List of Cleveland Indians minor league affiliates

The Cleveland Indians farm system consists of eight Minor League Baseball affiliates across the United States and in the Dominican Republic.[1] Four teams are independently owned, while four—two Arizona League Indians and two Dominican Summer League Indians squads—are owned by the major league club.

Current Cleveland Indians northeastern minor league affiliate locations

The Indians have been affiliated with the Double-A Canton–Akron Indians/Akron Aeros/RubberDucks of the Eastern League since 1989, making it the longest-running active affiliation in the organization among teams not owned by the Indians.[2] This is also the longest affiliation in the team's history. Their newest affiliate is the Lynchburg Hillcats of the Carolina League which became the Indians' Class A-Advanced club in 2015.[2]

Geographically, Cleveland's closest domestic affiliate is the Lake County Captains of the Class A Midwest League which is approximately 16 miles (26 km) away. Cleveland's furthest domestic affiliate is the Arizona League Indians of the Rookie League Arizona League some 1,763 miles (2,837 km) away.

2021–present

The current structure of Minor League Baseball is the result of an overall contraction of the system by Major League Baseball beginning with the 2021 season. Class A was reduced to two levels: Class A-Advanced and Class A. Class A Short Season teams and domestic Rookie League teams that operated away from MLB spring training facilities were eliminated.

Year Triple-A Double-A Class-A Advanced Class A Rookie League Foreign Rookie
2021 Columbus Clippers[3] Akron RubberDucks[4] Lake County Captains[5] Lynchburg Hillcats[6] AZL Indians Blue
AZL Indians Red
DSL Indians 1
DSL Indians 2

1990–2020

This structure of Minor League Baseball was in effect from the 1990 season, when the Class A level was subdivided for a second time with the creation of Class A-Advanced, through the 2020 season. The Rookie level consisted of domestic and foreign circuits.[7]

Year Triple-A Double-A Class A-Advanced Class A Class A Short Season Rookie League Foreign Rookie
2020 Columbus Clippers Akron RubberDucks Lynchburg Hillcats Lake County Captains Mahoning Valley Scrappers[8] AZL Indians Blue
AZL Indians Red
DSL Indians 1
DSL Indians 2
2019 Columbus Clippers Akron RubberDucks Lynchburg Hillcats Lake County Captains Mahoning Valley Scrappers AZL Indians Blue
AZL Indians Red
DSL Indians
DSL Indians/Brewers
2018 Columbus Clippers Akron RubberDucks Lynchburg Hillcats Lake County Captains Mahoning Valley Scrappers AZL Indians 1
AZL Indians 2
DSL Indians
DSL Indians/Brewers
2017 Columbus Clippers Akron RubberDucks Lynchburg Hillcats Lake County Captains Mahoning Valley Scrappers AZL Indians DSL Indians
DSL Indians/Brewers
2016 Columbus Clippers Akron RubberDucks Lynchburg Hillcats Lake County Captains Mahoning Valley Scrappers AZL Indians DSL Indians
2015 Columbus Clippers Akron RubberDucks Lynchburg Hillcats Lake County Captains Mahoning Valley Scrappers AZL Indians DSL Indians
2014 Columbus Clippers Akron RubberDucks Carolina Mudcats Lake County Captains Mahoning Valley Scrappers AZL Indians DSL Indians
2013 Columbus Clippers Akron Aeros Carolina Mudcats Lake County Captains Mahoning Valley Scrappers AZL Indians DSL Indians
2012 Columbus Clippers Akron Aeros Carolina Mudcats Lake County Captains Mahoning Valley Scrappers AZL Indians DSL Indians
2011 Columbus Clippers Akron Aeros Kinston Indians Lake County Captains Mahoning Valley Scrappers AZL Indians DSL Indians
2010 Columbus Clippers Akron Aeros Kinston Indians Lake County Captains Mahoning Valley Scrappers AZL Indians DSL Indians
2009 Columbus Clippers Akron Aeros Kinston Indians Lake County Captains Mahoning Valley Scrappers AZL Indians DSL Indians
2008 Buffalo Bisons Akron Aeros Kinston Indians Lake County Captains Mahoning Valley Scrappers GCL Indians DSL Indians
2007 Buffalo Bisons Akron Aeros Kinston Indians Lake County Captains Mahoning Valley Scrappers GCL Indians DSL Indians
2006 Buffalo Bisons Akron Aeros Kinston Indians Lake County Captains Mahoning Valley Scrappers Burlington Indians
GCL Indians
DSL Indians
2005 Buffalo Bisons Akron Aeros Kinston Indians Lake County Captains Mahoning Valley Scrappers Burlington Indians DSL Indians 1
DSL Indians 2
2004 Buffalo Bisons Akron Aeros Kinston Indians Lake County Captains Mahoning Valley Scrappers Burlington Indians DSL Indians 1
DSL Indians 2
2003 Buffalo Bisons Akron Aeros Kinston Indians Lake County Captains Mahoning Valley Scrappers Burlington Indians DSL Indians 1
DSL Indians 2
San Felipe
2002 Buffalo Bisons Akron Aeros Kinston Indians Columbus RedStixx Mahoning Valley Scrappers Burlington Indians DSL Indians 1
DSL Indians 2
San Felipe
2001 Buffalo Bisons Akron Aeros Kinston Indians Columbus RedStixx Mahoning Valley Scrappers Burlington Indians DSL Indians
2000 Buffalo Bisons Akron Aeros Kinston Indians Columbus RedStixx Mahoning Valley Scrappers Burlington Indians DSL Indians
1999 Buffalo Bisons Akron Aeros Kinston Indians Columbus RedStixx Mahoning Valley Scrappers Burlington Indians DSL Indians
1998 Buffalo Bisons Akron Aeros Kinston Indians Columbus RedStixx Watertown Indians Burlington Indians DSL Indians
1997 Buffalo Bisons Akron Aeros Kinston Indians Columbus RedStixx Watertown Indians Burlington Indians DSL Indians
1996 Buffalo Bisons Canton–Akron Indians Kinston Indians Columbus RedStixx Watertown Indians Burlington Indians DSL Indians
1995 Buffalo Bisons Canton–Akron Indians Kinston Indians Columbus RedStixx Watertown Indians Burlington Indians DSL Indians
1994 Charlotte Knights Canton–Akron Indians Kinston Indians Columbus RedStixx Watertown Indians Burlington Indians DSL Indians
1993 Charlotte Knights Canton–Akron Indians Kinston Indians Columbus RedStixx Watertown Indians Burlington Indians DSL Indians
1992 Colorado Springs Sky Sox Canton–Akron Indians Kinston Indians Columbus RedStixx Watertown Indians Burlington Indians DSL Indians
1991 Colorado Springs Sky Sox Canton–Akron Indians Kinston Indians Columbus Indians Watertown Indians Burlington Indians DSL Indians
1990 Colorado Springs Sky Sox Canton–Akron Indians Kinston Indians Watertown Indians Burlington Indians
GCL Indians
DSL Indians

1963–1989

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.[7]

Year Triple-A Double-A Class A Class A Short Season Rookie League
1989 Colorado Springs Sky Sox Canton–Akron Indians Kinston Indians Watertown Indians Burlington Indians, GCL Indians
1988 Colorado Springs Sky Sox Williamsport Bills Kinston Indians, Waterloo Indians Burlington Indians, GCL Indians
1987 Buffalo Bisons Williamsport Bills Kinston Indians, Waterloo Indians Burlington Indians
1986 Maine Guides Waterbury Indians Waterloo Indians Batavia Trojans Burlington Indians
1985 Maine Guides Waterbury Indians Waterloo Indians Batavia Trojans
1984 Maine Guides Buffalo Bisons Waterloo Indians Batavia Trojans
1983 Charleston Charlies Buffalo Bisons Waterloo Indians Batavia Trojans
1982 Charleston Charlies Chattanooga Lookouts Waterloo Indians Batavia Trojans
1981 Charleston Charlies Chattanooga Lookouts Waterloo Indians Batavia Trojans
1980 Tacoma Tigers Chattanooga Lookouts Waterloo Indians Batavia Trojans
1979[9] Tacoma Tugs Chattanooga Lookouts Waterloo Indians Batavia Trojans
1978 Portland Beavers Chattanooga Lookouts Waterloo Indians Batavia Trojans
1977 Toledo Mud Hens Jersey City Indians Waterloo Indians Batavia Trojans
1976 Toledo Mud Hens Williamsport Tomahawks San Jose Bees Batavia Trojans
1975 Oklahoma City 89ers San Antonio Brewers San Jose Bees GCL Indians
1974[10] Oklahoma City 89ers San Antonio Brewers Reno Silver Sox GCL Indians
1973 Oklahoma City 89ers San Antonio Brewers Reno Silver Sox GCL Indians
1972 Portland Beavers Elmira Pioneers Reno Silver Sox GCL Indians
1971 Wichita Aeros Jacksonville Suns Reno Silver Sox GCL Indians
1970 Wichita Aeros Savannah Indians Reno Silver Sox, Sumter Indians GCL Indians
1969 Portland Beavers Waterbury Indians Reno Silver Sox, Statesville/Monroe Indians GCL Indians
1968 Portland Beavers Waterbury Indians Reno Silver Sox, Rock Hill Indians GCL Indians
1967 Portland Beavers Pawtucket Indians Reno Silver Sox, Rock Hill Indians GCL Indians
1966 Portland Beavers Pawtucket Indians Reno Silver Sox, Dubuque Packers
1965[11] Portland Beavers Reading Indians Salinas Indians, Dubuque Packers
1964 Portland Beavers Charleston Indians Burlington Indians, Dubuque Packers
1963[12] Jacksonville Suns Charleston Indians Burlington Indians, Dubuque Packers, Grand Forks Chiefs

1929–1962

The minors operated with six classes (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.[7]

Year Triple-A Double-A Class A Class B Class C Class D
1962 Jacksonville Suns Charleston Indians Burlington Indians Dubuque Packers
Selma Cloverleafs
1961 Salt Lake City Bees Reading Indians Burlington Indians Dubuque Packers
Selma Cloverleafs
1960 Toronto Maple Leafs Mobile Bears Reading Indians Burlington Indians Minot Mallards Lakeland Indians
Selma Cloverleafs
1959 San Diego Padres Mobile Bears Reading Indians Burlington Indians Minot Mallards Batavia Indians
Selma Cloverleafs
North Platte Indians
1958 San Diego Padres Mobile Bears Reading Indians Burlington Indians Minot Mallards Cocoa Indians
Batavia Indians
North Platte Indians
1957[13] San Diego Padres (Open) Mobile Bears Reading Indians Keokuk Kernels Fargo-Moorhead Twins Cocoa Indians
Batavia Indians
North Platte Indians
1956 San Diego Padres (Open)
Indianapolis Indians
Mobile Bears Reading Indians Fayetteville Highlanders
Keokuk Kernels
Fargo-Moorhead Twins Daytona Beach Islanders
North Platte Indians
Vidalia Indians
1955 Indianapolis Indians Tulsa Oilers Reading Indians Spartanburg Peaches
Keokuk Kernels
Fargo-Moorhead Twins
Sherbrooke Indians
Vidalia Indians
Lafayette Chiefs
1954 Indianapolis Indians Reading Indians Spartanburg Peaches
Keokuk Kernels
Fargo-Moorhead Twins
Sherbrooke Indians
Jacksonville Beach Sea Birds
Tifton Indians
1953 Indianapolis Indians Reading Indians Spartanburg Peaches
Peoria Chiefs
Fargo-Moorhead Twins
Sherbrooke Indians
Daytona Beach Islanders
Green Bay Blue Jays
1952 Indianapolis Indians Dallas Eagles Reading Indians
Wichita Indians
Spartanburg Peaches
Cedar Rapids Indians
Bakersfield Indians
Fort Smith Indians
Daytona Beach Islanders
Green Bay Blue Jays
1951 San Diego Padres Dallas Eagles Wilkes-Barre Indians
Wichita Indians
Spartanburg Peaches
Harrisburg Senators
Cedar Rapids Indians
Bakersfield Indians
Fort Smith Indians
Daytona Beach Islanders
Batavia Clippers
Green Bay Blue Jays
1950 San Diego Padres Oklahoma City Indians Wilkes-Barre Indians Spartanburg Peaches
Harrisburg Senators
Cedar Rapids Indians
Bakersfield Indians Daytona Beach Islanders
Batavia Clippers
Green Bay Blue Jays
1949 San Diego Padres Oklahoma City Indians Wilkes-Barre Indians Spartanburg Peaches
Harrisburg Senators
Bakersfield Indians Batavia Clippers
Green Bay Blue Jays
1948[14] Baltimore Orioles Oklahoma City Indians Wilkes-Barre Indians Spartanburg Peaches
Harrisburg Senators
Bakersfield Indians Batavia Clippers
Green Bay Blue Jays
1947 Baltimore Orioles Oklahoma City Indians Wilkes-Barre Barons Spartanburg Peaches
Harrisburg Senators
Bakersfield Indians Batavia Clippers
Green Bay Blue Jays
1946 Baltimore Orioles Oklahoma City Indians Wilkes-Barre Barons Harrisburg Senators Bakersfield Indians Batavia Clippers
1945 Baltimore Orioles Wilkes-Barre Barons Batavia Clippers
1944 Baltimore Orioles Wilkes-Barre Barons Batavia Clippers
1943 Baltimore Orioles Wilkes-Barre Barons Batavia Clippers
1942 Baltimore Orioles Wilkes-Barre Barons Cedar Rapids Raiders Batavia Clippers
1941 Wilkes-Barre Barons
Oklahoma City Indians
Cedar Rapids Raiders
1940 Wilkes-Barre Barons Cedar Rapids Raiders Fargo-Moorhead Twins
1939 Buffalo Bisons Wilkes-Barre Barons
New Orleans Pelicans
Cedar Rapids Raiders Fargo-Moorhead Twins
1938 Milwaukee Brewers New Orleans Pelicans Fargo-Moorhead Twins
1937 Milwaukee Brewers New Orleans Pelicans Fargo-Moorhead Twins
1936 Minneapolis Millers New Orleans Pelicans Fargo-Moorhead Twins
1935 Minneapolis Millers New Orleans Pelicans Fargo-Moorhead Twins
1934 New Orleans Pelicans Fargo-Moorhead Twins
1933 New Orleans Pelicans
1932
1930 Frederick Warriors
1929 Frederick Warriors

References

  1. "Indians Affiliates". Cleveland Indians. Major League Baseball. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
  2. "Cleveland Indians Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
  3. "Indians extend 4 invites to join Minors family". Indians.com. December 9, 2020.
  4. "Indians extend 4 invites to join Minors family". Indians.com. December 9, 2020.
  5. "Indians extend 4 invites to join Minors family". Indians.com. December 9, 2020.
  6. "Indians extend 4 invites to join Minors family". Indians.com. December 9, 2020.
  7. 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.
  8. "Indians, Scrappers Extend Player Development Contract". Ballpark Digest. March 22, 2018. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
  9. Official Baseball Dope Book. St. Louis, Missouri: The Sporting News, 1979.
  10. Official Baseball Dope Book. St. Louis, Missouri: The Sporting News, 1974.
  11. Official Baseball Dope Book. St. Louis, Missouri: The Sporting News, 1965.
  12. Official Baseball Record Book. St. Louis, Missouri: The Sporting News, 1963.
  13. Official Baseball Guide. St. Louis, Missouri: The Sporting News, 1957.
  14. Official Baseball Guide. St. Louis, Missouri: The Sporting News, 1948.
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