CJ Cron – Photo Rob Gray
SALT LAKE CITY (April 4, 2017) – The Los Angeles Angels and Salt Lake Bees announced a two-year extension of their Player Development Contract today, covering the 2019-2020 seasons. The announcement was made by Angels General Manager Billy Eppler and Bees General Manager Marc Amicone. The extension will guarantee that the Angels and Bees affiliation will last at least 20 seasons, having started in 2001.
“We are very excited to be able to continue our relationship with the Bees franchise as well as the fans in Salt Lake City,” said Eppler. “We would also like to thank Marc Amicone and his staff for their efforts in this process. Salt Lake has been a first class affiliate for the Angels organization for the last 17 years and we look forward to continuing our longest running minor league partnership in the years to come.”
Over the first 16 seasons of affiliation, Salt Lake fans have seen hundreds of players stop at Smith’s Ballpark before making it to the Major Leagues. Included on the list are two-time American League Most Valuable Player Mike Trout, 2015 Gold Glove winner Kole Calhoun and All-Stars Howie Kendrick, Erick Aybar, Jered Weaver, Mike Napoli, John Lackey, Francisco Rodriguez and Chone Figgins.
“The Angels have always been tremendous partners and we greatly value our shared history,” President of Larry H. Miller Sports & Entertainment Steve Starks said. “We thank Arte Moreno, Billy Eppler and everyone in the Angels organization for their friendship and trust in the Salt Lake Bees.”
Jefry Marte – Photo Rob Gray
The current Angels 40-man roster includes 22 players that have suited up for Salt Lake during their careers, including Trout, Calhoun, Cam Bedrosian, C.J. Cron, Matt Shoemaker, Garrett Richards, Mike Morin, Carlos Perez and Tyler Skaggs and injury rehabilitation assignments from Andrelton Simmons and Cliff Pennington.
“To continue this affiliation is extremely special,” Amicone said. “We have enjoyed our part in developing Major League stars for the Angels and look forward to seeing more great players pass through Salt Lake over the next four seasons.”
The Bees season begins on Thursday as Salt Lake travels to Albuquerque for a five-game series. The team returns home to open a seven-game homestand at Smith’s Ballpark on Tuesday, April 11 for the home opener against the Sacramento River Cats at 6:35 p.m. Tickets for all 71 Bees home games are available at www.slbees.com, Smith’s Tix outlets and the Salt Lake Bees box office.