Minor League Action from 6-23-22. Waldichuk bounces back.

The Prospect listings have been updated with new rankings.

AAA: Ken Waldichuk (#5 prospect) bounced back with a good outing after rough outing last time out.
SWB (28-41) won 7-2. Pitchers combined for 17 K.
RF Estevan Florial 3 hits #29 prospect .295
LF Miguel Andujar 3 hits, RBI
DH Greg Bird 2 hits, RBI
C Rob Brantly 2 hits, 2 RBI
3B Armando Alvarez 3 hits, 2 RBI. 2-run HR (6)

Waldichuk (W, 2-2 in AAA) 5 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 0 W, 8 K. Gave up 1 HR. 1 HBP 2.70 (AAA ERA) #5 prospect
Zack Greene 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 3 K. 3.54
M. Gomez 1 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 W, 1 K. 1 Balk. 4.85
J. Cordero 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 3 K. 1 HBP. 1 WP 4.05
Weissert 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 2 K. 2.96

Waldichuk is 6-2, 1.99 this year between AA/AAA.

AA: Somerset (42-24) won 7-4.
SS Anthony Volpe solo HR (9) #1 prospect .233-9-34
RF Elijah Dunham 2 hits #26 prospect .257 21 SB
DH Josh Breaux 3-run HR (13) #25 prospect .217-13-29
CF Jeisson Rosario 2-run HR (4)

Boyle (W, 4-3) 6 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 1 W, 5 K. Gave up 1 HR. 5.52
Espinal (H, 2) 2 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 W, 1 K. Gave up 1 HR. 2.45
Loseke 1 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 W, 0 K. 1.69

High A: Hudson Valley (34-32) won 6-1.
SS Trey Sweeney 2 RBI #6 prospect .216
1B Eric Wagaman 2 hits, RBI
DH Spencer Henson 2 hits, 3 RBI 3-run HR (6)
RF Pat DeMarco 2 hits.

Castano (W, 2-5) 7 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 4 H, 1 W, 4 K. 1 WP 2.91
Strom 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 W, 1 K. 5.68
J. Munoz 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 W, 0 K. 5.76

Low A: Tampa (27-39) lost 4-3.
CF Jasson Dominguez (The “Martian”) 2 hits. #3 prospect .263, 14 SB
DH Antonio Gomez 2 hits, RBI. #18 prospect .205

Carela (L, 4-2) 4 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 3 W, 8 K. 1 WP. 1 Balk. 2 HBP. 2.47
Cortijo 1 2/3 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 1 W, 3 K. 5.04
Santana 2 IP, 1 R, 0 H, 2 W, 2 K. 1.53
Holloway 1 1/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 0 K. 1 WP 1.64

Minor League Action from 6-22-22. Domingo German on rehab.

AAA: SWB (27-41) lost 4-3.
LF Jose Peraza 2 hits.
DH Rob Brantly 3 for 3

Brito (L, 1-1) 6 2/3 IP, 4 R, 7 H, 2 W, 5 K. Gave up 1 HR. 2.25
Bristo 1 1/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 3 K. 4.78

AA: Somerset (41-24) lost 9-5 in 10 innings.
DH Elijah Dunham 2 hits. #26 prospect .253
CF Brandon Lockridge 2 RBI. Solo HR (5) #17 prospect .238-5-27
LF Jeisson Rosario 2 hits
RF Michael Beltre 2 RBI

Spence 5 IP, 3 R, 2 ER, 5 H, 3 W, 4 K. 2 WP 5.34
Jennings (BS, 1) 1 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 0 W, 1 K. 1 HBP 5.03
Craft 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 2 K. 4.37
Coleman (L, 0-1) 1 2/3 IP, 4 R, 3 ER, 3 H, 0 W, 2 K. Gave up 1 HR. 1 HBP 2.30
Ramirez 1/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 0 K. 2.04

High A: Hudson Valley (33-32) won 4-3.
CF Everson Pereira 2 hits, RBI. #10 prospect .271
C Carlos Narvaez 2 hits, 2 RBI. 2-run HR (6)
RF Aldenis Sanchez 3 hits.

Sauer (W, 4-1) 6 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 3 W, 6 K. 3.08
Alvarez 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 W, 1 K. 1.21
Miller 1 IP, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 H, 2 W, 1 K. 7.11

Low A: Tampa (27-38) lost 4-3 in 10 innings.
RF Grant Richardson solo HR (5)

Domingo German 3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 0 K. 0.00 REHAB ASSIGNMENT
Castro 2 IP, 2 R, 1 H, 4 W, 3 K. 3.72
van Zijll 2 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 W, 2 K. Gave up 1 HR. 2.89
Anderson (L, 2-4) 3 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 H, 0 W, 3 K. 2.23

Game 44. Two rookies lead Yanks to 2-0 win. Lot of moves made.

Before we get to the game, a lot of moves made. The Yanks got Joey Gallo back from the Covid list, but D.J. LeMahieu is still day to day. Giancarlo Stanton went on the IL with what was originally deemed a calf strain but is now being reported as ankle inflammation. Jonathan Loaisiga went on the IL with a shoulder issue. Rob Brantly was designated for assignment. David McKay was brought back up.

Chapman is on the IL. Donaldson still on Covid list, then there is his one game suspension he’s appealing. Higashioka off the covid list and back.

Then there’s the Tommy John surgeries for Chad Green and Luis Gil, and Tim Locastro is still on the IL (back). Ben Rortvedt on the 60-day IL.

Got all that?

Yankees GM Brian Cashman has been busy.

Because of Sunday’s doubleheader, J.P. Sears started last night. It was his third MLB game and first MLB start. He pitched five scoreless innings and was relieved by Ron Marinaccio, who was pitching in just his sixth MLB game. Marinaccio added two scoreless innings in the Yankees (31-13) 2-0 win over Baltimore.

After the game Sears and Estevan Florial were sent back to AAA. Rumor is that Manny Banuelos is on the taxi squad for the next series at Tampa Bay.

The Yankees got both of their runs in the fourth inning. Aaron Judge led off with a double, and one out later, was singled to third by Gleyber Torres. Miguel Andujar singled home Judge, with Torres going to third. Andujar then stole second, and Torres scored when on Andujar’s steal, there was a throwing error by the catcher, Adley Rutschman, a top prospect that Baltimore just called up this past week.

Andujar 2 hits, RBI

Sears (W, 2-0) 5 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 2 W, 5 K. 0.00 3rd MLB game, 1st MLB start. Back to AAA after game.
Marinaccio (H, 1) 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 3 K. 6.75 6th MLB game
Luetge (H, 4) 2/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 W, 1 K. 5.25
Castro (H, 6) 1/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 1 K. 3.29
Holmes (S, 5) 1 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 W, 1 K. 0.38

Games 40 and 41. Offense and Bullpen fail Yanks as they lose both games of a doubleheader.

The Yankees starters, Jameson Taillon and Luis Severino, gave up just one run combined in 14 innings, but the Yankees scored just one run (an Aaron Judge HR) in losing both games of a doubleheader to the Chicago White Sox on Sunday.

The bullpen, like the offense, didn’t come through, and the Yankees got and saw some bad news. Chad Green is done for the season. He needs Tommy John surgery. With Green out, both Aroldis Chapman and Jonathan Loaisiga, both struggling, will need to step it up. Both were the respective losing pitchers today, and Loaisiga’s ERA is now over 7.

Joey Gallo and Kyle Higashioka were out because of Covid. Estevan Florial was up for the DH. Dave McKay and Rob Brantly also came up from AAA.

Game 1: Taillon gave up a run in the fourth, and Judge’s 15th HR of the season tied it in the bottom of the eighth. But in the top of the ninth, Chapman gave up a HR to the leadoff hitter. After a flyout, a walk, WP, PB and double gave Chicago an insurance run. 3-1 loss.

Judge 3 hits, solo HR (15)
Hicks 2 hits, but was picked off at a really bad time (Kiner-Falefa also was picked off in the game)

Taillon 7 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 1 W, 7 K. 2.95
Luetge 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 0 K. 5.73
Chapman (L, 0-2) 1/3 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 1 W, 0 K. 1 WP. Gave up 1 HR. 3.86
Marinaccio 2/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 1 K. 1 WP 9.64

Game 2: The Yankees (29-12) didn’t get a hit (or baserunner) until the sixth inning, and had just three hits in the game. Luis Severino shutout the White Sox for seven innings, but Loaisiga gave up a couple of singles, and then with two out, couldn’t get out of the inning, giving up two more hits for two runs. Miguel Castro then came in and gave up a 3-run HR. 5-0 loss.

Judge had a double, but it seemed today he was the only offense the Yanks had. Others need to help him out.

Severino 7 IP, 0 R, 8 H, 0 W, 5 K. 2 HBP. 3.02
Loaisiga (L, 1-2) 2/3 IP, 4 R, 4 H, 0 W, 1 K. 7.02
Castro 1/3 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 0 W, 0 K. Gave up 1 HR. 3.38
McKay 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 1 K. 0.00 SEASON DEBUT

Minor League Games from 4/28/22. A couple of blowout wins and a squeaker.

AAA: SWB (9-10) won 15-6.
SS Oswald Peraza (#2 prospect) 3 hits, 3 RBI. 3-run HR (2)
OF (LF/CF) Estevan Florial (#30 prospect) 3 hits, 2 RBI
2B Oswaldo Cabrera (#14 prospect) 3 hits, 2 RBI. Solo HR (1)
CF Ender Inciarte 2 hits, 3 RBI
C David Freitas 2 hits, 2 RBI
DH Rob Brantly 2 hits
RF Ryan LaMarre 2 hits

D. Garcia 3 2/3 IP, 5 R, 5 H, 4 W, 3 K. 1 HBP. Gave up 1 HR. 9.00 (#29 prospect)
Nittoli (W, 1-0) 1 2/3 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 W, 3 K. 9.35
Lane (H, 2) 1 2/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 W, 2 K. 2.08
McKay 2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 W, 4 K. 2.25

As nice as the win was, the regression of Deivi Garcia is still concerning. In fact, a lot of top prospects have started out slowly so far.

AA: Somerset (11-7) won 15-3.
SS Anthony Volpe 2 hits, 4 RBI (#1 prospect)
LF Brandon Lockridge 2 hits, 3 RBI. 3-run HR (2) (#18 prospect)
2B Derek Dietrich. 4 RBI. Grand Slam (2)
C Mickey Gasper 2 for 2, 2 walks.
1B Chad Bell 4 for 4, 3 RBI, 3-run HR (1)
3B Jesus Bastidas 2 for 2, 2 walks.

Vasquez 3 1/3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 W, 6 K. 1 WP. (#16 prospect) 2.61
Loseke (W, 3-0) 2 1/3 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 2 W, 5 K. 2 WP. Gave up 1 HR. 2.53
Ernst (H, 1) 2 1/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 2 K. 1.54
Craft 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 2 K. 6.75

High A: Hudson Valley (10-8) lost 2-0. They only had 3 hits.

Barclay (L, 2-2) 4 2/3 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 1 W, 5 K. 1.56
Munoz 4 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 W, 4 K. 6.30
Blanton 1/3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 W, 0 K. 1.50

Low A: Tampa (8-10) won 2-1.
1B Anthony Garcia 2-run HR (5)
3B Marcos Cabrera 2 hits.

Carela (W, 1-0) 6 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 W, 5 K. 1 HBP 0.71
C. Gomez (S, 1) 3 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 0 W, 6 K. 3 WP 1.93

Minor League Report. SWB scores late to win, 5-3.

SWB (2-0), down 3-0, scored twice in the top of the eighth, and three times in the top of the ninth to win, 5-3.

In the eighth, Rob Brantly and Estevan Florial homered. For Florial (ranked Yankees’ #30 prospect), it was his second HR in as many games, and he had two of the Railriders’ five hits.

Brantly hit a SF to tie the game in the ninth, and Ryan LaMarre’s 2-run double was the game winning hit.

#8 Prospect Hayden Wesneski pitched five scoreless innings.

Wesneski 5 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 W, 4 K. 1 WP
Bristo 1 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 W, 0 K.
Greene 2 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 0 W, 3 K. Gave up 1 HR.
Miller (S) 1 P, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 0 K.

Leading off. Josh Donaldson?

When you think of a leadoff hitter, images of Rickey Henderson, Mickey Rivers, Willie Randolph, or a Lou Brock or Maury Wills come to mind. Speedy guys who get on and steal bases.

Even guys like Horace Clarke and Bobby Richardson (and Richardson was NOT a good choice for a leadoff hitter. He hit .266 in his career, never walked, had an OBP of just .299, and even in 1961, with Maris and Mantle hitting 115 HR behind him, only scored 80 runs that year).

But the Yankees’ leadoff hitter this year could be … Josh Donaldson.

We’ll see how it works out. It seems unconventional, but then, for most of the 1950s, the Yankees’ leadoff hitter was Hank Bauer, and Bauer didn’t hit “the mold” either. And LeMahieu isn’t the speed demon, but with averages over .300 in 2019 and 2020, did fine there as far as getting on base for the big guys.

Newly acquired Jose Trevino will be the backup catcher, as the Yankees sent down the trio of Max McDowell, Rob Brantly and David Freitas. Ben Rortvedt is still out with an oblique injury.

Yanks trade Abreu and minor league P to Texas for catching depth in Jose Trevino.

While most of us were consumed by the Final Four last night, Yankees’ GM Brian Cashman was busy making a trade. With Ben Rortvedt most likely missing the start of the season due to an oblique injury, Cashman wanted more catching depth other than David Freitas, Rob Brantly and Max McDowell. He traded RHP Albert Abreu and minor league LHP Robert Ahlstrom to Texas for C Jose Trevino.

In 30 games as a Yankee in 2020 and 2021, Abreu was 2-1, 5.68, ERA+ 77 in 38 IP. He is 26.

Ahlstrom, 22, hasn’t pitched in a minor league game yet, spending last year at the University of Oregon, where he was 9-3, 2.50 in 14 starts.

Trevino, 29, has been with the Rangers from 2018-2021, appearing in 156 games, hitting .245-9-55, OPS+ 70. He bats righty.

S.T. Game 9. 4 HR not enough as Yanks lose, 10-9.

In a game that featured 7 HR, 4 by the Yankees, the Yanks (2-6-1 in spring training) came up short in losing to Toronto Saturday 10-9.

Of all the other teams in the AL East, I think I fear Toronto the most this year. A young, up and coming team that barely missed last year’s postseason despite 91 wins.

Michael King struggled, as did two minor league pitchers in the loss.

Joey Gallo had 2 hits, including a 3-run HR. Rob Brantly had a 3-run HR. Giancarlo Stanton had solo HR, as did Miguel Andujar.

The pitching line:

King 2 2/3 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 1 W, 2 K. Gave up 2 HR.
Luetge 1 1/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 2 K.
Green 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 1 K.
Peralta 1 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 W, 3 K.
Nittoli (BS, L) 2/3 IP, 4 R, 3 H, 1 W, 1 K.
McClain 1 IP, 3 R, 3 H, 1 WS, 0 K. Gave up 1 HR (to ex-Yankee Greg Bird).
Marinaccio 1 1/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 1 K.

Joely Rodgriguez has a neck issue, which contributed to his poor outing the other day.

The Yankees are about to present a multi-year extension to Aaron Judge, and hopefully both sides come to a deal. Judge’s arbitration is still to be decided for this season. He asked for $21MM, the team offered $17MM.

S.T. Game 2. Yanks Tie O’s, 3-3. C hurt. Trade rumors.

The Yanks (0-1-1 in spring training) tied Baltimore 3-3 on Saturday.

Newly acquired C Ben Rortvedt will probably miss the start of the season due to an oblique strain. This opens the door for Rodolfo Duran (who homered in Game 1), David Freitas (who homered yesterday) Max McDowell or Rob Brantly to start the season as Kyle Higashioka’s backup catcher unless the Yanks trade for one.

Speaking of trades, Miguel Andujar is on the block. He’s blocked in the Bronx by Rizzo, Gallo, Donaldson, LeMahieu and Kiner-Falefa. I’d expect him to be dealt soon.

Besides a 2-run HR by Freitas, the Yanks got a solo HR by Josh Donaldson yesterday.

Pitching:

Waldichuk 3 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 0 W, 1 K. a top pitching prospect
Holmes (BS) 2 2/3 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 3 W, 3 K.
Barclay 2 1/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 W, 1 K.
Greene 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 1 K.

Luis Severino is supposed to pitch today in the Yanks first home S.T. game.