MARVELous Thunderbolts

Ok, so the title doesn't do this story justice, but that's just my style... If you don't understand my title play on words, I'm referring the the Marvel comics' thunderbolts superhero team and implying that the Trenton Thunder are superheros LOL... yea, I need to work on my titles. :)

The Trenton Thunder is the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. Recently, the Thunder was awarded "Best Redesign" (for their logo) by Baseball America. The Thunder is currently in first place, three games ahead of their nearest opponent. This Trenton team is arguably the best team within the Yankees’ farm system. Simply put, the Trenton Thunder is chocked full of talent. On this blog, we like to highlight the best and brightest future stars; with this team, however, it took me a while to narrow down my list. The following are Thunder players to watch for in the near future based on their play this season with the Trenton Thunder.

Chase Wright, LHP: In my personal blog, The Baseball Whisperer (www.MySpace.com/swbyankeegroupie29) , I cracked a lot on Wright while he was with the New York Yankees, but I’m going to have to retract all that smack talk (I can remember calling Chase “Chase Wright, or wrong depending on the inning”). I think my harsh comments were not so much that Wright lacked skill, but was more so about the anger I had towards the Yankee organization for rushing him up to the majors before he was ready. In 2008, Wright is the best LHP in the minors for the Yankees (in my opinion). Wright has an upper 80s, low 90s fastball. The only thing that bothers me about Wright is his command; he tends to walk a lot of people. IF he gains some control and throws more quality pitches, I think he could very well be the next “Andy Pettitte.” Wright’s young, so I think he will be able to mature and fix these semi-flaws with ease. Wright also throws a decent change up in the upper 70s, low 80s. So far this year, Wright is 6-1 with a 2.59 ERA.

Mark Melancon, RHP: Melancon easily wins my vote for best pitching prospect in the Yankees’ farm system. It’s safe to say that I’m excited for the day Melancon becomes a New York Yankee. According to most scouts, Melancon could very well be the next Joba Chamberlain. Melancon has an above average fastball with superb command, a power curve ball, which is often equated to Joba’s out pitch (slider). Another great thing about Melancon (other than the 90+ mph fastball) is his ability to hide the ball during his delivery. This gives more life to his pitches. The Yankees however, believe Melancon’s biggest asset is his serious, professional, and determined demeanor. Melancon is another success story for Tommy John surgery. This year, Melancon is 3-0 with a 2.23 ERA.

Jose Tabata, RF: (Just to reiterate what was said in the futures blog) Tabata led the entire Yankees farm system in batting average when he hit .314 with the GCY at the age of 17 (during the 2005 season). As of January 2008, Tabata is ranked the Yankees’ 3rd best prospect by Baseball America. This guy is simply amazing in the outfield. With Bobby Abreu’s contract coming to an end this year, it will be interesting to see if the Yankees ink Abreu, Tabata, or someone else (namely Brett Gardner, even though he’s a CF) for the 2009 season. The only thing working against Tabata is his attitude, if he works out his issues, he could give Abreu and Gardner a run for their money. This year with the Thunder, Tabata is batting .248 with 36 RBIs. Tabata recently injured his hamstring; the team says they will not rush him back to the line up.

Austin Jackson, CF: If you didn’t already know, Jackson is one of the prospects the Yankees would not give up for Santana this past off season. Now, before you decide to hate Jackson because of this, just let me share some Jackson info with you… Jackson is a former basketball standout, which could explain his quickness in the outfield. Jackson has above average skills as both and offensive and defensive player. Jackson has the ability to hit to all fields with power and speed. So far this year, Jackson is hitting .274 with 20 doubles, and 13 stolen bases. He leads the Thunder in both of these categories.

Chris Malec, 3B: Malec is said to be comparable to Todd Walker, hitting wise. He’s a very polished hitter with power to the gaps. The thing I admire most about Malec, on the field, is that he will do whatever it takes to get on base for his team. If he has to take a 95mph fastball to the ribcage, so be it. He gets on base, simple as that. He has very good base running skills, which allows him to score a lot of runs and stay out of double plays. The Yankees feel that although Malec is a great baseball player, his work ethic and make-up are his best qualities. Malec is batting .293 this year with 13 doubles.

I simply cannot justify writing a blog about the Trenton Thunder without mentioning the remarkable strength and courage of Chris Malec and Colin Curtis off the field of play. We all know how hard it is for prospects to rise up the ranks, but the fight is compounded when you play for the Yankees’ farm system. Chris Malec and Colin Curtis both play for the Trenton Thunder, so what makes their journey any different than the other guys’ journeys? Both Curtis and Malec were diagnosed with testicular cancer early in their lives. Colin Curtis was first diagnosed with testicular cancer in high school. He’s been in remission for six years now. Chris Malec was first diagnosed with testicular cancer in college. Malec is also in remission. Malec sites Lance Armstrong as his inspiration and hero. In college, Malec had surgery to remove the cancerous tumor and started chemotherapy. During this time, Malec was playing baseball for UC-Santa Barbara. His coach didn’t expect him back until late May, but Malec beat his coach’s timetable by two weeks. In the first inning of Malec’s first start back, he hit a grand slam to lead his team to victory. Some may think it’s a coincidence how Malec and Curtis’ paths have crossed, but Colin Curtis states: “I’m not sure how I feel about coincidences and all that, but it’s definitely weird how it all played out. I do believe in fate and I think it’s cool how our lives have taken similar paths… and here we are.” Cancer is never a light subject, I usually like to joke and come up with light, comical quips about guys, but I was honestly touched when I read a story about these two guys and felt the need to pass it along to our readers.

Baseball Nerdish as Always,
Brit