Shortly after being added to the 40-man roster, Yoniel had the opportunity to start the opener of the Rays Dominican Republic Series against the Red Sox in Santo Domingo last spring…it was the first time his family got to see him pitch in a big league uniform, and Yoniel said the experience made him feel “a little closer to my dreams.”
2024
Went 9-7 with a 2.95 ERA (119.0IP, 39ER) and 159 SO in 26 starts between Class-A Bowling Green and Double-A Montgomery…following his Aug. 13 promotion, went 4-0 with a 1.75 ERA (25.2IP, 5ER) and 37 SO in five starts for the Biscuits...Ranked among Rays minor leaguers (min. 75 IP) in strikeouts (second), wins (tied third), opp. average (fourth, .194), starts (tied fourth) and ERA (fifth)...His 122 SO were second most in the South Atlantic League behind fellow Rays farmhand Jackson Baumeister (135)...Ranked by Baseball America as the No. 29 prospect in the Rays system following the season.
2023
Named the Rays Minor League Pitcher of the Year by the club’s baseball operations department after going 8-1 with a 2.94 ERA (104.0IP, 34ER) in 26 appearances (22GS) between Class-A Bowling Green and Class-A Charleston...Ranked among Rays farmhands (min. 75.0IP) in opponent average (first, .149), strikeouts (T-first, 144), ERA (second, 2.94) and WHIP (fourth, 1.19)...Allowed only 10 extra-base hits to 432 BF…Minimum 75.0 IP, his .192 opp. slugging percentage was the lowest mark in the Minors, 52 points lower than the next closest pitcher (Marino Santy, .244)…He was one of three Minor League pitchers to record 100.0+ IP while allowing three HR or fewer, along with Luinder Avila and Manuel Mercedes...Began the season with Charleston, pitching in 20 games (17GS) for the RiverDogs…At the time of his Aug. 8 promotion to Bowling Green, he ranked among Carolina League leaders (min. 60.0IP) in opponent average (first, .132), strikeouts (T-first, 111) and innings pitched (T-sixth, 80.1)...From May 16–July 8, went 4-0 with a 0.39 ERA (46.1IP, 2ER) and 12.5 SO/9.0 IP over 10 outings (9GS)…Marked the lowest ERA in the Minors over that span (min. 30.0IP)...Took home back-to-back Carolina League Pitcher of the Month honors in June and July…Also named Rays Minor League Pitcher of the Month for both months...On June 21 vs. Fayetteville, logged 5.2 hitless frames, matching the longest outing of his career (also June 3, 2023 vs. Augusta)...On July 28 vs. Augusta, fanned a career-high 11 batters en route to his final win with Charleston…Entered in the fourth inning and recorded six consecutive strikeouts to open the outing...Made six appearances (5GS) with Bowling Green to conclude the season, going 2-0 with a 4.56 ERA (23.2IP, 12ER)…This includes a 2.45 ERA (7.1IP, two ER) in his final two outings...Named the No. 10 Rays prospect by Baseball America following the season, including the No. 2 pitcher behind Shane Baz…The publication also voted him as having the Best Fastball among Rays prospects...Added to the Rays 40-man roster following the season.
