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.
Fanfest Returns to Bowling Green Ballpark Saturday
Bowling Green, Kentucky – The Bowling Green Hot Rods are excited to host their annual fanfest event at Bowling Green Ballpark on Saturday, March 15, from noon to 2:00 PM CT. All fans are invited to pick up or purchase their season and individual game tickets, sample concessions items, buy
Hot Rods and White Squirrel Team Up For New Brew
Bowling Green, Kentucky – The Bowling Green Hot Rods and White Squirrel Brewery are proud to announce a unique partnership and the unveiling of their new beer, “Line Drive Lager.” The two organizations will hold a beer release party at White Squirrel Brewery on Saturday, March 8 at 1:00 PM
Hot Rods score fourth SAL championship in the past six years
Hoisting the South Atlantic League championship banner has become something of a tradition for the Rays' High-A affiliate. The Bowling Green Hot Rods captured its fourth title over the past six seasons with a 4-1 victory over the Hudson Valley Renegades (Yankees) in a winner-take-all Game 3 in the Championship
Hot Rods Bring Home Third Title in Four Years with 4-1 Victory
Wappingers Falls, New York – Noah Myers notched his third multi-hit game in a row to help earn a 4-1 win for the Bowling Green Hot Rods (2-1, 4-1) over the Hudson Valley Renegades (1-2, 3-3) and a South Atlantic League Championship. This is the franchises third SAL title in
Hot Rods Fall 6-2, Game Three Set for Wednesday
Wappingers Falls, New York – Tatem Levins and Noah Myers tagged four of the Bowling Green Hot Rods (1-1, 3-1) six hits in a 6-2 loss to the Hudson Valley Renegades (1-1, 3-2) on Tuesday from Heritage Financial Park. Bowling Green struck first in the top of the second against
Horvath Collects Three Hits, Hot Rods One Win Away from Title
Bowling Green, Kentucky – Mac Horvath smacked three of the Bowling Green Hot Rods (1-0, 3-0) 16 hits in a 5-1 victory over the Hudson Valley Renegades (0-1, 2-2) in game one of the South Atlantic League Championship Series. Roc Riggio hammered a lead off homer in the top of
Ledbetter’s Three-Hit Night Helps Bowling Green Advance
Rome, Georgia – Colton Ledbetter collected three hits and scored two runs, boosting the Bowling Green Hot Rods (2-0) to series clinching, 4-1 win over the Rome Emperors (0-2) on Thursday at AdventHealth Stadium in Rome, Georgia. Bowling Green broke onto the scoreboard first with a run in the top
Hot Rods Win 3-1 Behind Levins Blast, Take 1-0 Division Series Lead
Bowling Green, Kentucky – Tatem Levins kick started the offense with a solo homer in the third, leading to a 3-1 win for the Bowling Green Hot Rods (1-0) over the Rome Emperors (0-1) in game one of the South Atlantic Division Series. Rome began the scoring in the top
Hopkins Spins 6.0 Scoreless Innings In 1-0 Loss
Greensboro, North Carolina – Brody Hopkins shined on the mound, hurling 6.0 scoreless innings while striking out seven but the Bowling Green Hot Rods (39-23, 75-53) bats went quiet, dropping the penultimate game of the series, 1-0 to the Greensboro Grasshoppers (35-29, 74-55) on Saturday at First National Bank Field
Hot Rods Drop Third Consecutive Game in 4-3 Loss
Greensboro, North Carolina – Mac Horvath blasted his 13th long ball of the season but it wasn’t enough for the Bowling Green Hot Rods (39-22, 75-52) as they suffered a 4-3 loss to the Greensboro Grasshoppers (34-29, 73-55) on Friday at First National Bank Field in Greensboro, North Carolina. The
Late Inning Dramatics End in Hot Rods 5-4 Loss
Greensboro, North Carolina – Colton Ledbetter grabbed another three-hit game and Noah Myers went deep, but it was enough as the Bowling Green Hot Rods (39-21, 75-51) dropped the third game of the series, 5-4 to the Greensboro Grasshoppers (33-29, 72-55) on Thursday at First National Bank Field in Greensboro,
Ledbetter Homers in 2-1 Loss to Greensboro
Greensboro, North Carolina – Colton Ledbetter’s seventh-inning solo home run was the only offense for the Bowling Green Hot Rods (39-20, 75-50) in a 2-1 loss to the Greensboro Grasshoppers (32-29, 71-55) at First National Bank Field in Greensboro, North Carolina. Greensboro plated the first run of the game in
Hot Rods to Host Playoff Game September 10
Bowling Green, Kentucky – The Bowling Green Hot Rods are excited to welcome in fans to Bowling Green Ballpark for the first round of the South Atlantic League playoffs as they host the Rome Emperors on Tuesday, September 10. First pitch for the matchup will take place at 6:35 PM
Haas Tallies Multi-Hit Performance, Hot Rods Drop Finale 6-1
Bowling Green, Kentucky - Hunter Haas collected a single and a double, but the Bowling Green Hot Rods (38-19, 74-49) were held to five hits in a 6-1 loss to the Greenville Drive (34-26, 60-66) on Sunday at Bowling Green Ballpark. Bowling Green began the scoring in the bottom of
Bush Jr. Tags Homer, Hot Rods Hang On 6-2
Bowling Green, Kentucky - Homer Bush Jr. homered and drove in two runs in a 6-2 win for the Bowling Green Hot Rods (38-18, 74-48) over the Greenville Drive (33-26, 59-66) on Saturday from Bowling Green Ballpark. Tatem Levins blasted a solo shot in the bottom of the fourth against
Baumeister Fans 11 and Levins Launches Homer in 7-0 Win
Bowling Green, Kentucky – Jackson Baumeister struck out a career-high 11 batters and Tatem Levins hammered a three-run homer, helping the Bowling Green Hot Rods (37-18, 73-48) beat the Greenville Drive (33-25, 59-65) 7-0 on Friday from Bowling Green Ballpark. The Hot Rods scored three runs in the bottom of
Bootleggers Plate Five in the Sixth, Down the Drive 6-4
Bowling Green, Kentucky – Mac Horvath led off a five run sixth inning with a home run, leading the Bowling Green Bootleggers (36-18, 72-48) to a 6-4 victory over the Greenville Drive (34-23, 59-64) on Thursday from Bowling Green Ballpark. Greenville took the lead against Bowling Green starter Chandler Murphy
Hot Rods Break Stolen Base Record in 2-0 Shutout Win Over Drive
Bowling Green, Kentucky – Brock Jones swiped the Bowling Green Hot Rods (35-18, 71-48) 250th stolen base of the year in the seventh inning, breaking the team’s franchise record for steals and leading them to a 2-0 win over the Greenville Drive (33-23, 59-63) on Wednesday from Bowling Green Ballpark.
Horvath Homers Again, Bowling Green Topples Greenville 9-4
Bowling Green, Kentucky – For the second game in a row, Mac Horvath smacked a home run, helping the Bowling Green Hot Rods (34-18, 70-48) beat the Greenville Drive (33-22, 59-62) 9-4 on Tuesday from Bowling Green Ballpark. After Greenville scored a run against Bowling Green starter Brody Hopkins in
Wild Strikes Out Nine in Hot Rods 5-4 Loss
Hickory, North Carolina – Owen Wild tossed his sixth quality start of the season, but the Bowling Green Hot Rods (33-18, 69-48) let up a late lead to the Hickory Crawdads (28-26, 55-65) in a 5-4 loss on Sunday from L.P. Frans Stadium. The Hot Rods scored three runs in
Barrios Collects Four Hits, Hot Rods Shutout Crawdads 5-0
Hickory, North Carolina – Gregory Barrios earned his third four-hit game of the season, leading the Bowling Green Hot Rods (33-17, 69-47) to a 5-0 shutout win over the Hickory Crawdads (27-26, 55-64) on Saturday from L.P. Frans Stadium. Bowling Green began the scoring in the top of the third
Turner Comes Up Clutch, Hot Rods Complete Comeback 4-3
Hickory, North Carolina – Gionti Turner brought in two runs with a triple in the bottom of the ninth, completing a 4-3 comeback victory for the Bowling Green Hot Rods (32-17, 68-47) over the Hickory (27-25, 55-63) Crawdads on Friday from L.P. Frans Stadium. Bowling Green scored first in the
Bowling Green Bats Silenced in 5-0 Loss to Hickory
Hickory, North Carolina – The Bowling Green Hot Rods (31-17, 67-47) were held to three hits in a 5-0 loss to the Hickory Crawdads (27-24, 55-62), despite eight strikeouts from Ty Johnson on Thursday from L.P. Frans Stadium. Hickory took a lead in the bottom of the second against Johnson.
Ledbetter Goes Yard, Bowling Green Falls 8-4 in Hickory
Hickory, North Carolina – Colton Ledbetter clobbered his 15th homer of the season, but the Bowling Green Hot Rods (31-16, 67-46) fell to the Hickory Crawdads (26-24, 54-62) 8-4 on Wednesday from L.P. Frans Stadium The Crawdads scored three runs in the bottom of the third against Hot Rods starter
Harney Dices Out of the Bullpen, Hot Rods Win 3-1
Hickory, North Carolina – Sean Harney tossed 3.2 scoreless frames out of the bullpen, helping push the Bowling Green Hot Rods (31-15, 67-45) to a 3-1 victory over the Hickory Crawdads (25-24, 53-61) on Tuesday at L.P. Frans Stadium in Hickory, North Carolina. The Crawdads plated the first run of