The Biloxi Shuckers are a Minor League Baseball team based in Biloxi, Mississippi. They are the Double-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers and play in the Southern League.
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The Biloxi Shuckers are affiliated with the Milwaukee Brewers organization. They serve as the Brewers’ Double-A club. The Shuckers play in the Southern League at the Double-A level.
Minor League Baseball teams work within a system of affiliations with Major League Baseball clubs. The affiliations dictate which MLB organization each MiLB team is partnered with. This allows the MLB clubs to develop their young talent and rising stars within the MiLB farm system.
The Biloxi Shuckers represent one piece of the Milwaukee Brewers’ minor league system. As the Brewers’ Double-A squad, the Shuckers are an important developmental step for Milwaukee’s prospects on their path to the majors. Double-A is the second-highest level in the minors, below only Triple-A.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the relationship between the Brewers and Shuckers. We will cover:
- An overview of Minor League Baseball affiliations
- The origins of the Biloxi Shuckers franchise
- Their history as a Brewers affiliate
- The importance of Double-A in the minor league pipeline
- Notable Brewers players who spent time with the Shuckers
Examining the Brewers-Shuckers affiliation provides insight into how Major League clubs develop talent at the minor league level.
How Minor League Baseball Affiliations Work
Affiliations are a crucial part of the structure of Minor League Baseball. The minors serve as a development and evaluation system for MLB organizations. Affiliations dictate the flow of players between each MLB club and their assigned MiLB teams at various levels.
Most MiLB teams are independently owned and operated as separate business entities from MLB clubs. However, they enter into Player Development Contracts (PDCs) with MLB teams to form affiliations. PDCs establish the terms of the working relationship between the MLB parent club and their various MiLB affiliates. These agreements cover a range of areas such as financial responsibilities, facility standards, medical care for players, and more.
MLB clubs are limited to five affiliates at the following minor league levels:
- Triple-A (highest level)
- Double-A
- High-A
- Low-A
- Rookie leagues
The purpose of affiliations is to create an integrated player development pipeline. MLB organizations assign their prospects and rising young players to their various MiLB affiliates based on their developmental needs. As players progress in skill and experience, they’ll be promoted through higher levels of the minors.
Assignment Rules
There are limits on which players can be assigned to each minor league level by the parent MLB club:
- Triple-A – Typically the most developed prospects who may contribute to the MLB club soon. No more than one inactive MLB player may be assigned to Triple-A for rehabilitation purposes.
- Double-A – Refined talents who are almost ready for MLB level. No more than two inactive MLB players may be assigned to Double-A for rehab.
- High-A – Young prospects in need of honing skills against elevated competition. No MLB players may be assigned here except for a one-day rehab window.
- Low-A – The newest professional players, typically recently drafted or signed. No MLB players may be assigned here.
- Rookie – Entry level for players just entering the pro ranks, often straight out of high school or college. No MLB players here.
When determining placements, MLB organizations must abide by these assignment limits based on prior professional experience and service time accrued. This ensures proper developmental progression through the various affiliate levels.
History of the Biloxi Shuckers
The origins of the Biloxi Shuckers can be traced back to 1978, when they began play as the Columbus Astros. Located in Columbus, Georgia, they were a Class A affiliate of the Houston Astros at the time.
In 1991, the team relocated to the Louisiana area and became known as the Shreveport Captains. They maintained their affiliation with the Astros through the 2005 season.
From 2006 to 2014, the franchise was known as the Corpus Christi Hooks. Corpus Christi, Texas served as their home and they were the Double-A Texas League squad for the Astros.
In 2015, the team underwent another rebrand and relocation, becoming the Biloxi Shuckers in Biloxi, Mississippi. They also changed their MLB affiliation to the Milwaukee Brewers, replacing the Huntsville Stars at the Double-A level after Huntsville moved down to Class A Advanced.
The Shuckers have been Milwaukee’s Southern League affiliate ever since, serving a key role as a developmental stepping stone to the majors.
Brewers Affiliation History
The Biloxi Shuckers began their affiliation with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2015. This marked the continuation of Milwaukee’s foothold in the Southern League at the Double-A level.
From 2007 to 2014, the Brewers were affiliated with the Huntsville Stars in Alabama. When the Stars were dropped to Class A Advanced status after the 2014 campaign, it left Milwaukee without a Double-A presence in the region.
That changed by linking up with the Shuckers upon their establishment in Biloxi. It allowed the Brewers to maintain Double-A players in the Southern League, an important developmental proving ground.
During their tenure together, the Shuckers and Brewers have seen several notable prospects come through Biloxi on their trek towards Milwaukee:
- Josh Hader – Brewers closer, 3x All-Star
- Brandon Woodruff – Brewers #2 starter, All-Star
- Corbin Burnes – 2020 NL Cy Young winner
- Freddy Peralta – Brewers #3 starter
- Luis Urias – Brewers starting 2B
- Mauricio Dubon – Brewers SS traded to Giants
In addition to developing future MLB contributors, the Shuckers have achieved success in the Southern League. They’ve made five playoff appearances in their first seven seasons, including back-to-back division titles in 2017 and 2018.
The Shuckers have proven to be an excellent Double-A home for Milwaukee prospects to hone their skills en route to the majors. Both organizations have benefited from the affiliation.
Importance of the Double-A Level
Double-A is a significant developmental stage within the minor league pipeline. It represents the second-highest level in the minors, one step below the Triple-A level.
For prospects ascending through the system, Double-A presents a key transitional point. The competition level takes a notable jump compared to Class A leagues. This tests players’ skill refinement and their ability to execute fundamentals consistently.
Double-A also introduces additional physical and mental challenges. Long bus rides and poor field conditions help toughen players for the rigors of professional baseball. Meanwhile, mixing in more experienced veterans forces younger prospects to adapt their mental approach and focus.
MLB organizations use Double-A assignments to determine who could help the big-league club soon and who requires more developmental time. Double-A stats and performance are weighted more heavily than at lower levels when evaluating a prospect’s future potential.
For the Brewers, the Biloxi Shuckers represent a critical checkpoint. How Milwaukee prospects handle the Double-A challenge offers meaningful clues about their MLB readiness. Many top Brewers players first made their mark at Double-A en route to the majors.
Notable Brewers Progressing Through Biloxi
Here are some standout Brewers players who passed through Biloxi during their development:
- Josh Hader – Posted 0.52 ERA, 16 saves at Biloxi in 2016. Debuted with Brewers in 2017, became elite closer.
- Brandon Woodruff – Struck out 74 batters in 66 IP in Biloxi in 2017. Now Brewers #2 starter and 2021 All-Star.
- Corbin Burnes – Had 1.67 ERA with Biloxi in 2018, set MLB record for strikeout/walk ratio in 2020 on way to NL Cy Young.
- Luis Urias – Hit .307/.405/.438 at Biloxi in 2018. Brewers starting 2B when healthy.
- Mauricio Dubon – Versatile infielder hit .343 in Biloxi before trade to Giants.
Their significant growth and refinement during Double-A demonstrated these players were advancing toward MLB readiness. More recently, infield prospect Brice Turang and right-hander Ethan Small hope to follow a similar ascent through Biloxi.
Conclusion
The affiliation between the Biloxi Shuckers and Milwaukee Brewers has proven to be mutually beneficial. It continues Milwaukee’s tradition of talent development at the critical Double-A level in the Southern League.
For the Shuckers, they gain prestige and attention by associating with an MLB parent club. The Brewers provide high-upside young prospects for Biloxi fans to enjoy watching. When those players advance to Milwaukee, it highlights the key role Biloxi plays.
Meanwhile, the Brewers tap into a resource that molds emerging talent into legitimate big leaguers. Double-A is the ultimate proving ground, and Biloxi has frequently passed Milwaukee prospects with flying colors.
The partnership between the Shuckers and Brewers franchises should continue reaping rewards for both organizations into the future. By working in tandem, they can help nurture the next wave of Brewers talent.