Minor League designs can get pretty grandiose. But they also can bring people closer together. From out-of-the-world identities to classic home looks, teams celebrate their local culture one kit at a time.
Erie SeaWolves — Moon Mammoths
2025 will forever be the year the Erie Moon Mammoths entered our lives. This summer, late night host John Oliver and his team at “Last Week Tonight” set out to create a new identity in the Minor League Baseball landscape. Many teams applied to be chosen, but Double-A Erie was the lucky winner. The result was a quirky reference to prehistoric fossils found in a nearby lake with a unique color scheme of purple and black. The SeaWolves bought into the idea and so did the fans. These jerseys flew off the digital shelves as admirers not only in Erie but across the world wanted part of the pop culture moment. And it didn’t hurt that top Tigers prospects Kevin McGonigle and Max Clark rocked the design a few times this year. Shop the look
El Paso Chihuahuas — 915 Car Culture
Each year, the Chihuahuas search for a new way to represent the city and people of El Paso. Last year, it was their Chucotown look that made this list. This year they released this 915 Car Culture jersey, which pays homage to the murals at Lincoln Park, a popular car club meetup spot. The murals, which date back to the 1980s, represent the area’s Mexican American culture. At the center of the jersey is a lowrider car with a 915 license plate for the area code. Celebrating Lincoln Park is also a subtle tie back to El Paso’s parent club, as San Diego has Barrio Logan and Chicano Park, which house dozens of similiar murals. This jersey is the only one on the list that was not worn on-field, but there’s hope one day players will don El Paso culture-specific kits. Shop the look
Chesapeake Baysox — Oyster Catchers
Double-A Chesapeake set out to pay tribute to the area’s thriving ecosystem and the American oystercatcher shorebird, but wound up going viral for a logo that inadvertently resembled human anatomy. The Baysox found a pearl in the awkward situation, announcing a partnership with Cervivor Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to cervical cancer advocacy and education. A white and teal cervical cancer ribbon was added to the glove and pearl logo, and survivors were celebrated at Oyster Catchers games. As for the jersey, it features a bright teal background that fades into dark waters. The cursive word mark is highlighted with orange and surrounded by stars to make it shimmer like light on the Chesapeake Bay. On one sleeve is the primary Baysox logo with the glove, pearl and ribbon combo on the other side. Shop the look
Durham Bulls — Hurricanes
Each year Triple-A Durham celebrates their neighboring franchise, the Carolina Hurricanes, with Hockey Night. The Bulls create a new jersey each season, and the latest iteration really caught the attention of fans. Evoking the 2023 Stadium Series design, the Bulls jersey is black with the Durham logo at the center, but with the addition of red and black squares that are a nod to hurricane warning flags. While this jersey Tre’ Morgan and other Rays prospects wore on September 12 is short sleeve, it keeps the hockey sweater in mind with thick stripes on the sleeves as well as the bottom. Although the jersey — which was designed by the club’s director of creative services, Walmer Medina — was especially popular this season, the Bulls intend to mix it up again next year for Hockey Night. Shop the look
The Trash Pandas continue to scamper across the hearts (and wallets) of fans with the Double-A Rocket City primary home jersey remaining a popular kit. This look, which the club first announced in 2019, made its debut in 2021 due to the canceled 2020 season. Current Angels like Zach Neto and Nolan Schanuel, and more recently Christian Moore, have worn the Trash Pandas jersey, which features a raccoon tail coming out of the s. The design contrasts the dark black and red lettering with the white background and bright blue piping. On the sleeve is one of the club’s alternate logos, showing a triumphant Trash Panda holding the U.S. flag. While the team goes by Rocket City, the patch recognizes the location of Madison, Alabama. Shop the look
Portland Sea Dogs — Retro teal
Teal was the color of the jerseys when Double-A Portland was a Marlins affiliate from 1994 to 2002. Last year, the Sea Dogs brought it back for 90s night promotions. It was so popular, the club decided to make it a weekly occurrence in 2025. Every Wednesday as part of “Keys to the Past/Wayback Wednesday,” fans got to see the likes of Franklin Arias and Jhostynxon Garcia beam in teal. The Sea Dogs managed to tie the present into the retro look by keeping the word mark navy, like it is when they wear Red Sox red. The front office is discussing new jersey designs to celebrate past branding, but one thing is for certain: teal will be present. Shop the look
Reading Fightin Phils — Prost
Double-A Reading started Oktoberfest a couple days early with this Prost alternate identity. Embracing the large Pennsylvania Dutch population in the area, the Fightin Phils created this branding centered around the German word for “cheers.” The font and sleeve pattern match styles you might see in a Munich tent with the club’s signature red popping for the player’s number. On the sleeve is a multitalented anthropomorphic pretzel wearing lederhosen and Dutch clogs while holding both a baseball bat and a beer mug. On Sept. 13, Phillies prospects like Dante Nori and Aroon Escobar said “O’zapft is!” and debuted the festive look as Baseballtown celebrated on and off the field. Shop the look
Tacoma Rainiers — Navy alternate
Last year, Triple-A Tacoma cracked this list with their primary home jersey. This year, the Rainiers are back with another simple beauty. The deep navy home kit made its debut on Opening Day of this year and remained the club’s Friday jersey. The Rainiers sprinkled it in throughout homestands, and it became a popular choice for players during road trips as well. With the sans serif block lettering of Tacoma across the chest and the neckline piping, the Rainers were going for timeless simplicity. The Mariners’ affiliate wanted something that matched traditional baseball aesthetic with the city’s charm. The jersey will return in 2025 after being a big hit with fans when they got to see players like Harry Ford and Cole Young don the design on their way to Seattle. Shop the look
St. Paul Saints — Crooks Haven Ghostly Gangsters
“Haunted debauchery” was the vibe for this alternate identity, inspired by the ghost stories of prohibition players gone wrong. In the 20s and 30s, St. Paul was known as “Crooks Haven” due to prominent gangsters and bootleggers like Machine Gun Kelly and John Dillinger using the Minnesota town to hide out and move alcohol. The Triple-A Saints became sinners on June 27 when they rocked these black jerseys with pops of white and red. The Ghostly is sparse while the Gangsters is bold across the chest. On one sleeve is the primary logo with Crooks Haven sitting in a fedora. Below the team name are suspenders and a tie that says CH for Crooks Haven. The promo was so popular, the Twins affiliate is bringing it back three times in 2026. To be determined if they’ll play any MGK songs. Shop the look
The Toledo Mud Hens date back to the 1800s, and though there was some movement and changes, the club has remained in town since 1965. In 2006, the Tigers’ Triple-A affiliate adjusted its jersey word mark to what it is today. The Mud Hens kept lateral spurs on the font but made the navy stroke bolder and pushed the two words closer together. They also added a touch of hen with the yellow feather providing an assist to the E. Tigers from Dontrelle Willis to Jackson Jobe, as well as Minor League home run king Mike Hessman, have worn this jersey, creating a link across generations. And while it was a different design, Klinger on M*A*S*H was also known to sport a Mud Hens jersey, making it a popular piece of pop culture. Shop the look
