Here's a Thought: Ranking the MLB Farm Systems: No. 30-26

When I did my Top 100 Prospects series last week, I got a few requests to rank the minor league systems of the 30 major league teams.

So here we are.

As with the Top 100 Prospects, players that debuted in the majors before July 15, 2009 do not count toward the rankings.

Another thing I noticed in the Top 100 series was that a few of the comments said I weighed current stats over tools. I admit that I do that to an extent, but not in some sort of a blanket sense.

To circumvent any statistical bias I may have, what I'll do in each system is list some good statistical prospects and some prospects who have more projection but less current performance.

I will also have a list of players who do both.

Following the lists (which aren't in any particular order), I'll give a brief rundown of why the team is ranked where it is, and any other brief thoughts I have about their system.

Feel free to ask me about any of the players listed. I'll be happy to provide more information.

Let's take a look at the five worst systems in baseball.

No. 30: St. Louis Cardinals

Performance Prospects:

1B Allen Craig
OF Tyler Henley
2B Daniel Descalso
1B Mark Hamilton
RHP Trey Hearne
C Charles Cutler
OF Aaron Luna
3B Matt Carpenter
RHP Arquimedes Nieto
RHP Adam Veres

Projection Prospects:

C Bryan Anderson
OF Jon Jay
RHP Francisco Samuel
SS Pete Kozma
OF Daryl Jones
OF Adron Chambers
RHP Blake King

"Both" Prospects:

RHP Lance Lynn
LHP Nick Additon
RHP Scott Gorgen
RHP Adam Reifer

The only four performance and projection prospects are pitchers who project as back-of-the-rotation starters or setup relievers.

That's bad.

Brett Wallace was the only quality hitter the Cardinals had, and they traded him. Chris Perez, Jess Todd, and Clayton Mortensen were also traded. Colby Rasmus and Jason Motte's promotions render them ineligible, and seemingly every other top prospect in this system has regressed.

There are no true impact players on the horizon for St. Louis. They are one of two teams (Minnesota is the other) to not have a top 100 prospect on my list.

With no starting-caliber hitting, front-to-middle-of-the-rotation starting pitching, or back-of the-bullpen relieving on the way, the Cardinals have the worst system in baseball.

No. 29: Toronto Blue Jays

Performance Prospects:

LHP Tim Collins
1B Brian Dopirak
3B Kyle Phillips
1B Brett Harper
C Brian Jeroloman
RHP Reidier Gonzalez
LHP Luis Perez
LHP Edgar Estanga
RHP Bubbie Buzachero
RHP Daniel Farquhar
OF Darin Mastroianni
RHP Robert Bell
RHP Henderson Alvarez

Projection Prospects:

C J.P. Arencibia
2B Brad Emaus
RHP Andrew Liebel
SS Justin Jackson
1B David Cooper
3B Kevin Ahrens

"Both" Prospects:

OF Moises Sierra
SS Tyler Pastornicky
OF Johermyn Chavez

The Blue Jays have more depth than the Cardinals, as they have a ton of good relief prospects and minor league slugger types.

However, they have very few prospects that scouts like. Justin Jackson, David Cooper, Brad Emaus, J.P. Arencibia, and Kevin Ahrens have been awful. The Jays' best hope is that some of their minor league sluggers (Dopirak, Harper, Phillips) become major league sluggers.

When your best prospect is a lefty reliever (Tim Collins), it's rarely a good sign. Granted, Collins is the best lefty relief prospect in the game, but it's still a bad sign.

No. 28: Los Angeles Angels

Performance Prospects:

RHP Trevor Bell
OF Brad Coon
2B Alexia Amarista
C Beau Brooks
RHP Mike Kohn
LHP Andrew Taylor
RHP Tommy Mendoza

Projection Prospects:

RHP Jordan Walden
OF Peter Bourjos
C Hank Conger
1B Mark Trumbo
RHP Jeremy Haynes
RHP Mason Tobin
RHP Tyler Chatwood

"Both" Prospects:

LHP Trevor Reckling
LHP Alex Torres
OF Chris Pettit
3B Matt Sweeney
LHP Will Smith
RHP Ryan Chaffee

We see our first top-50 prospect here, as Reckling ranked 49th on my list. However, he is one of the most likely players on that list to bust.

Again, a lot of the top prospects (Bourjos, Conger, Trumbo) are under-performing. Alex Torres and Will Smith look to be good sleepers, and Trevor Bell is improving his stock as well.

No. 27: Milwaukee Brewers

Performance Prospects:

RHP Evan Anundsen
3B Adam Heether
OF Brendan Katin
LHP Chris Cody
RHP Mike Jones
OF Caleb Gindl
OF Logan Schafer
C Corey Kemp
OF Chris Dennis
RHP Nick Tyson

Projection Prospects:

RHP Jeremy Jeffress
RHP Mark Rogers
C Jonathan Lucroy
SS Brent Brewer
2B Brett Lawrie
LHP Evan Frederickson
OF Cutter Dykstra
OF Lorenzo Cain
RHP Jake Odorizzi

"Both" Prospects:

RHP Wily Peralta
3B Taylor Green
RHP Amaury Rivas
RHP Cody Scarpetta
RHP R.J. Seidel
LHP Zach Braddock

The Brewers have some depth, but no one among this group stands out. Evan Anundsen and Wily Peralta made my top 100 prospects, but both are far from the majors.

With the failings of Jeffress and Brewer, this organization takes a hit. Also hurting is the fact that Angel Salome, Mat Gamel, and Alcides Escobar have played in the majors.

The Brewers have some nice depth guys, but no one here looks to be able to keep the franchise in contention in the post-Braun/Fielder/Hardy/Hart/Gallardo era.

No. 26: Arizona Diamonbacks

Performance Prospects:

RHP Hector Ambriz
C Orlando Mercado
2B Rusty Ryal
C John Hester
RHP Cesar Valdez
RHP Roque Mercedes
RHP Kyler Newby
RHP Wes Roemer
1B Sean Coughlin
1B Bryan Byrne
RHP Trevor Harden
OF Collin Cowgill
OF Ollie Linton
RHP Josh Collmenter
LHP Pat McAnaney
RHP Bryan Henry
RHP Jorge Perez
RHP Jeff Dietz
LHP Jordan Norberto
LHP Wade Miley
OF Marc Krauss
RHP Terry Hose

Projection Prospects:

OF Cyle Hankerd
RHP Kevin Eichhorn
SS Reynaldo Navarro
RHP Barry Enright

"Both" Prospects:

RHP Jarrod Parker
1B Brandon Allen
RHP Dan Stange
LHP Leyson Septimo

Arizona has a ton of A-ball relievers with good numbers, but aside from Parker and Allen, there's not a whole lot here. Parker could be a nice No. 2 starter, and Allen should be a good slugger.

Beyond that, Stange could make for a good setup guy, Newby and Ambriz should have okay careers, Valdez and Harden have some potential, and Mercado could be a nice backup catcher.

More high-grade players are needed, particularly hitters. At least Arizona has a good amount of relief prospects, both lefty and righty.