Yankes Minor League Report 5/4/14: Scranton's Offensive Outburst; Gary Sanchez Hits Another HR; Latest Outing for Banuelos; Caleb Smith Dominates Again

Scranton (Destroyed Norfolk, 16-2)

OF Ramon Flores:  2-for-5, HR (2), 3 RBI, 2 RS, BB, 2 K

.283/.395/.475 in 99 AB.  It may be easy to forget that this kid is only 22 years old.

SS Dean Anna:  3-for-5, 2 2B (2), 3B (2), 3 RBI, 2 RS, BB

8-for-30

OF Zoilo Almonte:  3-for-5, 2B (5), 2 RBI, RS, BB, SB (4)

OF Antoan Richardson: 2-for-3, 2B (1), HR (2), 2 RBI, 3 RS, BB, SB (9)

.286/.419/.429 in 49 AB.  

2B Jose Pirela:  2-for-5, 2B (5), 2 RBI, 2 RS, K

.253/.266/.363.  He was much more interesting when the Yankees attempted (and failed) to turn him into more of a super-utility type.

C Austin Romine:  1-for-5, 2B (2), RBI, RS

How many players can actually watch their average go up with a 1-for-5 day?    Now 6-for-48 (.125)

IF Corban Joseph:  2-for-6, 2B (3), 2 RBI, RS

.217/.257/.304 in 69 AB.   2012:  .276/.375/.456.  Most of that season was spent in Scranton   Looks like his injuries have sapped him of his offensive potential, which is too bad given the state of the major league infield.

IF Zelous Wheeler:  1-for-5, 2 RS, BB, K

RHP Joel De La Cruz (W, 1-0):  6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, HR, 12/0 GO/AO

Triple-A debut for 24-year old.  Combined with Trenton, he is now 4-2 with a 3.44 ERA in 34 innings with a 16/10 K/BB ratio and 2.81 GO/AO.  That is his bread and butter - ground balls.  Given the state of the Yankees infield, it probably wouldn't be too pretty if he were to ever get called up.   He is also the pitcher Cashman wanted to trade for Soriano instead of Black.

Signed as non-drafted FA in 2006, his ERA has dropped lower and lower every season.    That said, big prospect, he is not - but he could receive a shot or two.

RHP Diego Moreno:  2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
RHP Robert Coello:  1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

9.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 8 K

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Trenton (Lost to Richmond, 5-3)

C Gary Sanchez:  1-for-4, HR (4), RBI, RS

.286/.375/.495 in 91 AB.  

2B Robert Refsnyder:  1-for-4, 2B (6), RS

.255/.321/.392 in 102 AB.  13-for-36 (.361) vs. LHP; 13-for-66 (.197) vs. RHP.  

OF Ben Gamel:  0-for-4

Played CF today.  .295/.344/.352 in 122 AB.  

OF Taylor Dugas:  0-for-2, BB, K

.270/.379/.446 in 74 AB.

UTIL Ali Castillo: 0-for-3

.231/.271/.297 in 91 AB.  I don't say much about him (Gee, I wonder why?), but the one thing he supposedly does have is a good glove, which could at least give him small value going forward.

LHP Manny Banuelos:  3 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, HR

18.2 IP, 14 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 3 BB, 21 K, 1 HR.  Still being relegated to three inning stints.

RHP Manny Barreda:  2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR

1.72 ERA; 15.2 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 7 BB, 13 K

LHP Aaron Dott:  2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

2.92 ERA; 12.1 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 HR, 6 BB, 10 K

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Tampa (Lost to Dunedin, 4-3)

CF Jake Cave:  2-for-4, HR (1), RBI, RS, K

3B Dante Bichette:  1-for-4, 2B (9), RS, 2 K

.323 in 96 AB with 12 XBH, 18 walks, and 20 strikeouts.

3B Eric Jagielo:  1-for-4

C/RF Pete O'Brien:  1-for-3, HBP, K

UTIL Zach Wilson:  1-for-3, HR (2), RBI, RS, 2 K

SS Cito Culver:  1-for-4, K

LHP Miguel Sulbaran:  5 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, HR

Nice Yankees debut for the 20-year old, acquired in the Eduardo Nunez trade.  Sulbaran throws in the low-90s.  His best off-speed offering is a curveball, and he also is developing a change and a slider.  Obviously, developing one (or even both!) of those pitches will play a big role in his future.   Was 9-4 with a 2.96 ERA in 112.2 innings last year, striking out 101 while walking 32.  Smallish (5'10"), which could be a factor in why he has been traded twice in the past few years for marginal major league talent.   Regardless, getting an arm like this for a player like Nunez is a deal you make every single day.

LHP Dietrich Enns:  1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K

1.10 ERA; 16.1 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 7 BB, 16 K

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Charleston (Defeated Delmarva, 3-0)

SS Abiatal Avelino:  2-for-4, 2B (7), RS

Hitting .296 with 7 doubles, 1 triple, no home runs, five runs batted in, seven walks, and 11 strikeouts.  He has stolen 11 out of 15.

2B/SS Tyler Wade:  0-for-4, 2 K

2B Gosuke Katoh:  0-for-3, RS, BB, K, SB (8)

Has already doubled his stolen base output from last year, in 27 less games.  

OF Aaron Judge:  0-for-3, BB, K

.327 in 98 AB with six XBH, 17 walks, and 21 strikeouts.

3B Miguel Andujar:  0-for-4, RBI, K

OF Michael O'Neill:  0-for-4, 2 K

This guy is in Estee Harris territory.    He has struck out an amazing 42 times in 99 AB.

UTIL John Murphy:  1-for-4, RBI

Played LF tonight, and has played all four IF positions.  Versatility is rarely a bad thing.

C Kale Sumner:  1-for-2, 2B (2), 2 BB

1B Mike Ford:  1-for-3, 2B (3), RS, BB

LHP Caleb Smith (W, 3-1):  6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K

Get the hype machine rolling.  Last 4 starts (which includes his 1-inning start last time out that got suspended due to rain):  18.1 IP, 7 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 26 K.  Overall, he has a 0.66 ERA in 27.1 innings, with 13 hits allowed, nine walks, and 33 strikeouts.

RHP Giovanny Gallegos (S, 1):  3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K

3.81 ERA in 28.1 IP with 27 hits allowed, seven walks, and 29 strikeouts.   He was simply piggy backing today - I don't think I have heard anything to suggest he is going to be moving to the bullpen.