Robo Flo: Rafael Flores forged new path in first full pro season
Hudson Valley Renegades catcher Rafael Flores had the kind of first full professional season that many Minor Leaguers envision and hope to execute when they arrive at spring training every February. At season's end, Flores finished second on the Renegades with a .259 batting average in 105 games played. He
Hudson Valley Renegades catcher Rafael Flores had the kind of first full professional season that many Minor Leaguers envision and hope to execute when they arrive at spring training every February.
At season's end, Flores finished second on the Renegades with a .259 batting average in 105 games played. He also amassed 15 doubles, eight home runs and 41 RBIs while scoring 49 runs. Flores was happy where his game was been this season.
“I’ve been having a good season so far,” the Anaheim, CA native stated in an interview in early August, infamously the dog days of summer. “The biggest thing I’ve learned is to stay healthy…that’s one of the biggest things a lot of players overlook.”
Health was something that stuck with Flores for the remainder of the season, and he noted the opportunities that he’s been afforded on the field: “I’ve been able to stay on the field and get as many at-bats as I can and trying to take the most out of the opportunities that I get.”
The at-bats this season were crucial for Flores. The 22-year-old was signed after the draft by the New York Yankees on July 25, 2022, out of Rio Hondo Junior College. He held a .380 batting average while smacking nine home runs, 36 RBIs, and 41 runs in 39 games played for the Roadrunners in 2022.
That following summer, Flores headed north to The Last Frontier and played summer collegiate baseball for the Alaska Goldpanners in the Alaska Baseball League. An league that has helped produce future Hall of Famers Tom Seaver and Dave Winfield, and other Major League stars such as Barry Bonds, Jason Giambi, and Harold Reynolds. In 28 games for the Goldpanners that summer, Flores hit .348 with 36 RBIs in 28 games.
Leading into the 2022 First-Year Player Draft, Flores thought he might get drafted as he had conversations with a few organizations leading into it, but in the 20 rounds he didn't have his name called.
Immediately after the draft, the Yankees came calling and signed him to a free agent contract, and he left school to pursue baseball. He appeared in just four games for the FCL Yankees and went 6-for-14 with two home runs and six RBIs. That momentum carried over into this spring when Flores was assigned to the Opening Day roster for the Renegades and reached base safely in his first 12 games. There’s been one constant thought that Flores has had throughout this season to help stay consistent.
Though Flores succeeded at the plate, his offense wasn't initially resulting in a huge power output. Through his first 88 games played, he hit only four home runs despite strong showings in batting practice nearly every day. However, he was able to keep in mind that in the Minor Leagues, the process is maybe even more important than the result.
“As long as I keep hitting the ball hard, that’s all that matters; home runs will come eventually. I haven’t been worrying about home runs. I feel they’ll just come naturally," Flores said in August before hitting five home runs in the final 17 games of the season and in the playoffs, proving his talent for fortune-telling in addition to baseball hitting.
Defensively this season, Flores bounced between catching and first base for Hudson Valley. He’s played first base in 57 games this year while starting 33 games behind the dish. Learning first base was a seamless transition.
“It’s been a really easy transition; I think me being a handsy player as it is, going over to first base wasn’t that difficult for me,” he noted. “I played a lot of corner infield in JUCO and in high school, so I love playing first base, and if I can stay in the lineup for as long as I can, I’ll do whatever it takes.” Because he plays more than one position, it can be tough to find the right time to practice both throughout a 132-game season.
“I’ve been still kind of messing around with what works for me because I like to get work done in both positions, but it’s tough with our schedules. I think I am trying to find that happy medium.”
“I think my season went well," he said. "[I want to] just cruise, stay confident and happy, and keep enjoying the game we’ve been playing for a long time.”
Flores hopes to join another prominent Rio Hondo alum and former Hudson Valley Renegade, three-time All-Star Evan Longoria, as a Major Leaguer soon. For now, Flores is enjoying a successful first season and hopes to continue to progress closer to his dream.
Spring Breakout: Renegades place 17 alumni on Spring Breakout Rosters
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (March 6, 2025) – Rosters for the 2025 Spring Breakout games were announced by Major League Baseball this morning, and 17 former Hudson Valley Renegades players were named to Spring Breakout Rosters, including placing 14 alumni the New York Yankees Spring Breakout Roster. The Yankees prospect team
Hitting The Books: Renegades launch 'Rascal's Reading Challenge'
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (March 7, 2025) – The Hudson Valley Renegades, the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, are thrilled to announce during Read Across America Week the establishment of “Rascal’s Reading Challenge,” a new educational program aimed at encouraging students throughout the Hudson Valley to pick up a
Party On: Renegades Fest Returns to Heritage Financial Park on Saturday, March 29
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (March 4, 2025) – The Hudson Valley Renegades, the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, are thrilled to announce the return of Renegades Fest to Heritage Financial Park on Saturday, March 29 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. This year’s event will be bigger than ever
Shining A Light: Mike Hill, Tyree Hayes and Greg Jones made their mark on the field and off
As part of MLB's The Nine initiative designed to honor and celebrating the historic impact of Black ballplayers, the Hudson Valley Renegades are taking a look back at three notable contributors from throughout the team's 30-year history. The three chosen players come from the first three decades of Renegades baseball,
Break A Leg!: Renegades announce 2025 theme nights and promo schedule featuring original musical
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (Feb. 24, 2025) –The Hudson Valley Renegades, the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, will make history in 2025 as they become the first team in baseball to stage an original musical which will be performed in between innings. The still to be named Renegades Musical
Fields Of Dreams: Youth Field Betterment Program Applications Now Open
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (Feb. 7, 2025) – The Hudson Valley Renegades, the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, have announced today that applications for the Youth Field Betterment Program presented by Heritage Financial Credit Union are now open. Applications will be accepted by the Renegades from Feb. 1 through
Making Fetch Happen: Renegades announce all-new Retrievers alternate identity
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (Feb. 3, 2025) – In honor of National Golden Retriever Day being celebrated today, the Hudson Valley Renegades, the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, are excited to announce an all-new alternate identity for the team to begin play in the 2025 season, the Hudson Valley
Super Cooper: Yankees name James Cooper manager of the Renegades
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (Jan. 24, 2025) – The New York Yankees announced their minor league field and support staffs for the 2025 season on Friday. James Cooper will take over as the manager of the Hudson Valley Renegades, the Yankees’ High-A affiliate. Cooper becomes the 20th manager in team history,
Welcome!: Renegades announce Tom Denlinger as new General Manager
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (Jan. 17, 2025) – The Hudson Valley Renegades, the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, and their ownership group, Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH), the club’s owner and operator, announced today that Tom Denlinger will become the eighth General Manager of the Renegades. Denlinger joins the Renegades
Ball Foxes: Heritage Financial Park to host several Marist University baseball games in 2025
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (Jan. 10, 2025) – The Hudson Valley Renegades, the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, and Marist University Athletics are proud to announce today an agreement for Heritage Financial Park to host eight games during the upcoming NCAA Division I baseball season. The first contest to
Top Of The Heap: Former Renegade Stephen Vogt named 2024 AL Manager of the Year
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (Nov. 21, 2024) -- Former Hudson Valley Renegades player Stephen Vogt has been announced as the 2024 American League Manager of the Year by the Baseball Writers Association of America. In his first season as a Major League Manager, Vogt led the Cleveland Guardians to a 92-69
How 'Bout Them Apples?: Renegades announce Big Apples alternate identity
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (Nov. 15, 2024) – The Hudson Valley Renegades, the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, are pleased to announce the Hudson Valley Big Apples, an all-new alternate identity for the team to begin in the 2025 season. The Big Apples is an identity centered on celebrating
Gades Greatness: Counting down top 12 moments of 2024, #3-1
For the final piece of the year, we have finally hit the final three moments in our countdown of the top 12 moments of the 2024 Hudson Valley Renegades season. We've already seen record-breaking performances, unbelievable catches, memorable finishes, and dominant stretches. Without further ado, let's get into the top
Gades Greatness: Counting down top 12 moments of 2024, #6-4
As we have hit the final month of the 2024 calendar, the time has come for our annual review of the Top 12 moments from the previous Hudson Valley Renegades season. We have already gone through half of the top 12 list, which means we start to hit the home
Renegades hosting Seasonal Staff Job Fair at Heritage Financial Park on February 15
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (Feb. 6, 2025) – The Hudson Valley Renegades, the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, and Professional Sports Catering (PSC) have announced that they will be holding a seasonal job fair at Heritage Financial Park on Saturday, February 15 in anticipation of the 2025 season and
Gades Greatness: Counting down top 12 moments of 2024, #9-7
As we have hit the final month of the 2024 calendar, the time has come for our annual review of the Top 12 moments from the previous Hudson Valley Renegades season. The 2024 season was one of the most-memorable seasons in the 30 years of Renegades baseball, so much so
Gades Greatness: Counting down top 12 moments of 2024, #12-10
As we have hit the final month of the 2024 calendar, the time has come for our annual review of the Top 12 moments from the previous Hudson Valley Renegades season. The 2024 season was one of the most-memorable seasons in the 30 years of Renegades baseball, so much so
All Set: Renegades announce 2025 game times and fireworks shows
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (Nov. 7, 2024) – The Hudson Valley Renegades, the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, have announced their game start times and fireworks show dates for the 2025 South Atlantic League season today. Following the success of earlier, fan-friendly start times in 2024, the Renegades are
Fall Stars: Martin, Durbin leave their mark on Arizona Fall League
Throughout the fall, former Renegades players have continued playing baseball in the prestigious Arizona Fall League, with Garrett Martin, Antonio Gomez, Jackson Fristoe, Harrison Cohen, Ben Cowles and Caleb Durbin making their names known among some of the top prospects in the sport. The team they played for, the Salt
Solid As A Roc: Riggio ignited crowds in Hudson Valley
Dirtbag. If you were to have 2024 Renegades infielder Roc Riggio describe himself in a word, that would be his choice. Outside of baseball, that might not sound like a compliment, but in baseball it is the ultimate compliment for a player like Riggio. It means you play hard, are
Fast Carr: Kyle Carr navigated ups and downs in first pro season
A version of this article originally ran in the August edition of Renegades Magazine, which can be read in its entirety here. It has been an up-and-down first professional season for Kyle Carr. The Yankees third-round pick in 2023 struggled early in the season to find the form he displayed
Renegades Magazine: Q&A with RHP Trent Sellers
A version of this article originally ran in the August edition of Renegades Magazine, which can be read in its entirety here. This version includes some extra questions not in the original piece. One of the biggest breakout players in the Yankees minor leagues this year was Trent Sellers. In
Reyz of Hope: Eric Reyzelman forged breakout campaign in 2024
A version of this story appeared in the July issue of Renegades Magazine, which can be read here. It has been updated to reflect the end of the season. The baseball journey of Eric Reyzelman has been far from easy. From Tommy John surgery as a teenager to missing nearly
Making Magic: 2024 Renegades season one for the history books
The 2024 Hudson Valley Renegades 30th anniversary season will go down as one of the greatest in the team’s history with record-setting performances, eye-popping plays and a visit from 12 athletes from across the globe. While it would be impossible to capture everything from this past season at once, let’s
Heading West: Flores, Martin highlight Renegades alumni to participate in Arizona Fall League
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (Sept. 25, 2024) – The New York Yankees and the Arizona Fall League today announced that six former Hudson Valley Renegades players and one coach have been selected to participate in the 2024 Arizona Fall League. The six players include RHP Harrison Cohen (2023-24) INF Ben Cowles