Major League Baseball is structured differently than most sports. When players get drafted from college, like in other sports, they head to the minor league affiliates. From there, they get moved up and down any of the four ranks: Triple-A, Double-A, High-A, and Single-A. Each major league team has its own set of four teams, which can change yearly. Here are the minor league affiliates for the Baltimore Orioles.
Baltimore Orioles Minor League Affiliates
The Baltimore Orioles minor league affiliates are:
- Triple-A: Norfolk Tides
- Double-A: Chesapeake Baysox
- High-A: Aberdeen Ironbirds
- Single-A: Delmarva Shorebirds
Triple-A: Norfolk Tides
The Norfolk Tides are located in Norfolk, Virginia and were founded in 1961. They have been a part of the Triple-A rank since 1969. The Tides have been minor league affiliates for the Baltimore Orioles since 2007. They have played at Harbor Park since 1993.
- League Titles: 1965, 1972, 1975, 1982, 1983, 1985, 2023
Division Titles: 1988, 1995, 2001, 2005, 2015 - Mascots: Rip Tide and Triton
- Famous Previous Players: Randy Milligan, Ryan Mountcastle, Jason Isringhausen, Gunnar Henderson
- Famous Previous Managers: Clint Hurdle, Bobby Valentine, John Gibbons
Double-A: Chesapeake Baysox
The Chesapeake Baysox are located in Bowie, Maryland and were founded in 1987. This is their first year under this name, previously being the Bowie Baysox from 1993 to 2024. They have been a part of the Double-A rank since their founding. The Baysox have been minor league affiliates for the Baltimore Orioles since 1989. They have played at Prince George’s Stadium since 1994.
- League Titles: 2015
Division Titles: 2008, 2015, 2019 - Mascots: Rip Tide and Triton
- Famous Previous Players: Adley Rutschman, Grayson Rodriguez
High-A: Aberdeen Ironbirds
The Aberdeen Ironbirds are located in Aberdeen, Maryland and were founded in 1977. They have been a part of the High-A rank since 2021. The Ironbirds have been minor league affiliates for the Baltimore Orioles since 2002. This team is owned and operated by Cal Ripkin Jr. and Billy Ripkin. They have played at Leidos Field at Ripkin Stadium since 2002.
- League Titles: 1983
Division Titles: 2022 - Mascots: Ferrous and Ripcord
- Famous Previous Players: Jackson Holiday, Adley Rutschman, Manny Machado, Nick Markakis, Colton Cowser
Single-A: Delmarva Shorebirds
The Delmarva Shorebirds are located in Aberdeen, Maryland, and were founded in 1996. They have been a part of the Single-A rank since 2021. The Shorebirds have been minor league affiliates for the Baltimore Orioles since 1997. They have played at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium since they were founded.
- League Titles: 1997, 2000
Division Titles: None - Mascot: Sherman the Shorebird
- Famous Previous Players: Zach Britton, Manny Machado, Pat Hentgen, Nick Markakis, Jayson Werth
