EL1 Trenton Thunder

Multiple Roster Changes, "Switch Pitcher" Joins Thunder

Published on September 1, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Trenton Thunder News Release


(TRENTON, NJ) The Trenton Thunder, Double-A Affiliate of the New York Yankees, announced today that RHP John Van Benschoten, RHP George Kontos and INF Edwar Gonzalez have been promoted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. In addition, the Thunder will receive SP Pat Venditte and RHP Adam Olbrychowski from High-A Tampa and C Ryan Baker has been activated from the Disabled List. Finally, the rehabilitation assignment of RHP Alfredo Aceves has been transferred from Scranton to Trenton.

Van Benschoten, 30, has pitched to a combined 7-2 record with a 3.35 ERA in 23 games at four separate levels in the Yankees minor league system this season. The right-hander recorded the win for the Thunder on Saturday night at Harrisburg. Kontos moves up to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after going 0-2 with a 3.38 ERA in 17 games for the Thunder. The Northwestern product has now spent parts of the last three season in Trenton. This is Gonzalez's first promotion to Triple-A after spending the last two seasons at Double-A Trenton. In 74 games with Trenton this season, Gonzalez is hitting .235 with 6 HR, 35 RBI and a .333 OBP.

This will be the second promotion to Trenton for RHP Adam Olbrychowski and the first for SP Pat Venditte. Olbrychowski pitched in one game last season for Trenton, tossing a scoreless inning and allowing two hits. In 30 appearances for Tampa this season, the right-hander is 3-2 with a 4.02 ERA in 62.2 innings of work.

Venditte, 25, is an ambidextrous pitcher drafted by the Yankees out of Creighton in the 20th round of the 2008 June draft. He is the only 'switch-pitcher' currently in professional baseball. Venditte has pitched to a 4-1 record and a 1.73 ERA in 41 games for High-A Tampa. He has struck out 85 batters in 72.2 innings pitched.

The Thunder play the third game a four game series with the Akron Aeros on Wednesday night at 7:05 PM at Waterfront Park. RHP Andrew Brackman makes the start for Trenton, while Akron will give the ball to RHP Rob Bryson. All the action can be heard live on 107.7 FM or online at www.trentonthunder.com.

Check out the Trenton Thunder Statistics

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



Eastern League Stories from September 1, 2010


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