DENVER -- The Brewers struck a two-year player development contract Friday with the Class A Advanced Carolina Mudcats, setting their affiliate slate for 2017.
The agreement, through 2018, came days after Brewers general manager David Stearns traveled to Five County Stadium in Zebulon, N.C. to meet with Mudcats officials. Friday's announcement was made jointly by Stearns and Mudcats President and Majority Owner Steve Bryant.
"It's a first-class affiliate," Stearns said.
The Brewers needed a new high-A team after the Brevard County Manatees moved to Kissimmee, Fla. and paired with the Braves. They strongly preferred Carolina, who were previously with the Braves, over the only other Class A team without an affiliate, the Lancaster JetHawks of the California League, who play in a ballpark extremely unfavorable to pitchers.