Sugar Land Skeeters

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sugar Land Skeeters
Founded in 2012
Sugar Land, Texas
Sugar Land Skeeters logo.svg Skeeters cap.png
Team logo Cap insignia
Minor league affiliations
ClassTriple-A (2021–present)
Previous classesIndependent (2012–2020)
LeagueTriple-A West (2021–present)
DivisionEast Division
Previous leagues
Major league affiliations
TeamHouston Astros (2021–present)
Previous teams
  • Unaffiliated (2012–2020)
Minor league titles
League titles (3)
  • 2016
  • 2018
  • 2020
Division titles (4)
  • 2016
  • 2018
  • 2019
  • 2021
First half titles (4)
  • 2013
  • 2014
  • 2018
  • 2019
Second half titles (3)
  • 2013
  • 2016
  • 2018
Team data
NameSugar Land Skeeters (2012–present)
ColorsBlue, black, yellow, white
       
MascotSwatson
BallparkConstellation Field (2012–present)
Owner(s)/
Operator(s)
Houston Astros
General ManagerTyler Stamm
ManagerMickey Storey

The Sugar Land Skeeters are a Minor League Baseball team of the Triple-A West and the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros Major League Baseball club. They are located in Sugar Land, Texas, part of the Greater Houston metropolitan area, and play their home games at Constellation Field. Their name is a Southern slang word for mosquitos, which are common on summer nights in Southeast Texas.[1]

The Skeeters began play as an expansion team of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB), an independent baseball league, in 2012. Over eight seasons, they won two league championships (2016 and 2018). In 2020, the Skeeters competed in the Constellation Energy League, a makeshift league they hosted in light of the Atlantic League's cancelled season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In conjunction with Major League Baseball's reorganization of the minors after the 2020 season, the Houston Astros purchased an ownership stake in the team and made them their Triple-A affiliate in the Triple-A West.

History[]

Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (2012–2019)[]

In 2008, Sugar Land, Texas, residents voted for the allocation of civic revenues toward the construction of a new baseball park.[2] Initially, the Omaha Royals were interested in moving to the city, but eventually declined because of the construction of Werner Park in suburban Omaha, Nebraska.[3] City of Sugar Land officials contracted Opening Day Partners to build the ballpark to bring professional baseball to the region. The city knew that the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball (MLB) would not approve of an affiliated team in the Greater Houston area, so Sugar Land chose the independent circuit. The American Association and United Baseball League were considered since both organizations had teams located in Texas. The city decided on the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball mainly because Opening Day Partners' other teams were already members of that league. Sugar Land's entry was officially announced on May 18, 2010.[4]

In 2012, the Skeeters signed former MLB pitcher Roger Clemens.[5] The Skeeters sold out tickets on August 25, the night of Clemens' start, where he pitched 3+1⁄3 innings in a 1–0 win.[6]

The Sugar Land City Council approved an ownership change on October 28, 2014. The Council's action cleared the way for Houston-area residents Bob and Marcie Zlotnik, who had been one-third minority partners since the 2012 season, to assume full ownership of SL Baseball, LLC.[7]

Also in the 2014 season, the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball All-Star Game was held at Constellation Field, home of the Skeeters. Usually, in each annual All-Star Game, the best players from the Freedom Division battle it out with the best players from the Liberty Division. However, in the 2014 event, the best players from all around the league faced the Skeeters. Sugar Land won on their home field by a score of 5–3. Nick Stavinoha was recognized as the game's Most Valuable Player. The game attendance was 7,555, which was the fourth highest All-Star Game attendance at the time. The Skeeters reached the Atlantic League championship finals that season but were swept by the Lancaster Barnstormers in the best-of-five game series, 3–0.

On September 17, 2015, the Skeeters announced the signing of former MLB All-Star Rafael Palmeiro, who had been in retirement for ten years. His son, Patrick Palmeiro, was also a member of the team that year. Shortly after signing with the Skeeters, the elder Palmeiro said, "We discussed me playing earlier this year and it's something I've looked forward to since then. The chance to play with my son is an opportunity the Skeeters have offered me and I'm very excited to make it happen this weekend."[8] On September 18, Rafael Palmeiro debuted for the Skeeters batting third, which was the spot right after his son. The father-son duo combined for five RBIs to lead Sugar Land to a 10–4 victory over the Camden Riversharks.[9]

They returned to the Atlantic League championships in 2016, where they won the ALPB title against the Long Island Ducks, 3–0. Shortly after the conclusion of the 2017 season, Skeeters manager Gary Gaetti stepped down from his position with the expiration of his contract. Gaetti had been the club's inaugural skipper in 2012 and managed the club for their first six seasons (2012–2017).[10]

The Skeeters reached the championship series in 2018 against Long Island, winning three games to two, to win their second championship overall and second in three years. They returned to the championship series again the following year, but lost to the Ducks, 3–2.

Constellation Energy League (2020)[]

Main article: Constellation Energy League

In 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Skeeters organization launched their own four-team independent league, the Constellation Energy League, thereby going on hiatus for the 2020 ALPB season.[11] All games were played at Constellation Field, with limited attendance and other COVID-related restrictions.[12] Pete Incaviglia managed the Skeeters, who finished with the best record in the four-team league.[13]

Triple-A West (2021–present)[]

In November 2020, the Sugar Land Skeeters reached an agreement with the Houston Astros to be their Triple-A affiliate beginning in the 2021 season. This move was part of a broader Major League Baseball realignment and direct management plan over all minor league player development.[14][15] The deal also involved the Astros purchasing a majority ownership share of the Skeeters.[16] Sugar Land was organized into the ten-team Triple-A West.[17] The Skeeters began competition as an Astros affiliate in the new league on May 6, 2021, with a 9–4 victory over the Albuquerque Isotopes at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico.[18] Sugar Land won the Eastern Division title by ending the season in first place with a 71–49 record.[19] No playoffs were held to determine a league champion; instead, the team with the best regular-season record was the declared the winner.[20] However, 10 games that had been postponed from the start of the season were reinserted into the schedule as a postseason tournament called the Triple-A Final Stretch in which all 30 Triple-A clubs competed for the highest winning percentage over that stretch.[20] Sugar Land finished the tournament tied for 20th place with a 4–6 record.[21]

Season-by-season records[]

Table key
League The team's final position in the league standings
Division The team's final position in the divisional standings
GB Games behind the team that finished in first place in the division that season
Class champions Class champions (from 2021)
League champions League champions (2012–present)
* Division champions (2012–present)
^ Postseason berth (2012–2019)
Season-by-season records
Season League Regular season Postseason MLB affiliate Ref.
Record Win % League Division GB Record Win % Result
2012 ALPB 64–76 .457 7th 4th 24 — — — Independent [22]
2013
^ 		ALPB 95–45 .679 1st 1st — 0–3 .000 Won First and Second Half Freedom Division titles
Lost Freedom Division title vs. Somerset Patriots, 3–0[23] 		Independent [24]
2014
^ 		ALPB 80–60 .571 3rd 2nd 1 3–5 .375 Won First Half Freedom Division title
Won semifinals vs. York Revolution, 3–2
Lost AL championship vs. Lancaster Barnstormers, 3–0[25] 		Independent [26]
2015 ALPB 68–71 .489 5th 3rd 6+1⁄2 — — — Independent [27]
2016
^ * League champions 		ALPB 74–66 .529 3rd 2nd 2 6–0 1.000 Won Second Half Freedom Division title[28]
Won Freedom Division title vs. York Revolution, 3–0
Won AL championship vs. Long Island Ducks, 3–0[29] 		Independent [30]
2017 ALPB 67–73 .479 6th (tie) 3rd (tie) 9 — — — Independent [31]
2018
^ * League champions 		ALPB 81–45 .643 1st 1st — 6–4 .600 Won First and Second Half Freedom Division titles
Won Freedom Division title vs. Lancaster Barnstormers, 3–2
Won AL championship vs. Long Island Ducks, 3–2[32] 		Independent [33]
2019
^ * League champions 		ALPB 72–66 .522 4th 2nd 2 5–4 .556 Won First Half Freedom Division title
Won Freedom Division title vs. Lancaster Barnstormers, 3–1[34]
Lost AL championship vs. Long Island Ducks, 3–2[35] 		Independent [36]
2020
League champions 		CEL 17–11 .607 1st — — — — Won CEL championship Independent [37]
2021
* 		AAAW 71–49 .592 2nd 1st — 4–6 .400 Won Eastern Division title
Lost series vs. El Paso Chihuahuas, 3–2
Lost series vs. Round Rock Express, 3–2
Placed 20th (tie) in the Triple-A Final Stretch[21] 		Houston Astros [19]
Totals — 689–562 .551 — — — 24–22 .522 — — —

Ballpark[]

Main article: Constellation Field

In December 2010, StarTex Power bought the rights to name the future ballpark of the Skeeters. The initial name of the field was StarTex Power Field. A year later, StarTex merged with Constellation Energy and the name Constellation Field was born on December 2011. Constellation Field opened on April 26, 2012, when the Sugar Land Skeeters hosted the York Revolution. The ballpark cost US$37 million to build and is owned by the City of Sugar Land.

Logos and uniforms[]

The official colors of the Sugar Land Skeeters are imperial blue, nighttime black, rawhide yellow, white, and refinery red. Aside from nighttime black, each color is a regional allusion: "imperial blue" for the Sugar Land–based Imperial Sugar company, "rawhide yellow" for the cattle industry, and "refinery red" for the area's oil refineries. The team's primary logo consists of a mosquito flying over a Texas contour with its proboscis marking Fort Bend County which is located in the Southeast Texas area. The "Skeeters" wordmark centered below is made up of sugarcane-inspired lettering – a reference to the industry's importance to the region. Centered to the right above the contour is "Sugar Land" in black letters with a "lone star."[38]

Television and radio[]

On April 24, 2014, the Sugar Land Skeeters announced a deal with ESPN that allowed for all home games at Constellation Field to be exclusively broadcast on the Internet channel ESPN3 for the 2014 season,[39] an agreement that was renewed for both the 2015 and 2016 seasons. Away games are heard on radio station KBRZ.

For the 2017 season, the Skeeters dropped their deals with both KBRZ and ESPN. Telecasts moved to the Skeeters' YouTube channel, while radio broadcasts moved to SB Nation Radio flagship station KGOW.

Mascots[]

The Sugar Land Skeeters utilize two mascots. Their primary mascot is Swatson: a large, green mosquito who performs stunts, engages in fan activities, and is often found throughout the stadium during games. There is also a secondary mascot, the Rally Sloth, who is used in the middle of the ninth inning whenever the Skeeters are trailing. The Rally Sloth was first used in 2019 and was the main mascot of the Sugar Land Lightning Sloths of the 2020 Constellation Energy League.

Swatson, one of the Skeeters' mascots, during a July 2014 game

Roster[]

Sugar Land Skeeters roster
  • v
  • t
Players Coaches/Other

Pitchers

  • 66 Bryan Abreu *
  • 41 Jonathan Bermudez
  • 47 Ronel Blanco
  • 25 Hunter Brown
  • 37 Brett Conine
  • 11 Chad Donato
  • 24 Shawn Dubin
  • 27 J.P. France
  • 45 Michael Kelly
  • 32 Colin McKee
  • 29 Parker Mushinski
  • 12 Jon Olczak
  • 10 Enoli Paredes *
  • 14 Kit Scheetz
  • 52 Andre Scrubb *
  • 71 Peter Solomon * ±

Catchers

  • 19 Korey Lee
  • 33 Michael Papierski
  • 50 Colton Shaver

Infielders

Outfielders


Manager

Coaches

  • 26 Erick Abreu (pitching)
  •  1 Sean Connole (development)
  • 18 Ben Rosenthal (hitting)

60-day injured list

Injury icon 2.svg 7-day injured list
* On Houston Astros 40-man roster
~ Development list
# Rehab assignment
∞ Reserve list
‡ Restricted list
§ Suspended list
± Taxi squad
† Temporarily inactive list
Roster updated December 8, 2021
 Transactions
→ More rosters: MiLB • Triple-A West
 → Houston Astros minor league players

Notable alumni[]

  • Roger Clemens – former MLB player who signed with the team in 2012
  • Rafael Palmeiro – former MLB player who signed with the team in 2015
  • Tracy McGrady – former NBA player who became a professional pitcher for the Skeeters in 2014[40]
  • Scott Kazmir – MLB pitcher before and after his 2012 stint with the Skeeters
  • Delwyn Young – former MLB player who signed with the team in 2014
  • Jason Lane – former MLB outfielder who pitched for the Skeeters in 2012–2013 and returned to MLB as a pitcher
  • Ryan Langerhans - former MLB outfielder who played for the Skeeters in 2013
  • Scott Elarton - former MLB pitcher who played with the team in 2013 and retired after the season
  • Daryle Ward - former MLB player who signed with the team in 2015
  • Derek Norris - former MLB catcher who played for the team in 2018
  • James Loney - former MLB player who played for 11 games for the club in 2019 before retiring
  • Hector Olivera - former MLB infielder who played for the team in 2017
  • Willy Taveras - former MLB outfielder who played for the club in the 2015 and 2019 seasons
  • Brett Eibner - former MLB outfielder who pitched for the Skeeters in 2019 and returned to the MLB as a pitcher
  • Chris Colabello - former MLB player who played for the Skeeters in 2019
  • Mark Lowe - former MLB pitcher who played for the team in 2019

Achievements[]

Records[]

Atlantic League Team Records
Category Statistic Year
Most wins in a single season 95 wins 2013
Highest winning percentage in a single season .679 winning percentage 2013
Highest attendance total in a single season 456,511 people 2012
Highest attendance average per game 6,650 people 2012
Highest attendance in a single game 8,606 people July 4, 2016

Awards[]

Atlantic League Awards
Award Recipient Year
Atlantic League First Team (Outfield) Adam Godwin 2013
Atlantic League First Team (First Base) Aaron Bates 2013
Atlantic League First Team (Catcher) Travis Scott 2013
Atlantic League Second Team (Catcher) Koby Clemens 2013
Atlantic League Second Team (Closer) Gary Majewski 2013
Atlantic League Manager of the Year Gary Gaetti 2013
All-Star Game MVP Nick Stavinoha 2014
All-Star Game MVP Travis Scott 2015
End-of-Season All-Star Team (Catcher) Chris Wallace 2015
End-of-Season All-Star Team (Second Base) Delwyn Young 2015
Red, White, and Blue All-Defensive Team (Third Base) Patrick Palmeiro 2015
Red, White, and Blue All-Defensive Team (Pitcher) Roy Merritt 2015
Atlantic League Player of the Year Jeremy Barfield 2016
End-of-Season All-Star Team (Outfield) Jeremy Barfield 2016
End-of-Season All-Star Team (Relief Pitcher) Andrew Johnston 2016
Atlantic League Championship Series MVP Juan Martinez 2016
End-of-Season All-Star Team (Second Base) Josh Prince 2017
Red, White, and Blue All-Defensive Team (Third Base) Bryan Pounds 2017
Red, White, and Blue All-Defensive Team (Pitcher) Jake Hale 2017
Atlantic League Championship Series MVP James Russell 2018
Red, White, and Blue All-Defensive Team (Outfield) Anthony Giansanti 2018
Red, White, and Blue All-Defensive Team (First Base) Matt Chavez 2018
Red, White, and Blue All-Defensive Team (Catcher) Derek Norris 2018
End-of-Season All-Star Team (Outfield) Anthony Giansanti 2018
End-of-Season All-Star Team (First Base) Matt Chavez 2018
End-of-Season All-Star Team (Relief Pitcher) Felipe Paulino 2018
Atlantic League Manager of the Year Pete Incaviglia 2018

References[]

  1. ^ "Three finalists named in Sugar Land name-the-team contest". Namesugarlandsteam.com. Archived from the original on September 12, 2010. Retrieved April 24, 2011.
  2. ^ "Sugar Land seeks proposals for ballpark". Ballparkdigest.com. December 8, 2009. Retrieved April 24, 2011.
  3. ^ "Today's big ballot issue: new ballpark in Sugar Land". Ballparkdigest.com. November 4, 2008. Retrieved April 24, 2011.
  4. ^ "Atlantic League to expand to Sugar Land". Ballparkdigest.com. May 17, 2010. Retrieved April 24, 2011.
  5. ^ Berman, Mark. Roger Clemens to sign with the Sugar Land Skeeters, FOX-TV Houston, August 20, 2012.
  6. ^ Baldwin, Chris. Roger Clemens takes advantage of meek minor leaguers: AARP Rocket not Majors ready, but oh the joy, HoustonCultureMap, August 26, 2012.
  7. ^ "Sugar Land Skeeters". MiLB.com.
  8. ^ "Palmeiro, 50, set for short Atlantic League stint". ESPN.com. September 17, 2015.
  9. ^ Young, Matt (September 18, 2015). "Rafael Palmeiro drives in a run in debut with Sugar Land Skeeters - Ultimate Astros". Blog.chron.com. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  10. ^ "Sugar Land Skeeters". MiLB.com. May 6, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  11. ^ "Skeeters Intend to Host Four-Team Pro Baseball League at Constellation Field". sugarlandskeeters.com. June 13, 2020.
  12. ^ "Tickets for Constellation Energy League to go on sale June 24". Atlantic League Professional Baseball. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  13. ^ Dunsmore, Ryan (August 29, 2020). "Skeeters win Constellation Energy League title". Fort Bend Herald. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  14. ^ "Astros to make Sugar Land Skeeters their Class AAA affiliate". Chron.com. Houston Chronicle. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  15. ^ "Sugar Land Skeeters To Become Astros' Triple-A Affiliate". MLBtraderumors.com. MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  16. ^ McTaggart, Brian (November 20, 2020). "Sugar Land Becomes Astros affiliate". Houston Astros. Major League Baseball. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  17. ^ Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  18. ^ "Skeeters vs. Isotopes Wrapup 05/06/21". Minor League Baseball. May 6, 2021. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  19. ^ a b "2021 Triple-A West Standings". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  20. ^ a b "MiLB Announces 'Triple-A Final Stretch' for 2021". Minor League Baseball. July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  21. ^ a b "2021 Triple-A Final Stretch Standings". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  22. ^ "2012 Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  23. ^ "2013 Atlantic League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  24. ^ "2013 Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  25. ^ "2014 Atlantic League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  26. ^ "2014 Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  27. ^ "2015 Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  28. ^ "Sugar Land Skeeters Clinch Second Half Freedom Division Title". Atlantic League. September 16, 2016. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  29. ^ "2016 Atlantic League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  30. ^ "2016 Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  31. ^ "2017 Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  32. ^ "2018 Atlantic League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  33. ^ "2018 Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  34. ^ "2019 Atlantic League Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  35. ^ "History". Atlantic League. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  36. ^ "2019 Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  37. ^ "Constellation Energy League Standings". Sugar Land Skeeters. Archived from the original on November 17, 2020. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  38. ^ "It's the 'Sugar Land Skeeters'". Ballparkbiz.wordpress.com. December 1, 2010. Retrieved April 24, 2011.
  39. ^ Barron, David (April 24, 2014). "Skeeters to stream home games via ESPN3.com, team website". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  40. ^ "McGrady makes Skeeters' roster as pitcher". ESPN.com. April 23, 2014.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""