Tag: Trystan Vrieling

Yankees MILB 9/15: Caleb Durbin, Spencer Jones, Roc Riggio: Leadoff Homers

News:

Nothing

Scranton (84-59) (Defeated Lehigh Valley, 5-4. Worcester won, so the two teams will enter the final week tied for first place in the second-half title chase)

SS Caleb Durbin: 1-for-2, HR (10), RBI, 3 RS, SB (28), HBP, BB, K
Durbin hits a leadoff home run (the beginning of a trend today?). Durbin’s first double-digit HR campaign. He is hitting .295/.409/.488 in 344 PA at this level (20 doubles, 2 triples, 10 HR, 57 RBI, 54 R, 28-for-30 SB, 13.1% BB, 9.9% K). He also has 11 HBP this season and 43 in 275 career games.
2B Jorbit Vivas: 1-for-4, 2B (18), 2 RBI
.231/.354/.364 in 393 plate appearances. Vivas is 12-for-50 with seven extra-base hits (5 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR) in September.
3B Oswald Peraza: 1-for-3, RBI, RS, BB, 2 K
1B Ben Rice: 2-for-4, RBI, K
Rice is hitting .294/.440/.612 in 109 Triple-A plate appearances. Triple-A isn’t a problem. So, we’ll see if he can be a productive MLB player.
CF Taylor Trammell: 1-for-4, K
DH Carlos Narvaez: 0-for-4, 2 K
C J.C. Escarra: 1-for-4, RS
RF Oscar Gonzalez: 0-for-3
LF Jahmai Jones: 0-for-3, 2 K

LHP Josh Maciejewski: 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K
RHP JT Brubaker: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Brubaker will be a 2025 rotation/bullpen/swingman option – assuming he is healthy.
RHP Phil Bickford: 0.2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
LHP Anthony Misiewicz: 0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Scott Effross: (W, 6-1)  0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
Effross will have an offseason to work on getting back to the pitcher he was before his injuries.
RHP Nick Burdi: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Ron Marinaccio (S, 8): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Somerset (75-62) (Defeated New Hampshire, 5-1, to win the second-half title. Portland lost, so they were covered both ways. The first round starts on Tuesday, when Hartford comes in for a visit. There is a tropical rainstorm that might impact the area that night)

CF Spencer Jones: 2-for-4, 2B (30), HR (17), RBI, 2 RS
Jones hits a leadoff home run (sense a trend?). Final stats: .259/.336/.452 in 544 PA (30 doubles, 6 triples, 17 HR, 78 RBI, 73 R, 25-for-34 SB (73.5%), 54 BB (9.9%), 200 K (36.8%)). I agree: 200 strikeouts at Double-A is not ideal and a .401 BABIP benefited him. However, he also displayed the power/speed combination that tantalizes scouts. He is one of the most interesting prospects I have ever covered. And that is saying something.
C Rafael Flores: 0-for-3, BB
Final Somerset numbers: .274/.359/.519 in 273 PA. Overall, he hit .279/.379/.495 in 506 PA with 31 doubles and 21 home runs. He is a breakout prospect in 2024.
1B Tyler Hardman: 2-for-4, RBI
2B Anthony Seigler: 1-for-3, RS, SB (29), HBP, K
.234/.350/.398 in 433 PA (24 doubles, 12 HR, 49 RBI, 61 R, 29-for-32 SB). I am happy that Seigler played in 118 games (his previous high was 97) and contributed to the team’s success. It’s been a grind for the kid.
DH Elijah Dunham: 2-for-4, HR (15), RBI, RS, SB (19)
Dunham played a big role this week. He has homered four times in his last five games.
LF Grant Richardson: 1-for-3, HR (9), RBI, RS, CS (6), BB
Last season, Richardson hit 7 doubles and 18 home runs. This season, he hit 25 doubles and 9 home runs. He just missed his third consecutive double-digit HR/SB campaign.
RF Jared Wegner: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-3, 2 K
Vargas hit .254/.293/.375 in 256 PA after his promotion.
3B Max Burt: 0-for-3, 2 K

RHP Trystan Vrieling (W, 13-7): 5.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
4.58 ERA (147.1 IP, 140 H, 79 R, 75 ER, 13 HR, 46 BB, 132 K). In his first professional season, the Yankees shipped Vrieling directly to Somerset which is highly unusual. He had ups and downs but finished very strongly (2.23 ERA in 40.1 August/September innings). He can be in the conversation for MLB innings as early as mid-2025.
RHP Sean Boyle: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
RHP Leonardo Pestana: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
At this level: 3.18 ERA (22.2 IP, 19 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 2 HR, 9 BB, 28 K). If Pestana can stay healthy, he has potential as a relief pitcher. However, health has been a concern.
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K
Since I talk him up often, it is fair to comment on a flaw: Reyzelman’s walk rate isn’t ideal (14 BB in 23.1 innings for Somerset). He doesn’t have to improve it by much if his ability to miss bats translates to MLB.

Hudson Valley (2-2) (Lost to Bowling Green, 5-1. They are down 1-0 in the best-of-3 series, which will continue on Tuesday in Hudson Valley)

2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-3, HR (1), RBI, RS, BB, K
Riggio hits a lead-off homer (yes, there was a trend). However, this was Hudson Valley’s lone hit.
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-2, 2 BB, K
1B Josh Moylan: 0-for-4, 3 K
RF Garrett Martin: 0-for-4
DH Omar Martinez: 0-for-3, BB, K
LF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-3
3B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-3
CF Brendan Jones: 0-for-3, K
C Antonio Gomez: 0-for-2, 2 K
  PH Coby Morales: 0-for-1, K

RHP Baron Stuart: (L, 0-1)  2.1 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, HR
RHP Harrison Cohen: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Cohen continues to dominate High-A hitters.
LHP Joel Valdez: 0.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Yorlin Calderon: 2.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Blane Abeyta: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Tampa (54-74)

Their season is over.

FCL (35-22)

Their season is over.

DSL Yankees (17-36)

Their season is over.

DSL Bombers (30-25) 

Their season is over.

Yankees MILB 9/10: George Lombard Jr.: 3 Doubles, 3 RBI

News:

Nothing

Scranton (79-58) (Lost to Lehigh Valley, 5-3. Worcester swept two games against Syracuse, so this was a bad night. Worcester is 38-26. Scranton is 36-27)

3B Jorbit Vivas: 0-for-2, RS, 2 BB, K
2B Caleb Durbin: 0-for-4
.298/.410/.481 in 318 PA at this level.
DH Ben Rice: 0-for-3, RS, BB, 3 K
SS Oswald Peraza: 0-for-4, K
CF Taylor Trammell: 0-for-4, 2 K
1B J.C. Escarra: 0-for-4, K
C Carlos Narvaez: 3-for-4, 2B (20), RS, K
.271/.387/.442 in 375 PA. 
  PR Cam Eden: 0-for-0
RF Oscar Gonzalez: 1-for-4, RBI, 2 K
LF Jahmai Jones: 1-for-2, BB

LHP Josh Maciejewski: 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 5 K
RHP Jesus Liranzo: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
RHP Alex Mauricio: (L, 4-2)  1.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
LHP Victor Gonzalez: 0.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Lou Trivino: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
The rehab clock is closing in on zero…
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Somerset (71-61) (Defeated New Hampshire, 8-2. Portland lost, so the Patriots are 0.5 games out in the race for the second-half title with five games to play. No effort is made to ensure teams play an equal amount of games, so the half-game is important. By the way, New Hampshire is not having a good year. They are destined to finish in last place in both halves)

CF Spencer Jones: 2-for-3, 3B (6), RBI, SB (25), BB, K
Jones has a .786 OPS. Can he get to .800? It will take a strong week. That said, his OPS in 2024 is higher than 2023 (.780). In 117 games last year, Jones swatted 29 doubles, 4 triples and 16 home runs. In 117 games this year, he has compiled 29 doubles, 6 triples, and 16 home runs. Interesting.
C Rafael Flores: 0-for-4, 2 K
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-4, 3 K
DH Jared Wegner: 0-for-3, RS, HBP, K
2B Anthony Seigler: 2-for-3, 2 2B (24), RBI, 2 RS, BB
.234/.347/.405 in 413 PA. Seigler’s highest SLG prior to this season was .391 in 2021.
LF Cole Gabrielson: 0-for-2, 2 RS, 2 BB, 2 K
RF Elijah Dunham: 2-for-4, 2 HR (13), 6 RBI, 2 RS, 2 K
Dunham picks a good night to set a personal best for RBI (he hit two 3-run home runs). It is his second multi-HR game in his career (first one was during his 2021 debut season)
SS Alexander Vargas: 1-for-3, RS, 2 SB (14), BB
Vargas is 12-for-34 in September
3B Max Burt: 0-for-4, 2 K

RHP Trystan Vrieling: (W, 12-7)  6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
4.76 ERA (141.2 IP, 138 H, 78 R, 75 ER, 13 HR, 44 BB, 126 K). Vrieling has been strong down the stretch (2.60 ERA in 34.2 innings over his last 6 starts). He could still start again on Sunday, so I am not labeling this as his final start.
RHP Luis Velasquez: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Clayton Beeter: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Can Beeter be an MLB bullpen option this season? If he impresses, why not? It isn’t like the current MLB options are cementing their spots.

Hudson Valley (Defeated Greensboro, 6-0, to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-3 series. The final two games will be played in Greensboro (Thursday and Friday (if necessary)).

2B Roc Riggio: 2-for-5, 2B (1), RS
SS George Lombard Jr.: 3-for-5, 3 2B (3), 3 RBI, K
Including the regular season, Lombard Jr. has 11 doubles in his last 13 games. That is what I call “impressive.”
1B Josh Moylan: 0-for-4, BB, K
RF Garrett Martin: 0-for-2, RS, 3 BB
DH Omar Martinez: 1-for-3, RS, 2 BB, K
LF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-4, BB, K
3B Dylan Jasso: 2-for-4, HR (1), 3 RBI, RS
Jasso’s 3-run homer in the 7th made a 1-0 game a 4-0 game.
CF Brendan Jones: 0-for-4, 2 K
C Antonio Gomez: 0-for-2, 2 RS, 2 BB, K

RHP Trent Sellers: 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 9 K
Sellers continues to dazzle. After allowing 5 runs in 1.2 innings on June 25th, he has allowed zero earned runs in 14 of his 15 appearances. The Yankees haven’t stetched him out beyond 4.2 innings, but that is an amazing footnote. The best part of his season is that his walk rate dipped considerably upon being placed in the rotation.
RHP Indigo Diaz: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Kelly Austin: (W, 1-0) 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
RHP Blane Abeyta: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K

Tampa (54-74)

Their season is over.

FCL (35-22)

Their season is over.

DSL Yankees (17-36)

Their season is over.

DSL Bombers (30-25) 

Their season is over.

Yankees MILB 8/27: Spencer Jones’ Big Night

News:

The Yankees claimed OF Duke Ellis off waivers from the Mariners as they continue to stockpile speed options for the postseason. Note that just because they are adding these players doesn’t mean they will use them in the playoffs. It is good to have flexibility for the last roster spot.

The Yankees are Ellis’ fourth organization this year. He started with the White Sox, where he went 0-for-4 in four games. Importantly for this exercise, he went 4-for-4 in the stolen base department. The Mets selected him off waivers when the White Sox were done with him, followed by the Mariners doing the same once the Mets were done with him. He didn’t appear in MLB for either team.

In 75 minor league games, he is hitting .235/.315/.336 in 273 PA with 51 stolen bases in 55 attempts. He stole 57 bases in 66 attempts in 2022.

Unlike Cam Eden, who was previously acquired, Ellis required a 40-man roster spot. The Yankees made room by moving RHP Ian Hamilton to the 60-day injured list. This is a paper move. However, they’ll need to make another 40-man roster move once Hamilton is ready.

Scranton (72-53) (Held off Rochester, 9-7)

2B Caleb Durbin: 3-for-5, 3B (2), 2 RBI, RS
.299/.416/.467 in 298 PA at this level. 
CF Jasson Dominguez: 2-for-5, 3B (1), RS
Dominguez hit the triple at 110.5 MPH. He also hit balls at 110.4 and 104.6 tonight. This was his fifth multi-hit effort in his last seven games. You think he might be ready? If only he had a lane…
3B Jorbit Vivas: 1-for-4, RBI, RS, SB (16), BB
SS Oswald Peraza: 2-for-3, 2 RS, BB, HBP
Peraza has back-to-back multi-hit efforts. 
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-3, RBI, RS, BB, K
LF Taylor Trammell: 0-for-2, SF, RBI, RS, BB
C J.C. Escarra: 0-for-4, RBI
DH Oscar Gonzalez: 2-for-4, 2 2B (18), 2 RBI, RS, K
RF Greg Allen: 0-for-3, RS, SB (9), BB
As they bring in players like Ellis and Eden, we shouldn’t forget that Allen has speed. His bat is better, too.

LHP Edgar Barclay: (W, 6-9) 5.1 IP, 10 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 2 HR
Barclay threw strikes with a 9-0 lead, but it made the game too close for comfort.
LHP Victor Gonzalez: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Joey Gerber: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Ron Marinaccio (S, 5): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K

Somerset (62-57) (Defeated Reading, 4-2)

3B Jon Berti: 0-for-3, K
  3B Max Burt: 0-for-1
1B Anthony Rizzo: 2-for-2, HR (1), RBI, RS
Rizzo’s first game in the field.
   1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-1, RS, SB (10), BB
CF Spencer Jones: 3-for-4, 2B (22), 3B (4), 2 RBI
Jones doesn’t want August to end, as he is now 24-for-77 (.312; 5 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR, 14 RBI). He has three 3-hit games (eight multi-hit efforts) during the month.
C Rafael Flores: 0-for-3, HBP, K
LF Grant Richardson: 0-for-3, SB (15), BB
2B Anthony Seigler: 1-for-4, SB (25)
Seigler is 25-for-28 stealing bases.
RF Elijah Dunham: 1-for-3, 3B (4), RS, BB, 2 K
DH Jared Wegner: 1-for-3, 2B (13), RBI, BB, K
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-4, RS, SB (10), K

RHP Trystan Vrieling: 5 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, HR
4.78 ERA (130 IP, 126 H, 72 R, 69 ER, 12 HR, 41 BB, 119 K).  August: 1.57 ERA (23 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 6 BB, 22 K). Vrieling has turned it up multiple notches down the stretch.
RHP Colby White: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Ian Hamilton: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
It shouldn’t be much longer…
RHP Cole Ayers: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Since promotion: 5.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 11 K. Pay attention.
RHP Eric Reyzelman (S, 4): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Since promotion: 2.55 ERA (17.2 IP, 13 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 HR, 10 BB, 27 K). You already were paying attention.

Hudson Valley (65-55) (Lost to Jersey Shore, 6-5)

2B Roc Riggio: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K
SS George Lombard Jr.: 2-for-4, 2B (2), CS (2), BB
Lombard Jr. has three multi-hit games since his promotion. He is hitting .151 (11-for-73) at this level with 9 walks and 17 strikeouts.
CF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-4, K
RF Garrett Martin: 1-for-4, RS
DH Josh Moylan: 1-for-4, 3B (2), RS, K
3B-1B Dylan Jasso: 2-for-3, RBI, RS, BB, K
LF Coby Morales: 2-for-3, RBI, RS, BB
C Antonio Gomez: 1-for-4, 2B (12), RBI, RS
Gomez has 8 doubles, a triple, and three homers in August (20 games)
1B Kiko Romero: 0-for-2, K
  3B Brenny Escanio: 0-for-1
  DH Omar Martinez: 0-for-1, K
Thankfully, Martinez’s IL stint wasn’t a long one.

RHP Brian Hendry:  1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Hendry allows his first career earned run (13.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 8 BB, 19 K)
RHP Kelly Austin: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Since being acquired: 8.2 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 10 K. K/BB ratio is a strong suit (56/10 in his career)
RHP Matt Keating: (L, 4-4)  1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K, HR
RHP Huey Morrill: 1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
LHP Joel Valdez: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Tampa (49-69) (Lost to Bradenton, 7-2)

SS Roderick Arias: 1-for-4, K
CF Willy Montero: 2-for-4
.251/.308/.368 in 442 PA. 
2B Hans Montero: 0-for-3, HBP, 2 K
LF Tyler Wilson: 0-for-4
RF Dillon Lewis: 1-for-4, 2B (2), RS
Lewis is 6-for-15 with a pair of doubles and stolen bases to begin his career.
1B Parks Harber: 0-for-4, K
DH JoJo Jackson: 0-for-3, RS, BB, 2 K
C Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-2, RBI, BB, K
3B Duncan Pastore: 1-for-3
Pastore is 9-for-18 with 3 walks and 2 strikeouts. He has a 6-game hitting streak to begin his career.

RHP Andrew Landry: (L, 0-2) 2.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
As I said last week, the results aren’t meaningful right now. He is getting his feet wet.
RHP Matt Givin: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Alejandro Gomez: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Kristofer Bow: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Yoljeldriz Diaz: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

FCL (35-22)

Their season is over.

DSL Yankees (17-36)

Their season is over.

DSL Bombers (30-25) 

Their season is over. The Bombers had a good season but it wasn’t enough to make the playoffs.

Yankees MILB 8/20: Jasson Dominguez: 4 Hits

News:

Nothing

Scranton (69-50) (Defeated St. Paul, 9-4. A rare trip outside the Eastern timezone this week for Scranton. I believe they went to Omaha in 2023)

2B Caleb Durbin: 0-for-4, RS, 2 BB
Durbin has 11 walks in 14 August games.
CF Jasson Dominguez: 4-for-5, 3 RS, SB (9)
Dominguez is 11-for-22 in his last six minor league games.
3B Jorbit Vivas: 2-for-4, RBI, 2 RS, BB, K
1B Carlos Narvaez: 3-for-4, HR (10), 3 RBI, RS, BB
I don’t think Narvaez will be a high-average guy in MLB, but he is at .271 this season.  This is his third consecutive 10+ HR campaign.
DH Taylor Trammell: 0-for-4, BB, K
RF Jahmai Jones: 1-for-5, 3B (1), 2 RBI, RS, K
C J.C. Escarra: 1-for-5, 2B (7), RS
Escarra has a 5-game hitting streak.
LF Cam Eden: 0-for-4, BB, K
SS Kevin Smith: 1-for-3, SF, 2 RBI, 2 K

LHP Thomas Pannone: (W, 7-9)  6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K
Another strong effort for Pannone. Since signing with the Yankees: 2.25 ERA (32 IP, 30 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 4 HR, 2 BB, 30 K)
RHP Yerry De Los Santos: 1.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Ron Marinaccio:  0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Scott Effross: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Effross has five straight scoreless outings (7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K)

Somerset (58-55) (Defeated Portland, 1-0, to move to within 4.5 games)

CF Spencer Jones: 3-for-4, K
.251/.332/.423 in 449 PA. Jones has five hits in his last two games and is 18-for-58 (.310) with four doubles and two home runs in August. While the K% is high (36.7%), the rest of his statistical profile looks pretty good – especially considering he was hitting .220/.314/.327 on May 31st.
3B Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-4, K
   LF Cole Gabrielson: 0-for-0
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-4
Since promotion: .267/.348/.522 in 181 PA (8 doubles, 11 HR, 22 RBI, 25 R)
DH Tyler Hardman: 0-for-3, BB, K
RF Grant Richardson: 1-for-4, RS, 2 K
LF-1B Elijah Dunham: 1-for-4, 2B (19), K
Dunham’s double in the 9th brought home Richardson (Richardson scored on an error, which is why Dunham didn’t get credit for an RBI)
2B Anthony Seigler: 0-for-4
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-4, 2 K
1B-3B Max Burt: 1-for-3, K

RHP Cody Poteet: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Poteet’s first rehab appearance. It will be interesting to see how the Yankees arrange their pitching staff as we enter the last several weeks. Poteet may be used as a depth guy waiting in the minors. 
RHP Lou Trivino: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Trivino’s third rehab appearance.
RHP Trystan Vrieling (W, 10-7): 6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 K
4.82 ERA (125 IP, 120 H, 70 R, 67 ER, 11 HR, 41 BB, 114 K). At a time when pitchers may start to tire, Vrieling is thriving. August: 18 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 6 BB, 17 K.  This is impressive for a kid spending his debut season in Double-A.

Hudson Valley (59-54) (Slaughtered Wilmington, 10-0)

2B Roc Riggio: 0-for-1, 2 SB (22), 4 BB, K
Riggio has two 4 BB games this season (he had one in his debut last year). His career BB% is 16.1%.
SS George Lombard Jr.: 2-for-5, 2 RBI, 2 SB (4), K
After a slow start following his promotion, Lombard has reached base safely six times in his last three games (4-for-11, 2 BB, 3 SB). He is 34-for-39 stealing bases between here and Tampa.
3B Josh Moylan: 0-for-5, RBI, 3 K
RF Garrett Martin: 1-for-3, 2B (13), RBI, 2 RS, 2 BB, K
CF Brendan Jones: 1-for-2, HR (1), 2 RBI, 2 RS, SB (1), 3 BB, K
Jones is the first 2024 draftee to make it to High-A. He walked 13 times and stole 5 bases in 9 games for Low-A Tampa. Drafted in the 12th round out of Kansas State, he is making an early impression.
1B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-3, 2B (4), RBI, RS, BB, K
Jasso is 9-for-38 (.237) with four doubles, a triple, and a homer since his promotion.
DH Coby Morales: 1-for-3, RBI, 2 RS, BB, K
Morales’ High-A debut.
C Antonio Gomez: 1-for-4, 2B (11), RBI, RS
Gomez has 7 doubles in 14 August games (16-for-46).
LF Anthony Hall: 1-for-4, RBI, RS, K

RHP Baron Stuart: (W, 7-4) 6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
Between here and Scranton (one emergency start): 3.65 ERA (101 IP, 88 H, 44 R, 41 ER, 4 HR, 38 BB, 84 K). He won’t be on prospect lists, but he has pitched well.
RHP Harrison Cohen: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
At this level: 11.1 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 12 K. Cohen finished 2023 with Somerset, so I hope he gets there again in 2024.
RHP Indigo Diaz: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Tampa (46-65) (Lost to Fort Myers, 7-6)

CF Marshall Toole: 2-for-4, RBI, HBP, K
Toole is 10-for-29 with a pair of doubles and 8 RBI. He is 6-for-8 stealing bases.
SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-5, RS, 3 K
RF Willy Montero: 1-for-4, 2B (21), RBI, BB, 2 K
Montero has doubled in four straight games and has hit safely in 15 of his last 16 games. 
LF Tyler Wilson: 0-for-5, RBI, 2 K
2B Hans Montero: 1-for-5, HR (7), RBI, RS
1B Parks Harber: 1-for-3, HR (1), RBI, RS, BB
Harber hits his first professional home run. He is 9-for-31 with two doubles, a triple, and a homer.
DH Joe Delossantos: 0-for-3, RS, 2 SB (4), BB, K
C Josue Gonzalez: 1-for-4, HR (1), RBI, RS, K
Gonzalez launches his first Low-A HR. The 20-year-old hit 6 HR in 36 games in the FCL this year. 
3B Duncan Pastore: 2-for-3, RS, BB
Pastore has reached base 8 times in his first two professional games (5-for-6, 2 BB, HBP)

RHP Andrew Landry: 2.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
This is essentially a “get your feet wet” season for Landry. He has tossed only 20 innings between here and the FCL.
LHP Rafelin Nivar: 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Yoljeldriz Diaz: 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Matt Givin (L, 0-1): 0.2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Jordy Luciano: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K

FCL (35-22)

Their season is over.

DSL Yankees (17-36)

Scheduled day off.

DSL Bombers (30-25) (Destroyed the DSL Rangers Blue, 16-2)

CF Francisco Vilorio: 1-for-3, 3 RS, SB (8), 2 BB, K
.196/.294/.345 in 170 PA. This is the bonus baby’s debut season, and while I like that he is showing some power (8 doubles, 4 HR), he also has a 32.9% K rate. 
C Queni Pineda: 1-for-1, HR (5), RBI, RS
I am not sure why Pineda only batted once. He is at .254/.434/.438 in an impressive debut season.
  C Carlos Villarroel: 1-for-3, RBI, RS
Villarroel also left the game early. Like Pineda, he has composed a strong debut season: .299/.390/.410 in 136 PA.
SS Christofer Reyes: 4-for-5, 2 RBI, 2 RS, 3 SB (21)
Still only 16 (he turns 17 on 8/23), Reyes is hitting .250/.346/.314 in 179 PA with a 21-for-30 stolen base rate. He has two 4-hit games.
2B Luis Escudero: 2-for-2, 2 RBI, 2 RS, SB (26), BB
The 18-year-old is hitting .287/.450/.418 with a 26-for-31 stolen base rate.
DH-C Justin Capellan: 2-for-5, HR (1), 3 RBI, 2 RS, K
Like Pineda and Villarroel, Capellan is a catcher in his debut campaign. He is hitting .242/.365/.359 in 156 PA.
LF Richard Meran: 1-for-4, RBI, 2 RS, 2 K
RF David Carrera: 1-for-3, 3B (2), 2 RBI, RS, K
Only 17, Carrera is hitting .276/.402/.418 in 122 PA.  He has 25 RBI in 35 games

LHP Franyer Herrera (W, 5-1): 5 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
2.01 ERA (49.1 IP, 43 H, 17 R, 11 ER, 1 HR, 17 BB, 64 K). Herrera is 19 years old. This is his third season here, but he tossed only 20.1 innings in the first two seasons.

Yankees MILB 8/13: Jackson Castillo: 2 HR, 7 RBI

News:

Former farmhand Andres Chaparro made his debut for the Washington Nationals tonight. He hit three doubles as Washington helped the Yankees by beating the Orioles.

Chaparro spent several years in the Yankees organization before being lost to minor league free agency to the Arizona Diamondbacks last winter. The Diamondbacks traded him to the Nationals at the trade deadline.

A rebuilding team like Washington is a perfect spot for a prospect like Chaparro, who should get playing time over the next several weeks in an attempt to establish himself as a piece of the Nationals’ future. Good luck to him.

While the Yankees could have tried him as they struggled to hit, I don’t consider it a missed opportunity. The Rule 5 and minor league free agency exist for a reason – to give blocked players like Chaparro a chance to perform elsewhere. One game doesn’t define whether the Yankees made a mistake or not. I hope he has a productive MLB career.

Scranton (65-48) (Defeated Buffalo, 6-4)

2B Jorbit Vivas: 0-for-4, SB (14), BB, 2 K
Vivas is likely on a potential call-up list, but they didn’t use him in a series against the Orioles before the All-Star Break. I think they’ll leave him down here.  Plus, if they want someone who can handle 3B, there are questions about Vivas playing there.
3B Caleb Durbin: 1-for-3, HR (5), RBI, 2 RS, BB
Durbin has homered in back-to-back games. He is hitting .301/.421/.480 in 242 PA at this level. He should be considered for MLB playing time. However, the easiest solution will be Oswald Peraza. 
CF Jasson Dominguez: 1-for-4, RS, K
Dominguez is 8-for-51 since coming back from his latest injury.
SS Oswald Peraza: 1-for-4, RBI, RS, SB (17), K
Peraza has hit better lately (5-game hitting streak, though it features only one hit per game). His 40-man roster status benefits him.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 2-for-3, 2B (20), RBI, RS, CS (3), BB
Rumfield is 7-for-30 with 10 walks in August.
DH Taylor Trammell: 1-for-3, RBI, K
RF Cam Eden: 2-for-4, RBI, RS, SB (27)
Speed is his game.
C J.C. Escarra: 0-for-3, BB
LF Greg Allen: 1-for-4, 2B (8), RBI

LHP Tanner Tully: (W, 2-6) 5 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, HR
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, HR
RHP Nick Burdi: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
LHP Tim Mayza: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Scott Effross (S, 1): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Effross is starting to string together some scoreless outings, but it comes down to how his stuff looks, not statistics. Once he is ready, they aren’t going to hold him back.

Somerset (54-54) (Defeated Hartford, 6-2)

CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-4, RBI, RS, K
Jones is 12-for-36 (.333) in August (3 doubles, 2 HR, 7 RBI).
C Jose Trevino: 0-for-2
   C Rafael Flores: 1-for-2, 2B (8), K
Flores has 8 doubles and 9 HR in 38 games since his promotion.
3B Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-4, HR (5), 4 RBI, RS
Rodriguez, who has homered in back-to-back games, turns a 2-1 deficit into a 5-2 lead with a grand slam in the 8th inning. He is hitting .239/.301/.463 in 73 PA since his promotion and .309/.386/.496 with 10 HR and 46 RBI overall. In addition to the bat, he is versatile (games at 1B, 2B, 3B, LF, and C this season).
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-4, 3 K
LF Elijah Dunham: 1-for-4, RS, 2 SB (14)
RF Cole Gabrielson: 1-for-3, RS, BB, K
DH Grant Richardson: 1-for-4, RS, K
SS Alexander Vargas: 1-for-4, 2B (4), RBI
2B Max Burt: 1-for-2, RS, SB (6), BB

RHP Trystan Vrieling: (W, 9-7)  7 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, HR
5.07 ERA (119 IP, 120 H, 70 R, 67 ER, 11 HR, 38 BB, 108 K). In his two August starts: 12 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 11 K. The Yankees sent him straight to Double-A, never pitching at any other level. That comes with many challenges, and Vrieling has done well enough to meet those challenges.
RHP Danny Watson: (S, 1): 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
6.15 ERA (26.1 IP, 28 H, 22 R, 18 ER, 3 HR, 12 BB, 17 K). I consider 2024 to be a rehab season for Watson, but he still has a month to end on a strong note.

Hudson Valley (56-51) (Smoked Hickory, 13-0)

2B Roc Riggio: 0-for-5, 2 K
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-4, RS, HBP, 2 K
Since promotion: 1-for-25. What do they do about this? The answer is simple: Keep throwing him out there.
1B Josh Moylan: 0-for-1, 2 RS, HBP, 2 BB
  PH-1B Kiko Romero: 1-for-1, 2B (12), RBI
DH Omar Martinez: 0-for-1, 3 RS, 2 HBP, 2 BB
3B Dylan Jasso: 2-for-4, 3B (1), HR (1), 3 RBI, 2 RS, BB
Since promotion: 6-for-19 (2 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 3 RBI). Jasso has 10 HR and 57 RBI between here and Tampa.
CF Jackson Castillo: 2-for-4, 2 HR (2), 7 RBI, 2 RS, BB
Castillo sets a personal best for RBI in a game, a mark he may never top (7 RBI is hard!). Since his promotion, he is 8-for-21 (2 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR, 11 RBI). He is one of their most consistent prospects in 2024.
C Antonio Gomez: 0-for-4, RS, BB, 2 K
RF Garrett Martin: 3-for-5, HR (8), 2 RBI, 2 RS
LF Anthony Hall: 2-for-3, 2 BB
Hall has four multi-hit efforts in his last nine games.

LHP Kyle Carr: (W, 1-6) 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K
Carr, in his debut season, earns his first professional win. Season: 5.13 ERA (86 IP, 80 H, 58 R, 49 ER, 5 HR, 50 BB, 80 K).  Last 5 games: 24 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 HR, 10 BB, 25 K. This is a sign of a pitcher figuring things out.
RHP Kelly Austin: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Since being acquired: 3.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
RHP Mason Vinyard: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
3.35 ERA (37.2 IP, 29 H, 20 R, 14 ER, 2 HR, 21 BB, 52 K)
RHP Matt Keating: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K

Tampa (43-63) (Lost to Clearwater, 7-2)

CF Brandon Jones: 1-for-2, RBI, 2 BB, K
Jones is 5-for-15 with 6 walks to begin his professional career.
SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-4, K
Arias is 5-for-36 with 7 walks and 15 strikeouts in August.
RF Willy Montero: 0-for-4, RS, K
LF Tyler Wilson: 1-for-4, 2B (2), RBI, 2 K
3B Hans Montero: 0-for-3, BB, 3 K
2B Austin Green: 0-for-4, K
1B Coby Morales: 0-for-3, RS, 2 SB (31), BB, K
31-for-37 in the stolen base category. He is hitting .256/.363/.328 in 372 PA.
DH Joe Delossantos: 0-for-1, HBP, 2 BB
C Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-2, HBP

RHP Bryce Warrecker: (L, 1-5)  4 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Osiel Rodriguez: 2.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
Not a fun night for Rodriguez, who allowed three inherited runners to score.
RHP Jordy Luciano: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K

FCL (35-22)

Their season is over.

DSL Yankees (17-33) (Lost to the DSL Mets Orange, 7-1)

1B Luis Puello: 2-for-4, RS
.342/.430/.514 in 128 PA. The 18-year-old has shown vast improvement over his debut 2023 season.
CF Isael Arias: 1-for-4, 3B (2), RBI

RHP Luis Burgos: 4 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

DSL Bombers (29-21) (Defeated the DSL Mets Blue, 9-5)

CF Francisco Vilorio: 1-for-5, RS, 2 K
DH Queni Pineda: 3-for-4, 2B (8), RBI, RS
.252/.427/.395 in 157 PA (8 doubles, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 22.9% BB, 23.6% K)
SS Christofer Reyes: 2-for-5, 2B (5), HR (1), 4 RBI, RS, K
The 16-year-old blasts his first professional home run (.239/.335/.312; 16-for-25 SB)
C Carlos Villarroel: 1-for-3, RS, 2 BB, 2 K
LF Browm Martinez: 1-for-3, RBI, RS, BB
2B Juan Araujo: 0-for-1, RS, 2 BB
  2B Luis Suarez: 2-for-2, 2B (3), RBI

LHP Franyer Herrera (W, 4-1): 5 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K, HR
2.23 ERA (44.1 IP, 36 H, 16 R, 11 ER, 1 HR, 16 BB, 58 K)
RHP Jose Rosario (S, 1): 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K

Yankees MILB 8/4: Spencer Jones Homers, Doubles Twice

News:

Nothing.

Scranton (60-47) (Defeated Louisville, 5-2. Scranton is having a season where their overall record is good, but they didn’t win the first half and are currently behind in the second half).

DH Jasson Dominguez: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, RS, SB (4), K
For Scranton: .302/.343/.460 in 67 PA. Since his most recent comeback from injury: 5-for-27 (.185) with one extra-base hit (double). Patience.
2B Jorbit Vivas: 0-for-3, BB
SS Oswald Peraza: 2-for-4, 2 HR (7), 2 RBI, 2 RS, K
.243/.348/.376 in 265 PA (9 doubles, 7 HR, 32 RBI, 38 R, 16-for-20 SB). Peraza has 6 HR in his last 12 games. Before this stretch, his triple slash was .229/.344/.279. 
1B T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-1, HBP, 2 BB
CF Taylor Trammell: 1-for-3, RBI, CS (3), BB, K
RF Jahmai Jones: 0-for-4, 2 K
Jones cleared waivers and was outrighted to Scranton.
C J.C. Escarra: 1-for-3, RS, BB
Since promotion: .356/.482/.511 in 56 PA with more walks (9) than strikeouts (6).
3B Kevin Smith: 1-for-3, RS, BB, 2 K
LF Josh VanMeter: 0-for-3, 2 K

LHP Edgar Barclay: (W, 5-8)  7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K
6.22 ERA (102.2 IP, 109 H, 76 R, 71 ER, 22 HR, 50 BB, 91 K). Last 4 starts: 23 IP, 11 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 7 BB, 21 K
LHP Tim Mayza: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
LHP Josh Maciejewski: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

Somerset (52-50) (Swept a doubleheader against Bowie. The Patriots are 20-13 in the second half as they make a push for the playoffs (1 game out))

Game 1 (Won, 4-1. Because this was the conclusion of a suspended game from last night, it went the full nine innings)

DH Caleb Durbin: 0-for-3, 2 BB
Durbin is only 3-for-24 since being placed here but has six walks and only three strikeouts.
CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-4, BB, K
1B Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-4, 2 K
Since promotion: 9-for-45 (.200) with three home runs. He missed a month due to injury.
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-3, RS, BB, K
3B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-3, RS, BB, K
RF Elijah Dunham: 1-for-4, 2B (17), 2 RBI, RS, K
LF Grant Richardson: 0-for-3, SF, RBI, 2 K
2B Anthony Seigler: 1-for-2, HR (9), RBI, RS, 2 BB
SS Alexander Vargas: 1-for-4, K

RHP Colby White: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
LHP Ben Shields: (W, 2-1)  6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, HR
Since promotion: 1.95 ERA (27.2 IP, 22 H, 9 R, 6 ER, 1 HR, 10 BB, 30 K). Overall, he owns a 3.20 ERA in 81.2 IP (65 H, 37 R, 29 ER, 7 HR, 22 BB, 102 K). His ERA was hurt by an emergency appearance in Scranton, where he allowed 9 runs in 1.2 IP.
RHP Joey Gerber (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Game 2 (Won, 6-1. This was a 7-inning game)

CF Spencer Jones: 3-for-4, 2 2B (19), HR (13), 4 RBI, RS
Jones is hitting .245 with a .758 OPS in 402 PA (19 doubles, 3 triples, 13 HR, 58 RBI, 55 R, 21-for-27 SB, 10.9% BB, 36.6% K). This is the 5th time this season he has compiled 6+ total bases. His high is 11, set on June 30th.
1B Tyler Hardman: 1-for-4, RS
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-4, 2B (6), RBI, K
Flores has brought a power game with him to Somerset. He has 6 doubles and 7 HR in 32 games (17 singles).
DH Elijah Dunham: 1-for-4, RS
RF Grant Richardson: 1-for-4, 2B (22), SB (12)
2B Anthony Seigler: 0-for-4, K
LF Jared Wegner: 1-for-2, RS, BB, K
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-2, RS, BB
3B Max Burt: 1-for-2, RS, BB

RHP Trystan Vrieling: (W, 8-7)  5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K
5.22 ERA (112 IP, 116 H, 68 R, 65 ER, 10 HR, 37 BB, 103 K)
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Since promotion: 10.1 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 6 BB, 16 K. The Yankees set their bullpen for 2024 at the deadline (Reyzelman was a long-shot candidate regardless), but he should be in the mix sometime in 2025.
RHP Kevin Stevens: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR
Stevens allows his second career HR (43.2 IP). 

Hudson Valley (52-48) (Defeated Jersey Shore, 7-5)

2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-3, RBI, RS, BB
.217/.342/.382 in 364 PA (18 doubles, 4 triples, 8 HR, 30 RBI, 56 R, 14.0% BB, 17.3% K, 17-for-22 SB). His BABIP hasn’t normalized much this season (.248). 
CF Jace Avina: 1-for-3, RS, HBP
.250/.329/.403 in 365 PA (22 doubles, 9 HR, 44 RBI, 43 R, 8.8% BB, 26.3% K). Last season, he owned a 29.6% K in Low-A (for the Brewers’ organization)
1B Omar Martinez: 2-for-4, 2 HR (13), 4 RBI, 2 RS
Martinez’s third career multi-HR game (he had a 3-HR effort on August 1, 2023). He is hitting .236/.367/.419 in 346 PA. 
C Antonio Gomez: 2-for-4, 2B (8), RS, K
Gomez has three multi-hit efforts in his last five games and has doubled in five straight contests. 
LF Christopher Familia: 1-for-4, RS, K
3B Kiko Romero: 0-for-4, 2 K
RF Cole Gabrielson: 0-for-1, RS, SB (12), 2 BB, HBP
DH Anthony Hall: 0-for-4, 2 K
SS Brenny Escanio: 1-for-4, SB (5)

RHP Trent Sellers: 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
12 up, 12 down. His ERA is now 2.40 (63.2 IP, 34 H, 25 R, 17 ER, 2 HR, 30 BB, 74 K). He has four no-hit performances in his last five games (17.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 18 K). That’s an impressive run.
RHP Mason Vinyard: (W, 5-2) 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
3.60 ERA (35 IP, 28 H, 20 R, 14 ER, 2 HR, 20 BB, 48 K)
LHP Joel Valdez: 0.1 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Harrison Cohen: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
It has been a rehab year for Cohen. Will he get to Somerset this year? He did get there briefly in 2023.
RHP Huey Morrill: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
3.53 ERA (35.2 IP, 32 H, 19 R, 14 ER, 6 HR, 11 BB, 39 K)
RHP Sebastian Keane (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
4.84 ERA (70.2 IP, 64 H, 39 R, 38 ER, 6 HR, 35 BB, 69 K). Keane started most of the season. They could be limiting his innings down the stretch.

Tampa (43-56)

Their game against Lakeland was canceled due to Tropical Storm Debby. It will not be made up.

FCL (35-22)

Their season is over.

DSL Yankees (15-27) 

Scheduled day off.

DSL Bombers (23-21) 

Scheduled day off.

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 Lockridge: 0-for-5, 4 K
We all have bad days…
2B Jorbit Vivas: 1-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 Ramirez: 1-for-3, BB
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-4, K
Rumfield is 7-for-24 with four walks in July.
SS Jeter Downs: 0-for-4, 3 K
RF Oscar Gonzalez: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
LF Taylor Trammell: 0-for-3, HBP, 2 K
3B Kevin Smith: 0-for-3, SB (11), HBP, K
DH Josh VanMeter: 0-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 Effross: 1 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 Marinaccio: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
LHP Victor Gonzalez: 1 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 Jones: 1-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 Cowles: 1-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 Hardman: 0-for-4, K
C Rafael Flores: 3-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 Dunham: 2-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 Richardson: 0-for-4, 2 K
LF Jared Wegner: 0-for-3, K
2B Anthony Seigler: 0-for-2, BB
3B Max Burt: 1-for-3, 2 K

RHP Trystan Vrieling: 6 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 Gomez: 1 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 Serna: 0-for-3
.252/.344/.437 in 369 PA. He is only 9-for-46 (.196) in July.
CF Jace Avina: 0-for-3, K
C Omar Martinez: 1-for-3, K
DH Antonio Gomez: 0-for-3, K
1B Josh Moylan: 0-for-3, 2 K
RF Garrett Martin: 1-for-3, SB (9)
Martin is 9-for-10 in the stolen base category.
LF Cole Gabrielson: 0-for-3, 2 K
3B Brenny Escanio: 1-for-3, K

LHP Kyle Carr: 5 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 Sellers: 3 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 Arias: 0-for-1, SB (25), BB
1B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-2, K
CF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-2
RF Willy Montero: 1-for-2
2B Hans Montero: 0-for-2, 2 K
DH Coby Morales: 0-for-1
C Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-1
LF Daury Arias: 0-for-1

RHP Chase Hampton: 3.2 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 Nixon: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Nixon was used as a “bridge” between Hampton and Serna.
RHP Luis Serna: 1 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 Mayea: 1-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 Perez: 1-for-3, BB
1B Engelth Urena: 2-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 Diaz: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
His rehab continues.
RHP Sabier Marte: 3 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 Luna: 4 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K

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

CF Francisco Vilorio: 1-for-3, 2B (5), K
.200/.278/.325 in 90 PA (5 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 13 RBI)
SS Christofer Reyes: 1-for-3, RS, SB (12)
2B Luis Escudero: 0-for-2, RS, BB
DH Angel Ventura: 1-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 Martinez: 1-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 7/11: Roderick Arias Has Multi-Hit Night

News:

Catching up on the news:

RHP Justin Lange was transferred to the full-season injury list. Acquired for Luke Voit, Lange was a $2,000,000 signing by the Padres from the 2020 draft. Like many of his ilk, Lange flashes moments of brilliance mixed with plenty of frustration due to his lack of command/control of his potentially elite stuff. He is Rule 5 eligible this winter, but that is irrelevant. The Yankees won’t protect him and he is an unlikely selection.

RHP Chase Hampton and OF Anthony Hall are heading to Tampa (from the FCL) to continue their rehab stints. Hall will eventually land with Hudson Valley while I assume Hampton is destined for Somerset before his eventual Scranton debut.

RHP Yorlin Calderon, pitching to a 2.28 ERA in 16 games (27.2 IP) for Somerset, was demoted to Hudson Valley.

Scranton (48-40) (Swept in a doubleheader against Syracuse)

Game 1 (Lost, 6-5)

CF Brandon Lockridge: 2-for-4, 2 RS, K
DH Jorbit Vivas: 1-for-3, HR (5), RBI, RS, BB
Vivas’ HR in the top of the 7th gave the Railriders a 5-4 lead, but they blew it in the bottom of the inning.
SS Oswald Peraza: 0-for-4, RS, 2 K
C Agustin Ramirez: 1-for-2, 2B (1), 2 RBI, BB, K
Ramirez crushed that 2-run double to tie the game at 4-4 in the 5th. 
1B Jose Rojas: 1-for-3, RBI
LF Taylor Trammell: 1-for-3, RBI, K
RF Oscar Gonzalez: 0-for-3
3B Kevin Smith: 1-for-3, RS, K
2B Josh VanMeter: 0-for-3, 2 K

LHP Tanner Tully: 4 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Scott Effross: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
A nice, clean inning for Effross.
LHP Victor Gonzalez: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Phil Bickford (L, 2-4): 0.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Game 2 (Lost, 2-1)

SS Oswald Peraza: 1-for-4, K
2B Jorbit Vivas: 0-for-3
For Scranton: .258/.404/.424 in 169 PA. The sample size is getting larger and the numbers are solid.
1B Agustin Ramirez: 0-for-3
Since promotion: 11-for-63 (.175) with a double, four home runs and 11 RBI. He started very slow but has picked it up. He is going to hit here – I have no concerns about that.
C Carlos Narvaez: 1-for-2, SB (8), BB
.269/.388/.446 in 304 PA (17 doubles, 9 HR, 47 RBI, 45 R)
CF Brandon Lockridge: 0-for-3, 3 K
DH Jose Rojas: 0-for-3, K
LF Taylor Trammell: 1-for-2, HR (5), RBI, RS, SB (7), BB, K
RF Oscar Gonzalez: 1-for-2, BB
3B Jeter Downs: 0-for-2, HBP

RHP JT Brubaker:  1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
I am not sure why Brubaker left the game. He is rehabbing, but he tossed 2.2 innings last time and has reached four innings in an outing. Yes, I am concerned but hopefully, it is nothing major.
RHP Art Warren: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Yerry De Los Santos: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
LHP Anthony Misiewicz: (L, 2-2) 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Ron Marinaccio: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Somerset (42-42) (Lost to Erie, 6-0)

CF Spencer Jones: 0-for-4, 3 K
Not that it ultimately matters, but I thought they would keep him in the second spot after his solid night last night. 
SS Ben Cowles: 0-for-3, HBP
This is nothing against Cowles. This is more of a “That’s baseball, Suzyn” thing: Cowles goes 7-for-8 in a doubleheader and is 2-for-15 since. Go ahead – try to figure this game out. He is hitting an impressive .297/.376/.478 in 340 PA with 23 doubles, 3 triples, 8 HR, 46 RBI, 49 R, and 13 stolen bases in 15 attempts. He is positioning himself for an MLB role sometime in 2025, whether here or elsewhere.
DH Tyler Hardman: 0-for-3, BB, 3 K
1B Rafael Flores: 0-for-3, 2 K
C J.C. Escarra: 0-for-3
RF Grant Richardson: 1-for-3, 2B (18), K
Richardson is 7-for-23 with two doubles and a home run in July.
2B Anthony Seigler: 1-for-3, K
Last 10 games: 12-for-33 (.364; 6 doubles, 6 RBI, 7 BB, 6 K)
LF Jared Wegner: 0-for-1, CS (4), 2 BB, K
3B Max Burt: 0-for-3, 2 K

RHP Trystan Vrieling: (L, 7-7)  5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
5.56 ERA (90.2 IP, 99 H, 59 R, 56 ER, 9 HR, 30 BB, 88 K). His biggest bugaboo has been lefties. Entering tonight, they hit .303/.378/.416 with 22 walks and 35 strikeouts in 204 PA. Against right-handed hitters? .242/.265/.418 with five walks and 48 strikeouts in 171 PA. Both sides have displayed power, but there is still a stark difference when looking at other metrics/numbers.
RHP McKinley Moore: 0.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR
For Somerset: 3.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K. This was the second HR he has allowed in his career (30.1 IP)
RHP Luis Velasquez: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Hudson Valley (41-41) (Lost to Jersey Shore, 3-2)

2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-5, RBI
.220/.362/.377 in 290 PA. He is in a little slump after a prolonged hot streak, but nothing to be worried about.
SS Jared Serna: 1-for-4, 2B (23)
Serna was pinch hit for in the 9th yesterday, but it was nothing as he was back in action today. 
RF Jace Avina: 0-for-3, HBP, 2 K
C Omar Martinez: 1-for-3, RS, BB
.239/.382/.407 in 280 PA. 
3B Josh Moylan:  0-for-1, 3 BB, K
Moylan’s first career 3 BB game. He has shown off solid plate discipline.
DH Christopher Familia: 0-for-4, 2 K
CF Cole Gabrielson: 2-for-4, 2B (11), RBI, RS, 2 K
1B Kiko Romero: 0-for-2, 2 BB
LF Nelson Medina: 0-for-4, K

RHP Blane Abeyta: 6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K
RHP Matt Keating: (L, 3-2)  2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
4.13 ERA (48 IP, 36 H, 24 R, 22 ER, 7 HR, 18 BB, 59 K)

Tampa (30-52) (Lost to Dunedin, 4-3)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-5, 3 K
Tough nights are becoming rarer for Lombard Jr. We will toss this one.
2B Roderick Arias: 2-for-4, 2B (13), RS, SB (23), BB, K
Back-to-back multi-hit efforts for Arias. He is 4-for-5 stealing bases in his last five games. Yes, I know about his warts and have commented on them several times. He has these flashes where he shows off his pure raw talent that keeps you interested. I do not disagree with those who have lowered him in their rankings.
1B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K
LF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-4, RBI
CF Willy Montero: 1-for-4, 3B (1), RS, K
3B Hans Montero: 1-for-2, RBI, RS, CS (3), 2 BB, K
Montero has a 6-game hitting streak (9-for-18). It has increased his triple slash from .202/.286/.337 to .232/.322/.398.
DH Coby Morales: 2-for-4, K
C Diomedes Hernandez: 1-for-3, RBI, BB
Hernandez singled in Castillo in his first Low-A plate appearance. For the FCL squad, the 19-year-old played only 14 games, going 10-for-41 (.244/.295/.244) with five runs batted in. He was called up to this level on July 5th, but this was his first game.
RF Daury Arias: 0-for-4, K

RHP Josh Grosz: 4 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, HR
Grosz dialed it up to 95.8 tonight (averaged 94.3) and mixed his three pitches well (35% 4-seamers, 33% changeups, 32% sliders). The 21-year-old owns a 5.04 ERA at this level with an 80/25 K/BB over 60.2 IP. He has allowed too many homers (9) and the walk rate isn’t ideal, but he has shown signs of dominance. Like many youngsters, he needs to find consistency.
LHP Rafelin Nivar: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K
Nivar touched 95.2 with his sinker and struck out Joey Votto. I can only imagine what kind of thrill that is for a kid.  Standing 5’10”, control has been an issue (25/21 K/BB over 24 IP between here and the FCL)
RHP Aaron Nixon (L, 2-2): 1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
4.34 ERA (45.2 IP, 28 H, 26 R, 22 ER, 1 HR, 36 BB, 47 K). He is keeping the ball in the park and striking out a decent number of hitters, but walks are an issue. Nixon pitched in big settings in college, as he pitched for Texas and Mississippi State. The Yankees signed him as an undrafted free agent, hoping to unlock some production.
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

FCL (29-17)

Their game against the FCL Tigers was postponed due to rain. They play tomorrow but switch home fields. Hence, they have not scheduled this game for tomorrow. I do not see a makeup date.

DSL Yankees (9-17) (Lost to the DSL Tigers 2, 15-4)

SS Dexters Peralta: 1-for-5, RS, K
Peralta turned 17 today.
3B Richard Matic: 0-for-3, 2 RS, HBP
C Justin Capellan: 2-for-3, RBI, SB (4), BB
.268/.364/.357 for the 17-year-old in his debut campaign.
LF Gabriel Lara: 1-for-3, 2B (1), RS, SB (9), BB
DH Luis Puello: 1-for-4, RBI, K
.388/.492/.571 in 59 PA (3 doubles, 2 home runs, 12 RBI, 8 BB, 9 K)

RHP Luis Burgos: 2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 2 K
The 18-year-old’s first professional start.
RHP Keninson Diaz: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
The 20-year-old is in his third season at this level. He pitched pretty well last season (2.76 ERA in 32.2 IP with a 50/14 K/BB) but they didn’t move him up.

DSL Bombers (16-11) (Lost to the DSL Giants Orange, 3-0, in a 6-inning game)

CF Francisco Vilorio: 0-for-3, K
Vilorio has struggled in his first 16 professional games (.190/.254/.293 with 24 strikeouts). He does have a double, triple, and homer.
C Queni Pineda: 2-for-2, BB
.262/.458/.443 in 83 PA. He has a 22/13 BB/K

LHP Junior Tavera (L, 0-3): 3 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
RHP Carlos Almonte: 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
10.2 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 8 K
RHP Jose Rosario: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

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 Andrews. Both 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 Trammell, Oscar Gonzalez, Brandon Lockridge, and Jose Rojas. Trammell 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 Lockridge: 0-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 Peraza: 0-for-5, RS, K
1B T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-3, RS, BB
Rumfield’s 7-game hitting streak is snapped.
C Carlos Narvaez: 1-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 Rojas: 2-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 Gonzalez: 2-for-4, 2B (7), 2 RS
LF Taylor Trammell: 1-for-4, HR (2), 3 RBI, RS, K
3B Jeter Downs: 1-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 Maciejewski: 4 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 Bickford: 1.1 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 Jones: 3-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 Ramirez: 1-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 Hardman: 1-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 Burt: 0-for-0
SS Ben Cowles: 0-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. Escarra: 0-for-3, RS, BB
LF Grant Richardson: 1-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 Seigler: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
RF Aaron Palensky: 1-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 White: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Luis Velasquez: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K

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

2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-3, BB, 2 K
SS Jared Serna: 0-for-4, K
Thankfully, Serna missed only one game after the HBP.
CF Jace Avina: 2-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 Flores: 0-for-2, 2 BB, K
.302/.415/.506 in 207 PA. 
C Omar Martinez: 0-for-4, 3 K
DH Christopher Familia: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
RF Garrett Martin: 0-for-3, CI, 3 K
3B Josh Moylan: 1-for-4, 2 K
LF Cole Gabrielson: 1-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 Morrill: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Cole Ayers: 1 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 Tejeda: 2-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 Arias: 0-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 Jasso: 0-for-4, 2 K
CF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-4
DH Hans Montero: 0-for-3, 2 K
LF Willy Montero: 0-for-2, HBP, K
Montero’s 12-game hitting streak is snapped.
C Tomas Frick: 0-for-3
RF Daury Arias: 1-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 Fulgencio: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Osiel Rodriguez: 2.2 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 Gabonia: 2 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 Semmel: 2 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 Mayea: 2-for-4, RBI, RS, BB, K
C Edgleen Perez: 1-for-3, RBI, RS, 2 BB, K
DH Engelth Urena: 2-for-5, 2B (2), RBI, RS, K
3B Abrahan Ramirez: 2-for-5, 2B (5), RBI, 2 RS, K
LF Brian Sanchez: 1-for-4, RS, BB, 2 K
SS Juan Matheus: 2-for-4, 2 2B (4), 2 RBI, RS
2B Gabriel Terrero: 3-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 RS
RF Joel Mendez: 1-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 Mayea: 2-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 Ramirez: 2-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 Sanchez: 2-for-4, 2B (11), 2 RBI, RS
Sanchez, hitting .360/.457/.629, has 11 doubles in 26 games.
SS Juan Matheus: 3-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 Terrero: 2-for-4, RBI, RS, K

RHP Chris Kean: 2 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 Matic: 1-for-4, RBI
Matic is 10-for-31 (.323) with a pair of doubles and 4 RBI.
2B Edgar Jimenez: 1-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 Medina: 2-for-3, 2B (1), RBI, 2 RS
The 18-year-old is 5-for-14 with a double in his debut season.
1B Johan Contreras: 2-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 Pineda: 2-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 Escudero: 2-for-3, 2B (1)
LF David Carrera: 1-for-3, 2B (4), RS, K
The 17-year-old is 6-for-21 with four doubles and a triple.
3B Kevin Verde: 0-for-2, RS, SB (5), BB
RF Angel Ventura: 2-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.

Yankees MILB 5/19: Trystan Vrieling Sparkles

News:

The news section has been too quiet for my liking lately. Something big is about to happen…

Scranton (29-14) (Split a doubleheader with Worcester)

Game 1 (Won, 6-3)

3B Caleb Durbin: 1-for-4
.285/.402/.418 in 200 PA. Durbin has a reverse split, hitting .216/.341/.270 vs. LHP and .305/.419/.461 vs. RHP. 
SS Oswald Peraza: 0-for-4, K
Peraza was called up from Somerset to continue his rehab assignment here. 
DH Taylor Trammell: 0-for-3, CS (1), BB, 2 K
RF Everson Pereira: 2-for-3, 2 RS, SB (5)
1B Jose Rojas: 3-for-3, 2B (10), HR (9), RBI, 3 RS, SB (1)
LF Oscar Gonzalez: 2-for-3, RBI, K
Gonzalez is 14-for-43 (.326) at this level (4 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR). 
C Luis Torrens: 1-for-3, 2 RBI
CF Greg Allen: 1-for-2, RS, HBP
2B Josh VanMeter: 1-for-3, 2B (7), RBI, K

RHP Cody Poteet: 4 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 4 K
4.05 ERA (33.1 IP, 26 H, 16 R, 15 ER, 4 HR, 11 BB, 38 K)
RHP Cody Morris (W, 3-0): 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
RHP Ron Marinaccio (S, 2): 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Game 2 (Lost, 3-1)

LF Taylor Trammell: 0-for-4, K
C Carlos Narvaez: 2-for-3, HR (4), RBI, RS, BB, K
.244/.392/.420 in 153 PA. 
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-2, BB
Rumfield has a 7-game hitting streak and is hititng .317/.385/.424 in 156 PA between here and Somerset.
DH Everson Pereira: 0-for-2, BB, K
.265/.346/.512 in 182 PA (8 doubles, 1 triple, 10 HR, 27 RBI, 33 R, 14.6% BB, 32.4%)
RF Jose Rojas: 1-for-3, K
SS Jeter Downs: 0-for-3, 2 K
2B Josh VanMeter: 0-for-3
3B Kevin Smith: 1-for-3, K
CF Brandon Lockridge: 0-for-3, 2 K

RHP Yoendrys Gomez: (L, 0-2)  4 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, HR
3.62 ERA (27.1 IP, 21 H, 12 R, 11 ER, 4 HR, 18 BB, 33 K). The Yankees have until the end of next year’s spring training to determine what they are going to do with Gomez. For now, he is depth.
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Alex Mauricio: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
1.29 ERA (21 IP, 16 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 5 BB, 23 K)

Somerset (19-19) (Shut down Portland, 7-0)

CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-5, 2B (5), RS, 2 K
Jones’ first extra-base hit since May 7th (9 consecutive games without one). We’ll see if it sparks him.
3B DJ LeMahieu: 1-for-1, RBI, 2 RS, 3 BB
The Yankees will play it cautiously with LeMahieu, but this is an encouraging day. Some may wonder about how he will impact what the MLB team is doing. One hates to upset the apple cart, but a healthy LeMahieu is still a useful baseball player.
   3B Jordan Groshans: 0-for-1
C Agustin Ramirez: 0-for-2, 2 RS, 2 BB
He ends Sunday with an OPS just below 1.000 (.998). vs. LHP: .382/.463/.912.  vs. RHP: .239/.369/.489. That is acceptable, especially since he has 7 HR, 20 RBI, and 18 walks in 110 PA vs. RHP.
1B Ben Rice: 0-for-3, SF, RBI
Rice has slumped in May (.192/.317/.269), but at least he did something productive this afternoon. His bat has been too dominant in Double-A (24 HR in 84 games) for this to continue.
SS Ben Cowles: 1-for-2, 2B (14), 2 RBI, RS, SB (6), 2 BB
.331/.414/.543 in 152 PA (14 doubles, 2 triples, 3 HR, 24 RBI, 22 R, 6-for-6 SB, 12.5% BB, 15.8% K). 
LF Grant Richardson: 0-for-2, SB (6), HBP, BB, K
DH Jared Wegner: 0-for-3, RBI, BB, K
2B Anthony Seigler: 1-for-4, RBI, SB (6), 2 K
RF Aaron Palensky: 0-for-3, RS, 2 SB (7), BB, K

RHP Trystan Vrieling: (W, 3-4)  5.1 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K
4.40 ERA (45 IP, 40 H, 24 R, 22 ER, 2 HR, 10 BB, 44 K). Earlier in the week, against this team, Vrieling allowed 9 runs in 4.2 innings so this was a nice adjustment. 
RHP Ryan Anderson: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Tommy Kahnle: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Kahnle has retired all 15 batters he has faced during his rehab stint (Tampa/Somerset), striking out 11. He is on his way to New York now.
RHP Luis Velasquez: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Leonardo Pestana: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
Since promotion: 7.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K

Hudson Valley (19-17) (Lost to Jersey Shore, 6-5, in 10 innings)

2B Roc Riggio: 0-for-5, RS, BB, 3 K
SS Jared Serna: 2-for-3, 2B (9), RBI, RS, SB (4), 2 BB, K
.263/.388/.489 in 165 PA. He has 7 multi-hit games in his last 17 games played.
CF Jace Avina: 2-for-5, 2B (12), 3 RBI, SB (4), BB, K
.310/.412/.550 in 119 PA  (12 doubles, 4 HR, 18 RBI, 17 R, 4-for-4 SB).  He has hit safely in 13 of 15 May games (18-for-61, 9 doubles, 2 HR, 13 RBI, 12 R)
LF Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-5
.308/.384/.489 in 151 PA with a 10.6% BB and 14.6% K. 
DH Omar Martinez: 1-for-4, BB, 3 K
Martinez has a 6-game hitting streak (7-for-20; 7 walks). He is starting to get rolling.
  PR-DH Kyle Battle: 0-for-0
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-5, RS, 2 K
Flores has a 5-game hitting streak and is 13-for-32 (.406) in May with 5 doubles and 8 walks.
3B Josh Moylan: 0-for-4, BB, K
1B Kiko Romero: 0-for-4, RS, BB
RF Cole Gabrielson: 2-for-3, 2B (5), RBI, RS, BB, HBP, K

LHP Ben Shields: 3.1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, HR
3.86 ERA (25.2 IP, 22 H, 12 R, 11 ER, 3 HR, 4 BB, 34 K). You have to love that K/BB. He started strong in April but has struggled in May. This was only his second start.
RHP Trent Sellers: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 0 K
2.82 ERA (22.1 IP, 14 H, 11 R, 7 ER, 16 BB, 30 K). This is the first time in his career (which only started this year) that he didn’t strike out at least one batter in an appearance.
RHP Mason Vinyard: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Steven Fulgencio: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Cole Ayers:  (L, 1-2) 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Tampa (14-25) (Defeated Bradenton, 3-1)

2B Jorbit Vivas: 0-for-4, K
  2B Brenny Escanio: 0-for-0
DH Jasson Dominguez: 0-for-2, 2 BB, K
This is the first time Dominguez played back-to-back games this season.
SS Roderick Arias: 2-for-4, 2 K
.213/.345/.348 in 171 PA (5 doubles, 4 triples, 2 HR, 17 RBI, 21 R, 9-for-15 SB, 15.8% BB, 35.7% K). Last 12 games: 12-for-44 (.273), 10 BB, 16 K.
1B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-4, 2B (13), K
.319/.360/.551 with 7 doubles, 3 HR, and 16 RBI in 17 May games.
CF Willy Montero: 0-for-4, K
3B Hans Montero: 2-for-3, 3B (2), HR (2), RBI, 2 RS, BB, K
Montero is 16-for-48 (.333; 2 doubles, 2 triples, 2 HR). He was 3-for-18 in his first five games. Interestingly, we don’t know if he would be here right now if not for the injuries to George Lombard Jr. and (especially) Enmanuel Tejeda.
RF Coby Morales: 2-for-4, RBI, RS
.321/.426/.429 with 3 doubles, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 11 R, and 11 walks in 16 May games. Morales was their 18th-round pick in the 2023 draft out of Washington. He bats lefty and has an extreme split (.294/.416/.363 vs. RHP; .097/.222/.097 vs. LHP)
C Edinson Duran: 1-for-3, 3B (1), RBI, BB
LF Dayro Perez: 0-for-4, 2 K

RHP Ryan Harvey: (W, 1-2) 5.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K
Harvey sets a new personal best for strikeouts in a game.
LHP Rafelin Nivar: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
The 22-year-old was called up from the FCL. In 33 appearances between the DSL/FCL since 2022, he went 4-1 with a 4.70 ERA in 51.2 IP. He walked 30 and struck out 72. Today, he threw 20 sinkers (92.3 MPH average), 7 changeups, and 3 sliders.
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Montana Semmel (S, 2): 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

FCL (5-6)

They never play on Sunday.

DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!