(Trenton, NJ) – Your Trenton Thunder, presented by NJM Insurance Group, are pleased to announce their coaching staff for the 2026 season in the MLB Draft League under second-year manager Shawn Chacon. The 2006 Thunder alum returns for his fifth season coaching in Trenton and welcomes a pair of new coaches to his staff this summer.
During his three prior seasons as pitching coach for the Thunder, Chacon helped produce 17 pitchers who earned MLB Draft selections. In 2025, Shawn saw 10 of his players selected in the draft (Miguel Sime Jr – Washington Nationals Rd 4, Pick 111. Micah Bucknam Rd 4, Pick 112. Joe Ariola – Arizona Diamondbacks Rd 7, Pick 213. Bryson Dudley – Kansas City Royals Rd 7, Pick 218. Matthew Hoskins – Kansas City Royals Rd 12, Pick 368. Noah Edders – Chicago Cubs Rd 15, Pick 451. Logan Dawson – Philadelphia Phillies Rd 16, Pick 491. Cooper McGrath – San Francisco Giants Rd 18, Pick 536. Nick Frusco – Pittsburgh Pirates Rd 20, Pick 593. Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek – New York Yankees Rd 20, Pick 614. ) and another seven signing with MLB organizations as free agents (Aaron Graeber – Los Angeles Angels, Ryland Zaborowski – Los Angeles Angels, Harry Genth – Minesota Twins, Jarrett Bonet – Milwaukee Brewers, Tommy Case – Los Angeles Dodgers, Drew Christo – Atlanta Braves, and MT Morrissey – Philadelphia Phillies.)
Chacon spent 8-years pitching at the Major League level for the Colorado Rockies, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Houston Astros. Shawn finished his playing career with 922 innings pitched, totaling 619 strikeouts, and holding opponents to a .261 average against.
Returning to Trenton for the first time as a coach for the team, is former Thunder player and now pitching coach, Ron Mahay. Ron was with the Thunder during their time in the Boston Red Sox organization, with his first season in 1995 as an outfielder. Mahay famously transitioned from fielder to pitcher during his time with the Thunder in 1996 and 1997, which ultimately revived his career and sent him to the Majors in June of 1997. Throughout his 14-year MLB career, Mahay appeared in 514 games and pitched 568 innings with a win-loss record of 27-12 and an ERA of 3.83. He recorded 470 strikeouts while allowing 266 walks. Mahay returns to the MLB Draft League for his fifth season as a pitching coach, after serving the previous four in the same role with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
“Coming back to Trenton means a lot” said Thunder alum and new pitching coach, Ron Mahay. “This organization is committed to developing players the right way and I’m excited to help our pitchers take the next step in their careers.”
Making his MLB Draft League coaching debut as the Thunder’s new hitting coach is former Texas Rangers first-base coach Josh Johnson. A third-round draft pick by the Kansas City Royals in 2004, Josh remained within the Royals organization from 2003-2009 before signing with the Washington Nationals system from 2010-2015. Johnson joins the coaching staff in Trenton after serving in multiple coaching roles across the minors and major leagues. He spent time with the Washington Nationals organization serving as the manager for the Gulf Coast Nationals from 2016-2017. In 2018 Josh was hired by the San Diego Padres to be their infield coach at the Major League level. In 2019, Johnson joined the Texas Rangers organization as a coach for the Hickory Crawdads and later became their manager in 2021. In 2022, Josh made the leap to Triple-A, joining the Round Rock Express coaching staff as a development coach.
Spending their second consecutive season in Trenton as the team’s Athletic Trainer will be Marquise Peel, and he will also be joined by Haley Smith, making her first appearance with the Thunder this summer.
Your Trenton Thunder open the 2026 season on Tuesday, June 2 at 7:00 against the Aberdeen IronBirds! For full ticket pricing and information, partnership/sponsorship opportunities, and information about special events at Trenton Thunder Ballpark, please visit trentonthunder.com or call the radius180 Thunder Box Office at (609) 394-3300, opt 4.
##
About Trenton Thunder
The Trenton Thunder welcomed their 11 Millionth fan during the 2025 season with 30 million people living within a 20 mile radius of the ballpark. Your Thunder have won the three major awards that Minor League Baseball teams can win; the Johnson Trophy for the “Nation’s Best Franchise”, the Larry MacPhail Trophy for Outstanding Club Promotion and the Bob Frietas Award for Long-Term Success (given by Baseball America). The team has given back over $9.8 million worth of goods, services, and monetary donations through the Grand Slam We Care Foundation.
