Astros’ New Triple-A Team Name Leaked

In June of 2021, a rumor sparked that the Sugar Land Skeeters, the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, would be rebranded for a space theme. Neither the minor-league club nor the major-league franchise released any word on the possible change until Tuesday, Jan. 18.

The Skeeters announced on social media that the team will be rebranded on Jan. 29. This was anticipated to be a space themed change with their major-league club embracing the NASA connection to the city of Houston.

The team is set to have a launch party on Jan. 29 at Constellation Field in Sugar Land. The event includes an opportunity for player autographs, live music, fireworks, chalk talk and more, along with the new brand reveal.

The Astros’ new Triple-A team name has been leaked, over a week before the launch party.

Mark Berman of Fox 26 in Houston reported on Tuesday that the Skeeters’ new name will be the “Space Cowboys.” This takes on a mixture of the southern state’s rural history and space theme from Houston.

The Skeeters’ inaugural season was in 2012, as they joined the Atlantic League. The franchise was independent until 2021, before the Astros bought them to be their Triple-A affiliate.

In their first year as a Triple-A club, the Skeeters won the Triple-A West East title. Minor League Baseball did not hold a postseason in 2021, leaving Sugar Land champions of their division and nothing more.

Although branding hasn’t been released by the team, fans have posted their ideas to Twitter, including possible options the team could be incorporating.

This will be the first time that Sugar Land’s baseball team changes names, as the Astros look to theme their affiliate around space branding.

Of the Astros’ other minor-league teams, the High-A Asheville Tourists sported a moon logo in their return to the Astros in 2021.