As expected, the Cubs formally announced that the organization has invited the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, the Double-A Tennessee Smokies, the High-A South Bend Cubs, and Low-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans to remain affiliates in Major League Baseball’s new player development structure. That means the short-season Eugene Emeralds will no longer be part of the organization, a move Cubs Insider reported in November.
This formal announcement confirms what had been assumed here and elsewhere for quite a while, which is that South Bend and Myrtle Beach would be swapping levels. The Midwest League moved to High-A and the SB Cubs remained there, so the Pelicans will likely join the South Atlantic League or a new league comprised of former teams from the “Sally” and Carolina Leagues.