The Kansas City Royals farm system consists of seven Minor League Baseball affiliates across the United States and in the Dominican Republic. Four teams are independently owned, while three—the Arizona Complex League Royals and two Dominican Summer League Royals teams—are owned by the major league club.
Current Kansas City Royals domestic minor league affiliate locations
The Royals have been affiliated with the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers of the Pacific Coast League since 1969, making it the longest-running affiliation in the organization. Their newest affiliates are the High-A Quad Cities River Bandits of the Midwest League and the Single-A Columbia Fireflies of the Carolina League, which became Royals affiliates in 2021.
Geographically, Kansas City's closest domestic affiliate is the Omaha Storm Chasers, which are approximately 169 miles (272 km) away. Kansas City's furthest domestic affiliate is the Rookie Arizona Complex League Royals some 1,057 miles (1,701 km) away.
Current affiliates
editThe Kansas City Royals farm system consists of seven minor league affiliates.[1]
| Class | Team | League | Location | Ballpark | Affiliated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triple-A | Omaha Storm Chasers | International League | Papillion, Nebraska | Werner Park | 1969 |
| Double-A | Northwest Arkansas Naturals | Texas League | Springdale, Arkansas | Arvest Ballpark | 2008 |
| High-A | Quad Cities River Bandits | Midwest League | Davenport, Iowa | Modern Woodmen Park | 2021 |
| Single-A | Columbia Fireflies | Carolina League | Columbia, South Carolina | Segra Park | 2021 |
| Rookie | ACL Royals | Arizona Complex League | Surprise, Arizona | Surprise Stadium | 2024 |
| DSL Royals Fortuna | Dominican Summer League | Boca Chica, Santo Domingo | Kansas City Royals Complex | 2024 | |
| DSL Royals Ventura |
Past affiliates
editKey
edit| Season | Each year is linked to an article about that particular Roylas season. |
|---|---|
| † | League champions[2] |
1968–1989
editPrior 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, and Rookie) 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 form Class A Short Season in 1966.[3]
| Season | Triple-A | Double-A | Class A | Class A Short Season | Rookie | Ref(s). |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | — | — | Dubuque Royals High Point-Thomasville Hi-Toms† |
Corning Royals | — | [2] |
| 1969 | Omaha Royals† | Elmira Pioneers[n 1] | High Point-Thomasville Royals Waterloo Hawks |
Corning Royals Winnipeg Goldeyes |
Kingsport Royals | [6] |
| 1970 | Omaha Royals† | Elmira Pioneers[n 1] | San Jose Bees Waterloo Royals |
— | Billings Mustangs Kingsport Royals |
[7] |
| 1971 | Omaha Royals | Elmira Royals† | San Jose Bees Waterloo Royals |
— | Billings Mustangs Kingsport Royals GCL Royals† |
[8] |
| 1972 | Omaha Royals | Jacksonville Suns | San Jose Bees Waterloo Royals |
— | Billings Mustangs†[citation needed] Kingsport Royals GCL Royals†[citation needed] |
[9] |
| 1973 | Omaha Royals | Jacksonville Suns | San Jose Bees Waterloo Royals |
— | Billings Mustangs† Kingsport Royals† GCL Royals |
[10] |
| 1974 | Omaha Royals | Jacksonville Suns | San Jose Bees Waterloo Royals |
— | GCL Royals GCL Royals Academy |
[11] |
| 1975 | Omaha Royals | Jacksonville Suns | Waterloo Royals† | — | GCL Royals | [12] |
| 1976 | Omaha Royals | Jacksonville Suns | Waterloo Royals† | — | GCL Royals | [13] |
| 1977 | Omaha Royals | Jacksonville Suns | Daytona Beach Islanders | — | GCL Royals | [14] |
| 1978 | Omaha Royals† | Jacksonville Suns | Fort Myers Royals | — | GCL Royals | [15] |
| 1979 | Omaha Royals | Jacksonville Suns | Fort Myers Royals | — | GCL Royals Blue GCL Royals Gold |
[16] |
| 1980 | Omaha Royals | Jacksonville Suns | Charleston Royals Fort Myers Royals |
— | GCL Royals Blue†[citation needed] GCL Royals Gold |
[17] |
| 1981 | Omaha Royals | Jacksonville Suns | Charleston Royals Fort Myers Royals |
— | GCL Royals Blue GCL Royals Gold†[citation needed] |
[18] |
| 1982 | Omaha Royals | Jacksonville Suns | Charleston Royals Fort Myers Royals |
— | Butte Copper Kings GCL Royals |
[19] |
| 1983 | Omaha Royals | Jacksonville Suns | Charleston Royals Fort Myers Royals |
— | Butte Copper Kings GCL Royals |
[20] |
| 1984 | Omaha Royals | Memphis Chicks | Charleston Royals Fort Myers Royals |
Eugene Emeralds | — | [21] |
| 1985 | Omaha Royals | Memphis Chicks | Fort Myers Royals† | Eugene Emeralds | GCL Royals | [22] |
| 1986 | Omaha Royals | Memphis Chicks | Fort Myers Royals | Eugene Emeralds | GCL Royals | [23] |
| 1987 | Omaha Royals | Memphis Chicks | Appleton Foxes Fort Myers Royals |
Eugene Emeralds | GCL Royals | [24] |
| 1988 | Omaha Royals | Memphis Chicks | Appleton Foxes Baseball City Royals |
Eugene Emeralds | GCL Royals | [25] |
| 1989 | Omaha Royals | Memphis Chicks | Appleton Foxes Baseball City Royals |
Eugene Emeralds | GCL Royals DSL Royals |
[26][27] |
1990–2020
editMinor 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 of Class A-Advanced. The Rookie level consisted of domestic and foreign circuits.[3]
| Season | Triple-A | Double-A | Class A-Advanced | Class A | Class A Short Season | Rookie | Foreign Rookie | Ref(s). |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Omaha Royals† | Memphis Chicks† | Baseball City Royals | Appleton Foxes | Eugene Emeralds | GCL Royals | DSL Royals/Mets | [28][29] |
| 1991 | Omaha Royals | Memphis Chicks | Baseball City Royals | Appleton Foxes | Eugene Emeralds | GCL Royals | DSL Royals/Cubs | [30][31] |
| 1992 | Omaha Royals | Memphis Chicks | Baseball City Royals | Appleton Foxes | Eugene Emeralds | GCL Royals† | DSL Royals/Cubs/Rockies | [32] |
| 1993 | Omaha Royals | Memphis Chicks | Wilmington Blue Rocks | Rockford Royals | Eugene Emeralds | GCL Royals | DSL Royals/Rockies | [33] |
| 1994 | Omaha Royals | Memphis Chicks | Wilmington Blue Rocks† | Rockford Royals | Eugene Emeralds | GCL Royals | DSL Royals/Rockies | [34] |
| 1995 | Omaha Royals | Wichita Wranglers | Wilmington Blue Rocks | Springfield Sultans | Spokane Indians | GCL Royals† | DSL Royals/Rockies | [35] |
| 1996 | Omaha Royals | Wichita Wranglers | Wilmington Blue Rocks† | Lansing Lugnuts | Spokane Indians | GCL Royals | DSL Royals/Rockies | [36] |
| 1997 | Omaha Royals | Wichita Wranglers | Wilmington Blue Rocks | Lansing Lugnuts† | Spokane Indians | GCL Royals | DSL Royals | [37] |
| 1998 | Omaha Royals | Wichita Wranglers | Wilmington Blue Rocks† | Lansing Lugnuts | Spokane Indians | GCL Royals | DSL Royals | [38] |
| 1999 | Omaha Golden Spikes | Wichita Wranglers† | Wilmington Blue Rocks† | Charleston Alley Cats | Spokane Indians† | GCL Royals | DSL Royals | [39] |
| 2000 | Omaha Golden Spikes | Wichita Wranglers | Wilmington Blue Rocks | Charleston Alley Cats | Spokane Indians | GCL Royals | DSL Royals | [40] |
| 2001 | Omaha Golden Spikes | Wichita Wranglers | Wilmington Blue Rocks | Burlington Bees | Spokane Indians | GCL Royals | DSL Royals | [41] |
| 2002 | Omaha Royals | Wichita Wranglers | Wilmington Blue Rocks | Burlington Bees | Spokane Indians | GCL Royals | DSL Royals | [42] |
| 2003 | Omaha Royals | Wichita Wranglers | Wilmington Blue Rocks | Burlington Bees | — | AZL Royals 1† AZL Royals 2 |
DSL Royals | [43] |
| 2004 | Omaha Royals | Wichita Wranglers | Wilmington Blue Rocks | Burlington Bees | — | Idaho Falls Chukars AZL Royals |
DSL Royals | [44] |
| 2005 | Omaha Royals | Wichita Wranglers | High Desert Mavericks | Burlington Bees | — | Idaho Falls Chukars AZL Royals |
DSL Royals | [45] |
| 2006 | Omaha Royals | Wichita Wranglers | High Desert Mavericks | Burlington Bees | — | Idaho Falls Chukars AZL Royals |
DSL Royals | [46] |
| 2007 | Omaha Royals | Wichita Wranglers | Wilmington Blue Rocks | Burlington Bees | — | Burlington Royals Idaho Falls Chukars AZL Royals |
DSL Royals | [47] |
| 2008 | Omaha Royals | Northwest Arkansas Naturals | Wilmington Blue Rocks | Burlington Bees† | — | Burlington Royals Idaho Falls Chukars AZL Royals |
DSL Royals | [48] |
| 2009 | Omaha Royals | Northwest Arkansas Naturals | Wilmington Blue Rocks | Burlington Bees | — | Burlington Royals Idaho Falls Chukars AZL Royals |
DSL Royals | [49] |
| 2010 | Omaha Royals | Northwest Arkansas Naturals† | Wilmington Blue Rocks | Burlington Bees | — | Burlington Royals Idaho Falls Chukars AZL Royals |
DSL Royals | [50] |
| 2011 | Omaha Storm Chasers† | Northwest Arkansas Naturals | Wilmington Blue Rocks | Kane County Cougars | — | Burlington Royals Idaho Falls Chukars AZL Royals |
DSL Royals | [51] |
| 2012 | Omaha Storm Chasers | Northwest Arkansas Naturals | Wilmington Blue Rocks | Kane County Cougars | — | Burlington Royals Idaho Falls Chukars AZL Royals |
DSL Royals | [52] |
| 2013 | Omaha Storm Chasers† | Northwest Arkansas Naturals | Wilmington Blue Rocks | Lexington Legends | — | Burlington Royals Idaho Falls Chukars† AZL Royals |
DSL Royals | [53] |
| 2014 | Omaha Storm Chasers† | Northwest Arkansas Naturals | Wilmington Blue Rocks | Lexington Legends | — | Burlington Royals Idaho Falls Chukars |
DSL Royals | [54] |
| 2015 | Omaha Storm Chasers | Northwest Arkansas Naturals | Wilmington Blue Rocks | Lexington Legends | — | Burlington Royals Idaho Falls Chukars AZL Royals |
DSL Royals | [55] |
| 2016 | Omaha Storm Chasers | Northwest Arkansas Naturals | Wilmington Blue Rocks | Lexington Legends | — | Burlington Royals Idaho Falls Chukars AZL Royals |
DSL Royals | [56] |
| 2017 | Omaha Storm Chasers | Northwest Arkansas Naturals | Wilmington Blue Rocks | Lexington Legends | — | Burlington Royals Idaho Falls Chukars AZL Royals |
DSL Royals | [57] |
| 2018 | Omaha Storm Chasers | Northwest Arkansas Naturals | Wilmington Blue Rocks | Lexington Legends† | — | Burlington Royals Idaho Falls Chukars AZL Royals |
DSL Royals 1 DSL Royals 2 |
[58] |
| 2019 | Omaha Storm Chasers | Northwest Arkansas Naturals | Wilmington Blue Rocks† | Lexington Legends† | — | Burlington Royals Idaho Falls Chukars† AZL Royals |
DSL Royals 1† DSL Royals 2 |
[59] |
| 2020[n 2] | Omaha Storm Chasers | Northwest Arkansas Naturals | Wilmington Blue Rocks | Lexington Legends | — | Burlington Royals Idaho Falls Chukars AZL Royals |
DSL Royals[n 3] DSL Royals |
[61] |
2021–present
editThe 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.[62] Low-A was reclassified as Single-A in 2022.[63]
| Season | Triple-A | Double-A | High-A | Single-A | Rookie | Foreign Rookie | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Omaha Storm Chasers | Northwest Arkansas Naturals† | Quad Cities River Bandits† | Columbia Fireflies | ACL Royals Blue ACL Royals Gold |
DSL Royals Blue DSL Royals White |
[64] |
| 2022 | Omaha Storm Chasers | Northwest Arkansas Naturals | Quad Cities River Bandits | Columbia Fireflies | ACL Royals | DSL Royals Glass DSL Royals Stewart |
[65] |
| 2023 | Omaha Storm Chasers | Northwest Arkansas Naturals | Quad Cities River Bandits | Columbia Fireflies | ACL Royals | DSL Royals Blue DSL Royals Gold |
[66] |
| 2024 | Omaha Storm Chasers† | Northwest Arkansas Naturals | Quad Cities River Bandits | Columbia Fireflies | ACL Royals | DSL Royals Fortuna DSL Royals Ventura |
[67] |
Notes
edit- ^ a b In 1969 and 1970, the Royals shared the Double-A Elmira Pioneers with the San Diego Padres.[4][5]
- ^ The 2020 Minor League Baseball season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[60]
- ^ In 2020, the Royals planned to operate two Dominican Summer League teams but did not announce specific names for each squad.[61]
References
edit- ^ "Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
- ^ a b "2020 Kansas City Royals Media Guide" (PDF). Houston Astros. Major League Baseball. 2020. p. 363. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 22, 2022. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
- ^ a b 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 October 7, 2023.
- ^ "1969 Elmira Pioneers Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
- ^ "1970 Elmira Pioneers Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
- ^ "1969 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "1970 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "1971 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "1972 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "1973 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "1974 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "1975 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "1976 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "1977 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "1978 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "1979 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "1980 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "1981 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "1982 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "1983 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "1984 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "1985 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "1986 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "1987 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "1988 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "1989 Dominican Summer League Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on March 29, 2014. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
- ^ "1989 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "1990 Dominican Summer League Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on March 13, 2014. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
- ^ "1990 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "1991 Dominican Summer League Statistics". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on March 13, 2014. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
- ^ "1991 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "1992 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "1993 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "1994 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "1995 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "1996 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "1997 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "1998 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "1999 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "2000 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "2001 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "2002 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "2003 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "2004 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "2005 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "2006 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "2007 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "2008 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "2009 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "2010 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "2011 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "2012 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "2013 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "2014 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "2015 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "2016 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "2017 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "2018 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "2019 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved". Minor League Baseball. June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ a b "2020 Kansas City Royals Media Guide" (PDF). Houston Astros. Major League Baseball. 2020. pp. 346–362. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 22, 2022. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
- ^ Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
- ^ "Historical League Names to Return in 2022". Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
- ^ "2021 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
- ^ "2022 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
- ^ "2023 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
- ^ "2024 Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved October 4, 2024.