TheCleveland Guardiansfarm system consists of sevenMinor League Baseball affiliates across theUnited States and in theDominican Republic. Four teams are independently owned, while three—theArizona Complex League Guardians and twoDominican Summer League Guardians squads—are owned by the major league club.
The Guardians, named the Indians until November 2021, have been affiliated with theDouble-ACanton–Akron Indians/Akron Aeros/RubberDucks of theEastern League since 1989, making it the longest-running affiliation in the organization among teams not owned by the Guardians. Their newest affiliate is theLynchburg Hillcats of theCarolina League, which became the Guardians'Class A-Advanced club in 2015, and were reassigned toSingle-A in 2021.
Geographically, Cleveland's closest domestic affiliate is theLake County Captains of theHigh-AMidwest League, which are approximately 16 miles (26 km) away. Cleveland's furthest domestic affiliate is the Arizona Complex League Guardians of theRookie LeagueArizona Complex League some 1,763 miles (2,837 km) away.
The Cleveland Guardiansfarm system consists of sevenminor league affiliates.[1]
| Season | Each year is linked to an article about that particular Guardians/Indians season. |
|---|
Minor League Baseball operated with five classes (Double-A,Class A,Class B,Class C, andClass D) from 1929 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] ThePacific 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 theNational League'sDodgers andGiants to theWest Coast ended any chance of the PCL being promoted.[2]
| Season | Triple-A | Double-A | Class A | Class B | Class C | Class D | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1929 | — | — | — | — | — | Frederick Warriors | [4] |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — | — | Frederick Warriors | [5] |
| 1931 | — | — | — | — | — | — | [6] |
| 1932 | — | — | — | Fort Wayne Chiefs Quincy Indians Williamsport Grays | — | Burlington Bees | [7] |
| 1933 | — | — | New Orleans Pelicans | — | Zanesville Greys | — | [8] |
| 1934 | — | — | New Orleans Pelicans | — | Zanesville Greys | Fargo-Moorhead Twins Monessen Indians | [9] |
| 1935 | — | Minneapolis Millers | New Orleans Pelicans | — | Zanesville Greys | Butler Indians Fargo-Moorhead Twins Opelousas Indians | [10] |
| 1936 | — | Minneapolis Millers | New Orleans Pelicans (A1) | — | Clarksdale Ginners Zanesville Greys | Fargo-Moorhead Twins Mansfield Tigers Monessen Indians Opelousas Indians Wausau Timberjacks | [11] |
| 1937 | — | Milwaukee Brewers | New Orleans Pelicans (A1) | Montgomery Bombers | Oswego Netherlands Springfield Indians | Fargo-Moorhead Twins Hopkinsville Hoppers Newton-Conover Twins Opelousas Indians Owensboro Oilers Wausau Timberjacks | [12] |
| 1938 | — | Milwaukee Brewers | New Orleans Pelicans (A1) | Bloomington Bloomers | Oswego Netherlands Springfield Indians | Fargo-Moorhead Twins Gainesville G-Men Hopkinsville Hoppers Owensboro Oilers | [13] |
| 1939 | — | Buffalo Bisons | New Orleans Pelicans (A1) Wilkes-Barre Barons | Cedar Rapids Raiders Spartanburg Spartans Winston-Salem Twins | Springfield Indians Tyler Trojans | Fargo-Moorhead Twins Greeneville Burley Cubs Leaksville-Draper-Spray Triplets Logan Indians Mansfield Braves Niagara Falls Rainbows Opelousas Indians Tallahassee Capitals Troy Trojans | [14] |
| 1940 | — | — | Wilkes-Barre Barons | Cedar Rapids Raiders | Charleston Senators El Paso Texans Flint Gems | Fargo-Moorhead Twins Mansfield Braves Salem-Roanoke Friends Thomasville Tommies Warren Redskins | [15] |
| 1941 | — | — | Oklahoma City Indians (A1) Wilkes-Barre Barons | Cedar Rapids Raiders | Charleston Senators Flint Arrows Salina Millers | Appleton Papermakers Mansfield Braves Thomasville Tommies | [16] |
| 1942 | — | Baltimore Orioles | Wilkes-Barre Barons | Cedar Rapids Raiders | Charleston Senators Wausau Timberjacks | Appleton Papermakers Batavia Clippers Thomasville Tommies | [17] |
| 1943 | — | Baltimore Orioles | Wilkes-Barre Barons | — | — | Batavia Clippers | [18] |
| 1944 | — | Baltimore Orioles | Wilkes-Barre Barons | — | — | Batavia Clippers | [19] |
| 1945 | — | Baltimore Orioles | Wilkes-Barre Barons | — | — | Batavia Clippers | [20] |
| 1946 | Baltimore Orioles | Oklahoma City Indians | Wilkes-Barre Barons | Harrisburg Senators | Bakersfield Indians Clovis Pioneers Pittsfield Electrics | Appleton Papermakers Batavia Clippers Centreville Orioles Dayton Indians | [21] |
| 1947 | Baltimore Orioles | Oklahoma City Indians | Wilkes-Barre Barons | Harrisburg Senators Spartanburg Peaches | Bakersfield Indians Burlington Indians Jacksonville Jax Pittsfield Electrics Tucson Cowboys | Ardmore Indians Batavia Clippers Cordele Indians Dayton Indians Green Bay Bluejays Union City Greyhounds | [22] |
| 1948 | Baltimore Orioles | Oklahoma City Indians | Dayton Indians Wilkes-Barre Indians | Harrisburg Senators Meridian Peps Spartanburg Peaches | Bakersfield Indians Burlington Indians Pittsfield Electrics Tucson Cowboys | Ardmore Indians Batavia Clippers Bloomingdale Troopers Cordele Indians Green Bay Bluejays Mattoon Indians Union City Greyhounds | [23] |
| 1949 | San Diego Padres | Oklahoma City Indians | Dayton Indians Wilkes-Barre Indians | Harrisburg Senators Spartanburg Peaches St. Petersburg Saints | Bakersfield Indians Burlington Indians Pittsfield Indians Tucson Cowboys | Batavia Clippers Cordele Indians Green Bay Bluejays Iola Indians Stroudsburg Poconos Union City Greyhounds Zanesville Indians | [24] |
| 1950 | San Diego Padres | Oklahoma City Indians | Dayton Indians Wilkes-Barre Indians | Cedar Rapids Indians Harrisburg Senators Spartanburg Peaches Tacoma Tigers | Bakersfield Indians Pittsfield Indians Tucson Cowboys | Batavia Clippers Green Bay Bluejays Daytona Beach Islanders Zanesville Indians | [25] |
| 1951 | San Diego Padres | Dallas Eagles | Dayton Indians Wichita Indians Wilkes-Barre Indians | Cedar Rapids Indians Harrisburg Senators Spartanburg Peaches | Bakersfield Indians Fort Smith Indians | Batavia Clippers Daytona Beach Islanders Green Bay Bluejays | [26] |
| 1952 | Indianapolis Indians | Dallas Eagles | Reading Indians Wichita Indians | Cedar Rapids Indians Spartanburg Peaches | Bakersfield Indians Fort Smith Indians | Daytona Beach Islanders Green Bay Bluejays | [27] |
| 1953 | Indianapolis Indians | — | Reading Indians | Peoria Chiefs Spartanburg Peaches | Fargo-Moorhead Twins Sherbrooke Indians | Daytona Beach Islanders Green Bay Bluejays | [28] |
| 1954 | Indianapolis Indians | — | Reading Indians | Keokuk Kernels Spartanburg Peaches | Fargo-Moorhead Twins Sherbrooke Indians | Jacksonville Beach Sea Birds Tifton Indians | [29] |
| 1955 | Indianapolis Indians | Tulsa Oilers | Reading Indians | Keokuk Kernels Spartanburg Peaches | Fargo-Moorhead Twins Sherbrooke Indians | Lafayette Chiefs Vidalia Indians | [30] |
| 1956 | Indianapolis Indians San Diego Padres (Open) | Mobile Bears | Reading Indians | Fayetteville Highlanders Keokuk Kernels | Fargo-Moorhead Twins | Daytona Beach Islanders North Platte Indians Vidalia Indians | [31] |
| 1957 | San Diego Padres (Open) | Mobile Bears | Reading Indians | Keokuk Kernels | Fargo-Moorhead Twins | Batavia Indians Cocoa Indians North Platte Indians | [32] |
| 1958 | San Diego Padres | Mobile Bears | Reading Indians | Burlington Indians | Minot Mallards | Batavia Indians Cocoa Indians North Platte Indians | [33] |
| 1959 | San Diego Padres | Mobile Bears | Reading Indians | Burlington Indians | Minot Mallards | Batavia Indians North Platte Indians Selma Cloverleafs | [34] |
| 1960 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Mobile Bears | Reading Indians | Burlington Indians | Minot Mallards | Lakeland Indians Selma Cloverleafs | [35] |
| 1961 | Salt Lake City Bees | — | Reading Indians | Burlington Indians | — | Dubuque Packers Selma Cloverleafs | [36] |
| 1962 | Jacksonville Suns Salt Lake City Bees[n 1] | — | Charleston Indians | Burlington Indians | — | Dubuque Packers Selma Cloverleafs | [38] |
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, andRookie) 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 formClass A Short Season in 1966.[2]
| Season | Triple-A | Double-A | Class A | Class A Short Season | Rookie | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Jacksonville Suns | Charleston Indians | Burlington Indians Dubuque Packers Grand Forks Chiefs | — | — | [39] |
| 1964 | Portland Beavers | Charleston Indians | Burlington Indians Dubuque Packers | — | — | [40] |
| 1965 | Portland Beavers | Reading Indians | Dubuque Packers Salinas Indians | — | — | [41] |
| 1966 | Portland Beavers | Pawtucket Indians | Dubuque Packers Reno Silver Sox | — | — | [42] |
| 1967 | Portland Beavers | Pawtucket Indians | Reno Silver Sox Rock Hill Indians | — | GCL Indians | [43] |
| 1968 | Portland Beavers | Waterbury Indians | Reno Silver Sox Rock Hill Indians | — | GCL Indians | [44] |
| 1969 | Portland Beavers | Waterbury Indians | Reno Silver Sox Statesville Indians / Monroe Indians | — | GCL Indians | [45] |
| 1970 | Wichita Aeros | Savannah Indians | Reno Silver Sox Sumter Indians | — | GCL Indians | [46] |
| 1971 | Wichita Aeros | Jacksonville Suns | Reno Silver Sox | — | GCL Indians | [47] |
| 1972 | Portland Beavers | Elmira Pioneers | Reno Silver Sox | — | GCL Indians | [48] |
| 1973 | Oklahoma City 89ers | San Antonio Brewers | Reno Silver Sox | — | GCL Indians | [49] |
| 1974 | Oklahoma City 89ers | San Antonio Brewers | Reno Silver Sox | — | GCL Indians | [50] |
| 1975 | Oklahoma City 89ers | San Antonio Brewers | San Jose Bees | — | GCL Indians | [51] |
| 1976 | Toledo Mud Hens | Williamsport Tomahawks | San Jose Bees | Batavia Trojans | — | [52] |
| 1977 | Toledo Mud Hens | Jersey City Indians | Waterloo Indians | Batavia Trojans | — | [53] |
| 1978 | Portland Beavers | Chattanooga Lookouts | Waterloo Indians | Batavia Trojans | — | [54] |
| 1979 | Tacoma Tugs | Chattanooga Lookouts | Waterloo Indians | Batavia Trojans | — | [55] |
| 1980 | Tacoma Tigers | Chattanooga Lookouts | Waterloo Indians | Batavia Trojans | — | [56] |
| 1981 | Charleston Charlies | Chattanooga Lookouts | Waterloo Indians | Batavia Trojans | — | [57] |
| 1982 | Charleston Charlies | Chattanooga Lookouts | Waterloo Indians | Batavia Trojans | — | [58] |
| 1983 | Charleston Charlies | Buffalo Bisons | Waterloo Indians | Batavia Trojans | — | [59] |
| 1984 | Maine Guides | Buffalo Bisons | Waterloo Indians | Batavia Trojans | — | [60] |
| 1985 | Maine Guides | Waterbury Indians | Waterloo Indians | Batavia Trojans | — | [61] |
| 1986 | Maine Guides | Waterbury Indians | Waterloo Indians | Batavia Trojans | Burlington Indians | [62] |
| 1987 | Buffalo Bisons | Williamsport Bills | Kinston Indians Waterloo Indians | — | Burlington Indians | [63] |
| 1988 | Colorado Springs Sky Sox | Williamsport Bills | Kinston Indians Waterloo Indians | — | Burlington Indians GCL Indians | [64] |
| 1989 | Colorado Springs Sky Sox | Canton–Akron Indians | Kinston Indians | Watertown Indians | Burlington Indians GCL Indians | [65] |
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 ofClass 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 | Ref(s). |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Colorado Springs Sky Sox | Canton–Akron Indians | Kinston Indians Reno Silver Sox | — | Watertown Indians | Burlington Indians GCL Indians | DSL Indians | [66][67] |
| 1991 | Colorado Springs Sky Sox | Canton–Akron Indians | Kinston Indians | Columbus Indians | Watertown Indians | Burlington Indians | DSL Indians | [68][69] |
| 1992 | Colorado Springs Sky Sox | Canton–Akron Indians | Kinston Indians | Columbus RedStixx | Watertown Indians | Burlington Indians | DSL Indians | [70] |
| 1993 | Charlotte Knights | Canton–Akron Indians | Kinston Indians | Columbus RedStixx | Watertown Indians | Burlington Indians | DSL Indians | [71] |
| 1994 | Charlotte Knights | Canton–Akron Indians | Kinston Indians | Columbus RedStixx | Watertown Indians | Burlington Indians | DSL Indians | [72] |
| 1995 | Buffalo Bisons | Canton–Akron Indians | Kinston Indians | Columbus RedStixx | Watertown Indians | Burlington Indians | DSL Indians | [73] |
| 1996 | Buffalo Bisons | Canton–Akron Indians | Kinston Indians | Columbus RedStixx | Watertown Indians | Burlington Indians | DSL Indians | [74] |
| 1997 | Buffalo Bisons | Akron Aeros | Kinston Indians | Columbus RedStixx | Watertown Indians | Burlington Indians | DSL Indians | [75] |
| 1998 | Buffalo Bisons | Akron Aeros | Kinston Indians | Columbus RedStixx | Watertown Indians | Burlington Indians | DSL Indians | [76] |
| 1999 | Buffalo Bisons | Akron Aeros | Kinston Indians | Columbus RedStixx | Mahoning Valley Scrappers | Burlington Indians | DSL Indians | [77] |
| 2000 | Buffalo Bisons | Akron Aeros | Kinston Indians | Columbus RedStixx | Mahoning Valley Scrappers | Burlington Indians | DSL Indians DSL Indians/Twins | [78] |
| 2001 | Buffalo Bisons | Akron Aeros | Kinston Indians | Columbus RedStixx | Mahoning Valley Scrappers | Burlington Indians | DSL Indians DSL Indians/Red Sox | [79] |
| 2002 | Buffalo Bisons | Akron Aeros | Kinston Indians | Columbus RedStixx | Mahoning Valley Scrappers | Burlington Indians | DSL Indians 1 DSL Indians 2 VSL San Felipe | [80] |
| 2003 | Buffalo Bisons | Akron Aeros | Kinston Indians | Lake County Captains | Mahoning Valley Scrappers | Burlington Indians | DSL Indians 1 DSL Indians 2 VSL San Felipe | [81] |
| 2004 | Buffalo Bisons | Akron Aeros | Kinston Indians | Lake County Captains | Mahoning Valley Scrappers | Burlington Indians | DSL Indians 1 DSL Indians 2 | [82] |
| 2005 | Buffalo Bisons | Akron Aeros | Kinston Indians | Lake County Captains | Mahoning Valley Scrappers | Burlington Indians | DSL Indians 1 DSL Indians 2 | [83] |
| 2006 | Buffalo Bisons | Akron Aeros | Kinston Indians | Lake County Captains | Mahoning Valley Scrappers | Burlington Indians GCL Indians | DSL Indians | [84] |
| 2007 | Buffalo Bisons | Akron Aeros | Kinston Indians | Lake County Captains | Mahoning Valley Scrappers | GCL Indians | DSL Indians | [85] |
| 2008 | Buffalo Bisons | Akron Aeros | Kinston Indians | Lake County Captains | Mahoning Valley Scrappers | GCL Indians | DSL Indians | [86] |
| 2009 | Columbus Clippers | Akron Aeros | Kinston Indians | Lake County Captains | Mahoning Valley Scrappers | AZL Indians | DSL Indians | [87] |
| 2010 | Columbus Clippers | Akron Aeros | Kinston Indians | Lake County Captains | Mahoning Valley Scrappers | AZL Indians | DSL Indians | [88] |
| 2011 | Columbus Clippers | Akron Aeros | Kinston Indians | Lake County Captains | Mahoning Valley Scrappers | AZL Indians | DSL Indians | [89] |
| 2012 | Columbus Clippers | Akron Aeros | Carolina Mudcats | Lake County Captains | Mahoning Valley Scrappers | AZL Indians | DSL Indians | [90] |
| 2013 | Columbus Clippers | Akron Aeros | Carolina Mudcats | Lake County Captains | Mahoning Valley Scrappers | AZL Indians | DSL Indians | [91] |
| 2014 | Columbus Clippers | Akron RubberDucks | Carolina Mudcats | Lake County Captains | Mahoning Valley Scrappers | AZL Indians | DSL Indians | [92] |
| 2015 | Columbus Clippers | Akron RubberDucks | Lynchburg Hillcats | Lake County Captains | Mahoning Valley Scrappers | AZL Indians | DSL Indians | [93] |
| 2016 | Columbus Clippers | Akron RubberDucks | Lynchburg Hillcats | Lake County Captains | Mahoning Valley Scrappers | AZL Indians | DSL Indians | [94] |
| 2017 | Columbus Clippers | Akron RubberDucks | Lynchburg Hillcats | Lake County Captains | Mahoning Valley Scrappers | AZL Indians | DSL Indians DSL Indians/Brewers | [95] |
| 2018 | Columbus Clippers | Akron RubberDucks | Lynchburg Hillcats | Lake County Captains | Mahoning Valley Scrappers | AZL Indians 1 AZL Indians 2 | DSL Indians DSL Indians/Brewers | [96] |
| 2019 | Columbus Clippers | Akron RubberDucks | Lynchburg Hillcats | Lake County Captains | Mahoning Valley Scrappers | AZL Indians Blue AZL Indians Red | DSL Indians DSL Indians/Brewers | [97] |
| 2020[n 2] | Columbus Clippers | Akron RubberDucks | Lynchburg Hillcats | Lake County Captains | Mahoning Valley Scrappers | AZL Indians Blue AZL Indians Red | DSL Indians 1 DSL Indians 2 | [99] |
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 andLow-A.[100] Low-A was reclassified as Single-A in 2022.[101]
| Season | Triple-A | Double-A | High-A | Single-A | Rookie | Foreign Rookie | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Columbus Clippers | Akron RubberDucks | Lake County Captains | Lynchburg Hillcats | ACL Indians | DSL Indians Blue DSL Indians Red | [102] |
| 2022 | Columbus Clippers | Akron RubberDucks | Lake County Captains | Lynchburg Hillcats | ACL Guardians | DSL Guardians Blue DSL Guardians Red | [103] |
| 2023 | Columbus Clippers | Akron RubberDucks | Lake County Captains | Lynchburg Hillcats | ACL Guardians | DSL Guardians Blue DSL Guardians Red | [104] |
| 2024 | Columbus Clippers | Akron RubberDucks | Lake County Captains | Lynchburg Hillcats | ACL Guardians | DSL Guardians Goryl DSL Guardians Mendoza | [105] |
| 2025 | Columbus Clippers | Akron RubberDucks | Lake County Captains | Lynchburg Hillcats | ACL Guardians | DSL Guardians Goryl DSL Guardians Mendoza | [106] |
