List of Baltimore Orioles minor league affiliates

The Baltimore Orioles' farm system currently consists of eight minor league affiliates. The top five, each of which have Player Development Contracts with the Orioles, are located within a 200-mile (321.87-kilometer) radius from Baltimore, with four of them situated in Maryland. The bottom three are owned and operated by the parent club, two of which are based in the Dominican Republic. Current Orioles players who have developed their trade in the team's farm system include Manny Machado, Jonathan Schoop, Matt Wieters, Kevin Gausman and Zach Britton.

Baltimore Orioles

1990–present

The current structure of minor league baseball has been in effect since the 1990 season when the Class A level was subdivided for a second time with the creation of Advanced A. The Rookie level consists of domestic and foreign circuits, the latter based in the Dominican Republic and Venezuela.[1]

Year AAA AA Advanced A A Short Season A Rookie Foreign Rookie
2018 Norfolk Tides[2] Bowie Baysox[2] Frederick Keys[2] Delmarva Shorebirds[3]
2017 Norfolk Tides Bowie Baysox Frederick Keys Delmarva Shorebirds
2016 Norfolk Tides Bowie Baysox Frederick Keys Delmarva Shorebirds Aberdeen IronBirds[2] GCL Orioles DSL Orioles 1
DSL Orioles 2
2015 Norfolk Tides Bowie Baysox Frederick Keys Delmarva Shorebirds Aberdeen IronBirds GCL Orioles DSL Orioles 1
DSL Orioles 2
2014 Norfolk Tides Bowie Baysox Frederick Keys Delmarva Shorebirds Aberdeen IronBirds GCL Orioles DSL Orioles 1
DSL Orioles 2
2013 Norfolk Tides Bowie Baysox Frederick Keys Delmarva Shorebirds Aberdeen IronBirds GCL Orioles DSL Orioles
2012 Norfolk Tides Bowie Baysox Frederick Keys Delmarva Shorebirds Aberdeen IronBirds GCL Orioles DSL Orioles
2011 Norfolk Tides Bowie Baysox Frederick Keys Delmarva Shorebirds Aberdeen IronBirds GCL Orioles DSL Orioles
2010 Norfolk Tides Bowie Baysox Frederick Keys Delmarva Shorebirds Aberdeen IronBirds * Bluefield Orioles[4]
GCL Orioles		 DSL Orioles 1
DSL Orioles 2
2009 Norfolk Tides Bowie Baysox Frederick Keys Delmarva Shorebirds Aberdeen IronBirds * Bluefield Orioles
GCL Orioles		 DSL Orioles
2008 Norfolk Tides Bowie Baysox Frederick Keys Delmarva Shorebirds Aberdeen IronBirds * Bluefield Orioles
GCL Orioles 		DSL Orioles
2007 Norfolk Tides[5] Bowie Baysox Frederick Keys Delmarva Shorebirds Aberdeen IronBirds * Bluefield Orioles
GCL Orioles[6]		 DSL Orioles
2006 Ottawa Lynx[5] Bowie Baysox Frederick Keys Delmarva Shorebirds Aberdeen IronBirds * Bluefield Orioles DSL Orioles
VSL Orioles[6]
2005 Ottawa Lynx Bowie Baysox Frederick Keys Delmarva Shorebirds Aberdeen IronBirds * Bluefield Orioles DSL Orioles
VSL Orioles
2004 Ottawa Lynx Bowie Baysox Frederick Keys Delmarva Shorebirds Aberdeen IronBirds * Bluefield Orioles DSL Orioles
Venoco 2
2003 Ottawa Lynx[7] Bowie Baysox Frederick Keys Delmarva Shorebirds Aberdeen IronBirds * Bluefield Orioles
GCL Orioles		 DSL Orioles
Yaritagua
2002 Rochester Red Wings[7] Bowie Baysox Frederick Keys Delmarva Shorebirds Aberdeen IronBirds[8] * Bluefield Orioles
GCL Orioles		 DSL Orioles
Cabudare
2001 Rochester Red Wings Bowie Baysox Frederick Keys Delmarva Shorebirds * Bluefield Orioles
GCL Orioles		 DSL Orioles
2000 Rochester Red Wings Bowie Baysox Frederick Keys Delmarva Shorebirds * Bluefield Orioles
GCL Orioles 		DSL Orioles
1999 Rochester Red Wings Bowie Baysox Frederick Keys Delmarva Shorebirds * Bluefield Orioles
GCL Orioles 		DSL Orioles
1998 Rochester Red Wings Bowie Baysox Frederick Keys Delmarva Shorebirds * Bluefield Orioles
GCL Orioles 		DSL Orioles
1997 Rochester Red Wings Bowie Baysox Frederick Keys Delmarva Shorebirds[9] * Bluefield Orioles
GCL Orioles 		DSL Orioles
1996 Rochester Red Wings Bowie Baysox Frederick Keys
High Desert Mavericks[10]		 * Bluefield Orioles
GCL Orioles 		DSL Orioles
1995 Rochester Red Wings Bowie Baysox Frederick Keys
High Desert Mavericks[10]		 * Bluefield Orioles
GCL Orioles
1994 Rochester Red Wings Bowie Baysox Frederick Keys Albany Polecats[11] * Bluefield Orioles
GCL Orioles
1993 Rochester Red Wings Bowie Baysox[12] Frederick Keys Albany Polecats[13] * Bluefield Orioles
GCL Orioles
1992 Rochester Red Wings Hagerstown Suns[14] Frederick Keys Kane County Cougars[13] * Bluefield Orioles
GCL Orioles
1991 Rochester Red Wings Hagerstown Suns Frederick Keys Kane County Cougars[15] * Bluefield Orioles
GCL Orioles
1990 Rochester Red Wings Hagerstown Suns Frederick Keys Wausau Timbers[15] * Bluefield Orioles

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 (AAA, AA, 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 Short Season A in 1966.[1]

(+: 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 AAA AA A Short Season A Rookie
1989 Rochester Red Wings Hagerstown Suns[16] Frederick Keys[12] Erie Orioles * Bluefield Orioles
1988 Rochester Red Wings Charlotte Knights[17] Hagerstown Suns Erie Orioles * Bluefield Orioles
1987 Rochester Red Wings Charlotte Orioles Hagerstown Suns Newark Orioles * Bluefield Orioles
1986 Rochester Red Wings Charlotte Orioles Hagerstown Suns Newark Orioles * Bluefield Orioles
1985 Rochester Red Wings Charlotte Orioles Hagerstown Suns, + Daytona Beach Islanders[18][19] Newark Orioles * Bluefield Orioles
1984 Rochester Red Wings Charlotte Orioles Hagerstown Suns Newark Orioles * Bluefield Orioles
1983 Rochester Red Wings Charlotte Orioles Hagerstown Suns, San Jose Bees Newark Orioles * Bluefield Orioles
1982 Rochester Red Wings Charlotte Orioles Hagerstown Suns[14] * Bluefield Orioles
1981 Rochester Red Wings Charlotte Orioles Miami Orioles * Bluefield Orioles
1980 Rochester Red Wings Charlotte Orioles Miami Orioles * Bluefield Orioles
1979[20] Rochester Red Wings Charlotte Orioles Miami Orioles * Bluefield Orioles
1978 Rochester Red Wings Charlotte Orioles Miami Orioles * Bluefield Orioles
1977 Rochester Red Wings Charlotte Orioles Miami Orioles * Bluefield Orioles
1976 Rochester Red Wings Charlotte Orioles[17] Miami Orioles * Bluefield Orioles
+ Pulaski Phillies
1975 Rochester Red Wings Asheville Orioles[21] * Miami Orioles, Lodi Orioles[22] * Bluefield Orioles
1974[23] Rochester Red Wings Asheville Orioles * Miami Orioles, Lodi Orioles[24] * Bluefield Orioles
1973 Rochester Red Wings Asheville Orioles * Miami Orioles, Lodi Lions[24] * Bluefield Orioles
1972 Rochester Red Wings Asheville Orioles[21] * Miami Orioles, Lodi Orions[22] Lewiston Broncs * Bluefield Orioles
1971 Rochester Red Wings Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs[25] * Miami Orioles, Stockton Ports[26] Aberdeen Pheasants[27] * Bluefield Orioles
1970 Rochester Red Wings Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs Miami Marlins, Stockton Ports Aberdeen Pheasants * Bluefield Orioles
1969 Rochester Red Wings Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs[25] Miami Marlins, Stockton Ports Aberdeen Pheasants * Bluefield Orioles
1968 Rochester Red Wings Elmira Pioneers Miami Marlins, Stockton Ports Aberdeen Pheasants * Bluefield Orioles
1967 Rochester Red Wings Elmira Pioneers Miami Marlins, Stockton Ports Aberdeen Pheasants * Bluefield Orioles
1966 Rochester Red Wings Elmira Pioneers Miami Marlins, Stockton Ports Aberdeen Pheasants * Bluefield Orioles
1965[28] Rochester Red Wings Elmira Pioneers Stockton Ports, Fox Cities Foxes,[29] Aberdeen Pheasants,
Tri-City Atoms[30]		 * Bluefield Orioles
1964 Rochester Red Wings Elmira Pioneers Stockton Ports, Fox Cities Foxes, Aberdeen Pheasants * Bluefield Orioles
1963[31] Rochester Red Wings Elmira Pioneers Stockton Ports, Fox Cities Foxes, Aberdeen Pheasants * Bluefield Orioles

1954–1962

The minors operated with six classes (AAA, AA, A, B, C, D) from 1946 to 1962. The Pacific Coast League (PCL) was reclassified from AAA 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 A to AA, 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. The Alabama–Florida League folded following the 1962 campaign.[1]

Year AAA AA A B C D
1962 Rochester Red Wings Elmira Pioneers Stockton Ports
Aberdeen Pheasants		 * Bluefield Orioles
Fox Cities Foxes
1961 Rochester Red Wings[7] Little Rock Travelers
Victoria/Ardmore Rosebuds		 Fox Cities Foxes
Tri-Cities Braves[30]		 Stockton Ports
Aberdeen Pheasants		 * Bluefield Orioles
Leesburg Orioles
1960 Vancouver Mounties[30]
Miami Marlins		 Fox Cities Foxes[29] Stockton Ports
Aberdeen Pheasants		 * Bluefield Orioles
Leesburg Orioles
1959 Vancouver Mounties
Miami Marlins		 Amarillo Gold Sox Stockton Ports[26]
Aberdeen Pheasants		 * Bluefield Orioles
Pensacola Dons
1958 Vancouver Mounties
Louisville Colonels		 Knoxville Smokies Wilson Tobs Aberdeen Pheasants * Bluefield Orioles[4]
Pensacola Dons
Fitzgerald Orioles
1957[32] Vancouver Mounties (Open) * San Antonio Missions[33] Knoxville Smokies Aberdeen Pheasants
Phoenix Stars		 Paris Orioles
Thomson Orioles
Fitzgerald Orioles
1956 Vancouver Mounties (Open)[30] * San Antonio Missions Columbus Foxes York White Roses
Lubbock Hubbers/
Texas City Texans		 Aberdeen Pheasants
Thetford Mines Miners
Phoenix Stars		 Paris Orioles
Thomson Orioles
1955 * San Antonio Missions Wichita Indians York White Roses
Fayetteville Highlanders		 Aberdeen Pheasants
Thetford Mines Miners		 Paris Orioles
Cordele Orioles
1954 * San Antonio Missions[33] Wichita Indians
Lewiston Broncs		 York White Roses
Anderson Rebels		 Aberdeen Pheasants[34]
Thetford Mines Miners
Pine Bluff Judges		 Americus-Cordele Orioles
Wytheville Statesmen
Marion Marauders
Ada Herefords/Cementers

St. Louis Browns

Year AAA AA A B C 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 San Antonio Missions Scranton Miners York White Roses
Anderson Rebels		 Aberdeen Pheasants
Stockton Ports
Pine Bluff Judges
Pocatello Bannocks		 Ada Herefords
Independence Browns
Wellsville Rockets
1951 Toronto Maple Leafs San Antonio Missions Anderson Rebels Aberdeen Pheasants
Pine Bluff Judges		 Ada Herefords
Pittsburg Browns
Redding Browns
Appleton Papermakers
1950 Baltimore Orioles San Antonio Missions Wichita Indians Wichita Falls Spudders Aberdeen Pheasants
Pine Bluff Judges
Marshall Browns		 Ada Herefords
Pittsburg Browns
Redding Browns
Appleton Papermakers
1949 Baltimore Orioles San Antonio Missions 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[35] Toledo Mud Hens San Antonio Missions Elmira Pioneers 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 Toledo Mud Hens San Antonio Missions Elmira Pioneers 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 Toledo Mud Hens San Antonio Missions Elmira Pioneers Springfield Browns
Spartanburg Peaches		 Aberdeen Pheasants
Gloversville-Johnstown Glovers
Paris Red Peppers		 Mayfield Clothiers
Pittsburg Browns
Newark Moundsmen
1945 Toledo Mud Hens Elmira Pioneers Newark Moundsmen
1944 Toledo Mud Hens Memphis Chickasaws Newark Moundsmen
1943 Toledo Mud Hens
1942 Toledo Mud Hens San Antonio Missions Springfield Browns Gloversville-Johnstown Glovers
Huntington Jewels		 Dothan Browns
1941 Toledo Mud Hens San Antonio Missions Springfield Browns
Meridian Eagles		 Youngstown Browns
St. Joseph Ponies/Carthage Browns		 Mayfield Browns
Lafayette White Sox
Paragould Browns
Pueblo Rollers
1940 Toledo Mud Hens San Antonio Missions Springfield Browns Palestine Pals
Youngstown Browns
Topeka Owls
Tyler Trojans		 Mayfield Browns
Lafayette White Sox
Paragould Browns
Pennington Gap Miners
1939 San Antonio Missions Springfield Browns Youngstown Browns
Topeka Owls		 Mayfield Browns
Lafayette White Sox
Paragould Browns
Pennington Gap Miners
Lincoln Links
Beaver Falls Bees
Fayetteville Angels
1938 San Antonio Missions 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		 Palestine Pals
Johnstown Johnnies		 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 San Antonio Missions Palestine Pals
1934 San Antonio Missions
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 Wichita Falls Spudders
1929 Wichita Falls Spudders
1928 Wichita Falls Spudders

References

  1. 1 2 3 Cronin, John. "Truth in the Minor League Class Structure: The Case for the Reclassification of the Minors", The Baseball Research Journal (Society for American Baseball Research), Spring 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Orioles extend player development contracts with five affiliates", Baltimore Orioles press release, Thursday, September 4, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Orioles, Shorebirds Extend Affiliation," Delmarva Shorebirds, Tuesday, December 8, 2015.
  4. 1 2 Drellich, Evan. "Orioles end affiliation with Bluefield club", MLB.com, Sunday, August 29, 2010.
  5. 1 2 "Tides sign affiliation agreement with Baltimore Orioles", Baltimore Orioles press release, Monday, September 25, 2006.
  6. 1 2 "Orioles will drop Venezuelan team for 2007", Baltimore Orioles press release, Wednesday, February 14, 2007.
  7. 1 2 3 "Orioles sign affiliation with Ottawa", Baltimore Orioles press release, Tuesday, September 24, 2002.
  8. ↑ Goldberg, Stan. "Pumping some iron in Aberdeen", The Frederick News-Post, Thursday, August 5, 2004.
  9. ↑ "Orioles extend working agreements with Bowie, Frederick and Delmarva", Baltimore Orioles press release, Monday, October 2, 2006.
  10. 1 2 Team History – High Desert Mavericks.
  11. ↑ 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.
  12. 1 2 "Orioles extend working agreements with Minor League affiliates in Norfolk, Bowie and Frederick through 2014", Baltimore Orioles press release, Thursday, August 12, 2010.
  13. 1 2 "O's, Polecats agree", The Associated Press, Thursday, October 1, 1992.
  14. 1 2 Parasiliti, Bob. "Hagerstown Suns sign two-year pact to remain affiliated with Nationals," The Herald-Mail (Hagerstown, MD), Wednesday, September 22, 2010.
  15. 1 2 Gauthier, Tom. "Introducing the Kane County Cougars", Bowling Green Hot Rods, Wednesday, October 21, 2009.
  16. ↑ Team History – Hagerstown Suns.
  17. 1 2 Team History – Charlotte Knights.
  18. ↑ Rhodes, Beth. "FSL Expansion Islanders A Mix Of Orioles, Rangers," Orlando (FL) Sentinel, Wednesday, April 10, 1985.
  19. ↑ Rhodes, Beth. "White Sox To Field Class A Team In Daytona Beach," Orlando (FL) Sentinel, Wednesday, December 10, 1986.
  20. ↑ Official Baseball Dope Book. St. Louis, Missouri: The Sporting News, 1979.
  21. 1 2 Jarrett, Keith. "What's in a name?" Asheville (NC) Citizen-Times, Sunday, May 13, 2007.
  22. 1 2 "Lodi is dropped by Baltimore Orioles; Cal League future in doubt," Lodi (CA) News-Sentinel, Saturday, September 27, 1975.
  23. ↑ Official Baseball Dope Book. St. Louis, Missouri: The Sporting News, 1974.
  24. 1 2 "Spring training: Lodi Orioles doing well in fine weather," Lodi (CA) News-Sentinel, Friday, March 29, 1974.
  25. 1 2 Guinn, Jeff & Bragan, Bobby. When Panthers Roared: The Fort Worth Cats and Minor League Baseball. Fort Worth, Texas: TCU Press, 1999.
  26. 1 2 Team History – Stockton Ports.
  27. ↑ Horwath, Bryan. "Business: Could pro baseball return to Aberdeen?" American News (Aberdeen, South Dakota), Thursday, September 25, 2014.
  28. ↑ Official Baseball Dope Book. St. Louis, Missouri: The Sporting News, 1965.
  29. 1 2 Team History – Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.
  30. 1 2 3 4 Northwest League of Professional Baseball 2012 Media Guide.
  31. ↑ Official Baseball Record Book. St. Louis, Missouri: The Sporting News, 1963.
  32. ↑ Official Baseball Guide. St. Louis, Missouri: The Sporting News, 1957.
  33. 1 2 King, David. San Antonio at Bat: Professional Baseball in the Alamo City. College Station, Texas: Texas A&M University Press, 2004.
  34. ↑ Holmes, Devena. "Pheasant Park (AKA Aberdeen Municipal Ballpark)(AKA Johnson Field)", Aberdeen (SD) Area History, Friday, June 1, 2012.
  35. ↑ Official Baseball Guide. St. Louis, Missouri: The Sporting News, 1948.

External links

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