The Blue Claws are a low Class A team , the third step ; the Cardinals , of the New York - Penn League , are a short - season Class A team ; .
The Thunder , of the Eastern League , are a Class AA team .
The Blue Claws are a low Class A team , the third step ; the Cardinals , of the New York - Penn League , are a short - season Class A team ; and the Thunder , of the Eastern League , are a Class AA team .