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In this article we will review the top five farm systems in baseball.
A note on these rankings. We have not taken potentials into consideration. This was a conscious decision. Just because a player exhibits potential, does not mean the player will ever realize this potential. Farm systems were evaluated on their present strengths, character and ability to convert their talent into major league players in a relatively short period of time.
| Team | Grade | ||
| 1. Montreal Expos | A | ||
| 2. Idaho Sporks | A- | ||
| 3. New York Yankees | A- | ||
| 4. New York Mets | A- | ||
| 5. Chicago White Sox | A- | ||
| 6. Philadelphia Phillies | A- | ||
| 7. Atlanta Braves | B+ | ||
| 8. Sacramento Knights | B+ | ||
| 9. Florida Marlins | B+ | ||
| 10. Houston Astros | B | ||
| 11. Kansas City Lords | B | ||
| 12. Los Angeles Dodgers | B | ||
| 13. Nevada Stars | B | ||
| 14. Chicago Cubs | B- | ||
| 15. Pittsburgh Pirates | B- | ||
| 16. Texas Rangers | C+ | ||
| 17. Baltimore Orioles | C+ | ||
| 18. Toronto Blue Jays | C+ | ||
| 19. Milwaukee Brewers | C | ||
| 20. Cincinnati Reds | C | ||
| 21. Oakland Athletics | C- | ||
| 22. Minnesota Horde | C- | ||
| 23. Seattle Mariners | C- | ||
| 24. Detroit Tigers | D+ | ||
| 25. Anaheim Angels | D | ||
| 26. St. Louis Cardinals | D | ||
| 27. Boston Red Sox | D | ||
| 28. Cleveland Lions | D- |
1. Montreal Expos - All eyes are on prospect Chris George, widely regarded as the future of the franchise. George is a control pitcher; when he's on he has pinpoint control. He's got a really stong arm, so he can blow it by you on occasion. He's a pretty good ground-ball pitcher, which I like because ground balls stay in the park. He's a good late inning man, which is when being a pitcher really counts. George's fastball was clocked at 95 MPH most of the season and he kept excellent control of it. George fields his position well. Rising right fielder Lance Nix is calling some attention to himself with his exploits in the minors. With his ability to hit for average and his sound batting eye, he makes a good No. 2 hitter. He steals a few bases with his combination of quickness and a decent first step. Don't forget about Spider Allanson. With his ability to hit for average and his sound batting eye, he makes a good No. 2 hitter. He has the mental discipline to handle clutch situations. Don't forget about Angel Berroa. Berroa has quick hands and is able to cover the entire plate. He's at his best in situations where a base has to be stolen, such as the late innings of close games. We may be seeing a lot of Krzysztof Fekieta soon enough. Fekieta's development is proceeding a little slower than hoped, but the Montreal Expos are no less optimistic.
Score: A
2. Idaho Sporks - Management is expecting big things from their top prospect Spaceman Lee. He's a finesse pitcher, relying on movement and location. He's got a really stong arm, so he can blow it by you on occasion. He has a very good move to first base and is solid at controlling the running game. Keep your eye on Julio Lugo. Lugo has excellent speed and uses it wisely. He reads pitchers' moves well and is capable of stealing in any situation. The Idaho Sporks expect big things from their young catcher Sherlock Holmes. Holmes is a rare offensive catcher in that he can hit for power and average. He has the mental discipline to handle clutch situations. Another great prospect is Junior Spivey. Spivey is one of the fastest players in the game and the majority of his stolen bases are the result of his pure speed. He continues to improve at reading pitchers and getting good jumps. Snoopy Brown has been a critically acclaimed shortstop prospect. Brown hasn't stepped up to fill the big shoes the Idaho Sporks are hoping he will, but these things take time.
Score: A-
3. New York Yankees - The signing of Jose Reyes could prove instrumental for the New York Yankees. He's expected to play a big part of the team's future. He has a very quick bat and can adjust to a pitch's movement as well as any hitter in the game. Don't forget about Ben Sheets. He is adept at coaxing groundballs with his sinking fastball and plunging curveball, so hitters try to force him to elevate his deliveries and hope that they'll catch too much of the strike zone. He gobbles up comebackers, sometimes roaming far from the mound to get a glove on a ball. The New York Yankees are watching their prospect starting pitcher Rowlf Anderson closely. He is very promising. When sportscasters talk about Anderson's rubber arm, they're not kidding. Sometimes I think he can start both games of a double header! Keep your eye on Coco Crisp. Crisp has quick hands and is able to cover the entire plate. Fledgling left fielder Statler Vinnie promises to make a splash in the big leagues soon enough. Vinnie hasn't stepped up to fill the big shoes the New York Yankees are hoping he will, but these things take time.
Score: A-
4. New York Mets - All eyes are on prospect JaeWeong Seo, widely regarded as the future of the franchise. Seo hasn't stepped up to fill the big shoes the New York Mets are hoping he will, but these things take time. The New York Mets have high hopes for their prospect relief pitcher Henry Tudor. Tudor's move to first base is excellent. Ford Perfect has caught the attention of the New York Mets press, who routinely cover his progress. Perfect is an excellent mistake hitter who belts middle-of-the-plate fastballs or hanging breaking balls. He has the mental discipline to handle clutch situations. The New York Mets are watching their prospect catcher Jason Phillips closely. He is very promising. One of Phillips's strongest assets is his performance with men in scoring position. Jason Phillipsis Mr. Clutch. Another youngster fixing to make a splash is Rip Reninger. Reninger's development is proceeding a little slower than hoped, but the New York Mets are no less optimistic.
Score: A-
5. Chicago White Sox - Big things are expected of top prospect Randy Wynn. He aggressively looks to take the extra base. Much has been said about prospect Animal Animal. Animal is a legitimate run producer. He'll make the adjustments if he gets behind in the count or the game is on the line, spreading out his stance and looking to the opposite field. One thing's for sure, late in the game you're glad you have him on the field. Rising relief pitcher Count VonCount is calling some attention to himself with his exploits in the minors. Basestealers rarely test him. Budding first baseman Jean Valjean is sure to show his face in the bigs soon enough. Valjean plays a near-flawless first baseman, making very few errors. His arm is accurate enough. You also have to like the talent of catcher Josh Bard. Bard seems to become especially focused in big situations.
Score: A-