The Triple-A East is a 20-team Minor League Baseball league that will begin operating in the United States in 2021.[1] Along with the Triple-A West, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one grade below Major League Baseball (MLB). The league, which will later receive a formal name,[2] was created in 2021 in conjunction with MLB's reorganization of the minor leagues.[1] The league is made up of the 14 teams formerly of the Triple-A International League, four teams from the Triple-A Pacific Coast League, one from the Double-A Southern League, and one from the independent American Association of Professional Baseball.
Structure and season
The league is divided into three divisions: Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast. The Midwest and Southeast Divisions each consist of seven teams, while six teams makeup the Northeast Division.[1]
Initially, the 2021 schedule had clubs slated to play 142 games each. These were divided into series of mostly six games each. The 2021 season was to begin on April 6 and end on September 19,[3] but the start was later pushed back to temporarily eliminate commercial air travel and give players the opportunity to be vaccinated before the season began.[4] Opening Day was rescheduled for May 4, and all games scheduled prior to that date were cancelled.[5] Two games were added to the schedule, but the total number of games was reduced to 120.[5]
Teams will be playing limited opponents in 2021 due to travel restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[6] Some teams will play only teams in their own divisions, while others will play division opponents as well as some teams from other divisions.[6][7][8]
The 2021 schedule originally included a three-day All-Star break from July 12–14,[7] but the break was removed after the rescheduling of Opening Day.[5] It does not include a scheduled postseason for championship playoffs or the Triple-A National Championship Game.[3]
Current teams
Teams timeline
Former International League teams
Fourteen current league teams were placed in the Triple-A East from the Triple-A International League.[10]
- Buffalo Bisons (1979–present)
- Charlotte Orioles (1976–1987) → Charlotte Knights (1988–present)
- Columbus Clippers (1977–present)
- Durham Bulls (1980–present)
- Gwinnett Braves (2009–2017) → Gwinnett Stripers (2018–present)
- Indianapolis Indians (1902–present)
- Lehigh Valley IronPigs (2008–present)
- Louisville Redbirds (1982–1997) → Louisville RiverBats (1998–2001) → Louisville Bats (2002–present)
- Portsmouth-Norfolk Tides (1961–1962) → Tidewater Tides (1963–1992) → Norfolk Tides (1993–present)
- Rochester Bronchos (1899–1907) → Rochester Hustlers (1908–1920) → Rochester Colts (1921) → Rochester Tribe (1922–1928) → Rochester Red Wings (1929–present)
- Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons (1989–2006) → Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (2007–2012) → Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (2013–present)
- Syracuse Chiefs (1934–1996) → Syracuse SkyChiefs (1997–2006) → Syracuse Chiefs (2007–2018) → Syracuse Mets (2019–present)
- Toledo Mud Hens (1965–present)
One of the former International League teams, the Pawtucket Red Sox, had already planned to relocate prior to the 2021 season.[11] They were also placed in the Triple-A East.
- Worcester Red Sox (2021–present)
Former Pacific Coast League teams
Four current league teams were placed in the Triple-A East from the Triple-A Pacific Coast League.[12]
- Iowa Oaks (1969–1981) → Iowa Cubs (1982–present)
- Memphis Redbirds (1998–present)
- Nashville Sounds (1978–present)
- Omaha Royals (1969–1998) → Omaha Golden Spikes (1999–2001) → Omaha Royals (2002–2010) → Omaha Storm Chasers (2011–present)
Former Southern League teams
One current league team was placed in the Triple-A East from the Double-A Southern League.[13]
- Jacksonville Suns (1962–1968, 1970–1984) → Jacksonville Expos (1985–1990) → Jacksonville Suns (1991–2016) → Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (2017–present)
Former American Association teams
One current league team was placed in the Triple-A East from the independent American Association of Professional Baseball.[14]
- St. Paul Saints (1993–present)
See also
Notes
- ^ a b Due to travel restrictions imposed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Buffalo Bisons' MLB affiliate, the Toronto Blue Jays, will play part of their 2021 season at Buffalo's Sahlen Field. The displaced Bisons will play at Arm & Hammer Park in Trenton, New Jersey.[9]
References
- ^ a b c Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
- ^ Blum, Ronald (February 12, 2021). "Minor Leagues Get a Reset With 120-Team Regional Alignment". WHIO. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
- ^ a b Reichard, Kevin (February 18, 2021). "2021 MiLB Schedules Released". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved February 18, 2021. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
- ^ Harrigan, Thomas (March 2, 2021). "Triple-A Start Delayed; Alternate Sites to Return". Major League Baseball. Retrieved April 4, 2021. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
- ^ a b c "New 2021 Sounds Schedule" (PDF). Nashville Sounds. Minor League Baseball. March 3, 2021. Retrieved March 3, 2021. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
- ^ a b "Iowa Announces 2021 Schedule". Iowa Cubs. Minor League Baseball. February 18, 2021. Retrieved February 18, 2021. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
- ^ a b "Bisons Unveil 2021 Playing Schedule, Opening Day Set for April 6 at Sahlen Field". Buffalo Bisons. Minor League Baseball. February 18, 2021. Retrieved February 18, 2021. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
- ^ "Redbirds Announce 2021 Schedule". Memphis Redbirds. Minor League Baseball. February 18, 2021. Retrieved February 18, 2021. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
- ^ "Bisons to Begin 2021 Season Playing Home Games in Trenton, NJ". Buffalo Bisons. Minor League Baseball. April 9, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
- ^ "International League (AAA) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
- ^ Chesto, Jon (August 17, 2018). "It's Official: PawSox to Move to Worcester". The Boston Globe. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
- ^ "Pacific Coast League (AAA) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
- ^ "Southern League (AA) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
- ^ "American Association (Independent) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
This page was last edited on 10 April 2021, at 13:41