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Patriots Notebook 6/24/25: Second Half Start Against SeaWolves

June 24, 2025

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. - Following a six-game sweep of New Hampshire last week, their first since 2021, the Somerset Patriots enter the second half of the season with a clean slate in the standings. Somerset opens this stretch by hosting the two-time defending Eastern League champion Erie SeaWolves. Somerset is riding

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. - Following a six-game sweep of New Hampshire last week, their first since 2021, the Somerset Patriots enter the second half of the season with a clean slate in the standings. Somerset opens this stretch by hosting the two-time defending Eastern League champion Erie SeaWolves.

Somerset is riding a scorching run that finds them winners in 10 of their last 12 games. They finished the first half over the .500 win percentage mark at 35-34, just one game out of second place.

After a slow start to the 2025 campaign, hitting coach Mike Fransoso’s offensive unit has steadied the ship and proven to be one of the EL’s best in the first half. Somerset enters play on Tuesday night leading the league in HR (76) and second in R (327), and SLG (.399). The Patriots feature four players with double-digit home run totals led by league leader Spencer Jones (15) followed by Rafael Flores (12), Tyler Hardman (11) and Dylan Jasso (10).

The Patriots pitching staff has settled in during the month of June and is trending well with a slew of new arms added to the rotation in recent weeks. On the year, Somerset has posted a 4.16 ERA, but in 20 games this month, that mark is down to 3.45 while the league is hitting just .214 against them. During its current seven-game winning streak, Somerset has held opponents to just 18 runs (2.57 per game).

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

Summer of Spencer: Minor League Baseball named Patriots outfielder Spencer Jones the Eastern League Player of the Week on Monday for his dominant showing in New Hampshire last week. Jones, who leads the EL and Yankees minor leaguers in homers with 15, went 10-for-21 with 7 BB, 3 HR, 8 RBI and 6 R. The Yankees' No. 2 prospect also leads the league in SLG (.599) and OPS (.994).

In 18 games this month, Jones has blasted 6 homers and driven home 13 runs while slashing .323/.413/.662. Jones has been tinkering with his batting stance for the better part of this season, and he seems to have found an approach that brings a level of comfort and consistency that can be found in the results.

Beckoned to Triple-A: Right-hander Brendan Beck made just 10 career starts prior to this season due to a slew of injuries that had hindered his development. Now at 26 and with a clean bill of health, the Yankees 2021 second-round pick dominated his first taste of Double-A and earned a promotion to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday. In 11 appearances for the Patriots this season, Beck pitched to a 1.92 ERA while striking out 52 and walking 12 in 54 IP. Eastern League opponents hit a mere .193 against the Stanford product. In his Triple-A debut for the RailRiders on Sunday, Beck surrendered just three hits over six shutout innings to lower his season ERA to 1.64.

Get to Know Jasso: Entering play in the second half, it’s about time people pay attention to the season that Dylan Jasso is putting together. Seemingly an under-the-radar prospect when camp broke this spring, the versatile infielder who can play first, second and third base, has been one of the standout producers for the team in the first half.

The 22-year-old Mexico-native has is tied for the team lead in multi-hit efforts with Rafael Flores with 20 and is presently riding a 27 game on-base streak, which is the longest by any Patriots player this season. Jasso is slashing .284/.357/.487 and is among the Eastern League leaders with 115 TB (3rd), 4 3B (T-5th), 67 H (5th), 39 RBI (6th), .487 SLG (7th), .844 OPS (7th), 39 R (T-7th) and 10 HR (T-8th).

Continuing the Stro Show: Yankees right-hander Marcus Stroman returned to his old stomping grounds in New Hampshire last week to make his second rehab start for Somerset last week. Stroman, who was drafted by the Blue Jays back in 2012, had pitched in 28 career games for the Fisher Cats. In his first career start against them, Stroman tossed 55 pitches (34 strikes) and allowed three runs, two earned over 3.1 innings of work. Over two appearances with the Patriots, Stroman has allowed four runs, three earned with three walks and eight strikeouts over 6.2 innings.

Seeing Indigo: Righty reliever Indigo Diaz has quietly emerged as a reliable weapon for manager Raul Dominguez out of the Somerset bullpen. While the 26-year-old has posted a 4.39 ERA in 26 appearances this season after some tough luck early, the former Braves prospect has now posted 13 consecutive scoreless appearances, which dates back over six weeks ago to 5/9. During that span of 14.2 scoreless innings of work, which is the most by any Somerset reliever this season, Diaz allowed just four hits and two walks which is good for a .083 BAA.

Knowing the Opponent: The Erie SeaWolves have been to three consecutive Eastern League championships. After falling to Somerset in 2022, the Tigers' affiliate has won back-to-back league titles and appear poised to make another run at defending their crown after securing an automatic postseason bid by winning the first half Southwest Division championship.

Erie finished the half with a +155-run differential which was 85 runs better than the next closest team. Not only do they pitch well, posting a league best 3.08 ERA, they are a relentless offensive unit that led the league in runs (377), hits (597), doubles (144), average (.263), OBP (.348), slugging (.429) and OPS (.777).

Series Pitching Probables

Tue: LHP Carlos Pena (3-4, 2.98 ERA) vs. RHP Marcus Stroman (MLB Rehab)

Wed: RHP Garrett Burhenn (7-1, 3.30 ERA) vs. RHP Carlos Lagrange (2-1, 5.28 ERA)

Thu: RHP Austin Bergner (5-3, 3.43 ERA) vs. LHP Brock Selvidge (1-1, 3.55 ERA)

Fri: RHP Jaden Hamm (2-2, 4.26 ERA) vs. RHP Trent Sellers (1-4, 4.26 ERA)

Sat: RHP Kenny Serwa (3-1, 3.92 ERA) vs. TBD

Sun: LHP Carlos Pena (3-4, 2.98 ERA) vs. RHP Trystan Vrieling (0-1, 4.71 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.