Allen Facundo just might consider the number 13 lucky after Thursday's start.
The Yankees' No. 26 prospect struck out a career-high 13 batters over five innings High-A Hudson Valley’s 7-3 win over Brooklyn at Maimonides Park. Facundo allowed three runs on four hits and two walks en route to his first victory for the Renegades.
The southpaw's punchouts tied a Hudson Valley franchise record most recently accomplished by White Sox righty Drew Thorpe on July 22, 2023.
Facundo got into a groove early, fanning the first eight Cyclones (Mets) he faced, six swinging. In the outing, the Venezuela native generated an eye-popping 50 percent whiff rate (22-for-44).
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Perhaps best known for a 70-grade fastball that can touch triple digits, Facundo’s 55-grade slider was particularly dominant on Thursday, as the pitch was responsible for 10 of the baker's dozen strikeouts.
Racking up swings-and-misses is something the 23-year-old has done exceptionally well this season. His 57 total strikeouts and .158 average-against rank first in the system and his 35.2 percent K rate stands second, all ahead of such well-known names as Carlos Lagrange (NYY No. 4) and Brendan Beck (NYY No. 21)
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While the bulk of contact generated against Facundo has come through the air as evidenced by his 40.4 percent flyball rate, per FanGraphs, he's been able to keep opposing hitters in the yard. In yielding just three home runs across 182 1/3 pro innings, Facundo sports a solid 4.3 percent homer-to-flyball ratio.
Originally signing for $20,000 in May 2021, Facundo's now in his fifth year in the Yankees system. He missed all of 2022 due to a shoulder injury and had Tommy John surgery after just eight outings in 2024.
Facundo posted a 1.50 ERA with 25 strikeouts over 15 innings spanning three starts for Single-A Tampa before his promotion on April 27.
Hudson Valley got a another strong performance by a young hurler in the nightcap to sweep its doubleheader with Brooklyn. Yankees No. 20 prospect Rory Fox went the distance in a two-hitter, striking out eight over seven innings in the 7-0 victory.