MiLB 2019 Preview: Tracking All Affiliation, Classification Changes

Image credit: Shed Long, formerly of the Reds, appears in the Southern League All-Star Game for Pensacola. The Blue Wahoos are now a Twins affiliate in 2019. (Getty Images)

There are more changes than usual to the minor leagues this year. This is an affiliation shuffle year, so there are 11 affiliation swaps, but there also is franchise movement. Most importantly, there are two completely new franchises for 2019: the Double-A Amarillo Sod Poodles and the high Class A Fayetteville Woodpeckers.

AFFILIATION CHANGES 

League	2018	2019
International (AAA)
Syracuse	Nationals	Mets
Pacific Coast League (AAA)
Las Vegas	Mets	Athletics
San Antonio	Padres	Brewers
Fresno	Astros	Nationals
Nashville	Athletics	Rangers
Round Rock	Rangers	Astros
Southern (AA)
Pensacola	Reds	Twins
Chattanooga	Twins	Reds
Midwest (Low-A)
Clinton	Mariners	Marlins
South Atlantic (Low-A)
Greensboro	Marlins	Pirates
West Virginia	Pirates	Mariners

ALL CLASSIFICATION CHANGES

Triple-A

• San Antonio moves from Double-A (Texas) to Triple-A (Pacific Coast).
• Colorado Springs moves from Triple-A (Pacific Coast) to Rookie-level (Pioneer).

Double-A

Amarillo Sod Poodles join Texas League, affiliates with Padres

High-A

Buies Creek (Carolina) moves to Fayetteville, N.C., becomes Woodpeckers.

Low-A/Rookie

AFFILIATION ADDITIONS

Athletics, Brewers, Cubs, Dodgers add a second Arizona League team

AFFILIATION SUBTRACTION

Helena (Pioneer) ceases operations

CLASSIFICATION CHANGE

Colorado Springs moves from Triple-A (Pacific Coast) to Rookie-level (Pioneer), changes its name to Rocky Mountain Vibes.