Affiliates far exceed outside expectations

TORONTO -- A year that began with the Angels' farm system being ranked the worst in baseball will end with the most successful season ever for the team's Minor League affiliates.

Ironic, isn't it?

With Class A Inland Empire's 15-inning win Wednesday night, each of the Angels' top three affiliates -- Triple-A Salt Lake and Double-A Arkansas being the others -- have qualified for the championship series of their respective leagues for the first time in franchise history.

Some of that is deceiving when it comes to evaluating the young talent in the Angels' system, particularly because the Triple-A club has been mostly filled out by former independent league players and veterans on Minor League contracts. But the Angels have nonetheless seen some good signs out of their young prospects at Double-A and Class A, many of whom are getting a taste of postseason baseball.

The Angels have not had any two affiliates win league titles since 1994 and any three affiliates win league titles since 1991.