If you are a fan of the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, at least the Advanced Single-A (or High-A, as it is often called) version of the extremely popular Dodgers affiliate, I have some bad – or at least disappointing – news for you. If all goes as planned, and let’s face it, not much has gone as planned over the past 10 months; your beloved Quakes will now be the Dodgers Low Single-A affiliate.

It has been widely reported that on or about December 1, Major League Baseball will announce widespread changes to their entire Minor League system, up to and including the disbanding of as many as 40 minor league teams. If these reports are true, and by all indications they are, we’re talking about the loss of 1,400 MiLB roster spots and countless team and stadium staff jobs.

Although nothing is in stone yet (and to be brutally honest, there may not even be a 2021 Minor League season), longtime Dodgers beat writer J.P. Hoornstra of Southern California News Group reported on Thursday that many of the proposed changes will happen. That being said, and to his credit, J.P. quickly updated his initial report (via Twitter) that there were several (immediate) discrepancies with it.

Hoornstra initially reported:

The Dodgers’ Triple-A (Oklahoma City) and Double-A (Tulsa) affiliations will remain intact. A source with direct knowledge of the situation told SCNG that a team based in Spokane, Wash., will replace Rancho Cucamonga as the team’s High-A affiliate. Rancho Cucamonga will remain affiliated with the Dodgers, and join other California League teams in moving from a High-A to Low-A classification.

However, within minutes, Hoornstra updated his initial report to read:

A second source, not authorized to speak on the record, said the Spokane affiliation hasn’t been finalized. The club has been affiliated with the Texas Rangers since 2003.

In an email to SCNG, Spokane Indians managing partner Bobby Brett said that “we have not been informed as to any affiliation with the Spokane Indians at this time.”

As you can see, these are two very significant – and conflicting – reports, although Rancho’s change from Advanced Single-A to Low Single-A appears to be a done deal.

So, what’s the big deal. you ask?

There are actually several big deals here.

First and foremost – at least from the players’ perspective – is obviously financial; High-A players make more money than Low-A players (signing bonuses notwithstanding). And to (again) be brutally honest, housing prices and/or rent in Rancho Cucamonga is significantly higher than it is (was) in Midland, Michigan, the former home of the Low-A Great Lakes Loons.

The big deal for Quakes fans is a bit different. Although Minor League Baseball is Minor League Baseball regardless of the level, the higher a player makes it in the minors, the greater their chances of actually making it to The Show. In other words, and meaning absolutely no disrespect whatsoever to any minor leaguers, a good many former Advanced Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes were on the Dodgers World Series roster than were a good many former Low Single-A Loons, who never made it to Rancho, if you get my drift.

As it stands right now and baring any pending changes on December 1, Advanced Single-A teams and Low Single-A teams are limited to 25 active players, with a total of 35 players under team control. There are additional limitations based on prior minor league experience. Teams at lower levels (i.e., Rookie levels) have 35-man active rosters with limitations on minor league service time. A team’s reserve roster consists of players on the injured list, those who are restricted or suspended, or who are otherwise temporarily inactive. Major League players on rehabilitation assignments with their team’s Minor League affiliates do not count towards their active rosters.

Although the exact changes to MiLB are still pending (and unknown), you can be assured of one thing: There will be changes … several of which will be very significant.

Stay tuned…

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