Royals extend agreements with four Minor League affiliates

KANSAS CITY, MO (August 21, 2014) - The Kansas City Royals announced today that they have extended their Player Development Contracts with their minor league affiliates in Idaho Falls (Rookie) and Wilmington (A-Advanced) through the 2016 season, and with Lexington (A) through 2018. In addition, the club also extended its working agreement with Burlington (Rookie) through the 2016 season as well.

"We are excited to extend our contracts with Burlington, Idaho Falls, Lexington (through 2018) and Wilmington for an additional two years," Royals Director of Player Development Scott Sharp said.

"We feel these cities and facilities are some of the best in all of minor league baseball and provide us a great advantage in developing the Royals of the future. There is great history tied to each of these affiliates as many of our current Major League players have donned their uniforms; we want to continue these relationships for a long time."

  The Idaho Falls Chuckars have been a Royals' affiliate since 2004, with the club winning the Pioneer League last season. The Burlington Royals have been a Kansas City affiliate since 2007, playing in the Appalachian League. The Lexington Legends are KC's newest affiliate, having joined the Royals' organization in 2013 as a member in the South Atlantic League. Wilmington is Kansas City's longest tenured minor league affiliate, having been with the organization from 1993-2004, and then returning on their current agreement in 2007. The Blue Rocks have won the Carolina League four times (1994, 1996, 1998, 1999) as a Royals affiliate.

For more information, members of the media may contact the Royals Media Relations Department at (816) 921-8000.