The Twins have a new AA affiliate: the Chattanooga Lookouts. That means two things: 1) I have to remember how to spell Chattanooga (two ts, one n, two os) and 2) we have a bunch of new opponents. It's good-bye Eastern League, hello Southern League. Good-bye New Hampshire Fisher Cats and Richmond Flying Squirrels, hello Montgomery Biscuits and Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
Here's a quick look at the teams of the Southern League. Again, "notables" is a list of names you might recognize, not a scouting report, and is based on rosters listed on milb.com this morning.
NORTH DIVISION
Birmingham Barons
Parent club: Chicago White Sox
Manager: Julio Vinas
Coaches: Jamie Dismuke, Britt Burns
Park: Regions Field
Notables: Matt Heidenreich, Joey DeMichele, Raul Fernandez, Frankie Montas, Michael Ynoa
Chattanooga Lookouts
Parent club: Minnesota Twins
Manager: Doug Mientkiewicz
Coaches: Chad Allen, Stu Cliburn
Park: AT&T Field
Notables: Alex Wimmers, Jorge Polanco, Miguel Sano, Byron Buxton, Max Kepler
Jackson Generals
Parent club: Seattle Mariners
Manager: Jim Horner
Coach: Roy Howell
Park: The Ballpark at Jackson
Notables: Stephen Landazuri, Brock Hebert, Patrick Kivlehan, Victor Sanchez, Tyler Pike
Montgomery Biscuits
Parent club: Tampa Bay Rays
Manager: Brady Williams
Coaches: Ozzie Timmons, R. C. Lichetenstein
Park: Riverwalk Stadium
Notables: Grayson Garvin, Mikey O'Brien, Patrick Leonard, Justin O'Conner, Boog Powell
Tennessee Smokies
Parent club: Chicago Cubs
Manager: Buddy Bailey
Coaches: Desi Wilson, Guillermo Martinez, Storm Davis
Park: Smokies Stadium
Notables: C. J. Edwards, Kris Bryant, Jeffry Antigua, Willson Contreras, Pin-Chieh Chen
SOUTH DIVISION
Biloxi Shuckers
Parent club: Milwaukee Brewers
Manager: Carlos Subero
Coaches: Sandy Guerrero, Chris Hook
Park: MGM Park
Notables: Mike Strong, Yadiel Rivera, Wirfin Obispo, Tyler LaTorre, Orlando Arcia
Jacksonville Suns
Parent club: Miami Marlins
Manager: Dave Berg
Coaches: Rich Arena, Derek Botelho
Park: Bragan Field
Notables: Kendry Flores, Justin Bohn, Miguel Del Pozo, Austin Brice, Trevor Williams
Mississippi Braves
Parent club: Atlanta Braves
Manager: Aaron Holbert
Coaches: Garey Ingram, Dennis Lewallyn
Park: Trustmark Park
Notables: Tyrell Jenkins, Ian Thomas, Jake Brigham, Victor Mateo, Corban Joseph
Mobile BayBears
Parent club: Arizona Diamondbacks
Manager: Robby Hammock
Coaches: Jason Camilli, Wellington Cepeda
Park: Hank Aaron Stadium
Notables: Enrique Burgos, Will Locante, Brandon Drury, Socrates Brito, Yoan Lopez
Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Parent club: Cincinnati Reds
Manager: Pat Kelly
Coaches: Alex Pelaez, Jeff Fassero
Park: Pensacola Bayfront Stadium
Notables: Daniel Corcino, Juan Duran, Jose De La Torre, Irving Falu, Jesse Winker