Notes:
Trade analysis links:
Jose Caballero/Camilo Doval (link))
David Bednar/Jake Bird (link)
Ryan McMahon (link)
Amed Rosario (link)
Austin Slater (link)
When you trade prospects, movement is likely. C Omar Martinez was moved from Somerset to Scranton, while C Manuel Palencia was moved from Hudson Valley to Somerset. Scranton further filled in their roster by activating infielder Jake Gatewood and OF Ismael Munguia off the Development List.
As for Tampa’s catching situation, they currently have Engelth Urena, Josue Gonzalez, and Juan Sanchez active. Urena was splitting time between catcher and designated hitter with Edgleen Perez, who was traded to the Pirates on Thursday.
The Yankees have released UTIL Nicky Lopez. This was Lopez’s decision, as he exercised an opt-out clause which forced the Yankees’ hand. He wasn’t with the organization for long (17 games) and will look for a better opportunity elsewhere.
With the release of Marcus Stroman, it is fair to ask about the Yankees’ pitching depth. The Yankees felt that Cam Schlittler‘s MLB development was worth the inconvenience of less rotation depth.
Ryan Yarbrough appears to be a while away from returning, leaving Allan Winans as someone they can call up in an emergency. Brendan Beck pitched well for Somerset but owns a 4.86 ERA in 33.1 innings for Scranton. Some of that is attributed to a spike in his home run rate. That said, he is a strike thrower who may be able to limit the damage a few times around the lineup. Sean Boyle is 28 and has been toiling in the system since 2018. He owns a 4.58 ERA, 23.5% K, and 45.7% GB in 92.1 innings for Scranton.
I doubt they would think about Carlos Lagrange or Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz in 2025, but keep them somewhere in the back of your mind.
None of the Scranton arms are going to jump out at you and get you excited. But, in a “break glass” situation, that’s what we have.
I will note that trades aren’t completely dead. Players who are on minor league contracts and have not appeared on a 40-man roster this year are eligible to be traded. You rarely see prospect-for-prospect moves, but there could be a veteran on someone’s minor league roster that comes into play in this scenario as well. The Yankees will also monitor the waiver wire.
I didn’t say any of this was ideal. However, I also can’t complain about giving a rookie a chance to prove himself over the next several weeks.
In case you were wondering (you weren’t), there wasn’t a minor league report last night because all four full-season affiliate teams were rained out. Today, three of those squads played doubleheaders.
Injury Log
Scranton (62-40; 24-6 in second half) (Swept a doubleheader against Nashville. You may think they are running away with the second-half title, but nope. Syracuse is 24-7 while Indianapolis is 20-10)
Game 1 (Won, 2-0)
2B Jorbit Vivas: 0-for-2, BB
CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-3, RBI
1B T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-3
LF Jose Rojas: 0-for-3, K
DH Jeimer Candelario: 0-for-3
SS Braden Shewmake: 1-for-3, R
3B Andrew Velazquez: 1-for-3
RF Duke Ellis: 2-for-2, R
C Omar Martinez: 1-for-2, K
In addition to catching the shutout, Martinez earns a hit in his Triple-A debut. Is he the next catcher to watch closely? Given that he is in Triple-A now, yes. Offensively, he is profiling as a low-average hitter with some patience and pop. He is hitting .227/.323/.378 in 347 PA between Hudson Valley/Somerset/Scranton with 11 home runs and 46 RBI.
RHP Erick Leal: (W, 7-7): 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 10 K
Can Leal also enter the depth chart conversation? Why not? He would make for a good story, given that he is 30 and has yet to make his MLB debut. His overall numbers aren’t impressive (5.09 ERA in 93.2 IP with a 106/35 K/BB). However, through June 18th, he was 1-7 with a 7.35 ERA. He is a sinker/slider/splitter/slider guy who reached 92.2 MPH with his sinker today. That is about as much as I ever thought I would write about Erick Leal.
Game 2 (Won, 8-3. Leal’s complete game effort kept the bullpen fresh. They needed to use four relievers to get through this one.)
2B Jorbit Vivas: 0-for-2, RBI, R, 2 BB
CF Spencer Jones: 0-for-4, K
A quiet 1-for-7 day for Jones. He is back under .400 since his promotion (.383/.440/.862 in 109 PA).
1B T.J. Rumfield: 3-for-4, HR (12), 2 RBI, 2 R
Rumfield continues his hitting ways. He is up to .315/.397/.507 in 403 plate appearances with 28 doubles, a triple, 12 homers, and 70 RBI. I read an article by Tim Kurkjian about the decline of the “traditional” first baseman. When reading this article, you can what hurts Rumfield (lack of versatility) and what could potentially help him (an emphasis on defense). Someone will give him a shot – but it will likely require a small trade or when he can be signed as a minor league free agent.
DH Jose Rojas: 2-for-4, 2B (26), R, K
3B Jeimer Candelario: 0-for-3, RBI, K
I assume that Candelario has an opt-out somewhere in his deal as well (most veteran minor league signings do). Since it is typically around the first of the month, I wonder if he decided to stay?
SS Jake Gatewood: 1-for-3, HR (3), 3 RBI, R, K
I guess that time on he development list paid off!
RF Ismael Munguia: 2-for-3, R, K
CF Duke Ellis: 2-for-3, RBI, R, SB (17)
The veteran depth piece is on a heater. He has a 5-game hitting streak that features five multi-hit games (13-for-17 (lol); 5 doubles, 7 runs, 4 stolen bases).
C Edinson Duran: 1-for-3, 2B (1), R, K
RHP Allan Winans: 3.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 4 K
Perhaps I take back my statement that he might be the #6 starter.
RHP Bailey Dees: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Harrison Cohen: (W, 1-0) 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Since promotion: 1.29 ERA (14 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 13 K). The walks are high but he has cut them down in recent appearances.
RHP Baron Stuart: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Joel Kuhnel: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Somerset (53-47; 18-13 in second half) (Lost a doubleheader to Richmond)
Game 1 (Lost, 1-0)
SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-3, 2 K
DH Brendan Jones: 0-for-2, BB, K
3B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-3, K
1B Tyler Hardman: 1-for-3, CS (2), K
LF Jared Wegner: 0-for-3, K
C Tomas Frick: 0-for-3, 2 K
Frick figures to benefit from the trades/Omar Martinez promotion.
RF Cam Eden: 1-for-2, SB (6), K
CF Cole Gabrielson: 0-for-2, K
2B Max Burt: 1-for-2, 2B (10), K
RHP Carlos Lagrange: (L, 4-3) 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 5 BB, 8 K
This game shows off Lagrange’s talent and what he still needs to work on to become a complete starter. He needed 90 pitches to earn those 12 outs. Since his promotion: 3.22 ERA (44.2 IP, 27 H, 17 R, 16 ER, 3 HR, 31 BB, 63 K). For Hudson Valley: 4.10 ERA (41.2 IP, 31 H, 20 R, 19 ER, 4 HR, 12 BB, 62 K). His ERA is lower since his promotion, but the walk rate and spiked considerably. By the way, he has 127 strikeouts in 86.1 innings. As of this writing, that ranks second in all of minor league baseball (Jonah Tong (NYM) has 146 in 92 innings)
RHP Mason Vinyard: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Michael Arias: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Game 2 (Lost, 8-6)
CF Brendan Jones: 1-for-1, HR (7), 4 RBI, 2 R, 4 BB
Jones’ fourth 3+ walk game this season (first with Somerset) and his first career 4-BB game. He can take walks, has enough pop to keep you honest (11 HR in 88 games between here and Hudson Valley), and steals bases (33). I see him as a backup outfielder type, but maybe he can be more.
SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-3, 2 BB, K
Not a “stand-out” day, but he reached base four times.
DH Dylan Jasso: 2-for-5, RBI, K
Jasso, who has played 1B/2B/3B this season, continues to get results at the plate. He isn’t Rule 5 eligible until after the 2026 season.
1B Tyler Hardman: 1-for-4, R, K
RF Cole Gabrielson: 0-for-2, R, 2 BB
LF Jared Wegner: 0-for-4, K
C Manuel Palencia: 2-for-4, 2B (1), R, K
Palencia earns his first Double-A hit. Like with Frick, this is an opportunity to get some playing time they otherwise wouldn’t get. None of the remaining catchers in Hudson Valley is projected to get here in 2025.
2B Duncan Pastore: 1-for-2, R, HBP, BB
3B Max Burt: 0-for-3, RBI, BB, K
LHP Brock Selvidge: (L, 2-3) 3.2 IP, 6 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, HR
Tough night for Selvidge. His ERA spikes to 5.11 at this level (37 IP, 32 H, 22 R, 21 ER, 3 HR, 23 BB, 32 K).
RHP Cole Ayers: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Kelly Austin: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Luis Pacheco: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Hudson Valley (60-37; 22-11 second half) (Split two games against Wilmington. They are having a fantastic season, but there’s no playoff guarantee. Their solid 38-26 first-half was only good enough for third place. Believe it or not, their 22-11 second half is only good for second-place, 2.5 games behind Greensboro.)
Game 1 (Lost, 1-0)
LF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-3, 2 K
CF Dillon Lewis: 0-for-3, K
RF Coby Morales: 0-for-3, K
2B Jose Colmenares: 0-for-3, K
DH Josh Moylan: 1-for-2, BB
3B Alexander Vargas: 1-for-3, K
1B Kiko Romero: 0-for-3, K
C John Cristino: 1-for-2
SS Brenny Escanio: 0-for-1, BB
RHP Ben Hess (L, 4-3): 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
We call this a tough-luck loss. He tossed 75 pitches this evening and owns a 3.51 ERA in 66.2 IP (43 H, 30 R, 26 ER, 2 HR, 33 BB, 94 K). While the outings have been monitored and short, Hess has allowed zero or one run in his last five starts. I wonder if they will give last year’s first-round pick a taste of Double-A before the season concludes.
RHP Carson Coleman: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Coleman’s rehab was moved here.
Game 2 (Won, 2-0. Only one spot in the lineup changed for Game 2.)
CF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-3, RBI
Castillo is trying to follow-up on his solid July (.303/.404/.474)
DH Dillon Lewis: 0-for-3
.237/.300/.439 in 191 plate appearances since his promotion. For Tampa, in 195 plate appearances, he hit .250/.323/.477. His K% has gone down since his promotion (from 28.2 down to 19.4).
1B Coby Morales: 1-for-3, K
2B Jose Colmenares: 1-for-3
Colmenares is coming off a .260/.345/.493 July that featured seven doubles, two triples, and two home runs.
3B Josh Moylan: 0-for-3, K
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-3
RF Kiko Romero: 0-for-3, K
C John Cristino: 1-for-3, HR (1), RBI, R, 2 K
Cristino launches his first Hudson Valley homer (4-for-22 since his promotion). Yes, he was an “iron man” catcher today. Even though minor league doubleheaders are only 7-inning games, that is still impressive.
RF Anthony Hall: 1-for-2, R, 3B (1)
RHP Matt Keating: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
2.78 ERA (35.2 IP, 26 H, 14 R, 11 ER, 1 HR, 15 BB, 41 K). This was his first professional start after 104 relief appearances.
RHP Sebastian Keane: (W, 6-0) 2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Hudson Valley’s good luck charm owns a 3.16 ERA (25.2 IP, 18 H, 12 R, 9 ER, 1 HR, 15 BB, 28 K)
RHP Tony Rossi (S, 5): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
Since promotion: 2.08 ERA (26 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 0 HR, 17 BB, 32 K). Rossi got off to an insane start, though the walks are high since being promoted.
Tampa (46-50; 10-21 in the second half) (Lost to Clearwater, 6-4. They lost on a walk-off grand slam by Ricardo Hurtado.)
3B Juan Matheus: 1-for-4, RBI, BB
Matheus has a 5-game hitting streak (5-for-20, which actually brings his batting average down).
2B Enmanuel Tejeda: 1-for-3, RBI, SB (1), 2 BB
Tejeda has ten walks in 16 games between the FCL (rehab) and Tampa.
SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-5, 2 K
C Engelth Urena: 0-for-3, CS (3), BB, K
With Perez gone, Urena is now the “it” young catcher in Low-A.
LF Wilson Rodriguez: 0-for-4, K
CF Willy Montero: 1-for-4, 3 K
1B Tyler Wilson: 0-for-2, R, 2 BB
RF Marshall Toole: 1-for-3, 2B (13), 2 R, SB (29), BB, K
Toole is in a “leveling off” phase after a red-hot stretch. He is still hitting over.300 (.302/.411/.477 in 265 PA with 29 stolen bases in 32 attempts). He is second in the FSL in batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage. This league is traditionally pitcher-friendly.
DH Hans Montero: 3-for-3, 2B (10), RBI, R, SB (16), BB
Montero’s second 3-hit effort this season. Showing off some utility this year (though he was the designated hitter tonight!), he is hitting .254/.336/.406 in 278 PA with personal bests in doubles (10), homers (9), and RBI (40).
RHP Edinzo Marquez: 4.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
The 20-year-old makes his Low-A debut after compiling a 2.19 ERA and 41/20 K/BB over 53.1 FCL innings. He featured a five-pitch mix tonight, with his 4-seam fastball maxing out at 94.2 MPH (averaged 92.7). He also uses a slider, change, sinker, and curve. He paid his dues and pitched well in the rookie leagues to earn this shot.
RHP Jack Sokol: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Mariano Salomon (L, 0-4): 2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR
FCL (28-30)
Their season is over.
DSL Yankees (19-24) (Defeated the DSL Phillies White, 8-3)
CF Francisco Vilorio: 2-for-5, 3B (3), 2 RBI, R, CS (4), K
.299/.400/.389 in 170 plate appearances. Last year, in 170 plate appearances, he hit .196/.294/.345.
SS Mani Cedeno: 2-for-5, HR (1), 2 RBI, R, 3 K
Cedeno, their 16-year-old bonus baby prodigy, hits his first professional home run. He’s struggled a bit, especially with the strikeout rate (37.4%).
3B Richard Matic: 3-for-4, 2 2B (12), 3 R, SB (8), CS (6), BB, K
Matic, who is destroying this league right now, follows up a .406/.552/.609 July with a big start to August.
LF Estivenzon Montero: 1-for-4, BB, K
Montero has a 6-game hitting streak.
C Edgar Jimenez: 1-for-5, 2B (5), RBI, R, 2 K
RF Angel Ventura: 3-for-4, RBI, R, 3 SB (17), K
Ventura is 35-for-40 stealing bases in 62 career games.
1B Diego Flores: 1-for-3, R, BB, 2 K
RHP Carlos Hampshire: 4.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
LHP Marco Manzano (W, 3-1): 2.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
The 21-year-old has a 3.32 ERA in 21.2 IP (19 H, 11 R, 8 ER, 2 HR, 17 BB, 30 K)
RHP Rafael Arias (S, 1): 2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
Arias notches his first professional save.
DSL Bombers (23-20) (Lost to DSL Miami (30-13), 16-5)
SS Stiven Marinez: 2-for-4, RBI, 2 R, BB
Nice to see Cedeno and Marinez have solid days. Marinez is hitting .238/.409/.292 in 171 plate appearances with a 20-for-25 stolen base rate.
CF Ruben Castillo: 1-for-4, BB, 2 K
2B Juan Torres: 3-for-5, 2B (7), 3 RBI, CS (7)
The Torres Train continues to motor down the track. He is hitting .356/.405/.517 in 131 PA with 33 RBI in 36 games. Oh, he is also on a 13-game hitting streak.
3B Leni Done: 1-for-4, 2B (7), R, BB, 3 K
LF Richard Meran: 2-for-3, R, 2 BB, K
C Carlos Rondon: 1-for-1, 2 BB
C Alessandro Rodriguez: 0-for-2, R, BB
The 16-year-old hasn’t been used often (6 games) and is still looking for his first professional hit (0-for-8). Does that mean he is a non-prospect? Not necessarily. He wasn’t signed until April 15 of this year.
None of the pitching lines are worth posting.