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MLB Minor League System Rankings – The Middle

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 /
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Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

15. Chicago Cubs

The Cubs used one of the strongest farm systems in baseball to build the team that finally broke through and won the franchise’s first World Series in over 100 years.

The top 5 list at the end of this post is all guys who will have every day roles in the lineup in 2017, yet the Cubs have guys who are integral parts of the bullpen, rotation, and bench that have been developed in their system as well.

On top of that, the Cubs also have one of the best prospects in the entire game in Eloy Jimenez, though beyond him, their system thins out quickly.

Elite prospects – As mentioned, Jimenez is one of the elite prospects in the entire game, and there are two other players I considered for my top 125, so this is an area where the Cubs are a touch more shallow than they have been in a number of years.

System depth in legit prospects – While their elite prospects are possibly lacking, the Cubs are developing a number of pitchers who profile as impact relievers, starters who profile in the back of a rotation, and hitters who should be a solid contributor in the major leagues. These players may not find their way into the Cubs’ plans, but as trade chips they can be quite valuable as well.

Proximity to majors of legit prospects – The Cubs saw two of their top 10 prospects in AAA this season and half should be in the upper minors this season. However, their highest-regarded prospects are still at least three years away.

System reputation – The Cubs have built a sterling reputation, whether on the overwhelming talent they had in the system or on the merits of excellent development is a debate you’ll get from a number around the game, but regardless, it’s worked to produce a number of solid players for their big league roster.

One of the things notable in the Cubs playoff run in 2016 was the success of Kyle Hendricks, and the development of pitchers with more pitchability than pure stuff is one of the things the Cubs have been noted for by people I’ve talked with, so Hendricks is their most shining example of this, but there are a number in their system that have done much better so far than raw skills on the mound would have suggested they would do.

Top 5 Born 1991 or since (age 25 season this year)
1. Kris Bryant
2. Addison Russell
3. Javier Baez
4. Kyle Schwarber
5. Willson Contreras

Next: #14

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