Ranking The A.L. Central Farm Systems

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.