NEW YORK: Major League Baseball announced on Friday a new plan for affiliated baseball, with 120 Minor League clubs officially agreeing to join the new Professional Development League (PDL).
In total, the integrated player development system now includes 179 teams across 17 leagues in 43 US states and four provinces. Including the AZL and GCL, there are 209 teams across 19 leagues in 44 states and four provinces. That includes the 150 teams in the PDL and AZL/GCL along with the four partner leagues: the American Association, Atlantic League, Frontier League and Pioneer League.
“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,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred 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.”
One of the key points in this realignment is the relocation of Triple-A affiliates closer to their Major League clubs. Those affiliates, on average, will be over 200 miles closer to their parent clubs, which will allow fans in the region more access to watching their MLB team’s prospects climb the organizational ladder.
There will be a new set of standards instituted throughout the entire PDL and the affiliates at the Triple-A, Double-A, High-A and Low-A levels. It starts with a salary increase for players throughout all four levels, ranging from 38 percent to 72 percent for the 2021 season. Facilities and player working conditions will also be upgraded and modernized to meet the needs of professional athletes and staff. There will be less in-season travel for players and coaches as well.
