2016 Organization Standings & League Champs

The Phillies and Mariners both hired new general managers in the fall of 2015—Matt Klentak and Jerry Dipoto, respectively—and those front-office regime changeovers translated into immense success at the minor league level in 2016.

While only time will tell if the minor league victories of today have an impact on the Philadelphia and Seattle clubs of tomorrow, one thing is clear: The domestic affiliates for the Phillies (.595) and Mariners (.581) this year won at a rate seldom seen.

No organization won as frequently in the past eight seasons as the Phillies did this year, and the Mariners show up at No. 3 on that list. Sandwiched in between is the 2009 Giants. I use eight years—or back through 2009—because that’s as far back as I have detailed domestic minor league standings, e.g. 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009.

ORGANIZATION STANDINGS • DOMESTIC CLUBS ONLY
No	Organization	W	L	PCT	Playoff	League Champ	Runner-Up
1	Phillies	412	280	.595	4		Lakewood (SAL) GCL Phillies
2	Mariners	403	291	.581	6	Jackson (SL) AZL Mariners	Clinton (MWL) Everett (NWL)
3	Yankees++	447	363	.552	5	Scranton/W-B (IL)	Trenton (EL) Tampa (FSL)
4	Indians	383	313	.550	4	Akron (EL)	Lynchburg (CAR)
5	Twins	372	317	.540	2
6	Cubs	373	319	.539	4	Myrtle Beach (CAR) Eugene (NWL)
7	Rays+	401	357	.529	4		Hudson Valley (NYP)
8	Dodgers	364	327	.527	4	Great Lakes (MWL)	Oklahoma City (PCL)
9	Red Sox	366	330	.526	3
10	Cardinals+	393	363	.520	5	State College (NYP) Johnson City (APP) GCL Cardinals
11	Astros+	389	369	.513	2
12	Nationals	351	340	.508	2
13	Blue Jays+	385	374	.507	1
	D-backs+	389	379	.507	2		Visalia (CAL)
15	Reds	347	344	.502	2		Billings (PIO)
16	Rangers	340	352	.491	2	High Desert (CAL)
17	Pirates+	372	387	.490	2	Bradenton (FSL)
18	Athletics	337	353	.488	2	Midland (TL)
19	Giants	335	358	.483	1
20	Mets+	364	394	.480	1
21	Rockies	340	373	.477	0
22	Tigers+	353	392	.474	1
23	Braves	319	363	.468	4	Rome (SAL)	Gwinnett (IL) Mississippi (SL)
24	Padres	321	373	.463	1	El Paso (PCL)
25	Orioles	318	381	.455	0
26	Marlins	311	374	.454	0
27	Royals+	342	414	.452	2		NW Arkansas (TL) Burlington (APP)
28	Angels	313	381	.451	2	Orem (PIO)	AZL Angels
29	Brewers	302	379	.443	1
30	White Sox	296	398	.427	1
+ Organization with seven affiliates instead of six ++ Yankees have eight domestic affiliates, plus two more in Dominican Summer League

 

• Before assuming the top spot this year, the Phillies had climbed to the No. 4 position on the 2015 organization standings, which followed a No. 30 finish in 2014 and a No. 26 rank in 2013. Every domestic Phillies farm club had a winning record this year, from Triple-A Lehigh Valley (.594) to Double-A Reading (.631) to high Class A Clearwater (.603) to low Class A Lakewood (.532) to short-season Williamsport (.520) to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League team (.741).

• In fact, Clearwater has the distinction this year of being the best full-season minor league team to fail to qualify for the playoffs. The Threshers went 82-54 (.603) and recorded the best record in the Florida State League—yet they failed to claim a playoff berth because of the circuit’s split schedule. Clearwater finished second in the Northern Division in both halves of the season, finishing 2.5 games behind Tampa in the first half and one game behind Dunedin in the second.

• The Mariners shot to No. 2 in the organization standings this year after finishing No. 29 in 2015 and No. 22 in 2014.

• All six Mariners affiliates qualified for the playoffs in their leauges, and they did so convincingly. Triple-A Tacoma (.566) won its Pacific Coast League division by 5.5 games. Double-A Jackson (.604) won its Southern League division in the first half and finished 8.5 games better than the competition overall. High Class A Bakersfield (.543) won its California League division in the second half but finished in second place overall. Low Class A Clinton (.614) won its Midwest League division in the second half and finished 7.5 games better than their rivals overall. Short-season Everett (.592) recorded the best record in its Northwest League division, while the Rookie-level Arizona League club (.554) finished just off the pace and won the league title.

• Just three organizations were completely shut out of the minor league playoffs: the No. 21 Rockies, No. 25 Orioles and No. 26 Marlins.

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Note: Organizations featuring affiliates in the high Class A California and low Class A Midwest leagues face greatly enhanced playoff odds. That’s because six of 10 Cal League teams make the playoffs each year, while eight of the 16 Midwest League teams qualify for the postseason.