As the minor league season winds down, players in the Yankees organization may be looking for a September call-up, a late season promotion to a higher level of the minors, or just to earn as many at-bats as possible to develop. Although the big league roster expansion does not occur until September 1st, the Yankees decided to call two youngsters up this past weekend, Aaron Judge and Tyler Austin, who made their major league debuts at right field and first base, respectively. Both hit home runs in their first at-bats and earned hits in both of their first two games.
This week, as we usually try to do, our four player reviews cover players across the Yankees minor league system, ranging from one likely September call-up to a 2016 draftee likely looking to just refine his skills a little bit more, and a couple in between.
Ben Gamel– OF- Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (AAA)- Gamel has continued hitting well since being sent down from a brief major league stint on August 3rd, going 13-34 since then with nine runs scored, three RBI, and two stolen bases since then. That span also includes an ongoing five game hitting streak. On the season, the 24 year-old has hit .307 with a .367 OBP, and has four home runs, thirty-two extra-base hits, and nineteen stolen bases in twenty-six attempts over 102 games. He does a decent job drawing walks, with 41 so far this season, and with 81 strikeouts, he also has done a good job putting the ball in play. As the lefty is on the 40-man roster, he will likely come up when rosters expand on September 1st if not before then, where he will probably serve as a reserve outfielder and pinch runner.
Abiatal Avelino– SS- Trenton (AA)- Avelino has batted .300 with a .435 OBP in 15 games since being called up to AA from High-A Tampa. Down in Tampa, the 21 year-old shortstop hit .266 with six home runs, 34 RBI, a .325 on-base percentage, and 20 stolen bases in 33 attempts. Early last week, Avelino reeled off a four-game hitting streak, but he has only three hits in his last 14 at-bats. His defense has been solid this season, with 15 errors between shortstop and second base. To continue succeeding and to earn his way to the major leagues, he will likely need to continue hitting for average and keep his on-base percentage high. In a system with many middle infielders, however, it may be tough for him to eventually earn major league playing time.
Zack Zehner– OF- Tampa (A-Advanced)- Zehner has spent his season in Tampa in 2016 and has risen to the challenge, hitting .291 with a .394 on-base percentage and riding an eight-game hitting streak entering Monday. The newly-turned 24 year-old (his birthday was last Monday) has a strong 76:53 K:BB ratio in 330 at-bats, but in his last ten games he has eight strikeouts and only one walk. Power has yet to develop for Zehner, as he has seven home runs in 558 minor league at-bats over two seasons. The 2015 18th round pick will likely start next season in AA, but the clock will be ticking for him given his age.
Nick Solak– 2B- Staten Island (Short-Season A)- Solak earned a hit in 14 consecutive games until snapping the streak in Sunday’s game. In his last ten games, this year’s second-round pick has hit .395 with a home run, four RBI, and two stolen bases. On the season, he has eight steals to go with three home runs, 17 RBI, a .317 batting average, and a .411 on-base percentage. The righty earned a reputation in college at Louisville as a pure contact hitter and he has proven that reputation right in his first professional season. Barring a series of late-season roster moves, Solak may not jump up any levels this season, but will likely start playing full-season ball next year and should move quickly given his experience as a college hitter.
