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
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 (22-23), INF Caleb Durbin (23), C Rafael Flores (23-24), RHP Jackson Fristoe (24), OF Garrett Martin (24). Additionally, Defensive Coach Derek Woodley (23-24) will serve as an Extra Coach. Cohen, Durbin, Flores, Fristoe, Martin and Woodley will suit up for the Salt River Rafters, while Cowles, who was traded to the Chicago Cubs in July, will play for the Mesa SolarSox.
Cohen, 25, began the season on the Injured List and upon return to the Renegades on July 15 went 3-0 with a 0.93 ERA (19.1 IP, 10 H, 3 R/2 ER, 1 BB, 23 K, 1 HR, 0.57 WHIP) in 12 games. Across two seasons in Hudson Valley, Cohen is 6-3 with a 3.00 ERA in 44 appearances, and has racked up 83 strikeouts in 66.0 innings (11.32 K/9). The New Hyde Park, New York, native was signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent on August 15, 2022, out of George Washington University.
Durbin, 24, was a standout early in the 2023 season with the Renegades, batting .333/464/.397 (26-for-78) in 22 games with the team before a promotion to Double-A Somerset. In 2024 he combined to hit .275/.388/.451 (92-for-335) with 61 R, 25 doubles, 2 triples, 10 HR, 60 RBI, 53 BB and 31 SB in 90 games with Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season. His 31 steals ranked fifth among Yankees farmhands.
This is the second time Durbin has played in the Arizona Fall League, suiting up for Mesa in 2023. He hit .353/.456/.588 (30-for-85) with 18 R, 9 doubles, 1 triple, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 14 BB and an AFL-leading 21 SB in 23 games, later being named to the AFL Fall Stars Game. The Evanston, Ill., native was originally selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 14th round of the 2021 First-Year Player Draft out of the Washington University in St. Louis (Mo.). He was then acquired by the Yankees from the Braves along with RHP Indigo Diaz in exchange for LHP Lucas Luetge on December 28, 2022.
Cowles, 24, is one of the most-prolific hitters in Renegades history, batting .248/.353/.373 (112-for-451) with 20 doubles, 3 triples, 10 HR, 49 RBIs and 23 SB in 129 games between the 2022 and 2023 seasons. He began 2024 with Double-A Somerset, where he batted .294/.376/.472 (96-for-326) in 88 games before being traded to the Chicago Cubs on July 30 along with RHP Jack Neely in exchange for RHP Mark Leiter, Jr. He was on the Injured List at the time and was activated in September, playing four games with the Double-A Tennessee Smokies. The 2024 Eastern League Player of the Month for April was originally drafted by the Yankees in the 10th round of the 2021 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Maryland.
Flores, 23, combined to hit .279/.379/.495 (121-for-434) with 67 R, 31 doubles, 21 HR, 68 RBI, 66 BB and 8 SB in 122 games with High-A Hudson Valley and Double-A Somerset in 2024. Among Yankees farmhands this season, he ranked second in doubles, home runs, extra-base hits (52) and total bases (215), third in hits, tied for fourth in walks, and fifth in RBI, slugging percentage and OPS (.874). Following the season, Flores was tabbed by Baseball America as the Yankees’ Minor League Player of the Year.
Across his two seasons with the Renegades (2023-24), he hit .268/.366/.400 (154-for-575), with 32 doubles, 1 triple, 14 HR, 76 RBIs, 87 BB in 162 games. He is the Gades’ all-time leader in hits and doubles. The Anaheim, California, native was signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent on July 25, 2022, out of Rio Hondo College.
Fristoe, 23, spent the 2024 season with Hudson Valley, going 1-3 with a 3.79 ERA (38.0 IP, 27 H, 18 R/1 6ER, 28 BB, 40 K, 2 HR) in 12 starts. He missed most of the second half win an injury, last pitching for the Renegades on June 22. The Paducah, Kentucky, native was selected by the Yankees in the 12th round of the 2022 First-Year Player Draft out of Mississippi State University.
Martin, 24, spent the entire 2024 season with the Renegades, batting .216/326/.422 (62-for-287) with 50 R, 17 doubles, 3 triples, 12 HR, 43 RBI, 34 BB and 17 SB in 87 games. He was one of the hottest hitters on the team from August 13 through the end of the season, batting .304/.429/.570 (24-for-79) with 5 HR across 23 games. The Broomfield, Colorado, native was signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent on July 14, 2023, out of Austin Peay State University.
Woodley, 53, concluded his second season in the Yankees organization and second as the Defensive Coach for Hudson Valley in 2024. He primarily worked with the Renegades’ catchers, helping them be one of the best defensive units in Minor League Baseball, and with the team on its baserunning program.
Additionally, RHP Ryan Harvey of the Tampa Tarpons will represent the Yankees on the Salt River Rafters in 2024. For more information on the 2024 Arizona Fall League, click here.
ABOUT THE HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES
The Hudson Valley Renegades have served as the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees since 2021 and are three-time South Atlantic League North Division Champions. Since 1994, the Renegades have provided the Hudson Valley with affordable, family-friendly entertainment through the game of baseball at Heritage Financial Park, part of the award-winning Dutchess County Parks system. Season Ticket Memberships for the 2025 season are on sale now, and may be purchased at www.hvrenegades.com or over the phone by calling (845) 838-0094.
ABOUT DIAMOND BASEBALL HOLDINGS
Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH) was formed in 2021 to support, promote and enhance Minor League Baseball Clubs affiliated with Major League Baseball through professional management, best practices, innovation and investment (DiamondBaseballHoldings.com).
Top prospects to watch at Triple-A -- one for each organization
It’s Triple-A’s turn up to bat on Friday. The regular season begins for the Minor Leagues’ highest level one day after the action starts on the Major League side. Fun fact: it’ll be the earliest start to a Minor League season since 1951 (March 27). Double-A, High-A and Single-A will
Here's where every Top 100 prospect is expected to start the season
The 2025 Opening Day prospect roster announcements began last week when the Cubs informed Matt Shaw (MLB No. 19) he was making the trip overseas to compete in the Tokyo Series. Roki Sasaki (No. 1) also received the good news, but his assignment was much less of a surprise. Now
Nationals prospect King joins MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Here are the 2025 All-Spring Breakout Teams
Fifteen games, several jersey swaps and countless highlights later, the second edition of Spring Breakout has officially concluded – and it lived up to its billing. Of the 16 contests sprinkled across four days, only one game (Dodgers vs. Cubs) was rained out. Coincidentally, the Cubs were one of two
Rox young sluggers aim to bring pop back to Coors Field
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Coors Field may provide the best run-scoring environment in Major League Baseball, but the Rockies haven’t taken advantage of it in recent years. Even without adjusting for Coors, they have fielded offenses worse than the league average the past three seasons, and they scored the fewest runs
Astros brass sees potential in consistently 'underranked' farm system
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The last time the Astros landed in the top 10 of MLB Pipeline’s farm system rankings was before the 2019 season. Since those rankings expanded to all 30 teams ahead of the 2020 season -- 11 lists in total -- they’ve never ranked higher than
Complete results and highlights from Spring Breakout
The second edition of MLB Spring Breakout is complete, and there was no shortage of highlights from the future stars of Major League Baseball over the four-day showcase. Here's a complete breakdown of the 16-game exhibition:
Southpaw Spring Breakout: White Sox future on display with Schultz, Smith
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- If all goes as planned for the White Sox, left-handers Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz won’t spend much time following each other to the mound in a single game. Schultz, the No. 1 White Sox prospect and No. 16 overall, per MLB Pipeline, and Smith, who is
In first pro game, Rainer offers pop, promise to Tigers fans
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Bryce Rainer’s pro career consisted of workouts and batting practice until Sunday.
'Me and Brady on the dirt again': House, King reunite at Spring Breakout
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The 2025 Spring Breakout was a flashback for Brady House and Seaver King. Over 10 years ago, the infielders were travel ball teammates in Georgia who shared the dream of making it to the Major Leagues. Now, they are top prospects in the same organization,
Lambert -- 'an adrenaline guy' -- hoping to be next Mets bullpen gem
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Ryan Lambert loves throwing hard. He relishes the idea of getting to two strikes and blowing hitters away. “Get me in a game,” Lambert said, “cool things will happen.”
Stewart embraces Spring Breakout: 'What's not to love?'
PHOENIX -- Sal Stewart was one fired-up Reds prospect. On Sunday in the first inning during the organization's 9-7 Spring Breakout win over Brewers prospects, Stewart lifted a 2-2 pitch that sailed over the center fielder's head to the wall. Already not known as a speedster, he stumbled running between
Prospect Peña quietly drawing raves in Brewers' farm system
PHOENIX – Jesús Made was at the top of the Brewers’ lineup for Sunday’s 9-7 loss to the Reds in the finale of MLB’s four-day Spring Breakout, a fitting perch when you consider that the 17-year-old infielder is under a bright spotlight as MLB Pipeline’s No. 55 prospect. Made could
Brecht -- in 1st outing since '24 Draft -- wows at Spring Breakout
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Sunday's Spring Breakout showcase was the perfect unveiling for Rockies No. 5 prospect Brody Brecht. A right-handed pitcher from the University of Iowa whom the Rockies selected 38th overall last summer, Brecht had a nice collegiate resume, an interesting backstory as a former wide receiver for the
Braves prospects show promise in Spring Breakout
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- As Terry Pendleton prepared to serve as the manager of the Braves prospect team that played the Tigers prospect team in a Spring Breakout game on Sunday afternoon, he said fans should be patient with John Gil and Luis Guanipa, a pair of teenagers who have
Yanks' Lagrange flashes triple-digit heat in Spring Breakout
SARASOTA, Fla. -- There was an audible “Ooh” from the crowd at Ed Smith Stadium, and Carlos Lagrange quickly glanced beyond the right-field wall, checking the velocity of the pitch he’d just thrown in Saturday’s 5-4 Spring Breakout loss to the Orioles. It had registered in the triple digits, and
Bradfield dedicates Spring Breakout performance to late friend
SARASOTA, Fla. -- It was about more than playing in the national spotlight. More than the dinner bet placed with an old college teammate earlier in the month. More than a game. As Enrique Bradfield Jr. slid home to score a run during the first inning of Saturday night’s Spring
'Hungry' Alcántara hoping to pounce on big league prey in '25
MESA, Ariz. -- The thing about jaguars is, you don’t want to see one when it’s hungry. So when Cubs legend Sammy Sosa spoke to the organization’s No. 6 prospect per MLB Pipeline -- and the No. 89 prospect overall -- the former slugger gave him some apt advice. “His
Rainiers broadcaster Pay talks historic role on MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Prospect Santos 'electric' in Spring Breakout start
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Malcolm Moore knew Winston Santos was locked in before he even threw a pitch. In the second annual Spring Breakout game, Santos -- the Rangers’ No. 5 prospect, per MLB Pipeline -- was throwing to Moore, the Rangers’ No. 4 prospect and highest-ranked catcher. The battery more
Switch-pitcher Cijntje deals from both sides in Spring Breakout
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Jurrangelo Cijntje knew who’d be waiting for him in the batter’s box when he emerged from the visiting bullpen on Friday evening. The Mariners’ switch-pitcher had seen Guardians infielder Travis Bazzana recently at a card-signing event, to which they each joked, “I’m going to see you soon,”
Fans in this Minor League town are hungry for ... the Spicy Meatballs?!?
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Chandler adds mix to upper-90s heat in stellar Spring Breakout start
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- In the inaugural Spring Breakout game a year ago, as he was coming out to pitch the ninth inning, Bubba Chandler slammed a Red Bull and declared “let’s do this” before pumping upper-90s heat.