Wilmington Blue Rocks
Team logo Cap insignia
Minor league affiliations
ClassHigh-A (2021–present)
Previous classesClass A-Advanced (1993–2020)
LeagueSouth Atlantic League (2022–present)
DivisionNorth Division
Previous leagues
Major league affiliations
TeamWashington Nationals (2021–present)
Previous teams
Minor league titles
League titles (5)
  • 1994
  • 1996
  • 1998
  • 1999
  • 2019
Division titles (6)
  • 1993
  • 1995
  • 2001
  • 2004
  • 2015
  • 2019
Team data
NameWilmington Blue Rocks (1993–present)
    BallparkDaniel S. Frawley Stadium (1993–present)
    Owner(s)/
    Operator(s)
    		Clark Minker, Main Street Baseball
    General managerLiz Welch[1]
    ManagerMario Lisson

    The Wilmington Blue Rocks are a Minor League Baseball team of the South Atlantic League and the High-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals. They are located in Wilmington, Delaware, and play their home games at Daniel S. Frawley Stadium.

    Franchise history

    Frawley Stadium
    Rocky Bluewinkle, mascot of the Wilmington Blue Rocks

    The Blue Rocks played in the Carolina League, an advanced Single-A league in minor league baseball, from 1993 to 2020. The name "Blue Rocks" was chosen because of the blue granite found along the Brandywine River in Wilmington. The Blue Rocks play at Judy Johnson Field at Daniel S. Frawley Stadium in Wilmington's growing Riverfront district and was instrumental in bringing commerce and public attention to the once ignored and dilapidated area of the city.

    The Blue Rocks played their first season in 1993 when the Peninsula Pilots were purchased and relocated to the riverfront in Wilmington, Delaware. Principal owner Frank Boulton and co-owner Bud Harrelson bought the franchise in 1992, moved the team from Hampton, Virginia, and changed their affiliation from the Seattle Mariners' farm system to the Kansas City Royals'.[2] When the franchise moved to Wilmington in 1993, the ballpark was known as Legends Stadium, after the sports legends of Delaware. After Frawley, the Wilmington mayor who played a major role in the creation of the team, died while playing a recreational basketball game, the stadium was renamed Daniel S. Frawley Stadium in his honor.

    The Blue Rocks were Kansas City farm team from their inception, except for the 2005 and 2006 seasons when the team was affiliated with the Boston Red Sox. In 2020, with the re-organization of the minor leagues, the Blue Rocks became an affiliate of the Washington Nationals.[3]

    In 2005, the Blue Rocks were featured in SportsCenter's 50 States in 50 Days. Matt Winer reported from a set in left field where SportsCenter did stories on the many mascots of the Blue Rocks. The Aug 19 game featuring SportsCenter drew the Blue Rocks' largest crowd in team history.

    The Blue Rocks played host to the 2014 California/Carolina League All Star Game, having previously hosted the game last 12 years earlier in 2002. The California League All Stars ousted the Carolina League All Stars 3-2. Kyle Waldrop of the Bakersfield Blaze took home the game's MVP award.

    On July 15, 2019, Jonathan Bowlan pitched the second no-hitter in franchise history against the Carolina Mudcats. He struck out nine batters, walking none on 97 pitches.

    The Blue Rocks won the 2019 Mills Cup Championship for the first time since 1999, closing a five-game series with the Fayetteville Woodpeckers with a 2-0 victory on September 14, 2019.

    In December 2020, the Blue Rocks were officially invited to become an affiliate of the Washington Nationals, joining the Nationals' minor league system beginning with the 2021 season.[4] In further conjunction with Major League Baseball's restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Blue Rocks were organized into the High-A East.[5] In 2022, the High-A East became known as the South Atlantic League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization.[6]

    Roster

    The Wilmington Blue Rocks' alternate logo
    Wilmington Blue Rocks roster
    Players Coaches/Other

    Pitchers

    Catchers

    • 15 Caleb Farmer
    • 13 Matt Suggs
    • 16 Steven Williams

    Infielders

    • 20 Branden Boissiere
    • 5 Will Frizzell
    • 29 Sammy Infante
    • 11 Cortland Lawson
    • 19 Kevin Made
    • 7 Viandel Pena

    Outfielders

    Manager

    Coaches


    7-day injured list
    * On Washington Nationals 40-man roster
    ~ Development list
    # Rehab assignment
    ∞ Reserve list
    ‡ Restricted list
    § Suspended list
    † Temporarily inactive list
    Roster updated December 1, 2023
     Transactions
    → More rosters: MiLB • South Atlantic League
     → Washington Nationals minor league players

    Playoffs

    SeasonSemifinalsFinals
    1993W, 2–0, FrederickL, 3–1, Winston-Salem
    1994-W, 3–0, Winston-Salem
    1995W, 2–0, Prince WilliamL, 3–0, Kinston
    1996-W, 3–1, Kinston
    1997--
    1998-W, 3–1, Winston-Salem
    1999-T, 2–2, Myrtle Beach
    2000--
    2001W, 2–1, FrederickL, 3–2, Salem
    2002L, 2–1, Lynchburg-
    2003L, 2–0, Lynchburg-
    2004W, 2–1, PotomacL, 3–2, Kinston
    2005--
    2006L, 2–1, Frederick-
    2007L, 2–0, Frederick-
    2008L, 3–0, Potomac-
    2009L, 3–2, Lynchburg-
    2010--
    2011--
    2012L, 2–1, Lynchburg-
    2013--
    2014--
    2015W, 2–0 LynchburgL, 3–0, Myrtle Beach
    2016--
    2017--
    2018--
    2019W, 3–2 SalemW, 3–2, Fayetteville

    Players of note

    More than 200 Blue Rocks have gone on to the major leagues, including All-Stars Carlos Beltrán, Lance Carter, Johnny Damon, Zack Greinke, Jon Lieber, Jed Lowrie, José Rosado, and Mike Sweeney. Other former Blue Rock players of note include:

    Mike Moustakas during his tenure with the Wilmington Blue Rocks in 2009

    Retired numbers

    Mascots

    The Blue Rocks have three mascots. Rocky Bluewinkle is a blue moose. Mr. Celery is a stalk of celery who comes out and dances to "Song 2" by Blur whenever Wilmington scores a run.[8] Rubble is a giant blue rock.

    Mr. Celery runs along the first base line, arms aloft, clutching a stalk of celery.
    Mr. Celery runs along the first base line, arms aloft, clutching a stalk of celery.

    See also

    References

    1. ↑ "Liz Welch Named Next Blue Rocks' General Manager". Wilmington Blue Rocks. Minor League Baseball. February 23, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
    2. ↑ "Delaware Gets Carolina League Team". Roanoke Times. October 30, 2009. p. B9.
    3. ↑ "Washington Nationals Extend Affiliation Invitation To Blue Rocks | Blue Rocks". Milb.com. December 9, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
    4. ↑ "Nationals extend invitations to Minor League affiliates". Curly W Live. December 9, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
    5. ↑ Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
    6. ↑ "Historical League Names to Return in 2022". Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
    7. ↑ Janus, Matt (May 6, 2010). "Legendary Former Blue Rock Robin Roberts Passes Away". M.milb.com. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
    8. ↑ Hill, Benjamin (September 1, 2017). "How Mr. Celery became a Wilmington Blue Rocks legend". MiLB.com. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
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