The Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) have agreed to a player development contract with Double-A Jackson (@jacksongenerals) of the Southern League for four years through the 2020 season, as announced by D-backs Director of Player Development Mike Bell.
"We are ecstatic for our new partnership with the Jackson Generals," Bell said. "It didn't take long to know we were a perfect match. We have the same priorities: community, character in people and players, and of course, winning. We are excited to continue the Generals' winning tradition and look forward to immersing ourselves in the great Jackson community."
Jackson, the 2016 SL Champions, has previously been the Double-A affiliate for the Mariners (2007-16) and Cubs (1998-2006). Since their inception in 1998, the Generals have won 2 SL titles (2000, '16), 5 division titles (1999-2000, '05, '12, '16) and made 8 playoff appearances (1999-2000, '02, '05, '08, '10, '12, '16).
The D-backs have headquartered their Double-A operations in the SL since 2005, first partnering with the Tennessee Smokies from 2005-'06 and then Mobile from 2007-16. In 10 years in Mobile, Arizona fielded winning clubs 6 times and won the SL in both 2011 and 2012.
Each of the last 10 D-backs to be selected to the Major League All-Star Game since 2011 have played for the club's SL affiliate while in the Minor Leagues (Paul Goldschmidt, Miguel Montero, A.J. Pollock, Wade Miley and Patrick Corbin).