The Astros officially named the Sugar Land Skeeters their new Class AAA affiliate on Friday, completing their transition from a sometimes-quirky independent club to bona fide big league stepping stone.
The relocation affords the Astros a Class AAA affiliate just 22.7 miles from Minute Maid Park — one of the shortest distances between a minor league team and its parent club in all of baseball. The team also acquired a majority ownership of the Skeeters in a deal that is expected to be finalized by the end of the calendar year.
The Astros now own three of their minor league affiliates: the Skeeters, Class AA Corpus Christi Hooks and Class A Advanced Fayetteville.
"We are excited to bring Triple A baseball to Sugar Land, which is a great city with great fans," Astros owner Jim Crane said in a statement. "We look forward to partnering with the city of Sugar Land’s great leadership to reinvest into the ballpark to make it one of the best Triple A facilities in the country.”
The Skeeters will play in the Pacific Coast League and continue their operations at the 7,500-seat Constellation Field. Each of the Astros’ last three Class AAA teams have played in the Pacific Coast League.
The Astros were entering the third year of a four-year player development contract with the Class AAA Round Rock Express, but Major League Baseball’s takeover of the minor league system will void it. Multiple reports indicate the Express will reunite with the Texas Rangers and become their Class AAA affiliate.
The Express was co-founded by former Astros president of business operations Reid Ryan.
Last November, Astros owner Jim Crane reassigned Ryan on the Astros’ executive team, installing his son, Jared, as a senior vice president, executive operations. Ryan remained with the club through the 2020 season before his agreement expired on Oct. 31.
Ryan’s father, Hall of Fame righthander Nolan Ryan, left his position as an executive adviser shortly after Reid’s reassignment.
"My time with the Astros was incredible. I enjoyed every moment of it,” Reid Ryan said Monday. “The Astros will remain very special to my heart. I love the city and the fans and the organization, and it will always be a part of me."
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November 20, 2020 at 11:30PM
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Astros officially make Sugar Land Skeeters the Triple-A affiliate - Houston Chronicle
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