Ranking The A.L. Central Farm Systems

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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.

3. Cleveland Indians

Organizational Philosophy:

The Indians tend to get a pretty good mix of players from their drafts, using both the college and high school ranks to their advantage. They don’t have the payroll that Chicago and Detroit can afford, so they tend to wisely go after a couple top-notch players for bigger money, and then take one or two shots later on in the draft as well. The Indians scouting department when it comes to the draft does a good job identifying talent.

Why They Are Ranked Here:

I barely gave the Indians the nod over Detroit because of depth across the board with the potential for a little more ceiling. There is no doubt this system took a hit this season though. They graduated Lonnie Chisenhall, though Jason Kipnis barely retained his prospect status. They also dealt their two best pitching prospects in return for Ubaldo Jimenez in Alex White and Jason Kipnis. Still, there is plenty of bullpen arms, A ball players with high ceilings, and top end talent in Kipnis and Francisco Lindor.

2011 Draft:

The Indians landed two potentially special players in the first two rounds of the draft. Lindor and pitcher Dillon Howard are both top flight talents. After that, they got a good mix of college and high school talent. Bryson Miles has a plus hit tool and Will Roberts is a pitcher that could potentially move fast.

Best Pitcher:

Dillon Howard. Howard was a first round talent considered a difficult sign. Cleveland is glad to have him. Honorable mention goes to Felix Sterling. Sterling has a ways to go, but has a special arm.

Best Position Player:

Well, that’s obviously Kipnis, but I will give you another name since he barely qualifies. Luigi Rodriguez is an outfielder to keep tabs on for 2012, and will likely begin in Lake County for the Indians.

2. Minnesota Twins

Organizational Philosophy:

The Twins are famous for a couple things when it comes to the draft. One, they like to get strike throwing pitchers. Two, they like to get raw athletes and teach them the game. As far as finances, the Twins do tend to be conservative in the draft. They rarely go way above slot later in a draft, and don’t go crazy dropping money on their first rounders. The Twins have obviously been successful developing and identifying players that they will be able to teach. It seems in the past, they have leaned towards college pitchers, and high school positional players. They also take their time with development and don’t rush players very often.

Why They Are Ranked Here:

The Twins have what I consider an underrated farm system overall. In the Central, they are the clear cut 2nd best to the Royals. There is good high end talent, and there is solid depth. Position player wise, they have outstanding outfield prospects, and one of the best prospects in the game in Miguel Sano. Oswaldo Arcia is a real good hitter. Aaron Hicks is still highly regarded, and fast mover Eddie Rosario is moving up lists. Pitching wise the Twins took a hit when Kyle Gibson went down with Tommy John, however, after suffering the strike-throwing yips, Alex Wimmers seemed to bounce back nicely at the end of the season.

2011 Draft:

The Twins had themselves a good draft in 2011. With 3 of the top 55 picks, the Twins didn’t surprise going for a solid positional player in SS Levi Michael first, however, they strayed from their formula a little bit in getting high schooler Hudson Boyd for the mound. Boyd is a big kid that throws hard, but the Twins didn’t stray too far, Boyd throws strikes too. They also got 3B power hitting Travis Harrison out of the high school ranks. The Twins got a couple of guys for the back end of their bullpen that should move quickly as well in Madison Boer and Matt Summers, who both had good starts to their professional careers.

Best Pitcher:

Liam Hendricks. Hendricks isn’t going to wow you with his stuff, but he has a good track record, and with Gibson’s injury and Wimmers yips, he took over the top spot. There are some youngsters like Adrian Salcedo that are intriguing as well.

Best Position Player:

Miguel Sano. Sano has tremendous power potential and so far appears to be a better athlete than advertised. Honorable mention goes to Eddie Rosario who I believe is really close talent wise to Sano.

1. Kansas City Royals

Organizational Philosophy:

The Royals have been down in the dumps for so long at the major league level, Dayton Moore and company have turned to the minor league ranks for their salvation. It is starting to pay off now. Kansas City has been one of the most aggressive franchises in the draft in recent years, going over suggested slot regularly, and drafting guys from both the high school and college ranks. Power pitching and athletes tend to be the theme. What also cannot be discounted is the Royals heavy dabbling in the international market as well, landing Elier Hernandez this past July.

Why They Are Ranked Here:

Simply put, the Royals have the most depth and talent in the Central and it’s not even close. Despite the graduations of players like Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Aaron Crow, Tim Collins, and Salvador Perez, the Royals will once again be in at least the top 10 discussion for farm systems in baseball. There is still good pitching depth across all levels, and a new batch of hitters is starting to emerge. There is high end talent and tremendous depth in this system, and it will be interesting to see if some of it gets traded away this off-season.

2011 Draft:

The Royals had clearly the best draft in the division, and one of the best in baseball. Bubba Starling is a tremendously gifted athlete whose ceiling is tremendous. The Royals then added two fantastic right handed high school pitchers in Bryan Brickhouse and Kyle Smith. Brickhouse is a power armed Texas righty and while Smith doesn’t throw as hard, he is advanced as a pitcher while still having good stuff. Jack Lopez was a steal in the later rounds at SS, and Terence Gore and De’Andre Toney are intriguing athletes.

Best Pitcher:

This should be John Lamb, though there is a question mark with Tommy John. I will say Jake Odorizzi for right now with a very close honorable mention to Mike Montgomery.

Best Position Player:

I’m still a believer in Wil Myers, and think he will bounce back and have a great 2012. 3B Chelsor Cuthbert and Bubba Starling will be close on his heels.

*This of course isn’t a comprehensive view of all the teams systems, but rather a quick glance at some of the reasons for the rankings. If anyone would like to discuss the rankings or specific players from the teams, feel free to sign in and discuss.

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