2016 MLB Farm System Rankings
My rankings are based on my opinions alone. I will not rank players individually on this edition of my Farm System Rankings but I will mention several prospects that I like on each team.
30. Toronto Blue Jays
After making several trades last season the Blue Jays don't really have a farm system that can make an impact anymore. Toronto has a few low-end prospects with some upside like Outfielders Anthony Alford, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Dwight Smith. The good thing about a depleted farm system is that everyone in it now has some motivation to climb the ranks in hopes of becoming one of the club's best prospects.
29. Baltimore Orioles
The O's only have a few prospects worth mentioning entering the 2016 season. Those prospects include Pitcher Hunter Harvey, First Baseman Christian Walker and Outfielder Mike Yastrzemski, the grandson of Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski. It's unlikely that we'll see Harvey or Yastrzemski in Baltimore this year but Walker may make some noise. Christian is a power hitting First Baseman who will probably take over the Designated Hitter role if Mark Trumbo struggles or gets hurt.
28. Los Angeles Angels
The Angels, once again, have one of the worst farm systems in baseball, but that's not always a bad thing. The Angels have moved a lot of their top prospects recently for help at the Major League level, something I wouldn't be complaining about if I was an Angels' fan. Anaheim now has just a few prospects worth keeping an eye on including Kyle Kubitza, Kaleb Cowart, Alex Yarbrough and Todd Cunningham.
30. Toronto Blue Jays
After making several trades last season the Blue Jays don't really have a farm system that can make an impact anymore. Toronto has a few low-end prospects with some upside like Outfielders Anthony Alford, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Dwight Smith. The good thing about a depleted farm system is that everyone in it now has some motivation to climb the ranks in hopes of becoming one of the club's best prospects.
29. Baltimore Orioles
The O's only have a few prospects worth mentioning entering the 2016 season. Those prospects include Pitcher Hunter Harvey, First Baseman Christian Walker and Outfielder Mike Yastrzemski, the grandson of Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski. It's unlikely that we'll see Harvey or Yastrzemski in Baltimore this year but Walker may make some noise. Christian is a power hitting First Baseman who will probably take over the Designated Hitter role if Mark Trumbo struggles or gets hurt.
28. Los Angeles Angels
The Angels, once again, have one of the worst farm systems in baseball, but that's not always a bad thing. The Angels have moved a lot of their top prospects recently for help at the Major League level, something I wouldn't be complaining about if I was an Angels' fan. Anaheim now has just a few prospects worth keeping an eye on including Kyle Kubitza, Kaleb Cowart, Alex Yarbrough and Todd Cunningham.
| 27. Oakland Athletics Oakland's system remains pretty low in my rankings due to the lack of elite talent it doesn't possess. They do have one pretty good Pitcher in Sean Manaea, and two solid hitters in Shortstop Franklin Barreto and First Baseman Matt Olson. Olson has legit power but is strikeout prone. Barreto, on the other hand, is great with the bat and could end up being a late season call up if Marcus Semien struggles. |  mlb.com |
26. Seattle Mariners
The Mariners boast one of baseball's best hitting prospects in Alex Jackson. Jackson was picked up with the sixth overall pick in the 2014 MLB Draft. He projects as a middle of the order hitter but likely won't see the Majors until 2017, at the earliest. After Jackson the M's only have a few other second tier prospects to talk about including Corner Infielder D.J. Peterson and Outfielders Boog Powell and Tyler O'Neill.
25. Miami Marlins
Miami has a very young team so ranking their farm system is a bit of a challenge considering a lot of their current players were prospects not that long ago. What I can tell you is that Pitcher Tyler Kolek is the bright spot in their system as he projects as a top-of-the-rotation Starting Pitcher if he can work through his command issues. Kolek operates with a upper-90's fastball, with sink, and a 12-to-6 hook. His heater regularly touches 100mph which makes his off speed pitches even harder to hit. After Kolek the Marlins have a few other notable prospects like First Baseman Josh Naylor, Catcher Tomas Telis, Pitcher Jarlin Garcia and potential Closer Nick Wittgren.
24. Arizona Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks would have ranked higher on this list but their recent moves for Shelby Miller and Zack Greinke really hurt their system. The Greinke signing will hurt in the future when they have to give up a competitive balance pick to the Dodgers in the 2016 MLB Draft. That being said, Arizona still possesses three key Pitching prospects. Braden Shipley and Archie Bradley are future members of the Diamondbacks rotation while Jack Barrett could be their Closer as early as this year. Barrett throws his fastball in the mid-90's but he has touched 98mph in the past. He also relies on a great slider to get outs. Arizona is clearly "going for it" this year at the Big League level which has cost them several spots in my farm system rankings.
The Mariners boast one of baseball's best hitting prospects in Alex Jackson. Jackson was picked up with the sixth overall pick in the 2014 MLB Draft. He projects as a middle of the order hitter but likely won't see the Majors until 2017, at the earliest. After Jackson the M's only have a few other second tier prospects to talk about including Corner Infielder D.J. Peterson and Outfielders Boog Powell and Tyler O'Neill.
25. Miami Marlins
Miami has a very young team so ranking their farm system is a bit of a challenge considering a lot of their current players were prospects not that long ago. What I can tell you is that Pitcher Tyler Kolek is the bright spot in their system as he projects as a top-of-the-rotation Starting Pitcher if he can work through his command issues. Kolek operates with a upper-90's fastball, with sink, and a 12-to-6 hook. His heater regularly touches 100mph which makes his off speed pitches even harder to hit. After Kolek the Marlins have a few other notable prospects like First Baseman Josh Naylor, Catcher Tomas Telis, Pitcher Jarlin Garcia and potential Closer Nick Wittgren.
24. Arizona Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks would have ranked higher on this list but their recent moves for Shelby Miller and Zack Greinke really hurt their system. The Greinke signing will hurt in the future when they have to give up a competitive balance pick to the Dodgers in the 2016 MLB Draft. That being said, Arizona still possesses three key Pitching prospects. Braden Shipley and Archie Bradley are future members of the Diamondbacks rotation while Jack Barrett could be their Closer as early as this year. Barrett throws his fastball in the mid-90's but he has touched 98mph in the past. He also relies on a great slider to get outs. Arizona is clearly "going for it" this year at the Big League level which has cost them several spots in my farm system rankings.
| 23. Milwaukee Brewers The Brewers did a good job improving one of the worst farm systems in baseball this past year by bringing in a lot of young talent through trades. The Carlos Gomez deal brought back Outfielder Brett Phillips and Pitchers Josh Hader and Adrian Houser. Garin Cecchini was brought in for cash considerations after Boston designated him for assignment in December. Kyle Wren was acquired from Atlanta for Zach Quintana. On top of those moves, the Brewers have seen a few of their own kids emerge as elite prospects. Orlando Arcia now has major upside with some power, good speed and a great glove. Gilbert Lara, one of my favorite international prospects, has also come along nicely but will need a few more years to help refine his game both whether it be at Shortstop, Third Base or a Corner Outfield spot. |  mlb.com |
22. Colorado Rockies
The Rockies have very quietly seen some of their young, raw prospects turn into high-end guys over the past few years. Hitters like Brendan Rodgers, Trevor Story, David Dahl, Ryan McMahon, Raimel Tapia and Trevor Story could be in the Majors within two years. Of those guys, both Dahl and McMahon have the most power; however, playing time will be hard to come by in the near future unless the Rockies start moving some of their Major Leaguers soon. On the mound Jeff Hoffman replaced Jon Gray as the Rockies' top Pitcher after Gray was called-up last season. Hoffman is a big 6' 5" 225 pound strike thrower who uses a mid-90's fastball and a good curveball to get batters out.
21. Chicago White Sox
The White Sox did themselves a favor last year getting Micah Johnson and Carlos Rodon into the mix in Chicago but now have a farm system that's well below average. Last year, in Double A, Tim Anderson hit .312 with 49 stolen bases in just 125 games. Currently a Shortstop, Anderson is still getting use to the position after making 34 errors in 81 games two years ago. If Tim can't cut it at Shortstop he'll likely find a home in the Outfield. If Chicago can get Anderson to the Majors and pair him with Adam Eaton, they could lay claim to one of the fastest duos of players on the same team in recent memory. After Anderson the White Sox have two other notable hitting prospects in Third Baseman Matt Davidson and Outfielder Courtney Hawkins. Chris Beck is their top Pitching prospect, he could be a fifth Starter come April.
The Rockies have very quietly seen some of their young, raw prospects turn into high-end guys over the past few years. Hitters like Brendan Rodgers, Trevor Story, David Dahl, Ryan McMahon, Raimel Tapia and Trevor Story could be in the Majors within two years. Of those guys, both Dahl and McMahon have the most power; however, playing time will be hard to come by in the near future unless the Rockies start moving some of their Major Leaguers soon. On the mound Jeff Hoffman replaced Jon Gray as the Rockies' top Pitcher after Gray was called-up last season. Hoffman is a big 6' 5" 225 pound strike thrower who uses a mid-90's fastball and a good curveball to get batters out.
21. Chicago White Sox
The White Sox did themselves a favor last year getting Micah Johnson and Carlos Rodon into the mix in Chicago but now have a farm system that's well below average. Last year, in Double A, Tim Anderson hit .312 with 49 stolen bases in just 125 games. Currently a Shortstop, Anderson is still getting use to the position after making 34 errors in 81 games two years ago. If Tim can't cut it at Shortstop he'll likely find a home in the Outfield. If Chicago can get Anderson to the Majors and pair him with Adam Eaton, they could lay claim to one of the fastest duos of players on the same team in recent memory. After Anderson the White Sox have two other notable hitting prospects in Third Baseman Matt Davidson and Outfielder Courtney Hawkins. Chris Beck is their top Pitching prospect, he could be a fifth Starter come April.
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