List of St. Louis Cardinals minor league affiliates
St. Louis Cardinals
Springfield Cardinals
Peoria Chiefs
The St. Louis Cardinals farm system consists of seven Minor League Baseball affiliates across the United States and in the Dominican Republic. Five teams are owned by the major league club, while the Memphis Redbirds and Peoria Chiefs are independently owned.
The Cardinals have been affiliated with the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds of the Triple-A East since 1998, making it the longest-running active affiliation in the organization among teams not owned by the Cardinals.[1] Their newest affiliate is the High-A Peoria Chiefs of the High-A Central, which became a Cardinals affiliate in 2013. The longest affiliation in team history was the 33-year relationship with the Triple-A International League's Rochester Red Wings from 1929 to 1960.[1]
Geographically, St. Louis' closest domestic affiliate is the Peoria Chiefs, which are approximately 146 miles (235 km) away. St. Louis' furthest domestic affiliates are the Low-A Palm Beach Cardinals of the Low-A Southeast and the Rookie League Florida Complex League Cardinals of the Florida Complex League which share a facility some 998 miles (1,606 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.[2]
| Year | Triple-A | Double-A | High-A | Low-A | Rookie League | Foreign Rookie |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Memphis Redbirds[3] | Springfield Cardinals[3] | Peoria Chiefs[3] | Palm Beach Cardinals[3] | FCL Cardinals | DSL Cardinals Blue DSL Cardinals Red |
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 | Memphis Redbirds[5] | Springfield Cardinals[6] | Palm Beach Cardinals[6] | Peoria Chiefs[7] | State College Spikes[8] | Johnson City Cardinals[6] GCL Cardinals |
DSL Cardinals Blue DSL Cardinals Red |
| 2019 | Memphis Redbirds | Springfield Cardinals | Palm Beach Cardinals | Peoria Chiefs | State College Spikes | Johnson City Cardinals GCL Cardinals |
DSL Cardinals Blue DSL Cardinals Red |
| 2018 | Memphis Redbirds | Springfield Cardinals | Palm Beach Cardinals | Peoria Chiefs | State College Spikes | Johnson City Cardinals GCL Cardinals |
DSL Cardinals Blue DSL Cardinals Red |
| 2017 | Memphis Redbirds | Springfield Cardinals | Palm Beach Cardinals | Peoria Chiefs | State College Spikes | Johnson City Cardinals GCL Cardinals |
DSL Cardinals |
| 2016 | Memphis Redbirds | Springfield Cardinals | Palm Beach Cardinals | Peoria Chiefs | State College Spikes | Johnson City Cardinals GCL Cardinals |
DSL Cardinals |
| 2015 | Memphis Redbirds | Springfield Cardinals | Palm Beach Cardinals | Peoria Chiefs | State College Spikes | Johnson City Cardinals GCL Cardinals |
DSL Cardinals |
| 2014 | Memphis Redbirds | Springfield Cardinals | Palm Beach Cardinals | Peoria Chiefs | State College Spikes | Johnson City Cardinals GCL Cardinals |
DSL Cardinals |
| 2013 | Memphis Redbirds | Springfield Cardinals | Palm Beach Cardinals | Peoria Chiefs | State College Spikes | Johnson City Cardinals GCL Cardinals |
DSL Cardinals |
| 2012 | Memphis Redbirds | Springfield Cardinals | Palm Beach Cardinals | Quad Cities River Bandits | Batavia Muckdogs | Johnson City Cardinals GCL Cardinals |
DSL Cardinals |
| 2011 | Memphis Redbirds | Springfield Cardinals | Palm Beach Cardinals | Quad Cities River Bandits | Batavia Muckdogs | Johnson City Cardinals GCL Cardinals |
DSL Cardinals |
| 2010 | Memphis Redbirds | Springfield Cardinals | Palm Beach Cardinals | Quad Cities River Bandits | Batavia Muckdogs | Johnson City Cardinals GCL Cardinals |
DSL Cardinals |
| 2009 | Memphis Redbirds | Springfield Cardinals | Palm Beach Cardinals | Quad Cities River Bandits | Batavia Muckdogs | Johnson City Cardinals GCL Cardinals |
DSL Cardinals VSL Cardinals |
| 2008 | Memphis Redbirds | Springfield Cardinals | Palm Beach Cardinals | Quad Cities River Bandits | Batavia Muckdogs | Johnson City Cardinals GCL Cardinals |
DSL Cardinals VSL Cardinals |
| 2007 | Memphis Redbirds | Springfield Cardinals | Palm Beach Cardinals | Swing of the Quad Cities | Batavia Muckdogs | Johnson City Cardinals GCL Cardinals |
DSL Cardinals VSL Cardinals |
| 2006 | Memphis Redbirds | Springfield Cardinals | Palm Beach Cardinals | Swing of the Quad Cities | State College Spikes | Johnson City Cardinals | DSL Cardinals VSL Cardinals |
| 2005 | Memphis Redbirds | Springfield Cardinals | Palm Beach Cardinals | Swing of the Quad Cities | New Jersey Cardinals | Johnson City Cardinals | DSL Cardinals |
| 2004 | Memphis Redbirds | Tennessee Smokies | Palm Beach Cardinals | Peoria Chiefs | New Jersey Cardinals | Johnson City Cardinals | — |
| 2003 | Memphis Redbirds | Tennessee Smokies | Palm Beach Cardinals | Peoria Chiefs | New Jersey Cardinals | Johnson City Cardinals | DSL Cardinals |
| 2002 | Memphis Redbirds | New Haven Ravens | Potomac Cannons | Peoria Chiefs | New Jersey Cardinals | Johnson City Cardinals | DSL Cardinals |
| 2001 | Memphis Redbirds | New Haven Ravens | Potomac Cannons | Peoria Chiefs | New Jersey Cardinals | Johnson City Cardinals | DSL Cardinals |
| 2000 | Memphis Redbirds | Arkansas Travelers | Potomac Cannons | Peoria Chiefs | New Jersey Cardinals | Johnson City Cardinals | DSL Cardinals |
| 1999 | Memphis Redbirds | Arkansas Travelers | Potomac Cannons | Peoria Chiefs | New Jersey Cardinals | Johnson City Cardinals | DSL Cardinals |
| 1998 | Memphis Redbirds | Arkansas Travelers | Prince William Cannons | Peoria Chiefs | New Jersey Cardinals | Johnson City Cardinals | DSL Cardinals |
| 1997 | Louisville Redbirds | Arkansas Travelers | Prince William Cannons | Peoria Chiefs | New Jersey Cardinals | Johnson City Cardinals | DSL Cardinals |
| 1996 | Louisville Redbirds | Arkansas Travelers | St. Petersburg Cardinals | Peoria Chiefs | New Jersey Cardinals | Johnson City Cardinals | DSL Cardinals |
| 1995 | Louisville Redbirds | Arkansas Travelers | St. Petersburg Cardinals | Peoria Chiefs Savannah Cardinals |
New Jersey Cardinals | Johnson City Cardinals | — |
| 1994 | Louisville Redbirds | Arkansas Travelers | St. Petersburg Cardinals | Madison Hatters Savannah Cardinals |
New Jersey Cardinals | Johnson City Cardinals AZL Cardinals |
— |
| 1993 | Louisville Redbirds | Arkansas Travelers | St. Petersburg Cardinals | Springfield Cardinals Savannah Cardinals |
Glens Falls Redbirds | Johnson City Cardinals AZL Cardinals |
— |
| 1992 | Louisville Redbirds | Arkansas Travelers | St. Petersburg Cardinals | Springfield Cardinals Savannah Cardinals |
Hamilton Redbirds | Johnson City Cardinals AZL Cardinals |
— |
| 1991 | Louisville Redbirds | Arkansas Travelers | St. Petersburg Cardinals | Springfield Cardinals Savannah Cardinals |
Hamilton Redbirds | Johnson City Cardinals AZL Cardinals |
— |
| 1990 | Louisville Redbirds | Arkansas Travelers | St. Petersburg Cardinals | Springfield Cardinals Savannah Cardinals |
Hamilton Redbirds | Johnson City Cardinals AZL Cardinals |
— |
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 | Louisville Redbirds | Arkansas Travelers | St. Petersburg Cardinals, Springfield Cardinals, Savannah Cardinals | Hamilton Redbirds | Johnson City Cardinals AZL Cardinals |
| 1988 | Louisville Redbirds | Arkansas Travelers | St. Petersburg Cardinals, Springfield Cardinals, Savannah Cardinals | Hamilton Redbirds | Johnson City Cardinals |
| 1987 | Louisville Redbirds | Arkansas Travelers | St. Petersburg Cardinals, Springfield Cardinals, Savannah Cardinals | Erie Cardinals | Johnson City Cardinals |
| 1986 | Louisville Redbirds | Arkansas Travelers | St. Petersburg Cardinals, Springfield Cardinals, Savannah Cardinals | Erie Cardinals | Johnson City Cardinals |
| 1985 | Louisville Redbirds | Arkansas Travelers | St. Petersburg Cardinals, Springfield Cardinals, Savannah Cardinals | Erie Cardinals | Johnson City Cardinals |
| 1984 | Louisville Redbirds | Arkansas Travelers | St. Petersburg Cardinals, Springfield Cardinals, Savannah Cardinals | Erie Cardinals | Johnson City Cardinals |
| 1983 | Louisville Redbirds | Arkansas Travelers | St. Petersburg Cardinals, Springfield Cardinals, Macon Redbirds | Erie Cardinals | Johnson City Cardinals |
| 1982 | Louisville Redbirds | Arkansas Travelers | St. Petersburg Cardinals, Springfield Cardinals, Gastonia Cardinals | Erie Cardinals | Johnson City Cardinals |
| 1981 | Springfield Redbirds | Arkansas Travelers | St. Petersburg Cardinals, Gastonia Cardinals | Erie Cardinals | Johnson City Cardinals |
| 1980 | Springfield Redbirds | Arkansas Travelers | St. Petersburg Cardinals, Gastonia Cardinals | — | Johnson City Cardinals |
| 1979[9] | Springfield Redbirds | Arkansas Travelers | St. Petersburg Cardinals, Gastonia Cardinals | — | Johnson City Cardinals |
| 1978 | Springfield Redbirds | Arkansas Travelers | St. Petersburg Cardinals, Gastonia Cardinals | — | Johnson City Cardinals Calgary Cardinals |
| 1977 | New Orleans Pelicans | Arkansas Travelers | St. Petersburg Cardinals, Gastonia Cardinals | — | Johnson City Cardinals Calgary Cardinals |
| 1976 | Tulsa Oilers | Arkansas Travelers | St. Petersburg Cardinals | — | Johnson City Cardinals GCL Cardinals |
| 1975 | Tulsa Oilers | Arkansas Travelers | St. Petersburg Cardinals | — | Johnson City Cardinals GCL Cardinals |
| 1974[10] | Tulsa Oilers | Arkansas Travelers | St. Petersburg Cardinals, Modesto Reds | — | GCL Cardinals |
| 1973 | Tulsa Oilers | Arkansas Travelers | St. Petersburg Cardinals, Modesto Reds | — | GCL Cardinals GCL Red Birds |
| 1972 | Tulsa Oilers | Arkansas Travelers | St. Petersburg Cardinals, Modesto Reds, Cedar Rapids Cardinals | — | GCL Cardinals GCL Red Birds |
| 1971 | Tulsa Oilers | Arkansas Travelers | St. Petersburg Cardinals, Modesto Reds, Cedar Rapids Cardinals | — | GCL Cardinals |
| 1970 | Tulsa Oilers | Arkansas Travelers | St. Petersburg Cardinals, Modesto Reds, Cedar Rapids Cardinals | Lewiston Broncs | GCL Cardinals |
| 1969 | Tulsa Oilers | Arkansas Travelers | St. Petersburg Cardinals, Modesto Reds, Cedar Rapids Cardinals | Lewiston Broncs | GCL Cardinals |
| 1968 | Tulsa Oilers | Arkansas Travelers | St. Petersburg Cardinals, Modesto Reds, Cedar Rapids Cardinals | Lewiston Broncs | GCL Cardinals |
| 1967 | Tulsa Oilers | Arkansas Travelers | St. Petersburg Cardinals, Modesto Reds, Cedar Rapids Cardinals | Lewiston Broncs | GCL Cardinals |
| 1966 | Tulsa Oilers | Arkansas Travelers | St. Petersburg Cardinals, Cedar Rapids Cardinals, Rock Hill Cardinals | — | GCL Cardinals |
| 1965[11] | Jacksonville Suns | Tulsa Oilers | Raleigh Cardinals, Cedar Rapids Cardinals, Rock Hill Cardinals | — | — |
| 1964 | Jacksonville Suns | Tulsa Oilers | Raleigh Cardinals, Winnipeg Goldeyes, Rock Hill Cardinals | — | — |
| 1963[12] | Atlanta Crackers | Tulsa Oilers | Billings Mustangs, Winnipeg Goldeyes, Brunswick Cardinals | — | — |
1919–1962[]
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 | Atlanta Crackers | Tulsa Oilers | Portsmouth-Norfolk Tides | — | Billings Mustangs Winnipeg Goldeyes |
Brunswick Cardinals |
| 1961 | San Juan/Charleston Marlins Portland Beavers |
Tulsa Oilers | Lancaster Red Roses | — | Billings Mustangs Winnipeg Goldeyes |
— |
| 1960 | Rochester Red Wings | Tulsa Oilers Memphis Chickasaws |
— | — | Billings Mustangs Winnipeg Goldeyes |
— |
| 1959 | Rochester Red Wings Omaha Cardinals |
Tulsa Oilers | York White Roses | — | Billings Mustangs Winnipeg Goldeyes |
— |
| 1958 | Rochester Red Wings Omaha Cardinals |
Houston Buffaloes | York White Roses | — | Billings Mustangs Winnipeg Goldeyes |
— |
| 1957[13] | Rochester Red Wings Omaha Cardinals |
Houston Buffaloes | Columbus Foxes | — | Billings Mustangs Winnipeg Goldeyes |
— |
| 1956 | Rochester Red Wings Omaha Cardinals |
Houston Buffaloes | Allentown Cardinals Sioux City Soos |
— | Winnipeg Goldeyes | — |
| 1955 | Rochester Red Wings Omaha Cardinals |
Houston Buffaloes | Allentown Cardinals Columbus Cardinals |
— | Winnipeg Goldeyes | — |
| 1954 | Rochester Red Wings Columbus Red Birds |
Houston Buffaloes | Allentown Cardinals Columbus Cardinals Omaha Cardinals |
— | Winnipeg Goldeyes | — |
| 1953 | Rochester Red Wings Columbus Red Birds |
Houston Buffaloes | Columbus Cardinals Omaha Cardinals |
— | — | — |
| 1952 | Rochester Red Wings Columbus Red Birds |
Houston Buffaloes | Columbus Cardinals Omaha Cardinals |
— | — | — |
| 1951 | Rochester Red Wings Columbus Red Birds |
Houston Buffaloes | Columbus Cardinals Omaha Cardinals |
— | — | — |
| 1950 | Rochester Red Wings Columbus Red Birds |
Houston Buffaloes | Columbus Cardinals Omaha Cardinals |
— | — | — |
| 1949 | Rochester Red Wings Columbus Red Birds |
Houston Buffaloes | Columbus Cardinals Omaha Cardinals |
— | — | — |
| 1948[14] | Rochester Red Wings Columbus Red Birds |
Houston Buffaloes | Columbus Cardinals Omaha Cardinals |
— | — | — |
| 1947 | Rochester Red Wings Columbus Red Birds |
Houston Buffaloes | Columbus Cardinals Omaha Cardinals |
— | — | — |
| 1946 | Rochester Red Wings Columbus Red Birds |
Houston Buffaloes | Columbus Cardinals | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | Rochester Red Wings Columbus Red Birds |
— | — | — | — |
| 1944 | — | Rochester Red Wings Columbus Red Birds Sacramento Solons |
— | — | — | — |
| 1943 | — | Rochester Red Wings Columbus Red Birds Sacramento Solons |
— | — | — | — |
| 1942 | — | Rochester Red Wings Columbus Red Birds Sacramento Solons |
— | — | — | — |
| 1941 | — | Rochester Red Wings Columbus Red Birds Sacramento Solons |
— | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | Rochester Red Wings Columbus Red Birds Sacramento Solons |
— | — | — | — |
| 1939 | — | Rochester Red Wings Columbus Red Birds Sacramento Solons |
— | — | Springfield Cardinals | Monett Red Birds |
| 1938 | — | Rochester Red Wings Columbus Red Birds Sacramento Solons |
— | — | Springfield Cardinals | Monett Red Birds |
| 1937 | — | Rochester Red Wings Columbus Red Birds Sacramento Solons |
Cedar Rapids Raiders | — | Springfield Cardinals | Monett Red Birds |
| 1936 | — | Rochester Red Wings Columbus Red Birds Sacramento Solons |
Cedar Rapids Raiders | — | Springfield Cardinals | Monett Red Birds |
| 1935 | — | Rochester Red Wings Columbus Red Birds |
Houston Buffaloes | — | Springfield Cardinals | — |
| 1934 | — | Rochester Red Wings Columbus Red Birds |
Houston Buffaloes Elmira Red Wings |
— | Springfield Red Wings | — |
| 1933 | — | Rochester Red Wings Columbus Red Birds |
Houston Buffaloes Elmira Red Wings Springfield Cardinals |
— | Springfield Cardinals | — |
| 1932 | — | Rochester Red Wings Columbus Red Birds |
Houston Buffaloes Denver Bears |
Mobile Red Warriors | Springfield Cardinals | Keokuk Indians Monroe Twins |
| 1931 | — | Rochester Red Wings | Houston Buffaloes | — | Springfield Red Wings | Keokuk Indians |
| 1930 | — | Rochester Red Wings | Houston Buffaloes | — | — | Keokuk Indians |
| 1929 | — | Rochester Red Wings | Houston Buffaloes | — | — | — |
| 1928 | — | Rochester Red Wings | Houston Buffaloes | — | — | — |
| 1927 | — | Syracuse Stars | Houston Buffaloes | — | — | — |
| 1926 | — | — | Houston Buffaloes | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | Houston Buffaloes | — | — | — |
| 1924 | — | — | Houston Buffaloes | — | — | — |
| 1923 | — | — | Houston Buffaloes | — | — | — |
| 1922 | — | — | Houston Buffaloes | — | — | — |
| 1921 | — | — | Houston Buffaloes | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | Houston Buffaloes | — | — |
| 1919 | — | — | — | Houston Buffaloes | — | — |
References[]
- ^ a b "St. Louis Cardinals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
- ^ Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Rodgers, Anne (December 9, 2020). "Cardinals announce Minor League affiliates". 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.
- ^ Reichard, Kevin (April 6, 2016). "Freund Closes on Memphis Redbirds Purchase". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- ^ a b c Reichard, Kevin. "Affiliate Dance". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- ^ Reichard, Kevin (August 22, 2014). "Chiefs, Cardinals extend PDC through 2020". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- ^ "Spikes, Cardinals Extend Player Development Contract". Ballpark Digest. August 10, 2018. 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[]
Categories:
- St. Louis Cardinals lists
- St. Louis Cardinals minor league affiliates