Patriots Notebook 5/13/25: Welcome Back
BRIDGEWATER, N.J. - The Patriots at last return home on Tuesday night after going 5-7 on a season-long 12-game road trip through stops in Richmond and Akron. On the heels of that near 1,200-mile trek, Somerset (14 -19), sitting in fifth place in the Northeast division, will have an opportunity
BRIDGEWATER, N.J. - The Patriots at last return home on Tuesday night after going 5-7 on a season-long 12-game road trip through stops in Richmond and Akron. On the heels of that near 1,200-mile trek, Somerset (14 -19), sitting in fifth place in the Northeast division, will have an opportunity to chip away at their 5.5 game deficit when it welcomes first place Portland (18-12) to town this week for the first of three meetings between the clubs this season.
Here are some of the latest news, notes and storylines surrounding the Patriots heading into this week’s action.
First steps in Double-A for George Lombard Jr. pic.twitter.com/WUeBL6kr7N
— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) May 6, 2025
Top Prospect at Home: After being promoted to Double-A last week, Yankees top prospect George Lombard Jr. is slated to make his home debut for the Patriots on Tuesday against Portland. The 19-year-old infielder, who was the Bombers' first round draft selection in 2023, went 4-for-21 with 2 RBI and 2 SB while playing in all six games at Akron last week. Ranked as the No. 44 prospect by MLB Pipeline, Lombard Jr. posted a .983 OPS and slashed .329/.495/.488 with 11 stolen bases in 13 tries to go along with a 23:22 walk-to-strikeout ratio in 24 games with High-A Hudson Valley.
MAKE EM PAY!
— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) May 10, 2025
After intentionally walking Alexander Vargas, Max Burt brings home TWO RUNS in the 11th to put Somerset back in front! pic.twitter.com/xeFe5Tw55C
Streaking to the Max: Versatile infielder Max Burt, who has bounced between Somerset and Triple-A over the first six weeks of the season, is riding a nine-game hitting streak which is the longest active streak in the Eastern League. During the streak, Burt is 12-for-33 while slashing .364/.405/.455 with 6 RBI and 6 runs scored over that stretch.
Jasso Stays Jot 🔥
— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) May 10, 2025
Dylan Jasso has RBI in back-to-back games with an RBI single in the first! pic.twitter.com/69gy1vONXq
Jasso Heating Up: Infielder Dylan Jasso is riding a five-game hitting streak himself after going 7-for-21 in the six-game series at Akron last week. In his first season at Double-A, the undrafted free-agent out of New Mexico is slashing .269/.326.471 while having played everywhere on the infield other than shortstop in his 29 games of action this season. His 17 RBI ranks second on the team behind only Spencer Jones, while his five homers rank third.
Efficient Effross@Yankees RHP Scott Effross strikes out two batters, including 2024 first overall pick Travis Bazzana, in the first appearance of his rehab assignment.
— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) May 10, 2025
1.1 IP | 2 H | 0 R | 0 BB | 2 K
Pitches (Strikes): 25 (19) pic.twitter.com/OCELWa39Lq
Patriotic Rehab: Yankees right-handed reliever Scott Effross became the third big leaguer behind Clarke Schmidt and DJ LeMahieu to rehab with the Patriots in the early going of this season. The 31-year-old Effross, who suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain after tossing just one pitch in his second spring training outing back in February, allowed two hits and fanned two batters while pitching 1.1 innings against Akron on Saturday.
Spencer to the Shelf: After being scratched from the starting lineup on May 4 in Richmond, Yankees No. 2 prospect Spencer Jones was placed on the 7-day injured list last Tuesday. Jones was in the midst of a torrid start to his season that saw him blast a Double-A best nine homers while posting a .372 on-base percentage.
Rafa RBI @Yankees No. 15 propesct Rafael Flores scores Max Burt to put the Patriots up 5-0!
— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) May 10, 2025
Flores leads Somerset with 24 RBI. pic.twitter.com/mjts77iXZw
Going With the Flo: Rafael Flores went 3-for-4 on Sunday in Akron to cap a stellar road trip. The C/1B led the team with 17 hits on the trip (.327/.352/.519) with 2 HR, 6 RBI and 6 XBH in 12 games. Flores is hitting a team-high .290 amongst qualified players and has driven home a team-best 24 RBI in 33 games this season.
Cardiac Cam@Yankees No. 10 prospect Cam Schlittler strikes out at least seven batters for the third time this season.
— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) May 8, 2025
6.0 IP | 3 H | 1 R | 7 K
Pitches (Strikes): 95 (57) pic.twitter.com/aYYS04HyDD
Schlitter Domination: After a stellar 2024 season that earned him honors as the Kevin Lawn Award winner as the Yankees Minor League Pitcher of the Year, right-hander Cam Schlitter has picked up right where he left off in six appearances this season. The 24-year-old allowed just eight earned runs in 33 IP with 36 K. His 2.18 ERA ranks fourth best in the Eastern League amongst qualified pitchers.
Knowing the Opponent: The timeless Yankees-Red Sox rivalry comes to Somerset this week for the Double-A installment. While Portland sits atop the division at 18-12, it holds just a half-game cushion over both Hartford and Binghamton and is just 8-7 away from home this season.
The Sea Dogs crop of young talent is headlined by the Red Sox No. 5 ranked prospect on MLB Pipeline, outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia, who is in his first full-season at Double-A after getting into 30 games last summer with Portland. The 22-year-old Venezuelan native is off to an impressive start, slashing .286/.395/.418 with 15 RBI and 4 stolen bases in 28 games of action.
Pitchers David Sandlin and Connelly Early rank No. 8 and No. 9 on the organization’s top 30 prospect list, respectively. Infielder Mikey Romero, who was Boston’s first-round draft selection in 2022, ranks No. 11.. All three players are headlining names that have contributed to the Sea Dogs hot start in 2025.
Series Pitching Probables:
Tue: RHP Jack Anderson (1-2, 1.23 ERA) vs. RHP Cam Schlittler (2-3, 2.18 ERA)
Wed: RHP Yordanny Monegro (1-0, 2.20 ERA) vs. RHP Brendan Beck (2-1, 2.28 ERA)
Thu: RHP Blake Wehunt (0-3, 3.74 ERA) vs. RHP Baron Stuart (0-1, 7.13 ERA)
Fri: RHP Tyler Uberstine (0-1, 3.64 ERA) vs. RHP Trent Sellers (1-1, 3.21 ERA)
Sat: RHP David Sandlin (1-1, 4.78 ERA) vs. RHP Bailey Dees (1-2, 4.82 ERA)
Sun: LHP Connelly Early (2-0, 2.41 ERA) vs. RHP Cam Schlittler (2-3, 2.18 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.