CalL Fresno Grizzlies

Fresno Grizzlies Game Notes at Inland Empire

Published on August 14, 2022 under California League (CalL)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release


The Grizzlies and 66ers conclude their six-game series tonight. First pitch is scheduled for 5:35 pm PT from San Manuel Stadium. Grizzlies RHP Jarrod Cande and 66ers RHP Julio Goff are the probable starters. I have attached the roster/game notes.

INFO ABOUT INLAND EMPIRE: The Fresno Grizzlies and Inland Empire 66ers conclude their six-game series tonight at San Manuel Stadium. This is the only regular season matchup between the two clubs and the second meeting ever between the Grizzlies and 66ers. Last season, the squads split their six-game series in Inland Empire with Fresno winning the first three games. The 66ers are the current affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels and have been a part of the Angels system since 2011. Prior to teaming up with the Angels, the 66ers had ties to the Los Angeles Dodgers (1995-2000) and Seattle Mariners (1987-1994, 2001-2006) organizations. They were also the former Fresno Giants/Fresno Cardinals franchise. The 66ers are named after the historic U.S. Route 66 that runs through San Bernardino. Prior to the name change, the 66ers were known as the San Bernardino Stampede (1996-2002) and San Bernardino Spirit (1987-1995). The mascot for Inland Empire is Bernie, who is one of the only talking mascots in all of professional baseball. Bernie has been a part of the organization since 1999. The 66ers play at San Manuel Stadium and are owned by Elmore Sports Group.

DON'T POKE THE BEAR: The Grizzlies are first in all of Minor League Baseball with 106 hit-by-pitches (Rancho Cucamonga, 102). The 106 hit-by-pitches are the most in Grizzlies franchise history for a single-season (87, 2005). They also rank second with 225 doubles (El Paso, 245), third with 716 runs, third with an .828 OPS, third with a .369 OBP, tied for third with a .459 slugging percentage, tied for third with 44 sacrifice flies, fourth with a .275 batting average, fifth with 1,699 total bases, fifth with 626 RBI and seventh with 1,017 hits.

AMADOR IS AMAZING: Grizzlies shortstop and Rockies #4 overall prospect Adael Amador is now ranked in the Top 10 in franchise single-season walks. Amador is tied for 8th with Scott McClain (2008) and AJ Reed (2017) at 72 walks. Up next is John Bowker (2009) and Nolan Fontana (2015), who had 74 walks in their respective seasons. Amador also has 85 runs, two shy of joining the Top 10. Yadiel Hernandez (2019), Scott McClain (2008) and Wilson Delgado (1998) each recorded 87 runs in their respective years.

RECORD WATCH: A pair of Fresno Grizzlies are inching closer to joining the Top 10 in a few different single-season franchise records. Outfielder Yanquiel Fernandez currently has 30 doubles, one shy of joining the Top 10. Second baseman Juan Brito currently has 25 doubles, six shy of joining the Top 10. Jack Mayfield (2018), Nate Schierholtz (2007) and Calvin Murray (1999) each recorded 31 doubles in their respective seasons. Fernandez also has five triples, two shy of joining the Top 10. Brito currently has six triples, one shy of joining the Top 10. Preston Tucker (2017), Nate Schierholtz (2007), Jason Ellison (2004) and Calvin Murray (1999) each registered seven triples in their respective years. Fernandez also has 87 RBI, 13 shy of joining the Top 10. Scott McClain (2007) notched 100 RBI in his respective season. Finally, Brito has 65 walks, six shy of joining the Top 10. Dante Powell (1998) recorded 71 walks in his respective season.

THE CANDE MAN: Tonight's scheduled starter is righty Jarrod Cande, a 22-year old from Tampa, Florida. This is the 11th start and 15th appearance for Cande since he joined the Grizzlies on May 2. Cande was selected by the Rockies in the 17th round (500th overall pick) of the 2021 MLB June Amateur Draft out of Florida Southern College (4-year private D-2 college). The righty was a two-way player in college, but has only pitched since turning professional. In his final season at Florida Southern College, Cande started eight games on the bump and appeared in the field nine times. He went 5-0 over 47.2 innings, striking out 39 batters. In 2020, Cande appeared in nine games as a hitter and four as a pitcher. As a hitter, he slashed .250/.368/.438 with one clout in 16 at-bats while as a pitcher, he made two starts and two relief appearances. Over 12.2 innings, Cande fanned 16 batters while recording a 6.39 ERA. Read more about Cande on Page 2.

WHY DO WE KEEP SEEING YOU: Inland Empire outfielder BJ Boyd became the third opposing player to face Fresno at both the Triple-A and Single-A levels. He joins San Jose pitchers Scott Alexander and JJ Santa Cruz to relish this feat.

WEAR THE BEAR: Red (13-16), Beige (8-4), Black & Gold (11-2), Gray (22-19), Specialty Promo (1-2), Fresno Tacos (3-0), Lowriders de Fresno (Copa de la Diversion, 4-0), Fresno Growers (1-0), Fresno Tigers (0-1), Red Pants (2-2).

CONGRATS RODNEY LINARES: Former Fresno Grizzlies manager and current Tampa Bay Rays third base coach Rodney Linares will manage the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. Linares was at the helm for the Grizzlies in 2018, leading the squad to an 82-57 record and earning a playoff berth. That mark is the second best winning percentage in Grizzlies franchise history, behind last year's team (74-41).

BUSTER BOBBLEHEAD: The Grizzlies announced earlier this month that the organization will honor Buster Posey's retirement from professional baseball with an exclusive bobblehead giveaway on Saturday, September 3. This giveaway, presented by Healthy Fresno County, will be the organization's fourth time producing a bobblehead for the San Francisco Giants legend and can be picked up by being one of the first 3,000 fans in attendance at the game. Prior to starting his illustrious Giants career, Buster Posey spent parts of two seasons in a Fresno Grizzlies uniform. Posey played 82 games with Fresno, batting .337 with a .535 slugging percentage and .956 OPS. He blasted 11 homers and drove in 54 runs over those 82 games before making the Bay Area his permanent home. Fans can purchase tickets to the September 3 game starting at $15 at FresnoGrizzlies.com, at the Chukchansi Park Ticket Office, or by calling the Grizzlies at 559-320-8497(TIXS). The team is also offering a limited number of Buster Posey Tribute ticket packages. Purchasing this bundle will guarantee a bobblehead and also includes tickets to two Friday Night Fireworks games and the Buster Posey Bobblehead Giveaway game (September 3) for only $37, a nod to Posey's .337 batting average with the Grizzlies. This special 3-game package can be purchased at FresnoGrizzlies.com/Offers.

NEW RULES IN 2022: Major League Baseball announced in March that experimental rules will expand in the California League for the 2022 season. The following rules include the return of the pitch clock and pickoff limits. Pitchers must deliver a pitch within 14 seconds with the bases empty and 18 seconds with runners on base. Hitters must be in the batter's box and be alert to the pitcher with nine seconds left. Pitchers will also be limited to two pickoff attempts or step-offs per plate appearance; any more without retiring the baserunner will effectively function as a balk. The league also added larger bases, increasing the size from 15 to 18 inches, a rule in place at Triple-A during the 2021 season. The increase is aimed to provide more room for players to operate around the bases, while modestly shrinking the distance between bases themselves. Additionally, the larger bases are composed of material that is expected to perform better in wetter conditions. Finally, teams must have a minimum of four defensive players on the infield when a pitch is delivered, with at least two infielders on either side of second base. The penalty for violation is an automatic ball, but if the hitter swings and gets a better outcome, the offensive team can take that. Goal is to increase batting average on balls in play.

PLAYOFF BOUND IN THE "GROWL"IFORNIA LEAGUE: For the second straight season, the Fresno Grizzlies are headed back to the playoffs after a 4-2 win over the Modesto Nuts on June 22nd from Chukchansi Park. Over those two years, Fresno has clinched both times against Modesto. The Grizzlies claimed the California League Northern Division and the best first half record among the eight teams (41-25). This is the first time in Grizzlies history that the team has made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. The last time Fresno baseball made it to the postseason in back-to-back years were the Fresno Cardinals in 1955-1956. With the California League being split into two halves, the Grizzlies will not know their playoff opponent until the second half ends on September 11th. If the Grizzlies were to also win the second half, the team with the next best record in the Northern Division will play Fresno in the playoffs. The first (Grizzlies, Northern and Lake Elsinore Storm, Southern) and second half (to be determined) division winners will meet in a best-of-three game series. The winners of those series will meet for a best-of-three championship series. Similar to 2021, each Monday will be a day off in the league except for July 4th. All but two series will be six-game series this season. The break for players and coaches will be four days long from July 18th to July 21st.

AUGUST 16, 2022 @ VISALIA RAWHIDE (ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS): VALLEY STRONG BALLPARK - 6:30 PM PT

RHP Jordy Vargas (0-0, 6.75) vs. LHP Diomede Sierra (3-4, 5.32)

AUGUST 17, 2022 @ VISALIA RAWHIDE (ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS): VALLEY STRONG BALLPARK - 6:30 PM PT

RHP Cullen Kafka (4-3, 4.76) vs. RHP Peniel Otano (2-6, 5.98)

AUGUST 18, 2022 @ VISALIA RAWHIDE (ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS): VALLEY STRONG BALLPARK - 6:30 PM PT

RHP Brayan Castillo (2-4, 5.72) vs. LHP Yu-Min Lin (1-0, 3.29)

AUGUST 19, 2022 @ VISALIA RAWHIDE (ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS): VALLEY STRONG BALLPARK - 6:30 PM PT

RHP Victor Juarez (5-5, 4.89) vs. RHP Jose Cabrera (2-1, 4.76)

Recent Transactions:

8/9: LHP Ryley Widell: Assigned to A+ Spokane from Fresno

8/9: RHP Jordy Vargas: Assigned to Fresno from ACL Rockies

Check out the Fresno Grizzlies Statistics

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California League Stories from August 14, 2022


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