The Trenton Thunder’s roster might not boast anyone listed as a top 10 prospect in the New York Yankees’ system this year, but that doesn’t mean the Thunder lack high-end talent entering a three-games series starting tonight at Jerry Uht Park.
Designated hitter Cody Johnson is a former No. 1 pick for the Atlanta Braves (2006).
While he was in the Braves’ system, he was rated as the organization’s best power-hitting prospect after the 2008 and 2009 seasons by Baseball America.
In 2009, he hit 32 home runs playing at Myrtle Beach in Class A.
The Yankees acquired Johnson (6-4, 240) after the 2010 season for cash.
Last year, as a 22-year-old, the left-handed hitter mashed 22 home runs in Trenton in only 297 at-bats. The trouble was his average (.226).
He’s one of the league leaders in average this season at .375. He leads the EL in slugging (.792) and OPS (1.236).
The top-rated prospect in the Thunder’s system, according to Baseball America, is outfielder Zoilo Almonte (No. 19).
Almonte (6-0, 205) hit .276 last season at Trenton and Class A. He also had 15 home runs and 18 stolen bases between the two stops. Almonte, 22, was added to the Yankees’ 40-man roster after the 2011 season.
The switch-hitter went hitless in the Thunder’s recent four-game series against the Akron Aeros, dropping his average to .257. He has two home runs and two stolen bases.
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