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MLB

Patriots Notebook 7/22/25: Erie Series

July 22, 2025

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. – On the heels of dropping two of three contests to Hartford over the weekend, the Patriots (13-8) sit just a game behind division-leading Binghamton in the Northeast. Somerset treks west to Erie to wrap its nine-game road trip with six against the SeaWolves. After running roughshod through

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. – On the heels of dropping two of three contests to Hartford over the weekend, the Patriots (13-8) sit just a game behind division-leading Binghamton in the Northeast. Somerset treks west to Erie to wrap its nine-game road trip with six against the SeaWolves.

After running roughshod through the Eastern League in the first half with a league-best 45 wins, Erie is 10-10 coming out of the gate in the second half as it sits in third place in the Southwest division entering action on Tuesday.

These two clubs locked horns just four weeks ago when Erie took four of six from the Patriots at TD Bank Ballpark and outscored Somerset by 28 runs. Since that meeting, Somerset has gone 11-4 while steadily climbing up the standings.

Here are some of the latest news, notes and storylines surrounding the Patriots heading into this week’s action.

So Long, Flo: The Yankees announced on Saturday that catcher Rafael Flores was promoted from Double-A Somerset to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. In 87 games as a Patriot this season, the 24-year-old Flores slashed .287/.346/.497 and led the Eastern League in extra-base hits (39) and total bases (166) while ranking second in hits (96), RBI (56), and third in homers (15).

The undrafted free agent exploded onto the scene last season with a torrid 2024 campaign that saw him earn recognition as the 2024 Kevin Lawn Award winner as the Yankees’ Minor League Position Player of the Year.

Lombard Jr. Heating Up: Fresh off a return from a standout performance in the MLB All-Star Futures Game, Yankees' top-prospect George Lombard Jr. went 4-for-14 with four extra base hits, including homers in back-to-back games on Saturday and Sunday, to cap the weekend slate against Hartford.

King of the Gil: Reigning American League Rookie of the Year Luis Gil made his second rehab start for Somerset last Friday in Hartford in the team's first game out of the All-Star break. The 27-year-old right-hander allowed two earned runs on two hits over 3.1 innings of work; he fanned seven and walked two during the 57-pitch appearance.

Arias, the New Guy: Right-hander Michael Arias, a member of the Yankees' 40-man roster, was sent to Somerset on Saturday at the conclusion of his minor league rehab assignment. The 23-year-old Dominican-native, who was acquired from the Cubs last January for cash considerations, has an intriguing arsenal that the organization believes holds strong value. In his Somerset debut on Sunday, Arias fired 1.1 scoreless inning with two strikeouts including his final one on a 100 mph fastball.

Hello, Yerry: Luis Gil was not the only Yankees hurler to rehab in Hartford for Somerset last weekend; reliever Yerry De Los Santos joined the club by kicking off a rehab assignment on Saturday. The 27-year-old righty allowed two earned runs on three hits while striking out two batters in his 15-pitch inning. De Los Santos, who posted a 1.80 ERA in 14 games for the Yankees this season, landed on the IL on June 19 with right elbow discomfort. De Los Santos is the 10th big leaguer to commence a rehab assignment with the Patriots this season.

Carlos Climbing: Right-hander Carlos Lagrange now ranks 100 in the MLB Pipeline top 100 prospect list entering action on Tuesday, joining teammate George Lombard Jr., who slots in at No. 32. After an up-and-down four starts to open his Double-A campaign, the electric right-hander with 102 mph velocity in his back pocket, has posted a 1.10 ERA and surrendered three hits and seven walks while striking out 25 batters over his last three starts spanning 16.1 innings.

Knowing the Opponent: Excluding their victory over Erie in the 2022 Eastern League championship series, the Patriots have struggled in their affiliated tenure against the SeaWolves. Entering their six-game duel this week, Somerset is looking for just their second series victory against the Detroit affiliate in their ninth meeting since 2021.

Erie was crowned Southwest Division champion in the first half, but came out of the gate in the second half by going 10-10. It is certainly not due to lack of talent. The SeaWolves have a roster that is highlighted by four of the top five Tigers' prospects, including top-prospect Kevin McGonigle, and 2023 first-round pick, Max Clark.

McGonigle was taken 37th overall in the 2023 draft by Detroit and at just 20-years-old, he has already cracked Double-A after earning a promotion to Erie on July 8. In 48 games this season spanning three levels, McGonigle is slashing .352/.447/.599 with seven homers and 42 RBI.

Clark, who was the 3rd overall pick in that same 2023 draft class, was promoted to Erie in early July. At 20-years-old like McGonigle, Clark is already flashing elite-level talent in his first taste of the upper levels of the minor leagues. Clark has already gone deep twice over the first six games he has played at Double-A and for the season, he is slashing .285/.430/.427.

Series Pitching Probables

Tue: RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz (0-1, 4.50 ERA) vs. LHP Carlos Pena (5-5, 3.39 ERA)

Wed: RHP Trystan Vrieling (1-2, 4.95 ERA) vs. RHP Austin Bergner (6-4, 3.60 ERA)

Thu: RHP Carlos Lagrange (4-2, 3.79 ERA) vs. RHP Kenny Serwa (4-3, 3.73 ERA)

Fri: LHP Brock Selvidge (2-2, 3.07 ERA) vs. RHP Ryan Watson (3-2, 2.39 ERA)

Sat: RHP Trent Sellers (1-4, 3.71 ERA) vs. RHP Garrett Burhenn (10-2, 3.55 ERA)

Sun: LHP Ben Shields (1-1, 2.89 ERA) vs. LHP Carlos Pena (5-5, 3.39 ERA)

Matt Kardos | SomersetPatriots.com Senior Writer

Matt Kardos has covered the Yankees minor league system for over a decade and will spend his 13th season on the beat covering the Patriots for SomersetPatriots.com. Throughout his career, Matt has contributed to MLB.com, YES Network and Pinstriped Prospects. When he’s not at the ballpark, Matt enjoys traveling with his wife Kimberly, watching Jets football and collecting sports cards.

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