Wilson Warbirds

The Wilson Warbirds were born from the Milwaukee Brewers' decision to relocate their Carolina League affiliate from Five County Stadium in Zebulon — where the team had played as the Carolina Mudcats since 1991 — to a modern facility in Wilson, approximately 50 miles to the east. The move was driven by the city of Wilson's ambitious $280 million sports and entertainment complex, anchored by the $70 million, 4,500-seat Wilson Stadium.

The Warbirds name celebrates the region's rich aviation heritage, with "warbirds" referring to vintage military aircraft that evoke eastern North Carolina's connections to military aviation dating to World War II. The identity also honors Vollis Simpson, the renowned whirligig artist and former airman from Wilson whose kinetic wind-powered sculptures have become iconic symbols of the community.

Construction on Wilson Stadium began in May 2024, with the artificial-turf facility designed to be ready for the team's inaugural opening day in April 2026. Eddy Morgan, a 54-year-old former NCAA Division III head coach at Concordia University Wisconsin, was named the franchise's first manager, leading a full coaching staff that includes pitching coaches Paul Moeller and Jesus Hernandez, hitting coach Jose Garcia, and a robust performance staff. The franchise represents one of the most significant new investments in minor league baseball infrastructure, bringing professional baseball to Wilson for the first time and giving the Brewers a state-of-the-art development facility for their youngest prospects.