Ranking the Minor League Systems

[stealthdevil]

Here's my view of where the systems rank. What do you guys think?

1. DRays - 3 Stud pitchers should be in the big league rotation by '09. Stud 3B.
2. Reds - Jay Bruce, Homer, Votto, Cueto are arguably all top 20 prospects.
3. BoSox - Not as deep as Yanks, but Jacoby&Buchholz are top tier talents.
4. A's - What a haul they have made. Brett Anderson will be huge.
5. Dodgers - Kershaw is the best LHP prospect in minors. LaRoche 1B&3B prospects run deep.
6. Rangers - Almost put ahead of Sox. Many high ceiling guys, but not near their ceilings yet. Engle Beltre, Elvis Andrus, Wilmer Font, Omar Poveda, Kasey Kiker.....Also had breakout seasons from Chris Davis & German Duran.
7. O's - Solid system gained from some trades. Wieters is the system stud.
8. Yanks - Very deep. Many lower level high-ceiling players. Joba.
9. Bravos - Even after Tex trade this system still looks good. 4 big time OF prospects in Shafer, Heyward, BJones, and Gorkys. A few good arms too.
10. Rockies - Probably the most underrated system. They've been churning out big leaguers and still have some nice talent in Morales, Ian Stewart, Fowler...
11. Nats - Burgess & Marrero have BIG bats. Got some solid arms in draft.
12.Fish - Got some pretty nice arms, but just pretty nice aside from Miller. Not much offensive talent besides Maybin. That detroit trade sure helped the system.
13. Padres - Much improved system. Have some high profile arms. Antonelli, Headley. Remember Yefri Carvajal.
14. Halos - Will Wood every make it to the Bigs? Adenhart wasn't great in '07. Conger will be huge if he can stay behind the plate. Walden is a future Ace.
15. Bucs - McCutchen, Walker, Pearce are their big 3. '06 top pick Brad Lincoln had TJ Surgery, but should be back for '08 and could be huge. '07 pick Moskos is a relief pitcher which I don't put much value in in prospect terms. Rest of system is weak.
16. Twinkies - Still loaded with studly pitchers. Parmalee needs to put it together. Thought the would get more for Santana, but Guerra and company push the system up a few spots.
17. Cubbies - Nice mix of talent. Had a good draft. Have talented arms in the lower and upper levels.
18. Mariners - Have some bright spots in Clement and Triunfel, but not exceptionally deep.
19. Cards - system is coming around, but still not in the upper tier. Rasmus is a beast. Hopefully Jaime Garcia's arm won't be an issue going forward.
20. Indians - Lost Matt Whitney in Rule 5 draft. Deep system w/ Mills and Miller at the top.
21. SanFran - Villalona. Got some nice pitchers in the draft. shallow system.
22. BrewCrew - Laporta saved the system. Parra had a turn around season. Several good looking offensive talents could burst onto the prospect scene in '08.
23. KC - Graduated stud prospects in '07. Hochevar could be good, but not great.
24. Phils - A good group of talented arms, but not much offensively.
25. BJays - Travis Snider. Some decent pitchers. a few high ceiling low level guys.
26. DBacks - Where did everyone go!? Scherzer could be the closer at some point in '08. Got Jarrod Parker in the draft and he looks to be a stud RHP. Parra has potential.
27. Tiggers - Losing Miller & Maybin was quite a blow. Still have Porcello.
28. Mets - Have some high ceiling youngsters that are far away from Bigs. Gave up 4 of their top prospects for Santana.
29. ChiSux - Had a few good prospects before trade.
30. Asstros - JR Towles and a bunch of soft tossers.

This is the way I veiw the minor league systems as of now. I tried to look at an overall perspective of: top tier talents, depth of talent, pitching, and hitting. I'll try to update this list as trades happen. Bumped up the Twins from #23 to #16 after the Santana trade. Bumped the Mets back 3 spots, they don't have far to fall.

[Dodgerbluesc]

Well I definitely agree with your first 2 (Rays/Reds) and your last 2 (CHI Sox/Astros)...

The only one I really disagree with is the A's being ranked 3... And the O's that high seems off to me (unless you're already accounting for Adam Jones).. Everything else looks about right.

[DRAFTAHOLIC]

I would put the Reds up there at number one. Jay Bruce is the talk of the town and the number one ranked Minor L'ger. Once their players get going in the majors...look out. Then I, (I can't believe I am saying this) believe Kansas City's minor league talent (including the two already up in the majors), should be up there in your rankings. Take a look at who they have waiting in the wings.

Draftaholic

[DRAFTAHOLIC]

1. Mike Moustakas, ss (Troy T move over, you've got competition)
2. Daniel Cortes, rhp
3. Luke Hochevar, rhp (Still a top prospect)

Of course I am adding these guys to the two already up and ready.

D

[stealthdevil]

Well I definitely agree with your first 2 (Rays/Reds) and your last 2 (CHI Sox/Astros)...

The only one I really disagree with is the A's being ranked 3... And the O's that high seems off to me (unless you're already accounting for Adam Jones).. Everything else looks about right.

yeah I debated pretty hard on those 3-8 place teams. At the time I posted this list I thought the O's trade was a done deal. It still sounds like it may happen so I'm gonna leave them where they are for now. I will bump the A's back a spot though and put the Bosox ahead of them. Buchholz and ellsbury are a pretty tough 1/2 combo at the top of their list, though the system isn't as deep with solid talent as the A's IMO. Daric Barton, Carlos Gonzalez, and Brett Anderson are a pretty darn good top 3 for the A's.

[stealthdevil]

1. Mike Moustakas, ss (Troy T move over, you've got competition)
2. Daniel Cortes, rhp
3. Luke Hochevar, rhp (Still a top prospect)

Of course I am adding these guys to the two already up and ready.

D

alright, I'll buy that. I guess I had overlooked Moose somehow when I was putting this list together. I'm not counting Butler or Gordon though, so I'm not gonna bump em up too high. I'm also kinda peeved that they didn't give Brazell a shot after the year he had.
You could make an argument for the Reds #1, but I can't put them ahead of the Rays. Depends on who you talk to about Bruce being #1, he's neck and neck with Longoria IMO. Price and Mcgee trump Homer and Cueto. Then Votto and Davis are both top prospects, but after that the reds system weakens out in a hurry while the Rays are very deep w/ solid talent. The Rays also have the top pick in the next draft.

[05worldserieschamps]

Well I definitely agree with your first 2 (Rays/Reds) and your last 2 (CHI Sox/Astros)...

The only one I really disagree with is the A's being ranked 3... And the O's that high seems off to me (unless you're already accounting for Adam Jones).. Everything else looks about right.

You think the A's are too high? They are loaded now, and I think in that tier with the Rays/Reds for being completely loaded. They had a pretty decent system before this offseason. With the trades they have made(most notably, Swisher and Haren) they have loaded up on prospects.