EL1 Trenton Thunder

Six Players With Thunder Ties To Play In Arizona Fall League

Published on October 2, 2008 under Eastern League (EL1)
Trenton Thunder News Release


(Trenton, NJ)- The Trenton Thunder, the Double A Affiliate of the NY Yankees, announced today that six players with ties to the Thunder, including four players who played on Trenton's 2008 Eastern League Championship squad, will play in the Arizona Fall League for the Peoria Javelinas.

Outfielder Austin Jackson, Right-handed pitcher Jeff Marquez, Infielder Kevin Russo, and Right-handed pitcher Humberto Sanchez played for Trenton in 2008. Right-handed pitcher Phil Hughes (Thunder 2006-07) and Infielder Juan Miranda (Thunder 2007) will also play for Peoria.

The AFL will begin its 38 game schedule on Tuesday, October 7.

Jackson hit .285 with nine home runs and 69 RBI in 131 games for the Thunder. He also has 19 stolen bases. Jackson finished tied for third in the Eastern League in hits (148), tied for fourth in doubles (33), and just outside the top-five in runs scored (74). He was named Eastern League Post-season MVP. Jackson also participated in the 2008 Eastern League All-Star Game in Manchester, NH. He has had two seven-RBI games this season. Jackson entered the season as the #2 prospect in the Yankees Minor League System according to Baseball America. In 2007, he appeared in 60 games for Charleston (Low-A), 67 games for Tampa, and one game for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Triple-A). He hit .260 for the River Dogs with three home runs and 25 RBI. He had a .345 BA with 10 home runs and 34 RBI in 67 games for Tampa. He was originally an eighth round selection by the Yankees in the 2005 draft.

Marquez split the season between Trenton, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Triple-A), and the Gulf Coast League Yankees. He was 1-1 with a 2.93 ERA and three starts for the Thunder. He also made two post-season starts for Trenton, and was the winning pitcher in Game #4 of the Eastern League Championship Series against Akron. He went 6-7 with a 4.69 ERA in 14 starts this season for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He was 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA in 2 G/1 start for the Gulf Coast League Yankees. During 2007, he had a 15-9 record with a 3.65 ERA in 27 starts for Trenton. He led the Eastern League in wins, ranked second in innings pitched (155.1 IP) and placed 10th in ERA. His 15 wins placed him second among all Double-A pitchers and tied for ninth overall in the minor leagues. The 15 wins in a season was one short of the Thunder franchise record. He started the Eastern League All-Star game on July 11th in Norwich, Conn. He entered the 2008 season as the seventh-rated prospect in the Yankees Minor League System according to Baseball America. He is a member of the Yankees 40-man roster. He was originally selected by the Yankees as a first round supplemental selection in the 2004 draft.

Russo had a .307 BA in 71 games for Trenton, with two home runs and 33 RBI. He also missed almost two months of the season with a facial injury. In 25 games during May, he hit .326 with a home run and 25 RBI. With Tampa (High-A) in 2007, Russo hit .281 in 109 games with two home runs and 45 RBI. He was originally selected by the Yankees in the 20th round of the 2006 draft. He played college baseball at Baylor University, was a 2005 All-Big 12 Conference Honorable Mention.

Sanchez has spent time with the GCL Yankees, Tampa, and Trenton this season. He started one game for the Thunder (9/1) and gave up one run in one inning of work. Sanchez appeared in two post-season games for the Thunder. He was 0-1 with a 2.31 ERA in 12 games (nine starts) with the GCL Yankees. He tossed a total of 11 2/3 innings in the 12 games. Sanchez struck out 15 and walked four. He made two starts with Tampa and was 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA in two total innings. Sanchez entered the 2008 season as the 12th rated prospect in the Yankees Minor League System according to Baseball America. Sanchez missed all of the 2007 season because of Tommy John surgery. He was acquired by the Yankees from the Detroit Tigers along with RHP Anthony Claggett and RHP Kevin Whelan for OF Gary Sheffield in November 2006. Sanchez split the 2006 season between Erie (Double-A) and Toledo (Triple-A). He went 5-3 with a 1.76 ERA in 11 starts for Erie. Sanchez had a 5-3 record with a 3.86 ERA in nine starts for Toledo. He was originally drafted by Detroit in 31st round of the 2001 draft.

The New York Yankees are sending two players to the Hawaii Winter League, RHP Jeremy Bleich and RHP Andrew Brackman. The Hawaiian league started play on September 30 and runs through November 15.

Season tickets and group outings for the 2009 Trenton Thunder season are on sale now by calling 609-394-3300.

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Eastern League Stories from October 2, 2008


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