White Sox only MLB team to retain all four of its top MiLB affiliates

[Frater Perdurabo]

Jim Margalus at Sox Machine has reported, based on his reading of the Baseball America paywalled story posted earlier today, that the White Sox are the only MLB organization to retain all four of its top minor league affiliates at the same levels.

Only the Great Falls Voyagers (short season rookie league) are no longer affiliated with the Sox, as the Pioneer League is being reconfigured as part of the overall restructuring of Minor League Baseball.

[HomeFish]

JR's loyalty is legendary.

Was there no chance of grabbing Rosemont or Schaumburg the way the Twins grabbed St. Paul?

[Dumpjerry]

JR's loyalty is legendary.

Was there no chance of grabbing Rosemont or Schaumburg the way the Twins grabbed St. Paul?

Speaking of St. Paul, the stadium they play in is on the site where there was a previous stadium. Back in the late 1800's, a baseball team was founded at that stadium. The team moved to Iowa before settling on the South Side of Chicago and eventually changed it name to "White Sox."

[Frater Perdurabo]

JR's loyalty is legendary.

Was there no chance of grabbing Rosemont or Schaumburg the way the Twins grabbed St. Paul?

I don’t know if Rosemont or Schaumburg are one of the 120 MiLB franchises invited to be affiliates for MLB teams.

On the other hand, the proximity of the affiliates to one another (particularly the three North Carolina teams), coupled with the fact that all the affiliates now have new stadia that really are the class of their respective leagues, means it makes both good business sense and good player development sense, to keep all four as part of the organization.

[ChiTownTrojan]

I'm glad we aren't losing the Cannon Ballers before they play their first game.

[Chez]

I was told that the Kane County Cougars didn't receive an invitation.

[Hitmen77]

I was told that the Kane County Cougars didn't receive an invitation.

That's disappointing to hear. It looks like they'll end up joining one of the existing independent leagues that will be become "partner" leagues with MLB.

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/sports/chicago-baseball/kane-county-cougars-not-invited-to-remain-milb-affiliate-aim-to-join-mlb-partner-league/2390542/