Then and now: Midwest League
Following Major League Baseball's announcement that historical league names are returning to the Minors in 2022, MiLB.com provides a refresher on each of the 11 circuits from Triple-A, Double-A, High-A and Single-A -- including past champions, famous alumni and more.
Following Major League Baseball's announcement that historical league names are returning to the Minors in 2022, MiLB.com provides a refresher on each of the 11 circuits from Triple-A, Double-A, High-A and Single-A -- including past champions, famous alumni and more.
Welcome to the High-A Midwest League, where an empty seat is hard to find in Dayton, Juan Marichal high-stepped a path for legends from the Dominican Republic and Big Papi’s prodigious power etched his place in baseball folklore.
Midwest League
Established in 1947, known in 2021 as the High-A Central
East Division
Dayton Dragons: Cincinnati Reds, Day Air Ballpark – Dayton, OH
Fort Wayne TinCaps: San Diego Padres, Parkview Field – Fort Wayne, IN (Ballpark Guide)
Great Lakes Loons: Los Angeles Dodgers, Dow Diamond – Midland, MI
Lake County Captains: Cleveland Guardians, Classic Park – Eastlake, OH
Lansing Lugnuts: Oakland A’s, Jackson Field – Lansing, MI (Ballpark Guide)
West Michigan Whitecaps: Detroit Tigers, LMCU Ballpark – Comstock Park, MI
West Division
Beloit Sky Carp: Miami Marlins, ABC Supply Stadium – Beloit, WI (Ballpark Guide)
Cedar Rapids Kernels: Minnesota Twins, Veterans Supply Stadium – Cedar Rapids, IA
Peoria Chiefs: St. Louis Cardinals, Dozer Park – Peoria, IL
Quad Cities River Bandits: Kansas City Royals, Modern Woodmen Park – Davenport, IA (Ballpark Guide)
South Bend Cubs: Chicago Cubs, Four Winds Field – South Bend, IN (Ballpark Guide)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: Milwaukee Brewers, Fox Cities Stadium – Appleton, WI
2021 champion: Quad Cities River Bandits
Most championships, all-time: Lansing Lugnuts and Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (nine)
Did you know? The circuit started exclusively in the state of Illinois in 1947, but the modern Midwest League plays host to 12 clubs across six states – three teams in Michigan (Great Lakes, Lansing, West Michigan); two in Indiana (Fort Wayne, South Bend); two in Iowa (Cedar Rapids, Quad Cities); Ohio (Dayton, Lake County); two in Wisconsin (Beloit, Wisconsin); and one in Illinois (Peoria).
Notable alumni: Juan Marichal, Paul Molitor, Albert Pujols, Adrian Gonzalez, Clayton Kershaw, Mike Trout, Wander Franco, David Ortiz, Greg Maddux.
The @peoriachiefs logo has changed a lot over the years as the franchise navigated affiliation changes between two of the NL's most bitter rivals.
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) July 2, 2020
➡️ https://t.co/FiGPJsl7rV pic.twitter.com/ltFKBTN4c7
After ascending to High-A and getting a name change during last year's restructuring, the Midwest League is back in familiar form for 2022.
Starting as the six-team Illinois State League in 1947, the circuit changed its name to the Mississippi-Ohio Valley League two years later after a franchise in Marion, Illinois, relocated to Kentucky and became the Paducah Chiefs. The circuit added two more teams in 1954 and was renamed the Midwest League in 1956.
The circuit spent most of its existence in Class A, but is entering its second year as a High-A league following the restructuring of the Minor Leagues in 2021. All 12 current members have been members of the league for more than a decade, the most recent addition was the Great Lakes Loons in 2007. West Division rivals Wisconsin (established in 1958), Quad Cities (1961) and Cedar Rapids (1962) rank as the oldest franchises of the bunch.
There have been 13 members of the Hall of Fame to pass through the circuit. Juan Marichal, the first Dominican-born player elected to the Hall of Fame, was introduced to American baseball in the Midwest League. He posted a 1.87 ERA over 245 innings for the Michigan City Whitecaps in 1958. The most recently elected Hall of Famer, David Ortiz, has a unique place in baseball folklore from his time in the Midwest League. Then a 20-year-old Mariners prospect known as David Arias playing for Wisconsin, “Big Papi” put on a show in a 3-on-3 home run derby against Seattle’s Major League club, which featured Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar Martinez and Alex Rodriguez.
In 1996, an unknown 20-year-old in his first full season out-slugged Griffey and A-Rod.
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) April 20, 2020
That prospect went on to become Big Papi.
➡️https://t.co/svek9BWhzU pic.twitter.com/LMYfCNlmyf
The Midwest League has four fewer members than its last loop in 2019. The Bowling Green Hot Rods now expand the High-A South Atlantic League into Kentucky. The Burlington Bees and Clinton LumberKings are members of the Prospect League, a collegiate wood bat summer league, and the Kane County Cougars play in the independent American Association of Professional Baseball, which maintains a partnership with Major League Baseball.
Some of the circuit’s characters have made a lasting mark on the Minor Leagues. Beloit pitcher Dakota Bacus assumed the persona of the Whitewall Ninja during games in 2013. Bacus dressed in a head-to-toe all-white getup and hid in fair territory in front of an outfield billboard while the game was going on. That same season, a trio of Timber Rattlers relievers found an in-game side hustle. They encouraged fans to toss quarters into a cup that had been set up inside the bullpen, and if they made the shot, they’d win a ball.
One of my favorite interviews was with a trio of Wisconsin Timber Rattlers relievers - Jonathan Armold, Mike Strong and Taylor Wall - regarding their bullpen side hustle.
— Benjamin Hill (@bensbiz) July 17, 2020
Throw a quarter in a cup and get a ball. https://t.co/bnhgufas3g pic.twitter.com/FrGdWFdQCD
What’s new: Previously known as the Snappers from 1995 to 2021, Beloit rebranded as the Sky Carp going into the 2022 campaign, with the community choosing the moniker over such other candidates as the Moo, Polka Pike, Supper Clubbers and Cheeseballs.
What’s familiar: Quad Cities’ Modern Woodmen Park is entering its 91st season of operation, making it the fourth-oldest ballpark in Minor League Baseball. It opened on May 26, 1931 as Municipal Stadium. It was renamed John O'Donnell Stadium in 1971 before adopting its current name in 2008.
For the record: By the conclusion of the 2019 season, the Dayton Dragons had recorded 1,385 home sellouts in a row, a North American professional sports record. With COVID affecting the 2020 and 2021 seasons, the Dragons plan to resume counting the streak when they open the 2022 campaign at home against Fort Wayne on April 8. … Jim Ellis put together one of the all-time most impressive individual performances for Quincy in 1965. Playing against Dubuque in the first game of a doubleheader, Ellis not only pitched a one-hit shutout, but he clubbed three homers in a five-hit, seven-RBI effort during the 25-0 blowout.
Ben’s Biz Memory – Toilet paper first pitch for Timber Rattlers on “Salute to Paper Night”
"Appleton, Wisconsin, and the area surrounding that is and has been for a long time, a region that produces a lot of paper. There are paper mills all about. So they regularly have 'Salute to Paper Night.' When I went to the ballpark that night, they had toilet-paper pyramids stacked up at the entrance. Fans were getting their own rolls. Players were throwing rolls of toilet paper into the crowd. It was the most toilet paper-centric night that I've ever been a part of. And when they asked me to throw out a first pitch, it was not with a baseball, but with a roll of toilet paper. And just to be on the mound, delivering what I call a 'two-ply fastball,' and it was just another one of those moments where you stop and think and put it in context -- it's just like, what? Throwing out a roll of toilet paper as a first pitch? But it all made sense. And in 2016 when Topps contacted me to curate an insert set within their pro debut set -- I didn't want to focus myself too heavily in terms of pictures of myself -- but for my card, I thought, what a better illustration of what I do and what the Minor League fan experience is than throwing out a first pitch with a roll of toilet paper."
On the blog, a look at card #3 in the Ben's Biz @Topps insert set.
— Benjamin Hill (@bensbiz) May 31, 2017
Toilet Paper First Pitch.@TimberRattlershttps://t.co/P6WPCTJtW1 pic.twitter.com/ueSblynFTN
Things to look for in 2022: The Padres’ 2020 first-round Draft pick in Robert Hassell III will likely return to Fort Wayne after being called up to High-A in the final month of the ‘21 season. MLB Pipeline’s No. 43 overall prospect hit .323 with 65 RBIs in Low-A, but batted just .205 with 25 strikeouts in 18 contests for the TinCaps. In the West Division, Quad Cities enjoyed its first championship since 2014 and was one of two Royals affiliates to capture a title (Northwest Arkansas won the Double-A Central crown). The fourth overall pick of the 2020 Draft, Asa Lacy, will likely begin the 2022 campaign with the Bandits after an up-and-down 2021 season in which he posted a 5.19 ERA over 52 innings. It remains to be seen whether either of the Royals’ top two picks from the 2021 Draft – lefty Frank Mozzicato and righty Ben Kudrna – will make it to High-A in their debut seasons. Tigers’ third overall pick Jackson Jobe and 32nd overall pick Ty Madden may see time for West Michigan during their '22 debuts.
Stephanie Sheehan is an contributor for MiLB.com.
Here's where every Top 100 prospect is expected to start the season
The 2025 Opening Day prospect roster announcements began last week when the Cubs informed Matt Shaw (MLB No. 19) he was making the trip overseas to compete in the Tokyo Series. Roki Sasaki (No. 1) also received the good news, but his assignment was much less of a surprise. Now
Nationals prospect King joins MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Here are the 2025 All-Spring Breakout Teams
Fifteen games, several jersey swaps and countless highlights later, the second edition of Spring Breakout has officially concluded – and it lived up to its billing. Of the 16 contests sprinkled across four days, only one game (Dodgers vs. Cubs) was rained out. Coincidentally, the Cubs were one of two
Rox young sluggers aim to bring pop back to Coors Field
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Coors Field may provide the best run-scoring environment in Major League Baseball, but the Rockies haven’t taken advantage of it in recent years. Even without adjusting for Coors, they have fielded offenses worse than the league average the past three seasons, and they scored the fewest runs
Astros brass sees potential in consistently 'underranked' farm system
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The last time the Astros landed in the top 10 of MLB Pipeline’s farm system rankings was before the 2019 season. Since those rankings expanded to all 30 teams ahead of the 2020 season -- 11 lists in total -- they’ve never ranked higher than
Complete results and highlights from Spring Breakout
The second edition of MLB Spring Breakout is complete, and there was no shortage of highlights from the future stars of Major League Baseball over the four-day showcase. Here's a complete breakdown of the 16-game exhibition:
Southpaw Spring Breakout: White Sox future on display with Schultz, Smith
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- If all goes as planned for the White Sox, left-handers Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz won’t spend much time following each other to the mound in a single game. Schultz, the No. 1 White Sox prospect and No. 16 overall, per MLB Pipeline, and Smith, who is
In first pro game, Rainer offers pop, promise to Tigers fans
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Bryce Rainer’s pro career consisted of workouts and batting practice until Sunday.
'Me and Brady on the dirt again': House, King reunite at Spring Breakout
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The 2025 Spring Breakout was a flashback for Brady House and Seaver King. Over 10 years ago, the infielders were travel ball teammates in Georgia who shared the dream of making it to the Major Leagues. Now, they are top prospects in the same organization,
Lambert -- 'an adrenaline guy' -- hoping to be next Mets bullpen gem
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Ryan Lambert loves throwing hard. He relishes the idea of getting to two strikes and blowing hitters away. “Get me in a game,” Lambert said, “cool things will happen.”
Stewart embraces Spring Breakout: 'What's not to love?'
PHOENIX -- Sal Stewart was one fired-up Reds prospect. On Sunday in the first inning during the organization's 9-7 Spring Breakout win over Brewers prospects, Stewart lifted a 2-2 pitch that sailed over the center fielder's head to the wall. Already not known as a speedster, he stumbled running between
Prospect Peña quietly drawing raves in Brewers' farm system
PHOENIX – Jesús Made was at the top of the Brewers’ lineup for Sunday’s 9-7 loss to the Reds in the finale of MLB’s four-day Spring Breakout, a fitting perch when you consider that the 17-year-old infielder is under a bright spotlight as MLB Pipeline’s No. 55 prospect. Made could
Brecht -- in 1st outing since '24 Draft -- wows at Spring Breakout
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Sunday's Spring Breakout showcase was the perfect unveiling for Rockies No. 5 prospect Brody Brecht. A right-handed pitcher from the University of Iowa whom the Rockies selected 38th overall last summer, Brecht had a nice collegiate resume, an interesting backstory as a former wide receiver for the
Braves prospects show promise in Spring Breakout
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- As Terry Pendleton prepared to serve as the manager of the Braves prospect team that played the Tigers prospect team in a Spring Breakout game on Sunday afternoon, he said fans should be patient with John Gil and Luis Guanipa, a pair of teenagers who have
Yanks' Lagrange flashes triple-digit heat in Spring Breakout
SARASOTA, Fla. -- There was an audible “Ooh” from the crowd at Ed Smith Stadium, and Carlos Lagrange quickly glanced beyond the right-field wall, checking the velocity of the pitch he’d just thrown in Saturday’s 5-4 Spring Breakout loss to the Orioles. It had registered in the triple digits, and
Bradfield dedicates Spring Breakout performance to late friend
SARASOTA, Fla. -- It was about more than playing in the national spotlight. More than the dinner bet placed with an old college teammate earlier in the month. More than a game. As Enrique Bradfield Jr. slid home to score a run during the first inning of Saturday night’s Spring
'Hungry' Alcántara hoping to pounce on big league prey in '25
MESA, Ariz. -- The thing about jaguars is, you don’t want to see one when it’s hungry. So when Cubs legend Sammy Sosa spoke to the organization’s No. 6 prospect per MLB Pipeline -- and the No. 89 prospect overall -- the former slugger gave him some apt advice. “His
Rainiers broadcaster Pay talks historic role on MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Prospect Santos 'electric' in Spring Breakout start
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Malcolm Moore knew Winston Santos was locked in before he even threw a pitch. In the second annual Spring Breakout game, Santos -- the Rangers’ No. 5 prospect, per MLB Pipeline -- was throwing to Moore, the Rangers’ No. 4 prospect and highest-ranked catcher. The battery more
Switch-pitcher Cijntje deals from both sides in Spring Breakout
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Jurrangelo Cijntje knew who’d be waiting for him in the batter’s box when he emerged from the visiting bullpen on Friday evening. The Mariners’ switch-pitcher had seen Guardians infielder Travis Bazzana recently at a card-signing event, to which they each joked, “I’m going to see you soon,”
Fans in this Minor League town are hungry for ... the Spicy Meatballs?!?
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Chandler adds mix to upper-90s heat in stellar Spring Breakout start
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- In the inaugural Spring Breakout game a year ago, as he was coming out to pitch the ninth inning, Bubba Chandler slammed a Red Bull and declared “let’s do this” before pumping upper-90s heat.