Every Tuesday, Minor Matters will run down the top 10 players from the Thunder's 2010 season. In a year that saw eight of Baseball America's 16 pitchers (excluding Mike Dunn
and Arodys Vizcaino, who were out of the organization) in their top 30, not to mention Austin Romine and Brandon Laird, there were plenty of good choices to go around.

No. 1 - Brandon Laird




















Why he's here: Put simply, Laird had the most dominant season of any player in the Tony Franklin era. Before leaving after August 1, he put up the following numbers: .291/.355/.878, 22 2Bs, 23 HRs, 90 RBIs. Those 23 bombs came in just 409 at-bats, meaning he left the yard once every 17.8 ABs, which is pretty darn impressive.

He also earned the Thunder's first Player of the Month honor since 1999, when David Eckstein took home the award. Laird was also a Player of the Week, a mid-season All-Star, a postseason All-Star, the league's MVP and Rookie of the Year, and was named to the Arizona Fall League's Rising Stars game. He also was the starting third baseman at Metro Bank Park for the EL All-Star Game.

Laird also put together two of the more memorable afternoons this year. One came when he had seven RBIs in the span of two innings against the Binghamton Mets. The other, which I said was the fifth-best game of year, saw Laird hit a walk-off home run to complete the cycle, something that, at that point, hadn't been done in the MLB in 26 years.

Outlook for 2011: Laird has switched to left field for now, to make his bat more attractive and to make him a more viable option in the Bronx. There seems to be a rather expensive roadblock standing in his way at the hot corner. He'll polish up in Triple-A in 2011.

I started the Thunder top 10 series back in November as a way to pass the winter while waiting for April. Since then, I've run down the team's best games of the year, players of the year, players who will be on the team next year, players who the Thunder will face next year, and numbers that best represent the team's season. Here, now, is a quick recap of how I've ranked them. Feel free to tell me what you think.

GAMES OF THE YEAR

10. Hector Noesi's complete game
9. Austin Krum's incredible defensive day
8. Andrew Brackman's debut
7. The Joseph brothers' reunion
6. Andy Pettitte in Game 1 of the ELCS
5. Laird's grand slam completes the cycle
4. Andy Pettitte and Adam Warren dominate the Fisher Cats
3. Adam Warren strikes out 15
2. Betances outduels Drabek

PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

10. Hector Noesi
9. Justin Christian
8. Dan Brewer
7. Marcos Vechionacci
6a. Dellin Betances
6b. Manny Banuelos
5a. David Phelps
5b. Lance Pendleton
4. Austin Romine
3a. D.J. Mitchell
3b. Adam Warren
2. Andrew Brackman

PLAYERS FOR 2011

10. Pat Venditte
9. Adam Olbrychowski
8. Brett Marshall
7. Craig Heyer
6. Jose Gil
5. Shaeffer Hall
4. Graham Stoneburner
3. Melky Mesa
2. Dellin Betances

OPPOSING PLAYERS FOR 2011

10. Charlie Culberson
9. Travis d'Arnaud
8. Tony Sanchez
7. Derek Norris
6. Aaron Hicks
5. Anthony Gose
4. Jacob Turner
3. Nick Hagadone
2. Austin Hyatt

NUMBERS OF THE YEAR

10. 23 (Laird's home runs)
9. 1,125 (Thunder Ks)
8. 17 (Romine's hit streak)
7. 0 (Manny Banuelos' wins)
6. 39 (David Adams' games)
5. 69 (Garcia's pitches for the year)
4. 29 (Brewer's stolen bases)
3. 37 (Betances' and Banuelos' combined Ks)
2. 1 (New Hampshire runs against the Thunder in the ELDS)

Every Tuesday, Minor Matters will run down the top 10 players from the Thunder's 2010 season. In a year that saw eight of Baseball America's 16 pitchers (excluding Mike Dunn
and Arodys Vizcaino, who were out of the organization) in their top 30, not to mention Austin Romine and Brandon Laird, there were plenty of good choices to go around.

No. 2 - Andrew Brackman




















Why he's here: He only joined the team in June, but by the end of the season he was the team's longest tenured starter. And after August, he was the team's ace. From his first start in August until the season ended, Brackman went his final seven starts without allowing more than three earned runs.

He matured greatly throughout his tenure, from a guy who seemed to rattle easily and appeared to not trust his excellent stuff, to an absolutely dominant force who earned a call-up to the big leagues at the end of the year.

This season, just his third full year as a pro, remember, could be the divining rod for his career. If he succeeds, he may wear the pinstripes for a long time. If he struggles with Triple-A hitters, however, there's a pretty good chance he's a very expensive bust.

Outlook for 2011: More than likely, he'll join D.J. Mitchell, Hector Noesi, David Phelps, and perhaps Lance Pendleton or Ivan Nova in the Scranton rotation. There's probably an outside shot of him making the big league bullpen if he blows up the spot in Tampa.

Every Tuesday, Minor Matters will run down the top 10 players from the Thunder's 2010 season. In a year that saw eight of Baseball America's 16 pitchers (excluding Mike Dunn
and Arodys Vizcaino, who were out of the organization) in their top 30, not to mention Austin Romine and Brandon Laird, there were plenty of good choices to go around.

No. 3a Adam Warren
No. 3b D.J. Mitchell





Why they're here: Simply, they were two of the team's most reliable starters. Mitchell, who was part of the team's opening day rotation, settled down after a nasty start to the year.

Mitchell, promoted to Scranton when Dellin Betances and Manny Banuelos were bumped up from Tampa, finished with a team-high 11 wins, a 4.06 ERA, 96 strikeouts and a better than 2-to-1 groundout-to-flyout ratio.

In fact, in his 19 appearances with the Thunder after April 29, Mitchell allowed more than three earned runs just twice. His 3.63 ERA during that span was 11th best in the Eastern League.

Warren didn't arrive until July 16, but he made quite an impact in his 10 regular-season starts. Most memorably, he broke a team record when fanned 15 Bowie Baysox hitters on August 18 at Waterfront Park.

Overall, Warren finished 4-2 with a 3.15 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 54 1/3 innings. During his tenure with the team, he established himself as its likely ace.

Outlook for 2011: Mitchell will likely begin 2011 in the Triple-A Scranton rotation. If Lance Pendleton stays with Houston, which selected him in the Rule 5 Draft in December, Warren will probably join Mitchell in Pennsylvania.

If Pendleton comes back, Warren may return to Double-A for a short while.

Every Tuesday, Minor Matters will run down the top 10 players from the Thunder's 2010 season. In a year that saw eight of Baseball America's 16 pitchers (excluding Mike Dunn and Arodys Vizcaino, who were out of the organization) in their top 30, not to mention Austin Romine and Brandon Laird, there were plenty of good choices to go around.

No. 4 Austin Romine

Why he's here: More than his numbers, which were solid at the very least, Romine was important for the way he handled the staff. Throughout the season, while a plethora of talented, high-ceiling arms marched through Waterfront Park, Romine was a rock behind the dish.

In the final game of the Eastern League Division Series, he guided Manny Banuelos, whom he had caught just three times in 2010, to easily the best start of the career. To a man, each and every Thunder hurler credited Romine, in part, for their success.

As for the individual numbers, they weren't bad, especially for a guy who -- although he won't admit it -- was gassed after catching his first full load as a professional.

He put up a .268/.324/.726 slash line, with 31 doubles, 10 longballs and 69 RBIs. He even swiped a pair of bases in as many tries.

He did show weaknesses behind the dish, but they weren't close to fatal flaws. He caught just 23 percent of runners and permitted six passed balls. Every scout I've spoken to loves him defensively -- one threw out a Brad Ausmus (with a better bat) comp -- and sees him as a major league regular.

Outlook for 2011: This is where it gets tricky. With the Yankees signing Russell Martin to be the starting catcher, Jesus Montero, who was presumed to get a good chunk of the reps this year, may get pushed back to Scranton for more seasoning, especially with the glove.

If that happens, expect Romine to begin the year back in Trenton, where he belongs. He should see Triple-A at some point in 2011, though.

Every Tuesday, Minor Matters will run down the top 10 players from the Thunder's 2010 season. In a year that saw eight of Baseball America's 16 pitchers (excluding Mike Dunn and Arodys Vizcaino, who were out of the organization) in their top 30, not to mention Austin Romine and Brandon Laird, there were plenty of good choices to go around.

No. 5a - David Phelps
No. 5b - Lance Pendleton



















Why they're here: The two pitchers took shifts as the staff's workhorse, with Phelps handling the first half of the season, and Pendleton taking over the role until early August, when he was promoted to Triple-A Scranton.

Phelps was a perfect 6-0 with the Thunder, and, with the exception of a blow-up in New Hampshire, was solid to excellent in every start he made. Overall, he accrued a 2.o4 ERA in over 88 1/3 innings, fanning 84 against 23 walks.

Speaking of walks, I don't think I've met a pitcher who more despised issuing free passes. If he were to turn in this start, he would more than likely be beside himself.

As for Pendleton, who was expected to spend the year in the bullpen before Christian Garcia's elbow broke down, he turned into the rock-solid arm the Yankees expected when they plucked him out of Rice University.

He strung together a 10-4 mark, a 3.43 ERA, 111 strikeouts in 120 1/3 innings, and a stellar .215 batting average against before getting the call to Triple-A.

While those numbers are impressive, consider this: Pendleton allowed just six earned runs over his final 31 1/3 innings with the Thunder, and struck out 30 hitters in that span.

Outlook for 2011: For Phelps, barring a trade, he seems likely to spend most, if not all of, 2011 in Scranton. He could get a shot toward the end of the year, especially if the Yankees fail to find a long-term solution for the holes in the rotation.

For Pendleton, his career may have just gotten a second life. Stuck behind a cadre of other, more valued prospects, he was selected by Houston in the recent Rule 5 Draft. If he sticks, he'll could be the Astros' fifth starter. If not, the Yankees may let him stay.

Every Tuesday, Minor Matters will run down the top 10 players from the Thunder's 2010 season. In a year that saw eight of Baseball America's 16 pitchers (excluding Mike Dunn and Arodys Vizcaino, who were out of the organization) in their top 30, not to mention Austin Romine and Brandon Laird, there were plenty of good choices to go around.

No. 6b - Manny Banuelos

Why he's here: One of the most hyped prospects in the organization, Banuelos, who missed a good chunk of the early season after an emergency appendectomy, debut along with Dellin Betances toward the end of August. He made three starts before the postseason, none particularly overwhelming.

Biggest moment of the season: In his first playoff start, and arguably the biggest game of his career, Banuelos absolutely blew away the New Hampshire Fisher Cats for seven strong innings. He blanked New Hampshire on five hits -- only one of which went for extra bases -- and three walks.

Here's what he had to say afterward: “At the beginning of the game, it was a little tense. I was a little bit nervous about it. Once I started throwing my stuff, I knew my stuff was good and I kind of relaxed and just let it go.”

Outlook for 2011: If the Fisher Cats liked him the first time around, then they'll love him once April rolls around. If he's not dealt before the season, Banuelos should be on track to start on either the first or second game, which will be played at Manchester's Merchantsauto.com Stadium.

Every Tuesday, Minor Matters will run down the top 10 players from the Thunder's 2010 season. In a year that saw eight of Baseball America's 16 pitchers (excluding Mike Dunn and Arodys Vizcaino, who were out of the organization) in their top 30, not to mention Austin Romine and Brandon Laird, there were plenty of good choices to go around.

No. 6a - Dellin Betances














Why he's here: After being told time and time again that Betances, who was coming off of ligament reinforcement surgery for his elbow, wasn't scheduled to hit Trenton until next season, the monolith of a right-hander earned his promotion to Double-A at the end of August.

He's one of the Yankees most prized pitching prospects, and has two A-grade pitches in his fastball and his curveball. His change-up is also developing, and was a pretty big weapon for him down the stretch.

His command improved during his injury layoff, which helped him vault from a Daniel Cabrera-type prospect to a true ace-caliber pitcher in the making.

Biggest moment of the season: Betances' coming-out party happened during the first game of the Eastern League Division Series, when the Thunder faced off with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, their Northern Division nemesis all season long.

Betances faced the Cats in his debut, on Aug. 24, but this time he was facing their ace, Kyle Drabek. With that matchup came incredibly long odds. Almost nobody (self included) outside of the home clubhouse thought Game 1 was going to be anything but a Thunder loss.

Instead, Betances matched Drabek pitch for pitch, and showed incredible mettle in the process. When all was said and done, Betances, in front of a large and raucous chunk of his extended family, had twirled 5 1/3 innings of two-hit, one-walk baseball, with eight strikeouts mixed in.

What's more, Betances stranded five runners in scoring position, all with less than two outs, showcasing that extra notch that every true ace can find in key situations.

Interesting quote: "He might be our best pitching prospect ever," -- Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, speaking about Betances in Baseball America.

Outlook for 2011: Barring a trade, Betances will more than likely return to Trenton for at least the first half of the 2011 season.

Every Tuesday, Minor Matters will run down the top 10 players from the Thunder's 2010 season. In a year that saw eight of Baseball America's 16 pitchers (excluding Mike Dunn and Arodys Vizcaino, who were out of the organization) in their top 30, not to mention Austin Romine and Brandon Laird, there were plenty of good choices to go around.

No. 7 - Marcos Vechionacci - IF

Why he's here: When I started this beat back in 2008, Vechionacci was one of the bigger names I was looking forward to watching play. His bat came with great reviews, and his arm was named by Baseball America as the best in the system.

Unfortunately, nagging injuries and plain ineffectiveness derailed his prospect status. Although he had the team's second-most home runs (10) in 2009, he hit a putrid .213/.278/.610. He was a minor league free agent at the end of the year, and elected to return to the Yankees' system, and ultimately Trenton.

Things changed this year, and those changes paid major dividends for himself and the Thunder. He started 2010 as a utility man, stuck behind third baseman Brandon Laird and first baseman Kevin Smith on the depth chart.

When Smith flamed out, however, Vechionacci became the starter at first. And although he didn't always look pretty over there, he more than got the job done. Oh, and he was able to hit a little bit.

Vechionacci raised his average 70 points, up to .283, and bumped his other two slash numbers to .350 and .771. He also homered 11 times and drove home 55 runs. Not quite enough to bump him back to prospect status, but enough to get him job in 2011, even if it's not with the Yankees.

Biggest moment of the season: One could argue that Smith getting released was the season's biggest moment for Vechionacci, but we'll go with a good game instead.

On July 9 in Bowie, Vechionacci went 3-for-4 with a longball and three RBIs in a 4-3 Thunder loss. It was the start of a small bad stretch for the team entering the All-Star break, but Vechionacci was bright spot.

Outlook for 2011: Once again Vechionacci is a free agent, and is tearing the cover off the ball for Navegantes de Magellanes in the Venezuelan Winter League. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Yankees re-sign him and make him the first baseman in Triple-A Scranton.

Every Tuesday, Minor Matters will run down the top 10 players from the Thunder's 2010 season. In a year that saw eight of Baseball America's 16 pitchers (excluding Mike Dunn and Arodys Vizcaino, who were out of the organization) in their top 30, not to mention Austin Romine and Brandon Laird, there were plenty of good choices to go around.

Why he's here: Brewer's best asset all season long was versatility. The 23-year-old from Bradley University played all three outfield positions and plugged into every spot in the batting order but the nine hole. In a year full of fluidity and tumult, Brewer brought stability from Day One until the close of the Eastern League Championship.

Although he wasn't the most vocal of players, Brewer, like so many others on the team, was part of a core that tasted a championship with High-A Tampa in 2009. And just like his teammates from that year, he wanted nothing more out of this season than to bring home another ring.

Although it didn't quite turn out that way, with Brewer's combination of speed, hitting and a pinch of pop, the Thunder came darn close.

Biggest moment of the season: I hate to go so cliche, but Brewer's biggest moment of the season didn't come during a game. Instead, his turning point was found away from the field, when he and hitting coach Frank Menechino made an adjustment in his stance that helped him snap out of a midsummer swoon.

The change, which came in late July, began to pay dividends almost immediately. He carried the team in August, hitting a robust .370/.435/.925 with two home runs and 23 RBIs.

Interesting quote: "I've actually been to two Cubs games in my life, and one was when Sosa hit his 61st and 62nd home runs. That was actually the first game I ever went to." -- Brewer, a White Sox fan, on his forays into enemy territory

Outlook for 2011: Brewer will more than likely move up to Scranton, but a return to Trenton to start the year isn't out of the question.

Every Tuesday, Minor Matters will run down the top 10 players from the Thunder's 2010 season. In a year that saw eight of Baseball America's 16 pitchers (excluding Mike Dunn and Arodys Vizcaino, who were out of the organization) in their top 30, not to mention Austin Romine and Brandon Laird, there were plenty of good choices to go around.

No. 9 - Justin Christian - OF



Why he's here: Signed out of the Atlantic League shortly after April, Christian was a spark plug from the moment he stepped onto the scene in Trenton. Paired with Austin Krum at the top of the lineup, he helped set the table for Austin Romine, Brandon Laird and Marcos Vechionacci in the middle.

He was good throughout his roughly four months with the team, but he truly excelled in August and September. Behold, in the season's penultimate month, Christian put up an extraordinary slash line of .324/.409/.946 with three home runs, 12 RBIs and 10 stolen bases in 11 chances.

That boost late in the season helped Trenton keep the Eastern League East flag from a hard-charging New Hampshire team, and earned him a late promotion to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Biggest moment of the season: Breaking the Thunder's career stolen base record (see video above). That swipe marked Christian's 102nd with the team, breaking Kevin Thompson's mark from three years prior.

On breaking that record, Christian said this:

“(Records are) meant to be broken. I look at it kind of like I’ve been here too long in order to set this record, but for the most part, it’s exciting. It was great.”

Outlook for 2011: Christian is currently in Mexico, playing for the Caneros de los Mochis. He will more than likely be a minor league free agent, so his future with the Yankees is up in the air.

Every Monday, Minor Matters will run down the top 10 games of the Thunder's 2010 season. In a year that saw eight of Baseball America's 16 pitchers (excluding Mike Dunn and Arodys Vizcaino, who were out of the organization) in their top 30, not to mention Austin Romine and Brandon Laird, there are plenty of good choices to go around.

No. 10 Hector Noesi tosses a complete game
























Recap: The day was supposed to be about John Maine making a rehab start with Binghamton. Quickly, however, the focus swung to the man opposing Maine, the Thunder's Hector Noesi -- at the point the hottest prospect to hit the team's rotation.

After up-and-down performances in first the turns in Double-A, Noesi had shown a flash of his potential in his prior start, a seven-inning, 10-strikeout masterpiece at home against the Richmond Flying Squirrels. This effort, however, blew that away.

Of his 111 pitches, Noesi tossed an eye-popping 87 strikes (78 percent), fanned six and walked just one while turning in the team's first nine-inning complete game since Alfredo Aceves turned the trick two years earlier.

The complete game almost ended in the ninth inning, when second baseman Kevin Mahoney's misplay with one outs and a runner on first extended the afternoon. Pitching coach Tommy Phelps and manager Tony Franklin, however, decided to stick with their starter, and he rewarded them for their trust.

Link to original game story

Reaction: “After he got the second out of the inning, I was going to get him. Phelpsie said ‘let him have one more hitter.’ What we try to do is have a pitch count in mind, and then one more hitter. He was there.” -- Tony Franklin

“I wasn’t surprised because I was focused, more than anything else." -- Hector Noesi

Afterward: Noesi finished his stint with Trenton 8-4 with a 3.10 ERA and 86 strikeouts in 98 2/3 innings. He was promoted to Triple-A along with D.J. Mitchell when Dellin Betances and Manny Banuelos got the bump from Tampa. Overall, Noesi finished 14-7 with a 3.20 ERA and 153 strikeouts against just 28 walks.