Cardinals Extend Relationship with State College Spikes

photo: 2018 State College Spikes (State College Spikes)

St. Louis Cardinals press release

The St. Louis Cardinals announced today (Friday) that they have agreed to a two-year extension of their player development contract (P.D.C.) with the State College (Pa.) Spikes of the New York-Penn League (A).  Previously contracted through 2018, the newly-announced extension carries through the 2020 season.

“We have enjoyed our seven years in State College and are looking forward to many more,” said St. Louis Cardinals President of Baseball Operations, John Mozeliak.  “We are grateful to Chuck Greenberg, Jason Dambach, and Scott Walker as they provide a tremendous environment to our players to grow on and off the field.”

The Spikes opened their affiliation with the Cardinals organization in 2006 and after six years with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization (2007-12), the Cardinals returned to the Nittany Valley and have called State College their New York-Penn League home since 2013.

The Spikes play their home games at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, which opened in 2006 and share the facility with Penn State University Baseball.

Medlar Field at Lubrano Park (Cooper Deck/The Cardinal Nation)

The Spikes have compiled a 290-216 record (.573), including a winning record at the end of every season they have been affiliated with the Cardinals with three first place finishes posting the top record in the league (2013, 2014 & 2016), and the club record with 50 wins in 2016.  The Spikes went on to win New York-Penn League titles in 2014 and 2016.

The Cardinals currently have five players on their Major League roster which played for State College: Harrison Bader (2015), Austin Gomber (2014), Luke Gregerson (2006), Jordan Hicks (2016) and Daniel Poncedeleon (2014).


Brian Walton’s take

I heartily endorse this decision. The facility and people at State College, from owner Chuck Greenberg on down, are top-notch. In fact, I would have been upset if the relationship did not continue.

Congratulations to both organizations.


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Brian Walton can be reached via email at brian@thecardinalnation.com. Follow Brian on Twitter.

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