Woodpeckers Will Play At Single-A Level Starting In 2021

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — The Houston Astros have rounded out their four minor league affiliates for the 2021 season. An invite has been extended to the Asheville Tourists franchise to be the Advanced Class-A affiliate, joining the lineup of Single-A Fayetteville, Double-A Corpus Christi, and Triple-A Sugar Land.

The Astros have operated the Woodpeckers organization since the 2017 season, originally joining the Carolina League as an expansion team. The team operated as the Buies Creek Astros for two seasons (2017-18) before moving to their permanent home in Fayetteville and rebranding as the Woodpeckers.

Should the Tourists accept their offer, they will join the Sugar Land Skeeters as new affiliates in the Astros system. Houston announced their affiliation with Sugar Land in November after the Skeeters spent the last 10 years in the Independent Atlantic League (2010-20). Sugar Land is located approximately 22 miles from the Astros downtown stadium Minute Maid Park.

Major League Baseball is expected to announce the complete league structure and schedules for the new player development system in early 2021.