Texas Major League Baseball Teams: Astros & Rangers (2023)

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From the crack of a bat to the roar of an entire stadium, baseball has long been America’s favorite pastime. Texas is no exception when it comes to embracing this beloved sport and proudly boasts two Major League Baseball teams – the Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers – as well as several minor league teams.

Let us take a closer look at all the professional baseball teams that call The Lone Star State home, including those located in both the Dallas-Fort Worth area and the Houston area.

MLB Teams in Texas

Texas boasts two Major League Baseball (MLB) teams: the Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers. These two teams represent the Lone Star State in the highest level of professional baseball, contributing to the vibrant baseball culture in Texas.

Houston Astros

You can find the Houston Astros in the DFW area of Texas, specifically at Minute Maid Park, their home stadium in Houston. The Astros have been a competitive force in recent years, making playoff appearances and winning the World Series in 2017.

Key players like Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman have been instrumental in their success. The team has fierce rivalries with the Texas Rangers and the Los Angeles Dodgers, adding excitement to their matchups.

The Astros boast a passionate and loyal fan base that supports them through thick and thin.

Texas Rangers

Step up to the plate and learn about the Texas Rangers, the other MLB team in the Lone Star State! You can cheer for Elvis Andrus, Rougned Odor, and the Texas Rangers at beautiful Globe Life Field in Arlington.

With Hall of Famers like Nolan Ryan and recent stars like Josh Hamilton, the Rangers have thrilled fans since moving to Texas in 1972. Though title runs have been sporadic, loyal fans pack the stands to root for the hometown team.

The Rangers hope to get back on a winning track and bring a championship to DFW.

Minor League Baseball Teams in Texas

Texas is home to two of Minor League Baseball’s highest levels of play. The Pacific Coast League has three Triple-A teams, while the Texas League, made up of Double-A clubs, features five teams spread across the state.

Pacific Coast League (Triple-A)

Play ball with the three Texas teams in the Pacific Coast League, such as the Round Rock Express, El Paso Chihuahuas, and Sugar Land Skeeters.

1. Round Rock Express – Houston Astros affiliate
2. El Paso Chihuahuas – San Diego Padres affiliate
3. Sugar Land Skeeters – independent league team

The minor league system develops prospects and expands the game across the state.

Texas League (Double-A)

The Texas League (Double-A) has five blockbuster baseball brotherhoods based in the Lone Star state. You’ll find the Corpus Christi Hooks, Frisco RoughRiders, Midland RockHounds, San Antonio Missions, and Tulsa Drillers battling it out on Texas diamonds.

These developmental teams allow rising stars to hone skills before joining the majors. Players dream of moving up from Double-A rosters. Minor league journeymen hope for a shot at the big leagues. Baseball fans revel in affordable family fun as tomorrow’s superstars play today in the Texas League.

Independent Professional Baseball Teams in Texas

Hello there! Texas is home to several independent professional baseball leagues beyond the major leagues. The American Association of Professional Baseball and the Pecos League both have teams competing in the Lone Star state.

With multiple levels of America’s pastime covered, Texas offers something for baseball fans of all types to enjoy.

American Association of Professional Baseball

The Cleburne Railroaders play in the American Association of Professional Baseball. Founded in 2006, this league aims to bring high-quality baseball to mid-sized cities overlooked by MLB. The Railroaders joined in 2016 after being a longtime Texas League team. Now an independent team, they play home games at The Depot, compete against thirteen other teams, and have made two championship series appearances.

The American Association offers Texas baseball fans another chance to enjoy America’s pastime beyond the borders of MLB. Major League Baseball teams in Texas, American Association of Professional Baseball.

Pecos League

Strange for you, the Pecos League has three teams in Texas playing independent baseball.

• The Pecos League started in Texas in 2011 with four teams.
• Now it has 12 teams across five states.
• Players only make $50 a week in this lowest-level league.
• Teams play 70-game seasons from May to August.

Expanding to more small towns brings baseball to new fans. However, long bus rides between tiny stadiums challenge players chasing major league dreams in the Pecos League.

Baseball Teams in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area

Looking for baseball in the Dallas-Fort Worth area? You’ll find two minor league teams that play at the Triple-A level. The Frisco RoughRiders are based in Frisco and are the Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, while the Round Rock Express of Round Rock serves as the Triple-A club of the Texas Rangers.

Frisco RoughRiders

You’d find the Frisco RoughRiders playing minor league baseball as a Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers at Riders Field in Frisco. Established in 2003, the RoughRiders compete in the Texas League. Their home field seats over 10,000 fans eager to see tomorrow’s Rangers stars develop.

The RoughRiders roster features top prospects like 2B Justin Foscue and RHP Jack Leiter. Between games, fans enjoy promotions like Dollar Hot Dog Night. While they don’t play Major League Baseball yet, catching a Frisco RoughRiders game gives you a taste of Texas baseball’s future.

Round Rock Express

After gazing at the neon star players of the RoughRiders, you’ll feast your eyes on the Round Rock Express’ celestial roster orbiting the diamond. The Express draws thousands of fans to Dell Diamond, eager to cheer on future Astros like top prospect Pedro León.

Peruse the schedule for fireworks nights and $1 hot dogs. With up to 8,000 nightly fans, Round Rock boasts enticing promotions and access to tomorrow’s superstars today – all just a short drive up I-35.

How many major league baseball teams does Texas have? Two, but with the Express and four other minor league teams, the Lone Star state overflows with baseball.

Baseball Teams in the Houston Area

You’ve got two MLB teams playing down in Houston. The Houston Astros are part of the American League West Division and have called Houston home since 1962. Their biggest rivals are the Texas Rangers, and they have won two World Series championships, in 2017 and 2022.

There’s also plenty of minor league and independent league baseball around Houston. The AAA Corpus Christi Hooks, the AA Midland RockHounds, and the A Advanced San Antonio Missions bring the prospects.

With over 50 years of MLB history and minor league affiliates all over, Houston is a great baseball city.

Other Professional Baseball Teams in Texas

Texas is home to many professional baseball teams beyond the MLB. The Cleburne Railroaders play as part of the independent American Association of Professional Baseball League, while the Amarillo Sod Poodles are the Double-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Texas League.

Cleburne Railroaders

Coming to see the Cleburne Railroaders play at The Depot is like being transported to baseball heaven with the roaring crowds and raucous cheers! The City of Cleburne has really embraced this team as their own since the Railroaders began playing in the independent American Association of Professional Baseball in 2006.

With a roster full of promising young players, the Railroaders play over fifty home games every year at The Depot. The fanbase keeps growing as the Railroaders rack up league wins and give the community something to rally around.

Baseball in Cleburne is all about family, friends, and fun times at the ballpark cheering on the hometown team!

Amarillo Sod Poodles

You’d find the Amarillo Sod Poodles swinging bats in the Texas League. The Double-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks plays at Hodgetown stadium in Amarillo.

The Sod Poodles bring professional baseball to the Amarillo area along with family fun and entertainment. Their community focus and creative branding built a loyal fanbase in a short time.

Total Number of Professional Baseball Teams in Texas

Fourteen professional baseball clubs call Texas home. Texas has two Major League Baseball teams – the Houston Astros, who play at Minute Maid Park, and the Texas Rangers, who play at Globe Life Field.

Beyond MLB, Texas has numerous minor league and independent league teams:

League	Number of Teams
Texas League (AA)	5
Pacific Coast League (AAA)	3
American Association	1
Pecos League	3

The Dallas-Fort Worth area alone has three pro clubs – the MLB Rangers plus the AAA Round Rock Express and AA Frisco RoughRiders. Houston also boasts two pro teams with the MLB Astros and AAA Sugar Land Space Cowboys sharing the greater metro.

All told, Texans have lots of hometown hardball options to enjoy.

MLB Teams in Other States

There are currently 30 Major League Baseball teams across the United States and Canada. California, Florida, Illinois, Missouri, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania each have more than one MLB franchise located within their state boundaries.

California

Wow, you definitely can’t swing a cat in California without hitting an MLB team! The Golden State boasts five major league baseball franchises. The Los Angeles clubs, the Dodgers and Angels, have storied histories. Northern California cheers for the Oakland A’s and San Francisco Giants in a spirited rivalry.

Florida

You have two MLB teams in Florida. The Miami Marlins play in Florida’s southeast, while the Tampa Bay Rays occupy Florida’s west coast.

Illinois

Hope, there’s a lot more to Illinois than just the White Sox and Cubs. Though their crosstown rivalry captivates Chicago’s baseball scene, Illinois has a rich history in the sport beyond these storied franchises.

From early leagues around the turn of the century to the Negro Leagues and more, baseball in the Land of Lincoln runs deep.

Missouri

Missouri has two major league baseball teams, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Royals. This Show-Me state hosts historic rivalries between the Cards and other teams. The Royals clinched the 1985 World Series, their first title.

Baseball has deep roots in Missouri. St. Louis, in particular, loves its Cardinals.

New York

New York is home to two of the most storied MLB franchises, the Yankees and Mets, with iconic ballparks in the Bronx and Queens. The rivalry between these teams and their fans creates an electric atmosphere when they play, igniting passions unique to baseball in New York.

From the old Yankee Stadium to Citi Field, the ballparks and fan traditions keep the spirit of America’s pastime alive.

Ohio

You’ve shown those Ohioans their beloved Guardians like no other team could! Major League Baseball has deep roots in Ohio.

• Cleveland Guardians
• Cincinnati Reds
• Two MLB teams
• Great baseball history
• Passionate fans

MLB means a lot to Ohio.

Pennsylvania

The Philadelphia Phillies play at Citizens Bank Park in Pennsylvania. MLB fans pack this baseball stadium to cheer on the Phillies, a classic Pennsylvania team.

Comparison of MLB Teams by State

Looking at the MLB team distribution, you’d see Texas tied with New York and California leading with the most teams.

Analyzing state populations relative to MLB teams shows some interesting trends. Large states like North Carolina lack teams while smaller ones like Colorado have them.

Examining team success, certain states like California and New York boast powerhouses while others field perennial underdogs.

Baseball fan demographics indicate areas of high demand despite lacking local teams.

Cities compete intensely to attract or retain baseball teams for their substantial economic benefits.

The distribution of teams across states remains unequal, swayed by population, team performance, fan fervor, and economics.