AUGUST
BaseLines For August 3
By JED WEISBERGER
www.trentonthunder.comTRENTON - Thunder pitcher Alan Horne was a popular figure with the media last week.
The attention was not limited to the Thunder clubhouse, Reading's First Energy Stadium or Binghamton's NYSEG Stadium.
Just who is Alan Horne?
Writers in Dallas-Fort Worth wanted to know.
Radio personalities in Los Angeles enquired.
His name was mentioned on ESPN more than a dozen times.
How does it feel to be famous, Alan?
"I learned, in this game a long time ago, you don't have control over much of anything,'' said Horne. "I just go out and pitch.
"If something happens and I need to know about it, (Thunder manager) Tony (Franklin) will tell me about it.''
The 6-foot-4, 200-pound native of Marianna, Fla., in the Sunshine State's panhandle, was a hot commodity prior to last week's Major League Baseball trade deadline, especially with the Texas Rangers.
After it was made totally clear the Yankees would not part with Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain or Ian Kennedy, the Rangers asked for Horne and player such as Melky Cabrera in return for reliever Eric Gagne.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman also put the damper on dealing Horne, who is having a breakout season with a 10-3 mark, 2.32 ERA, second in the Eastern League in both wins and ERA, and tied for the circuit lead in strikeouts with 131.
Listed as the Yankees' 16 th-best prospect prior to the 2007 season, he is now listed among the Yankees' untouchables.
"It's great to be mentioned in all this,'' Horne said, "but all this is a team effort. The attention is nice, but it's come because a lot of us have done well this season.
"The bottom line is I just have to go out and pitch.''
The Cincinnati Reds, who obtained Reading star pitcher Matt Maloney in exchange for Kyle Lohse in a deal with the Phillies last week, were reportedly willing to peddle slugger Adam Dunn for Horne a few weeks back.
No dice on that one as well.
Horne, given the fact he had Tommy John surgery a few years ago, is what is known in the vernacular as a high-risk, high-reward prospect. After being taken in the first round by the Cleveland Indians in the 2001 draft - 27 th overall - he decided not to sign out of Marianna High and, surgery included, spent time at Ole Miss, Chiplola (Fla.) Junior College and Florida.
The Yankees took him in the 11 th round of the 2005 draft and he made his pro debut at Class A Advanced Tampa in 2006, going 6-9, 4.84 in 26 starts.
With the Thunder this season, his arm strong and changeup improving, the 24-year-old has been one of the most consistent pitchers in the EL, registering 19 quality starts in 21 appearances. Only against Binghamton June 7 and New Britain July 20 did he fail to go five innings.
Throwing a fastball that has sat in the 95 mph range and a sharp-breaking curve, mixed with that changeup, he has not lost a decision since June 2 vs. Akron.
"I have to be pleased with the way everything has gone this season,'' Horne said. "My arm feels good. I'm happy with my mechanics and my command.
"I'm satisfied with just about everything.''
Which is why he is now mentioned among the Yankees' untouchable pitching prospects and why, to the dismay of a some other suitors, his availability in trade talks was denied.
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RETURN APPERANCE: It's been a roller-coaster season for Tyler Clippard, who has seen everything from a success and frustration in five appearances with the Yankees (3-1, 6.33), 4-4 4.15 with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and one three-inning start with the Thunder, which he left after three innings with a stiff neck.
With all the Thunder moves this week, Clippard was skipped in the rotation, spent a week on the disabled list with the neck and will tentatively start against Bowie Monday.
After a meteoric rise, the 6-4, 200-pound Clippard, who was 12-10, 3.35 with the Thunder's first-ever no-hitter, is back in Double-A
"It's disappointing,'' the Florida native said, "but I'm certainly making the best of it. Trenton is a great place to play and I'll be back up (to the Yankees) sooner or later. I know what I have to do here.''
Lefty Chase Wright, who has also been on that same roller-coaster, is back for his third Trenton stint after his two starts with the Yankees and 8-3, 4.01 mark in 15 appearances - 14 starts - with Triple-A Scranton.
The two are keys to the Thunder down the stretch and into the 2007 EL playoffs.
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FROM MAINE TO OHIO: Not only did the R-Phils lose Maloney, but also infielder Jesus Merchan, who was hitting .330 before his trade to Seattle. Infielder Hector Made, part of the Yankees-Phillies Bobby Abreu trade in 2006, was called up from Class A Advanced Clearwater to replace Merchan . Randy Ruiz has not gotten it going with Connecticut, heading into weekend play 5-for-30 (.167).
