The following is my best guess starting roster for the 2009 Trenton Thunder to begin the year.
Catcher: Francisco Cervelli
1st Base: Chris Malec
2nd Base: Damon Sublett
Shortstop: Eduardo Nunez
3rd Base: Marcos Vechionacci
Left Field: Colin Curtis / James Cooper
Center Field: Seth Fortenberry
Right Field: Edwar Gonzalez
Designated Hitter: Carlos Mendoza
Others: Kyle Anson, Luis Nunez, Andres Perez, Kevin Smith
Starting Pitcher: George Kontos
Starting Pitcher: Zach McAllister
Starting Pitcher: Erick Hacker
Starting Pitcher: Christian Garcia
Starting Pitcher: Humberto Sanchez
Relief Pitcher: Michael Dunn
Relief Pitcher: Josh Schmidt
Relief Pitcher: Grant Duff
Relief Pitcher: Kanekoa Texeira
Relief Pitcher: Michael Gardner
Relief Pitcher: Eric Wordekemper
Relief Pitcher: Zach Kroenke
Trenton’s pitching staff appears to be in a bit of a roster crunch. Also contending for spots will be guys like Kevin Whelan, Jose Valdez, and Jason Stephens. Jason Jones may return in the Rule V draft, as could Reegie Corona.
That said, Trenton will be by far the least talented team in the Yankees farm system. The players to watch will almost exclusively be starting pitchers, although Cervelli and Fortenberry could be interesting too. The bullpen is mostly filled with long shots after Michael Dunn and to a lesser extent Kanekoa Texeira.
I’m guessing that Damon Sublett moves up as long as Reegie Corona sticks in the majors. I’m not sure where Colin Curtis is going to land, so I’ve put him as a possibility on both the Scranton and Trenton previews.
The big question marks for the season will be Sanchez and Garcia. Both have historically had trouble staying healthy, and for that matter staying in shape. Both could end up in the bullpen by the middle of the season.
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13 Responses to Minor League Preview: Trenton Thunder
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TIQ IQ
Yeah, before I read your comments, I realized the weakness here. This is not a great team in terms of potential. Cervelli, Dunn, and the starters are the only interesting players. I have good feeling about Garcia and Kontos, and obviously I really like Z-Mac.
Over/under on the innings Humberto pitches before breaking down again? I have 72, since he hasn’t exceeded 72 since 2004.
http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/S/Humberto-Sanchez.shtml
iirc Cody Ehlers was released last year. Plus I still believe Chris Malec will be in AAA which allows for Kevin Smith to play first in Trenton.
EJ, any of these position players have any truly outstanding tools?
For instance, nobody was overly excited about Brett Gardner in 2007, yet he has 80 speed on the 20-80 scale scouts use. And speed is 100% measurable, as opposed to other skills that have some opinion involved. Now he’s most likely our 2009 starting CF.
Anyone else with an outstanding tool that gives him some upside?
Seth Fortenberry has a really nice arm. Chris Malec takes tons of walks. Cervelli is an outstanding defensive catcher. Vechionacci theoretically could be a great defensive third baseman.
But really, no big standouts. Gardner had a lot of tools – patience, hitting ability, good instincts, speed. That’s why he was a 3rd round pick.
And I contest the fact that no one was excited about Gardner in 2007 :)
Glad to see somebody was. Some people STILL aren’t excited about Gardner, which amazes me. I’m convinced some of them stopped watching the Yanks after the September Red Sox series, and went straight to Football.
Was he released? I probably missed that. Bring Kevin Smith up in his replace then.
I just don’t see a spot for Malec at Triple-A.
EJ–nice job on the preview. Two things–Bo Hall signed elsewhere as a minor-league FA, and Sanchez is now a reliever.
Still not convinced of Sanchez being a permanent reliever :)
With his health history, I think its about time they just give up the ghost and try to get him to the bigs anyway they can.
Its not like he needs to gain experience vs hitters, he’s been pitching on/off the DL since 2002 and has logged 469 IP in the minors.
Colin Curtis showed some promise last year, and I think Sublett has some potential, although he has to show it on the field still
Further proof the organization still has a long way to go in developing position talent. On the other hand, you can usually use pitching to acquire other talent, so if you have to be weak somewhere let it be in the everyday player pool rather than on the mound.
Christian Garcia is still a prospect.Humberto Sanchez barely a suspect.