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.
Nine current league teams were placed in the Triple-A West from the Pacific Coast League.[2]
One current league team was placed in the Triple-A West from the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[3]
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] |
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]
Season | Winner | Team | Organization | Position | BA | HR | RBI | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | José Marmolejos | Tacoma Rainiers | Seattle Mariners | First baseman | .338 | 26 | 75 | [7] |
Season | Winner | Team | Organization | Record | ERA | SO | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | Peter Solomon | Sugar Land Skeeters | Houston Astros | 8–1 | 4.70 | 112 | [8] |
Season | Winner | Team | Organization | Position | BA | HR | RBI | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | Jo Adell | Salt Lake Bees | Los Angeles Angels | Outfielder | .289 | 23 | 69 | [9] |
Season | Winner | Team | Organization | Division | Finish | Record | Refs. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | Kristopher Negrón | Tacoma Rainiers | Seattle Mariners | West | 1st | 78–52 | [10][11] |
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] |