Ranking The A.L. Central Farm Systems

Now that we have got to the off-season and had a full years worth of data, and saw who signed at the deadline, I thought it would be appropriate to take a look at where the A.L. Central teams stood with their farm systems. There is certainly different philosophies in building franchises, so having a low ranked farm system doesn’t equate to a bad major league team. These rankings are meant more for informational purposes, and the teams ability to draw from it’s own system for talent in the upcoming 2012 season. Plus it can be fun to discuss.

I will rank the systems from worst to first.

5. Chicago White Sox

Organizational Philosophy:

The White Sox tend to use and abuse their farm system with reckless abandon to obtain major league players, opting to go a little cheaper come draft time with college players. It’s not that the philosophy has served them poorly, the White Sox have been a pretty good team, but it has put them in a dangerous situation. It leaves them with a higher payroll, and when you don’t win, it gets people fired. Owner Jerry Reinsdorf seems willing to spend to a point though, so I don’t see the philosophy changing anytime soon.

Why They Are Ranked Here:

The White Sox probably have the worst system in baseball. Well, actually no probably about it, they are the worst system in baseball. The White Sox lack top end talent, and they lack depth. The system has been decimated in the past couple of years with some injury and some of the talent being dealt for guys like Edwin Jackson. Dayan Viciedo has lost prospect status, and even if he hadn’t, that wouldn’t have helped this system enough. When your best prospect is a reliever, that’s a system in trouble.

2011 Draft:

The White Sox had themselves an okay draft, though they didn’t have a first round pick. They gave that up signing the abysmal Adam Dunn. With their first pick in the supplemental round, they got raw, but athletically gifted Keenyn Walker out of the JC ranks. They followed that pick up with 4 straight power arms from the college ranks, but all of them have some issues that might make them profile better as relievers in the end. 7th round pick Kevan Smith, a catcher, has some good power potential.

Best Pitcher:

Addison Reed. Reed shot up the ranks this season, dominating minor league competition out of the bullpen and finally getting an appearance with Chicago late in the season. Could be their closer soon. Honorable mention would go to right-hander Jacob Petricka.

Best Position Player:

Walker probably has the highest ceiling of their position players, but right now I would give the nod to SS Tyler Saladino. Saladino is a pretty athletic SS with solid on-base skills and some power.

4. Detroit Tigers

Organizational Philosophy:

The Tigers, like the White Sox, tend to lean towards college players in the draft, guys with a little bit of a higher floor but lower ceilings. Up until 2011, the Tigers however tended to break the bank for a player or two, giving them some high end talents that they can push through the system quickly. This has landed them the likes of Cameron Maybin, Rick Porcello, Jacob Turner, and others. Tigers owner Mike Ilitch isn’t afraid to spend, and GM David Dombrowski trades wisely, so often the Tigers farm system provides just enough to help.

Why They Are Ranked Here:

The Tigers don’t have a good farm system themselves, though it is gaining a little bit of momentum. There is some better top end talent than the White Sox, though it does lack depth as well. Increased efforts in the international arena are starting to pay off for the Tigers, as they added talented Danry Vazquez last year, and payed for 3B Adelin Santa this season. Still, the lack of ceiling and impact from position players keeps this system ranked low. There is some strength in left-handed pitching.

2011 Draft:

The Tigers didn’t have a pick until the 2nd round of this draft, going heavy on college positional players. They didn’t get a pitcher until Brian Flynn in the 7th round. The best of the bunch might be 6th round outfielder Tyler Collins who has a better than average hit tool and some athleticism. The Tigers did spend a little bit later on in the draft getting 2nd/3rd round talent Tyler Gibson from the high school ranks. Despite that, it was a rather pedestrian and conservative draft in a year where there was talent to be had.

Best Pitcher:

Jacob Turner currently gets that distinction in the Tigers system. Turner who had a solid season in AA at age 19/20, even made his major league debut this season. Honorable mention goes to fast rising Drew Smyly.

Best Position Player:

Nick Castellanos. Castellanos stumbled early out of the gate in April, however, he managed to top the .300 BA mark from May through the rest of the season. Castellanos struggled a little with strikeouts this past season.