Arizona Complex League Brewers

Arizona Complex League Brewers
Minor league affiliations
ClassRookie
LeagueArizona Complex League (2021–present)
DivisionCentral Division
Previous leagues
Arizona League (1988–1995, 2001–2020)
Major league affiliations
TeamMilwaukee Brewers
Minor league titles
League titles (5)
  • 1988
  • 1989
  • 1990
  • 2010
  • 2023
Division titles (2)
  • 2010
  • 2023
First-half titles (1)2017
Team data
NameACL Brewers (2023–present)
Previous names
  • ACL Brewers Blue (2021–2022)
  • ACL Brewers Gold (2021–2022)
  • AZL Brewers Blue (2019–2020)
  • AZL Brewers Gold (2019–2020)
  • AZL Brewers (1988–1995, 2001–2018)
ColorsNavy blue, yellow
   
BallparkAmerican Family Fields of Phoenix (2001–present)
Previous parks
Compadre Stadium (1988–1995)
Owner(s)/
Operator(s)
Milwaukee Brewers
ManagerRafael Neda

The Arizona Complex League Brewers are a Minor League Baseball team of the Arizona Complex League (ACL) and a Rookie-level affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Phoenix, Arizona, and play their home games at American Family Fields of Phoenix.

Established as members of the Arizona League (AZL) in its inaugural 1988 season, the Arizona League Brewers played at Compadre Stadium until 1995. Milwaukee did not operate a team in the league from 1996 through 2000, but it returned to play in 2001 at American Family Fields of Phoenix, then known as Maryvale Baseball Park. With the reorganization of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the AZL Brewers became the ACL Brewers after their league was renamed. Milwaukee fielded two squads from 2019 to 2022: the AZL/ACL Brewers Blue and AZL/ACL Brewers Gold. The Brewers have won five ACL championships, including three consecutive titles in their first three seasons and most recently in 2023.

History

[edit]

The Arizona League Brewers were one of four teams to compete in the inaugural Arizona League (AZL) season of 1988.[1] The short-season Rookie classification league was created to serve as a developmental league, similar to extended spring training, specifically for recently drafted high school and Latin American players.[2] The Brewers played their home games at Compadre Stadium in Chandler, Arizona.[2] This was the spring training site of the Milwaukee Brewers, who operated the team.[3]

The AZL Brewers' first game was a 13–11 victory over the AZL Mariners/Red Sox on June 23, 1988.[4][5] Managed by Alex Taveras,[6] the Brewers won the first Arizona League championship with a league-best 40–18 record.[1] Jeff Nate led the Brewers to a second AZL title in 1989, topping the league with a 40–15 mark.[7][8] They won a third consecutive AZL championship in 1990 with a league-best 36–17 record under the returning Taveras.[9][10] The Brewers posted winning records in each of their next five seasons, but did not finish atop the league standings.[11]

Following the 1995 season, Milwaukee moved their Rookie affiliation from Chandler to the Ogden Raptors of the Pioneer League in Ogden, Utah, to escape Arizona's summer heat and provide their players with better working conditions.[3] They returned to operations in the Arizona League in 2001.[11] From this point, they played their home games at Maryvale Baseball Park (now called American Family Fields of Phoenix), Milwaukee's spring training site since 1998.[12]

A baseball game being played on a green field surrouned by blue stadium seats
The Brewers have played at American Family Fields of Phoenix since 2001.

Unlike AZL Brewers teams from the initial 1988 to 1995 run, those in the second stretch starting in 2001 posted losing records through 2009.[11] Despite the team's results, two Brewers were selected for the Arizona League Most Valuable Player Award during this period: Hernán Iribarren in 2004 and Lorenzo Cain in 2005.[13][14]

In the 2010 season, manager Tony Diggs led the team to win the Central Division title and a berth in the AZL's limited playoffs. The Brewers defeated the AZL Rangers in a single semifinal game before winning the championship game versus the AZL Reds to earn their fourth league crown.[15] Diggs won the league's Manager of the Year Award.[16]

After this success in 2010, the Brewers returned to posting losing records each season from 2011 to 2016.[11] Rafael Neda's 2017 Brewers qualified for the playoffs by winning the First Half Central Division title,[17][18] but they were eliminated by the AZL Cubs in the quarterfinal match.[19]

In 2019, Milwaukee began fielding two Arizona League squads. AZL Brewers Blue and AZL Brewers Gold, named for their major league team's colors, were created to allow ample playing time for the Brewers' large number of recent high school draftees and international signings.[20] Prior to the 2021 season, the Arizona League was renamed the Arizona Complex League (ACL). In 2022, Brewers Blue outfielder Jace Avina was chosen for the ACL Most Valuable Player Award.[21]

Milwaukee consolidated its Blue and Gold squads into a single team in 2023.[22] They qualified for the playoffs that season for the first time since 2017 by winning the Central Division, 31–25.[23] They defeated the ACL Rockies in a single game, 3–2, to advance to the best-of-three finals.[24] The Brewers won their fifth ACL championship over the ACL Diamondbacks Red, 2–1.[24] Reliever Gerson Calzadilla was chosen for the ACL Pitcher of the Year Award.[25]

Season-by-season records

[edit]
Key
League The team's final position in the league standings
Division The team's final position in the divisional standings
GB Games behind the team that finished in first place in the division that season
† League champions (1988–present)
* Division champions (2009–present)
^ Postseason berth (2001–present)
Season-by-season records
Season Regular-season Postseason Ref.
Record Win % League Division GB Record Win % Result
1988
† 		40–18 .690 1st — — — — Won AZL championship [1]
1989
† 		41–15 .732 1st — — — — Won AZL championship [8]
1990
† 		36–17 .679 1st — — — — Won AZL championship [9]
1991 34–26 .567 2nd — 5 — — — [26]
1992 31–25 .554 4th — 3 — — — [27]
1993 29–27 .518 5th — 6+1⁄2 — — — [28]
1994 32–24 .571 2nd (tie) — 2 — — — [29]
1995 34–22 .607 3rd — 3 — — — [30]
2001 27–29 .482 4th — 8 — — — [31]
2002 26–30 .464 6th — 9 — — — [32]
2003 18–37 .327 9th — 19+1⁄2 — — — [33]
2004 24–32 .429 8th — 13 — — — [34]
2005 22–34 .393 8th — 17 — — — [35]
2006 21–35 .375 8th — 15+1⁄2 — — — [36]
2007 19–37 .339 9th — 18 — — — [37]
2008 13–42 .236 9th — 25+1⁄2 — — — [38]
2009 25–31 .446 7th 4th 14 — — — [39]
2010
* † 		34–22 .607 2nd 1st — 2–0 1.000 Won Central Division title
Won semifinals vs. AZL Rangers, 1–0
Won AZL championship vs. AZL Reds, 1–0 		[15]
2011 17–39 .304 13th 4th 17 — — — [40]
2012 19–37 .339 11th 3rd 15+1⁄2 — — — [41]
2013 23–33 .411 10th 3rd 11 — — — [42]
2014 24–31 .436 10th 3rd 14 — — — [43]
2015 23–33 .411 12th (tie) 4th (tie) 7+1⁄2 — — — [44]
2016 24–29 .453 12th 4th 8 — — — [45]
2017
^ 		33–23 .589 3rd 2nd 4 0–1 .000 Won First Half Central Division title[18]
Lost quarterfinals vs. AZL Cubs, 1–0 		[19]
2018 22–33 .400 15th 5th 14+1⁄2 — — — [46]
2019Blue 23–33 .411 16th 6th 10 — — — [47]
2019Gold 16–40 .286 21st 6th 23 — — — [47]
2020Blue Season cancelled (COVID-19 pandemic)[48] [49]
2020Gold [49]
2021Blue 21–33 .389 15th 6th 11+1⁄2 — — — [50]
2021Gold 26–23 .531 8th 2nd 9 — — — [50]
2022Blue 19–34 .538 17th 6th 14 — — — [51]
2022Gold 32–21 .604 5th 2nd 1 — — — [51]
2023
* † 		31–25 .554 5th (tie) 1st — 3–1 .750 Won Central Division title
Won semifinals vs. ACL Rockies, 1–0
Won ACL championship vs. ACL Diamondbacks Red, 2–1[24] 		[23]
2024 28–32 .467 9th (tie) 4th 12 — — — [52]
Totals 887–1,002 .470 — — — 5–2 .714 — —

Roster

[edit]
Arizona Complex League Brewers roster
Players Coaches/Other

Pitchers

  • -- Tanner Gillis
  • -- Garrett Hodges
  • 28 Bjorn Johnson
  • -- Bryce Meccage
  • 62 Jose Meneses
  • 29 Hayden Robinson
  • -- Travis Smith
  • 46 Caden Vire
  • 21 Ismael Yanez

Catchers

  •  3 Eric Martinez
  • 18 Edgardo Ordonez
  • 26 Yannic Walther

Infielders

  •  7 Luiyin Alastre
  •  6 Johan Barrios
  • 38 Gery Holguin
  • 12 Pedro Ibarguen
  •  5 Luis Lameda
  • -- Demetrio Nadal
  • 32 Tyler Rodriguez

Outfielders

  • 10 Antony Gomez
  • 22 Ramon Moreno

Manager

  • 12 Rafael Neda

Coaches

  • 45 Evan Berliner (hitting)
  • 68 Ricky Carvajal (development)
  • 53 Luisa Gauci (hitting)
  • 52 Jesús Hernández (pitching)
  • 63 Blake Nation (pitching)


7-day injured list
* On Milwaukee Brewers 40-man roster
~ Development list
# Rehab assignment
∞ Reserve list
‡ Restricted list
§ Suspended list
† Temporarily inactive list
Roster updated November 4, 2024
 Transactions
→ More rosters: MiLB • Arizona Complex League
 → Milwaukee Brewers minor league players

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "1988 Arizona League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Herberg, Lloyd (February 19, 1988). "Rookie Baseball League to Begin Play in Valley". Arizona Republic. Phoenix. p. E3 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b "Brewers Agree to New Rookie Club Affiliation". The Oshkosh Northwestern. Oshkosh. November 8, 1995. p. C2 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Arizona Rookie League". Arizona Republic. Phoenix. June 24, 1988. p. F5 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "1988 Arizona League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  6. ^ "1988 Brewers Roster". Stats Crew. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  7. ^ "1989 Brewers Roster". Stats Crew. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  8. ^ a b "1989 Arizona League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  9. ^ a b "1990 Arizona League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  10. ^ "1990 Brewers Roster". Stats Crew. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  11. ^ a b c d "Brewers Franchise History (1988–2018)". Stats Crew. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  12. ^ "Maryvale Baseball Park". Stats Crew. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  13. ^ "Hernan Iribarren Stats, Highlights, Bio". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  14. ^ "Lorenzo Cain Stats, Highlights, Bio". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  15. ^ a b "2010 Arizona League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  16. ^ Kuehn, Amber (June 19, 2013). "New Helena Brewers Manager Tony Diggs Back Where It All Began". Independent Record. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  17. ^ "2017 Brewers Roster". Stats Crew. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  18. ^ a b Uhlman, Harold (August 11, 2017). "Dodgers Minor League Short-Season Playoff Picture". Think Blue LA. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  19. ^ a b "2017 Arizona League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  20. ^ McCalvy, Adam (December 18, 2018). "Brewers Add 2nd Rookie Affiliate in Arizona". Major League Baseball. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  21. ^ Avallone, Michael (November 11, 2022). "Complex League Award Winners and All-Stars". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  22. ^ "Schedule". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  23. ^ a b "2023 Arizona Complex League Standings". Arizona Complex League. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  24. ^ a b c "2023 Rookie-Level Playoffs Coverage". Minor League Baseball. August 28, 2023. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  25. ^ Terranova, Rob (October 5, 2023). "The 2023 Rookie-Level All-Stars and Award Winners". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on October 6, 2023. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  26. ^ "1991 Arizona League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  27. ^ "1992 Arizona League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  28. ^ "1993 Arizona League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  29. ^ "1994 Arizona League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  30. ^ "1995 Arizona League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  31. ^ "2001 Arizona League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  32. ^ "2002 Arizona League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  33. ^ "2003 Arizona League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  34. ^ "2004 Arizona League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  35. ^ "2005 Arizona League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  36. ^ "2006 Arizona League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  37. ^ "2007 Arizona League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  38. ^ "2008 Arizona League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  39. ^ "2009 Arizona League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  40. ^ "2011 Arizona League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  41. ^ "2012 Arizona League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  42. ^ "2013 Arizona League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  43. ^ "2014 Arizona League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  44. ^ "2015 Arizona League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  45. ^ "2016 Arizona League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  46. ^ "2018 Arizona League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  47. ^ a b "2019 Arizona League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  48. ^ "A Message From Pat O'Conner". Minor League Baseball. March 13, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  49. ^ a b "2020 Milwaukee Brewers Media Guide" (PDF). Milwaukee Brewers. Major League Baseball. 2020. pp. 203–204. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 22, 2020. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
  50. ^ a b "2021 Arizona Complex League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  51. ^ a b "2022 Arizona Complex League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  52. ^ "2024 Arizona Complex League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
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