The 2003 Carolina League was a Class A-Advanced baseball season played between April 4 and September 1. Eight teams played a 140-game schedule, with two teams from each division competing in the playoffs.
The Winston-Salem Warthogs won the Carolina League championship, defeating the Lynchburg Hillcats in the final round of the playoffs.
Team changes The Potomac Cannons ended their affiliation with the St. Louis Cardinals and began a new affiliation with the Cincinnati Reds. The Salem Avalanche ended their affiliation with the Colorado Rockies and began a new affiliation with the Houston Astros.
Teams 2003 Carolina League Division Team City MLB Affiliate Stadium North Frederick Keys Frederick, Maryland Baltimore Orioles Harry Grove Stadium Lynchburg Hillcats Lynchburg, Virginia Pittsburgh Pirates City Stadium Potomac Cannons Woodbridge, Virginia Cincinnati Reds G. Richard Pfitzner Stadium Wilmington Blue Rocks Wilmington, Delaware Kansas City Royals Daniel S. Frawley Stadium South Kinston Indians Kinston, North Carolina Cleveland Indians Grainger Stadium Myrtle Beach Pelicans Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Atlanta Braves Coastal Federal Field Salem Avalanche Salem, Virginia Houston Astros Salem Memorial Ballpark Winston-Salem Warthogs Winston-Salem, North Carolina Chicago White Sox Ernie Shore Field
Map of teams
Regular season Summary The Wilmington Blue Rocks finished with the best record in the league for the second consecutive season. Despite finishing with the best record in the South division, the Salem Avalanche failed to qualify for the post-season, as they did not win the division in either half of the season.
Standings 2003 CL Standings at stats-crew.com, URL accessed December 26, 2024 North division Team Win Loss % GB Wilmington Blue Rocks 80 60 – Lynchburg Hillcats 76 59 1.5 Potomac Cannons 62 77 17.5 Frederick Keys 60 75 17.5South division Salem Avalanche 73 65 – Kinston Indians 73 66 0.5 Winston-Salem Warthogs 71 67 2 Myrtle Beach Pelicans 56 82 17
League Leaders Batting leaders 2003 CL Batting Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed December 26, 2024 Stat Player Total AVG Chris Shelton, Lynchburg Hillcats .359 H William Bergolla, Potomac Cannons 142 R Nate McLouth, Lynchburg Hillcats Ruddy Yan, Winston-Salem Warthogs 85 2B Ryan Doumit, Lynchburg Hillcats 38 3B Mike Rodriguez, Salem Avalanche 8 HR Chris Shelton, Lynchburg Hillcats 21 RBI Walter Young, Lynchburg Hillcats 87 SB Ruddy Yan, Winston-Salem Warthogs 76
Pitching leaders 2003 CL Pitching Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed December 26, 2024 Stat Player Total W Jared Gothreaux, Salem Avalanche 13 ERA Kyle Middleton, Wilmington Blue Rocks 2.41 CG Kris Honel, Winston-Salem Warthogs Zack Greinke, Wilmington Blue Rocks 3 SV Lee Gronkiewicz, Kinston Indians 37 SO Macay McBride, Myrtle Beach Pelicans 139 IP Macay McBride, Myrtle Beach Pelicans 164.2
Playoffs The Winston-Salem Warthogs won their tenth Carolina League championship, defeating the Lynchburg Hillcats in three games.
Playoff bracket
Awards Carolina League awards Award name Recipient Most Valuable Player Chris Shelton, Lynchburg Hillcats Pitcher of the Year Zack Greinke, Wilmington Blue Rocks Manager of the Year Dave Clark, Lynchburg Hillcats
See also 2003 Major League Baseball season
References
External links Minor League Baseball official website