Sunday in Scranton

My first trip back to PNC Field since the ballpark's extensive renovation was for a matchup of the Yankees and Phillies AAA clubs, the RaiRiders and Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs. A perfect baseball day, with sunshine and temperatures hitting the lower 70s to capture its Dodger Stadium-ish setting, in a valley just below a cliff -- but just before the trees turned green.

Nice to be greeted by the home team's mascot, say hi to Champ.
I know, you're ready for the talent on display.
Four weeks into the minor league season, Estevan Florial has been Scranton-Wilkes Barre's most consistent hitter. While wet and chilly weather in the northeast has suppressed offensive numbers, a warm May afternoon helped the young center fielder go 2-for-5, highlighted by a booming double to right field.
Top prospect Bryson Stott made the Phillies opening day roster off a sizzling spring training. But his bat turned cold once the games counted. Matriculating his way back to the show, he delivered a pair of hits for the IronPigs Sunday to boost his average over .300.
1st baseman Darick Hall is off to the best start of any Lehigh Valley player. He circles the bases after crushing his 10th home run of the season. (Click on the photo to enlarge it.)
Manny Banuelos has been a personal favorite since I first saw him pitching for Double-A Trenton a decade ago. Back in the Yankee system, the Mexican lefthander had a strong spring and is now in the SWB rotation. He worked the first four innings Sunday and gave up a couple of runs -- without a lot of help from his fielders.
The versatile Nick Maton spent a lot of 2021 with the Phillies. While his power numbers are up -- six doubles and four homers are nice -- but he'll need to up that .181 batting average before he makes it back to Citizens Bank Park.
Time to check in with the back-in-(SWB) pinstripes Greg Bird. He's been unable to follow up his strong Grapefruit League numbers that almost punched a ticket to Toronto. Healthy again, the 1st basemen is struggling well under .200.
One final young Yankee: pitcher Ronald Marinaccio impressed enough in Florida to claim a place on the expanded roster. But a rough outing last Wednesday led to being optioned to Scranton. Sunday's appearance by the Jersey Shore native was far more encouraging: five strikeouts over two shutout innings of relief. With the way big league bullpens are shuffled, he could soon be back in the Bronx.

To close, a last look at this unique venue, which also sports some of the best electronic signage I've seen in the minors.





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