News

FRESNO - This morning, alongside City of Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer and members of the Fresno City Council, Fresno Grizzlies President Derek Franks formally welcomed and introduced the Colorado Rockies to Fresno. By signing the official Player Development License on February 10, 2021, the Fresno Grizzlies agreed to a 10-year partnership with the Colorado Rockies -- officially becoming one of the club’s Single-A Affiliates through 2030.

The Rockies will be the Grizzlies 4th affiliate since the team started in 1998. Over the past decade of baseball in Fresno, Grizzlies affiliates have won the World Series 5 times (San Francisco Giants: 2010, 2012, 2014; Houston Astros: 2017; Washington Nationals: 2019).

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - A trio of Diamond 'Dogs were named to the 2021 Preseason All-Mountain West team and the Bulldogs were picked to finish second in the 2021 Mountain West preseason coaches poll, as announced by the conference office on Thursday.

Senior catcher Zach Presno, senior pitcher Nikoh Mitchell, and junior infielder/outfielder Ryan Higgins represent the 'Dogs on the 13-member team. Despite the Diamond 'Dogs only playing 16 games this season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Presno was one of the top hitters in the MW a season ago leading the conference in home runs (8) and slugging percentage (.804) to rank third and 10^th in the nation, respectively.

FRESNO - The Fresno Grizzlies announced this morning that they have officially accepted an invitation to become the Colorado Rockies’ Low-A affiliate. This agreement formalizes a 10-year partnership between the two organizations which will last through the 2030 season. The change in affiliation and classification comes on the heels of Minor League’s Baseball realignment which will feature 4 levels of affiliated baseball and a close relationship with Major League Baseball.

Fresno has a rich history in Single-A having first been a member as the St. Louis Cardinals’ affiliate (1941-1956) as well as playing both independently (1957, 1988) and as the San Francisco Giants’ affiliate (1958-1987). Members of Fresno’s Single-A teams include Garry Maddox (8x Gold Glove Winner), Will Clark (6x All-Star), and George Foster (1977 NL MVP). Within Low-A, the Grizzlies will play in the West’s North Division. Other Low-A teams include valley opponents in the Visalia Rawhide, Stockton Ports, and Modesto Nuts, along with San Francisco’s affiliate, the San Jose Giants.

NEW YORK CITY - Major League Baseball today announced that all 120 Minor League Clubs offered an invitation to become Professional Development League (“PDL”) license holders have officially agreed to accept. These teams, selected as partners by Major League Clubs and being announced in full today, will provide both facilities and communities that are essential to the development of the next generation of big-league stars.

Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr. said: “We are excited to unveil this new model, which not only provides a pipeline to the Majors but continues the Minor Leagues’ tradition of entertaining millions of families in hundreds of communities. In modernizing our Minor League system, we prioritized the qualities that make the Minor Leagues such an integral part of our game while strengthening how we develop professional athletes on and off the field. We look forward to demonstrating the best of our game throughout local communities, supporting all those who are working hard to grow the sport, and sharing unrivaled technology and resources with minor league teams and players.”

As a part of MLB’s realignment, many Minor League affiliates will be in significantly closer geographic proximity to the Major League Clubs with which they are associated. On average, Major League Clubs will now be over 200 miles closer to their Triple-A affiliates. By creating better geographical synergy between a Major League Club and its affiliates, more fans will be able to watch an organization’s players progress in their careers from the Minor Leagues to the big leagues in their home region.

Each MLB Club will provide Minor League players and staffs to their four affiliates – one at each of the Triple-A, Double-A, High-A and Low-A levels. Minor League Clubs will receive PDL licenses from MLB that entitle them to operate in the Professional Development Leagues, ensuring a new set of standards in terms of facilities and player working conditions. The licenses will create many improvements to the experience and lifestyle of Minor League players, such as:

• Player salary increases ranging from 38-72% for the 2021 season.
• Modernized facility standards better suited for professional athletes.
• Improved amenities and working conditions for players and staff.
• Reduced in-season travel for players and coaches.
• Better geographical alignment.

This announcement follows other recent announcements made by Major League Baseball detailing elements of its new comprehensive player development system. The new system will better serve fans, players, and Clubs throughout the United States and Canada; preserve high-level, sustainable baseball in nearly every community where the game has historically been played; and position the sport for growth in future years. In combination, the integrated player development system now includes 179 teams across 17 leagues in 43 states and four provinces. Including the Arizona and Gulf Coast Leagues, there are 209 teams across 19 leagues in 44 states and four provinces.

More teams will be joining the broader MLB player development system and other baseball leagues in the coming weeks and months, further enhancing the landscape for fans to continue to cheer on future stars. MLB has nearly completed its work towards ensuring baseball’s presence in almost all of the previously affiliated communities.

CLOVIS -  CJ Albertson, cross country coach at Clovis Community College, has broken the 50 kilometers (31.07 miles) world record by one minute and eight seconds. Fighting the wind and rain on Sunday, November 8, 2020, at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Clovis, California, Albertson completed 125 laps in 2 hours, 42 minutes and 30.28 seconds.

Albertson ran in his first marathon two years ago, at the age of 25. In that Two Cities Fresno Marathon, he not only took first place, but he also qualified for the Olympic trials. It was that race that inspired Albertson to continue with the sport. “I qualified for the Olympic trials on my first marathon. I really enjoyed everything about the training and the race and after taking first, I thought I must be good at this,” said Albertson.

FRESNO -  The Bulldogs' long-awaited 2020 season opener was met with disappointment Saturday night as Fresno State fell 34-19 to Hawai'i at Bulldog Stadium. The Rainbow Warriors took advantage of four Bulldog turnovers with an offense that was primed to fire, racking up 552 yards. 

Fresno State's offense was not stagnant by any means. They registered 409 yards, but turnovers and drives cut short in the red zone that resulted in three points instead of six points were too much to overcome.