DotF: Kaprielian strikes out nine in season debut

Some news and notes:

In case you missed it earlier, RHP Nick Rumbelow needs Tommy John surgery. Donnie Collins says RHP Tyler Cloyd is moving into the rotation and RHP Conor Mullee is up from Double-A Trenton to fill Rumbelow’s roster spot. RHP Jonathan Holder goes from High-A Tampa to Trenton, per Matt Kardos. I figured that would happen soon. He threw over 100 innings in Tampa last year.
The Yankees released several players, per Matt Eddy: C K.J. Alexander, OF Chris Breen, OF Taylor Dugas, OF Frank Frias, C Jake Hernandez, and RHP Jaron Long. Dugas spent a few days in the big leagues last year, but did not actually play in a game. He still gets affordable health care for life though. Long is gonna sign with the Mets in a matter of days, I bet.
LHP Ian Clarkin was included in today’s Monday Morning Ten Pack. It is not behind the paywall, so check it out. “Clarkin checks a lot of boxes in what you are looking for out of a future starting pitcher: Athletic, clean arm action, above-average arm speed, pitches for strikes, athletic delivery. While the elbow injury does bring some cause for concern down the line, it hasn’t been an issue for him thus far and might’ve been a bump in the road instead of a detour,” said the write-up.
And finally, make sure you check out Chad Jennings’ comprehensive overview of the four full season minor league affiliates.

Triple-A Scranton (6-3 win over Pawtucket)

LF Ben Gamel: 3-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 BB, 1 SB — had one hit total in his first three games of the year
DH Aaron Judge: 2-5, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 2 K — first time this season he didn’t go exactly 1-for-4
CF Slade Heathcott: 1-4, 1 RBI, 2 K
C Gary Sanchez: 0-4, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K
2B Donovan Solano: 3-4, 1 R, 1 RBI
RF Cesar Puello: 1-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 K — he’s getting the short end of the playing time stick right now, but he made the most of his start tonight
LHP Tyler Olson: 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 6-1 GB/FB — 43 of 69 pitches were strikes (62%) … I’m not very optimistic the LOOGY will make a decent starter, but what the heck, might as well try
RHP Vinnie Pestano: 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K — 18 of 30 pitches were strikes (60%)
RHP Diego Moreno: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 2/2 GB/FB — 24 of 30 pitches were strikes (80%) … chances we see him in the bullpen at some point this summer? I say 80%
RHP Nick Goody: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 1/0 GB/FB — 12 of 16 pitches were strikes (75%) … he gave up *another* homer … he’s up to two homers in two regular season innings after allowing five dingers in 10.2 innings during the spring

Double-A Trenton (5-3 win over Portland)

2B Tyler Wade: 0-3, 2 R, 2 BB, 1 CS — he drew two walks total in 29 games at this level last year
CF Dustin Fowler: 2-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K — three walks and two strikeouts in four games so far
DH Lane Adams: 1-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K
LF Jake Cave: 1-3, 1 R, 1 BB — threw a runner out at the plate
1B Dante Bichette Jr.: 3-4, 1 R, 1 CS
LHP Dietrich Enns: 4.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 4 K, 4/2 GB/FB — 57 of 91 pitches were strikes (63%) … his 0.61 ERA last season was the lowest among the 1,902 pitchers to throw at least 50 innings in the minors
RHP Matt Wotherspoon: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 1/2 GB/FB — 21 of 34 pitches were strikes (62%) … one scout told Kardos that Wotherspoon was up to 94 mph, which is more than I realized he had in him … pretty crazy that random Double-A relievers are touching the mid-90s these days
RHP Mark Montgomery: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 2/0 GB/FB — half of his 22 pitches were strikes

High-A Tampa (5-2 win over Bradenton)

SS Abi Avelino: 0-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 2 K
DH Austin Aune: 1-4, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 K
3B Miguel Andujar: 2-5, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 K — two homers in three games so far … keep it up, Miguel
2B Billy Fleming: 3-3, 1 BB — the undrafted free agent is 8-for-16 (.500) in the very early going
RF Michael O’Neill: 2-3, 1 R, 1 HBP
RHP James Kaprielian: 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 9 K, 3/3 GB/FB — 49 of 60 pitches were strikes (82%) … striking out exactly half the batters you face is a great way to make your Prospect Watch debut
LHP Daniel Camarena: 3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 4/2 GB/FB — 27 of 38 pitches were strikes (71%)
LHP Jacob Lindgren: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K– 13 of 22 pitches were strikes (59%) … he’s on an every other day schedule right now, which is super rare for a reliever down here … they want him to pitch and pitch a lot

Low-A Charleston (4-0 win over Asheville) this is their fourth win of the season, and it’s the first that was not a walk-off

3B Thairo Estrada: 2-4, 1 K, 1 SB
2B Hoy Jun Park: 1-4, 1 K — got picked off first
CF Trey Amburgey: 1-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 K — five walks and two strikeouts so far this season
RF Jhalan Jackson: 3-4, 2 R, 2 2B, 1 RBI, 1 K, 1 SB — very nice start to his season
SS Kyle Holder: 2-4, 1 RBI — multiple hits in three of five games so far
RHP Brody Koerner: 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 9 K, 8/3 GB/FB — 62 of 75 pitches were strikes (83%) … helluva start by last year’s 17th round pick out of Clemson
LHP James Reeves: 2 IP, zeroes, 3 K, 2/1 GB/FB — 19 of 24 pitches were strikes (79%)