In just a week-and-a-half’s time, more than 50 percent of minor leaguers have returned signed union authorization cards, Major League Baseball Players Association officials told The Athletic. Now, with that majority’s support, the MLBPA has taken another significant step: it has asked MLB and the 30 teams to formally recognize the MLBPA as the minor leaguers’ collective bargaining representatives, Players Association officials said. 

MLBPA deputy executive director Bruce Meyer made that request for voluntary recognition in a letter sent to deputy MLB commissioner Dan Halem on Tuesday morning. The Players Association sent over what’s known as a card-check agreement, where the league would agree to voluntary recognition, contingent on independent verification of the cards. From here, the next move might belong to commissioner Rob Manfred and the owners, who have yet to publicly comment on the fast-moving unionization effort. MLB did not immediately return a request for comment from The Athletic on Tuesday.

The MLBPA has long represented major league players. In news that took many in the industry by surprise, the Players Association sent out authorization cards to minor leaguers on Aug. 28. The next day, the MLBPA announced it was adding staff members from the non-profit Advocates for Minor Leaguers, a group that spearheaded the organizing process.

“It doesn’t surprise me that as many guys have signed, especially talking to the people that I’ve talked to,” said Trevor Hildenberger, a 31-year-old who has pitched 134 games in the major leagues and is in the San Francisco Giants’ system as a minor leaguer. “‘Elated’ is a good word. But I’m not surprised.

“I have full confidence in the fact that this is an inevitable reality, that the minor leaguers are going to be in the union, and we’re going to collectively bargain with MLB for better working conditions. I have no doubt in my mind that we’re going to reach our goal.”