The path to Major League Baseball is like no other in sports. Players get drafted in one of the 20 rounds, and then they are tasked with navigating a wide-ranging system of affiliated baseball in the minor leagues.
While there are serious issues with minor league baseball in terms of player wages, the teams themselves are important to communities that otherwise would never have a professional sports franchise. And that leads to some excellent team names that uniquely represent a home city.
Out of the 120 teams across minor league baseball, we settled on our 10 favorite team names. Yes, these are real teams.
10
Montgomery Biscuits
Don’t worry adults, we got you a jersey too 😅
On Friday, July 14th we’ll have a FREE jersey for the first 1,000 adults presented by @AcceptanceHQ! A top giveaway of the season so be sure to arrive when gates open at 5:30 PM!
Get Tickets 🎟️: https://t.co/9T33OuzI9Q pic.twitter.com/8OgjzHqIG7
— Montgomery Biscuits (@BiscuitBaseball) July 8, 2023
Food-based team names are never intimidating, but biscuit somehow works perfectly. Their official hashtag is #ButterUp. I mean, that’s just awesome for the Rays’ Double-A affiliate.
The most giveaways in franchise history! Look at everything we have to butter up our fans this season 🧈
Which giveaways are you looking forward to? #ButterUp pic.twitter.com/4CrdWR5bdG
— Montgomery Biscuits (@BiscuitBaseball) February 23, 2023
9
El Paso Chihuahuas
The Padres’ Triple-A affiliates have one of the funnier logos in minor league baseball. Good dog.
8
Cedar Rapids Kernels
Good luck to all of our friends in Minor League Baseball this season! pic.twitter.com/MQws34Bz9W
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) March 31, 2023
Food-based names will never not be funny to me. That hat is incredible, though.
7
Bowling Green Hot Rods
Your Keeping It Cool Starting Lineup for today's first 7! #RevItUp 🔥🔥
Presented by Top Notch Heating and Air Conditioning pic.twitter.com/aunfs8EH9J
— Bowling Green Hot Rods (@BGHotRods) July 9, 2023
The High-A affiliate of the Rays got their name in 2009 as a nod to the city’s automotive history. But as an actual team name, it sounds quintessentially minor league and reminds me of the Andy Samberg movie. That’s not a bad thing.
6
Binghamton Rumble Ponies
Looking to head into the All-Star break strong
🕐 1:00 PM
🆚 @PortlandSeaDogs
📍 Hadlock Field
📻 @NewsRadio1290
📺 https://t.co/EC9fDTwWYa
🎙️ @JacobWilkins & @MattLevine__Tonight’s lineup presented by Belgray Oil & Belgray Bombers. pic.twitter.com/BZoIMLPnqj
— Binghamton Rumble Ponies (@RumblePoniesBB) July 9, 2023
The Mets’ Double-A affiliates used to be called the Binghamton Mets, which was unbelievably dull. They switched names in 2017 and settled on Rumble Ponies after fans voted on submitted names. It’s supposed to be after a carousel ride because apparently Binghamton is the “Carousel Capital of the World.” That’s a thing that exists.
5
Modesto Nuts
As the Single-A affiliate of the Mariners, the Nuts adopted the name after their affiliation with the Athletics ended in 2005. They apparently produce a lot of nuts in Modesto and didn’t think too much into the name. Their mascot is serious nightmare fuel.
At least it was dog day. pic.twitter.com/q3DkwUdWQZ
— Modesto Nuts (@ModestoNuts) July 7, 2023
4
Sugar Land Space Cowboys
The Astros’ Triple-A affiliate are only in the second season with the Space Cowboys name after changing it from an even more ridiculous name (Skeeters!). The team rebranded after it moved from independent ball to become an Astros affiliate. It’s still a fun name, but Skeeters would have topped this list.
🫡🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/lnKkf0rSQU
— Sugar Land Space Cowboys (@SLSpaceCowboys) July 3, 2023
3
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
Check out our new on-field threads for the '23 season.
3 New Hats
3 Updated Jerseys
New Jaxpos Fauxback jersey
Duuuval Vice combo returnsBuy Now: https://t.co/uFViYXi4i4 pic.twitter.com/oJ4sfbGYy7
— Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (@JaxShrimp) November 29, 2022
They seriously named a baseball team after something you’d order at Joe’s Crab Shack.
2
Amarillo Sod Poodles
Two doubleheader sweeps in the span of a week ✅#AbsolutelyAmarillo pic.twitter.com/7nfCTXZGjZ
— Amarillo Sod Poodles (@sodpoodles) July 9, 2023
The Diamondbacks’ Double-A affiliates have only had this name since 2019. And it apparently wasn’t well received at first because it’s so goofy. But minor league baseball names are supposed to be weird and fun. There’s no denying they succeeded with that.
1
Rocket City Trash Pandas
The Angeles’ Double-A affiliates adopted the name back in 2020, and I have a hard time seeing any team topping that one. The mascot is iconic.
https://t.co/MR6fqAz3GH pic.twitter.com/k1el4UeCom
— Rocket City Trash Pandas (@trashpandas) July 11, 2023
