Minor League Monday (Season Two, Blog #3), The Final Six

​It was not difficult selecting the final six teams to enter Season Two of our Minor League Monday Series. It was evident that we needed to bring back more teams from last season outside of the Top-3! We heard you, and we are answering. Before we announce our other returning teams, we do have a few more newcomers that we believe have the potential to contend for our Minor League Monday Title. ​

The first team we will introduce also comes from the state with a lot of representation this season, our fourth and final team from Tennessee is the Chattanooga Lookouts. One of the oldest teams in this year's competition, the Lookouts were founded in 1885. Since then, they have won four Pennants, One Dixie Series Title, and Three League Titles (most recently won in 2017). Last season, the Cincinnati Reds affiliate finished fourth in the AA - South with a 58-54 record. The Lookouts will rival the Tennessee Smokies this season, as they are in the same Division (AA-South, North Division).

Next on our list is a team that was not nominated into the series, but we needed another AA team and we needed a team that would be a true contender for the Minor League Monday Title. This team is an outlier because they are the second team not located in the Southern United States this season. Last season, this team finished #1 in the AA - Northeast with a 73-46 record. If you haven't guessed it yet, we are talking about the Akron RubberDucks! The Cleveland Guardians affiliate is certain to compete with last year's champion, the Durham Bulls. Since the team's founding in 1923 as the Binghamton Triplets, the Rubber Ducks have won twenty-three league titles, six of which have been since 2000 ('03, '05, '09, '12, '16, '21). We predict that Akron will be a heavy contender and will likely sit in the Top-3 for most of the season. ​

Onto our returning teams! Back by popular demand, our unofficial "2021 Comeback Team of The Year", the Fayetteville Woodpeckers, have made their way into season two of Minor League Monday! Last season, the Woodpeckers started the season very slow and were even at one point in last place. Last season they finished #8/12 in the Low-A East with a 55-65 record, but, with a late-season push, the Woodpeckers were able to climb their way up to #4, just out of reach of an automatic bid into this season. Last season they finished #8/12 in the Low-A East with a 55-65 record. The Woodpeckers are one of the youngest teams to be selected this season, but we could have a serious contender on our hands if they pick up where they left off. ​

Next on our list is a team that floated in the middle of the field for most of Season One of Minor League Monday. The Houston Astros affiliate, Asheville Tourist, have found their way into their second season of the competition. Last season, the Tourists finished fifth in the Minor League Monday series despite finishing #8/12 in the High A - East. Will we see success come from the Tourists as we did in 2012 and 2014 when they won league titles? Only time will tell.

You all wanted to bring back teams, so bring them back we will! The Winston-Salem Dash is our fourteenth team selected for season two and our third team returning due to popular demand! Though the Dash finished in eighth last season, y'all wanted to bring them back, so we won't argue. The Chicago White Sox affiliate finished dead last in the High - A East with a 43-76 record. The expectations for the Dash this season are not high, but it is Minor League Baseball, so you never know. ​

Finally, our last team in this season, the most popular team, from Ok Listen Here's home county, the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. Last season, the Cannon Ballers spent most of their time flowing between ninth and tenth with the Fayetteville Woodpeckers in what we called "The Bottom of the Barrel Series." Luckily for the Cannon Ballers, they finished the season on a high(er) note and finished in seventh ahead of the Charlotte Knights, Winston-Salem Dash, and the Hickory Crawdads. Unfortunately, in the first season as the Cannon Ballers, Kannapolis finished last in the Low - A East league with a 40-79 record. Hopefully, with the field expanding to fifteen teams, they can muster up a few good weeks to put them into the upper half of the rankings. 

So, there you have it! Fifteen teams have been selected! Next week, we will release our Pre-Season rankings (no points will be awarded). Let's Play Ball!