According to our news partner, KWQC-TV 6: The Quad Cities River Bandits are among 11 other Midwest League teams moving up one level of play, according to Major League Baseball. MLB announced the River Bandits have been promoted from Single-A to Advanced-A baseball. This puts the players just below Double-A and one step closer to the major leagues! The OTHER great news: The River Bandits have been invited to become the Advanced-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. Within the next two weeks, the team will receive a long-term Player Development License from MLB. The Bandits’ agreement with the Royals will last at least five years. Bleacher Report lists the Royals as having one of the Top Ten farm systems in baseball.
So, what's the advantage to moving up to Advanced-A baseball? READ MORE HERE
The Cedar Rapids Kernels, Quad Cities River Bandits and Iowa Cubs in Des Moines received invitations from Major League clubs, while the Burlington Bees and Clinton LumberKings did not.
The invitations were announced Wednesday.
Major League Baseball previously announced plans to cut affiliation with at least 42 teams when its agreement with minor league teams expired this year.
Minor league teams and cities across the country had been waiting for months to find out their future.
The Iowa Cubs in Des Moines will continue as the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. The Cedar Rapids Kernels have been offered High-A affiliate status by the Minnesota Twins, a step up from the team's previous status as a Low-A affiliate. The Quad Cities River Bandits have been offered High-A affiliations by the Kansas City Royals. The River Bandits were previously associated with the Houston Astros.