Three more PDCs to announce: the Baltimore Orioles extended player development contracts with the Bowie Baysox (Class AA; Eastern League), Delmarva Shorebirds (Low Class A; Sally League) and Aberdeen IronBirds (short season A; NY-Penn League).
All three extensions were expected. The Bowie contract is through 2018, while the Delmarva and Aberdeen contracts are through 2016.
“We have been very pleased with our arrangements with these clubs over the years and look forward to continuing those relationships,” said Vice President of Baseball Operations Dan Duquette. “We have a unique situation with our affiliates being so close to Baltimore, and it is important to us to maintain good relationships in those areas and allow our fans an opportunity to see the Orioles’ stars of tomorrow in their own backyard.”
“We are very pleased to continue our long-standing relationship with the Orioles into our 20th anniversary season,” said Shorebirds General Manager Chris Bitters. “It’s been a fantastic partnership and an ideal situation for Shorebirds fans to follow the players from Delmarva all the way up to Baltimore over the years.”
The Shorebirds have been affiliated with the Baltimore Orioles since the 1997 season, the second-longest affiliation in the South Atlantic League. 61 former Shorebirds have gone on to debut for the Orioles in that span. The previous contract, signed in 2010, renewed the partnership for the last four years. During that time, top Orioles prospects Manny Machado, Dylan Bundy and Hunter Harvey played at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.
The current agreement ensures that the 20th year in Shorebirds history will be as an Orioles’ affiliate. By 2016, the Shorebirds will have partnered with Baltimore for 20 straight seasons. Delmarva spent one season, 1996, as an affiliate of the Montreal Expos before starting their long-standing relationships with the Orioles.
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