Yankees' prospect gains coming up long at short
TAMPA, Fla. -- The Yankees have a fascinating shortstop decision on their hands. You could say it’s the most interesting one since you-know-who retired in 2014. New York is battling going with a veteran presence in Isiah Kiner-Falefa or a prospect in Anthony Volpe or Oswald Peraza. It’s still too
TAMPA, Fla. -- The Yankees have a fascinating shortstop decision on their hands. You could say it’s the most interesting one since you-know-who retired in 2014. New York is battling going with a veteran presence in Isiah Kiner-Falefa or a prospect in Anthony Volpe or Oswald Peraza.
It’s still too early to call, but the fact that the Yanks have not one but two Top 100 talents as Major League options speaks to the successful development of both.
“Both those guys have grown defensively, offensively, physically in the weight room, mentally, just handling the failure that comes with playing at a high level,” said vice president of player development Kevin Reese, “and they've responded really well to it.”
It’s a stirring debate of long-term ceiling vs. present Major League readiness.
Ranked as MLB's No. 5 overall prospect, Volpe is coming off the Minors’ first 20-homer, 50-steal season since Andruw Jones 28 years ago, having hit 21 homers and stolen 50 bags between Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. That’s made even more amazing given that he had just a .203 average and .684 OPS through the first two months of the 2022 campaign.
He’s looked like his usual self this spring too -- lifting balls with authority on contact, showing a willingness to steal bases, making heady defensive plays on the dirt.
“I think the biggest adjustment that he made was not making an adjustment,” Reese said. “His performance at some of the things that we look at was maybe unlucky, maybe very similar to what he had done previously. There were some people who wanted to panic. Fortunately, he was calm throughout, the hitting department was calm throughout. They thought this wasn't much different than what he was doing. It just wasn’t getting the results. So we didn't really change anything.”
For his part, Peraza (No. 52) is the one of the pair who saw Major League action in 2022, playing 18 games for New York down the stretch before appearing three more times in the American League Championship Series. He is considered the more naturally gifted fielder, earning plus grades for his glovework and throwing ability, and Reese noted that he gained strength as last season wore on, leading to a career-high 19 homers at Triple-A.
Returning superstar Aaron Judge’s comments on Volpe, in particular, raised some eyebrows last week when he said, “My thing has always been, if you’re the best player, it shouldn’t matter your age. You should be up helping the New York Yankees." You could easily translate that over to the 22-year-old Peraza as well.
The day may come when the pair form a double-play partnership or left side of the infield in the Bronx. Those are all discussions for the future. Over at the Yanks’ Minor League complex in Tampa, the present discussions are all about excitement.
“I was just over there [on the MLB side] talking to some of the veteran guys, and they’re saying these guys fit right in,” Reese said. “I think, from a player development standpoint, when you hear that, you want to go give knuckles to people that have played a part in it because it's a huge undertaking. That's what you're hoping for when they get there.”
📩 SUBSCRIBE TO THE BASEBALL TRAVELER NEWSLETTER
Camp standout: Jasson Domínguez
The hype train for Domínguez has been chugging ever since he signed for $5.1 million out of the Dominican Republic in July 2019, and this spring, it pulled into Major League camp for the first time. Now 20 years old, the switch-hitting outfielder ended his 2022 season on a hot note with three homers over a five-game postseason run at Double-A Somerset, only to cool off in the Arizona Fall League (.467 OPS in 20 games).
If early performance as a non-roster invitee is any indication for the Yankees' No. 2 prospect, that AFL run may have been strictly fatigue-based. Given the offseason to recharge, Domínguez has come flying out of the gate in Grapefruit League play, going 9-for-21 (.429) with more homers (four) than strikeouts (three) through his first 10 games, showing major flashes of his potential as a power hitter with an improving ability to control the strike zone.
Something to prove: Randy Vásquez
New York’s No. 14 prospect is headed into his second campaign on the 40-man roster, heightening the importance that he pushes for a Major League role in his age-24 season. The last time the right-hander appeared in a meaningful game, he spun eight no-hit innings for Somerset in the title-clinching game of the Eastern League postseason. His 93-95 mph fastball, 3,000-plus rpm curveball and sweeping slider receive above-average grades, but the quality of the arsenal wasn’t enough to push Vásquez into Triple-A for the first time in 2022. He finished with a 3.90 ERA and 120 strikeouts in 115 1/3 innings with Somerset.
If Vásquez is going to contribute meaningfully to the Major League club’s rotation depth in his second 40-man year, the organization will be watching one aspect of his game carefully.
“He'd have some outings here and there where not everything was clicking,” Reese said. “He’d have a tough first inning, and we need him to get back on track quicker and not let that compound into innings two, three, or whatever it might be.
“That being said, we see prospects that have great stuff that don't even sniff the big leagues or a 40-man spot because of those types of situations. [He needs to] continue to prepare himself and then get consistency once he’s out there every week.”
Breakout candidate: Spencer Jones
Can a first-round pick be considered a breakout player? What if we consider a breakout to be a move into the Top 100? That could certainly be in the cards for the former Vanderbilt outfielder.
After dealing with elbow issues earlier in his Commodores career, Jones was finally healthy and fully productive as a junior last spring, and he carried that performance to the Florida State League after signing, slashing .325/.411/.494 in 22 games while topping out with a 111.3 mph exit velocity.
His 6-foot-7 frame indicates that power should come at every stop in the Minors, but there are some concerns that his long swing will hurt his overall hit tool. If only New York knew how to develop extra-large outfielders …
“He doesn't seem to be a guy that's just swinging out of hand or just looking to do damage,” Reese said of the Yankees' No. 5 prospect. “He doesn't have to get too much behind it to get the exit velos up as someone that size. [Zone coverage] is something we're continuing to work on with everybody, but with him, so far so good.”
Sam Dykstra is a reporter for MiLB.com. Follow and interact with him on Twitter, @SamDykstraMiLB.
Tulsa Drillers National Anthem Auditions
Think you have what it takes to perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” at ONEOK Field? Prove it! It’s almost time for Tulsa Drillers baseball and you can’t “Play Ball” without the performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” first! Could that performer be you? The Drillers, in partnership with the Tulsa World, are
Tulsa Drillers, Graves McLain Injury Lawyers Announce Partnership
The Tulsa Drillers have announced a new multi-year, official partnership with Graves McLain Injury Lawyers, naming the firm the “Official Personal Injury Lawyers of the Tulsa Drillers.” Graves McLain, headquartered in midtown Tulsa, is dedicated to advocating for seriously injured Oklahomans, with a primary focus on victims of motor vehicle
Drillers Announce Exciting Promotional Lineup for the 2025 Season
The start of the 2025 season for the Tulsa Drillers is less than a month away, and today the club announced the details of an exciting list of promotions that will highlight the schedule. The promotions for this season are headlined by 23 Fireworks Shows, and some brand-new, unique giveaway
Tulsa Drillers, Red Diamond® Coffee and Tea Announce Partnership Agreement
The Tulsa Drillers have announced a new multi-year, official partnership with Red Diamond Coffee and Tea, a Birmingham, Alabama beverage company that manufactures coffee and tea products for both retail and foodservice markets across the United States. Red Diamond, founded in 1906, is the second oldest coffee and tea company
Drillers 2025 Coaching Staff Announced
The Tulsa Drillers are set to begin the 2025 season with a new manager in former major league skipper Eric Wedge. Today, the Drillers and Los Angeles Dodgers announced the coaching staff that will join Wedge in the dugout this season. The staff will include two returners from last year
Drillers Introduce the John Zink Club Seats
The Tulsa Drillers have entered into a new multi-year, Naming Rights Partnership with John Zink. The nearly 100-year old Tulsa based company will become the Naming Rights Partner of the John Zink Club Seats at ONEOK Field. The John Zink Club Seats are the most exclusive seating option in the
Drillers Radio Broadcast Returning to AM 1430
The Tulsa Drillers and iHeartMedia today announced the continuation of a longtime partnership. All 138 of the Drillers games this season will again be broadcast live on 1430 The Buzz, Tulsa’s Sports Station, marking the 39th straight year that an iHeart station has been home to Drillers baseball on radio.
DRILLERSFEST 2025 SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 8
The Tulsa Drillers have started the countdown to the official start of baseball season, and they have scheduled their first event of 2025. The Tulsa World DrillersFest will take place on Saturday, March 8 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. and will give fans their first opportunity to visit ONEOK
Dreamland Festival ‘Kicks Off’ 10 Year Anniversary Celebration with Community Kickball Game at ONEOK Field
The 10th anniversary of Dreamland Festival will take place this fall, but the celebration for ‘Dreamland 10’ starts on March 23 with a fundraiser and celebration of the festival which funds Steph Simon’s other community initiatives, including McLain Titan Records. Tulsa, OK – Artist, entrepreneur, and community leader Steph Simon
Applications Now Being Accepted for Drillers Scholarships
Applications are now being accepted for the Tulsa Drillers Higher Education Scholarship Awards. The awards are presented annually to a pair of high school seniors who participated in at least two seasons of high school baseball or softball. The awards consist of $2,000 scholarships for each individual for two or
Tulsa Drillers 2025 Job Fair
The Tulsa Drillers will be holding a job fair on Tuesday, February 4 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at ONEOK Field. The fair will be used to hire part-time works for the upcoming season. A number of positions are currently open and include concessions workers, bartenders, Ushers and promotion team members. For
High School Baseball Series Returns to ONEOK Field
The Tulsa Drillers are just over a month away from the start of their 2025 season at ONEOK Field, but fans will soon have an early opportunity to see baseball in downtown Tulsa. The Drillers announced today the return of the High School Baseball Series with three games taking place
Former AL Manager of the Year Named Drillers New Manager
For the first time in seven seasons, the Tulsa Drillers will have a new leader in the clubhouse. The Drillers and the Los Angeles Dodgers announced today, that 10-year major league veteran manager and 2007 American League Manager of the Year, Eric Wedge, will be the team’s 24th full-time manager,
Drillers 2025 Single-Game Tickets Go On Sale
Single-game tickets for all 69 regular season Tulsa Drillers home games are now on sale for the 2025 season and can be purchased HERE. The Drillers 2025 home and season opener will take place at ONEOK Field on Friday, April 4 when they host the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. The schedule
Drillers Set 2025 Start Times
The Tulsa Drillers have announced starting times for all 69 home games at ONEOK Field during the 2025 season. The standard starting time for most Tuesday through Saturday games will remain at 7:00 p.m. with a few exceptions. Two of those exceptions will take place on Saturday, April 19 due
Hennessey Departing Drillers as Tulsa's Second Winningest Manager
The Tulsa Drillers will have a new manager in 2025. It was announced today that Scott Hennessey will take over the newly named Oklahoma City Comets, the Triple-A affiliate of the National League Champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Hennessey will leave the Drillers as one of the most successful managers in
BOOMTown Coney Named MiLB's Most Unique Concession Item
The Coney I-Lander restaurant first opened its doors in 1926 in downtown Tulsa by Greek Immigrant Christ Economou. Now a chain, Coney I-Lander restaurants sell hundreds of thousands of hot dogs a year, with their specialty being slow-grilled hot dogs topped with chili, onions & mustard. In 2024, the Drillers
Rushing and Freeland Honored as Texas League All-Stars
Dalton Rushing and Alex Freeland both spent part of the 2024 season in a Tulsa Drillers uniform, and the duo made a big impact before being transferred to Triple A by the Los Angeles Dodgers on August 6. Today, they were both recognized for their performances with the Drillers by
Drillers Drop Season Finale in Wichita
Wichita, KS – The 2024 season concluded on Sunday afternoon for the Tulsa Drillers with a 4-2 loss to the Wichita Wind Surge at Wichita’s Riverfront Stadium. The Wind Surge never trailed in the game, scoring three runs before Tulsa recorded the first of its two runs in the seventh
Drillers Wait Until Late to Rally Past Wichita
Wichita, KS – In the next-to-last game of the 2024 season Saturday night, it appeared it was going to be a case of missed opportunities for the Tulsa Drillers. Through eight innings, the Drillers had ten hits, but just one run. They made up for those lost opportunities thanks to
Drillers Win Streak Snapped in Loss
Wichita, KS – One night after the Tulsa Drillers clinched their third straight Propeller Trophy in the Coors Light Propeller Series with a shutout win, the Wichita Wind Surge held Tulsa to four hits and one run in a 9-1 final on Friday night. The loss at Riverfront Stadium snapped
Ferris Shines as Drillers Win Propeller Series
Wichita, KS – On August 1, in his final appearance in High A before his promotion to Tulsa, Jackson Ferris threw eight no-hit innings for the Great Lakes Loons. On Thursday night in Wichita, Ferris, who is ranked as the #5 prospect in the Los Angeles Dodgers minor league system,
Big Inning Gives Drillers Second Straight Win
Wichita, KS – The Tulsa Drillers made it two for two in Wichita Wednesday night in the second game of their season-ending series with the Wind Surge. The Drillers used a big, five-run fourth inning to take a lead they would not lose and defeated the Wind Surge 5-3. The
Drillers Begin Final Series in Wichita with Win
Wichita, KS – The Tulsa Drillers and the Wichita Wind Suge have been eliminated from playoff contention, but there is still something to play for in the final six-game series of the 2024 regular season. Tulsa entered the series with a two-game advantage in the Coors Light Propeller Series and
Drillers Fall in ONEOK Field Finale
Tulsa, OK – The Tulsa Drillers played their final game at ONEOK Field for the 2024 season on Sunday evening and fell 6-4 to the San Antonio Missions. The Drillers had two first-inning home runs and tried to rally with runs in the eighth and ninth innings, but it was