A few injuries at the higher levels. A few promotions. A few questionable drafts. Some poor starts from key players.

The result?

Two of the worst records in Minor League Baseball. Or in one team's case, the worst record in professional baseball.

The Carolina Mudcats, the Indians' High-A affiliate, ended the first half of the Carolina League season with a 22-48 record. The .314 winning percentage ranked the worst among full-season teams.

Three spots behind the Mudcats on the list of putrid pro teams -- the Low-A Lake County Captains. The bottom feeders of the Midwest League went 23-44 in the first half, which translated into a .343 winning percentage.

For those who enjoy examining misery, the Low-A Greenville Drive and Triple-A Nashville Sounds entered this week with the second and third worst winning percentages in the minors. Greenville is a Red Sox affiliate. Nashville is a Brewers affiliate. The Drive and Sounds had winning percentages of .319 and .338, respectively, when the week started.

There's one solace for the Mudcats and Captains. The Carolina and Midwest Leagues are split into halves.

Both teams will begin play Thursday with 0-0 records. Judging by their first-half performances, it might be the best position either team finds itself in.  

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy