Lynchburg Hillcats

Last updated
Lynchburg Hillcats
Lynchburg Hillcats.PNG Hillcats cap.PNG
Team logoCap insignia
Minor league affiliations
Class Single-A (2021–present)
Previous classes
League Carolina League (1966–present)
DivisionNorth Division
Previous leagues
Major league affiliations
Team Cleveland Indians / Guardians (2015–present)
Previous teams
Minor league titles
League titles (8)
  • 1978
  • 1983
  • 1984
  • 1997
  • 2002
  • 2009
  • 2012
  • 2017
Division titles (1)
  • 2022
First-half titles (1)
  • 2022
Team data
NameLynchburg Hillcats (1995–present)
Previous names
  • Lynchburg Red Sox (1988–1994)
  • Lynchburg Mets (1976–1987)
  • Lynchburg Rangers (1975)
  • Lynchburg Twins (1970–1974)
  • Lynchburg White Sox (1963–1969)
  • Lynchburg Cardinals (1943–1955)
  • Lynchburg Senators (1940–1942)
  • Lynchburg Grays (1939)
  • Lynchburg Shoemakers (1906–1917, various)
  • Lynchburg Climbers (1894–1896)
ColorsMidnight blue, cyan, green, white
    
MascotSouthpaw 2.0
Ballpark Calvin Falwell Field (1963–present)
Owner(s)/
Operator(s)
Elmore Sports Group
General managerMatt Ramstead
ManagerJordan Smith
Website milb.com/lynchburg

The Lynchburg Hillcats are a Minor League Baseball team in Lynchburg, Virginia that plays in the Carolina League and is the Single-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. They were a farm team of the Atlanta Braves from 2011 to 2014, the Cincinnati Reds in 2010, and the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1995 to 2009. The Hillcats play home games at Bank of the James Stadium; refurbished and renamed in 2004, the stadium seats 4,291 fans.

Contents

In May 2016, the franchise announced that they would rebrand after the season. [1] When put to a fan vote for a new moniker with "Derechos", "Doves", "Lamb Chops", "Love Apples", and "River Runners" as options, a majority of fans voted to retain the Hillcats name. [2] They did, however, unveil new logos and a different color scheme, consisting of seven hills green, Blue Ridge blue, and midnight blue, for the 2017 season. [3]

In conjunction with Major League Baseball's restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Hillcats were organized into the Low-A East at the Low-A classification. [4] In 2022, the Low-A East became known as the Carolina League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization, and was reclassified as a Single-A circuit. [5]

Division and league championships

Roster

Lynchburg Hillcats roster
PlayersCoaches/Other

Pitchers

  • 30 Jervis Alfaro
  • 33 Reny Artiles
  • -- Jake Berry
  • 41 Caden Favors
  • 48 Jogly Garcia
  • 43 Sean Heppner
  • 44 Melkis Hernandez
  • 15 Jackson Humphries
  • 45 Jack Jasiak
  • 27 Izaak Martinez
  • 31 Deretd Parra
  • 40 Rafe Schlesinger
  • 38 Cam Schuelke
  • 32 Kyle Scott
  • 34 Kendeglys Virguez
  • 37 Robert Wegielnik
  • -- Jacob Zibin
  • 29 Donovan Zsak

Catchers

  •  9 Logun Clark
  • 12 Robert López
  • 11 Manuel Mejias
  • 13 Bennett Thompson

Infielders

  •  7 Fran Alduey
  •  2 Juan Benjamin
  •  1 Welbyn Francisca
  •  6 Garrett Howe
  • 10 Christian Knapczyk
  • 46 Luis Merejo

Outfielders

  • 24 Ryan Cesarini
  •  8 Jaison Chourio
  • 23 Luis Durango
  •  5 Tommy Hawke
  • 12 Barrett Riebock
  • -- Alfonsin Rosario


Manager

  • 39 Jordan Smith

Coaches

  • 17 Tony Arnold (pitching)
  • 31 Erlin Cerda (bench)
  • 16 Cole Nieto (hitting)


Injury icon 2.svg 7-day injured list
* On Cleveland Guardians 40-man roster
~ Development list
# Rehab assignment
∞ Reserve list
‡ Restricted list
§ Suspended list
† Temporarily inactive list
Roster updated November 20, 2024
 Transactions
→ More rosters: MiLB  •  Carolina League
→ Cleveland Guardians minor league players

Notable Lynchburg alumni

John Grabow John Grabow 2010.jpg
John Grabow
Darryl Strawberry Darryl Strawberry 1986.jpg
Darryl Strawberry

Baseball Hall of Fame alumni

Notable alumni

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern League (1964–present)</span> Minor League Baseball league in the Southern United States

The Southern League is a Minor League Baseball league that has operated in the Southern United States since 1964. Along with the Eastern League and Texas League, it is one of three circuits playing at the Double-A level, which is two grades below Major League Baseball (MLB).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carolina League</span> Minor League Baseball league

The Carolina League is a Minor League Baseball league which has operated along the Atlantic Coast of the United States since 1945. Having been classified at various levels throughout its existence, it operated at Class A-Advanced from 1990 until its demotion to Single-A following Major League Baseball's 2021 reorganization of the minor leagues. The league temporarily operated for the 2021 season as the Low-A East before reassuming its original moniker in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frederick Keys</span> Minor league baseball team

The Frederick Keys are a collegiate summer baseball team of the MLB Draft League. The Keys are based in Frederick, Maryland. The franchise is named for the "Star-Spangled Banner" writer Francis Scott Key, a native of Frederick County. A new team mascot "Frank Key", short for Francis Scott Key, joined the current mascot, a coyote named Keyote, at the beginning of the 2011 baseball season. The Keys were purchased from Maryland Baseball Holding, LLC by Attain Sports and Entertainment in January 2022. Home games are played at Harry Grove Stadium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kinston Indians</span> Minor league baseball team

The Kinston Indians were a Minor League Baseball team of the Carolina League (CL) located in Kinston, North Carolina, from 1978 to 2011. They played their home games at Grainger Stadium, which opened in 1949.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Myrtle Beach Pelicans</span> Minor League Baseball team in South Carolina

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans are a Minor League Baseball team in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and the Single-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs of the National League in Major League Baseball. The Pelicans compete in the Carolina League. Home games are played at Pelicans Ballpark, which opened in 1999 and seats up to 6,599 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salem Red Sox</span> Minor league baseball team

The Salem Red Sox are a Minor League Baseball affiliate of the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB), based in Salem, an independent city adjacent to Roanoke, Virginia. The team competes at the Single-A level in the Carolina League. Home games are played at Carilion Clinic Field at Salem Memorial Ballpark, a 6,300-seat facility opened in 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Winston-Salem Dash</span> Minor league baseball team in North Carolina

The Winston-Salem Dash are a Minor League Baseball team in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. They are a High-A team in the South Atlantic League and have been a farm team of the Chicago White Sox since 1997. The Dash began playing their home games at the Truist Stadium in 2010 after having Ernie Shore Field as their home from 1956 to 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greensboro Grasshoppers</span> Minor league baseball team

The Greensboro Grasshoppers are a Minor League Baseball team based in Greensboro, North Carolina. They are members of the South Atlantic League and are the High-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. They play their home games at First National Bank Field, which opened in 2005 and seats 7,499 fans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Wedge</span> American baseball player & manager (born 1968)

Eric Michael Wedge is an American former baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) catcher and manager.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buddy Bailey</span> Baseball player

Welby Sheldon "Buddy" Bailey is an American professional baseball manager and former Major League coach with 45 years of experience in the game, 35 as a minor league manager. Bailey is currently manager for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans of the Carolina League. He has been a member of the Chicago Cubs' organization since 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bradenton Marauders</span> Minor league baseball team

The Bradenton Marauders are a Minor League Baseball team of the Florida State League and the Single-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. They are located in Bradenton, Florida, and play their home games at LECOM Park, which also serves as the Pirates' spring training facility.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Beasley</span> American baseball coach (born 1966)

Anthony Wayne Beasley is an American professional baseball coach. He is the third base coach for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously served as an interim manager for the Texas Rangers and third base coach and minor-league manager in the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Washington Nationals organizations.

Brian Rupp is the hitting coach of the Potomac Nationals in the Washington Nationals organization, he resides in Florissant, MO with his wife Stacie and son Andrew. The 2012 campaign will be Rupp's first season in the Nationals organization and twelfth as a minor league manager. His career managerial record sits at 579-560 (.508). His resume also boasts five playoff appearances, two trips to a league final and one championship. After attending UM-St. Louis, Rupp was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 43rd round of the 1992 draft, he played for seven seasons in the St. Louis Cardinals minor league system, mostly as a first baseman and outfielder. He reached as high as the Triple-A level. The former University of Missouri-St. Louis Triton won both the Arizona League batting title and MVP award in his first professional season. He also collected the South Atlantic League batting crown in 1993 beating out Derek Jeter. He went on to hit .295 over 742 career games.

Wilburn Edward "Eddy" Furniss III is an American former professional baseball first baseman and designated hitter. A standout college baseball player for Louisiana State University (LSU), Furniss has been inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame, the LSU Athletic Hall of Fame, and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. He is the 10th athlete, and 2nd baseball player, in LSU history to have his number retired.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greenville Drive</span> Minor league baseball team

The Greenville Drive are a Minor League Baseball team based in Greenville, South Carolina. They are the High-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox and are a member of the South Atlantic League. They play their home games at Fluor Field at the West End, and their mascot is a frog named Reedy Rip'it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victoria HarbourCats</span> Summer-collegiate baseball team

The Victoria HarbourCats are a summer-collegiate baseball team located in Victoria, British Columbia. The HarbourCats play in the West Coast League (WCL), a collegiate summer baseball league. The team's home games are played at Victoria's Royal Athletic Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carolina Mudcats</span> Minor league baseball team

The Carolina Mudcats are a Minor League Baseball team of the Carolina League and the Single-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Zebulon, North Carolina, a suburb of Raleigh, and play their home games at Five County Stadium. "Mudcats" is a Southern synonym for catfish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Down East Wood Ducks</span> Minor league baseball team

The Down East Wood Ducks were a Minor League Baseball team of the Carolina League and the Single-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers. They were located in Kinston, North Carolina, and are named for the wood duck, a colorful local waterfowl. Established in 2017, the team played its home games at Grainger Stadium, which opened in 1949 and holds 4,100 people.

The 1966 Carolina League was a Class A baseball season played between April 15 and September 5. Eleven teams played a 140-game schedule, with the top two teams in each division qualifying for the post-season.

References

  1. ↑ Walls, Dave (May 24, 2016). "Lynchburg Hillcats announce contest to rename franchise". WSET.
  2. ↑ "Lynchburg to Remain Hillcats". Ballpark Digest. July 27, 2016. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Lynchburg Hillcats Unveil New Logos". Ballpark Digest. October 28, 2016. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
  4. ↑ Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Historical League Names to Return in 2022". Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  6. ↑ "Carolina League cancels Mills Cup Finals". Carolina League. Minor League Baseball. September 8, 2017. Retrieved September 8, 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.