On Wednesday, the Philadelphia Phillies announced the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Reading Fightin Phils, Jersey Shore BlueClaws, and Clearwater Threshers will return as minor league affiliates as part of MLB’s new player development structure. The Phillies former Rookie A team, the Williamsport Crosscutters, are no longer affiliated with the team and will be part of the new MLB Draft League. This is all part of MLB’s restructuring of the minor league system.
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Reading Fightin Phils, Jersey Shore BlueClaws and Clearwater Threshers have been invited to become the Phillies' four affiliates in MLB’s new player development structure, beginning in 2021. pic.twitter.com/LkXjjy4FDe — Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) December 9, 2020
Phillies assistant general manager Bryan Minniti released a statement on bringing back these teams, saying, “We are happy to extend an invitation to these four affiliates who have each been a great partner to this organization for many years. We look forward to continuing our relationship with all four affiliates and their respective communities where we have such long-standing ties.”
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are the Triple-A affiliate and have been with the Phillies since 2007 when they were then known as the Ottawa Lynx before moving to Lehigh Valley in 2008. They are a member of the International League’s North Division. They have one league championship in 1995 as the Ottawa Lynx and two division titles in 1995 and 2018.
The Reading Fightin Phils are Double-A affiliate and have been a minor league affiliate of the Phillies since 1967, then known as the Reading Phillies. The Fightin Phils play in the Eastern League’s Eastern Division. They have won four league championships in 1968, 1973, 1995, and 2001 along with four division titles.
The Jersey Shore BlueClaws, formerly known as the Lakewood BlueClaws, is a High Class-A Advanced league, has been a minor league affiliate of the Phillies since 2001. They were a member of the South Atlantic League’s Northern Division. They are three-time league champions in 2006, 2009, and 2010 along with five divisional titles. In 2021, they will be part of a new league called the Mid-Atlantic League.
The Clearwater Threshers, formerly known as the Clearwater Phillies, have been an affiliate of the Phillies since 1985. They have won two league championships in 1993 and 2007 along with three divisional titles in 1991, 1996, and 2007. They are Lower-A league of the Florida State League’s Northern Division.
The Phillies are scheduled to open Spring Training on Saturday, February 27th, with the season, starting Thursday, April 1st, against the Atlanta Braves.
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