New Minor League System

[ShawnSoup]

Major League baseball has revamped their minors system I created a spreadsheet for myself https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...it?usp=sharing

Also here is the article I used to make the sheet. The article list tells which teams are moving from where to where and which minor leagues teams are changing affiliations.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...ms/3867778001/

Teams now all have 4 minor league teams and they are still keeping their GCL, AZL, and DSL teams...I believe

[ALB123]

Originally Posted by ShawnSoup

Major League baseball has revamped their minors system I created a spreadsheet for myself https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...it?usp=sharing

Also here is the article I used to make the sheet. The article list tells which teams are moving from where to where and which minor leagues teams are changing affiliations.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...ms/3867778001/

Teams now all have 4 minor league teams and they are still keeping their GCL, AZL, and DSL teams...I believe

I don't know how I feel about this yet...as far as real-life goes. Obviously, there will be fewer people playing "professional baseball" because there will be fewer minor league teams from now on. Plus, I hate seeing teams relocating. In the Yankees case, my favorite team, this is actually better since it now keeps AAA, AA & High-A physically closer to the Bronx. Their low-A will be in Tampa still at their training complex.

One thing I'm bummed about is the loss of Short-Season A. Part of me doesn't care that much because talent-wise, SSA and Low-A aren't miles apart...but, Short-Season A often gave young players a chance to tighten up their skills rather than getting cut because the organizations don't think they'll be able to make the jump from Rookie ball to Low A. Fewer minor league teams mean fewer available roster spots which mean taking fewer chances on young kids.

[ShawnSoup]

Originally Posted by ALB123

In the Yankees case, my favorite team, this is actually better since it now keeps AAA, AA & High-A physically closer to the Bronx.

I like it also for the same reason. As a Red Sox fan I never liked having to travel across state lines to go see the AAA team. Now they're moving the AAA team to my home town which is good for me. It is going to suck for those kids who take a couple extra years to develop. The teams that didnt get invited to the new system will become leagues for post college kids and new independent leagues so I'm sure scouts will still check out who's playing on those teams.

In game it wont matter much to me as I always cut down minor league teams.

[Brad K]

Well, I still have three Low A teams within 30 miles, another within 50, and several more in the 100 to 200 mile range. No complaints here. Plenty of baseball available after the Rays leave.

[MikeS21]

OOTP is wonderful because you can create entire minor league leagues, or remove them. And if I wanted to create a short season league that plays at A-level skills, I can adjust the number games and the season calendar as I wish.

The realignment in real life will mean I will have to do a little extra work to re-create what I want, but so be it.

[Sabres2000]

Still be doing some research to see if there is any rookie teams... i havnt seen any left that are attached just 4 minor leagues... That is alot of teams to change in OOTP

[ShawnSoup]

Originally Posted by Sabres2000

Still be doing some research to see if there is any rookie teams... i havnt seen any left that are attached just 4 minor leagues... That is alot of teams to change in OOTP

From what I understand of the stuff I've read is that the AZL and GCL do not fall under the umbrella of the MiLBA so they aren't being affected by the overhaul. Again, just from what I interpret in my reading of a bunch of articles. I haven't seen any official statements.

[bherb24]

I believe that is correct, from what I have read the GCL and AZL will still be around. They are often being referred to as "complex teams" due to them being based at the minor league complex's of their parent clubs.

[PSUColonel]

Originally Posted by bherb24

I believe that is correct, from what I have read the GCL and AZL will still be around. They are often being referred to as "complex teams" due to them being based at the minor league complex's of their parent clubs.

Yes they will be there. I believe each organization is limited the one team however.

[Sabres2000]

Originally Posted by PSUColonel

Yes they will be there. I believe each organization is limited the one team however.

Not bad aaa aa a+ a and a gcl and Dzl team not bad

[ALB123]

The article OP posted has a link to another article on the same topic, but that article mentions the creation of new collegiate leagues and draft leagues. If anyone has any good information on those new leagues, would you mind sharing the link in this thread? I googled a bit, but I really didn't find out anything except there will be a new wood bat league. I have no clue what the heck a draft league is...and I am very interested in learning more.

Thanks...

[ohiodevil]

Originally Posted by ALB123

The article OP posted has a link to another article on the same topic, but that article mentions the creation of new collegiate leagues and draft leagues. If anyone has any good information on those new leagues, would you mind sharing the link in this thread? I googled a bit, but I really didn't find out anything except there will be a new wood bat league. I have no clue what the heck a draft league is...and I am very interested in learning more.

Thanks...

Basically the MLB Draft League is going to feature the top prospects in that are eligible for that year's draft (which is being held All-Star Weekend and is now only 20 rounds). The founding members of the MLB Draft League will be the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, the State College Spikes, the Trenton Thunder, the West Virginia Black Bears, the Frederick Keys and the Williamsport Crosscutters. They will play a 68 game season with an All-Star break. I have not heard anything about when the season will start/end, maybe they haven't announced it yet, but I wonder if guys who are drafted in July will stay there until that season ends and then be assigned to one of the complex teams (AZL/GCL) or if advanced enough will head to one of the Single-A teams. I am also curious if it will include High School players, which to me it should if they want the "top prospects".

Here is the article from MLB.com

https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-draft-l...-begin-in-2021

As for a new wood bat league, it seems some former minor league teams could be joining existing ones but the newest league that they announced was the old Appalachian League is shifting from Rookie ball to Wood Bat and will be unaffiliated. I have to wonder how many of these leagues can survive, there are so many teams but eventually they will run out of players, at least the top tier ones.....I wonder if this could this be the beginning of the end of colleges having baseball teams, at least the smaller ones or the ones in the northern states. And do the players who do not get drafted end up playing in these wood bat leagues to showcase their skills with the hope to be invited to the MLB Draft League the next season. I think it will take a few years for the dust to settle and if it goes well, we could see another draft league or expansion to it. Should be interesting.

[ALB123]

Originally Posted by ohiodevil

Basically the MLB Draft League is going to feature the top prospects in that are eligible for that year's draft (which is being held All-Star Weekend and is now only 20 rounds). The founding members of the MLB Draft League will be the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, the State College Spikes, the Trenton Thunder, the West Virginia Black Bears, the Frederick Keys and the Williamsport Crosscutters. They will play a 68 game season with an All-Star break. I have not heard anything about when the season will start/end, maybe they haven't announced it yet, but I wonder if guys who are drafted in July will stay there until that season ends and then be assigned to one of the complex teams (AZL/GCL) or if advanced enough will head to one of the Single-A teams. I am also curious if it will include High School players, which to me it should if they want the "top prospects".

Here is the article from MLB.com

https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-draft-l...-begin-in-2021

As for a new wood bat league, it seems some former minor league teams could be joining existing ones but the newest league that they announced was the old Appalachian League is shifting from Rookie ball to Wood Bat and will be unaffiliated. I have to wonder how many of these leagues can survive, there are so many teams but eventually they will run out of players, at least the top tier ones.....I wonder if this could this be the beginning of the end of colleges having baseball teams, at least the smaller ones or the ones in the northern states. And do the players who do not get drafted end up playing in these wood bat leagues to showcase their skills with the hope to be invited to the MLB Draft League the next season. I think it will take a few years for the dust to settle and if it goes well, we could see another draft league or expansion to it. Should be interesting.

Thanks for all of that! I'll check out that MLB.com article right away.

You bring up an excellent point regarding a draft showcase league. What club is going to sign players, some for $6-$8 million, and then wish their new player well for the remainder of that stupid showcase league? If the answer is greater than zero my mind will explode.

[scurvycure]

I found this relatively recent episode of the SABRcast podcast to be helpful and reassuring in understanding the minor league reorganization. It is an interview with Josh Schaub, the commissioner of the independent league American Association.


https://sabr.org/sabrcast/episode/80

[BIG17EASY]

Originally Posted by ohiodevil

As for a new wood bat league, it seems some former minor league teams could be joining existing ones but the newest league that they announced was the old Appalachian League is shifting from Rookie ball to Wood Bat and will be unaffiliated. I have to wonder how many of these leagues can survive, there are so many teams but eventually they will run out of players, at least the top tier ones.

These leagues will largely be made up of players who would have a minor league roster spot under the current system, but don't sign with a team because of minor league contraction leading to less available roster spots.

Originally Posted by ohiodevil

I wonder if this could this be the beginning of the end of colleges having baseball teams, at least the smaller ones or the ones in the northern states.

Not a chance. There are so many kids that want to play college baseball that D3 schools are cutting players these days. Plus, as I said above, most of the players in those wood bat leagues will be kids who didn't get drafted, not kids who decide to skip college. There may be a few who do that, but it won't be a drop of water in the ocean of kids who want to play in college. Not to mention that a kid with true professional baseball aspirations will get just as much exposure playing collegiately, and then have a chance to play in the new draft league and get even more exposure.

Originally Posted by ohiodevil

And do the players who do not get drafted end up playing in these wood bat leagues to showcase their skills with the hope to be invited to the MLB Draft League the next season. I think it will take a few years for the dust to settle and if it goes well, we could see another draft league or expansion to it. Should be interesting.

No, they will play in the wood bat leagues hoping to sign a contract, just like independent leagues work now.

[ohiodevil]

I am curious to see how the partner designation with the MLB and four of the Indy Leagues works, there's no way it is just about possible rule changes, there would have to be some sort of transfer system put in place.

[treesham]

Originally Posted by ShawnSoup

As a Red Sox fan I never liked having to travel across state lines to go see the AAA team.

LOL. it's Massachusetts. Pawtucket RI is closer to Boston than Worcester MA.

PawSox sounds so much better than WooSox.