8.14 Games

[danman31]

Looking at articles in the past, usually the Appy and Pioneer Leagues are very similar in terms of level of competition, though I've seen the Appy be slightly higher. The Sox however, tend to use them differently - the older, more polished guys go to Great Falls, the younger and more raw ones to Bristol. So, Great Falls is an almost perrenial playoff team, while Bristol is usually rock bottom.

5 of the 9 organizations with affiliates in the Appy League have short season affiliates in the New York Penn League or Northwest League (clearly a higher level). 4 of those 5 have 3 short season affiliates. KC has 3 teams in rookie leagues (Appy, Pioneer, Arizona). The Sox treating the Voyagers as a higher level means at least 6 of the 9 teams in the Appy League (without knowing how KC uses their 3) treat it as the second highest short season team in the org. Minnesota and Atlanta put their top rookie teams in the Appy.

 

4 of the 8 organizations with affiliates in the Pioneer League have teams in the Arizona League (the complex leagues, Arizona and Gulf Coast, are the lowest leagues). Throwing in the Sox that's 5 of 8 that put their top rookie team in the Pioneer League. KC again has a team in the Pioneer League so they are on the bubble so it could be 6. Colorado and Arizona have affiliates in the NYPL and the NWL so they put their second best rookie team in the Pioneer.

 

So no, the Appy is not higher. The difference may not be that large, but the Pioneer is used as a higher league by more teams.

[NorthSideSox72]

5 of the 9 organizations with affiliates in the Appy League have short season affiliates in the New York Penn League or Northwest League (clearly a higher level). 4 of those 5 have 3 short season affiliates. KC has 3 teams in rookie leagues (Appy, Pioneer, Arizona). The Sox treating the Voyagers as a higher level means at least 6 of the 9 teams in the Appy League (without knowing how KC uses their 3) treat it as the second highest short season team in the org. Minnesota and Atlanta put their top rookie teams in the Appy.

 

4 of the 8 organizations with affiliates in the Pioneer League have teams in the Arizona League (the complex leagues, Arizona and Gulf Coast, are the lowest leagues). Throwing in the Sox that's 5 of 8 that put their top rookie team in the Pioneer League. KC again has a team in the Pioneer League so they are on the bubble so it could be 6. Colorado and Arizona have affiliates in the NYPL and the NWL so they put their second best rookie team in the Pioneer.

 

So no, the Appy is not higher. The difference may not be that large, but the Pioneer is used as a higher league by more teams.

Wow, nice research. Interesting.

 

So... seems like the Sox players on each team should perform a little more similarly, relative to their leagues. Yet GF is usually a powerhouse, and Bristol is.... not.