The Hartford Yard Goats and the Colorado Rockies extended the teams' Player Development Contract for another two years. The agreement lockes in the Yard Goats as the Double-A affiliate of the Rockies through the 2020 season.
The announcement was made Tuesday at Major League Baseball's winter meetings in Orlando and first reported by NBC Connecticut.
“We are delighted to extend our affiliation with the Colorado Rockies,” Yard Goats President Tim Restall said in a press release. “The Yard Goats and Rockies share the same sentiment in being involved in the local community, which is one of the reasons this relationship works so well. Our players have been wonderful ambassadors in Greater Hartford and have engaged our fans both inside and outside of Dunkin’ Donuts Park. The Rockies strong farm system will allow our fans to continue to see some of baseball’s biggest prospects play in Hartford.”
The Yard Goats just finished their first season at their new home, Dunkin' Donuts Park in downtown Hartford where the team was consistently one of the highest-attended in the Eastern League. The Hartford Yard Goats began their affiliate with the Rockies in 2015.
“I speak for the entire Colorado Rockies organization in expressing our excitement in announcing our PDC extension with the Hartford Yard Goats,” Rockies Senior Director of Player Development Zach Wilson said. “We are grateful to the Yard Goats’ ownership and front office as well as to the great City of Hartford and its baseball fans, all of which have embraced our franchise, players, and staff. We are privileged to be a part of this community and to play at Dunkin’ Donuts Park, which has cemented itself as a landmark of the city.”
Through the first three season of their affiliation together, the Yard Goats have sent 16 players to Coors Field, including infielder Ryan McMahon last season.
The Yard Goats will open their 2018 season at Dunkin' Donuts Park on Thurs., April 5 against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.
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