MLB Farm System Rankings: #30-26

27. San Francisco Giants

The Giants are kind of getting a benefit of the doubt ranking here from me. This system is thin. I like their position guys better than the Brewers, but there is less depth pitching wise. The kicker here is that I trust the Giants to develop their pitching to a higher level though. Outfielder Gary Brown is the Giants top prospect. He is basically a top end speedster who can hit and defend CF well. His plate discipline just needs a little work, but by 2013, I suspect he will be a top of the order CF for quite some time. Francisco Peguero is another toolsy outfielder who is going to have to get more selective, but has a nice power/speed combination himself. 1st round pick from 2011 Joe Panik seemed like a stretch, but I like him, and believe he is going to hit and stick at SS. If he doesn’t, Ehire Adrianza definitely should stick defensively but has to get stronger. Pitching lacks upper level guys, but Eric Surkamp seems to be somewhat of a sure thing as a back end starter. Seth Rosin is a guy to watch, and three youngsters in Kendry Flores, Kyle Crick and Reiner Roibal will have a chance to excel as well. Heath Hembree is a potential closer.

Biggest Strength: Catching position. Three of the Giants top prospects are catchers. Given that they have Buster Posey, they might likely become trade candidates at some point. However, Tommy Joseph has tremendous power potential and could end up at 1B. Andrew Susac can hit and defend a little. Hector Sanchez could be the best of them defensively.

26. Cleveland Indians

The Indians have fallen down this list quite a bit in the span of two years. There is a simple reason for that, trades and promotions. Gone are Jason Kipnis, Drew Pomeranz, Alex White, Joe Gardner, and Lonnie Chisenhall. That will damage any systems ranking. However, there is still some juice in this system. The system lacks top of the rotation potential at the upper levels, but boasts some back end options in guys like Zach McCallister and Scott Barnes. Their top two prospects are 2011 draftees in SS Francisco Lindor and P Dillon Howard. Howard was considered a first rounder by most and Lindor has vast potential at SS. This system is all about ceiling really. Jake Sisco is another 2011 draftee that throws hard, has all the pitches, and could be a top of the rotation starter. Robbie Aviles has potential after suffering a Tommy John setback, and Giovanni Soto has performed well thus far as well.There is a lot of relief pitching options in this system as well.

Biggest Strength: Lower level high ceiling players. Cleveland is loaded with guys that could be great, but they are just a long ways away. Start with LeVon Washington, who is a tremendous athlete. SS Ronny Rodriguez is a power/speed combo guy with good enough defensive chops for the position. Elvis Araujo and Felix Sterling are two guys with very strong arms. OF Luigi Rodriguez burst onto the scene flashing tremendous offensive ability last season. There are others as well.

Cleveland doesn’t have as many high end guys after the trades but there is a lot of guys in their 10-60 range that could turn out pretty darn good.