Modesto Nuts

Modesto Nuts Founded in 1946 Modesto, California
100px 100px Team logo Cap insignia
Class-level
Current	Class A – Advanced
Minor league affiliations
League	California League
Division	North Division
Major league affiliations
Current	Colorado Rockies (2005–present)
Previous	Oakland Athletics (1975–2004) St. Louis Cardinals (1967–1974) Kansas City Athletics (1966) Houston Colt .45s (1962–1964) New York Yankees (1954–1961) Milwaukee Braves (1953) Pittsburgh Pirates (1949–1952) St. Louis Browns (1948) Independent (1946–1947)
Minor league titles
League titles (8)	1950 1954 1959 1966 1972 1982 1984 2004
Division titles (2)	2004 2012
Team data
Nickname	Modesto Nuts (2005–present)
Previous names	Modesto A's (1975–2004) Modesto Reds (1966–1974) Modesto Colts (1962–1964) Modesto Reds (1914–1915, 1946–1961)
Ballpark	John Thurman Field
Owner(s)/ Operator(s)	Michael Savit
Manager	Fred Ocasio
General Manager	Michael Gorrasi

The Modesto Nuts are a minor league baseball team in Modesto, California, United States. They are a Class A – Advanced team in the California League and a farm team of the Colorado Rockies. The Modesto Nuts play home games at John Thurman Field. Opened in 1955 and renovated in 1997, the park seats over 5,000 fans (including standing room only). In March 2007, the City of Modesto installed a new video scoreboard and made improvements to the infield playing surface.

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). The new name was chosen to reflect the several types of nuts that are grown in the region.

In 2012 Greg Young was replaced by Alex Margulies who now does play-by-play for all home and away games, and Modesto Bee sports writer Brian VanderBeek does color commentary in the middle innings of most home games. The play-by-play position was formerly held by Joshua Suchon, who now works for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

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.

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."

The Modesto Nuts have three mascots: Al the Almond, Wally the Walnut and Shelley the Pistachio. These mascots make their presence seen not only at the park cheering on the Nuts, but in the community of Modesto as well.

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

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.

Current roster

Modesto Nuts roster
Players				Coaches/Other
Pitchers -- Yency Almonte 53 Alex Balog 11 Matt Carasiti 37 Trent Daniel 20 Kyle Freeland 34 Rayan Gonzalez 29 Zach Jemiola 31 Johendi Jiminian 23 Troy Neiman 43 Jacob Newberry 22 Matt Pierpont 16 Craig Schlitter 12 John Sheehan 48 Konner Wade		Catchers  6 Ashley Graeter  3 Wilfredo Rodriguez  8 Troy Stein Infielders 21 Michael Benjamin 13 Emerson Jimenez  5 Ryan McMahon 35 Correlle Prime Outfielders 19 Wilson Soriano 24 Dillon Thomas 10 Drew Weeks		Manager 28 Fred Ocasio Coaches 27 Brandon Emanuel (pitching) -- Vacant (hitting) 10px 7-day disabled list * On Colorado Rockies 40-man roster # Rehab assignment ∞ Reserve list ‡ Restricted list § Suspended list † Temporary inactive list Roster updated December 26, 2015 Transactions → More MiLB rosters → Colorado Rockies minor league players

External links

• Modesto Nuts Official Site
• Bushleague.tv