TRENTON — Peter Freund has been in minor league baseball for well over a decade and he knows a good market when he sees one.
That’s why the Trenton Thunder are the newest member of Diamond Baseball Holdings stable of minor league clubs.
“They’ve got an incredible ballpark, a really loyal fanbase and they’ve proven how loyal they are by continuing to set attendance records after losing the Yankees affiliation and being part of the MLB Draft League,” said Freund, the company’s CEO. “It’s a really strong partnership with Mercer County. It’s clear that the county and baseball in Trenton is something they value and see it as a true asset for the community.”
Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH) announced Tuesday that it has acquired the Thunder from the club’s original ownership group of Joe Plumeri, Joe Finley and Joe Caruso.
Freund said he knows all three of the Joes personally and checked in from time to time, but it wasn’t until this past winter that conversations started to heat up in regards to DBH acquiring the capital city’s baseball club.
“From championships on the field to unforgettable nights at Samuel J. Plumeri Sr. Field, this club has always been about bringing people together,” Plumeri said in a statement. “Our vision was always about families and building the community. We believe DBH is the right partner to build on that legacy and ensure the Thunder remain a vibrant part of the Mercer County and the Regional sports landscape for years to come.”
Who is Diamond Baseball Holdings?
Diamond Baseball Holdings was formed by Freund and Executive Chariman Pat Battle in 2021 after Major League Baseball took control of the minor leagues and reorganized the number of affiliates to 120.
Freund was hired in 2020 by MLB to advise on what this streamlined version of MiLB could look like.
DBH began acquiring minor league clubs across the country in 2021 and has expanded its roster to 49 with the announcement of the Thunder’s acquisition.
Among those under the DBH umbrella are former Eastern League rivals the Portland Sea Dogs, New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Binghamton Rumble Ponies, Altoona Curve and Reading Fightin’ Phils.
The Thunder are the only team that doesn’t have an affiliation, although the MLB Draft League is an MLB partner league.
Will this bring affiliated ball back to Trenton?
Not yet.
The Thunder are set to begin year six in the MLB Draft League — a six-team league featuring a split-season amateur-professional format — on June 2 when they host the Aberdeen IronBirds. (The IronBirds are the first new franchise to enter the league since it was created in 2021 after they switched places with the Frederick Keys, who are now the High-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles).
The Thunder have been upfront that they want to get back into affiliated ball, and while both Freund and team president Jeff Hurley said the focus is on the Draft League season when asked on Tuesday, this acquisition positions Trenton to be one of the top choices for a big league organization with an affiliate opening.
“There’s no question that Mercer County has put an incredible amount of money into the stadium to get it to what we call PDL compliance,” Freund said. “If the opportunity presents itself in the future, of course we are interested in it. The reality is that we are also all-in on the MLB Draft League and will be operating as such.”
Founded in 1994, the Thunder have held affiliations with the Detroit Tigers (1994), Boston Red Sox (1995-2002) and New York Yankees (2003-2020).
Trenton was left on the outside looking in after the reorganization of the minor leagues.
“Just having that optionality, knowing that you have a PDL-complaint ballpark halfway between New York City and Philadelphia is pretty compelling,” Freund said. “I don’t have a direct answer for you today because there is no direct play, but if the opportunity presents itself we’d love to explore it.”
Hurley said the front office staff would be ready in 2027 to pair up with a major league club.
Of course it takes two to tango.
“We’ve been ready,” Hurley said. “Our staff has been ready since we’ve been within the Draft League. I don’t think anything would change in terms of that.”
How’s the ballpark coming along?
The two-phase $25 million renovation to the 31-year-old ballpark is one of the things that drew DBH to the capital city.
The $5.7 million first phase was completed over the summer with upgraded clubhouses, weight room, dining facility, women’s locker room, new safety netting and enclosed bullpens.
The second phase is ongoing now with construction on a new playing surface, video board, sound systems and fan hospitality visible when you drive by the waterfront stadium on Route 29.
“The fact that this facility is compliant and has this level of investment, and not just for the players but the fan-facing amenities,” Freund said. “… Everything they’ve been able to do to invest and make this such a great ballpark on the river is super compelling to us.”
Freund indicated that DBH will likely look to sell the naming rights to Trenton Thunder Ballpark, with Samuel J. Plumeri Field remaining in perpetuity.
Will there be changes to the gameday experience?
That will stay the same.
Both Hurley and general manager Jon Bodnar are remaining in place to run the day-to-day operations.
Hurley, a Hamilton native and Steinert High graduate, is a veteran minor league executive who has been with the Thunder since he was hired as a group sales executive in 2004 and worked his way up to team president.
“If you look at that portfolio (of DBH) they have looked to continue what minor league baseball is all about and that’s affordable family fun,” Hurley said. “For us with the Trenton Thunder is going to remain intact.”
Freund and Hurley have been in contact throughout the process.
“We look for great leadership, veteran leadership who can drive the team forward,” Freund said. “I think our history will prove where we have great presidents and GMs of clubs — if you look at our track record over the last five years they are all still in place — and DBH can provide them some resources that a one-off owner cannot.”