Carolina League
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The Carolina League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is 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. A few draftees, generally early-round draftees with college experience, will be assigned to a High-A team upon signing a professional contract, but most High-A players do not reach that level until their third or fourth year of professional play.
The league began in 1945, just as World War II was ending, with two teams from southern Virginia in the league. But the majority of teams throughout the league's history have been from North Carolina, even though now the league stretches from Delaware to South Carolina.
The league is divided into a Northern Division and a Southern Division.
Current member teams (with major-league affiliates):
Northern Division
- Frederick Keys (Baltimore Orioles)
- Lynchburg Hillcats (Pittsburgh Pirates)
- Potomac Nationals (Washington Nationals)
- Wilmington Blue Rocks - (Boston Red Sox)
Southern Division