Yankees prospects: Week four minor league review

Rainy and cold weather in the Northeast this week wreaked havoc on the schedules of the Yankees’ minor league affiliates. The teams saw games delayed, suspended, postponed and cancelled over the course of a stretch that still proved successful on the field, with the teams going a combined 13-6. Injuries at the MLB level continued to create movement around the organization, as players shifted levels and one prominent name took a step towards returning to the Bronx.

Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre RailRiders

Record: 16-6, 1st place in the Triple-A (Northeast); 2 GA

Past Week: 3-1 vs. Buffalo Bisons (Blue Jays)

Upcoming: Home vs. Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Phillies); 13-11

With games both suspended and postponed during the week the RailRiders still maintained their lead in the division by taking three of four games played. Estevan Florial, Deivi García, Albert Abreu, Nick Nelson and Nestor Cortes Jr. each jumped up to the majors and saw various action this week. With the Yankees current offensive struggles, a growing number of fans seem to be finding outfield Trey Amburgey’s name and noticing his hot start. Amburgey returned from an injury this week with a blast, and if he can keep up his hot start to the season, could be in position to earn some major league playing time (though the organization may prefer the prospect Florial). Also returning to the Scranton lineup was first baseman Chris Gittens who missed a handful of games due to the birth of his first child and is clearly on the Yankees major league radar.

Players of Note:

Thomas Milone: 9 G; .361/.410/.472, 4 2B

Hoy Jun Park: 10 G; .371/.476/.629, 2 HR, 3 2B - ISO of .197 way above career average

Brooks Kriske: 5 G; 6.2 IP, 2.70 ERA, 10 K, 3 BB

Sal Romano: 3 G; 4 IP, 0.00 ERA, 3 K, 1 H

Double-A Somerset Patriots

Record: 16-7, 1st place in the Double-A (Northeast); 1.5 GA

Past Week: 3-2 vs. New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Blue Jays)

Upcoming: Home vs. Reading Fightin Phils; 4-20

The Patriots’ pitching staff continued to shine with one notable performance after another this past week. Luis Gil recorded the team’s longest start of the season with a six-inning gem in the second game of Wednesday’s doubleheader. Janson Junk, Greg Weissert, and Stephen Ridings have also continued to standout in the early going of the season. The biggest name in town was Zack Britton, who became the first Yankees player to make a rehab outing in Somerset. Due to weather, the game from Sunday was cancelled and will not be made up, as these teams do not play each other again this season. With no minor league games scheduled on Mondays this season, it seems to be a lock that those off-days will be protected and not used as a chance to squeeze in a game lost due to weather.

Players of Note:

Luis Gil: 3 G; 0.61 ERA, 14.2 IP, 25 K, 8 H, 3 BB

Janson Junk: 4 G; 0.60 ERA, 15.0 IP, 22 K, 9 H, 5 BB

Michael Beltre: 9 G; .421/.476/.789, 3 HR, 2 3B, 2B

Stephen Ridings: 7 G; 8.2 IP, 0.00 ERA, 13 K, 2 H, 1 BB

High-A Hudson Valley Renegades

Record: 13-10, 2nd place in the High-A East (Northern) 2.5 GB

Past Week: 4-1 vs. Jersey Shore Blue Claws (Phillies)

Upcoming: Away vs. Wilmington Blue Rocks (Nationals); 12-12

The Renegades’ pitching staff — led by the top three of Luis Medina, Ken Waldichuk, and Hayden Wesneski — continues to give the team a chance to win every time out. The Hudson Valley staff leads the league in strikeouts and is top-four in ERA, WHIP, and hits. It is fair to wonder how much longer this pitching staff will be together at the High-A level. The offense has been paced by Oswald Peraza, who is leading the league in total bases (53), doubles (8), and steals (15 in 16 attempts). He also reportedly set a career high with a 113-mph exit velocity on a double this week.

Players of Note:

Ken Waldichuk: 5 G, 0.00 ERA, 18.2 IP, 38 K, 8 H, 0.86 WHIP, .131 BAA

Oswald Peraza: 23 G; .323/.400/.570, 5 HR, 8 2B, 15 SB, 1 CS

Ezequiel Duran: 11 G; .348/.375/.717, 2 HR, 3 3B, 5 2B

James Nelson: 6 G; .391/.440/.565, HR, 2B

Low-A Tampa Tarpons

Record: 17-7, 1st place in the Low-A Southeast (West Coast); 2 GA

Past Week: 4-2 vs. Dunedin Blue Jays

Upcoming: Home vs. Lakeland Flying Tigers; 12-12

The Tarpons saw a pair of top Yankees prospects make their season debuts with the team over the past week. Shortstop Josh Smith played in five games for the Tarpons after having his season delayed due to a finger injury. Right-handed pitcher and 2020 fourth-round pick Beck Way made his professional debut as part of Wednesday’s doubleheader. News also broke that Luis Severino could be ready to pitch in his first rehab assignment with the team as early as next week. The Yankees’ first round pick from 2019, Anthony Volpe, had a 440-foot home run this past week and is 11-for-12 in stolen base attempts on the season.

Players of Note:

Jake Sanford: 9 G; .351/.455/.649, 2 HR, 3 2B

Elijah Dunham: 15 G; .306/.477/551, 2 HR, 3B, 4 2B

Josh Smith: 5 G; .278/.435/.611, 2 HR

Trevor Hauver: 11 G; .325/.509/.475, 3B, 4 2B, 14 BB