Storm Renew Player Development Contract With Padres
Lake Elsinore, CA - The Lake Elsinore Storm are pleased to announce that the Player Development Contract with the San Diego Padres has been renewed through the 2016 season, continuing their relationship that was originally forged in 2001. Padres Executive Vice President/General Manager A.J. Preller made the official announcement in San Diego on Friday.
"Having our Single-A affiliate so close to San Diego has proven to be a huge asset to both our player development staff and also to our fans, who have the opportunity to visit The Diamond and see our future Major Leaguers in action," Preller said. "Gary Jacobs and Dave Oster run one of the finest organizations in minor league baseball. We are excited to continue our relationship with the Storm."
The Storm, who celebrated their 20th Anniversary Season in 2014, have spent the previous 14 years as a Padres affiliate, posting a 1,026-931 (.524) record in that time. Lake Elsinore, along with the Fort Wayne TinCaps, are the only Padres Minor League teams who have been affiliated with San Diego for over a decade. Since becoming a member of the Padres organization, the Storm have made the playoffs 12 times, won the division title five times (2001, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2011) and hoisted the championship trophy twice (2001 and 2011). The 2001 team was named Baseball America's Minor League Team of the Year after compiling a franchise-best 91-49 record.
"Having made the postseason in nine out of the last 10 seasons is a testament not only to the work of our scouting and player development staff, but also to the first-class organization run by the Storm," said Padres Vice President, Player Development Randy Smith. "We are proud to have had a successful 14-year relationship thus far with Lake Elsinore and are thrilled to continue our affiliation for at least another two seasons."
The 2014 season was the first at the helm for former Major League player and coach Jamie Quirk, who led the team to a 75-65 record and a California League playoff berth. Lake Elsinore was home to a number of top prospects this season, including first round draft picks Hunter Renfroe (2013, 13th overall), Zach Eflin (2012, 33rd overall) and Joe Ross (2011, 25th overall). Other notable players included Jose Rondon, who was acquired in the trade that sent Huston Street to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and named this season's California League Rookie of the Year, 2014 MLB Futures Game participant Tyron Guerrero and Mallex Smith, who led all of professional baseball with 88 stolen bases. Lake Elsinore's Terrance Tucker, a San Diego native, was also named Clubhouse Manager of the Year for a second consecutive season.
"We are excited to continue our affiliation with the Padres as we both look to further establish our brands together in the Southern California area," Storm President and General Manager Dave Oster said. "Gary Jacobs and Len Simon, Storm owners since 2001, have cultivated a winning environment in Lake Elsinore and we look forward to helping build the future success of the San Diego Padres."
Of the players currently on the Padres 40-man roster, 15 went through Lake Elsinore during their minor league careers, including Jedd Gyorko, Nick Vincent, Tim Stauffer, Tommy Medica, Rymer Liriano, Cory Spangenberg, Dale Thayer, Kevin Quackenbush, Frank Garces, Juan Pablo Oramas, Donn Roach, Burch Smith, Jace Peterson, Yeison Ascensio and Reymond Fuentes.
The Storm will open the 2015 season on Thursday, April 9 at The Diamond in Lake Elsinore. For all the latest news on the San Diego Padres' California League affiliate, visit stormbaseball.com or 'like' us on Facebook.