The Pittsburgh Pirates have extended their Player Development Contract with the West Virginia Power through the 2018 season. The previous PDC was set to expire after this season, prior to the four-year extension. The Pirates first joined up with West Virginia in 2009, meaning the extension will carry them through their tenth year with the Power franchise.
Neal Huntington spoke about the extension in a West Virginia press release.
“We are very pleased to be able to extend our affiliation with the West Virginia Power,” stated Neal Huntington, the General Manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates. “The Power ownership, front office and fan base have welcomed our players and staff and have made them feel a part of your community. We are looking forward to additional future Pirates taking steps toward the Major Leagues by developing their skills playing for the West Virginia Power. It is an honor to continue our relationship with the top quality ownership, front office, sponsors and fans of the West Virginia Power and our best days are yet to come.”
The West Virginia team has seen a lot of talent over the last few years. It was home to the big breakouts from Gregory Polanco and Alen Hanson in 2012, followed by another big breakout season by Tyler Glasnow in 2013. The 2014 season was plagued by injuries, but that didn’t stop Austin Meadows from hitting the ball well in the final two months of the season.
Last month the Pirates announced that they would be moving the Jamestown affiliate to Morgantown. That move means the relationship between the Power and the Pirates makes more sense. Morgantown is one level below West Virginia, and the location makes it much easier to send players back and forth between the two levels.
The move means that the Pirates have PDCs with all of their minor league affiliates through the 2016 season. The current PDC situation with Morgantown is unknown, but PDCs are usually a minimum of two years. Indianapolis is up in 2016, and Altoona and West Virginia are now signed through the 2018 season. Bradenton, Bristol, and the GCL team are owned by the Pirates.
