Yankees prospects: Week 14 minor league review

With COVID and injuries picking apart the Yankees’ roster, there have been a lot of moving pieces once again across the minor league system. The Yankees’ top four minor league affiliates remain in first place despite a number of moving pieces over the last few weeks. Rehabbing major leaguers are all over the minor league system right now, and they should give the teams a boost as they work their way back to the big league club.

Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre RailRiders

Record: 49-30, 1st Place in the Triple-A (Northeast); 1.0 GA

Past Week: 2-4 vs. Worcester Red Sox

Upcoming: Home vs. Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Phillies); 37-44

The RailRiders struggled to maintain a full roster this past week as multiple players headed up to the big league club as COVID replacements. Scranton countered a rehabbing Chris Sale by baffling the Worcester batters with infielder Brandon Wagner, who pitched twice over the past week, tossing 2.1 innings and only giving up one unearned run. Andrew Velazquez earned his recent call-up to the majors as he has come on strong over the last month, and is currently leading the Triple-A East in stolen bases with 26 in just 29 attempts on the season.

Players of Note:

Andrew Velazquez: 28 G; .330/.425/.557, 3 HR, 3 3B, 7 2B, 14 SB

Sean Boyle: 1 G; 4 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 5 K – Triple-A Debut

Brian Keller: 3 G; 0.00 ERA, 5 IP, 7 K, 1 BB – 37 BB in his previous 38.1 IP this year

Donny Sands: 13 G; .283/.358/.522, 3 HR, 2 2B

Double-A Somerset Patriots

Record: 51-32, 1st place in the Double-A (Northeast); 1.5 GA

Past Week: 3-3 vs. Bowie Baysox (Orioles)

Upcoming: Home vs. Portland Sea Dogs (Red Sox); 49-33

It was a star-studded week in Somerset as a rehabbing Luis Severino helped toss a no-hitter on Sunday evening. He was helped by Shawn Semple and Ron Marinaccio in the effort that was a ninth-inning walk away from being a perfect game. Also playing in Somerset over the past week were Clarke Schmidt and Chris Gittens, who are both coming back from injuries of their own and could be in play to help the Yankees this season if needed. Schmidt will pitch again for Somerset on Tuesday night, and two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber is also scheduled to being a rehab assignment in Somerset on Thursday.

Players of Note:

Brandon Lockridge: 23 G; .326/.369/.547; 6 HR, 3 2B, 6 SB

Ron Marinaccio: 22 G; 1.82 ERA, 39.2 IP, 17 H, 19 BB, 64 K

Oswald Peraza: 30 G; .320/.360/.508, 5 HR, 3B, 7 2B, 8 SB

Shawn Semple: 4 G; 0.96 ERA, 18.2 IP, 7 H, 30 K

High-A Hudson Valley Renegades

Record: 53-31, 1st place in the High-A East (Northern); 9.0 GA

Past Week: 3-3 vs. Brooklyn Cyclones (Mets)

Upcoming: Home vs. Jersey Shore BlueClaws (Phillies); record 37-46

The Renegades are in a transition period as several key members of their pitching staff received promotions in Jhony Brito, Josh Maciejewski, and Sean Boyle. On a positive note, Mitch Spence and Randy Vasquez had great performances this past week, cutting a swath through the Brooklyn Cyclones. Anthony Volpe continues to be one of the fastest-rising prospects in baseball, and has surpassed Jasson Dominguez as the Yankees’ top prospect in the eyes of some observers.

Players of Note:

Anthony Volpe: 22 G; .318/.400/.591, 5 HR, 9 2B, 5 SB

Jake Sanford: 21 G; .313/.360/.518, 4 HR, 3B, 3 2B

Randy Vasquez: 3 G; 1.56 ERA, 17.1 IP, 15 H, 3 BB, 30 K

Mitch Spence: 15 G; 3.14 ERA, 63 IP, 55 H, 21 BB, 72 K

Low-A Tampa Tarpons

Record: 56-26, 1st place in the Low-A Southeast (West Coast); 6.0 GA

Past Week: 2-3 vs. Jupiter Hammerheads (Marlins)

Upcoming: Home vs. Clearwater Threshers (Phillies); 38-41 record

It took 14 weeks, a rain-shortened series, and a lineup that at times did not include a single player from opening day due to promotions and trades, but the Tampa Tarpons lost their first series of the season this past week. Despite the promotions of Jake Sanford and Everson Pereira, the team continues to get big production out of their outfield positions with Aldenis Sanchez and Ryder Green both staying hot over the last few weeks. In addition, 2020 fourth-round pick Beck Way has put together two strong starts in a row and is looking like he is gaining steam as the season progresses.

Players of Note:

Jasson Dominguez: 18 G; .250/.321/.403, 2 HR, 3B, 3 2B

Aldenis Sanchez: 17 G; .433/.514/.550, 7 2B

Ryder Green: 14 G; .380/.439/.580, 2 HR, 4 2B

Beck Way: 2 G; 10 IP, 0.90 ERA, 14 K, 6 H, 3 W

Florida Complex League Yankees: L, 2-12 (6) vs. FCL Blue Jays

SS Alexander Vargas: 0-3, 3 K
CF Raimfer Salinas: 0-3, K, E
C Antonio Gomez: 1-3, K
DH Anthony Garcia: 1-3, R, 2 K
3B Marcos Cabrera: 0-1, 2 BB, R
1B Steven Sensley: 0-2, E
1B Nelson Gomez: 1-1, 2B, 2 RBI
2B Jose Colmenares: 0-3, 2 K
RF Jake Pries: 0-2, BB, K

Connor Pellerin: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 1 K, Balk
Yorlin Calderon: 1.2 IP, 8 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 2 BB, 2 K – Rough stateside debut
Jarod Lessar: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Game called early due to lightning; second game of doubleheader postponed

Dominican Summer League Yankees 1: L, 1-5 vs. DSL Phillies Red

SS Hans Montero: 0-4, 2 K, 2 E
CF Fidel Montero: 1-4, 2B, 2 K
LF Felix Negueis: 0-4, 3 K
3B Enger Castellano: 0-3, BB, SB, 3 K, E
C Manuel Palencia: 1-4, 2 K
LF Alan Mejia: 2-4, HR
1B Omar Martinez: 1-4, SB, 2 K, E
LF Christopher Familia: 0-4, 2 K
2B Jared Serna: 3-4, PO

Miguel Pozo: 3.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 4 K
Allen Facundo: 3.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, 2 WP
Ruben Castillo: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

Dominican Summer League Yankees 2: L, 2-11 vs. DSL Colorado

2B Brenny Escanio: 1-4, 2B, K - .315/.448/.574, acquired from Brewers for J.P. Feyereisen in September 2019
SS Dayro Perez: 0-4, 2 SB, PO, 3 K, E
DH Ramiro Altagracia: 0-4, 4 K
LF Joel Mendez: 0-4, 3 K
C Jesus Rodriguez: 0-2 K, E
C Edinson Duran: 0-2, 2 K
RF Mauro Bonifacio: 2-3, HR, K
3B Ronny Rojas: 0-3, 2 K
1B Miguel Torres: 1-3, HR, K

Franklin Corniel: 3.0 IP, 8 H, 9 R, 7 ER, 4 BB, 1 HBP, 4 K, 3 WP, E
Jan Pena: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 4 K, WP