MLB Farm System Rankings: #30-26

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I thought about how I would lead into this, the ranking of teams’ farm systems, but don’t have a good way to do it, other than say it is something that I like to tackle every year. Obviously, in the grand scheme of things my rankings aren’t going to make waves with Keith Law, John Sickels, or the staff at Baseball America. However, these rankings by any outlet are rather arbitrary in nature, and I like any of them, will try to give everybody some reasoning behind them. Scouting and prospects are a big part of the game. We can see that by how teams are clinging onto them in a lot of cases this year, instead of dealing them away for proven players. A lower ranked system doesn’t necessarily correlate to a bad team, and a highly ranked system doesn’t mean it’s a good major league team. It just gives us all a look at organizations who might get healthy in a few years, and which ones are going to have to find other means.

Anyway, this is supposed to be fun, so if you want to discuss, let’s do so………

30. Chicago White Sox

Well, someone has to rank last in these things, and in this case, it is the Chicago White Sox. I think this is a pretty widely accepted place for the Sox, and I am no different when it comes to seeing a lack of high end talent and depth in their system. Chicago has liberally traded from within its system the last couple of years, and it’s clear that strategy has taken effect. Couple that with some, shall we say, frugal expenditures in the draft, and they got what they deserve. Their best prospect could arguably be a reliever in Addison Reed. That fact doesn’t bode well for a farm system. Their trades have brought a little bit in Nestor Molina (who is vying with Reed for the top spot), and potentially Simon Castro, but other than that it’s pretty thin.

There are some position players that White Sox fans can look for in the next couple years. Tyler Saladino, Trayce Thompson, and Keenyn Walker all have some talent.

Biggest Strength: Pitching. The Sox have spent some draft picks on the pitching end the last couple years. Erik Johnson, Jacob Petricka, Addison Reed, and Jeff Soptic all have power arms, but all have issues.

29. Florida Marlins

These guys are dangerously close to being in the last spot themselves. I liked Florida’s 2011 draft a little bit better than the White Sox, so I am giving them the nod. Plus they have a standout position player in Christian Yelich. Yelich showed better athleticism than most people thought he had, and hit probably better than any high schooler out of the class of 2010. There are a couple of other hitters to like as well. When I did a top 7 for the Marlins over the summer at Detroit Baseball Page, it included Noah Perio. Some Marlins fans got on me for that, but I don’t think they will much longer. Perio has a chance to be a fireplug at the top of a lineup. OF Marcell Ozuna has tremendous power potential, and I like catcher J.T Realmuto as well. Matt Dominguez should be a major league 3B on his defense alone.

Biggest Strength: Starting pitching. The Marlins got some good arms in the 2011 draft, and they needed them. Jose Fernandez tops the list. The 1st rounder has a strong arm and the body to be a top of the rotation workhorse. They also got a pair of power lefties in Adam Conley and Charlie Lowell. I think the best pick could end up being Mason Hope, a strong armed righty out of high school in Oklahoma. These guys added to what I consider an underrated Chad James is a good start.

28. Milwaukee Brewers

Here is the first argument that I have made with myself. Florida in my opinion has a couple more high end guys than Milwaukee. However, I am more comfortable believing in Milwaukee’s guys actually reaching their ceilings. In effect, they have higher floors. Positionally, the Brewers are in rough shape. We are talking a White Sox sort of problem here. Not a lot to see in other words. A couple upper level guys in Scooter Gennet, Taylor Green, and Logan Schaffer should see some big league time, though the ceilings aren’t there to be big time players. The lower levels offer some toolsy guys including 2011 draftee Michael Reed and SS Yadiel Rivera, but it’s kind of slim pickings there as well. A fast mover could be 1B Nick Ramirez.

Biggest Strength: Starting pitching. This seems to be the trend, but it’s just what every team wants to stock up on, so it makes some sense. The Brewers might have a bunch of guys topping out as mid-rotation starters, but they are likely to reach those ceilings. Their best prospect is probably Wily Peralta, who should compete for a rotation spot in 2012. He is followed closely by 2011 draftees, Taylor Jungmann, Jed Bradley, and Jorge Lopez. Righty Tyler Thornburg emerged as a potential middle of rotation guy, and could be a closer type if he doesn’t make it as a starter. Jimmy Nelson has some potential as well.

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.

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