Thunder Release a Preliminary Roster

The 2009 Trenton Thunder have released a preliminary roster, and it is not as impressive as the rosters for Tampa, Charleston or Scranton are or will be. That's not to say it's all organizational filler at Trenton, but aside from a few pitchers, let's just say, there are some prospects who need to make their cases.

The rotation will feature Eric Hacker, Zach McAllister, Ivan Nova, George Kontos and Ryan Pope. That's a good AA rotation. Hacker is an older prospect (like Coke was) who has finally gotten healthy and discovered both a big league fastball and a serious slider. He was k'ing guys like crazy last year and would probably be in AAA if it wasn't so crowded. Zach McAllister is the big story here. He's 6'6" righty with a killer 2-seamer that produces groundball after groundball. Just 21, he has to sharpen his slider into a K pitch at AA this year. Once the K rate gets healthier, he will fly. The same is true of Ivan Nova. Nova is a strike throwing machine with good stuff, but he doesn't have that K pitch or sequence that could fast track him. Great arm, but needs to start k'ing guys. Kontos is repeating AA, but he, too could be in AAA but for the crowding. He's a fastball/slider guy and both are above average pitches. In fact, his slider is plus. He's a guy who could be switched the pen eventually where his stuff might play up more. Ryan Pope has to do better. He started out well at Tampa last year then just fell apart. He's a pitchability guy who was throwing 93 when drafted, but his velocity has not really been back there. I sort of thought he'd be back in Tampa. He is capable of doing well, but he's coming off of a bad second half.


The bullpen is also loaded with Mike Dunn, Kaneiko Texeira, Kevin Whelan, Eric Wordekemper, Jose Valdez, Wilkens Arias, and Josh Schmidt. Dunn and Arias are the lefties. Dunn is a fastball/slider guy who started touching 97 when they made him a reliever last year. Arias is a lefty Ramirez and literally as skinny. Whelan is a stumpy power righty with control issues. Valdez is a big fastball guy. Wordekemper and Schmidt have had some success, but are starting to seem a little like organizational guys.


The infield will feature Frankie Cervelli and Kyle Anson behind the plate. Both catchers have excellent plate discipline and great arms. Cervelli is the total package as a defender and Anson has sick pop time, but may have some work to do on the other elements back there. C Jose Gil is also on the roster right now, but it doesn't look like he'll play much. Kevin Smith, Reegie Corona, Eduardo Nunez and Marcos Vechionacci will fill out the infield. Smith is lefty swinging 1B who has yet to show power. I wouldn't be surprised is Jorge Vazquez comes up and takes that job early in the season. Reegie Corona is a developing middle infielder with a good glove and nice patience. Eduardo Nunez is the 5 tool SS who looked like he was breaking out in ST. The Yanks have been waiting on this guy and he could really start to move if he keeps up the pace he set in Spring. Marcos Vechionacci will play 3rd. Like Nunez, Marcos is a toolsy kid the Yanks have been waiting on for 5 years. He's looked to be making a move in each of the last two years, but leg and wrists injuries have sidetracked his seasons. He could still make a move and emerge as a prospect.

The backup infielders are interesting: Chris Malec is an on base machine, while Justin Snyder is also an on base machine who is skipping high A, and may have trouble finding enough AB's. He can also play CF.

The Outfield will feature Colin Curtis, Seth Fortenberry, Edwar Gonzalez and James Cooper. Curtis you know about - needs to show some power. Fortenberry is a toolsy late bloomer who could surprise. Edwar Gonzalez is a patience free power hitter who needs to walk if he wants to make it. He'll be limited to DHing to start the season. James Cooper is looking sort of organizational. Not a bad player, but not a prospect right now.

So there you have it: some good pitchers and infielders we've been waiting on. There may be a surprise or two. We'll see. Go Thunder.

NB: Thus far, the Thunder are two over the roster limit, so more moves are coming.