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MLB

Patriots Notebook 8/5/25: Subway Series

August 5, 2025

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. – On the heels of taking four of six from Richmond during an emotionally turbulent trade deadline week, the Patriots (20-13) now sit just three games behind first place Binghamton with the Rumble Ponies (23-10) coming to Bridgewater this week to wrap a 12-game homestand. The latest installment

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. – On the heels of taking four of six from Richmond during an emotionally turbulent trade deadline week, the Patriots (20-13) now sit just three games behind first place Binghamton with the Rumble Ponies (23-10) coming to Bridgewater this week to wrap a 12-game homestand. The latest installment of the Double-A Subway Series is certain to carry enormous postseason implications for Somerset after the Mets’ affiliate was crowned Northeast Division champions in the first half that secured them an automatic berth in the playoffs.

The two rival clubs faced off two months ago in the opening week of June – the Ponies took five of six at Mirabito Stadium, four of which were decided by three runs or less. During their run in affiliated ball, which began in 2021, the Patriots are 31-31 all-time against Binghamton.

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

It’s a Sellers’ Market: Somerset right-hander Trent Sellers was named the Eastern League Pitcher of the Week by Minor League Baseball on Monday after allowing just one hit while punching out seven over five shutout innings against Richmond on Saturday.

The 25-year-old has been solid for Somerset all season long in his first taste of Double-A action; he’s posted a 3.90 ERA over 18 starts and has 94 K in 80.2 IP on the bump. Sellers was used primarily as a reliever before being converted to a full-time starter at High-A Hudson Valley in late July of last season.

Since joining the organization as an undrafted free agent out of Oregon State in 2023, Sellers has posted a cumulative 3.07 ERA and has struck out 194 in 164.1 innings.

Rehab and Homecoming: Yankees right-hander Mark Leiter Jr., who landed on the IL on July 7 with a left fibular head stress fracture, rehabbed with the Patriots on Saturday against Richmond. The 34-year-old reliever, who became the 11th member of the Yankees to rehab with Somerset this season, tossed 16 pitches and allowed a walk over a scoreless frame.

The NJIT alum had previously played for Somerset as part of the team's SOMERSET Professional Baseball League in 2020 during the COVID-19 Pandemic; he posted 31 K in 29 IP while posting a 1.55 ERA during that season.

The Jones Show: Outfielder Brendan Jones went 3-for-5 with an RBI in the team’s series finale over Richmond on Sunday. The Yankees 20th ranked prospect went 7-for-17 last week to go with 2 HR, 7 RBI and 6 BB. Over his last 20 games, the 23-year-old Kansas State product has hit .303 and posted a 1.106 OPS while blasting 6 homers and driving home 19 runs to go along with 6 stolen bases over that stretch.

Deadlines Spur Action: The Yankees made a slew of trades last week to strengthen their postseason aspirations with the looming 7/31 trade deadline approaching. In separate moves with Pittsburgh, San Francisco and Colorado on deadline day, the Bombers shipped out several current and former Somerset standouts that vastly altered the identity of the team.

Catcher Rafael Flores, who was promoted to Triple-A less than two weeks prior, landed with the Pirates in a deal that sent reliever David Bednar to the Bronx. Flores, who was the Yankees No. 8 prospect at the time of the move, blasted 15 homers, and drove home 56 runs while slashing .287/.346/.496 in 87 games with the Patriots this season.

The Yankees were able to acquire 29-year-old righty Jake Bird from the Rockies in a deal that sent then current Patriots Roc Riggio and Ben Shields to Colorado.

Riggio had quickly endeared himself to his teammates and Somerset fans for his enthusiastic and hard-nosed play after being promoted to Double-A on June 3. The 23-year-old infielder was the organization’s No. 10 prospect at the time of the trade and was in the midst of a career year after being drafted in the fourth round out of Oklahoma State in 2023. Riggio had added muscle and worked rigorously on his approach this past offseason in order to dial into his power stroke and it had been on display to the tune of 18 homers in 62 games after hitting just 11 all of last season. Following the transaction, Riggio has been assigned to division rival Hartford with the Yard Goats scheduled to come to Bridgewater in just two weeks for a six-game series from 8/19-8/24.

Sheilds, who had just cracked the Yankees top 30 prospect list (No. 28) in the MLB Pipeline midseason re-ranking, also headed to Colorado and subsequently Hartford alongside Riggio on Thursday. The 26-year-old southpaw was activated off the 60-day IL in late June had been a steady presence in the middle of the Patriots rotation since. In five starts prior to the deal, Shields posted a 3.42 ERA and had punched out 26 batters in 23.2 innings this season.

In the final move of the day that became official just under the gun of the 6 P.M. ET deadline, the Yankees acquired right-hander Camilo Doval from the San Francisco in a package that sent right-hander Trystan Vrieling and former Patriots backstop Jesus Rodriguez to the Giants.

The fascinating aspect of that deal was that the Giants Double-A affiliate, the Richmond Flying Squirrels, were in town facing Somerset at the time of the transaction. The two clubs were rained out on deadline day, so Vrieling showed up at TD Bank Ballpark on Friday as a member of the opposition for the first time after pitching against them on Wednesday.

Somerset play-by-play announcer Steven Cusumano caught up with Vrieling on Friday for his reaction to the roller coaster sequence of events.

Vrieling, who has gone 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA with 42 punchouts in 46 innings this season, departs the organization as the Patriots all-time leader in wins in their time as a Yankees affiliate (14).

Catcher Jesus Rodriguez, who opened the 2025 campaign with the Patriots before being quickly promoted to Triple-A on 4/13, was slashing .300/.390/.404 in 85 games this season.

Earlier in the week, the Yankees also traded away former Patriots Clayton Beeter (Washington), Everson Pereira (Tampa Bay), and Oswald Peraza (LA Angels).

Let’s Get Ready to Rumble: The energy is always noticeably turned up an extra level when the two New York Double-A affiliates meet, but when Somerset hosts Binghamton this week, there are legitimate postseason implications hanging in the balance. The Rumble Ponies hold a three-game cushion over the Patriots and with just five weeks remaining in the regular season, including a third and final meeting between these teams at the end of the month, Somerset is most certainly jockeying to put a dent into that deficit.

While Somerset is relying heavily on Yankees top-prospect George Lombard Jr., Binghamton is coming to town with Mets prospect Jett Williams. The Rumble Ponies are loaded with a roster that features eight of the Mets top 12 prospects including three of their top four, all of whom rank inside baseball’s top 70 prospects.

Williams, who was the 14th overall pick back in 2022, is slashing .278/.388/.482 as a 21-year-old. The versatile shortstop/centerfielder is the 38th ranked prospect in baseball and he leads the Eastern League in doubles (28), runs (66), OPS (.870) and is second in OBP (.388) while swiping 29 bases, which is tied for fourth in the league.

Mets No. 2 prospect Jonah Tong has arguably been the best pitcher in Minor League Baseball this season. The 22-year-old right-hander, who is the No. 52 prospect in the game, has struck out 146 batters this season, which is the most in all of MiLB ahead of Patriots hurler Carlos Lagrange, who has fanned 127. Tong, who is slated to start the series opening matinee at 12:05 P.M. on Tuesday, ranks atop the Eastern League leaderboard in most vital categories - ERA (1.66), WHIP (0.93) and BAA (.139).

No. 4 prospect Carson Benge, the organization’s first round draft selection from just a year ago, has been one of the fastest rising prospects around the game with a torrid 2025 campaign. The 22-year-old Benge has hit .323 while posting a .968 OPS in his first full-season of professional ball. After tearing up High-A Brooklyn to open the season, Benge was promoted to Double-A on June 24 and in just 26 games with Binghamton, the Oklahoma State alum has slashed .370/.462/.670 with 8 homers and 20 RBI while posting a 16:14 walk-to-strikeout ratio.

Meanwhile, the Mets No. 7 prospect, Ryan Clifford, has blasted an Eastern League best 21 homers and 66 walks while his 70 RBI is one shy off of the league high mark.

Series Pitching Probables

Tue: RHP Jonah Tong (8-4, 1.66 ERA) vs. RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz (8-4, 1.66 ERA)

Wed: TBD vs. TBD

Thu: RHP RJ Gordon (2-0, 3.86 ERA) vs. RHP Carlos Lagrange (4-3, 3.22 ERA)

Fri: LHP Jonathan Santucci (2-0, 3.93 ERA) vs. LHP Brock Selvidge (2-3, 5.11 ERA)

Sat: RHP Jack Wenninger (8-6, 3.02 ERA) vs. RHP Trent Sellers (2-4, 3.90 ERA)

Sun: RHP Jonah Tong (8-4, 1.66 ERA) vs. RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz (8-4, 1.66 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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