EL1 Trenton Thunder

Eight Former Players To Participate In World Baseball Classic

Published on March 4, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Trenton Thunder News Release


TRENTON, N.J. - The Trenton Thunder, the Double A affiliate of the New York Yankees, will have eight former players representing five different countries in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Play is scheduled to begin tomorrow in Tokyo, Mexico City, Toronto, San Juan, San Diego, Miami and Los Angeles.

The list includes former players Francisco Butto, (Venezuela), Francisco Cervelli (Italy), Robinson Cano and Edwar Ramirez, (Dominican Republic) and Kevin Youkilis (United States).

Also making rosters were three former major leaguers who appeared with the Thunder during rehab stints. That list includes Derek Jeter (United States), Bernie Williams (Puerto Rico) and Victor Zambrano (Venezuela).

Butto appeared in 28 games for the Thunder during the 2006 season going 3-2 with a 2.99 ERA, and 57 strikeouts in 72.1 innings pitched. The Monagas, Venezuela native signed a free agent contract with the Yankees prior to the 2006 season after spending seven seasons in the Phillies organization. Butto was originally signed by Philadelphia as an undrafted free agent in 1999.

Cervelli also spent a short amount of time with Trenton. He appeared in 21 games last season batting .315 with eight RBI in 73 at-bats. The Valencia, Venezuela native has spent his entire career in the Yankees organization after being signed as an undrafted free agent in March 2003. Cervelli saw his first Major League action at the end of last season, going 0-for-5 in three games with the Yankees.

Cano excelled with the Thunder during the 2003 and 2004 seasons which coincided with his steady climb up the ranks of the Yankees farm system. After his promotion from Single-A Tampa on July 19, 2003, the San Pedro de Marcoris, Dominican Republic native appeared in 46 games with Trenton, batting .280 with 21 runs and 13 RBI in 164 at-bats. Cano improved upon that the following season, with a .301 average, and 44 RBI in his 74 games with the Thunder.

Ramirez appeared in nine games with the Thunder during the 2007 season before his promotion to Triple-A Scranton on May 21. The San Juan, Dominican Republic native went 3-0 with a 0.54 ERA and one save during his brief stint in Trenton.

Youkilis spent his time in Trenton during the 2002 season when the Thunder were the Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. After his promotion from High-A Sarasota on July 18, the Cincinnati, Ohio native batted .344 with 34 runs, five HR, and 26 RBI in 44 games with the Thunder.

Jeter made his only appearance with Trenton during a five-game rehabilitation stint in the 2003 season while recovering from a dislocated shoulder. The current Yankee captain and Pequannock, New Jersey native batted .444 with 5 RBI in 18 at-bats during his first and only professional baseball appearance in his home state of New Jersey.

Williams also made a five-game rehab appearance in Trenton during the 2003 season. The San Juan, Puerto Rico native batted .333 with five hits and four RBI for the Thunder during his rehab stint.

Zambrano made two starts for the Thunder last season going 2-0 with a 0.75 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 12.0 innings pitched. The journeyman pitcher from Los Teques, Venezuela was released by the Colorado Rockies on June 7, 2008 and signed a minor league contract with the Yankees a few weeks later.

All children 12 and under will Eat For Free at every Trenton Thunder game this season. More information on our Kids Eat Free promotion is available on trentonthunder.com. Thunder season tickets, half season tickets, Mini Ticket Packages, Pic-A-Plans, Flex Packages and individual game tickets, including for the EL All-Star Game, are on sale now by calling 609-394-3300 or online at www.trentonthunder.com.

Check out the Trenton Thunder Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Eastern League Stories from March 4, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central