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Interest in minor league baseball has been growing immensely over the past decade, but for the most part, you had to actually go to a game to see the players play. But Minor League Baseball announced a partnership with the CBS Sports Network today to televise 15 minor league games this season as part of a "Game of the Week" package.
The first broadcast is tonight; the Pirates' Triple-A affiliate, the Indianapolis Indians, will face the Pawtucket Red Sox. But of particular interest for everyone here will be the May 29 matchup, when the Iowa Cubs travel to Memphis to take on the Redbirds.
May 29 is also likely just before the "Super Two" cutoff date, so the Iowa roster should still be intact with Javier Baez and Arismendy Alcantara, at least. In any case, it's a great opportunity to see what I think is the best and most prospect-heavy Iowa Cubs team in recent memory. Maybe ever.
Additionally, May 29 is a scheduled off-day for the Cubs, so no one will have to choose between the major league team and Iowa. I'm sure we'll have a game thread as well, for those who can't take a day off from those.
CBS Sports Network and Minor League Baseball announced only the first five telecasts. If another game involving a Cubs affiliate gets picked up, we'll let you know.