DoTF: TJ Sikkema makes perfect professional debut

Sorry for not getting this up last night. Better late than never, I suppose.

News and Notes:

Ben Heller joins Scranton today as part of his rehab assignment from Tommy John Surgery. I imagine he’ll stick there once his assignment is over, but he definitely could be a major league option later this summer.
Logan Morrison plans to use his July 1st opt-out. He’s got a 144 wRC+ in Triple-A and probably will be gone unless Luke Voit’s injury is found to be more serious, perhaps.

Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders: (12-3 loss to Lehigh Valley)

Starting Pitcher: Randall Delgado: 4.1 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 7 K, 2 HR – 67 of 110 (61%) pitches were strikes…that’s a lot of pitches
In Relief: Domingo Acevedo: 1.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 K, 1 HR – 26 of 44 pitches were strikes (59%)…welcome to Triple-A, Domingo. Probably not the debut he was hoping for.
Hitting Star: Mike Ford: 3-5, HR, 2 RBI – Ho hum, another big game for him. That’s 19 dingers on the year for him.
Showcase Watch, Clint Frazier Edition: 2-5, 2B, SB, K – Back-to-back two hits games for Clint. Played left field.

Double-A Trenton Thunder: (5-2 win against New Hampshire)

Starting Pitcher: Brian Keller: 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R (0 ER), 1 BB, 7 K – 57 of 91 (63%) of pitches were strikes…Just the third start on the season for 2016’s 36th rounder.
In relief: Brady Lail: 2.2 IP, 1 H, 7 K – 31 of 47 (66%) of pitches were strikes…that’s domination.
Hitting Star: Ben Ruta: 2-3, HR, RBI, 2 BB – He’s put together a really nice season in Double-A (.813 OPS), albeit as a 25 year-old.

High-A Tampa Tarpons: (6-1 loss to Florida)

Starting Pitcher: Janson Junk: 4.2 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 3 K – 70 of 102 (69%) pitches were strikes.
In relief: James Reeves: 3.1 IP, 0 H, 1 BB, 5 K – 37 of 53 (70%) of pitches were strikes
Hitting Star: Pablo Olivares: 2-4, RBI
Estevan Florial Update: 1-4, K – still trying to get things going this year. Down to a .583 OPS.

Single-A Charleston Riverdogs: (7-4 win against Asheville)

Starting Pitcher: Roansy Contreras: 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 1 HR – 62 of 96 (65%) of pitches were strikes. Nice outing for the 19 year-old, lowers ERA to 4.60.
In relief: Ron Marinaccio and Carlos Espinal: 4 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 4 BB, 5 K
Hitting Star: Canaan Smith: 2-4, 2B, 4 RBI – He continues to rake (.851 OPS). 2017’s 4th-rounder continues his breakout season
Anthony Seigler Update: 1-3, 2 R, BB, K – DH’d today…OBP up to .452, but some power would be nice (.304 SLG)

Short-Season Staten Island Yankees: (3-0 win against Vermont)

Starting Pitcher: TJ Sikkema: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 R, 4 K – 26 of 35 (74%) of pitches were strikes…perfect professional debut for this year’s competitive balance pick. Already a personal fave.
In Relief: Anderson Munoz: 4 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K – 36 of 58 (62%) of pitches were strikes…0.68 ERA in relief in the early going
Hitting Star: Ezequiel Duran: 0-2, R, RBI, BB, 2 SB – odd to have a hitless guy as the star, but he was pretty busy on the basepaths. Drove in a run on a sac fly.

GCL Yankees East: (10-5 loss to GCL Blue Jays)

Starting Pitcher: Deivi Diaz: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 1 HR
In relief: Edgar Barclay: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 K – 9 of 11 (82%) of pitches were strikes…drafted out of Cal State Bakersfield in the 15th round this year.
Hitting Star: Raymundo Moreno: 2-4, R, RBI, K – pretty old for the level at 21 years of age, nice game nonetheless

GCL Yankees West: (4-0 loss to GCL Phillies)