Fresno Grizzlies Game Notes at Stockton
June 28, 2022 - California League (CalL)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release
The Grizzlies and Ports start a six-game series tonight. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm PT from Banner Island Ballpark. Grizzlies RHP Jarrod Cande and Ports LHP James Gonzalez are the probable starters. I have attached the roster/game notes.
STOCK-PILING SOME FACTS: The Fresno Grizzlies and Stockton Ports (Athletics Single-A affiliate) start a six-game series tonight at Banner Island Ballpark. This is the fourth series between the clubs in 2022 and the second meeting in Stockton. One name on Stockton's coaching staff that may seem familiar to Fresno fans is hitting coach Kevin Kouzmanoff, who played seven MLB seasons and played against Fresno from 2011-2014. The Ports are managed by Franklin Font, who was initially tabbed to be the assistant hitting coach. Font will continue his managerial career at the helm in Stockton, coming back to the states from France where he served as the manager for the Aigles of France in 2021, an independent team of the ESBL (European Super League of Professional Baseball). He was a part of the Chicago Cubs organization for over 10 years where he started as a development manager and minor league rover instructor in 2008 before being promoted to the major league staff as the assistant hitting coach in 2012 and ultimately a staff assistant from 2013-2020. Finally, Stockton broadcaster Alex Jensen coached Grizzlies righty Cullen Kafka when he played JV baseball at De La Salle High School.
STATEMENT AGAINST STOCKTON: The Grizzlies have found success against the Ports over the past two seasons. Thanks to May 29th's 7-1 win, the Grizzlies are 13-2 (+56 run differential, 113-57) against the Ports this year, 30-9 against Stockton over the past two seasons and 17-1 at Banner Island Ballpark. Fresno has mashed 31 homers over their 15 affairs against Stockton this season, with two contests of five taters each. On the other side of the ball, the Grizzlies pitching staff has struck out 128 batters over the past 11 contests against the Ports.
SERIES OPENERS SUCCESS: The Grizzlies are 11-1 in the first game of a series with a 4-1 mark on the road. The only loss Fresno has suffered in the first game of a series came on April 12 at San Jose, which means the Grizzlies have won 10 straight series openers. Fresno has outscored their opponents 76-53 over those 12 games.
THE CANDE MAN: Tonight's scheduled starter is righty Jarrod Cande, a 22-year old from Tampa, Florida. This is the fifth start and ninth 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.
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.
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.
WEAR THE BEAR: Red (10-11), Beige (7-3), Black & Gold (8-1), Gray (14-10), Specialty Promo (1-2), Fresno Tacos (0-0), Lowriders de Fresno (Copa de la Diversion, 0-0), Fresno Growers (1-0), Fresno Tigers (0-1), Red Pants (2-2).
JUNE 29, 2022 @ STOCKTON PORTS (OAKLAND ATHLETICS): BANNER ISLAND BALLPARK- 7:05 PM PT
RHP Case Williams (5-2, 3.98) vs RHP Yehizon Sanchez (1-3, 4.79)
JUNE 30, 2022 @ STOCKTON PORTS (OAKLAND ATHLETICS): BANNER ISLAND BALLPARK- 7:05 PM PT
RHP McCade Brown (0-3, 5.45) vs RHP Luke Anderson (4-4, 4.31)
JULY 1, 2022 @ STOCKTON PORTS (OAKLAND ATHLETICS): BANNER ISLAND BALLPARK- 7:05 PM PT
RHP Brayan Castillo (1-3, 5.07) vs RHP Kyle Virbitsky (3-4, 5.94)
JULY 2, 2022 @ STOCKTON PORTS (OAKLAND ATHLETICS): BANNER ISLAND BALLPARK- 7:05 PM PT
RHP Victor Juarez (4-2, 4.30) vs RHP Mitch Myers (3-5, 4.73)
Recent Transaction:
6/28: OF Yorvis Torrealba: Assigned to Fresno from A+ Spokane (son of former Fresno Grizzlies and Colorado Rockies catcher Yorvit Torrealba...father played with Fresno from 1998-99 and 2001...would be the first father/son duo to both play for the Fresno Grizzlies)
6/28: RHP Blake Goldsberry: Assigned to A+ Spokane from Fresno
6/28: 1B/OF Trevor Boone: Assigned to A+ Spokane from Fresno
California League Stories from June 28, 2022
- Fresno Grizzlies Game Notes at Stockton - Fresno Grizzlies
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