List of Pittsburgh Pirates minor league affiliates
The Pittsburgh Pirates farm system consists of four Minor League Baseball affiliates across the United States. Additionally, the Pirates operate complex based Rookie League squads playing the Gulf Coast League and the Dominican Summer League.[1]
Current Pittsburgh Pirates domestic minor league affiliate locations
The Pirates have been affiliated with the Double-A Altoona Curve of the Eastern League since 1999, making it the longest-running active affiliation in the organization among teams not owned by the Pirates.[2] It is also the longest affiliation in the team's history. Their newest affiliate is the Greensboro Grasshoppers of the South Atlantic League which became the Pirates' Class A club in 2019.[2]
Geographically, Pittsburgh's closest domestic affiliate is the Altoona Curve, which is approximately 85 miles (137 km) away. Pittsburgh's furthest domestic affiliates are the Bradenton Marauders of the Low Single-A Florida State League and the Gulf Coast League Pirates of the Rookie League Gulf Coast League, which share a facility some 907 miles (1,460 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 | Indianapolis Indians[4] | Altoona Curve[4] | Greensboro Grasshoppers[4] | Bradenton Marauders[4] | GCL Pirates | DSL Pirates |
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] League Champions are noted in bold.
| Year | Triple-A | Double-A | Class A-Advanced | Class A | Class A Short Season | Rookie League | Foreign Rookie |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Indianapolis Indians[6] | Altoona Curve[7] | Bradenton Marauders[8] | Greensboro Grasshoppers[9] | West Virginia Black Bears[10] | Bristol Pirates,[8] GCL Pirates | DSL Pirates 1, DSL Pirates 2 |
| 2019 | Indianapolis Indians | Altoona Curve | Bradenton Marauders | Greensboro Grasshoppers | West Virginia Black Bears | Bristol Pirates, GCL Pirates | DSL Pirates 1, DSL Pirates 2 |
| 2018 | Indianapolis Indians | Altoona Curve | Bradenton Marauders | West Virginia Power[11] | West Virginia Black Bears | Bristol Pirates, GCL Pirates | DSL Pirates 1, DSL Pirates 2 |
| 2017 | Indianapolis Indians | Altoona Curve | Bradenton Marauders | West Virginia Power | West Virginia Black Bears | Bristol Pirates, GCL Pirates | DSL Pirates |
| 2016 | Indianapolis Indians | Altoona Curve | Bradenton Marauders | West Virginia Power | West Virginia Black Bears | Bristol Pirates, GCL Pirates | DSL Pirates |
| 2015 | Indianapolis Indians | Altoona Curve | Bradenton Marauders | West Virginia Power | West Virginia Black Bears | Bristol Pirates, GCL Pirates | DSL Pirates |
| 2014 | Indianapolis Indians | Altoona Curve | Bradenton Marauders | West Virginia Power | Jamestown Jammers | Bristol Pirates, GCL Pirates | DSL Pirates |
| 2013 | Indianapolis Indians | Altoona Curve | Bradenton Marauders | West Virginia Power | Jamestown Jammers | GCL Pirates | DSL Pirates 1, DSL Pirates 2 |
| 2012 | Indianapolis Indians | Altoona Curve | Bradenton Marauders | West Virginia Power | State College Spikes | GCL Pirates | DSL Pirates 1, DSL Pirates 2 |
| 2011 | Indianapolis Indians | Altoona Curve | Bradenton Marauders | West Virginia Power | State College Spikes | GCL Pirates | DSL Pirates, VSL Pirates |
| 2010 | Indianapolis Indians | Altoona Curve | Bradenton Marauders | West Virginia Power | State College Spikes | GCL Pirates | DSL Pirates, VSL Pirates |
| 2009 | Indianapolis Indians | Altoona Curve | Lynchburg Hillcats | West Virginia Power | State College Spikes | GCL Pirates | DSL Pirates, VSL Pirates |
| 2008 | Indianapolis Indians | Altoona Curve | Lynchburg Hillcats | Hickory Crawdads | State College Spikes | GCL Pirates | DSL Pirates, VSL Pirates |
| 2007 | Indianapolis Indians | Altoona Curve | Lynchburg Hillcats | Hickory Crawdads | State College Spikes | GCL Pirates | DSL Pirates, VSL Pirates |
| 2006 | Indianapolis Indians | Altoona Curve | Lynchburg Hillcats | Hickory Crawdads | Williamsport Crosscutters | GCL Pirates | DSL Pirates, VSL Pirates |
| 2005 | Indianapolis Indians | Altoona Curve | Lynchburg Hillcats | Hickory Crawdads | Williamsport Crosscutters | GCL Pirates | DSL Pirates, VSL Pirates |
| 2004 | Nashville Sounds | Altoona Curve | Lynchburg Hillcats | Hickory Crawdads | Williamsport Crosscutters | GCL Pirates | DSL Pirates, San Joaquín |
| 2003 | Nashville Sounds | Altoona Curve | Lynchburg Hillcats | Hickory Crawdads | Williamsport Crosscutters | GCL Pirates | DSL Pirates, Chivacoa |
| 2002 | Nashville Sounds | Altoona Curve | Lynchburg Hillcats | Hickory Crawdads | Williamsport Crosscutters | GCL Pirates | DSL Pirates |
| 2001 | Nashville Sounds | Altoona Curve | Lynchburg Hillcats | Hickory Crawdads | Williamsport Crosscutters | GCL Pirates | DSL Pirates |
| 2000 | Nashville Sounds | Altoona Curve | Lynchburg Hillcats | Hickory Crawdads | Williamsport Crosscutters | GCL Pirates | DSL Pirates |
| 1999 | Nashville Sounds | Altoona Curve | Lynchburg Hillcats | Hickory Crawdads | Williamsport Crosscutters | GCL Pirates | DSL Pirates |
| 1998 | Nashville Sounds | Carolina Mudcats | Lynchburg Hillcats | Augusta GreenJackets | Erie SeaWolves | GCL Pirates | DSL Pirates |
| 1997 | Calgary Cannons | Carolina Mudcats | Lynchburg Hillcats | Augusta GreenJackets | Erie SeaWolves | GCL Pirates | DSL Pirates |
| 1996 | Calgary Cannons | Carolina Mudcats | Lynchburg Hillcats | Augusta GreenJackets | Erie SeaWolves | GCL Pirates | DSL Pirates |
| 1995 | Calgary Cannons | Carolina Mudcats | Lynchburg Hillcats | Augusta GreenJackets | Erie SeaWolves | GCL Pirates | DSL Pirates |
| 1994 | Buffalo Bisons | Carolina Mudcats | Salem Buccaneers | Augusta GreenJackets | Welland Pirates | GCL Pirates | DSL Pirates |
| 1993 | Buffalo Bisons | Carolina Mudcats | Salem Buccaneers | Augusta Pirates | Welland Pirates | GCL Pirates | DSL Pirates |
| 1992 | Buffalo Bisons | Carolina Mudcats | Salem Buccaneers | Augusta Pirates | Welland Pirates | GCL Pirates | DSL Pirates |
| 1991 | Buffalo Bisons | Carolina Mudcats | Salem Buccaneers | Augusta Pirates | Welland Pirates | GCL Pirates | DSL Pirates |
| 1990 | Buffalo Bisons | Harrisburg Senators | Salem Buccaneers | Augusta Pirates | Welland Pirates | GCL Pirates | DSL Pirates |
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 | Buffalo Bisons | Harrisburg Senators | Salem Buccaneers, Augusta Pirates | Welland Pirates | Princeton Pirates, GCL Pirates |
| 1988 | Buffalo Bisons | Harrisburg Senators | Salem Buccaneers, Augusta Pirates | Watertown Pirates | Princeton Pirates, GCL Pirates |
| 1987 | Vancouver Canadians | Harrisburg Senators | Salem Buccaneers, Macon Pirates | Watertown Pirates | GCL Pirates |
| 1986 | Hawaii Islanders | Nashua Pirates | Prince William Pirates, Macon Pirates | Watertown Pirates | GCL Pirates |
| 1985 | Hawaii Islanders | Nashua Pirates | Prince William Pirates, Macon Pirates | Watertown Pirates | GCL Pirates |
| 1984 | Hawaii Islanders | Nashua Pirates | Prince William Pirates, Macon Pirates | Watertown Pirates | GCL Pirates |
| 1983 | Hawaii Islanders | Lynn Sailors | Alexandria Dukes, Greenwood Pirates | Watertown Pirates | GCL Pirates |
| 1982 | Portland Beavers | Buffalo Bisons | Alexandria Dukes, Greenwood Pirates | — | GCL Pirates |
| 1981 | Portland Beavers | Buffalo Bisons | Alexandria Dukes, Greenwood Pirates | — | GCL Pirates |
| 1980 | Portland Beavers | Buffalo Bisons | Salem Pirates, Shelby Pirates | — | GCL Pirates |
| 1979[12] | Portland Beavers | Buffalo Bisons | Salem Pirates, Shelby Pirates | — | GCL Pirates |
| 1978 | Columbus Clippers | Shreveport Captains | Salem Pirates, Charleston Pirates | — | GCL Pirates |
| 1977 | Columbus Clippers | Shreveport Captains | Salem Pirates, Charleston Patriots | Niagara Falls Pirates | GCL Pirates |
| 1976 | Charleston Charlies | Shreveport Captains | Salem Pirates, Charleston Patriots | Niagara Falls Pirates | GCL Pirates |
| 1975 | Charleston Charlies | Shreveport Captains | Salem Pirates, Charleston Pirates | Niagara Falls Pirates | GCL Pirates |
| 1974[13] | Charleston Charlies | Thetford Mines Pirates | Salem Pirates, Charleston Pirates | Niagara Falls Pirates | GCL Pirates |
| 1973 | Charleston Charlies | Sherbrooke Pirates | Salem Pirates, Charleston Pirates | Niagara Falls Pirates | GCL Pirates |
| 1972 | Charleston Charlies | Sherbrooke Pirates | Salem Pirates, Gastonia Pirates | Niagara Falls Pirates | GCL Pirates |
| 1971 | Charleston Charlies | Waterbury Pirates | Salem Rebels, Monroe Pirates | Niagara Falls Pirates | GCL Pirates |
| 1970 | Columbus Jets | Waterbury Pirates | Salem Rebels, Gastonia Pirates | Niagara Falls Pirates | GCL Pirates, GCL Tourists |
| 1969 | Columbus Jets | York Pirates | Salem Rebels, Gastonia Pirates | Geneva Pirates | GCL Pirates |
| 1968 | Columbus Jets | York Pirates | Salem Rebels, Clinton Pilots, Gastonia Pirates | — | GCL Pirates |
| 1967 | Columbus Jets | Macon Peaches | Raleigh Pirates, Clinton Pilots, Gastonia Pirates | — | Salem Rebels |
| 1966 | Columbus Jets | Asheville Tourists | Raleigh Pirates, Clinton Pilots, Gastonia Pirates | — | Salem Rebels |
| 1965[14] | Columbus Jets | Asheville Tourists | Kinston Eagles, Batavia Pirates, Gastonia Pirates | — | Salem Rebels |
| 1964 | Columbus Jets | Asheville Tourists | Kinston Eagles, Reno Silver Sox, Batavia Pirates, Gastonia Pirates | — | Salem Rebels |
| 1963[15] | Columbus Jets | Asheville Tourists | Kinston Eagles, Reno Silver Sox, Batavia Pirates, Gastonia Pirates | — | Kingsport Pirates |
1920–1962
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 | Columbus Jets | — | Asheville Tourists | Kinston Eagles | Grand Forks Chiefs | Batavia Pirates, Burlington Bees, Kingsport Pirates |
| 1961 | Columbus Jets | — | Asheville Tourists | Burlington Bees | Grand Forks Chiefs | Batavia Pirates, Hobbs Pirates, Kingsport Pirates, Shelby Colonels |
| 1960 | Columbus Jets, Salt Lake City Bees | — | Savannah Pirates | Burlington Bees | Grand Forks Chiefs | Dubuque Packers, Hobbs Pirates, Kingsport Pirates |
| 1959 | Columbus Jets, Salt Lake City Bees | — | Columbus/Gastonia Pirates | Wilson Tobs | Grand Forks Chiefs, Idaho Falls Russets |
Dubuque Packers, Salem Rebels, San Angelo/Roswell Pirates |
| 1958 | Columbus Jets, Salt Lake City Bees | — | Lincoln Chiefs | Tri-City Braves | Douglas Copper Kings, Grand Forks Chiefs, San Jose Pirates |
Clinton Pirates, Salem Rebels, San Angelo Pirates |
| 1957[16] | Hollywood Stars Columbus Jets |
— | Lincoln Chiefs | Beaumont Pirates | Douglas Copper Kings, Grand Forks Chiefs, San Jose JoSox |
Clinton Pirates, Jamestown Falcons, Salem Rebels |
| 1956 | Hollywood Stars | New Orleans Pelicans | Williamsport Grays Lincoln Chiefs |
Kinston Eagles, Waco Pirates |
Billings Mustangs, Douglas Copper Kings, Grand Forks Chiefs |
Brunswick Pirates, Clinton Pirates, Dublin Irish |
| 1955 | Hollywood Stars | New Orleans Pelicans | Williamsport Grays Lincoln Chiefs |
Burlington-Graham Pirates, Waco Pirates |
Billings Mustangs, St. Jean Canadians, Salinas Packers |
Brunswick Pirates, Clinton Pirates, Dublin Irish |
| 1954 | Hollywood Stars | New Orleans Pelicans | Williamsport Grays Denver Bears |
Burlington-Graham Pirates, Waco Pirates |
Billings Mustangs, Hutchinson Elks, St. Jean Canadians |
Brunswick Pirates, Clinton Pirates, Dublin Irish |
| 1953 | — | New Orleans Pelicans | Charleston Rebels Denver Bears |
Burlington-Graham Pirates, Waco Pirates/Longview Pirates, |
Billings Mustangs, Hutchinson Elks, St. Jean Canadians |
Batavia Clippers, Bristol Twins, Brunswick Pirates, Dublin Irish |
| 1952 | Hollywood Stars | New Orleans Pelicans | Charleston Rebels Denver Bears |
Burlington-Graham Pirates, Waco Pirates |
Billings Mustangs, Hutchinson Elks, Modesto Reds, St. Jean Canadians |
Bartlesville Pirates/Pittsburg Pirates, Batavia Clippers, Bristol Twins, Brunswick Pirates, Mayfield Clothiers |
| 1951 | Hollywood Stars Indianapolis Indians |
New Orleans Pelicans | Charleston Rebels | Burlington Bees, Waco Pirates |
Butler Tigers, Hutchinson Elks, Modesto Reds |
Bartlesville Pirates, Brunswick Pirates, Eugene Larks, Mayfield Clothiers, Salisbury Pirates |
| 1950 | Indianapolis Indians | New Orleans Pelicans | Albany Senators Charleston Rebels |
Waco Pirates, York White Roses |
Hutchinson Elks, Modesto Reds |
Bartlesville Pirates, Greenville Pirates Mayfield Clothiers, Salisbury Pirates, Tallahassee Pirates |
| 1949 | Indianapolis Indians | New Orleans Pelicans | Albany Senators | Davenport Pirates, Waco Pirates, York White Roses |
Modesto Reds Keokuk Pirates, Uniontown Coal Barons |
Bartlesville Pirates, Greenville Pirates Salisbury Pirates, Tallahassee Pirates |
| 1948[17] | Indianapolis Indians | New Orleans Pelicans | Albany Senators Fort Wayne Generals |
Anderson Rebels, Davenport Pirates, Waco Pirates, York White Roses |
Fargo-Moorhead Twins, Keokuk Pirates, Uniontown Coal Barons |
Bartlesville Pirates, Greenville Pirates Leesburg Pirates, New Iberia Pelicans Rehoboth Beach Pirates, Salisbury Pirates, Santa Rosa Pirates, Tallahassee Pirates |
| 1947 | Indianapolis Indians | — | Albany Senators | Selma Cloverleafs, York White Roses |
Fargo-Moorhead Twins, Keokuk Pirates, Riverside Dons Uniontown Coal Barons |
Bartlesville Oilers, Hornell Maples, Leesburg Pirates, Rehoboth Beach Pirates, Salisbury Pirates, Tallahassee Pirates |
| 1946 | Hollywood Stars | Birmingham Barons | Albany Senators | Anniston Rams, Selma Cloverleafs Yakima Stars, York White Roses |
Oil City Oilers | Bartlesville Oilers Hornell Maples, Salisbury Pirates, Tallahassee Pirates, Tallassee Indians |
| 1945 | — | — | Albany Senators | York White Roses | — | Hornell Maples, Salisbury Pirates |
| 1944 | — | Toronto Maple Leafs | Albany Senators | York White Roses | — | Hornell Maples |
| 1943 | — | Toronto Maple Leafs | Albany Senators | York White Roses | — | Hornell Maples |
| 1942 | — | Toronto Maple Leafs | Albany Senators | Harrisburg Senators | Hutchinson Pirates | Hornell Maples, Moultrie Packers, Oil City Oilers |
| 1941 | — | — | Albany Senators | Harrisburg Senators | Hutchinson Pirates, Gloversville-Johnstown Glovers |
London Pirates, Oil City Oilers, Moultrie Packers |
| 1940 | — | Syracuse Chiefs | Albany Senators | Gadsden Pilots, Harrisburg Senators | Gloversville-Johnstown Glovers, Hutchinson Pirates |
Carthage Pirates, Fort Lauderdale Tarpons, London Pirates, McKeesport Little Braves/Oil City Oilers |
| 1939 | — | — | Knoxville Smokies | Gadsden Pilots | Hutchinson Pirates | Carthage Pirates, Jamestown Jaguars, McKeesport Little Pirates Valdosta Trojans |
| 1938 | — | Montreal Royals | Knoxville Smokies | Savannah Indians | Hutchinson Larks | Carthage Pirates |
| 1937 | — | Montreal Royals | — | Savannah Indians | Hutchinson Larks | Paducah Indians, Mt. Airy Reds |
| 1936 | — | — | Scranton Miners | — | Hutchinson Larks, Portsmouth Pirates |
Jeannette Little Pirates, Portageville-Owensboro Pirates, Winnipeg Maroons |
| 1935 | — | Kansas City Blues | Birmingham Barons | — | Portsmouth Pirates | — |
| 1934 | — | — | Little Rock Travelers | — | Springfield Pirates | McKeesport Tubers |
| 1933 | — | — | Tulsa Oilers | — | — | — |
| 1932 | — | — | Tulsa Oilers | — | — | — |
| 1931 | — | — | Wichita Aviators | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | Wichita Aviators | Columbia Comers | — | — |
| 1921 | — | — | Wichita Falls Spudders | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | Wichita Falls Spudders | — | — |
References
- "Pirates Affiliates". Pittsburgh Pirates. Major League Baseball. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
- "Pittsburgh Pirates Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
- Reichard, Kevin. "Affiliate Dance 2020". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
- Berry, Adam (December 9, 2020). "Pirates aim to keep top 4 affiliates in the 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.
- "Pirates, Indians extend PDC to 2020". Ballpark Digest. October 17, 2015. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- "Curve, Pirates Extend Affiliation Through 2022". Ballpark Digest. March 17, 2018. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- Reichard, Kevin. "Affiliate Dance". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- Spedden, Zach (September 21, 2018). "Grasshoppers, Pirates Announce Affiliation". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
- "Pirates, Black Bears Player Development Contract Extended". Ballpark Digest. June 24, 2018. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- Reichard, Kevin (September 9, 2014). "Power, Pirates extend PDC through 2018". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved September 13, 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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