The Wichita Wind Surge has announced the baseball team has been invited to become the Double-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins.
2020 was supposed to mark Wichita's return to Triple-A baseball for the first time in 36 years, as an affiliate for the Miami Marlins. However, the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the entire minor league baseball season, after which, Major League Baseball took over the operations of Minor League Baseball. As the result of extensive reshuffling heading into 2021, many cities saw changes to their class levels and major league affiliations.
The Twins invited the St. Paul Saints (Triple-A), Wichita Wind Surge (Double-A), Cedar Rapids Kernels (High-A) and Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (Low-A) to be part of their new minor-league system.
Wichita will be a Double-A team in the Texas League. The Wichita Pilots & Wichita Wranglers were in the Texas League from 1987-2007, as affiliates with the San Diego Padres and the Kansas City Royals.
“The Wind Surge are excited to receive an invitation to partner with the Minnesota Twins organization, which is recognized in baseball circles for having a great Minor League system,” said Jordan Kobritz, Wind Surge Partner and CEO. “We have among the best player development facilities in all of MiLB and look forward to watching MLB ‘s soon-to-be stars showing off their skills in Riverfront Stadium.
“Our state-of-the-art stadium will provide one of the best fan experiences anywhere in Minor League Baseball. The ballpark features spacious seats, wide concourses, a variety of food and beverage options and multiple seating choices. Fans will be treated to many amenities at the ballpark, including the Emprise Bank Pavilion, Coors Light Party Porch, Fidelity Bank Bravely Onward Club, Dillon’s Picnic Patio and the Left Field Bar. In addition to great baseball, we’re looking forward to hosting a range of non-baseball events that will keep Wichitans and visitors coming to the ballpark year ‘round.
“We look forward to the next steps in this process. The future of affiliated baseball in Wichita is exciting for everyone associated with the Wind Surge organization, our fans, sponsors and the community."