Yankees MILB 5/15: Carlos Lagrange Ks 9

Notes:

Minor league news has gone cold.

Injury Log


Scranton (20-20) (Lost to Toledo, 20-7)

3B Jesus Rodriguez: 3-for-5, 2B (5), 2 R, K
Since his promotion, Rodriguez is up to .372 with four 3-hit efforts in 24 games. He is on a 7-game hitting streak (11-for-26).
DH-LF Dominic Smith: 2-for-4, 2B (6), HR (5), 2 RBI, 2 R, BB, K
The depth piece has three homers in his last four starts.
RF Everson Pereira: 1-for-4, HR (9), RBI, 2 R, BB, 2 K
Pereira’s 6th HR in May (9 games). Four hitters are tied for 1st in the International League in homers with 10. Pereira has played fewer games than all of them.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-4, BB, 3 K
Rumfield has a 6-game hitting streak.
LF-P Jose Rojas: 2-for-5, 2B (8), 2 RBI, K
C Alex Jackson: 3-for-5, HR (5), 2 RBI, R, 2 K
Jackson is 18-for-56 (.321; 2 doubles, 1 triple, 5 HR, 19 RBI) in 16 games.
SS Braden Shewmake0-for-4, BB, 2 K
2B Andrew Velazquez0-for-5, K
CF Ismael Munguia1-for-4

RHP Erick Leal: (L, 1-5) 1.2 IP, 4 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 4 BB, 3 K, 3 HR
RHP Zach Messinger2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, K
Messinger also allowed two of Leal’s runs to score. He owns a 7.20 ERA (30 IP, 39 H, 24 R, 24 ER, 3 HR, 21 BB, 27 K). This is a year where Messinger can realize his MLB dreams, but it hasn’t been a sharp start.
RHP Eric Reyzelman0.2 IP, 1 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
Reyzelman is surprisingly struggling. He owns a 4.70 ERA in 15.1 IP (9 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 15 BB, 18 K). Walks, walks, walks, WALKS.
RHP Geoff Hartlieb0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Clayton Beeter1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
For Scranton: 5.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 7 K. He is still on his rehab stint.
RHP Kervin Castro1.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
2.29 ERA (19.2 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 23 K). His first earned runs allowed since April 6th.
RHP Jose Rojas0.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
His fourth career appearance on the hill.


Somerset (15-20) (Split a low-scoring doubleheader against Portland)

Game 1 (Lost, 4-2)

SS George Lombard Jr.1-for-2, SB (3), 2 BB
C Rafael Flores1-for-3, BB, K
CF Garrett Martin1-for-3, SB (5)
2B Dylan Jasso0-for-2, HBP, K
RF Coby Morales0-for-3, 2 K
Morales’s Double-A debut.
1B Tyler Hardman1-for-3, HR (3), RBI, R, 2 K
3B Alexander Vargas1-for-3, HR (1), RBI, R, K
.253/.320/.402 in 97 PA. He is 10-for-34 (.294) with a double, two triples, and a homer in May.
LF Jared Wegner0-for-3, K
DH Antonio Gomez0-for-3, 2 K

RHP Cam Schlittler (L, 2-4): 4.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 8 K
2.87 ERA (37.2 IP, 31 H, 17 R, 12 ER, 1 HR, 13 BB, 44 K). A mixed bag today, as he allowed some runs but missed some bats. I like the lack of homers allowed. Also, his BB/9 has fallen from 4.10 last year to 3.11 this year. Can he make his MLB debut in 2025? Yes. There isn’t too much blocking him if there is a need.
RHP Cole Ayers0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Scott Effross1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
LHP Will Brian1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Since promotion: 1.80 ERA (10 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 11 K). Health hasn’t been on his side (29 innings in 3+ seasons), but he has potential if he clears that hurdle.

Game 2 (Won, 3-0)

SS George Lombard Jr.0-for-2, R, BB, K
Since promotion: 5-for-25 (7 BB, 5 K, 3-for-3 SB). The hits will start coming.
DH Rafael Flores0-for-2, HBP, K
.287/.338/.493 in 148 PA (10 doubles, 6 HR, 24 RBI, 15 R, 3-for-3 SB). I would be unsurprised if he is used as a deal sweetener this summer.
LF Garrett Martin1-for-3, RBI, K
.210/.328/.390 in 119 PA (6 doubles, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 15 R, 5-for-6 SB). He has 29 doubles and 16 HR to go along with a 22-for-25 SB rate in 135 minor league games. The issue is the batting average (.212)
3B Dylan Jasso1-for-3, HR (6), RBI, R, K
I saw the HR on YES – he hit it to the opposite field, which is always nice to see in this organization! He is hitting .266/.326/.484 in 135 PA (7 doubles, 1 triple, 6 HR, 18 RBI, 19 R, 5.9% BB, 19.3% K). Last season, he owned a 9.8% BB and 24.4% K.
1B Coby Morales0-for-3, K
CF Grant Richardson0-for-3, 2 K
RF Jared Wegner1-for-2, 2B (4), R, K
C Antonio Gomez0-for-2, K
2B Max Burt1-for-2, RBI, K

RHP Brendan Beck4.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K
1.91 ERA (28.1 IP, 18 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 6 BB, 32 K). Beck is below Schlittler on my depth chart but he was considered a quick rise prospect when he was drafted (injuries, injuries, injuries)
RHP Harrison Cohen (W, 1-2): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
3.65 ERA (12.1 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 6 BB, 17 K). 
RHP Jordany Ventura (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Ventura earns his first career save in his 46th relief appearance.


Hudson Valley (24-11) (Split a low-scoring doubleheader against Aberdeen)

Game 1 (Won, 4-2)

CF Brendan Jones0-for-3, K
2B Roc Riggio2-for-3, 2B (2), K
Since returning from his rehab stint, Riggio is 5-for-25 (2 doubles, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 7 BB, 8K).
DH Parks Harber0-for-3, 2 K
Whatever the cause was for him leaving the game a few days ago was nothing to worry about.
LF Jackson Castillo1-for-3, HR (2), RBI, R, K
His first HR since April 26th.
C Omar Martinez0-for-1, 2 BB
3B Jose Colmenares0-for-3, R, K
SS Brenny Escanio1-for-2, RBI, R, K
1B Josh Moylan1-for-2, HR (2), 2 RBI, R, K
RF Anthony Hall0-for-2

RHP Ben Hess (W, 3-2): 5.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 6 K
3.23 ERA (30.2 IP, 15 H, 14 R, 11 ER, 1 HR, 16 BB, 45 K). He is third in the South Atlantic League in strikeouts. His control hasn’t been sharp yet, but the overall performance is encouraging.
RHP Tony Rossi1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
Between here and Tampa: 13.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 18 K. He continues to put up zeroes.
RHP Huey Morrill (S, 1): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Game 2 (Lost, 2-0)

CF Brendan Jones0-for-3, K
.238/.347/.385 in 147 PA. His average and OBP are similar to his April totals, but his power has fallen. Ebbs and flows.
LF Jackson Castillo0-for-3
.219/.323/.343 in 133 PA. Castillo is only 6-for-45 in May (.275/.370/.420 in April)
DH Omar Martinez0-for-3
.277/.379/.471 in 140 PA (5 doubles, 6 HR, 25 RBI, 21 R, 13.6% BB, 28.6% K).
2B Jose Colmenares0-for-2, BB
3B Josh Moylan0-for-3, K
SS Brenny Escanio0-for-1, BB
C Tomas Frick1-for-1, 2B (5), HBP
Frick earns their only hit in Game 2.
RF Luis Durango0-for-2
1B Duncan Pastore0-for-2

RHP Carlos Lagrange: (L, 3-2)  6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 9 K, HR
3.45 ERA (31.1 IP, 23 H, 13 R, 12 ER, 3 HR, 7 BB, 50 K). He leads the South Atlantic League in strikeouts. Lagrange has an impressive 50/7 K BB over 31.1 IP after compiling a 27/20 rate over 21 IP last year. His K% is up while his BB% has fallen considerably. If you aren’t encouraged about this, check your status as a prospect follower because you are too harsh. 
RHP Tyrone Yulie1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
3.95 ERA (13.1 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 1 HR, 7 BB, 19 K). It’s his first season as a reliever only. 


Tampa (18-19) (Shut down Palm Beach, 8-0. The Tarpons are hot)

C Edgleen Perez3-for-4, RBI, R, BB
.229/.397/.267 in 136 PA (4 doubles, 12 RBI, 16 R, 3-for-4 SB, 19.9% BB, 22.1% K). Perez (18) is starting to figure things out. He is 14-for-49 (.286/.426/.347; 3 doubles, 10 BB, 10 K) in May.
DH Engelth Urena0-for-4, RBI, R, BB, K
RF Dillon Lewis: 1-for-5, RBI, K
SS Juan Matheus: 3-for-4, 2B (7), RBI, R
This follows his 6-for-6 doubleheader on Wednesday. His remarkable run (11-for-14 over his last four games) has spiked his triple slash to .308/.365/.374. Before this stretch, he was hitting .237/.318/.301. Matheus (21) hit .303/.421/.463 in 54 games last season, so low-level offense hasn’t been an issue.
2B Austin Green1-for-4, R, 2 K
LF Tyler Wilson1-for-4, RBI, R, 2 K
1B Hans Montero0-for-2, R, 2 BB, 2 K
CF Marshall Toole1-for-4, 2B (5), 2 RBI, R, 2 K
.295/.389/.436 in 90 PA. He has three doubles and a triple during a 5-game hitting streak.
3B Owen Cobb3-for-4, 3B (2), RBI, R, K
Cobb is auditioning for a promotion. He is hitting .462/.511/.923 (yes, that’s his slugging percentage) in 45 PA (5 doubles, 2 triples, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 16 R, 5-for-6 SB). To make this even more fun: He started the season 0-for-6.

LHP Tanner Bauman: (W, 1-3)  5 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
7.33 ERA (27 IP, 35 H, 23 R, 22 ER, 1 HR, 24 BB, 24 K). A solid effort for Bauman, who earns his first professional win.
RHP Sean Hermann2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
2.00 ERA (18 IP, 12 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 0 HR, 16 BB, 19 K)
RHP Cole Zaffiro1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Jackson Fristoe1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K


FCL (5-4) (Lost to the Phillies, 3-2, in ten innings. The game was tied 0-0 entering the 10th)

DH Brando Mayea0-for-5, K
Good or bad, I will always report on what Mayea is doing…
CF Cam Eden1-for-3, SB (1)
Whenever a minor league veteran is rehabbing in the FCL, I want them to leave ASAP. The playing time can be useful to others.
   PH-LF-RF Gabriel Lara0-for-2
RF Brennen Davis0-for-4, K
See Eden, Cam.
LF-CF Isael Arias1-for-4, 2B (4), K
1B Johan Contreras1-for-3, 2B (2), BB, 2 K
2B Gabriel Terrero4-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, R, SB (3)
Terrero’s second career 4-hit effort. He has ten career homers, seven of which came in 2023.

RHP Omar Gonzalez4.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
RHP Sunayro Martina2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Chance Nolan1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
It’s the former college quarterback’s second career appearance (2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K)


DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.

Yankees MILB 4/5: Spencer Jones Singles, Doubles

Notes:

Nothing to report


Scranton (4-4) (Lost to Syracuse, 7-4)

1B Dominic Smith0-for-4, K
LF Everson Pereira1-for-4, K
7-for-25 with four RBI. He is looking for his first extra-base hit. Given that extra-base power is his “thing,” I am not worried.
2B Jorbit Vivas1-for-4
DH T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-3, HR (3), RBI, R,  BB
.303/.395/.636 in 38 PA. 
C Ronaldo Hernandez0-for-4, K
3B Braden Shewmake0-for-3, R, BB
RF Grant Richardson1-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, R, 2 K
5-for-11 with a double, homer, 5 RBI, and 6 runs scored.
SS Andrew Velazquez1-for-4, HR (1), RBI, R, K
CF Duke Ellis0-for-3

RHP Sean Boyle (L, 0-2): 5 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, HR
RHP Eric Reyzelman2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
4.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 HR, 2 BB, 8 K
RHP McKinley Moore1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K


Somerset (1-1) (Defeated Hartford, 6-2)

2B Dylan Jasso1-for-3, 2 BB, K
Jasso’s first career game at second base.
CF Spencer Jones2-for-4, 2B (1), RBI, R, BB, 2 K
How many times in his career have I written “2-for-4, 2 K” in a Spencer Jones stat line? I will gladly take the hits.
1B Rafael Flores3-for-5, HR (1), 2 RBI, R
In 67 Double-A games: .280/.362/.528 (14 doubles, 16 HR, 35 RBI, 41 R, 7-for-7 SB, 28 BB (9.9%), 75 K (26.6%)
C Jesus Rodriguez0-for-5, 2 K
DH Tyler Hardman1-for-4, R, 2 K
Before his 2023 injury, Hardman was hitting .237/.332/.558 with 26 HR in only 77 games at this level. Since coming back, the power hasn’t returned (8 HR in 76 games at this level).
RF Garrett Martin0-for-3, R, HBP, K
SS Jake Gatewood1-for-4, 2B (1), R, 3 K
LF Jared Wegner1-for-3, RBI, BB, K
3B Max Burt2-for-4, 2 RBI, R, SB (1)
Burt is grinding it out. The Yankees drafted him in the 28th round in 2018 out of Northeastern. He re-signed as a minor league free agent in March to begin his 7th season with the organization.

RHP Clarke Schmidt3.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K
52 pitches/37 strikes. This is what you wanted to see in his first rehab appearance.
LHP Edgar Barclay (W, 1-0): 3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
RHP Harrison Cohen0.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Kelly Austin2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
The 24-year-old was acquired from the Houston Astros for Caleb Ferguson last July (the Yankees also received international bonus pool money in the transaction). 


Hudson Valley (1-1) (Walked it off against Jersey Shore, 8-7)

RF Brendan Jones: 2-for-5, 3B (1), 3 RBI, R, SB (1), BB, K
For now, Jones is credited with a 3-run game-winning single. We’ll see if that holds, or if some shenanigans occurred. Either way, exciting walk-off win! 
SS George Lombard Jr.1-for-4, 3B (1), SF, RBI, R, 2 K
If the extra-base power shows up this year (as many expect), watch out.
CF Jackson Castillo1-for-4, RBI, R, BB, 2 K
The top of this batting order is enviously athletic. 
LF Jace Avina: 2-for-4, 2B (1), R, BB
DH Omar Martinez1-for-4, RBI, BB, K
3B Josh Moylan1-for-4, BB, K
1B Coby Morales1-for-4, RBI, R, BB, K
C Antonio Gomez1-for-3, HR (1), RBI, R
  C Tomas Frick2-for-2, 2B (1), R
Frick performed well for Tampa last year, hitting .250/.370/.368 in 173 plate appearances. It was his professional debut after being drafted in the 15th round in 2023.
2B Brenny Escanio: 1-for-3, R, 2 SB (2), 2 BB, K

RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz4.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
Rodriguez-Cruz was acquired from the Red Sox in exchange for catcher Carlos Narvaez. He is the type of “lottery ticket” arm you should target for a 40-man roster guy. Only 21, he went 5-5 with a 2.91 ERA in 89.2 IP between Low-A and High-A last season with a 102/43 K/BB.
RHP Sebastian Keane1.2 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Hayden Merda: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
The 6’6″ Merda missed the 2024 season. At this level in 2023, he went 3-6 with a 6.21 ERA in 21 games (20 starts), posting a 96/57 K/BB over 95.2 innings. The Yankees signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2022.
RHP Tyrone Yulie: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Another pitcher who missed the 2024 season. In 2023, at this level, he posted a 4.56 ERA in 79 IP with a 90/43 K/BB.


Tampa (2-0) (Defeated Lakeland, 7-6, in ten innings)

SS Roderick Arias0-for-4, 2 BB, 2 K
Even as I talk about Arias being a “raw” talent, he sneakily puts up solid BB rates (12.3% last year). 
C Edgleen Perez1-for-2, 2 R, BB
Perez is only 18 years old. He easily conquered the DSL and FCL, earning himself this challenge.  He is amongst the youngest players in the Florida State League (he is not the youngest. Andrew Salas (Marlins) holds that distinction).
   C Josue Gonzalez0-for-2, R, BB
CF Brian Sanchez0-for-5, R, BB, K
DH Engelth Urena1-for-3, 2B (1), 2 RBI, R, 3 BB, K
Urena’s 2023 injury stalled his timetable, but he is still only 20 years old.  In 40 FCL games last year, he hit 11 doubles and 8 HR while driving home 31. The power potential he possesses is legitimate
1B Parks Harber2-for-5, 2B (1), 3 RBI, BB, 2 K
After being drafted last year, Harber was assigned here. He hit .269/.389/.449 in 23 games with a homer and 19 RBI.
RF Tyler Wilson: 2-for-4, RBI, CS (1), 2 BB, K
LF Dillon Lewis2-for-5, 2B (1), R
2B Hans Montero1-for-5, 2 K
3B Juan Matheus0-for-3, SF, RBI, R, CS (1), BB

LHP Tanner Bauman4 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 7 K
A day after Griffin Herring dazzled in his professional debut, Bauman turns in a solid effort in his debut. The 6’5″ 22-year-old was drafted in the 9th round in the 2024 draft.  For Auburn last year, he went 3-2 with a 4.57 ERA in 20 appearances (6 starts) with a 47/16 K/BB over 41.1 IP.
RHP Alex Bustamante: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
Bustamente spent the entire 2024 season on the injured list.
RHP Cade Austin1.2 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Chris Veach2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
This is the professional debut for Veach, who the Yankees signed as an undrafted free agent out of South Carolina. This is the first time I am saying this in 2025: Don’t let an “undrafted” status sour you on a prospect. The draft is shorter nowadays, leaving a lot of talent out there for teams to sign.
RHP Gus Hughes: (W, 1-0)  0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Hughes’ first professional appearance is a successful one. Drafted in the 18th round in 2024, the High Point graduate stands only 6’0″. Last season, as a starter, he went 6-4 with a 3.77 ERA in 102.2 IP with a 111/41 K/BB. A few High Point players have reached the big leagues, with reliever Cody Allen (Guardians, Angels) being the most successful.

 


FCL (0-0)

Their season starts on May 3rd.


DSL (0-0)

Their season starts in June.