Padres invite 4 teams to be Minors affiliates

SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Padres announced invitations to four cities today to become their affiliates in MLB’s new player development structure. The El Paso Chihuahuas (Triple-A), San Antonio Missions (Double-A), Fort Wayne TinCaps (High-A) and Lake Elsinore Storm (Low-A) have all been invited to join the Padres player development system.

Since 2014, the El Paso Chihuahuas have served as the triple-A affiliate of the Padres, including their Pacific Coast League Championship season in 2016.San Antonio previously served as the Padres double-A affiliate for 12 years (2007-18) before becoming the triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers prior to the 2019 season. The Padres have been affiliated with Fort Wayne since 1999, making it the longest-running affiliation in club history at 22 years. Located approximately 75 miles from Petco Park, the Lake Elsinore Storm have geographically been the closest affiliate of the Padres since 2001, serving as their high-A club for 20 consecutive years. Lake Elsinore has also served as a rehab facility for the major league club during that period.

“We’re eager and excited to continue our long-standing relationships with El Paso, San Antonio, Fort Wayne and Lake Elsinore,” said Padres Executive Vice President & General Manager A.J. Preller. “They have been valued partners of the Padres throughout our player development system for many years, and each of their respective communities have supported their teams and welcomed our players and staff with open arms. We look forward to bringing Padres baseball back to these communities again in 2021.”