Baseball has a significant presence in the state of California, as seen by the large number of professional teams in the state.

This article summarizes each baseball team in California, including key information and facts about teams.

Keep scrolling to learn more…

Baseball Teams in California

Baseball is incredibly popular in California. 

As one of the largest states in America based on area and population, California is well represented with a variety of baseball teams scattered across the state. 

From sunny Southern California to the Bay area and all points in between, you usually don't have to travel too far to make it to a professional baseball game in the state. 

The purpose of this article is to take a close look at baseball in California. 

Specifically, we showcase the wide variety of teams that play across the state at the major, minor, and independent league levels.

How Many Baseball Teams in California Are There?

As of 2022, there are currently 21 baseball teams in California across the major, minor, and independent league levels. 

At the Major League level, there are five California MLB teams.

There are nine baseball teams in the state at the minor league level.

And in the independent leagues, there are seven baseball teams in the state. 

Major League Baseball (MLB) Teams in California

There are five MLB teams in California, the most of any single state in America by a long shot.

Three of those teams are in the National League and two are in the American League.

Who are these five teams?

Read on to learn… 

Los Angeles Angels

• League: American League
• City: Anaheim, CA
• Stadium Name: Angel Stadium
• First MLB Season in California: 1961
• Best Catcher in Franchise History: Brian Downing
• Greatest Overall Player in Franchise History: Mike Trout

 

Los Angeles Dodgers

• League: National League
• City: Los Angeles, CA
• Stadium Name: Dodger Stadium
• First MLB Season in California: 1958
• Best Catcher in Franchise History: Mike Piazza
• Greatest Overall Player in Franchise History: Sandy Koufax

 

Oakland Athletics

• League: American League
• City: Oakland, CA
• Stadium Name: RingCentral Coliseum
• First MLB Season in California: 1968
• Best Catcher in Franchise History: Mickey Cochrane
• Greatest Overall Player in Franchise History: Jimmie Foxx

 

San Diego Padres

• League: National League
• City: San Diego, CA
• Stadium Name: Petco Park
• First MLB Season in California: 1969
• Best Catcher in Franchise History: Mike Piazza
• Greatest Overall Player in Franchise History: Tony Gwynn

 

San Francisco Giants

• League: National League
• City: San Francisco, CA
• Stadium Name: Oracle Park
• First MLB Season in California: 1958
• Best Catcher in Franchise History: Buster Posey
• Greatest Overall Player in Franchise History: Willie Mays

 

Minor League Baseball Teams in California (as of 2022)

There is a rich tradition of minor league baseball in California that goes back many decades.

Currently, minor league baseball in the state is primarily anchored by the single A (A) California League, and the eight California League teams are all based in the state.

The triple A (AAA) Pacific Coast League also has a California baseball team.

The following sections give more detail on each of the minor league teams in California (as of 2022).

Pacific Coast League - Triple A (AAA)

One of the two leagues at the AAA level, there is only one team located in California who plays in the PCL.

Sacramento River Cats

• MLB Affiliation: San Francisco Giants

• City: Sacramento, CA

• Stadium Name: Sutter Health Park

• Mascot Name: Dinger

 

California League - Single-A

Fresno Grizzlies

• MLB Affiliation: Colorado Rockies

• City: Fresno, CA

• Stadium Name: Chukchansi Park

• Mascot Name: Parker T. Bear

 

Inland Empire 66ers

• MLB Affiliation: Los Angeles Angels

• City: San Bernardino, CA

• Stadium Name: San Manuel Stadium

• Mascot Name: Bernie

 

Lake Elsinore Storm

• MLB Affiliation: San Diego Padres

• City: Lake Elsinore, CA

• Stadium Name: Lake Elsinore Diamond

• Mascot Name: Thunder

 

Modesto Nuts

• MLB Affiliation: Seattle Mariners

• City: Modesto, CA

• Stadium Name: John Thurman Field

• Mascot(s) Name: Wally the Walnut, Al the Almond and Shelley the Pistachio

 

Rancho Cucamonga Quakes

• MLB Affiliation: Los Angeles Dodgers

• City: Rancho Cucamonga, CA

• Stadium Name: LoanMart Field

• Mascot Name: Tremor

 

San Jose Giants

• MLB Affiliation: San Francisco Giants

• City: San Jose, CA

• Stadium Name: Excite Ballpark

• Mascot Name: Gigante

 

Stockton Ports

• MLB Affiliation: Oakland Athletics

• City: Stockton, CA

• Stadium Name: Banner Island Ballpark

• Mascot Name: Splash

 

Visalia Rawhide

• MLB Affiliation: Arizona Diamondbacks

• City: Visalia, CA

• Stadium Name: Valley Strong Ballpark (Visalia)

• Mascot Name: Tipper

 

Independent Professional Baseball Teams

Professional baseball in the United States that is not affiliated with the MLB is called independent league baseball. 

There are a variety of leagues associated with independent professional baseball, but the one with the dominant presence in the state of California is called the Pecos League.

There are seven California baseball teams based in the Pecos League. Those teams, and key facts about each team, are listed below.

Pecos League

Bakersfield Train Robbers

• City: Bakersfield, CA

• Stadium Name: Sam Lynn Ballpark

 

Martinez Sturgeon

• City: Martinez, CA

• Stadium Name: Joe DiMaggio Fields at Waterfront Park

 

Monterey Amberjacks

• City: Monterey, CA

• Stadium Name: Frank E. Sollecito, Jr. Ballpark

 

San Rafael Pacifics

• City: San Rafael, CA

• Stadium Name: Albert Park

 

Santa Cruz Seaweed

• City: Santa Cruz, CA

• Stadium Name: Harvey West Park

 

Santa Rosa Scuba Divers

• City: Santa Rosa, CA

• Stadium Name: Doyle Park

 

Wasco Reserve

• City: Wasco, CA

• Stadium Name: Wasco Ballpark

 

Please note, as of 2022 there are no independent league baseball teams in California other than those in the Pecos League.

List of All California Baseball Teams

[table id=57 /]

Baseball Teams in Southern California

Of the 21 teams on our list, there are six baseball teams located in Southern California. 

Those six teams are:

• Los Angeles Angels (MLB)
• Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB)
• San Diego Padres (MLB)
• Inland Empire 66ers (MiLB)
• Lake Elsinore Storm (MiLB)
• Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (MiLB)

 

Map of All Professional Baseball Teams in California

California is a big state, and with all the different professional baseball teams that play there, we thought it would be helpful to create a high-level map showing the location of each team.

See below for our custom map of all baseball teams in California across the the majors, minors and independent leagues.

That's a Wrap!

Thanks for stopping by Catchers Home to read this article. We hope it was helpful to you.

If you have questions or comments, please reach out by going to our contact page or by emailing scott(at)catchershome(dot)com.