List of Baltimore Orioles minor league affiliates

The Baltimore Orioles farm system consists of eight Minor League Baseball affiliates in the United States and the Dominican Republic.[1] Four teams are independently owned, while the other four—two squads each in the Gulf Coast and Dominican Summer Leagues—are owned by the major league club.

The Orioles have been affiliated with the Double-A Bowie Baysox of the Eastern League since 1993, making it the longest-running active affiliation in the organization among teams not owned by the Orioles. Their newest affiliate is the Norfolk Tides of the International League which became the Orioles' Triple-A club in 2007. The longest affiliation in team history was the 53-year relationship with the Rookie League Appalachian's Bluefield Orioles from 1958 to 2010.[2]

The Orioles have the shortest cumulative distance between its four full-season minor league affiliates in baseball at 487 miles (784 km).[3] The top four affiliates are located within a 200-mile (320 km) radius from Baltimore, with three of them situated in Maryland. Geographically, Baltimore's closest domestic affiliate is the Baysox of the Eastern League which is approximately 24 miles (39 km) away. Baltimore's furthest domestic affiliate is the Gulf Coast League Orioles of the Rookie Gulf Coast League some 892 miles (1,436 km) away.

Baltimore Orioles

2021present

The current structure of Minor League Baseball is the result of an overall contraction of the system beginning with the 2021 season. Class A was reduced to two levels: High Single-A and Low Single-A. Class A Short Season teams and domestic Rookie League teams that operated away from Spring Training facilities were eliminated.[4]

Year Triple-A Double-A High Single-A Low Single-A Rookie League Foreign Rookie
2021 Norfolk Tides[5] Bowie Baysox[5] Aberdeen IronBirds[5] Delmarva Shorebirds[5] GCL Orioles 1[5]
GCL Orioles 2[5]
DSL Orioles 1[5]
DSL Orioles 2[5]

19902020

Minor League Baseball operated with six classes from 1990 to 2020. The Class A level was subdivided for a second time with the creation of Class A-Advanced. The Rookie level consisted of domestic and foreign circuits.[6]

Year Triple-A Double-A Class A-Advanced Class A Class A Short Season Rookie League Foreign Rookie
2020 Norfolk Tides[7] Bowie Baysox[8] Frederick Keys[9] Delmarva Shorebirds[10] Aberdeen IronBirds[11] GCL Orioles DSL Orioles 1
DSL Orioles 2
2019
2018 DSL Orioles
2017
2016 DSL Orioles 1
DSL Orioles 2
2015
2014
2013
2012 DSL Orioles
2011
2010 Bluefield Orioles[12]
GCL Orioles[13]
DSL Orioles 1
DSL Orioles 2
2009 DSL Orioles
2008
2007
2006 Ottawa Lynx[7][14] Bluefield Orioles DSL Orioles
VSL Orioles[13]
2005
2004 DSL Orioles
Venoco 2
2003 Bluefield Orioles
GCL Orioles
DSL Orioles
Yaritagua
2002 Rochester Red Wings[14] DSL Orioles
Cabudare
2001 DSL Orioles
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996 Frederick Keys
High Desert Mavericks[15]
1995
1994 Frederick Keys Albany Polecats[16][17]
1993
1992 Hagerstown Suns[18] Kane County Cougars[17][19]
1991
1990 Wausau Timbers[19] Bluefield Orioles

19631989

The foundation of the minors' current structure was the result of a reorganization initiated by Major League Baseball (MLB) before the 1963 season. The reduction from six classes to four (Triple-A, Double-AA, Class A and Rookie) was a response to the general decline of the minors throughout the 1950s and early-1960s when leagues and teams folded due to shrinking attendance caused by baseball fans' preference for staying at home to watch MLB games on television. The only change made within the next 27 years was Class A being subdivided for the first time to form Class A Short Season in 1966.[6]

(The Orioles were involved in minor league affiliate co-op agreements twice—the Pulaski Phillies with various other MLB clubs in 1976 and the Daytona Beach Islanders with the Texas Rangers in 1985.)

Year Triple-A Double-A Class A Class A Short Season Rookie League
1989 Rochester Red Wings Hagerstown Suns[20] Frederick Keys[8] Erie Orioles Bluefield Orioles
1988 Charlotte Knights[21] Hagerstown Suns
1987 Charlotte Orioles[21] Newark Orioles
1986
1985 Hagerstown Suns, Daytona Beach Islanders[22][23]
1984 Hagerstown Suns
1983 Hagerstown Suns, San Jose Bees
1982 Hagerstown Suns[18]
1981 Miami Orioles
1980
1979[24]
1978
1977
1976 Bluefield Orioles
Pulaski Phillies
1975 Asheville Orioles[25] Miami Orioles, Lodi Orioles[26][27] Bluefield Orioles
1974[28]
1973 Miami Orioles, Lodi Lions[27]
1972 Miami Orioles, Lodi Orions[26] Lewiston Broncs
1971 Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs[29] Miami Orioles, Stockton Ports[30] Aberdeen Pheasants[31]
1970 Miami Marlins, Stockton Ports
1969
1968 Elmira Pioneers
1967
1966
1965[32] Tri-City Atoms,[33] Stockton Ports, Fox Cities Foxes,[34] Aberdeen Pheasants
1964 Stockton Ports, Fox Cities Foxes, Aberdeen Pheasants
1963[35]

19541962

The minors operated with six levels (Triple-A, Double-A and Classes A, B, C and D) from 1946 to 1962. The Pacific Coast League (PCL) was reclassified from Triple-A to Open in 1952 due to the possibility of becoming a third major league. This arrangement ended following the 1957 season when the relocation of the National League's Dodgers and Giants to the West Coast killed any chance of the PCL being promoted. The 1963 reorganization resulted in the Eastern and South Atlantic Leagues being elevated from Class A to Double-A, five of seven Class D circuits plus the ones in B and C upgraded to A, and the Appalachian League reclassified from D to Rookie.[6]

Year Triple-A Double-A Class A Class B Class C Class D
1962 Rochester Red Wings[14] Elmira Pioneers Stockton Ports[30]
Aberdeen Pheasants
Bluefield Orioles
Fox Cities Foxes
1961 Little Rock Travelers
Victoria/Ardmore Rosebuds
Fox Cities Foxes
Tri-Cities Braves[33]
Bluefield Orioles
Leesburg Orioles
1960 Vancouver Mounties[33]
Miami Marlins
Fox Cities Foxes[34]
1959 Amarillo Gold Sox Bluefield Orioles
Pensacola Dons
1958 Vancouver Mounties
Louisville Colonels
Knoxville Smokies Wilson Tobs Aberdeen Pheasants Bluefield Orioles[12]
Pensacola Dons
Fitzgerald Orioles
1957[36] Vancouver Mounties (Open)[33] San Antonio Missions[37] Aberdeen Pheasants
Phoenix Stars
Paris Orioles
Thomson Orioles
Fitzgerald Orioles
1956 Columbus Foxes York White Roses
Lubbock Hubbers/
Texas City Texans
Aberdeen Pheasants
Thetford Mines Miners
Phoenix Stars
Paris Orioles
Thomson Orioles
1955 Wichita Indians York White Roses
Fayetteville Highlanders
Aberdeen Pheasants
Thetford Mines Miners
Paris Orioles
Cordele Orioles
1954 Wichita Indians
Lewiston Broncs
York White Roses
Anderson Rebels
Aberdeen Pheasants[38]
Thetford Mines Miners
Pine Bluff Judges
Americus-Cordele Orioles
Wytheville Statesmen
Marion Marauders
Ada Herefords/Cementers

St. Louis Browns

Year Triple-A Double-A Class A Class B Class C Class D
1953 San Antonio Missions Wichita Indians
Lewiston Broncs
York White Roses
Anderson Rebels
Aberdeen Pheasants
Pine Bluff Judges
Thetford Mines Miners
Pocatello Bannocks
Ada Herefords
Wytheville Statesmen
Valdosta Browns
1952 Toronto Maple Leafs Scranton Miners Aberdeen Pheasants
Stockton Ports
Pine Bluff Judges
Pocatello Bannocks
Ada Herefords
Independence Browns
Wellsville Rockets
1951 Anderson Rebels Aberdeen Pheasants
Pine Bluff Judges
Ada Herefords
Pittsburg Browns
Redding Browns
Appleton Papermakers
1950 Baltimore Orioles Wichita Indians Wichita Falls Spudders Aberdeen Pheasants
Pine Bluff Judges
Marshall Browns
1949 Elmira Pioneers Springfield Browns
Wichita Falls Spudders
Aberdeen Pheasants
Pine Bluff Cardinals
Gloversville-Johnstown Glovers
Globe-Miami Browns
Muskogee Reds
Marshall Browns
Salinas Colts/Potros de Tijuana
Mayfield Clothiers
Ada Herefords
Pittsburg Browns
Redding Browns
Wausau Lumberjacks
Olean Oilers
1948[39] Toledo Mud Hens Springfield Browns
Wichita Falls Spudders
Port Chester Clippers
Aberdeen Pheasants
Gloversville-Johnstown Glovers
Globe-Miami Browns
Muskogee Reds
Hannibal Pilots
Modesto Reds
Mayfield Clothiers
Ada Herefords
Pittsburg Browns
Redding Browns
Wausau Lumberjacks
Belleville Stags
Griffin Pimientos
Peekskill Highlanders
1947 Springfield Browns Aberdeen Pheasants
Gloversville-Johnstown Glovers
Globe-Miami Browns
Muskogee Reds
Hannibal Pilots
Mayfield Clothiers
Ada Herefords
Pittsburg Browns
Newark Moundsmen
Wausau Lumberjacks
Belleville Stags
Baton Rouge Red Sticks
1946 Springfield Browns
Spartanburg Peaches
Aberdeen Pheasants
Gloversville-Johnstown Glovers
Paris Red Peppers
Mayfield Clothiers
Pittsburg Browns
Newark Moundsmen
1945 Toledo Mud Hens Newark Moundsmen
1944 Memphis Chickasaws
1943
1942 San Antonio Missions Springfield Browns Gloversville-Johnstown Glovers
Huntington Jewels
Dothan Browns
1941 Springfield Browns
Meridian Eagles
Youngstown Browns
St. Joseph Ponies/Carthage Browns
Mayfield Browns
Lafayette White Sox
Paragould Browns
Pueblo Rollers
1940 Springfield Browns Palestine Pals
Youngstown Browns
Topeka Owls
Tyler Trojans
Mayfield Browns
Lafayette White Sox
Paragould Browns
Pennington Gap Miners
1939 Youngstown Browns
Topeka Owls
Mayfield Browns
Lafayette White Sox
Paragould Browns
Pennington Gap Miners
Lincoln Links
Beaver Falls Bees
Fayetteville Angels
1938 Springfield Browns
Meridian Scrappers
Palestine Pals
Johnstown Johnnies
Mayfield Clothiers
Lafayette White Sox
Findlay Browns
Easton Cubs
Lincoln Links
Batesville White Sox
1937 San Antonio Missions
Des Moines Demons
Meridian Scrappers
Terre Haute Tots
Mayfield Clothiers
Lafayette White Sox
Findlay Browns
Easton Browns
Fairbury Jeffs
Osceola Indians
Superior Blues
1936 San Antonio Missions Palestine Pals Lafayette White Sox
1935
1934
1933 San Antonio Missions
Joplin Miners
1932 Wichita Falls Spudders/
Longview Cannibals
Fort Smith Twins/
Muskogee Chiefs
Rock Island Islanders
1931 Wichita Falls Spudders
1930
1929
1928

References

  1. "Orioles Affiliates". Baltimore Orioles. Major League Baseball. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  2. "Baltimore Orioles Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  3. Eddy, Matt. "Numbers Game: Infrequent Flyers," Baseball America, April 6, 2018. Retrieved April 21, 2018
  4. Brown, Maury. "MLB Invites 119 Clubs To Be Minor League Affiliates; Here’s Who Made It And Who Didn’t," Forbes, Wednesday, December 9, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2020
  5. Trezza, Joe. "O's extend invites to Minor League affiliates," MLB.com, Wednesday, December 9, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2020
  6. Cronin, John (Spring 2013). "Truth in the Minor League Class Structure: The Case for the Reclassification of the Minors". The Baseball Research Journal. Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  7. "Tides sign affiliation agreement with Baltimore Orioles", Baltimore Orioles press release, Monday, September 25, 2006.
  8. "Orioles extend working agreements with Minor League affiliates in Norfolk, Bowie and Frederick through 2014", Baltimore Orioles press release, Thursday, August 12, 2010.
  9. Swatek, Greg. "Keys part ways with Orioles, join MLB Draft League," The Frederick News-Post, Wednesday, December 9, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2020
  10. "Orioles extend working agreements with Bowie, Frederick and Delmarva", Baltimore Orioles press release, Monday, October 2, 2006.
  11. Goldberg, Stan "Pumping some iron in Aberdeen" The Frederick News-Post, Thursday, August 5, 2004
  12. Drellich, Evan. "Orioles end affiliation with Bluefield club", MLB.com, Sunday, August 29, 2010.
  13. "Orioles will drop Venezuelan team for 2007", Baltimore Orioles press release, Wednesday, February 14, 2007.
  14. "Orioles sign affiliation with Ottawa", Baltimore Orioles press release, Tuesday, September 24, 2002.
  15. Team History High Desert Mavericks.
  16. Baker, Kent "South Atlantic League will have Delmarva Shorebirds next season Kirk group buying team, will move it to Salisbury" The Baltimore Sun, Thursday, September 21, 1995
  17. "O's, Polecats agree" Associated Press, Thursday, October 1, 1992
  18. Parasiliti, Bob "Hagerstown Suns sign two-year pact to remain affiliated with Nationals" The Herald-Mail (Hagerstown, Maryland), Wednesday, September 22, 2010
  19. Gauthier, Tom. "Introducing the Kane County Cougars", Bowling Green Hot Rods, Wednesday, October 21, 2009.
  20. Team History Hagerstown Suns.
  21. Team History Charlotte Knights.
  22. Rhodes, Beth "FSL Expansion Islanders A Mix Of Orioles, Rangers" Orlando (FL) Sentinel, Wednesday, April 10, 1985
  23. Rhodes, Beth "White Sox To Field Class A Team In Daytona Beach" Orlando (FL) Sentinel, Wednesday, December 10, 1986
  24. Official Baseball Dope Book. St. Louis, Missouri: The Sporting News, 1979.
  25. "Jarrett, Keith. "What's in a name?" Asheville (NC) Citizen-Times, Sunday, May 13, 2007". Archived from the original on August 12, 2011. Retrieved July 13, 2012.
  26. "Lodi is dropped by Baltimore Orioles; Cal League future in doubt" Lodi (CA) News-Sentinel, Saturday, September 27, 1975
  27. "Spring training: Lodi Orioles doing well in fine weather" Lodi (CA) News-Sentinel, Friday, March 29, 1974
  28. Official Baseball Dope Book. St. Louis, Missouri: The Sporting News, 1974.
  29. Guinn, Jeff & Bragan, Bobby. When Panthers Roared: The Fort Worth Cats and Minor League Baseball. Fort Worth, Texas: TCU Press, 1999.
  30. Team History Stockton Ports.
  31. Horwath, Bryan. "Business: Could pro baseball return to Aberdeen?" American News (Aberdeen, South Dakota), Thursday, September 25, 2014.
  32. Official Baseball Dope Book. St. Louis, Missouri: The Sporting News, 1965.
  33. Northwest League of Professional Baseball 2012 Media Guide.
  34. Team History Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.
  35. Official Baseball Record Book. St. Louis, Missouri: The Sporting News, 1963.
  36. Official Baseball Guide. St. Louis, Missouri: The Sporting News, 1957.
  37. King, David. San Antonio at Bat: Professional Baseball in the Alamo City. College Station, Texas: Texas A&M University Press, 2004.
  38. Holmes, Devena. "Pheasant Park (AKA Aberdeen Municipal Ballpark)(AKA Johnson Field)", Aberdeen (SD) Area History, Friday, June 1, 2012.
  39. Official Baseball Guide. St. Louis, Missouri: The Sporting News, 1948.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.