The function of this category is to explore Triple-A baseball, also known as Class AAA, the highest classification within Minor League Baseball (MiLB).
As the highest level of the minor leagues, Triple-A serves as a vital developmental stage and the final stepping stone for players hoping to reach the major leagues. Triple-A teams are often called "farm teams" for Major League Baseball (MLB) clubs.
The origins of Triple-A baseball can be traced back to the early 20th century when minor leagues were being organized across the country. The current classification system for minor league clubs was formalized in 1946, establishing Triple-A as the highest level. Before 1946, the Mexican League was classified as Triple-A, but it became an independent league in 2020, leaving the International League (IL) and the Pacific Coast League (PCL) as the sole Triple-A leagues.
The IL currently comprises 20 teams, divided into two geographic divisions: East and West.
The East Division includes the Buffalo Bisons, Charlotte Knights, Durham Bulls, Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Norfolk Tides, Rochester Red Wings, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, Syracuse Mets, and Worcester Red Sox, while the West Division includes the Columbus Clippers, Gwinnett Stripers, Indianapolis Indians, Iowa Cubs, Louisville Bats, Memphis Redbirds, Nashville Sounds, Omaha Storm Chasers, St. Paul Saints, and Toledo Mud Hens.
IL teams play a 150-game schedule, beginning in late March and ending in late September. Currently, the regular season is split into two halves. After the completion of the season, the winners of each half meet in a best-of-three series to determine a league champion. In postseason play, the IL champion meets the PCL's champion in the Triple-A National Championship Game.
The PCL aspired to be a major league during the first half of the 20th century. Although it was never officially recognized as such, its level of play was very high. With the arrival of major league teams on the West Coast in the latter half of the century, PCL teams signed Player Development Contracts to become farm teams of major league clubs. After MLB reorganized the minor leagues in 2021, it operated as the Triple-A West for one season before switching back to its previous name in 2022.
The PCL is divided into two geographic divisions: East and West.
The East Division consists of the Albuquerque Isotopes, El Paso Chihuahuas, Oklahoma City Comets, Round Rock Express, and Sugar Land Space Cowboys, while its West Division includes the Las Vegas Aviators, Reno Aces, Sacramento River Cats, Salt Lake Bees, and Tacoma Rainiers.
League champions have been determined by different means since the Pacific Coast League's formation in 1903. Initially, PCL champions were simply the regular season pennant winners. In the mid-1930s, the league instituted regular postseason play, although it was sporadically postponed for financial problems. Beginning in 2023, the regular season is split into two halves. The winners of each half meet in a best-of-three series for the league championship.
Each of the 30 MLB teams has an affiliation with one Triple-A MiLB team in the United States.
Both young players and veterans play in Triple-A teams. While Triple-A plays a significant role in developing aspiring new players, major league players are sometimes bumped back to the minors due to injuries or poor performance and may be trying to get back into the majors or to play a few more seasons because someone still wants them and they still want to play professional baseball.
The term "AAAA player," pronounced "four-A" or "quadruple-A," refers to players who are consistently successful at the Triple-A level but are not successful at the major league level. The term is generally used derogatorily.
Leagues, divisions, and teams within the Triple-A level of Minor League Baseball are appropriate topics for this category, along with other websites focusing on Triple-A play.
Recommended Resources
In 2003, the Calgary Cannons moved from Alberta, Canada, to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and became the Isotopes, playing in the Pacific Coast League. The team was affiliated with the Florida Marlins until 2008 and the Dodgers from 2009 to 2014, when they became a Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. They play home games at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park. The MiLB team's website posts game schedules, game-by-game results, and ticket options.
https://www.milb.com/albuquerque
Sometimes referred to as the Herd, the Buffalo Bisons are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. Based in Buffalo, New York, the team plays its home games at Sahlen Field, the highest-capacity Triple-A ballpark in the United States. Its website features a guide to the ballpark, a team roster, the coaching staff, and TV, radio, and streaming options. Game schedules, ticket options, and an online fan store are available.
https://www.milb.com/buffalo
Playing their home games at Truist Field in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Knights are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. Game schedules, individual game tickets, season memberships, and other options are featured on the team's official website. Game schedules and other activities and events, along with a ballpark guide, team rosters, statistics, and an online fan shopping area are also available.
https://www.milb.com/charlotte-knights
The Columbus Clippers are a Minor League Baseball team playing in the International League of Triple-A professional baseball as an affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. The team plays its home games at Huntington Park in Columbus, Ohio. The team's official website presents an introduction to the ballpark that includes directions, parking information, and a seating chart. The team roster, game schedules, statistics, scores, promotions, and ticket options are featured.
https://www.milb.com/columbus
Established as the Durham Tobacconists in 1902, the team was subsequently disbanded and restarted several times. After a 10-year hiatus, it was re-established as the Durham Bulls. Today, the Bulls are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and a Triple-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. They play their home games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park in Durham, North Carolina. The ballpark's website features an introduction to the ballpark, along with schedules and ticket information.
https://www.milb.com/durham
Competing in the Pacific Coast League as the Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, the Chihuahuas play its home games at Southwest University Park in El Paso, Texas. The MiLB team's official website posts game schedules, game-by-game results, individual tickets, group outings, premium hospitality suites, and other ticket options. A team roster, statistics, scores, ballpark information and guidelines, and information about its community activities and programs are featured.
https://www.milb.com/el-paso
Named for the striped bass, a popular fishing species in the region, the Gwinnett Stripers play their home games at Coolray Field in unincorporated Gwinnett County, Georgia, near Atlanta. The Stripers are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. The team's official website includes a team roster, its coaching staff, front office, game schedules, promotions, season ticket memberships, and ticket options.
https://www.milb.com/gwinnett
Formed in 1902, Indianapolis is the second-oldest Minor League franchise in American professional baseball. The team began as members of the American Association, an independent league at the time. Currently, the Indianapolis Indians are a Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. They play their home games at Victory Field in Indianapolis, Indiana. On the team's website, the various ticket options can be explored, along with game schedules, a roster, and stats.
https://www.milb.com/indianapolis
The Iowa Cubs are a Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. They are a minor league baseball team in the International League, located in Des Moines, Iowa. Established as the Iowa Oaks in 1969, they have been a Cubs affiliate since 1981. The team's official website features a fan section that describes its fan programs and offers other resources, as well as statistics, standings, scores, a team roster, game schedules, ticket options, a seating chart, videos, and contacts.
https://www.milb.com/iowa
The Jumbo Shrimp are a Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins, playing in the East Division of the International League of Minor League Baseball. They play their home games at 121 Financial Ballpark in Jacksonville, Florida. The official team website provides the team's history and an introduction to the ballpark. The website also includes game and event schedules, ticket options, seating charts, promotions, weekly specials, a team roster, statistics, and standings.
https://www.milb.com/jacksonville
Previously known as the Las Vegas 51s and Las Vegas Star, the Las Vegas Aviators are a professional baseball team playing as a MiLB team of the Pacific Coast League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Athletics. They are located in Summerlin South, Nevada, where they play their home games at Las Vegas Ballpark. The team's official website features game and program schedules, a team roster, year-by-year results, and information about listening to or watching games online.
https://www.milb.com/las-vegas
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are a Minor League Baseball (MiLB) of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. Located in Allentown, Pennsylvania, their name is a reference to pig iron, which is used in the manufacture of steel, for which the Lehigh Valley region is known. The IronPigs play their home games at Coca-Cola Park. Game schedules, including a printable season schedule downloadable in PDF format, ticket options, and a team roster are included.
https://www.milb.com/lehigh-valley
Beginning play as the Louisville Redbirds in the Triple-A American Association in 1982, the Louisville Bats are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. Having played their home games at Cardinal Stadium from 1982 to 1999, the Bats currently play at Louisville Slugger Field in Louisville, Kentucky. The team's official website posts game schedules, ticket options, team rosters, and an online fan store.
https://www.milb.com/louisville
The Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals is a professional Minor League Baseball team in the West Division of the International League. The Redbirds play their home games at AutoZone Park in Memphis, Tennessee. The official team website publishes game schedules, game-by-game results, promotions, season memberships, ticket options, team rosters, individual and team statistics, and an online fan shopping section offering branded apparel and other merchandise.
https://www.milb.com/memphis
The Nashville Sounds are a Minor League Baseball team playing professional baseball in the West Division of the International League as a Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. The team plays its home games at First Horizon Park in Nashville, Tennessee. Game schedules, pocket schedules, game-by-game results, a team roster, ticket options, and the history of the team are featured on its official website, which includes an online fan store with branded apparel and other items.
https://www.milb.com/nashville
Located in Norfolk, Virginia, the Tides are named for the city's location on the Chesapeake Bay. A Minor League Baseball team of the International League, the Tides are a Triple-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. The team plays their home games at Harbor Park. The ballpark is introduced on the official team website, including a seating chart, directions, parking, and policy information. Game schedules, game-by-game results, and ticket options are included.
https://www.milb.com/norfolk
Originally, the Minor League Baseball team was known as the Oklahoma City 89ers, playing at All Sports Stadium from 1962 to 1997. Currently, the Comets are a professional MiLB team in the Pacific Coast League's East Division as a Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. They play their home games at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in the Bricktown district of Oklahoma City. Game schedules, ticket options, team rosters, a seating map, and prices are posted on its website.
https://www.milb.com/oklahoma-city
Although they have played under a few other names, the professional Minor League Baseball franchise has been the only Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals since their founding in the 1969 Major League Baseball expansion. Originally known as the Omaha Royals, they adopted their current name in 2011. The Storm Chasers play in the International League's West Division. Home games are played at Werner Park in Papillion, Nebraska. Ticket options and game schedules are posted.
https://www.milb.com/omaha
The Aces were known as the Tucson Sidewinders from 1998 to 2008. Before that, they were known as the Tucson Toros. Becoming the Reno Aces in 2009, the franchise is a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League's West Division and a Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Home games are played at Greater Nevada Field in Reno, Nevada. Front office contacts, directions, and parking information are provided, along with game schedules and a team roster.
https://www.milb.com/reno
Founded in 1899, the Red Wings are North America's oldest continuously operating sports franchise below the Major League level. The team plays its home games at Innovative Field in Rochester, New York. The Red Wings are a Minor League Baseball team of the International and a Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals. The team's official website offers a guide to the ballpark, game schedules, promotional offers, a team roster, statistics, and ticket options.
https://www.milb.com/rochester
The Express were established as a Double-A Minor League Baseball team of the Texas League in 2000, becoming a Triple-A team in 2005. The team is a MiLB team of the Pacific League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, playing home games at the Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas. The team is named after Baseball Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan, who is a part owner of the franchise. Game schedules, promotions, ticket options, membership plans, and an introduction to the ballpark are set forth.
https://www.milb.com/round-rock
Prior to 2015, the River Cats were the Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics for fifteen seasons. Currently, they are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Based in West Sacramento, California, the team plays its home games at Sutter Health Park, which opened in 2000 but was known as Raley Field through 2019. Game schedules, a team roster, and ticket information are listed on the team website.
https://www.milb.com/sacramento
Based in South Jordan, Utah, the Triple-A Minor League Baseball team will begin play at Daybreak Field at America First Square in 2025, having previously played in Salt Lake City. The Salt Lake Bees are an affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels, playing in the Pacific Coast League. The team's website includes front-office contacts, career opportunities, and an overview of the team's community programs, along with schedules, a roster, game news, and ticket information.
https://www.milb.com/salt-lake
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
Often abbreviated SWB RailRiders, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. Located in Moosic, Pennsylvania, the team's name refers to Northeastern Pennsylvania, which was home to the first trolley system in the United States. The team plays its home games at PNC Field. The team's website includes a team roster, game and event schedules, ticket options, and an introduction to the ballpark.
https://www.milb.com/scranton-wb
From their founding in 1993 through 2020, the Saints were an independent baseball team with no affiliation with Major League Baseball. They played in the Northern League from 1993 to 2005 and the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball from 2006 to 2020. The Saints became an MLB-affiliated MiLB team in conjunction with the reorganization of the MiLB in 2021. They are a Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, playing in the International League's West Division.
https://www.milb.com/st-paul
The Sugar Land Space Cowboys are a professional baseball franchise playing at the Minor League level as a team of the Pacific Coast League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros. Home games are played at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, Texas. The team began as the Sugar Land Skeeters in 2012 as an expansion team of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, becoming a MiLB team when the Houston Astros purchased the franchise in 2020. Schedules are posted on the site.
https://www.milb.com/sugar-land
Founded in 1934, the team was known as the Syracuse Chiefs for most of its existence, while from 1997 to 2006, it was known as the Syracuse SkyChiefs, then rebranded as the Syracuse Mets in 2018. The Mets are a Minor League Baseball team in the International League and a Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets. Located in Syracuse, New York, home games are played at NBT Bank Stadium. The team's website posts a team roster, game schedules, statistics, scores, and ticket options.
https://www.milb.com/syracuse
The Tacoma Rainiers are a professional baseball franchise playing at the Triple-A Minor League Baseball level, as the affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. They are in the West Division of the Pacific Coast League. Playing home games at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, Washington, the franchise has been a Triple-A MiLB team since its founding in 1960, The team's official website posts game schedules, game-by-game results, individual and team statistics, scores, and ticket information.
https://www.milb.com/tacoma
The Mud Hens were originally founded in 1896, although then known as the Swamp Angels, becoming the Mud Hens in 1902. The Mud Hens were incorporated into the television series, M*A*S*H, being mentioned several times by the character known as Corporal Klinger, played by Jamie Farr. The Mud Hens are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. Home games are played at Fifth Third Field in Toledo, Ohio.
https://www.milb.com/toledo
The Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, the Worcester Red Sox, play their home games at Polar Park in Worcester, Massachusetts. The professional Minor League Baseball team competes in the East Division of the International League. Season ticket memberships, single tickets, group packages, and other ticket options are defined on the team's website, which includes a team roster, game schedules, and an online gift shop offering branded apparel and other merchandise.
https://www.milb.com/worcester
