The Lake County Captains (Low A; Midwest League) will continue their affiliation with the Cleveland Indians, as the two sides have agreed to a player development contract (PDC) extension. With this two-year agreement, the Captains will remain paired with the Indians through at least 2018.
The Lake County franchise has been affiliated with the Indians since 1991, when the club was located in Columbus, Georgia. The franchise was known as the Columbus Indians in 1991, the Columbus Red Stixx from 1992 through 2002 and moved to Eastlake to become the Captains in 2003.
“The Captains are excited and proud to extend our Player Development Agreement with the Cleveland Indians. Everyone we work with at the Indians from the front office to the field staff are outstanding and everyone is working toward the same common goal of prepping the players both on and off the field for life in the big leagues. We take great pride in our role of providing an environment, ballpark and playing field that will help the players reach their full potential as members of the Cleveland Indians organization.
61 former Lake County players have gone on to play at the Major League level, including 11 current Indians that include Cody Allen, Josh Tomlin, Jose Ramirez, Danny Salazar and Francisco Lindor.
“We’re pleased to be extending our relationship with the Captains and the city of Eastlake” said Carter Hawkins, Director of Player Development for the Indians. “With the support this partnership has provided, our players and staff continue to thrive, and a steady stream of former Captains have become contributors to our Major League team. We look forward to the continuation of this mutually beneficial affiliation.”
Lake County has reached the post-season in five of the seasons that the franchise has called Eastlake home. The Captains won its lone championship in 2010 when it captured the Midwest League crown in its first season since transferring from the South Atlantic League following the 2009 campaign.
Here’s a look at the current affiliate status in Minor League Baseball.