2003
CHAMPIONS IN YEAR ONE
In their inaugural season in Rome, the Braves captured the South Atlantic League championship, beginning the franchise's history in Rome with a title.
BRAVES FARM REPORT
ROME
EMPERORS
LOCATION
ROME,
GEORGIA
GEORGIA
HOME BALLPARK
ADVENTHEALTH STADIUM
755 BRAVES BLVD.
ROME, GA 30161
ROME, GA 30161
BRAVES AFFILIATE
SINCE 2003
TEAM OVERVIEW
The Rome Emperors are the Atlanta Braves' High-A affiliate and compete in the South Atlantic League. The franchise relocated from Macon to Rome for the 2003 season and quickly made an impact, winning the South Atlantic League championship in its inaugural year.
For the next two decades, the team was known as the Rome Braves and became a staple in the community while developing Braves prospects on their way through the organization. As part of Major League Baseball's restructuring of the minor leagues, Rome became Atlanta's High-A affiliate beginning with the 2021 season.
In 2024, the organization began a new chapter by taking the field as the Rome Emperors. While the name and identity changed, Rome's role in the Braves organization remained the same: developing the next generation of Atlanta Braves talent.
KEY MILESTONES
2016
CHAMPIONS AGAIN
Rome captured its second South Atlantic League championship, defeating Lakewood in the championship series. Max Fried started the clinching game and struck out 13 over seven innings.
2021
THE MOVE TO HIGH-A
As part of Major League Baseball's minor league restructuring, Rome became Atlanta's High-A affiliate beginning with the 2021 season.
2024
THE EMPERORS ERA
After 21 seasons as the Rome Braves, the organization took the field as the Rome Emperors in 2024, beginning a new era for professional baseball in Rome.
COACHING STAFF
WYNSTON SAWYER
MANAGER
Sawyer leads the Rome Emperors and oversees the club on the field while helping guide player development at the High-A level.
CONNOR JUSTUS
HITTING COACH
Justus works with Rome's hitters as they continue developing their offensive approach and preparing for the next step through the Braves organization.
HORACIO RAMIREZ
PITCHING COACH
Ramirez oversees pitching development for the Emperors, working with Rome's pitching staff as Braves prospects continue developing at the High-A level.
PHILIP CAULFIELD
COACH
Caulfield serves on Rome's coaching staff, assisting with on-field instruction and the continued development of players throughout the season.
BOBBY MOORE
COACH
Moore serves in a coaching role with the Emperors, supporting player development and preparation as prospects progress through the Braves system.
ADVENTHEALTH STADIUM
ADVENTHEALTH STADIUM
HOME OF THE ROME EMPERORS
CAPACITY
5,105
FIELD DIMENSIONS
335 LF
•
401 CF
•
330 RF
FIRST PROFESSIONAL GAME
APRIL 11, 2003
vs. Savannah — W, 4–3
Sellout crowd of 5,105
Sellout crowd of 5,105
ABOUT ADVENTHEALTH STADIUM
AdventHealth Stadium has been home to professional baseball in Rome since 2003. The first professional game at the ballpark was played on April 11, 2003, when the Rome Braves defeated Savannah 4–3 in front of a sellout crowd of 5,105.
The stadium was originally known as State Mutual Stadium and carried that name through the 2021 season before becoming AdventHealth Stadium in 2022.
The ballpark sits near the Oostanaula River and continues to serve as the home of the Braves' High-A affiliate, now known as the Rome Emperors.
ROAD TO ATLANTA
FROM ROME TO ATLANTA
For more than two decades, Rome has played an important role in developing talent for the Atlanta Braves. These former Rome players continued their climb through the organization and went on to make an impact in the Major Leagues with Atlanta.
MICHAEL HARRIS II
OF
ROME: 2019, 2021
MLB DEBUT: 2022
Harris developed into one of Atlanta's top prospects during his climb through the organization. After his time in Rome, he reached Atlanta in 2022 and won National League Rookie of the Year.
JASON HEYWARD
OF
ROME: 2008
MLB DEBUT: 2010
Heyward played for Rome during his rise as one of baseball's premier prospects. He reached Atlanta in 2010 and became an All-Star and Gold Glove outfielder during his Braves career.
CRAIG KIMBREL
RHP
ROME: 2008–2009
MLB DEBUT: 2010
Kimbrel pitched for Rome early in his professional career before rapidly climbing the Braves system. He reached Atlanta in 2010 and developed into one of baseball's dominant closers.
BRIAN McCANN
C
ROME: 2003
MLB DEBUT: 2005
McCann was part of Rome's inaugural championship club in 2003. He reached Atlanta two years later and became a longtime Braves catcher and multiple-time National League All-Star.
JULIO TEHERAN
RHP
ROME: 2009–2010
MLB DEBUT: 2011
Teheran spent part of his rise through the Braves organization pitching in Rome. He reached Atlanta in 2011 and later became a fixture in the Braves rotation and a two-time All-Star.