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April 10, 2023
Raiders Open First Week With Momentum, Make Early Adjustments
The first week of the San Jose Raiders’ inaugural season has come to a close, and after a rocky Opening Day loss, the team has more than made up for it.
San Jose finished the three-game series against the Kansas City Wheat Kings with two wins and then swept the Philadelphia Freedom in a three-game set. The highlight of the week came yesterday in a marathon 16-inning game that lasted 5 hours and 48 minutes, with the Raiders edging the Freedom 1–0.
The result leaves the Raiders at 5–1, and early indications are that the team is coming together nicely.
Hitting: Outfield Leads the Way
Offensively, the outfield has been the story. Joey Watts has been sensational, hitting .500 over the first week, adding one home run, seven RBIs, and four runs scored. Dave Jones and Carlos Olivarri have also contributed strongly, giving the Raiders confidence that the outfield could be a key to early-season success.
At the other end of the diamond, Elimilton Janeiro has struggled at first base, hitting just .214. Manager John Bernklau is giving him time to adjust, emphasizing development and patience.
Pitching: Baca Leads, Adjustments Made
On the mound, Willie Baca has been the standout performer. Despite holding an 0–1 record due to the Opening Day loss, Baca has been “lights out,” posting an ERA of 0.64 over the week, highlighted by his seven strong innings in yesterday’s marathon win.
The rest of the rotation has been less consistent, prompting early changes:
Angel Panuco and Bo Sun moved from the rotation to the bullpen
Luis Hernandez and Joe Olsen recalled from Las Vegas to join the starting rotation
Two relief pitchers sent to Las Vegas
17-year-old catcher Glenn Rozzell recalled to serve as backup to Danny Seavey
These moves reflect a willingness to adapt and ensure the roster is balanced for both short-term success and long-term development.
Interview: John Bernklau, Manager
Q: How do you feel about the team’s start to the season?
Bernklau:
“I’m very pleased. Five wins and one loss is more than we could have hoped for this early, especially as a brand-new team. The guys are showing competitiveness and resilience, and you can see the effort translating on the field.”
Q: The front office has made some changes to the rotation and bullpen after just a week. What’s your take on that?
Bernklau:
“I think the moves make sense. We’ve seen where guys are performing, and the adjustments give us the best chance to compete while keeping players developing properly. It’s still early, but being proactive now puts us in a better position down the line.”
Q: What’s your perspective on the performance of the batting lineup so far?
Bernklau:
“Our outfield is clearly a strength right now, with Watts, Jones, and Olivarri providing both power and consistency. Elimilton’s struggling, but that’s why spring and early season is important—to find rhythm and make adjustments. Overall, I’m happy with what we’ve seen.”
Q: Any particular players you feel have stood out beyond the obvious stats?
Bernklau:
“Willie Baca has been outstanding. He’s kept us in games where we might otherwise have struggled. And the younger guys, like Joey Watts, are really showing they can handle this level. That combination of veteran presence and youthful energy is exactly what we want.”
Q: Are you confident these changes will help the team moving forward?
Bernklau:
“Absolutely. Baseball is a long season. The earlier we get the right guys in the right roles, the better off we’ll be. These adjustments aren’t reactions—they’re strategic steps for the season ahead.”
The Raiders’ first week has shown promise, resilience, and a willingness to adjust quickly. If the team can maintain focus and continue to grow, the early results may be a sign of something special taking shape in San Jose.
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