FRESNO, Calif. (D9Sports) – Clarion High graduate Jon Kemmer is enjoying a strong season for the Fresno Grizzlies, the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros.

(Photo courtesy of Houston Astros)

Thanks to a recent hot stretch, Kemmer is now batting .301 with 10 home runs, 11 doubles, two triples and 35 RBIs while slashing .301/.393/.546 for an OPS of .939.

In 15 games in June going into Tuesday night, Kemmer is hitting .408 with five home runs, three double, a triple and 15 RBIs. This was after a tough month of May that saw Kemmer hit .187 while striking out 27 times in 75 at-bats. But he was also strong in April with a .356 average.

“The difference for me the last few weeks has been my swing decisions and my approach,” Kemmer said. “I have been more selective with what pitches I want to swing at early and laying off the tough pitches late.

My approach is working well because if I’m looking away I’m not swinging and have been having success with it.”

The left-handed hitting Kemmer has been especially effective against left-handed pitching this year hitting .347 (17 of 49) with three homers, three doubles and 13 RBIs.

“I raised my zone uo and worked harder hitting the ball the other way,” Kemmer said about his success against left-handed pitching.

Fresno started a three-game homestand Tuesday against Albuquerque when it sent former Pirates starter Charlie Morton to the hill.

“Playing with Charlie has been great,” Kemmer said of a player he grew up watching with the Pirates. “He couldn’t be more helpful whether it’s in the weight room or just overall advice with the game. It was fun talking to him about Pittsburgh and how much he enjoyed the area and how much he liked Primanti Brothers.”