The minor leagues are baseball’s development system: the ladder of teams below the majors where young players prepare, from Class A up to Triple-A. Almost every big leaguer climbs these rungs first.
The ladder
Each MLB team has affiliated minor-league clubs at different levels — Single-A, Double-A and Triple-A, the step right below the majors. A prospect usually moves up level by level as he develops, which can take years.
The «farm system»
It’s called a farm system because that’s where teams «grow» their talent. Only a small percentage of signed players ever reach the majors, so the minors are a long, demanding filter. For players from Latin America, the journey often begins in an academy and continues through these levels in the U.S.
FAQ
What is Triple-A?
The highest level of the minors, right below Major League Baseball.
Does everyone reach the majors?
No: only a small percentage of minor leaguers ever make it to the big leagues.
