Trenton Thunder send four players to Eastern League All-Star Game

Four members of the Trenton Thunder were selected for the Eastern League All-Star game that will be held in New Britain on July 10th. Tyler Austin, Ramon Flores, Nik Turley, and Tom Kahnle will be the representatives for the Yankees' Double-A affiliate playing for the Eastern Division.

Tyler Austin shot up through the ranks of prospect lists last season after he made it from Low-A Charleston all the way to Double-A Trenton at season's end. He got off to a bit of a slow start in 2013, but he is currently sporting a 115 wRC+ in 68 games so far this season. After hitting 16 home runs a year ago, Austin's power has been a little lacking this year with only five home runs to his name in almost 70 games. He has hit 15 doubles for Trenton this season and is currently 10 for his last 34 over his last 10 games. Austin made the South Atlantic League All-Star Game last season, as well.

Ramon Flores is batting .241/.337/.328 in 73 games with the Thunder so far in 2013. He's hit three home runs, stolen four bases, and currently has an 88 wRC+ for the season. Flores wasn't the big name that Austin or Slade Heathcott was going into the season for Trenton with an all-prospect outfield, but he managed to work his way onto the All-Star team by putting up solid, if not spectacular, numbers for most of the season so far.

Nik Turley got off to a bit of a rough start to begin his 2013 season with the Thunder, but he settled in nicely having picked up four wins in his last ten starts. Turley has struck out 62 batters in his last 53.2 innings pitched, and has held opposing batters to a .174 batting average against over that time.

Tom Kahnle has allowed eight runs and struck out 38 in 33.1 innings out of the bullpen for the Thunder this season. He was ranked as the Yankees' 20th best prospect by MLB.com prior to the start of the year, and has held left-handed batters to a .135 average against so far in 2013.

Were it not for promotions, Jose Ramirez and JR Murphy would have also likely made the list. Still, having four from one affiliate make an All-Star team is an exciting accomplishment.