Tag: Zach Messinger

Yankees MILB 9/19: Ben Rice Homers Again

News:

I have nothing to offer.

Scranton (86-60) (Defeated Buffalo, 4-1. I have been mistaken lately. Like most sane people, I thought divisions mattered in the International League, but they don’t. It’s first-half champion vs. second-half champion in the entire league, even though you don’t get to play everyone. Weird. Divisions don’t matter. Scranton is 86-60 (the second-best team to Omaha) and won’t make the playoffs. That needs to be fixed because it’s freaking stupid. Why do they do this? Time. They expanded the season, so the playoffs took a hit. Instead of a 2-series format, they go straight to a best-of-3 championship. After that concludes, the International League winner plays the Pacific Coast League winner in a 1-game “winner-take-all.” Interestingly, they came up with a format that I 100% hate. I like nothing about it. I don’t care about IL vs. PCL. I care more about deserving squads making it)

LF-3B Caleb Durbin: 1-for-5, RBI
Even during his slump, Durbin hasn’t been striking out (6 in 12 September games). He is hitting .284/.396/.466 in 360 PA at this level (12.8% BB, 9.7% K)
2B Jorbit Vivas: 0-for-3, RS, BB
1B Ben Rice: 1-for-4, HR (10), 2 RBI, RS
Rice has 7 HR in his last 14 games and is hitting .302/.444/.656 in 124 PA at this level. It is easy to forget how little Triple-A experience he had before his call-up.
SS Oswald Peraza: 0-for-3, BB, K
DH T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-3, HR (14), RBI, RS, BB
At this level: .293/.367/.458 in 466 PA (26 doubles, 14 HR, 70 RBI, 71 R, 9.2% BB, 16.5% K). He is talked about in online fan circles but I haven’t seen much about him beyond that. Is he a serious prospect? I wish I could answer that.
C Carlos Narvaez: 0-for-4
RF Taylor Trammell: 2-for-4, 2B (20), K
3B J.C. Escarra: 2-for-3, 2 2B (14), RS, BB
In addition to catching, Escarra can play the four corners (1B, 3B, LF, RF). He will turn 30 next April and has yet to make his MLB debut. He would be a fun story if he made it to MLB.  He is hitting .293/.398/.524 in 196 PA at this level.
   PR-LF Duke Ellis: 0-for-0, SB (4)
CF Cam Eden: 0-for-4, K

RHP Yoendrys Gomez: 4.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
Gomez is on the 40-man roster, but I doubt he would be Jake Cousins‘ replacement. He isn’t a short reliever + he won’t be available for several days.
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda: (W, 7-1)  0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Cody Morris: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Morris’ first appearance since July 20th. If you don’t recall, he was acquired for Estevan Florial. After hitting poorly in MLB (.173/.264/.367), Florial hasn’t been his usual minor-league self (.221/.329/.376 in 213 plate appearances). 
RHP JT Brubaker:  1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Clayton Beeter: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Beeter threw eight 4-seamers (topped out at 97.6) and six sliders. Could he be an option if Cousins isn’t available? He would be an intriguing choice. Cody Poteet is another option (perhaps the most likely one).
RHP Yerry De Los Santos (S, 3): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Somerset (2-0) (Defeated Hartford, 4-3, in ten innings to advance to the championship series. The series begins on Sunday against either Akron or Erie. Erie leads that series, 1-0. In tonight’s game, Akron has the lead in the 10th inning)

CF Spencer Jones: 2-for-5, RBI, K
Jones’ single in the top of the 10th provided the winning run. He is 5-for-10 in the playoffs.
C Rafael Flores: 2-for-4, HR (1), RBI, RS, BB, K
Flores’ power surge continues. He hit .279/.379/.495 in 506 PA between here and Hudson Valley in the regular season (31 doubles, 21 homers).
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-5, K
2B Anthony Seigler: 0-for-3, RS, SB (1), 2 BB
DH Elijah Dunham: 0-for-4, 2 K
LF Grant Richardson: 1-for-4, RS, K
RF Jared Wegner: 0-for-3, BB, K
SS Alexander Vargas: 1-for-4, RBI, K
3B Max Burt: 0-for-4, RS, 2 K

RHP Zach Messinger: 6.2 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, HR
Messinger dominated through six and left the game with a 3-2 lead in the 7th. Unfortunately, the inherited runner scored. If this is his final start in 2024 (Game 2 of the championship series is next Tuesday, so it may not be), he can go into the offseason with his head held high. He is Rule 5 eligible but I would put him on the “definite” list for protection (or trade). 
LHP Ryan Anderson: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Leonardo Pestana: (W, 1-0)  1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Jesus Liranzo (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K

Hudson Valley (73-58 (regular season); 3-3 (playoffs))

Their season is over.

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 9/13: Zach Messinger Tosses 6 Shutout Innings

News:

Nothing

Scranton (82-59) (Defeated Lehigh Valley, 6-5, in 11 innings. Worcester finally lost, so the Railriders are within one game. The season ends next Sunday)

2B Jorbit Vivas: 2-for-5
3B Caleb Durbin: 0-for-4, HBP, BB (intentional)
Durbin is in a little slump (5-for-27 in September) but has only three strikeouts. 
1B Ben Rice: 0-for-3, RBI, 3 BB
Walk-off RBI walk.
SS Oswald Peraza: 0-for-5, K
CF-LF Taylor Trammell: 1-for-3, BB, K
  PR-LF Cam Eden: 0-for-1, RS, SB (32), K
DH Carlos Narvaez: 1-for-2, 2 BB
   PR-CF Greg Allen: 0-for-1, SB (13), K
C J.C. Escarra: 2-for-4, RS, BB, K
RF Oscar Gonzalez: 2-for-4, SF, 2 RBI, 2 RS, K
LF Jahmai Jones: 2-for-2, HR (4), 2 RBI, RS, HBP
   PR-CF Duke Ellis: 0-for-0, SB (1)
At all levels, including the majors, Ellis is 57-for-61 stealing bases this season.
   PH T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-1
   P Oddanier Mosqueda: 0-for-0
   P Scott Effross: 0-for-0
   PH Josh Maciejewski: 0-for-1, K
A pitcher pinch-hitting for a pitcher in a league where pitchers don’t hit. I love it.

LHP Thomas Pannone: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, HR
RHP Alex Mauricio: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
2.08 ERA (47.2 IP, 35 H, 13 R, 11 ER, 3 HR, 26 BB, 52 K). I don’t think the Yankees have treated him “poorly,” but I hope he earns an MLB opportunity at some point somewhere. 
RHP Lou Trivino: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Trivino’s rehab clock was about to run out and he is out of options. The Yankees asked for an extension today and were granted one. Hence, he can stay here for the remainder of the Triple-A season, if needed. FYI: The Yankees have a 2025 option that I think they will pick up (unless they think he is fried)
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
RHP Scott Effross (W, 5-1): 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

Somerset (73-62) (Defeated New Hampshire, 3-0. Portland also won. Somerset owns a 0.5-game lead with two games left. Keep winning and nothing else matters)

CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-4, RS
He is hitting .258/.334/.445 in 536 PA (29 doubles, 6 triples, 16 HR, 77 RBI, 70 R, 52 BB (9.7%), 199 K (37.1%), 25-for-33 SB)
1B Rafael Flores: 2-for-4, RS, K
.278/.362/.526 in 265 PA. Don’t count him out in the first baseman discussion. The Yankees must figure out first base in 2025 and beyond. It is tough to get a read on how they view their minor league options.
DH Tyler Hardman: 0-for-3, BB
RF Elijah Dunham: 1-for-4, RBI, RS, SB (16), K
LF Grant Richardson: 1-for-3, RBI, K
2B Anthony Seigler: 1-for-2, SF, RBI, 2 SB (28)
Seigler’s previous best for stolen bases was 16. He was always known as an athletic catcher. The move to 2B has likely allowed him to save his legs and run more. I have said it all year: I won’t convince you that he is suddenly a prospect again. It is just fun to watch him have a healthy year at a new position.
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-3, K
3B Kiko Romero: 0-for-3, 2 K
C Juan Crisp: 0-for-2, K

RHP Zach Messinger: (W, 7-8)  6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K
Messinger finishes the regular season with a 3.06 ERA in 150 innings (114 H, 68 R, 51 ER, 9 HR, 52 BB, 136 K). Organizational Pitcher of the Year? Perhaps. The Yankees didn’t have a great minor league season but some of their pitching prospects surged down the stretch (Messinger, Cade Smith, Josh Grosz, Bailey Dees, Trystan Vrieling, Kyle Carr, Trent Sellers, Ben Shields.  Also, Cam Schlittler pitched well enough after his promotion to Somerset)
LHP Ryan Anderson: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Luis Pacheco: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Jesus Liranzo (S, 3): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K

Hudson Valley (1-1) (Defeated Greensboro, 4-1, to take the best-of-3 series. They will face Bowling Green in the championship series, starting on Sunday)

2B Roc Riggio: 3-for-4, RBI
Riggio is 5-for-13 with a double in the playoffs. I look forward to seeing him in Somerset next season (I fully expect him to start 2025 in Double-A)
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-4, 2 K
1B Josh Moylan: 1-for-3, RBI, BB
RF Garrett Martin: 1-for-4, RS, 2 K
DH Omar Martinez: 0-for-4, K
LF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, RS, K
Castillo hit a big 2-run HR in the top of the 9th to extend a 2-1 lead to 4-1.
3B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-4, 2 K
CF Brendan Jones: 1-for-3, 2B (1), RS, BB
C Antonio Gomez: 0-for-3, RS, BB, 2 K

LHP Kyle Carr: 4.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K
Carr has the potential to be a force in 2025. 
RHP Mason Vinyard: (W, 1-0)  1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
RHP Ocean Gabonia: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Matt Keating: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Kelly Austin (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Austin has pitched well since being acquired from the Astros organization.

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 9/7: Spencer Jones Doubles, Homers

News:

RHP Nick Burdi, who showed promise early in the year, was designated for assignment. Burdi’s velocity was down during his rehab stint and his history of injuries and poor control didn’t help him.

If Burdi clears waivers, he has the right to refuse an outright assignment and elect free agency.

Scranton (78-56) (Mauled Syracuse, 19-0. Worcester beat Rochester. Worcester and Scranton are 35-26, while Rochester is 34-28 in the race for the second-half crown)

3B-LF Jon Berti: 2-for-4, 2B (1), HR (1), SF, 2 RBI, 3 RS, BB
I assume he will be up with the team after this weekend. While not a big deal, he has attempted only one stolen base in his 14 rehab games.
2B Caleb Durbin: 1-for-4, HR (8), 2 RBI, RS, SAC, K
Durbin returns with a bang, as he homered in his first plate appearance. He is hitting .302/.416/.492 in 308 PA at this level. He tied his personal best for HR tonight (8 in 76 games. He hit 8 in 105 games in 2022)
LF-CF Jasson Dominguez: 2-for-4, 3 RS, BB, 2 K
Dominguez has 12 multi-hit efforts in his last 20 games. He is at .314/.372/.488 at this level.
1B Ben Rice: 2-for-4, HR (6), 3 RBI, 3 RS, BB, 2 K
Rice has homered in three straight games.
SS Oswald Peraza: 2-for-5, 2B (11), 3 RBI, 2 RS
DH J.C. Escarra: 2-for-4, HR (7), SF, 2 RBI, 2 RS
Escarra has homered in four straight games (5 HR during the streak)
C Carlos Narvaez: 1-for-4, 2B (19), 2 RBI, RS, HBP, 2 K
RF Oscar Gonzalez: 2-for-5, 2 2B (20), 3 RBI, 2 RS, K
CF Greg Allen: 0-for-3
  3B Jahmai Jones: 2-for-2, HR (3), 2 RBI, 2 RS
Not bad for a guy who entered the game late (nothing wrong with Allen – they wanted to give Berti a few innings in LF)

LHP Thomas Pannone: (W, 9-9)  7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K
Since signing with the Yankees: 1.99 ERA (49.2 IP, 46 H, 13 R, 11 ER, 5 HR, 4 BB, 42 K). Pannone has been a solid veteran addition to the Scranton roster.
RHP Lou Trivino: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
Trivino’s rehab started on August 14th. A rehab stint lasts up to 30 days for pitchers. Once that clock runs out next week, a decision must be made.
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Funny that they needed to bring in Mosqueda to get an out in a 19-0 game. 

Somerset (70-60) (Defeated Binghamton, 4-1. Portland won to maintain their 0.5-game lead)

DH Spencer Jones: 2-for-5, 2B (29), HR (16), 2 RBI, RS, K
Jones was 0-for-9 with nine strikeouts on Thursday/Friday. In typical Jones fashion, he brushes that off to have a big game tonight. I have never quite seen a prospect like him. Maybe that is because many prospects with this offensive profile don’t survive in the lower minors (remember Anthony Garcia?). 
C Rafael Flores: 2-for-5, 2B (12), K
I honestly didn’t expect Flores to become an extra-base machine this season. He is hitting .280 with a .900 OPS since his promotion and has 50 extra-base hits (29 doubles, 21 HR) in 115 games between here and Hudson Valley.
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-5, 3 K
2B Anthony Seigler: 1-for-4, K
RF Grant Richardson: 1-for-3, RS, SB (16), BB, 2 K
CF Cole Gabrielson: 2-for-4, 2B (2), 3B (1), RS, K
LF Elijah Dunham: 1-for-3, RS, BB, K
SS Alexander Vargas: 1-for-3, SF, RBI, SB (12), K
For Somerset: .258/.297/.392 in 232 PA.
3B Kiko Romero: 0-for-4, K

RHP Zach Messinger: (W, 6-8)  6.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, HR
3.19 ERA (144 IP, 112 H, 68 R, 51 ER, 9 HR, 50 BB, 132 K). Messinger has tossed 6+ innings in 9 of his 24 starts. This was his first start in September after posting a 1.52 ERA in 29.2 innings during August. He should be somewhere in the conversation for Organizational Pitcher of the Year. Some may consider him the favorite.
RHP Sean Boyle: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Clayton Beeter: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Beeter, who pitched in the season’s second game for the Yankees, makes his first rehab appearance.
RHP Leonardo Pestana (S, 2): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Since promotion: 2.66 ERA (20.1 IP, 16 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 HR, 9 BB, 23 K)

Hudson Valley (72-58) (Lost to Asheville, 8-4. The Renegades already clinched the second-half title)

2B Roc Riggio: 0-for-2, 3 BB
Riggio has a 14.8% BB and has four 3+ BB games this season. 
RF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-5, 3B (2), RS, K
3B Josh Moylan: 1-for-3, 2B (18), 2 RBI, RS, 2 BB
Moylan has doubled in four straight games (five doubles during the streak)
DH Garrett Martin: 0-for-3, HBP, CI, K
1B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-5, HR (2), 2 RBI, RS, 2 K
CF Brendan Jones: 0-for-3, SB (11), 2 BB
Jones started his professional career on fire but has (predictably) slowed down. He is still drawing walks (27 in 23 games) and stealing bases (16-for-16) so he is contributing.
C Antonio Gomez: 0-for-3, CI, K
LF Anthony Hall: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
SS Owen Cobb: 0-for-2, RS, SB (2), BB, K

RHP Baron Stuart: (L, 8-5)  4.2 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 12 K
That is an interesting stat line for Staurt, who set a new personal best for strikeouts. He owns a 3.63 ERA at this level with a 102/42 K/BB in 109 IP.
RHP Matt Keating: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
3.89 ERA (69.1 IP, 45 H, 33 R, 30 ER, 10 HR, 32 BB, 83 K)
RHP Indigo Diaz: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Kelly Austin: 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, HR
RHP Huey Morrill: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Tampa (54-73) (Lost to Dunedin, 5-4, in ten innings)

SS Roderick Arias: 1-for-5, RS, SB (37), K
Arias has converted 9 straight stolen base attempts. Yes, that is an important piece to his development.
DH Willy Montero: 0-for-3, SB (15), 2 BB
2B Hans Montero: 0-for-4, BB, K
RF Dillon Lewis: 1-for-5, 2B (4), 2 K
CF Marshall Toole: 1-for-4, HR (1), RBI, RS, K
His first professional HR was a big one, as it tied the game in the bottom of the 9th.
LF Joe Delossantos: 1-for-4, CS (3), 2 K
2B Juan Matheus: 1-for-4, RS, SB (2)
Matheus earns his first Low-A hit.
1B Duncan Pastore: 1-for-3, SF, RBI
C Diomedes Hernandez: 1-for-4, HR (1), RBI, RS, K
The 19-year-old launches his first professional home run (55th game)

RHP Carlos Lagrange: 3 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
Lagrange hit 99.8 MPH tonight. Hopefully, you recognize his velocity is more important than the stats. He is showing that his arm strength is there. Lagrange has rough edges to work out – that is known.
RHP Ryan Harvey: 1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Harvey’s first appearance since June 12th. It’s nice when an injured player gets back on the field before the season closes.
RHP Matt Givin: 3.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
RHP Kristofer Bow: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Cade Austin: (L, 2-4)  1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 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.

Yankees MILB 8/31: Jasson Dominguez Homers

News:

Nothing fit for print.

Scranton (73-55) (Defeated Rochester, 12-7, in a rain-shortened 6-inning game. This game had 18-15 written all over it. The Railriders move to within 0.5 games of the Red Wings for the second-half title)

2B Jorbit Vivas: 2-for-4, HR (6), 2 RBI, 2 RS, K
At this level: .230/.355/.350 in 335 PA (13 doubles, 1 triple, 6 HR, 37 RBI, 44 R, 16-for-21 SB, 14.0% BB, 16.7% K)
LF Jasson Dominguez: 2-for-4, HR (5), RBI, 2 RS
Dominguez has 9 multi-hit efforts in his last 15 games. For Scranton: .306/.358/.469 in 159 PA (7 doubles, 1 triple, 5 HR, 18 RBI, 24 R, 14-for-15 SB, 6.9% BB, 18.9% K). If you are worried about his BB%, calm down. This kid is smoking the ball and has no business at this level.
SS Oswald Peraza: 1-for-4, HR (9), 3 RBI, RS, K
.241/.346/.378 in 316 PA. He hit six home runs in 21 August games (including one in MLB)
1B T.J. Rumfield: 2-for-3, 2 2B (26), 2 RS, BB
At this level: .288/.359/.454 in 418 PA (26 doubles, 12 HR, 60 RBI, 65 R, 9.1% BB, 16.7% K). 
RF Taylor Trammell: 1-for-3, BB
C J.C. Escarra: 1-for-4, 2B (10), RBI, RS, K
At this level: .291/.409/,436 in 132 PA (10 doubles, 2 HR, 21 RBI, 23 R, 20 BB, 20 K)
DH Carlos Narvaez: 1-for-2, HR (11), 2 RBI, 2 RS, BB
Back in the “old” days, adding a third catcher in September was the norm. Not anymore. Narvaez will stay sharp down here in case of injury.
CF Greg Allen: 2-for-3, RS, K
3B Jahmai Jones: 1-for-2, HR (2), 2 RBI, RS, BB

LHP Josh Maciejewski: 4.1 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, HR
RHP Lou Trivino: (W, 1-0)  0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Nick Burdi: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
An uneventful 11-pitch inning. 
RHP Yerry De Los Santos: 0.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Somerset (64-59) (Lost to Reading, 7-1. This was a tip-your-cap game, as Reading starter Moises Chace struck out 13 in 6 innings)

3B Jon Berti: 0-for-3, K
Berti is 4-for-25 with a home run during his rehab stint. Sometimes, it takes a while for the rust to wear off. Berti will not be called up immediately in September.
   3B Max Burt: 0-for-0, RS, BB
CF Spencer Jones: 1-for-4, 2B (25), RBI, 2 K
A 2-out RBI double in the 9th broke up the shutout. Jones earned his 30th hit in August (30-for-92, 9 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR, 17 RBI). He increased his hitting streak to 7 (12-for-27, 5 doubles, 1 triple). 
1B Rafael Flores: 2-for-4, SB (5), K
Flores, who went 23-for-81 (.284/.370/.531) in August, is hitting .263/.347/.479 in 219 PA since his promotion and .274/.376/.473 in 452 PA overall (26 doubles, 17 HR, 58 RBI, 56 R, 7-for-8 SB). Last season, in 434 PA, he hit .259/.346/.366 with 8 HR and 41 RBI.
DH Tyler Hardman: 0-for-4, 2 K
RF Grant Richardson: 0-for-3, K
2B Anthony Seigler: 0-for-3, K
LF Elijah Dunham: 0-for-3, 3 K
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-3, 2 K
C Juan Crisp: 0-for-3, 3 K

RHP Zach Messinger: 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 3 K
3.28 ERA (137.1 IP, 109 H, 67 R, 50 ER, 8 HR, 48 BB, 126 K). August: 5 starts, 3-0, 1.52 ERA, 29.2 IP, 21 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 12 BB, 20 K.
RHP Cole Ayers: (L, 0-1)  0.2 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 0 K
Ayers was throwing well since his promotion (5.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 11 K entering this game). He didn’t have it tonight.
RHP Danny Watson: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Sean Boyle: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR
LHP Ryan Anderson: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
3.04 ERA (26.2 IP, 20 H, 11 R, 9 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 31 K). 

Hudson Valley (67-57) (Defeated Jersey Shore, 5-2, to extend their lead to two games over the BlueClaws. Tomorrow is a big game)

2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-5, HR (10), 3 RBI, RS, 2 K
Riggio had two extra-base hits (both doubles) in 22 games during his 2023 debut season.  He has 38 extra-base hits (23 doubles, 5 triples, 10 HR) in 100 games this season.
SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-4, RS, HBP, K
Lombard Jr. has a 6-game hitting streak (11-for-25; 5 doubles).
C Omar Martinez: 1-for-3, RS, BB, K
RF Garrett Martin: 0-for-4, 4 K
LF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-3, SF, RBI
Since promotion: .286/.357/.490 in 56 PA with a pair of homers and 16 RBI.
CF Brendan Jones: 0-for-4, K
DH Coby Morales: 0-for-2, RS, HBP, BB, K
1B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-3, RS, BB
3B Brenny Escanio: 0-for-0, HBP
  1B Josh Moylan: 0-for-3, K

RHP Baron Stuart: 4.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
RHP Matt Keating: (W, 5-4)  1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
4.03 ERA (67 IP, 42 H, 33 R, 30 ER, 10 HR, 31 BB, 78 K). Keating is a workhorse in the Renegades’ bullpen.
RHP Kelly Austin: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Since acquisition: 10.2 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 12 K. That is how you impress your new organization.
RHP Huey Morrill (S, 3): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Tampa (53-69) (Swept a doubleheader against Bradenton)

Game 1 (Won, 7-3. They scored 7 runs on 6 hits (all singles), 6 walks, and 4 HBP)

SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-2, RS, HBP, BB
CF Willy Montero: 0-for-1, 2 RS, HBP, 2 BB
DH Tyler Wilson: 0-for-3, RS, BB, 2 K
3B Hans Montero: 1-for-3, RBI, RS, BB, K
1B Parks Harber: 1-for-2, 2 RBI, RS, HBP, BB
LF JoJo Jackson: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, RS, K
Jackson, who earned his first career RBI today, is 4-for-21.
RF Joe Delossantos: 2-for-4, RBI
C Josue Gonzalez: 1-for-3, HBP, K
2B Owen Cobb: 0-for-3, SF, RBI, K

RHP Carlos Lagrange: 3 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 3 K
Lagrange continues to hum (hit 98.7 MPH, averaged 96.9). His ability to develop control will determine his path. 
RHP Yoljeldriz Diaz: (W, 2-1) 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Diaz maxed out at 95.9 MPH with his 4-seamer (93.6 average). He also touched 91 with his cutter. 
RHP Matt Givin: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K

Game 2 (Won, 5-1, in 8 innings. Once again, they won a game without an extra-base hit)

SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-3, RS, BB, 2 K
Arias doesn’t collect a hit today but does reach base three times (0-for-5, 2 RS, 2 BB, HBP). He is hitting .227/.331/.381 in 525 PA. He’s done more than enough to get to Hudson Valley next year. 
CF Willy Montero: 1-for-4, RS, K
DH Tyler Wilson: 0-for-2, RBI, RS, 2 BB
3B Hans Montero: 2-for-3, 2 RBI, RS, BB
Montero has a 3-for-6 doubleheader with 3 RBI, 2 runs, and a pair of walks. 
RF Dillon Lewis: 1-for-4, RBI, K
Lewis is 10-for-29 (3 doubles, 1 HR, 5 RBI) to begin his career.
1B Parks Harber: 0-for-2, SF, RBI, BB, K
LF Joe Delossantos: 2-for-4
Delossantos goes 4-for-8 in the doubleheader and is 13-for-51 (.255) to begin his professional career.
2B Owen Cobb: 0-for-3, K
C Diomedes Hernandez: 0-for-3
   C Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-0, RS

RHP Gabriel Barbosa: 5.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K
5.09 ERA (115 IP, 114 H, 70 R, 65 ER, 13 HR, 36 BB, 122 K). 
RHP Luis Pacheco: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
2.08 ERA (17.1 IP, 16 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 HR, 4 BB, 23 K)
RHP Kristofer Bow: (W, 3-1)  1.1 IP, 0 H, 1 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.

Yankees MILB 8/22: Jasson Dominguez: 2 More Hard Hits

News:

Most of the time, roster crunches work themselves out.

In 2024, that might not be the case for the Yankees. The first move was easy, as Oswald Peraza was demoted to make room for Jazz Chisholm Jr. However, it won’t get easier from here.

Utilityman Jon Berti is about to begin a rehab stint, as is 1B Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo can replace Ben Rice, who has options and hasn’t hit much lately. Berti? Good luck with this one. From a management standpoint, the Yankees can do the easy thing:  Demote Oswaldo Cabrera and keep everyone else. Berti would, in theory, be taking most of Cabrera’s playing time and the Yankees can justify it by saying DJ LeMahieu is their only viable defensive first baseman after Rizzo. Berti has never played the position and Cabrera has 28.1 innings there.

Is that what I would do? No.

Beyond that, OF Jasson Dominguez is finding his groove. While we have to factor in a potential adjustment period, it is hard to argue that Alex Verdugo is a better option.

As messy as that is, the pitching staff could be messier. Scott Effross, Nick Burdi, Lou Trivino, Clarke Schmidt, Ian Hamilton, and Cody Poteet are potential MLB options, and Luis Gil will come off the injured list at some point. Schmidt will be promoted as soon as he is ready. The others? They will be in a logjam. The Yankees can demote Will Warren (when Schmidt is ready) and DFA Tim Mayza. Unlike Effross and Hamilton, Trivino is out of options. Once his rehab is over, a roster move must be made. It’s a situation where the Yankees bullpen hasn’t been top-notch, but some of their scrap heap pickups (Tim Hill, Michael Tonkin) have pitched well enough to keep their jobs. Jake Cousins is pitching too well (and missing bats) to send down.

My not-so-educated guess?  They will demote Warren for Schmidt and DFA Mayza for Trivino. Effross, Burdi, Hamilton, and Poteet may have to “wait their turn”. Hamilton has yet to start his rehab stint, so we don’t know what to expect. Keeping Poteet stretched out in Scranton would be prudent. Effross’ rehab ended a while ago. The Yankees aren’t convinced he is ready to contribute, but he is pitching well lately. They have the ability, through options, to keep Gil down in Scranton beyond his IL stint. They can use it as a reset and give him a few innings there to ensure he doesn’t go cold.

Yes, one position player and pitcher will be promoted on September 1st. That helps but doesn’t completely relieve the jam.

Scranton (69-52) (Lost to St. Paul, 8-7)

3B Caleb Durbin: 1-for-4, 2 RS, BB
The pesky Durbin is 15-for-55 (.273) in August with more walks (13) than strikeouts (8).
DH Jasson Dominguez: 2-for-5, RS, SB (10), CS (1)
Dominguez’s two singles were hit at 108.3 and 108.2 MPH and he has four multi-hit efforts in his last 7 games. By the way, Dominguez is now 97-for-116 (83.6%) stealing bases in his minor league career. I have written a lot about his stats since his latest comeback without mentioning his overall season for Scranton: He is hitting .304 with a .786 OPS in 125 PA.
2B Jorbit Vivas: 2-for-4, RBI, RS, BB
1B T.J. Rumfield: 3-for-4, 2 2B (24), RBI, 2 RS, BB
Rumfield has six doubles in his last 10 games. 
CF Taylor Trammell: 1-for-5, 3B (1), 3 RBI, RS
Trammell has 20 RBI in 18 August games.
C J.C. Escarra: 2-for-5, 2B (9), RBI, K
Escarra has a 7-game hitting streak (10-for-27 with four doubles)
LF Jahmai Jones: 2-for-5, 2B (3), RBI, 2 K
RF Greg Allen: 0-for-2, HBP, 2 BB
SS Kevin Smith: 1-for-5, 3 K

LHP Edgar Barclay: 5 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 4 K, 3 HR
RHP Ron Marinaccio: (L, 1-3)  1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
RHP Scott Effross: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Last 6 games: 8.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 K

Somerset (59-56) (Lost to Portland, 3-1. They are now 4.5 games out. Before this series started, I said the Patriots needed to take 5 out of 6 to make the race interesting. So far, they are 2-1. 4 out of 6 would be acceptable, but the calendar is starting to run out (22 games left))

CF Spencer Jones: 0-for-4, 3 K
.248/.329/.419 in 453 PA (20 doubles, 3 triples, 14 HR, 63 RBI, 59 R, 21-for-29 SB, 10.4% BB, 37.1% K).
C Rafael Flores: 0-for-4, 2 K
1B Tyler Hardman: 1-for-4, SB (9), K
RF Grant Richardson: 0-for-4, 2 K
CF Cole Gabrielson: 1-for-3, RS, BB, 2 K
2B Anthony Seigler: 2-for-4, 2 2B (20), SB (21)
.217/.328/.395 in 349 PA (20 doubles, 11 HR, 39 RBI, 47 R, 21-for-24 SB, 13.8% BB, 18.1% K; .240 BABIP).  Moving Seigler to 2B is doing the job to keep him healthy, at least.  He is four games away from his first 100-game campaign.
LF Jared Wegner: 0-for-4, 3 K
SS Alexander Vargas: 2-for-3, 2B (5), SB (7), HBP
Vargas is 17-for-58 (.293/.359/.500; 2 doubles, 2 triples, 2 HR) in August. Entering tonight, he was hitting .301/.347/.504 (138 wRC+) in 121 PA since June 7th (yes, he missed time due to injury)
3B Max Burt: 0-for-3, 3 K

RHP Zach Messinger: 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 3 K
Messinger had to push himself through 90 pitches tonight. Season: 3.40 ERA (132.1 IP, 107 H, 67 R, 50 ER, 8 HR, 44 BB, 123 K). In his last 6 starts: 1.98 ERA (36.1 IP, 27 H, 10 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 13 BB, 23 K). No, it isn’t lost on me that his hot stretch comes with a reduced K%.
RHP Leonardo Pestana: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Danny Watson: (L, 1-5) 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, HR
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
Since promotion: 2.87 ERA (15.2 IP, 12 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 HR, 9 BB, 24 K)

Hudson Valley (62-54) (Swept a doubleheader against Wilmington)

Game 1 (Won, 7-6)

CF Brendan Jones: 1-for-4, SB (4), K
SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-4, RS, K
1B Josh Moylan: 1-for-3, RS, BB
LF Garrett Martin: 2-for-3, HR (10), 3 RBI, RS, BB, K
This was the appetizer (scroll down to Game 2 for more)…
RF Coby Morales: 1-for-4, 2 RS, SB (3)
DH Dylan Jasso: 2-for-3, 2B (5), RBI, RS
3B Kiko Romero: 0-for-2, BB, K
C Edison Vivas: 2-for-3, 3 RBI, K
With Omar Martinez on the IL, Hudson Valley needed another catcher. Enter the 18-year-old Vivas, who entered this game with 27 games of professional experience (26 in the DSL, 1 in the FCL). He hit .217/.333/.253 with no homers and 8 RBI in those games. So, naturally, he is promoted to High-A and has a solid debut. I have zero information on him. His signing bonus isn’t listed, so they signed him for a small number. Additionally, I searched my website for his name and this is the first time I have typed it. In other words, I won’t pretend to know who he is. 
2B Brenny Escanio: 0-for-2, BB, K

RHP Brian Hendry: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
If you forgot about the 24-year-old, it is understandable. This was his first appearance since April 25th. He hasn’t allowed an earned run in his professional career (12 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 7 BB, 17 K). He was the Yankees’ 10th-round pick in the 2023 draft out of Oklahoma State.
RHP Sebastian Keane: 1.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Matt Keating (W, 4-3): 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Blane Abeyta: 2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Game 2 (Won, 6-0. Three pitchers combined on a 7-inning no-hitter)

2B Roc Riggio: 0-for-2, RS, SB (24), BB, 2 K
Riggio didn’t finish the game last night and missed Game 1 today. However, he was back out there in Game 2. 
LF Brandon Jones: 0-for-2, RS, SB (5), BB
With Tampa/Hudson Valley: 12-for-38 (.316/.544/.553; 3 doubles, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 11 R, 10-for-10 SB, 19 BB, 11 K). This is how you make an early impression.
3B Josh Moylan: 0-for-3
CF Garrett Martin: 2-for-3, 2 HR (12), 4 RBI, 2 RS
Martin has a 3-HR, 7 RBI day. It pushes his season to .210/.310/.436 in 289 PA (13 doubles, 3 triples, 12 HR, 41 RBI, 45 R, 13-for-15 SB, 9.7% BB, 28.0% K). 
1B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-3, RS, 2 K
DH Coby Morales: 2-for-3, 2B (1), RS, CS (1)
Morales is 6-for-14 since his promotion and is hitting .256/.362/.326 in 398 PA overall (10 doubles, 1 triple, 4 HR, 50 RBI, 56 R, 34-for-42 SB (80.95%), 12.6% BB, 28.9% K). He is 22 years old, so there is room for growth. He spends time at 1B/LF/RF. 
C Antonio Gomez: 1-for-3, RBI, K
Gomez has a 7-game hitting streak (8-for-23) and a 17-game on-base streak (21-for-56 (.375); 8 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR, 6 BB)
RF Anthony Hall: 0-for-2, K
SS Brenny Escanio: 0-for-2

RHP Trent Sellers: 4.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K
At this level: 2.28 ERA (75 IP, 39 H, 27 R, 19 ER, 3 HR, 34 BB, 88 K). As a starter: 0.69 ERA (26 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 29 K). The walk rate has fallen considerably as a starter.
RHP Mason Vinyard: (W, 6-2)  1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
3.07 ERA (41 IP, 29 H, 20 R, 14 ER, 2 HR, 21 BB, 55 K). I told you to pay attention to Cole Ayers last night because, amongst a group of potential Somerset call-ups, the Yankees chose him. That is nothing against Vinyard, Keating, or whoever you think of. 
RHP Thomas Balboni Jr.: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
If you are going to finish off a no-hitter, you may as well do so in style. With Enyel De Los Santos‘ stint being among the quickest in history, Balboni is left carrying the torch for the deadline deal with the Padres (for Brandon Lockridge).

Tampa (48-66)

Their game against Ft. Myers was canceled due to inclement weather. It won’t be made up.

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 8/15: Jasson Dominguez’s 3-Hit Night

News:

Last night, I said that you typically wait for a player to play a full game in the field before you put them on a “reinstate from rehab” watch.

I was wrong about C Jose Trevino, who is back with the Yankees after catching for seven innings last night. I don’t think that matters.

What does matter? How Trevino is used. He should be a true backup, not a platoon player.  Austin Wells has earned the job. Even the world’s biggest dolt can see that.

Scranton (67-48) (Defeated Buffalo, 8-2)

3B Jorbit Vivas: 0-for-4, RS, BB, K
2B Caleb Durbin: 1-for-4, RBI, BB
CF Jasson Dominguez: 3-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 SB (7), BB
As I said last night, if an organization says they don’t have room for you, force them to make room. I don’t expect them to call up Dominguez yet, but if he continues to show progress, what choice do they have?
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-2, SF, 2 RBI, HBP, BB
He was pulled from the game after being hit in the head with a pitch in the 8th inning.
   PR Taylor Trammell: 0-for-0
   P Oddanier Mosqueda: 0-for-0
DH-1B Jahmai Jones: 1-for-4, RS, K
RF Greg Allen: 0-for-3, RBI, 3 K
LF Cam Eden: 1-for-2, 2 RS, SB (28), 2 BB
C J.C. Escarra: 1-for-4, 2B (6), RBI, RS
With Carlos Narvaez on his way back, Escarra will get a needed break. He has caught almost every day, including both ends of a doubleheader, since Narvaez was promoted.
SS Kevin Smith: 1-for-2, RBI, 2 RS, 2 BB, K
With Peraza in MLB and Josh VanMeter released, Smith will get some extra reps.

LHP Edgar Barclay: 4 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 2 K
RHP Alex Mauricio: (W, 3-0)  1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Phil Bickford: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda: (S, 4)  1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K

Somerset (56-54) (Defeated Hartford, 9-3)

DH Spencer Jones: 1-for-5, 2 RBI, 3 K
.245/.327/.419 in 437 PA (19 doubles, 3 triples, 14 HR, 63 RBI, 58 R, 10.5% BB, 37.1% K, 21-for-29 SB)
LF Jesus Rodriguez: 1-for-5, 2 K
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-3, RS, BB, K
1B Tyler Hardman: 2-for-4, 3B (1), 2 RS, SB (8), BB, 2 K
CF Grant Richardson: 2-for-4, 2B (24), HR (7), 3 RBI, 2 RS, SB (13), BB, K
A loud night for Richardson, who is hitting .264/326/.417 in 342 PA.
RF Jared Wegner: 0-for-3, SF, RBI, 2 K
2B Anthony Seigler: 1-for-4, HR (11), 2 RBI, 2 RS, BB
Seigler continues to add to his home run collection. He has homered in back-to-back games.
3B Alexander Vargas: 2-for-4, HR (3), RBI, RS, K
Vargas, who has a good defensive reputation, continues to hit in Double-A (.732 OPS). Last season, he owned a .590 OPS in 103 games for Hudson Valley.
SS Max Burt: 0-for-4, RS, SB (7), K

RHP Zach Messinger: (W, 5-8) 5.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, HR
Messinger allowed a 3-run HR in the second inning but settled in nicely. He owns a 3.46 ERA (127.1 IP, 104 H, 66 R, 49 ER, 8 HR, 40 BB, 120 K). Watch him this offseason, as he is Rule 5 eligible. The Yankees are unlikely to leave him exposed and he might draw interest on the trade market. However, maybe they think he is a legitimate pitching option for some point in 2025.
RHP Cole Ayers: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
The Yankees had a choice of several relievers to promote. It does say something that Ayers was placed here. Like Messinger, he is Rule 5 eligible this winter.
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
Since promotion: 3.29 ERA (13.2 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 HR, 7 BB, 21 K)
RHP Leonardo Pestana: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
At this level: 1.84 ERA (14.2 IP, 12 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 16 K)

Hudson Valley (57-52) (Tossed a 1-hitter against Hickory in a 2-0 victory)

2B Roc Riggio: 0-for-4, BB, 3 K
SS George Lombard Jr.: 2-for-5, RBI, K
Lombard Jr. needed a game like this to build confidence if nothing else.
CF Jace Avina: 0-for-5, 2 K
DH Omar Martinez: 0-for-1, RS, HBP, 3 BB, K
Martinez has a .376 OBP, which aligns with his .378 career mark (1,236 PA).
1B Josh Moylan: 1-for-4, 3 K
C Antonio Gomez: 1-for-3, RBI, CI, K
.231/.308/.423 in 119 PA. After the games of July 25th (not long ago), his triple slash was .143/.222/.286.
RF Garrett Martin: 1-for-4, 3 K
LF Anthony Hall: 1-for-3, RS, BB, 2 K
3B Kiko Romero: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K

RHP Josh Grosz: (W, 2-1)  5.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 3 K
Since his promotion: 11.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 7 BB, 4 K. It is an Interesting line, but at least he is putting zeroes on the board. He owned a 95/29 K/BB over 78.2 innings for Tampa, so the strikeout ability is there.
RHP Indigo Diaz: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Since being placed here: 5.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K. The 25-year-old was acquired along with Caleb Durbin for Lucas Luetge.
RHP Thomas Balboni Jr.: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Ocean Gabonia (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K

Tampa (45-63) (Defeated Clearwater, 7-3)

CF Brendan Jones: 0-for-3, 2 RS, 2 SB (4), 2 BB, 2 K
Jones owns a 1.056 OPS in 26 PA (yes, a small sample) to begin his career. He is doing what you want the leadoff hitter to do: Take walks (8) and steal bases (4-for-4). 
SS Roderick Arias: 2-for-4, HR (9), 2 RBI, 2 RS, BB, K
.221/.322/.383 in 466 PA (16 doubles, 7 triples, 9 HR, 59 RBI, 62 R, 12.2% BB, 32.8% K). At the very least, he is getting a lot of reps in 2024.
RF Tyler Wilson: 3-for-5, RBI, RS, CS (1)
Back-to-back multi-hit efforts for the 22-year-old.
LF Marshall Toole: 3-for-3, 3 RBI, RS, 3 SB (6), 2 BB
Impressive night for Toole, who is 7-for-20 (2 doubles, 5 RBI, 7 BB, 5 K, 6-for-7 SB). He was the Yankees’ 15th-round pick out of Wofford.
2B Hans Montero: 0-for-5, 2 K
1B Coby Morales: 0-for-5, 2 K
DH Parks Harber: 1-for-3, RBI, SB (2), BB, K
C Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-4, 2 K
3B Owen Cobb: 1-for-4, RS

LHP Henry Lalane: 3.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Lalane’s second Low-A start goes better than the first. I hope he can build from here. He is sitting comfortably in the 91-92 range and we haven’t seen the 97 he can dial it up to. Concerned? No. He has barely pitched this year.
RHP Kristofer Bow: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Alejandro Gomez: (W, 1-0) 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 1 K
RHP Luis Arejula: 2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
RHP Yoljeldriz Diaz: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

FCL (35-22)

Their season is over.

DSL Yankees (17-34) (Lost to DSL Rangers Red, 4-2)

3B Richard Matic: 1-for-3, BB, 2 K
C Luis Puello: 3-for-4, RS, K
.357/.439/.522 in 132 PA. Puello doesn’t have enough plate appearances to qualify for the batting title. The DSL leader (Luis Pena (MIL) is hitting .393.
LF Gabriel Lara: 1-for-3, RS, SB (14), BB, K
RF Estivenzon Montero: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, 3 K

RHP Miguelangel Rodriguez: 2.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

DSL Bombers (29-22) (Lost to DSL Mets Blue, 13-1. The season ends on August 20th, meaning they have only four more games. They are three games behind the Marlins (two in the loss column). Their chances at a wild card are non-existent, so they must win the division to go to the playoffs)

C Queni Pineda: 1-for-2, HR (4), RBI, RS, CS (3), BB
.256/.431/.421 in 160 PA with as many walks as strikeouts (37). I am not going to overrate 17-year-old players in the DSL, but the catching pipeline seems to be on solid ground.

Yankees MILB 8/7: Zach Messinger Tosses 7 Scoreless Innings

News:

The Yankees have dipped in “organizational” prospect rankings. Do I worry about that? No. I thought they wouldn’t be very high on the preseason rankings. I consider the latest lists to be a market correction.

Scranton (60-47) (Lead Lehigh Valley, 3-0, in the third inning. This game was suspended. Game 2 was postponed. These games are being played in Bethlehem, which (like most of us) will be impacted by a tropical storm over the next few days)

DH Caleb Durbin: 0-for-1, SF, RBI, K
CF Jasson Dominguez: 0-for-2, K
3B Jorbit Vivas: 1-for-2, 2B (9), RBI
SS Oswald Peraza: 0-for-1, BB
1B T.J. Rumfield: 0-for-1, RBI, BB
RF Taylor Trammell: 0-for-2
LF Jahmai Jones: 0-for-0, RS, BB
C J.C. Escarra: 0-for-0, RS, BB
DH Josh VanMeter: 0-for-0, RS, BB

LHP Tanner Tully: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Somerset (53-51) (Defeated Binghamton, 5-0)

LF Greg Allen: 1-for-3, K
Allen’s first game since June 13th.
  LF Jared Wegner: 0-for-1
CF Spencer Jones: 0-for-3, CS (8), BB, K
C Jesus Rodriguez: 0-for-4, 3 K
Rodriguez is 10-for-53 (.189) since his promotion with 15 strikeouts. No need to make a judgment based on 14 games and he missed a lot of time due to injury.
DH Rafael Flores: 3-for-4, 2B (7), HR (9), RBI, 2 RS, K
Flores has homered 4 times in his last 7 games (including back-to-back games). Since promotion: .267/.351/.527 in 148 PA. Overall, he has 24 doubles and 15 home runs in 381 PA between here and Hudson Valley.
1B Tyler Hardman: 1-for-2, RS, 2 BB, K
RF Elijah Dunham: 1-for-4, HR (11), 3 RBI, RS
2B Anthony Seigler: 1-for-2, RS, HBP, BB, K
3B Alexander Vargas: 3-for-4, 3B (4), SB (4), CS (6)
Vargas is hitting .258/.690 OPS since his promotion.
SS Max Burt: 0-for-2, SB (5), BB

RHP Zach Messinger: (W, 4-8)  7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
Messinger did his best Greg Maddux impersonation, getting through seven innings with 74 pitches.  This was his second consecutive 7-inning effort. Season: 3.40 ERA (121.2 IP, 98 H, 63 R, 46 ER, 7 HR, 39 BB, 114 K).  Last 4 games: 25.2 IP, 18 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 7 BB, 14 K.
RHP McKinley Moore: 0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Colby White: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Eric Reyzelman: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Since promotion: 2.38 ERA (11.1 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 6 BB, 18 K). Impressive.

Hudson Valley (53-49) (Split a doubleheader against Brooklyn)

Game 1 (Lost, 3-2)

2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-4, RS, BB, 2 K
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-3, BB, K
Lombard Jr.’s first High-A game.
CF Jace Avina: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 K
C Omar Martinez: 1-for-3, K
DH Josh Moylan: 0-for-1
  PH-DH Garrett Martin: 0-for-2
You don’t typically replace a DH after one plate appearance, so something must have happened with Moylan.
1B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-3, BB, K
  PR-3B Brenny Escanio: 0-for-0
RF Jackson Castillo: 2-for-4, 2 K
Castillo earns his first two High-A hits.
LF Christopher Familia: 0-for-3, RS, BB, 2 K
3B-1B Kiko Romero: 1-for-2, 2B (11), 2 BB, K

LHP Kyle Carr: 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
5.44 ERA (81 IP, 79 H, 58 R, 49 ER, 5 HR, 48 BB, 75 K). Last 4 starts: 19 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 8 BB, 20 K.  We could see him in Somerset to start 2025. 
RHP Matt Keating: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
4.34 ERA (58 IP, 40 H, 31 R, 28 ER, 8 HR, 24 BB, 69 K). 
RHP Thomas Balboni Jr. (L, 0-1): 0.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Yorlin Calderon: 0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Game 2 (Won, 7-0)

2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-3, 2B (19), 3 RBI, BB, K
Riggio was pulled for a pinch-runner after his 2-run double. We’ll just have to monitor that.
   PR-3B Kiko Romero: 0-for-0
SS George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-4, RBI, K
I fully support the promotion. That said, he is a teenager trying High-A for the first time. If he struggles, that’s fine. The Yankees feel he is mature enough to handle that struggle.
DH Jace Avina: 0-for-4, 2 K
1B Dylan Jasso: 1-for-3, RS, BB, K
C Antonio Gomez: 2-for-3, 3B (1), 2 RS, BB
Gomez increases his hitting streak to 6 (11-for-21, so this isn’t a garden variety streak!). He has seven extra-base hits (5 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR) during the streak (at least one extra-base hit in each game).
CF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-3, 2 RS, BB, K
Castillo has a solid double-header in his High-A debut.
RF Garrett Martin: 0-for-1, RBI, 2 RS, 2 BB
LF Anthony Hall: 0-for-3, RBI, K
3B-2B Brenny Escanio: 0-for-1, RBI, 2 BB

RHP Blane Abeyta: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Kelly Austin: (W, 1-0)  1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Mason Vinyard: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
3.50 ERA (36 IP, 28 H, 20 R, 14 ER, 2 HR, 20 BB, 49 K)
RHP Indigo Diaz: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Sean Boyle: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Huey Morrill: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Tampa (42-59) (Lost to Daytona, 5-4)

LF Marshall Toole: 0-for-4, SB (1), BB, 2 K
SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K
.221/.322/.363 in 435 PA. Something is to be said for staying healthy and getting 500+ plate appearances, which he is on pace for. Whether he learns from the plate appearances is the question we need answered.
CF Willy Montero: 1-for-3, RS, BB, K
.252/.307/.370 in 374 PA (15 doubles, 2 triples, 7 HR, 48 RBI, 49 R, 9-for-10 SB). Montero has a 22.2% K, which is pretty good.
3B Hans Montero: 1-for-2, RS, SB (11), 2 BB
.218/.318/.347 in 274 PA. 
RF Coby Morales: 3-for-4, RBI, RS, CS (6)
Morales has four 3-hit efforts this season. 
1B Parks Harber: 2-for-4, 2B (1), 3B (1), 2 RBI, K
Professional debut for Harber, who was signed as an undrafted free agent out of North Carolina. He is a 22-year-old right-handed bat who hit .343/.425/.648 with 20 HR and 63 RBI in 61 games for the Tar Heels this season. He spent most of his collegiate career playing for Georgia.
C Manuel Palencia: 0-for-2
Palencia’s first game since May 28th. 
  C Diomedes Hernandez: 0-for-2
DH Joe Delossantos: 0-for-3, SB (1), BB
2B Owen Cobb: 1-for-4, RS, SB (2), 3 K
Cobb’s first professional hit. Congrats!

RHP Bryce Warrecker: (L, 1-4) 4.1 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 2 HR
RHP Matt Givin: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
RHP Chris Kean: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Osiel Rodriguez: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
2.41 ERA (52.1 IP, 27 H, 15 R, 14 ER, 7 HR, 26 BB, 61 K). Rodriguez has floated under the radar but has pitched well. 

FCL (35-22)

Their season is over.

DSL Yankees (17-28) (Defeated the DSL Twins, 14-4, in the conclusion of a game from July)

SS Dexters Peralta: 2-for-5, 2B (5), 3 RS, 3 SB (17), BB, 2 K
.236/.317/.333 in 161 PA (6 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 25-for-28 SB). A reminder that the boxscore is retroactive to the day the game was started. Anyway, I am intrigued by Peralta though the journey is long.
3B Richard Matic: 2-for-3, 2B (5), 3 RS, 2 SB (4)
.213/.353/.279 in 150 PA (8 doubles, 13 RBI, 19 R, 6-for-8 SB)
C Luis Puello: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 RS
LF Gabriel Lara: 2-for-6, RBI, RS, 2 K
RF Estivenzon Montero: 2-for-4, HR (1), 3 RBI, RS, 2 K
Montero’s first professional home run.
1B Johan Contreras: 2-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, RS, BB, K

LHP Ronald Tejada: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
The 17-year-old owns a 1.21 ERA and 22/10 K/BB over 22.1 IP in his debut season.

DSL Bombers (25-21)

Scheduled day off.

Yankees MILB 8/1: Zach Messinger Goes 7 Strong

News:

LHP Chasen Shreve was released from his contract for Scranton. Today is August 1st, so the odds are good that he had an opt-out. He pitched in ten games for Scranton, posting a 2.45 ERA in 11 innings.

As I pointed out yesterday, RHP Nick Burdi has options. Today, his rehab stint ended and he was optioned to Scranton. How far have the Yankees come? Jake Cousins, Michael Tonkin, and Tim Hill are blocking Burdi, who many saw as a potential key contributor when the season began. He still can be, but it will require an injury/implosion for him to get his next chance. If/when RHP Scott Effross is ready, he will join the mix.

Scranton (57-46) (Lost to Louisville, 10-8)

2B Jorbit Vivas: 0-for-4, BB, K
SS Oswald Peraza: 1-for-4, 2B (9), 2 RS, SB (16), K
Peraza is attempting to build on his .279/.367/.453 July.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-5, HR (12), 2 RBI, RS, 2 K
Rumfield is hitting .288 with a .803 OPS since his promotion. If Rumfield can combine batting average with home runs, there could be something to work with (before 2023, he was a decent batting average guy with little power. In 2023, he showed off power with a low batting average). 
CF Taylor Trammell: 2-for-2, 2B (16), HR (9), 2 RBI, 3 RS, 2 BB
Trammell has three homers in his last four games. 
RF Oscar Gonzalez: 2-for-4, HR (6), 2 RBI, RS
C J.C. Escarra: 1-for-3, 2B (4), RBI, RS, BB
Escarra is 14-for-38 (.371) with four doubles since his promotion.
3B Kevin Smith: 1-for-4, RBI
DH Josh VanMeter: 0-for-4
LF Aaron Palensky: 0-for-4, 3 K

LHP Tanner Tully: 4 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Duane Underwood Jr.: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, HR
RHP Alex Mauricio: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
1.13 ERA (32 IP, 21 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 18 BB, 37 K). I hope Mauricio makes it to MLB. It’s been a grind going back to 2017.
RHP Art Warren: (L, 1-1) 0.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
RHP Scott Effross: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Effross needs clean outings before he is considered for the big club.
RHP Ron Marinaccio: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Somerset (50-49) (Defeated Bowie, 6-2)

DH Spencer Jones: 1-for-2, 2B (17), 3 RS, 3 BB, K
Jones’ OPS is .745. This is his highest number since May 3rd (.767). In his last 6 games, he is 7-for-21 (.333) with 3 doubles, 1 HR, 5 RBI, and 6 walks.
1B Tyler Hardman: 3-for-5, 2B (3), 2 RBI, RS, 2 SB (6)
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-4, HR (7), 3 RBI, RS, BB
Flores’ power display has become serious. He has homered in back-to-back games and four times in his last eight games. Overall, he has 13 HR in 86 games between here and Hudson Valley. Last season, he hit 8 HR in 105 games.
RF Elijah Dunham: 0-for-3, SF, RBI, BB, K
CF Grant Richardson: 2-for-5, 2 K
Richardson has three straight multi-hit efforts.
LF Jared Wegner: 0-for-4, BB, K
2B Anthony Seigler: 1-for-4, RS, BB, K
SS Alexander Vargas: 2-for-3, CS (5), HBP
Vargas is 29-for-111 (.261/.297/.396) since his promotion. That may not jump out at you, but his defense provides additional value.
3B Max Burt: 0-for-4, 2 K

RHP Zach Messinger:  (W, 3-8) 7 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
3.61 ERA (114.2 IP, 95 H, 63 R, 46 ER, 7 HR, 38 BB, 110 K). Messinger is an interesting prospect who stands 6’6″. He might have that “bulldog” quality. Can he translate that to MLB? We’ll see.
RHP McKinley Moore: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
His arm is worth investing development time in. But it’s going to take a lot of work.
RHP Kevin Stevens: (S, 7)  1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
2.37 ERA (38 IP, 28 H, 10 R, 10 ER, 1 HR, 16 BB, 55 K). He has impressed.

Hudson Valley (49-48) (Defeated Jersey Shore, 4-3)

2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-4, HR (8), RBI, RS
.223/.349/.394 in 351 PA. Much of Riggio’s profile is solid – his .254 BABIP is on the low side.
CF Jace Avina: 2-for-3, HR (9), SF, 2 RBI, RS
Avina and Riggio went back-to-back. Avina needed the calendar change after going 7-for-73 in July.
1B Omar Martinez: 2-for-4
It appears that Martinez is a “one level at a time” prospect. They didn’t move him away from Tampa in 2023 and may not move him away from Hudson Valley in 2024. There is nothing wrong with that. No two players are developed the same.
C Antonio Gomez: 1-for-4, 2B (5), 2 K
LF Garrett Martin: 1-for-4, K
DH Christopher Familia:  0-for-2, RS, BB, K
RF Cole Gabrielson: 1-for-3, 2B (12), RBI, SB (11), K
3B Kiko Romero: 0-for-3
SS Brenny Escanio: 1-for-3, 2B (7), RS

RHP Blane Abeyta: 4.1 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, HR
RHP Mason Vinyard: (W, 4-2)  1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
3.71 ERA (34 IP, 28 H, 20 R, 14 ER, 2 HR, 20 BB, 48 K)
LHP Joel Valdez: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Matt Keating (S, 3): 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
4.50 ERA (56 IP, 40 H, 31 R, 28 ER, 8 HR, 23 BB, 66 K)

Tampa (41-55)

Their game against Lakeland was postponed. A lineup was never posted.

FCL (35-22)

Their season is over.

DSL Yankees (15-25)

Their game against DSL Phillies Red was canceled due to a tropical rainstorm. It will not be made up.

DSL Bombers (23-19)

Their game against DSL Mets Orange was canceled due to a tropical rainstorm. It will not be made up.

Yankees MILB 7/27: Josh Grosz Dominates

News:

Nothing to report.

Just kidding.

The Yankees acquired IF/OF Jazz Chisholm Jr. from the Marlins today for three prospects – C/1B Agustin Ramirez, 2B/SS Jared Serna, and IF Abrahan Ramirez.

The most significant prospect is Agustin Ramirez, who blossomed into arguably the best Yankees minor league bat over the past two seasons. Between Somerset and Scranton this season, he hit .269/.358/.504 (136 wRC+) with 17 doubles, 20 home runs, and 69 RBI over 386 plate appearances. His numbers were suppressed by a tough start after his promotion, but he is on an 8-game hitting streak that improved his Triple-A triple slash to .224/.328/.364. His profile points to a player who could be an above-average MLB bat. His future position (Catcher? First base? DH?) remains a question. If you are a 1B/DH long-term, the offensive bar increases accordingly.

The Yankees like to target smallish infielders who require smallish bonuses on the international market. That description fits Serna, who stands only 5’7″. He packs a punch in his frame, given his .253/.341/.444 (120 wRC+) line in 393 plate appearances for High-A Hudson Valley this season. Like Ramirez, he doesn’t strike out much (15.3%). Serna’s future position is clearly defined. While he has played a lot of shortstop with the Yankees, most experts point to him as a second baseman long-term.

Most of these trades usually include a lottery ticket. That is where Abrahan Ramirez comes in. Only 19 years old, the infielder hit .348/.447/.513 (161 wRC+) in 189 plate appearances for the FCL squad this season. It was his first taste of the level after spending 60 games in the DSL between 2022 and 2023. While his stats are impressive, there is a long way to go before he is a viable prospect, never mind a viable MLB player.

By the way, Agustin Ramirez was on the 40-man roster while Serna is Rule 5 eligible for the second straight winter.

As for Chisholm, he isn’t a “perfect” player. However, any notion that he doesn’t improve a team is wrong. For Miami, he hit .249/.323/.407 (104 wRC+) with 13 home runs and 22 stolen bases. His 24.9% K rate is above the MLB average but shows improvement over previous seasons. While the Marlins have forced him into CF duty the past two seasons, his versatility should be useful. If he can handle CF, he should be able to handle the corners along with his experience at 2B. I wouldn’t be shocked if he is playable at SS and 3B. The Yankees must be creative in their usage if no other moves are made.

I don’t know how many times Yankees fans have complained about the Yankees needing versatility, athleticism, and speed. Chisholm provides that. Again, he’s not a perfect player. Not many are. Does he fit with the Yankees? I think so.

Bottom Line:

I am not giving this trade five stars out of five. It’s not an obvious, no-brainer. Not many trades are.

However, the Yankees acquired a good player with breakout potential and 2.5 years of control to reach that potential. I don’t think you can say “No” to that. Will it work? Time will tell.

As for the Marlins, I like their return. They received three legitimate prospects, one of whom has a Top 100 level bat. That’s the cost of doing business.

If I was the Yankees’ GM and this deal was offered to me, I would say “Yes.” That is how I have to judge it.

Scranton (56-44) (Defeated Worcester, 9-7, in 11 innings)

CF Brandon Lockridge: 4-for-6, RBI, 3 RS, SB (31), K
.298/.401/.386 in 254 PA (15 doubles, 2 triples, 0 HR, 32 RBI, 37 R, 31-for-35 SB). He is 11-for-22 during his 5-game hitting streak.
2B Jorbit Vivas: 2-for-6, 2B (7), RBI, 3 RS, SB (12), K
Vivas is 5-for-14 with a double, 4 RBI, 5 runs, and 3 stolen bases in his last three games. He was slumping for a while but is back on track.
3B Oswald Peraza: 3-for-5, HR (3), 3 RBI, RS, SB (14), HBP
Peraza walked it off with a 2-run homer. He is hitting .239/.345/.318 in 236 PA. He is 21-for-76 (.276) in July with two home runs. He has three 3-hit games this month.
1B T.J. Rumfield: 1-for-5, 2B (17), 2 RBI
Rumfield is 16-for-61 (.262) in July with 3 doubles, 3 HR, and 10 RBI this month.
C J.C. Escarra: 0-for-4, HBP, 2 K
SS Kevin Smith: 1-for-5, RS, 2 K
RF Taylor Trammell: 1-for-4, 2B (14), BB
LF Aaron Palensky: 0-for-4, SAC, 3 K
Palensky’s first Triple-A game this season (played 9 games here in 2023)
DH Josh VanMeter: 0-for-3, RS, SB (3), 2 BB, K

RHP Duane Underwood Jr.: 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Scranton went with a bullpen game tonight. That is an understatement.
RHP Art Warren: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda: 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR
3.81 ERA (49.2 IP, 32 H, 25 R, 21 ER, 5 HR, 27 BB, 62 K). This ends his 10-game scoreless streak.
RHP Phil Bickford: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Scott Effross: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
For Scranton: 11.1 IP, 13 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 2 HR, 4 BB, 10 K
RHP Ron Marinaccio: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Yerry De Los Santos: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
LHP Victor Gonzalez (W, 3-0): 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

Somerset (48-47) (Lost to Portland, 3-0)

CF Spencer Jones: 0-for-3, CS (5), BB, K
.234/.317/.400 in 369 PA. He is 11-for-67 (.164) in July with 8 walks and 34 strikeouts. He has at least one strikeout in ten straight games.
C Rafael Flores: 1-for-2, 2 BB
Taking walks is a part of Flores’ game (12 in 109 PA since his promotion (11%) and 14.6% overall)
1B Tyler Hardman: 0-for-4, 3 K
DH Elijah Dunham: 1-for-3, BB, K
LF Grant Richardson: 0-for-4, 3 K
RF Jared Wegner: 0-for-2, CS (5), HBP, K
2B Anthony Seigler: 0-for-3
SS Alexander Vargas: 0-for-3, K
3B Max Burt: 0-for-3, K

RHP Zach Messinger: (L, 2-8) 6 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
3.76 ERA (107.2 IP, 88 H, 62 R, 45 ER, 7 HR, 36 BB, 106 K). Messinger might be the most snakebit pitcher in professional baseball history. He carries a decent 4.12 minor league ERA over 73 games (55 starts). His record? 4-26.
RHP Danny Watson: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Last 7 appearances: 6.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
RHP Joey Gerber: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Colby White: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
White can strike hitters out (190 in 129.2 career IP). Walks have been an issue, including 27 in 26 IP this season.

Hudson Valley (45-48) (Lost to Wilmington, 2-1)

2B Roc Riggio: 1-for-4, 2B (17)
.226/.356/.394 in 332 PA (17 doubles, 4 triples, 7 HR, 28 RBI, 52 R, 17-for-22 SB). 
CF Jace Avina: 0-for-4, 3 K
DH Omar Martinez: 0-for-3, BB, K
.235/.370/.408 in 319 PA (17.2% BB, 22.9% K)
C Antonio Gomez: 1-for-4, 2B (3), RS, 2 K
1B Josh Moylan: 1-for-3, K
LF Christopher Familia: 0-for-2, SF, RBI
RF Cole Gabrielson: 0-for-3, 2 K
SS Brenny Escanio: 0-for-3, K
3B Beau Brewer: 0-for-3, K

RHP Cam Schlittler (L, 5-4): 7 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, HR
2.64 ERA (81.2 IP, 54 H, 33 R, 24 ER, 7 HR, 37 BB, 99 K). This is the longest outing in his brief professional career.
RHP Luis Arejula: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
2.97 ERA (39.1 IP, 33 H, 18 R, 13 ER, 2 HR, 21 BB, 37 K)

Tampa (39-54) (Swept a doubleheader against Clearwater. They are playing better in the second half, as they are 15-12 and in the playoff race)

Game 1 (Won, 4-3, in 9 innings. They walked it off on a combination of events, none of which were pretty)

DH George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K
SS Roderick Arias: 0-for-4, K
3B Dylan Jasso: 2-for-4, RS
LF Jackson Castillo: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 K
It is a big 2-run single for Castillo, who continues his impressive campaign.
CF Willy Montero: 0-for-3, RS, BB, K
2B Hans Montero: 0-for-4, K
1B Coby Morales: 0-for-3, RS, 2 K
C Tomas Frick: 2-for-3, 2B (11)
   PH Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-0, BB
RF Daury Arias: 0-for-4, RS, K

RHP Josh Grosz: 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K
4.19 ERA (73 IP, 69 H, 47 R, 34 ER, 9 HR, 27 BB, 93 K). He had a tough time in an emergency start for Somerset on 6/23. Since coming back: 0.397 ERA (22.2 IP, 11 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 25 K). That is dominance. Grosz throws primarily 4-seamers and sliders while mixing in a change.
RHP Matt Givin: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Givin (25) has missed most of the season due to injury. He is not technically here on a rehab stint, but that is what it is.
RHP Ocean Gabonia (W, 3-2): 1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
3.88 ERA (48.2 IP, 46 H, 25 R, 21 ER, 4 HR, 12 BB, 55 K)

Game 2 (Won, 2-1)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 2-for-2, 2B (17), RS, HBP
Lombard Jr. has a .237/.708 OPS line. He owns a pair of 2-hit efforts in his last three games (five in his last ten games).
DH Roderick Arias: 1-for-3, RBI, 2 K
Arias is at .223 with a .687 OPS.
3B Dylan Jasso: 0-for-3, K
LF Jackson Castillo: 0-for-2, BB
CF Willy Montero: 1-for-3, 3B (2), RS, K
2B Hans Montero: 1-for-2, RBI, BB, K
Montero brings in Montero for the winning run in the bottom of the 6th.
C Josue Gonzalez: 0-for-3, 2 K
1B Coby Morales: 0-for-1, CS (3), 2 BB
RF Daury Arias: 0-for-3, K

RHP Cade Smith: 5.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
3.48 ERA (82.2 IP, 56 H, 38 R, 32 ER, 38 BB, 109 K). Smith, their 2023 6th-round pick out of Mississippi State, is one of their most consistent 2024 performers. He is more of a mix guy than an overpowering type, but that is fine. We’ll see how it translates as he moves up.
RHP Aaron Nixon: (W, 3-2)  1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

FCL (35-22) (Lost Game 1 to the Pirates, 4-3. The semi-finals are best-of-3)

CF Brando Mayea: 1-for-4, RS, BB, 2 K
Mayea took his share of walks and hit .281 in 35 games. He didn’t homer but don’t read into that. The power can come later. For example, Oswald Peraza hit one home run in 94 rookie league games. Three years later, he hit 18 as a 21-year-old in full-season leagues.
1B Engelth Urena: 2-for-4, 2B (1), RBI, BB
It wouldn’t surprise me if the Marlins asked about Urena as the “lottery ticket”. Urena is impressive – he might be the next Agustin Ramirez-like riser. 
RF Joel Mendez: 1-for-3, 2B (1), RS, BB
3B-SS Santiago Gomez: 2-for-3, K

RHP Carlos Lagrange: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
Making the playoffs allowed Lagrange to add to his innings total. He needs more, given the late start to his campaign.
RHP Chris Kean: 2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
I expect Kean to go to Tampa once the FCL squad is done. He’s 22 years old and dominated during the regular season (1.31 ERA in 20.2 IP with a 27/3 K/BB).

DSL Yankees (13-25) (Defeated the DSL Bombers, 6-3. They are playing playoff spoiler against their own organization mates!)

SS Dexters Peralta: 2-for-3, 3B (1), RS, 2 SB (18), CS (3), K
.226/.299/.304 with 18 stolen bases in 21 attempts. The triple slash may not jump out at you, but he just turned 17 years old.
3B Richard Matic: 0-for-0, 2 RS, SB (3), 2 BB
C Justin Capellan: 1-for-3, 2B (4), 4 RBI
Capellan’s first career multi-RBI game.
RF Louis Pierre: 0-for-1, RS, 2 SB (10), CS (2), 2 BB, K

RHP Jorge Luna: 4.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
1.65 ERA (32.2 IP, 21 H, 11 R, 6 ER, 1 HR, 15 BB, 37 K)
LHP Ronald Tejada (W, 3-0): 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
1.42 ERA (19 IP, 12 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 8 BB, 16 K). It is the 17-year-old’s debut season.

DSL Bombers (22-17) (Lost to the DSL Yankees, 6-3)

CF Francisco Vilorio: 0-for-4, 2 K
SS Kevin Verde: 1-for-2, 2B (7), 2 RS, SB (9), BB
The 18-year-old has 16 doubles and 17 stolen bases in 55 DSL games.

LHP Jose Ledesma: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K

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.