Perth Heat will once again be bolstered by a collection of Tampa Bay Ray young guns after the club reignited their partnership with the Major League Baseball outfit.

After a pandemic-enforced hiatus last year, the two teams have locked in agreement for the Rays to send players and coaches Down Under to bolster the Heat’s stocks during the 2022-23 Australian Baseball League season.

The partnership has previously been a boon for the Heat, with several of the Rays products playing starring roles in helping Perth reach the post-season in all four years of the affiliation.

Jake Fraley, Mike Brosseau and Chris Sanchez were all Tampa Bay products who played for the Heat before going on to play in the MLB, with Fraley winning the ABL’s MVP award in 2018.

Rays assistant director of minor league operations George Pappas described the Heat as a “true home away from home” for the players and staff who had previously made the trip to Perth.

“While the pandemic has made the past two seasons challenging in the minor leagues and the ABL, we relish the chance to return to Perth, where we’ve enjoyed great hospitality and meaningful opportunity to continue development in a highly competitive environment,” he said.

“Players and staff each year fondly recall both the quality of baseball and the cultural experience in Western Australia, and it’s our belief that it makes them better professionals and people, in general, when they return to compete in the United States.

“We know those whom we send consistently enjoy and benefit from their time wearing the Heat uniform.”

Perth Heat chief executive Steven Nelkovski said the announcement was a significant agreement and called the partnership “the best in Australian sport”.

“In four wonderful seasons of hosting the Rays, three prospects – who played for the Heat – have already gone on to play in the big leagues and we could potentially see two or three more in the coming months,” he said.

“Perth Heat are grateful, excited and proud to continue this partnership with the Rays.

“We’d like to thank George, Patrick Walters and the entire Tampa Bay Rays organisation for once again trusting Perth Heat to continue the development of some of their prized talent.”