From a baseball nerd perspective, it was welcome news to me when I heard the Cincinnati Reds were swapping their advanced A-ball affiliate from the California League to the Florida State League. Bakersfield, as you’ll remember, housed the Blaze in Sam Lynn Ballpark, which featured an outfield fence so close to home plate that pop-ups would fly out as homers.
Jesse Winker clubbed 13 homers in just 63 Cal League games. Jeff Gelalich, who’s hit just 18 homers in his entire MiLB career, swatted 9 in just 61 career Cal League games - with the majority of those dingers coming in home games.