MiLB 2019 Preview: Tracking All Affiliation, Classification Changes

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 

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.

With No Word On Season, MiLB Teams Go Their Own Way

One of the most popular ways teams are finding to replace baseball games is ... more baseball games.