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.