MLB Announces New Modernized Player Development System

On Feb. 11, the Fort Wayne TinCaps officially announced the franchise's promotion to High-A, where the team remains an affiliate of the San Diego Padres. (Fort Wayne previously played at the Low-A level since 1993.)

On Feb. 12, Major League Baseball announced that all 120 Minor League Clubs offered an invitation to become Professional Development League (“PDL”) license holders have officially agreed to accept. These teams, selected as partners by Major League Clubs and being announced in full today, will provide both facilities and communities that are essential to the development of the next generation of big league stars.

Click here to see the full list of leagues and teams, including the TinCaps, who are part of the 12-team High-A Central.

High-A Central

East Division
Dayton Dragons (Reds)
Fort Wayne TinCaps (Padres)
Great Lakes Loons (Dodgers)
Lake County Captains (Indians)
Lansing Lugnuts (A’s)*
West Michigan Whitecaps (Tigers)

West Division
Beloit Snappers (Marlins)*
Cedar Rapids Kernels (Twins)
Peoria Chiefs (Cardinals)
Quad Cities River Bandits (Royals)*
South Bend Cubs (Cubs)**
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers)

Note: The Bowling Green Hot Rods (High-A East), Burlington Bees (Prospect League), Clinton LumberKings (Prospect League), and Kane County Cougars (American Association) were previously in the 16-team Midwest League with the TinCaps.

*New affiliation for 2021

**Transitioned from East Division

The following was also released by Major League Baseball:

Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr. said: “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. 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.”

As a part of MLB’s realignment, many Minor League affiliates will be in significantly closer geographic proximity to the Major League Clubs with which they are associated. On average, Major League Clubs will now be over 200 miles closer to their Triple-A affiliates. By creating better geographical synergy between a Major League Club and its affiliates, more fans will be able to watch an organization’s players progress in their careers from the Minor Leagues to the big leagues in their home region.

Each MLB Club will provide Minor League players and staffs to their four affiliates – one at each of the Triple-A, Double-A, High-A and Low-A levels. Minor League Clubs will receive PDL licenses from MLB that entitle them to operate in the Professional Development Leagues, ensuring a new set of standards in terms of facilities and player working conditions. The licenses will create many improvements to the experience and lifestyle of Minor League players, such as:

-Player salary increases ranging from 38-72% for the 2021 season.
-Modernized facility standards better suited for professional athletes.
-Improved amenities and working conditions for players and staff.
-Reduced in-season travel for players and coaches.
-Better geographical alignment.

This announcement follows other recent announcements made by Major League Baseball detailing elements of its new comprehensive player development system. The new system will better serve fans, players and Clubs throughout the United States and Canada; preserve high-level, sustainable baseball in nearly every community where the game has historically been played; and position the sport for growth in future years. In combination, the integrated player development system now includes 179 teams across 17 leagues in 43 states and four provinces. Including the Arizona and Gulf Coast Leagues, there are 209 teams across 19 leagues in 44 states and four provinces.

More teams will be joining the broader MLB player development system and other baseball leagues in the coming weeks and months, further enhancing the landscape for fans to continue to cheer on future stars. MLB has nearly completed its work towards ensuring baseball’s presence in almost all of the previous affiliated communities.