Even before the coronavirus epidemic swept across this planet, dark clouds were gathering on the horizon of minor league baseball. Egged on by the unrestricted greed that comes with capitalism, Major League Baseball sought to shrink the minor leagues in an effort for these multibillion-dollar businesses to trim a few million dollars a year from their yearly operating budgets. COVID-19 and the cancellation of the 2020 season proved to be the final nail in the coffin, as it allowed Major League Baseball to impose its will without as nearly as big of a fight as the two sides seemingly had been preparing for.
SYRACUSE METS
Formerly part of the International League, the Syracuse Mets will be playing in the Triple-A East in 2021, part of its Northeast division. The other teams in the Triple-A East Northeast include:
- Buffalo Bisons (Toronto Blue Jays)
- Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Philadelphia Phillies)
- Rochester Red Wings (Washington Nationals)
- Scranton/Wilkes-Berry RailRiders (New York Yankees)
- Worcester Red Sox (Boston Red Sox)
Chad Kreuter will be managing the team in 2021. Prior to taking the helm in Syracuse, he managed the St. Lucie Mets for three seasons, from 2017 until 2019, going 185-217. He will be joined by Luis Rivera, his bench coach, Joel Chimelis, Syracuse’s hitting coach, and Mike Cather, Syracuse’s pitching coach.
The Syracuse Mets will open the 2021 season on Tuesday, May 4th at NBT Bank Stadium against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees.
OPENING DAY NOTABLE PLAYERS
- Khalil Lee (Amazin’ Avenue Top Prospect)
- Franklyn Kilome (Amazin’ Avenue Top Prospect #10)
- Thomas Szapucki (Amazin’ Avenue Top Prospect #11)
- Harol Gonzalez (Amazin’ Avenue Top Prospect #16)
- Sam McWilliams (Amazin’ Avenue Top Prospect #20)
- Quinn Brodey
- Yennsy Diaz
- Deivy Grullon
- David Thompson
BINGHAMTON RUMBLE PONIES
Formerly part of the Eastern League, the Binghamton Rumble Ponies will be playing in the Double-A Northeast in 2021, part of its Northeast division. The other teams in the Double-A Northeast Northeast include:
- Hartford Yard Goats (Colorado Rockies)
- New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Toronto Blue Jays)
- Portland Sea Dogs (Boston Red Sox)
- Reading Fightin Phils (Philadelphia Phillies)
- Sommerset Patriots (New York Yankees)
Lorenzo Bundy will be managing the team in 2021. Prior to taking the helm in Binghamton, he managed the Generales de Durango of the Mexican League, who went 15-24, and the Mayos de Navojoa of the Mexican Pacific League, who went 25-40. He will be joined by Joe Raccuia, his bench coach, Bruce Fields, Syracuse’s hitting coach, and Jonathan Hurst, Syracuse’s pitching coach.
The Binghamton Rumble Ponies will open the 2021 season on Tuesday, May 4th at Canal Park against the Akron RubberDucks, the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians.
OPENING DAY NOTABLE PLAYERS
- Mark Vientos (Amazin’ Avenue Top Prospect #6)
- Ryley Gilliam (Amazin’ Avenue Top Prospect #25)
- Luis Carpio
- Trey Cobb
- Cole Gordon
- Carlos Cortes
- Colin Holderman
- Desmond Lindsay
- Tylor Megill
- Nick Meyer
- Andrew Mitchell
- Adam Oller
- Marcel Renteria
- Will Toffey
- Jeremy Vasquez
BROOKLYN CYCLONES
Formerly part of the New York-Penn League, the Brooklyn Cyclones will be playing in the High-A East in 2021, part of its East Division. The other teams in the High-A East East include:
- Aberdeen IronBirds (Baltimore Orioles)
- Hudson Valley Renegades (New York Yankees)
- Jersey Shore BlueClaws (Philadelphia Phillies)
- Wilmington Blue Rocks (Washington Nationals)
Ed Blankmeyer will be managing the team in 2021. Prior to taking the helm in Brooklyn, Blankmeyer managed the St. John Red Storm from 1996 until 2019, going 829-500-4 with six Big East Conference Regular Season Championships, five Big East Tournament Championships, ten NCAA Regionals appearances and one NCAA Super Regional appearance. He will be joined by Mariano Duncan, his bench coach, Nic Jackson, Brooklyn’s hitting coach, and Royce Ring, Brooklyn’s pitching coach.
The Brooklyn Cyclones will open the 2021 season on Tuesday, May 4th at Lewis McCormick Field against the Asheville Tourists, the High-A affiliate of the Houston Astros.
OPENING DAY NOTABLE PLAYERS
- Ronny Mauricio (Amazin’ Avenue Top Prospect #1)
- Matthew Allan (Amazin’ Avenue Top Prospect #2)
- Brett Baty (Amazin’ Avenue Top Prospect #4)
- Jose Butto
- Antoine Duplantis
- Andrew Edwards
- Joe Genord
- Josh Hejka
- Luke Ritter
- Jake Mangum
- Nick McDonald
- Brian Metoyer
- Eric Orze
- Scott Ota
- Michel Otanez
- Hayden Senger
- Juan Uriarte
- Anthony Walters
- Matt Winaker
ST. LUCIE METS
Formerly part of the Florida State League, the St. Lucie Mets will be playing in the Low-A Southeast in 2021, part of its East Division. The other teams in the Low-A Southeast East include:
- Daytona Tortugas (Cincinnati Reds)
- Jupiter Hammerheads (Miami Marlins)
- Palm Beach Cardinals (St. Louis Cardinals)
Reid Brignac will be managing the team in 2021. This is his first managerial position, having retired from his professional career, which stretched from 2008-2016, in July 2018. He will be joined by Jay Pecci, his bench coach, Tommy Joseph, St. Lucie’s hitting coach, and Jerome Williams, St. Lucie’s pitching coach.
The St. Lucie Mets will open the 2021 season on Tuesday, May 4th at Clover Park against the Jupiter Hammerheads, the Low-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins.
OPENING DAY NOTABLE PLAYERS
- Francisco Alvarez (Amazin’ Avenue Top Prospect #3)
- Pete Crow-Armstrong (Amazin’ Avenue Top Prospect #5)
- Jaylen Palmer (Amazin’ Avenue Top Prospect #8)
- Shervyen Newton (Amazin’ Avenue Top Prospect #12)
- Junior Santos (Amazin’ Avenue Top Prospect #15)
- Garrison Bryant
- Matthew Dyer
- Branden Fryman
- Cole Kleszcz
- Tanner Murphy
- Franklin Parra
- Jose Peroza
- Yoel Romero
- Reyson Santos
- Warren Saunders
- Joander Suarez
- Willy Taveras