El Paso Chihuahuas 2020 Season Officially Canceled
As Major League Baseball players report to their home ballparks this week and prepare for Spring Training 2.0, the question of a Minor League Baseball season had yet to be addressed. That changed this afternoon when MILB sent out a message on Twitter officially putting an end to their 2020 season before it ever started.
Almost immediately after the MILB statement, the El Paso Chihuahuas and MountainStar Sports Group released their own announcement.
The team's commitment to continuing to serve the local schools as well as the community through social media, technology, and other means is good news. During the last few months, the Chihuahuas have replayed classic games from their first six seasons on Facebook and they have also had different contests for fans. Chico will also stay busy since he continues to make local appearances despite COVID-19.
Today's news is upsetting to every baseball fan that was hoping to see watch an abbreviated Minor League season, but it should not come as a surprise to anyone. During the last few months, the MILB season was never brought up as MLB owners and the MLBPA negotiated a return to play. Every MLB team is allowed to carry a 60-man player pool and most have included their top prospects. The Padres player pool includes Taylor Trammell, Mackenzie Gore, and Luis Patiño, who could have all started the season with the Chihuahuas. Interestingly enough, 2020 first round pick Robert Hassell III is also part of the player pool.