Another renewal to report: the State College Spikes (Short Season A; NY-Penn League) and the St. Louis Cardinals extended their player development contract (PDC) through the 2018 season.
The agreement marks the second renewal of the Spikes’ PDC with the Cardinals since the franchises reaffiliated with one another in September 2012. The Spikes and Cardinals extended that original agreement for two additional years in August 2014. St. Louis also served as State College’s Major League Baseball affiliate during the club’s inaugural season in 2006.
The Spikes have developed a tradition of on-field success as a St. Louis affiliate, including three NYPL Pinckney Division championships in the last four seasons. State College’s lone NYPL championship also came as a Cardinals affiliate in 2014, and all five of the Spikes’ winning seasons have come when affiliated with St. Louis. The 2016 Spikes seek to carry on that tradition as they hold a league-best 46-24 record through August 30.
“Our relationship with the St. Louis Cardinals has provided a tremendous on-field product for our fans in State College over the past four years, and we are excited to continue the affiliation for at least the next two seasons,” said Spikes’ Chairman & Managing Partner Chuck Greenberg. “John Mozeliak, Gary LaRocque, John Vuch and the entire Cardinals’ organization are first-class partners, and we are grateful for their commitment to supporting the Spikes’ brand both at the ballpark and in the community.”
“We have enjoyed our last four years in State College and are looking forward to many more,” said Cardinals General Manager John Mozeliak. “We are grateful to Chuck Greenberg, Jason Dambach, and Scott Walker as they provide a tremendous environment to our players to grow on and off the field.”
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.