Patriots Notebook: Starting the Second Half
Bridgewater, New Jersey – The Patriots embarked on a 12-game road trip last week just 0.5 games behind first place in the Northeast Division entering the final series of the first half. After dropping four-of-six games to Portland, the slate has been cleared as the club continues the second leg
Bridgewater, New Jersey – The Patriots embarked on a 12-game road trip last week just 0.5 games behind first place in the Northeast Division entering the final series of the first half. After dropping four-of-six games to Portland, the slate has been cleared as the club continues the second leg of their trip by opening the second half of the schedule in New Hampshire this week.
Somerset finished the first half 37-32 in second place as Hartford secured the crown of the Northeast Division and punched a ticket into the postseason. Nonetheless, the season’s first 69 games delivered some memorable highlights and historical milestones that will be permanently etched in the record books.
Hitting coach Mike Fransoso’s offensive unit belted 109 home runs, the most ever hit through 69 games in recorded Double-A history (since 2005), while posting the highest slugging percentage (.463) of any Double-A team since 2011.
Six individual hitters reached double-digit home run totals with the Patriots in the first half: Garrett Martin (21), Jace Avina (15), DJ Gladney (13), Tyler Hardman (13), Coby Morales (12), and Marco Luciano (10).
As the second half of the season opens tonight, we look at some of the latest bits of news, notes and storylines surrounding Somerset heading into action this week.
Xavier was eXcellent🤩@MiLB has named LHP Xavier Rivas (@Yankees No. 23 prospect) as the Eastern League Pitcher of the Week for games played 6/16-6/21. pic.twitter.com/Ne2t8Ullgw
— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) June 22, 2026
Rivas Shines: On Monday afternoon MiLB named Patriots southpaw Xavier Rivas as the Eastern League Pitcher of the Week for games played between June 16-21.
The Yankees No. 23 ranked prospect fired 5.2 innings of no-hit ball on the road in Portland last week while walking two and fanning eight batters in a scoreless effort. The 2024 draftee out of Mississippi has fanned 68 batters in 45.1 innings spanning 12 appearances (8 starts) this season, which is second-best on the team and ranks sixth overall in the Yankees system.
Rivas has surrendered 27 earned runs this season (5.36 ERA), but 20 of them can be isolated to just three appearances. The lefty has put those early struggles in the rearview mirror and has pitched very well since the beginning of June. Over his three appearances (two starts), Rivas has a 1.32 ERA and has held the opposition to a .130 average while striking out 20 batters over 13.2 innings.
Rivas joins teammates Jace Avina and Coby Morales as MiLB weekly award winners this season and is the first Somerset pitcher to receive one since Elmer Rodriguez got the nod last September.
Congratulations to Garrett Martin on being promoted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre!🙌🏻
— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) June 20, 2026
Martin leads all Yankees minor leaguers with 21 home runs and 54 RBIs. pic.twitter.com/GBqMdHu6py
Martin Riding the Rails: Outfielder Garrett Martin clubbed two homers on the road in Portland last week, including his 21st of the season on Friday, which proved to be the final game with the Patriots before the organization promoted the 25-year-old slugger to Triple-A for the first time. At the time of his bump up to Scranton, Martin was the organizational leader in the clubhouse in both HR (21) and RBI (54) – his 21 long balls were the most ever over 67 games in Somerset’s history as a Yankees affiliate. The outfielder has since hit safely in both games he has played with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, including his 22nd homer of the season this past Sunday.
Jace Avina (@Yankees No. 19 Prospect) cranks his 15th HR of the season and first since coming off the 7-day IL! pic.twitter.com/8C30Snbqwf
— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) June 20, 2026
Jace is the Place: The Patriots offense received a huge boost last week with the activation of outfielder Jace Avina from the IL. Avina landed on the shelf on June 3 and after missing two weeks of action, the team’s active home run leader returned to the lineup in Portland last week. Since returning, the 23-year-old has hit safely in all four games he has played in, while going 8-for-15 in that span.Avina blasted his 15th homer of the season on Saturday night, which tied his career-high set back in 2022 during his debut campaign.
Kyle Carr (@Yankees No. 11 Prospect) posted another strong performance! 💪
— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) June 21, 2026
5.0 IP | 6 H | 3 R | 2 BB | 7 K pic.twitter.com/RPfR4mcLto
Struck em’ Out: The Patriots closed out the first half on Sunday leading Double-A with 726 cumulative strikeouts from their pitching staff. Southpaw Kyle Carr leads the club in punchouts with 76 and ranks second overall in the Eastern League entering action on Tuesday.
Knowing the Opponent: The Patriots pulled out of Portland and will make a stop in New Hampshire this week as they wrap up their season-long 12-game road trip. The Blue Jays affiliate finished the first half by going 34-33 while finishing 4.5 games behind Hartford for the top spot in the division after leading the pack for much of the first half.
The two teams split a six-game slate at TD Bank Ballpark in their first series of the year during the last week of May. Historically, the Patriots have beaten the Fisher Cats more than any other Eastern League opponent (64-34 all-time).
New Hampshire is highlighted by Blue Jays No. 2 ranked prospect Arjun Nimmala, who is currently on the IL after landing on the shelf on May 30. The 20-year-old Nimmala, who was the 20th overall draft selection back in 2023, has slashed .308/.375/.369 since being promoted to Double-A back on May 3.
Right-hander Gage Stanifer was a 19th round draft selection out of high school by the Blue Jays back in 2022 and is a testament to the organization’s player development staff. The 22-year-old, who is Toronto’s No. 5 prospect, has posted a 4.26 ERA over 13 starts with 70 strikeouts in 57.0 IP. In his lone start against the Patriots this season, Stanifer allowed just one earned run on three hits while issuing four walks and fanning three over 5.0 IP on May 27.
Probable Pitchers
Tuesday 6/23: RHP Cade Smith (4-3, 5.33 ERA) vs. RHP Jackson Wentworth (3-4, 4.70 ERA)
Wednesday 6/24: TBD vs. RHP Chris McElvain (3-2, 5.96 ERA)
Thursday 6/25: RHP Chase Hampton (0-1, 7.88 ERA) vs. RHP Gage Stanifer (2-5, 4.26 ERA)
Friday 6/26: LHP Kyle Carr (6-4, 4.40 ERA) vs. RHP Austin Cates (1-2, 4.58 ERA)
Saturday 6/27: RHP Ben Hess (1-0, 4.98 ERA) vs. RHP Danny Thompson Jr. (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Sunday 6/28: RHP Cade Smith (4-3, 5.33 ERA) vs. RHP Jackson Wentworth (3-4, 4.70 ERA)
Matt Kardos | SomersetPatriots.com Senior Writer
Matt Kardos has covered the Yankees minor league system for over a decade and will spend his 14th season on the beat covering the Patriots for SomersetPatriots.com. Throughout his career, Matt has contributed to MLB.com, YES Network and Pinstriped Prospects. When he’s not at the ballpark, Matt enjoys traveling with his wife Kimberly, watching Jets football and collecting sports cards.