REVving up to move out? Rumblings grow louder on possible defections
This is an article I did not want to write. I was debating on whether to write about it at all since nothing’s happened. Yet. I also didn’t want to overshadow playoff races and record chases with something that’s flat-out crappy (and ironically on a day one of these teams clinches a playoff berth), but…
Get on the Blaine Train! Minnesota Expansion Coming in ’28
As suspected once commissioner Joshua Schaub first teased an expansion announcement a week and a half ago, the American Association will finally be expanding for the first time in six years with the announcement of a new franchise coming to Minneapolis suburb Blaine, Minnesota for the 2028 season. The move returns the American Association to…
Expansion is coming. Is a North Star pointing to where?
Since the 2011 absorption of four Northern League clubs, the American Association has operated with no fewer than 12 teams every season since then (2020 aside). That 2011 season saw 14 clubs compete, then 13 teams play in 2012-13 and again in ’15, while maintaining 12 teams in 2014 and every year since 2016. Furthermore,…
Nehrir latest American Association great to have number retired
On Sunday, the Cleburne Railroaders will be retiring the number 14 of outfielder Zach Nehrir, who played four excellent seasons for the Railroaders in 2019 and again from 2021-23. Part of a large contingent of former Wichita Wingnuts who completely revitalized the on-field fortunes of the Railroaders, Nehrir was arguably the most impactful of the…
Trio elected to American Association Hall of Fame
Two weeks out from the 2026 American Association All-Star Game, the league has announced the three-member induction class for the American Association Hall of Fame. Former Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks catcher and current manager Chris Coste, Lincoln Saltdogs founder and owner Jim Abel, and longtime shortstop and former Player of the Year Nate Samson make up the…
AA has huge opportunity with All-Star Game heading to MLB Network
On Tuesday, the American Association made a notable announcement that the league’s annual All-Star Game will be televised on MLB Network. The game will be hosted by the Lincoln Saltdogs at Haymarket Park, with first pitch scheduled for 8:30 EDT/7:30 CDT on Wednesday, July 15. The Jeremiah Johnson Brewing Company Home Run Derby will precede…
AA Transaction Recap: Final offseason edition
May is here, teams have reported to camp, and the offseason is truly just about over. With that in mind, there’s not going to be much roster movement until teams trim their rosters down to 25 ahead of Opening Day on May 14-15. Let’s look at what went down. Chicago Dogs Released: RHP David Reckers…
April 20-24 Transaction Roundup
As we approach the final week of April, rosters are continuing to get trimmed, and also notably, the independent baseball season has begun, with the Atlantic League getting underway on Tuesday. That means that AtL cutdowns could lead to AA opportunities for a few players in the next week or two. Of course, in-season roster…
Kansas City Monarchs sold: What to know
In a big news drop right before spring training, the Kansas City Monarchs announced on Thursday, April 23 that they have been sold to longtime minor league baseball owner Quint Studer and KC Roots. Not much is out there on KC Roots, which is presumably some form of community organization. Not to discount them, but…
April 13-17 Transaction Roundup
We are now less than a month away from Opening Day and everyone still has items to check off the offseason shopping list. Some teams are more complete than others, so it will be interesting to say what the next couple weeks look like before players report. ICYMI, I looked at each team’s top priority…
April 6-10 Transaction Roundup
Next week, we will reach one month from Opening Day and unsurprisingly, movement is slowing down with MLB spring training now in the rear-view mirror and American Association rosters full (or close to it) for most teams. Nonetheless, there is still movement to monitor: Chicago Dogs The Spin: It was a quiet week for the Dogs,…
March 30-April 3 Transaction Roundup
The calendar turned to April this week, meaning that crunch time is approaching as American Association teams finish their offseason to-do lists before spring camps open in the coming weeks. In case you missed it, this week I took an in-depth look at everyone’s rosters, starting with the East Division on Tuesday, then doing the…
March 23-27 Transaction Roundup
The last full week of March came and went, with activity perhaps being a little limited by the Baseball Champions League taking place in Mexico City this week. Admin has definitely been limited this week, with a nasty infection knocking me out for close to a week, but it’s okay, I have emerged from the…
March 16-20 Transaction Roundup
St. Patty’s Day has come and gone (and hopefully the same thing can be said about your hangover) and Friday marked the six-month anniversary of the epic Game 5 of the Miles Wolff Cup Finals. And so, six months (and a day) after the Kane County Cougars raised the Miles Wolff Cup for the second…
Breaking Down the Baseball Champions League ’26 Roster
The two-time defending American Association champion Kane County Cougars are set to travel to Mexico City next week for the third installation of the Baseball Champions League Americas tournament, with the AA announcing the Cougars roster today. The tournament runs from March 24-29 at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu, which is hosting the tournament for the…