List of Philadelphia Phillies minor league affiliates

Philadelphia
Phillies

Lehigh Valley IronPigs

Reading Fightin Phils

Jersey Shore BlueClaws

Current Philadelphia Phillies northeastern minor league affiliate locations

The Philadelphia Phillies farm system consists of eight Minor League Baseball affiliates across the United States and in the Dominican Republic. Five teams are owned by the major league club, while three—the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Jersey Shore BlueClaws, and Williamsport Crosscutters—are independently owned.

On April 14, 1934, the Phillies entered into their first affiliation agreement with the New York–Penn League Hazleton Mountaineers.^[1] The Phillies have been affiliated with the High-A Jersey Shore BlueClaws of the High-A East since 2001, making it the longest-running active affiliation in the organization among teams not owned by the Phillies.^[2] Their newest affiliate is the Lehigh Valley IronPigs of the Triple-A East who became the Phillies' Triple-A club in 2008.

Geographically, Philadelphia's closest domestic affiliate is the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils of the Double-A Northeast, which are approximately 51 miles (82 km) away. Philadelphia's furthest domestic affiliates are the Low-A Clearwater Threshers of the Low-A Southeast and Gulf Coast League Phillies of the Gulf Coast League, which share a facility some 931 miles (1,498 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-A and Low-A. Class A Short Season teams and domestic Rookie League teams that operated away from spring training facilities were eliminated.

Year	Triple-A	Double-A	High-A	Low-A	Rookie League	Foreign Rookie
2021	Lehigh Valley IronPigs^[3]	Reading Fightin Phils^[3]	Jersey Shore BlueClaws^[3]	Clearwater Threshers^[3]	GCL Phillies East GCL Phillies West	DSL Phillies Red DSL Phillies White

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.^[4]

Year	Triple-A	Double-A	Class A-Advanced	Class A	Class A Short Season	Rookie League	Foreign Rookie
2020	Lehigh Valley IronPigs^[5]	Reading Fightin Phils^[6]	Clearwater Threshers^[6]	Lakewood BlueClaws^[7]	Williamsport Crosscutters^[8]	GCL Phillies East GCL Phillies West	DSL Phillies Red DSL Phillies White
2019	Lehigh Valley IronPigs	Reading Fightin Phils	Clearwater Threshers	Lakewood BlueClaws	Williamsport Crosscutters	GCL Phillies East GCL Phillies West	DSL Phillies Red DSL Phillies White
2018	Lehigh Valley IronPigs	Reading Fightin Phils	Clearwater Threshers	Lakewood BlueClaws	Williamsport Crosscutters	GCL Phillies East GCL Phillies West	DSL Phillies Red DSL Phillies White
2017	Lehigh Valley IronPigs	Reading Fightin Phils	Clearwater Threshers	Lakewood BlueClaws	Williamsport Crosscutters	GCL Phillies	DSL Phillies Red DSL Phillies White
2016	Lehigh Valley IronPigs	Reading Fightin Phils	Clearwater Threshers	Lakewood BlueClaws	Williamsport Crosscutters	GCL Phillies	DSL Phillies 1 DSL Phillies 2
2015	Lehigh Valley IronPigs	Reading Fightin Phils	Clearwater Threshers	Lakewood BlueClaws	Williamsport Crosscutters	GCL Phillies	DSL Phillies VSL Phillies
2014	Lehigh Valley IronPigs	Reading Fightin Phils	Clearwater Threshers	Lakewood BlueClaws	Williamsport Crosscutters	GCL Phillies	DSL Phillies VSL Phillies
2013	Lehigh Valley IronPigs	Reading Fightin Phils	Clearwater Threshers	Lakewood BlueClaws	Williamsport Crosscutters	GCL Phillies	DSL Phillies VSL Phillies
2012	Lehigh Valley IronPigs	Reading Phillies	Clearwater Threshers	Lakewood BlueClaws	Williamsport Crosscutters	GCL Phillies	DSL Phillies VSL Phillies
2011	Lehigh Valley IronPigs	Reading Phillies	Clearwater Threshers	Lakewood BlueClaws	Williamsport Crosscutters	GCL Phillies	DSL Phillies VSL Phillies
2010	Lehigh Valley IronPigs	Reading Phillies	Clearwater Threshers	Lakewood BlueClaws	Williamsport Crosscutters	GCL Phillies	DSL Phillies VSL Phillies
2009	Lehigh Valley IronPigs	Reading Phillies	Clearwater Threshers	Lakewood BlueClaws	Williamsport Crosscutters	GCL Phillies	DSL Phillies VSL Phillies
2008	Lehigh Valley IronPigs	Reading Phillies	Clearwater Threshers	Lakewood BlueClaws	Williamsport Crosscutters	GCL Phillies	DSL Phillies VSL Phillies
2007	Ottawa Lynx	Reading Phillies	Clearwater Threshers	Lakewood BlueClaws	Williamsport Crosscutters	GCL Phillies	DSL Phillies VSL Phillies
2006	Scranton-Wilkes Barre Red Barons	Reading Phillies	Clearwater Threshers	Lakewood BlueClaws	Batavia Muckdogs	GCL Phillies	—
2005	Scranton-Wilkes Barre Red Barons	Reading Phillies	Clearwater Threshers	Lakewood BlueClaws	Batavia Muckdogs	GCL Phillies	—
2004	Scranton-Wilkes Barre Red Barons	Reading Phillies	Clearwater Threshers	Lakewood BlueClaws	Batavia Muckdogs	GCL Phillies	—
2003	Scranton-Wilkes Barre Red Barons	Reading Phillies	Clearwater Phillies	Lakewood BlueClaws	Batavia Muckdogs	GCL Phillies	—
2002	Scranton-Wilkes Barre Red Barons	Reading Phillies	Clearwater Phillies	Lakewood BlueClaws	Batavia Muckdogs	GCL Phillies	—
2001	Scranton-Wilkes Barre Red Barons	Reading Phillies	Clearwater Phillies	Lakewood BlueClaws	Batavia Muckdogs	GCL Phillies	—
2000	Scranton-Wilkes Barre Red Barons	Reading Phillies	Clearwater Phillies	Piedmont Boll Weevils	Batavia Muckdogs	GCL Phillies	—
1999	Scranton-Wilkes Barre Red Barons	Reading Phillies	Clearwater Phillies	Piedmont Boll Weevils	Batavia Muckdogs	GCL Phillies	—
1998	Scranton-Wilkes Barre Red Barons	Reading Phillies	Clearwater Phillies	Piedmont Boll Weevils	Batavia Muckdogs	Martinsville Phillies	—
1997	Scranton-Wilkes Barre Red Barons	Reading Phillies	Clearwater Phillies	Piedmont Boll Weevils	Batavia Clippers	Martinsville Phillies	—
1996	Scranton-Wilkes Barre Red Barons	Reading Phillies	Clearwater Phillies	Piedmont Boll Weevils	Batavia Clippers	Martinsville Phillies	—
1995	Scranton-Wilkes Barre Red Barons	Reading Phillies	Clearwater Phillies	Piedmont Phillies	Batavia Clippers	Martinsville Phillies	—
1994	Scranton-Wilkes Barre Red Barons	Reading Phillies	Clearwater Phillies	Spartanburg Phillies	Batavia Clippers	Martinsville Phillies	—
1993	Scranton-Wilkes Barre Red Barons	Reading Phillies	Clearwater Phillies	Spartanburg Phillies	Batavia Clippers	Martinsville Phillies	—
1992	Scranton-Wilkes Barre Red Barons	Reading Phillies	Clearwater Phillies	Spartanburg Phillies	Batavia Clippers	Martinsville Phillies	—
1991	Scranton-Wilkes Barre Red Barons	Reading Phillies	Clearwater Phillies	Spartanburg Phillies	Batavia Clippers	Martinsville Phillies	—
1990	Scranton-Wilkes Barre Red Barons	Reading Phillies	Clearwater Phillies	Spartanburg Phillies	Batavia Clippers	Martinsville Phillies; Princeton Patriots (Co-op)	—

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.^[4]

Year	Triple-A	Double-A	Class A	Class A Short Season	Rookie League
1989	Scranton-Wilkes Barre Red Barons	Reading Phillies	Clearwater Phillies Spartanburg Phillies	Batavia Clippers	Martinsville Phillies
1988	Maine Phillies	Reading Phillies	Clearwater Phillies Spartanburg Phillies	Batavia Clippers	Martinsville Phillies
1987	Maine Guides	Reading Phillies	Clearwater Phillies Spartanburg Phillies	Utica Blue Sox	—
1986	Portland Beavers	Reading Phillies	Clearwater Phillies Spartanburg Phillies	Utica Blue Sox Bend Phillies	—
1985	Portland Beavers	Reading Phillies	Clearwater Phillies Peninsula Pilots Spartanburg Suns	Bend Phillies	—
1984	Portland Beavers	Reading Phillies	Peninsula Pilots Spartanburg Suns	Bend Phillies	GCL Phillies
1983	Portland Beavers	Reading Phillies	Peninsula Pilots Spartanburg Spinners	Bend Phillies	Helena Phillies
1982	Oklahoma City 89ers	Reading Phillies	Peninsula Pilots Spartanburg Traders	Bend Phillies	Helena Phillies
1981	Oklahoma City 89ers	Reading Phillies	Peninsula Pilots Spartanburg Traders	Bend Phillies	Helena Phillies
1980	Oklahoma City 89ers	Reading Phillies	Peninsula Pilots Spartanburg Phillies	Central Oregon Phillies	Helena Phillies
1979	Oklahoma City 89ers	Reading Phillies	Peninsula Pilots Spartanburg Phillies	Central Oregon Phillies	Helena Phillies
1978	Oklahoma City 89ers	Reading Phillies	Peninsula Pilots Spartanburg Phillies	Auburn Sunsets (Co-op with Astros)	Helena Phillies
1977	Oklahoma City 89ers	Reading Phillies	Peninsula Pilots Spartanburg Phillies	Auburn Phillies	—
1976	Oklahoma City 89ers	Reading Phillies	Peninsula Pilots Spartanburg Phillies	Auburn Phillies	—
1975	Toledo Mud Hens	Reading Phillies	Rocky Mount Phillies Spartanburg Phillies	Auburn Phillies	Pulaski Phillies
1974	Toledo Mud Hens	Reading Phillies	Rocky Mount Phillies Spartanburg Phillies	Auburn Phillies	Pulaski Phillies
1973	Eugene Emeralds	Reading Phillies	Rocky Mount Phillies Spartanburg Phillies	Auburn Phillies	Pulaski Phillies
1972	Eugene Emeralds	Reading Phillies	Spartanburg Phillies	Auburn Phillies	Pulaski Phillies
1971	Eugene Emeralds	Reading Phillies	Peninsula Phillies Spartanburg Phillies	Walla Walla Phillies	Pulaski Phillies
1970	Eugene Emeralds	Reading Phillies	Peninsula Phillies Spartanburg Phillies	Walla Walla Phillies	Pulaski Phillies
1969	Eugene Emeralds	Reading Phillies	Raleigh-Durham Phillies Spartanburg Phillies	Walla Walla Bears	Pulaski Phillies
1968	San Diego Padres	Reading Phillies	Portsmouth Tides Spartanburg Phillies	Eugene Emeralds	Huron Phillies
1967	San Diego Padres	Reading Phillies	Portsmouth Tides Spartanburg Phillies	Bakersfield Bears	Huron Phillies Batavia Trojans
1966	San Diego Padres	Macon Peaches	Portsmouth Tides Spartanburg Phillies	Bakersfield Bears	Huron Phillies
1965	Arkansas Travelers	Chattanooga Lookouts	Miami Marlins Spartanburg Phillies	Bakersfield Bears	Huron Phillies Eugene Emeralds
1964	Arkansas Travelers	Chattanooga Lookouts	Miami Marlins Spartanburg Phillies	Bakersfield Bears	Eugene Emeralds
1963	Arkansas Travelers	Chattanooga Lookouts	Miami Marlins Spartanburg Phillies	Bakersfield Bears	Magic Valley Cowboys

1934–1962[]

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.^[4]

Year	Triple-A	Double-A	Class A	Class B	Class C	Class D
1962	Buffalo Bisons Dallas-Ft Worth Rangers	—	Williamsport Grays		Bakersfield Bears Magic Valley Cowboys	Dothan Phillies Miami Marlins
1961	Buffalo Bisons	Chattanooga Lookouts	Williamsport Grays	Des Moines Demons	Bakersfield Bears Magic Valley Cowboys	Elmira Pioneers Dothan Phillies
1960	Buffalo Bisons Indianapolis Indians	Chattanooga Lookouts	Williamsport Grays Asheville Tourists	Des Moines Demons	Bakersfield Bears	Elmira Pioneers Johnson City Phillies Tampa Tarpons
1959	Buffalo Bisons	—	Williamsport Grays Asheville Tourists	Des Moines Demons	Bakersfield Bears	Elmira Pioneers Johnson City Phillies Tampa Tarpons
1958	Miami Marlins	Tulsa Oilers	Williamsport Grays	High Point–Thomasville Hi-Toms	Bakersfield Bears	Olean Oilers Johnson City Phillies Brunswick Phillies Tampa Tarpons
1957	Miami Marlins	Tulsa Oilers	Schenectady Blue Jays	High Point-Thomasville Hi-Toms Lewiston Broncos	Salt Lake City Bees	Olean Oilers Johnson City Phillies Moultrie Phillies/Brunswick Phillies Tampa Tarpons
1956	Miami Marlins	—	Schenectady Blue Jays	Wilson Tobs	Salt Lake City Bees	Olean Oilers Tifton Phillies Mattoon Phillies
1955	Syracuse Chiefs	—	Schenectady Blue Jays	Reidsville Phillies	Salt Lake City Bees Trois-Rivières Phillies	Bradford Phillies Pulaski Phillies Mattoon Phillies
1954	Syracuse Chiefs	—	Schenectady Blue Jays Salem Senators	Terre Haute Phillies	Salt Lake City Bees Trois-Rivières Phillies	Bradford Phillies Pulaski Phillies Mattoon Phillies
1953	Baltimore Orioles	—	Schenectady Blue Jays Spokane Indians	Terre Haute Phillies	Salt Lake City Bees Granby Phillies	Bradford Phillies Pulaski Phillies Mattoon Phillies
1952	Baltimore Orioles	—	Schenectady Blue Jays Tri-City Braves	Terre Haute Phillies Wilmington Blue Rocks	Salt Lake City Bees Granby Phillies Grand Forks Chiefs Salina Blue Jays	Bradford Phillies Pulaski Phillies Miami Eagles
1951	Baltimore Orioles	—	Schenectady Blue Jays	Terre Haute Phillies Wilmington Blue Rocks	Salt Lake City Bees Grand Forks Chiefs Salina Blue Jays Pittsfield Phillies	Bradford Phillies Elizabethton Phils Klamath Falls Gems Lima Phillies
1950	Toronto Maple Leafs	—	Utica Blue Sox	Terre Haute Phillies Wilmington Blue Rocks	Salina Blue Jays Schenectady Blue Jays Vandergrift Pioneers	Bradford Phillies Klamath Falls Gems Lima Phillies Americus Phillies Carbondale Pioneers
1949	Toronto Maple Leafs	—	Utica Blue Sox	Terre Haute Phillies Wilmington Blue Rocks Portland Pilots	Salina Blue Jays Schenectady Blue Jays Vandergrift Pioneers	Bradford Blue Wings Klamath Falls Gems Americus Phillies Carbondale Pioneers Appleton Papermakers Pulaski Counts Seaford Eagles
1948	Toronto Maple Leafs	—	Utica Blue Sox	Terre Haute Phillies Wilmington Blue Rocks Portland Pilots	Salina Blue Jays Schenectady Blue Jays Vandergrift Pioneers	Bradford Blue Wings Klamath Falls Gems Americus Phillies Carbondale Pioneers Appleton Papermakers Baton Rouge Red Sticks Dover Phillies
1947	—	—	Utica Blue Sox	Terre Haute Phillies Wilmington Blue Rocks	Salina Blue Jays Schenectady Blue Jays Vandergrift Pioneers	Bradford Blue Wings Americus Phillies Carbondale Pioneers Appleton Papermakers Dover Phillies
1946	—	—	Utica Blue Sox	Terre Haute Phillies Wilmington Blue Rocks	Salina Blue Jays Schenectady Blue Jays	Bradford Blue Wings Americus Phillies Dover Phillies Green Bay Bluejays
1945	—	—	Utica Blue Sox	Wilmington Blue Rocks	Greensboro Patriots	Bradford Blue Wings Concord Weavers
1944	—	—	Utica Blue Sox	Wilmington Blue Rocks	—	Bradford Blue Wings
1943	—	—	Utica Braves	Trenton Packers	—	—
1942	—	—	—	Trenton Packers	Rome Colonels	—
1941	—	—	—	Allentown Wings	Wausau Timberjacks	Martinsville Manufacturers
1940	Baltimore Orioles	—	—	Pensacola Pilots Portsmouth Cubs	Ottawa–Ogdensburg Senators	Martinsville Manufacturers Dover Orioles Moultrie Packers Wausau Timberjacks
1939	—	—	—	Pensacola Pilots Portsmouth Cubs	—	Moultrie Packers Johnstown Johnnies Mayodan Millers
1938	—	—	—	Montgomery Bombers	—	Centreville Colts Jonesboro Giants
1937	—	—	—	—	—	Centreville Colts
1936	—	—	Hazleton Mountaineers	—	—	—
1935	—	—	Hazleton Mountaineers	—	—	—
1934	—	—	Hazleton Mountaineers	—	—	—

References[]

^ "Hazelton to Be Phils' Farm". New York Times. April 15, 1934. Retrieved September 29, 2009.
^ "Philadelphia Phillies Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Zolecki, Todd (December 9, 2020). "Phillies invite old Minors affiliates to remain". MLB. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
^ ^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.
^ "IronPigs, Phillies Extend PDC". Ballpark Digest. September 6, 2016. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
^ ^a ^b Reichard, Kevin. "Affiliate Dance". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
^ "Phillies, BlueClaws Extend PDC". Ballpark Digest. August 4, 2016. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
^ "Crosscutters, Phillies Extend PDC". Ballpark Digest. September 18, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2018.

External links[]

[1] "Hazelton to Be Phils' Farm". New York Times. April 15, 1934. Retrieved September 29, 2009.

[BRList-2] "Philadelphia Phillies Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 2, 2017.

[MLB2021-3] Zolecki, Todd (December 9, 2020). "Phillies invite old Minors affiliates to remain". MLB. Retrieved December 9, 2020.

[JCronin-4] 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.

[5] "IronPigs, Phillies Extend PDC". Ballpark Digest. September 6, 2016. Retrieved September 11, 2018.

[affdance-6] Reichard, Kevin. "Affiliate Dance". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved September 12, 2018.

[7] "Phillies, BlueClaws Extend PDC". Ballpark Digest. August 4, 2016. Retrieved September 11, 2018.

[8] "Crosscutters, Phillies Extend PDC". Ballpark Digest. September 18, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2018.

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