CalL Fresno Grizzlies

Fresno Grizzlies Game Notes vs Stockton

Published on May 27, 2022 under California League (CalL)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release


The Grizzlies and Ports continue their six-game series tonight. First pitch is scheduled for 6:50 pm PT from Chukchansi Park. Grizzlies RHP Brayan Castillo and Ports RHP Kyle Virbitsky are the probable starters. I have attached the roster/game notes.

Braiden Ward: 4-game hit streak: 7-11 (.636), 2B, 3 RBI, 5 R, 6 BB, 2 HBP, 5 SB

Luis Amoroso: six straight scoreless, hitless and walk less innings with five strikeouts from 5/14-5/26. Only batter who reached base in that span was hit by a pitch. STAND UP TO CANCER: Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) is a groundbreaking initiative created to accelerate innovative cancer research that gets new therapies to patients quicker. Since its inception, SU2C has announced nine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals for new cancer therapies supported by SU2C research. Major League Baseball and its 30 Clubs have donated more than $50 million to SU2C since the partnership was first formed in 2009. As a founding donor, MLB has conducted significant awareness-building efforts through public service announcements, in-stadium promotions and various fundraising events. Tonight, the Grizzlies and Chukchansi Park will stand as one in the fight against cancer, presented by Premier Valley Bank. Learn more about SU2C at StandUpToCancer.org/MLB.

STOCK-PILING SOME FACTS: The Fresno Grizzlies and Stockton Ports (Athletics Single-A affiliate) continue their six-game series tonight at Chukchansi Park. This is the third series between the clubs in 2022 and the second meeting in downtown Fresno. 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. Despite yesterday's 6-5 loss, the Grizzlies are still 11-1 (+51 run differential, 92-41) against the Ports this year, 28-8 against Stockton over the past two seasons and 17-1 at Banner Island Ballpark. In their last nine games against Stockton, the Grizzlies have tallied 97 hits with 16 of them going as homers and outscored the Ports 65-28. Fresno has mashed 24 homers over their 12 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 101 batters over the past eight contests against the Ports.

WHAT A CATCH: Grizzlies outfielder Juan Guerrero made sports media headlines on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning thanks to an outstanding catch in right field. In the bottom of the ninth with one out and the Grizzlies leading 4-2, Ports prospect Max Muncy hit a moonshot to deep right field. The Rockies #24 overall prospect flashed a tick above his scout ranked 50-grade speed and charged toward the 335 marker just inside the foul pole in right field. Without breaking stride, Guerrero stuck his glove over the short wall and made the catch before flipping over it. He showed the umpire his glove to confirm the catch for the second out of the inning. Thanks to the outstanding play, Guerrero earned himself the #1 spot on SportsCenter's Top 10 plays. That was only the second game this season in right field for Guerrero (Sunday vs. Rancho Cucamonga was his first), who started in left 21 times and batted in the DH spot nine times. Over his two starts in right, the Dominican native has a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in seven total chances. He is sporting a .972 fielding percentage overall in the outfield this season.

JUAREZ WINS PITCHER OF THE WEEK: Grizzlies pitcher Victor Juarez was selected by Minor League Baseball as the California League Pitcher of the Week for May 16 - 22. Juarez's impressive start on Saturday, May 21 against Rancho Cucamonga helped the Grizzlies earn a crucial series win over the Quakes. Juarez was nearly untouchable over a career-high six scoreless innings, relishing his third win of the year. The righty issued a first inning walk and didnʼt allow a hit until a Julio Carrion leadoff single in the sixth. Juarez finished his evening facing one batter over the minimum and tied his career-high with seven strikeouts. The 18-year old from Mexico is the youngest member of the 2022 Grizzlies roster and is considered to be a very intriguing prospect for the Rockies. Juarez is now the third Grizzlies player and first pitcher to earn California League Weekly honors (1B/C Hunter Goodman, May 9-15 and SS Adael Amador, April 25 - May 1).

TIME TO DOMINATE WITH CASTILLO: The Grizzlies hand the ball tonight to Brayan Castillo for the eighth time this year. Over his first two starts, Castillo did not allow an earned run while fanning eight over 9.2 innings. The 21-year old Dominican native enters his fifth professional season with the Colorado Rockies organization. At instructional ball, Castillo showed a 93-97 MPH fastball, a slider that showed more depth than tilt and a changeup in the high-80s. Read more about the righty on Page 2.

HOW 2022 WILL LOOK IN THE "GROWL"IFORNIA LEAGUE: The 2022 California League regular season will be split into two halves. The first half ends on June 23rd with the second half beginning on June 24th. Four of the eight teams in the Single-A California League will make the playoffs. The first and second half 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.

WEAR THE BEAR: Red (6-6), Beige (4-2), Black & Gold (5-1), Gray (10-4), Specialty Promo (1-2), Fresno Tacos (0-0), Lowriders de Fresno (Copa de la Diversion, 0-0), Fresno Growers (1-0), Fresno Tigers (0-0), Red Pants (1-2). MAY 28, 2022 VS. STOCKTON PORTS (OAKLAND ATHLETICS): CHUKCHANSI PARK- 6:50 PM PT RHP Mitch Myers (1-2, 3.82) vs RHP Victor Juarez (3-0, 2.80)

MAY 29, 2022 VS. STOCKTON PORTS (OAKLAND ATHLETICS): CHUKCHANSI PARK- 1:05 PM PT RHP Grant Judkins (1-0, 4.40) vs LHP Mason Green (3-1, 2.29)

MAY 31, 2022 @ MODESTO NUTS (SEATTLE MARINERS): JOHN THURMAN FIELD- 7:05 PM PT TBA vs RHP Cullen Kafka (2-1, 4.66)

JUNE 1, 2022 @ MODESTO NUTS (SEATTLE MARINERS): JOHN THURMAN FIELD- 7:05 PM PT TBA vs RHP Case Williams (2-1, 3.86)

Check out the Fresno Grizzlies Statistics

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California League Stories from May 27, 2022


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