After the Double-A Eastern League got things started last night (including the Binghamton Mets knocking off the Trenton Thunder in a battle of New York affiliates), the rest of the minor leagues gets started tonight, including the other six affiliates from Low-A and up. In Buffalo, Jon Niese will start on the mound in renamed Coca-Cola Field, where the new Mets Triple-A affiliate takes on the Pawtucket Red Sox.

Scranton/Wilkes Barre will look to begin defense of its 2008 International League title tonight when they open the season at Lehigh Valley. Jason Johnson will get the opening day start for the Yankees against Kyle Kendrick, who spent much of last season with the Phillies.

Binghamton and Trenton square off in New Jersey’s capital city again tonight, with starters yet to be announced.

The High-A Tampa Yankees open the season at Lakeland, with Jason Stephens getting the start. Also in High-A, the St. Lucie Mets open at home against Sarasota. A starter still hasn’t been named.

In the Low-A South Atlantic League, the Savannah Sand Gnats (Mets) open their season at home tonight against Augusta, with Elvin Ramirez, ranked No. 26 on the Mets Top 30 prospects list by Baseball America, taking the hill. The Charleston RiverDogs (Yankees) finish off our trip around the minors, as No. 3 prospect Andrew Brackman takes the hill for Charleston in his first-ever professional start.