Modesto Nuts

The Modesto Nuts are a Minor League Baseball team of the California League and the Low Single-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. They are located in Modesto, California, and are named for the several types of nuts grown in the region. They play their home games at John Thurman Field, which opened in 1955.

Modesto Nuts
Founded in 1946
Modesto, California
Team logoCap insignia
Minor league affiliations
ClassLow Single-A (from 2021)
Previous classes
LeagueCalifornia League (1946–1964, 1966–present)
DivisionNorth Division
Major league affiliations
TeamSeattle Mariners (2017–present)
Previous teams
Minor league titles
League titles (9)
  • 1950
  • 1954
  • 1959
  • 1966
  • 1972
  • 1982
  • 1984
  • 2004
  • 2017
Division titles (3)
  • 2004
  • 2012
  • 2017
Team data
NameModesto Nuts (2005–present)
Previous names
  • Modesto A's (1975–2004)
  • Modesto Reds (1966–1974)
  • Modesto Colts (1962–1964)
  • Modesto Reds (1946–1961)
MascotsAl The Almond, Wally The Walnut, Shelley The Pistachio
BallparkJohn Thurman Field
Owner(s)/
Operator(s)
Seattle Mariners/HWS Baseball IV, LLC
General ManagerZach Brockman
ManagerDenny Hocking

The Nuts adopted their current name in 2005 after the team's affiliation with the Oakland Athletics ended. Before then, the team was known as the Modesto Athletics (or A's) from 1975 to 2004. The club was also known as the Modesto Reds (1966–1974 and 1946–1961) and Modesto Colts (1962–1964).

History

On June 2, 2006, manager Chad Kreuter resigned to become the head baseball coach of the University of Southern California. Kreuter replaced his father-in-law, Mike Gillespie. As of 2012, the club is managed by Lenn Sakata who replaced the winningest coach in Modesto Nuts history Jerry Weinstein who was promoted to the Colorado Rockies at the conclusion of the 2011 season.[1]

In spring 2008, the team was the subject of Bush League TV's short internet video "Bush League 101: How to Bush League a Bush League Baseball Team."

On June 21, 2011, the Modesto Nuts hosted the 2011 California/Carolina All Star Smash.[2]

In 2012, Greg Young was replaced by Alex Margulies who did play-by-play for all home and away games from 2012–2013, and Modesto Bee sports writer Brian VanderBeek did color commentary in the middle innings of most home games. Keaton Gillogly has been doing play-by-play since 2014. The play-by-play position was formerly held by Joshua Suchon, who now works for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

On September 1, 2012, Modesto Nuts 1st Basemen Jared Clark hit his 24th Home Run of the season against the San Jose Giants making him the Modesto Nuts single season Home Run leader passing former Nuts outfielder Kent Matthes, who in 2011 set the old record with 23 Home Runs in the season.

As of 2011, the Modesto Nuts have set their attendance record for five straight seasons and have been honored as Back to Back California League Organization of the Year for 2010 and 2011.

Following the 2016 season, the Seattle Mariners purchased a majority share of the Nuts, and the teams entered into a player development contract making Modesto a Mariners affiliate. HWS Baseball IV, LLC, continues to see to the team's day-to-day operations.[3]

The Nuts won the California League championship for 2017, sweeping both the Division Series and the League Series and winning nine games in a row dating back to the last three games of the regular season.[4] This was the Nuts' ninth league title and the first as part of the Mariners organization.

Beginning with the 2021 season, the California League will be reconfigured as a Low Single-A circuit,[5] and Modesto will continue at that level as a Mariners affiliate.[6]

Mascots

The Modesto Nuts have three mascots: Al the Almond, Wally the Walnut and Shelley the Pistachio.

Roster
Modesto Nuts roster
Players Coaches/Other

Pitchers

  • 37 Dayeison Arias
  • 21 Clay Chandler
  • 28 Nick Duron
  • 44 David Ellingson
  • -- Kyle Hill
  • 22 Raymond Kerr
  • 27 Collin Kober
  • -- Michael Koval
  • 20 Steven Moyers
  • 17 Penn Murfee
  • 41 J.T. Salter
  • -- Michael Stryffeler
  • -- Devin Sweet
  • 35 Matthew Willrodt

Catchers

  • 12 Jake Anchia
  • 48 David Sheaffer

Infielders

  • 25 Johnny Adams
  •  4 Jose Caballero
  •  7 Connor Kopach
  •  6 Joe Rizzo
  •  2 Joseph Rosa
  • 32 Jake Scheiner

Outfielders

Manager

Coaches


7-day injured list
* On Seattle Mariners 40-man roster
# Rehab assignment
∞ Reserve list
‡ Restricted list
§ Suspended list
† Temporary inactive list
Roster updated February 8, 2020
 Transactions
→ More rosters: MiLB • California League
 → Seattle Mariners minor league players

Notable alumni

Baseball Hall of Fame alumni

Notable alumni

References
  1. "Nuts Announce 2010 Coaching Staff." Modesto Nuts. January 7, 2010. Retrieved on February 18, 2010.
  2. "Nuts to host All-Star Game in 2011" MiLB.com. January 8, 2011. Retrieved on August 28, 2012.
  3. Divish, Ryan. "Mariners purchase Modesto Nuts of Class A Cal League, sign 4-year player development contract." Seattle Times. September 20, 2016. Retrieved on September 21, 2016.
  4. Cortez, Joe. "Modesto Nuts sweep way to California League pennant" Modesto Bee. September 16, 2017. Retrieved on October 4, 2017.
  5. Reichard, Kevin. "Affiliate Dance 2020". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  6. Cooper, J.J. (November 19, 2020). "2021 Minor League Affiliation Chart". Baseball America. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
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