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EL1 Trenton Thunder

S. Duncan, Butto sent to Columbus, Thunder add Garner, Colome

June 19, 2006 - Eastern League (EL1)
Trenton Thunder News Release


(Trenton, NJ) - The Trenton Thunder, the Double-A Affiliate of the New York Yankees, announced that INF/OF Shelley Duncan and Francisco Butto have been promoted to Columbus (AAA-International League) from Trenton. RHP Jesus Colome has been transferred to Trenton from the Staten Island Yankees (New York Penn League) and OF Brett Gardner has been promoted to Trenton from Tampa (A-Florida State League)

Duncan was named Eastern League "Player of the Week" for the week ending June 11th. It was the second time that Duncan has won the award this season and the third time in his two seasons with the Thunder. Duncan, who blasted a league-high 34 home runs for Trenton last season, is the Eastern league leader in home runs (15) and extra-base hits (35) and is also ranked among the leaders in doubles (20-2nd), and RBI (43-3rd). Shelley was selected by the Yankees in the second round of the June 2001 draft out of the University of Arizona.

Butto was 1-1 with a 2.84 ERA in 18 games for Trenton. Butto was signed by the Yankees as a free agent on December, 18 2005. He split time in 2005 between Clearwater (A) and Reading (AA) in the Philadelphia Phillies organization. He had a 1-2 record with a 3.49 ERA in 17 games with Clearwater. Butto notched a 2-5 record and a 3.65 ERA in 36 games with the Reading Phillies. In 2004, Butto appeared in 36 games, including 14 starts for Clearwater. Butto was originally signed as a non-drafted free agent by Philadelphia (2/9/99).

Gardner was a Florida State League all-star batting .323 in 63 games with 22 RBI with the Tampa Yankees. He was third in the Florida State League in batting average and led the league in stolen bases with 30. Gardner also was second in the league in walks with 47. He is the 13th rated prospect in the Yankees Minor League system according to Baseball America and rated as the fastest runner in the Yankees minor league system. In 2005, he hit .284 with five home runs and 32 RBI in 73 games for the Staten Island Yankees (New York Penn League) helping them win the New York Penn League championship. Gardner was selected by the Yankees in the third round of the 2005 draft from the College of Charleston. He was a third-team All American in 2005.

Colome was signed by the Yankees to a Minor League contract on April 15, 2006. He appeared in one game with the Devil Rays on April 5 and faced two batters before leaving with stiffness in his shoulder. He was released by Tampa on April 6. He appeared in 186 games from 2001-06 with the Devil Rays, the fourth-highest total among pitchers in team history. He owns a career record of 11-22 with five saves and a 4.73 ERA. He was originally signed by the Oakland A's as a non-drafted free agent September 29, 1996.

The Thunder begin a four-game series with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on Monday night at 7:05 pm at Waterfront Park. Tyler Clippard (2-9) will start for Trenton against New Hampshire's Kyle Yates (3-5). Tickets are available by calling (609) 394-3300 or order on-line at www.trentonthunder.com.

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Eastern League Stories from June 19, 2006


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