List of Chicago White Sox minor league affiliates
The Chicago White Sox farm system consists of seven Minor League Baseball affiliates across the United States and in the Dominican Republic.[1] Five teams are independently owned, while two—the Arizona League White Sox and Dominican Summer League White Sox—are owned by the major league club.
The White Sox have been affiliated with the Double-A Birmingham Barons of the Southern League since 1986, making it the longest-running active affiliation in the organization among teams not owned by the White Sox.[2] It is also the longest affiliation in the team's history. Their newest affiliate is the Great Falls Voyagers of the Pioneer League which became the White Sox' Rookie Advanced club in 2003.[2]
Geographically, Chicago's closest domestic affiliate is the Winston-Salem Dash of the Class A-Advanced Carolina League which is approximately 560 miles (900 km) away. Chicago's furthest domestic affiliate is the Arizona League White Sox of the Rookie League Arizona League some 1,459 miles (2,348 km) away.
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 Class A-Advanced. The Rookie level consists of domestic and foreign circuits.[3]
Year | Triple-A | Double-A | Class A-Advanced | Class A | Class A Short Season | Rookie League | Foreign Rookie |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2020 | Charlotte Knights[4] | Birmingham Barons[5] | Winston-Salem Dash[6] | Kannapolis Cannon Ballers[7][8] | — | Great Falls Voyagers[7] AZL White Sox |
DSL White Sox |
2019 | Charlotte Knights | Birmingham Barons | Winston-Salem Dash | Kannapolis Intimidators | — | Great Falls Voyagers AZL White Sox |
DSL White Sox |
2018 | Charlotte Knights | Birmingham Barons | Winston-Salem Dash | Kannapolis Intimidators | — | Great Falls Voyagers AZL White Sox |
DSL White Sox |
2017 | Charlotte Knights | Birmingham Barons | Winston-Salem Dash | Kannapolis Intimidators | — | Great Falls Voyagers AZL White Sox |
DSL White Sox |
2016 | Charlotte Knights | Birmingham Barons | Winston-Salem Dash | Kannapolis Intimidators | — | Great Falls Voyagers AZL White Sox |
DSL White Sox |
2015 | Charlotte Knights | Birmingham Barons | Winston-Salem Dash | Kannapolis Intimidators | — | Great Falls Voyagers AZL White Sox |
DSL White Sox |
2014 | Charlotte Knights | Birmingham Barons | Winston-Salem Dash | Kannapolis Intimidators | — | Great Falls Voyagers AZL White Sox |
DSL White Sox |
2013 | Charlotte Knights | Birmingham Barons | Winston-Salem Dash | Kannapolis Intimidators | — | Great Falls Voyagers Bristol White Sox |
DSL White Sox |
2012 | Charlotte Knights | Birmingham Barons | Winston-Salem Dash | Kannapolis Intimidators | — | Great Falls Voyagers Bristol White Sox |
DSL White Sox |
2011 | Charlotte Knights | Birmingham Barons | Winston-Salem Dash | Kannapolis Intimidators | — | Great Falls Voyagers Bristol White Sox |
DSL White Sox |
2010 | Charlotte Knights | Birmingham Barons | Winston-Salem Dash | Kannapolis Intimidators | — | Great Falls Voyagers Bristol White Sox |
DSL White Sox |
2009 | Charlotte Knights | Birmingham Barons | Winston-Salem Dash[9] | Kannapolis Intimidators | — | Great Falls Voyagers Bristol White Sox |
DSL White Sox |
2008 | Charlotte Knights | Birmingham Barons | Winston-Salem Warthogs | Kannapolis Intimidators | — | Great Falls Voyagers Bristol White Sox |
DSL White Sox 1 DSL White Sox 2 |
2007 | Charlotte Knights | Birmingham Barons | Winston-Salem Warthogs | Kannapolis Intimidators | — | Great Falls Voyagers Bristol White Sox |
DSL White Sox 1 DSL White Sox 2 |
2006 | Charlotte Knights | Birmingham Barons | Winston-Salem Warthogs | Kannapolis Intimidators | — | Great Falls Voyagers Bristol White Sox |
DSL White Sox |
2005 | Charlotte Knights | Birmingham Barons | Winston-Salem Warthogs | Kannapolis Intimidators | — | Great Falls Voyagers Bristol White Sox |
DSL White Sox |
2004 | Charlotte Knights | Birmingham Barons | Winston-Salem Warthogs | Kannapolis Intimidators | — | Great Falls Voyagers Bristol White Sox |
DSL White Sox |
2003 | Charlotte Knights | Birmingham Barons | Winston-Salem Warthogs | Kannapolis Intimidators | — | Great Falls Voyagers[10] Bristol White Sox |
DSL White Sox |
2002 | Charlotte Knights | Birmingham Barons | Winston-Salem Warthogs | Kannapolis Intimidators | — | Bristol White Sox AZL White Sox |
DSL White Sox |
2001 | Charlotte Knights | Birmingham Barons | Winston-Salem Warthogs | Kannapolis Intimidators[10] | — | Bristol White Sox AZL White Sox |
DSL White Sox |
2000 | Charlotte Knights | Birmingham Barons | Winston-Salem Warthogs | Burlington Bees[11] | — | Bristol White Sox AZL White Sox |
DSL White Sox |
1999 | Charlotte Knights[10] | Birmingham Barons | Winston-Salem Warthogs | Burlington Bees[11] | — | Bristol White Sox AZL White Sox |
DSL White Sox |
1998 | Calgary Cannons[12] | Birmingham Barons | Winston-Salem Warthogs | Hickory Crawdads[13] | — | Bristol White Sox AZL White Sox |
— |
1997 | Nashville Sounds[14] | Birmingham Barons | Winston-Salem Warthogs[15] | Hickory Crawdads | — | Bristol White Sox GCL White Sox |
— |
1996 | Nashville Sounds | Birmingham Barons | Prince William Cannons | South Bend Silver Hawks[16] Hickory Crawdads |
— | Bristol White Sox GCL White Sox |
— |
1995 | Nashville Sounds | Birmingham Barons | Prince William Cannons | South Bend Silver Hawks Hickory Crawdads |
— | Bristol White Sox GCL White Sox |
— |
1994 | Nashville Sounds | Birmingham Barons | Prince William Cannons[17] | South Bend Silver Hawks[18] Hickory Crawdads |
— | GCL White Sox | — |
1993 | Nashville Sounds[14] | Birmingham Barons | Sarasota White Sox | South Bend White Sox Hickory Crawdads[13] |
— | GCL White Sox | — |
1992 | Vancouver Canadians[19] | Birmingham Barons | Sarasota White Sox | South Bend White Sox | Utica Blue Sox | GCL White Sox | — |
1991 | Vancouver Canadians | Birmingham Barons | Sarasota White Sox | South Bend White Sox | Utica Blue Sox | GCL White Sox | — |
1990 | Vancouver Canadians | Birmingham Barons | Sarasota White Sox | South Bend White Sox | Utica Blue Sox | GCL White Sox | — |
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.[3]
Year | Triple-A | Double-A | Class A | Class A Short Season | Rookie League |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1989 | Vancouver Canadians | Birmingham Barons | Sarasota White Sox,[20] South Bend White Sox | Utica Blue Sox | GCL White Sox |
1988 | Vancouver Canadians[19] | Birmingham Barons | Tampa White Sox, South Bend White Sox[18] | Utica Blue Sox | GCL White Sox |
1987 | Hawaii Islanders[21] | Birmingham Barons | Peninsula White Sox, Daytona Beach Admirals | — | GCL White Sox |
1986 | Buffalo Bisons[22] | Birmingham Barons[23] | Peninsula White Sox, Appleton Foxes[24] | — | GCL White Sox |
1985 | Buffalo Bisons[22] | Glens Falls White Sox[25] | Appleton Foxes | Niagara Falls Sox | GCL White Sox |
1984 | Denver Bears | Glens Falls White Sox | Appleton Foxes | Niagara Falls Sox | GCL White Sox |
1983 | Denver Bears | Glens Falls White Sox | Appleton Foxes | Niagara Falls Sox | GCL White Sox |
1982 | Edmonton Trappers | Glens Falls White Sox | Appleton Foxes | Niagara Falls Sox | GCL White Sox |
1981 | Edmonton Trappers | Glens Falls White Sox | Appleton Foxes | — | GCL White Sox |
1980 | Iowa Oaks[26] | Glens Falls White Sox[25] | Appleton Foxes | — | GCL White Sox |
1979[27] | Iowa Oaks | Knoxville Sox | Appleton Foxes | — | GCL White Sox |
1978 | Iowa Oaks | Knoxville Sox | Appleton Foxes | — | — |
1977 | Iowa Oaks | Knoxville Sox | Appleton Foxes | — | GCL White Sox |
1976 | Iowa Oaks[26] | Knoxville Sox | Appleton Foxes | — | GCL White Sox |
1975 | Denver Bears[28] | Knoxville Sox | Appleton Foxes | — | GCL White Sox |
1974[29] | Iowa Oaks[26] | Knoxville Sox | Appleton Foxes | — | GCL White Sox |
1973 | Iowa Oaks[26] | Knoxville Sox | Appleton Foxes | — | GCL White Sox |
1972 | Tucson Toros | Knoxville Sox | Appleton Foxes | — | GCL White Sox |
1971 | Tucson Toros | Asheville Tourists | Appleton Foxes | — | GCL White Sox |
1970 | Tucson Toros | Mobile White Sox | Appleton Foxes | Duluth–Superior Dukes | GCL White Sox |
1969 | Tucson Toros[30] | Columbus White Sox | Lynchburg White Sox, Appleton Foxes | Duluth–Superior Dukes | GCL White Sox |
1968 | Hawaii Islanders[21] | Evansville White Sox | Lynchburg White Sox, Appleton Foxes | Duluth–Superior Dukes | GCL White Sox |
1967 | Indianapolis Indians | Evansville White Sox | Lynchburg White Sox, Appleton Foxes[24] | — | GCL White Sox |
1966 | Indianapolis Indians | Evansville White Sox | Lynchburg White Sox, Deerfield Beach/Winter Haven Sun Sox Fox Cities Foxes[24] |
— | GCL White Sox |
1965[31] | Indianapolis Indians | Lynchburg White Sox | Tidewater Tides, Sarasota Sun Sox, Clinton C-Sox | — | — |
1964 | Indianapolis Indians | Lynchburg White Sox | Tidewater Tides, Sarasota Sun Sox, Clinton C-Sox | — | — |
1963[32] | Indianapolis Indians | Lynchburg White Sox | Sarasota Sun Sox, Clinton C-Sox, Eugene Emeralds[19] | — | — |
1932–1962
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.[3]
Year | Triple-A | Double-A | Class A | Class B | Class C | Class D |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1962 | Indianapolis Indians | — | Savannah/Lynchburg White Sox[33] | — | Visalia White Sox | Sarasota Sun Sox Clinton C-Sox |
1961 | San Diego Padres | — | Charleston White Sox | Lincoln Chiefs | Idaho Falls Russets | Daytona Beach Islanders Clinton C-Sox |
1960 | San Diego Padres | — | Charleston White Sox | Lincoln Chiefs | Idaho Falls Russets | Clinton C-Sox Pensacola Angels |
1959 | Indianapolis Indians | — | Charleston White Sox | Lincoln Chiefs | Duluth-Superior White Sox | Clinton C-Sox Holdrege White Sox |
1958 | Indianapolis Indians | — | Colorado Springs Sky Sox | Davenport DavSox | Duluth-Superior White Sox | Dubuque Packers Holdrege White Sox |
1957[34] | Indianapolis Indians | — | Colorado Springs Sky Sox | Davenport DavSox | Duluth-Superior White Sox | Dubuque Packers Holdrege White Sox |
1956 | — | Memphis Chickasaws | Colorado Springs Sky Sox | Waterloo White Hawks | Duluth-Superior White Sox | Dubuque Packers Holdrege White Sox |
1955 | — | Memphis Chickasaws | Colorado Springs Sky Sox | Waterloo White Hawks | Superior Blues | Dubuque Packers Madisonville Miners |
1954 | Charleston Senators | Memphis Chickasaws | Colorado Springs Sky Sox | Waterloo White Hawks | Topeka Owls | Dubuque Packers Madisonville Miners |
1953 | Charleston Senators | Memphis Chickasaws | Colorado Springs Sky Sox | Waterloo White Hawks | Topeka Owls | Madisonville Miners Wisconsin Rapids White Sox Danville Dans |
1952 | Charleston Senators Toledo Mud Hens |
Memphis Chickasaws | Colorado Springs Sky Sox | Waterloo White Hawks Gastonia Rockets |
Superior Blues | Madisonville Miners Wisconsin Rapids White Sox |
1951 | Sacramento Solons | Memphis Chickasaws | Colorado Springs Sky Sox | Waterloo White Hawks | Superior Blues Hot Springs Bathers |
Madisonville Miners Wisconsin Rapids White Sox |
1950 | Sacramento Solons | Memphis Chickasaws | Colorado Springs Sky Sox | Waterloo White Hawks | Superior Blues Hot Springs Bathers |
Madisonville Miners Wisconsin Rapids White Sox |
1949 | — | Memphis Chickasaws | Muskegon Clippers Charleston Rebels |
Waterloo White Hawks Fall River Indians |
Superior Blues Hot Springs Bathers Oil City Refiners Stockton Ports |
Madisonville Miners Wisconsin Rapids White Sox Seminole Oilers |
1948[35] | Hollywood Stars | Memphis Chickasaws | Muskegon Clippers | Waterloo White Hawks Fall River Indians |
Superior Blues Hot Springs Bathers Oil City Refiners |
Madisonville Miners Wisconsin Rapids White Sox Lima Terriers Seminole Oilers Kingsport Cherokees |
1947 | Hollywood Stars | — | — | Waterloo White Hawks Fall River Indians |
Superior Blues Oil City Refiners |
Madisonville Miners Wisconsin Rapids White Sox Lima Terriers |
1946 | Milwaukee Brewers | Shreveport Sports Little Rock Travelers |
Greenville Spinners | Waterloo White Hawks | Superior Blues Texarkana Bears |
Madisonville Miners Wisconsin Rapids White Sox Lima Terriers New River Rebels Alexandria Aces Brewton Millers Cordele White Sox |
1945 | — | — | Little Rock Travelers | — | — | — |
1944 | — | — | Little Rock Travelers | — | — | — |
1942 | — | — | Shreveport Sports | Waterloo Hawks | Grand Forks Chiefs Superior Blues |
Wisconsin Rapids White Sox Lockport White Sox |
1941 | — | — | — | Waterloo Hawks | Grand Forks Chiefs Saginaw White Sox |
Wisconsin Rapids White Sox Lubbock Hubbers Jonesboro White Sox |
1940 | — | — | — | Waterloo Hawks | Grand Forks Chiefs | Wisconsin Rapids White Sox Lubbock Hubbers Jonesboro White Sox |
1939 | — | St. Paul Saints | Shreveport Sports | Anniston Rams | Longview Cannibals | Lubbock Hubbers Jonesboro White Sox Greenville Lions |
1938 | — | St. Paul Saints | Dallas Steers | Anniston Rams | Longview Cannibals | Lubbock Hubbers Rayne Rice Birds DeLand Reds |
1937 | — | St. Paul Saints | Dallas Steers | — | Longview Cannibals Dayton Ducks Vicksburg Hill Billies Marshall Tigers |
Rayne Rice Birds |
1936 | — | Kansas City Blues | Dallas Steers | — | Longview Cannibals | Rayne Rice Birds Moultrie Packers Crookston Pirates |
1935 | — | St. Paul Saints | Dallas Steers | — | Longview Cannibals | Moultrie Steers |
1934 | — | — | — | — | Longview Cannibals | — |
1932 | — | — | — | — | — | Waterloo Hawks |
References
- ^ "White Sox Affiliates". Chicago White Sox. Major League Baseball. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
- ^ a b "Chicago White Sox Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
- ^ a b c 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 (December 10, 2013). "Knights, White Sox extend affiliation through 2020". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
- ^ "Barons, White Sox extend affiliation deal". Ballpark Digest. November 17, 2015. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
- ^ "Dash sign extension with White Sox through 2022". Winston-Salem Dash. Minor League Baseball. September 21, 2018. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
- ^ a b Reichard, Kevin. "Affiliate Dance". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
- ^ Marusak, Joe. "Kannapolis Intimidators drop name honoring Dale Earnhardt. Why they picked this new one," The Charlotte Observer, Wednesday, October 23, 2019. Retrieved May 18, 2020
- ^ "Winston-Salem now the 'Dash,'" Winston-Salem Dash, Thursday, December 4, 2008.
- ^ a b c "White Sox agree on Player Development extensions", Chicago White Sox press release, Tuesday, December 10, 2013.
- ^ a b Team History – Burlington Bees.
- ^ Gilbertson, Wes "The Final Out: When Calgary lost the Cannons" Calgary Sun, Saturday, September 22, 2012
- ^ a b Cox, Aaron. "Crawdads Re-sign with Texas Rangers", Hickory Crawdads, Friday, August 29, 2014.
- ^ a b Organ, Mike "Sounds may change major league affiliate" The Tennessean (Nashville, Tennessee), Wednesday, September 17, 2014
- ^ "Warthogs renew affiliation with Chicago White Sox" Triad Business Journal (Greensboro, North Carolina), Thursday, September 26, 2002
- ^ Chang, Annie. "South Bend Silver Hawks seeking new affiliate", WSBT-TV 22 (South Bend, Indiana), Thursday, September 11, 2014.
- ^ "White Sox seek new affiliation for Class-A team" The Free Lance–Star (Fredericksburg, Virginia), Wednesday, August 28, 1996
- ^ a b Eig, Jonathan "America's Only Ballpark Synagogue" The New Yorker, May 14, 2014
- ^ a b c Northwest League of Professional Baseball 2012 Media Guide.
- ^ "Sox Complete Deal for Tarpons" Sarasota (FL) Herald-Tribune, Wednesday, December 21, 1988
- ^ a b Luis, Cindy "Islanders among best ever" Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Sunday, July 29, 2001
- ^ a b "Buffalo Bisons Sign Up With the Cleveland Indians" Associated Press, Sunday, September 28, 1986
- ^ "Barons, White Sox Announce 4-Year PDC Extension", Birmingham Barons, Tuesday, February 11, 2014.
- ^ a b c Team History – Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.
- ^ a b Palmer, Bill "Glens Falls Keeps EL Franchise, Signs One-Year Pact With Tigers" Schenectady (NY) Gazette, Thursday, October 31, 1985
- ^ a b c d "Register's weekly old time photo: Iowa Oaks top parent Chicago Cubs" The Des Moines (IA) Register, Thursday, July 17, 2014
- ^ Official Baseball Dope Book. St. Louis, Missouri: The Sporting News, 1979.
- ^ Repplinger II, Matthew Kasper. Baseball in Denver. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing, 2013.
- ^ Official Baseball Dope Book. St. Louis, Missouri: The Sporting News, 1974.
- ^ Tucson Triple-A Baseball History – milb.com.
- ^ Official Baseball Dope Book. St. Louis, Missouri: The Sporting News, 1965.
- ^ Official Baseball Record Book. St. Louis, Missouri: The Sporting News, 1963.
- ^ "Nagy, John. "The Survival of Professional Baseball in Lynchburg, Virginia, 1950s–1990s", Essays in History (University of Virginia), 1995". Archived from the original on 2014-10-26. Retrieved 2014-10-26.
- ^ Official Baseball Guide. St. Louis, Missouri: The Sporting News, 1957.
- ^ Official Baseball Guide. St. Louis, Missouri: The Sporting News, 1948.