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DotF: Hicks begins rehab assignment in Scranton’s win

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Earlier today the Orioles designated LHP Nestor Cortes for assignment, and if he clears waivers, he’ll be returned to the Yankees as a Rule 5 Draft pick. Could take as long as a week for the process to play out, however. Here are some other notes before we get to today’s game action:

  • DJ Eberle has a great piece on Nick Swisher and his duties as a special advisor. “These are the guys that I want to work with. These are the guys that might need a little more love working their way up … I’m just trying to make everyone better,” said Swisher, who travels to the various minor league affiliates each month.
  • Not surprisingly, the Yankees have told SS Gleyber Torres to slide feet first from now on, according to Conor Foley. Torres blew out his elbow on a headfirst slide last year. “We’ve made it perfectly clear to him and I don’t think he’ll ever slide headfirst again. I don’t,” said Tripe-A Scranton manager Bobby Mitchel to Foley.
  • Baseball America complied their annual list of the youngest players in each minor league. Gleyber is the fifth youngest player in the Triple-A International League and OF Estevan Florial is the tenth youngest player in the High-A Florida State League. OF Pablo Olivares and SS Oswaldo Cabrera also make appearances.

Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barres RailRiders (5-2 win over Lehigh Valley)

  • 3B Gleyber Torres: 2-5, 1 R, 1 K — 8-for-19 (.421) since going 0-for-4 on Opening Day
  • CF Aaron Hicks: 1-3 — played five innings as scheduled … here’s what Hicks told Eberle after the game: “It felt great. I felt like my swings today were good. Just feels really good to kind of get back into game form and be out in the atmosphere we’re going to be playing in when I get back with the team”
  • DH Mike Ford: 1-4, 1 R, 1 K
  • C Kyle Higashioka: 1-4, 1 RBI, 1 K
  • 1B Ryan McBroom: 3-4, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI — 8-for-16 in his last four games
  • RHP Brody Koerner: 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 2 WP, 8/3 GB/FB — 47 of 79 pitches were strikes (59%)
  • RHP Brady Lail: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 1 WP, 1/0 GB/FB — 17 of 32 pitches were strikes (53%)

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DotF: Sensley’s big game helps Charleston to blowout win

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Got a couple notes to pass along, including an OF Aaron Hicks rehab update:

  • Hicks has joined Triple-A Scranton to begin a rehab assignment, as scheduled. DJ Eberle says Hicks worked out with the RailRiders today and is scheduled to play five innings in center field tomorrow, then a full nine innings in center field Wednesday. Based on that, Hicks won’t return to the Yankees until Thursday at the earliest.
  • IF Gleyber Torres, who was slated to split time 50-50 between second and short this year, will now focus on second and third bases according to Eberle. With 3B Brandon Drury out, it seems the Yankees want Torres to be ready to play third in case something happens to 3B Miguel Andujar.
  • Three players were placed on the minor league disabled list today: RHP Gio Gallegos, LHP JP Sears, and OF Dom Thompson-Williams. No idea what’s wrong with them, though I assume Gallegos’ groin issue flared back up. OF Rashad Crawford was moved up from Double-A Trenton to Triple-A Scranton in a corresponding move.

Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barres RailRiders (5-3 win over Lehigh Valley)

  • 2B Gleyber Torres: 1-4, 1 R, 1 3B, 2 K — 6-for-14 (.429) in his last three games … here’s video of the triple (notice the feet first slide) … he scored on a sacrifice fly after the triple and Conor Foley says Torres slid feet first on that too … guessing he was given instructions to avoid head first slides after the injury last year
  • C Kyle Higashioka: 1-3, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 K — two homers, four walks, and one strikeout in three games so far
  • 1B Mike Ford: 2-4, 1 R, 2 2B, 2 K
  • CF Rashad Crawford: 0-3 — Triple-A debut
  • LHP Daniel Camarena: 4.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 3/4 GB/FB — 43 of 72 pitches were strikes (60%) … back with the Yankees after spending Spring Training with the Cubs, similar to Caleb Smith last season
  • RHP Jonathan Holder: 2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 1 WP, 2/0 GB/FB — 24 of 37 pitches were strikes (65%) … oh Johnny
  • RHP Anyelo Gomez: 1 IP, zeroes, 1 K, 1/1 GB/FB — 12 pitches, seven strikes

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Yankees among smallest bonus pools for 2018 draft, 2018-19 international signing period

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(Getty)

Now that we’re into April, the 30 big league teams are really starting to bear down and prepare for the upcoming amateur talent acquisition phase. The three-day first year player draft begins Monday, June 4th, and the international signing period opens Monday, July 2nd. Here are the Yankees’ bonus pool situations for the summer.

Draft Bonus Pool: $6,115,100

Greg Holland, the last unsigned qualified free agent, signed with the Cardinals two weeks ago, so the 2018 draft order is pretty much set, aside from any forthcoming Competitive Balance Lottery pick trades. The Yankees, who hold the 23rd overall pick, neither gained nor lost any draft picks through free agent compensation over the winter.

According to Jim Callis, the Yankees have a $6,115,100 bonus pool this year. The bonus pools increased 4.2% overall this year. Here are the individual draft slots by round:

  • First Round (23rd overall): $2,815,900
  • Second Round (61st overall): $1,086,900
  • Third Round (97th overall): $576,400
  • Fourth Round (127th overall): $430,400
  • Fifth Round (157th overall): $320,700
  • Sixth Round (187th overall): $247,600
  • Seventh Round (217th overall): $194,000
  • Eighth Round (247th overall): $159,800
  • Ninth Round (277th overall): $145,600
  • Tenth Round (307th overall): $137,800

Every dollar over $125,000 given to a player selected after the tenth round counts against the bonus pool. The penalties for exceeding the draft bonus pool are pretty harsh. There’s a tax and you have to forfeit a future draft pick(s). No team has exceeded their bonus pool since the system was implemented in 2012 and I see no reason to believe that will change this year.

The Yankees haven’t picked as late as 23rd overall since 2013, when they selected Eric Jagielo with the 26th overall selection. They didn’t have a first round pick in 2014, and from 2015-17 they picked either 16th or 18th. Here is MLB.com’s top 50 draft prospects, if you want to look over some players the Yankees could target. Our draft coverage will ramp up in the coming weeks.

International Bonus Pool: $4,983,500

Nowadays there is a hard cap on international spending — the Yankees greatly exceeded their bonus pool during the 2014-15 signing period, other teams followed suit, and MLB decided to put an end to it — and there are three bonus pool tiers tied to market size. The Yankees of course fall into the large market/small bonus pool tier, and thus have $4,983,500 to spend internationally this year, according to Ben Badler.

Teams are allowed to trade for additional international bonus pool space, which the Yankees did a bunch last year in anticipation of Shohei Ohtani’s free agency. When Ohtani declined to speak to the Yankees, they turned around and gave the money to other international free agents, like Raimfer Salinas and Antonio Cabello. Teams can trade for an additional 75% of their bonus pool and must do so in $250,000 increments. The Yankees can max their bonus pool out at $8,721,125 this year.

Already the Yankees have been connected to top Dominican catcher prospects Antonio Gomez and Agustin Ramirez, so that’s where some of that $4,983,500 is going. The Yankees aggressively traded for bonus pool money last year because of Ohtani. They could do the same this year, though these trades tend to happen on a case-by-case basis when it comes to Latin American prospects. Teams will have deals lined up before adding bonus pool money. They won’t trade for bonus money then look for ways to spend it. Last year was different because of Ohtani.

DotF: Torres picks up four hits in Scranton’s win

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A few minor transactions via Matt Eddy: C Manny Argomaniz, C Brian Reyes, and 1B Ryan Krill were all released, and OF Matt McPhearson was signed to a minor league deal. McPhearson, 22, was the Diamondbacks’ fourth round pick in 2013. He’s a speed and defense guy who hit .278/.333/.340 (85 wRC+) with 31 steals in 111 High-A games last year. Arizona released McPhearson near the end of Spring Training.

Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barres RailRiders (5-4 win over Syracuse)

  • SS Gleyber Torres: 4-5, 2 RBI, 1 SB — here’s video of the four hits … I’m interested to know if he slid feet first or head first on the steal after last year’s injury
  • DH Mike Ford: 0-2, 1 R, 2 BB
  • 1B Ryan McBroom: 2-4, 1 R, 1 K — 4-for-11 (.364) through three games
  • RHP David Hale: 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 7/5 GB/FB — 46 of 75 pitches were strikes (61%)
  • RHP Gio Gallegos: 1 P, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 WP, 0/1 GB/FB — 12 of 21 pitches were strikes (57%) … seems the groin is healthy again
  • RHP Cody Carroll: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HB, 1/1 GB/FB — 20 of 33 pitches were strikes (61%) … not the best Triple-A debut, but it happens

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DotF: Gleyber hits first homer of the season in Scranton’s loss

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1B Tyler Austin recently lost rookie eligibility, so RHP Juan De Paula slid into MLB.com’s top 30 Yankees prospects list. The Yankees got De Paula from the Mariners in the Ben Gamel trade two years ago.

Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barres RailRiders (4-3 loss to Syracuse)

  • SS Gleyber Torres: 1-5, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 E (throwing) — video of the homer is embedded above … he took former big leaguer Tommy Milone deep
  • 1B Mike Ford: 1-4, 1 R, 1 K
  • C Kyle Higashioka: 1-2, 2 BB, 1 E (throwing) — he’s been on base six times in eight plate appearances so far
  • RF Ryan McBroom: 2-4, 1 2B, 1 K
  • LHP Josh Rogers: 5 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 3/7 GB/FB — 45 of 79 pitches were strikes (57%) … made only seven starts at Trenton last year before having surgery to remove a bone spur from his elbow, yet he’s up here now … Rogers was slated to be the long man, but with RHP Luis Cessa and RHP Domingo German now in the big leagues, he steps into the rotation
  • RHP Brady Lail: 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 2/2 GB/FB — 22 of 41 pitches were strikes (54%), plus he picked a runner off first … he moved to the bullpen full-time this season
  • RHP Anyelo Gomez: 1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 4/1 GB/FB — 19 of 28 pitches were strikes (68%)

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DotF: Avelino hits walk-off homer in Triple-A Opening Day win

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We have our first player move of the season: IF Billy Fleming was bumped up from Double-A Trenton to Triple-A Scranton, the team announced. He steps into the roster spot that was earmarked for Trayce Thompson. Thompson was lost on waivers yesterday.

Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barres RailRiders (6-5 win over Syracuse, walk-off style) this is their Opening Day, so here’s the full lineup

  • CF Jace Peterson: 1-4, 1 K– didn’t play any outfield in Spring Training, but he’s played out there plenty throughout his career
  • 2B Gleyber Torres: 0-4, 3 K — first regular season game since blowing out his non-throwing elbow sliding into home plate last year (June 17th)
  • 3B Cody Asche: 1-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 K
  • 1B Mike Ford: 0-4, 2 K
  • C Kyle Higashioka: 1-2, 2 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 1 E (throwing) — if nothing else, we know he can punish Triple-A caliber pitching
  • RF Ryan McBroom: 0-3, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K — they’re short on outfielders at the moment, so the career first baseman is playing right field for the time being … McBroom does have a little outfield experience, so this isn’t completely new to him
  • DH Billy Fleming: 0-2, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K
  • LF Zack Zehner: 2-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 K
  • 2B Abi Avelino: 1-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI — walk-off three-run homer capped off the five-run bottom of the ninth … quite a start to the season, eh?
  • RHP Chance Adams: 3.2 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 1 HR, 4/1 GB/FB — 54 of 84 pitches were strikes (64%) … too bad he had a dud tonight, the Yankees probably need someone to replace the injured CC Sabathia and he lined up perfectly
  • RHP Raynel Espinal: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 3/3 GB/FB — 20 of 32 pitches were strikes (63%)
  • LHP Oliver Perez: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 1/1 GB/FB — 10 of 14 pitches were strikes
  • RHP Cale Coshow: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K — 10 of 18 pitches were strikes
  • RHP J.P. Feyereisen: 1 IP, zeroes, 1 K — 10 of 15 pitches were strikes

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DotF: Florial triples in Tampa’s Opening Day win

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At long last, the 2018 minor league season is underway. Three of the four full season affiliates opened their 144-game schedule this evening. Here are some notes before we get to the games:

  • In case you missed it last night, here are the preliminary Opening Day lineups for the full season affiliates. High-A Tampa announced their roster this morning, so the post has been updated.
  • According to Matt Eddy, the Yankees have re-signed C Kellin Deglan, loaned RHP Dallas Martinez to a Mexican League team, and released LHP Woody Bryson, RHP Simon De La Rosa, LHP Tyler Honahan, RHP Jonathan Padilla, RHP David Palladino, RHP Josh Roeder, RHP Mark Seyler, and RHP Daris Vargas. De La Rosa was a sleeper once upon a time. Alas.
  • Two stray links: Keith Law (subs. req’d) lists Double-A Trenton as one of the most stacked teams in the minors this year, and Mike Rosenbaum has a piece on the club’s lower level pitching prospects, with info from minor league pitching coordinator Danny Borrell.

Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barres RailRiders begin their regular season tomorrow. RHP Chance Adams will be on the mound.

Double-A Trenton Thunder (5-2 win over Richmond) as per Opening Day tradition, here are the full lineups

  • 2B Gosuke Katoh: 1-4, 1 2B, 1 K
  • 1B Chris Gittens: 1-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 2 K — had a 27.7% strikeout rate in Single-A the last two years, so I’m curious to see how he handles Double-A
  • LF Trey Amburgey: 2-4, 2 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 SB — hit the first homer in the system this year
  • 3B Billy Fleming: 1-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 K
  • CF Rashad Crawford: 1-4, 2 K, 1 E (fielding)
  • RF Jhalan Jackson: 1-3, 1 R, 1 3B, 1 BB, 2 K
  • DH Bruce Caldwell: 0-3, 1 BB, 1 K
  • C Jorge Saez: 1-4, 1 RBI, 3 K
  • SS Vince Conde: 0-3, 1 K, 1 E (throwing)
  • RHP Domingo Acevedo: 5.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 1 HR, 3/2 GB/FB — 46 of 80 pitches were strikes (58%)
  • RHP Erik Swanson: 3.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 2/2 GB/FB — 32 of 51 pitches were strikes (63%)

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