The Astros full season Single-A affiliate, the Iowan Quad Cities River Bandits, were swept in the first round of the playoffs earlier this week by Cedar Rapids Kernels. After losing the first game 5-2, the River Bandits fell 3-1 Thursday night to the Kernels. Despite the early exit, the River Bandits completed one of their most historic seasons since being part of the Astros organization.
In fact, MiLB.com recently reported that Quad Cities ranked No. 1 as a minor league market. Formally ranked 48th in 2013 by the Sports Business Journal, the River Bandits jolted to first place this year.