Brewers extend player development contract with Rookie Helena Brewers

MILWAUKEE, WI - The Milwaukee Brewers have announced a four-year player development contract extension with the Rookie Helena Brewers of the Pioneer League through the 2018 season.
 
"Our affiliation with the Helena Brewers has been very positive and we're excited to extend our player development contract with the franchise," said Brewers Vice President - Assistant General Manager Gord Ash. "Many players on our big league roster started their professional careers at Helena, where they developed and honed their skills to play at the Major League level."
 
Ryan Braun, Khris Davis, Mike Fiers, Jonathan Lucroy, Jimmy Nelson and Tyler Thornburg each began their professional baseball careers with the Helena Brewers. Wily Peralta played the majority of the 2008 season at Helena.
 
"The Brewers have been flexible and appreciative of the efforts that we make, and I believe that the long relationship over the years has made this the best partnership it has ever been," said Helena Brewers President/General Manager Paul Fetz. "We know each other, we know what to expect and we work well together. There is a mutual respect. When I went to Spring Training a few years ago I really felt a part of the organization. I wasn't just some executive from the outside."
 
Last season, Helena advanced to the Pioneer League championship and finished a win away from claiming the league title, dropping a best-of-three series to Idaho Falls. Helena won the Pioneer League title in 2010, the franchise's first championship since 1996 (won back-to-back championships as a Brewers affiliate from 1995-96).

The Helena Brewers are located in Helena, Montana and have been a Brewers rookie affiliate since the 2003 season. Helena was also a Milwaukee farm team from 1985 through 2000.