Yankees MILB 8/11: Spencer Jones Homers

News:

Nothing.


Scranton (64-48) (Defeated Lehigh Valley, 6-2)

3B Jorbit Vivas0-for-4, RS, BB, K
2B Caleb Durbin: 2-for-3, HR (4), RBI, 2 RS, BB, HBP
For Scranton: .301/.419/.466 in 238 PA (18 doubles, 1 triple, 4 HR, 40 RBI, 37 R, 14.3% BB, 9.7% K, 20-for-22 sB). The injury sucked but one has to be encouraged by his season.
RF Jasson Dominguez0-for-4, BB
Dominguez grounded into two double plays. Bring him up!
SS Oswald Peraza1-for-3, 2B (10), RBI, RS, CS (6), 2 BB
.244/.352/.384 in 285 PA (10 doubles, 8 HR, 36 RBI, 41 R, 16-for-22 SB). Where does Peraza fit into the 2025 picture? It’s still up in the air. Let’s see what they do with him in the off-season.
1B T.J. Rumfield0-for-3, RBI, 2 BB
CF Taylor Trammell1-for-3, HR (14), 3 RBI, RS, BB, 2 K
Trammell has 8 HR in his last 12 games. 
LF Jahmai Jones1-for-4, CS (1), K
DH Josh VanMeter0-for-1, RS, 3 BB
C Peter Serruto1-for-3, SAC, 2 K
Serruto’s first professional hit. It isn’t common for a first professional hit to occur in Triple-A. Some background: Serruto is a 24-year-old who the Yankees signed as an undrafted free agent in 2023. Before today, he was 0-for-2 in his career. Both ABs were taken in the FCL last year. This year, he appeared in one game for Somerset but didn’t get to bat. He is here because the Yankees need a backup for J.C. Escarra, and they aren’t going to use someone like Rafael Flores or Jesus Rodriguez as a Triple-A backup. 

LHP Josh Maciejewski3.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
LHP Tim Mayza: (W, 1-0)  0.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Alex Mauricio1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
1.82 ERA (34.2 IP, 25 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 20 BB, 38 K)
RHP Phil Bickford2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
RHP Yerry De Los Santos1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
4.43 ERA (42.2 IP, 52 H, 29 R, 21 ER, 8 HR, 17 BB, 41 K)
LHP Anthony Misiewicz1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K


Somerset (53-54) (Lost to Binghamton, 6-4, in 10 innings)

CF Spencer Jones: 2-for-5, HR (14), 2 RBI, RS, 3 K
Since May 31st: .278/.357/.520 in 255 PA (14 doubles, 2 triples, 12 HR, 45 RBI, 38 R). I won’t hide that his K% is 37.6% during this stretch and a high BABIP is aiding him. However, it’s still an impressive stretch over an extended period.
C Jose Trevino0-for-1, BB
Trevino starts his journey back to MLB. How will he be used? Hopefully as a backup catcher, not a 50/50 catcher.
  C Rafael Flores0-for-3, K
3B Jesus Rodriguez: 3-for-4, HR (4), RBI, RS, BB
Rodriguez has two multi-hit efforts in his last three games. Given the small sample size at this level, it boosts his OPS to .733. Between here and Hudson Valley, he has 9 HR in 73 games. Last season, he hit 9 HR in 109 games.
1B Tyler Hardman0-for-5, 2 K
RF Greg Allen0-for-4, K
LF Grant Richardson1-for-2, RS, 2 BB
DH Jared Wegner0-for-4, K
2B Anthony Seigler0-for-4, RS
SS Alexander Vargas1-for-4, 3B (5), RBI, K
Vargas has 12 triples in 152 games over the last two seasons.

LHP Ben Shields4.1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 7 K
Since promotion: 2.53 ERA (32 IP, 26 H, 12 R, 9 ER, 1 HR, 13 BB, 37 K). Overall: 3,35 ERA (86 IP, 69 H, 40 R, 32 ER, 7 HR, 25 BB, 109 K). He might not be their minor league Pitcher of the Year but he could be the Surprise of the Year.
RHP Jesus Liranzo2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Leonardo Pestana0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Nice to see Pestana back. It’s his first appearance since June 7th. Pestana is Rule 5 eligible but injuries have likely limited interest. Now that he is in Double-A, however, someone might bite.
RHP Eric Reyzelman: (L, 1-1)  1.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, HR
Reyzelman had a lights-out 9th inning but allowed a 3-run home run in the 10th. Since promotion: 3.55 ERA (12.2 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 HR, 6 BB, 21 K)
RHP Colby White1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K


Hudson Valley (55-51) (Swept in a doubleheader by Brooklyn)

Game 1 (Lost, 4-2)

2B Roc Riggio0-for-3, 2 K
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-3
CF Jace Avina1-for-3, HR (10), RBI, RS, K
.251/.326/.407 in 384 PA (23 doubles, 10 HR, 48 RBI, 44 R, 8.3% BB, 26.8% K, 4-for-5 SB)
C Omar Martinez2-for-3, 2B (12), RS, K
1B Dylan Jasso1-for-3
DH Jackson Castillo1-for-3, RBI, K
RF Garrett Martin0-for-3
LF Anthony Hall0-for-3, K
3B Kiko Romero0-for-3, K

RHP Cade Smith4.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, HR
Smith was perfect through four innings before allowing a walk and homer in the 5th. Overall, this is a solid High-A debut.
RHP Huey Morrill (L, 3-3): 1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

Game 2 (Lost, 3-1)

2B Roc Riggio0-for-2, SB (19), BB, K
.213/.339/.372 in 384 PA (19 doubles, 4 triples, 8 HR, 33 RBI, 58 R, 14.3% BB, 18.2% K, 19-for-24 SB). I like the profile beyond the batting average. The .247 BABIP refuses to normalize in 2024.
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-3
Since promotion: 1-for-21. The good news is that he is making contact (4 strikeouts in 23 PA). His BABIP is a ridiculous .059.
DH Josh Moylan1-for-3, K
1B Omar Martinez0-for-3, 2 K
.235/.361/.413 in 360 PA (12 doubles, 1 triple, 13 HR, 38 RBI, 42 R, 16.1% BB, 23.1% K). Pop and walks define his offensive game.
C Antonio Gomez0-for-2, RS, BB
Gomez’s 8-game hitting streak is snapped.
CF Jackson Castillo1-for-3, 2B (2), RBI, K
Since promotion: 6-for-17 with two doubles and a triple.
LF Christopher Familia0-for-3, K
RF Anthony Hall0-for-2, 2 K
3B Brenny Escanio0-for-2, SB (6)

RHP Trent Sellers: (L, 6-3)  2.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, HR
2.58 ERA (66.1 IP, 37 H, 27 R, 19 ER, 3 HR, 32 BB, 79 K). As a starter: 1.04 ERA (17.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 20 K)
RHP Blane Abeyta1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Indigo Diaz1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Thomas Balboni Jr.: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K


Tampa (43-62) (Lost to Daytona, 4-1)

CF Brendan Jones1-for-3, 2B (2), 2 RBI, BB, K
Jones is off to a nice start in his career: 4-for-13 (2 doubles, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R, 4 BB, 3 K, 2-for-2 SB)
SS Roderick Arias1-for-3, RBI, CS (12), BB, K
DH Willy Montero2-for-4, RS
Montero has a 10-game hitting streak (14-for-36 (.389); 2 doubles, 1 HR).  His triple slash was .241/.299/.357 before the streak and .256/.313/375 now.
LF Marshall Toole1-for-3, 2B (2), BB, K
Toole is also off to a nice start to his career: 4-for-13 (2 doubles, 2 RBI, 3 BB, 4 K, 3-for-4 SB)
3B Hans Montero0-for-3, SF, RBI, K
2B Austin Green0-for-4, 2 K
RF Coby Morales0-for-3, RS, SB (29), BB, K
29-for-35 stealing bases.
1B Parks Harber0-for-3, RS, SB (1), BB, 2 K
C Josue Gonzalez1-for-2, RS, BB

RHP Gabriel Barbosa: (W, 5-8)  5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
5.36 ERA (99 IP, 102 H, 64 R, 59 ER, 11 HR, 33 BB, 100 K). 
RHP Yoljeldriz Diaz: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
LHP Rafelin Nivar1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Luis Arejula (S, 1): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K


FCL (35-22)

Their season is over.


DSL Yankees (17-31)

Scheduled day off.


DSL Bombers (27-21)

Scheduled day off.

Yankees MILB 6/18: Trystan Vrieling’s Masterful Performance

News:

RHP JT Brubaker and Scott Effross will begin their rehab stints in Tampa on Wednesday.

Effross hasn’t pitched since October 2, 2022. Acquired from the Cubs for Hayden Wesneski, he pitched to a 2.54 ERA (2.46 FIP) in 2022 with a 27.1% K and 44% GB. While he isn’t a traditional “blow it past you” reliever, he does miss bats.

Brubaker is a starter acquired from the Pirates over the winter for infield prospect Keiner Delgado. Brubaker hasn’t dazzled in his MLB career (4.99 ERA/4.43 FIP), but he does feature slightly above-average GB (44.1%) and strikeout (23.3%) rates. We’ll see if the Yankees try to use him in a relief role or use him for starter depth. He is under team control through 2025.  As for Delgado, the 20-year-old is playing for Pittsburgh’s Low-A affiliate, hitting .242/.324/.411 in 139 PA. He is playing well in June (.268/.412/.561 with 2 doubles, 2 triples, and 2 homers).

As for today’s roster moves, Ben Rice earned his promotion to MLB. The Yankees will not open a roster spot for RHP Jack Neely unless it is a permanent move. Hence, I am OK with adding Anthony Misiewicz and Clayton AndrewsBoth pitchers are easy to DFA once a 40-man roster slot is needed.

In Tampa, RHP Ryan Harvey and Kristofer Bow were placed on the injured list. Harvey is a starter while Bow’s turbo-sinker has been used out of the bullpen. The Tampa transactions page doesn’t yet list replacements.

As I mentioned on Twitter, the Yankees don’t have great outfield depth in the minors. If Aaron Judge requires IL time, you are looking at players like Taylor TrammellOscar Gonzalez, Brandon Lockridgeand Jose RojasTrammell has a “prospect pedigree” while Gonzalez was successful in Cleveland in 2022 (.296/.327/.461 in 91 games). Lockridge is a speed/defense guy while Rojas is a veteran without much MLB success.

In other words, hopefully, Judge is OK.

Scranton (40-28) (Outslugged Buffalo,11-10)

CF Brandon Lockridge0-for-4, RBI, BB, K
2B Jorbit Vivas: 2-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, RS, SB (3), BB, K
Vivas, who reached double digits in HR between 2021-2023, hits his first homer as a member of the Yankees’ organization (27th game)
SS Oswald Peraza0-for-5, RS, K
1B T.J. Rumfield0-for-3, RS, BB
Rumfield’s 7-game hitting streak is snapped.
C Carlos Narvaez1-for-4, HR (7), 2 RBI, RS, 3 K
Narvaez is hitting .251 with a .804 OPS. His personal best for HR is 12, set last year.
DH Jose Rojas2-for-4, HR (13), 2 RBI, 2 RS, K
Rojas has always been an offensive force in the minors, reaching 31 homers and 107 RBI in 2019 (yes, it was the PCL). However, MLB hasn’t been kind to him.
RF Oscar Gonzalez2-for-4, 2B (7), 2 RS
LF Taylor Trammell1-for-4, HR (2), 3 RBI, RS, K
3B Jeter Downs1-for-1, 2B (10), RBI, 2 RS, 3 SB (12), CS (4), 3 BB
A nice night (understatement) for Downs, who has performed well this season. That does not mean his prospect status is back, but perhaps he can still grind out an MLB career.

LHP Josh Maciejewski4 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 2 HR
RHP Duane Underwood Jr.1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Art Warren: (W, 1-0)  1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 0 K, HR
RHP Phil Bickford1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
2.93 ERA (27.2 IP, 23 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 2 HR, 12 BB, 35 K)
RHP Matt Sauer: (S, 1) 1.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 2 HR


Somerset (32-32) (Knocked off Erie, 6-1)

CF Spencer Jones3-for-4, 2B (8), RBI, RS, K
This jumps his OPS to .712 as he compiles his 4th 3-hit game this season. Next up is a march towards .800!  Jones is 18-for-61 (.295/.362/.525) in June.
C Agustin Ramirez1-for-4, 2B (14), 2 RBI, K
Ramirez has four doubles in his last six games. He is hitting .339/.359/.613 (5 doubles, 4 HR, 14 RBI) in June.
3B Tyler Hardman1-for-4, HR (2), RBI, RS, K
Hardman has homered in back-to-back games and has 28 homers in 85 Double-A contests.
  3B Max Burt0-for-0
SS Ben Cowles0-for-4, 3 K
Cowles went 2-for-8 in his first two games this season. That was the last time he was under .300 until tonight (.295).
1B J.C. Escarra0-for-3, RS, BB
LF Grant Richardson1-for-4, 2 RS, SB (7), K
.260/.326/.410 in 193 PA. Richardson has struggled in June, but he has hit safely in six of his last seven games.
DH Jared Wegner: 2-for-4, 2 2B (7), 2 RBI, K
2B Anthony Seigler0-for-3, BB, 2 K
RF Aaron Palensky1-for-4, RS

RHP Trystan Vrieling: (W, 7-4)  7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
4.58 ERA (74.2 IP, 70 H, 40 R, 38 ER, 6 HR, 22 BB, 72 K). This is an impressive Double-A showing for a kid in his debut season. I don’t remember the last time the Yankees started a pitching prospect’s career in Double-A. 
RHP Colby White1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Luis Velasquez1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K


Hudson Valley (33-30) (Lost to Greensboro, 2-0)

2B Roc Riggio1-for-3, BB, 2 K
SS Jared Serna0-for-4, K
Thankfully, Serna missed only one game after the HBP.
CF Jace Avina2-for-4, 2B (17), K
After a bit of a slump, Avina has hit safely in six of his last seven games (8-for-31).
1B Rafael Flores0-for-2, 2 BB, K
.302/.415/.506 in 207 PA. 
C Omar Martinez0-for-4, 3 K
DH Christopher Familia0-for-3, BB, 2 K
RF Garrett Martin0-for-3, CI, 3 K
3B Josh Moylan1-for-4, 2 K
LF Cole Gabrielson1-for-3, 2B (9), BB

RHP Jackson Fristoe: (L, 1-3)  5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, HR
3.58 ERA (37.2 IP, 27 H, 17 R, 15 ER, 2 HR, 27 BB, 40 K). This is the second time in his last three starts where he has limited walks (0 BB in 6 IP on 6/4). As I like to say, it is something to build on.
RHP Huey Morrill2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Cole Ayers1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
2.63 ERA (37.2 IP, 29 H, 15 R, 11 ER, 1 HR, 12 BB, 44 K). Expect a lot of movement among the relief prospects when the Yankees start promoting guys.


Tampa (23-41) (Lost to Palm Beach, 4-0)

3B Enmanuel Tejeda2-for-4, K
For Tampa: .328/.379/.395 in 133 PA. This comes with a .422 BABIP, so things will likely “normalize”. Remember that he is only 19 and performing well in a full-season league. 
2B George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-3, HBP, K
.222/.359/.295 in 217 PA. He owns a 23.96% K rate, which isn’t great but won’t scare off evaluators, given it is his first full professional season. 
SS Roderick Arias0-for-4, 2 K
Arias’ “hot streaks” are attributed to his athleticism. The raw skill is so high that he can live off that in the lower minors. Heck, Estevan Florial has lived off that throughout his minor-league career. He is still young and has time on his side. However, improving your ability to make contact is one of the hardest things for a hitter to learn.
1B Dylan Jasso0-for-4, 2 K
CF Jackson Castillo0-for-4
DH Hans Montero0-for-3, 2 K
LF Willy Montero0-for-2, HBP, K
Montero’s 12-game hitting streak is snapped.
C Tomas Frick0-for-3
RF Daury Arias1-for-3, K

RHP Cade Austin: (L, 1-3) 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Austin’s first professional start (he started only 3 games in college). This was an emergency start.
RHP Steven Fulgencio1.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Osiel Rodriguez2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
1.72 ERA (31.1 IP, 14 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 4 HR, 16 BB, 35 K).  Rodriguez hit 96.8 MPH with his 4-seam fastball tonight and generated whiffs with his 4-seamer, sinker, changeup, and cutter.
RHP Ocean Gabonia2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Gabonia maxed out at 95.3 MPH with his sinker. I look for things that the Yankees can build on. Season: 4.64 ERA (33 IP, 38 H, 20 R, 17 ER, 3 HR, 8 BB, 39 K). His BABIP is .368.
RHP Montana Semmel2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K


FCL (20-13) (Won two games over the Phillies)

Game 1 was the conclusion of a game from 6/11. They won, 10-4

CF Brando Mayea2-for-4, RBI, RS, BB, K
C Edgleen Perez1-for-3, RBI, RS, 2 BB, K
DH Engelth Urena2-for-5, 2B (2), RBI, RS, K
3B Abrahan Ramirez2-for-5, 2B (5), RBI, 2 RS, K
LF Brian Sanchez1-for-4, RS, BB, 2 K
SS Juan Matheus2-for-4, 2 2B (4), 2 RBI, RS
2B Gabriel Terrero3-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 RS
RF Joel Mendez1-for-4, 2B (5), RBI, RS, 3 K

RHP Sabier Marte (W, 4-0): 7 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K
You don’t see FCL pitchers throw this many innings often (his previous best was five).

Game 2 (Won, 7-6)

CF Brando Mayea2-for-4, CS (2), K
The power has yet to show up, but he is hitting .271/.361/.306 in 97 PA with 12 stolen bases in 13 attempts. He has eight multi-hit efforts in 21 games.
DH Edgleen Perez: 0-for-4, 2 K
.271/.457/.400 in 116 PA. He has 20 RBI in 27 games.
3B Abrahan Ramirez2-for-3, 2B (7), 2 RS, BB
The 19-year-old has six multi-hit efforts in his last seven games. He is hitting .382/.505/.551 in 112 PA, placing himself firmly on the list of potential promotions.
LF Brian Sanchez2-for-4, 2B (11), 2 RBI, RS
Sanchez, hitting .360/.457/.629, has 11 doubles in 26 games.
SS Juan Matheus3-for-3, 2B (6), RBI, RS
Matheus is hitting .303/.406/.461 in 106 PA. He is playing well enough to think about a promotion, but Low-A Tampa is loaded with infield prospects.
2B Gabriel Terrero2-for-4, RBI, RS, K

RHP Chris Kean2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
With a couple of injuries announced for Low-A Tampa, Kean is a solid candidate to earn a promotion there.


DSL Yankees (4-8) (Defeated the Rockies, 6-3)

DH Dexters Peralta: 1-for-4, 2 K
3B Richard Matic1-for-4, RBI
Matic is 10-for-31 (.323) with a pair of doubles and 4 RBI.
2B Edgar Jimenez1-for-3, 2B (1), RBI, RS, K
Jimenez (17) is only 2-for-15 but the two hits are a double and a homer. He hit the home run in his second career game.
RF Dilan Medina2-for-3, 2B (1), RBI, 2 RS
The 18-year-old is 5-for-14 with a double in his debut season.
1B Johan Contreras2-for-3, 2 RBI, RS

RHP Keninson Diaz (W, 2-0): 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Jesus Mejia (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
In his first professional game, the 18-year-old records a save. Congrats!


DSL Bombers (6-4) (Defeated Mets Blue, 5-3)

C Queni Pineda2-for-3, SB (3), CS (2), K
Pineda (17) is 8-for-24 (.333) with a pair of doubles and a home run.
2B Luis Escudero2-for-3, 2B (1)
LF David Carrera1-for-3, 2B (4), RS, K
The 17-year-old is 6-for-21 with four doubles and a triple.
3B Kevin Verde0-for-2, RS, SB (5), BB
RF Angel Ventura2-for-3, RBI, RS, 2 SB (6)
The 18-year-old has 6 stolen bases in 6 games.

RHP Joshawn Lampson (W, 2-1): 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
LHP Jose Ledesma (S, 1): 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Ledesma is 20, but this is his debut season.