The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders kicked off their season on Friday, starting a three-game series against the Blue Jays affiliate Buffalo Bison. Will Warren, the Yankees’ number eight prospect, started game one against Ricky Tiedemann, ITD’s number 24 prospect and Toronto’s number one prospect.
OF – Jasson Dominguez – New York Yankees
Dominguez’s condition remains unchanged as he progresses through recovery from Tommy John surgery. The Yankees’ front office anticipates his return this summer, emphasizing the importance of not hastening the process.
OF – Spencer Jones – Somerset Patriots
The Somerset Patriots will start their 2024 campaign on Thursday, where Jones will see action for the first time this season.
SS – Roderick Arias – FCL Yankees
Roderick Arias will start the season with the Florida Complex League Yankees; however, the season begins on May 4th.
RHP – Chase Hampton – Somerset Patriots
Along with Spencer Jones, Chase Hampton will start the season with the Somerset Patriots on Thursday.
C – Austin Wells – New York Yankees
Austin Wells made his Major League Baseball debut on Friday, starting a late rally that led the Yankees to a 7-1 victory over the Houston Astros. Wells finished the game with two runs, one hit, and one walk. He also started Saturday’s game, finishing with one run, a hit, a walk, and a strikeout. Austin looked much more comfortable at the plate in both games, not chasing pitches out of the zone and remaining patient for a pitch to hit.
OF – Everson Pereira – Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
Pereira had a mixed start to his season; in Friday’s game, he had six at-bats and struck out in three, but the other three consisted of a line-drive single, a home run, and a ground out. For Pereira to make the next step in his career, he needs more consistent at-bats. The Yankees value home runs just like any other team, but they understand that the era of “three true outcomes” baseball has lost relevance. In other words, Pereira needs to produce outcomes that result in something other than a strikeout, walk, or home run.
INF – Jorbit Vivas – Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
Vivas suffered a left orbital fracture in his final outing of spring training. While he will begin the season with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the team hasn’t given a date to expect Vivas’ return.
RHP – Will Warren – Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
Warren began Friday’s game against Buffalo, but coach Shelley Duncan pulled him after he recorded only one out. Warren allowed five runs, three hits, and three walks, but the RailRiders would come from behind to win the game despite his rocky start.
INF – George Lombard Jr. – Tampa Tarpons
The young infielder made quite the splash in spring training and will continue to showcase his talent on Friday when the Tampa Tarpons kick off their season.
OF – Brando Mayea – DSL Yankees
Brando Mayea will have to wait a little longer to make his professional debut, as he will get his first start of the year in the Dominican Summer League. The league plans to start games on June 4th and continue through September.
Week Ahead:
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre will spend their week, starting on Tuesday, hosting the Syracuse Mets. The Somerset Patriots will begin their season on Friday, hosting a series against the Richmond Flying Squirrels. That series will see the season debut of top Giants prospect Carson Whisenhunt, who ITD ranks number 80 on our top 100. The Tampa Tarpons will also begin their season facing the Minnesota Twins affiliate, the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels. Outfielder Walker Jenkins, the number 15 prospect in ITD’s top 100, will make his season debut in the series. Finally, the Hudson Valley Renegades will begin their season on Friday against the Bowling Green Hot Rods.
