2024 Yankees Prospects: Final week minor league review

Welcome to the final(!) edition of the 2024 minor league weekly roundup series, where I review each affiliate and the prospects playing there.

Two Yankees affiliates advanced to the playoffs and got past the first round, only to go a combined 1-4 in their respective championship series games at least a somewhat disappointing finish that hopefully isnt indicative of whats to come with the MLB team in October.

Lets dig in! Record : 46-29 (2nd half), 2 games up in the International League East after going 5-1 against the Buffalo Bisons (Blue Jays) Run differential : +96 Despite making it interesting with a 5-1 showing last week, the RailRiders were ultimately unable to overcome the four-game deficit between them and Columbus (Guardians).

Regardless, Scranton took care of business against a Buffalo unit that finished just one game ahead of the worst record in the International League, enjoying a +18 run differential in their 6 matchups.

With Buffalo being so light on both the hitting and pitching fronts, it should come as little surprise that Scranton got it done on both ends.

The pitchers namely Will Warren, Thomas Pannone, and Yoendrys Gomez all delivered outings of at least 4.1 innings and one run allowed apiece.

This was an especially encouraging outing for Warren, whos had a brutal go of it in 2024 despite what might be one of the most misunderstood seasons of any top pitching prospect in baseball.

Outings like the one he had last week are why I believe hes a major, positive regression candidate next season.

Will Warren ( @swbrailriders ): 5 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 6 K 85 pitches/53 strikes #Yankees #RepBX https://t.co/YT5NUHhi9e Pannone finished the season with yet another marvelous outing as outlined above, only he managed to go 6.1 dominant innings en route to a 2.34 ERA with Scranton over 61.2 innings.

He will be a minor-league free agent this offseason, but he should be a priority NRI target for the Bombers.

Although he didnt start a game, it should be mentioned that Clayton Beeter has been pitching in relief for the RailRiders and looked dominant while doing so.

While there was skepticism in July from Brian Cashman on whether Beeter would return this year, his return in a bullpen capacity makes sense both from a workload and future outlook basis.

Beeters dominance in SWB didnt go unnoticed, as he was the big-league bullpen replacement for the ILd Jake Cousins.

Clayton Beeter fired a clean 1-2-3 inning in relief for the @swbrailriders He picked up a strikeout on this 96 MPH fastball with 20 inches of IVB.

pic.twitter.com/wJsU12wvQQ Oswald Peraza had a huge week, as his .300/.318/.800 slash line and three dingers indicates.

If I had to guess, Peraza has already played his last game in the Yankees organization.

Ive been down on Peraza since spring training, when there were fairly loud whispers that Peraza didnt come into camp in good shape.

It will never add up how you blow a golden ticket opportunity to play a potentially key role with a big league club by not coming into camp in good shape.

Peraza also has a lot of mental lapses that make you want to pull your hair out, so I cant even blame the Yankees for ruining him.

Hes a gifted player, that may never be materialize into a good player.

If he does, it wont be with the Yankees: hes out of options after this season.

September Smashin' Oswald Peraza lined a 102.3 mph homer just inside the left field foul pole! pic.twitter.com/7qF2Mf8EJy Aside from Perazas scalding week, Ben Rice continued to prove that hes too good for Triple-A.

Though he had a funky .238/.261/.714 line, Rice has consistently dominated the level since he was promoted from Double-A in June.

I saw some folks argue that Anthony Rizzo should remain the starting first baseman through the postseason because of his defense at first.

Perhaps Im underestimating the importance of defense at first I dont think I am but that nor veteran deference can be the reasons Rizzo starts over Rice.

Respectfully, I need a better explanation.

Who cares if Rice struggled towards the end of his big-league tenure? Rizzo has been brutal, with his offensive output now solely reliant on him muscling out homers to right field.

As I noted in my brief notes piece on Yankees hitters last week, its #Rizzover: its time to call up Rice.

Ill also give some love to T.J.

Rumfield, who may or may not have played his final game in the Yankees organization as well but for other reasons than Peraza.

The first baseman capped off a fabulous season between Double- and Triple-A with a .231/.375/.692 showing, and he might consequently be a Rule 5 target for another club if the Yankees dont protect him by placing him on the 40-man roster this offseason.

The RailRiders season can be best categorized as frustratingly successful.

They were consistently a top-two or three side in the International League all season, but they were never the best club in the first or second halves of the season.

Their collectively strong showing on the season placed them a half game behind the Omaha Storm Chasers (Royals) for the best overall record, but thats a moot point since Triple-A playoffs are dependent on the best first and second half records.

As is the case every season, Scrantons roster might look entirely different come 2025, but they have been a consistently good club that houses several top-end minor-league signees every offseason.

Record : 43-25 (second half), 1.5 games up in the Eastern League Northeast; 2-0 against the Hartford Yard Goats (Rockies, Eastern League semi-finals) and 0-2 against the Erie SeaWolves (Tigers, Eastern League finals) Run differential : +86 Somerset played two hard-fought matchups against Hartford and came out victorious in both affairs, winning each by one run.

Bailey Dees had a huge showing for Game 1, delivering 6.2 innings of two-run ball with nine punchouts.

On the offensive side, Spencer Jones balled out, going 3-for-5 with a home run and two singles.

He was easily the MVP of Game 1.

Spencer Jones since 9/1 (reg + postseason): .299 BA | .657 SLG% | 5 HR | 12 XBH | 29.2% K% pic.twitter.com/3MPX06zMMr Zach Messinger got the nod in game two and was okay, going 6.2 innings and allowing three runs and one homer.

His less-than-overwhelming stuff can make him susceptible to the gopher ball at times, but he will still be a priority Rule 5 target for clubs if he isnt protected this winter.

Still, he managed to keep the Patriots in the game and pitched with a lead from the get go, as Alexander Vargas got things going with an RBI on a fielders choice in the top of the first.

I want to be done with the Alexander Vargas Experience, but he can absolutely fly down the basepaths: that was on full display on that fielders choice RBI.

Rafy Flores extended the lead in the top of the sixth when he smashed a solo shot to left center field.

The catcher and first baseman continued his scalding hot second half and helped put the finishing touches on a series sweep of the Yard Goats.

This was an impressive showing for the Patriots all around, as several players stepped up in key situations.

RAFAEL FLORES CANNOT BE STOPPED! @Yankees No.

30 prospect hits his second homer of the postseason to put Somerset up in Game 1 of the Championship Series.

pic.twitter.com/a5kaFLRDKB Unfortunately, the Patriots winning ways didnt carry over to their series against the SeaWolves, as they got swept in two games.

That was the final note of the Yankees 2024 MiLB season.

The pitching was the Patriots undoing in Game 1, allowing nine runs, including 3 surrendered by reliever Eric Reyzelman, who had been nothing short of marvelous all season long (38.2 IP/1.16 ERA/63 Ks).

The bats were a tad too quiet in Game 2, generating only two runs on four hits.

They also struck out 12 times, including three from Jones.

Theres no shame in losing to the SeaWolves, though, as they placed third in overall record throughout the Eastern League and two games better than Somerset.

Its ironic to consider that the Patriots likely had more talent in the first half, but it was their amazing second half which clinched them a spot in the playoffs.

In any event, there arent many high-end prospects who are set to make their debuts with Somerset next season, so next seasons success will depend on the successful conversion rate of some key players currently rostered in High-A.

Speaking of High-A...

Record : 40-26 (second half), 3.5 games up in the South Atlantic League League North after going 1-2 against the Bowling Green Hot Rods (Rays, South Atlantic League finals) Run differential : +66 We left off last week with the Renegades down 1-0 to a Bowling Green team that had dominated the South Atlantic League all season.

While Hudson Valley made things interesting with a Game 2 win, Josh Grosz got the nod in the second game and was okay, his effectively wild nature taking shape and keeping the Hot Rods off balance.

Though Bowling Green got out to a 2-0 lead, Jackson Castillo got the scoring going with a sac fly RBI in the bottom of the fourth.

The next inning, Antonio Gomez hit a sharp line drive to right for an RBI single.

After Roc Riggio and George Lombard Jr.

got on base, my dawg Omar Martinez hit an epic grand slam to left center.

Seriously, the Yankees ability to identify and development catching talent is second to none: maybe the Dodgers might have something to say about that, but thats it.

ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?! OMAR MARTINEZ LAUNCHES A GRAND SLAM AND PUSHES THE SCORE TO 6! WHAT A MOMENTTHE CROWD GOES WILDDD! pic.twitter.com/Bw5ELgR0bJ As per usual, Hudson Valleys dominant bullpen sealed the Game 2 win with 5.1 shutout innings.

Trent Sellers gave a valiant effort in the rubber match, as he went five innings and surrendered just two runs while allowing six hits, one walk, and striking out six batters.

It wasnt enough though, as the Hot Rods got out to a quick 2-0 lead on a double and bunt single ...

yeah.

While it was encouraging to see Lombard rip a two-run double to center field in the bottom of the sixth, that was the extent of the Renegades offensive output.

In their defense, Hudson Valley was going up against Jackson Baumeister, who was acquired from the Orioles as part of the Zach Eflin trade.

Baumeister is one of the biggest breakout pitchers in the minor leagues this year, and I will be making the case for him as a top-100 prospect at Baseball Prospectus this offseason.

So while it was a disappointing end to the season, theres no shame in losing to an opponent of that caliber.

Season over.

Check out my final remarks on the Tampa Tarpons from two weeks ago .

Season over.

Check out my final remarks on the FCL Yanks from last month .

Season over.

Check out my final remarks on the DSL Yanks from last month .

Peraza is a gifted talent and someone who I believe is at the very least defensively capable of manning the six for a major league team.

At his best, Peraza can look like the core piece to a starting lineup at a key position.

The problem is, we havent seen him consistently perform at that caliber for a while, and hes now out of minor-league options.

I will be very curious to see what the Yankees do with him this offseason.

Well folks, that does it for this seasons minor league weekly roundups.

With each of the minor leagues over, the next event on the scouting cycle is the Arizona Fall League (the AFL for short).

I will focus most of my immediate attention on preparing for that, though I will not be able to get out there for in-person looks this go-around.

Anyway, its been my privilege to write these pieces for you.

My hope is youve been able to learn more about some of the prospects who could make an impact in the near future and even some of them who are talented but are a handful of years away.

I encourage you to give any feedback in the comments, good and/or bad, as to how this series can be improved for 2025 and beyond.

We realize our readers are what makes this website go, and thus we want to tailor this seriesand all our contentas much as we can to what you, the reader, desire.

So with that, fire away!.

This article has been shared from the original article on pinstripealley, here is the link to the original article.