The Atlanta Braves farm system consists of six Minor League Baseball affiliates across the United States and in the Dominican Republic. Four teams are independently owned, while two–the Florida Complex League Braves and Dominican Summer League Braves—are owned by the major league club.
The Braves have been affiliated with the High-A Rome Emperors of the South Atlantic League since 2003, making it the longest-running active affiliation in the organization among teams not owned by the Braves. The longest affiliation in franchise history was with the Richmond Braves, who were the team's Triple-A affiliate in the International League for 43 seasons from 1966 to 2008. Their newest affiliate is the Columbus Clingstones of the Southern League, which will become the Braves' Double-A club in 2025.
Geographically, Atlanta's closest domestic affiliate is the International League's Gwinnett Stripers, which are approximately 29miles away. Atlanta's furthest domestic affiliate is the Rookie Florida Complex League Braves of the Florida Complex League some 491miles away.
The Atlanta Braves farm system consists of six minor league affiliates.[1]
Season | Each year is linked to an article about that particular Braves season. | - | League champions --> |
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Minor League Baseball operated with five classes (Double-A, Class A, Class B, Class C, and Class D) from 1932 to 1935.[2] Class A1, between Double-A and Class A, was added in 1936.[3] The minors continued to operate with these six levels through 1945.[3] Triple-A was established as the highest classification in 1946, and Class A1 became Double-A, with Class A through D remaining.[3] These six levels continued through 1962.[2] 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 ended any chance of the PCL being promoted.[2]
Season | Triple-A | Double-A | Class A | Class B | Class C | Class D | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1932 | — | — | — | Harrisburg Senators | — | — | [4] | |
1933 | — | — | Harrisburg Senators | — | — | — | [5] | |
1934 | — | — | Harrisburg Senators | — | — | — | [6] | |
1935 | — | — | Harrisburg Senators | — | — | McKeesport Braves | [7] | |
1936 | — | St. Paul Saints | Knoxville Smokies (A1) | — | Watertown Bucks / Massena Grays | — | [8] | |
1937 | — | — | Scranton Miners | Columbia Senators | Ottawa Braves Zanesville Greys | Beaver Falls Bees Salisbury Bees | [9] | |
1938 | — | — | Hartford Laurels | Evansville Bees | Erie Sailors | Lexington Bees Salisbury Bees | [10] | |
1939 | — | — | Hartford Bees | Evansville Bees | Allentown Dukes Charleston Senators Utica Braves | Bradford Bees Owensboro Oilers | [11] | |
1940 | — | — | Hartford Bees | Evansville Bees York Bees | — | Bradford Bees Owensboro Oilers | [12] | |
1941 | — | — | Hartford Bees | Bridgeport Bees Evansville Bees | — | Bradford Bees | [13] | |
1942 | — | — | Hartford Bees | Evansville Bees | Welch Miners | Bradford Bees Greeneville Burley Cubs | [14] | |
1943 | — | — | Hartford Bees | — | — | — | [15] | |
1944 | — | Indianapolis Indians | Hartford Laurels | — | — | — | [16] | |
1945 | — | Indianapolis Indians | Hartford Bees | — | — | Mooresville Braves | [17] | |
1946 | Indianapolis Indians | — | Hartford Chiefs | Evansville Braves Jackson Senators Pawtucket Slaters Vancouver Capilanos | Leavenworth Braves Miami Beach Flamingos Raleigh Capitals | Bluefield Blue-Grays Owensboro Oilers Richmond Roses | [18] | |
1947 | Milwaukee Brewers | Little Rock Travelers | Hartford Chiefs | Evansville Braves Jackson Senators Pawtucket Slaters | Amarillo Gold Sox Eau Claire Bears Fort Lauderdale Braves Las Vegas Wranglers Leavenworth Braves | Bloomingdale Troopers Bluefield Blue-Grays Owensboro Oilers Richmond Roses | [19] | |
1948 | Milwaukee Brewers | — | Hartford Chiefs | Evansville Braves Jackson Senators Pawtucket Slaters | Eau Claire Bears Kingston Ponies Leavenworth Braves | Bluefield Blue-Grays High Point-Thomasville Hi-Toms Marysville Braves Mount Vernon Blues Owensboro Oilers Richmond Roses | [20] | |
1949 | Milwaukee Brewers | — | Denver Bears Hartford Chiefs | Evansville Braves Jackson Senators Pawtucket Slaters | Eau Claire Bears | Bluefield Blue-Grays High Point-Thomasville Hi-Toms Marysville Braves Owensboro Oilers | [21] | |
1950 | Milwaukee Brewers | Atlanta Crackers | Denver Bears Hartford Chiefs | Evansville Braves Hagerstown Braves Jackson Senators | Eau Claire Bears Ventura Braves | Bluefield Blue-Grays Owensboro Oilers | [22] | |
1951 | Milwaukee Brewers | Atlanta Crackers | Denver Bears Hartford Chiefs | Evansville Braves Hagerstown Braves Wichita Falls Spudders | Eau Claire Bears Quebec Braves Ventura Braves | Bluefield Blue-Grays | [23] | |
1952 | Milwaukee Brewers | Atlanta Crackers | Hartford Chiefs | Evansville Braves Hagerstown Braves Wichita Falls Spudders | Eau Claire Bears Quebec Braves Ventura Braves | Appleton Papermakers Danville Dans Harlan Smokies Welch Miners | [24] | |
1953 | Toledo Sox | Atlanta Crackers | Jacksonville Braves Lincoln Chiefs | Evansville Braves Hagerstown Braves Wichita Falls Spudders | Eau Claire Bears Modesto Reds Quebec Braves | Appleton Papermakers Sandersville Wacos Wellsville Braves | [25] | |
1954 | Toledo Sox | Atlanta Crackers | Jacksonville Braves Lincoln Chiefs | Corpus Christi Clippers Evansville Braves | Eau Claire Braves Quebec Braves | Lawton Braves Wellsville Braves | [26] | |
1955 | Toledo Sox | Atlanta Crackers Beaumont Exporters | Jacksonville Braves | Corpus Christi Clippers Evansville Braves | Boise Braves Eau Claire Braves Quebec Braves | Lawton Braves Wellsville Braves West Palm Beach Indians | [27] | |
1956 | Wichita Braves | Atlanta Crackers Austin Senators | Jacksonville Braves Topeka Hawks | Corpus Christi Clippers Evansville Braves | Boise Braves Eau Claire Braves Salinas Packers | Lawton Braves Leesburg Braves McCook Braves Waycross Braves Wellsville Braves | [28] | |
1957 | Wichita Braves | Atlanta Crackers Austin Senators | Jacksonville Braves Topeka Hawks | Corpus Christi Clippers Evansville Braves | Boise Braves Eau Claire Braves Salinas Packers | Lawton Braves Leesburg Braves McCook Braves Waycross Braves Wellsville Braves | [29] | |
1958 | Wichita Braves | Atlanta Crackers Austin Senators | Jacksonville Braves Topeka Hawks | Cedar Rapids Braves Yakima Braves | Boise Braves Eau Claire Braves Salinas Packers | McCook Braves Midland Braves Waycross Braves Wellsville Braves | [30] | |
1959 | Louisville Colonels Sacramento Solons | Atlanta Crackers Austin Senators | Jacksonville Braves | Cedar Rapids Braves Yakima Braves | Boise Braves Eau Claire Braves | McCook Braves Midland Braves Wellsville Braves | [31] | |
1960 | Louisville Colonels Sacramento Solons | Austin Senators | Jacksonville Braves | Cedar Rapids Braves Yakima Braves | Boise Braves Eau Claire Braves | Davenport Braves Wellsville Braves | [32] | |
1961 | Louisville Colonels Vancouver Mounties | Austin Senators | — | Cedar Rapids Braves Yakima Braves | Boise Braves Eau Claire Braves | Davenport Braves Newton-Conover Twins Palatka Redlegs Wellsville Braves | [33] | |
1962 | Louisville Colonels Toronto Maple Leafs | Austin Senators | — | Yakima Braves | Boise Braves Eau Claire Braves | Cedar Rapids Braves Dublin Braves | [34] |
Prior to the 1963 season, Major League Baseball (MLB) initiated a reorganization of Minor League Baseball that resulted in a reduction from six classes to four (Triple-A, Double-A, Class A, and Rookie) in 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.[2]
Season | Triple-A | Double-A | Class A | Class A Short Season | Rookie | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1963 | Denver Bears Toronto Maple Leafs | Austin Senators | Boise Braves Greenville Braves Waycross Braves Yakima Braves | — | — | [35] | |
1964 | Denver Bears Toronto Maple Leafs | Austin Senators | Binghamton Triplets Yakima Braves Greenville Braves | — | SRL Braves | [36] | |
1965 | Atlanta Crackers | Austin Braves | West Palm Beach Braves Yakima Braves | — | FRL Braves | [37] | |
1966 | Richmond Braves | Austin Braves | Kinston Eagles West Palm Beach Braves | Yakima Braves | GCL Braves | [38] | |
1967 | Richmond Braves | Austin Braves | Kinston Eagles Lexington Braves West Palm Beach Braves | Jamestown Braves | GCL Braves | [39] | |
1968 | Richmond Braves | Shreveport Braves | Greenwood Braves West Palm Beach Braves | — | Magic Valley Cowboys | [40] | |
1969 | Richmond Braves | Shreveport Braves | Greenwood Braves | — | Magic Valley Cowboys | [41] | |
1970 | Richmond Braves | Shreveport Braves | Greenwood Braves | — | Magic Valley Cowboys | [42] | |
1971 | Richmond Braves | Savannah Braves | Greenwood Braves | — | Wytheville Braves | [43] | |
1972 | Richmond Braves | Savannah Braves | Greenwood Braves | — | Wytheville Braves | [44] | |
1973 | Richmond Braves | Savannah Braves | Greenwood Braves | — | Wytheville Braves | [45] | |
1974 | Richmond Braves | Savannah Braves | Greenwood Braves | — | Kingsport Braves | [46] | |
1975 | Richmond Braves | Savannah Braves | Greenwood Braves | — | Kingsport Braves | [47] | |
1976 | Richmond Braves | Savannah Braves | Greenwood Braves | — | Kingsport Braves GCL Braves | [48] | |
1977 | Richmond Braves | Savannah Braves | Greenwood Braves | — | Kingsport Braves GCL Braves | [49] | |
1978 | Richmond Braves | Savannah Braves | Greenwood Braves | — | Kingsport Braves GCL Braves | [50] | |
1979 | Richmond Braves | Savannah Braves | Greenwood Braves | — | Kingsport Braves GCL Braves | [51] | |
1980 | Richmond Braves | Savannah Braves | Anderson Braves Durham Bulls | — | GCL Braves | [52] | |
1981 | Richmond Braves | Savannah Braves | Anderson Braves Durham Bulls | — | GCL Braves | [53] | |
1982 | Richmond Braves | Savannah Braves | Anderson Braves Durham Bulls | — | Pulaski Braves GCL Braves | [54] | |
1983 | Richmond Braves | Savannah Braves | Anderson Braves Durham Bulls | — | Pulaski Braves GCL Braves | [55] | |
1984 | Richmond Braves | Greenville Braves | Anderson Braves Durham Bulls | — | Pulaski Braves GCL Braves | [56] | |
1985 | Richmond Braves | Greenville Braves | Durham Bulls Sumter Braves | — | Pulaski Braves GCL Braves | [57] | |
1986 | Richmond Braves | Greenville Braves | Durham Bull Sumter Braves | — | Idaho Falls Braves Pulaski Braves GCL Braves | [58] | |
1987 | Richmond Braves | Greenville Braves | Durham Bulls Sumter Braves | — | Idaho Falls Braves Pulaski Braves GCL Braves | [59] | |
1988 | Richmond Braves | Greenville Braves | Burlington Braves Durham Bulls Sumter Braves | — | Idaho Falls Braves Pulaski Braves GCL Braves | [60] | |
1989 | Richmond Braves | Greenville Braves | Burlington Braves Durham Bulls Sumter Braves | — | Idaho Falls Braves Pulaski Braves GCL Braves DSL Braves | [61] [62] |
Minor League Baseball operated with six classes from 1990 to 2020. In 1990, 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.[2]
Season | Triple-A | Double-A | Class A-Advanced | Class A | Class A Short Season | Rookie | Foreign Rookie | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1990 | Richmond Braves | Greenville Braves | Durham Bulls | Burlington Braves Sumter Braves | — | Idaho Falls Braves Pulaski Braves GCL Braves | DSL Braves | [63] [64] | |
1991 | Richmond Braves | Greenville Braves | Durham Bulls | Macon Braves | — | Idaho Falls Braves Pulaski Braves GCL Braves | DSL Braves | [65] [66] | |
1992 | Richmond Braves | Greenville Braves | Durham Bulls | Macon Braves | — | Idaho Falls Gems Pulaski Braves GCL Braves | DSL Braves | [67] | |
1993 | Richmond Braves | Greenville Braves | Durham Bulls | Macon Braves | — | Danville Braves Idaho Falls Braves GCL Braves | DSL Braves | [68] | |
1994 | Richmond Braves | Greenville Braves | Durham Bulls | Macon Braves | — | Danville Braves Idaho Falls Braves GCL Braves | DSL Braves/Rangers | [69] | |
1995 | Richmond Braves | Greenville Braves | Durham Bulls | Macon Braves | Eugene Emeralds | Danville Braves GCL Braves | DSL Braves | [70] | |
1996 | Richmond Braves | Greenville Braves | Durham Bulls | Macon Braves | Eugene Emeralds | Danville Braves GCL Braves | DSL Braves | [71] | |
1997 | Richmond Braves | Greenville Braves | Durham Bulls | Macon Braves | Eugene Emeralds | Danville Braves GCL Braves | DSL Braves | [72] | |
1998 | Richmond Braves | Greenville Braves | Danville 97s | Macon Braves | Eugene Emeralds | Danville Braves GCL Braves | DSL Braves | [73] | |
1999 | Richmond Braves | Greenville Braves | Myrtle Beach Pelicans | Macon Braves | Jamestown Jammers | Danville Braves GCL Braves | DSL Braves | [74] | |
2000 | Richmond Braves | Greenville Braves | Myrtle Beach Pelicans | Macon Braves | Jamestown Jammers | Danville Braves GCL Braves | DSL Braves | [75] | |
2001 | Richmond Braves | Greenville Braves | Myrtle Beach Pelicans | Macon Braves | Jamestown Jammers | Danville Braves GCL Braves | DSL Braves 1 DSL Braves 2 | [76] | |
2002 | Richmond Braves | Greenville Braves | Myrtle Beach Pelicans | Macon Braves | — | Danville Braves GCL Braves | DSL Braves 1 DSL Braves 2 | [77] | |
2003 | Richmond Braves | Greenville Braves | Myrtle Beach Pelicans | Rome Braves | — | Danville Braves GCL Braves | DSL Braves 1 DSL Braves 2 | [78] | |
2004 | Richmond Braves | Greenville Braves | Myrtle Beach Pelicans | Rome Braves | — | Danville Braves GCL Braves | DSL Braves 1 DSL Braves 2 | [79] | |
2005 | Richmond Braves | Mississippi Braves | Myrtle Beach Pelicans | Rome Braves | — | Danville Braves GCL Braves | DSL Braves 1 DSL Braves 2 | [80] | |
2006 | Richmond Braves | Mississippi Braves | Myrtle Beach Pelicans | Rome Braves | — | Danville Braves GCL Braves | DSL Braves | [81] | |
2007 | Richmond Braves | Mississippi Braves | Myrtle Beach Pelicans | Rome Braves | — | Danville Braves GCL Braves | DSL Braves | [82] | |
2008 | Richmond Braves | Mississippi Braves | Myrtle Beach Pelicans | Rome Braves | — | Danville Braves GCL Braves | DSL Braves | [83] | |
2009 | Gwinnett Braves | Mississippi Braves | Myrtle Beach Pelicans | Rome Braves | — | Danville Braves GCL Braves | DSL Braves | [84] | |
2010 | Gwinnett Braves | Mississippi Braves | Myrtle Beach Pelicans | Rome Braves | — | Danville Braves GCL Braves | DSL Braves | [85] | |
2011 | Gwinnett Braves | Mississippi Braves | Lynchburg Hillcats | Rome Braves | — | Danville Braves GCL Braves | DSL Braves | [86] | |
2012 | Gwinnett Braves | Mississippi Braves | Lynchburg Hillcats | Rome Braves | — | Danville Braves GCL Braves | DSL Braves | [87] | |
2013 | Gwinnett Braves | Mississippi Braves | Lynchburg Hillcats | Rome Braves | — | Danville Braves GCL Braves | DSL Braves | [88] | |
2014 | Gwinnett Braves | Mississippi Braves | Lynchburg Hillcats | Rome Braves | — | Danville Braves GCL Braves | DSL Braves | [89] | |
2015 | Gwinnett Braves | Mississippi Braves | Carolina Mudcats | Rome Braves | — | Danville Braves GCL Braves | DSL Braves | [90] | |
2016 | Gwinnett Braves | Mississippi Braves | Carolina Mudcats | Rome Braves | — | Danville Braves GCL Braves | DSL Braves | [91] | |
2017 | Gwinnett Braves | Mississippi Braves | Florida Fire Frogs | Rome Braves | — | Danville Braves GCL Braves | DSL Braves | [92] | |
2018 | Gwinnett Stripers | Mississippi Braves | Florida Fire Frogs | Rome Braves | — | Danville Braves GCL Braves | DSL Braves | [93] | |
2019 | Gwinnett Stripers | Mississippi Braves | Florida Fire Frogs | Rome Braves | — | Danville Braves GCL Braves | DSL Braves | [94] | |
2020 | Gwinnett Stripers | Mississippi Braves | Florida Fire Frogs | Rome Braves | — | Danville Braves GCL Braves | — | [95] |
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-A and Low-A.[96] Low-A was reclassified as Single-A in 2022.[97]
Season | Triple-A | Double-A | High-A | Single-A | Rookie | Foreign Rookie | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | Gwinnett Stripers | Mississippi Braves | Rome Braves | Augusta GreenJackets | FCL Braves | — | [98] | |
2022 | Gwinnett Stripers | Mississippi Braves | Rome Braves | Augusta GreenJackets | FCL Braves | DSL Braves | [99] | |
2023 | Gwinnett Stripers | Mississippi Braves | Rome Braves | Augusta GreenJackets | FCL Braves | DSL Braves | [100] | |
2024 | Gwinnett Stripers | Mississippi Braves | Rome Emperors | Augusta GreenJackets | FCL Braves | DSL Braves | [101] |