The Somerset Patriots, the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, have been recognized as Baseball America’s 2024 Freitas Award winner for Double-A Organization of the Year. This prestigious honor underscores the team’s commitment to excellence both on and off the field, setting a benchmark in Minor League Baseball.
Since its founding in 1981, Baseball America has been a leading voice in baseball coverage, particularly at the minor league level, highlighting emerging talent and franchise achievements. The Freitas Award, named after longtime Minor League Baseball ambassador Bob Freitas, celebrates sustained success and exceptional organizational performance. Each year, one team from Single-A, Double-A, and Triple-A levels receives this distinguished award.
“Our Freitas Award honors excellence across an entire minor league baseball operation,” said Baseball America Executive Editor J.J. Cooper. “From ticket takers to the general manager, it’s an honor we bestow on clubs that consistently exceed expectations. Somerset’s operation has been outstanding for years, first in the Atlantic League and now as the Yankees’ Double-A affiliate.”
Yankees’ Double-A farm milestones
@SOMPatriots
The 2024 season was nothing short of spectacular for the Yankees’ Double-A farm at the Somerset Patriots, driven by dynamic fan engagement, successful promotions, and on-field excellence. Key highlights included:
Jersey Diners Alternate Identity: The team launched the award-winning “Jersey Diners” branding, leading to its best retail year in franchise history and boosting game attendance by 42%.
Star-Studded Appearances: High-profile rehab assignments, including 2023 AL Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole, added excitement.
Emerging Talent: Prospects like Spencer Jones and a record number of MLB call-ups showcased the team’s player development success.
Winning Tradition: The team secured a Northeast Division Championship, finishing with a 75-62 overall record and a dominant second-half campaign of 43-25.
Voices of gratitude and celebration
Senior Vice President and Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman commended the Patriots’ achievements. “On behalf of the New York Yankees, I’d like to congratulate our Somerset Patriots on being named the winner of the Freitas Award as Baseball America’s top Double-A organization of 2024,” Cashman said. “The Kalafer family and the Patriots staff have shown an unbelievable commitment to player development and have been exceptional partners in building our future.”
What could be finer than a Jersey Diner? Introducing our newest alternate identity, the Jersey Diners, to celebrate the historic and cultural significance of diners across the Garden State! ☕️ | https://t.co/cCJAmGsUYKpic.twitter.com/rj0uaUcUY8
Patriots co-Chairman Jonathan Kalafer echoed those sentiments. “We are incredibly honored and humbled to receive Baseball America’s Freitas Award,” he said. “Minor League Baseball is filled with some of the most creative and innovative professionals in sports. Being part of this community brings us joy every day — and being recognized as the best this year is the icing on the cake.”
His brother and co-Chairman Josh Kalafer emphasized the collective effort that fueled the Yankees Double-A team’s success. “This award is a testament to the dedication of every person in our organization — from front office staff to coaches, players, and game-day personnel,” he said. “It reflects the heart and passion poured into this special season.”
Engagement beyond the ballpark
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The Patriots’ success extended far beyond game results. The Yankees’ Double-A team ranked fourth out of 120 Minor League organizations in social media engagement, generating 49 million impressions. Their broadcasts also topped Double-A baseball, with over 1.6 million minutes streamed.
“We will never take for granted our extraordinary partnership with the Yankees,” Josh Kalafer added. “It is the privilege of a lifetime to be part of the journey of future stars of the most recognizable brand in sports and to share that experience with the best fans in the game.”
Cashman reaffirmed the Yankees’ continued support: “We couldn’t be prouder of this well-deserved recognition and look forward to deepening our partnership with the Patriots.”
As the Somerset Patriots set their sights on the 2025 season, the Yankees’ Double-A farm remain committed to raising the bar even higher. “We are unbelievably proud of this accomplishment,” Jonathan Kalafer said, “and will continue holding our team to the highest standards as we build for the future.”
With a blend of passion, innovation, and community spirit, the Somerset Patriots have cemented their legacy as one of Minor League Baseball’s finest organizations — a true model of sustained excellence and success.
