MLB Power Rankings: Re-Ranking All 30 MLB Farm Systems After the MiLB Playoffs

Denny Medley-US PRESSWIRE

The minor league season concluded on Tuesday night, as the Reno Aces (Diamondbacks) defeated the Pawtucket Red Sox (Red Sox), 10-3, to claim the Triple-A National Championship.

However, the bigger news came Wednesday morning when the Orioles announced that they will promote baseball’s top pitching prospect, 19-year-old Dylan Bundy, to the major leagues in time for tonight’s game against the Mariners.

Although there may be a few more call-ups over the final two weeks of the regular season, the major influx of prospects seems to be over.

Therefore, it’s time to take a look at the updated power rankings for every team’s farm system, complete with each team's top 10 prospects. While the team-specific player rankings isn't my final, end-of-the-year assessment, it's doubtful that much will change between now and then.

Prospects whose name appears in bold has been used to identify them as a top-50 prospect in accordance with Prospect Pipeline's Midseason Top 50 Prospects Update. The notable 2012 draft picks also appear in the rankings for the first time.

30. Los Angeles Angels

Courtesy of MiLB.com

Overview: After trading Jean Segura, Johnny Hellweg and Ariel Pena to the Brewers for Zack Greinke at the trade deadline, the Angels system is a shell of what it once was. However, any farm system that graduated Mike Trout is likely to take a significant hit. The good news is that Cowart, Cron and Maronde all enjoyed breakout campaigns and are seemingly poised for a strong 2013 season. 

1. Kaleb Cowart, 3B

2. C.J. Cron, 1B

3. Taylor Lindsey, 2B

4. Nick Maronde, LHP

5. Kole Calhoun, OF

6. Travis Witherspoon, OF

7. Randall Grichuck, OF

8. Cam Bedrosian, RHP

9. Luis Jimenez, 3B

10. Daniel Tillman, RHP

29. Chicago White Sox

Rick Scuteri-US PRESSWIRE

Overview: Even though the White Sox still possess one of the weaker overall systems, it is vastly improved since the beginning of the 2012 season. Several high-upside players, such as Thompson, Hawkins and Walker, have seemingly come into their own this season, while Leesman, Snodgress, Johnson and Rienzo have provided unexpected depth on the mound.

1. Trayce Thompson, OF

2. Courtney Hawkins, OF

3. Charlie Leesman, LHP

4. Carlos Sanchez, 3B/2B

5. Nestor Molina, RHP

6. Scott Snodgress, LHP

7. Keenyn Walker, OF

8. Erik Johnson, RHP

9. Keon Barnum, 1B

10. Andre Rienzo, RHP

28. Cleveland Indians

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Overview: Most organizations would love to have the Indians’ problem, as their four best prospects are all highly athletic, middle infielders. While the rest of their top 10 doesn’t offer much reason for excitement, they’ll be able to trade either one or two their up-the-middle players for big league talent.

1. Francisco Lindor, SS

2. Dorssys Paulino, SS

3. Ronny Rodriguez, SS

4. Tony Wolters, SS

5. Dillon Howard, RHP

6. Scott Barnes, LHP

7. Tyler Naquin, OF

8. Mitch Brown, RHP

9. Alex Monslave, C

10. Jesus Aguilar, 1B

27. San Francisco Giants

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Overview: The Giants system took a hit when they traded catcher Tommy Joseph at the trade deadline, though it wasn’t very impressive to begin with. However, they do feature a slew of promising right-handed pitching prospects in Crick, Blackburn, Stratton and Heston.

1. Gary Brown, OF

2. Kyle Crick, RHP

3. Clayton Blackburn, RHP

4. Chris Stratton, RHP

5. Joe Panik, SS

6. Francisco Peguero, OF

7. Chris Heston, RHP

8. Heath Hembree, RHP

9. Eric Surkamp, LHP

10. Martin Agosta, RHP

26. New York Mets

Denny Medley-US PRESSWIRE

Overview: Although Wheeler, Flores and Fulmer enjoyed strong seasons, legitimate concerns persist regarding their development of position prospects.

1. Zack Wheeler, RHP

2. Wilmer Flores, 3B

3. Brandon Nimmo, OF

4. Jeurys Familia, RHP

5. Michael Fulmer, RHP

6. Gavin Cecchini, SS

7. Cesar Puello, OF

8. Rafael Montero, RHP

9. Domingo Tapia, RHP

10. Reese Havens, 2B

25. Detroit Tigers

H. Darr Beiser-USA TODAY

Overview: Although Nick Castellanos established himself as one of the best young hitters in the minors this season, the Tigers’ system lacks depth, especially after trading two top-10 prospects, Jacob Turner and Rob Brantly, to the Marlins in late July.

1. Nick Castellanos, 3B/RF

2. Avisail Garcia, OF

3. Casey Crosby, LHP

4. Bruce Rondon, RHP

5. Adam Wilk, LHP

6. Andy Oliver, LHP

7. Jose Ortega, RHP

8. Danry Vasquez, OF

9. Daniel Fields, OF

10. Alex Burgos, LHP

24. Philadelphia Phillies

H. Darr Beiser-USA TODAY

Overview: After adding notable prospects like Tommy Joseph and Ethan Martin at the trade deadline, the new and improved Phillies system is respectable for the first time in years.

1. Jesse Biddle, LHP

2. Trevor May, RHP

3. Tommy Joseph, C

4. Larry Greene, OF/1B

5. Brody Colvin, RHP

6. Sebastian Valle, C

7. Ethan Martin, RHP

8. Shane Watson, RHP

9. Roman Quinn, SS

10. Phillippe Aumont, RHP

23. Milwaukee Brewers

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Overview: The Brewers added some much-needed depth at the trade deadline through the acquisition of Segura, Hellweg and Ariel Pena. However, there’s still a lack of offensive upside throughout. 

1. Jean Segura, SS

2. Tyler Thornburg, RHP

3. Wily Peralta, RHP

4. Taylor Jungmann, RHP

5. Johnny Hellweg, RHP

6. Jed Bradley, LHP

7. Scoot Gennett, 2B

8. Hunter Morris, 1B

9. Jimmy Nelson, RHP

10. Clint Coulter, C

22. Washington Nationals

Brad Barr-US PRESSWIRE

Overview: After an offseason trade for Gio Gonzalez and the graduation of Bryce Harper to the major leagues, the Nationals system has a much different look than previous seasons. However, it still boasts two top-50 prospects in Rendon and Meyer, and Giolito (provided that he’s healthy) has frontline starter upside.

1. Anthony Rendon, 3B

2. Alex Meyer, RHP

3. Brian Goodwin, OF

4. Lucas Giolito, RHP

5. Eury Perez, OF

6. Michael Taylor, OF

7. Destin Hood, OF

8. Matt Skole, 3B

9. Nathan Karns, RHP

10. Jason Martinson, SS

21. Los Angeles Dodgers

Courtesy of MiLB.com

Overview: Although the Dodgers were the most active team at the trade deadline, their system isn’t as dismal as many believe. And after signing Puig and adding Seager and Valentin through the draft, they finally have projectable offensive talent.

1. Zach Lee, RHP

2. Yasiel Puig, OF

3. Joc Pederson, OF

4. Chris Reed, LHP

5. Corey Seager, SS

6. Matt Magill, RHP

7. Garrett Gould, RHP

8. Jesmuel Valentin, SS

9. Angel Sanchez, RHP

10. Alex Castellanos, OF/2B

20. Baltimore Orioles

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Overview: With Manny Machado now handling third base in the major leagues, the Orioles’ system is considerably weaker. However, they still feature the game's top pitching prospect, Dylan Bundy, and added another promising arm through the draft in Gausman. 

1. Dylan Bundy, RHP

2. Kevin Gausman, RHP

3. Jon Schoop, 2B/SS

4. Nick Delmonico, 3B/1B

5. Glynn Davis, OF

6. Xavier Avery, OF

7. Parker Bridwell, RHP

8. Branden Kline, RHP

9. Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP

10. Jason Esposito, 3B

19. Cincinnati Reds

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Overview: Beyond their top three prospects, it’s hard to say with certainty how many big leaguers will come out of the Reds system. But given their current active roster and successful 2012 season, it’s not an immediate concern. 

1. Billy Hamilton, SS

2. Robert Stephenson, RHP

3. Tony Cingrani, LHP

4. Daniel Corcino, RHP

5. Didi Gregorius, SS

6. Nick Travieso, RHP

7. Ryan LaMarre, OF

8. Kyle Lotzkar, RHP

9. Jesse Winker, OF

10. Ryan Wright, 2B

18. Colorado Rockies

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Overview: While the Rockies system is rich with both pitching and position prospects, they’re not necessarily the most projectable crop of players. The 2013 season will be a telling year for all of their prospects.

1. Nolan Arenado, 3B

2. Trevor Story, SS

3. David Dahl, OF

4. Tyler Anderson, LHP

5. Kyle Parker, OF

6. Chad Bettis, RHP

7. Tyler Matzek, LHP

8. Will Swanner, C

9. Tim Wheeler, OF

10 Edwar Cabrera, LHP

17. Atlanta Braves

Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE

Overview: Although the Braves system possesses a bevy of young starting pitchers and athletic up-the-middle talent, they lack a position prospect capable of producing at the major league level in the near future.

1. Julio Teheran, RHP

2. Christian Bethancourt, C

3. Lucas Sims, RHP

4. J.R. Graham, RHP

5. Sean Gilmartin, LHP

6. Zeke Spruill, RHP

7. Alex Wood, LHP

8. Nick Ahmed, SS

9. Edward Salcedo, 3B/SS

10. Matt Lipka, OF

16. Chicago Cubs

Courtesy of ESPN.com

Overview: Props to Theo Epstein and company for turning around the Cubs system this season, as they now feature one of the more exciting batch of young position prospects in the National League.

1. Javier Baez, SS/3B

2. Albert Almora, OF

3. Jorge Soler, OF

4. Arodyz Vizcaino, RHP

5. Christian Villanueva, 3B

6. Brett Jackson, OF

7. Junior Lake, SS

8. Matt Szczur, OF

9. Pierce Johnson, RHP

10. Dan Vogelbach, 1B

15. Minnesota Twins

Courtesy of ESPN.com

Overview: For what the Twins lack in high-upside, athletic talent at the major league level, they’re farm system is rich with such players. Even though a majority of them won’t debut until late 2013 or 2014, they have an exciting crop of prospects on the way.

1. Miguel Sano, 3B

2. Byron Buxton, OF

3. Eddie Rosario, 2B

4. Aaron Hicks, OF

5. Oswaldo Arcia, OF

6. Jose Berrios, RHP

7. Travis Harrison, 3B

8. Max Kepler, OF

9. Adrian Salcedo, RHP

10. Joe Benson, OF

14. Oakland Athletics

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Overview: After trading Gio Gonzalez for a host of pitching prospects in the offseason and conducting one of the better drafts this past June, the A’s system is loaded at every position. Furthermore, they’ve received unexpected breakout performances from a pair of pop-up prospects in Straily and Head.

1. Michael Choice, OF

2. Dan Straily, RHP

3. Addison Russell, SS

4. A.J. Cole, RHP

5. Daniel Robertson, 3B

6. Grant Green, UTIL

7. Brad Peacock, RHP

8. Sonny Gray, RHP

9. Renato Nunez, 3B

10. Miles Head, 3B

13. New York Yankees

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Overview: Although the Yankees continually struggle with their development of pitching prospects, they have a core group of high-ceiling position prospects poised to debut (possibly together) over the course of the 2014 and 2015 seasons.

1. Gary Sanchez, C

2. Mason Williams, OF

3. Tyler Austin, OF

4. Manny Banuelos, LHP

5. Ty Hensley, RHP

6. Slade Heathcott, OF

7. Mark Montgomery, RHP

8. Angelo Gumbs, 2B

9. Zoilo Almonte, OF

10. Dante Bichette, Jr., 3B

12. Miami Marlins

Denny Medley-US PRESSWIRE

Overview: With two top-25 prospects in Yelich and Fernandez, the Marlins clearly have a bright future. Their system vastly improved this season, too, thanks to a strong amateur draft (Heaney, Romero) and several midseason acquisitions (Turner, Cox, Brantly).

1. Christian Yelich, OF

2. Jose Fernandez, RHP

3. Jacob Turner, RHP

4. Andrew Heaney, LHP

5. Marcell Ozuna, OF

6. Zack Cox, 3B

7. Rob Brantly, C

8. J.T. Realmuto, C

9. Adam Conley, LHP

10. Avery Romero, SS

11. Tampa Bay Rays

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Overview: Without Matt Moore, the Rays’ system isn’t as heralded as previous seasons. However, the emergence of pitching prospects Taylor Guerrieri and Blake Snell, as well as the strides Chris Archer has made with his command this season, has prevented them from dropping too far in the overall rankings.

1. Hak-Ju Lee, SS

2. Taylor Guerrieri, RHP

3. Chris Archer, RHP

4. Enny Romero, LHP

5. Mikie Mahtook, OF

6. Blake Snell, LHP

7. Drew Vettleson, OF

8. Alex Colome, RHP

9. Alex Torres, LHP

10. Felipe Rivero, LHP

10. Boston Red Sox

H. Darr Beiser-USA TODAY

Overview: Headed into the season, I perceived Boston’s system as one of the weakest in the American League. But after strong performances from a majority of their top-10 prospects—including excellent breakout seasons from Barnes and Bradley—the Red Sox could receive contributions from at least five prospects as early as late-2013.

1. Xander Bogaerts, SS

2. Matt Barnes, RHP

3. Jackie Bradley, OF

4. Allen Webster, RHP

5. Bryce Brentz, OF

6. Blake Swihart, C

7. Garin Cecchini, 3B,

8. Brandon Jacobs, OF

9. Henry Owens, LHP

10. Ryan Lavarnway, C

9. Texas Rangers

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Overview: The Rangers continue to make a haul year after year with strong drafts and superb international scouting. Their system is seemingly always comprised of immensely talented, young prospects, both on the mound and at the plate. However, it's a bit concerning that their top prospects, as a whole, feature no player older than 23 (Olt).

1. Jurickson Profar, SS

2. Mike Olt, 3B

3. Cody Buckel, RHP

4. Martin Perez, LHP

5. Jorge Alfaro, C

6. Ronald Guzman, OF

7. Luis Sardinas, SS

8. Jairo Beras, OF

9. Rougned Odor, 2B

10. Joey Gallo, 3B

8. San Diego Padres

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Overview: One of the more loaded systems in the game, the Padres have exceptional depth at every position despite featuring only one top-50 player. Just as the Texas Rangers have practiced over the last two seasons, if the Padres find themselves in contention in 2013, there will be plenty of chips to move for established big leaguers.

1. Rymer Liriano, OF

2. Jedd Gyorko, 2B

3. Max Fried, LHP

4. Casey Kelly, RHP

5. Austin Hedges, C

6. Robbie Erlin, LHP

7. Adys Portillo, RHP

8. Cory Spangenberg, 2B

9. Joe Ross, RHP

10. Joe Wieland, RHP

7. Houston Astros

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Overview: Since the beginning of the 2010 season, the Astros have absolutely stocked their system via the amateur draft and trades, and they’ll begin the 2013 season with one of the better farm systems in the game.

1. Jonathan Singleton, 1B

2. Carlos Correa, SS

3. George Springer, OF

4. Delino DeShields, 2B

5. Jarred Cosart, RHP

6. Lance McCullers, RHP

7. Rio Ruiz, 3B

8. Joe Musgrove, RHP

9. Domingo Santana, OF

10. Mike Foltynewicz, RHP

6. Kansas City Royals

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Overview: After a down year in 2011 following the graduation of Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas, the Royals system is once again among the best in the game. The oldest players in their top 10, Montgomery and Colon, are only 23 years old, and there’s a strong chance that almost all the players listed below will reach the major leagues.

1. Wil Myers, OF

2. Bubba Starling, OF

3. Jake Odorizzi, RHP

4. Kyle Zimmer, RHP

5. Yordano Ventura, RHP

6. Cheslor Cuthbert, 3B

7. Mike Montgomery, LHP

8. John Lamb, LHP

9. Jorge Bonifacio, OF

10. Christian Colon, SS/2B

5. Toronto Blue Jays

Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE

Overview: In all honesty, I expect every player listed below in the team’s top-10 prospect pool to reach the major leagues. Sanchez, Syndergaard and Nicolino represent arguably the most exciting pitching trio in the minor leagues, as the Blue Jays’ conservative development of each player inevitably led to their success this season.

1. Travis d’Arnaud, C

2. Jake Marisnick, OF

3. Aaron Sanchez, RHP

4. Noah Syndergaard, RHP

5. Justin Nicolino, LHP

6. Roberto Osuna, RHP

7. Anthony Gose, OF

8. Daniel Norris, LHP

9. Adeiny Hechavarria, SS

10. D.J. Davis, OF

4. Pittsburgh Pirates

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Overview: With four top-50 prospects, the Pirates system has everyone excited about the team’s future—especially building off their success in 2012. They possess an impressive blend of elite pitching prospects and high-upside, toolsy position players.

1. Gerrit Cole, RHP

2. Jameson Taillon, RHP

3. Alen Hanson, SS

4. Luis Heredia, RHP

5. Gregory Polanco, OF

6. Josh Bell, OF

7. Kyle McPherson, RHP

8. Justin Wilson, LHP

9. Barrett Barnes, OF

10. Wyatt Mathisen, C

3. St. Louis Cardinals

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Overview: Headlined by the best pure hitter in the minor leagues, Oscar Taveras, the Cardinals system will continue to produce legitimate, big-league talent over the upcoming seasons. In my opinion, their top-seven prospects are all worthy of a top-100 ranking. 

1. Oscar Taveras, OF

2. Shelby Miller, RHP

3. Carlos Martinez, RHP

4. Trevor Rosenthal, RHP

5. Kolten Wong, 2B

6. Michael Wacha, RHP

7. Tyler Jenkins, RHP

8. Matt Adams, 1B

9. John Gast, LHP

10. Carson Kelly, 3B

2. Arizona Diamondbacks

Liz Condo-US PRESSWIRE

Overview: Once again, the Diamondbacks’ loaded system ranks as one the best in the game, highlighted by a trio of young pitching prospects and a slew of hitters who continue to develop as hoped.

1. Trevor Bauer, RHP

2. Tyler Skaggs, LHP

3. Archie Bradley, RHP

4. Matt Davidson, 3B

5. Adam Eaton, OF

6. Chris Owings, SS

7. David Holmberg, LHP

8. A.J. Pollock, OF

9. Anthony Meo, RHP

10. Michael Perez, C

1. Seattle Mariners

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Overview: With only a quick glance at their top 10 prospects, it’s obvious why the Mariners’ farm system warrants a No. 1 overall ranking. Not only are their prospects highly projectable, they’re all likely to reach the major leagues over the next two seasons. 

1. Taijuan Walker, RHP

2. Danny Hultzen, LHP

3. Mike Zunino, C

4. Nick Franklin, SS/2B

5. James Paxton, LHP

6. Carter Capps, RHP

7. Brad Miller, SS

8. Stefen Romero, 2B

9. Stephen Pryor, RHP

10. Vinnie Catricala, 3B