50 Days Until Gateway Grizzlies Opening Day/Starting Rotation

Hello all!

Only 50 days away until Gateway Grizzlies opening day.  Grizzlies sixth-year manager Phil Warren (photo courtesy of Paul Baillargeon/ActionImaging.com) has done an outstanding job getting the roster ready for the upcoming season.  As we near the start of April, it appears that very few changes will be made to the roster heading into spring training.  When spring training is completed, Warren will have the task of getting the roster trimmed to 22-24 players.

The Grizzlies skipper has put together a different type of Gateway team.  With the dimensions @ GCS Ballpark the way they are, the team has typically been built around a powerful offense, and in particular a lefty heavy offense with the short porch in right.  Phil has told me, he's building a team that can compete on the road this season, which means more gap hitters and also some speed.  Fans will see more speed than recent years and they will also see more 'small ball'..moving runners over, stealing bases, etc.  This team has a different feel and I'm all for this 'change' that Phil is implementing.  He wants balance on his team, not just hitting.

When looking at the roster, it's evident that experience is on the side of the pitchers.  Phil has brought in arms with experience at high levels.  He has a deep staff with numerous pitchers competing for just five spots in the starting rotation..that's a good thing.  In year's past, depth has been an issue in the starting rotation.  That shouldn't be the case this season.  Below is a list of the guys who appear to be competing for 5 spots in the rotation.

  *RHP Tim Brown (Experienced righty from St. Louis who has excelled in professional baseball)

Zach Robertson

  *LHP Zach Robertson (overpowering lefty who had flashes of dominance w/ RCY last season..one of my favorite arms in the Frontier League last season
  *RHP Alex Kaminsky (Indians organization product with a smooth delivery and success at every stop)

Erik Carillo

  *RHP Cale Johnson (Greenville native who threw at McKendree University and in the Cardinals organization..looking for a fresh start and some innings..GWY gives him that)
  *RHP Erik Carillo (Could also be used in the 'pen, but is a guy who Warren really wants in the rotation.  Outstanding 'stuff')
  *RHP Pat Arnold (Had Tommy John in '10 and threw limited innings in '11 in the Nationals organization..could be the wildcard in the rotation.  If healthy, he has top-notch talent)

Chris Enourato

  *RHP Chris Enourato (Was the Grizzlies closer in '11..Warren has said in the offseason he's going to see if Chris can start.  Either way, he's an outstanding righty who will be one of the biggest pieces of the pitching staff.)

Jordan Cudney

   
*RHP Jordan Cudney (started a game the final weekend last season and threw 6 one-hit innings..has a low 90's heater with a good breaking ball.  Has shown he can be dominant in the bullpen, but should get the chance to start) 

Ryan Juarez

  *RHP Ryan Juarez (won 4 starts in a row at one point during his rookie season..is on his game when he's spotting his pitches well.  Phil has always been high on Juarez, who is a bulldog on the hill.  Could have a big 'sophomore' season in the pro's)

That's a quick breakdown of the guys who appear to competing for a spot in the starting rotation.  Bottom line is:  pitching could be as good as ever in 2012 for the Gateway Grizzlies.  Can't wait to see it all unfold in spring training!

      -Voice of the Grizzlies, Adam Young

59 Days Until Opening Day/Grizzlies Sign Pat Arnold

The countdown continues @ GCS Ballpark..only 59 days until opening day for the Gateway Grizzlies.  On May 18th the Grizzlies will entertain the Joliet Slammers, the 2011 Frontier League champions.  With the weather warming up and college baseball in full swing, the anticipation is as high as it has been. 

Today the Grizzlies made it official with the signing of former Washington Nationals farmhand, Pat Arnold.  The right-hander from Huntington, W.V. is just 23-years-old, despite having five years of professional baseball experience.  He began his pro career straight out of high school in 2007 and was released by the Nationals in 2011.  Phil Warren is high on this young righty.  He had tommy john surgery after the 2010 season and is fully recovered and ready to go.  Arnold should pencil in nicely to the Grizzlies staff, either as a starter or reliever. 

I'm hoping to check back in the next week or so with a player interview.  I know the fans are looking for some thoughts from the guys they will be watching on the field in 2012. 

Until then, Go Grizzlies!

       -Voice of the Gateway Grizzlies, Adam Young

Grizzlies Sign Former Cardinals Farmhand

Great signing by Phil Warren and the Grizzlies this week as they bring in former St. Louis Cardinals farmhand, Antone DeJesus.  He's a big-time talent who will fit in well with the ballclub Warren is assembling. 

If you pay close attention to the Grizzlies facebook and twitter pages then I'm sure you've seen this outstanding video of DeJesus bringing back a home run via defense in Springfield during the 2010 season.  If you haven't seen the video, well then here you go, enjoy! 

Antone is 26 and fresh off an outstanding season in the North American Baseball League for a pair of teams.  He batted .343 and stole 24 bases.  With that said, DeJesus makes a huge impact defensively.  He is electric, an athlete and from what I've been told, a great teammate.  He was a 15th round pick of the Cardinals in 2007 after a great college career @ the University of Kentucky.  DeJesus played in the Birds system from '07-'10 and advanced to Double-A Springfield.  The Grizzlies are happy to have him and hopeful for an outstanding season.  The bottom line is Antone DeJesus makes this team better.  He brings veteran leadership and high-level experience in affiliated ball.  It's a great time to be a Grizzlies fan.

Below is the link to my interview with new Grizzlies Hitting Coach Mike Breyman from last week.  Always great to catch up with Mike, who has great insight on this year's team.  Enjoy!  Only 65 days until Opening Day!

   Adam Young Interviews Grizzlies Hitting Coach Mike Breyman

     -Voice of the Grizzlies, Adam Young

Grizzlies Juggle Coaching Staff: Breyman Back On The Staff

Hello all!  Opening day is only two months away for the Gateway Grizzlies and Manager Phil Warren (All photos courtesy of Paul Baillargeon/ActionImaging.com) has juggled his coaching staff.  Former Grizzlies bench coach Mike Breyman, who enjoyed a stellar playing career from 2004-2008 in a Gateway uniform, will be returning to serve as the team's hitting coach.  Meanwhile, Darin Kinsolving and Zach Borowiak will no longer be with the team on a full-time basis.  The two will help out when they can, but won't be with the team in a consistent capacity. 

First off, the hiring of Breyman is an outstanding move.  Breyman finished his playing career in 2008 and will forever be regarded as one the team's greatest hitters.  He was a fan favorite and big #33 sure could produce.  When his playing career was done, Breyman joined the Grizzlies coaching staff in 2009 as the bench coach.  After his one year stint as bench coach, he moved on to River City where he was the hitting coach in 2010 and 2011.  Now, Breyman returns to his roots. 

"I always knew that one day I'd be back in a Grizzlies uniform," Breyman told me earlier today. 

Simply put:  the players like Breyman.  He gets the most out of his hitters.  His philosophy is simple..

"I'm a comfort believer," Breyman said.  "I'm not mechanics only - I feel if you are comfortable mentally and physically and believe in what you are doing, then you can have success."

Welcome back, Mike Breyman.  The Grizzlies are happy to have him returning.

While the Grizzlies announced the return of Breyman, they have also announced the departure of both Kinsolving and Borowiak.  DK, as Kinsolving was often referred to, spent five seasons on Phil Warren's staff.  He has been the hitting coach since Phil started managing the team in '07.  They are very close.  Phil told me that DK is like a brother to him.  DK is leaving on his own terms.  He has another business adventure he is going into and can't devote the time he would like to the team.  He will be missed.

Borowiak spent just one year with Gateway as the team's bench and defense coach, but boy did he leave an impression.  Everyone raved about 'Bro's' work ethic and ability to teach young players.  Borowiak brought a great knowledge of the game and a positive attitude.  The player's loved working with him.  He will be missed as well.

Like I said, both Kinsolving and Borowiak will be around a little during spring training and the season.  They are still a part of the Grizzlies organization and I know are always welcome.

On a side note, I had the chance to sit down with Grizzlies sixth-year Manager Phil Warren yesterday and talk about the team.  My full audio interview with him can be accessed by clicking the link.  Enjoy!

         Adam Young Interview with Grizzlies Manager Phil Warren

Opening day is approaching.  I'll post some more player signings and have some more audio interviews for you to listen to in the coming weeks, including an interview that I'll be recording tomorrow with Breyman!  Go Grizzlies!

       -Voice of the Grizzlies, Adam Young