Fresno Grizzlies to go from Triple-A to Class-A? Here are pros, cons of possibility
Are the Fresno Grizzlies in danger of getting demoted?
That’s perhaps the greatest concern that Fresno’s professional baseball franchise might face as Major League baseball and Minor League Baseball negotiate a new Professional Baseball Agreement.
Among the scenarios reportedly on the table is reducing the number of affiliated minor league franchises from 160 to 120 and reclassifying certain franchises to make the leagues more geographically compact. MLB clubs reportedly want a tighter geographic net of affiliates, too.
The Grizzlies have operated as a Triple-A franchise since professional baseball returned to Fresno in 1998.
Their future existence doesn’t appear to be in question, since their home Chukchansi Park gets high marks.
Demotion scenario
But the Grizzlies have been a bit of a Pacific Coast League orphan since their original parent club, the San Francisco Giants (1998-2014), split for Sacramento. Fresno spent four years as the Houston Astros’ top affiliate (2015-2018), and is ready to start its second season with the Washington Nationals (2019-present).
Fresno’s big drawback appears to be travel: a limited number of direct flights to PCL destinations.
Baseball America reported that talks have included reducing the PCL from 16 to 10 teams.
In addition, the Class-A California League that includes the Visalia Rawhide is considered safe.
That combination could make the Grizzlies a candidate to be dropped from Triple-A to Class-A.
Arguments to stay Triple-A
The Grizzlies have a case for why they should remain in Triple-A — so much so that a source within the organization said the franchise is not evaluating the possibility of having to play at a lower level.
Chukchansi Park, the downtown ballpark that opened in 2002, is considered one of the better venues in Triple-A both from a fan standpoint and player/coaches point of view.
In addition, the Grizzlies have spent more than $4 million in upgrading Chukchansi Park since new ownership (Fresno Sports and Events) took over in spring 2018.
The Grizzlies have additional money for further improvements should certain ballpark standards be required under the new PBA, a source close to the Fresno franchise said.
When it comes to attendance, the Grizzlies have been middle of the pack in the PCL over the past 10 years while ranking from sixth to 10th in the 16-team league.
And perhaps most impressive on the Grizzlies’ resume is this: Fresno has served as the grooming grounds of World Series-champion teams five of the past 10 years, including 2019 when the Nationals beat the Astros.
The Grizzlies were 2015 Triple-A champions, as well.
Will that be enough to avoid demotion?
Grizzlies team president Derek Franks directed questions regarding PBA discussions to Jeff Lantz, senior director of communications for Minor League Baseball.
After reports surfaced Wednesday that Minor League Baseball was prepared to accept Major League Baseball’s demands to cut 40 clubs, MiLB sent out a statement that the negotiations were ongoing.
The Boston Globe, citing an unnamed source, said that reduction was not discussed in detail during a teleconference that instead focused on MLB’s restructuring scenarios.
A message left with PCL president Branch Rickey was not immediately returned.
This story was originally published April 25, 2020 at 9:39 AM.
