Rocket City Trash Pandas
Minor league affiliations
ClassDouble-A (2020–present)
LeagueSouthern League (2022–present)
DivisionNorth Division
Previous leagues
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[1]
ManagerAndy Schatzley[2]

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

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

Season Record Win % League Division GB Manager Playoffs
2021 54–56.4916th3rd4Jay Bell—
2022 81–57.5871st1st—Andy SchatzleyLost to Tennessee Smokies, 2–1, in semifinals
2023 58–80.4207th3rd17+1⁄2Andy Schatzley—
Totals193–193.500—————

Roster

Rocket City Trash Pandas roster
Players Coaches/Other

Pitchers

  • 55 Ivan Armstrong
  • 29 Kelvin Caceres
  •  8 Coleman Crow
  • 25 Jack Dashwood
  • 47 Dakota Donovan
  • 34 Brandon Dufault
  • 15 Brett Kerry
  • 27 Jack Kochanowicz
  • 12 Zac Kristofak
  • 16 Landon Marceaux
  • 52 Victor Mederos
  • 50 Luke Murphy
  • 35 Robinson Pina
  • 21 Kenyon Yovan
  • 28 Nathan Burns

Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders

Manager

  • 31 Andy Schatzley

Coaches


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 June 16, 2023
 Transactions
→ More rosters: MiLB • Southern League
 → Los Angeles Angels minor league players

References

  1. ↑ "Rocket City Trash Pandas Name Garrett Fahrmann VP & General Manager". Rocket City Trash Pandas. Minor League Baseball. August 8, 2019. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
  2. ↑ Montgomery, Charles (February 25, 2022). "Trash Pandas announce Andy Schatzley as manager for 2022 season". WAFF (TV). Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  3. 1 2 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. 1 2 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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