Lynchburg Hillcats

"Hillcats" redirects here. For the college athletic teams, see Rogers State Hillcats.

The Lynchburg Hillcats are a Minor League Baseball team in Lynchburg, Virginia that plays in the Carolina League and is the Single-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. They were a farm team of the Atlanta Braves from 2011 to 2014, the Cincinnati Reds in 2010, and the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1995 to 2009. The Hillcats play home games at Bank of the James Stadium; refurbished and renamed in 2004, the stadium seats 4,291 fans.

Lynchburg Hillcats
Founded in 1963 Lynchburg, Virginia
Team logo Cap insignia
Minor league affiliations
Class	Single-A (2022–present)
Previous classes	Low-A (2021) Class A-Advanced (1990–2020) Class A (1966–1989) Double-A (1963–1965) Class B (1943–1955)
League	Carolina League (2022–present)
Division	North Division
Previous leagues	Low-A East (2021) Carolina League (1966–2020) Southern League (1963–1965) South Atlantic League (1962–1963) Appalachian League (1959) Piedmont League (1943–1955) Virginia League (1886–1942, various)
Major league affiliations
Team	Cleveland Indians / Guardians (2015–present)
Previous teams	Atlanta Braves (2011–2014) Cincinnati Reds (2010) Pittsburgh Pirates (1995–2009) Boston Red Sox (1988–1994) New York Mets (1976–1987) Texas Rangers (1975) Minnesota Twins (1970–1974) Chicago White Sox (1963–1969) St. Louis Cardinals (1943–1955)
Minor league titles
League titles (8)	1978 1983 1984 1997 2002 2009 2012 2017
Division titles (1)	2022
First-half titles (1)	2022
Team data
Name	Lynchburg Hillcats (1995–present)
Previous names	Lynchburg Red Sox (1988–1994) Lynchburg Mets (1976–1987) Lynchburg Rangers (1975) Lynchburg Twins (1970–1974) Lynchburg White Sox (1963–1969) Lynchburg Cardinals (1943–1955) Lynchburg Senators (1940–1942) Lynchburg Grays (1939) Lynchburg Shoemakers (1906–1917, various) Lynchburg Climbers (1894–1896)
Colors	Midnight blue, cyan, green, white
Mascot	Southpaw 2.0
Ballpark	Calvin Falwell Field (1963–present)
Owner(s)/ Operator(s)	Elmore Sports Group
General manager	Matt Ramstead
Manager	Jordan Smith

In May 2016, the franchise announced that they would rebrand after the season.^[1] When put to a fan vote for a new moniker with "Derechos," "Doves," "Lamb Chops," "Love Apples," and "River Runners" as options, a majority of fans voted to retain the Hillcats name.^[2] They did, however, unveil new logos and a different color scheme, consisting of seven hills green, Blue Ridge blue, and midnight blue, for the 2017 season.^[3]

Division and league championships

• 1896 State League Champions, No playoffs.
• 1906 Virginia League Champions, No playoffs.
• 1940 Virginia League Champions, Senators over Harrisonburg Turks, 3–2.
• 1944 Piedmont League Champions, Cardinals over Portsmouth Cubs, 4–3.
• 1948 Piedmont League Regular Season Champions, Cardinals lose to Newport News Dodgers, 0–4.
• 1949 Piedmont League Champions, Cardinals over Portsmouth Cubs, 4–2.
• 1962 South Atlantic League Regular Season Champions, White Sox lose to Macon, 0–3.
• 1963 South Atlantic League 2nd-Half Champions, White Sox lose to Augusta, 2–3.
• 1964 Southern League Champions, No playoffs.
• 1973 Carolina League 1st-Half Champions, Twins lose to Winston-Salem, 2–3.
• 1977 Carolina League 1st-Half Champions, Mets lose to Peninsula, 2–3.
• 1978 Carolina League Champions, Mets over Peninsula, 3–0.
• 1982 Carolina League 2nd-Half Northern Division Champions, Mets lose to Alexandria in one-game Divisional playoff.
• 1983 Carolina League Champions, Mets sweep Northern Division and win over Winston-Salem, 3–0.
• 1984 Carolina League Champions, Mets sweep Northern Division and win over Durham, 3–1.
• 1985 Carolina League Northern Division Champions, Mets sweep Division lose to Winston-Salem, 1–3.
• 1988 Carolina League 2nd-Half Northern Division Champions, Red Sox over Salem, 2–1, in playoffs, lose to Kinston, 2–3, in Championship.
• 1989 Carolina League 1st-Half Northern Division Champions, Red Sox lose to Prince William, 1–2, in playoffs.
• 1991 Carolina League 2nd-Half Northern Division Champions, Red Sox over Prince William, 2–0, in playoffs, lose to Kinston, 0–3, in Championship.
• 1992 Carolina League Northern Division Champions, Red Sox sweep Division lose to Peninsula, 2–3, in Championship.
• 1997 Carolina League Champions, Hillcats win 2nd-Half Northern Division, over Frederick, 2–0, in playoffs, over Kinston, 3–1, in Championship.
• 2000 Carolina League 2nd-Half Northern Division Champions, Hillcats over Frederick, 2–0, in playoffs, lose to Myrtle Beach, 0–3, in Championship.
• 2002 Carolina League Champions, Hillcats win Northern Division Wildcard, over Wilmington, 2–1, in playoffs, over Kinston, 3–1, in Championship.
• 2003 Carolina League 1st-Half Northern Division Champions, Hillcats over Wilmington, 2–0, in playoffs, lose to Winston-Salem, 0–3, in Championship.
• 2005 Carolina League 1st-Half Northern Division Champions, Hillcats lose to Frederick, 0–2, in playoffs.
• 2009 Carolina League Champions, 1st-Half Northern Division Champions, Hillcats over Wilmington, 3–2, in playoffs, over Salem, 3–0, in Championship.
• 2012 Carolina League Champions, 1st-Half Northern Division Champions, Hillcats over Wilmington, 2–1, in playoffs, over Winston-Salem, 3–1, in Championship.
• 2013 Carolina League 2nd-Half Northern Division Wild Card, Hillcats lose to Potomac, 0–2, in playoffs.
• 2014 Carolina League 2nd-Half Northern Division Wild Card, Hillcats lose to Potomac, 0–2, in playoffs.
• 2015 Carolina League 2nd-Half Northern Division Champions, Hillcats lose to Wilmington, 2–0, in playoffs.
• 2016 Carolina League 1st-Half & 2nd-Half Northern Division Champions, Hillcats over Potomac, 2–1, in playoffs, lose to Myrtle Beach, 3–1, in Championship.
• 2017 Carolina League Champions, Hillcats over Frederick in playoffs, 2–1, declared co-champions with Down East as a result of the playoffs being called off because of Hurricane Irma.^[4]

Roster

Lynchburg Hillcats roster

• v
• t
• e

Players				Coaches/Other
Pitchers 33 Reny Artiles 13 Abel Brito 30 Alex Clemmey 41 Yorman Gomez 29 Josh Harlow 15 Jackson Humphries 34 Matt Jachec 45 Jack Jasiak 44 Rorik Maltrud 47 Steven Perez 27 Alonzo Richardson 32 Kyle Scott 36 Wardquelin Vasquez 37 Robert Wegielnik 25 Matt Wilkinson		Catchers 12 Robert López 11 Manuel Mejias 24 Ralphy Velazquez Infielders  2 Juan Benjamin  7 Angel Genao 10 Christian Knapczyk  1 José Pastrano  6 Rafael Ramirez Outfielders  4 Wuilfredo Antunez  8 Jaison Chourio 23 Luis Durango    9 Esteban Gonzalez  5 Tommy Hawke 46 Lexer Saduy		Manager 39 Jordan Smith Coaches 17 Tony Arnold (pitching) 31 Erlin Cerda (bench) 16 Cole Nieto (hitting) 60-day injured list 48 Jake Berry -- Hugo Villalobos   7-day injured list * On Cleveland Guardians 40-man roster ~ Development list # Rehab assignment ∞ Reserve list ‡ Restricted list § Suspended list † Temporarily inactive list Roster updated May 12, 2024 Transactions → More rosters: MiLB • Carolina League → Cleveland Guardians minor league players

Notable Lynchburg alumni

 

John Grabow

 

Darryl Strawberry

Baseball Hall of Fame alumni

• Red Schoendienst (1943) Inducted, 1989

Notable alumni

• Eli Morgan (2018)
• Neil Walker, 2005–06
• Nyjer Morgan, 2005–06
• Rajai Davis, 2004
• Henry Owens, 2004
• Zach Duke, 2004
• Paul Maholm, 2004
• José Bautista, 2003
• Nate McLouth, 2000–02
• John Grabow, 2001
• Joe Beimel, 2000
• Bronson Arroyo (1997) MLB All-Star
• Kris Benson (1997)
• Aramis Ramírez, 1997 MLB All-Star
• Jose Guillen (1996)
• Trot Nixon, 1994
• Aaron Sele (1992) 2 x MLB All-Star
• Scott Hatteberg (1991)
• John Valentin (1989)
• Scott Cooper (1988) 2 x MLB All-Star
• Kevin Elster (1985)
• Rick Aguilera (1984) 3 x MLB All-Star
• Dave Magadan (1984)
• Randy Myers (1984) 4 x MLB All-Star
• Lenny Dykstra (1983) 3 x MLB All-Star
• Dwight Gooden (1983, 1987)) 4 x MLB All-Star; 1984 NL Rookie of the Year; 1985 NL CY Young Award
• Roger McDowell (1982)
• Kevin Mitchell (1982) 2 x MLB All-Star; 1989 NL Most Valuable Player
• Lloyd McClendon (1981–82)
• Darryl Strawberry (1981) 8 x MLB All-Star; 1983 NL Rookie of the Year
• Billy Beane (1981)
• Jody Davis (1978) 2 x MLB All-Star
• Greg Harris (1978)
• Jeff Reardon (1977) 4 x MLB All-Star
• Alex Trevino (1976)
• Dave Goltz (1974)
• Al Fitzmorris (1968)
• Carlos May (1968) 2 x MLB All-Star
• Gail Hopkins, 1967
• Andy Etchebarren (1963) 2 x MLB All-Star
• Don Buford (1962) MLB All-Star
• Dave DeBusschere (1962) 8 x NBA All-Star
• Joe Hoerner (1962) MLB All-Star
• J.C. Martin (1962)
• John McNamara (1952)
• Stan Spence (1951) 4 x MLB All-Star
• Ray Jablonski (1950) MLB All-Star
• Wes Ferrell (1942, 1946) 2 x MLB All-Star
• Al Orth (1909) 1906 AL Wins Leader

• Andrelton Simmons (2011) 4 time gold glove winner
• Tommy La Stella (2016) World Series Champion
• Willi Castro (2016)
• Anthony Santander (2016)
• Bobby Bradley (2016)
• Yu Chang (2016)
• Francisco Mejia (2016)
• Greg Allen (2016)

References

1. Walls, Dave (May 24, 2016). "Lynchburg Hillcats announce contest to rename franchise". WSET.
2. "Lynchburg to Remain Hillcats". Ballpark Digest. July 27, 2016. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
3. "Lynchburg Hillcats Unveil New Logos". Ballpark Digest. October 28, 2016. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
4. "Carolina League cancels Mills Cup Finals". Carolina League. Minor League Baseball. September 8, 2017. Retrieved September 8, 2017.

External links

• Official website
• Statistics from Baseball-Reference