There has been an affiliation shift at the Low-A level, as the West Virginia Power (Low A; Sally League) and Seattle Mariners have announced a two-year player development contract (PDC). The agreement will run through the 2020 season.
“Joining the Seattle Mariners family is an exciting moment for our franchise,” said Power Executive Vice President Ken Fogel. “The Mariners boast a minor league system filled with talent that we cannot wait to showcase at Appalachian Power Park throughout 2019 and beyond. While we are grateful for the 10 years spent under the Pirates’ umbrella, we are excited to share this new opportunity with the city of Charleston and the surrounding fan base. We are confident that our partnership with the Mariners will bring unbridled success both on the field and in the community.”
Affiliation changes were on tap for both clubs, given developments that took place last week. The Clinton LumberKings (Low A; Midwest League) announced that the Miami Marlins would replace the Mariners as their parent, while the Pittsburgh Pirates–the Power’s former parent club–took the Marlins’ place in Greensboro (Low A; Sally League). The Power and Pirates were affiliated from 2009-2018, with the relationship between the Mariners and LumberKings running the same period.
“The Seattle Mariners are a first-class organization that we are thrilled to be a part of,” said Tim Wilcox, Managing Partner of West Virginia Baseball, LLC. “Our fans have the opportunity to see the next wave of Mariners that could one day stand alongside Seattle greats, such as Ken Griffey, Jr., Felix Hernandez and many more.”
“We are ecstatic to partner with the West Virginia Power,” said Mariners Director of Player Development Andy McKay. “Our conversations with their leadership team immediately revealed that we have similar values and priorities. As with all of our affiliates, we will work to put the best possible product on the field with the goal of winning baseball games and playing meaningful games late in the season. Off the field, we look forward to our community service responsibilities and the relationships we will build with the fans.”
“The opportunity to partner with the West Virginia Power is truly exciting for the entire Mariners organization,” added Mariners Executive Vice President & General Manager Jerry Dipoto. “The combination of quality, experienced baseball people and a beautiful ballpark in a capital city provide all of us with something to look forward to for 2019 and beyond.
You can read more about the current state of affiliations on our Affiliate Dance page. We expect a number of player development contracts to be renewed in the coming week, but there are always intriguing openings at every level of baseball. As you can see on the Affiliate Dance page, we’re now at the point where MLB and MiLB teams can search for new affiliation options, so there’s always a shuffle of sorts at the end of the season.