Tag: Trent Sellers

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 Peraza: 0-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. Rumfield: 1-for-4, K
Rumfield is 7-for-24 in July with a double and a pair of homers.
C Agustin Ramirez: 0-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 Rojas: 0-for-3, BB, K
SS Jeter Downs: 1-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 Trammell: 1-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 Lockridge: 0-for-0
RF Oscar Gonzalez: 1-for-4, K
3B Kevin Smith: 2-for-4, CS (2), K
LF Josh VanMeter: 1-for-3, 2B (8), BB

RHP Yoendrys Gomez: 4.1 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 Mauricio: 0.2 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 Effross: 1 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 Misiewicz: 1 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 Cowles: 0-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 Hardman: 0-for-4, 2 K
Hardman is hitting .240 with a .696 OPS for Somerset (107 PA).
C Rafael Flores: 1-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. Escarra: 1-for-4, 2B (18)
DH Grant Richardson: 0-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 Wegner: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
LF Aaron Palensky: 0-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 White: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Danny Watson: 1 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 Sauer: 1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

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

2B Roc Riggio: 1-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 Avina: 0-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 Martinez: 1-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 Gomez: 0-for-4, K
RF Christopher Familia: 0-for-4, 2 K
1B Kiko Romero: 0-for-3, SB (6), BB, 2 K
3B Beau Brewer: 0-for-4
CF Nelson Medina: 1-for-3, 2B (3), RS, 2 K

RHP Trent Sellers: 3 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 Calderon: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
LHP Joel Valdez: 1.1 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 Jasso: 2-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 Montero: 1-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 Morales: 0-for-3, RBI, 2 BB, 2 K
RF Anthony Hall: 0-for-4, BB, 3 K
C Diomedes Hernandez: 0-for-3, 2 BB

RHP Bryce Warrecker: 3.2 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 Nivar: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Aaron Nixon: 1 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 Gabonia: 1 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 7/9: George Lombard Jr. Goes Yard

News:

Brian Cashman said today that RHP Clayton Beeter could be out for the season with a shoulder injury. Beeter appeared in one game for the Yankees (second game of the season) before being sent down to Scranton. For Scranton, he pitched to a 2.53 ERA in 7 starts (32 IP) with a 32.8% K and 15.7% BB. He is on the minor league 7-day injured list. If the Yankees need a 40-man roster spot, a move to the MLB 60-day injured list will be a consideration. While he would rather pitch than do that, he would accrue MLB service time if the Yankees made that move.

Scranton (48-38)  (Defeated Syracuse, 8-6, in ten innings. They were down 4-0 entering the top of the 7th and 5-4 entering the top of the 9th).

SS Oswald Peraza: 2-for-5, 2B (4), RS, SB (9), BB, 2 K
Peraza smoked a leadoff double against the rehabbing Kodai Senga. He is hitting .217 with a .596 OPS.
3B Jorbit Vivas: 0-for-3, 2 BB, K
C Agustin Ramirez: 0-for-4, BB, K
1B Carlos Narvaez: 1-for-5, 2 RBI, RS, SB (7), 2 K
47 RBI and 45 runs scored in 69 games. I see him as a Kyle Higashioka-type backup, which would be a solid outcome. And perhaps there is more…
2B Brandon Lockridge: 1-for-5, RS, SB (28), K
Lockridge’s 4th start at second base (no games in the infield before 2024)
LF Jose Rojas: 3-for-5, 2B (14), 2 RBI, 2 RS, 2 K
CF Taylor Trammell: 2-for-4, RS, BB
RF Oscar Gonzalez: 1-for-5, 2B (10), 2 RBI, RS
DH Jeter Downs: 1-for-5, HR (10), RBI, RS, K
Downs’ HR in the 9th tied the game at 5-5. He once hit 24 home runs (2019).

RHP Yoendrys Gomez: 2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, 1 HR
Gomez needed 60 pitches to complete two innings. He has a 4.21 ERA in 51.1 IP (35 H, 25 R, 24 ER, 6 HR, 33 BB, 59 K). He hasn’t pitched terribly but his season has been uneven. As for trade value, his uneven season + lack of options after 2024 will reduce his value.
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Alex Mauricio: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
LHP Chasen Shreve: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Shreve has tossed 6.1 scoreless innings since joining the organization.
RHP Scott Effross: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Effross has allowed 5 runs (4 earned) in 5.1 innings since joining Scranton. No need to be concerned. I expect him back shortly after the All-Star Break, as long as he is healthy.
RHP Cody Morris: (W, 6-0)  2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Duane Underwood Jr. (S, 3): 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

Somerset (41-41) (Lost to Erie, 5-4)

CF Spencer Jones: 0-for-5
Jones made contact all night after a recent strikeout spree. We have to look at the little things to see if he can build off of them.
SS Ben Cowles: 1-for-4, RBI, BB, 2 K
Cowles has already set personal bests for doubles (22) and RBI (44).
3B Tyler Hardman: 1-for-4, BB, 3 K
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-5, K
RF Elijah Dunham: 1-for-5, RS, K
Dunham increases his hitting streak to 16.
1B J.C. Escarra: 1-for-4, HR (4), RBI, RS, K
.231/.326/.374 in 273 PA. The 29-year-old did some catching in college and the independent leagues but never in an affiliated league before the Yankees signed him last winter. He has caught 20 games this year in addition to his work at first base, third base, left field, and right field (1 game).
LF Grant Richardson: 2-for-4, HR (5), 2 RBI, RS, K
.260/.319/.407 in 254 PA. Richardson hit double digits in HR and SB in 2022 and 2023. He needs five more home runs to do it in 2024.
DH Jared Wegner: 1-for-4, 2 K
2B Anthony Seigler: 1-for-1, 2B (16), RS, SB (17), 3 BB
.226/.329/.404 in 240 PA. He set a new personal best for stolen bases in a season. In July, he is 8-for-18 with four doubles, six walks, and four stolen bases.

RHP Zach Messinger:  (L, 2-6) 6 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
The line doesn’t tell you how well he pitched. He allowed three runs in the first before putting up five zeroes. They let him start the 7th inning, he allowed a few baserunners, and both ended up scoring. This is a development setting – in an MLB game, they might pull him after the 6th inning. He owns a 3.86 ERA in 91 IP (75 H, 54 R, 39 ER, 6 HR, 30 BB, 97 K).
RHP Carlos Gomez: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Jesus Liranzo: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K

Hudson Valley (41-39) (Lost a tough one to Jersey Shore, 3-2)

2B Roc Riggio: 0-for-5, RBI, K
His on-base streak ends at 21, but he did drive in a run.
SS Jared Serna: 2-for-5, K
Back-to-back multi-hit efforts. When Serna gets hot, it tends to last. 
CF Jace Avina: 0-for-4, K
C Omar Martinez: 0-for-4, 2 K
DH Antonio Gomez: 1-for-4, 2 K
1B Josh Moylan: 0-for-2, CS (3), HBP, BB
RF Garrett Martin: 2-for-3, 2B (10), RS, 2 SB (8), BB
.220/.324/.453 in 180 PA. 
LF Cole Gabrielson: 2-for-4, RBI, RS, K
3B Brenny Escanio: 1-for-3, SB (3), BB
The 21-year-old is 13-for-45 (.289) with 6 doubles at this level.

RHP Sebastian Keane: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
The dreaded “Injury Delay” followed by the pitcher being pulled. Let’s hope it is nothing serious.
RHP Trent Sellers: 3.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
3.33 ERA (46 IP, 32 H, 25 R, 17 ER, 2 HR, 29 BB, 56 K). A nice job after being forced into duty earlier than he thought. 
RHP Luis Arejula: 3.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Arejula followed up Sellers with a strong outing of his own. He owns a 3.22 ERA in 36.1 IP (32 H, 17 R, 13 ER, 2 HR, 19 BB, 34 K)
RHP Mason Vinyard (L, 2-2): 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

Tampa (29-51) (Lost to Dunedin, 5-4)

2B George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-3, HR (3), RBI, RS, BB, 2 K
Lombard Jr. crushed the homer (404 feet at 105.8 MPH).  He has three home runs in his last 16 games (0 HR in his first 59 professional games (62 if you include last year’s playoffs)). He had a .271 SLG in April, .288 in May, .370 in June, and .542 in July.
SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-3, CS (10), BB, 2 K
1B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
CF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-3, BB, K
RF Willy Montero: 0-for-4, 2 K
3B Hans Montero: 1-for-4, HR (6), RBI, RS
Montero has a triple and two home runs in his last three games. He set a new personal best for home runs in a season tonight.
C Josue Gonzalez: 1-for-4, 2B (1), RS, CS (1), K
Gonzalez has hit safely in all six games since his promotion (8-game hitting streak overall). “Is he a legitimate prospect?” Yes. Just like many catchers in this organization. Kids like Gonzalez aren’t package headliners, but don’t be surprised if teams ask about Yankees’ catching prospects as deal sweeteners.
DH Coby Morales: 0-for-2, BB, K
LF Daury Arias: 2-for-3, HR (2), 2 RBI, RS, CS (2)
Once an intriguing prospect in the DSL (he drove in 49 runs in 49 games in his debut season), Arias has struggled to get his footing since moving to a full-season league.

RHP Bryce Warrecker: 4 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, HR
The 6’8″ Warrecker will take some time to develop. Tonight, he featured a 4-pitch mix, throwing 66% 4-seamers and sinkers along with his slider (28%) and change (6%).
RHP Steven Fulgencio: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Osiel Rodriguez: (L, 0-2)  2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
2.43 ERA (40.2 IP, 20 H, 12 R, 11 ER, 5 HR, 21 BB, 48 K). His development is fascinating. Signed for $600,000 in 2018, Rodriguez features a 4-5 pitch mix but has yet to start a game (66 career appearances). As you may suspect, injuries are a part of his story.

FCL (29-17) (Knocked off the Blue Jays, 8-6. The FCL Tigers have won six in a row to pull within one game of the Yankees (2 in the loss column). The two teams square off on Thursday and Friday)

CF Brian Sanchez: 1-for-4, RBI, 2 RS, 2 SB (14), 2 K
.305/.395/.532 in 162 PA (14 doubles, 3 triples, 4 HR, 29 RBI, 33 R, 14-for-17 SB). It will be interesting to see who gets to Low-A once the FCL season ends. Sanchez has made his case.
C Engelth Urena: 1-for-2, HR (6), 2 RBI, 2 RS, SB (4), 2 BB, K
Urena has homered three times in the last two games and is 12-for-19 in his last six games (6 doubles, 4 HR, 12 RBI, 9 R, 6 BB, 2 K). He has raised his triple slash from .205/.315/.308 to .289/.407/.557. I would say that is a hot streak.
RF Anthony Hall: 1-for-5, 2 RBI, 4 K
3B Abrahan Ramirez: 1-for-4, BB, K
A little downturn (8-for-28 in July, which most players would gladly take) has lowered his triple slash to .370/.472/.541. Ramirez is another Low-A possibility.
2B Gabriel Terrero: 2-for-4, 2B (5), HR (1), RBI, 2 RS, SB (12), K
The 18-year-old hit 7 HR in 37 games in the DSL last year
1B Luis Ogando: 1-for-2, RBI, RS, SB (10), BB

DSL Yankees (9-16) (Lead the DSL Nationals, 5-2, in the third inning. This game was suspended due to rain. There is no make-up date listed)

DSL Bombers (16-10) (They defeated the DSL Rangers Blue, 6-1, in the conclusion of their suspended game on Opening Day. Today’s regularly scheduled game was postponed. The Bombers hold a half-game lead over the 14-9 DSL Rangers Blue for the division lead. The DSL playoffs include 8 teams – 6 division winners + 2 wild cards)