Get to know the teams in the High-A West

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 West, 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, High-A East, High-A Central.

The smallest circuit in the restructured Minors, and the only one without divisions, the new six-team High-A West emerges from the former Class A Short Season Northwest League. Not only will these half-dozen clubs be playing substantially more games each season than in the past, half of them welcome new parent clubs this season.

Among the teams maintaining their affiliation is Vancouver, which has been linked with the Toronto Blue Jays since 2011. One major change involving Vancouver, at least in the short term, is the team's temporary relocation to Hillsboro resulting from current travel restrictions at the U.S.-Canadian border due to COVID-19.

Explore more about each of the clubs in the newly launched High-A West:

EUGENE EMERALDS

Affiliate: San Francisco Giants (since 2021)
Location: Eugene, Oregon (528 miles from Oracle Park)
Ballpark: PK Park (opened February 27, 2009)
Established: 1955 (previous Eugene clubs date back to 1904)
Previous league: Class A Short Season Northwest League
Last championship: 2018

Did you know? Mike Schmidt played 131 games for the 1972 Emeralds -- at the time a Triple-A franchise -- before ending the season in Philadelphia.

EVERETT AQUASOX

Affiliate: Seattle Mariners (since 1995)
Location: Everett, Washington (28 miles to T-Mobile Park)
Ballpark: Funko Field (opened in 1947)
Established: 1984 (as the Giants)
Previous league: Class A Short Season Northwest League
Last championship: 2010

Did you know? Ken Griffey Jr. hit his first professional home run in Everett on June 17, 1987.

HILLSBORO HOPS

Affiliate: Arizona Diamondbacks (since 2013)
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon (1,275 miles to Chase Field)
Ballpark: Ron Tonkin Field (opened June 17, 2013)
Established: 2013 (the franchise began in 1946 as the Yakima Stars)
Previous league: Class A Short Season Northwest League
Last championship: 2019

Did you know? The Hops have won three league championships over seven seasons in Hillsboro.

SPOKANE INDIANS

Affiliate: Colorado Rockies (since 2021)
Location: Spokane Valley, Washington (1,085 miles to Coors Field)
Ballpark: Avista Stadium (opened April 29, 1958)
Established: 1946 (previous Spokane clubs date back to 1890)
Previous league: Class A Short Season Northwest League
Last championship: 2008

Did you know? The 1970 Indians, managed by Tommy Lasorda, are considered one of the greatest Minor League teams of all time, going 94-52 and sweeping to the Pacific Coast League title. The roster included several well-known names, including Charlie Hough, Bill Buckner, Bobby Valentine and Steve Garvey.

TRI-CITY DUST DEVILS

Affiliate: Los Angeles Angels (since 2021)
Location: Pasco, Washington (1,100 miles to Angel Stadium)
Ballpark: Gesa Stadium (opened in 1994)
Established: 2001 (previous Tri-City clubs date back to 1950)
Previous league: Class A Short Season Northwest League
Last championship: None

Did you know? The principal owner of the Dust Devils is baseball legend George Brett. The first-ballot Hall of Famer is one of four players in MLB history – with Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Stan Musial – to have notched 3,000 hits, 300 homers and a career batting average of at least .300.

VANCOUVER CANADIANS

Affiliate: Toronto Blue Jays (since 2011)
Location: Vancouver, B.C.
Ballpark: Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium (opened on July 15, 1951)
Established: 1946 (as the Vancouver Capilanos; previous Vancouver clubs date back to 1905)
Previous league: Class A Short Season Northwest League
Last championship: 2017

Did you know? Nat Bailey Stadium might look familiar to TV fans. It was used as the home for two fictional ballclubs – the Class A Santa Barbara Seabirds in “Psych” and the Seacouver Chiefs in “Highlander: The Series,” as well as for a scene between Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson and the title character in an episode of “MacGyver.”