Single-A · Carolina League · Fayetteville, North Carolina, US · Segra Stadium
Fayetteville Woodpeckers
The youngest franchise in the Carolina League, the Fayetteville Woodpeckers debuted in 2019 in a gleaming downtown stadium and have quickly become a fixture of military-rich Fayetteville — serving as the Houston Astros' Single-A pipeline to the big leagues.
2017–2018
Buies Creek Origins
An expansion team on a college campus
The franchise was born in 2017 when the Houston Astros were awarded one of two expansion teams in the Carolina League. Unable to immediately build a permanent stadium, the Astros placed the team at Jim Perry Stadium on the campus of Campbell University in rural Buies Creek, North Carolina. The Buies Creek Astros played two seasons in the 3,000-seat college venue while construction progressed on a new downtown Fayetteville ballpark.
Despite the temporary setting, the Buies Creek Astros were competitive from the start, leveraging Houston's deep farm system to field talented rosters. The small-town atmosphere created a unique minor league experience, with games played in a bucolic setting surrounded by the university campus. Yordan Alvarez, who would become one of baseball's most feared hitters, was among the notable prospects who passed through the roster during this brief era.
The two seasons at Campbell served their purpose: they gave the franchise time to establish itself in the Carolina League while the permanent home took shape 30 miles away in Fayetteville.
Key Facts
- Expansion Carolina League franchise awarded in 2016
- Played at Jim Perry Stadium on Campbell University's campus
- Yordan Alvarez among early notable prospects
- Temporary two-year home while Segra Stadium was built
2019–2022
Downtown Fayetteville
A new stadium and a new identity
The 2019 season marked the franchise's grand arrival in downtown Fayetteville, with the opening of the $40 million Segra Stadium and the rebrand to the Fayetteville Woodpeckers. The name honored the red-cockaded woodpecker, an endangered species found in the longleaf pine forests of the region — a choice that reflected the community's connection to its natural environment.
The inaugural season at Segra Stadium generated tremendous excitement, with fans drawn to the modern 5,200-seat facility and its dramatic downtown setting. The ballpark quickly became a gathering place for the Fayetteville community, including the substantial military population from nearby Fort Bragg (now Fort Liberty).
The 2020 season was lost to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2021 MiLB reorganization shifted the Woodpeckers from the High-A Carolina League to the Single-A Carolina League. The early years in Fayetteville saw the team navigate growing pains on the field while establishing its off-field identity and community presence.
Key Facts
- Segra Stadium opened in 2019 ($40M, 5,200 seats)
- Named for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker
- Strong ties to Fort Liberty military community
- Reclassified from High-A to Single-A in 2021
2023–Present
Building a Winner
Competitive improvement and an ownership transition
The Fayetteville Woodpeckers have shown steady improvement in recent seasons, culminating in their first winning season in 2025 when the team posted a 69-63 record under manager Carlos Lugo — the second-best mark in the Carolina League that year. The improvement reflected both better player development from the Astros' pipeline and increased organizational stability.
Off the field, the franchise underwent a significant ownership transition when Diamond Baseball Holdings acquired the Woodpeckers from the Houston Astros. The sale transferred business operations while maintaining the Astros' player development affiliation and the team's commitment to Segra Stadium. The move aligned with DBH's broader strategy of acquiring and professionalizing minor league operations across the country.
Lugo, who returns for the 2026 season along with pitching coach James Wiseman, has brought consistency to the dugout. The Astros' farm system continues to funnel high-upside prospects through Fayetteville, and the franchise is positioned to build on the momentum of its first winning campaign.
Key Facts
- First winning season in franchise history: 69-63 in 2025
- Ownership transferred from Astros to Diamond Baseball Holdings
- Manager Carlos Lugo returns for 2026
- Astros affiliation and Segra Stadium home remain unchanged