The Ultimate Map of Minor League Baseball Teams: A 2024 Guide

This guide is designed to be your ultimate resource. We will break down the entire MiLB system, from the highest rungs of Triple-A to the foundational levels of Single-A. We’ll explore the leagues, identify the teams, and provide you with the knowledge to plan your next baseball adventure.

Understanding the Structure of Minor League Baseball

Before diving into the map, it’s crucial to understand the hierarchy. Following a significant restructuring in 2021, MiLB now operates a streamlined, four-tiered system directly affiliated with MLB. Each MLB franchise has four affiliates, one at each level. This structure ensures a clear and consistent development path for prospects.

Triple-A (AAA): The highest level, just one step away from the major leagues. Rosters are filled with seasoned veterans and top prospects on the cusp of an MLB call-up.
Double-A (AA): Often considered the level where true prospects separate themselves. Players here face advanced competition, and success at Double-A is a strong indicator of future MLB potential.
High-A (A+): A critical developmental stage where players, often recent college draft picks, refine their skills over a full professional season.
Single-A (A): The first full-season experience for most players, typically populated by younger prospects and recent high school draftees beginning their professional journey.

Beyond these are the Rookie-level Complex Leagues (like the Arizona and Florida Complex Leagues), which are short-season leagues based at MLB spring training facilities, primarily for newly drafted or signed players.

Mapping the Minors: A League-by-League Breakdown

Now, let’s explore the geographical layout of MiLB. The teams are organized into leagues, which are generally grouped by region and classification level. This structure makes it easy for fans to plan road trips and see multiple teams in a single area.

Triple-A (AAA): The Gateway to the Majors

Triple-A is divided into two large leagues that cover the majority of the United States. The quality of play is exceptionally high, and the ballparks are often modern marvels.

International League (East)

Buffalo Bisons (Toronto Blue Jays)
Charlotte Knights (Chicago White Sox)
Columbus Clippers (Cleveland Guardians)
Durham Bulls (Tampa Bay Rays)
Gwinnett Stripers (Atlanta Braves)
Indianapolis Indians (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Iowa Cubs (Chicago Cubs)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Miami Marlins)
Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Philadelphia Phillies)
Louisville Bats (Cincinnati Reds)
Memphis Redbirds (St. Louis Cardinals)
Nashville Sounds (Milwaukee Brewers)
Norfolk Tides (Baltimore Orioles)
Omaha Storm Chasers (Kansas City Royals)
Rochester Red Wings (Washington Nationals)
St. Paul Saints (Minnesota Twins)
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (New York Yankees)
Syracuse Mets (New York Mets)
Toledo Mud Hens (Detroit Tigers)
Worcester Red Sox (Boston Red Sox)

Pacific Coast League (West)

Albuquerque Isotopes (Colorado Rockies)
El Paso Chihuahuas (San Diego Padres)
Las Vegas Aviators (Oakland Athletics)
Oklahoma City Dodgers (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Reno Aces (Arizona Diamondbacks)
Round Rock Express (Texas Rangers)
Sacramento River Cats (San Francisco Giants)
Salt Lake Bees (Los Angeles Angels)
Sugar Land Space Cowboys (Houston Astros)
Tacoma Rainiers (Seattle Mariners)

Double-A (AA): Where Prospects Prove Their Mettle

Double-A features three regional leagues where many of baseball’s future superstars make a name for themselves. The jump to this level is often considered the most significant in a player’s career.

Eastern League

Akron RubberDucks (Cleveland Guardians)
Altoona Curve (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Binghamton Rumble Ponies (New York Mets)
Bowie Baysox (Baltimore Orioles)
Erie SeaWolves (Detroit Tigers)
Harrisburg Senators (Washington Nationals)
Hartford Yard Goats (Colorado Rockies)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Toronto Blue Jays)
Portland Sea Dogs (Boston Red Sox)
Reading Fightin Phils (Philadelphia Phillies)
Richmond Flying Squirrels (San Francisco Giants)
Somerset Patriots (New York Yankees)

Southern League

Biloxi Shuckers (Milwaukee Brewers)
Birmingham Barons (Chicago White Sox)
Chattanooga Lookouts (Cincinnati Reds)
Mississippi Braves (Atlanta Braves)
Montgomery Biscuits (Tampa Bay Rays)
Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Miami Marlins)
Rocket City Trash Pandas (Los Angeles Angels)
Tennessee Smokies (Chicago Cubs)

Texas League

Amarillo Sod Poodles (Arizona Diamondbacks)
Arkansas Travelers (Seattle Mariners)
Corpus Christi Hooks (Houston Astros)
Frisco RoughRiders (Texas Rangers)
Midland RockHounds (Oakland Athletics)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Kansas City Royals)
San Antonio Missions (San Diego Padres)
Springfield Cardinals (St. Louis Cardinals)
Tulsa Drillers (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Wichita Wind Surge (Minnesota Twins)

High-A (A+): The Mid-Level Proving Ground

High-A is where talented players, often with college experience, adapt to the rigors of a full professional season against stiffer competition.

Midwest League

Beloit Sky Carp (Miami Marlins)
Cedar Rapids Kernels (Minnesota Twins)
Dayton Dragons (Cincinnati Reds)
Fort Wayne TinCaps (San Diego Padres)
Great Lakes Loons (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Lake County Captains (Cleveland Guardians)
Lansing Lugnuts (Oakland Athletics)
Peoria Chiefs (St. Louis Cardinals)
Quad Cities River Bandits (Kansas City Royals)
South Bend Cubs (Chicago Cubs)
West Michigan Whitecaps (Detroit Tigers)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Milwaukee Brewers)

Northwest League

Eugene Emeralds (San Francisco Giants)
Everett AquaSox (Seattle Mariners)
Hillsboro Hops (Arizona Diamondbacks)
Spokane Indians (Colorado Rockies)
Tri-City Dust Devils (Los Angeles Angels)
Vancouver Canadians (Toronto Blue Jays)

South Atlantic League

Aberdeen IronBirds (Baltimore Orioles)
Asheville Tourists (Houston Astros)
Bowling Green Hot Rods (Tampa Bay Rays)
Brooklyn Cyclones (New York Mets)
Greensboro Grasshoppers (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Greenville Drive (Boston Red Sox)
Hickory Crawdads (Texas Rangers)
Hudson Valley Renegades (New York Yankees)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws (Philadelphia Phillies)
Rome Emperors (Atlanta Braves)
Wilmington Blue Rocks (Washington Nationals)
Winston-Salem Dash (Chicago White Sox)

Single-A (A): The First Full-Season Stop

For many young prospects, Single-A represents their first taste of a grueling, 130+ game season. It’s a foundational level for building professional habits and skills.

California League

Fresno Grizzlies (Colorado Rockies)
Inland Empire 66ers (Los Angeles Angels)
Lake Elsinore Storm (San Diego Padres)
Modesto Nuts (Seattle Mariners)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Los Angeles Dodgers)
San Jose Giants (San Francisco Giants)
Stockton Ports (Oakland Athletics)
Visalia Rawhide (Arizona Diamondbacks)

Carolina League

Augusta GreenJackets (Atlanta Braves)
Carolina Mudcats (Milwaukee Brewers)
Charleston RiverDogs (Tampa Bay Rays)
Columbia Fireflies (Kansas City Royals)
Delmarva Shorebirds (Baltimore Orioles)
Down East Wood Ducks (Texas Rangers)
Fayetteville Woodpeckers (Houston Astros)
Fredericksburg Nationals (Washington Nationals)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (Chicago White Sox)
Lynchburg Hillcats (Cleveland Guardians)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Chicago Cubs)
Salem Red Sox (Boston Red Sox)

Florida State League

Bradenton Marauders (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Clearwater Threshers (Philadelphia Phillies)
Daytona Tortugas (Cincinnati Reds)
Dunedin Blue Jays (Toronto Blue Jays)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (Minnesota Twins)
Jupiter Hammerheads (Miami Marlins)
Lakeland Flying Tigers (Detroit Tigers)
Palm Beach Cardinals (St. Louis Cardinals)
St. Lucie Mets (New York Mets)
Tampa Tarpons (New York Yankees)

Planning Your MiLB Road Trip

With teams clustered in regions like the Carolinas, the Midwest, and California, a map is your best friend for planning a baseball road trip. You can often see several different teams, ballparks, and MLB farm systems within a few days. Check league schedules in advance to coordinate game dates, and don’t forget to look for unique ballpark promotions that make the MiLB experience so memorable.

Frequently Asked Questions About Minor League Baseball

How many affiliated minor league baseball teams are there?

As of the 2021 restructuring, there are 120 affiliated Minor League Baseball teams, with each of the 30 MLB clubs having four affiliates (one at each level: Triple-A, Double-A, High-A, and Single-A).

What state has the most minor league baseball teams?

While it can fluctuate slightly, Florida and California typically vie for the top spot. Florida benefits from hosting the Florida State League and numerous MLB Spring Training facilities, while California is home to the entire California League.

How are MiLB teams affiliated with MLB teams?

Each MiLB team signs a Player Development License (PDL) with a specific MLB franchise. This is typically a 10-year agreement where the MLB club provides the players and coaching staff and controls all on-field operations, while the MiLB team’s ownership manages the ballpark, marketing, and business side.

The Unmatched Charm of the Minors

Minor League Baseball is more than just a developmental system; it’s a cornerstone of American communities. It’s where you can see the stars of tomorrow today, get an autograph from a future Hall of Famer, and enjoy creative promotions and local food in a relaxed atmosphere. The connection between the team and its city is a special bond that defines the MiLB experience.