Trenton Thunder Media Day

Written by Greg Fertel | 07 April 2010

Mike Ashmore was at the Trenton Thunder's media day yesterday and assembled a ton of quotes(click through for much more):

Tony Franklin, Manager: "[Pat Venditte] pitched well for us.  The organization felt a little more time was needed before he comes up, but if the way he pitched in spring training is any indication, you might see him pretty shortly.  That was my first opportunity to see him pitch.  I was as interested as anyone else was."

Grant Duff, RHP: "I think that I was on the verge of being released last year at the beginning of the year.  Then, something clicked with my mechanics to make me a better pitcher, and everything got better; from velocity, to command to offspeed pitches, everything got better."

Ryan Pope, RHP: "the last couple games of last year, my velocity went up.  I got to spring training and it stayed the same, so that’s a good thing…hopefully I can keep that going all year.  It was just the tempo, speeding things up.  I kept that and went from there."

Tommy Phelps, Pitching Coach: "If [Christian Garcia] stays healthy, a lot of big things can happen for him and our organization.  Some guys, they battle with injuries and it takes time.  This is the best I’ve seen him, health-wise, and I’ve been around him three years.  He’s throwing the ball great."

Brandon Laird, 3B: "I’m a player that loves playing the game.  I play hard each and every day and when things aren’t going well, I’m still playing the game hard and trying to help my team.  Whatever I can do to help my team win, that’s what I’m trying to do."

Christian Garcia, RHP: "I’m going put a bubble wrap around me, have my teammates carry me around (laughs)."

Austin Romine, C(Prospect Profile): "I’m hoping when they come and watch, or when my teammates look, they see a guy who’s busting his butt behind the plate.  I don’t like passed balls, I don’t like anything that shouldn’t happen.  I hope they see a guy that they can respect out there, who works hard and who wants to win.  Every time I go on the field, I want to win.  Without a doubt."

D.J. Mitchell, RHP(Prospect Profile): "I still have a lot to learn.  This is only my third full season pitching.  I’ve got great coaches and I’ve got great teammates, and they help out along the way.  With those guys, I feel like I’m learning at a higher pace, that it’s like I’ve been pitching much longer than I have.  But I still have a lot of work to do."

Media Day Wrap-Up: Christian Garcia will start opening night on thursday and the plan is for him to throw 75-85 pitches.