Explaining The New Triple-A East Entering The 2021 Minor League Season
The mammoth, 20-team Triple-A East League incorporates all 14 of the franchises from the old Triple-A International League and adds six clubs from various sources.
Four franchises come from what was the Triple-A Pacific Coast League, though the Midwest-based Iowa, Memphis, Nashville and Omaha clubs were always imperfect fits for the PCL, which absorbed several Triple-A American Association franchises in 1998 following the dissolution of the AA. Triple-A East is rounded out by St. Paul, a formerly independent franchise joining affiliated ball, and Jacksonville, which previously operated at Double-A.
Because of its sheer number of teams, Triple-A East League members will play schedules concentrated with the same six regional opponents—or pods—in 2021.
| Affiliate | Org |
2020 League (Lvl)
|
| Buffalo | TOR |
International (AAA)
|
| Charlotte | CWS |
International (AAA)
|
| Columbus | CLE |
International (AAA)
|
| Durham | TB |
International (AAA)
|
| Gwinnett | ATL |
International (AAA)
|
| Indianapolis | PIT |
International (AAA)
|
| Iowa | CHC |
Pacific Coast (AAA)
|
| Jacksonville | MIA | Southern (AA) |
| Lehigh Valley | PHI |
International (AAA)
|
| Memphis | STL |
Pacific Coast (AAA)
|
| Nashville | MIL |
Pacific Coast (AAA)
|
| Norfolk | BAL |
International (AAA)
|
| Omaha | KC |
Pacific Coast (AAA)
|
| Rochester | WSH |
International (AAA)
|
| St. Paul | MIN | Independent |
| Scranton/WB | NYY |
International (AAA)
|
| Syracuse | NYM |
International (AAA)
|
| Toledo | DET |
International (AAA)
|
| Worcester* | BOS |
International (AAA)
|
* Relocated from Pawtucket
WHAT’S NEW?
- Worcester begins its first season as Boston’s Triple-A affiliate at newly constructed Polar Park.
- The Twins’ affiliation with St. Paul, formerly of the independent American Association, is the ultimate marriage of convenience. It is a 15-minute drive between ballparks.
- Jacksonville retains its Marlins affiliation as it moves from Double-A to Triple-A. The franchise operated in the Triple-A International League from 1962 to 1968.
- Nashville switches affiliations from the Rangers to Brewers, while Rochester changes from Twins to Nationals.
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