ATLANTA — The Yankees promoted one in every of their prime prospects on Saturday, transferring Rafael Flores from Double-A Somerset to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
The catcher, thought-about the eighth-best participant within the Bombers’ farm system by Baseball America, hit .287/.346/.496 with 23 doubles, 15 house runs and 56 RBI over 87 video games previous to his promotion. Flores, who crushed 15 house runs for Somerset final 12 months as effectively, impressed Yankees coaches this spring coaching, because the undrafted junior faculty product was a first-time invitee to massive league camp.
Requested what stood out concerning the 24-year-old on Saturday, Aaron Boone stated “power” and “presence.”
“Loves the game,” Boone continued. “Like you possibly can inform he likes all of the issues that go into baseball, the behind-the-scenes stuff that you just gotta be in love with a bit of bit, in my view, for those who’re going to be actually good at this.
“I really enjoyed being around him. Spent a lot of time talking to him too. So I think he’s got a chance to be a really good one.”
Boone added that Flores has the talents to be “a really good catcher,” echoing sentiments shared by Tanner Swanson, the Yankees’ director of catching.
Rafael Flores
Nonetheless, it’s definitely potential that Flores by no means receives for the Yankees. They’ve already obtained three controllable catchers on their massive league roster in Austin Wells, J.C. Escarra and Ben Rice, and the commerce deadline is true across the nook.
With the Yankees incomes a powerful status for his or her catching growth in recent times, it wouldn’t be a shock to see different groups ask about Flores with Brian Cashman in quest of a 3rd baseman, rotation assist and a number of relievers.
JONES EARNS RAVE REVIEWS, TOO
Spencer Jones, the sixth-best prospect within the Yankees’ system, is one other teenager groups are probably asking about in commerce talks.
Evaluations and outcomes have been combined for the 2022 first-round choose since he made his professional debut, however Jones has bounced again properly this season after setting a Yankees minor league document with 200 strikeouts at Double-A final 12 months.
The 24-year-old started this season again at Somerset, hitting .274/.389/.594 with 16 homers and 32 RBI over 49 video games earlier than incomes a promotion to Triple-A. Jones has been on hearth with the RailRiders, hitting .362/.426/.776 with seven homers and 15 RBI over his first 14 video games. He then recorded 4 hits and homered on Saturday.
“It’s been a great year for him,” Boone stated, noting Jones had his season briefly interrupted by an intercostal damage. “Since being promoted, he’s kind of gone off in Triple-A. So all good signs.”
At 6-7, 240 kilos, Jones has made quite a few tweaks to his swing in an try to chop again on his strikeouts and maximize his body. It’s been a course of, however what he’s doing these days has yielded spectacular outcomes.
“As a bigger guy, I think it’s harder to master mechanics and skills as a hitter,” Boone stated. “But when you can, and you do, obviously, I think you have advantages just with your strength and your leverage and things like that. So he’s made a lot of adjustments over the last couple of years, and it’s good to see that those adjustments in Double and Triple-A have paid off for him so far.”
SCHLITTLER UNCONCERNED ABOUT SORENESS
Cam Schlittler isn’t nervous concerning the bicep soreness he skilled over the All-Star break. He referred to as it “a little bit of inflammation” and “insignificant” earlier than throwing a bullpen session on Saturday. Assuming he bounces again effectively from that, he’s anticipated to make his second massive league begin in Toronto on Tuesday.
“Everything’s clean,” Schlittler stated. “I think they’re just helping me out by giving me a couple days to kind of reset.”
In the meantime, blistered ace Max Fried is scheduled for a bullpen session on Sunday. If that goes effectively, Boone stated he would probably begin in Toronto on Wednesday.
SMALL MOVES
Previous to Saturday’s recreation in opposition to the Braves, the Yankees designated Rico Garcia for task and promoted Allan Winans. Garcia struggled in his Yankees debut on Friday, strolling two and permitting a three-run homer to Ozzie Albies.
In the meantime, Yerry de los Santos (proper elbow discomfort) started a rehab task at Double-A.
Initially Revealed: July 19, 2025 at 6:49 PM EDT
