List of Seattle Mariners minor league affiliates
The Seattle Mariners farm system consists of four Minor League Baseball affiliates across the United States. Three teams are independently owned, while the Modesto Nuts are owned by the major league club. Additionally, the Mariners operate complex based rookie level squads playing in the Arizona League and the Dominican Summer League.
The Mariners have been affiliated with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers of the Pacific Coast League and High Single-A Everett AquaSox of the Northwest League since 1995, making them the longest-running active affiliations in the organization with the exception of the Rookie level training complex-based Arizona League Mariners.
Geographically, Seattle's closest domestic affiliate is the Tacoma Rainiers of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League, which is approximately 26 miles (42 km) away. Seattle's furthest domestic affiliate is the Arkansas Travelers of the Double-A Texas League some 1,781 miles (2,866 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.[1]
Year | Triple-A | Double-A | High Single-A | Low Single-A | Rookie League | Foreign Rookie |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | Tacoma Rainiers[2] | Arkansas Travelers[2] | Everett AquaSox[2] | Modesto Nuts[2] | AZL Mariners | DSL Mariners |
1990–2020
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.[3]
Year | Triple-A | Double-A | Class A-Advanced | Class A | Class A Short Season | Rookie League | Foreign Rookie |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2020 | Tacoma Rainiers | Arkansas Travelers | Modesto Nuts | West Virginia Power | Everett AquaSox | AZL Mariners | DSL Mariners |
2019 | Tacoma Rainiers[4] | Arkansas Travelers[5] | Modesto Nuts | West Virginia Power[6] | Everett AquaSox[7] | AZL Mariners | DSL Mariners |
2018 | Tacoma Rainiers | Arkansas Travelers | Modesto Nuts | Clinton LumberKings | Everett AquaSox | AZL Mariners | DSL Mariners |
2017 | Tacoma Rainiers | Arkansas Travelers[8] | Modesto Nuts[9] | Clinton LumberKings[10] | Everett AquaSox | AZL Mariners | DSL Mariners |
2016 | Tacoma Rainiers | Jackson Generals | Bakersfield Blaze | Clinton LumberKings | Everett AquaSox | AZL Mariners | DSL Mariners |
2015 | Tacoma Rainiers | Jackson Generals [11] | Bakersfield Blaze[12] | Clinton LumberKings | Everett AquaSox | AZL Mariners | DSL Mariners |
2014 | Tacoma Rainiers | Jackson Generals | High Desert Mavericks | Clinton LumberKings | Everett AquaSox | AZL Mariners Pulaski Mariners |
DSL Mariners VSL Mariners |
2013 | Tacoma Rainiers | Jackson Generals | High Desert Mavericks | Clinton LumberKings | Everett AquaSox | AZL Mariners Pulaski Mariners |
DSL Mariners VSL Mariners |
2012 | Tacoma Rainiers | Jackson Generals | High Desert Mavericks | Clinton LumberKings | Everett AquaSox | AZL Mariners Pulaski Mariners |
DSL Mariners VSL Mariners |
2011 | Tacoma Rainiers[13] | Jackson Generals[14] | High Desert Mavericks | Clinton LumberKings | Everett AquaSox | AZL Mariners Pulaski Mariners |
DSL Mariners VSL Mariners |
2010 | Tacoma Rainiers | West Tenn Diamond Jaxx | High Desert Mavericks | Clinton LumberKings | Everett AquaSox | AZL Mariners Pulaski Mariners |
DSL Mariners VSL Mariners |
2009 | Tacoma Rainiers[15] | West Tenn Diamond Jaxx | High Desert Mavericks | Clinton LumberKings[16] | Everett AquaSox | AZL Mariners Pulaski Mariners |
DSL Mariners VSL Mariners |
2008 | Tacoma Rainiers | West Tenn Diamond Jaxx | High Desert Mavericks | Wisconsin Timber Rattlers | Everett AquaSox | AZL Mariners Pulaski Mariners |
DSL Mariners VSL Mariners |
2007 | Tacoma Rainiers | West Tenn Diamond Jaxx[17] | High Desert Mavericks | Wisconsin Timber Rattlers | Everett AquaSox | AZL Mariners | DSL Mariners VSL Mariners |
2006 | Tacoma Rainiers | San Antonio Missions | Inland Empire 66ers | Wisconsin Timber Rattlers | Everett AquaSox | AZL Mariners | DSL Mariners VSL Mariners |
2005 | Tacoma Rainiers | San Antonio Missions | Inland Empire 66ers | Wisconsin Timber Rattlers | Everett AquaSox | AZL Mariners | DSL Mariners VSL Mariners |
2004 | Tacoma Rainiers | San Antonio Missions | Inland Empire 66ers | Wisconsin Timber Rattlers | Everett AquaSox | AZL Mariners | DSL Mariners VSL Mariners |
2003 | Tacoma Rainiers | San Antonio Missions | Inland Empire 66ers | Wisconsin Timber Rattlers | Everett AquaSox | AZL Mariners | DSL Mariners VSL Mariners |
2002 | Tacoma Rainiers | San Antonio Missions | San Bernardino Stampede | Wisconsin Timber Rattlers | Everett AquaSox | AZL Mariners | DSL Mariners VSL Mariners |
2001 | Tacoma Rainiers | San Antonio Missions | San Bernardino Stampede | Wisconsin Timber Rattlers | Everett AquaSox | AZL Mariners | DSL Mariners |
2000 | Tacoma Rainiers | New Haven Ravens | Lancaster JetHawks | Wisconsin Timber Rattlers | Everett AquaSox | AZL Mariners | DSL Mariners |
1999 | Tacoma Rainiers | New Haven Ravens[18] | Lancaster JetHawks | Wisconsin Timber Rattlers | Everett AquaSox | AZL Mariners | DSL Mariners |
1998 | Tacoma Rainiers | Orlando Rays | Lancaster JetHawks | Wisconsin Timber Rattlers | Everett AquaSox | AZL Mariners | DSL Mariners |
1997 | Tacoma Rainiers | Memphis Chicks[19] | Lancaster JetHawks | Wisconsin Timber Rattlers | Everett AquaSox | AZL Mariners | DSL Mariners |
1996 | Tacoma Rainiers | Port City Roosters | Lancaster JetHawks[20] | Wisconsin Timber Rattlers | Everett AquaSox | AZL Mariners | DSL Mariners |
1995 | Tacoma Rainiers | Port City Roosters | Riverside Pilots | Wisconsin Timber Rattlers[21] | Everett AquaSox | AZL Mariners | DSL Mariners |
1994 | Calgary Cannons | Jacksonville Suns | Riverside Pilots | Appleton Foxes | Bellingham Mariners[22] | AZL Mariners | DSL Mariners |
1993 | Calgary Cannons | Jacksonville Suns | Riverside Pilots [23] | Appleton Foxes[24] | Bellingham Mariners | AZL Mariners | DSL Mariners |
1992 | Calgary Cannons | Jacksonville Suns | Peninsula Pilots San Bernardino Spirit |
— | Bellingham Mariners | AZL Mariners | DSL Mariners |
1991 | Calgary Cannons | Jacksonville Suns | Peninsula Pilots San Bernardino Spirit |
— | Bellingham Mariners | AZL Mariners | DSL Mariners |
1990 | Calgary Cannons | Williamsport Bills | Peninsula Pilots San Bernardino Spirit |
— | Bellingham Mariners | AZL Mariners | DSL Mariners |
1977–1989
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 | Calgary Cannons | Williamsport Bills[25] | San Bernardino Spirit Wausau Timbers |
Bellingham Mariners | AZL Mariners DSL Mariners |
1988 | Calgary Cannons | Vermont Mariners[26] | San Bernardino Spirit[27] Wausau Timbers |
Bellingham Mariners | AZL Red Sox/Mariners |
1987 | Calgary Cannons | Chattanooga Lookouts | Salinas Spurs Wausau Timbers |
Bellingham Mariners | — |
1986 | Calgary Cannons | Chattanooga Lookouts | Salinas Spurs Wausau Timbers |
Bellingham Mariners | — |
1985 | Calgary Cannons[28] | Chattanooga Lookouts | Salinas Spurs Wausau Timbers |
Bellingham Mariners | — |
1984 | Salt Lake City Gulls | Chattanooga Lookouts | Salinas Spurs[29] Wausau Timbers |
Bellingham Mariners | Butte Copper Kings[30] |
1983 | Salt Lake City Gulls | Chattanooga Lookouts[31] | Bakersfield Mariners Wausau Timbers |
Bellingham Mariners | — |
1982 | Salt Lake City Gulls[32] | Lynn Sailors | Bakersfield Mariners[33] Wausau Timbers |
Bellingham Mariners | — |
1981 | Spokane Indians | Lynn Sailors | Wausau Timbers[34] | Bellingham Mariners | — |
1980 | Spokane Indians | Lynn Sailors[35] | San Jose Missions | Bellingham Mariners | — |
1979 | Spokane Indians[36] | — | Alexandria Mariners San Jose Missions |
Bellingham Mariners | — |
1978 | San Jose Missions[37] | — | Stockton Mariners[38] | Bellingham Mariners | — |
1977 | — | — | — | Bellingham Mariners[39] | — |
References
- Reichard, Kevin. "Affiliate Dance 2020". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
- Johns, Greg (December 9, 2020). "Mariners invite 4 clubs to return as affiliates". 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.
- "Tacoma Rainiers And Seattle Mariners Announce Four-Year Extension Of Player Development Contract Through 2022". Minor League Baseball. September 13, 2018. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- "Arkansas, Seattle Extend Affiliation Through 2020". Ballpark Digest. August 10, 2018. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- "Power, Mariners Announce New Affiliation". Ballpark Digest. September 24, 2018. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
- "AquaSox, Mariners Extend PDC Through 2022". September 19, 2018. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
- Divish, Ryan (2016-09-20). "Mariners agree to 2-year player development contract with Class AA Arkansas Travelers".
- Agostini, Ron (2016-09-20). "Go, Mariners! Modesto Nuts sign new affiliate contract".
- "LumberKings, Mariners Extend PDC". Ballpark Digest. August 29, 2016. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- Weisman, Mike. "LumberKings and Mariners Extend Player Development Contract," Clinton LumberKings, Wednesday, September 10, 2014.
- "Mariners, Blaze announce partnership," Bakersfield Blaze, Friday, September 19, 2014.
- "Rainiers, Mariners extend partnership through 2014," The Seattle Times, Wednesday, August 18, 2010.
- "Jackson Generals Unveiled as 2011 Team Name," Jackson Generals, Monday, September 6, 2010.
- Divish, Ryan (2008-09-10). "M's extend affiliation with Rainiers". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2020-11-17.
- Romero, Jose (2008-09-22). "Mariners, Clinton LumberKings sign development contract". Seattle Times.
- "Diamond Jaxx become Southern League affiliate of the Seattle Mariners," Seattle Mariners press release, Thursday, September 28, 2006.
- Gonzalez, Roberto (1998-09-19). "Ravens Have Two-Year Deal To Be Mariners Affiliate". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2020-11-17.
- "Mariners get the Chicks". Newspapers.com. 1996-10-20. Retrieved 2020-11-17.
- "Building a Dream". Newspapers.com. 1995-12-10. Retrieved 2020-11-17.
- Vanden Acker, Joseph (1994-09-14). "Foxes become Timber Rattlers". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2020-11-17.
- "M's end Bellingham ties". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2020-11-17.
- Santoro, Joe. "Mariners add Silver Sox to fleet". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2020-09-07.
- Kanpinski, Dick (1992-09-29). "Foxes sign deal with Mariners". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2020-11-17.
- "1989, the year the Mariners came to town". sungazette.com. Retrieved 2020-11-17.
- Iole, Kevin. "The new crop of stars". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2020-11-16.
- Bristow, David T. "Mariners exec enthused about PDC with Spirit". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2020-11-16.
- "Calgary Cannons will be Seattle Mariners' farm club," Ottawa Citizen, Friday, October 19, 1984.
- "Spurs sign 1-year deal with Seattle". Newspapers.com. 1983-11-08. Retrieved 2020-11-17.
- "Copper Kings sign pact with Mariners". Newspapers.com. 1983-10-27. Retrieved 2020-11-17.
- "Lookouts Affiliate". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2020-11-16.
- "Mariners drop Spokane, pick up Salt Lake City," The Associated Press, Saturday, September 26, 1981.
- "Cal League expansion planned". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2020-11-16.
- "Timbers, Seattle reach agreement". The Daily Herald. 1980. p. 17.
- McNiff, Thomas (1980). "Lynn gets a team". The Boston Globe. p. 55.
- "Baseball Partners Indians, M's delighted". The Spokesman-Review. 1978. p. 55.
- "Mariners, Stockton come to agreement". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2020-11-16.
- "Old Friends Rejoin California League". Newspapers.com. 1978-02-05. Retrieved 2020-08-31.
- "Bellingham farm club". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2020-11-16.