Welcome to the 14th version of the 2024 weekly minor league roundup, the place I review every Yankees affiliate from the week earlier than and the prospects taking part in there. Please notice that there gained’t be protection for the DSL squads this week, as neither crew performed final week. Sadly, we misplaced a great good friend this weekend in Agustin Ramirez, however we charge onward!
Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
Record: 13-14 (2nd half), 4.5 GB within the International League East after going 5-2 in opposition to the Worcester Red Sox
Run differential: +6
Coming up: Home for six video games in opposition to the Louisville Bats (Reds) beginning Tuesday, July thirtieth
The RailRiders have performed uninspiring baseball for the reason that departures of a number of key gamers, however final week was a step in the proper route. They pieced collectively wins by means of a number of bullpen video games with Duane Underwood getting two opening assignments, however the offense got here by means of in an impactful method. The lineup, spearheaded by good performances from a litany of gamers, scored the second most runs within the International League final week (49). Brandon Lockridge was the star, as he slashed an spectacular .458/.536/.583. He didn’t produce any homers as traditional, however his slash-and-dash skillset will probably be of worth to a crew within the majors. He appears like a right-handed, weight-reduction plan model of early-career Brett Gardner.
Oscar Gonzalez, T.J. Rumfield, Taylor Trammell, and Oswald Peraza every had robust weeks as properly. I believe Peraza is prone to be dealt earlier than Wednesday’s deadline, prone to a crew that has little center infield depth within the majors.
I wish to host a transient second of silence for Agustin Ramirez’s departure.
I hate that commerce for the Yankees, man. Ugh!
On the brighter aspect, Jasson Domínguez returned from the injured checklist and received two video games in Scranton. He appeared rusty, however that’s to be anticipated after lacking a first rate chunk of time with an indirect/rib harm.
As I discussed earlier than, the pitching employees yielded strong albeit unspectacular outcomes as their pitching employees battles by means of accidents. Will Warren had yet one more encouraging six innings final week, and it appears he’s finding his sinker on the sides far more successfully than to start the season. ABS has suppressed his worth, however I believe he’s a candidate to carry out higher within the bigs the place human umpires will call sinkers and sweepers in his favor.
Hitting Prospects of Note: AAA
Name
PA
AVG
OBP
SLG
wRC+
HR
R
RBI
Okay%
BB%
SB
Name
PA
AVG
OBP
SLG
wRC+
HR
R
RBI
Okay%
BB%
SB
T.J. Rumfield
312
.290
.343
.465
106
11
46
49
17.63%
6.73%
3
Carlos Narvaez
308
.269
.386
.443
118
9
45
47
25.32%
14.61%
8
Brandon Lockridge
259
.295
.405
.382
114
0
37
32
23.94%
15.06%
34
Oswald Peraza
240
.239
.343
.317
78
3
32
25
23.75%
12.50%
15
Jorbit Vivas
217
.247
.383
.385
108
5
30
24
18.43%
14.29%
12
Caleb Durbin (IL)
215
.299
.413
.458
132
3
34
36
9.77%
13.95%
20
Jasson Dominguez
47
.356
.383
.556
141
2
7
5
19.15%
2.13%
2
Pitching Prospects of Note: AAA
Name
GS
IP
ERA
Okay%
Okay-BB%
BABIP
Name
GS
IP
ERA
Okay%
Okay-BB%
BABIP
Will Warren
20
95.2
6.11
27.06%
18.82%
.325
Yoendrys Gomez
15
55.2
4.20
25.74%
11.39%
.248
Clayton Beeter (IL)
7
32
2.53
32.84%
17.16%
.235
Jack Neely
0
10.2
3.37
26.67%
17.78%
.333
Double-A Somerset Patriots
Record: 16-11 (second half), .5 GB within the Eastern League Northeast after going 2-4 in opposition to the Portland Sea Dogs (Red Sox)
Run differential: +15
Coming up: Away for six video games in opposition to the Bowie Baysox (Orioles) beginning Tuesday, July thirtieth
This was a robust week for the Patriots, who dropped a sequence in opposition to one of the higher groups within the Eastern League in Portland. The pitching was midway first rate, accumulating an even 3.00 ERA throughout 57 innings. Ben Shields had two begins that yielded seven runs throughout 9.1 innings, although solely 4 had been earned. His strikeout fee has surprisingly impressed since his promotion to Somerset, as he’s sitting 92-94 along with his heater and displaying off a deep arsenal. How was this man undrafted?
Zach Messinger, who I ranked inside my prime 15 prospects in my midseason replace, had a high quality outing by going six innings whereas surrendering only one run. He doesn’t have the nastiest arsenal, however he’s received a back-end main league starter’s repertoire. Jesús Liranzo shouldn’t be a prospect, however in analysis, I found his nickname is “The Sushi”. I couldn’t discover an article explaining why that’s his nickname, however what a nickname certainly.
The Patriots’ offense fell flat this week, scoring simply 21 runs which was among the many worst within the EL final week. Pretty a lot everybody other than Rafy Flores had a tough displaying on the plate – Spencer Jones included. Aside from placing out an excessive amount of, Flores has made an impression in his time with Somerset, because the hybrid catcher and first baseman is displaying spectacular home run energy when he makes contact. His contact charges have improved since his promotion from Hudson Valley, which lends credence to the concept that he’s too passive at swinging inside the zone. Aside from Flores, not a single different hitter in Somerset’s major lineup had an OPS north of .746 (Alexander Vargas). This was a tough displaying for a squad that’s misplaced some important offensive expertise for the reason that begin of the season.
Hitting Prospects of Note: AA
Name
PA
AVG
OBP
SLG
wRC+
HR
R
RBI
Okay%
BB%
SB
Name
PA
AVG
OBP
SLG
wRC+
HR
R
RBI
Okay%
BB%
SB
Benjamin Cowles
378
.294
.376
.472
141
9
52
51
17.72%
10.32%
14
Spencer Jones
373
.234
.316
.398
104
11
50
49
37.27%
10.19%
19
Tyler Hardman
145
.191
.264
.321
69
5
16
15
41.38%
8.97%
4
Rafael Flores
113
.232
.327
.414
114
5
15
12
31.86%
11.50%
2
Jesus Rodriguez
31
.192
.323
.308
91
1
3
2
12.90%
9.68%
0
Pitching Prospects of Note: AA
Name
GS
IP
ERA
Okay%
Okay-BB%
BABIP
Name
GS
IP
ERA
Okay%
Okay-BB%
BABIP
Bailey Dees
19
101
4.28
24.47%
15.76%
.264
Zach Messinger
18
107.2
3.76
23.45%
15.49%
.273
Trystan Vrieling
18
101.2
5.31
21.09%
13.38%
.322
Brock Selvidge
16
84.2
4.25
22.43%
11.62%
.306
Ben Shields
4
21.2
2.08
25.00%
14.13%
.298
High-A Hudson Valley Renegades
Record: 13-16 (second half), 4.5 GB within the South Atlantic League League North after going 2-4 in opposition to the Wilmington Blue Rocks (Nationals)
Run differential: -15
Coming up: Home for six video games in opposition to the Jersey Shore Blue Claws (Phillies) beginning Tuesday, July thirtieth
After a sequence of promotions and the departure of Jared Serna by way of the Jazz Chisholm commerce, the Renegades’ offense is trying as gentle as ever in 2024. Alas, their 18 runs scored in six video games (tied for final within the SAL) in opposition to a good Wilmington employees summarizes their incapability to put up huge offensive numbers. Making issues worse, Serna and Josh Moylan had been the one hitters doing a lot of something final week, solely solidifying my issues for the remainder of the season. Moylan has popped up in these weekly roundups a couple of occasions as a disciplined hitter with middling energy. He had a large week, the place he popped three homers and slugged .294/.333/.824 throughout 5 video games.
There had been some encouraging performances on the pitching entrance, although, with Kyle Carr and Cam Schlittler posting spectacular traces. Both surrendered one run of their outings, with Carr going 5 and Schlittler seven innings. Schlittler has impressed all season long, and there isn’t a lot left for him to show in Hudson Valley. Carr has been far more inconsistent, however the mechanics appear to have improved from the beginning of the season when he was throwing cross-body, concurrently sapping his velocity and command upside.
I do assume Cam Schlittler is prepared for Double-A. His ERA is down to a 2.64 ERA in 16 begins with 99 strikeouts in 81.2 innings. The 23-year-old was picked within the seventh spherical in 2022 out of Northeastern.— Yankees Prospect Watch (@NYY_Prospects) July 28, 2024
Yankees eleventh ranked prospect LHP Kyle Carr was sharp final night time, with 5 innings of one-run ball and 6 strikeouts. Carr has allowed simply 3 hits and 1 run over his final 10 innings. #Renegades #HVR30 5 IP | 3 H | 1 ER | 6 SO | 1 BB | 72-50 pic.twitter.com/lsfVVrrn65— Dugout Station (@DugoutStation) July 26, 2024
Hitting Prospects of Note: A+
Name
PA
AVG
OBP
SLG
wRC+
HR
R
RBI
Okay%
BB%
SB
Name
PA
AVG
OBP
SLG
wRC+
HR
R
RBI
Okay%
BB%
SB
Jace Avina
342
.250
.330
.403
108
8
39
41
27.19%
9.06%
4
Roc Riggio
337
.227
.357
.392
116
7
53
28
17.80%
14.84%
17
Omar Martinez
323
.231
.365
.402
122
11
37
34
22.60%
17.03%
0
Christopher Familia
97
.174
.258
.279
57
2
9
12
28.87%
7.22%
0
Pitching Prospects of Note: A+
Name
GS
IP
ERA
Okay%
Okay-BB%
BABIP
Name
GS
IP
ERA
Okay%
Okay-BB%
BABIP
Kyle Carr
17
72
5.75
19.81%
6.19%
.327
Cam Schlittler
16
81.2
2.64
29.64%
18.56%
.250
Cole Ayers
0
52.1
3.27
28.96%
20.36%
.308
Mason Vinyard
0
32.1
3.90
31.94%
18.06%
.333
Low-A Tampa Tarpons
Record: 16-12 (second half), 3 GB within the Florida State League West after going 5-1 in opposition to the Clearwater Thrashers (Phillies)
Run differential: +17
Coming up: Away for six video games in opposition to the Lakeland Flying Tigers (Tigers) beginning Tuesday, July thirtieth
Oh heck yeah! It’s been a month since I lined the Tarpons in a weekly roundup, however they’ve ascended in July after three depressing months to start the season. On the heels of some breakout performances, Tampa has come alive within the second half of the season. Most of that has come by way of excellent pitching, particularly from the likes of Luis Serna, Cade Smith, and Josh Grosz. Each had spectacular showings in opposition to a good Clearwater lineup that, whereas not fairly as robust for the reason that promotion of prime prospect Aidan Miller, continues to be a good group. Each of the three has been talked about at varied factors all through my roundup sequence, however I’ll carry more consideration to Grosz right here since I’ve given him the least quantity of airtime. He has a fastball that may contact 96 with middling life within the zone, however his bread and butter are his secondaries. Both his changeup and slider have been weapons when situated in good spots, although his command has come and gone all through the season. When he’s on, he appears like one of the more attention-grabbing arms in your entire system.
Chase Hampton continues to ramp back up and is slowly seeing his velocity and command tick up. While he’s nonetheless not 100%, his fastball velocity has improved and his breaking pitches look sharper. I’m intrigued by the cutter he’s displaying, and it’s been the second-most used pitch during his rehab project.
Somewhat amazingly, not a single Tarpons batter had an OPS above .701 final week. Some of that’s the FSL park elements kicking in, that are notoriously pitcher-friendly, however the Tarpons had been quiet final week regardless. There was some hype round Roderick Arias present process a breakout earlier this month, however I’ve seen nothing completely different from a mechanical or analytical perspective that helps that thesis. He’s nonetheless swinging and lacking at horrifying clips and is chasing. If something, he’s lifting the ball more. Lakeland owns one of the higher pitching staffs within the league, so I’ll be curious to see if they will string collectively higher at-bats collectively this week.
Hitting Prospects of Note: A
Name
PA
AVG
OBP
SLG
wRC+
HR
R
RBI
Okay%
BB%
SB
Name
PA
AVG
OBP
SLG
wRC+
HR
R
RBI
Okay%
BB%
SB
Roderick Arias
405
.222
.319
.365
99
7
55
52
32.84%
11.60%
26
Dylan Jasso
380
.237
.326
.392
108
9
45
53
25.53%
9.47%
1
George Lombard Jr.
345
.235
.354
.349
109
4
43
33
24.06%
13.62%
28
Jackson Castillo
317
.258
.388
.414
134
7
50
29
19.56%
17.35%
16
Pitching Prospects of Note: A
Name
GS
IP
ERA
Okay%
Okay-BB%
BABIP
Name
GS
IP
ERA
Okay%
Okay-BB%
BABIP
Luis Serna
16
68.2
5.64
27.46%
19.32%
.324
Cade Smith
16
82.2
3.48
32.06%
20.88%
.274
Gabriel Barbosa
14
92.1
4.87
24.11%
17.01%
.322
Josh Grosz
14
73
4.19
29.34%
20.82%
.333
Chase Hampton
3
9.2
3.72
22.22%
16.67%
.130
Florida Complex League Yankees
Record: 35-22, 1 game up within the Florida Complex League North
Run differential: +13
The FCL Yankees continued their string of profitable seasons with out a championship, having clinched the FCL North title but again however being eradicated by the Pirates within the semifinals on Saturday afternoon. From a pitching perspective, I believe the largest standouts on the roster had been simply Danny Flatt and Sabier Marte, who I marked as a potential breakout candidate earlier than the FCL season started. Flatt has some arm power however is a candidate to be taught a sinker or cutter, as I worry his four-seamer has dead-zone traits. His sweeper is a actual dandy, although, and it’ll be a weapon he can leverage up the ladder. Marte’s report can be found here, however he continued to hone his command as evidenced by his robust stroll fee (7.8%).
Engelth Urena struggled for the primary month-plus of the season, however the underlying knowledge advised a breakout was coming. Sure enough, he solidified himself as one of the very best gamers on the squad alongside Brian Sanchez – who was acquired alongside Jace Avina within the Jake Bauers deal – and the just lately traded Abraham Ramirez. Urena follows within the footsteps of uncooked power-led backstops earlier than him with questionable defensive aptitude behind the dish. He will possible land inside my top-15 prospect checklist within the offseason.
As talked about earlier than, Brian Sanchez was additionally a nice shock, slashing .306/.394/.514 whereas slugging 4 homers. He’s become what I’d hoped Brando Mayea would, and he’s firmly forward of Mayea in my inner rankings now. There’s nonetheless a worrying stage of contact means, however the uncooked juice, velocity, and defensive aptitude give him a fascinating ground.
Hitting Prospects of Note: CPX
Name
PA
AVG
OBP
SLG
wRC+
HR
R
RBI
Okay%
BB%
SB
Name
PA
AVG
OBP
SLG
wRC+
HR
R
RBI
Okay%
BB%
SB
Edgleen Perez
216
.283
.444
.380
138
2
35
24
16.20%
20.83%
4
Brian Sanchez
198
.306
.394
.514
143
4
40
32
20.71%
11.62%
16
Juan Matheus
196
.321
.429
.488
150
5
30
40
14.29%
14.80%
10
Engelth Urena
162
.301
.420
.564
161
8
34
31
11.73%
14.81%
5
Joel Mendez
158
.292
.405
.569
155
6
28
30
26.58%
16.46%
2
Josue Gonzalez
154
.240
.396
.446
133
6
20
22
19.48%
14.29%
4
Pitching Prospects of Note: CPX
Name
GS
IP
ERA
Okay%
Okay-BB%
BABIP
Name
GS
IP
ERA
Okay%
Okay-BB%
BABIP
Danny Flatt
6
36.2
3.19
22.98%
10.56%
.280
Sabier Marte
5
49
2.76
21.36%
13.59%
.241
Carlos Lagrange
3
6.2
6.75
25.81%
3.23%
.200
Jordarlin Mendoza
2
14.1
3.14
32.43%
17.57%
.400
Henry Lalane
1
6.1
4.26
24.00%
8.00%
.143
Chris Kean
1
20.2
1.31
38.03%
33.80%
.150
Prospect of the Week: Brandon Lockridge
MLB Photos- USA TODAY NETWORK
Lockridge secures his first participant of the week distinction for the season, along with his absurd slash line as beforehand outlined. While his energy isn’t his robust swimsuit, he has hit a ball 110 mph this season, which isn’t nothing. His low launch angle method works properly for his speed-driven profile, and the 110 max exit velocity suggests he may very well be a gap-to-gap weapon if all of it shakes out.