Triple-A West
Sport | Baseball |
---|---|
Founded | 2021 |
No. of teams | 10 |
Country | United States |
Most recent champion(s) | Tacoma Rainiers (2021) |
Most titles | Tacoma Rainiers (1) |
Classification | Triple-A |
The Triple-A West is a 10-team Minor League Baseball league that began operating in the United States in 2021.[1] Along with the Triple-A East, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one grade below Major League Baseball (MLB). The league was created in 2021 in conjunction with MLB's reorganization of the minor leagues.[1] The league is made up of nine teams formerly of the Pacific Coast League and one from the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.
Current teams[]
Teams timeline[]
Former Pacific Coast League teams[]
Nine current league teams were placed in the Triple-A West from the Pacific Coast League.[2]
- Albuquerque Isotopes (2003–present)
- El Paso Chihuahuas (2014–present)
- Las Vegas Stars (1983–2000) → Las Vegas 51s (2001–2018) → Las Vegas Aviators (2019–present)
- Oklahoma City 89ers (1962–1997) → Oklahoma RedHawks (1998–2008) → Oklahoma City RedHawks (2009–2014) → Oklahoma City Dodgers (2015–present)
- Reno Aces (2009–present)
- Round Rock Express (2000–present)
- Sacramento River Cats (2000–present)
- Salt Lake Buzz (1994–2000) → Salt Lake Stingers (2001–2005) → Salt Lake Bees (2006–present)
- Tacoma Giants (1960–1965) → Tacoma Cubs (1966–1971) → Tacoma Twins (1972–1977) → Tacoma Yankees (1978) → Tacoma Tugs (1979) → Tacoma Tigers (1980–1994) → Tacoma Rainiers (1995–present)
Former Atlantic League teams[]
One current league team was placed in the Triple-A West from the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[3]
- Sugar Land Skeeters (2012–present)
Champions[]
Postseason playoffs to determine a league champion in the Triple-A West's inaugural 2021 season were not held. Instead, the team with the best regular-season record was the declared the winner.[4] The title went to the Tacoma Rainiers (73–47; .608), who were 2 games ahead of the second-place Sugar Land Skeeters (71–49; .592).[5]
Season | Team | Organization | Score | Runner-up | Organization | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | Tacoma Rainiers | Seattle Mariners | — | Sugar Land Skeeters | Houston Astros | [5] |
Awards[]
Four awards were presented in the Triple-A West's first season: Most Valuable Player, Pitcher of the Year, Top MLB Prospect, and Manager of the Year.[6]
Most Valuable Player[]
Season | Winner | Team | Organization | Position | BA | HR | RBI | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | José Marmolejos | Tacoma Rainiers | Seattle Mariners | First baseman | .338 | 26 | 75 | [7] |
Pitcher of the Year[]
Season | Winner | Team | Organization | Record | ERA | SO | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | Peter Solomon | Sugar Land Skeeters | Houston Astros | 8–1 | 4.70 | 112 | [8] |
Top MLB Prospect[]
Season | Winner | Team | Organization | Position | BA | HR | RBI | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | Jo Adell | Salt Lake Bees | Los Angeles Angels | Outfielder | .289 | 23 | 69 | [9] |
Manager of the Year[]
Season | Winner | Team | Organization | Division | Finish | Record | Refs. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | Kristopher Negrón | Tacoma Rainiers | Seattle Mariners | West | 1st | 78–52 | [10][11] |
No-hitters[]
The Triple-A West's first no-hitter occurred on July 3, 2021, when Luke Westphal of the El Paso Chihuahuas allowed no hits against the Albuquerque Isotopes at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Rain caused the game to be called after five innings with El Paso ahead 16–0.[12] The first nine-inning no-hitter occurred on September 3, 2021, when four Sacramento River Cats pitchers no-hit the Salt Lake Bees at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California. The feat was accomplished by starting pitcher Norwith Gudino and relievers Conner Menez, Tyler Cyr, and Trevor Got.[13]
No. | Date | Pitcher(s) | Team | Score | BR | Opponent | Location | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | July 3, 2021 | Luke Westphal | El Paso Chihuahuas | 16–0 (5) | 1 | Albuquerque Isotopes | Isotopes Park | [14] |
2 | September 3, 2021 | Norwith Gudino (4 IP) Conner Menez (3 IP) Tyler Cyr (1 IP) Trevor Got (1 IP) |
Sacramento River Cats | 4–0 | 1 | Salt Lake Bees | Sutter Health Park | [15] |
See also[]
References[]
- ^ a b Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
- ^ "Pacific Coast League (AAA) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
- ^ "Atlantic League (Independent) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
- ^ "MiLB Announces 'Triple-A Final Stretch' for 2021". Minor League Baseball. July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
- ^ a b "2021 Triple-A East Standings". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
- ^ "Postseason All-Stars". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on October 6, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
- ^ "Jose Marmolejos Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
- ^ "Peter Solomon College, Amateur & Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
- ^ "Jo Adell Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
- ^ "Kristopher Negron Minor, Fall & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
- ^ "2021 Triple-A West". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
- ^ "Westphal Holds Isotopes Hitless in Rain-Shortened Win". Minor League Baseball. July 4, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
- ^ Maun, Tyler (September 4, 2021). "River Cats Quartet Combines on No-Hitter". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
- ^ "Chihuahuas 16, Isotopes 0 (Final Score) on Gameday". Minor League Baseball. July 3, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
- ^ "Bees 0, River Cats 4 (Final Score) on Gameday". Minor League Baseball. September 3, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
Further reading[]
- "Get to Know the Members of the Triple-A West". Minor League Baseball. March 9, 2021. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
- Triple-A West
- Minor baseball leagues in the United States
- Professional sports leagues in the United States
- Sports leagues established in 2021