The MLB Draft League played an exhibition game against the Cape Cod Baseball League on Monday at Citi Field in Flushing, New York, the first meeting between the two leagues. Your Thunder contributed 5 players to the combined all-star roster: Outfielder Aaron Graeber, Infielders Jakob Poturnak and Carsten Sabathia, Catcher Evin Sullivan, and Starting Pitcher Miguel Sime.
The 4:05pm Exhibition Game between the two East Coast Leagues took place at Citi Field complete with walk up songs and detailed stats on the Met’s 17,400 square foot video board, the largest in baseball, which was unveiled in time for the 2023 season.
Co-Managing the game for the Draft League was Thunder Skipper Shawn Chacon and Spikes Manager Tim Battle Jr. Assisting in the Draft League Dugout was Thunder Pitching Coach Bobby Jones, Hitting Coach Ron Perodin, Thunder Trainer Marquis Peel, and Data Coordinator Chris Behan. Thunder Hitting Coach Ron Perodin spent time on field as both the 1st and 3rd base coach.
Thunder Righty Miguel Sime started the game on the mound for the Draft League team, pitching a scoreless Top 1, allowing one walk and inducing three groundouts. His pitch speed topped out at 100.2mph. Thunder’s Evin Sullivan started the game catching Sime and continued on into the game until the 4th inning.
Cape Cod offense struck first with a 3-run homer from 2B Jarren Advincula. The 5-11 UC Berkley senior plays for the Cotuit Kettleers, the squad that features 2024 Thunder standout Rintaro Sasaki. The homer at Monday’s Exhibition Game at Citi Field was Advincula’s first of the season, though the San Jose, California native boasts a .292 average with a .677 OPS with 11 games under his belt.
Home Team Draft League quickly responded with a 2-run home run from State College Spikes left fielder Harrison Didawick, his first of the season, traveling 391 feet at 98 mph. The 6-4 lefty from Chesapeake, Virginia started his 2025 at the University of Virginia with a .225 average at 44 games played
Thunder’s Carsten Sabathia exited the game in the 4th, leaving Jakob Poturnak as the solo Thunder defensive player until he exited in the 5th when Aaron Graeber entered in right field.
The Draft League team tied up the game in the 7th when Mahoning Valley’s Khi Holiday drove in a run, reaching first and stealing second during the next at bat. Infielder Dawson Willis of Frederick then gave the home team the lead with an RBI single, also stealing an additional base, but was stranded at second after a strikeout ended the inning.
Draft League Offense opened the floodgates in the 8th, adding 5 runs to the scoreboard. Thunder Outfielder Aaron Graeber extended the Draft League’s lead by two with a hard hit single through the middle gap. The Jersey native ranks 5th on the Thunder with a .278 average over 17 games played.
With the bases loaded after Graeber’s single and 2 walks, Keys shortstop Willis walked in a run, making it 4-8. Sam Parker of Frederick sent two players home with a single, making it a 6-run ballgame as the exhibition game entered the 9th.
Cape Cod wouldn’t go out without a fight, scoring two more in the 9th with RBI singles. The 3.5 hour matchup between the leagues ended with a group photo on the field.
Your Trenton Thunder return home on Friday July 4th at 6:00 against the Frederick Keys. Come on out to Trenton Thunder Ballpark for Fourth of July Extravaganza presented by Mercer County Improvement Authority! 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.
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About the 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.
