Before the MLB offseason trade market heats up, now is the perfect time for an updated version of our farm system rankings, complete with fresh top 10 prospect lists for every MLB team.
The following factors helped determine the placement 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 sets and tools are often better indicators of what kind of player someone will be.
- Talent (Player): As for those in the higher levels of the minors who are close to breaking through to the big leagues, production and talent were the determining factors, as these players are viewed as more complete products.
- Overall Depth (Team): Having one or two elite prospects is great, but a deep farm system is the way to build a sustainable contender. Depth and talent were the biggest factors in ranking each team.
- High-End Talent (Team): There is a difference between a prospect who has a chance of making an impact in the majors and a prospect who could be a star. Elite prospects served as a tiebreaker when teams were close in the rankings.
A tier system was used to help differentiate the varying levels of individual talent:
- Tier 1: Prospects who have elite skill sets and All-Star potential. This is the cream of the prospect crop. These players currently make up B/R's updated Top 100 prospect list.
- Tier 2: Prospects who have a good chance of becoming impact contributors. These are the players who were in consideration for spots on B/R's Top 100 prospect list and could end up there in the future.
- Tier 3: Prospects who profile as fringe MLB contributors or young players who are still too raw to project any higher. This tier represents the bulk of prospects around baseball, though more than a few could climb to the next tier.
Teams were initially ranked based on the average tier ranking of their top 10 prospects, and the rankings were then subjectively tweaked from there.
Note: A player must not have passed the rookie-eligibility limits (130 at-bats, 50 innings pitched, 45 days on an active roster prior to Sept. 1) to be included in these rankings.
30. Atlanta Braves
Top 10 Prospects
1. LHP Jared Shuster (Tier 2)
2. LHP Kyle Muller (Tier 2)
3. RHP AJ Smith-Shawver (Tier 3)
4. RHP Owen Murphy (Tier 3)
5. RHP JR Ritchie (Tier 3)
6. RHP Freddy Tarnok (Tier 3)
7. RHP Royber Salinas (Tier 3)
8. RHP Cole Phillips (Tier 3)
9. 3B/OF Justyn-Henry Malloy (Tier 3)
10. RHP Darius Vines (Tier 3)
Farm System Snapshot
After trading away multiple top prospects to acquire Matt Olson last offseason and then graduating Michael Harris II, Spencer Strider and Vaughn Grissom to the majors during the season, Atlanta's farm system is lacking in top-end talent.
With that said, the team has done a tremendous job developing pitching talent over the years, and there are plenty of intriguing arms in the pipeline. First-round picks Owen Murphy (No. 20 overall) and JR Ritchie (No. 35 overall) could quickly jump to the top of the organizational rankings.
29. Toronto Blue Jays
Top 10 Prospects
1. LHP Ricky Tiedemann (Tier 1)
2. SS/3B Orelvis Martinez (Tier 2)
3. LHP Brandon Barriera (Tier 2)
4. RHP Yosver Zulueta (Tier 2)
5. 3B Tucker Toman (Tier 3)
6. OF Gabriel Martinez (Tier 3)
7. RHP Hayden Juenger (Tier 3)
8. RHP Sem Robberse (Tier 3)
9. SS/3B Addison Barger (Tier 3)
10. 2B Cade Doughty (Tier 3)
Farm System Snapshot
The rise of Ricky Tiedemann as one of the top pitching prospects in baseball was the big story in 2022, but don't sleep on Yosver Zulueta as another potential impact arm. The 24-year-old had a 3.72 ERA with 84 strikeouts in 55.2 innings over four minor league levels, closing out the year at Triple-A.
Orelvis Martinez launched 30 home runs in his age-20 season at Double-A, but he also hit only .203 with a 28.5 percent strikeout rate. His stock is down as a result of those swing-and-miss issues.
28. Los Angeles Angels
Top 10 Prospects
1. C Logan O'Hoppe (Tier 1)
2. SS Zach Neto (Tier 1)
3. C Edgar Quero (Tier 2)
4. LHP Ky Bush (Tier 2)
5. RHP Sam Bachman (Tier 3)
6. SS Denzer Guzman (Tier 3)
7. RHP Landon Marceaux (Tier 3)
8. IF Werner Blakely (Tier 3)
9. RHP Chase Silseth (Tier 3)
10. SS Adrian Placencia (Tier 3)
Farm System Snapshot
The Angels flipped controllable outfielder Brandon Marsh to the Philadelphia Phillies at the trade deadline in exchange for Logan O'Hoppe, and he immediately became their catcher of the future. Veteran Max Stassi is signed through the 2024 season, but O'Hoppe will push him for the starting job next spring.
Shortstop Zach Neto hit .299/.377/.476 with 15 extra-base hits in 37 games between High-A and Double-A after going No. 13 overall in the 2022 draft. He could be one of the first players from the class to reach the majors.
27. Chicago White Sox
Top 10 Prospects
1. SS Colson Montgomery (Tier 1)
2. OF Oscar Colás (Tier 1)
3. 3B Bryan Ramos (Tier 2)
4. RHP Norge Vera (Tier 2)
5. SS José Rodriguez (Tier 3)
6. LHP Noah Schultz (Tier 3)
7. IF Lenyn Sosa (Tier 3)
8. RHP Sean Burke (Tier 3)
9. RHP Jonathan Cannon (Tier 3)
10. RHP Cristian Mena (Tier 3)
Farm System Snapshot
It looks like the White Sox found a good one in Colson Montgomery. The 2021 first-round pick reached Double-A in his first full professional season, hitting .274/.381/.429 with 30 extra-base hits and a 12.8 percent walk rate in 96 games.
Right-hander Norge Vera signed for $1.5 million in 2021, and he posted a 3.31 ERA with 52 strikeouts in 35.1 innings and a .154 opponents' batting average in his stateside debut in 2022. The 22-year-old has a long way to go with his command, but his stuff is electric.
26. Philadelphia Phillies
Top 10 Prospects
1. RHP Andrew Painter (Tier 1)
2. RHP Mick Abel (Tier 1)
3. OF Justin Crawford (Tier 2)
4. RHP Griff McGarry (Tier 2)
5. OF Johan Rojas (Tier 3)
6. IF Hao Yu Lee (Tier 3)
7. OF Gabriel Rincones Jr. (Tier 3)
8. SS William Bergolla (Tier 3)
9. C Rickardo Perez (Tier 3)
10. OF Ethan Wilson (Tier 3)
Farm System Snapshot
First-round picks Andrew Painter and Mick Abel both closed out the 2022 season at Double-A, while Griff McGarry reached Triple-A, so there is some exciting high-level pitching talent knocking on the door for the NL pennant winners.
Infielder Hao Yu Lee is one to watch after he climbed two levels in his age-19 season while hitting .284/.386/.438 with 26 extra- base hits and 14 steals in 79 games. He has the well-rounded skill set to be an everyday player at second base.
25. Kansas City Royals
Top 10 Prospects
1. OF Gavin Cross (Tier 1)
2. RHP Bed Kudrna (Tier 2)
3. OF Drew Waters (Tier 2)
4. SS Nick Loftin (Tier 2)
5. OF Tyler Gentry (Tier 2)
6. SS Maikel Garcia (Tier 2)
7. RHP Beck Way (Tier 3)
8. 3B Cayden Wallace (Tier 3)
9. LHP Frank Mozzicato (Tier 3)
10. LHP Asa Lacy (Tier 3)
Farm System Snapshot
With Bobby Witt Jr., MJ Melendez, Nick Pratto, Kyle Isbel and Michael Massey all graduating to the majors, it's no surprise to see the Royals drop a bit in these rankings. But the next wave of in-house talent is already rising the ranks.
Outfielder Gavin Cross immediately became the new No. 1 player in the system after going No. 9 overall in the 2022 draft. The 21-year-old hit .312/.437/.633 with 17 extra-base hits in 29 games between rookie ball and Single-A.
24. San Diego Padres
Top 10 Prospects
1. SS Jackson Merrill (Tier 1)
2. OF Samuel Zavala (Tier 1)
3. RHP Dylan Lesko (Tier 2)
4. LHP Robby Snelling (Tier 2)
5. IF Eguy Rosario (Tier 2)
6. RHP Victor Lizarraga (Tier 3)
7. RHP Adam Makur (Tier 3)
8. RHP Jairo Iriarte (Tier 3)
9. IF/OF Korry Howell (Tier 3)
10. LHP Jay Groome (Tier 3)
Farm System Snapshot
The Padres gutted their farm system at the trade deadline, sending top prospects Robert Hassell III, James Wood and Jarlin Susana to the Washington Nationals in the Juan Soto/Josh Bell blockbuster.
With that said, they still have some exciting young talent, and Samuel Zavala is someone who could fly up leaguewide Top 100 lists in 2023. The precocious outfielder hit .254/.355/.508 with 15 extra-base hits in 141 plate appearances as one of the youngest players at the Single-A level, as his 18th birthday was not until July 15.
23. Seattle Mariners
Top 10 Prospects
1. C Harry Ford (Tier 1)
2. RHP Emerson Hancock (Tier 1)
3. RHP Taylor Dollard (Tier 2)
4. SS Cole Young (Tier 2)
5. OF Gabriel Gonzalez (Tier 2)
6. RHP Bryce Miller (Tier 3)
7. OF Lazaro Montes (Tier 3)
8. 3B Tyler Locklear (Tier 3)
9. RHP Walter Ford (Tier 3)
10. OF Zach DeLoach (Tier 3)
Farm System Snapshot
The Mariners graduated Julio Rodríguez, George Kirby and Matt Brash from their top prospect list in 2022, and they traded away Noelvi Marte and Edwin Arroyo in the Luis Castillo blockbuster. Most farm systems would fall to the bottom of these rankings with that big of a talent exodus, but Seattle still has some quality prospects.
Right-hander Taylor Dollard finished 16-2 with a 2.25 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 131 strikeouts in 144 innings at Double-A. He could give Emerson Hancock a run for his money as the top arm in the system with a similar start to the 2023 season.
22. Oakland Athletics
Top 10 Prospects
1. C/1B Tyler Soderstrom (Tier 1)
2. LHP Ken Waldichuk (Tier 1)
3. 3B Zack Gelof (Tier 2)
4. C Daniel Susac (Tier 2)
5. SS Max Muncy (Tier 2)
6. RHP Gunnar Hoglund (Tier 2)
7. RHP Jeff Criswell (Tier 3)
8. OF Henry Bolte (Tier 3)
9. 1B/3B Jordan Díaz (Tier 3)
10. RHP Luis Medina (Tier 3)
Farm System Snapshot
The headliners in the Oakland farm system are mostly new faces. The A's acquired Ken Waldichuk and Luis Medina in the Frankie Montas trade, got Gunnar Hoglund in the Matt Chapman trade, and drafted Zack Gelof, Daniel Susac, Max Muncy and Henry Bolte in 2021 or 2022.
The 24-year-old Waldichuk made his MLB debut after the A's acquired him at the deadline. He will be given every chance to win a rotation spot next spring after posting a 4.93 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with 33 strikeouts in 34.2 innings over seven starts down the stretch.
21. Houston Astros
Top 10 Prospects
1. RHP Hunter Brown (Tier 1)
2. C Yainer Díaz, (Tier 1)
3. OF Drew Gilbert (Tier 2)
4. C Korey Lee (Tier 2)
5. OF Pedro León (Tier 2)
6. OF Justin Dirden (Tier 2)
7. OF Jacob Melton (Tier 3)
8. OF Ryan Clifford (Tier 3)
9. OF Colin Barber (Tier 3)
10. RHP Spencer Arrighetti (Tier 3)
Farm System Snapshot
Flamethrower Hunter Brown pitched his way onto Houston's postseason roster with a 0.89 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and a 22-to-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 20.1 innings after making his MLB debut on Sept. 5. The 24-year-old has nothing left to prove in the minors, so expect him to break camp with a spot on the MLB roster, whether it's in the rotation or as a multi-inning reliever.
Outfielder Justin Dirden is a name to know after he hit .302/.384/.558 with 40 doubles, 24 home runs and 101 RBI in 124 games between Double-A and Triple-A. The 25-year-old went undrafted in the shortened 2020 draft following his senior season at SE Missouri State.
20. San Francisco Giants
Top 10 Prospects
1. SS Marco Luciano (Tier 1)
2. LHP Kyle Harrison (Tier 1)
3. OF Grant McCray (Tier 2)
4. OF Luis Matos (Tier 2)
5. LHP Carson Whisenhunt (Tier 2)
6. SS Aeverson Arteaga (Tier 2)
7. 3B Casey Schmitt (Tier 3)
8. LHP/1B Reggie Crawford (Tier 3)
9. RHP Mason Black (Tier 3)
10. OF Vaun Brown (Tier 3)
Farm System Snapshot
Left-hander Kyle Harrison ranked second in the minors with 186 strikeouts in 113 innings, posting a 2.71 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 25 starts between High-A and Double-A to emerge as one of baseball's elite pitching prospects. He also trimmed his walk rate from 4.7 to 3.9 per nine innings.
A 10th-round pick in 2021, outfielder Vaun Brown hit .346/.437/.623 with 24 doubles, 23 home runs, 75 RBI, 100 runs scored and 44 steals in 50 attempts over three minor league levels in his first full professional season.
19. Milwaukee Brewers
Top 10 Prospects
1. OF Jackson Chourio (Tier 1)
2. OF Sal Frelick (Tier 1)
3. OF Joey Wiemer (Tier 1)
4. OF Garrett Mitchell (Tier 2)
5. SS Brice Turang (Tier 2)
6. RHP Jacob Misiorowski (Tier 3)
7. OF Esteury Ruiz (Tier 3)
8. 2B Tyler Black (Tier 3)
9. C Jeferson Quero (Tier 3)
10. SS Eric Brown Jr. (Tier 3)
Farm System Snapshot
Outfielder Jackson Chourio began the 2022 season as the youngest player in full-season ball, and he finished it as an 18-year-old suiting up for Double-A Biloxi. The biggest breakout prospect of the year hit .288/.342/.538 with 30 doubles, 20 home runs and 16 steals in 99 games, and he's so far ahead of the developmental curve that the sky is the limit with his long-term potential.
Barring any outside additions, Garrett Mitchell is the front-runner to break camp as the Brewers' starting center fielder next year. The 24-year-old hit .311/.373/.459 in 68 plate appearances after making his MLB debut on Aug. 27.
18. Miami Marlins
Top 10 Prospects
1. RHP Eury Pérez (Tier 1)
2. RHP Max Meyer (Tier 1)
3. 3B Jacob Berry (Tier 1)
4. SS José Salas (Tier 2)
5. LHP Jake Eder (Tier 2)
6. SS Yiddi Cappe (Tier 3)
7. LHP Dax Fulton (Tier 3)
8. RHP Jacob Miller (Tier 3)
9. SS Kahlil Watson (Tier 3)
10. C Joe Mack (Tier 3)
Farm System Snapshot
Two weeks after making his MLB debut on July 16, Max Meyer suffered a torn elbow ligament that required Tommy John surgery. The hard-throwing right-hander came with some reliever risk when he was drafted No. 3 overall in 2020, and his role could be at the back of the bullpen when he returns.
The .382 on-base percentage that Joe Mack posted in 35 games at Single-A is a promising sign that the toolsy catcher will have the approach to make the most of his 50-hit/50-power offensive profile.
17. Boston Red Sox
Top 10 Prospects
1. SS Marcelo Mayer (Tier 1)
2. 1B Triston Casas (Tier 1)
3. IF/OF Ceddanne Rafaela (Tier 1)
4. OF Miguel Bleis (Tier 2)
5. 2B Nick Yorke (Tier 2)
6. RHP Bryan Mata (Tier 2)
7. OF Roman Anthony (Tier 3)
8. 1B/3B Blaze Jordan (Tier 3)
9. LHP Brandon Walter (Tier 3)
10. SS Mikey Romero (Tier 3)
Farm System Snapshot
Expect Triston Casas to be given every chance to earn a spot on Boston's Opening Day roster next year. After a 3-for-38 start following his MLB debut on Sept. 4, he hit .316/.490/.579 with three home runs and more walks (13) than strikeouts (11) over his final 13 games.
Outfielder Miguel Bleis is a prospect on the rise with a huge offensive ceiling. The 18-year-old hit .301/.353/.542 with 23 extra-base hits and 18 steals in 40 games at rookie ball in his stateside debut. His jump to Single-A will be among the most anticipated of 2023.
16. Colorado Rockies
Top 10 Prospects
1. SS Ezequiel Tovar (Tier 1)
2. OF Zac Veen (Tier 1)
3. SS Adael Amador (Tier 1)
4. C Drew Romo (Tier 1)
5. OF Benny Montgomery (Tier 2)
6. RHP Gabriel Hughes (Tier 2)
7. 3B Warming Bernabel (Tier 3)
8. OF Jordan Beck (Tier 3)
9. OF Sterlin Thompson (Tier 3)
10. RHP Jaden Hill (Tier 3)
Farm System Snapshot
Shortstops Ezequiel Tovar (71 G, .319/.387/.540, 32 XBH) and Adael Amador (115 G, .292/.415/.445, 39 XBH) both raised their prospect stock considerably in 2022, and Tovar got his first taste of the big leagues down the stretch. Both guys have impact potential at the next level.
After swiping 55 bases in 64 attempts during the regular season, Zac Veen continued to run wild in the Arizona Fall League with 16 steals in 21 games while hitting .333 with a .444 on-base percentage in 99 plate appearances. The 20-year-old could see the big leagues in 2023.
15. New York Yankees
Top 10 Prospects
1. SS Anthony Volpe (Tier 1)
2. OF Jasson Domínguez (Tier 1)
3. SS Oswald Peraza (Tier 1)
4. C Austin Wells (Tier 1)
5. OF Everson Pereira (Tier 2)
6. OF Spencer Jones (Tier 2)
7. SS Trey Sweeney (Tier 3)
8. RHP Will Warren (Tier 3)
9. RHP Clayton Beeter (Tier 3)
10. RHP Yoendrys Gómez (Tier 3)
Farm System Snapshot
Shortstop Oswald Peraza hit .306/.404/.429 with three doubles and one home run in 18 games as a September call-up. While most consider Anthony Volpe to have the higher long-term ceiling, Peraza could be a major factor in 2023.
Spencer Jones hit .344/.425/.538 with 10 extra-base hits and 12 steals in 25 games between rookie ball and Single-A after going No. 25 overall in the 2022 draft. The 6'7" outfielder is still working to tap into his plus raw power, but the Yankees know a thing or two about developing towering outfield prospects.
14. Chicago Cubs
Top 10 Prospects
1. OF Pete Crow-Armstrong (Tier 1)
2. OF Brennen Davis (Tier 1)
3. OF Kevin Alcantara (Tier 1)
4. SS Cristian Hernandez (Tier 2)
5. RHP Hayden Wesneski (Tier 2)
6. 1B Matt Mervis (Tier 2)
7. LHP Jordan Wicks (Tier 2)
8. LHP Jackson Ferris (Tier 2)
9. RHP Cade Horton (Tier 3)
10. RHP Ben Brown (Tier 3)
Farm System Snapshot
The Cubs have quietly built up one of the deepest farm systems in baseball, with guys like Alexander Canario, Owen Caissie, DJ Herz, Caleb Kilian and James Triantos likely cracking the top 10 for almost any other team despite not appearing on the list above.
Right-hander Hayden Wesneski should get a long look for a rotation spot next spring, while Matt Mervis is the in-house favorite to claim the vacant first base job after hitting .309/.379/.605 with 40 doubles, 36 home runs and 119 RBI during the regular season. He added a .914 OPS with six long balls in the Arizona Fall League.
13. Detroit Tigers
Top 10 Prospects
1. RHP Jackson Jobe (Tier 1)
2. RHP Wilmer Flores (Tier 1)
3. 2B Jace Jung (Tier 1)
4. RHP Ty Madden (Tier 1)
5. 3B Colt Keith (Tier 2)
6. SS Peyton Graham (Tier 2)
7. C Dillon Dingler (Tier 2)
8. RHP Reese Olson (Tier 3)
9. RHP Dylan Smith (Tier 3)
10. 3B Izaac Pacheco (Tier 3)
Farm System Snapshot
With Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene moving on to the majors, the top of the Tigers list looks significantly different than it did a year ago. The trio of Jackson Jobe, Wilmer Flores and Ty Madden is the latest in a line of high-ceiling pitching prospects to come through the system.
Keep an eye on Colt Keith as a potential breakout prospect in 2023. The 21-year-old hit .301/.370/.544 with 14 doubles, nine home runs and 31 RBI in 48 games at High-A, but he was slowed by a shoulder injury for most of the summer. He made up for lost time in the Arizona Fall League, hitting .344/.463/.541 with three doubles, three home runs and 10 RBI in 19 games.
12. Texas Rangers
Top 10 Prospects
1. OF Evan Carter (Tier 1)
2. 3B Josh Jung (Tier 1)
3. RHP Jack Leiter (Tier 1)
4. RHP Brock Porter (Tier 1)
5. RHP Owen White (Tier 2)
6. RHP Kumar Rocker (Tier 2)
7. 2B Justin Foscue (Tier 2)
8. SS Luisangel Acuña (Tier 3)
9. OF Aaron Zavala (Tier 3)
10. 1B/OF Dustin Harris (Tier 3)
Farm System Snapshot
Still only 20 years old until next August, Evan Carter hit .295/.397/.489 with 21 doubles, 10 triples, 12 home runs, 73 RBI, 86 runs scored and 28 steals in 106 games between High-A and Double-A. His 13.5 percent walk rate speaks to an advanced approach relative to his age.
Outfielder Aaron Zavala was a second-round pick out of Oregon in 2021, and he hit .277/.420/.453 with 37 extra-base hits this past season while ranking in the top 20 in all of the minors with 89 walks in 514 plate appearances. The 22-year-old could push his way into the MLB picture in 2023.
11. Arizona Diamondbacks
Top 10 Prospects
1. SS Jordan Lawlar (Tier 1)
2. OF Corbin Carroll (Tier 1)
3. OF Druw Jones (Tier 1)
4. RHP Brandon Pfaadt (Tier 1)
5. RHP Drey Jameson (Tier 2)
6. RHP Ryne Nelson (Tier 2)
7. 3B Deyvison De Los Santos (Tier 2)
8. LHP Blake Walston (Tier 3)
9. OF Dominic Fletcher (Tier 3)
10. SS Blaze Alexander (Tier 3)
Farm System Snapshot
Shortstop Jordan Lawlar will have a strong case for the No. 1 overall prospect throne once Gunnar Henderson (BAL) and Francisco Álvarez (NYM) exhaust their prospect status. He hit .303/.401/.509 with 41 extra-base hits and 39 steals while reaching Double-A in his age-19 season. He added a .997 OPS in 49 plate appearances in the Arizona Fall League for good measure.
On the pitching side of things, Brandon Pfaadt led the minors with 218 strikeouts in 167 innings, while Drey Jameson (4 GS, 3-0, 1.48 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 24 K, 24.1 IP) and Ryne Nelson (3 GS, 1-1, 1.47 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, 16 K, 18.1 IP) both impressed in the majors as late-season call-ups.
10. Tampa Bay Rays
Top 10 Prospects
1. RHP Taj Bradley (Tier 1)
2. 3B Curtis Mead (Tier 1)
3. SS Carson Williams (Tier 1)
4. LHP Mason Montgomery (Tier 1)
5. 1B Kyle Manzardo (Tier 1)
6. SS/3B Junior Caminero (Tier 2)
7. 1B/OF Heriberto Hernandez (Tier 3)
8. RHP Cole Wilcox (Tier 3)
9. OF Brock Jones (Tier 3)
10. SS/3B Willy Vasquez (Tier 3)
Farm System Snapshot
The Rays have graduated a ton of high-end talent to the majors in recent years, including Shane Baz, Vidal Bruján and Jonathan Aranda in 2022, yet they still have a top-10 farm system. With a 2.57 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 141 strikeouts in 133.1 innings between Double-A and Triple-A in 2022, right-hander Taj Bradley could be next to make the leap to the majors.
The Rays acquired Junior Caminero from Cleveland last November in exchange for Tobias Myers while they worked through a 40-man roster crunch, and the 19-year-old hit .314/.384/.498 with 11 home runs and 51 RBI in 62 games in his stateside debut. Why do teams even agree to trades with the Rays at this point?
9. Washington Nationals
Top 10 Prospects
1. OF Robert Hassell III (Tier 1)
2. OF James Wood (Tier 1)
3. OF Elijah Green (Tier 1)
4. RHP Cade Cavalli (Tier 1)
5. SS Brady House (Tier 2)
6. RHP Cole Henry (Tier 2)
7. OF Cristhian Vaquero (Tier 2)
8. RHP Jarlin Susana (Tier 2)
9. OF Jeremy De La Rosa (Tier 3)
10. LHP Jake Bennett (Tier 3)
Farm System Snapshot
The Nationals were 27th in our first farm system rankings of 2022, which tells you how much they improved with an early draft pick and the Juan Soto/Josh Bell blockbuster deal with the San Diego Padres.
Robert Hassell III, James Wood and Jarlin Susana all came over in the Padres trade, while Elijah Green (No. 5 overall) and Jake Bennett (No. 45 overall) were the team's top two draft picks. Throw in an exciting pro debut from 2021 international signing Cristhian Vaquero, and this system is unrecognizable from where it was a year ago.
8. New York Mets
Top 10 Prospects
1. C Francisco Álvarez (Tier 1)
2. 3B Brett Baty (Tier 1)
3. C Kevin Parada (Tier 1)
4. OF Alex Ramirez (Tier 1)
5. SS Ronny Mauricio (Tier 2)
6. 3B Mark Vientos (Tier 2)
7. SS Jett Williams (Tier 2)
8. RHP Calvin Ziegler (Tier 2)
9. RHP Blade Tidwell (Tier 3)
10. RHP Matt Allan (Tier 3)
Farm System Snapshot
Assuming Francisco Álvarez and Brett Baty both earn a roster spot in 2023 after making their MLB debut down the stretch, the top of the Mets' farm system is going to look very different by midseason next year.
For now, those two anchor a group that was bolstered by the additions of Kevin Parada (No. 11 overall, Jett Williams (No. 14 overall) and Blade Tidwell (No. 52 overall) in the 2022 draft. Teenage outfielder Alex Ramirez looks poised to take over the No. 1 prospect spot once the aforementioned duo graduates.
7. Cincinnati Reds
Top 10 Prospects
1. SS Elly De La Cruz (Tier 1)
2. SS Noelvi Marte (Tier 1)
3. SS Edwin Arroyo (Tier 1)
4. 3B Cam Collier (Tier 1)
5. SS Matt McLain (Tier 2)
6. LHP Brandon Williamson (Tier 2)
7. IF Spencer Steer (Tier 2)
8. RHP Connor Phillips (Tier 2)
9. RHP Chase Petty (Tier 3)
10. LHP Andrew Abbott (Tier 3)
Farm System Snapshot
In the last calendar year, the Reds have turned Luis Castillo, Jesse Winker, Eugenio Suárez, Sonny Gray and Tyler Mahle into Noelvi Marte, Edwin Arroyo, Brandon Williamson, Spencer Steer, Connor Phillips and Chase Petty, among other prospects.
Add in 2021 first-round pick Matt McLain and 2022 first-round pick Cam Collier, and they have successfully built an elite farm system in a short period of time. The question now is whether this group represents the core of the team's next contender, or simply another window of rebuilding.
6. Minnesota Twins
Top 10 Prospects
1. SS Brooks Lee (Tier 1)
2. SS Royce Lewis (Tier 1)
3. OF Emmanuel Rodriguez (Tier 1)
4. IF/OF Edouard Julien (Tier 1)
5. OF Matt Wallner (Tier 2)
6. RHP Simeon Woods Richardson (Tier 2)
7. LHP Connor Prielipp (Tier 2)
8. RHP Matt Canterino (Tier 2)
9. SS/OF Austin Martin (Tier 2)
10. RHP Marco Raya (Tier 3)
Farm System Snapshot
The best college middle infielder in the 2022 draft class, Brooks Lee hit .303/.389/.451 in 31 games in his pro debut, closing out the year with two games at Double-A. He has the polish to rocket through the minors, though it remains to be seen where he'll fit best defensively.
No prospect did more to boost his stock in the Arizona Fall League than Edouard Julien, who hit .400/.563/.686 with five doubles, five home runs, 17 RBI and more walks (23) than strikeouts (22) in 96 plate appearances. The 23-year-old also batted .300/.441/.490 with 39 extra-base hits in 113 games at Double-A during the regular season.
5. Pittsburgh Pirates
Top 10 Prospects
1. SS Termarr Johnson (Tier 1)
2. C Henry Davis (Tier 1)
3. RHP Quinn Priester (Tier 1)
4. C/OF Endy Rodriguez (Tier 1)
5. 2B Nick Gonzales (Tier 1)
6. SS Liover Peguero (Tier 2)
7. RHP Mike Burrows (Tier 2)
8. RHP Bubba Chandler (Tier 2)
9. IF Ji Hwan Bae (Tier 3)
10. LHP Anthony Solometo (Tier 3)
Farm System Snapshot
Even after graduating shortstop Oneil Cruz to the majors in 2022, the Pirates still have an elite farm system. He was essentially replaced at the top of the organizational rankings by Termarr Johnson, who went No. 4 overall in the 2022 draft on the strength of a 70-hit/60-power offensive profile.
The Pirates acquired Endy Rodriguez in the three-team deal that sent Joe Musgrove to the San Diego Padres and Joey Lucchesi to the Mets prior to the 2021 season. That looks like a trade the Mets could come to regret after he hit .323/.407/.590 with 39 doubles, 25 home runs and 95 RBI in 125 games while reaching Triple-A.
4. Cleveland Guardians
Top 10 Prospects
1. RHP Daniel Espino (Tier 1)
2. RHP Gavin Williams (Tier 1)
3. OF George Valera (Tier 1)
4. C Bo Naylor (Tier 1)
5. SS Brayan Rocchio (Tier 1)
6. LHP Logan Allen (Tier 1)
7. RHP Tanner Bibee (Tier 2)
8. OF Chase DeLauter (Tier 3)
9. SS Angel Martinez (Tier 3)
10. OF Will Brennan (Tier 3)
Farm System Snapshot
The Guardians were MLB's youngest team in 2022, and the farm system has done a great job churning out talent in recent years. That includes Steven Kwan, Oscar González, Will Brennan and Konnor Pilkington, all of whom were solid contributors as rookies this year.
Given the organization's success developing pitching talent over the years, it's worth keeping a close eye on 2022 standouts Logan Allen (177 K, 132.2 IP) and Tanner Bibee (2.17 ERA, 167 K, 132.2 IP). They'll look to join Daniel Espino and Gavin Williams as elite-level arms rising the ranks.
3. St. Louis Cardinals
Top 10 Prospects
1. 3B Jordan Walker (Tier 1)
2. RHP Tink Hence (Tier 1)
3. SS Masyn Winn (Tier 1)
4. RHP Gordon Graceffo (Tier 1)
5. OF Alec Burleson (Tier 1)
6. LHP Matthew Liberatore (Tier 2)
7. C Ivan Herrera (Tier 2)
8. RHP Michael McGreevy (Tier 2)
9. LHP Cooper Hjerpe (Tier 2)
10. SS Jonathan Mejia (Tier 3)
Farm System Snapshot
Breakout seasons from Tink Hence, Masyn Winn and Gordon Graceffo helped the Cardinals emerge as one of baseball's elite farm systems, even after top prospect Nolan Gorman moved on to the majors.
The 20-year-old Hence posted a 1.38 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and a .174 opponents' batting average at Single-A while posting an 81-to-15 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 52.1 innings. He has the stuff and athleticism to be a frontline starter, and his stock could soar once his leash is extended a bit in 2023.
2. Baltimore Orioles
Top 10 Prospects
1. SS/3B Gunnar Henderson (Tier 1)
2. RHP Grayson Rodriguez (Tier 1)
3. SS Jackson Holliday (Tier 1)
4. LHP DL Hall (Tier 1)
5. OF Colton Cowser (Tier 1)
6. SS Jordan Westburg (Tier 1)
7. OF Heston Kjerstad (Tier 2)
8. 3B Coby Mayo (Tier 2)
9. OF Dylan Beavers (Tier 2)
10. 2B Connor Norby (Tier 3)
Farm System Snapshot
It's a testament to the Orioles' sheer quantity of talent that they can still check in No. 2 in these rankings even after catcher Adley Rutschman moved into the majors. Gunnar Henderson joined him on the MLB roster over the final month of the season, and those two could be the faces of the franchise for the next decade.
It's been a winding road for Heston Kjerstad since he was taken No. 2 overall in the 2020 draft. The 23-year-old didn't make his pro debut until this past June after dealing with the lingering effects of myocarditis, but he is starting to make up for lost time. He won Arizona Fall League MVP honors by hitting .357/.385/.622 with nine doubles, five home runs and 17 RBI in 104 plate appearances.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
Top 10 Prospects
1. C Diego Cartaya (Tier 1)
2. RHP Bobby Miller (Tier 1)
3. 3B Miguel Vargas (Tier 1)
4. 2B Michael Busch (Tier 1)
5. RHP Gavin Stone (Tier 1)
6. OF Andy Pages (Tier 1)
7. RHP Ryan Pepiot (Tier 1)
8. C Dalton Rushing (Tier 2)
9. OF James Outman (Tier 2)
10. SS Eddys Leonard (Tier 3)
Farm System Snapshot
The Dodgers farm system is loaded, and catcher Diego Cartaya is the best of the bunch after posting an .892 OPS with 22 doubles, 22 home runs and 72 RBI in 95 games between Single-A and High-A in his age-20 season.
Miguel Vargas and Ryan Pepiot both saw time in the majors in 2022, while Bobby Miller, Michael Busch and Gavin Stone all reached Triple-A, so there's a wealth of talent on the cusp of making an impact in the big leagues.
It's borderline unfair that despite not having a first-round pick in 2022 as a luxury-tax penalty, the Dodgers still walked away with catcher Dalton Rushing in the second round. The Louisville standout hit .404/.522/.740 in 134 plate appearances in his pro debut.
All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference.
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