Post by Padres GM (Noah) on Aug 8, 2015 14:52:21 GMT -5
30) Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles are in third place in the AL East. The team has a solid major league roster, featuring Paul Goldschmidt, Charlie Blackmon, and Tyson Ross. His minor league system is terrible. His top prospect, Marcus Littlewood, is unlikely to ever crack a major league roster. There are several teams that would not swap their worst prospect for Littlewood. A serious rebuild should be the route the Orioles take this offseason.
Grade: F
29) Tampa Bay Rays
Forbz has built a team that holds the top record in the AL East. He holds the title of worst farm system only in name, as top 10 prospect Aaron Nola recently left the system. With just Aaron Nola, he would rise all the way to #25. After trading away Brendan Rodgers, Kyle Tucker, and Garrett Whitley, almost immediately after drafting them, he depleted a system that has more turnover than a Taco Bell. The current top prospect in the Rays system is Casey Crosby, a player who is currently a minor league free agent.
Grade: F
28) Colorado Rockies
Alex has crafted one of the most powerful offenses in the league, although he has very little in his farm that is of value. Drew Vettleson, his top prospect, profiles as a fourth or fifth outfielder. Ben Paulsen, Jake Smolinski, and Chad Bettis are still on minor league contracts but are playing in the major leagues.
Grade: F
27) Los Angeles Dodgers
Kevin also boasts one of the worst farms in ODC, although he acquired his top prospect, Eric Jokisch, at the trade deadline. His second best prospect is Juan Oramas, who is currently pitching in the Mexican League. Jokisch projects as a long reliever/fringe starter. His major league roster is aging and mediocre. This team needs a big offseason to rebound.
Grade: F
26) Chicago White Sox
Michael has been able to put together a very solid major league team, and could have restocked the farm system with a decision to trade rental Justin Upton, but the White Sox may be able to reach the postseason. Kyle Cody is the team's top prospect, after being picked as compensation in the draft for losing Francisco Rodriguez to free agency. Cody did not sign and will re-enter the draft next season, although he could still turn into a nice get for Michael. Other notable names include Jose Pirela, a future utility infielder, and Jeison Guzman, a 16 year old international free agent signing. Tony Renda also has the possibility to end up as a solid utility infielder.
Grade: F
25) Cleveland Indians
Zack has assembled a star-studded but paper thin roster. The system recently graduated two top prospects in Henry Owens and Blake Swihart, but lacks any talent still in the minor leagues. The system is led by athletic third baseman Austin Riley, a two-way player drafted out of high school. The Indians' next best prospect, relief pitcher Hunter Strickland has a chance to end up as a set-up man. Jesus Aguilar could also end up on a major league roster.
Grade: F
24) Miami Marlins
Here we find another top team with a mediocre farm system. The Marlins have Mike Trout, Josh Donaldson, Nelson Cruz, and AJ Pollock at the major league level, but grade out as poor in terms of their farm system. Victor Roache, Kelly Dugan, and Ofelky Peralta highlight a mostly mediocre batch of players. I believe that Peralta is a high ceiling player to watch. He has the best upside of anybody in the Marlins minor leagues.
Grade: F
23) Seattle Mariners
Thomas has created a roster full of young talent such as George Springer and Noah Syndergaard, although the majority of his farm system has graduated. His top prospect, Jacob Thompson, profiles as a #3 starter. Thompson has more value than the bottom seven farm systems, combined. This is the system that acts as the cutoff between passing and failing. Mike Papi is another prospect that could provide some value.
Grade: D-
22) New York Mets
Jack has improved his farm system since joining the league, but not at the expense of his major league team, shifting a possible contender into a likely rebuild situation. Infielder and top prospect Kevin Newman is an exception to the fact that the Mets have a collection of young pitching prospects. Zach Lee, Buck Farmer, and Ben Lively are prime examples of pitching in the Mets system.
Grade: D
21) Arizona Diamondbacks
Jason has put together a top major league team, one that warrants his inclusion as a top six team in the NL (Marlins, Diamondbacks, Phillies, Cubs, Giants, and Pirates in no order). His farm has not been his focus, although smart drafting and pickups have brought Jason to a spot that many who go all in do not attain. His top prospect, A.J. Puk, has the potential to be a top 5 pick in 2016 draft. Derek Fisher and Francisco Mejia are also intriguing players. Rowan Wick, Hunter Green, and Michael Cederoth are lower tier prospects but still have the potential to be interesting.
Grade: D
20) Oakland Athletics
Russi is a year removed from winning the world series, and is currently leading the AL West, despite having a mediocre team and attempting to sell at the trade deadline. C.J. Edwards is the team's top prospect, with Pierce Johnson close behind. Forrest Wall and Drew Ward are two more solid players. There is little depth behind the top four, hence the low ranking.
Grade: D+
19) New York Yankees
Justin has taken a slow and methodical approach to rebuilding what was once considered the worst roster in the league. Shortstop Willy Adames is considered the top prospect, although offensive threat Ian Happ gives him a run for his money. The system has depth, especially after a draft that netted first rounder Tyler Nevin, and several late round draft picks. Blake Snell and Yairo Munoz are pieces that could push the Yankees into a higher position.
Grade: C-
18) Houston Astros
Max pulled a quick rebuild in the two weeks before the trade deadline, revamping a farm system that was considered one of the worst in the league. Tyler Beede and Braden Shipley top off a farm system that also includes Brandon Finnegan, Josh Hader, and Casey Gillaspie. The system lacks depth, although a good top of the system is better than nothing. The team has a wealth of young pitching.
Grade: C-
The Orioles are in third place in the AL East. The team has a solid major league roster, featuring Paul Goldschmidt, Charlie Blackmon, and Tyson Ross. His minor league system is terrible. His top prospect, Marcus Littlewood, is unlikely to ever crack a major league roster. There are several teams that would not swap their worst prospect for Littlewood. A serious rebuild should be the route the Orioles take this offseason.
Grade: F
29) Tampa Bay Rays
Forbz has built a team that holds the top record in the AL East. He holds the title of worst farm system only in name, as top 10 prospect Aaron Nola recently left the system. With just Aaron Nola, he would rise all the way to #25. After trading away Brendan Rodgers, Kyle Tucker, and Garrett Whitley, almost immediately after drafting them, he depleted a system that has more turnover than a Taco Bell. The current top prospect in the Rays system is Casey Crosby, a player who is currently a minor league free agent.
Grade: F
28) Colorado Rockies
Alex has crafted one of the most powerful offenses in the league, although he has very little in his farm that is of value. Drew Vettleson, his top prospect, profiles as a fourth or fifth outfielder. Ben Paulsen, Jake Smolinski, and Chad Bettis are still on minor league contracts but are playing in the major leagues.
Grade: F
27) Los Angeles Dodgers
Kevin also boasts one of the worst farms in ODC, although he acquired his top prospect, Eric Jokisch, at the trade deadline. His second best prospect is Juan Oramas, who is currently pitching in the Mexican League. Jokisch projects as a long reliever/fringe starter. His major league roster is aging and mediocre. This team needs a big offseason to rebound.
Grade: F
26) Chicago White Sox
Michael has been able to put together a very solid major league team, and could have restocked the farm system with a decision to trade rental Justin Upton, but the White Sox may be able to reach the postseason. Kyle Cody is the team's top prospect, after being picked as compensation in the draft for losing Francisco Rodriguez to free agency. Cody did not sign and will re-enter the draft next season, although he could still turn into a nice get for Michael. Other notable names include Jose Pirela, a future utility infielder, and Jeison Guzman, a 16 year old international free agent signing. Tony Renda also has the possibility to end up as a solid utility infielder.
Grade: F
25) Cleveland Indians
Zack has assembled a star-studded but paper thin roster. The system recently graduated two top prospects in Henry Owens and Blake Swihart, but lacks any talent still in the minor leagues. The system is led by athletic third baseman Austin Riley, a two-way player drafted out of high school. The Indians' next best prospect, relief pitcher Hunter Strickland has a chance to end up as a set-up man. Jesus Aguilar could also end up on a major league roster.
Grade: F
24) Miami Marlins
Here we find another top team with a mediocre farm system. The Marlins have Mike Trout, Josh Donaldson, Nelson Cruz, and AJ Pollock at the major league level, but grade out as poor in terms of their farm system. Victor Roache, Kelly Dugan, and Ofelky Peralta highlight a mostly mediocre batch of players. I believe that Peralta is a high ceiling player to watch. He has the best upside of anybody in the Marlins minor leagues.
Grade: F
23) Seattle Mariners
Thomas has created a roster full of young talent such as George Springer and Noah Syndergaard, although the majority of his farm system has graduated. His top prospect, Jacob Thompson, profiles as a #3 starter. Thompson has more value than the bottom seven farm systems, combined. This is the system that acts as the cutoff between passing and failing. Mike Papi is another prospect that could provide some value.
Grade: D-
22) New York Mets
Jack has improved his farm system since joining the league, but not at the expense of his major league team, shifting a possible contender into a likely rebuild situation. Infielder and top prospect Kevin Newman is an exception to the fact that the Mets have a collection of young pitching prospects. Zach Lee, Buck Farmer, and Ben Lively are prime examples of pitching in the Mets system.
Grade: D
21) Arizona Diamondbacks
Jason has put together a top major league team, one that warrants his inclusion as a top six team in the NL (Marlins, Diamondbacks, Phillies, Cubs, Giants, and Pirates in no order). His farm has not been his focus, although smart drafting and pickups have brought Jason to a spot that many who go all in do not attain. His top prospect, A.J. Puk, has the potential to be a top 5 pick in 2016 draft. Derek Fisher and Francisco Mejia are also intriguing players. Rowan Wick, Hunter Green, and Michael Cederoth are lower tier prospects but still have the potential to be interesting.
Grade: D
20) Oakland Athletics
Russi is a year removed from winning the world series, and is currently leading the AL West, despite having a mediocre team and attempting to sell at the trade deadline. C.J. Edwards is the team's top prospect, with Pierce Johnson close behind. Forrest Wall and Drew Ward are two more solid players. There is little depth behind the top four, hence the low ranking.
Grade: D+
19) New York Yankees
Justin has taken a slow and methodical approach to rebuilding what was once considered the worst roster in the league. Shortstop Willy Adames is considered the top prospect, although offensive threat Ian Happ gives him a run for his money. The system has depth, especially after a draft that netted first rounder Tyler Nevin, and several late round draft picks. Blake Snell and Yairo Munoz are pieces that could push the Yankees into a higher position.
Grade: C-
18) Houston Astros
Max pulled a quick rebuild in the two weeks before the trade deadline, revamping a farm system that was considered one of the worst in the league. Tyler Beede and Braden Shipley top off a farm system that also includes Brandon Finnegan, Josh Hader, and Casey Gillaspie. The system lacks depth, although a good top of the system is better than nothing. The team has a wealth of young pitching.
Grade: C-
