The Milwaukee Brewers today announced that the team has purchased a full ownership stake in the Class A Carolina Mudcats. The Mudcats are the Brewers affiliate in the Carolina League and are based in Zebulon, North Carolina.

The transaction closed and has been approved by the Carolina League.

"We have been very pleased with the Mudcats affiliation as it provides an excellent level of competition and first-class facilities at a key development level in our farm system," said Brewers General Manager David Stearns.

"Moving into an ownership position will give us an opportunity to continue to enhance what is already a first-class operation on both the business and baseball sides."

The history of the Mudcats in North Carolina dates to 1991 when the team was a Double A club in the Southern League. In 2012, they joined the Carolina League as a Class A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The 2017 season was the first year that the Mudcats were affiliated with the Brewers. The team compiled a record of 73-65, missed the playoffs by just one game, and featured several of the Brewers top prospects.

Prior to the purchase, Steve Bryant was majority owner of the Carolina franchise.