Modesto Nuts

The Modesto Nuts are a Minor League Baseball team, aligned in the Low-A West North Division as an 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 logo Cap insignia
Minor league affiliations
ClassLow-A (2021–present)
Previous classes
LeagueLow-A West (2021–present)
DivisionNorth Division
Previous leagues
California League (1946–1964, 1966–2020)
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
ManagerEric Farris

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.

In conjunction with Major League Baseball's restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Nuts were organized into the Low-A West where they will continue as a Mariners affiliate at the Low-A classification.[5]

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

  • -- Ty Adcock
  • 39 Elvis Alvarado
  • 38 Jorge Benitez
  • 33 Sam Carlson
  •  9 Luis Curvelo
  • 31 Josias De Los Santos
  • 17 William Fleming
  • 35 Leon Hunter
  • 12 Jimmy Kingsbury
  • 15 Adam Macko
  • -- Matt Martin
  • 28 Juan Mercedes
  • 43 Andrew Moore
  • 19 Kelvin Nunez
  • 32 Brayan Perez
  • 16 Connor Phillips
  • -- Logan Rinehart
  • 10 Max Roberts
  •  6 Matthew Willrodt
  • 36 Robert Winslow

Catchers

  • 91 Freuddy Batista
  • 48 Ty Duvall
  • 21 Eric Jones

Infielders

  •  3 Cesar Izturis Jr.
  •  4 Noelvi Marte
  • 20 James Parker
  • 37 Robert Perez
  • -- Juan Querecuto
  • 25 Brett Rodriguez

Outfielders

  • 30 Colin Davis
  • 44 Spencer Packard
  • 45 Alberto Rodriguez
  • 27 Trent Tingelstad

Manager

  •  5 Eric Farris

Coaches

  • 53 Nathan Bannister (pitching)
  •  7 Rob Benjamin (hitting)
  •  8 Geoff Jimenez (coach)
  • 22 Mike Ahmed (coach)


7-day injured list
* On Seattle Mariners 40-man roster
~ Development list
# Rehab assignment
∞ Reserve list
‡ Restricted list
§ Suspended list
± Taxi squad
† Temporarily inactive list
Roster updated November 27, 2021
 Transactions
→ More rosters: MiLB • Low-A West
 → 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. Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
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