Franklin Out as Thunder Skipper
By Wayne Cavadi
Trenton Thunder skipper Tony Franklin is officially out as the manager. Matt Kardos is reporting that the New York Yankees Double-A Eastern League affiliate will move on in 2015 with Al Pedrique at the helms. The former major league utility infielder brings several years of coaching experience on both the major and minor league level.
Franklin out, Pedrique in as Thunder skipper | Rolling Thunder http://t.co/4BrhRSjRMo
— Matt Kardos (@mattkardos) January 8, 2015
Franklin became the all-time Eastern League leader in wins last season, but that was one of the few highlights. A year after leading the Thunder to the Eastern League Championship in 2013, his third such time accomplishing the feat, the Thunder fell off big time last year. Midseason drama surrounding him and Yankees prized catching prospect Gary Sanchez leading to a five game suspension for the youngster. The Thunder finished 67-75 in their title defense.
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Pedrique on the other hand, led the Tampa Yankees of the Florida State League to a 71-68 record, one of the few Yankees affiliates with a winning record in 2014. He has experience on the major league level with the Arizona Diamondbacks as well as the Houston Astros. He made his name as a scrappy utility infielder in the late 80s when he played for the Mets, the Pirates and the Tigers. The Yankees hope he brings that same energy to his teams.
Pedrique brings P.J. Pilittere along with him to serve as hitting coach. Pilittere was Tampa’s hitting coach last season as well as the hitting coach for the Yankees Arizona Fall League affiliate, the Scottsdale Scorpions. Pitching coach Jose Rosado joins the staff from the Gulf Coast Yankees where he filled the same role last season. Michel Hernandez rounds out the staff as the defensive coach. He, too, comes with experience in the GCL.
Franklin has not been ousted from the Yankees organization entirely. He will have the task of leading the new Yankees affiliate, the Pulaski Yankees. The team is on the Rookie level. Franklin should be the right guy to shape the youngsters and prepare them for the long climb up the Yankees ladder.