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Rocket City Trash Pandas

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Rocket City Trash Pandas
Minor league affiliations
ClassDouble-A (2020–present)
LeagueSouthern League (2020–present)
DivisionNorth Division
Major league affiliations
TeamLos Angeles Angels (2020–present)
Minor league titles
League titles (0)none
Division titles (0)none
First-half titles (1)
  • 2022
Second-half titles (1)
  • 2022
Team data
NameRocket City Trash Pandas (2020–present)
ColorsRed, blue, gray, white, black
         
MascotSprocket
BallparkToyota Field (2020–present)
General managerGarrett Fahrmann[2]
ManagerAndy Schatzley[1]
Websitemilb.com/rocket-city

The Rocket City Trash Pandas are a Minor League Baseball team of the Southern League and the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. They are located in Madison, Alabama, and play their home games at Toyota Field.[3]

History

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In November 2017, BallCorps LLC purchased the Southern League's Mobile BayBears from owners Michael Savit and HWS Group for the purpose of relocating the team to Madison, Alabama, in 2020.[4][5] Upon relocation, the team was renamed the Rocket City Trash Pandas.[6] The name is a reference to both the area's association with the space industry, namely from Huntsville, and the determination and ingenuity of raccoons (which are native to the Huntsville area; "trash panda" is a slang nickname for the animal due to their facial resemblance to the panda and their tendency to dig through trash).[6] In December 2019, Rocket City announced that it had sold more than $2 million in merchandise in just over 13 months since announcing its branding.[7]

The Trash Pandas were to begin their inaugural season on the road playing against the Birmingham Barons on April 9, 2020, and play their first home game on April 15;[3] however, the start of the 2020 season was postponed before getting canceled on June 30 due to the COVID-19 pandemic,[8] pushing back their inaugural season by a year.

In conjunction with Major League Baseball's restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Southern League disbanded and the Trash Pandas were organized into the eight-team Double-A South.[9] Their scheduled May 4, 2021, road opener was postponed due to inclement weather,[10] so they played their first game the next night against the Chattanooga Lookouts at AT&T Field in Chattanooga, Tennessee, losing 6–1.[11]

In 2022, the Double-A South became known as the Southern League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization.[12] In June, the Trash Pandas won the first half North Division title to clinch a postseason playoff berth.[13] Their first postseason appearance, the Trash Pandas fell to the Tennessee Smokies, 2–1, in the first round of the 2022 Southern League playoffs.[14] Manager Andy Schatzley was chosen for the Southern League Manager of the Year Award,[15] and Chase Silseth won the Southern League Pitcher of the Year Award.[16]

Season-by-season results

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Season Record Win % League Division GB Manager Playoffs
2021 54–56 .491 6th 3rd 4 Jay Bell
2022 81–57 .587 1st 1st Andy Schatzley Lost to Tennessee Smokies, 2–1, in semifinals
2023 58–80 .420 7th 3rd 17+12 Andy Schatzley
2024 61–75 .449 7th 3rd 25+12 Andy Schatzley
Totals 254–268 .487

Roster

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Players Coaches/Other

Pitchers

  • 17 Chase Chaney
  • 36 Brady Choban
  • 51 Jack Dashwood
  • 30 Mason Erla
  • 46 Carlos Espinosa
  • 52 Jose Fermin
  • 39 Houston Harding
  • 19 Brett Kerry
  • 35 Keythel Key
  • 41 George Klassen
  • 21 Camden Minacci
  • 50 Luke Murphy
  • 16 Jake Smith
  • 14 Jared Southard
  • 18 Kenyon Yovan

Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders

  •  9 David Calabrese
  • 13 Orlando Martinez
  •  4 Nelson Rada


Manager

  • 31 Andy Schatzley

Coaches

60-day injured list

  • 74 Brandon Dufault
  • 76 Cole Fontenelle
  • 32 Nick Jones
  • 15 Bryce Osmond

7-day injured list
* On Los Angeles Angels 40-man roster
~ Development list
# Rehab assignment
∞ Reserve list
‡ Restricted list
§ Suspended list
† Temporarily inactive list
Roster updated September 10, 2024
Transactions
→ More rosters: MiLB • Southern League
Los Angeles Angels minor league players

References

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  1. ^ Montgomery, Charles (February 25, 2022). "Trash Pandas announce Andy Schatzley as manager for 2022 season". WAFF (TV). Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  2. ^ "Rocket City Trash Pandas Name Garrett Fahrmann VP & General Manager". Rocket City Trash Pandas. Minor League Baseball. August 8, 2019. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Gattis, Paul (August 1, 2019). "Trash Pandas release 2020 schedule, opening vs. Braves". AL.com. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  4. ^ Stephenson, Creg (November 9, 2017). "Mobile BayBears confirm sale, will play 2018 season at Hank Aaron Stadium". AL.com. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
  5. ^ "MiLB Approves Mobile BayBears Move to Madison". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. May 30, 2018. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  6. ^ a b Ary, Patrick (September 5, 2018). "Rocket City Trash Pandas chosen as new Madison baseball team's name". WHNT-TV. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  7. ^ "Rocket City Trash Pandas Pass $2M Mark in Licensed Merchandise Sales". Rocket City Trash Pandas. Minor League Baseball. December 23, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  8. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved". Minor League Baseball. June 30, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  9. ^ Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  10. ^ "Trash Pandas Season Opener Rained Out". Rocket City Trash Pandas. Minor League Baseball. May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  11. ^ "Trash Pandas vs. Lookouts Box Score 05/05/21". Minor League Baseball. May 5, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  12. ^ "Historical League Names to Return in 2022". Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  13. ^ Chakamian, Claudia (June 19, 2022). "Rocket City Trash Pandas clinch playoff berth with first half division title". WHNT-TV. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  14. ^ "Trash Pandas Eliminated With 3-1 Loss". MiLB.com. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  15. ^ "Andy Schatzley, Eric Torres Earn Southern League Honors". Rocket City Trash Pandas. Minor League Baseball. November 8, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  16. ^ Terranova, Rob (November 8, 2022). "Double-A Award Winners and All-Stars". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
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