The Kansas City Royals farm system consists of eight Minor League Baseball affiliates across the United States and in the Dominican Republic. Six teams are independently owned, while twoâ€"the Arizona League Royals and Dominican Summer League Royalsâ€"are owned by the major league club.
The Royals have been affiliated with the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers of the Pacific Coast League since 1969, making it the longest-running active affiliation in the organization among teams not owned by the Royals. It is also the longest affiliation in team history. Their newest affiliate is the Lexington Legends of the South Atlantic League which became the Royals' Class A club in 2015.
Geographically, Kansas City's closest domestic affiliate is the Omaha Storm Chasers of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League which is approximately 169 miles (272Â km) away. Kansas City's furthest domestic affiliate is the Arizona League Royals of the Rookie Arizona League some 1,062 miles (1,709Â km) away.
1990â€"present
The current structure of Minor League Baseball has been in effect since the 1990 season when the Class A level was subdivided for a second time with the creation of Class A-Advanced. The Rookie level consists of domestic and foreign circuits.
1968â€"1989
The foundation of the minors' current structure was the result of a reorganization initiated by Major League Baseball (MLB) before the 1963 season. The reduction from six classes to four (Triple-A, Double-AA, Class A, and Rookie) was a 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.
References
External links
- Major League Baseball Prospect News: Kansas City Royals
- Baseball-Reference: Kansas City Royals League Affiliations
- BR Bullpen: Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates
