Sluggers Jose Rosario (11) and Jackson Pritchard (9) are expected to be prominent figures in the Gateway Grizzlies’ starting lineup in 2022. (Photo: Nathan Assata)

by Cedric Williams
Senior Editor

The Gateway Grizzlies made their final cuts and roster moves of the 2022 preseason Tuesday morning, and are now ready for the first game of the 2022 Frontier League regular season, which will be played Friday, May 13, at GCS Credit Union Ballpark in Sauget, Ill.

The Grizzlies announced they had cut pitcher Anthony Arias, who the team had signed last month, after drafting him No. 1 overall in the 2022 Frontier League Draft. Arias, who played at California State and Campbellsville in college and for the Evansville Otters last season, pitched in two of Gateway’s preseason games, and even got the win in one of them.

But when the final cuts had to be made, it was determined that Arias was the player the Grizzlies would be letting go.

The final position player released was rookie catcher Bryan Gonzalez. A former Los Angeles Dodgers draft pick, Gonzalez was one of five catchers the Grizzlies had in camp during spring training.

Manager Steve Brook expressed being “impressed” by each of them. Unfortunately though, Gateway couldn’t keep them all, and Gonzalez was let go.

The other move the Grizzlies made on Tuesday, was to send pitcher Justin Ferrell to the 14-day injury list. The 6-foot-7, 225-pound righthander, is entering his first season with Gateway, after being a member of the Southern Illinois Miners last season.

Ferrell missed almost all of 2021 due to injury, after playing six seasons in the Houston Astros organization previously. He was drafted by the Astros in 2014, and made it as high as Triple-A Round Rock in 2019, where he mostly worked as a reliever and struck out 31 batters in 36 2/3 innings.

The Grizzlies opening day roster will include two catchers, three outfielders, seven infielders, and a 13-man pitching staff (including Ferrell). Veteran righthander Brendan Feldmann is expected to start for Gateway, which will host the Empire State Greys in the season opener.

First pitch on Friday, is scheduled for 6:45 p.m., with a special fireworks show planned for immediately after the game.

Image courtesy: Gateway Grizzlies