Double-A · Eastern League · Bridgewater, New Jersey, US · TD Bank Ballpark
Somerset Patriots
From independent baseball powerhouse to Yankees Double-A affiliate, the Somerset Patriots have reinvented themselves as one of the most important stops in New York's prospect pipeline—all while maintaining the community-first culture that made them a New Jersey institution for over two decades.
The Somerset Patriots are the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, playing in the Eastern League at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, New Jersey. The franchise has one of the most unique histories in minor league baseball: founded in 1998 as a charter member of the independent Atlantic League, the Patriots spent 22 years as one of independent baseball's most successful and beloved operations before becoming an affiliated Yankees farm team in 2021.
TD Bank Ballpark, which opened in 1999, seats 6,100 fans and is located in the heart of central New Jersey, roughly equidistant between New York City and Philadelphia. The intimate, well-maintained facility has been the team's home since their second season and consistently ranks among the best ballpark experiences in the region.
During the Atlantic League era, the Patriots won six league championships and became a cherished community institution under founding owner Steve Kalafer, who passed away in 2021. His sons, Jonathan and Josh Kalafer, now serve as co-chairmen and continue the family's legacy. Since joining the Yankees organization, the Patriots have become a critical pipeline for New York's top prospects, with Anthony Volpe, Jasson Dominguez, and Spencer Jones among the high-profile players who have developed in Somerset. James Cooper takes over as manager for 2026 after leading High-A Hudson Valley to a franchise-record 79 wins in 2025.