GRAND CHUTE, WI – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers have signed Major League Baseball’s Player Development License to officially accept the invitation to become the High-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. The Timber Rattlers had been Milwaukee’s Low-A affiliate in their minor league system since the 2009 season.
The acceptance of the invitation and moving up a level in classification were the latest changes for the Timber Rattlers since Third Base Ventures, LLC purchased the team and Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium last December.
“This has been quite the offseason for our organization and everything we have done has been in order to secure and preserve professional baseball in Northeastern Wisconsin,” said Rob Zerjav, Timber Rattlers President, CEO, and Co-Owner. “This new relationship with Major League Baseball and a ten-year extended partnership with the Milwaukee Brewers does just that. We are excited for what the future holds and can’t wait to get back to playing baseball this season.”
The longest possible affiliation between a minor league team and a parent club under the old system of Player Development Contracts was four years. The new PDL significantly extends that time and opens the possibility of partnerships between the Timber Rattlers and MLB to make the fan experience more enjoyable and assist the Brewers in player development.
“The Timber Rattlers-Brewers relationship is one of the best in baseball,” said David Stearns, Milwaukee’s President of Baseball Operations. “The quality of the Timber Rattlers’ leadership group combined with the proximity to Milwaukee make this a unique partnership that we look forward to continuing for years to come.”
The schedule for the 2021 season is close to being completed and will be announced as soon as possible. Major League Baseball is taking the lead on setting a schedule to minimize travel time and maximize benefits for players to keep in line with MLB’s plan to address player health and wellness initiatives.
“We are excited to unveil this new model, which not only provides a pipeline to the Majors, but continues the Minor Leagues’ tradition of entertaining millions of families in hundreds of communities,” said Robert D. Manfred, Jr., Commissioner of Baseball. “In modernizing our Minor League system, we prioritized the qualities that make the Minor Leagues such an integral part of our game while strengthening how we develop professional athletes on and off the field. We look forward to demonstrating the best of our game throughout local communities, supporting all those who are working hard to grow the sport, and sharing unrivaled technology and resources with minor league teams and players.”
Nine members of the 2020 Milwaukee Brewers played for the Timber Rattlers on their way to the Major Leagues. Devin Williams, the National League Rookie of the Year and Reliever of the Year in 2020, pitched for the Timber Rattlers in 2015 and 2016. Additional Timber Rattlers alumni on last year’s Brewers team include pitchers Corbin Burnes (2016), Freddy Peralta (2016), Drew Rasmussen (2019), and Brent Suter (2012 and 2013) and position players Orlando Arcia (2013), Lorenzo Cain (2009), Keston Hiura (2017), and Tyrone Taylor (2013).
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