Outfielder One Of Four Players Added To Round Out 24-Man Roster Headed To Beijing In August
July 24, 2008 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release
FRESNO, CA - Fresno Grizzlies outfielder Nate Schierholtz was named to the 2008 United States Olympic Baseball Team on Wednesday afternoon as USA Baseball finalized their Olympic roster. The Davey Johnson-led team is set to compete in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Aug. 8-24 (baseball competition Aug. 13-23).
The #4 prospect in the San Francisco Giants organization, Schierholtz was named to the Olympic squad as a replacement for injured Cardinals prospect Colby Rasmus. Schierholtz was one of three players added as substitutes on Wednesday afternoon, and Colorado Springs Sky Sox second-baseman Jayson Nix was the final player selected to round out the 24-man roster.
The San Ramon Valley (CA) High School product has followed up an impressive Triple-A debut in 2007 with an outstanding season for Fresno in 2008. Entering Thursday night's contest against Round Rock at The Dell Diamond, Schierholtz is batting a team-best .309 with 13 home runs and 62 RBI in 86 games with the Grizzlies. The 24-year old also ranks 7th in all of Minor League Baseball with a career-high 10 triples this season.
Schierholtz is the second Grizzly to be named to the 2008 United States Olympic Baseball Team. Reliever Geno Espineli was selected to the team earlier this month, but a recent promotion to San Francisco forced USA Baseball to replace him on the roster as Major League players are not eligible to participate. Espineli earned his first Major League victory on Wednesday in San Francisco's win over Washington at AT&T Park.
Schierholtz was told in June that he was among 60 players under consideration for the team. He began getting his passport and other paperwork in order and was surprised when he wasn't one of the 23 players named to the team last week. Schierholtz will report to Team USA camp in San Jose on Monday. Opening ceremonies are Aug. 8; baseball will cease to be a medal sport after these Games.
The Grizzlies, winners of four straight and 13 of their last 17, take on the Round Rock Express tonight at The Dell Diamond outside of Austin, TX. Fresno returns home for the second-to-last homestand of the season on Wednesday, July 30th when they welcome the Memphis Redbirds to Chukchansi Park for the first time since 2006. For information regarding tickets, promotions, or Grizzlies baseball visit FresnoGrizzlies.com or call 559.320.HITS.
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