FARM REPORT: Grizzlies have PCL’s best record

Despite being the Pacific Coast League’s top team record wise at the moment, Fresno is in a tight race with the division rival Sacramento River Cats for the Pacific Southern title. The River Cats sit just 1.5 games back of the Grizz with a huge Memorial Day weekend series between the two clubs looming in the distance.

Who’s hot in Fresno:

2B-SS Nick Noonan: Sunday in Texas against Round Rock, Noonan went 4-for-5 with 8 RBIs, boosting his RBI total to 26, which is fourth best on the team. Two of his four hits were home runs, which were his first two dingers of the year.

  • Last 10 games: .317, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 5 doubles

RF Roger Kieschnick: With 11 HR, the 25-year old from Dallas, TX trails only Cubs’ slugging prospect Anthony Rizzo, who has 13.

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Gregor Blanco, and other surprising elements

Gregor Blanco has four steals in 33 games. (Harry How/Getty Images)

Amidst the “Melk Man” craze sweeping the aisles of AT&T Park is a smaller, lesser known craze. One that admires high on-base percentages and fleet-footedness.

It’s the White Shark craze. It’s Gregor Blanco: reigning Venezuelan Winter League MVP.

With Nate Schierholtz in the doghouse, Blanco has emerged as the everyday right-fielder, as well as the everyday leadoff man. The man that barely made the opening day roster is one of a few surprising elements on the current 25-man squad.

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OFF-DAY NOTES: Who to send back to Fresno

Crawford’s struggling bat is costing him playing time. (Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Because Guillermo Mota decided to take an illegal substance, or children’s cough syrup (I guess that’s what they’re calling it these days), the Giants needed to add someone to the 25-man roster to replace him. Aubrey Huff was ready to return to the squad, so he became the clear choice. But that left the Giants with only 11 pitchers, which brings us to the current conundrum: Which position player exits for a 12th pitcher?

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