After a second consecutive frustrating loss in the playoffs, the 2024 Grizzlies are on a “Championship or Bust” mission.

The aging championship core of Aaron Stella, Brad Backowies, Nate Butcher, Drew Robinson, Ryan Glynn and Jim Rooney are back for another run. Though still capable of slugging this team to the playoffs, their aching backs, arms, hips, and legs need a youth movement to push the squad to the next level.

The Grizz will be reliant on returning all-stars Jon Hoying, Kevin DeMaria, Justin Renik, and Santiago Pena to do most of the heavy lifting this year. DeMaria and Hoying are more than capable of setting the table atop the lineup and wreaking havoc on the basepaths. Pena, Stella, and Renik are poised to clear that table in the middle of the lineup.

To bolster the lineup and the defense, the Grizzlies have added do-it-all youngster David Nelson to the roster. Nelson is a catcher by trade, but will likely handle the hot corner, while Transfer Portal addition Donny Cote will man first base and solidify a deep bullpen, along with Backowies, and returning slugger/reliever Tim Mainella, Esquire.

Renik will be the teams’ 3rd starter this year after continued improvement on the bump in the 2023 season and into the fall league. Renik will be joined by returning starters Jake Chamblee and Jeff Bouchard to give their manager three solid options to start games. After surprising the entire team, and the Cardinals in the first round of the playoffs last year by throwing gas in a mop-up relief appearance, it seems outfielder Jason Schneider will also be the Grizzlies’ new closer in 2024. Reliever Jordan Turcott and slugger Dave Giarusso joined the Grizz late in 2023 and will return in 24 (if Dave’s wife allows him) to add absurd depth to an already deep roster.

Ben Stratz is also playing again.

In an effort to reclaim some of the magic from the 2021 Championship run, the Grizzlies will be returning to beautiful Sullivan Park at St. Anselm College again in 2024. When all is said and done, the Grizzlies fully expect to be in the conversation again as one of the championship contenders.