Call to the pen
Fansided

MLB Minor League System Rankings – The Ugly

By Benjamin Chase

Dec 7, 2016; National Harbor, MD, USA; A general view of stage microphones on day three of the 2016 Baseball Winter Meetings at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2016; National Harbor, MD, USA; A general view of stage microphones on day three of the 2016 Baseball Winter Meetings at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 8
Next
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

29. Arizona Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks stripped out their formerly deep system over multiple seasons of the Dave Stewart and Tony La Russa regime, which has left their system quite bare.

In their defense, the Diamondbacks have seen a number of players graduate to the majors in the last couple of years, specifically guys like Archie Bradley, Braden Shipley, and Jake Lamb. That said, the system was stripped bare in a few trades, specifically a couple with the Atlanta Braves.

Elite prospects – None considered for the 125.

System depth in legit prospects – While there were not guys who were elite prospects, the Diamondbacks have a number of guys who profile as possible regular players via back end starters or defense-first starting infielders. They’re still primarily fringe guys, though, with most profiling as bench guys or relievers.

Proximity to majors of legit prospects – The Diamondbacks do have a few guys who will have a chance to compete for the 2017 team on their top 10 list and that I considered for the top 10, so there’s some legit players who are getting close, but those guys are guys who should compete to play a bench role or a swingman role in the bullpen.

System reputation – The Diamondbacks on the pitching side have had a reputation for forcing the sinker on pitchers, which can be good in their ballpark, but sometimes it just doesn’t work on a pitcher, and it causes them not to reach their full potential. On the hitting side, the Diamondbacks do receive positive marks for their patience with players that rewarded them last year with breakouts from players like Lamb and Mitch Haniger before he was traded this offseason.

Top 5 Born 1991 or since (age 25 season this year)
1. Taijuan Walker
2. Archie Bradley
3. Braden Shipley
4. Robbie Ray
5. Brandon Drury

Next: #28

Home/MLB Prospects