Get to know the teams in the High-A East
As the 2021 season approaches, MiLB.com introduces the 11 leagues created by the restructuring of Minor League Baseball across four levels of play. Below is a team-by-team introduction to the High-A East, including affiliation, previous circuit and most recent championship. (Note: "Established" refers to the first year of a team's
As the 2021 season approaches, MiLB.com introduces the 11 leagues created by the restructuring of Minor League Baseball across four levels of play. Below is a team-by-team introduction to the High-A East, including affiliation, previous circuit and most recent championship. (Note: "Established" refers to the first year of a team's continuous operation in that market regardless of league or level.) Learn about other leagues here: Triple-A East, Triple-A West, Double-A Northeast, Double-A Central, Double-A South.
A mashup of members from the Carolina, South Atlantic, Midwest and New York-Penn Leagues, this 12-team circuit spans eight states with a geographic footprint that stretches from New York to Georgia.
Of the dozen, only Wilmington and Winston-Salem remain at the same level from previous years as former participants in the Carolina League. In fact, a majority of the High-A East clubs -- Asheville, Lakewood, Greensboro, Greenville, Hickory and Rome -- are moving up a level, since all six come aboard from the Class A Sally League, while Bowling Green joins from the Class A MWL.
The other three teams -- Aberdeen, Brooklyn and Hudson Valley -- jump two levels from their previous standing as Class A Short Season teams. Of course, that also means Opening Day will come earlier for that trio, which had been accustomed to starting play in mid-June.
North Division
ABERDEEN IRONBIRDS
Affiliate: Baltimore Orioles (since 2002)
Location: Aberdeen, Maryland (36 miles from Camden Yards)
Ballpark: Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium (opened June 18, 2002)
Established: 2002
Previous league: Class A Short Season New York-Penn League
Last championship: None
Did you know? A stone's throw from Camden Yards, Aberdeen is the hometown of IronBirds founding owner and Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr.
BROOKLYN CYCLONES
Affiliate: New York Mets (since 2001)
Location: Brooklyn, New York (21 miles from Citi Field)
Ballpark: MCU Park (opened June 25, 2001)
Established: 2001 (previous Brooklyn clubs date back to 1872)
Previous league: Class A Short Season New York-Penn League
Last championship: 2019
Did you know? The Cyclones have paid tribute to the Seinfeld sitcom every year since 2014.
HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES
Affiliate: New York Yankees (since 2021)
Location: Fishkill, New York (60 miles from Yankee Stadium)
Ballpark: Dutchess Stadium (opened June 18, 1994)
Established: 1994
Previous league: Class A Short Season New York-Penn League
Last championship: 2017
Did you know? The Renegades are owned by The Goldklang Group, which also has stakes in the Charleston RiverDogs and St. Paul Saints.
JERSEY SHORE BLUECLAWS
Affiliate: Philadelphia Phillies (since 2001)
Location: Lakewood, New Jersey (72 miles from Citizens Bank Park)
Ballpark: FirstEnergy Field (opened April 6, 2001)
Established: 2001 (as the Lakewood BlueClaws)
Previous league: Class A South Atlantic League
Last championship: 2010
Did you know? Since 2007, the BlueClaws have occasionally played as the Pork Rolls in celebration of the regional delicacy. Games also feature a race between Pork Roll, Egg and Cheese.
WILMINGTON BLUE ROCKS
Affiliate: Washington Nationals (since 2021)
Location: Wilmington, Delaware (109 miles to Nationals Park)
Ballpark: Daniel S. Frawley Stadium (opened April 16, 1993)
Established: 1993 (previous Wilmington clubs date back to 1883)
Previous league: Class A Advanced Carolina League
Last championship: 2019
Did you know? Originally known as Legends Stadium when it opened, the ballpark was renamed for Wilmington mayor Daniel Frawley after he spearheaded the effort to get the Blue Rocks to return to town. The field was named separately for local Negro League legend Judy Johnson.
South Division
ASHEVILLE TOURISTS
Affiliate: Houston Astros (since 2021)
Location: Asheville, North Carolina (991 miles from Minute Maid Park)
Ballpark: McCormick Field (opened April 3, 1924)
Established: 1959 (previous Asheville clubs date back to 1897)
Previous league: Class A South Atlantic League
Last championship: 2014
Did you know? The team's nickname was first used in 1915 as a nod to the city's standing as a popular tourist destination. In 2015, the team employed an old-school method to help maintain the grounds around historic McCormick Field, bringing in a herd of goats to clear vegetation beyond the outfield fence.
BOWLING GREEN HOT RODS
Affiliate: Tampa Bay Rays (since 2009)
Location: Bowling Green, Kentucky (790 miles from Tropicana Field)
Ballpark: Bowling Green Ballpark (opened April 17, 2009)
Established: 2009
Previous league: Class A Midwest League
Last championship: 2018
Did you know? The team's nickname is a nod to the city's connections to the automotive and racing industries. The Chevrolet Corvette is built at the Bowling Green Assembly Plant, and the city is home to the National Corvette Museum.
GREENSBORO GRASSHOPPERS
Affiliate: Pittsburgh Pirates (since 2019)
Location: Greensboro, North Carolina (426 miles to PNC Park)
Ballpark: First National Bank Field (opened April 3, 2005)
Established: 1979 (as the Greensboro Hornets; previous Greensboro clubs date back to 1902)
Previous league: Class A South Atlantic League
Last championship: 2011
Did you know? Before changing to the Grasshoppers in 2005, the club's previous names included the Bats (1994-2004), Hornets (1979-93), Yankees (1958-67) and Patriots (1945-57, 1968).
GREENVILLE DRIVE
Affiliate: Boston Red Sox (since 2005)
Location: Greenville, South Carolina (932 miles to Fenway Park)
Ballpark: Fluor Field at the West End (opened April 6, 2006)
Established: 2005 (as the Bombers; previous Greenville clubs, including the Braves, date back to 1907)
Previous league: Class A South Atlantic League
Last championship: 2017
Did you know? Fluor Field features a 30-foot-high "Green Monster" in left field as a tribute to Fenway Park and the Red Sox, the club's longtime affiliate.
HICKORY CRAWDADS
Affiliate: Texas Rangers (since 2009)
Location: Hickory, North Carolina (1,048 miles to Globe Life Field)
Ballpark: L.P. Frans Stadium (opened April 16, 1993)
Established: 1993 (previous Hickory clubs date back to 1936)
Previous league: Class A South Atlantic League
Last championship: 2015
Did you know? The Crawdads have an all-time record of 1,898 wins and 1,845 losses.
ROME BRAVES
Affiliate: Atlanta Braves (since 2003)
Location: Rome, Georgia (69 miles from Truist Park)
Ballpark: State Mutual Stadium (opened April 6, 2003)
Established: 2003 (previous Rome clubs date back to 1903)
Previous league: Class A South Atlantic League
Last championship: 2016
Did you know? Hall of Famers Tom Glavine, Chipper Jones and John Smoltz all made rehab appearances with the R-Braves.
WINSTON-SALEM DASH
Affiliate: Chicago White Sox (since 1997)
Location: Winston-Salem, N.C.
Ballpark: Truist Stadium
Established: 1945 (as the Cardinals; previous Winston-Salem clubs date back to 1892)
Previous league: Class A Advanced Carolina League
Last championship: 2003
Did you know? Winston-Salem lays claim as the only franchise to have operated in every season since the establishment of the Carolina League in 1945. The names have changed (Winston-Salem Cardinals, Twins, Red Birds, Red Sox, Spirits, Warthogs -- and lastly -- Dash), but the franchise has remained the same.
Reid VanScoter Tabbed As League Pitcher Of The Week
Arkansas Travelers pitcher Reid VanScoter was selected as the Texas League Pitcher of the Week for May 19-25 it was announced today by Minor League Baseball. VanScoter (van-SCOOT-er) threw five shutout innings this past Thursday, earning his first win of the season. He surrendered just one hit and no walks
Travs Fall Just Short In Springdale Finale
Box Score Springdale, AR—A furious ninth inning comeback fell just short as the Arkansas Travelers dropped a 6-5 decision to the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Sunday night. With two out in the ninth, Hunter Fitz-Gerald hit a two-run double and Caleb Cali followed with a three-run home run bringing the
Eighth Inning Rally Stuns Travs
Box Score Springdale, AR—A five run bottom of the eighth pushed the Northwest Arkansas Naturals past the Arkansas Travelers, 8-6 on Saturday night. The eighth inning outburst came against three different Travs pitchers with the majority of the damage coming against Brandyn Garcia who was charged with a blown save
Naturals Drop Travs In Friday Game
Box Score Springdale, AR—An early deficit was too much to overcome as the Arkansas Travelers dropped a 4-1 decision to the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Friday night. The Travs offense had chances, especially early in the game but finished the night going 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position. Naturals starter
Travs Rout Naturals With Shutout
Box Score Springdale, AR—Reid VanScoter threw the first five innings of a combined two-hit shutout and Hunter Fitz-Gerald blasted a pair of home runs in a 9-0 win for the Arkansas Travelers over the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Thursday night. VanScoter authored his longest outing of the year so far
Travs Stage Huge Rally To Top Naturals
Box Score Springdale, AR—Down five runs early, the Arkansas Travelers scored seven unanswered runs and pulled out a 7-5 victory over the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Wednesday night. Jared Sundstrom led the offense by posting a three hit game with a double and a home run. The early deficit was
7-run 7th Powers Travs Over Naturals
Box Score Springdale, AR—A seven run seventh inning powered the Arkansas Travelers to a 10-3 win over the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Tuesday afternoon. The big inning came with the score tied and against the first two Naturals relievers. Jason Ruffcorn was the winner out of the bullpen with Nick
Travs Drop Finale in Wichita
Box Score Wichita, KS—The Arkansas Travelers rallied from an early four run deficit to draw even but the Wichita Wind Surge pulled away for a 15-7 win on Sunday afternoon. The series ended in an even split. Down four, the Travs scored in the third and then put up three
Surge Blast Past Travs
Box Score Wichita, KS—Victor Labrada and Caleb Cali hit home runs but the Arkansas Travelers fell to the Wichita Wind Surge, 11-2 on Saturday. The Wind Surge finished the game with three homers and made the Travs pay for free passes as five of the seven walks Arkansas issued came
Cali, Travs Bash Back Into First Place
Box Score Wichita, KS—The Arkansas Travelers matched a season high with three home runs and romped to a 10-4 over the Wichita Wind Surge. The win moved the Travs ahead of the Wind Surge for the top spot in the Texas League North Division. Caleb Cali posted the first four
Stellar Pitching and Clutch Homer Carry Travs To Win
Box Score Wichita, KS—Hunter Fitz-Gerald delivered a clutch two out, two-run home run in the ninth inning to push the Arkansas Travelers to a 5-3 win over the Wichita Wind Surge on Thursday night. Michael Morales dealt four hitless innings to start the game, setting the tone on the mound.
Late Comeback Comes Up Just Shy In Wichita
Box Score Wichita, KS—A huge late rally fell just short as the Arkansas Travelers were outscored 11-9 by the Wichita Wind Surge on Wednesday. The Travs trailed by as many as five runs but kept fighting with a four-run eighth inning and then had the tying and go-ahead runs on
Rallies Give Travs Series Opening W
Box Score Wichita, KS—Rallying from three separate deficits, the Arkansas Travelers won the series opener from the Wichita Wind Surge, 6-5 on Tuesday night. The Travs did not lead until the ninth inning. Brock Rodden had three hits including an early game-tying home run, his third blast in the past
Homers Power Travs Past Cards
Box Score North Little Rock, AR—Three home runs powered the Arkansas Travelers to a 6-2 win over the Springfield Cardinals on Sunday afternoon at CHI St. Vincent Field at Dickey-Stephens Park. Jared Sundstrom went deep in the opening inning before Brock Rodden homered twice later in the game accounting for
Travs Rally Past Cards
Box Score North Little Rock, AR—Brock Rodden connected for three hits in his return from the injured list while Adam Seminaris worked five scoreless innings and the Arkansas Travelers knocked off the Springfield Cardinals, 6-3 on Saturday. The Travs rallied from two separate deficits for the win taking the lead
Travs Tripped By Cardinals
Box Score North Little Rock, AR—The Arkansas Travelers were limited to just two hits as the Springfield Cardinals took a 4-2 victory on Friday night. The Cardinals built an early lead scoring in the first and adding two more in the third inning. A pair of runs in the home
Arkansas Swept In Twinbill
Box Score (Game 1) Box Score (Game 2) North Little Rock, AR—Two big first innings vaulted the Springfield Cardinals to a doubleheader sweep of the Arkansas Travelers, by scores of 8-2 and 5-1 on Thursday night. The Cardinals put up four runs in the first of the opening game and
A Good (K)night as Travs Walk-Off On Cards
Box Score North Little Rock, AR—Bill Knight connected for the game-winning base hit in the bottom of the ninth driving home a pair and sending the Arkansas Travelers to a 2-1 win over the Springfield Cardinals on Tuesday night. Prior to the ninth inning, the Travs had put only one
Series Opener Against Springfield Washed Out
North Little Rock, AR—Tuesday night’s series opener between the Arkansas Travelers and Springfield Cardinals was postponed due to rain. It will be made up as part of the doubleheader on Thursday May 8 with two seven inning games beginning at 4:35 p.m. The series will now start on Wednesday with
Victor Labrada Awarded TL Player of the Week
Arkansas Travelers outfielder Victor Labrada was named Texas League Player of the Week for April 28-May 4 it was announced today by Minor League Baseball. Labrada led the lead in nearly every major offensive statistical category. Playing in six games he was 11-21 with five walks and six extra base
Labrada Stays Hot But Travs Fall
Box Score Tulsa, OK—The Tulsa Drillers finished off a series victory over the Arkansas Travelers with a 9-2 final score on Sunday afternoon. The Drillers took advantage of 12 walks given out by Travs pitching. Victor Labrada was a bright spot for the Travs going 2-3 with a double and
Tulsa Walks-Off On Travs
Box Score Tulsa, OK—A wild pitch in the bottom of the 10th inning brought home the winning run sending the Tulsa Drillers to a 4-3 win over the Arkansas Travelers on Saturday night. The Drillers have won four of the first five in the series, three in walk-off fashion. Victor
Travs Foiled In Tulsa
Box Score Tulsa, OK—For the second time in three days, the Arkansas Travelers lost on the final pitch of the game, falling to the Tulsa Drillers 5-4 on Friday night. The winning run scored with two out in the ninth when Hunter Fitz-Gerald made a sliding stop on a hard
Labrada Lifts Travs To Split In Twinbill
Box Score Tulsa, OK—The Arkansas Travelers and Tulsa Drillers split a doubleheader on Thursday with the Drillers winning game one, 6-5 and the Travs bouncing back to take the nightcap, 7-2. It was a frustrating night for the Travs offense going a combined 4-27 with runners in scoring position. Tulsa