Bleacher Report's Updated Farm System Rankings at the Start of 2018

There's still a lot of the MLB offseason left, but it's time for an updated look at the MLB prospect landscape.

A handful of blockbuster deals have taken place since we last updated our farm system rankings following the conclusion of the 2017 MiLB season.

We'll likely update and tweak the rankings a few times before Opening Day, but the following will serve as a baseline for offseason prospect talks going forward.

The following factors helped determine the rankings of players and teams:

• Potential (Player): Potential trumps production a lot of the time, especially in the lower levels of the minors and with recent draft picks. Skill set and overall tools are often a better indication of what kind of player a guy will be.
• Talent (Player): As for guys in the higher levels of the minors who are close to breaking through at the big league level, production and current talent are the determining factors, as these players are viewed as more complete products.
• Overall Depth (Team): Having one or two elite prospects is great, but having a deep farm system from top to bottom is the way to build a sustainable contender. The overall depth and level of talent were the biggest factors in ranking each team.
• High-End Talent (Team): That being said, there is a difference between a prospect who has a chance of making an impact at the big league level and a prospect who could be a star. Elite prospects served as a tiebreaker of sorts when two teams were close in the rankings.

We've incorporated a tier system to help differentiate between levels of talent. Here's a quick explanation: 

• Tier 1: Prospects who have an elite skill set and legitimate All-Star potential. These are the guys who would receive consideration for a spot on leaguewide top-100 prospect lists.
• Tier 2: Prospects who have a good chance of becoming at least a contributor at the MLB level. This is where most prospects on the following list will fall.
• Tier 3: Prospects who profile as fringe MLB contributors or young prospects who are still too raw to project any higher. Having one of these players ranked among your top 10 prospects is a good indication of a thin system.

Along with an updated list of the top 10 prospects for each team, you'll also find some general analysis on each team's top prospects and the outlook of the farm system as a whole.

A player must not have passed the rookie-eligibility limits (130 AB, 50 IP, 45 days on roster) to be eligible for inclusion in these rankings.

30. Kansas City Royals

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Foster Griffin

2017 Rank: 29

Name	Age	Tier
1. 1B Nick Pratto	19	2
2. OF Khalil Lee	19	2
3. LHP Foster Griffin	22	2
4. RHP Josh Staumont	24	2
5. 3B Hunter Dozier	26	2
6. OF Seuly Matias	19	2
7. SS Nicky Lopez	22	2
8. C M.J. Melendez	19	2
9. LHP Eric Skoglund	25	3
10. OF Michael Gigliotti	21	3

     

Farm System Snapshot

The Kansas City Royals are in a tough spot. An unavoidable rebuild has arrived at their doorstep and they have one of the thinnest farm systems in baseball.

That said, the 2017 draft did bring some quality talent, headlined by sweet-swinging first baseman Nick Pratto. Prep catcher M.J. Melendez (second round) and outfielder Michael Gigliotti (fourth round) also jumped into the top prospect ranks.

International signee Seuly Matias also started showing flashes of why he landed a $2.25 million bonus in 2015.

Outfielder Khalil Lee has the highest ceiling in the system, showing an intriguing mix of power and speed (17 HR/20 SB) in Single-A. The 19-year-old also whiffed 171 times at a 32.1 percent clip, though, and there's a wide range between his floor and ceiling.

29. New York Mets

John Minchillo/Associated Press

Chris Flexen

2017 Rank: 27

Name	Age	Tier
1. LHP David Peterson	22	2
2. SS Andres Gimenez	19	2
3. LHP Thomas Szapucki	21	2
4. RHP Justin Dunn	22	2
5. 3B Mark Vientos	18	2
6. 1B Peter Alonso	23	2
7. RHP Marcos Molina	22	2
8. C Tomas Nido	23	2
9. RHP Chris Flexen	23	2
10. SS Luis Guillorme	23	3

     

Farm System Snapshot

With Amed Rosario (No. 1), Dominic Smith (No. 2), Brandon Nimmo (No. 6) and Robert Gsellman (No. 8) all graduating the prospect ranks from this time a year ago, the New York Mets have slid to the bottom of the farm system totem pole.

University of Oregon left-hander David Peterson (No. 20 overall pick in 2017) and precocious infielder Andres Gimenez now headline the system, and both players are capable of making the leap to Tier 1 status.

Thomas Szapucki, Justin Dunn, Marcos Molina, Chris Flexen and Anthony Kay give the system a solid collection of second-tier pitching prospects. That depth could be tested given the injury issues at the MLB level.

Shortstop Ronny Mauricio will be watched closely as he begins his pro career after he inked a $2.1 million bonus in July.

28. San Francisco Giants

Ben Margot/Associated Press

Tyler Beede

2017 Rank: 26

Name	Age	Tier
1. OF Heliot Ramos	18	1
2. 1B/OF Chris Shaw	24	2
3. RHP Tyler Beede	24	2
4. OF Bryan Reynolds	22	2
5. C/1B Aramis Garcia	24	2
6. OF Sandro Fabian	19	2
7. OF Steven Duggar	24	2
8. LHP Garrett Williams	23	2
9. LHP Andrew Suarez	25	3
10. OF Heath Quinn	22	3

      

Farm System Snapshot

Heliot Ramos is now the clear-cut top prospect in the San Francisco Giants system after Christian Arroyo was dealt in the Evan Longoria trade. He hit .348/.404/.645 with 23 extra-base hits and 10 stolen bases in 151 plate appearances in rookie ball after going No. 19 overall last June.

Chris Shaw and Bryan Reynolds have both shown the offensive chops to be everyday players at the highest level, and right-hander Tyler Beede remains the best pitching prospect in the organization—even if he hasn't lived up to his first-round pedigree.

Dominican native Sandro Fabian hit .277 with 30 doubles and 11 home runs as a 19-year-old in Single-A and his ceiling is considerable. He also walked just 10 times in 503 plate appearances, though, so the jury is still out on his eventual ceiling.

27. Chicago Cubs

Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press

Jen-Ho Tseng

2017 Rank: 25

Name	Age	Tier
1. RHP Jose Albertos	19	2
2. RHP Adbert Alzolay	22	2
3. SS Aramis Ademan	19	2
4. RHP Alex Lange	22	2
5. C Victor Caratini	24	2
6. RHP Oscar De La Cruz	22	2
7. RHP Thomas Hatch	23	2
8. LHP Brendon Little	21	2
9. RHP Jen-Ho Tseng	23	2
10. OF Mark Zagunis	24	2

      

Farm System Snapshot

After trading Eloy Jimenez, Dylan Cease, Jeimer Candelario and Isaac Paredes last summer, the Chicago Cubs are now without a true top-tier prospect.

That could quickly change.

Right-handers Jose Albertos, Adbert Alzolay and Alex Lange all have Tier 1 upside, and 19-year-old infielder Aramis Ademan has already begun living up to the $2 million bonus he received as an international free agent in 2015.

Victor Caratini, Jen-Ho Tseng and Mark Zagunis appear to be next in line to make an impact at the MLB level. One or more could also wind up being used as a trade chip to fill more pressing needs on the roster.

26. Miami Marlins

Brett Davis/Associated Press

Brian Anderson

2017 Rank: 28

Name	Age	Tier
1. RHP Sandy Alcantara	22	2
2. RHP Jorge Guzman	21	2
3. LHP Braxton Garrett	20	2
4. LHP Trevor Rogers	20	2
5. 3B Brian Anderson	24	2
6. RHP Nick Neidert	21	2
7. OF Magneuris Sierra	21	2
8. LHP Dillon Peters	25	2
9. 3B James Nelson	20	2
10. RHP Merandy Gonzalez	22	2

      

Farm System Snapshot

The Miami Marlins system is undoubtedly deeper than it was prior to the team trading away Giancarlo Stanton, Marcell Ozuna and Dee Gordon. They're still lacking in top-tier talent, though.

Sandy Alcantara (first), Jorge Guzman (second), Nick Neidert (sixth) and Magneuris Sierra (seventh) all jump into the organizational top 10 after coming over in those trades, while Zac Gallen and Christopher Torres are right on the fringe.

Getting former first-round picks Tyler Kolek (No. 2 overall in 2014) and Braxton Garrett (No. 7 overall in 2016) back to full health would also provide a boost to the system.

Brian Anderson has a good chance of breaking camp with the starting third base job, and Dillon Peters looks to have a leg up to earn a rotation spot.

25. Seattle Mariners

Matt York/Associated Press

Dan Vogelbach

2017 Rank: 22

Name	Age	Tier
1. OF Kyle Lewis	22	1
2. 1B Evan White	21	1
3. OF Braden Bishop	24	2
4. RHP Sam Carlson	19	2
5. OF Julio Rodriguez	17	2
6. OF Anthony Jimenez	22	2
7. RHP Max Povse	24	2
8. 1B Dan Vogelbach	25	2
9. 3B Joe Rizzo	19	3
10. OF Luis Liberato	22	3

     

Farm System Snapshot

The Seattle Mariners have traded away three of their top five prospects from last year's version of this article—Tyler O'Neill (1), Luiz Gohara (3) and Nick Neidert (4)—and graduated another to the majors in Mitch Haniger (5).

A breakout season from outfielder Braden Bishop and a solid draft haul that was headlined by Evan White and Sam Carlson is enough for them to avoid a bottom-five spot in these rankings, but just barely as GM Jerry Dipoto continues to play for now.

Julio Rodriguez, who signed for a $1.75 million bonus in July, has the ceiling to quickly join the Tier 1 ranks once he gets his pro career started, so he's one to watch.

MLB.com wrote: "Rodriguez has a chance to be a special hitter, one who projects to hit for average and already shows big raw power during batting practice."

24. Arizona Diamondbacks

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

Anthony Banda

2017 Rank: 24

Name	Age	Tier
1. RHP Jon Duplantier	23	1
2. 1B Pavin Smith	21	1
3. RHP Taylor Clarke	24	2
4. OF Marcus Wilson	21	2
5. C Daulton Varsho	21	2
6. LHP Anthony Banda	24	2
7. SS Jasrado Chisholm	19	2
8. OF Eduardo Diaz	20	2
9. IF Domingo Leyba	22	3
10. RHP Matt Tabor	19	3

     

Farm System Snapshot

The Arizona Diamondbacks took some positive steps forward down the farm last season, starting with a breakout performance from Jon Duplantier.

A third-round pick in 2016, Duplantier went 12-3 with a 1.39 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 165 strikeouts in 136 innings between Single-A and High-A to win MLB Pipeline Pitcher of the Year award and climb to the top of the organizational rankings.

Marcus Wilson also enjoyed a breakthrough season, and Eduardo Diaz turned some heads by hitting .312/.357/.510 with 28 extra-base hits in 268 plate appearances as a 19-year-old in the rookie league.

Throw in a terrific draft class that included polished college sluggers Pavin Smith and Drew Ellis, catcher Daulton Varsho (who hit .318 with a .902 OPS in his pro debut) and projectable prep right-hander Matt Tabor, and this is a system on the rise.

23. Cleveland Indians

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

Francisco Mejia

2017 Rank: 20

Name	Age	Tier
1. C Francisco Mejia	22	1
2. RHP Triston McKenzie	20	1
3. 1B Bobby Bradley	21	2
4. 3B Nolan Jones	19	2
5. SS Yu-Cheng Chang	22	2
6. OF Quentin Holmes	18	2
7. RHP Shane Bieber	22	2
8. SS Willi Castro	20	2
9. OF Will Benson	19	2
10. RHP Aaron Civale	22	3

     

Farm System Snapshot

The Cleveland Indians have two of the game's truly elite prospects in catcher Francisco Mejia and right-hander Triston McKenzie.

Mejia hit .297/.346/.490 with 21 doubles and 14 home runs in Double-A before making his MLB debut in September. McKenzie went 12-6 with a 3.46 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 186 strikeouts in 143 innings for High-A Lynchburg and there's remaining projectability in his 6'5", 165-pound frame.

Slugger Bobby Bradley, 2016 second-round pick Nolan Jones, power-hitting shortstop Yu-Cheng Chang and teenage outfielders Quentin Holmes and Will Benson all possess the upside to make the leap to Tier 1.

The system is thin on pitching behind McKenzie. Shane Bieber had a strong 2017 season, though, going 10-5 with a 2.86 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 162 strikeouts in 173.1 innings over three levels to reach Double-A.

22. Boston Red Sox

Steven Senne/Associated Press

Sam Travis

2017 Rank: 23

Name	Age	Tier
1. LHP Jay Groome	19	1
2. 3B Michael Chavis	22	1
3. RHP Bryan Mata	18	2
4. RHP Mike Shawaryn	23	2
5. RHP Tanner Houck	21	2
6. 1B Sam Travis	24	2
7. RHP Alex Scherff	19	2
8. RHP Roniel Raudes	19	2
9. OF Cole Brannen	19	2
10. 3B Bobby Dalbec	22	2

     

Farm System Snapshot

Left-hander Jay Groome is one clear Tier 1 pitching prospect in the Boston Red Sox system, but several others could join him in short order.

Bryan Mata won't turn 19 until May, yet he already went 5-6 with a 3.74 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 77 innings for Single-A Greenville. Fellow right-hander Roniel Raudes has also moved quickly, though he doesn't possess quite the same upside.

Mike Shawaryn is looking like a steal as a fifth-round pick in 2015 after posting a 3.81 ERA and striking out 169 in 134.2 innings, though the effort in his delivery still raises some question marks. Righties Tanner Houck and Alex Scherff also belong in the conversation as they get set for their first full pro seasons.

As for position-player prospects, Michael Chavis takes over for Rafael Devers as the headliner after he posted a .910 OPS with 35 doubles and 31 home runs between High-A and Double-A. Beyond him, the system is lacking in potential impact bats, though 2017 second-round pick Cole Brannen and slugger Bobby Dalbec are worth watching.

21. Colorado Rockies

Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press

Ryan McMahon

2017 Rank: 19

Name	Age	Tier
1. SS Brendan Rodgers	21	1
2. 1B/3B Ryan McMahon	23	1
3. RHP Riley Pint	20	1
4. 3B Colton Welker	20	2
5. RHP Yency Almonte	23	2
6. 2B/SS Garrett Hampson	23	2
7. RHP Peter Lambert	20	2
8. 3B Ryan Vilade	18	2
9. RHP Ryan Castellani	21	2
10. LHP Sam Howard	24	3

     

Farm System Snapshot

The Colorado Rockies graduated Jeff Hoffman (2), Ramiel Tapia (4), German Marquez (5), Kyle Freeland (6) and Antonio Senzatela (8) from last year's organizational top 10, going from a top-10 farm system to a bottom-10 farm system in the process.

There's still some terrific talent at the top, though.

Brendan Rodgers is a top-20 prospect in the league and a potential star in the making, Ryan McMahon is ready for a shot at the everyday first base job after crushing Triple-A pitching, and hard-throwing Riley Pint has ace upside—albeit with a fair amount of polishing still required.

Beyond that trio, there's a handful of decent arms and third baseman Colton Welker is worth keeping an eye on. However, there clearly are nine top prospects in the system, and it thins out quickly from there.

20. Baltimore Orioles

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

Chance Sisco

2017 Rank: 15

Name	Age	Tier
1. OF Austin Hays	22	1
2. C Chance Sisco	22	1
3. SS Ryan Mountcastle	20	1
4. RHP Hunter Harvey	23	2
5. LHP D.L. Hall	19	2
6. LHP Tanner Scott	23	2
7. OF Cedric Mullins	23	2
8. LHP Alex Wells	20	2
9. LHP Keegan Akin	22	2
10. LHP Zac Lowther	21	3

      

Farm System Snapshot

Austin Hays and Chance Sisco could both break camp in starting roles for the Baltimore Orioles in 2018.

Hays rocketed through the system after going in the third round of the 2016 draft, posting a .958 OPS with 32 doubles and 32 home runs between High-A and Double-A before making the leap to the majors in September.

Sisco also got a taste of the big leagues over the final month and with Welington Castillo out of the way, he has a clear path to the starting catcher job.

Hard-throwing Tanner Scott, outfielder Cedric Mullins, offensive-minded infielder Ryan Mountcastle and Australian left-hander Alex Wells all turned in standout 2017 season and solidified their place among the organization's top prospects.

The X-factor here is the oft-injured Hunter Harvey, who is still just 23 years old. He finally returned to action in July and posted a 0.96 ERA with 30 strikeouts in 18.2 innings in the lower levels.

19. Washington Nationals

Mitchell Layton/Getty Images

Victor Robles

2017 Rank: 12

Name	Age	Tier
1. OF Victor Robles	20	1
2. OF Juan Soto	19	1
3. SS Carter Kieboom	20	1
4. RHP Erick Fedde	24	2
5. OF Daniel Johnson	22	2
6. LHP Seth Romero	21	2
7. RHP Wil Crowe	23	2
8. SS Luis Garcia	17	2
9. OF Yasel Antuna	18	2
10. C Raudy Read	24	3

     

Farm System Snapshot

The Washington Nationals have two of the game's most exciting outfield prospects in Victor Robles and Juan Soto.

Robles has looked like a superstar in the making for years, and Soto would be the crown jewel of almost any other farm system. They could be sharing the outfield by 2019 and reaching their respective ceilings would go a long way toward easing the expected loss of Bryce Harper.

Carter Kieboom is also a Tier 1 player after hitting .296/.400/.497 with 25 extra-base hits in 255 plate appearances last season. A hamstring injury cost him significant time, though, and a true breakout season could be coming in 2018.

A rocky season from Erick Fedde drops him to Tier 2 status, while outfielder Daniel Johnson, left-hander Seth Romero and prized international signings Luis Garcia and Yasel Antuna are all capable of moving up a tier this coming season.

18. Los Angeles Angels

Jae C. Hong/Associated Press

2017 Rank: 30

Name	Age	Tier
1. RHP/OF Shohei Ohtani	23	1
2. SS Kevin Maitan	17	1
3. OF Jo Adell	18	1
4. OF Jahmai Jones	20	2
5. OF Brandon Marsh	20	2
6. RHP Jaime Barria	21	2
7. 1B Matt Thaiss	22	2
8. RHP Griffin Canning	21	2
9. C Taylor Ward	24	2
10. RHP Chris Rodriguez	19	3

     

Farm System Snapshot

How far the Los Angeles Angels should climb is one of the more compelling questions when it comes to 2018 farm system rankings.

Shohei Ohtani is now the game's top prospect with a skill set that makes him a baseball unicorn. No one has a higher ceiling and no one is capable of making a bigger impact in 2018. His presence alone probably earns them 10 spots.

The Angels also added former Atlanta Braves prospect Kevin Maitan, who was removed from their system as part of the international signing rules infractions. His prospect star has faded a bit after a lackluster start to his pro career, but there's a reason he was so highly regarded and he's still only 17.

Jo Adell was the best athlete in the 2017 draft and he has some of the loudest tools in all of minor league baseball. His upside is enough to also earn him a Tier 1 grade, though his overall game is still raw.

Outfielders Jahmai Jones and Brandon Marsh have significant upside, right-hander Jaime Barria could see the majors in 2018 and first baseman Matt Thaiss should continue to move quickly. 

At the end of the day, this remains a thin system top to bottom, though, and it's hard to rank them any higher than the middle of the pack.

17. Texas Rangers

Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

Ronald Guzman

2017 Rank: 21

Name	Age	Tier
1. OF Leody Taveras	19	1
2. 2B/OF Willie Calhoun	23	1
3. 1B Ronald Guzman	23	1
4. LHP Cole Ragans	20	2
5. LHP Yohander Mendez	22	2
6. OF Bubba Thompson	19	2
7. RHP Hans Crouse	19	2
8. IF Anderson Tejada	19	2
9. RHP Kyle Cody	23	2
10. SS Chris Seise	18	2

      

Farm System Snapshot

After several seasons spent trading away top prospects, the Texas Rangers actually added to the system last year.

Leody Taveras scuffled to a .249/.312/.360 line in a full season with Single-A Hickory, but he'll be 19 for the bulk of the 2018 season and remains well ahead of the developmental curve.

Willie Calhoun was the prize of the Yu Darvish trade and he should challenge for the starting DH spot if no other outside additions are made. Ronald Guzman also has little left to prove in the minors after hitting .298/.372/.434 with 22 doubles and 12 home runs in Triple-A, so expect to see him in Texas at some point.

Much of the top talent in this system still resides in the lower levels of the minors. As a result, there's top-10 upside, but enough left to prove that No. 17 will be where they begin 2018.

16. Pittsburgh Pirates

Brian Blanco/Getty Images

Austin Meadows

2017 Rank: 18

Name	Age	Tier
1. RHP Mitch Keller	21	1
2. OF Austin Meadows	22	1
3. RHP Shane Baz	18	1
4. 3B Ke'Bryan Hayes	20	2
5. SS Cole Tucker	21	2
6. LHP Taylor Hearn	23	2
7. SS Kevin Newman	24	2
8. RHP Luis Escobar	21	2
9. 2B Kevin Kramer	24	2
10. RHP Steven Jennings	19	2

     

Farm System Snapshot

The Pittsburgh Pirates could vault into the top 10 if they decide to pull the trigger on trading Gerrit Cole before the start of the season.

For now, it's right-hander Mitch Keller and outfielder Austin Meadows who rank as the two elite prospects in the system.

Keller is one of the game's best pitching prospects, and after making eight starts in Double-A last season, he could debut this season. As for Meadows, his development has stalled a bit, but he still has tremendous upside.

Shane Baz and Steven Jennings headlined an impressive draft haul, and the middle infield trio of Cole Tucker, Kevin Newman and Kevin Kramer gives the organization impressive depth at always-valuable spots on the diamond.

15. Detroit Tigers

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Alex Faedo

2017 Rank: 17

Name	Age	Tier
1. RHP Franklin Perez	20	1
2. RHP Matt Manning	19	1
3. RHP Beau Burrows	21	1
4. RHP Alex Faedo	22	1
5. OF Daz Cameron	20	2
6. OF Christin Stewart	24	2
7. SS Isaac Paredes	18	2
8. C Jake Rogers	22	2
9. RHP Kyle Funkhouser	23	2
10. LHP Gregory Soto	22	2

     

Farm System Snapshot

Since finally committing to a rebuild, the Detroit Tigers have quickly assembled a really good farm system.

Franklin Perez (1), Daz Cameron (5), Isaac Paredes (7) and Jake Rogers (8) join the organizational top 10 after coming over in trades last summer, while Dawel Lugo, Grayson Long, Sergio Alcantara and Troy Montgomery were among the other notable prospects acquired in the sell-off.

Meanwhile, incumbents Beau Burrows and Gregory Soto both turned in breakout seasons, and first-round pick Alex Faedo gives them another top-tier arm in a system that is suddenly ripe with quality pitching talent.

There's not much left to trade on the MLB roster, but they've done a great job stockpiling talent.

14. Minnesota Twins

Jim Mone/Associated Press

Royce Lewis

2017 Rank: 14

Name	Age	Tier
1. SS Royce Lewis	18	1
2. SS Nick Gordon	22	1
3. LHP Stephen Gonsalves	23	1
4. RHP Fernando Romero	23	1
5. SS Wander Javier	19	2
6. OF Brent Rooker	23	2
7. OF Alex Kirilloff	20	2
8. RHP Brusdar Graterol	19	2
9. RHP Blayne Enlow	18	2
10. RHP Zack Littell	22	2

     

Farm System Snapshot

The Minnesota Twins reaped the rewards of cultivating in-house talent this past season as Byron Buxton, Brian Dozier, Jose Berrios, Miguel Sano, Joe Mauer, Eddie Rosario, Kyle Gibson, Jorge Polanco, Max Kepler, Taylor Rogers and Trevor Hildenberger were all homegrown.

While the system has thinned from the days when it was considered to be among the best in baseball, there is still plenty of impact talent in the pipeline.

Nick Gordon and No. 1 overall pick Royce Lewis are the headliners, while Stephen Gonsalves and Fernando Romero could both be ready to make an impact in the big league rotation at some point this season.

Wander Javier, who landed a franchise-record $4 million bonus in 2015, made his stateside debut in the Appalachian League and hit .299/.383/.471 with 18 extra-base hits in 180 plate appearances. He could be one of the breakout prospects of 2018.

That said, it's the pitching talent beyond Gonsalves and Romero that could ultimately push this system back into the top 10.

13. St. Louis Cardinals

John Minchillo/Associated Press

Jack Flaherty

2017 Rank: 11

Name	Age	Tier
1. RHP Alex Reyes	23	1
2. C Carson Kelly	23	1
3. RHP Jack Flaherty	22	1
4. OF Tyler O'Neill	22	1
5. RHP Jordan Hicks	21	2
6. OF Harrison Bader	23	2
7. RHP Ryan Helsley	23	2
8. IF Yairo Munoz	22	2
9. SS Delvin Perez	19	2
10. C Andrew Knizner	22	2

     

Farm System Snapshot

The fact that the St. Louis Cardinals were able to acquire Marcell Ozuna without giving up Alex Reyes, Carson Kelly, Jack Flaherty, Tyler O'Neill, Jordan Hicks or MLB starter Luke Weaver has to be considered a monumental win for the front office.

It even managed to offset some of the prospect talent it did lose in that deal by shipping Stephen Piscotty to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for Yairo Munoz and Max Schrock, who hit .321 with 27 extra-base hits in Double-A and landed just outside the top 10.

Dakota Hudson, Junior Fernandez, Austin Gomber, Jake Woodford, Connor Jones and Johan Oviedo are also worthy of a mention in a system that is still overflowing with pitching talent.

It will be interesting to see if Andrew Knizner can push Kelly as the catcher of the future after he hit .302/.349/.471 with 23 doubles and 12 home runs in first full pro season, reaching Double-A in the process.

12. Houston Astros

Mitchell Layton/Getty Images

Colin Moran

2017 Rank: 13

Name	Age	Tier
1. RHP Forrest Whitley	20	1
2. OF Kyle Tucker	20	1
3. 1B/OF Yordan Alvarez	20	1
4. RHP J.B. Bukauskas	21	1
5. RHP Rogelio Armenteros	23	2
6. 3B Colin Moran	25	2
7. LHP Cionel Perez	21	2
8. RHP David Paulino	23	2
9. OF Gilberto Celestino	18	2
10. 3B J.D. Davis	24	2

     

Farm System Snapshot

A huge 2017 season pushed Forrest Whitley to the top of the Houston Astros' prospect rankings and squarely into the conversation for the top pitching prospect in baseball.

The No. 17 pick in the 2016 draft, Whitley went posted a 2.83 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with 143 strikeouts in 92.1 innings, earning a brief taste of Double-A to close out the year. With a strong 6'7" frame and a polished four-pitch repertoire that belies his age, he looks like an ace in the making.

Not to be overshadowed, Kyle Tucker is also a top-20 prospect in the league, and after posting an .874 OPS with 33 doubles and 25 home runs between High-A and Double-A, he's not far off. He might have the best hit tool in the minors.

Yordan Alvarez is a prospect on the rise, and Rogelio Armenteros deserves far more attention for his results. It will be interesting to see what the team does with Colin Moran, who has nothing left to prove in the minors and no clear path to playing time in the majors.

11. Oakland Athletics

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

A.J. Puk

2017 Rank: 8

Name	Age	Tier
1. SS Franklin Barreto	21	1
2. LHP A.J. Puk	22	1
3. IF/OF Jorge Mateo	22	1
4. LHP Jesus Luzardo	20	1
5. OF Dustin Fowler	23	2
6. OF Austin Beck	19	2
7. 3B Sheldon Neuse	23	2
8. C Sean Murphy	23	2
9. OF Lazaro Armenteros	18	2
10. RHP Grant Holmes	21	2

      

Farm System Snapshot

The Oakland Athletics picked up some quality prospects when they shipped out Sonny Gray, Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson in a pair of deadline deals.

Jorge Mateo (3), Jesus Luzardo (4), Dustin Fowler (5) and Sheldon Neuse (7) jump into the organizational top 10 after coming over in those trades, while James Kaprielian has a chance to be the best of the bunch if he can get healthy.

It's close at the top between Franklin Barreto and A.J. Puk as far as who deserves the No. 1 spot in the system. Barreto should push veteran Jed Lowrie for the second base job before the All-Star break, while Puk could be in line for a 2018 debut as well after striking out 184 batters in 125 innings last season.

Austin Beck and Lazaro Armenteros both have huge ceilings and a lot of work to do polishing their overall games, so it will be interesting to watch their development in the coming seasons.

After a breakout offensive season and a .309/.413/.368 line in 80 plate appearances in the Arizona Fall League, Sean Murphy might be ready to join the top-tier catching prospect conversation.

10. Toronto Blue Jays

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

2017 Rank: 16

Name	Age	Tier
1. 3B Vladimir Guerrero Jr.	18	1
2. SS Bo Bichette	19	1
3. OF Anthony Alford	23	1
4. RHP Nate Pearson	21	1
5. RHP Eric Pardinho	16	2
6. SS Logan Warmoth	22	2
7. C Danny Jansen	22	2
8. LHP Ryan Borucki	23	2
9. IF Lourdes Gurriel	24	2
10. RHP Sean Reid-Foley	22	2

     

Farm System Snapshot

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette for most exciting prospect teammates? It's hard to argue with the numbers.

• Guerrero Jr.: .323 BA, .425 OBP, .910 OPS, 28 2B, 13 HR, 76 RBI
• Bichette: .362 BA, .423 OBP, .988 OPS, 41 2B, 14 HR, 74 RBI

The fact that they're both doing it against significantly older competition shy of their 20th birthdays only fans the hype flames.

They're by no means the only prospects worth watching in this system, either.

Anthony Alford is an elite athlete, and Nate Pearson had as much helium as any pitcher leading up to the 2017 draft and backed it up with a 0.90 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 20 innings in his pro debut. Some might remember Eric Pardinho as the Brazilian pitcher who appeared in the World Baseball Classic as a 15-year-old.

There were breakout seasons from catcher Danny Jansen, who hit .323/.400/.484 with 37 extra-base hits and more walks (41) than strikeouts (40), and a strong showing from left-hander Ryan Borucki, who pitched to a 2.93 ERA with 157 strikeouts in 150.1 innings. Both players reaching Triple-A along the way, making this system as compelling as any in baseball.

9. Cincinnati Reds

John Minchillo/Associated Press

Tyler Mahle

2017 Rank: 10

Name	Age	Tier
1. 3B Nick Senzel	22	1
2. RHP Hunter Greene	18	1
3. OF Taylor Trammell	20	1
4. RHP Tyler Mahle	23	1
5. OF Jesse Winker	24	1
6. OF Jose Siri	22	2
7. RHP Tony Santillan	20	2
8. 2B Shed Long	22	2
9. RHP Vladimir Gutierrez	22	2
10. C Tyler Stephenson	21	2

     

Farm System Snapshot

Nick Senzel might be the safest bet of any prospect in baseball to turn into a perennial All-Star.

He's done nothing but hit since going No. 2 overall in the 2016 draft, posting a .315/.393/.514 line with 64 doubles and 21 home runs in 797 plate appearances. Don't be surprised if the Reds are trying to figure out what to do with incumbent third baseman Eugenio Suarez by midseason.

Then there's Hunter Greene, a potentially transcendent talent who fell into the Reds' laps at No. 2 overall this past spring after the Twins went with Royce Lewis and his smaller bonus demands.

Uber-athlete Taylor Trammell, MLB-ready right-hander Tyler Mahle and sweet-swinging Jesse Winker also earn Tier 1 distinction; the latter two could break camp with starting roles.

Jose Siri filled up the stat sheet with an .871 OPS that included 24 doubles, 11 triples, 24 home runs and 46 stolen bases. However, a free-swinging approach and the fact that he was 21 playing in Single-A is enough to wait and see if he can duplicate that success.

Right-hander Tony Santillan is also one to watch, as MLB.com wrote: "Santillan needs to keep working on harnessing his plus stuff over the course of a season while refining his command. If that happens, he could enter the conversation of some of the better right-handed pitching prospects in the game."

8. Tampa Bay Rays

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

Brent Honeywell

2017 Rank: 6

Name	Age	Tier
1. RHP Brent Honeywell	22	1
2. SS Willy Adames	22	1
3. 1B/LHP Brendan McKay	22	1
4. OF Jesus Sanchez	20	1
5. 1B/OF Jake Bauers	22	1
6. IF Christian Arroyo	22	1
7. OF Joshua Lowe	19	2
8. SS Wander Franco	16	2
9. RHP Austin Franklin	20	2
10. SS Lucius Fox	20	2

     

Farm System Snapshot

The Tampa Bay Rays might have four players crack the top 50 when we roll out our first top-100 prospect list of the new year.

Brent Honeywell and Willy Adames are locks and they could both arrive in the majors before the All-Star break this coming season.

Golden Spikes winner Brendan McKay will continue to be utilized as a two-way player for the time being and he has a chance to excel on the mound and at the plate. Meanwhile, Jesus Sanchez hit .305/.348/.478 with 29 doubles, 15 home runs and 82 RBI as a 19-year-old in Single-A and he might have the highest ceiling of anyone.

Jake Bauers and Christian Arroyo also earn a Tier 1 spot and they also look ready to make a significant impact in the majors if the team opts for a youth movement.

Right-hander Austin Franklin might be next in line behind Honeywell for an organization with an impressive track record of developing pitching. A third-round pick in 2016, he posted a 2.21 ERA with 71 strikeouts in 69.1 innings for Low-A Hudson Valley and he has the size and stuff to take a big step forward.

7. Milwaukee Brewers

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

Brandon Woodruff

2017 Rank: 5

Name	Age	Tier
1. CF Lewis Brinson	23	1
2. 2B/OF Keston Hiura	21	1
3. RHP Corbin Burnes	23	1
4. RHP Brandon Woodruff	24	1
5. OF Monte Harrison	22	1
6. RHP Luis Ortiz	22	1
7. OF Brett Phillips	23	1
8. IF Isan Diaz	21	2
9. RHP Freddy Peralta	21	2
10. OF Corey Ray	23	2

     

Farm System Snapshot

Lewis Brinson remains the consensus top prospect in the Milwaukee Brewers system.

After that, the next seven guys on this list could be slotted in any order based on how you view their current development and future ceiling.

Keston Hiura was hailed by some as the best bat in the 2017 draft, and after going No. 9 overall, he backed that up by hitting .371/.422/.611 with 25 extra-base hits in 187 plate appearances. That's more than enough to earn him the No. 2 spot.

Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff both have middle-of-the-rotation ceilings but look like safe bets to get there, while Luis Ortiz offers a bit more upside with a bit more risk.

Brett Phillips revitalized his stock with a .944 OPS and 52 extra-base hits in Triple-A, and uber-athlete Monte Harrison could rocket to the top of the organizational rankings if the pieces continue to fall into place.

The fact that Lucas Erceg, Mauricio Dubon and Tristen Lutz don't crack the top 10 speaks to the depth of this system.

6. Philadelphia Phillies

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

J.P. Crawford

2017 Rank: 7

Name	Age	Tier
1. SS J.P. Crawford	22	1
2. RHP Sixto Sanchez	19	1
3. OF Mickey Moniak	19	1
4. 2B Scott Kingery	23	1
5. RHP Adonis Medina	21	1
6. OF Adam Haseley	21	1
7. C Jorge Alfaro	24	1
8. RHP Franklyn Kilome	22	2
9. LHP JoJo Romero	21	2
10. OF Jhailyn Ortiz	19	2

      

Farm System Snapshot

After hitting .285/.385/.544 with 29 extra-base hits over the final two-plus months of the MiLB season and then holding his own in his first taste of the big leagues, J.P. Crawford is once again the headliner of the Philadelphia Phillies system.

The Freddy Galvis trade also makes him a safe bet to break camp with the starting shortstop gig.

Mickey Moniak and Jorge Alfaro remain Tier 1 players despite up-and-down seasons, while Scott Kingery has joined them after an offensive explosion in the upper levels.

The two to watch in this system are two of the most underrated pitching prospects in baseball—Sixto Sanchez and Adonis Medina.

• Sanchez: 95 IP, 3.03 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 84 K, 18 BB
• Medina: 119.2 IP, 3.01 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 133 K, 39 BB

Sanchez could see Double-A before his 20th birthday and has legitimate ace upside, while Medina looks like a future No. 2 starter if he can further refine his off-speed stuff.

Even after graduating Rhys Hoskins, Nick Williams and a handful of others, this is still one of the most talented systems in baseball.

5. Los Angeles Dodgers

Michael Owen Baker/Associated Press

Alex Verdugo

2017 Rank: 9

Name	Age	Tier
1. RHP Walker Buehler	23	1
2. OF Alex Verdugo	21	1
3. C Keibert Ruiz	19	1
4. RHP Mitchell White	23	1
5. OF Yusniel Diaz	21	1
6. RHP Yadier Alvarez	21	1
7. OF Jeren Kendall	21	1
8. OF Starling Heredia	18	2
9. C Will Smith	22	2
10. RHP Dennis Santana	21	2

      

Farm System Snapshot

Despite graduating Cody Bellinger, Corey Seager and Julio Urias and trading away Willie Calhoun over the past two seasons, the Los Angeles Dodgers still have a top-five farm system.

Walker Buehler now earns top billing and he should get a longer leash after being brought along slowly in his first full season back from Tommy John surgery. He has electric stuff and legitimate ace upside, while he could also contribute out of the bullpen in the short term.

Alex Verdugo might never have corner outfielder pop, but his hit tool is as good as any prospect in baseball and he has an absolute rocket for an arm in right field.

Breakout seasons have vaulted Keibert Ruiz and Mitchell White ahead of Will Smith and Yadier Alvarez for the title of top catching prospect and No. 2 pitching prospect in the system—though both of those players still earn a spot inside the top 10 as well despite down seasons.

Yusniel Diaz might be next in line for a breakout.

The 21-year-old landed a $15.5 million bonus in 2015 and he hit .292/.354/.433 with 23 doubles and 11 home runs between High-A and Double-A.

Pitching prospects like Jordan Sheffield, Dustin May, Trevor Oaks and Caleb Ferguson would be prized arms in most other systems.

4. San Diego Padres

Alex Gallardo/Associated Press

MacKenzie Gore

2017 Rank: 4

Name	Age	Tier
1. SS Fernando Tatis Jr.	18	1
2. LHP MacKenzie Gore	18	1
3. RHP Cal Quantrill	22	1
4. RHP Michel Baez	21	1
5. LHP Adrian Morejon	18	1
6. 2B/SS Luis Urias	20	1
7. RHP Anderson Espinoza	19	1
8. OF Franchy Cordero	23	2
9. LHP Joey Lucchesi	24	2
10. LHP Eric Lauer	22	2

     

Farm System Snapshot

Already a deep and talented system, the San Diego Padres benefited greatly from a pair of breakthrough performances.

Fernando Tatis Jr. turned loud tools into on-field production with a .278/.379/.498 line that included 27 doubles, 22 home runs, 75 RBI and 32 stolen bases. He'll be 19 for the entirety of the 2018 season and he already has 14 games at the Double-A level.

The other was 6'8", 220-pound right-hander Michel Baez, who signed with a $3 million bonus out of Cuba in December 2016. In 10 starts at the Single-A level, he went 6-2 with a 2.45 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 82 strikeouts in 58.2 innings, showing triple-digit heat and a biting slider.

MacKenzie Gore and Cal Quantrill join him as top-tier pitching prospects, and Adrian Morejon earns Tier 1 status as well for his considerable upside and early results.

A return to health for Anderson Espinoza would give an already deep pool of high-end pitching talent another elite arm, while guys like Joey Lucchesi, Eric Lauer, Logan Allen, Jacob Nix and Mason Thompson represent valuable depth.

3. New York Yankees

Matt Rourke/Associated Press

Gleyber Torres

2017 Rank: 3

Name	Age	Tier
1. SS Gleyber Torres	21	1
2. RHP Chance Adams	23	1
3. OF Estevan Florial	20	1
4. LHP Justus Sheffield	21	1
5. 3B Miguel Andujar	22	1
6. RHP Domingo Acevedo	23	1
7. RHP Albert Abreu	22	1
8. RHP Freicer Perez	21	2
9. 2B Nick Solak	22	2
10. IF Thairo Estrada	21	2

     

Farm System Snapshot

Evan with Aaron Judge, Clint Frazier and Jordan Montgomery graduating to the majors and Blake Rutherford, Jorge Mateo, Dustin Fowler, James Kaprielian, Jorge Guzman and Ian Clarkin all traded, the New York Yankees still have an elite farm system.

Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar could both assume starting roles on the infield in short order after Starlin Castro and Chase Headley were traded this offseason. Torres is still recovering from Tommy John surgery on his non-throwing arm and could be brought along slowly, but his future is no less bright.

Estevan Florial might have been the biggest breakout prospect of 2017 as he hit .298/.372/.479 with 23 doubles, 13 home runs and 23 stolen bases between Single-A and High-A as a 19-year-old.

Chance Adams and Justus Sheffield are the cream of the pitching crop, while Domingo Acevedo and Albert Abreu also earn a low Tier 1 grade.

It's also as much about depth as it is high-end talent in this system.

Freicer Perez, Dillon Tate, Matt Sauer and Clarke Schmidt are all Tier 1 capable pitchers, while the lower levels are ripe with high-ceiling talent on both sides of the ball.

2. Chicago White Sox

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

Michael Kopech

2017 Rank: 2

Name	Age	Tier
1. OF Eloy Jimenez	21	1
2. RHP Michael Kopech	21	1
3. OF Luis Robert	20	1
4. OF Blake Rutherford	20	1
5. RHP Alec Hansen	23	1
6. RHP Dylan Cease	22	1
7. RHP Dane Dunning	23	1
8. C Zack Collins	22	2
9. 3B Jake Burger	21	2
10. RHP Carson Fulmer	24	2

     

Farm System Snapshot

Yoan Moncada, Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez all exhausted their prospect status last season, yet the Chicago White Sox remain firmly entrenched at the No. 2 spot in these rankings.

Eloy Jimenez and Michael Kopech both have superstar talent and could debut on the South Side at some point in 2018.

Cuban phenom Luis Robert didn't take long to show why he was worth a $26 million bonus last May, hitting .310/.491/.536 with 12 extra-base hits in 114 plate appearances in the Dominican Summer League. His stateside debut will be among the most anticipated in years.

Alec Hansen, Dylan Cease and Dane Dunning all look like potential impact starters, while Carson Fulmer has electric stuff that still might play better out of the bullpen in the long run.

Spencer Adams, Jordan Stephens and Zack Burdi are also intriguing arms a bit further down the rankings, while Micker Adolfo, Luis Alexander Basabe and Gavin Sheets are among the hitters to watch.

Expect to see a steady stream of prospect talent arriving in the scene for the White Sox in the years to come. They've assembled a collection of young talent that could allow them to emerge as a perennial contender once they're ready to make that push.

1. Atlanta Braves

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

Ronald Acuna

2017 Rank: 1

Name	Age	Tier
1. OF Ronald Acuna	20	1
2. LHP Luiz Gohara	21	1
3. RHP Mike Soroka	20	1
4. LHP Kolby Allard	20	1
5. RHP Kyle Wright	22	1
6. RHP Ian Anderson	19	1
7. LHP Max Fried	23	1
8. 3B Austin Riley	20	1
9. LHP Joey Wentz	20	2
10. OF Cristian Pache	19	2

     

Farm System Snapshot

The Atlanta Braves were stripped of 13 prospects—including Tier 1 shortstop Kevin Maitan—as a result of the international free-agent rules violations.

And they still have the No. 1 farm system in baseball.

Aside from Shohei Ohtani who is admittedly as a special case, outfielder Ronald Acuna is the top prospect in baseball right now after hitting .325/.374/.522 with 60 extra-base hits in three minor league stops and then posting a .325/.414/.639 line with five doubles and seven home runs to win AFL MVP honors.

Behind him, left-hander Luiz Gohara jumps to the head of a loaded stable of pitching prospects that includes Mike Soroka, Kolby Allard, Kyle Wright, Ian Anderson and Max Fried as Tier 1 guys as well as Joey Wentz, Kyle Muller, Patrick Weigel, Touki Toussaint and Bryse Wilson as guys worth knowing.

Austin Riley once again looks like the future at third base after he rebounded from a disappointing 2016 season to hit .275/.339/.446 with 19 doubles and 20 home runs between High-A and Double-A as a 20-year-old.

Even if only half of the top-tier pitching prospects pan out, the Braves will be in phenomenal shape for the foreseeable future.

It's been a long rebuild, but you can expect to see the MLB club start to reap the rewards of those efforts in the years to come.

All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference, unless otherwise noted.