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Kannapolis, White Sox extend PDC

Kannapolis Intimidators logoThe Kannapolis Intimidators (Low Class A; Sally League) have extended their player development contract with the Chicago White Sox and will remain their Single-A affiliate through at least the 2014 season. The White Sox and Intimidators have been together since the 2001 season when the affiliation switched from the Philadelphia Phillies.

“We are so excited to extend our player development contract with the White Sox,” Intimidators General Manager Randy Long said. “The White Sox have been such a tremendous organization to work with and have sent a great deal of talented baseball players to Kannapolis. I look forward to our future with them.”

Since 2001, fans of the Intimidators have seen first round picks like Jared Mitchell, Josh Phegley and the 2009 Sporting News American League Rookie of the Year Gordon Beckham play in Kannapolis as well as AL All-Star Carols Quentin and Cy Young Award winner Bartolo Colon. Additionally, entering the 2010 season, 29 players that have played for the Intimidators have made it to the Major Leagues, with many more on their way. The Intimidators won the South Atlantic League Championship in 2005 and had the league’s best overall record in 2009.

“We are very pleased to back in Kannapolis for at least another four years and hopefully longer,” Director of Player Development Buddy Bell said. “The signing of this new Player Development Contract was inevitable, considering our great relationship with Brad Smith and the entire Intimidators organization. We are looking forward to the next four years and are hopeful that in that time we can bring another Sally League Championship to Kannapolis.”

The Intimidators are one of six United States based minor league affiliates of the White Sox. The team has affiliates in Winston-Salem, NC (High-A) and in Fort Mills, SC (Triple-A). The Intimidators are roughly at the mid-point of those two teams, making their location ideal for the White Sox. The other affiliates are in Great Falls, MT (Short Season), Bristol, TN (Short Season) and Birmingham, AL (Double-A).

We’re not quite there yet, but this fall is when many MLB/MiLB teams decide to renew their PDCs or move on. Technically, there are no talks going on unless an extension is being discussed — but we’re guessing a few surprises will come down the pike at the end of the season. Here’s a look at the current affiliate status.

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