Second Look: 2013 Trenton Thunder

Searching for my photo of Jeremy Bleich to use in Saturday's post, I got a chance to look back at the 2013 Trenton Thunder. Five summers ago, as the Yankees were about to begin prioritizing minor league development, there were several strong prospects on the Trenton Roster. Tyler Austin (seen above and below) made his Yankee debut in 2016 and appeared in parts of the last three season, showing good righthanded power, but not enough of an overall game compared to Greg Bird. Given playing time earlier this year while Bird was out hurt, he impressed -- and could well be a trade chip in the Yankees' efforts to add pitching.
Sean Black (below) wasn't as fortunate. The New Jersey native was the Yankees 7th round pick in 2009 pick. He never developed as the Yankees hoped and a year later, after moving to the Reds organization, finished his career without rising above AA ball.
Outfielder Slade Heathcott was considered a top Yankee prospect in 2013. A 2009 first rounder with an appealing combination of speed and power, he never lived up to expectations. Though he can always say he made the majors, playing a few games for 2015 Yankees, going 10-for-25 with a couple of home runs. But he hasn't been back to the majors since.
One final example of the iffiness of being a top minor league prospect. Miguel Sano, playing for the Twins' New Britain club in July 2013 (below), was the best looking young player on the field. The power-hitting 3rd baseman appeared destined for stardom. But injuries have been his roadblock. He lost 2014 to a torn elbow ligament that led to Tommy John surgery.
But when he debuted for the Twins a year later, he looked like a keeper. He smacked 18 home runs and finished third in the Rookie of the Year voting. Sano played well in 2016 and '17 -- but a persistent leg injury cut his 2017 short. When I saw him in spring training, he appeared ready to return to the middle of Minnesota's batting order, but the results weren't there. Sent to the minors to regain his form, he's back in Florida as we speak, trying to regain his batting stroke with the Twins Fort Myers farm club.
Is there a common thread here? A lesson? Hardly. Minor league promise doesn't always translate into big league success. Just ask any of the players profiled on this page.
(These phots are from July 12th, 2013, when Trenton visited New Britain.)

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