It’s time to head back on down to the farm and see how the Yankees prospects are doing.  I figured we’d get one last look before the trade deadline when some of these guys could get moved and disappear from our prospect watch. 

Spencer Jones—Outfielder–AAA Scranton—Shortly after my last prospect watch Jones was promoted to AAA Scranton after tearing up AA since returning from the IL.  Well, he has not only continued to tear up AAA but he has actually gotten better.  In the 16 games since joining Scranton, Jones has hit a mere .426 with 10 home runs (that’s a 100 HR pace), 5 doubles, 20 RBIs, 6 stolen bases and a 1.422 OPS.  That is a ridiculous 16 game stretch.  In his last two he has 8 hits and 3 home runs.  It’s a tiny sample size but it hasn’t just been these few games in AAA.  In his last 49 games he is hitting .333 with 20 homers, 41 RBIs, and 11 doubles.  He is struggling this year against lefties but he is destroying righties.  As I said in my Yankee Land Update, I am not trading this kid unless it is for a well-established young star player.  

George Lombard Jr—Shortstop—AA Summerset—Last time I mentioned that Lombard seemed to be figuring things out at the AA level.  However, after that he went right back to struggling.  He is currently on a 4-game hitting streak in which he has 2 doubles and 2 home runs so maybe he his starting to get going or maybe the Yard Goats pitching just sucks.   Overall, the Yankees number 1 ranked prospect is at .242 with a .378 OBP.  He has 5 home runs, 33 RBIs, 4 triples, 18 doubles, and 25 stolen bases. 

TJ Rumfield–1st Base–AAA Scranton—At some point the Yankees have to move this kid.  I don’t think he is ever going to play in the Bronx as I feel Rice is going to be the starting first baseman next season.  With the year he is having, the 25-year-old has to have some value around the league. Leaving him buried in AAA i snot best for him or the organization.  On the season he is hitting .311 with 11 home runs, 65 RBIs, 24 doubles, and 1 triple.  He is never going to be a big home run guy but that kind of hitting has to be coveted by someone the Yankees can make a trad with, right? 

Brock Selvidge—Pitcher—AA Somerset—Brock has made 4 appearances since last we checked in, 3 starts and a relief appearance.  In that time, he has pitched 16.2 innings and given up 6 runs, 5 earned, and has walk 13 and struck out 13 as he continues to work his way back from injury.  The walk to strikeout ratio still sucks but he has been effective with a 2.70 ERA in those 4 trips to the mound.  Overall, he has a nice 2.92 ERA with 32 Ks and 25 walks in 37 innings.  He has managed to give up 8 unearned runs. The defense behind him seems to be leaving a lot to be desired. 

Carlos Lagrange—Pitcher—AA Somerset—Lagrange continues to impress.  In his 1^st start since last we checked in; he clearly had no control as he walked 7 guys in 4 innings and gave up 4 runs.  His three starts after that, however, were very good.  6 innings, 1 run 10 Ks, 5.1 innings 1 run 8Ks, and 5 innings 0 runs and 7 Ks.  That is a really nice run of starts.  Overall on the year Lagrange has pitched 77.1 innings to a 3.96 ERA.  He as 117 strike outs and 34 walks.  4 of his 16 starts were bad and they killed his ERA but in the other 12 starts the 22-year-old has been great. 

Bryce Cunningham—Pitcher—A+ Hudson Valley—Cunningham is still on the IL and I still have no idea what the injury is.  Hopefully it’s not season ending and he can get back on the mound and start impressing everyone again. 

Jesus Rodriguez—Catcher/3rd Base—AAA Scranton—Jesus has gone into a slump.  While he is on a 10-game hitting streak, it’s been a vitamin streak.  He has hit only .232 in his last 18 games.  He has hit 2 home runs and has 10 RBI in those games.  The home runs tripled his total for the season and the 10 RBIs is a third of his total for the year.  I have a feeling someone told him he needs to hit for more power or he decided he has to and it is costing him big time in the average department.  His walk to K ratio is still very high so at least he is still being patient at the plate.  Personally, I rather have him hit over .300 than swing for the fences every time up.  On the season he is at .294 with 3 Homers, 35 RBIs, 14 doubles, 2 triples, and 14 stolen bases.     

Dylan Jasso—Corner Infielder—AA Summerset—Jasso has been struggling this past month.  In his last 20 games he is hitting .183 with 2 long balls, 7 RBIs, 3 doubles and a triple.  I do not know what happened to cause the slump after he had been cruising along all season.  So far this season he is hitting .261 with 12 homers, 46 RBIs, 13 doubles and 5 triples. 

Griffen Herring—Pitcher—A+ Hudson Valley—Since being promoted to A+ Herring has had just 1 bad outing where he gave up 5 runs in 3 innings.  Aside from that, he has been really good.  In his 3 starts since he has a 2.00 ERA and has struck out 19 in 18 innings.  On the season he has an impressive 1.71 ERA with 102 Ks in 89.1 innings. 

Brennen Davis—Outfield—AAA Scranton—Well, clearly, I jinxed Davis as right after I wrote about him last time he went on the IL and has not played since.  As usual, I have no idea what is wrong with him or for how long he will be out.  As someone who could have been moved or have been a call up if the Yankees moved an outfielder at the deadline, his injury could cost him.  Hopefully he will not be out much longer. 

Well, there you go for another run down of what’s been happening down on the farm.  The trade deadline is 10 days away.  We shall see if any of these guys gets moved or are promoted to fill holes created by other moves.