The Clinton LumberKings (Low A; Midwest League) and the Seattle Mariners announced a two-year extension of their player development contract (PDC), running through the 2018 season.
The LumberKings have been affiliated with the Mariners since the 2009 season.
“We’re very excited to be re-affiliated with the Seattle Mariners.” LumberKings General Manager Ted Tornow said. “This year has been a magical year for us, as it has been a recommitment to playing baseball. We’ve been really excited about all of the great prospects and talent they have given us over the years and we look forward to the next two years with them moving forward.”
During the eight years of the Mariners affiliation with the LumberKings, the club has made the playoffs five times, including the 2016 season. Current Mariners stars such as Kyle Seager, Taijuan Walker, James Paxton, Ketel Marte, and Edwin Diaz all played in Clinton. The club has thrown four no-hitters during the span, and this season, the team is two wins shy of setting a franchise record for wins, a mark that was set back in 1963 by the Clinton C-Sox who went 83-41. With the extension, the Mariners will have the second longest affiliation of any parent club affiliated with the Clinton Baseball Club. The San Francisco Giants hold the longest affiliation, which ran from 1980 until 1994.
“I’ve been here less than a year and our work in Clinton has gone remarkably well.” Mariners Director of Player Development Andy McKay said. “Obviously the results have showed on the field, and as a group the Mariners could not be more excited to continue this commitment with the City of Clinton and the LumberKings for the next two years.”
Here’s a look at the current affiliate status in Minor League Baseball. We are coming up on crunch time for PDC renewals, with the deadline after the end of the 2016 season.