Minor League Baseball has released its list of the top-selling team hats for 2023, highlighting how these caps reflect local culture, history, and community identity. The annual ranking, based on sales data from New Era and MiLBStore.com, coincides with National Hat Day.
Several teams received honorable mentions for their distinctive designs. The Rocket City Trash Pandas’ Copa de la Diversión identity, Lunáticos, attracted fans this year. Richmond Flying Squirrels' Marvel’s Defenders of the Diamond cap also stood out, as did the Rome Emperors’ new brand launch in November.
Among the teams making the main list is the Buffalo Bisons. Their “retro slide” design features mascot Buster sliding into home plate and has seen several color variations become popular internationally. Theresa Cerabone, manager of retail, licensing and entertainment at Buffalo Bisons, said: “It's just Buffalo's way of being able to forge through and herd on through the heavy winters and the heavy snow that we have, and maybe we can ice out our opponents and last even in the tough times.”
The Queens Kings' legacy continues more than two decades after their only season in Minor League Baseball. Their Queen of Hearts cap is part of MiLB’s Hometown Collection and keeps the club’s visual identity alive with updated looks.
The Sacramento River Cats’ primary Cardinal red cap has been a staple since 2019. Erin Kilby, director of merchandise for Sacramento River Cats, noted: “Because that's the one that the team wears the most on our field, I think that's the one that our fans recognize the most as River Cats. Both the black and the cardinal RC are very classic and seen all over our ballpark.”
Tacoma Rainiers’ navy home cap remains popular alongside its alternate red hat—a nod to Rainier Brewing Company—according to Ashley Schutt, director of baseball operations and merchandise: “We have over 30 different variations of our hat in our store right now, but I think people will always gravitate toward that navy and red just with that simple and classic design.”
Hartford Yard Goats’ home cap appears on this list for a second consecutive year. The green bill references local sports history while combining it with a goat chewing a bat. Merchandise manager Ryan Sandler commented: “I'm very happy that people are also admiring what we do here in Hartford… I think it just really embodies Hartford as a whole from the colors to just the pride that the city of Hartford has for people, the team and everything else in between.”
El Paso Chihuahuas adopted a strawberry margarita theme for their Copa de la Diversión identity in 2023. David Apodaca, retail and merchandise operations manager for El Paso Chihuahuas said: “You have a lot of people who leave El Paso but are still part of the El Paso community. So for them, having a chihuahua hat only makes home closer to them.”
Albuquerque Isotopes’ Mariachis de Nuevo Mexico hat is frequently recognized among top Minor League designs since its introduction as part of Copa de la Diversión festivities. Forest Stulting, media relations manager at Albuquerque Isotopes explained: “The sugar skull on the front of the cap is a huge part of Hispanic culture, and it really resonates with our fan base here in Albuquerque and in the state of New Mexico. It's become a very signature hat and logo for not only the Isotopes, but the city itself.”
Durham Bulls' iconic snorting bull hat continues its popularity decades after being featured in "Bull Durham." Bryan Wilson, director of merchandise at Durham Bulls stated: “It's just iconic… It's a symbol of Minor League Baseball.”
Hudson Valley Renegades introduced an alternate identity featuring Dusty—the cider donut mascot—which broke single-game sales records during its debut game day. Team PR director Joe Vasile remarked: “It is such a different looking, fun logo… Any time I wear it, I get a bunch of random people coming up to me like ‘What is that?’”
Eugene Emeralds found success with their Exploding Whales persona—a reference to an infamous 1970 event—featuring unique character art described by general manager Allan Benavides: “It's a unique character; it's not super angry like these typical logos you see… And it's just been a dynamic piece.”
These selections illustrate how Minor League teams use creative branding to connect with fans locally and beyond.
