Fresno Grizzlies Game Notes at San Jose
September 6, 2022 – California League (CalL) – Fresno Grizzlies News Release
The Grizzlies and Giants start a six-game series tonight. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 pm PT from Excite Ballpark. Grizzlies RHP Jordy Vargas and Giants LHP Seth Lonsway are the probable starters. I have attached the roster/game notes.
GIANT AMOUNT OF MATCHUPS: The Fresno Grizzlies and San Jose Giants (San Francisco Giants Single-A affiliate) start a six-game series tonight at Excite Ballpark. This is the fifth series between the clubs in 2022 and the third meeting in San Jose. This season, the two clubs play 30 times against one another with 18 of those contests being held in San Jose. Last season, the two squads faced each other 33 total times with three of those games being held in the playoffs.
FROM FRIEND TO FOE: The San Jose Giants coaching staff have a few names that the Central Valley may recognize. Giants pitching coach Dan Runzler was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 9th round of the 2007 MLB June Amateur Draft. He would play for the Grizzlies from 2009-2014, appearing in 144 games. Runzler would then end up pitching in the major leagues for parts of five seasons (Giants 2009-2012, Pirates 2017) before playing overseas and in independent ball. Over 97 big league games, he had a 4-2 record with a 3.89 ERA, 82 strikeouts. 46 walks and 72 hits allowed in 76.1 innings pitched. The other coach and former Grizzlies player fans may remember is Giants hitting coach Travis Ishikawa. He was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 21st round of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft out of Federal Way HS in Washington. Ishikawa would play eight Major League seasons starting in 2006 and ending in 2015 with time spent in San Francisco (2006, 2008-2010, 2014-2015), Milwaukee (2012), Baltimore (2013), New York AL (2013) and Pittsburgh (2014-15). Ishikawa would also don a Grizzlies uniform in 2008, 2011 and 2014, playing in 175 games. In 2008, Ishikawa would bat .310 with a 1.107 OPS over 48 games, one of the best stretches by any Fresno hitter.
JORDY VARGAS MAKES HIS THIRD START: Tonight’s scheduled starter is 18-year old Jordy Vargas, who will be making his fifth start in a Fresno uniform. Prior to his promotion, Vargas went 2-1 with a 2.36 ERA over seven games (five starts) with the ACL Rockies. He tossed 26.2 innings, not allowing a homer and had a 10:1 K/BB ratio (40/4). Vargas is listed as one of the top Rockies overall prospects after signing with Colorado for $500,000 when the 2020-21 international signing period opened in January of 2021. Vargas is the son of former big league reliever Yorkis Perez (who was coached by Grizzlies pitching coach Mark Brewer). He can already touch the mid-90s with his fastball, throwing it with good spin rates and resulting life. His curve has the chance to be a plus pitch, with outstanding downward action and spin. Vargas is also working on a changeup that will come with time. You can read more about Vargas on Page 2.
DON’T POKE THE BEAR: The Grizzlies are first in all of Minor League Baseball with a +212 run differential (Myrtle Beach, +156). Fresno also rank second in all of Minor League Baseball with 120 hit-by-pitches (Modesto, 135). The 120 hit-by-pitches are the most in Grizzlies franchise history for a single-season (87, 2005). They also rank second with a .278 batting average, second with 268 doubles (El Paso, 278), second with 872 runs (Rancho Cucamonga, 876), second with a .372 OBP (Rancho Cucamonga, .381), third with 1,214 hits, third with an .832 OPS, third with a .460 slugging percentage, third with 2,009 total bases, tied for third with 53 sacrifice flies and fourth with 765 RBI. Fresno has the fourth fewest amount of strikeouts (1,008) in all of Minor League Baseball and lead the California League in homers (153, +10).
AMADOR’S AMAZING ACHIEVEMENTS: Grizzlies shortstop and Rockies #3 overall prospect Adael Amador is now ranked in the Top 10 in franchise single-season walks. Amador is ranked third at 82 walks after passing Felipe Crespo (1999), Michael Byas (2000) and Justin Leone (2007). Up next is Jon Singleton (2016), who had 83 walks in his respective season. Amador also has 96 runs, which ties Tony Kemp (2017) for third in single-season runs. Up next is Felipe Crespo (1999), who had 98 runs in his respective season.
BRITO IS BRILLIANT: Grizzlies second baseman Juan Brito currently has 29 doubles, two shy of joining the Top 10. Jack Mayfield (2018), Nate Schierholtz (2007) and Calvin Murray (1999) each recorded 31 doubles in their respective seasons. 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. Brito is now ranked in the Top 10 in franchise single-season runs with 88. Up next are Gary Brown (2014) and A.J. Reed (2017), who recorded 89 runs in their respective years. Finally, Brito is now ranked in the Top 10 in franchise single-season walks with 74. Up next are Felipe Crespo (1999), Michael Byas (2000) and Justin Leone (2007), who recorded 78 walks in their respective seasons.
FERNANDEZ FLEXING INTO THE RECORD BOOKS: Grizzlies outfielder and Rockies #12 overall prospect Yanquiel Fernandez is now tied for first in Grizzlies franchise single-season RBI. On September 1st versus Modesto, Fernandez picked up two RBI, giving him 108 RBI on the season. He ties Scott McClain (2008) and A.J. Reed (2018) with this honor. Fernandez is now ranked in the Top 10 in franchise single-season doubles. On September 1st versus Modesto, Fernandez powered his 33rd double of the year, putting him in a tie for sixth with Matt Downs (2009) for that feat. Up next are Pedro Feliz (2000) and Brett Pill (2010), who had 34 doubles in their respective seasons. Fernandez also has five triples, two 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. Finally, Fernandez has 235 total bases, five shy of joining the Top 10. Kyle Tucker (2018) recorded 240 total bases in his respective season.
GUERRERO IS GREAT: Grizzlies outfielder Juan Guerrero currently has 86 runs, one shy of joining the Top 10. Yadiel Hernandez (2019), Scott McClain (2008) and Wilson Delgado (1998) each recorded 87 runs in their respective years. Guerrero currently has 24 doubles, seven shy of joining the Top 10. Jack Mayfield (2018), Nate Schierholtz (2007) and Calvin Murray (1999) each recorded 31 doubles in their respective seasons.
WEAR THE BEAR: Red (18-16), Beige (14-5), Black & Gold (12-2), Gray (25-20), Specialty Promo (2-3), 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).
PLAYOFFS?! YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT PLAYOFFS: This morning, Fresno Grizzlies playoff tickets went on sale for the team’s 2022 Postseason home games. The Grizzlies will host Games 2 and 3 (if necessary) of the best-of-3 divisional series on September 15 and 16 at Chukchansi Park. The team will play against the second-half champions of the Northern Division, having already clinched their playoff spot by winning the first half. If the Grizzlies win 2 out of the 3 games in the divisional series, they will once again host Games 2 and 3 (if necessary) of the best-of-3 championship series on September 20 and 21. The championship matchup will be against the winner of the South Division’s champion. Each playoff game at Chukchansi Park will include a variety of special promotions to celebrate the postseason. The first 1,000+ fans at each game will receive an exclusive 2022 Grizzlies Playoffs rally towel. All playoff games will feature a postgame fireworks show. All tickets for the four playoff games are available now at FresnoGrizzlies.com and cost only $10 (excluding Kodiak Club, Dugout Club, and Suites). Fans 17 years old and younger are eligible to receive free tickets to the playoff games, which can be claimed at the Chukchansi Park Ticket Office or by calling the team at 559-320-TIXS(8497). Fans who purchase tickets to games that do not end up getting played will have their purchase refunded.
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.
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).
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.
SEPTEMBER 7, 2022 @ SAN JOSE GIANTS (SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS): EXCITE BALLPARK- 1:00 PM PT
RHP Jaden Hill (0-0, 1.50) vs. RHP Will Kempner (0-0, 4.50)
SEPTEMBER 8, 2022 @ SAN JOSE GIANTS (SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS): EXCITE BALLPARK- 6:30 PM PT
RHP Brayan Castillo (4-4, 5.64) vs. LHP Carson Whisenhunt (0-0, 0.00)
SEPTEMBER 9, 2022 @ SAN JOSE GIANTS (SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS): EXCITE BALLPARK- 6:30 PM PT
TBA vs. RHP Liam Simon (0-0, 0.00)
SEPTEMBER 10, 2022 @ SAN JOSE GIANTS (SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS): EXCITE BALLPARK- 6:30 PM PT
TBA vs. LHP Joe Kemlage (2-2, 5.01)
Recent Transactions:
8/30: OF Sterlin Thompson: Assigned to Fresno from ACL Rockies
8/30: OF Jordan Beck: Assigned to Fresno from ACL Rockies
8/30: OF Yorvis Torrealba: Assigned to A+ Spokane from Fresno
8/30: IB/OF Cuba Bess: Assigned to A+ Spokane from Fresno
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