For the second year in a row, North Carolina has a minor league team on the move. Last year, Kinston’s franchise moved to the Spartanburg, S.C. area. This year, the state lost another longtime fixture in the Carolina Mudcats.
This time around the team stayed within the borders, and it is re-christened as the Wilson Warbirds. That leaves the state with nine affiliated minor league teams, as well as several independent and summer college teams, including the Zebulon Devil Dogz, who will keep baseball alive in the Mudcats’ former home park—Five County Stadium.
Here’s a look at the state’s affiliated teams, starting with the newcomer—who is actually a returnee.
Wilson Warbirds
Wilson has gone more than a half century without affiliated minor league ball, since the Wilson Tobs (short for Tobacconists) finished a 35-year run in the city in 1973. Now, with the Milwaukee Brewers’ Class A team moving from Zebulon, Wilson is back in the game at Wilson Stadium, a brand new downtown ballpark with a capacity of 4,500. The Mudcats had the second-best record in the Carolina League last season, but many of the prospects that helped produce that are on the move as well, getting promoted in the Milwaukee organization.
At the start of the season, the top-rated prospect wearing Warbirds gear is expected to be shortstop Brady Ebel. The first-round draft pick in 2025 got a taste of pro ball last summer in Zebulon and is the No. 15 prospect in the Brewers system. Pitcher Josh Knoth, who missed all of last year after Tommy John surgery, should be back with Wilson at some point soon.
Fayetteville Woodpeckers
The Astros’ Class A team finished a game behind the Mudcats in the Carolina League last year. The team should be a powerhouse this year, as it features the top two prospects in the Houston system in Kevin Alvarez, a 19-year-old Cuban outfielder, and Xavier Neyens, an 18-year-old infielder who was a first-round pick last July. The Woodpeckers also start the year with righthander Ethan Pecko (Houston’s No. 7 prospect), outfielder Anthony Huezo (No. 18) and pitcher Gabel Pentecost (No. 29).
Hickory Crawdads
The Texas Rangers’ Class A affiliate matched Fayetteville’s record in the Carolina League last year. This year, the team could feature two-way prospect Josh Owens. The shortstop/right-handed pitcher is the No. 6 minor leaguer in the Texas system. He’ll join righthander AJ Russell (No. 3), infielder Yolfran Castillo (No. 8) and outfielder Paulino Santana (No. 22).
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
The White Sox’s Class A team finished last in the Carolina League South Division. Better things could be on the horizon this season. The Cannon Ballers feature the No. 5 prospect in the Sox system in 19-year-old shortstop Billy Carlson, as well as No. 7 prospect, outfielder Jaden Fauske, another 19-year-old. Infielder Javier Mogollon—No. 13 in the system—is also on the team.
Greensboro Grasshoppers
The Pirates High-A team had the best record in the South Atlantic League last season. The Hoppers swept their season-opening series in 2026. The Pirates have plenty of young talent, and it has stocked Greensboro with plenty of talent. No. 3 prospect Edward Florentino will join the Hoppers when his spring ankle injury heals. Until then, the team will have to settle for shortstops Wyatt Sanford and Sammy Stafura (No. 7 and 11 in the system), catchers Easton Carmichael and Axiel Plaz (17 and 20), middle infielder Yordany De Los Santos (19) and first baseman Tony Blanco Jr. (28).
Winston-Salem Dash
The White Sox’s High-A team finished second to last in the South Atlantic South Division last year. This year, the team features prospects Caleb Bonemer (No. 3 in the system), shortstop Kyle Lodise (10), outfielder George Wolkow (14) and Ryan Burrowes.
Asheville Tourists
Houston’s High-A affiliate finished with the worst record in the South Atlantic League last year. The Astros sent some high-quality prospects to help restock things in the western part of the state, including No. 3 overall minor leaguer Ethan Frey, an outfielder. The team will also feature righthanders Cole Hertzler and Parker Smith and outfielder Caden Powell.
Durham Bulls
Tampa’s Triple-A team finished 21 games over .500 but missed the playoffs and opened this season with a league-worst 2-7 mark. Righthanded starter Brody Hopkins is the No. 2 prospect in the system, and outfielder Jacob Melton is right behind him. The Bulls also feature pitcher Ty Johnson, first baseman Tre’ Morgan, catcher Dom Keegan and outfielder Homer Bush Jr.
Charlotte Knights
The White Sox’s Triple-A team was 20 games below .500 last year. They could have one of the best pitching staffs in the minors with three of Chicago’s top six prospects in southpaws Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith, as well as Tanner McDougal. Righthanders David Sandlin and Duncan Davitt are also highly-rated, as is lefty Tyler Schweitzer.
