Salt Lake Bees will continue as Los Angeles Angels’ top minor league affiliate

The Salt Lake Bees have been affiliated with the Los Angeles Angels for the last two decades.

You can add another 10 years to that.

The Bees have accepted Major League Baseball’s invitation to become a Professional Development League (PDL) license holder, following the reorganization of the minor leagues. The 10-year agreement will keep the Bees as the Los Angeles Angels Triple-A affiliate through the 2030 season.

“It is an honor to continue as the Triple-A affiliate of the Angels and we are excited to watch the next wave of future Angels stars come through Salt Lake,” said Bees President Marc Amicone said Friday in a statement. “We can’t wait for the 2021 season to start and look forward to working with Major League Baseball under this new agreement to continue to provide fans a fun, affordable, family experience at Smith’s Ballpark.”

Salt Lake has been the top affiliate of the Angels since the 2001 season. During that time, players like Mike Trout, Griffin Canning, David Fletcher, Jered Weaver, Howie Kendrick, Chone Figgins, and Francisco Rodriguez showcased their talents at Smith’s Ballpark before going onto stardom with the Angels.

“We are excited to continue our partnership with the Salt Lake Bees organization and extend the longest-running affiliate relationship in Angels history,” said Angels General Manager Perry Minasian, said in a statement. “We are proud that the next generation of Angels stars will continue to call Smith’s Ballpark and Salt Lake City home for years to come.”

Salt Lake will compete in the West Division of the new 10-team Triple-A West League alongside the Las Vegas Aviators (Oakland A’s affiliate), Reno Aces (Arizona Diamondbacks), Sacramento River Cats (San Francisco Giants) and Tacoma Rainiers (Seattle Mariners). The East Division will consist of the Albuquerque Isotopes (Colorado Rockies), El Paso Chihuahuas (San Diego Padres), Oklahoma City Dodgers (Los Angeles Dodgers), Round Rock Express (Texas Rangers) and Sugarland Skeeters (Houston Astros).

That lineup is the bulk that of the Pacific Coast League, whose moniker is apparently headed for retirement.

There will be a corresponding Triple-A East League made up of teams from the International League. That league name, too, is apparently being mothballed.

Each MLB Club will provide Minor League players and staffs to four affiliates, one at each of the Triple-A, Double-A, High-A and Low-A levels. The Bees will join the Rocket City Trash Pandas (Double-A), Tri-City Dust Devils (High-A) and Inland Empire 66ers (Low-A) in the Angels organization.

“We are excited to unveil this new model, which not only provides a pipeline to the Majors, but continues the Minor Leagues’ tradition of entertaining millions of families in hundreds of communities,” Commissioner of Baseball Rob Manfred said in a statement. “In modernizing our Minor League system, we prioritized the qualities that make the Minor Leagues such an integral part of our game while strengthening how we develop professional athletes on and off the field. We look forward to demonstrating the best of our game throughout local communities, supporting all those who are working hard to grow the sport, and sharing unrivaled technology and resources with minor league teams and players.”

Additional information about the upcoming Bees 2021 season, including a schedule, coaching staff, roster and ticket information will be announced at a later date.