Arizona Complex League Royals Explained

Arizona Complex League Royals
Allyears:2003–2013, 2015–present
City:Surprise, Arizona
Class Level:Rookie
Current League:Arizona Complex League
Division:West
Past League:Arizona League (2003–2013, 2015–2020)
Majorleague:Kansas City Royals
Nickname:ACL Royals Blue & Gold
Ballpark:Surprise Stadium
Leaguenum:1
Leaguechamps:2003
Divnum:1
Divisionchamps:2016 (first-half)

The Arizona Complex League Royals are a Rookie-level affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, competing in the Arizona Complex League of Minor League Baseball. The team plays its home games at Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Arizona. The team is composed mainly of players who are in their first year of professional baseball either as draftees or non-drafted free agents.

History

The team first competed in the Arizona League (AZL) in 2003, succeeding the Kansas City Royals' Florida-based rookie team, the Gulf Coast League Royals.[1] That season, the team fielded two squads in the league, differentiated by numerical suffixes (1 and 2).[1] The Royals 1 squad won the league championship, defeating the AZL Rangers in the title game.[2]

Starting in 2004, the team fielded a single squad in the league, except for the 2014 season when the team did not compete.[1] The team returned to the league in 2015.[3]

Prior to the 2021 season, the Arizona League was renamed as the Arizona Complex League (ACL). For the 2021 season, the team is again fielding two squads, differentiated by color suffixes (Blue and Gold).

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates . . June 28, 2021.
  2. Web site: 2003 Arizona League . . June 28, 2021.
  3. Web site: Royals To Return To Arizona League In 2015. January 16, 2015. May 27, 2015.