(Player of the Week was selected by FOX Sports Radio New Jersey)

The 2023 season is finally upon us, and with it the return of the Somerset Patriots Player of the Week.

Click here to view Somerset Patriots Player Of The Week 2022!

Week 19 - Spencer Jones

There is a new number one prospect in town for the New York Yankees, and he is this week’s Fox Sports New Jersey Player of the Week: Spencer Jones.

Jones is ranked first among Yankees prospects, recently overtaking Jasson Dominguez, who has been in that position for well over a year. At 6-foot-6, 235 pounds, Jones is an imposing figure from the left side of the batter’s box, and his good eye at the plate has caught on with scouts and baseball junkies.
After playing most of the year in High-A Hudson Valley, Jones was promoted to Double-A Somerset on August 27. While he has struggled a bit in the transition to a higher level of ball, Jones started to come on last week against the Erie Seawolves.

From September 6 through September 9, Jones collected seven hits in 16 at bats, scored two runs, swiped four bags. In fact, he recorded three steals in a 5-4 win over Erie on September 6.

Nicknamed the “Left-handed Aaron Judge” there are a lot of high expectations for Jones, who figures to be an integral part of the Patriots postseason roster next week.
Week 18: Caleb Durbin

A steady presence off the bench, who has seen increased playing time in recent weeks, Caleb Durbin is taking full advantage of his opportunities and is this week’s Fox Sports New Jersey player of the Week.

While most of the attention, deservedly so, is on catcher Ben Rice who has been one of the best players in Double-A baseball in the second half of the season, it is players like Durbin who are helping to make a difference for the Patriots.

In six games against the Portland SeaDogs last week, Durbin collected eight hits, six of them the extra base variety, including a solo homer on Sunday that led off the ball game. Since returning from injury in mid-August, the shortstop is hitting .345 in 57 plate appearances.

His batting average has risen 28 points in that time span. A native of Lake Forest, Illinois, Durbin was acquired by the Yankees in the Lucas Luetge trade with the Atlanta Braves last off-season. The deal went somewhat under the radar, ironically as has Durbin’s stellar season thus far in Double-A.

Durbin is currently tied for sixth on the team in doubles (11) with T.J. Rumfield and Max Burt. His 21 steals lead the team currently with Jasson Dominguez now a member of the big-league club. His .365 on-base percentage is among the best on the team of players with more than 100 at-bats.

Look out for Caleb Durbin, a rising star in the Yankees system.
Week 17: Richard Fitts

This week’s Somerset Patriots player of the Week is a guy who has been one of the most consistent Patriots all season: pitcher Richard Fitts.

One can make the case that Fitts is the ace of this year’s Double-A staff. While he didn’t get the win in his previous start against Reading last week, Fitts still held the Phils to a run on four hits over 5.1 innings of work, while striking out five.

In fact in the month of August, Fitts is 2-0 with a 0.49 ERA, and ahas struck out 17 batters in 18.1 innings of work.

How important is Fitts to the Patriots? Well ask his manager Raul Dominguez.
“He’s been really good. He continues like that, who knows if he’ll finish in Triple-A. He’s been really good for us in Somerset,” Dominguez said.

Drafted by the Yankees in the sixth round of the 2021 draft out of Auburn University, Fitts is 9-5 with a 3.31 ERA in 22 starts. His 135 strikeouts leads the patriots and is one of the best marks in all of minor league baseball. The 23-year old is a player to watch in the Yankees organization.
Week 16: Drew Thorpe

This week’s Fox Sports New Jersey Player of the Week is a newcomer to the Somerset Patriots who made a grand debut against the New York Mets Double-A affiliate, The Binghamton Rumble Ponies. That is none other than Yankees pitching prospect Drew Thorpe.

Thorp, who is ranked fifth among Yankees prospects, made his Double-A debut on August 11 and struck out nine batters over eight shutout innings. At one point, Thorpe retired 20 consecutive batters.

In fact, Thorpe is now 11-2 as a starter between High-A Hudson Valley and Double-A combined. He also racked up the most strikeouts in minor league baseball with 147, and leads all Yankees minor leaguers in ERA (2.62), wins, strikeouts, and WHIP (1.02). Only Richard Fitts comes in second among Yankees prospects on the strikeout chart.

Just this week, Thorpe was named Pitcher of the Week for the Double-A Eastern League, which teammate Ben Rice was named Player of the Week. High Honors is nothing new to Thorpe, who was named South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Week twice and pitcher of the Month for Jue after going 3-0 with a 1.33 ERA.
Week 15: Jasson Dominguez

For the second time this season, the Martain has landed on the Fox Sports new Jersey Player of the Week.

Somerset Patriots outfielder Jasson Dominguez earned the honor for the second time after a stellar week against the Bowie Bay Sox.

Dominguez hit an even .400 (eight hits in 20 at bats) with a pair of doubles, four walks, three stolen bases and seven RBI. Dominguez enjoyed a pair of three-hit contests against Bowie; first on July 27 in a game Somerset won 4-3 in extras, and, again on July 29 he drove in a pair in Somerset’s 10-3 victory.

Dominugez later parlayed that success into the start of the series at Akron with the Patriots’ lone RBI in a 6-1 loss on Tuesday.

Overall, Dominguez has hit safely in 15 of the Patriots’ last 19 games. His batting average has risen 30 points, and his slugging percentage has also increased 30 points during that span.

The 20-year-old from the Dominican Republic is the Yankees top ranked prospect, played in the Future’s Game in 2021 and 2022, before breaking out with Somerset last September in the playoffs.
Week 14 - Ben Rice

This week’s Fox Sports New Jersey Player of the Week is a brand-new contributor to the Somerset Patriots: Ben Rice.

Rice has certainly been nice since coming up to Double-A Somerset on July 19, and with the promotion of Austin Wells to Triple-A, Rice figures to be a major contributor both behind the plate and at DH.

Since his call up to Somerset Rice is hitting .588 with 20 total bases, three homers and 10 RBI in just four games with the Patriots. In his Patriots debut he drove in a pair on singles in the Patriots 10-9 loss to the Yard Goats.

A couple of days later, Rice enjoyed a four-hit day, including a pair of home runs in Somerset’s 9-3 domination of the Goats. Then on Tuesday of this week, in his TD Bank Ballpark debut Rice cracked a three-run bomb to right in Somerset’s 6-0 win.

A native of Cohasset Massachusetts, Rice might be from Red Sox country, but ever since getting drafted by the Yankees in 2021, he is quickly becoming a player to keep an eye on.
Week 13: Trey Sweeney

It might have been a short week this past week, but this Somerset Patriots infielder continues to make an impact everyday he’s in the lineup: That player is Trey Sweeney.

The Yankees first round pick from the 2021 draft might have a crowded field at short stop in front of him, but that hasn’t stopped him from being a major contributor and people are noticing. Just this past week, Sweeney hit .353 (six hits in 17 at bats) six RBI and a bases clearing triple against the Hartford Yard Goats.

Sweeney is hitting .245 this season with 12 homers, 43 RBI and 12 stolen bases. His 75 hits lead the team; he also leads the Yankees Double-A affiliate in doubles (15) and on base percentage (.363).

A Louisville Kentucky Native, Sweeney spent most of the 2022 season in High-A Hudson Valley before earning a promotion to Double-A late in the season. What’s next for the Eastern Illinois alum? We’ll wait and see, until then Trey Sweeney continues to be an impact player to watch.
Week 12 - Edgar Barclay

This week’s Fox Sports New Jersey Player of the Week is a 25-year old pitcher who is finally get his taste of Double-A baseball: Edgar Barclay.

Barclay was promoted to Somerset back on May 30, and over the past two months has become a steady presence in the Patriots bullpen. In 20.2 innings, Barclay owns a 2-0 record with a microscopic 0.44 ERA. He has surrendered only one earned run and has struck out 32 batters.

Just this past week, Barclay shined during a rough patch for the Patriots. He appeared in two games against the Reading Fightin Phils, tossing a grand total of 6.2 innings of work, allowing only a run. In fact he struck out 12 batters while walking only two.

Drafted by the Yankees in the 15th round of the 2019 draft out of Cal State Bakersfield, Barclay spent parts of the last three years jetting between Hudson Valley and low-A Tampa. Barclay added he’s happy to be up at the Double-A level, and is looking for continued success. watch out for Edgar Barclay.
Week 11 - Tyler Hardman

Making a return trip to the Fox Sports New Jersey Player of the Week is a guy who was just named the Double-A Eastern League’s Player of the Week for June 26 – July 2: Tyler Hardman.

Hardman enjoyed a stellar week, crushing five home runs in four games against the Bowie Bay Sox. He batting .467 during that torrid stretch with seven RBI, a double and four walks.

According to a press release issued by the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees: the Somerset Patriots, Hardman had one multi-home run game in his first 190 career games. He has now accomplished a multi-home run game three times in his last 11 games.

On the year, Hardman has 19 home runs and 40 RBI to lead the team. He also leads the team in runs scored with 41, and is second on the team in hits with 52, one behind Jasson Dominguez.

It is for these reasons that Tyler Hardman is our Fox Sports New Jersey Player of the Week.
Week 10 - Carlos Rodon

This week’s Somerset Patriots Player of the Week is a Yankees player who is on the comeback trail.

Carlos Rodon made two rehab assignments with the New York Yankees Double-A affiliate and dazzled each time he was on the mound.

The two-time Cy Young Award winner, who has missed most of the season with arm and back issues, looked like he was close to returning to form. In two starts, Rodon struck out nine batters over seven innings, allowing only one run on two hits.

While the Patriots didn’t win either of Rodon’s starts, the Yankees have to be pleased to see the left-hander is well on his way back to the Majors.

Rodon signed a six-year $162 million contract with the Yankees during the off-season after back-to-back All-Star campaigns with the White Sox and San Francsico Giants.
Week 9 - Clayton Beeter

Making a return trip to the Fox Sports New Jersey Somerset Patriots Player of the week is starting pitcher Clayton Beeter.

And with good reason. Beeter was named Double-A Eastern League Pitcher of the Week by Minor League Baseball on Monday for the week of June 5 through the 11.

Nobody on the staff right now is as on fire right now as Beeter is for the Somerset Patriots. Ranked number 13 in the New York Yankees farm system, Beeter is running a scoreless inning streak of 21.1 innings.

In fact, just this past week he went won both of his starts against the Hartford Yard Goats, holding the Goats to just six hits while striking out 17. The 11 strikeouts he recorded on Tuesday June 6 was a career high.

His five scoreless innings on Sunday lowered his Eastern League best ERA to 2.13. Beeter is tied for the league lead in strikeouts (69) and tied for second in wins (5). And to think he came into this season having never won a decision in his professional career.

Look out for Clayton Beeter, he is rising up the ranks very quickly.
Week 8 - Jasson Dominguez

This week’s Fox Sports New Jersey Player of the Week is a young man that Yankees fans have had their eye on since last September. Yes, folks the Martain has landed. It’s Jasson Dominguez.

While he has struggled with the bat overall this year, Dominguez is the Yankees number one prospect in 2023. Moreover, Dominguez had a really good week against the Portland Sea Dogs, playing a major role in helping Somerset win four of six.

Dominguez hit .238 (five hits in 21 at bats) with a homer, five RBI, five runs scored, and six walks. In fact in the six games against Portland, Dominguez drew a sizzling .407 on base percentage.

His three-run bomb on June 1 capped off an 11-7 victory for Somerset. He also had a RBI single in the Patriots come-from-behind victory on June 3.

The 20-year-old from the Dominican Republic is still learning the game as we speak. But with each series, Domiguez continues to make strides. He is hitting .205 on the year with a .365 on base percentage. His 29 RBI is tied with Tyler Hardman for the team lead; and Dominguez leads the team in walks with 42. He is also tied with Ausin Wells for second on the team in home runs with eight.

You know his name. Jasson Dominguez is definitely a player to watch all year long.
Week 7 - Everson Periera

One of the major standouts from the Somerset Patriots arsenal of power hitters is a 22-year old from Venezuala who is rising up the charts to become one of the New York Yankees best prospects. That young man is Everson Periera.

Periera hit an even .300 over the past week against the Erie Sea Wolves, including a homer, an RBI and two runs scored. His consistent efforts at the plate and in the field has made him the Fox Sports Player of the Week as we turn toward June.

Since May 14, Periera has seen his batting average jump 57 points from .228 to .285. In fact, the outfielder is hitting .439 during that stretch (18 hits in 41 offical at bats). On the year, Periera is hitting .285 with seven homers and 23 RBI. He currently leads the team in doubles with 10 and hits with 41.

Ranked fourth among Yankees prospects, Periera signed a $1.5 million deal to join the Yankees organization in 2017, and has grown into a power hitter in the minor leagues, with a primary defensive focus on center field. However according to MLB.com, if there is a corner outfield spot that Periera could slide into it would be right field because of his solid arm strenght.

Last year, Periera split time with High-A Hudson Valley and Somerset, combining for 40 extra base hits between the two stops. Look out for Everson Periera!
Week 6 - Tanner Myatt

One of the more reliable relievers in the Somerset Patriots bullpen, Tanner Myatt is starting to make a name for himself for the Yankees in Double-A Somerset.

The 25-year old from Spring Lake North Carolina, was an 11th round pick of the New York Yankees in the 2018 Draft, and has methodically moved up the system.

Just last season Myatt moved up from High-A Hudson Valley where he pitched to a 1.65 ERA in 17 appearances to Double-A Somerset last summer. In 22 games with the Eastern League Champions, Myatt was solid, pitching to a 4-2 record with a 4.30 ERA.

This season has been a whole new ballgame for Myatt. This past week he’s given up only a pair of runs over 4.2 innings out of the bullpen, including securing a victory for the Patriots on May 16.

Overall, Myatt has been very good, a reliable choice in the late innings for manager Raul Dominguez.

On the year Myatt’s ERA stands at 1.45, which is the lowest ERA on the Patriots staff to date. He also leads the club in saves with three, and opponents are hitting only .152 against him, good for second best on the team.

All these stats make Tanner Myatt a player to watch the rest of the way for the Double-A Somerset Patriots.
Week 5 - Will Warren

The Somerset Patriots have been rolling in 2023, and one reason for that has a lot to do with this man on the mound, who has just recently seen a promotion to Triple-A, starting pitcher Will Warren.

In his final start with the Patriots on May 11, Warren held the Portland SeaDogs scoreless over six innings of work in Somerset’s 9-1 victory. The victory improved Warren’s record with the Somerset Patriots to 3-0.

In six starts at Somerset, Warren posted a 2.45 ERA with 39 strikeouts over 29.1 innings of work. He ranks among the Eastern League leaders in ERA (5th) and strikeouts (T-4th). In four of his six games started this season, Warren struck out eight batters he faced.

Warren was selected by the Yankees in the eighth round of the 2021 draft, and has shot up the charts since; he currently ranks seventh among yankees prospects.

In his rookie season in 2022, Warren pitched to a 3.60 ERA with 42 strikeouts in 35 innings over eight starts in High-A Hudson Valley.

He was promoted to Somerset on May 29, 2022 and went 7-6 with a 4.02 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 94 innings pitched in 18 games started in an Eastern League Championship-winning campaign.
Week 4 - Austin Wells

What an incredible week for the Somerset Patriots. Not only did the Patriots win five of six from the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, but carried a four-game winning streak into this week’s series in Portland.

As a result, it was very difficult to find one person for Player of the Week. T.J. Rumfield, Jasson Dominguez, Tyler Hardman, and Brandon Lockridge were all deserving. But this week we are rolling with a player whose anticipated return to the line-up has lived up to the billing, and then some: Austin Wells.

Wells started the season on the injury list with a rib injury, but made his return this past week to Double-A Somerset and excelled. In five games against Binghamton, Wells hit .263 with three homers, seven RBI and five runs scored. In fact, Wells homered in three consecutive games.

The Yankees first round pick in 2020 is currently ranked third among Yankees top 30 prospects, behind only Anthony Volpe, who is already playing in the Majors, and Jasson Dominguez.
Born in Las Vegas, Nevada, Wells has been shooting up the Yankees charts. He has spent time at both High-A Hudson Valley and Single-A Tampa Bay before moving up to Double-A Somerset last season.

In 55 games with the Patriots last season, Wells hit .261 with 12 homers, 43 RBI, eight doubles and a triple.

Follow the Somerset Patriots and Austin Wells all season long on your home for Patriots Baseball, 93.5 FM 1450 AM Fox Sports New Jersey.
Week 3 - Brandon Lockridge

A familiar face to Somerset Patriots fans, this individual took over the Patriots series in Harrisburg last week, leading to his naming as the Fox Sports New Jersey Player of the Week.

That player is Brandon Lockridge.

Lockridge hit .454 in four games against the Harrisburg Senators, which included a 3-for-3 night on Sunday, April 30 where he drove in a run and delivered a pair of triples.

On the season, Lockridge is hitting .289 with six RBI, three doubles and two triples. The Pensacola, Florida native is in his second season with the Patriots, having played in 108 games in Somerset last season.

Lockridge was drafted in the fifth round of the 2018 Amateur Draft by the Yankees out of Troy University where he was a .300 hitter know for spraying teh ball around the ballpark. He made his professional debut with Single-A Staten Island as a 21-year old back in 2018, and has been a steady Double-A presence the past few seasons in the organization.

Over his career, Lockridge is a .257 hitter with 40 homers, 75 doubles and 13 triples.
Week 2 - Clayton Beeter

It’s never too early in a baseball season for a little personal history, and for this week’s Player of the Week, he ceratinly earned it. Our player of the Week is pitcher Clayton Beeter, who captured the first victory of his professional career last week for the Somerset Patriots.

In 54 starts in his minor league career with the Yankees and LA Dodgers organizations, Beeter was 0-10 going into his first start of the year against Binghamton. The righty delivered a gem, blanking the New York Mets Double-A affiliate over 6.2 innings on just three hits.

In addition to his first win, it was the longest out of Beeter’s professional career.

Beeter was drafted by the Dodgers in 2020 in round CB-B, and was later traded to the Yankees in the middle of last season in a deal that sent Joey Gallo out to Hollywood.

He has enjoyed his stay in Somerset, developing into a stalwart at the top of the rotation. He pitched to a 2.13 ERA in seven starts last season with Double-A Somerset. This year, he is 1-1 with a 0.82 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 11 innings.

Be on the lookout for Clayton Beeter this season, and follow the Somerset Patriots all year on Fox Sports New Jersey 93.5 FM, 1450 AM and online right here at foxsportsradionewjersey.com.
Week 1 - Tyler Hardman

While it was only three games, 20th ranked New York Yankees prospect Tyler Hardman made quiet the impression on the Somerset crowd when he launched a two-run homer off the facing of the left field wall to send the New York Yankees Double-A affiliate to a 6-5 win over the Washington Nationals Double-A affiliate, the Harrisburg Senators.

In two games played over the weekend, Hardman collected a pair of hits in five trips to the plate, and is currently hitting an even .400 to start the season.

A native of Mission Viejo, California, Hardman has had a well-traveled road. He was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 37th round of the 2017 draft, before opting to go to the University of Oklahoma.

Four years later, the Yankees drafted him in the fifth round, and, he has steadily rose up through the system. Hardman had a cup of tea with the Patriots last year, but played in 107 games at Singel-A Hudson Valley in 2022 where he hit .262 with 22 home runs and 79 RBI.

Be on the lookout for Tyler Hardman this season, and follow the Somerset Patriots all year long with Fox Sports New Jersey 93.5 FM 1450 AM, and online at Fox Sports Radio New Jersey.com. I’m Michael Cohen – Fox Sports New Jersey.