STAFF REPORTS
The Buffalo Bisons and TorontoBlue Jays announced today that they have signed a two-year extension of
their current Player Development Contract, ensuring the Bisons will
remain the Blue Jays’ Triple-A affiliate through the 2020 season. The
Bisons have served as the Blue Jays Triple-A affiliate since 2013.
“Having a strong Major League parent club
that is willing to support our efforts both on the field and off is
extremely important to our overall success and the Toronto Blue Jays
have been and continue to be a fantastic partner of ours since day one,”
said Bisons Vice President/General Manager Mike Buczkowski. “We’re
looking forward to continuing this relationship and bringing the
excitement of both our clubs to the great baseball fans in Western New
York, Southern Ontario and in Toronto.”
“We are very proud to extend our relationship
with the Rich family and the Buffalo Bisons,” said Blue Jays Director
of Player Development Gil Kim. “The first class treatment that our
players receive in Buffalo is a testament to the leadership of Jon
Dandes, Mike Buczkowski and the entire Bisons organization.” “The Bisons
are instrumental in helping to create the optimal environments, both on
and off the field, so that our players can maximize their potential en
route to Toronto. We look forward to this relationship continuing for
many years to come.”
The Blue Jays’ farm system has recently
received many accolades as one of baseball’s best, including being
ranked the 9th best organization by MLB.com. Their list of top-end
prospects includes two of the game’s highest rated players in all of
minor league baseball: 3B Vladimir Guerrero (#3) and SS Bo Bichette (#13). Several other prospects, including OF Anthony Alford (Blue Jays #3), C Danny Jansen (Blue Jays #6), LHP Ryan Borucki (Blue Jays #8), INF Richard Urena (Blue Jays #11), C Reese McGuire (Blue Jays #14) and 1B Rowdy Tellez (Blue Jays #15) have started the 2018 season in Buffalo.
Of
course, Bisons fans have become used to seeing prospects play at
Coca-Cola Field in Buffalo before making their big league debuts with
the Blue Jays. CF Kevin Pillar (2013-2015), RHP Marcus Stroman (2014-2015), RHP Aaron Sanchez (2015), RHP Ryan Tepera (2014-2016) and RHP Danny Barnes (2016-2017) and OF Teoscar Hernandez
(2017-2018) all wore a Bisons uniform before joining Toronto. Bisons
fans have also enjoyed watching baseball stars make injury
rehabilitation appearances with the Herd, including SS Jose Reyes, DH Edwin Encarnacion and RF Jose Bautista.
In the first five seasons with the Blue Jays,
the Bisons have had 12 International League mid-season All-Stars and
five post-season IL All-Stars. In 2015, infielder Matt Hague won the International League batting title and was the Bisons’ ninth IL MVP in franchise history.
Over 2.7 million fans have enjoyed Bisons
baseball at Coca-Cola Field over the last five seasons. The Blue Jays
have also been instrumental in several promotional events and in helping
the Bisons reach the great sports fans and business partners in
Southern Ontario. Each year since the affiliation began in 2013, Bisons
games have also aired on Sportsnet 590 The FAN, the radio home for
Toronto Blue Jays baseball.
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