MLB To Upgrade Facilities, Offer Housing To Minor League Players

Major League Baseball will be upgrading baseball facilities for minor league organizations and offering housing to minor league players, according to reports by ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

“MLB is engaged in a multi-year effort to modernize the Minor League system and better assist players as they pursue their dreams of playing in the Major Leagues. In 2021, we increased the salaries for Minor League players by 38-72%, depending on level, and significantly reduced travel requirements during the season. In addition, hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of improvements to Minor League ballparks around the country are already underway, including substantial renovations to player-facing facilities like locker rooms and training rooms,” the league says in it statement. “In mid-September, the owners discussed the issue of player housing and unanimously agreed to begin providing housing to certain Minor League players. We are in the process of finalizing the details of that policy and expect it to be announced and in place for the 2022 season.”

This past season minor leaguers had their salaries increased, improved working conditions to promote player health and support development, fewer miles and hours spent traveling, more frequent off-days to improve rest and recovery, and new standards for facilities and clubhouse amenities.

The Nashville Sounds and the Milwaukee Brewers have not made an official statements regarding these changes.

Minor League Baseball returned this season after being canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic. Many teams saw large increases in attendances including the Nashville Sounds who had the largest attendance among all minor league teams in 2021.

Steven Boero