Modesto Nuts

The Modesto Nuts are a Minor League Baseball team of the California League and the 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 Central Valley. They play their home games at John Thurman Field, which opened in 1955.

Modesto Nuts
Team logo Cap insignia
Minor league affiliations
ClassSingle-A (2022–present)
Previous classes
LeagueCalifornia League (2022–present)
DivisionNorth Division
Previous leagues
Major league affiliations
TeamSeattle Mariners (2017–present)
Previous teams
Minor league titles
League titles (10)
  • 1950
  • 1954
  • 1959
  • 1966
  • 1972
  • 1982
  • 1984
  • 2004
  • 2017
  • 2023
Division titles (4)
  • 2004
  • 2012
  • 2017
  • 2023
Second-half titles (1)
  • 2023
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
General managerVeronica Hernandez
ManagerZach Vincej

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 continued as a Mariners affiliate at the Low-A classification.[5] In 2022, the Low-A West became known as the California League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization, and was reclassified as a Single-A circuit.[6]

On May 11, 2022, the Seattle Mariners named Veronica Hernandez as general manager, the first female GM in team history. Additionally, Hernandez is the first Latina GM in minor league baseball history

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

  • 46 Darren Bowen
  • 20 Juan Burgos
  • 31 Tyler Cleveland
  • 36 Riley Davis
  • 38 Natanael Garabitos
  • 32 Brandyn Garcia
  • -- Tyler Gough
  • 13 Chris Jefferson
  • 25 Holden Laws
  •  9 Michael Morales
  • 40 Shaddon Peavyhouse
  • 16 Brayan Perez
  • 17 Marcelo Perez
  • 37 Stefan Raeth
  • 33 Gabriel Sosa
  • 43 Yeury Tatiz
  • 32 Troy Taylor
  • -- Anthony Tomczak
  • 45 Blake Townsend

Catchers

  • 48 Freuddy Batista
  • 10 Tatem Levins

Infielders

  • 22 Johnny Adams ~
  • 14 Michael Arroyo
  • 19 Josh Hood
  • 12 Gabe Moncada
  •  5 Milkar Perez
  •  8 Brock Rodden
  • 44 Luis Suisbel
  •  6 Ben Williamson

Outfielders

  • -- Trey Griffey ‡
  • 15 Bill Knight
  • 46 Lazaro Montes
  •  3 Miguel Perez
  •  4 RJ Schreck
  • 21 Jared Sundstrom
  • 23 Curtis Washington Jr. ~

Manager

Coaches

  • 44 Seth Mejias-Brean (hitting)
  • 53 Hecmart Nieves (third base)
  • 41 Jake Witt (pitching)
  • 22 Johnny Adams (coach)

60-day injured list

  • -- Jose Geraldo
  • -- Michael Limoncelli

7-day injured list
* On Seattle Mariners 40-man roster
~ Development list
# Rehab assignment
∞ Reserve list
‡ Restricted list
§ Suspended list
† Temporarily inactive list
Roster updated August 18, 2023
 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. Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  6. "Historical League Names to Return in 2022". Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
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