New Minor League Baseball Logo Unveiled That Connects To MLB

Minor League Baseball unveiled a new logo that visually ties it closer to Major League Baseball, who has overseen the development system since the end of the 2020 season.

As seismic changes in baseball’s history go, one of the biggest was Major League Baseball taking over the business operations of Minor League Baseball (MiLB). The two had worked together – a Professional Baseball Agreement (PBA) between Major League Baseball and minor league teams – for decades. When MLB took over, it followed MLB commissioner Rob Manfred’s overarching “One Baseball” internal initiative that is designed to make the business of baseball more efficient and effective.

The new logo released today was described by MLB and MiLB as “representing the lasting connection between MiLB and MLB as part of the new ‘MLB Player Development’ league structure.”

Indeed, the ties between MLB’s iconic logo – the silhouetted batter believed to be based on Harmon Killebrew – and the new MiLB logo are striking. While the red, white, and blue are traded for a powder blue and dark blue that is similar to the blue in MLB’s logo, the iconic batter silhouette of the MLB logo replaces MiLB’s prior batter image. An angular four-star motif, reflecting both the player progression through the Minor League system and the star MLB players of the future, is added. To make room, the batter silhouette is shifted to the left of where it sits in the MLB logo.

“The relationship between Minor League Baseball and Major League Baseball has never been stronger, and this new brand identity is a testament to that strength,” said Morgan Sword, Major League Baseball’s Executive Vice President, Baseball Operations. “MiLB, its players, and its fans play a critical role in our efforts to grow baseball’s popularity around the globe, and we are thrilled to introduce a new logo signifying that opportunity.”

“This is merely one component of a broader brand marketing effort to elevate awareness of the incredible fan experience within each of our MiLB ballparks,” said Kristin Barnett, Senior Director of Marketing for MiLB. “We are excited for the future of the player development system, and this is one small but important step toward recognizing MiLB as part of the broader “one baseball” initiative.”

As to when the logo will be first seen in MiLB content, the sides report the new logo will begin appearing on Saturday night’s broadcast of the Triple-A National Championship Game in Las Vegas and will be used extensively within the production of the new MiLB Awards Show on MLB Network on October 2. The new logo will be seen across several platforms in the off-season, including all MiLB-owned and operated media platforms and incorporated further across league touch points beginning Opening Day of the 2024 season.

Minor League Baseball consists of 120 teams across four classification levels (Single-A, High-A, Double-A and Triple-A) that are affiliated with Major League Baseball’s 30 teams. It was started in 1901.