It’s been way to long since last I wrote and we are way over due to check in with the guys down in the Yankees minor leagues.  But that’s not too bad as it gives the guys a chance to log some games and gives us a better sample size to see what they are bringing to the field.  So let’s dive in and see how things are going down on the farm. 

Spencer Jones—Outfielder–AA Somerset—Jones did not get off to a good start this year at all.  Last time we checked in he was hitting just .228.  He did have 9 homeruns and 16 RBIs in his first 26 games.  His struggles continued for a while and he had an IL stint last month, but now it seems as if he has figured things out.  Jones has hits in 9 of his last 10 games and is batting .323 in June.  He brought his average up to .272 and he is up to 15 home runs and 30 RBIs in just 46 games.  That’s a 52 and 105 pace.  He is also up to 8 doubles and 10 stolen bases.  It’s great to see him figure things out and start moving closer to his potential.  Especially as the trade deadline approaches.  Just saying. 

George Lombard Jr—Shortstop—AA Summerset—The just turned 20-year-old Lombard got off to a hot start to the year and was promoted to AA just as I put out my last prospect report.  He struggled at first to adjust to him new level.  In his first 121 at bats for Somerset he hit just .206.  In his last 7 games, however, he is hitting .285 with a home run a triple and 2 doubles to go along with 5 RBIs and 2 stolen bases.  On the year he is hitting .260 with 3 home runs, 27 RBIs, 12 doubles, 4 triples, and 24 stolen bases.  He has walked 51 times and struck out 66.  That’s a good ratio.  He has an OBP of .406.   Lombard has mostly been playing his natural shortstop position in AA.  Now that he seems to be feeling a lot more comfortable at his new level, it might be time to start playing him at 3^rd and 2nd more as they seem to be where his path to the Majors lies. 

TJ Rumfield–1st Base–AAA Scranton—TJ continues to have a good but not spectacular season.  The 25-year-old lefty hitting Rumfield had a big May hitting .343 but has come back down to Earth and has hit .260 so far in June.  In half the at bats, he is hitting better against lefties that righties, .298 vs .273.  He also hits a lot better at home, .316, than on the road, .250.  On the year he is at .278 with 9 long balls, 42 RBIs, 16 doubles, and a triple. 

Brock Selvidge—Pitcher—AA Somerset—Guess who made his return to the mound since last we checked in.  Selvidge is slowly making his way back from the injury that has kept him out since midway through last season, but it seems to be going just sine for the 22-year-old south paw.  Brock has made 6 starts so far and is clearly on a pitch count as he has only thrown 20.1 innings in those starts.  He has a respectable 3.10 ERA and has struck out 19 batters.  He has walked 12 batters so it would seem his control is taking it’s time returning.  Hopefully Selvidge will remain healthy and continue to regain the form that made him a prospect worth keeping an eye on. 

Carlos Lagrange—Pitcher—A+ Hudson Valley— Carlos has pitched so well since last time that he has gotten himself promoted to AA Somerset.  The 22-year-old righty had only one bad start in A+ ball before getting his promotion.  He has however, much like Lombard, struggled a bit when first arriving at his new level.  In his first two starts he gave up 3 and 5 runs in 6 and 4 innings respectfully.  His last outing is what you want to see.  5.1 innings 1 run, 3 hits, 2 walks and 12 strikeouts.  The 6’7” Lagrange’s fast ball can top out at 101 mph.  However, he is still working on his complimentary pitches.  If he can get them working for him consistently, he could be one hell of an arm for the Yanks.  On the season he has a 4.42 ERA in 57 innings over 11 starts.  He has walked 20 and struck out 84 batters. 

Bryce Cunningham—Pitcher—A+ Hudson Valley—The 22-year-old right has found himself on the IL since the first week of June.  As you know from reading my other prospect updates, information on Minor League injuries is scarce at best.  What his injury is and how long he will be out for, I have no idea.  Hopefully it is nothing major.  Before said injury, Cunningham was pitching great.  In 46.2 innings he has a 1.93 ERA and has struck out 47 batters.  Hopefully he is able to come back soon. 

Jesus Rodriguez—Catcher/3^rd Base—AAA Scranton—The 23-year-old righty continues to hit for the Railriders.  He still has no power but his ability to hit for average is not to be over looked.  He is currently hitting .312 with 1 home run, 12 doubles and 2 triples.  He is hitting righties and lefties at the same rate but hits much better at home, .347, than away, .276.  This seems to be a bit of a pattern for the young guys.  I feel he will need to get his slugging percentage up a bit (.393) for the Yankees to even consider him at the next level. 

Dylan Jasso—Corner Infielder—AA Summerset—Jasso added second base to his defensive resume in May but has only played the corners in June.  The 22-year-old is heating up again as he had a nice 9 game hit streak broken up by two 0-fers before getting 2 hits in each of his last two games.  In June he is batting .297 with 2 homers, 3 triples, 2 doubles, and 12 RBIs.  Oddly, he has reverse splits as he is hitting righties well (.316) but struggling mightily against lefties (.214).  You would think hitting lefties is something he can figure out.  If he does, he would become a very good hitter.  On the season Jasso is hitting .284 with 10 dingers, 10 doubles, 4 triples, and 39 RBIs. 

Griffen Herring—Pitcher—A Tampa—As I mentioned last time, the dominant Herring wasn’t long for Tampa.  After his hot start he was promoted to A+ Hudson Valley where he has continued to dominate.  In 4 starts in Hudson Valley he has given up only 2 runs in 23.2 innings.  Over which time he as struck out 20 batters and walked 7.  He has a 0.76 ERA since the promotion.  Over all the 22-year-old lefty has a 1.05 ERA with 78 Ks in 68.1 innings.  If he keeps this up, he will not finish the season in Hudson Valley. 

Brennen Davis—Outfield—AAA Scranton—Davis is 25 and I don’t know if I would consider him a prospect but I wanted to add him because he is tearing it up right now.  Davis was signed as a free agent after starting his career in the Cubs organization.  He was not anything worth noting as a Cub.  However, since becoming a Yankee, things have turned around for him.  In 29 games he is hitting .340 with 12 homers 5 doubles, and 24 RBIs.  Now obviously it’s a small sample size but it is worth noting.   I mean that’s a 67 homer, 134 RBI pace.  My guess is that he will come crashing down to Earth by the time I write my next Prospect Watch.  Hopefully he won’t but I wouldn’t bet on him continuing at this pace.  Maybe he can sustain it just long enough for the Yankees to include him in a trade for someone to help at the Major League level. 

Well, there you have it.  Things are looking good for the Yankees minor leagues.  Hopefully it won’t take me as long to head back down to the farm and check things out again.