SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake Bees have accepted Major League Baseball’s invitation to become a Professional Development League (PDL) license holder, the team announced Friday.
The 10-year agreement will keep the Bees as the Los Angeles Angels Triple-A affiliate through the 2030 season.
“It is an honor to continue as the Triple-A affiliate of the Angels and we are excited to watch the next wave of future Angels stars come through Salt Lake,” said Bees President Marc Amicone. “We can’t wait for the 2021 season to start and look forward to working with Major League Baseball under this new agreement to continue to provide fans a fun, affordable, family experience at Smith’s Ballpark.”
READ: Salt Lake Bees to remain Triple-A affiliate of Los Angeles Angels
Salt Lake has been the top affiliate of the Angels since the 2001 season. During the 20-year affiliation players like Mike Trout, Griffin Canning, David Fletcher, Jered Weaver, Howie Kendrick, Chone Figgins, and Francisco Rodriguez showcased their talents at Smith’s Ballpark before going onto stardom with the Angels.
READ: Top Angels prospect called up to Salt Lake Bees
“We are excited to continue our partnership with the Salt Lake Bees organization and extend the longest-running affiliate relationship in Angels history,” said Angels General Manager Perry Minasian. “We are proud that the next generation of Angels stars will continue to call Smith’s Ballpark and Salt Lake City home for years to come.”
Salt Lake will compete in the West Division of the new 10-team Triple-A West League:
- Las Vegas Aviators (Oakland A’s affiliate)
- Reno Aces (Arizona Diamondbacks)
- Sacramento River Cats (San Francisco Giants)
- Tacoma Rainiers (Seattle Mariners)
- Salt Lake Bees (Los Angeles Angels)
The East Division will consist of the:
- Albuquerque Isotopes (Colorado Rockies)
- El Paso Chihuahuas (San Diego Padres)
- Oklahoma City Dodgers (Los Angeles Dodgers)
- Round Rock Express (Texas Rangers)
- Sugarland Skeeters (Houston Astros)
Each MLB Club will provide Minor League players and staffs to four affiliates, one at each of the Triple-A, Double-A, High-A and Low-A levels. The Bees will join the Rocket City Trash Pandas (Double-A), Tri-City Dust Devils (High-A) and Inland Empire 66ers (Low-A) in the Angels organization.
“We are excited to unveil this new model, which not only provides a pipeline to the Majors, but continues the Minor Leagues’ tradition of entertaining millions of families in hundreds of communities,” Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr. said. “In modernizing our Minor League system, we prioritized the qualities that make the Minor Leagues such an integral part of our game while strengthening how we develop professional athletes on and off the field. We look forward to demonstrating the best of our game throughout local communities, supporting all those who are working hard to grow the sport, and sharing unrivaled technology and resources with minor league teams and players.”
Additional information about the upcoming Bees 2021 season, including a schedule, coaching staff, roster and ticket information will be announced in the near future.
