Detroit Tigers: A Glance At The Affiliates
The Connecticut Tigers are the Short-Season A affiliate for the Detroit Tigers, playing in the New York-Penn League.
Just yesterday, the Detroit Tigers (and the Connecticut Tigers) announced that that the affiliation between the two teams has been extended until 2020. The Tigers have won 12 NYPL Titles, the last one being in 1998. As well the last time they made the playoffs was in 2014.
The New York-Penn League is designed to be a league for amateur draft picks to start after they’ve signed with their respective teams. The season starts in June, after the amateur draft and ends in early September.
Former Detroit Tiger Gerald Laird is the current skipper of the Connecticut Tigers. Laird played with the Tigers from 2009 until 2011. He was acquired in a trade that sent two minor league pitchers to the Texas Rangers. Ultimately, he would end up being the back-up to Alex Avila and Victor Martinez was spending the season on the DL.
The Tigers finished second in the NYPL last season. Look for them to do as well if not better in 2018 as the Detroit Tigers acquire more prospects.
Most Detroit Tigers fans probably won’t find themselves in Connecticut during the Short-Season but they will probably have a chance to see the next affiliate on our list. The Single-A Grand Rapids Whitecaps.