12 Patriots Invited To Yankees MLB Spring Training
Bridgewater, New Jersey – 12 Somerset Patriots from the 2022 season have been invited to Yankees MLB spring training.
Bridgewater, New Jersey – 12 Somerset Patriots from the 2022 season have been invited to Yankees MLB spring training.
INF Jesus Bastidas hit .240 (95-for-396) with 56 runs, 18 doubles, a triple, 18 home runs, 55 RBIs, 38 walks and 11 stolen bases in 111 games in Somerset. Following the season, the 24-year old earned a 2022 Rawlings Minor League Gold Glove Award at second base. He spent six minor league seasons in the Yankees organization (2016-19, ‘21-22), hitting .237 (279-for-1,179) with 183 runs, 43 doubles, three triples, 29 home runs, 143 RBIs, 110 walks and 36 stolen in 341 combined games. Bastidas was re-signed by the Yankees to a minor league contract on October 26, 2022. The Barquisimeto, Venezuela, native was originally signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent on July 2, 2015.
RHP Sean Boyle went 13-5 with a 3.71 ERA (155.1 IP, 71 R/64 ER, 34 BB, 160 K, 25 HR) in 28 combined games (27 starts) with Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2022. He led Yankees minor leaguers this past season in wins, strikeouts, starts and innings pitched. Additionally, he earned Eastern League “Pitcher of the Month” honors in July 2022 with Somerset. Boyle, 26, has gone 24-9 with a 3.14 ERA (295.1IP, 244 H, 125 R/103 ER, 65 BB, 321 K, 34 HR) in 81 appearances (37 starts) over four minor league seasons with the Yankees (2018-19, ‘21-22). The Selden, N.Y., native was selected by the Yankees in the 25th round of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft out of Dallas Baptist University (Tex.).
C Josh Breaux hit .219 (81-for-370) with 44 runs, 14 doubles, two triples, 19 home runs, 50 RBIs, 31 walks and two stolen bases in 94 combined games with Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The 25-year-old has spent four minor league seasons with the Yankees (2018-19, ‘21-22), hitting .244 (251-for-1,027) with 126 runs, 53 doubles, two triples, 55 home runs, 175 RBIs and 76 walks in 265 games. In 2022, his 19HR were tied for the fifth-most among Yankees minor leaguers. The Tomball, Tex., native was selected by the Yankees in the second round of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft out of McLennan Community College (Tex.).
RHP Jhony Brito split the 2022 season with Double-A Somerset (8 GS) and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (18 G/15 GS), combining to go 11-4 with a 2.96 ERA (112.2IP, 95 H, 40 R/37 ER, 35 BB, 91 K, 9 HR) in 26 games (23 starts). Among Yankees farmhands, the right-handed pitcher ranked second in wins, fifth in starts and sixth in innings pitched. Following the season, was named by Baseball America as having the “Best Control” among Yankees farmhands. Over five minor league seasons (2016-17, ’19, ’21-22), the 24-year-old has gone 26-21 with two saves and a 3.71 ERA (392.2 IP, 375 H, 196 R/162 ER, 81 BB, 344 K, 28 HR) in 86 games (70 starts). A native of Puerto Plata, D.R., he was signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent on November 9, 2015.
INF Andres Chaparro was selected as an Eastern League Postseason All-Star and was named an Organization All-Star by MiLB.com for his 2022 season. He slashed .289/.369/.594 (69-for-239) with 36 runs, 16 doubles, 19 home runs, 52 RBIs, 25 walks and three stolen bases in 64 games in Somerset. His 20 total homers were tied for the third-most among Yankees minor leaguers. The 23-year-old has hit .251 (342-for-1,364) with 206 runs, 74 doubles, eight triples, 52 home runs, 220 RBIs, 168 walks and 12 stolen bases in 385 games over six minor league seasons in the Yankees organization (2016-19, ‘21-22). Chaparro was re-signed by the Yankees to a minor league contract on October 15, 2022. The El Vigia, Venezuela, native was originally signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent on July 2, 2015.
OF Jasson Domínguez combined to hit .273 (123-for-451) with 92 runs, 23 doubles, seven triples, 16 home runs, 59 RBIs, 72 walks and 37 stolen bases in 120 games with Single-A Tampa, High-A Hudson Valley and Double-A Somerset. He led all Yankees minor leaguers in runs scored, ranked second in hits and total bases (208), tied for second in triples, third in walks, tied for third in extra-base hits (46), tied for fourth in stolen bases and fifth in doubles. The switch hitter participated in the 2022 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game in Los Angeles, starting in centerfield and hitting a two-run homer. Following the season, he was tabbed by Baseball America as the Yankees’ No. 3 prospect and the No. 67 overall prospect in baseball, as well as being named the No. 47 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline. Additionally, he was named an Organization All-Star by MiLB.com, a Florida State League Postseason All-Star and the Florida State League’s “Top MLB Prospect.” Domínguez also played for the Mesa Solar Sox in the Arizona Fall League at the conclusion of the season and was named an AFL Fall Star. The 20-year-old has batted .266 (175-for-657) with 123 runs, 32 doubles, eight triples, 21 home runs, 78 RBIs, 99 walks and 46 stolen bases in 176 games over two minor league seasons (2021-22). The Esperanza, D.R., native was signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent on July 2, 2019.
OF Elijah Dunham spent the entire 2022 season with Somerset, hitting .248 (103-for-415) with 67 runs, 26 doubles, three triples, 17 home runs, 63 RBIs, 59 walks and 37 stolen bases in 110 games. Among Yankees farmhands, he ranked third in doubles, tied for third in extra-base hits (46), fourth in RBI, tied for fourth in stolen bases and tied for fifth in runs scored. Following the season, Dunham was selected as an Eastern League Postseason All-Star and named an Organization All-Star by MiLB.com. The 24-year-old has hit .255 (192-for-754) with 139 runs, 51 doubles, five triples, 30 home runs, 120 RBIs, 106 walks and 65 stolen bases in 203 games over two minor league seasons in the Yankees organization (2021-22). The Evansville, Ind., native was signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent on June 18, 2020.
C Rodolfo Durán spent the entire 2022 season with Somerset, hitting .222 (45-for-203) with 20 runs, 12 doubles, nine home runs, 33 RBIs and 11walks in 53 games. Following the season, he played for Estrellas Orientales in the Dominican Winter League. The 24-year-old owns a minor league career .240 (288-for-1,198) batting average with 142 runs, 61 doubles, seven triples, 42 home runs, 145 RBIs and 62 walks in 360 games over seven minor league seasons in the Philadelphia Phillies organization (2015-19, ‘21) and the Yankees organization (2022). Durán was originally signed by the Yankees as a minor league free agent on December 15, 2021. He was then re-signed to a minor league contract on December 8, 2022. The Santo Domingo, D.R., native was originally signed by the Philadelphia Phillies as a non-drafted free agent on November 5, 2014.
RHP Mitch Spence went 6-7 with a 4.70 ERA (130.1IP, 138 H, 73 R/68 ER, 42 BB, 127 K, 17 HR) in 27 combined games (25 starts) with Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He ranked third among Yankees farmhands in innings pitched, tied for third in games started and sixth in strikeouts. The 24-year-old has gone 15-16 with four saves and a 4.27 ERA (263.1IP, 253 H, 138 R/125 ER, 83 BB, 274 K, 28 HR) in 66 games (45 starts) over three minor league seasons in the Yankees organization (2019, ‘21-22). The Kirkland, Wash., native was selected by the Yankees in the 10th round of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of South Carolina-Aiken.
RHP Randy Vasquez went 2-7 with a 3.90 ERA (115.1IP, 106 H, 56 R/50 ER, 41 BB, 120 K, 11 HR) in 25 starts with Double-A Somerset in 2022. He pitched eight no-hit innings in a combined no-hitter to clinch the Eastern League Championship for Somerset. Among Yankees farmhands, the 24-year-old was tied for third in starts and ranked fifth in innings pitched. Following the season, was tabbed by Baseball America as the Yankees’ No. 9 prospect and labeled as having the “Best Curveball” among Yankees farmhands. In four minor league seasons (2018-19, ’21-22), Vásquez has gone 15-13 with a 3.10 ERA (307.2 IP, 249 H, 134R/106ER, 119 BB, 331 K, 22 HR) in 68 games (64 starts). A native of Navarette, D.R., he was signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent on May 21, 2018.
SS Anthony Volpe hit .249 (127-for-511) with 86 runs, 35 doubles, five triples, 21 home runs, 65 RBIs, 65 walks and 50 stolen bases in 132 combined games with Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this past season. The 21-year-old led Yankees farmhands in hits, doubles, XBH (61), total bases (235) and stolen bases, while ranking second in runs scored and homers, tied for second in RBI, tied for fourth in triples and fifth in walks. Volpe was the only player in the minors to record at least 20 home runs and 50 stolen bases, becoming the first player to accomplish the feat since Andruw Jones in 1995. Following the season, he was tabbed by Baseball America as the No. 1 prospect in the Yankees organization and No. 14 prospect in baseball. Additionally, the publication labeled him as the “Best Hitter for Average” and “Best Strike-Zone Discipline” in the Yankees system. Volpe was also ranked by MLB Pipeline as the No. 5 overall prospect in baseball and was named an Organization All-Star by MiLB.com. Volpe has spent three minor league seasons in the Yankees organization (2019, ‘21-22), hitting .262 (274-for-1044) with 218 runs, 77 doubles, 13 triples, 50 home runs, 162 RBIs, 166 walks and 89 stolen bases in 275 games. The Watchung, N.J., native was selected by the Yankees in the first round (30th overall) of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft.
C Austin Wells combined with High-A Hudson Valley, Single-A Tampa and Double-A Somerset to hit .277/.385/.512 (93-for-336) with 60 runs, 17 doubles, a triple, 20 home runs, 65 RBIs, 56 walks and 16 stolen bases in 92 games in 2022. Among Yankees farmhands, Wells ranked second in slugging percentage, was tied for second in RBI, tied for third in homers and ranked fifth in OPS (.897). Following the season, the catcher was tabbed by Baseball America as the No. 5 prospect in the Yankees organization and the No. 94 overall prospect in baseball. Additionally, the publication labeled him as the “Best Power Hitter” among Yankees farmhands. He was also named an Organization All-Star by MiLB.com. The 23-year-old has hit .270 (194-for-718) with 142 runs, 40 doubles, six triples, 36 home runs, 141 RBIs, 127 walks and 32 stolen bases in 195 games over two minor league seasons in the Yankees organization (2021-22). The Las Vegas, Nev., native was selected by the Yankees in the first round (28th overall) of the 2020 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Arizona.
Pineda’s Slam, Moon’s Big Night Key Back-and-Forth Victory
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—Esmith Pineda crushed a first-inning grand slam amidst a five-RBI night, Bernard Moon had three hits and two RBI, and the Daytona Tortugas scored twice in the eighth to break a tie after losing a six-run lead, outlasting the St. Lucie Mets 11-9 on Tuesday night at Jackie
Duno’s Walk-Off Homer Lifts Tortugas to Series-Ending Win
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—Alfredo Duno crushed a walk-off home run with two outs in the ninth inning and trio of pitchers allowed only three hits as the Daytona Tortugas snuck past the Tampa Tarpons 2-1 on Sunday evening at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Daytona (15-18) earned a series split with Tampa (14-19)
Tortugas Squander Six-Run Lead, Fall in Ten
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—An Esmith Pineda home run and two RBIs from Carlos Sanchez helped Daytona build a 6-0 lead, but the Tampa Tarpons erupted for a 10-7 win in ten innings on a rainy Saturday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Tampa (14-18) belted out seven extra-base hits and scored ten
Stafura’s Homer, Sando’s Strikeouts, Beat Rain, Tarpons
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—Sammy Stafura homered and drove in three, Nick Sando struck out nine in relief, and the Daytona Tortugas broke a tie with a five-run seventh right before a thunderstorm cut short Friday night’s contest, which ended with a 7-2 victory over the Tampa Tarpons at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
Tortugas Swept in Rainy Thursday Doubleheader
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—The Tampa Tarpons led nearly the entire way in both games as they downed the Daytona Tortugas 13-2 and 6-3 in a Thursday night doubleheader at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Tampa (13-17) pounded out 21 hits over the two contests, as Daytona (13-17) was swept in a doubleheader for
Tortugas and Tarpons Washed out on Wednesday
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—Wednesday’s game between the Daytona Tortugas and the Tampa Tarpons was postponed due to rain, lightning, and impending weather conditions. The game will be made up as part of a Thursday doubleheader. Thursday’s twinbill will begin at 5:00 p.m. with the second contest to follow approximately 40 minutes
Moon Homers, Henley and Pineda Clutch in 10-7 Win
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—Bernard Moon homered, Kyle Henley stroked three hits with two steals, and Esmith Pineda added two hits and RBIs as the Daytona Tortugas out-slugged the Tampa Tarpons 10-7 on Tuesday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Daytona (13-15) reached double digits in runs for the third time this season
Carlos Sanchez Named FSL Player of the Week for Second Time
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—Daytona Tortugas infielder Carlos Sanchez has earned Florida State League Player of the Week honors for the second time this season, being honored for his performance during the week of April 19-May 4 after another productive week at home against Lakeland and on the road against Dunedin. The
Pair of Early Homers Pace Series-Ending Win
DUNEDIN, Fla—Sammy Stafura and Esmith Pineda both homered in a four-run first inning and the Daytona Tortugas led wire-to-wire in a 6-2 win over the Dunedin Blue Jays in the series on Sunday afternoon at TD Ballpark. Daytona (12-15) pounded out a dozen hits and struck out 13 opposing hitters
Daytona Drubbed by Dunedin on Saturday
DUNEDIN, Fla—The Dunedin Blue Jays scored seven runs in the sixth inning to blow the game wide open as the Daytona Tortugas were thumped 14-1 on Saturday night at TD Ballpark. Dunedin (15-11) secured the series victory with the win, as Daytona (11-15) lost their fourth in a row, allowing
Tortugas Drop First Game of Trip, 8-2
DUNEDIN, Fla—Carlos Sanchez reached base four times, but the Dunedin Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom of the first and never looked back as they defeated the Daytona Tortugas 8-2 on Friday night at TD Ballpark. Dunedin (14-11) stroked 11 hits and drew ten walks at the plate,
Martinez Starts Strong, Sanchez Homers, But ‘Tugas Falter in Ten
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—Juan Martinez spun 5.0 innings of two-run ball and Carlos Sanchez lined his second home run of the season, but the Lakeland Flying Tigers erased a two-run deficit and squeaked past the Daytona Tortugas in ten innings 4-3 on Thursday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Lakeland (12-12) secured
Tortugas Tamed on Wednesday Night
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—Wednesday’s contest was a pitcher’s duel much of the way, but the Lakeland Flying Tigers pulled away in the eighth to defeat the Daytona Tortugas 5-1 on Wednesday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Lakeland (11-12) led the entire way after taking the lead in the second as Daytona
Sanchez’s Four Hits, Bullpen’s Balancing Act Lead 3-1 Win
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—Carlos Sanchez recorded the squad’s first four-hit game of the season and Daytona Tortugas pitching navigated around multiple jams throughout the latter half of the ballgame to secure a 3-1 win over the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Tuesday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Daytona (11-11) moved to 7-3
Seven Steals, Sanchez’s Big Day Pace 8-4 Victory
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla—Carlos Sanchez had two hits and three RBI, Luis Leones logged three hits, and Kyle Henley added two hits and three of the team’s seven stolen bases as the Daytona Tortugas raced past the St. Lucie Mets 8-4 on Sunday at Clover Park. Daytona (10-11) ended a
Stafura Triples in Two in Saturday Night Setback
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla—Sammy Stafura lined a two-run triple, but the Daytona Tortugas couldn’t overtake an early four-run deficit and fell to the St. Lucie Mets 4-2 on Saturday night at Clover Park. St. Lucie (12-8) secured the series win with their fourth win of the week, as Daytona (9-11)
Duno Homers in Friday Night Defeat
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla—Alfredo Duno crushed his third home run of the season, but the St. Lucie Mets pounded out 11 runs on 15 hits to soundly defeat the Daytona Tortugas 11-2 on Friday night at Clover Park. St. Lucie (11-8) has now won three of the first four games
Stafura’s Homer, Three-Run Sixth Lead Way in 5-4 Win
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla—Sammy Stafura cracked his first home run of the season, Daytona took the lead for good with a three-run sixth, and the Tortugas survived a three-run ninth to defeat the St. Lucie Mets 5-4 on Thursday night at Clover Park. Daytona (9-9) moved back to .500 on
Floyd Fantastic, But Four-Run Frame Foils Daytona
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla—Ty Floyd struck out a career-high seven batters over 4.0 hitless innings, but the St. Lucie Mets scored four runs against the Daytona Tortugas bullpen in sixth to turn the tide in a 6-3 St. Lucie victory on Wednesday afternoon at Clover Park. St. Lucie (10-7) earned
Strong Pitching Night Slips Away in Series Opener
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla—The Daytona Tortugas held the St. Lucie Mets to just three hits and did not allow a run over the first eight innings, but St. Lucie tied the game in the ninth, then walked away with a 3-2 win in ten innings on Tuesday night at Clover
Carlos Sanchez Named Florida State League Player of the Week
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—Daytona Tortugas infielder Carlos Sanchez has been named the Florida State League Player of the Week for the week of April 15-20 after a huge week that was instrumental in the Tortugas winning four of six games at home against the Jupiter Hammerheads A 20-year-old native of the
Duno, Omana Homer, But Two-Out Avalanche Downs Daytona
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—Alfredo Duno and Diego Omana homered, while Esmith Pineda added two hits and two RBI, but the Jupiter Hammerheads scored five runs in the first and didn’t look back as they defeated the Daytona Tortugas 11-7 on Easter Sunday at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Jupiter (7-8) salvaged the final
Sellout Crowd Silenced in 4-2 Setback
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—The Daytona Tortugas welcomed a throng of 3,550 to Jackie Robinson Ballpark for their largest gathering since 2019, but the Jupiter Hammerheads silenced the crowd and the Daytona bats as they spoiled the big gathering with a 4-2 victory on Saturday night. Jupiter (6-8) broke open a tie
Tortugas Break Open Tight Game in Sixth, Win Fourth in a Row
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—Daytona broke a 1-1 tie in the fifth and pulled away with three more in the sixth as the Daytona Tortugas won their fourth game in a row with a 5-1 win over the Jupiter Hammerheads on Friday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Daytona (8-5) improved to 6-1
Moon’s Two Hits, RBIs Lead Tortugas to Third Straight Win
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—Bernard Moon swatted a pair of RBI hits, including the tie-breaker in the sixth, to lead the Daytona Tortugas to a 3-2 victory over the Jupiter Hammerheads on Thursday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Daytona (7-5) won their third straight for the first time this season, holding Jupiter