Detroit Tigers and West Michigan WhiteCaps extend PDC
The affiliation news keeps coming. This time the Detroit Tigers extended their Player Development Contract with their A Full Season farm team West Michigan WhiteCaps.
Even though the current contract will only expire in 2020, the Tigers were eager to extend their partnership with their A Full Season farm team.
Since the WhiteCaps became a Tigers affiliate in 1997, the team won five Midwest League Championships (1998, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2015) and have seen hundreds of prospects and current stars play in West Michigan, players like Brandon Inge, Alex Avila, Don Kelly, Francisco Cordero, Robert Fick, Cameron Maybin, Jeff Weaver, Fernando Rodney, Matt Joyce, Eugenio Suarez, Corey Knebel, Devon Travis, Nicholas Castellanos and Joe Jimenez.
As usual several pleasantries were exchanged. Whitecaps Vice President and General Manager Jim Jarecki said that the Whitecaps relationship with the Tigers has been outstanding since its 1997 start. “We have had a great relationship with the Tigers. We’ve seen many great players come through here and have had several great teams.” Jarecki said. “They have also understood and have been extremely supportive of our community efforts. We are excited to be extending our Player Development Contract to 2022. This extension assures Whitecaps fans of seeing the best future talent of the Detroit Tigers.”
Tigers Vice President of Player Development Dave Littlefield via a press release: “We’re thrilled to extend our PDC with the West Michigan WhiteCaps. The WhiteCaps have provided our Tigers minor leaguers with a top-notch environment for the past 22
seasons, and we look forward to continuing our strong relationship into an exciting future for the organization.”
The history of the WhiteCaps dates back to 1982 when the team played under the moniker of the Madison Muskies. Back then the team was an affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. After the 1993 season, the team moved to Compston Park in Michigan to become the West Michigan WhiteCaps so the team celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.
Currently, the WhiteCaps are home to Dutch starting pitcher Tom de Blok.