11 since his promotion (0 K in 14 PA)
SS Ben Cowles1-for-4, HR (5), 2 RBI, RS, K
Cowles has hit safely in three straight games after an 0-for-16 stretch. It’s a start!
C J.C. Escarra0-for-4, 2 K
DH Grant Richardson0-for-4, 3 K
LF Elijah Dunham1-for-3
2B Anthony Seigler0-for-2, BB
RF Jared Wegner0-for-3, K
1B Max Burt0-for-3

RHP Zach Messinger: (L, 2-4)  4.2 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
3.89 ERA (74 IP, 61 H, 43 R, 32 R, 6 HR, 25 BB, 83 K). Messinger is a 6’6″ bulldog who is pitching well overall.  As of this writing, he leads the Eastern League in strikeouts.
RHP Luis Velasquez1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Colby White1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
RHP McKinley Moore: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Moore is a project with a low-to-medium probability, but one that is likely worth investing in.
RHP Aaron Palensky0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Palensky is a position player. This was his second pitching appearance in 2024 (washes away a not-so-great first appearance!)


Hudson Valley (33-33) (Lost to Greensboro, 10-3)

2B Roc Riggio: 2-for-4, K
Riggio has a 5-game hitting streak (6-for-18, 1 double, 2 HR). It’s nice to see him compile some hits.
SS Jared Serna0-for-4, K
Serna is 0-for-15 since missing a game due to a HBP.
DH Rafael Flores2-for-4, RS
.295/.406/.486 in 219 PA. He has 17 multi-hit games (54 games played).
C Omar Martinez2-for-4, RS
.237/.376/.390 in 218 PA.  He owns a 17.4% BB and 22.0% K. Last season, for Tampa, he hit .251/.367/.445 in 444 PA with a 15.1% BB and 24.8% K. He is fairly consistent, though his FB rate is down in 2024.
CF Jace Avina: 2-for-4, 2B (18), HR (7), 3 RBI, RS, K
.271/.349/.457 in 241 PA. He has a pair of doubles and homers in his last five games and has shown signs of breaking out of his slump.
LF Christopher Familia0-for-4, 2 K
Familia is having trouble so far, as he is 4-for-26 without an extra-base hit since joining this level.  Remember: He got off to a late start due to injury.
RF Garrett Martin0-for-4, 2 K
1B Kiko Romero: 1-for-4, K
3B Brenny Escanio1-for-4, 2B (3), 2 K

LHP Kyle Carr2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
I am not sure why Carr was pulled after only 40 pitches.
LHP Joel Valdez: (L, 1-2)  2.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, HR
RHP Cole Ayers1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
2.54 ERA in 39 IP (30 H, 15 R, 11 ER, 1 HR, 14 BB, 47 K). 
RHP Trent Sellers1.2 IP, 2 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 3 K
RHP Huey Morrill0.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, HR


Tampa (24-42) (Lead Palm Beach, 2-0, in the bottom of the 4th. The game was suspended due to lightning/rain. They will try to finish it up tomorrow)

DH Enmanuel Tejeda0-for-2
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-2, K
2B Roderick Arias0-for-1, SB (18), BB
1B Dylan Jasso0-for-2
CF Jackson Castillo1-for-2, RS
3B Hans Montero1-for-1, RS, BB
RF Willy Montero2-for-2
LF Coby Morales: 1-for-2, 2 RBI, SB (14)
C Oscar Silverio:  0-for-0, BB

RHP Luis Serna4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K
The weather cuts Serna’s start for the second consecutive time. While the stats aren’t official until the game concludes, this effort will lower his ERA below 4.00 (3.98 in 52 IP (37 H, 23 R, 23 ER, 2 HR, 15 BB, 61 K)). His ERA was 10.32 in his first three starts and 6.97 after five starts. He has been on quite a roll and is still under 20 (until July 20th).


FCL (22-13) (Defeated the Blue Jays, 8-1. I am still not sure how playing the same three teams is helpful, but I guess playing time is the most important thing)

CF Brando Mayea2-for-3, RBI, RS, 2 SB (15), CS (3), 2 BB
15 SB in 23 games. The league leader (Staryln Caba (PHI)) has 28 in 32 games.
DH Edgleen Perez0-for-2, RS, SB (3), 3 BB
2B Abrahan Ramirez2-for-4, 2B (8), RBI, 2 RS
Ramirez is hitting .400/.517/.589 in 119 PA. He leads the FCL in average, OBP, and OPS (third in slugging percentage). The Yankees signed him for $30,000.
LF Brian Sanchez1-for-5, 3B (3), 2 RBI, SB (11), 3 K
Sanchez is first in slugging percentage (.629) and second in OPS (1.071)
3B Luis Ogando2-for-5, 2 RBI, RS, SB (8), K
SS Sebastian Gomez: 1-for-3, 2 SB (8), HBP
RF Fidel Montero1-for-3, 2B (3), BB, K

RHP Harrison Cohen1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Rehab appearance for Cohen, who pitched to a 3.61 ERA in 52.1 IP between Tampa/Hudson Valley/Somerset in 2023.
RHP Danny Flatt (W, 1-0): 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 3 K
2.67 ERA (27 IP, 22 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 15 BB, 30 K). The 20-year-old is a candidate for Low-A Tampa when the promotions start happening.
RHP Yoljeldriz Diaz2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Alejandro Gomez2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K


DSL Yankees (4-10) (Lost to the DSL Rockies, 6-1)

C Luis Puello3-for-3, 2B (2)
Puello had three of the team’s five hits. The 18-year-old is 10-for-22 (2 doubles, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 4 BB, 3 K)
SS Ovandy Frias1-for-3, HR (2), RBI, RS
Frias hit one home run in 35 games last year. He has two in three games this year.

RHP Alexander Almonte5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
10 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 6 BB, 10 K. He is only 17.


DSL Bombers (8-5) (Defeated Mets Blue, 4-1)

SS Christofer Reyes2-for-4, RS, SB (6)
CF Richard Meran1-for-2, 2B (3), 2 RS, SB (1), HBP, BB

RHP Mariano Salomon (W, 2-0): 5.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K
A strong performance by the 21-year-old. I doubt it is common that both DSL starters go 5+ innings on the same day.

Yankees MILB 6/16: George Lombard Jr. Triples, Drives in 3

News:

OF Jasson Dominguez is back on the injured list. According to Aaron Boone, he felt something in his side while swinging. That instantly makes one think of oblique, but we’ll wait until testing is complete.

Dominguez, who was pulled early last night, has consistently hit the ball hard since returning from his injury. This was significant, as one of the early signs of his arm injury was how the ball came off his bat.

Any setback is not good news as Dominguez needs as much playing time as possible. In 2024, Dominguez has only 94 plate appearances and 72.2 innings in the field.

At this point, if you think Dominguez will be an MLB option before the All-Star Break, you are a “glass is full” person. Not half-full. Full. I don’t see it.

Depth OF Greg Allen is also on the injured list. The Railriders activated OF Brandon Lockridge.

In Hudson Valley, one day after leaving a game due to a HBP, Jared Serna was out of the lineup. He is not currently on the injured list but that should be monitored. Hopefully, with Monday off, they decided it would be prudent to give him today off. Serna is hitting .280/.380/.504 (145 wRC+) with 19 doubles, 11 homers, 48 RBI, and 44 runs. Entering today, he is second in the South Atlantic League in homers and runs scored. His wRC+ ranks 8th. Assuming all is OK, he should get to Somerset this season.

Scranton (40-28) (Lost to Rochester, 7-3)

DH Jorbit Vivas1-for-4
C Ben Rice0-for-3, BB
Rice is 2-for-15 in his last four games. Is that a cause for alarm? No.
1B T.J. Rumfield1-for-4, 2B (13)
Rumfield has a 7-game hitting streak (14-for-31). When you can average 2 hits per game during a hitting streak, you are doing something right. While his power is questioned, he has 18 extra-base hits in 47 games for Scranton.
LF Jose Rojas0-for-3, BB, K
.230/.360/.521 in 203 PA.
RF Oscar Gonzalez0-for-4, K
.276/.331/.431 in 133 PA (for Scranton)
CF Taylor Trammell1-for-4, SB (3)
The three players above represent the current outfield depth (along with Lockridge). Hopefully, Alex Verdugo/Aaron Judge/Juan Soto can remain healthy.
3B Jeter Downs: 2-for-3, HR (8), RBI, RS, SB (9)
.264/.354/.509 in 190 PA. After a 12-game homerless streak, Downs has homered in back-to-back games.
2B Josh VanMeter0-for-3, K
SS Kevin Smith0-for-3, K

RHP Yoendrys Gomez: (L, 2-3)  4 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
3.13 ERA (46 IP, 28 H, 17 R, 16 ER, 4 HR, 26 BB, 54 K). He tossed 72 pitches today. I still don’t know what the plan is for Gomez. They may be using starting in the minors to prepare him for a long-man/swingman type in MLB. Or, the best way to showcase him is through starting!
RHP Cody Morris1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Jake Cousins1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
LHP Anthony Misiewicz1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K


Somerset (31-32) (Lost to Binghamton, 7-2. Somerset has been toiling around .500 all season)

CF Spencer Jones1-for-4, RS, 2 K
.232/.321/.372 in 237 PA (7 doubles, 2 triples, 6 HR, 31 RBI, 35 R, 16-for-20 SB, 10.97% BB, 33.8% K). In 2023, his K% was 28.9% between Hudson Valley and Somerset (28.2% in 78 PA after his promotion).
C Agustin Ramirez0-for-4, K
.290/.374/.571 in 257 PA (13 doubles, 1 triple, 16 HR, 47 RBI, 46 R, 13-for-14 SB, 10.9% BB, 16.3% K). He checks every box you want to be checked offensively. Defensively? He needs work.
1B Tyler Hardman2-for-3, HR (1), 2 RBI, RS
Hardman is 6-for-11 with a double and homer since joining Somerset. While his rehab stint is over, they are not giving him full games in the field.
  1B Max Burt0-for-1
DH J.C. Escarra1-for-4, K
LF Elijah Dunham1-for-4, 2B (7)
RF Jared Wegner0-for-3, 3 K
3B Jordan Groshans1-for-3
2B Anthony Seigler: 0-for-3, 2 K
SS Alexander Vargas0-for-3
13-for-66 (.197/.229/.303) in 23 games since joining Somerset.

RHP Bailey Dees: (L, 2-4)  5 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 2 HR
This is the first time Dees allowed 4+ earned runs since his first start (11 straight starts of 3 earned runs or less). Season: 3.86 ERA (67.2 IP, 60 H, 33 R, 29 ER, 9 HR, 24 BB, 74 K). He is likely exceeding expectations as a starter. 
RHP Danny Watson1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Dees left the game with two runners on base and nobody out. Watson stranded them both. Due to injury, the 6’7″ Watson has only 7 innings this season (8 H, 6 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K)
LHP Ryan Anderson0.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Kevin Stevens1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K


Hudson Valley (33-29) (Defeated Brooklyn, 8-7, in 10 innings)

2B Roc Riggio1-for-4, HR (4), RBI, 2 RS, SB (9), 2 BB, 2 K
Riggio has homered in back-to-back games. So far, he has shown strong plate discipline (15.7% BB) while not hitting for much average or power. Maybe things are beginning to click.
CF Jace Avina1-for-4, HR (6), SF, 3 RBI, RS, BB
Avina’s first home run since May 27th. His sac fly in the bottom of the 10th won the game.
C Rafael Flores1-for-3, RBI, RS, 2 BB, K
LF Christopher Familia: 2-for-4, RS, BB
4-for-16 since joining Hudson Valley.
  PR-LF Cole Gabrielson0-for-0
DH Garrett Martin2-for-5, 2B (7), RBI, 2 K
1B Josh Moylan1-for-3, RBI, 2 BB
3B Kiko Romero1-for-4, 2B (6), HBP
RF Nelson Medina0-for-5, K
SS Brenny Escanio: 2-for-5, 2B (2), RBI, 2 RS, SB (1), K
Escanio’s double in the bottom of the 10th tied the game.

RHP Cam Schlittler: 4 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
2.32 ERA (54.1 IP, 31 H, 21 R, 14 ER, 5 HR, 28 BB, 71 K). His 2.32 ERA leads the South Atlantic League.
RHP McKinley Moore0.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Mason Vinyard1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
2.37 ERA (19 IP, 12 H, 10 R, 5 ER, 2 HR, 9 BB, 29 K). He turns 25 in a week, so he should be making his way up the chain.
RHP Trent Sellers1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
3.21 ERA (35.1 IP, 24 H, 20 R, 14 ER, 2 HR, 24 BB, 43 K)
RHP Matt Keating: (W, 1-1)  2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
2.87 ERA (37.2 IP, 25 H, 14 R, 12 ER, 3 HR, 15 BB, 44 K)


Tampa (23-40) (Lost to Clearwater, 4-3)

3B Enmanuel Tejeda0-for-4, RS, SB (16)
For Tampa: .322/.375/.391 in 129 PA (6.98% BB, 22.5% K). 
DH George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-4, 3B (2), 3 RBI, K
13 of his 21 RBI have come in four games. He is hitting .220/.357/.295 in 213 PA. Lombard Jr. is looking for that elusive first home run.  His triple was hit 378 feet.
SS Roderick Arias0-for-4, K
Despite the 0-for-4, Arias hit balls at 102.3 MPH and 103.9 MPH. Season: .216/.310/.378 in 277 PA (11.2% BB; 36.5% K). He has over 100 strikeouts (101). I have mentioned it all season: The raw talent stands out – positively and negatively.
1B Dylan Jasso0-for-3, BB, K
CF Jackson Castillo0-for-3, BB
His June hasn’t been as hot as May, but he is generating walks (11 this month; 22 in May).
2B Hans Montero0-for-4
RF Willy Montero1-for-4, RS
Montero increases his hitting streak to 12.  Before the streak: .182/.250/.241. Now: .235/.285/.364. The 19-year-old (20 on August 4th) is showing progress but is a lottery ticket type. That’s not a knock – lottery tickets have value.
LF Coby Morales: 0-for-3, 3 K
C Tomas Frick: 2-for-3, 2B (8), 2 RS
Frick had two of Tampa’s four hits. He is hitting .278/.400/.407 in 130 PA. This is his debut season.

RHP Josh Grosz: (L, 1-5) 5.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
Between here and Hudson Valley: 6.37 ERA (53.2 IP, 64 H, 52 R, 38 ER, 10 HR, 28 BB, 69 K). There is a lot to dissect in that stat line. Your reminder that he is 21 and in his debut season. He topped out at 95.9 MPH and generated 12 whiffs (5 with his fastball, 7 with his slider).
RHP Jordy Luciano1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Aaron Nixon1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K


FCL (18-12)

Scheduled day off.


DSL Yankees (3-7)

Scheduled day off.


DSL Bombers (5-4) 

Scheduled day off.

Yankees MILB 6/9: Jasson Dominguez Goes Crazy

News:

Nothing.

Scranton (37-25) (Defeated Norfolk, 12-11, in ten innings)

2B Jorbit Vivas0-for-2, RS, 3 BB, 2 K
He hasn’t hit much yet, but he does have 9 walks in 59 PA for Scranton (15.3%).
SS Oswald Peraza0-for-4, RS, BB, K
CF Jasson Dominguez: 4-for-5, HR (2), RBI, 2 RS, SB (1)
A couple of firsts for Dominguez’s rehab today: The first time he has played a full game in the field and played the field in back-to-back games. It’s his 5th career 4-hit effort and he is 10-for-20 (3 doubles, 2 HR) since joining Scranton. Yes, these are signs that Dominguez is close and may not need a second 10-day rehab extension (if that doesn’t happen, they will need to add him to the 40-man roster and decide on his placement).
   LF Taylor Trammell0-for-0, SF, RBI
Trammell wins it with a sac fly in the 10th. Yes, technically this means Dominguez didn’t play a full game. That is semantics, as he played nine. 
1B Ben Rice1-for-4, 2B (3), 2 RBI, RS, BB, 3 K
For Scranton: 8-for-18 (3 doubles, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 7 R, 5 BB, 6 K)
C Carlos Narvaez0-for-4, RS, BB, K
DH T.J. Rumfield2-for-5, 2 2B (12), 2 RS, K
Before his HR spurt last year, high average with doubles appeared to be Rumfield’s game. He has 12 doubles in 43 games since his promotion.
RF Oscar Gonzalez2-for-5, 2 RS, K
LF Jose Rojas3-for-4, HR (11), 5 RBI, RS, K
Rojas has 11 homers and 39 RBI in 44 games.
  LF-CF Greg Allen0-for-1
3B Jeter Downs2-for-5, 3B (3), RBI, RS, K
.248/.347/.476 in 174 PA.

LHP Tanner Tully: (W, 2-4)  5 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, HR
RHP Matt Sauer0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
Sauer will need time to get into a groove. The Yankees may be “reprogramming” him as well (who knows what the Royals were teaching him and if it lined up with what the Yankees want him to do?)
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Yerry De Los Santos1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
3.45 ERA (28.2 IP, 35 H, 19 R, 11 ER, 4 HR, 11 BB, 22 K)
LHP Anthony Misiewicz1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
LHP Clayton Andrews (W, 1-3): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K


Somerset (28-29) (Defeated Hartford, 4-2)

CF Spencer Jones1-for-4, HR (6), RBI, RS, K
Jones has three homers in his last four games. He is hitting .228/.308/.380 in 208 PA. Interestingly, despite not hitting well, Jones compiled 15 walks in May. In eight June games, he has walked once. A more aggressive approach is not necessarily a bad thing as there is such a thing as being too selective.
1B Agustin Ramirez0-for-4
.276/.368/.566 in 228 PA (10 doubles, 1 triple, 15 HR, 41 RBI, 40 R, 12-for-13 SB, 12.3% BB, 16.7% K). Do you keep him behind the plate, where he has more value? Or do you drop the catching and have him concentrate on first base, where there is a future (and current) MLB need? That decision will be made by someone smarter than me.
3B Ben Cowles1-for-3, SB (9)
Somerset had only 6 hits and 1 walk in eight innings. Hence, only the first two hitters received 4 plate appearances. As for Cowles: .311/.383/.505 in 227 PA (20 doubles, 3 triples, 4 HR, 31 RBI, 32 R, 9-for-9 SB, 10.1% BB, 17.6% K). He hasn’t walked in ten games but is making contact and swatting doubles. We’ll take it.
LF Grant Richardson1-for-3, RS
C J.C. Escarra0-for-3, 2 K
DH Jared Wegner0-for-3, K
2B Anthony Seigler2-for-3, 2B (9), HR (6), 2 RBI, 2 RS
Seigler has 6 homers in his last 8 games. His season high is 7, set in 2022 (97 games). He is hitting .208/.278/.396 in 158 PA. That shows you how crazy baseball is – there wasn’t even a small hint that this streak was bubbling under the surface. 
RF Aaron Palensky1-for-3, RBI
SS Alexander Vargas0-for-3, K

RHP Gerrit Cole4.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, HR
Cole can’t even get deep enough to qualify for a win.
RHP Danny Watson0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
They needed a bridge to Messinger, who they didn’t want to bring into the middle of an inning. In other words, don’t be worried about Watson’s short afternoon.
RHP Zach Messinger: (W, 3-3) 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
3.50 ERA (64.1 IP, 51 H, 36 R, 25 ER, 5 HR, 20 BB, 74 K). How valuable is it for Messinger to “piggyback” off of Cole’s starts (he has relieved both of Gerrit’s rehab appearances)? Hopefully, he has peppered him with questions as Cole is a known pitching savant.


Hudson Valley (29-27) (Defeated Wilmington, 8-2)

2B Roc Riggio3-for-6, 2B (7), 2 RBI, 2 RS, SB (8)
A much-needed performance for Riggio, who raises his average from .201 to .213 in one day. 
SS Jared Serna2-for-5, 2B (17), RBI, 2 RS, K
Serna has five doubles in his last four games and 45 doubles (30 home runs) in 177 games in 2023-2024. 
3B Jesus Rodriguez2-for-4, 2 RBI, BB
.328/.413/.505 in 230 PA (12.6% BB, 13.0% K). He needs to buy signage outside of “prospect expert” headquarters stating “Look at me! Look at me!”
C Rafael Flores2-for-5
Flores has 7 multi-hit efforts in his last 11 games. He is hitting .315/.418/.497 in 177 PA (I will point out that he played a full season (107 games) here in 2023)
DH Tyler Hardman: 1-for-4, RBI, RS, 3 K
CF Jace Avina1-for-5
Avina’s high BABIP wasn’t going to be sustained. He is 3-for-30 in June but is hitting .273 with a .808 OPS.
RF Garrett Martin0-for-3, RS, 2 BB, 2 K
1B Josh Moylan1-for-3, RS, 2 BB, 2 K
LF Nelson Medina0-for-3, RBI, RS, 2 BB, 3 K

RHP Cam Schlittler4.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 9 K, HR
2.15 ERA (50.1 IP, 26 H, 19 R, 12 ER, 5 HR, 25 BB, 65 K). The 9 strikeouts are a new personal best.
RHP Trent Sellers:(W, 5-2)  1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Mason Vinyard1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
Wow. Season: 2.76 ERA (16.1 IP, 11 H, 10 R, 5 ER, 2 HR, 6 BB, 25 K
LHP Joel Valdez 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K


Tampa (21-36) (Doubled up Ft. Myers, 8-4)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-4, RS, HBP, 2 K
.208/.360/.268 in 186 PA (7 doubles, 1 triple, 0 HR, 13 RBI, 20 R, 15-for-16 SB, 17.7% BB, 23.1% K). I believe the power will come, but it will take time.
DH Roderick Arias1-for-3, 2B (9), RS, 2 BB, K
.224/.328/.379 in 250 PA (9 doubles, 6 triples, 4 HR, 31 RBI, 32 R, 12.4% BB, 35.2% K, 14-for-21 SB).  Arias is 13-for-35 in June with 2 doubles, 2 triples, and 2 home runs. That is more extra-base hits than he had in May (at the end of May, his OPS was .570 – now it’s .707). As for his splits: 8-for-45 without an extra-base hit against LHP and .237/.356/.432 vs. RHP. 
RF Christopher Familia1-for-4, 2B (1), RBI, RS, BB
1B Dylan Jasso0-for-2, SF, RBI, RS, 2 BB, K
CF Jackson Castillo1-for-5, 2B (10), RS, K
.271/.401/.451 in 167 PA. On May 5th, his slash line was .156/.283/.267. When you have a kid who is hitting and can play center field, you pay attention.
3B Hans Montero1-for-5, RBI, RS
RF Willy Montero1-for-4, RS, SB (7), K
6-game hitting streak (12-for-24, so this isn’t a garden variety streak!). He has increased his triple slash from .182/.250/.241 to .222/.278/.320.
C Tomas Frick: 2-for-3, 2B (7), HR (2), 2 RBI, RS, BB
.289/.395/.423 in 114 PA (7 doubles, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 15 R, 11.4% BB, 14.9% K). Frick is a 23-year-old college draftee (North Carolina), so he can move up to Hudson Valley when the organization starts doing the promotion thing.
2B Brenny Escanio2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 K

RHP Cade Smith: (W, 3-4) 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 11 K (ties personal best)
2.85 ERA (53.2 IP, 38 H, 23 R, 17 ER, 2 HR, 24 BB, 68 K). Smith threw his slider 42 times (50%), generating 15 whiffs. He mixed in a 4-seamer (36%) and curve (13%). A singular changeup was also recorded.
LHP Rafelin Nivar: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
RHP Ocean Gabonia1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Gabonia’s ERA is 5.00, but he has started off well in June: 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 K
RHP Aaron Nixon1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Kris Bow0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K


FCL (16-10)

Sundays are off days.


DSL Yankees (1-4) and DSL Bombers (2-2)

Sundays are off days.