It seems like we can never get enough of rankings and lists. However, when I conceived of a power ranking for MLB farm systems, I wanted it to be both different as well as actually useful. How can we wrap our arms around an entire organization’s worth of prospects and gain some perspective?
In an effort to be more creative, I decided to utilize the statistical performance of each organization’s top 30 prospects on a regular basis, rather than the traditional end-of-year summary. Instead of waiting for the dust to settle, I wanted to zoom in to see how different decisions and results impact the strength of individual systems. Ultimately, I want each week to be a snapshot of how an MLB team’s pipeline is (or is not) progressing.
Ground Rules
- This list is made at my discretion. So yes, this is completely subjective.
- This is a weekly rankings list. If the #1 overall prospect gets called up, that team’s farm system will likely be negatively impacted in the rankings. If a pitcher suffers a blowup or a hitter slumps during the week, it’s going to impact the rankings. This is not just based on general Future Value or else I’d make an end-of-year list like everyone else.
- Why is Team X above Team Y? See bullet point #1.
- Yes, I do actually watch minor league games during the week including reviewing specific ABs or innings that I may have missed.
- No I do not hate __________. I keep an open mind about whatever results come in and whoever may be producing them.
- This is supposed to be fun, so let’s have fun with it!
Risers
Los Angeles Dodgers: Surprise, surprise: Another year, another group of potential studs in Dodger blue. Vargas and Busch had solid weeks yet again, and now bats like Andy Pages are warming up alongside them. Bobby Miller has looked exceptional and now he’s being joined by compatriots Gavin Stone and Landon Knack. This season’s OKC Dodgers team might end up rivaling last year’s Durham Bulls in the amount of ML potential on the roster.
Washington Nationals: Luis Garcia continues to rake at the top of the system while Jeremy De La Rosa does so at the bottom. Not much in the middle; Brady House has cooled from his torrid start. On the mound, Cade Cavalli is becoming a bit of a prospect Rorschact, as different analysts and evaluators all see different things when they look at his 2022.
Chicago White Sox: Lenyn Sosa is the name to know for the White Sox as the SS has been quietly tearing the cover off of the ball for almost two months now. Additionally, Colson Montgomery has heated up along with Micker Adolfo. Davis Martin’s surprise spot start performance before being optioned adds a bit of sheen to an uninspiring group of pitchers
Fallers
New York Mets: Truth be told the Mets’ system has been thin on production since the start of the year but they benefited from some awful weeks by other teams. It finally catches up to them in Week 7 as the drop to the low man on the totem pole.
Miami Marlins: Meyer’s recent run of sub-optimal starts along with an IL stint puts a bit of a damper on things in Miami. Meanwhile, we have yet to see a position player come to forefront. There either are injuries or just too much below average production. Maybe the Marlins’ farm was more smoke and mirrors than the real thing?
Seattle Mariners: Technically neither a riser or faller but the Mariners’ recent run with their player development makes me ask: Should the Mariners’ farm system get a boost for having their top prospects return back to Triple-A Tacoma after their assorted struggles in the big leagues?
Featured image by Shawn Palmer (@Palmerdesigns_ on Twitter)