Chattanooga Lookouts and the Cincinnati Reds Announce Two-Year Player Development Agreement
The Chattanooga Lookouts are pleased to announce that the organization has signed a two-year player development contract with the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds have a long and storied history in Chattanooga that includes winning a Southern League Title in 1988. The two teams previously had a 21-year affiliation spanning from
The Chattanooga Lookouts are pleased to announce that the organization has signed a two-year player development contract with the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds have a long and storied history in Chattanooga that includes winning a Southern League Title in 1988. The two teams previously had a 21-year affiliation spanning from 1988-2008.
For Immediate Release
September 25, 2018
Contact: Daniel Kopf - Media Relations Manager
E-Mail: [email protected]
Phone: 423-267-2208
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - The Chattanooga Lookouts are pleased to announce that the organization has signed a two-year player development contract with the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds have a long and storied history in Chattanooga that includes winning a Southern League Title in 1988. The two teams previously had a 21-year affiliation spanning from 1988-2008.
"The Reds are thrilled to be returning to the city of Chattanooga and forming a new partnership with the Lookouts, both on and off the field," said Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations Dick Williams. "We are excited to be working with Jason Freier and his partners, the Lookouts' front office, and, most importantly, the fans and the Chattanooga community at large. During our previous stint as partners, we witnessed firsthand that the city of Chattanooga and the Lookouts franchise combine to provide a great springboard to the Major Leagues and we are looking forward to enjoying similar success with a new generation of players and fans."
The previous affiliation between the two teams saw numerous top prospects come to Chattanooga. Prominent Reds players to play in Chattanooga include MLB Hall-of-Famer Trevor Hoffman, NFL Hall-of-Famer Deion Sanders, 2010 NL MVP Joey Votto, New York Yankees Manager Aaron Boone, MLB All Stars
"We are thrilled to have the Reds back in Chattanooga," said Lookouts Owner Jason Freier. "It's exciting to be reunited with baseball's original franchise. The proximity of our cities is a great benefit of our partnership. Reds games are broadcast into the Chattanooga market and Cincinnati is just a drive away, so our fans will be able to follow their Lookouts up to the big leagues."
The Reds currently boast one of the top Minor League Farm Systems in baseball. According to MLB.com the Reds have the 7th best farm system in all of baseball and are the only system that has three of the game's top 20 prospects. The highest ranked player is former Tennessee Volunteer
"The development of homegrown talent will always be at the core of what the Cincinnati Reds do, and Double-A is such an important step in that development process," said Cincinnati Reds Vice President of Player Development Shawn Pender. "We are thrilled that our players will get to take that step in a place like Chattanooga, and are confident that they will represent the city and the franchise well."
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About the Chattanooga Lookouts
The Chattanooga Lookouts, a founding member of the Southern League in 1885, are the 2015 & 2017 Southern League Champions and the Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The Lookouts play their home games at AT&T Field, located on Hawk Hill in downtown Chattanooga. For more information, keep up with the Lookouts year-round at www.lookouts.com, or by following us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/Chattanooga Lookouts), Twitter (@ChattLookouts) and Instagram (@ChattLookouts).