Fresno Grizzlies: The offense blasts a lot of bombs in first series

The Fresno Grizzlies (the Low-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies) swept the Stockton Ports (the Low-A team of the Oakland A’s) in the first series of the 2022 season this weekend and while it was a team effort for the sweep, nearly the entire offense was spectacular.

The Fresno Grizzlies swept the Stockton Ports because of their great offensive numbers

As a team, the Fresno Grizzlies averaged nine runs per game in their first series of the 2022 season. They also, as a team, hit .312/.402/.596. That .998 OPS was the second-highest in the league over the weekend.

The Grizzlies also had eight homers, 23 RBI, five doubles, and 14 walks. They have six players with an OPS of .817 or higher, including #14 prospect third baseman Warming Bernabel, #16 prospect Yanquiel Fernandez, #20 overall prospect first baseman/catcher Hunter Goodman.

However, outfielder Benny Montgomery (the Rockies’ #3 overall prospect and their best prospect in Fresno) struggled at the plate in the series. He only had one hit in 12 at-bats in the series but it was a solo homer. That was his first home run as a professional player. He also walked three times in the series as well. Total, he is hitting .083 with an OPS of .600.

Last year at the Rockies’ Arizona Complex team, Montgomery only played in 14 games (47 at-bats) and he hit .383 with an OPS of .787. He had no homer, six RBI, five walks, and five stolen bases.

For the pitchers, Brayan Castillo drew the Opening Day start and he pitched the best of any of the pitchers this weekend. Castillo, 21, went five innings without allowing a run on just two hits with 59 pitches. He struck out two batters and only walked one.

The Grizzlies had an off day on Monday but today, they will start the first of a six-game series with the San Jose Giants (the Low-A team of the San Francisco Giants) on the road at 6:30 PM P.T./7:30 M.T. After the series is over this Sunday, they will return home for their Monday off day before they take on the Lake EIsinore Storm (the Padres’ Low-A team) next week.