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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 /

11. Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates have used their system well to take a small market and build a perennial contender with one of the best outfields and young rotations in baseball.

They certainly could be excused if they were lax in some other areas, but they’ve also done well in filling in those spots with timely pickups like J.A. Happ, who became a rich man after Pittsburgh helped him get on track on the mound.

The Pirates have discussed still making a further push for the 2017 season, and that could affect the standing of their system, but right now, the depth and elite players in their system has them quite high in ratings.

Elite prospects – The Pirates have five guys I considered for the top 125, but of those, 3 are locks for the top 50, which is an impressive top of the system. The Pirates also drafted and signed a few guys this season who very quickly could ascend to that same level.

System depth in legit prospects – The Pirates have been able to bring up a number of starters in recent seasons that provided multiple solid starts for the team, and that’s something they definitely have in droves in their farm system. Offensively, the depth isn’t as strong, but they do have some very solid pieces on the way.

Proximity to majors of legit prospects – The Pirates saw three of their top 10 guys in the majors in 2016, and it’s very feasible that two others make it there in 2017. There are a number of very solid bullpen and bench pieces in AA/AAA that should be part of the 2017 team as the season works on as well.

System reputation – The Pirates’ pitching reputation may be as good as any team in baseball from top to bottom. Certainly Ray Searage gets plenty of praise at the big league level, but the team has really done an exceptional job of putting together a program from top to bottom that really brings out the best in the arms in their system.

Offensively, they’ve done well in developing exceptional athletes, though if there’s a criticism of the system, it’s their lack of ability to develop power within the system. Part of that is the player base they’ve had to work with, and you cannot create power when you don’t have power players.

Top 5 Born 1991 or since (age 25 season this year)
1. Gregory Polanco
2. Jameson Taillon
3. Tyler Glasnow
4. Austin Meadows
5. Mitch Keller

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