D-Backs unveiled 2021 affiliates; AA to Amarillo | Ballpark Digest (original) (raw)

The Arizona Diamondbacks unveiled their new 2021 affiliate lineup, keeping three relationships and adding the Amarillo Sod Poodles (Texas League) as their Class AA affiliate.

“We are proud of our long-standing partnerships in Reno, Visalia and Hillsboro,” said D-backs Executive Vice President & General Manager Mike Hazen. “We are also looking forward to bringing Amarillo into the mix as we continue to stress the importance of player development throughout the organization.”

The Reno Aces would enter their 13th season as Arizona’s Triple-A club, becoming an affiliate in 2009.

The Amarillo Sod Poodles would be in their first season as the D-backs’ Double-A affiliate. The Sod Poodles, who relocated from San Antonio prior to the 2019 season, won their league’s championship as the San Diego Padres’ Double-A club in the team’s inaugural campaign.

The Hillsboro Hops will begin their ninth season as a D-backs’ affiliate, first in a full-season capacity, and 21st year of partnership dating back to Yakima (2001-12). The Hops spent the previous 8 campaigns (2013-20) as Arizona’s Short-Season A representative, winning 3 league titles (2014-15, ’19).

The Visalia Rawhide, the D-backs’ longest tenured affiliate since 2007, will reclassify as a Low-A team.

Additionally, the D-backs will continue to have entries in the Rookie-level Arizona League and Dominican Summer League.

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