EL1 Trenton Thunder

Five Former Thunder Players Traded This Month

Published on December 22, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Trenton Thunder News Release


(Trenton, NJ) Five former Thunder players have been dealt this month as part of two separate trades by the New York Yankees.

In today's trade with the Atlanta Braves, the Yankees acquired RHP Javier Vazquez. Former Thunder OF Melky Cabrera and LHP Michael Dunn were dealt to the Braves as part of the deal.

In a three-way trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Detroit Tigers on December 8, the Yankees acquired OF Curtis Granderson from the Tigers. In the deal, former Thunder RHP Ian Kennedy was sent to Arizona. Former Thunder LHP Phil Coke and OF Austin Jackson were moved to Detroit.

Coke had a 9-4 record with a 2.51 ERA in 23 games (20 starts) for the Thunder during the 2008 season. He finished the season ranked second in the Eastern League in lowest ERA, and was an Eastern League post-season All-Star. He made his Major League debut with the Yankees in 2008 and has a career 5-3 record with a 3.74 ERA in 84 games. He was on the post-season roster for the Yankees and helped New York win the 2009 World Series. He was originally selected by the Yankees in the 26th round of the 2002 draft.

In 2007, Kennedy went 5-1 with a 2.59 ERA in nine starts with the Thunder. He earned the 2007 Kevin Lawn "Minor League Pitcher of the Year" Award. He made appearances with the Yankees in 2007-09. He has a career 1-4 record in 14 Major League games. He was originally selected by the Yankees in the first round (21st overall) of the 2006 draft.

Jackson spent the entire 2008 season with the Thunder, and also played for Trenton in the 2007 post-season. In 2008, he had a.285 BA in 131 games with nine home runs and 69 RBI. He was selected as a 2008 Eastern League All-Star and was named the 2008 Eastern League Post-season MVP. He helped the Thunder win Eastern League Championships in 2007 and 2008. He was tabbed the "Best Defensive Outfielder" in the EL. Jackson was originally selected by the Yankees in the 8th round of the 2005 draft.

Cabrera played for the Thunder in 2005. He hit.275 in 106 games with 10 home runs and 60 RBI. He was selected to play for the World Team in 2005 All-Star Futures Game. Cabrera has played for the New York Yankees from 2006-09 and had a career.269 BA in 569 games for the Yankees. He has 36 career home runs and 228 RBI and helped the Yankees win the 2009 World Series. He was originally signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent on November 13, 2001.

Dunn appeared with the Thunder in 2008 and 2009. In 2009, he had a 3-3 record with a 3.71 ERA in 26 games and two saves for the Thunder. He tallied 76 strikeouts in 53 1/3 innings and was selected as a 2009 Eastern League All-Star. Dunn made his Major League debut with the New York Yankees in September and was 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA in four games. Dunn pitched for the Thunder on the final day of the 2008 regular season and tossed 4 1/3 scoreless innings for the Thunder in the 2008 Eastern League Playoffs. He was originally selected by the Yankees in the 33rd round of the 2004 draft.

In addition to the trades, former Thunder LHP Zach Kroenke and RHP Kankeoa Texeira were both selected in the 2009 Rule Five Draft. Kroenke was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Texeira was selected by the Seattle Mariners. Kroenke pitched for the Thunder during the 2007 and 2008 seasons. He was 6-0 with a 3.09 ERA in 37 games for the Thunder in 2008. Texeiera had a 9-6 record with a 2.84 ERA in 41 games for the Thunder in 2009.

Thunder season tickets, half season tickets, Mini Ticket Packages and Pic-A-Plans for the 2010 season are on sale now by calling 609-394-3300 or visiting www.trentonthunder.com. Trenton begins its 2010 season by hosting the Erie Sea Wolves (Double-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers) on Thursday April 8th. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m.

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Eastern League Stories from December 22, 2009


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