Tentative List of Players to Arrive in Trenton to Start 2005 Season

South Jersey Baseball:
Tentative List of Players to Arrive in Trenton to Start 2005 Season
Thunder Open 2005 Campaign in Erie on April 7th...

The Trenton Thunder, and their Major League Affiliate, the New York Yankees, announced today a tentative list of players likely to start the 2005 season with the Thunder.

This tentative version of the Thunder Opening Day lineup consists of several highly touted newcomers as well as 13 returning players. The number one prospect in the entire Yankee Minor League system, according to Baseball America, Eric Duncan, is slated to start the year with the Thunder. Number four prospect, RHP Steven White is also scheduled for the Thunder and is likely to start the season opener on April 7 in Erie.

The Thunder pitching staff will feature eight Thunder veterans including Sean Henn (6-8, 4.41), Charlie Manning (2-1, 4.07) and Matt Smith (4-4, 4.96). In the Thunder outfield, 2004 Thunder Fan Favorite Award Winner Jason Grove will return along with Kevin Thompson, who holds the Thunder single season stolen base record with 47 in 2003. Yankee prospect Bronson Sardinha will return to Trenton as an outfielder after playing 72 games for the Thunder at third base last season. Returning to the Thunder infield are Andy Cannizaro and J.T. Stotts.

Tentative List of Players to Arrive In Trenton to Start the 2005 Season

Pitchers

Catchers

Matt DeSalvo
Sean Henn
Charlie Isaacson
Ben Julianel
Jeff Karstens
Charlie Manning
Justin Pope
Eric Schmidt
Edwardo Sierra
John Skaggs
Matt Smith
Steven White

Outfielders

Melky Cabrera
Jason Grove
Bronson Sardinha
Kevin Thompson
Tommy Winrow

Jason Brown
Omir Santos

Infielders

Andy Cannizaro
Yobal Duenas
Eric Duncan
Shelly Duncan
Jared Koutnik
J.T. Stotts
Gabe Lopez

Coaches

Bill Masse (Manager)
Dave Eiland (Pitching)
Troy Hawkins (Hitting)
Zac Womack (Trainer)

Thunder Media Day will take place on Wednesday, April 6th from 12:00 – 1:00 PM at Waterfront Park. All players and coaches on the 2005 Trenton Thunder Opening Day Roster will be available for both group and “1-on-1” interviews. The team will then practice from 1:00 – 4:00 PM. Photographers and television cameramen are welcome to stay and shoot the practice.

Thunder players and coaches will also be made available to the media prior to the Welcome North Dinner on Tuesday, April 5th. The annual dinner will take place at Angeloni’s Cedar Gardens on Route 33 in Hamilton, NJ. Media availability is from 5:30 – 6:00 PM. The dinner festivities, which will include Tommy John as the special guest speaker, will get underway at 6:00 PM.

The Thunder will bus after practice on Wednesday to Erie, PA in preparation for the Season Opener against the SeaWolves on Thursday, April 7th. Game time is 6:35 PM. The 2005 Thunder Home Opener is Monday, April 11 against the Altoona Curve at 7:05 PM.