Carolina League

The Carolina League is a minor league baseball affiliation which operates in the South Atlantic region of the United States. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High-A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth step between Rookie ball and the major leagues. Although Minor League Baseball, the umbrella organization for minor leagues that are affiliated with Major League Baseball, has eliminated the distinction between High-A and other full-season A leagues, most major-league teams still use such leagues as a standard promotion step. A few draftees, generally those taken in the early rounds of the draft and those with significant college experience, will be assigned to a High-A team upon signing a professional contract, but most players do not reach the High-A level until their third or fourth year of professional play.

Current Member Teams (With Major League Affiliates)

Northern Division

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• Frederick Keys (Baltimore Orioles)
• Lynchburg Hillcats (Pittsburgh Pirates)
• Potomac Nationals (Washington Nationals)
• Wilmington Blue Rocks (Boston Red Sox)

Southern Division

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• Kinston Indians (Cleveland Indians)
• Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Atlanta Braves)
• Salem Avalanche (Houston Astros)
• Winston-Salem Warthogs (Chicago White Sox)