Thunder Claps ROUGH START: The opening series loss in Erie saw the SeaWolves outscore the Thunder, 29-9, and outhit them 34-19. It marked Trenton’s second straight season-opening series loss in Erie; the team previously dropped two of three at UPMC Park in 2017 (two of the scheduled five games were postponed). A SORT OF HOMECOMING: The Thunder’s series in Akron marks a return to familiar territory for new manager Patrick Osborn, who played 298 games for the Akron Aeros from 2005 to 2007. A second-round pick by the Indians out of the University of Florida in 2002, Osborn hit .263 in an Akron uniform. Notable Aeros teammates of Osborn’s included Asdrubal Cabrera, Franklin Gutierrez, Edward Mujica, and Tony Sipp. THE OZ-MAN COMETH: In addition to marking the Thunder’s first win of 2019, Saturday’s victory was also win number 300 for Patrick Osborn as a manager in the Yankees system. Osborn, the twelfth manager in franchise history, compiled a 299-247 (.548) record over his first five seasons as a manager, all in the Yankees organization. The California native previously managed in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League (2014), short-season Staten Island (2015), single-A Charleston (2017), and high-A Tampa (2016, 2018). The 2016 season saw Osborn pilot Tampa to a runner-up finish, earning him Florida State League Manager of the Year honors. THREE IN A ROW: Having made the Eastern League playoffs in each of their last three seasons, the Thunder look to match a franchise record with a fourth consecutive postseason appearance. The team previously achieved this from 2005 to 2008, the final two years of which saw the Thunder win their first two Eastern League championships. WHO THEY ARE: Of the 25 players on the Thunder opening day roster, 15 were drafted by the Yankees, five were signed as minor league or international free agents, four were acquired via trade, and one was claimed off waivers. Sixteen of the 25 played under Patrick Osborn at high-A Tampa at some point in 2018. STAR-STUDDED STAFF: The Thunder are opening the season with a pitching staff that boasts five players who rank within MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 Yankees prospects: Albert Abreu (#3), Trevor Stephan (#8), Nick Nelson (#11), Garrett Whitlock (#16), and Domingo Acevedo (#23). ROAD TO THE MAJORS: When the Major League Baseball season opened on Thursday, March 28, a total of 36 former Thunder players found themselves on major league rosters. Of the 36, five appeared with the Thunder on rehab assignments only. Predictably, the Yankees led all MLB teams with 13 players who had donned a Thunder uniform. E.L. Standings (2 nd Half): East Division W L GB Streak Trenton 0 0 -- -- Binghamton 0 0 -- -- Hartford 0 0 -- -- New Hampshire 0 0 -- -- Portland 0 0 -- -- Reading 0 0 -- -- West Division W L GB Streak Akron 0 0 -- -- Altoona 0 0 -- -- Bowie 0 0 -- -- Erie 0 0 -- -- Harrisburg 0 0 -- -- Richmond 0 0 -- -- 2019 Monthly Report: April: 1-2, May: 0-0, June: 0-0, July: 0-0, August: 0-0, September: 0-0 Date Opponent Time/Result 4/5 @ Erie L 11-1 4/6 @ Erie W 3-2 (11) 4/7 @ Erie L 15-6 4/8 @ Akron 6:35 PM 4/9 @ Akron 6:35 PM 4/10 @ Akron 6:35 PM 4/11 4/12 Portland 7:00 PM 4/13 Portland 1:00 PM 4/14 Portland 1:00 PM 4/15 Akron 7:00 PM 4/16 Akron 7:00 PM 4/17 Akron 10:30 AM 4/18 @ Portland 6:00 PM 4/19 @ Portland 6:00 PM 4/20 @ Portland 1:00 PM 4/21 4/22 @ New Hampshire 6:35 PM 4/23 @ New Hampshire 6:35 PM 4/24 @ New Hampshire 6:35 PM 4/25 4/26 Erie 7:00 PM 4/27 Erie 7:00 PM 4/28 Erie 1:00 PM 4/29 New Hampshire 7:00 PM 4/30 New Hampshire 7:00 PM Last Game: Despite taking a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, the Thunder dropped the rubber-match of their three-game set with Erie, 15-6, on Sunday afternoon. Albert Abreu was tagged with the loss allowing five runs, four earned, over four innings pitched in his second Double-A start. The Thunder bullpen surrendered 11 runs over the final four innings with Jose Mesa Jr. (four runs), James Reeves (two runs) and Will Carter (five runs) each taking a turn against the SeaWolves offense. Wendell Rijo led the Thunder offense with his third career multi-homer game knocking solo home runs in the fifth and eighth innings. Rashad Crawford and Ben Ruta each had two- hit games to add to the offensive output in the series finale. Upcoming Probable Starting Pitchers: Tues., April 9 @ Akron 6:35 PM RHP Nick Nelson (0-0, 0.00) vs. LHP Sam Hentges (0-1, 8.31) Wed., April 10 @ Akron 6:35 PM RHP Nick Green (0-1, 23.63) vs. RHP Jake Paulson (0-0, 8.31) Fri., April 12 vs. Portland 7:00 PM TBA vs. TBA Sat., April 13 vs. Portland 1:35 PM TBA vs. TBA Akron Rubberducks ((Indians)) vs. Thunder Thunder ((Yankees)) LHP Tanner Tully (0-0, 0.00) vs. RHP Garrett Whitlock (0-0, 0.00) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Monday April 8, 2019 • 6:35 PM • Game 4 of 140 • Canal Park • Akron, OH E.L. Standings (1 st Half): East Division W L GB Streak Reading 3 1 -- L1 Binghamton 2 2 1.0 L1 New Hampshire 2 2 1.0 W1 Trenton 1 2 2.0 L1 Hartford 1 3 2.0 W1 Portland 1 3 2.0 W1 West Division W L GB Streak Altoona 4 0 -- W4 Harrisburg 3 1 1.0 L1 Richmond 3 1 1.0 L1 Erie 2 1 1.5 W1 Akron 1 3 3.0 W1 Akron 0 4 4.0 L4
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Thunder Claps
ROUGH START: The opening series loss in Erie saw the SeaWolves outscore the Thunder, 29-9, and outhit them 34-19. It marked
Trenton’s second straight season-opening series loss in Erie; the team previously dropped two of three at UPMC Park in 2017 (two of
the scheduled five games were postponed).
A SORT OF HOMECOMING: The Thunder’s series in Akron marks a return to familiar territory for new manager Patrick Osborn,
who played 298 games for the Akron Aeros from 2005 to 2007. A second-round pick by the Indians out of the University of Florida in
2002, Osborn hit .263 in an Akron uniform. Notable Aeros teammates of Osborn’s included Asdrubal Cabrera, Franklin Gutierrez,
Edward Mujica, and Tony Sipp.
THE OZ-MAN COMETH: In addition to marking the Thunder’s first win of 2019, Saturday’s victory was also win number 300 for
Patrick Osborn as a manager in the Yankees system. Osborn, the twelfth manager in franchise history, compiled a 299-247 (.548)
record over his first five seasons as a manager, all in the Yankees organization. The California native previously managed in the
rookie-level Gulf Coast League (2014), short-season Staten Island (2015), single-A Charleston (2017), and high-A Tampa (2016, 2018).
The 2016 season saw Osborn pilot Tampa to a runner-up finish, earning him Florida State League Manager of the Year honors.
THREE IN A ROW: Having made the Eastern League playoffs in each of their last three seasons, the Thunder look to match a
franchise record with a fourth consecutive postseason appearance. The team previously achieved this from 2005 to 2008, the final two
years of which saw the Thunder win their first two Eastern League championships.
WHO THEY ARE: Of the 25 players on the Thunder opening day roster, 15 were drafted by the Yankees, five were signed as minor
league or international free agents, four were acquired via trade, and one was claimed off waivers. Sixteen of the 25 played under
Patrick Osborn at high-A Tampa at some point in 2018.
STAR-STUDDED STAFF: The Thunder are opening the season with a pitching staff that boasts five players who rank within MLB
Pipeline’s Top 30 Yankees prospects: Albert Abreu (#3), Trevor Stephan (#8), Nick Nelson (#11), Garrett Whitlock (#16), and Domingo
Acevedo (#23).
ROAD TO THE MAJORS: When the Major League Baseball season opened on Thursday, March 28, a total of 36 former Thunder
players found themselves on major league rosters. Of the 36, five appeared with the Thunder on rehab assignments only. Predictably,
the Yankees led all MLB teams with 13 players who had donned a Thunder uniform.
E.L. Standings (2nd Half):
East Division W L GB Streak
Trenton 0 0 -- --
Binghamton 0 0 -- --
Hartford 0 0 -- --
New Hampshire 0 0 -- --
Portland 0 0 -- --
Reading 0 0 -- --
West Division W L GB Streak
Akron 0 0 -- --
Altoona 0 0 -- --
Bowie 0 0 -- --
Erie 0 0 -- --
Harrisburg 0 0 -- --
Richmond 0 0 -- --
2019 Monthly Report:
April: 1-2, May: 0-0, June: 0-0,
July: 0-0, August: 0-0, September: 0-0
Date Opponent Time/Result
4/5 @ Erie L 11-1
4/6 @ Erie W 3-2 (11)
4/7 @ Erie L 15-6
4/8 @ Akron 6:35 PM
4/9 @ Akron 6:35 PM
4/10 @ Akron 6:35 PM
4/11
4/12 Portland 7:00 PM
4/13 Portland 1:00 PM
4/14 Portland 1:00 PM
4/15 Akron 7:00 PM
4/16 Akron 7:00 PM
4/17 Akron 10:30 AM
4/18 @ Portland 6:00 PM
4/19 @ Portland 6:00 PM
4/20 @ Portland 1:00 PM
4/21
4/22 @ New Hampshire 6:35 PM
4/23 @ New Hampshire 6:35 PM
4/24 @ New Hampshire 6:35 PM
4/25
4/26 Erie 7:00 PM
4/27 Erie 7:00 PM
4/28 Erie 1:00 PM
4/29 New Hampshire 7:00 PM
4/30 New Hampshire 7:00 PM
Last Game:
Despite taking a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, the
Thunder dropped the rubber-match of their three-game set
with Erie, 15-6, on Sunday afternoon.
Albert Abreu was tagged with the loss allowing five runs, four
earned, over four innings pitched in his second Double-A start.
The Thunder bullpen surrendered 11 runs over the final four
innings with Jose Mesa Jr. (four runs), James Reeves (two runs)
and Will Carter (five runs) each taking a turn against the
SeaWolves offense.
Wendell Rijo led the Thunder offense with his third career
multi-homer game knocking solo home runs in the fifth and
eighth innings. Rashad Crawford and Ben Ruta each had two-
hit games to add to the offensive output in the series finale.
Upcoming Probable Starting Pitchers:
Tues., April 9 @ Akron 6:35 PM RHP Nick Nelson (0-0, 0.00) vs. LHP Sam Hentges (0-1, 8.31)
Wed., April 10 @ Akron 6:35 PM RHP Nick Green (0-1, 23.63) vs. RHP Jake Paulson (0-0, 8.31)
Fri., April 12 vs. Portland 7:00 PM TBA vs. TBA
Sat., April 13 vs. Portland 1:35 PM TBA vs. TBA
Akron Rubberducks ((Indians)) vs. Thunder Thunder ((Yankees))
#17 RASHAD CRAWFORD OF 6’3”, 185 lbs Atlanta, GA Trade (CHC), 2016
2019: Began season with High-A Tampa and went 0-4 on their Opening Day, then joined Thunder on 4/5 as Opening Day DH and went 1-3 with an RBI 2B… Had hits in each of first three
games of the season at Erie…
2018: Promoted to SWB from 4/9-4/15, played in 6G: 6-18, 2B, 3B, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 2 K… Transferred to Extended Spring Training on 5/12, joined Tampa on 6/25 and played in 23G (.238/.307/.325,
5 2B, 1 3B, 3 RBI, 0-2 SB), transferred back to Thunder on 7/27… Hit go-ahead grand slam home run on 8/22 @ Reading to lead 8-7 win, first HR since 8/23/17 vs. Portland, knocked second
home run of the week when he hit a 3-run homer on Sunday 8/26 @ Hartford in playoff-clinching victory, 8-3… Batted .293 in August with 7 XBH and 16 RBI…
2017: Missed 17 games (4/29-5/17) w/ Left Hip Flexor injury // 18G before injury: 11-for-63 (.175 AVG), 4 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 10 BB (.288 OBP)… First Double-A HR came in Game 1 of a
doubleheader 4/26 @ New Hampshire → 3-R HR in the 5th inning off Francisco Rios in a 3-0 victory…
2016: In 112G between High-A Myrtle Beach and High-A Tampa, hit .264/.341/.380 (116-for-439) with 69 R, 20 2B, 8 3B, 5 HR, 48 RBI, 48 BB and 26 SB… .333 AVG (38-for-114) vs. LHP and
.340 (36-for-106) with RISP… Began the season with Myrtle Beach, hitting .255/.327/.386 (84-for-329) with 59 R, 18 2B, 8 3B, 3 HR, 30 RBI and 22 SB in 83G… Tied for the Carolina League lead
in triples at the time of the trade… Traded with INF Gleyber Torres, and RHP Adam Warren for LHP Aroldis Chapman… Played in 29G for Tampa after his 7/25 trade to the Yankees and
hit .291/.381/.364 (32-for-110) with 10 R, 2 2B, 2 HR, 18 RBI, 15 BB and 4 SB… Also hit .290 (9-for-31) with 3 R, 2 2B, 3B, 2 HR and 8 RBI in seven postseason games with Tampa…
PERSONAL: Graduated in 2012 from Mundy’s Mill H.S. (Ga.), where he won the 2012 Region 4-AAAA Player of the Year Award as a third baseman… Was originally selected by Chicago-
NL in the 11th round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft…
#8 FRANCISCO DIAZ C 5’11”, 185 lbs Punta Cardon, Venezuela MiLB Free Agent, 2015
CAREER NOTES: Was originally signed by Philadelphia as a non- drafted free agent on 7/2/06…was selected by Pittsburgh in the Triple-A phase of the Rule 5 Draft on 12/8/11…signed by
the Yankees as a minor league free agent on 2/5/16 and 10/12/16…
2018: Began season with Tampa: 21G, .213/.368/.246, 2 2B, 7 RBI, 13 BB, 13 K… Joined Thunder on 5/22… Career-high 4 hits and 5 RBI in 6/20 win over Binghamton 16-5… Promoted to
triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on 6/24…
2017: Combined at Double-A Trenton, Single-A Tampa, Triple-A Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre and short-season Single-A Staten Island to hit .261 (52-for-199) with 20R, 9 doubles, 1HR and 27RBI
in 58 games…combined to throw out 22-of-59 (37.3%) potential base stealers…spent the majority of the season with Double-A Trenton, batting .228 (36-for-
158) with 17R, 5 doubles and 14RBI in 46 games…appeared in six games for Tampa and hit .364 (8-for-22) with 2R, 2 doubles, 1HR and 7RBI…batted .231 (3-for-13) with 2 doubles and 4RBI
in four games with Scranton/WB…also went 5-for-6 with 1R and 2RBI in two games with Staten Island…following the season, appeared in 41 games for the Bravos de Margarita of the
Venezuelan Winter League and hit .273 (35-for-128) with 18R and 10RBI…
2016: In his first year with the Yankees, saw action with the organization’s top three affiliates, combining at Double-A Trenton, Single-A Tampa and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to hit
.218 (42-for-193) with 19R, 3 doubles, 1 triple, 5RBI and 21BB in 62 games…primarily shuttled between Trenton and Tampa…hit .250/.344/.298 (21-for-84) with a .344 OBP in 26 games at
Trenton…batted .194 (20-for-103) in 34 games with Tampa…also went 1-for-6 in two games for Scranton/WB…combined to throw out 31-of-74 potential base stealers (41.9%)…following the
season, played 44 games for Margarita of the Venezuelan Winter League (.198, 25-for-126)…
2018: Walked in 5-of-9 plate appearances on 4/27 + 4/28… Set career-high with 4 BB on 5/2 @ Portland as part of 9-8 comeback win… Placed on DL on 6/1 (left hip), activated on 6/13…Placed back on DL
just six days later (hip)…Appeared in 4G with Staten Island for Minor League rehab assignment 7/27-31…Went 0-for-8 for Thunder in final two games of regular season after activation
2017: Spent the entire season with Single-A Tampa, batting .266 (66-for-248) with 35 R, 12 doubles, 13 HR, 43 RBI and 37 BB in 73G…
2016: In 107G with Single-A Charleston, hit .253/.359/.478 (97-for-383) with 57 R, 23 doubles, 21 HR, 70 RBI and 56 BB…finished second in the South Atlantic League in home runs and led the league with a
18.24 HR/AB ratio…tied for the highest home run total among Yankees minor leaguers and ranked fifth in RBI…was an MiLB.com Organization All-Star…was named to the SAL Postseason All-Star
Team…led the SAL and tied for third in the minors with four multi-HR games: 5/13 at Lexington (2 HR), 6/12 vs. Asheville (2 HR), 6/16 at West Virginia (3 HR), 8/22 vs. Greenville (2 HR)…hit .324 (35-for-
108) vs. lefties…
PERSONAL: Graduated from Sherman H.S. (Tex.) (AAAA: approx. 400 graduation class) in 2012, located 45 minutes north of Dallas, threw 1 perfect game and 3 no-hitters as a pitcher in high
school…Played football only in middle school, played defensive end and ended his career after a 4-sack performance in 8th grade… played at Grayson College (Tex.) was 92-94 as a starting pitcher for
Grayson went 8-2 with a 4.63 ERA in 12 starts (72.0 IP, 79 H, 16 BB, 65 K) in 2014… If not playing baseball, would pursue a career in law enforcement…
2018: Began season with High-A Tampa playing in 114 games and batted .232/.269/.385 with 19 doubles, 7 triples, 10 home runs and 51 RBI’s… Played 2 games for Trenton
(6/9-6/13) went 0-for-6 with a walk and a run scored (4 K’s)… Returned to Trenton on 9/1, played in final two games of regular season and hit first double-A HR in regular-
season finale on 9/3…
2017: Combined at Single-A Charleston and Single-A Tampa to hit .241 (95-for-394) with 42R, 21 doubles, 1 triple, 6HR and 52RBI in 107 games…started and finished the
season with Charleston, batting .265 (67-for-253) with 23R, 16 doubles, 1 triple, 3HR and 32RBI in 66 games…was named a South Atlantic League Mid-Season All-Star…also
played in 44 games for Tampa, hitting .199 (28-for-141) with 19R, 5 doubles, 3HR and 20RBI…
2016: Split the season between Single-A Charleston and short-season Single-A Staten Island, combining to bat .221 (92-for-416) with 47R, 22 doubles, 1 triple, 13HR, 47RBI and
14SB in 115 games…set career highs in home runs and runs scored…was one of three players in 2016 to reach double digits in both homers and steals with Yankees affiliates
(Dustin Fowler-12HR/25SB; Mark Payton-10HR/11SB)… following the season, played in a total of 19 games between Magallanes and Zulia in the Venezuelan Winter League
(.154, 4-for-26)…
#39 JEFF HENDRIX @JeffHendro OF 6’0”, 195 lbs Kirkland, WA 4th Round, 2015
Oregon State University
2019: Opening Day CF for Thunder…
2018: Activated from 7-Day DL on 5/12 when Rashad Crawford was transferred to extended spring training… Walked 3x on 5/25 @ Erie, matched career-high (6th time)…
2017: Transferred from High-A Tampa 8/1… In 67G with Tampa before promotion: .271 AVG, 7 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 28 R, 12 RBI, 47 BB (.408 OBP – 1st, FSL at time of promotion), 13-
for-20 SB… In 32G with Trenton: batted .333/.417/.375 with 3 2B, 1 3B and 3 RBI, 13 BB, 25 K, 5-6 SB,… Played 7G in postseason 10-27, (.370/.452/.444), 2 2B, 3 RBI, 3 BB, 6 K, 1-1
SB
PERSONAL: Played three seasons at Oregon State (2013-15) after walking-on to the team… Batted .339 (75-for-221) with 45 R, 15 2B, 3 3B, 6 HR, 34 RBI and 38 BB in 58G
during his final season in Corvallis… Named to the All-Pac-12 First Team and to the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team in both 2014 and 2015… graduated from Santiam Christian
H.S. (Ore.) in 2012 and was a two-time All-State First Team selection… lettered four years in baseball and was named to the 3A All-State First Team in 2011-12 and Second
Team in 2010… also lettered three years in football – in which he was named to the 2011 3A All-State First Team as a kicker – and three in basketball, in which he earned 2012
3A All-State Second Team honors… Selected in the 39th round of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft by the Royals but did not sign…
#6 KYLE HOLDER @KyleHolder22` INF 6’1”, 185 lbs San Diego, CA 1st Round, 2015
University of San Diego
2019: Opening Day SS for Thunder… Spent 2018-19 off-season working with SWB Hitting Coach Phil Plantier…
2018: Began season on DL (back)… Activated on 5/25 w/ Charleston, played 16G with Tampa and Charleston before Thunder debut on 7/5: .273/.351 with 2 2B, 2 HR and 12 RBI… Went 2-for-5 with a
double, RBI and a run scored in Thunder debut at Altoona… Placed on DL on 8/6 (Concussion), activated on 8/25… Drove in all 3 runs, including his first AA home run in the 3-0 Division-clinching victory
over Reading on 9/2…
2017: Batted .271 (110-for-406) with 41R, 16 doubles, 2 triples, 4HR and 44RBI in 104 games with Single-A Tampa…struck out only 62 times in 442 plate appearances, the fourth-lowest PA/K ratio (7.13) in
the FSL…hit .347 (67-for-193) after the All-Star break…following the season, batted .333 (15-for-45) with 5R, 3 doubles, 1 triple, 1HR and 6RBI in 11 games for the Scottsdale Scorpions of the AFL…
PERSONAL: Was ranked by Baseball America as the No. 38 prospect (and No. 8 shortstop) in the 2015 First-Year Player Draft…played one season (2013) at Grossmont College (Calif.) before transferring to
the University of San Diego for two seasons (2014-15)…as a junior in 2015, was named West Coast Conference Player of the Year and a Third-Team All-American by D1baseball.com after batting .348 (78-
for-224) with 45R, 14 doubles, 2 triples, 4HR, 31RBI and 19BB in 55 games…also appeared on the Golden Spikes Award watch list and was a semifinalist for the Brooks Wallace Award, which honors the
best collegiate shortstop…graduated in 2012 from University City H.S. (Calif.), where he lettered in both baseball and basketball, Holder was among the county’s leading scorers in 2012, averaging 21.3
points a game for the University City basketball team. From San Diego Tribune on 2/12/15: “That ultimately helped me because basketball is footwork and speed and stuff that I translated to the baseball
field with talent that had never really been touched for baseball,” said Holder. “I used my foot speed from basketball to move laterally and make plays up the middle. I love to use both holes to show what
I can do.”
#30 JHALAN JACKSON OF 6’4”, 240 lbs Winter Haven, FL 7th Round, 2015
Florida Southern University
2019: Opening Day RF for Thunder…
2018: Homered in 3 straight games from 4/6-4/8, first to do so since Gary Sanchez hit homers in 4 straight games (7/3-7/7, 2015)… Placed on DL on 7/7 with right knee soreness… Began
Minor League Rehab assignment with Staten Island on 7/25, activated on 7/27, homered on first pitch he saw after activation on 7/28… Set career-highs in HR (17) and SB (7)…
2017: Transferred from High-A Tampa 7/1 along with OF Tito Polo when OFs Billy McKinney and Devyn Bolasky were transferred to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre… In 58G with Tampa
2016: Spent the season with Single-A Charleston and hit .236 (91-for-386) with 48 R, 28 2B, 4 3B, 11 HR, 50 RBI and 38 BB (.311 OBP) in 103G… Went 5-for-6 with 3 R, 2B, HR and 4 RBI on
8/27 @ Hickory… Recorded 11 outfield assists while starting 85 games in RF…
PERSONAL: Played two seasons (2013-14) at Hillsborough Community College (Fla.) before transferring to Florida Southern College for one season (2015)… Batted .430/.481/.899 (77-for-
179) with 53 R, 14 2B, 3 3B, 22 HR, 77 RBI and 16 BB in 46G at Florida Southern… Graduated in 2011 from Hillsborough H.S. (Fla.)… Hillsborough H.S. alums: Gary Sheffield, Carl Everett,
Elijah Dukes, Chris Ray, Vance Lovelace (LAD, Special Asst., 16th Overall pick in 1981) … High School teammates with David Richardson (Bowie Baysox, 2016)…
#4 WENDELL RIJO INF 5’11”, 170 lbs La Romana, DR Trade (MIL), 2018
2019: On Opening Day roster for both SWB (4/4) and Thunder (4/5)… Recorded his third career multi-homer game on 4/7 @ Erie with a pair of solo HR’s (7/20/14 w/ Greenville,
5/4/18 w/ Biloxi)…
2018: Acquired via trade on June 16 from Milwaukee, where he had played in 32 games for double-A Biloxi (.200 AVG, 4 HR, 14 RBI)… Assigned to high-A Tampa, went 1-for-
8 in three games before promotion to Trenton…On May 4 vs. Jacksonville, hit two home runs (second time in career; previously achieved on 6/20/14 vs. Asheville while playing
for single-A Greenville in Red Sox system)… Earned walk-off walk to complete Game 2 of Doubleheader on 8/18 vs. New Hampshire…
2017: Split season between high-A Carolina and Biloxi…Across 77 games, batted .226 with 3 HR and 22 RBI…
2016: Split season between High-A Salem and Double-A Portland until being traded to Milwaukee on July 7 (traded along with RHP Aaron Wilkerson in exchange for 3B
Aaron Hill and cash)…After trade, was assigned to high-A Brevard County…Played in a career-high 112 games, batting .202 with 2 HR and 30 RBI… Was 20-years-old when
he joined Portland…
#16 BEN RUTA @benJAMINruta OF 6’3”, 195 lbs West Windsor, NJ 30th Round, 2016
Wagner College (NY)
2019: Opening Day LF for Thunder…
2018: Recorded first Double-A hit as part of 2-for-3 performance with 2 2B and a sacrifice fly on 4/7… 9G hit streak (4/10-22), 13-for-33 (.394), 3 2B’s, 2 RBI, 4 BB, 5-5
SB… Was named an MiLB.com Organization All-Star…119 G between Trenton and Tampa: .300 AVG, 37 SB…Set career-highs in H, 2B, 3B, HR, RBI, SB, BB, and
AVG…
2017: Hit .273 (47-for-172) with 24 R, 3 doubles, 1 triple, 13 RBI, 13 BB and 11 SB in 53G with Single-A Charleston…
PERSONAL: Attended Wagner College (N.Y.), where he earned All-Northeast Conference First Team honors as both a junior and senior…recorded the fourth-
most hits in the conference…over four seasons at Wagner, batted .333 (172-for-516) with 91 R, 33 doubles, 4 triples, 4 HR and 88 RBI in 146G…graduated from West
Windsor-Plainsboro South H.S. (N.J.)… Prefers the Taylor Brand of Pork Roll…
2018: Placed on 7-Day DL on 4/10 (retro to 4/8) with an injured left hand, activated on 4/17 (7G)… Placed on 7-Day DL with an injured right hand on 4/26… Activated on 6/15… Placed on
DL on 7/13 with mild concussion-like symptoms, activated on 7/20… Hit 2 home runs as part of 3-for-4 day on 8/12 @ Harrisburg, was 4th career multi-HR game and 2nd against Harrisburg
(5/2/17)… Recorded a 3-hit and 3-RBI day on his 28th birthday on 8/28 at Altoona…
2017: Began the season with the High-A Tampa Yankees and played 2G (2-for-9, 2 RBI, 3 K) before promotion to Trenton on 4/9 as part of trickle-down effect from Gary Sanchez going on
MLB 10-Day DL (C Wilkin Castillo was promoted from Thunder to Triple-A SWB)… Hit game-tying HR in the bottom of the 7th and game-winning three-run HR in the bottom of the 8th in a
9-6 win over Harrisburg 5/2… Placed on the DL on 8/6 with concussion-like symptoms after taking foul tip off his mask…
2016: Combined with Double-A New Hampshire and Single-A Dunedin to hit .260 (50-for-192) with 26 R, 9 2B, 12 HR and 32 RBI in 58G… Threw out 27-of-68 (39.7%) attempted base
stealers… Began the season with New Hampshire, hitting .232 (29-for-125) with 15 R, 7 2B, 6 HR and 20 RBI in 40G…
PERSONAL: Attended Miami Dade College before transferring to Lee University (Tenn.) where he was the 2012 Southern States Athletic Conference Tournament MVP… Helped lead the
Flames to the NAIA World Series… Played with four players at Miami Dade College who have already made the MLB (Derek Law, Brian Goodwin, Jharel Cotton, Jabari Blash) – Best player
to ever attend Miami Dade: 1B/OF Raul Ibanez… Was a high school teammate of former Thunder C/1B/OF Peter O’Brien… Originally selected by the Blue Jays in the 32nd round of the 2012
First-Year Player Draft… Both sides of his family came to the United States from Cuba..
2018: Began season with Tampa: 87G .270/.376/.510, 13 2B, 20 HR, 57 RBI, 43 BB, 97 K, 1-2 SB… Lead all NYY MiLB in HR and RBI at time of call-up, 2nd in FSL in HR and RBI at time of call-up with 20 HR
and 57 RBI… Was named a FSL all-star… Had walk-off RBI 1B on 7/28 against Portland… Hit first AA home run as 2nd of back-to-back with Mandy Alvarez on 8/10, 1st time B2B HR for Thunder since
8/5/2012… Walked a career-high four times on 8/25 at Hartford…Named an MiLB.com Organization All-Star and Yankees’ Minor League Player of the Year…
2017: Played in 110 games with Single-A Charleston, batting .277/.380/.392 (103-for-372) with 55R, 20 doubles, 1 triple, 7HR, 51RBI and 57BB…finished second in the South Atlantic League in OBP and fifth
in walks…hit .307 (82-for-267) vs. right-handed pitching…was named SAL “Player of the Week” for 7/10-16 after hitting .381 (8-for-21) with 6R, 2 doubles, 3HR, 5RBI and 3BB in 6G…in 27 games in July,
slashed .353/.446/.647 (30-for-85) with 16R, 8 doubles, 1 triple, 5HR, 21RBI and 15BB, leading all Single-A players in OPS (1.093) for the month…
PERSONAL: Played two seasons at Howard College (Tex.)…was named a 2015 NJCAA First-Team All-American and the WJCAC MVP after hitting .435/.571/.891 (84-for-193) with 86R, 20 doubles, 22HR
and 80RBI in 58 games as a sophomore…was selected by Philadelphia in the 39th round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft but did not sign…played at Immaculata H.S. (N.J.), where he was named to the
All-Somerset County First Team… Lives at home in Hopewell Township with Mom and Dad while playing for Thunder… Attended Thunder game when Derek Jeter rehabbed in 2003… Last attended a
game as a fan in 2015 when Aaron Judge, Greg Bird, Gary Sanchez, Luis Severino all played for team…
#46 DOMINGO ACEVEDO RHP 6’7”, 250 lbs Villa Los Almacigos, DR MiLB Free Agent, 2013
2018: Made first two starts of the season before hitting the DL with a blister on his right hand… Made first relief appearance on
5/28/18 @ Erie since his pro debut on 6/22/13 with DSL Yankees, made 70 starts between relief appearances… Went 9-up, 9-down
in first appearance…
2017: Named to the World Team for the Futures Game in Miami… Entered for the 4th inning with the World Team already trailing
4-0 // First four batters reached (3R): Brendan Rodgers (COL), 1B; Nick Gordon (MIN), 1B; Lewis Brinson (MIL), 2R 2B; Derek
Fisher (HOU), RBI 2B… Finished by retiring final three men he faced- including a strikeout of Nick Senzel (CIN) to avoid further
damage… Transferred from High-A Tampa 5/18… Began the season with High-A Tampa and went 0-4 in 7G/7GS with a 4.57
ERA: 41.1 IP, 49 H (.290 BAA), 5 HR, 52 K (11.3 K/9), 9 BB (2.0 BB/9)… After his start May 13th @ Clearwater, 52 K was T-4th in
MiLB (Jacob Faria, Durham Bulls: 58 K)…
2016: Combined at Single-A Charleston and Single-A Tampa to go 5-4 with one complete game and a 2.61 ERA (93.0 IP, 83 H,
2018: Worked strictly as a reliever for the first time since 2014, his first season as a professional… In 23 appearances (34.2 IP)
between short-season Staten Island and single-A Charleston, averaged 1.53 K per inning and held opponents to a .194 BAA…
Following the season, made 14 appearances for Lara in the Venezuelan Winter League and posted 1-0 record and 3.57 ERA
(17.2IP, 7ER)
2017: With short-season Single-A Staten Island, his 9.42 K/9.0IP ratio (67K/64.0IP) as a starter was fourth-highest among New
York-Penn League starting pitchers…following the season, made 16 relief appearances for the Cardenales de Lara of the
Venezuelan Winter League, going 0-1 with a 2.57 ERA (21.0IP, 6ER)
2016: At two stops (GCL Yankees East, Rookie-level Pulaski), went 6-1 with a 1.60 ERA (62.0IP, 11ER) in 12 games (10 starts)…led
all qualified Yankees minor leaguers in ERA…was 5-1 with a 1.74 ERA (57.0IP, 11ER) in 11 GCL games (nine starts)…finished
third in the Gulf Coast League in ERA, fourth in innings pitched and tied for fourth in wins…prior to the season, appeared in one
game for Spain in a WBC qualifier, striking out his only batter in a loss vs. France (3/18/16).
LAST 5 APPEARANCES:
Date Opp. Dec. IP H R ER BB K
4/6 @ERI W 2.0 2 2 0 0 3
THUNDER INHERITED RUNNERS:
0-for-0 (0.0%)
#11 WILL CARTER RHP 6’3”, 195 lbs Gray, TN 14th Round, 2015
University of Alabama
2018: Opened season in Thunder starting rotation… Transferred to high-A Tampa on 5/21 after seven GS with Thunder…made just five appearances (4
GS) before being placed on DL 6/28 and missing rest of season…
2017: Didn’t make season debut with Thunder until 6/20 @ Altoona: 2.1 IP, 5 H, 4R/4ER… Began season in Extended Spring Training (right elbow
surgery // bone chip removal) and felt discomfort early in throwing program so took additional time off…
2016: Began season with Single-A Charleston, making one start vs. Columbia and striking out a career-high seven batters… Promoted to Tampa and
made 12 starts: 2-3, 4.85 ERA (32 ER in 59.1 IP), 65 H (.277 BAA), and 33 K (5.0 K/9)… Transferred to Trenton 7/25 @ Portland – trickle-down effect from
RHP Luis Severino being promoted to New York and RHP Vicente Campos being promoted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre… Between three levels:
21G/21GS, 3-7, 4.61 ERA, 107.1 IP, 113 H (.272 BAA), 68 K (5.7 K/9), 37 BB (3.1 BB/9)…
2015: In his professional debut with short-season Single-A Staten Island, went 1-1 with a 2.04 ERA (17.2 IP, 12 H, 7R/4ER, 9 BB, 13 K) in 9G/1GS…
PERSONAL: In his only season at Alabama, went 4-6 with a 5.03 ERA (62.2 IP, 35 ER) in 13G/11GS… Prior to attending Alabama, attended East
Tennessee State (2013) and Walters State Community College (2014)… Originally selected by the Rangers in the 35th round of the 2014 First-Year Player
Draft but did not sign…
LAST 5 APPEARANCES:
Date Opp. Dec. IP H R ER BB K
4/5 @ERIE --- 1.0 0 0 0 0 1
4/7 @ERIE --- 0.2 4 5 4 1 0
THUNDER INHERITED RUNNERS:
0-for-0 (0.0%)
#9 TREVOR LANE LHP 5’11”, 185 lbs North Bend, WA 10th Round, 2016
University of Illinois-Chicago
2018: Began season with High-A Tampa, struck out 7 batters in 2.0 IP on 4/10 @ St. Lucie… With Thunder 5/18-5/28, 3G: 4.0 IP, 7 H, 8 R, 6 ER,
3 BB, 7 K… Total 29 G w/ Tampa: 1-3, 3 Saves, 3.97 ERA, 47.2 IP, 49 H, 14 BB, 61 K… Rejoined Thunder on 7/31 and posted 1.65 ERA over 8G
(16.1 IP) through end of season
2017: Combined with Charleston and Tampa to go 6-4 with 3 saves and a 1.52 ERA (65.1IP, 50H, 17R/11ER, 15BB, 69K, 1HR) in 37G
…opponents hit .209 (50-for-239); LH .222 (18-for-81); RH (32-for-158)…started the season with Charleston, going 4-2 with two saves and a
0.79 ERA (45.1IP, 29H, 6R/4ER, 13BB, 49K, 0HR) in 24 games…did not allow a run in 21 of his 24 relief appearances…was named a SAL Mid-
Season All-Star…was promoted to Tampa on 7/15 and went 2-2 with one save and a 3.15 ERA (20.0IP, 21H, 11R/7ER, 2BB, 20K, 1HR) in 13G
2016: Made his professional debut, splitting the season between the GCL Yankees East and short-season Single-A Staten Island and going 1-
0 with one save and a 0.59 ERA (15.1IP, 10H, 1ER, 4BB, 13K) in 13 relief appearances…opponents hit .189 (10-for-53)…
PERSONAL: Selected in the 10th round in 2016 out of the University of Illinois-Chicago… Played two seasons at UIC (2015-16) after one
season apiece at Campbell (N.C.) University (2013) and Lower Columbia (Wash.) College (2014)…was named the 2016 Horizon League
Relief Pitcher of the Year after going 8-5 with a Horizon League-best 1.41 ERA (70.1IP, 11ER) and 90K…graduated from Mount Si H.S.
(Wash.) and was the 2012 State Gatorade Player of the Year.
LAST 5 APPEARANCES:
Date Opp. Dec. IP H R ER BB K
4/6 @ERI --- 2.0 0 0 0 0 2
THUNDER INHERITED RUNNERS:
0-for-0 (0.0%)
#47 JOSE MESA JR. @JoeTable RHP 6’4”, 215 lbs Miramar, FL 24th Round, 2012
Charles Flanagan HS (FL)
2018: Selected in Rule V draft by Baltimore Orioles, returned to NYY on 3/28… Walked 2+ batters in five of nine outings… Placed on DL on 5/19 (elbow)
and missed rest of season…
2017: After making just one start in his first three seasons as a professional, spent substantial time in the starting rotation for the first time… began the
season with High-A Tampa, fanning 62 batters over 49.2 IP… promoted to Double-A Trenton on 5/21 and pitched three scoreless innings before being
sent back to Tampa on 5/26… made two-inning relief appearance in Trenton on 6/16 and returned to Tampa again… was transferred once more to
Trenton on 7/31, and made six more appearances on the season… during that final stretch, went 4-0 with 34 K over 29.1 IP… on 8/22 vs Portland, carried
a no-hitter through 5.2 IP… resulting 8-0 win was the Thunder’s franchise-record 19th shutout of the season…
2016: Tossed one scoreless inning for Tampa on 4/22 before being sent to Single-A Charleston… continued to show an outstanding strikeout rate,
registering 12.6 K/9 IP… struggled late in the summer upon returning to Tampa, allowing 16 R over 10.2 IP in final 6 appearances…
PERSONAL: Threw two no-hitters during his senior year in high school in 2012, both against rival West Broward H.S.… Had signed to attend Seminole
State CC (Fla.) prior to being drafted… father, Jose Sr., pitched in the majors for 19 years with stops in Baltimore, Cleveland, San Francisco, Seattle,
Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Colorado, and Detroit… like his father before him, is known as “Joe Table,” a literal translation of his name from Spanish to
English…
LAST 5 APPEARANCES:
Date Opp. Dec. IP H R ER BB K
4/7 @ ERIE --- 1.2 4 4 4 3 1
THUNDER INHERITED RUNNERS:
0-for-0 (0.0%)
#29 KALEB ORT @Ort_Kaleb33 RHP 6’4”, 240 lbs Grand Rapids, MI MiLB Free Agent, 2017
2018: Activated prior to Thunder’s second game of season…Transferred to high-A Tampa on 7/12… Allowed just 1 HR all season (55.1 IP)…
2017: Signed with the Yankees on 5/16 and made 20 relief appearances between Rookie- level Pulaski and short-season Single-A Staten
Island, going 3-0 with 10 saves and a 1.38 ERA (26.0IP, 12H, 5R/4ER, 9BB, 39K)…limited opponents to a .140 BA (12-for- 86)…ranked third in
the Appalachian League with eight saves while going 2-0 with a 0.63 ERA (14.1IP, 5H, 1ER, 4BB, 23K) in 12 games…was promoted to Staten
Island on 8/5 and posted a 1-0 record, two saves and a 2.31 ERA (11.2IP, 7H, 4R/3ER, 5BB, 16K) in eight appearances…after being released by
the Dbacks on 3/21, made one relief appearance with Joliet of the independent Frontier League (2.0IP, 1H, 3K) and was signed by the
Yankees… 2016: Pitched for Joliet Slammers (independent), going 3-4 with a 6.05 ERA (61.0IP, 41ER) in 20 games (12 starts)…was signed by the Dbacks
on 9/23…
PERSONAL: Graduated from Aquinas College (Mich.) in 2014…pitched four seasons for the Saints (2011-14)…graduated from Lowell H.S.
2018: Went 1.2+ IP in each of his first six outings this year… went 3.0 IP in relief on 6/8 vs. RIC, 9x in career going 3.0+ out of bullpen, first
time since 7/3/17 @ Clearwater…went 3.0 IP again on 6/22 at POR, escaping an inherited bases-loaded, none-out jam and matching a season-
high with 5 K… Had a 13.0 consecutive scoreless innings 5/31-6/26 (7 G, 4 H, 4 BB, 18 K)… Named an Eastern League All-Star… With SWB
from 7/30-8/4, made 1 appearance in suspended game vs. Rochester (1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 1 K)… Placed on DL on 8/23 (back), activated on
9/5…
2017: 20G w/ TAM: 2-0, 2.52 ERA, 1 SV… 35.2 IP, 34 H, 14 R, 10 ER, 7 BB, 41 K… Made six scoreless appearances with the Thunder 10.1 IP, 7 H, 2 BB, 10 K…
2016: Combined with Single-A Charleston, Single-A Tampa and Double-A Trenton to go 6-2 with one save and a 2.22 ERA (97.1IP, 59H, 27R/24ER, 30BB, 117K) in 32
games (12 starts)… his .175 (59-for-338) opponents’ batting average ranked fourth among all minor leaguers (min. 75.0IP)… recorded a 10.82 K/9.0IP ratio… was
promoted to Tampa on 4/26 and went 5-1 with one save and a 2.27 ERA (83.1IP, 53H, 23R/21ER, 26BB, 94K) in 25 games (12 starts)… was 3-1 with a 2.17 ERA (58.0IP,
14ER) as a starter, allowing 2ER-or-fewer in 11 of his 12 starts… was named the Florida State League “Pitcher of the Week” for 7/18-24 after allowing only 2H over 7.0
scoreless innings on 7/20 at St. Lucie… was promoted to Trenton on 8/31 and made three relief appearances (4.0IP, 4H, 1R/0ER, 1BB, 8K)…
PERSONAL: Graduated from The Citadel and played four seasons for the Bulldogs… was the 2015 Southern Conference Pitcher of the Year and a
Louisville Slugger All-America Third Team selection… recorded 14 strikeouts and threw a no-hitter vs. Mercer on 4/2/15, earning Louisville
Slugger/Collegiate Baseball National “Player of the Week” honors… graduated in 2011 from Ashley Ridge H.S. (S.C.).
LAST 5 APPEARANCES:
Date Opp. Dec. IP H R ER BB K
4/7 @ ERIE --- 1.1 4 2 2 1 1
THUNDER INHERITED RUNNERS:
2-for-2 (100.0%)
#38 DAVID SOSEBEE RHP 6’2”, 220 lbs Gainsville, GA 28th Round, 2015
2019: Opened the season on SWB’s Opening Day roster and fired two scoreless innings at Buffalo on Opening Day…
2018: Totaled 20 games with the Thunder going 4-2, with a 3.66 ERA, struck out 39 batters in 32.0 IP… 18G with Tampa: 4-2, 0.72 ERA, 5
Saves, 25.0 IP, 11 H, 6 R (2 ER), 8 BB, 30 K… 0 ER in 18.1 IP (4/24 @ Bradenton) until solo HR to Sharlon Schoop on 6/12… Went season-high
3.2 IP on 6/21 vs. Binghamton (career-high 4 IP, 3x)… Made AAA debut on 8/2 @ Rochester with 2.1 IP, 1 R, 2 K… Made four total
appearances totaling 5.2 IP with a 1.59 ERA….
2017: Transferred to Thunder roster 8/18… Made 32 appearances out of the bullpen with Charleston (31G) and Tampa (1G) before
promotion to Thunder… Between Single-A and High-A: 2-2, 11-for-12 SV, 61.2 IP, 45 H (.207 BAA), 13R/13ER (1.90 ERA), 13 BB (0.94 WHIP),
71 K (10.4 K/9)… 3 appearances with Trenton: 5.2 IP, 12 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 7 K…
PERSONAL: Played three seasons at Georgia… Graduated from White County H.S. (Ga.), where he was named Region 8-AAA Pitcher of
the Year as a senior… Selected by Boston in the 48th round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft but did not sign…
LAST 5 APPEARANCES:
Date Opp. Dec. IP H R ER BB K
4/4 @ BUF -- 2.0 2 0 0 0 4
THUNDER INHERITED RUNNERS:
0-for-0 (0.0%)
Game Date Opponent Score Record (GB, Place) Thunder R/H/E Opponent R/H/E Winning Pitcher Losing Pitcher Save Time Attendance
1 4/5 @ Erie L 11-1 0-1 (1.5, T-3rd) 1/3/3 11/12/1 Matt Manning (1-0) Nick Green (0-1) -- 2:54 2,132
