The Salt Lakes Bees have been the Los Angeles Angels' Triple-A affiliate since 2001. On Monday, the Angels and Bees announced they will be sticking together for at least few more years, signing a two-year extension of their player development agreement that will keep the two clubs partnered through 2022.
“Salt Lake City is a town that we really enjoy being in. It’s a great community and fan base,” Angels General Manager Billy Eppler said in a news release. “We are very comfortable with [Bees president] Marc Amicone, the entire front office and ownership group. To be able to extend this affiliation was important and frankly, an easy decision for us.”
The Angels' current 25-man roster includes 20 players who have suited up for Salt Lake during their careers. In total, 28 players have suited up for both Salt Lake and Los Angeles this season, including major league debuts by Jaime Barria, Justin Anderson, Michael Hermosillo, Jose Briceno, Jose Fernandez, David Fletcher, Jake Jewell and Francisco Arcia.
“In 18 years of affiliation the Angels have not only supplied us with great players and coaches on the field, but also in our community,” Amicone said in the release. “We want to thank Billy Eppler and all of the Angels front office staff who make this affiliation so special.”
The Angels affiliation has brought dozens of players to Salt Lake who would go on to stardom in the major leagues, including two-time American League MVP Mike Trout, Gold Glove winner Kole Calhoun, Jered Weaver, Howie Kendrick, Erick Aybar, Mike Napoli, Chone Figgins, John Lackey, Francisco Rodriguez and many more.
The Bees' current homestand continues Monday night against El Paso. The Bees and Chihuahas will meet again on Tuesday and Wednesday before Salt Lake embarks on a 12-game road trip.