Minor League Round Up: Trenton Thunder

It's been a week in transition for the Trenton Thunder.  Dellin Betances and Manny Banuelos have joined the club from A-ball, while Hector Noesi and DJ Mitchell have moved up to AAA Scranton.

I'm most impressed with Noesi, who never pitched above A+ for three seasons while hampered by injuries and inconsistencies, who has now moved from A Tampa to AAA Scranton.

Says minor league coordinator Mark Newman:

In this business if you start making long range predictions about young guys like this, either positively or negatively, you make it tough for yourself. But having all five of the guys we have in that Trenton rotation now, that’s quality stuff.

Mike Ashmore confirms that Austine Romine and Corban Joseph will be headed to the Arizona Fall League.  Additional players are expected to attend.

The Thunder are 4-3 over the last week, with a four game winning streak followed by a 3 game skid.

Dellin Betances made his AA debut last night, lasting 4.2IP despite allowing only 2 hits and 2BB.  8Ks in 5 innings really makes the pitch count climb.  Doesn't he know that strikeouts are boring?

Manny Banuelos was less efficient in his Monday night debut.  He, too, recorded a K per inning, but in between he was clobbered for 7 hits, a pair of homers, 3BB and 6 ER over 5.2IP.

In the last week, Corban knocked a couple of doubles, but beyond that there's no sign that his slump is over.  He did walk 4 times in 6 games, so he's taking his pitches, but he's still searching for his first multi-hit game.

Austin Romine had a much bigger week, with a homer and a single on Friday, plus a three hit game last night.  His .264/.324/.389 AA line is still a long way from MLB ready, so temper your enthusiasm.

We've already talked about Adam Warren's phenomenal performance last Wednesday, but I'm going give you his box score again so you can drool and dream: 7IP, 2H, 1BB, 15K.

George Kontos pitched in 3 games, going an inning, an inning, then 2.2.  The first appearance was spotless; he gave up a single in the second, and he worked around a pair of walks in the third.  He recorded 5K without an earned run.

Andrew Brackman is up to his old tricks, pitching around a lot of trouble.  He threw 5 innings of 1 run ball despite 8 hits and a base on balls.  In fairness, a Brackman start with only 1 BB is pretty impressive.

All the stats come from www.milb.com