Patriots Notebook 5/20/24: Pats and Cats
BRIDGEWATER, N.J. – Fresh off their first series victory of the season over Portland, in which they took three of five games in a rain-shortened set, the Patriots (17-21) are hitting the road for the third time in four weeks to open a six-game series with New Hampshire (16-22). Somerset
BRIDGEWATER, N.J. – Fresh off their first series victory of the season over Portland, in which they took three of five games in a rain-shortened set, the Patriots (17-21) are hitting the road for the third time in four weeks to open a six-game series with New Hampshire (16-22).
Somerset enters the week trailing first-place Binghamton by five games in the division, while the Fisher Cats sit just below the Patriots in the standings with a six-game deficit.
Here are some of the latest news, notes and storylines surrounding the Patriots heading into this week’s action, including team updates and insight from manager Raul Dominguez.
Catching Up With the Jones: Outfielder Spencer Jones, who has been out of action for just over two weeks, has begun baseball activities. Manager Raul Dominguez says that the organization’s No. 2 prospect is dealing with a muscle issue in his rib area. Jones has begun taking swings in the batting cage and working defensively in the outfield.
“He is going day-by-day,” said Dominguez. “We don’t have a date for him; we just go day-by-day with him.”
Updating the Lefties: Left-handed pitcher Edgar Barclay, who opened the season in the Somerset rotation, will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery. The 26-year-old hurler was 1-0 with a 3.12 ERA in five appearances this season.
Meanwhile, fellow southpaw Brock Selvidge, who has not pitched in Double-A since July 6, 2024, made his season debut for the FCL Yankees on Monday. The Yankees' No. 8 prospect threw 2.2 IP and allowed 3 H, 2 R, 0 ER, and 1 BB with 2 K against the FCL Blue Jays.
Trystan Vrieling (@Yankees No. 22 prospect) has returned to Somerset for the first time this season. His final line:
— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) May 16, 2025
3.0 IP | 3 H | 0 R | 2 BB | 1 K pic.twitter.com/s7aoCO7fEG
The Return of Vrieling: Right-hander Trystan Vrieling, the Yankees' No. 8 prospect, made his long-awaited return to the Somerset rotation last Friday night against Portland. The Bombers' 2022 third-round draft selection fired three shutout frames and exited at the 60-pitch mark.
“When I saw him back out there, it reminded me of how good he was last year,” said Dominguez. “I was so happy to see him there; after he came out, I talked to him, and I told him how happy I was to see him back on the mound in Somerset.”
Dominguez said they will give Vrieling about a week in between his next planned start and will determine based on feeling how he will continue to build up.
Rafael Flores (3-for-5, 3 RBI, 3 R, HR) has homered in back-to-back games with a two-run blast tonight.
— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) May 18, 2025
The @Yankees No. 15 prospect has hit homers in consecutive games for the 3rd time this year and notched his team-leading 10th multi-RBI game this season. pic.twitter.com/bEFfrfonNb
Rafa Rakes: Rafael Flores has homered in three consecutive games, moving into a tie with teammate Spencer Jones for the Eastern League lead in home runs with nine. The catcher/first baseman is now slashing .304/.354/.554 and ranks among the league’s top five in several major offensive categories: home runs (9, tied for first), RBIs (30, tied for second), doubles (10, fourth), slugging percentage (.554, tied for fourth), and OPS (.908, fifth).
Flores went 7-for-17 with three home runs in Somerset’s five-game series against Portland last week. He is batting .317 in the month of May.
Lombard Drawing Praise: Yankees' top prospect George Lombard Jr. has reached base safely in nine of his first ten games at Double-A, but it is his defense that has drawn praise from his manager.
“For me, it’s a gift that he has,” said Dominguez on Lombard Jr.’s defensive prowess. “He is so natural, and he is so good, and I’m not impressed now. I always compare him with [Omar] Vizquel; just the hands that he has.”
Dominguez added, “If he keeps working hard and keeps trusting what he is doing and sticking with his objectives, yeah, I think he can be one of those of those guys to win a lot of Gold Gloves.”
Knowing the Opponent: Entering action this week, the Fisher Cats sit just a game back of the Patriots in the division as both clubs look to try and inch closer to the .500 mark in the first-half standings. As they lock horns for the first team this season, both teams have identical .223 team batting averages and while the Patriots' 38 homers lead the EL, the Fisher Cats sit just behind them in third with 33 long balls.
The Blue Jays affiliate has three players that have blasted seven homers this season in Jace Bohrofen, Yohendrick Pinango and RJ Schreck. Of all qualified Eastern League hitters, Pinango, Toronto’s No. 24 prospect, leads the league in batting average (.350), on-base percentage (.462) and OPS (1.070).
Series Pitching Probables:
Tue: RHP Jon Olsen (0-0, 9.00 ERA) vs. RHP Rafael Sanchez (1-1, 3.68 ERA)
Wed: RHP Cam Schlittler (2-4, 2.87 ERA) vs. TBD
Thu: RHP Brendan Beck (2-1, 1.91 ERA) vs. RHP Ryan Watson (3-2, 2.97 ERA)
Fri: RHP Trystan Vrieling (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. RHP Devereaux Harrison (3-4, 5.15 ERA)
Sat: RHP Trent Sellers (1-1, 3.48 ERA) vs. TBD
Sun: RHP Bailey Dees (1-3, 4.50 ERA) vs. RHP Rafael Sanchez (1-1, 3.68 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.