The Pittsburgh Pirates and Indianapolis Indians have agreed on a Player Development Contract that will run through the 2020 season. The old deal was set to expire after the 2016 season. The Pirates moved their AAA club from Nashville to Indianapolis in 2005. They have had a winning record there each of the last five seasons, and they have made the playoffs three of the last four years.
The 2016 season should be an exciting one for Indianapolis. They will likely start the season with five of the top ten prospects in the organization. Tyler Glasnow and Jameson Taillon are set for the rotation, while first baseman Josh Bell, second baseman Alen Hanson and catcher Elias Diaz should all be in the infield. Later in the year, Nick Kingham should return from his Tommy John surgery, giving them six of the top ten prospects. It’s also possible with the way that Austin Meadows played at AA last year, that he could see some time at Indianapolis at the very end of the season.
The Pirates are signed with Altoona and West Virginia through the 2018 season. They own the teams in Bradenton and Bristol(as well as GCL/DSL). They Morgantown PDC is unknown, but they are at least with the Pirates through the 2016 season and it’s likely the Pirates would like to keep them around. After winning the NYPL title this year, the feelings should be mutual with the Morgantown ownership.