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.