This week’s Yankees minor league update features a few pieces of news from the farm system, including a no-hitter and a prospect who can throw 103 mph. If you have been lamenting the fact that the Yankees have fallen into last place, here’s a bit of encouragement, as the Yankees have been fortunate to receive an impressive set of performances from their young prospects. So who are some more of the names you may want to become familiar with as they develop? Here are a few prospects who have performed notably this week.
Ronald Herrera– P- Trenton (AA)- Herrera threw eight no-hit innings Tuesday and combined with reliever Jonathan Holder to throw the Thunder’s first nine-inning no-hitter since 2006. The 5’10” righty, who is all of 20 years old, struck out five and walked two in his outing, bringing his ERA down to 1.29 in three starts for Trenton this season. Along with a 0.52 WHIP, Herrera is proving the Yankees right for acquiring him in the deal that sent Jose Pirela to San Diego last fall. The Venezuelan can reportedly touch 94 mph with his fastball and has a solid curveball with the potential to be a plus offering. He is known for his command, having walked just 42 batters in 145 2/3 innings last season, and has walked only one batter in 26 innings (including his spot start last month in AAA.) It is difficult to gauge his chances at a major league spot, but he’s performed solidly so far as the youngest pitcher in the Eastern League this season.
Domingo Acevedo– P- Charleston (A)- Acevedo, a big 6’7” righty who can touch 103 mph on his fastball, has been mowing down hitters in the South Atlantic League this season. Acevedo has struck out 32 batters and walked just four in 28 1/3 innings this season, good for a 1.91 ERA (validated by a 2.33 FIP) and a 0.81 WHIP. On Wednesday, he went eight innings, allowing just two hits, one run, and one walk while striking out nine. Here at Bronx Pinstripes, we’ve written on Acevedo a bit already, ranking him as the organization’s 7th best prospect entering this season and noting that he should move quickly through the minors. If the 22 year-old can keep his walk rate low while still dominating hitters, he definitely should be on a fast track to the Bronx.
Jake Cave– OF- Trenton (AA)- Cave had been a Rule 5 pick for the Cincinnati Reds, and spent his spring training with them before returning to the Yankees organization after being one of the team’s final cuts. Cave struggled early, with his batting average sitting at .222 entering April 21st. Since then, the 23 year-old has been on a tear, hitting 12-27 (.444 BA), with a home run, nine RBI, two stolen bases, and an encouraging 8:5 K:BB ratio. In another encouraging sign, Cave has evened his platoon splits thus far, batting .286 in 14 at-bats vs. lefties this season after batting .194 against them in a full season last year. Cave will need to continue to hit lefties well and cut down on strikeouts, however, if he wants a to win a spot in the crowded competition for major league outfield playing time down the road.
Ben Gamel– OF- Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (AAA)- With seven steals, a .321 average, and a .389 on base percentage so far this season, Gamel has been justifying the Yankees’ decision to protect him from last winter’s Rule 5 draft and add him to the 40-man roster. On Saturday, Gamel hit his first home run of the season and extended his hitting streak to six games (including three multi-hit games.) He has struck out in over 21% of his plate appearances, which is not particularly encouraging, but has a higher walk rate this year than in either of the past two seasons. Of Gamel’s 25 hits so far this season, all but four have been singles, but considering he totaled 52 extra-base hits last season, it is fairly likely that he will hit for a bit more power soon. If he can do that and cut down on the strikeouts, he may be up some time before rosters expand in September.
