List of Detroit Tigers minor league affiliates
The Detroit Tigers farm system consists of six Minor League Baseball affiliates across the United States and in the Dominican Republic.[1] Four teams are independently owned, while five—the Lakeland Flying Tigers, two Gulf Coast League Tigers squads, and two Dominican Summer League Tigers squads—are owned by the major league club.
Current Detroit Tigers domestic minor league affiliate locations
The Tigers have been affiliated with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens of the International League since 1987, making it the longest-running active affiliation in the organization among teams not owned by the Tigers.[2] It is also the longest affiliation in the team's history. Their newest affiliate is the Erie SeaWolves of the Eastern League which became the Tigers' Double-A club in 2001.[2]
Geographically, Detroit's closest domestic affiliate is the Toledo Mud Hens of the Triple-A International League which is approximately 54 miles (87 km) away. Detroit's furthest domestic affiliates are the Lakeland Flying Tigers of the Low Single-A Florida State League and the Gulf Coast League Tigers East and West teams of the Rookie League Gulf Coast League which share a facility some 988 miles (1,590 km) away.
2021–present
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.[3]
| Year | Triple-A | Double-A | High Single-A | Low Single-A | Rookie League | Foreign Rookie |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Toledo Mud Hens[4] | Erie SeaWolves[4] | West Michigan Whitecaps[4] | Lakeland Flying Tigers[4] | GCL Tigers | DSL Tigers |
1990–present
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.[5]
| Year | Triple-A | Double-A | Class A-Advanced | Class A | Class A Short Season | Rookie League | Foreign Rookie |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Toledo Mud Hens[6] | Erie SeaWolves[7] | Lakeland Flying Tigers[8] | West Michigan Whitecaps[9] | Norwich Sea Unicorns[10] | GCL Tigers East GCL Tigers West |
DSL Tigers 1 DSL Tigers 2 |
| 2019 | Toledo Mud Hens | Erie SeaWolves | Lakeland Flying Tigers | West Michigan Whitecaps | Connecticut Tigers | GCL Tigers East GCL Tigers West |
DSL Tigers 1 DSL Tigers 2 |
| 2018 | Toledo Mud Hens | Erie SeaWolves | Lakeland Flying Tigers | West Michigan Whitecaps | Connecticut Tigers | GCL Tigers East GCL Tigers West |
DSL Tigers 1 DSL Tigers 2 |
| 2017 | Toledo Mud Hens | Erie SeaWolves | Lakeland Flying Tigers | West Michigan Whitecaps | Connecticut Tigers | GCL Tigers East GCL Tigers West |
DSL Tigers |
| 2016 | Toledo Mud Hens | Erie SeaWolves | Lakeland Flying Tigers | West Michigan Whitecaps | Connecticut Tigers | GCL Tigers East GCL Tigers West |
DSL Tigers |
| 2015 | Toledo Mud Hens | Erie SeaWolves | Lakeland Flying Tigers | West Michigan Whitecaps | Connecticut Tigers | GCL Tigers | DSL Tigers, VSL Tigers |
| 2014 | Toledo Mud Hens | Erie SeaWolves | Lakeland Flying Tigers | West Michigan Whitecaps | Connecticut Tigers | GCL Tigers | DSL Tigers, VSL Tigers |
| 2013 | Toledo Mud Hens | Erie SeaWolves | Lakeland Flying Tigers | West Michigan Whitecaps | Connecticut Tigers | GCL Tigers | DSL Tigers, VSL Tigers |
| 2012 | Toledo Mud Hens | Erie SeaWolves | Lakeland Flying Tigers | West Michigan Whitecaps | Connecticut Tigers | GCL Tigers | DSL Tigers, VSL Tigers |
| 2011 | Toledo Mud Hens | Erie SeaWolves | Lakeland Flying Tigers | West Michigan Whitecaps | Connecticut Tigers | GCL Tigers | DSL Tigers, VSL Tigers |
| 2010 | Toledo Mud Hens | Erie SeaWolves | Lakeland Flying Tigers | West Michigan Whitecaps | Connecticut Tigers | GCL Tigers | DSL Tigers, VSL Tigers |
| 2009 | Toledo Mud Hens | Erie SeaWolves | Lakeland Flying Tigers | West Michigan Whitecaps | Oneonta Tigers | GCL Tigers | DSL Tigers, VSL Tigers |
| 2008 | Toledo Mud Hens | Erie SeaWolves | Lakeland Flying Tigers | West Michigan Whitecaps | Oneonta Tigers | GCL Tigers | DSL Tigers, VSL Tigers |
| 2007 | Toledo Mud Hens | Erie SeaWolves | Lakeland Flying Tigers | West Michigan Whitecaps | Oneonta Tigers | GCL Tigers | DSL Tigers, VSL Tigers |
| 2006 | Toledo Mud Hens | Erie SeaWolves | Lakeland Tigers | West Michigan Whitecaps | Oneonta Tigers | GCL Tigers | DSL Tigers |
| 2005 | Toledo Mud Hens | Erie SeaWolves | Lakeland Tigers | West Michigan Whitecaps | Oneonta Tigers | GCL Tigers | DSL Tigers |
| 2004 | Toledo Mud Hens | Erie SeaWolves | Lakeland Tigers | West Michigan Whitecaps | Oneonta Tigers | GCL Tigers | DSL Tigers |
| 2003 | Toledo Mud Hens | Erie SeaWolves | Lakeland Tigers | West Michigan Whitecaps | Oneonta Tigers | GCL Tigers | DSL Tigers |
| 2002 | Toledo Mud Hens | Erie SeaWolves | Lakeland Tigers | West Michigan Whitecaps | Oneonta Tigers | GCL Tigers | DSL Tigers |
| 2001 | Toledo Mud Hens | Erie SeaWolves | Lakeland Tigers | West Michigan Whitecaps | Oneonta Tigers | GCL Tigers | DSL Tigers |
| 2000 | Toledo Mud Hens | Jacksonville Suns | Lakeland Tigers | West Michigan Whitecaps | Oneonta Tigers | GCL Tigers | DSL Tigers |
| 1999 | Toledo Mud Hens | Jacksonville Suns | Lakeland Tigers | West Michigan Whitecaps | Oneonta Tigers | GCL Tigers | DSL Tigers |
| 1998 | Toledo Mud Hens | Jacksonville Suns | Lakeland Tigers | West Michigan Whitecaps | Jamestown Jammers | GCL Tigers | DSL Tigers |
| 1997 | Toledo Mud Hens | Jacksonville Suns | Lakeland Tigers | West Michigan Whitecaps | Jamestown Jammers | GCL Tigers | DSL Tigers |
| 1996 | Toledo Mud Hens | Jacksonville Suns | Lakeland Tigers, Visalia Oaks | Fayetteville Generals | Jamestown Jammers | GCL Tigers | DSL Tigers |
| 1995 | Toledo Mud Hens | Jacksonville Suns | Lakeland Tigers | Fayetteville Generals | Jamestown Jammers | GCL Tigers | DSL Tigers |
| 1994 | Toledo Mud Hens | Trenton Thunder | Lakeland Tigers | Fayetteville Generals | Jamestown Jammers | Bristol Tigers | DSL Tigers |
| 1993 | Toledo Mud Hens | London Tigers | Lakeland Tigers | Fayetteville Generals | Niagara Falls Rapids | Bristol Tigers | — |
| 1992 | Toledo Mud Hens | London Tigers | Lakeland Tigers | Fayetteville Generals | Niagara Falls Rapids | Bristol Tigers | — |
| 1991 | Toledo Mud Hens | London Tigers | Lakeland Tigers | Fayetteville Generals | Niagara Falls Rapids | Bristol Tigers | — |
| 1990 | Toledo Mud Hens | London Tigers | Lakeland Tigers | Fayetteville Generals | Niagara Falls Rapids | Bristol Tigers | — |
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.[5]
| Year | Triple-A | Double-A | Class A | Class A Short Season | Rookie League |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Toledo Mud Hens | London Tigers | Lakeland Tigers, Fayetteville Generals | Niagara Falls Rapids | Bristol Tigers |
| 1988 | Toledo Mud Hens | Glens Falls Tigers | Lakeland Tigers, Fayetteville Generals | — | Bristol Tigers |
| 1987 | Toledo Mud Hens | Glens Falls Tigers | Lakeland Tigers, Fayetteville Generals | — | Bristol Tigers |
| 1986 | Nashville Sounds | Glens Falls Tigers | Lakeland Tigers, Gastonia Tigers | — | Bristol Tigers |
| 1985 | Nashville Sounds | Birmingham Barons | Lakeland Tigers | — | Bristol Tigers |
| 1984 | Evansville Triplets | Birmingham Barons | Lakeland Tigers | — | Bristol Tigers |
| 1983 | Evansville Triplets | Birmingham Barons | Lakeland Tigers | — | Bristol Tigers |
| 1982 | Evansville Triplets | Birmingham Barons | Lakeland Tigers, Macon Peaches | — | Bristol Tigers |
| 1981 | Evansville Triplets | Birmingham Barons | Lakeland Tigers, Macon Peaches | — | Bristol Tigers |
| 1980 | Evansville Triplets | Montgomery Rebels | Lakeland Tigers | — | Bristol Tigers |
| 1979[11] | Evansville Triplets | Montgomery Rebels | Lakeland Tigers | — | Bristol Tigers |
| 1978 | Evansville Triplets | Montgomery Rebels | Lakeland Tigers | — | Bristol Tigers |
| 1977 | Evansville Triplets | Montgomery Rebels | Lakeland Tigers | — | Bristol Tigers |
| 1976 | Evansville Triplets | Montgomery Rebels | Lakeland Tigers | — | Bristol Tigers |
| 1975 | Evansville Triplets | Montgomery Rebels | Lakeland Tigers, Clinton Pilots | — | Bristol Tigers |
| 1974[12] | Evansville Triplets | Montgomery Rebels | Lakeland Tigers, Clinton Pilots | — | Bristol Tigers |
| 1973 | Toledo Mud Hens | Montgomery Rebels | Lakeland Tigers, Clinton Pilots, Anderson Tigers | — | Bristol Tigers |
| 1972 | Toledo Mud Hens | Montgomery Rebels | Lakeland Tigers, Rocky Mount Leafs, Clinton Pilots | — | Bristol Tigers |
| 1971 | Toledo Mud Hens | Montgomery Rebels | Lakeland Tigers, Rocky Mount Leafs, Clinton Pilots | Batavia Trojans | Bristol Tigers |
| 1970 | Toledo Mud Hens | Montgomery Rebels | Lakeland Tigers, Rocky Mount Leafs | Batavia Trojans | Bristol Tigers |
| 1969 | Toledo Mud Hens | Montgomery Rebels | Lakeland Tigers, Rocky Mount Leafs | Batavia Trojans | Bristol Tigers |
| 1968 | Toledo Mud Hens | Montgomery Rebels | Lakeland Tigers, Rocky Mount Leafs | Batavia Trojans | GCL Tigers |
| 1967 | Toledo Mud Hens | Montgomery Rebels | Lakeland Tigers, Rocky Mount Leafs, Statesville Tigers | Erie Tigers | — |
| 1966 | Syracuse Chiefs | Montgomery Rebels | Daytona Beach Islanders, Rocky Mount Leafs, Statesville Tigers | — | — |
| 1965[13] | Syracuse Chiefs | Montgomery Rebels | Daytona Beach Islanders, Rocky Mount Leafs, Jamestown Tigers | — | — |
| 1964 | Syracuse Chiefs | Knoxville Smokies | Lakeland Tigers, Jamestown Tigers, Duluth–Superior Dukes | — | — |
| 1963[14] | Syracuse Chiefs | Knoxville Smokies | Lakeland Tigers, Jamestown Tigers, Duluth–Superior Dukes, Thomasville Tigers | — | — |
1919–1962
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.[5]
| Year | Triple-A | Double-A | Class A | Class B | Class C | Class D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Denver Bears | — | Knoxville Smokies | — | Duluth–Superior Dukes | Jamestown Tigers Montgomery Rebels Thomasville Tigers |
| 1961 | Denver Bears | Birmingham Barons | Knoxville Smokies | Durham Bulls | Duluth–Superior Dukes | Decatur Commodores Jamestown Tigers Montgomery Rebels |
| 1960 | Denver Bears | Birmingham Barons Victoria Rosebuds |
Knoxville Smokies | Durham Bulls | Duluth–Superior Dukes | Decatur Commodores Montgomery Rebels |
| 1959 | Charleston Senators | Birmingham Barons | Knoxville Smokies | Durham Bulls | — | Decatur Commodores Erie Sailors Montgomery Rebels |
| 1958 | Charleston Senators | Birmingham Barons | Lancaster Red Roses Augusta Tigers |
Durham Bulls | Idaho Falls Russets | Decatur Commodores Erie Sailors Montgomery Rebels Valdosta Tigers |
| 1957[15] | Charleston Senators | Birmingham Barons | Augusta Tigers | Durham Bulls | Idaho Falls Russets | Orlando Flyers Erie Sailors Montgomery Rebels Valdosta Tigers |
| 1956 | Charleston Senators | — | Syracuse Chiefs Augusta Tigers |
Durham Bulls Terre Haute Tigers |
Idaho Falls Russets | Palatka Tigers Jamestown Falcons Valdosta Tigers Panama City Fliers Hazlehurst-Baxley Tigers |
| 1955 | Buffalo Bisons | Little Rock Travelers | Augusta Tigers | Durham Bulls Terre Haute Tigers |
Idaho Falls Russets Greenville Bucks |
Jamestown Falcons Valdosta Tigers Panama City Fliers |
| 1954 | Buffalo Bisons | Little Rock Travelers | Wilkes-Barre Barons | Durham Bulls | Idaho Falls Russets Greenville Bucks |
Jamestown Falcons Valdosta Tigers |
| 1953 | Buffalo Bisons | Little Rock Travelers | Montgomery Grays | Durham Bulls | Bakersfield Indians Jackson Senators |
Jamestown Falcons Wausau Timberjacks |
| 1952 | Buffalo Bisons | Little Rock Travelers | Williamsport Tigers | Durham Bulls Davenport Tigers |
— | Jamestown Falcons Wausau Timberjacks Kinston Eagles |
| 1951 | Toledo Mud Hens | Little Rock Travelers | Williamsport Tigers | Durham Bulls Davenport Tigers |
— | Jamestown Falcons Wausau Timberjacks Richmond Tigers |
| 1950 | Toledo Mud Hens | Little Rock Travelers | Williamsport Grays Flint Arrows |
Durham Bulls | Butler Tigers | Jamestown Falcons Thomasville Tigers Richmond Tigers |
| 1949 | Toledo Mud Hens Buffalo Bisons |
Little Rock Travelers | Williamsport Tigers Flint Arrows |
Durham Bulls Lynn Tigers |
Rome Colonels Butler Tigers |
Jamestown Falcons Thomasville Tigers Troy Tigers |
| 1948[16] | Buffalo Bisons Seattle Rainiers |
Little Rock Travelers | Williamsport Tigers Flint Arrows |
Hagerstown Owls | Durham Bulls Rome Colonels |
Jamestown Falcons Thomasville Tigers Troy Tigers Clinton Blues |
| 1947 | Buffalo Bisons | Dallas Rebels | Williamsport Tigers | Montgomery Rebels Hagerstown Owls |
Rome Colonels Lubbock Hubbers |
Jamestown Falcons Thomasville Tigers Troy Trojans Nazareth Barons |
| 1946 | Buffalo Bisons | Dallas Rebels | Williamsport Grays | — | Rome Colonels Lubbock Hubbers Muskogee Reds |
Jamestown Falcons |
| 1945 | — | Buffalo Bisons | — | — | — | Jamestown Falcons |
| 1944 | — | Buffalo Bisons | — | Hagerstown Owls | — | Jamestown Falcons |
| 1943 | — | Buffalo Bisons | — | Hagerstown Owls | — | — |
| 1942 | — | Buffalo Bisons | Beaumont Exporters Elmira Pioneers |
Hagerstown Owls Winston-Salem Twins Augusta Tigers |
Pittsfield Electrics | Jamestown Falcons Fulton Tigers |
| 1941 | — | Buffalo Bisons San Francisco Seals |
Beaumont Exporters Elmira Pioneers |
Hagerstown Owls Winston-Salem Twins Augusta Tigers |
Muskegon Reds Utica Braves Texarkana Twins |
Jamestown Falcons Fulton Tigers Tallassee Indians |
| 1940 | — | Buffalo Bisons | Beaumont Exporters | — | Henderson Oilers Hot Springs Bathers Muskegon Reds |
Fulton Tigers |
| 1939 | — | Toledo Mud Hens | Beaumont Exporters | — | Henderson Oilers Hot Springs Bathers |
Tiffin Mud Hens Fulton Tigers Sioux City Cowboys Newport Tigers |
| 1938 | — | Toledo Mud Hens | Beaumont Exporters | — | Charleston Senators Hot Springs Bathers |
Tiffin Mud Hens Hobbs Boosters |
| 1937 | — | Toledo Mud Hens | Beaumont Exporters Sioux City Cowboys |
Winston-Salem Twins | Charleston Senators Henderson Oilers |
Tiffin Mud Hens Beckley Bengals Lake Charles Skippers |
| 1936 | — | Milwaukee Brewers | Beaumont Exporters | Augusta Tigers | Charleston Senators Jackson Senators |
Palatka Azaleas Tiffin Mud Hens Charleroi Tigers Alexandria Aces |
| 1935 | — | Portland Beavers | Beaumont Exporters | Springfield Senators | Charleston Senators Henderson Oilers |
Charleroi Tigers |
| 1934 | — | — | Beaumont Exporters | — | Charleston Senators Shreveport Sports/Greenwood Chiefs |
Charleroi Tigers |
| 1933 | — | Toronto Maple Leafs | Beaumont Exporters Hutchinson Wheatshockers/Bartlesville Broncos |
Quincy Shipbuilders/Nashua Millionaires/Brockton Shoemakers | Huntington Boosters Shreveport Sports |
— |
| 1932 | — | Toronto Maple Leafs | Beaumont Exporters | Decatur Commodores | Huntington Boosters | Moline Plowboys |
| 1931 | — | — | Beaumont Exporters | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | Beaumont Exporters | — | — | — |
| 1929 | — | — | Fort Worth Panthers | — | — | — |
| 1928 | — | — | Fort Worth Panthers | — | — | — |
| 1927 | — | — | Fort Worth Panthers | — | — | — |
| 1926 | — | — | Fort Worth Panthers | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | Fort Worth Panthers | — | — | — |
| 1924 | — | — | Fort Worth Panthers | — | — | — |
| 1923 | — | — | Fort Worth Panthers | — | — | — |
| 1922 | — | — | Fort Worth Panthers | — | — | — |
| 1921 | — | — | Fort Worth Panthers | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | Fort Worth Panthers | — | — |
| 1919 | — | — | — | Fort Worth Panthers | — | — |
References
- "Tigers Affiliates". Detroit Tigers. Major League Baseball. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
- "Detroit Tigers Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
- Reichard, Kevin. "Affiliate Dance 2020". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
- Beck, Jason (December 9, 2020). "Tigers invite 4 clubs affiliates to Minors fold". MLB. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
- 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.
- Reichard, Kevin (February 17, 2018). "Toledo, Detroit Extend Player Development Contract". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
- "Erie, Detroit Extend Player Development Contract". Ballpark Digest. August 17, 2018. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
- Reichard, Kevin. "Affiliate Dance". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- "Whitecaps, Tigers Extend PDC Through 2022". Ballpark Digest. August 1, 2018. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
- "Connecticut Tigers, Detroit Tigers Extend Affiliation". Ballpark Digest. January 18, 2018. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
- Official Baseball Dope Book. St. Louis, Missouri: The Sporting News, 1979.
- Official Baseball Dope Book. St. Louis, Missouri: The Sporting News, 1974.
- Official Baseball Dope Book. St. Louis, Missouri: The Sporting News, 1965.
- Official Baseball Record Book. St. Louis, Missouri: The Sporting News, 1963.
- Official Baseball Guide. St. Louis, Missouri: The Sporting News, 1957.
- Official Baseball Guide. St. Louis, Missouri: The Sporting News, 1948.
External links
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