AQUASOX ROCK THE NORTHWEST
Major League Baseball eliminated the short-season level of the minor leagues but kept the Northwest League to serve its West organizations. The league was elevated in classification and renamed High-A West. Six of the eight NWL affiliates survived, the exceptions were Salem-Keizer and Boise, which were dropped.
The pandemic threw High-A West an added wrinkle, because the league has the only international affiliate in the minors. Because the Canadian border remained closed deep into the season, Vancouver used Hillsboro as its home park all year.
Though six teams may not be an ideal long-term setup, it meant that High-A West fans got plenty of chances to see some of the circuit’s top talent. That was especially true in the early going, when Everett boasted a roster that could easily make up part of the core of the Mariners’ next playoff team.
Outfielder Julio Rodriguez and righthander George Kirby were at the forefront, but they weren’t the only attractions. The AquaSox roster also had a host of high-end pitchers like Matt Brash, Levi Stoudt, Brandon
