Phillies invite old Minors affiliates to remain

PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies on Wednesday announced invitations to their four Minor League affiliates for 2021.

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Reading Fightin Phils, Jersey Shore BlueClaws and Clearwater Threshers will be part of MLB’s new player development structure. The Williamsport Crosscutters, formerly the Phillies’ Class A Short Season affiliate, will be part of the new MLB Draft League, which will focus on top prospects eligible for the Draft.

Lehigh Valley has been the Phillies’ Triple-A affiliate since 2009. Reading has been their Double-A team since 1967. The recently renamed Jersey Shore BlueClaws have been with Philadelphia since 2001 and will be the organization’s new Class A Advanced affiliate. The Threshers, who have been one of its affiliates since 1985, will be the Class A squad.

“We are happy to extend an invitation to these four affiliates who have each been a great partner to this organization for many years,” Phillies assistant general manager Bryan Minniti said in a statement. “We look forward to continuing our relationship with all four affiliates and their respective communities where we have such long-standing ties.”