Yankees MILB 6/27: Jorbit Vivas’ Hot Streak Continues

News:

None.

Scranton (44-33) (Split a doubleheader against Worcester)

Game 1 (Lost, 8-3)

3B Oswald Peraza0-for-3, RS, HBP
DH Jorbit Vivas: 3-for-4, HR (3), 2 RBI, 2 RS, SB (4)
Vivas’ third straight multi-hit effort.
C Agustin Ramirez0-for-3, SB (1), BB
1B T.J. Rumfield0-for-3, 2 K
LF Jose Rojas0-for-3, RBI
SS Jeter Downs0-for-2, BB, K
CF Taylor Trammell0-for-3, 2 K
RF Oscar Gonzalez1-for-3, K
2B Josh VanMeter1-for-2, BB

LHP Tanner Tully: (L, 1-6)  4 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 2 HR
RHP Art Warren1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR
RHP Scott Effross1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Aaron Boone said that Effross is still a while away. That can mean anything, but I wouldn’t expect him to be down here for too long. 
RHP Yerry De Los Santos1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Game 2 (Won, 6-5)

CF Brandon Lockridge0-for-3, RS, SB (25), HBP
25 stolen bases in 49 games (last season, he stole 40 bases in 92 games).
2B Jorbit Vivas1-for-2, 2 RS, HBP, CI
Vivas is rolling. He is on a 5-game hitting streak (9-for-20, 2 HR, 6 R) and is 13-for-33 (.394, 8 BB) in his last 9 games. If he keeps this up, he can be in the second half MLB conversation. 
3B Oswald Peraza1-for-3, SF, RBI, 2 RS, SB (8)
Any hot streak for Peraza would be a welcome sight.
DH Agustin Ramirez2-for-3, 2 RBI, SB (2), BB
Ramirez needed these hits in the worst way. He is 3-for-27 since his promotion. As for stealing two bases today? He is now 15-for-16 in that department between here and Somerset.
1B T.J. Rumfield1-for-4, K
C Carlos Narvaez1-for-3, RBI, 2 K
Last 3 games: 8-for-13, double, 2 home runs, 6 RBI.
LF Jose Rojas1-for-3, HR (16), RBI, RS
Rojas ties Agustin Ramirez for the organizational HR lead.
RF Taylor Trammell1-for-1, 2 BB
SS Kevin Smith1-for-3

RHP Cody Morris1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 K
Scranton went with a bullpen game in Game 2.
RHP Duane Underwood Jr.1.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, HR
LHP Chasen Shreve: (W, 1-0)  1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Jack Neely2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Since promotion: 4.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K. He is a 24-year-old reliever. Anyone who knows me knows this: I am aggressive with relievers. I can’t tell you he is ready. However, how much time does he realistically need?
RHP Ron Marinaccio (S, 4): 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K


Somerset (35-36) (Defeated Richmond, 6-2)

DH Spencer Jones1-for-5, 2B (9), 2 K
2B Ben Cowles2-for-4, RBI, BB, K
Cowles has an 8-game hitting streak as he gets his batting average back over .300 (.301/.381/.482). The results are encouraging and he might be trade bait. He could be in the infield mix in 2025 if he isn’t.
1B Tyler Hardman0-for-4, 2 K
C Rafael Flores1-for-3, 2B (1), RS, BB, K
Flores’ first Double-A extra-base hit (he has 18 doubles in 59 games overall)
CF Grant Richardson0-for-4, 2 K
3B J.C. Escarra1-for-3, 2 RBI, RS, BB, K
RF Elijah Dunham1-for-3, HR (6), 2 RBI, 2 RS, SB (8), BB, K
LF Jared Wegner1-for-3, 2B (11), BB, K
Wegner has 7 doubles in his last 9 games. 
SS Alexander Vargas0-for-1, RBI, RS, BB
   SS Max Burt0-for-2, K

RHP Zach Messinger6 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K
3.60 ERA (80 IP, 64 H, 45 R, 32 ER, 6 HR, 25 BB, 90 K). I like to look at how young pitchers bounce back from a tough start (4.2 IP, 6 H, 5 R last time out). I would say Messinger bounced back nicely. As of this writing, his 90 strikeouts are tied for the Eastern League lead.
RHP McKinley Moore (W, 1-0): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Colby White1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Joey Gerber1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Gerber was activated from his rehab stint and placed here.


Hudson Valley (36-34) (Lost to Wilmington, 7-5. They put up five runs in the 8th to make it close, but couldn’t get any closer)

2B Roc Riggio1-for-5, 2B (12), RBI
Riggio has doubled in three straight games and has an extra-base hit in four straight contests (he homered in the 4th game).
SS Jared Serna1-for-4, RS, HBP, K
RF Jace Avina: 3-for-4, RBI, RS
His 6-game hitting streak has raised his triple slash from .267/.346/.437 to .285/.365/.465.
DH Omar Martinez0-for-3, RS, BB
1B Josh Moylan3-for-4, 2B (6), 2 RBI, K
Moylan has three multi-hit games during his 6-game hitting streak. He has raised his triple slash from .220/.357/.277 to .249/.373/.343 during the streak.
C Antonio Gomez0-for-2, SF, RBI, BB
LF Christopher Familia1-for-3, 2B (1), BB
   PR-LF Cole Gabrielson0-for-0
3B Brenny Escanio1-for-4, 2B (5), RS, 2 K
CF Nelson Medina0-for-4, K

LHP Kyle Carr: (L, 0-4) 5.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR
Carr left his last start early due to a batted ball off his ankle. I’m glad to see it wasn’t anything serious. He has tossed 17 innings in June, allowing 7 runs on 13 hits with a 17/8 K/BB. It’s progress.
RHP Cole Ayers1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
2.57 ERA (42 IP, 32 H, 16 R, 12 ER, 15 BB, 51 K, 2 HR)
RHP Matt Keating1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 3 HR
Everyone has a bad day. For a reliever, it can skew their results. This spikes his ERA to 4.43 in 42.2 IP (33 H, 23 R, 21 ER, 7 HR, 17 BB, 52 K)
LHP Joel Valdez1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K


Tampa (26-45) (Lost to Fort Myers, 6-2)

DH George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-4, K
2B Enmanuel Tejeda2-for-4, 2B (7), SB (19), K
.310/.356/.379 in 161 PA (19-for-23 SB). In the FCL last year, he hit .307/.465/.458. The 19-year-old is showing he can hit. I don’t know if there will be power to tap into, but a contact guy with speed who can play multiple positions has value.
SS Roderick Arias0-for-4, 2 K
1B Dylan Jasso1-for-4, RS, 2 K
CF Jackson Castillo0-for-3, RS, BB
3B Hans Montero1-for-4, 2B (4), RBI
Montero has a 6-game hitting streak.
RF Willy Montero1-for-3, HBP
.250/.305/.365 in 266 PA. He has 30 hits in June (30-for-78, 6 doubles, 4 HR).
LF Daury Arias0-for-4, K
C Oscar Silverio1-for-4, RBI, 3 K
The 22-year-old doesn’t play much. It’s nice to see him contribute an RBI single.

RHP Luis Serna: (L, 2-4)  4 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, HR
A tough night for Serna, but toss it. The 19-year-old owns a 4.34 ERA in 56 IP (41 H, 28 R, 27 ER, 3 HR, 17 BB, 64 K)
RHP Osiel Rodriguez2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
2.02 ERA (35.2 IP, 16 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 5 HR, 18 BB, 42 K). The .147 BABIP is absurd but don’t let that distract you. He is pitching very well.
RHP Aaron Nixon1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K


FCL (24-13) (Lead the Phillies, 4-0, in the 4th inning. This game was suspended due to rain. They will try to finish it up tomorrow, which is when I will type up a report)

I will note that Abrahan Ramirez has a double (9) and 2 RBI. Low-A Tampa is loaded with infielders. However, Ramirez is forcing his way into a promotion conversation.


DSL Yankees (7-11) (Defeated the DSL Mets Blue, 2-0, in a 7-inning game)

SS Dexters Peralta1-for-3, RS, K
3B Richard Matic1-for-3
Matic, one of the bonus babies from the international signing class, is hitting .265/.379/.327 in 15 games.
DH Gabriel Lara0-for-2, RS, 2 SB (5), CS (3), BB
The only way Lara will learn how to steal bases is by repetition. He should run as often as possible.

RHP Michell Chirinos: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 7 K
12.2 IP, 11 H, 10 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 9 BB, 19 K
LHP Ronald Tejada (W, 2-0): 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
12 IP, 10 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 3 BB, 10 K. The 17-year-old is doing well in his debut season.
RHP Jesus Mejia (S, 2): 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K. This is the 18-year-old’s debut season.


DSL Bombers (11-6) (Defeated the DSL Mets Orange, 6-2. Who needs to beat the Mets in MLB games when you can take care of business in the DSL?)

SS Christofer Reyes4-for-4, 2 2B (2), 3 RS, 2 SB (9), CS (4), BB
This is impressive at any level. Only 16, he is hitting .273/.407/.318 in 54 PA. The two doubles today were his first career extra-base hits.
2B Luis Escudero: 3-for-3, 2B (2), RS, SB (10), BB
Escudero has four multi-hit efforts in his last seven games.
CF Browm Martinez: 1-for-3, SB (10), CS (2), BB, K
.297/.364/.324 in 44 PA.
DH David Carrera1-for-3, RS, BB, 2 K
Only 17, Carrera is hitting .294/.444/.471. I don’t take numbers down here seriously, but the only way off the island is by playing well.

RHP Carlos Almonte3.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Richard Jimenez1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R,0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Chaury Gomez (W,1-0): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
The 17-year-old’s first professional win. Congrats!
RHP Anthony Mena1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
LHP Jose Ledesma1.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Ledesma is old for the level (21), but this is his debut season. 

 

Yankees MILB 6/15: Agustin Ramirez Stays Hot

News:

I have nothing to report.

Scranton (40-28) (Lost to Rochester, 7-3)

3B Jorbit Vivas0-for-2, SB (2), HBP, BB, K
2B Oswald Peraza0-for-4, K
CF Jasson Dominguez1-for-3, RS, SB (2), 2 K
I am not sure why Dominguez was pulled. He has been playing full games recently, which can raise a red flag. Still, I wouldn’t read anything into it unless they give us a reason to read something into it.
  CF Taylor Trammell0-for-1
1B Ben Rice2-for-4, RBI, RS, CS (1)
Rice is 14-for-39 (.359) since joining Scranton. He has 10 RBI in 10 games.
C Carlos Narvaez: 2-for-3, 2B (13), RBI, RS, BB, K
You should feel comfortable knowing that Narvaez is the #3 catcher.
DH T.J. Rumfield1-for-4, RBI
Rumfield has a 6-game hitting streak (multiple hits in the first five). He is hitting .304/.360/.453 in 200 PA for Scranton.
RF Oscar Gonzalez0-for-3, 2 K
LF Jose Rojas0-for-3, K
SS Kevin Smith0-for-3

LHP Edgar Barclay: (L, 3-5)  5 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 7 K, HR
LHP Clayton Andrews1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K
RHP Matt Sauer0.1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Sauer has struggled since returning…
RHP Art Warren1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K


Somerset (31-31) (Defeated Binghamton, 6-4, in 10 innings)

CF Spencer Jones2-for-5, CS (4), 2 K
Jones is 14-for-53 (.264) in June with 2 doubles, 1 triple, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 11 runs, 6 walks, and 18 strikeouts.
1B Agustin Ramirez2-for-4, HR (16), RBI, RS, HBP
Ramirez has multiple hits in four straight games as he takes over sole possession of first place in the organizational HR race.
SS Ben Cowles0-for-4, RS, BB, 2 K
C J.C. Escarra0-for-4, BB
DH Grant Richardson1-for-3, RBI, RS, 2 BB
2B Anthony Seigler: 1-for-4, SB (11), BB
Seigler is 11-for-12 stealing bases.
RF Jared Wegner: 3-for-5, 2B (5), RS, K
Wegner has five hits in his last two games.
LF Aaron Palensky1-for-4, HR (1), SF, 3 RBI, RS, K
Palensky hit 22 HR in 103 games in 2023.
3B Max Burt1-for-5, HR (2), RBI, RS, K

RHP Zach Messinger5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
3.50 ERA (69.1 IP, 55 H, 38 R, 27 ER, 5 HR, 22 BB, 78 K)
RHP Yorlin Calderon3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
Tremendous effort by Calderon. For Somerset: 2.89 ERA in 18.2 IP (14 H, 11 R, 6 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 19 K).
RHP Jack Neely0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Neely didn’t have it tonight. He owns a 2.61 ERA in 31 IP (23 H, 10 R, 9 ER, 2 HR, 12 BB, 51 K). He has 243 strikeouts in 149.2 career innings.
RHP Jesus Liranzo:(W, 2-1) 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K


Hudson Valley (32-29) (Lost to Brooklyn, 8-5)

2B Roc Riggio1-for-5, HR (3), 2 RBI, RS, K
.204/.343/.341 in 204 PA (8 doubles, 3 triples, 3 HR, 17 RBI, 34 R, 8-for-10 SB). It was his first HR since May 8th.
DH Jared Serna1-for-2, RS, SB (9), HBP, K
Serna has a 9-game hitting streak. However, he didn’t come back to the plate after the HBP.
   PH-DH Christopher Familia0-for-1, BB
CF Jace Avina0-for-4, BB, 2 K
1B Rafael Flores2-for-4, 2B (17), HR (6), 2 RBI, RS, 2 K
.305/.409/.515 in 198 PA. He is 17-for-49 (.347) with three doubles and four home runs in June. 
C Omar Martinez1-for-4, RS, 2 K
LF Garrett Martin2-for-4
3B Josh Moylan0-for-4, K
RF Cole Gabrielson0-for-3, BB, K
SS Brenny Escanio0-for-3, RBI, RS, BB, K

LHP Ben Shields4.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 2 HR
3.21 ERA (42 IP, 30 H, 18 R, 15 ER, 5 HR, 9 BB, 53 K)
RHP Huey Morrill2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
LHP Joel Valdez: (L, 1-1) 1.1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
RHP Eric Reyzelman1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
In 9 innings between here and the FCL: 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 16 K. The talent level is there for him to be a legitimate relief prospect. Walks were an issue when he pitched for the University of San Francisco (36 in 50.1 IP). He transferred to LSU, where he walked 18 in 42.2 IP. 


Tampa (23-39) (Lost a doubleheader to Clearwater)

Game 1 (Lost, 9-4, in the conclusion of last night’s game. This game went a full 9 innings)

DH Enmanuel Tejeda2-for-4, 2B (5), RS, 2 K
SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-2, 2B (9), RBI, SB (16), 2 BB
2B Roderick Arias: 1-for-4, HR (6), RBI, RS, 2 K
Arias’ 8th extra-base hit (2 doubles, 2 triples, 4 HR) in 12 June games.
CF Jackson Castillo0-for-3, RS, BB, K
3B Hans Montero: 1-for-4, HR (3), 2 RBI, RS, K
RF Willy Montero1-for-4, K
Montero owns a 10-game hitting streak.
1B Coby Morales0-for-4, 2 K
C Tomas Frick0-for-3, BB, 3 K
LF Daury Arias0-for-3, SB (5), BB, K

RHP Luis Serna2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
This was a wasted start for Serna, but that isn’t a big deal. Season: 4.31 ERA (48 IP, 35 H, 23 R, 23 ER, 2 HR, 14 BB, 56 K).
RHP Steven Fulgencio2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
LHP Rafelin Nivar: (L, 0-1)  1.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Montana Semmel1 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 0 K, HR
RHP Osiel Rodriguez1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
1.88 ERA (28.2 IP, 12 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 4 HR, 15 BB, 34 K)

Game 2 (Lost, 5-4, in 10 innings. This was a scheduled 7-inning game, so extra innings = 3 innings)

3B Enmanuel Tejeda1-for-4, RS, SB (15), BB, 2 K
He has 17 stolen bases between here and the FCL (where he went on a rehab stint). His personal best is 24, set last year.
SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-5, 3 K
2B Roderick Arias0-for-5, K
CF Jackson Castillo1-for-5, HR (5), RBI, RS, 3 K
.252/.386/.430 in 189 PA. 
DH Hans Montero1-for-4, 2 RS, SB (4), BB, 2 K
RF Willy Montero2-for-4, 2B (13), RBI, K
Montero increases his hitting streak to 11 (19-for-43, 6 doubles, 4 HR, 8 RBI). Overall, his triple slash is up to .235/.286/.366 in 231 PA.
1B Coby Morales1-for-3, 2B (5), RBI, BB, K
C Oscar Silverio0-for-4, 2 K
LF Daury Arias0-for-3, HBP, K

RHP Cade Smith4 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 6 K
Smith retired the first ten batters he faced but quickly lost it. Season: 3.28 ERA (57.2 IP, 40 H, 27 R, 21 ER, 3 HR, 28 BB, 74 K)
RHP Kristofer Bow2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Don’t be thrown off by his name – this is Kris Bow, who had his name updated. Season: 2.51 ERA (28.2 IP, 18 H, 12 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 18 BB, 32 K).
RHP Ocean Gabonia2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K
RHP Juan Sanchez (L, 0-1): 0.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Sanchez has done nothing but pitch in 2024 (four games). I guess they are transitioning him to the role.


FCL (18-12) (Lost a game they will forever wish to forget, 17-0, to the DSL Tigers. While they walked 8 times. they only had 1 hit and committed 6 errors)

CF Brando Mayea0-for-4, 2 K
DH Antonio Gomez1-for-3, BB, K
Gomez is still on his rehab stint.
3B-SS Abrahan Ramirez and LF-CF Brian Sanchez each went 0-for-3 with a walk.

RHP Joey Gerber2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Gerber is a 27-year-old on a rehab stint. He has 17 games of MLB experience, with Seattle in 2020 (4.02 ERA with a 6/5 K/BB over 15.2 IP)


DSL Yankees (3-7) (Defeated the DSL Bombers, 9-3)

SS Dexters Peralta2-for-4, 2B (1), RBI, 3 RS, 3 SB (6), BB
The 16-year-old switch-hitter is 6-for-28 (.214) with a double, 8 runs scored, and a 6-for-6 SB rate.
3B Richard Matic2-for-5, 2B (2), 3 RBI, RS, K
The 16-year-old is 9-for-24 (.375) with a pair of doubles and 7 walks.
C Justin Capellan2-for-3, 2 2B (2), RBI, RS, SB (3), K
The 17-year-old is 5-for-20. The two doubles are his first career extra-base hits.
1B Luis Puello2-for-4, HR (2), 3 RBI, RS, K

RHP Jorge Luna3.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
RHP Keninson Diaz (W, 1-0): 2.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Christopher Vasquez1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K

DSL Bombers (5-4) (Lost to the DSL Yankees, 9-3)

CF Francisco Vilorio0-for-2
He left the game early, but it isn’t uncommon for players in the DSL to split time.
  PH-CF Browm Martinez1-for-1, RS, 2 SB (8), BB
C Queni Pineda1-for-2, RS, 2 BB
DH Carlos Villarroel2-for-3, RBI
6-for-12 with a home run.

RHP Jerson Alejandro2.1 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 5 BB, 3 K
The norm for tall pitchers (he is 6’6″) is spotty control. The key is whether or not they can figure it out.
RHP Andry Javier1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Luis Suarez1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Yankees MILB 6/9: Jasson Dominguez Goes Crazy

News:

Nothing.

Scranton (37-25) (Defeated Norfolk, 12-11, in ten innings)

2B Jorbit Vivas0-for-2, RS, 3 BB, 2 K
He hasn’t hit much yet, but he does have 9 walks in 59 PA for Scranton (15.3%).
SS Oswald Peraza0-for-4, RS, BB, K
CF Jasson Dominguez: 4-for-5, HR (2), RBI, 2 RS, SB (1)
A couple of firsts for Dominguez’s rehab today: The first time he has played a full game in the field and played the field in back-to-back games. It’s his 5th career 4-hit effort and he is 10-for-20 (3 doubles, 2 HR) since joining Scranton. Yes, these are signs that Dominguez is close and may not need a second 10-day rehab extension (if that doesn’t happen, they will need to add him to the 40-man roster and decide on his placement).
   LF Taylor Trammell0-for-0, SF, RBI
Trammell wins it with a sac fly in the 10th. Yes, technically this means Dominguez didn’t play a full game. That is semantics, as he played nine. 
1B Ben Rice1-for-4, 2B (3), 2 RBI, RS, BB, 3 K
For Scranton: 8-for-18 (3 doubles, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 7 R, 5 BB, 6 K)
C Carlos Narvaez0-for-4, RS, BB, K
DH T.J. Rumfield2-for-5, 2 2B (12), 2 RS, K
Before his HR spurt last year, high average with doubles appeared to be Rumfield’s game. He has 12 doubles in 43 games since his promotion.
RF Oscar Gonzalez2-for-5, 2 RS, K
LF Jose Rojas3-for-4, HR (11), 5 RBI, RS, K
Rojas has 11 homers and 39 RBI in 44 games.
  LF-CF Greg Allen0-for-1
3B Jeter Downs2-for-5, 3B (3), RBI, RS, K
.248/.347/.476 in 174 PA.

LHP Tanner Tully: (W, 2-4)  5 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, HR
RHP Matt Sauer0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K
Sauer will need time to get into a groove. The Yankees may be “reprogramming” him as well (who knows what the Royals were teaching him and if it lined up with what the Yankees want him to do?)
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Yerry De Los Santos1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
3.45 ERA (28.2 IP, 35 H, 19 R, 11 ER, 4 HR, 11 BB, 22 K)
LHP Anthony Misiewicz1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
LHP Clayton Andrews (W, 1-3): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K


Somerset (28-29) (Defeated Hartford, 4-2)

CF Spencer Jones1-for-4, HR (6), RBI, RS, K
Jones has three homers in his last four games. He is hitting .228/.308/.380 in 208 PA. Interestingly, despite not hitting well, Jones compiled 15 walks in May. In eight June games, he has walked once. A more aggressive approach is not necessarily a bad thing as there is such a thing as being too selective.
1B Agustin Ramirez0-for-4
.276/.368/.566 in 228 PA (10 doubles, 1 triple, 15 HR, 41 RBI, 40 R, 12-for-13 SB, 12.3% BB, 16.7% K). Do you keep him behind the plate, where he has more value? Or do you drop the catching and have him concentrate on first base, where there is a future (and current) MLB need? That decision will be made by someone smarter than me.
3B Ben Cowles1-for-3, SB (9)
Somerset had only 6 hits and 1 walk in eight innings. Hence, only the first two hitters received 4 plate appearances. As for Cowles: .311/.383/.505 in 227 PA (20 doubles, 3 triples, 4 HR, 31 RBI, 32 R, 9-for-9 SB, 10.1% BB, 17.6% K). He hasn’t walked in ten games but is making contact and swatting doubles. We’ll take it.
LF Grant Richardson1-for-3, RS
C J.C. Escarra0-for-3, 2 K
DH Jared Wegner0-for-3, K
2B Anthony Seigler2-for-3, 2B (9), HR (6), 2 RBI, 2 RS
Seigler has 6 homers in his last 8 games. His season high is 7, set in 2022 (97 games). He is hitting .208/.278/.396 in 158 PA. That shows you how crazy baseball is – there wasn’t even a small hint that this streak was bubbling under the surface. 
RF Aaron Palensky1-for-3, RBI
SS Alexander Vargas0-for-3, K

RHP Gerrit Cole4.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, HR
Cole can’t even get deep enough to qualify for a win.
RHP Danny Watson0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
They needed a bridge to Messinger, who they didn’t want to bring into the middle of an inning. In other words, don’t be worried about Watson’s short afternoon.
RHP Zach Messinger: (W, 3-3) 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
3.50 ERA (64.1 IP, 51 H, 36 R, 25 ER, 5 HR, 20 BB, 74 K). How valuable is it for Messinger to “piggyback” off of Cole’s starts (he has relieved both of Gerrit’s rehab appearances)? Hopefully, he has peppered him with questions as Cole is a known pitching savant.


Hudson Valley (29-27) (Defeated Wilmington, 8-2)

2B Roc Riggio3-for-6, 2B (7), 2 RBI, 2 RS, SB (8)
A much-needed performance for Riggio, who raises his average from .201 to .213 in one day. 
SS Jared Serna2-for-5, 2B (17), RBI, 2 RS, K
Serna has five doubles in his last four games and 45 doubles (30 home runs) in 177 games in 2023-2024. 
3B Jesus Rodriguez2-for-4, 2 RBI, BB
.328/.413/.505 in 230 PA (12.6% BB, 13.0% K). He needs to buy signage outside of “prospect expert” headquarters stating “Look at me! Look at me!”
C Rafael Flores2-for-5
Flores has 7 multi-hit efforts in his last 11 games. He is hitting .315/.418/.497 in 177 PA (I will point out that he played a full season (107 games) here in 2023)
DH Tyler Hardman: 1-for-4, RBI, RS, 3 K
CF Jace Avina1-for-5
Avina’s high BABIP wasn’t going to be sustained. He is 3-for-30 in June but is hitting .273 with a .808 OPS.
RF Garrett Martin0-for-3, RS, 2 BB, 2 K
1B Josh Moylan1-for-3, RS, 2 BB, 2 K
LF Nelson Medina0-for-3, RBI, RS, 2 BB, 3 K

RHP Cam Schlittler4.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 9 K, HR
2.15 ERA (50.1 IP, 26 H, 19 R, 12 ER, 5 HR, 25 BB, 65 K). The 9 strikeouts are a new personal best.
RHP Trent Sellers:(W, 5-2)  1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Mason Vinyard1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
Wow. Season: 2.76 ERA (16.1 IP, 11 H, 10 R, 5 ER, 2 HR, 6 BB, 25 K
LHP Joel Valdez 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K


Tampa (21-36) (Doubled up Ft. Myers, 8-4)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-4, RS, HBP, 2 K
.208/.360/.268 in 186 PA (7 doubles, 1 triple, 0 HR, 13 RBI, 20 R, 15-for-16 SB, 17.7% BB, 23.1% K). I believe the power will come, but it will take time.
DH Roderick Arias1-for-3, 2B (9), RS, 2 BB, K
.224/.328/.379 in 250 PA (9 doubles, 6 triples, 4 HR, 31 RBI, 32 R, 12.4% BB, 35.2% K, 14-for-21 SB).  Arias is 13-for-35 in June with 2 doubles, 2 triples, and 2 home runs. That is more extra-base hits than he had in May (at the end of May, his OPS was .570 – now it’s .707). As for his splits: 8-for-45 without an extra-base hit against LHP and .237/.356/.432 vs. RHP. 
RF Christopher Familia1-for-4, 2B (1), RBI, RS, BB
1B Dylan Jasso0-for-2, SF, RBI, RS, 2 BB, K
CF Jackson Castillo1-for-5, 2B (10), RS, K
.271/.401/.451 in 167 PA. On May 5th, his slash line was .156/.283/.267. When you have a kid who is hitting and can play center field, you pay attention.
3B Hans Montero1-for-5, RBI, RS
RF Willy Montero1-for-4, RS, SB (7), K
6-game hitting streak (12-for-24, so this isn’t a garden variety streak!). He has increased his triple slash from .182/.250/.241 to .222/.278/.320.
C Tomas Frick: 2-for-3, 2B (7), HR (2), 2 RBI, RS, BB
.289/.395/.423 in 114 PA (7 doubles, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 15 R, 11.4% BB, 14.9% K). Frick is a 23-year-old college draftee (North Carolina), so he can move up to Hudson Valley when the organization starts doing the promotion thing.
2B Brenny Escanio2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 K

RHP Cade Smith: (W, 3-4) 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 11 K (ties personal best)
2.85 ERA (53.2 IP, 38 H, 23 R, 17 ER, 2 HR, 24 BB, 68 K). Smith threw his slider 42 times (50%), generating 15 whiffs. He mixed in a 4-seamer (36%) and curve (13%). A singular changeup was also recorded.
LHP Rafelin Nivar: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
RHP Ocean Gabonia1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Gabonia’s ERA is 5.00, but he has started off well in June: 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 K
RHP Aaron Nixon1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
RHP Kris Bow0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K


FCL (16-10)

Sundays are off days.


DSL Yankees (1-4) and DSL Bombers (2-2)

Sundays are off days.

 

Yankees MILB 5/29: Jared Serna’s Big Night

News:

IF Kevin Smith cleared waivers. Unlike the last time, he could have declined an outright assignment but didn’t do so. He will return to Scranton.

Scranton (33-20) (Avenged last night’s 10-0 loss by crushing Toledo, 11-2)

2B Jorbit Vivas2-for-4, 2 RBI, RS, BB, K
Vivas started 1-for-14 on his second rehab stint. He is 8-for-20 since.
SS Oswald Peraza0-for-2, 3 RS, 3 BB, K
If both are still around, Vivas/Peraza could be a part of a battle for the second base job in 2025. 
1B T.J. Rumfield2-for-5, HR (3), RBI, RS, CS (2), K
Rumfield’s first extra-base hit since May 7th.
DH Jose Rojas1-for-4, HR (10), 2 RBI, RS, BB, 2 K
Rojas’ 7th HR in May. In 2023, it would have earned him a promotion to the full-time MLB LF job.
C Luis Torrens1-for-5, HR (5), 3 RBI, RS
LF Taylor Trammell1-for-4, HR (1), RBI, RS, BB, 2 K
RF Oscar Gonzalez1-for-5, K
3B Josh VanMeter0-for-3, RS, 2 BB
CF Brandon Lockridge2-for-3, 2 RS, SB (18), BB
.262/.392/.350 in 125 PA (7 doubles, 1 triple, 15 RBI, 20 R, 18-for-20 SB). Lockridge is 119-for-142 stealing bases in his 461-game minor league career.

LHP Tanner Tully (W, 1-3): 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, HR
RHP Ron Marinaccio1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
0.75 ERA (12 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 11 K)
LHP Anthony Misiewicz1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Phil Bickford1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
3.54 ERA (20.1 IP, 19 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 2 HR, 9 BB, 27 K). 


Somerset (23-24) (Walked it off against Bowie, 2-1)

DH Spencer Jones1-for-4, RBI, BB, K
His RBI single in the bottom of the 9th won the game, and he needed that! This extends his on-base streak to 12, though as I said yesterday, the numbers aren’t eye-popping during this stretch.
CF Jasson Dominguez1-for-2
Dominguez’s first game in the field this season.
   PH-CF Grant Richardson0-for-2, K
The Yankees rarely, if ever, allow a rehabbing player to play a full nine innings the first time they play in the field.
1B Agustin Ramirez1-for-4, 2B (8)
While he hasn’t homered in a while, he is hitting .300/.389/.525 during May. There wasn’t a way he was maintaining the “9 HR a month” thing he did in April. As his HR rate has dropped, his BABIP has normalized and I think we are seeing a clearer picture of who Ramirez can be.
C Ben Rice1-for-4, RS, 2 K
For those who clamor for Rice to play first base, let me ask you this: Anthony Rizzo has been an issue. We don’t know if he will ever be good again. Neither do the Yankees. Yet, the organization continues to put Rice behind the plate rather than giving him extensive reps at first base (14 starts this season). In my world, this tells me that Rice is not seen as a replacement at first base, even as I declared last night that he can be a 2025 option.  Catching increases trade value, but MLB crisis >>> trade value. Do they think a crisis doesn’t exist? Or, is it that Rice wouldn’t solve the crisis?  At the very least, I think it is fair to ask.
3B J.C. Escarra1-for-3, BB
2B-SS Jordan Groshans0-for-4, 2 K
RF Jared Wegner0-for-2, RS, CS (2), 2 BB
LF Aaron Palensky1-for-2, RBI, SB (9), 2 BB
SS Alexander Vargas1-for-3
  2B Anthony Seigler0-for-1, K

RHP Zach Messinger: 5.1 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 10 K
Messinger sets a new best for strikeouts in a game. Season: 3.56 ERA (55.2 IP, 45 H, 30 R, 22 ER, 4 HR, 18 BB, 66 K). BB/9, by year: 2022: 4.84; 2023: 4.80; 2024: 2.91.  He compiled a 1.95 ERA in 27.2 IP with a 36/8 K/BB during May.
RHP Colby White: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K
RHP Leonardo Pestana2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
Since promotion: 0.79 ERA (11.1 IP, 9 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 12 K). Pestana has been with the organization since 2018, but injuries have limited him to 140.2 innings. The Yankees likely threw him into the bullpen in 2024 as a “last ditch” effort and it has worked so far. He will be 26 in July.
RHP Kevin Stevens (W, 3-0): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K


Hudson Valley (22-22) (Defeated Aberdeen, 9-3)

2B Roc Riggio1-for-4, 2 RS, BB, K
SS Jared Serna: 2-for-4, 2 HR (9), 7 RBI, 2 RS, BB
Serna hit a grand slam and a 3-run blast. He ties his best for RBI in a game (set last July) and has 7 HR in May (five of them in two games). Overall, he is hitting .241 with a .831 OPS in 202 PA (11 doubles, 9 HR, 35 RBI, 32 R, 14.9% BB, 17.8% K)
CF Jace Avina1-for-4, BB, K
C Jesus Rodriguez2-for-4, BB
Rodriguez is hitting .329 with a .913 OPS. In his last three games, he is 8-for-12 with 3 doubles and a pair of walks.  He has 66 games played at this level over the past two seasons, hitting .339. He does all this while playing anywhere they ask him to play. 
DH Tyler Hardman: 1-for-4, 2 K
1B Josh Moylan2-for-4, 2 RS, K
Last 10 games: 11-for-35 (.314) with seven walks.
LF Garrett Martin0-for-3, RS, BB, K
3B Kiko Romero: 1-for-2, 2 RS, HBP, BB
RF Nelson Medina0-for-3, SF, 2 RBI, K

RHP Baron Stuart: (W, 3-1) 5.1 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
Stuart was returned here from Scranton, where he tossed a 7-inning complete game in an emergency start.
RHP Huey Morrill: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
RHP Cole Ayers2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
2.08 ERA (30.1 IP, 21 H, 10 R, 7 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 37 K)


Tampa (18-29) (Lost two games to Palm Beach)

Game 1 (Lost, 8-7, in 11 innings. This was the conclusion of yesterday’s suspended game)

2B George Lombard Jr.: 0-for-6
Well, this improves the K%. #Positivity.
SS Roderick Arias0-for-6, RS, SB (12), 5 K
This certainly does not improve the K%. #Reality.
1B Dylan Jasso: 2-for-5, 2B (15), RBI, RS, 2 K
LF Jackson Castillo0-for-3, RS
  LF Daury Arias1-for-2, 2B (4), RBI
3B Hans Montero1-for-4, 2 RS, BB, K
CF Willy Montero1-for-5, 4 K
RF Coby Morales2-for-5, 3 RBI, RS, K
C Manuel Palencia1-for-2, K
  C Edinson Duran1-for-3, 2B (3)
DH Tomas Frick3-for-4, RBI
  PR-DH Brenny Escanio0-for-1, RS

RHP Luis Serna4 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
4.75 ERA (36 IP, 28 H, 19 R, 19 ER, 1 HR, 12 BB, 42 K). May: 24.2 IP, 14 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 0 HR, 5 BB, 26 K. Serna has allowed 3 home runs in 136.2 career innings. 
RHP Ocean Gabonia0.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, HR
RHP Cade Austin3.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
3.31 ERA (32.2 IP, 25 H, 14 R, 12 ER, 5 HR, 7 BB, 37 K). The HR rate is high, but this is a solid debut season. 
RHP Montana Semmel1.2, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
RHP Kris Bow (L, 1-1):  0.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

Game 2 (Lost, 5-0, in a 7-inning game)

SS Roderick Arias0-for-3, 2 K
Ouch. These two games didn’t go Arias’ way. He is hitting .200/.314/.320 in 207 PA (13.5% BB, 35.7% K)
1B Dylan Jasso0-for-3, 2 K
2B Hans Montero0-for-3, K
.260/.341/.425 in 82 PA.
CF Willy Montero1-for-3, 2 K
.184/.251/.241 in 175 PA
RF Coby Morales1-for-3
25-for-81 (.309/.406/.383) with 16 RBI in May.
C Tomas Frick1-for-3
.316/.409/.434 in 88 PA (6 doubles, 1 HR, 11 RBI).  Frick isn’t an everyday presence, but he has hit well.
3B Brenny Escanio1-for-2, K
DH Edinson Duran0-for-2, K
LF Daury Arias0-for-1, CS (1), BB, K

RHP Cade Smith: (L, 2-3)  4.1 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
He generated 14 whiffs with his slider. Season: 3.02 ERA (41.2 IP, 29 H, 19 R, 14 ER, 1 HR, 20 BB, 51 K). So far, his debut season is nothing to complain about.
RHP Osiel Rodriguez1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
1.61 ERA (22.1 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 HR, 12 BB, 24 K)


FCL (11-7)

Scheduled day off. This is a weird league.


DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 5/17: Sebastian Keane’s Big Effort

News:

I have nothing to offer you.

Scranton (28-13) (Lost a pitcher’s duel to Worcester, 9-8. How did these two teams play a 1-0 game earlier this week?)

2B Caleb Durbin1-for-5, RBI, RS, SB (20)
Durbin has 56 stolen bases in 111 games since joining the organization. 
CF Everson Pereira2-for-5, 2B (8), RBI, RS, K
.261/.341/.516 in 176 PA. 
1B T.J. Rumfield1-for-5, RBI, RS
Rumfield has a 6-game hitting streak.
DH Carlos Narvaez0-for-5, 2 K
LF Oscar Gonzalez3-for-4, 2B (4), 3B (1), 2 RS, BB
Gonzalez came up with a runner on second and two outs in the 9th, giving himself a shot at a dramatic cycle. It wasn’t meant to be.
RF Jose Rojas2-for-3, RBI, RS, BB
3B Jeter Downs0-for-2, 2 SF, 2 RBI
Productive Outs!
C Luis Torrens: 3-for-4, 2B (5), RBI, RS
SS Kevin Smith1-for-4, 2B (5), RBI, RS, 2 K

LHP Tanner Tully4 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, HR
LHP Clayton Andrews1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Yerry De Los Santos1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Phil Bickford: (L, 2-1)  0.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
LHP Anthony Misiewicz1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K


Somerset (18-18) (Defeated Portland, 9-4)

DH Spencer Jones1-for-4, RS, SB (8), K
3B DJ LeMahieu1-for-2
Hopefully, he comes out of this feeling healthy.
   2B Anthony Seigler0-for-2, RS, SB (5), BB
C Ben Rice0-for-4, K
Rice is down to .238/.365/.454 in 157 PA. He is only 10-for-49 in May with a .286 SLG, his calling card. Everyone goes through slumps!
SS Ben Cowles2-for-4, 2 2B (13), RBI, 2 RS, BB
.331/.410/.545 in 144 PA (13 doubles, 2 triples, 3 HR, 22 RBI, 21 R, 11.8% BB, 15.3% K, 5-for-5 SB). He is floating under the radar a bit, but what a start to 2024.
CF Grant Richardson2-for-5, 2B (11), HR (3), 3 RBI, 2 RS, K
Speaking of under-the-radar, Richardson is at .294/.348/.490 (11 doubles, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 16 R, 6.3% BB, 25% K). Yeah, Richardson is a bit of a free-swinging type.
1B J.C. Escarra2-for-4, RBI, RS
2B-3B Jordan Groshans1-for-3, RS, HBP
RF Elijah Dunham2-for-2, RS, SB (3), 2 BB
.273/.391/.468 in 92 PA. Dunham is 9-for-24 (.375/.531/.458) in May. He conquered this level in 2022, but struggled in Scranton in 2023.
LF Jared Wegner1-for-4, RBI, K

RHP Zach Messinger: (W, 2-2) 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
3.83 ERA (44.2 IP, 32 H, 26 R, 19 ER, 4 HR, 15 BB, 48 K). Last 4 starts: 2.08 ERA (21.2 IP, 12 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 0 HR, 7 BB, 21 K). Is he figuring things out? 
LHP Ryan Anderson1.2 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Colby White0.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Luis Velasquez1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K


Hudson Valley (19-15) (Defeated Jersey Shore, 6-3)

2B Roc Riggio1-for-4
SS Jared Serna1-for-4, K
LF Jace Avina0-for-4, K
Avina’s 11-game hitting streak is snapped.
C Jesus Rodriguez0-for-2, 2 RS, 2 BB
DH Omar Martinez1-for-3, RS, BB, K
  PR-DH Kyle Battle0-for-0
1B Rafael Flores: 1-for-2, RBI, RS, 2 BB, K
Flores is now 11-for-28 with 8 RBI in May. He plays 1B/C.
3B Kiko Romero: 1-for-2, HR (4), 3 RBI, 2 RS, SB (4), 2 BB, K
Romero has a .231 BA with a .851 OPS. He has 10 walks in 9 May games.
CF Nelson Medina0-for-4, 4 K
RF Cole Gabrielson1-for-4, RBI, 2 K

RHP Sebastian Keane: (W, 2-3) 7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
Keane needed only 80 pitches to get 21 outs in his longest career outing. Season: 5.06 ERA (32 IP, 32 H, 18 R, 18 ER, 1 HR, 16 BB, 29 K). Remember that he was a relief pitcher in his 2023 debut season. The Yankees drafted him in 2022 out of Northeastern (he was a starter there).
RHP Steven Fulgencio1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Cole Ayers1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K


Tampa (12-25) (Defeated Bradenton, 5-2)

3B George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-4, 2B (4)
The double was crushed (106.4 MPH/406 feet). Lombard also lined out at 107.4 MPH.
DH Tyler Hardman1-for-4, RBI, 2 K
SS Roderick Arias0-for-3, RS, BB, 2 K
1B Dylan Jasso0-for-4, RS, K
CF Jackson Castillo3-for-3, 2 2B (7), RBI, RS, BB
.278/.422/.528 in 90 PA. He is 14-for-42 (.333) in May with 5 doubles, 3 HR, 6 RBI, and 12 runs scored. A switch suddenly turned on.
LF Willy Montero0-for-2, 2 BB, K
2B Hans Montero1-for-4, HR (1), 2 RBI, RS, 2 K
Montero, who is 13-for-44 (.295/.367/.455) since his promotion, hit 5 HR in 53 games during his breakout in the FCL last season.
RF Coby Morales0-for-2, RS, 2 BB, 2 K
Morales has six walks in his last three games.
C Tomas Frick0-for-4, K
This is the first time he hasn’t reached base this season (17th game)

LHP Allen Facundo: (W, 1-1)  5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K
2.88 ERA (25 IP, 16 H, 10 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 13 BB, 27 K). A lefty who can touch 96.7 MPH (which he did tonight) is worth watching.
RHP Cade Austin2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 2 HR
RHP Montana Semmel: (S, 1) 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
1.40 ERA (19.1 IP, 13 H, 6 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 5 BB, 16 K)


FCL (4-6) (Lost to the Phillies, 7-3, in a 7-inning game)

CF Brian Sanchez2-for-2, 2B (2), RS, SB (3), BB
3B Luis Ogando0-for-2, RS, SB (2), BB, K

RHP Jesus Liranzo1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HR
His rehab stint continues…
LHP Brady Rose (L, 0-1): 3.1 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Yoljeldriz Diaz1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Diaz compiled a 6.35 ERA in 11.1 IP for Low-A Tampa (14 BB/12 K)


DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 5/12: Agustin Ramirez: 3 Extra-Base Hits

News:

Happy Mother’s Day!

Scranton (27-11) (Defeated Rochester, 6-4)

2B Caleb Durbin2-for-4, 2 RS, 2 SB (17), BB
Durbin continues his big season: .296/.420/.444 in 175 PA (13 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR, 28 RBI, 28 R, 15.4% BB, 10.3% K, 17-for-19 SB).
DH Everson Pereira2-for-5, RS, SB (4), K
10-for-43 (.233) in May with a double and two homers. He also has a whopping 15 strikeouts.
1B T.J. Rumfield2-for-4, RBI, 2 RS, SB (1)
14-for-40 (.350) in May and .318/.378/.477 since his promotion.
C Carlos Narvaez1-for-2, 2B (8), RBI, RS, 2 SB (4), 2 BB, K
Narvaez has three doubles in his last two games. His career best for stolen bases is 6, set last year.
RF Taylor Trammell1-for-4, RBI, K
3B Jeter Downs: 0-for-3, BB, K
LF Greg Allen1-for-3, RBI, BB
SS Kevin Smith0-for-4, K
CF Brandon Lockridge1-for-4, 3B (1), K

RHP Yoendrys Gomez3.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 4 K
3.47 ERA (23.1 IP, 17 H, 10 R, 9 ER, 3 HR, 16 BB, 28 K). Too many walks.
RHP Duane Underwood Jr.1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Alex Mauricio1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
1.50 ERA (18 IP, 14 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 2 BB, 21 K). A tremendous start to his 2024 campaign.
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda (W, 3-0): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
1.42 ERA (19 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 10 BB, 26 K).
RHP Yerry De Los Santos0.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Phil Bickford (S, 3): 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K


Somerset (16-16) (Split a doubleheader with Altoona)

Game 1 (Won, 5-2)

CF Spencer Jones0-for-3, SF, RBI, K
DH Oswald Peraza: 1-for-2, HR (1), RBI, 2 RS, 2 BB
C Agustin Ramirez2-for-4, 2B (3), HR (11), 2 RBI, RS
1B Ben Rice0-for-3, BB, 2 K
SS Ben Cowles1-for-3, RS, BB
RF Aaron Palensky1-for-3, BB
3B J.C. Escarra2-for-4, RS
LF Jared Wegner2-for-2, 2B (3), SF, RBI, BB
.256/.344/.462 in 90 PA (10% BB, 23.3% K)
2B Jordan Groshans0-for-3, BB, K

RHP Zach Messinger (W, 1-2): 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 8 K
4.19 ERA (38.2 IP, 28 H, 24 R, 18 ER, 4 HR, 14 BB, 45 K). Last 3 starts: 15.2 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 6 BB, 18 K.
RHP Leonardo Pestana1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Pestana has 5.1 scoreless innings since his promotion (3 H, 1 BB, 6 K)
RHP Kevin Stevens (S, 1): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K

Game 2 (Lost, 3-1)

CF Spencer Jones1-for-3, RS, K
.250/.323/.386 in 99 PA (10.1% BB, 29.3% K)
DH Agustin Ramirez1-for-3, 2B (4)
.259/.389/.602 in 131 PA (4 doubles, 11 HR, 24 RBI, 24 R, 16.8% BB, 18.3% K). Eastern League ranks: OPS – 3; SLG – 2; HR – 1; RBI – 2. The questions about his catching will continue but the bat alone could make him a Top 50 prospect or better.
C Ben Rice0-for-2, BB
.252/.381/.487 in 140 PA. He has 14 starts at catcher, 9 at first base, and 8 at designated hitter.
SS Ben Cowles0-for-2, SF, RBI, 2 K
.327/.409/.540 in 132 PA. He is fifth in the Eastern League in batting average and second in doubles.
1B J.C. Escarra0-for-2, CS (2), BB
2B Anthony Seigler0-for-2, K
3B Jordan Groshans0-for-2
LF Elijah Dunham0-for-2
RF Grant Richardson0-for-2, K

RHP Bailey Dees3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
I am not sure why he was pulled after 47 pitches. He owns a 4.41 ERA in 32.2 IP (28 H, 16 R, 16 ER, 5 HR, 15 BB, 33 K). The ERA is skewed high by his tough first start (3.1 IP, 8 ER)
LHP Ryan Anderson1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Luis Velasquez1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Jack Neely1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
1.62 ERA (16.2 IP, 12 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 5 BB, 25 K). Neely has the look of a high leverage relief pitcher.


Hudson Valley (15-15) (Defeated Aberdeen, 4-3)

2B Roc Riggio0-for-4, BB, 2 K
SS Jared Serna3-for-4, 2B (8), RBI, RS
.252/.358/.459 in 134 PA (8 doubles, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 20 R, 13.4% BB, 14.2% K). He is 13-for-40 (.325/.386/.650) in May with 12 RBI.
CF Jace Avina2-for-4, RBI, RS, BB
.289/.400/.461 in 90 PA.
3B Jesus Rodriguez2-for-5, RBI
Rodriguez doesn’t stop hitting. He is hitting .324/.382/.532 in 123 PA. In May, he is 14-for-36 (.389) and he leads the South Atlantic League in hits, is second in batting average, fifth in slugging percentage, and third in OPS. 
DH Omar Martinez1-for-4, 2B (2), BB, K
.217/.379/.391 in 116 PA (19.8% BB, 21.6% K)
C Rafael Flores2-for-5, RBI, 2 K
1B Kiko Romero1-for-3, BB, K
RF Cole Gabrielson0-for-4, K
LF Kyle Battle0-for-2, 2 RS, SB (3), 2 BB, 2 K

LHP Ben Shields3.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 8 K
Shields’ first professional start. One has to love the strikeouts!
RHP Trent Sellers2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
1.86 ERA (19.1 IP, 10 H, 8 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 13 BB, 26 K)
LHP Joel Valdez1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Mason Vinyard (W, 1-0): 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K


Tampa (10-23) (Lost to Clearwater, 8-2)

SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-2, 2B (3), 2 RS, SB (10), BB
This certainly screams “I’m Back!”
  2B Brenny Escanio0-for-2
2B-SS Roderick Arias2-for-4, CS (6), 2 K
.212/.354/.347 in 144 PA. Arias is 7-for-21 (.333) in his last six games. On the season, he owns a 16.7% BB and 35.4% K. His entire stat line suggests the raw talent that he is.
1B Dylan Jasso0-for-3, SF, RBI
.293/.391/.500 in 138 PA with 10 doubles, 4 homers, and 23 RBI. He has 15 RBI in 11 May games.
CF Jackson Castillo2-for-4, RBI
Castillo hit .200/.273/.333 in April. In May, he is hitting .267/.463/.467 with more walks (11) than strikeouts (10) and a 5-for-6 SB rate. He turned 21 in early May.
RF Willy Montero1-for-4, CS (1)
3B Hans Montero1-for-3, BB
Montero is hitting .303 (10-for-33) since his promotion.
LF Coby Morales1-for-4, 2 K
DH Manuel Palencia0-for-4, K
C Edinson Duran1-for-4, K

RHP Ryan Harvey (L, 0-2): 0.2 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 0 K
RHP Ocean Gabonia2.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
RHP Yoljeldriz Diaz2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
RHP Jordy Luciano1.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
RHP Aaron Nixon2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K


FCL (4-2)

Scheduled day off.


DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 5/4: Zach Messinger: 5.2 Hitless Innings

News:

RHP Chase Hampton was transferred to the 60-day injured list today. This is unfortunate for a pitcher many thought could give the team some innings in 2024. We don’t know the reason for the transfer, though you instantly fear Tommy John Surgery.

Scranton (22-9) (Outlasted Jacksonville, 10-9. The Railriders crushed five home runs today. As you may suspect, they are at the top of their division and have one of the best (but not the best) winning percentages in the minor leagues)

LF Greg Allen1-for-4, HR (2), 2 RBI, 2 RS, SB (5), BB
Allen is disruptive. You don’t want him starting often in MLB, but he provides a speed/defense combo that can be useful. Players like him were amongst the most screwed by MLB limiting September rosters.
RF Everson Pereira2-for-5, 2B (7), HR (8), 2 RBI, RS, K
Pereira’s homer was hit at 101.4 MPH. He is hitting .263/.333/.553 in 126 PA. 16 of his 30 hits have gone for extra bases (7 doubles, 1 triple, 8 HR). He has 16 homers in 63 Triple-A games.
1B T.J. Rumfield0-for-4, RS, BB, K
C Carlos Narvaez1-for-5, HR (3), 2 RBI, RS, 2 K
DH Oscar Gonzalez: 2-for-4, 2B (1), HR (1), RBI, RS, BB, K
As long as he is healthy, I like the depth he provides the organization. He is a LF/RF, but the Yankees have given him a pair of starts at first base in Scranton (his only two career games there).
3B Luis Torrens2-for-4, RS, CS (1), K
   3B Caleb Durbin0-for-0
It is rare to see a minor league manager go the defensive substitution route but in a crazy game like this, I guess you don’t want a catcher at third base in the 9th!
SS Jeter Downs0-for-3, RS, BB, 2 K
2B Kevin Smith1-for-4, HR (1), 3 RBI, RS, 3 K
CF Brandon Lockridge2-for-4, 2B (5), RS, SB (13), K
.208/.345/.278 in 87 PA (5 doubles, 10 RBI, 13 R, 13-for-14 SB). 

RHP Cody Poteet3.2 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, HR
3.33 ERA (24.1 IP, 17 H, 10 R, 9 ER, 3 HR, 6 BB, 25 K). He has pitched very well, so we’ll toss this one.
RHP Duane Underwood Jr. (W, 2-0): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
1.76 ERA (15.1 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 HR, 6 BB, 17 K)
RHP Yerry De Los Santos2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Art Warren0.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
The 31-year-old had strikeout chops before his injury (29.5% K rate in 65 MLB games).
RHP Phil Bickford (S, 2): 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K


Somerset (12-14) (Outpitched New Hampshire, 2-0. Somerset didn’t have a hit entering the 7th inning. New Hampshire didn’t earn a hit until the 6th inning)

DH Spencer Jones0-for-4, 2 K
.250/.311/.412 in 74 PA. He is in a 1-for-22 slump but he’s too good for that to continue for much longer (uh oh, why did I have to say that?)
C Ben Rice0-for-3, SB (4), CI
.277/.404/.532 in 115 PA. Rice is 20-for-24 stealing bases in his career.
SS Ben Cowles2-for-4, RS
Cowles broke up the New Hampshire no-hitter in the 7th. This is his 9th multi-hit effort (25th game). He is hitting .344/.421/.591 in 107 PA. How long can he maintain an OPS > 1.000?
CF Grant Richardson1-for-3, RS, BB, K
.297/.369/.486 in 84 PA (8 doubles, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 11 R, 5-for-6 SB, 8.3% BB, 22.6% K). He had a 31.1% K rate in 61 PA here last year. He’s having a solid season and he has more power to tap into.
3B J.C. Escarra0-for-3, 2 K
LF Elijah Dunham1-for-3, 2B (4), 2 RBI, K
8 of Dunham’s 13 hits have gone for extra bases.
RF Jared Wegner0-for-2, SB (4), HBP, K
2B Anthony Seigler0-for-3, 2 K
1B Spencer Henson0-for-3, 2 K
Henson’s first game since 4/19.

RHP Zach Messinger5.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 7 K
Messinger threw 91 pitches today. This performance drops his ERA to 4.28 (33.2 IP, 25 H, 22 R, 16 ER, 4 HR, 13 BB, 37 K). 
LHP Ryan Anderson0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
RHP Leonardo Pestana: (W, 1-0) 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
So far, Pestana is taking to a relief role. That would be par for the course with the Yankees if he developed into an MLB-quality bullpen arm.
RHP Jack Neely: (S, 3) 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, HR
2.03 ERA (13.1 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 5 BB, 20 K)


Hudson Valley (14-10)

Their game against Wilmington was postponed.


Tampa (7-19) (Lost to Dunedin, 6-5)

CF Jackson Castillo1-for-5, 2B (3), RS, SB (3), K
SS Roderick Arias0-for-3, RBI, RS, SB (5), 2 BB, 2 K
Arias made up for a big error in the 6th by drawing an important walk in the 7th. Tampa couldn’t hold the lead though…
3B Dylan Jasso2-for-4, 2 HR (4), 3 RBI, 2 RS
Jasso had zero HR in his first 18 games this season and one in his first 39 professional games. He has four in his last six games. Baseball!
1B Coby Morales1-for-4, K
2B Hans Montero: 1-for-4, RS, 2 K
Montero’s first Low-A hit. Congrats!
C Tomas Frick0-for-3, HBP
Frick has started his career with an 11-game on-base streak.
LF Tayler Aguilar1-for-2 HBP, BB
DH Manuel Palencia1-for-4, RBI
RF Daury Arias0-for-4, 2 K

RHP Josh Grosz5.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 12 K, 2 HR
Grosz struck out the first two hitters in the 6th before Dunedin took advantage of a costly error. Grosz generated 19 whiffs (10 with the slider, six with the 4-seamer) in his most impressive professional performance. Last two starts: 10.2 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 17 K. This is the 21-year-old’s debut season.
RHP Cade Austin: (L, 0-2)  2.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 1 HR


FCL (0-1) (Lost to the FCL Tigers, 5-4, in ten innings)

I will do a full lineup today, but that is not how I will treat the FCL throughout the season. I will instead highlight anything interesting that happens.

RF Wilson Rodriguez2-for-5, RBI, RS, 2 K
Rodriguez was drafted in the 17th round in the 2023 draft out of Puerto Rico. The 19-year-old went 9-for-41 (.220/.360/.430) in last year’s debut season, hitting a pair of home runs.
C Edgleen Perez0-for-2, HBP, K
I don’t know why he was lifted, but the HBP is likely a clue. Only 17 years old, Perez hit .259/.389/.317 in 39 DSL games in 2023.
   3B Abrahan Ramirez0-for-2
The 19-year-old left-handed bat hit .311/.471/.379 in the DSL in 2023.
1B-C Josue Gonzalez3-for-5, 2B (1), RBI, K
The 20-year-old had a big season in the DSL last year. That earned him a shot at this level, which is all he can ask for. 
CF Fidel Montero: 0-for-4, BB, 3 K
All I want to happen is for Willy (Tampa), Hans (Tampa), and Fidel Montero to make it to MLB simultaneously!
LF Joel Mendez1-for-4, 2B (1), BB, K
Mendez is 21. He went 29-for-99 (.292/.363/.424) at this level in 2023.
3B-1B Luis Ogando1-for-4, RS, K
Ogando hit .352/.446/.541 in 148 DSL plate appearances in 2023. He is 20 years old.
DH Josh Tiedemann1-for-2, RS, 2 BB
The other 2023 draftee besides Rodriguez in today’s lineup was Tiedemann, the Yankees’ 13th-round pick out of an Arizona high school. The 19-year-old went 1-for-9 in his professional debut last year.
2B Gabriel Terrero0-for-4, RBI, BB, 3 K
The 18-year-old hit .299/.407/.533 in 37 games in his debut season (DSL) last year. He clubbed seven home runs, drove home 27,  and stole 14 bases in 20 attempts.
SS Juan Matheus: 1-fot-5, 3B (1), RS, CS (1), K
After hitting .252/.442/.472 in 45 DSL games in 2022, he only played in ten games in 2023 (he was on the 60-day injured list for most of the season).

RHP Angel Benitez: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
The 20-year-old stands 6’7″. In the DSL last year (his debut season), he pitched to a 1.06 ERA in 17 innings with a 24/7 K/BB.
RHP Omar Gonzalez2.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Gonzalez was likely one of the youngest players in professional baseball in 2022 when he compiled a 0.44 ERA in 20.1 innings in the DSL. He was 16 years old when he made his debut on June 11th. He only tossed 11 innings in 2023.
RHP Chris Kean1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
The 21-year-old was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Louisiana-Monroe last year. This is his professional debut. He stands a mere 6’5″, making him a backup point guard for the Yankees Pitching Trees rec basketball league.
RHP Mason Vinyard1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
Vinyard pitched in 24 games for Hudson Valley last season, compiling a 2.97 ERA. He is here on a rehab assignment.
RHP Hansel Rosario2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K
Control has been Rosario’s issue in his brief career. Let’s see if this is the start of turning the corner.
RHP Alejandro Gomez (L, 0-1): 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Now 21, he spent 2021-2023 in the DSL. 


DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 4/28: Cam Schlittler: 6 IP, 2 R, 7 K

News:

As expected, RHP McKinley Moore cleared waivers and was outrighted to Scranton. The arm is tempting, but it is hard for organizations to carry it on a 40-man roster.

This is why the outright rule exists. A player can only be outrighted once in their career. After that, they can refuse the outright and become a free agent. This is different from player options. An “outright” happens when you are removed from the 40-man roster and sent through waivers. If you have less than three years of service time, a team can send you to the minors without your permission. However, they can only do that once, regardless of your service time.

Scranton (17-9) (Lost to Durham, 6-2)

CF Greg Allen0-for-3, BB
Allen’s first game since April 6th.
  CF Brandon Lockridge: 0-for-0
2B Caleb Durbin1-for-3, BB, K
.296/.426/.469 in 122 PA (9 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR, 21 RBI, 19 R, 17.2% BB, 11.5% K, 12-for-13 SB). As of this writing, he is tied for 6th in the International League in RBI and second in stolen bases.
DH T.J. Rumfield0-for-4, 3 K
At this level: .279/.319/.395 in 47 PA. Overall: .296/.370/.380 in 81 PA (6 doubles, 11 RBI, 11 R, 11.1% BB, 23.5% K)
1B Carlos Narvaez1-for-4, 2B (4), RS, 2 K
.211/.376/.342 in 101 PA. 
3B Jeter Downs1-for-4, 2B (2), RS
.281/.365/.531 in 75 PA. As long as he keeps hitting, he will get playing time. He is on a 5-game hitting streak (7-for-18 with a double and two homers)
RF Jose Rojas0-for-2, SF, RBI, K
SS Kevin Smith0-for-2, SF, RBI, K
C Josh Breaux0-for-3, 2 K
LF Josh VanMeter0-for-2, BB, K

RHP Yoendrys Gomez3.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 2 HR
4.60 ERA (15.2 IP, 15 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 3 HR, 7 BB, 20 K). He has thrown 15.2 innings in five starts. The Yankees are probably building him up as a multi-inning relief type over a true starter (but if true, why is he on a starter’s schedule rather than coming out of the bullpen every 3-4 days?). Yes, I find his development plan for 2024 (his final option year) a little strange.
LHP Oddanier Mosqueda0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
RHP Duane Underwood Jr.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
2.03 ERA (13.1 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 5 BB, 16 K). The three runs allowed are all solo homers. 
RHP Alex Mauricio2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
2.79 ERA at this level (9.2 IP, 10 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 1 BB, 14 K)
LHP Clayton Andrews1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K


Somerset (9-12) (Lost to Reading, 6-3)

C Ben Rice1-for-4, HR (6), RBI, RS, 2 K
Rice led off the game with a homer. His 25.8% K rate is a tad high (it was 18.9% at this level last year) but the production has been high as well (22 HR, 57 RBI in 68 games)
3B Jon Berti0-for-3, 2 K
Berti began his rehab stint today.
  SS Alexander Vargas0-for-1, K
DH Agustin Ramirez1-for-4, 2 K
He is hitting .260 with a 1.030 OPS (15.9% BB; 19.3% K)
SS-3B Ben Cowles1-for-4, HR (3), RBI, RS, K
Cowles has homered in back-to-back games and has three in his last four games. He is on a 7-game hitting streak (11-for-29, 2 doubles, 1 triple, 3 HR, 7 RBI). He is hitting .356 with a 1.086 OPS.  As of this writing, he leads the Eastern League in average and OBP. He is third (just ahead of Ramirez) in OPS. 
1B J.C. Escarra1-for-4, K
RF Jared Wegner1-for-3, HR (3), RBI, RS, BB, K
Wegner is on a 12-game hitting streak (14-for-45 (.311), 2 doubles, 1 triple, 3 HR)
CF Grant Richardson0-for-4, K
2B Anthony Seigler1-for-4, 2 K
LF Aaron Palensky0-for-2, 2 SB (4), HBP

RHP Zach Messinger5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
5.14 ERA (28 IP, 25 H, 22 R, 16 ER, 4 HR, 10 BB, 30 K)
RHP Luis Velasquez: (L, 1-1) 0.2 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, HR
RHP Jack Neely: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
0.82 ERA (11 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 5 BB, 17 K). A 2024 debut is not out of the question, but there can be a logjam if Tommy Kahnle, Scott Effross, and Lou Trivino return. It would be a nice problem to have.


Hudson Valley (12-8) (Doubled up Bowling Green, 6-3)

CF Jace Avina0-for-4, BB, 2 K
.303/.439/.424 in 41 PA. I suspect they will keep the 20-year-old here all season, but a player can always force the issue.
SS Jared Serna3-for-4, 2B (3), RBI
Serna’s first 3-hit game of the season. He had 11 3+ hit games in 2023 (including four 4-hit games)
C Omar Martinez0-for-3, 2 BB
.262/.392/.459 in 74 PA. 
2B Jesus Rodriguez2-for-4, 2B (3), RS, 2 SB (2), K
Rodriguez was 21-for-25 stealing bases in 2023, so it isn’t a foreign concept to him. He is hitting .304/.368/.420 in 76 PA and is at .314/.402/.464 in 911 career plate appearances. Rodriguez is only 22 (won’t be 23 until next April)
DH Josh Moylan0-for-4, RBI
1B Rafael Flores0-for-3, BB
3B Kiko Romero0-for-2, RS, HBP, BB, K
RF Cole Gabrielson: 2-for-4, 2B (2), 2 RS, K
LF Kyle Battle2-for-2, HR (1), SF, 3 RBI, 2 RS, BB
Battle’s 7th career HR (99 games)

RHP Cam Schlittler: (W, 3-0) 6 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, 2 HR
Schlittler allowed solo homers in the first and second, and that was it. Season: 1.29 ERA (21 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 3 ER, 3 HR, 9 BB, 26 K). He has struck out seven batters four times in his brief career, his personal best.
RHP Huey Morrill2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
LHP Joel Valdez (S, 1): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K


Tampa (5-16) (Lost to Lakeland, 9-3)

DH Enmanuel Tejeda0-for-4, 2 K
.289/.344/.325 in 94 PA (3 doubles, 10 RBI, 10 R, 7.4% BB, 22.3% K, 7-for-9 SB). He hit 8 home runs in 96 DSL/FCL games, but home run power is not likely to be a part of his game. Versatility, contact, and speed will be his route to MLB if he makes it.
1B Oscar Gonzalez1-for-4, HR (2), RBI, RS
Gonzalez is 6-for-20 with a triple and two homers during his rehab stint.
SS Roderick Arias1-for-4
Arias has reached base safely in nine straight games. The single was hit at 107.5 MPH, his hardest-hit ball of the season. He is at .225/.340/.400 in 94 PA (4 doubles, 2 triples, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 10 R, 13.8% BB, 37.2% K, 4-for-7 SB). The strikeout rate continues to fall.
3B Dylan Jasso: 2-for-3, HR (1), RBI, 2 RS, BB
Jasso’s second career HR (he hit a homer and drove home 20 runs in 17 FCL games in 2023). He is hitting .254/.400/.418 in 85 PA with 6 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 17.6% BB, and 25.9% K.
LF Coby Morales0-for-2, BB, HBP
CF Tayler Aguilar0-for-4, K
C Edinson Duran0-for-2, BB,HBP,  K
RF Daury Arias1-for-3, RBI, BB
2B Brenny Escanio0-for-4, K

RHP Ryan Harvey: (L, 0-1)  1.2 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Toss it out and move on to the next.
RHP Steven Fulgencio2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
4.00 ERA (9 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 4 ER, 0 HR, 5 BB, 10 K). 
LHP Brady Rose3.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HR
RHP Aaron Nixon1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
3.00 ERA (12 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 0 HR, 12 BB, 14 K). Many Yankees’ farmhands are sinker/slider-curve/change types – Nixon is your old-fashioned 4-seamer/slider type. He maxed out at 95 MPH today.
RHP Cade Austin0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K


FCL (0-0)

The season starts on 5/4.


DSL (0-0)

It will be a while before their season starts!

Yankees MILB 9/14: Clayton Beeter Ks 13

News:

LHP Clay Aguilar stayed in Double-A for 24 hours or so. He was promoted to Scranton today.

The Rule 5 eligible 24-year-old pitched to a 2.25 ERA (3.30 FIP) over 44 innings down in Hudson Valley with a 34.1% K and 13% BB. He missed the entire 2022 season.

Scranton (68-71; 34-31 in the second half) (Lost to Buffalo, 7-1)

RF Franchy Cordero1-for-3, 2 BB, K
DH Carlos Narvaez0-for-5, K
3B Andres Chaparro0-for-1, 2 BB, HBP
2B Jamie Westbrook1-for-4, K
1B Jake Lamb: 1-for-3, BB, K
LF Michael Hermosillo2-for-4, 2B (5), RS, K
C Josh Breaux0-for-2, BB, HBP
SS Jesus Bastidas1-for-3, BB, K, SB (10)
Bastidas has 13 HR and 11 stolen bases between Somerset and Scranton. I think he has a chance to make it to MLB as a utility type – probably not with the Yankees.
CF Nelson Medina0-for-4

RHP Clayton Beeter5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 13 K
Beeter sets a new personal best for strikeouts in a game. He owns a 5.40 ERA in 60 innings at this level (57 H, 37 R, 36 ER, 13 HR, 37 BB, 75 K). Overall, he owns a 151/68 K/BB over 120.2 IP. Unless they use him in a deal, Beeter is going to be protected from the Rule 5 draft this winter.  Tonight, he featured two pitches in his 100-pitch effort: 49 sliders + 48 4-seam fastballs (three changeups).
LHP Clay Aguilar: (L, 0-1) 2.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, HR
Aguilar’s Triple-A debut.
RHP Michael Gomez: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, HR

Somerset (81-53; 39-27 in the second half) (Defeated New Hampshire, 6-2)

CF Elijah Dunham0-for-5, 3 K
1B T.J. Rumfield1-for-5, RS, 3 K
C Agustin Ramirez1-for-4, 2B (6), RS
Ramirez is hitting .217 with a .594 OPS in 130 PA since his promotion. 
DH Spencer Jones0-for-3, 2 RS, BB
2B Caleb Durbin1-for-3, 2B (12), 2 RBI, K
If not for his injuries, Durbin easily steals 50+ bases this season. As is, he is 36-for-44 in 67 games.
   PH-2B Anthony Seigler: 0-for-0, RS, BB
LF Grant Richardson: 2-for-4, HR (4), 3 RBI, RS
Richardson is 17-for-45 since his promotion (1 double, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 9 R). His 17 HR between Hudson Valley and Somerset is a new personal best. He is a 24-year-old left-handed bat who has too much swing-and-miss in his profile to date – if he can clean that up, he has a chance.
RF Jeisson Rosario0-for-4, 2 K
3B Eduardo Torrealba0-for-3, BB, K, 2 SB (4)
SS Max Burt0-for-3, BB, 2 K

RHP Zach Messinger4.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, HR
A nice Double-A debut for Messinger, who pitched to a 4.36 ERA in 97 innings for Hudson Valley (82 H, 13 HR, 53 BB, 113 K).
LHP Ryan Anderson2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
RHP Harrison Cohen: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Cohen’s Double-A debut. He pitched to a 3.86 ERA in 49 IP between Tampa and Hudson Valley (40 H, 23 R, 21 ER, 5 HR, 24 BB, 64 K)

Hudson Valley (70-62; 31-35 in the second half)  (Defeated Jersey Shore, 6-2. The series is tied at 1-1. The decisive third game is tomorrow night)

3B Ben Cowles0-for-4
2B Jared Serna: 1-for-2, RBI, RS, 2 BB
Serna was on his way to a 20/20/20 (doubles/HR/SB) season, but couldn’t put a ball over the fence after his promotion here. That said, he wasn’t overmatched here either. The full package is a kid who should break into Double-A at some point in 2024. 
DH Christopher Familia1-for-4, 2B (2), RBI, 2 K
LF Jesus Rodriguez: 2-for-3, RS, BB, K, SB (1)
Rodriguez is 4-for-7 in two playoff games. When you combine that with his regular season performance, he is hitting .315. I keep talking about this kid because I think performance still should matter. He has hit all season long at a young age while being asked to play four positions (C/1B/3B/LF). I simply cannot ignore that regardless of the Top 30 lists.
  LF Kyle Battle0-for-0
I hope this move was for defensive purposes only (as I have said before: In the playoffs, minor league managers can often be a little more “strategic”)
1B-C Rafael Flores1-for-2, RS, 2 BB, K
RF Anthony Hall2-for-4, RBI, RS, K
Hall struggled a bit after his promotion – good to see him compile a multi-hit game tongiht.
SS Alexander Vargas1-for-4, 2 RBI, K
C Antonio Gomez0-for-0
I am not sure why Gomez left the game early.
  1B Spencer Henson: 2-for-4, 2B (1), HR (1), RBI, 2 RS, 2 K
Not bad for a player who wasn’t in the starting lineup.
CF Cole Gabrielson1-for-3, 2B (1), K

RHP Cam Schlittler: (W, 1-0) 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 5 K
A strong performance by Schlittler, who tossed 46 regular season innings between the FCL/Tampa/Hudson Valley this year (professional debut season)
RHP Osiel Rodriguez2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
Rodriguez has the talent to move quickly. He is still only 21 years old (if it feels he has been around forever, he has been – since he debuted in 2019). He just has to start putting the puzzle together.
RHP Matt Keating: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

Tampa (61-69; 30-34 in the second half) 

Their season is over.

FCL Yankees (35-22; 1-2 in the playoffs)

They lost to the Braves in the championship series. Their season is over.

DSL Yankees (33-19)

Their season is over, as they missed the playoffs by a half-game.

DSL Bombers (27-26)

Their season is over.

Yankees MILB 8/26: Jasson Dominguez…Again

News:

Two people independently contacted me tonight from Somerset, claiming that they spotted OF Spencer Jones in the dugout. Given Jones’ size, he is easy to spot, so I believe it to be true. Jones has not played the last two nights for Hudson Valley.

Assuming he isn’t there for a wedding (hey, you never know), this promotion would be earned. The strikeout rate needs to come down for him to reach his full potential, but I am not going to complain about a .268/.337/.450 (113 wRC+) line with 28 doubles, 13 homers, and 35 stolen bases. The strikeout percentage sits at 29% and he does need to get the ball in the air more (46% ground ball). To me, these numbers show that there is monster potential – look what he is doing as is. Now imagine more balls in the air and at least a slight drop in the strikeouts.

Scranton (62-61; 28-21 in the second half) (Swept a doubleheader against Lehigh Valley)

This is a big series against Lehigh Valley, one of the teams they are chasing for the second-half title.
Up to the second:
Worcester: 30-19
Durham: 30-20
Lehigh Valley: 29-21
Scranton: 28-21

Game 1 (Used a 7-run first inning to cruise to a 7-4 victory)

CF Estevan Florial2-for-3, RS, BB
LF Jasson Dominguez1-for-3, RBI, BB
This was the appetizer…
C Austin Wells2-for-4, 2B (10), RS
At this level: .263/.356/.456 in 132 PA with ten doubles, four homers, and 18 RBI. Overall, he is hitting .242/.335/.443 in 415 PA (24 doubles, 16 HR, 70 RBI, 45 R, 46 BB, 94 K). Today, Aaron Boone mentioned that Wells may see some reps at first base. The Yankees have yet to play him at any other position but catcher in the minors, despite concerns that he may not be able to stick there. The main reason for this is probably value – Wells as a catcher has more market value than Wells the first baseman. That said, it doesn’t harm his value at all to give him some work at first base. Some players are able to adapt quickly when presented a new position, so we’ll see what happens.
3B Andres Chaparro1-for-4, SB (4)
DH Franchy Cordero0-for-3, RS, BB, K
2B Jamie Westbrook1-for-3, HR (19), 4 RBI, RS, BB
Westbrook hits a grand slam. He ties his personal best for home runs in a season, set back in 2018.
1B Jake Lamb1-for-2, HR (4), RBI, RS, BB
RF Michael Hermosillo1-for-3, HR (12), RBI, RS, 2 K
Scranton hit back-to-back-to-back homers in the first inning.
SS Wilmer Difo1-for-3, RS

RHP Will Warren: (W, 6-4)  6 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 3 HR
At this level: 4.82 ERA (71 IP, 68 H, 48 R, 38 ER, 15 HR, 36 BB, 74 K). His ERA is lower than the league average in this crazy league, so keep that in mind. Overall, Warren is 9-4 in 23 starts between here and Somerset with a 4.13 ERA in 100.1 IP (94 H, 58 R, 46 ER, 15 HR, 48 BB, 113 K)
RHP Zac Houston1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

Game 2 (Won, 6-3)

DH Estevan Florial0-for-1, RBI, RS, 3 BB
.288/.390/.558 in 418 PA. He is only 7-for-35 in August, though he has drawn 11 walks.
CF Jasson Dominguez: 3-for-4, 2B (2), 3 RBI, 2 RS
…this was the main course. He is now 9-for-20 (.450) since his promotion with eight runs batted in and only one strikeout. This is exactly what the Yankees ordered. Overall, he is hitting .263/.374/.420 in 530 PA (21 doubles, 2 triples, 15 HR, 74 RBI, 86 R, 80 BB (15.1%), 131 K (24.7%), 38-for-46 SB). 
3B Andres Chaparro1-for-4, RBI, K
.246/.339/.461 in 496 PA (19 doubles, 2 triples, 23 HR, 77 RI, 71 R, 59 BB (11.9%), 107 K (21.6%), 4-for-4 SB). Chaparro is in the mix for the organization’s HR and RBI crowns (he leads in RBI).
RF Franchy Cordero2-for-4, 2 K
C Carlos Narvaez0-for-3, SF, RBI, 2 K
.252/.380/.416 in 321 PA. A fascinating Rule 5 case this winter. It is hard to give up catching depth – every team needs it, and you don’t even want to give up a potential backup catcher for free.
2B Jamie Westbrook1-for-2, 2 BB
1B Jake Lamb2-for-3, RS, BB
LF Brandon Lockridge0-for-3, RS, BB
SS Jesus Bastidas0-for-1, RS, 2 BB

RHP Randy Vasquez4.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, HR
Vasquez tossed only 63 pitches. He owns a 4.59 ERA at this level with a 96/40 K/BB over 80.1 innings. As I always say, once I see some success in MLB, I don’t pay quite as much attention to MILB numbers. The probability is high that the MLB coaching staff is asking him to work on specific things in the minors.
LHP Anthony Misiewicz (W, 3-0): 0.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, HR
RHP Zach McAllister1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, HR

Somerset (71-47; 29-21 in the second half) (Defeated Hartford, 3-1)

DH Caleb Durbin0-for-3, RS, BB, SB (18)
Durbin is up to 33 stolen bases in 38 attempts between here and Hudson Valley. He has accomplished that in 59 games.His up-to-the-minute K% is 6.5%. That is elite-level stuff.
C Ben Rice: 3-for-4, RBI, RS, SB (5)
Rice is 30-for-90 (.333) in August (6 doubles,1 triple, 7 HR, 23 RBI, 17 R, 8 BB, 16 K, 5-for-6 SB) and has four 3+ hit games this season. He isn’t typically frisky on the basepaths, but let him have his fun. 
1B Agustin Ramirez2-for-4, 2B (2), HR (2), 2 RBI, RS
Ramirez is 15-for-71 (.211/.606 OPS) since his promotion. Overall, he has 19 doubles, 18 homers, and 66 RBI in 100 games between here, Hudson Valley, and Tampa. There is nothing to worry about at all – he continues to make a lot of contact here and the results will follow.
RF Elijah Dunham0-for-4, 2 K
LF Aaron Palensky0-for-4, K
2B Anthony Seigler1-for-3, BB
CF Jeisson Rosario2-for-4, K
SS Max Burt1-for-3, K
3B Eduardo Torrealba0-for-3, 2 K

RHP Matt Sauer: (W, 3-3) 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 5 K
4.03 ERA (44.2 IP, 36 H, 21 R, 20 ER, 6 HR, 21 BB, 54 K)
RHP Tanner Myatt2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
At this level: 3.21 ERA (47.2 IP, 29 H, 20 R, 17 ER, 3 HR, 32 BB, 56 K)
RHP Jack Neely (S, 1): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Since promotion: 11.2 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 2 BB, 15 K. Overall, he has an 89/19 K/BB over 60.1 IP.

Hudson Valley (66-53; 27-26 in the second half) (Defeated Aberdeen, 4-2)

SS Jared Serna1-for-5
Serna now has a 7-game hitting streak.
CF Anthony Hall1-for-3, RS, BB, K
Since promotion: 10-for-58 (.172) with five doubles, a homer, nine walks, and 22 strikeouts.
3B Jesus Rodriguez: 2-for-4, 2B (4), RBI, 2 K
Rodriguez is 19-for-55 (..345/.921 OPS) in 15 games since his promotion. He has four doubles, a homer, 11 RBI, nine walks, and 12 strikeouts.
DH Alexander Vargas0-for-4, 4 K
2B Ben Cowles0-for-3, RS, BB, K
RF Christopher Familia2-for-4, HR (10), RBI, RS
Familia continues to rake. He has 21 HR and 58 RBI in 59 games between here and Tampa. Over the last two years, he has 32 HR and 99 RBI in 116 games. In 38 games since his promotion, he is hitting .267/.344/.500 in 163 PA (4 doubles, 10 HR, 27 RBI, 29 R, 16 BB, 34 K). He will find himself in Somerset in 2024.
C Rafael Flores1-for-3, HR (6), RBI, RS, BB, 2 K
.262/.344/.363 in 392 PA (15 doubles, 6 HR, 35 RBI, 44 R, 43 BB, 101 K)
1B Spencer Henson1-for-4, RBI, 2 K
LF Kyle Battle0-for-3, BB, K

RHP Zach Messinger4.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K
4.29 ERA (92.1 IP, 78 H, 55 R, 44 ER, 13 HR, 48 BB, 111 K). The 23-year-old is doing a good enough job in his first full season of starting (he made 16 starts in his 31 appearances last year)
RHP Anderson Munoz: (W, 1-0)  1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
RHP Harrison Cohen: (S, 1) 2.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, HR
Following this game on GameDay, I got the feeling that Cohen (who tossed 36 pitches) was fighting his way through the 9th. Anyway, he has a 3.76 ERA in 38 IP at this level (29 H, 17 R, 16 ER, 4 HR, 17 BB, 48 K)

Tampa (57-62; 26-27 in the second half) 

They played two games against Palm Beach on Friday. No game today.

FCL Yankees (35-22; 1-2 in the playoffs) (Lost to the Braves, 9-1. The Braves take the championship series, 2-0, as the Yankees season comes to an end. Overall, this was a successful season in the FCL as many prospects performed more than well enough to earn a shot in Tampa. That could come next week or next season. I assume it will be next week for a few of them)

2B Keiner Delgado1-for-4
Delgado followed up his .293/.414/.485 regular season with a 4-for-12 (including two doubles) postseason.
SS George Lombard Jr.: 1-for-4
Lombard hit safely in every game he played in (four regular season games, and three playoff games). Combined, he went 8-for-23 (.348) with a double, seven walks, and four strikeouts.
1B Dylan Jasso1-for-3, RS, BB
In 20 regular season/postseason games, Jasso went 26-for-72 with two home runs and 23 runs batted in. He walked 12 times and struck out six times. A candidate to go to Tampa next week.
CF Willy Montero2-for-4
Montero burst onto the scene last year and did not disappoint this year, hitting .331/.389/.436 in 203 PA while spending a lot of time in CF (27 starts in CF, 18 starts in RF). He followed that up with a 4-for-12 postseason. 
LF Jackson Castillo0-for-3, BB
3B Enmanuel Tejeda0-for-4
Tejeda was one of the most consistent players at this level. After hitting .307/.465/.458 in the regular season, he went 5-for-13 with three RBI in the postseason.
RF John Cruz0-for-4, K
Cruz went 1-for-9 in the postseason, but that doesn’t lessen his productive regular season.
DH Wilson Rodriguez0-for-3, 2 K
  PH Joel Mendez0-for-1, K
C Edinson Duran0-for-4

RHP Carlos Lagrange (L, 0-1): 3.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 3 K
The 6’7″ 20-year-old did enough in the rookie leagues this year to earn his shot at Low-A in 2024. 
LHP Edwar Polimir3.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
The 22-year-old Polimir made his Low-A debut already (8/10) but it was only for a game.
RHP Jordy Luciano0 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 0 K
LHP Pablo Mujica2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

DSL Yankees (33-19)

Their season is over, as they missed the playoffs by a half-game.

DSL Bombers (27-26)

Their season is over.