For some baseball players, the road to the big leagues can be long and tough. We take a look at Minor League Baseball!
Minor League Baseball - Baby Steps
Everybody in this world has to pay their dues, even professional
baseball players. Minor league baseball serves as a
stepping stone for players to develop their skills and make it to that next level - the MLB. Most minor league teams are affiliated with an
MLB organization that uses the minor leagues as a
farm system to find or develop young talent. Nearly every major MLB star has had to spend some time in the minor leagues. Sometimes MLB
players go back to play in the minor leagues when they come back from
injury and are trying to regain their old form.
Minor League Baseball - Set Up
The Minor Leagues are
divided into three levels.
Triple-A - This is the highest level of baseball under the MLB. Typically an MLB team is comprised of 40 players, though only 25 of those players can dress. The remaining 15 players usually play on the Triple-A team until they get called up. Triple-A teams are also based in big cities such as Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, New Orleans and Nashville. Salary - $2150 US a month.
Double-A - Technically, Double-A is a step down from Triple-A, but the competition can be just as tough. There are plenty of players in Double-A who are on big league rosters by the end of the season. Double-A teams are based in medium-sized cities such as Akron, OH; Portland, Oregon and San Antonio, Texas. Salary - $1500 US a month.
Single-A - Is a league for players who still need to develop their overall skills. Typically the players in Single-A are new draft picks, undrafted free-agents and younger international prospects. Single-A teams are based in medium-sized cities such as Ashville, NC or suburbs like Salem, VA. Salary - $850-$1050 US a month.
Minor Leagues - Did U Know?
Jackie Robinson played for the Montreal Royals before he played with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Minor League Baseball was started in 1901.
Minor league players get a per diem of $20 US a day.
In 2004, there were 15 minor leagues with 176 teams.
After his first retirement from basketball, Michael Jordan played for the Birmingham Barons (Double-A) in 1994.
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