After a slow start to the second half of the 2023 MLB Draft League season, the Trenton Thunder rebounded as they took the series against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers in front of a hardy home crowd of 6,192 at Trenton Thunder Ballpark. With another series now wrapped up, we now take a look at the three stars of the series, who's hot and who's not and the road ahead for the Thunder.
First Star - Luke Rettig
Luke Rettig gets first star honors for this series after his dominant performance in the 4-0 win on Friday night, where he pitched seven strong shutout innings, allowed six hits and punched out four. The graduate student out of Lehigh University in Pennsylvania topped out at 90 miles per hour with his fastball and kept hitters guessing all night while the offense behind him did the rest of the work. He has the makings of an MLB starter, he just needs the opportunity.
His MLB player comparisons include Jacob DeGrom of the Texas Rangers and Spencer Strider of the Atlanta Braves.
Second Star - Anthony Fontana
The Trenton Thunder's four-run opening inning Friday night was powered by two RBIs off the bat of infielder Anthony Fontana. The senior lefty hitter out of Queens College has shined so far for the Thunder, hitting at a .343 clip to start the second half of the season. He showed good power, especially to the pull side of the field and swings a pretty consistent bat. His defense wasn't too bad either. Look for an MLB team to snap him up for their farm system should they be in need of infield help.
His MLB player comparisons include Isiah Kiner-Falefa of the New York Yankees and Randy Arozarena of the Tampa Bay Rays
Third Star - Tarik Latchmansing
Latchmansing came to the Thunder out of Royal Palm Beach, Florida and Montreat College, but the 6'2", 220 lb. right-handed bat came up big for the Trenton Thunder on Saturday night with not just his bat but his defense as well as he helped keep limit Mahoning Valley's damage and came through with some key hits. He shows good speed on the basepaths and good range in the infield with the ability to make plays that seem near impossible. He could be a nice depth piece if not an everyday starter on a MLB team in due time.
His MLB player comparisons include Andres Gimenez of the Cleveland Guardians and Bryson Stott of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Who's Hot
Anthony Abbantine
The switch hitting Abbantine, a product of St. Peter's University in Jersey City, came through with a run and a stolen base on Saturday night to go along with his run scored in the win Friday night. He hits to the pull side more often than night and as evidenced on Saturday night, he can burn you on the basepaths whenever you give him the chance. Not to mention his defense was great both Friday and Saturday. He has the makings of a good Major League outfielder. If he keeps working like he did in this series, the Major League teams will come.
His MLB player comparisons include Brandon Nimmo of the New York Mets and Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Who's Not
Ramon Jimenez
The infielder out of Central Connecticut has hit a wall to start the second half of the season. Jimenez is currently hovering below a .200 batting average with an OPS below .500. His silver sombrero Friday night did not help matters. He needs to learn to be more patient at the plate and not be as free swinging. No MLB player comparisons yet for Jimenez as he has to step it up for the Thunder to have success in the second half of the season.
Road Ahead For The Trenton Thunder
The Trenton Thunder will wrap up their series against Mahoning Valley with a Sunday evening game, first pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Trenton Thunder Ballpark. Afterwards, the Thunder will start a three-game set against the State College Spikes on Tuesday before facing off against the Scrappers on the road next weekend. The Trenton Thunder's next weekend home series will be against the Williamsport Crosscutters on July 28-30.
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