Pittsburgh Pirates and Indianapolis Indians sign four-year player development contract extension

The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced a four-year player development contract extension with the Indianapolis Indians that will run through the 2020 season. The announcement was made by Pirates Executive Vice President, General Manager Neal Huntington and Pirates Director of Player Development, Larry Broadway.

"We are thrilled to be continuing our relationship with the Indianapolis Indians, their terrific ownership, front office staff and fans," said Huntington.

Indianapolis posted an 83-61 record in 2015, which was tied for the best record in the International League. The Indians swept Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, three-games-to-none, in the first round of the playoffs before losing the fifth and deciding game of the league's Governors' Cup championship series against Columbus.

Indianapolis has been Pittsburgh's Triple-A affiliate since 2005. The Indians have qualified for the postseason and won at least 80 games in three of the last four years, and is the only International League team to post a winning record in each of the past five years - seven times in 11 seasons while affiliated with the Pirates.

"I could not be more pleased that we have extended our relationship with the Indians through the 2020 season," said Broadway. "Indianapolis is a wonderful community, Victory Field is an outstanding ballpark and the entire Indians' staff is committed to making their operation the best in baseball. We look forward to building on this tremendous affiliate relationship over the next five years, and hopefully many more beyond that."