MLB Minor League System Ranks – The Elite
1. Philadelphia Phillies
Phillies fans have struggled with the team’s direction the last couple of seasons after seeing the big-time success that the organization had from 2001-2012, when they never once won less than 80 games, making the World Series twice, and winning a title in 2008.
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The core of that 2008 team, however, aged quickly, and as they did, the team went backward in a hurry, with four seasons with 89, 89, 99, and 91 losses, respectively in the last four seasons. This year’s record is a bit of a misnomer as well as the team started “hot” with a 24-17 record as of May 18th, ending that day just a half-game out of first place before the team struggled the rest of the way.
The Phillies have done well building up their system from the ground up, and their farm system has quietly become the best in the game. While many talk about the Yankees or the Braves, the Phillies have really added a ton of players, building plenty of depth, a good system of instruction, and investing in their scouting to bring in the best players as well.
Elite prospects – I considered seven Phillie prospects for the top 125, but they had another 5 guys that easily would have been in consideration for a top 150.
System depth in legit prospects – This is where the Phillies are just incredible. While not elite guys, the Phillies have guys to consider for future major league jobs (and not as relievers or bench guys, but as legit lineup guys or starters) until you get to about #40 on their team list, which is absolutely incredible to consider. Someone like Ben Lively wouldn’t even sniff a top 20 for me in their system, but he has a very solid chance of being a #4/#5 starter for a number of years in the league.
Proximity to majors of legit prospects – The Phillies have four players who were on their top 10 and were at the upper minors, in spite of the incredible depth of talent at their lower levels. They have a lot of guys on their AA/AAA rosters who should be contributing to the big league club in the next two seasons.
System reputation – The Phillies have been bringing in a lot of talent lately and seeing some take off in the big leagues and some struggle. The reasons why are scattered, but many have seen their system directives on the pitching side really become much more individual, which leads to a lot of positive hope for young elite arms like Franklyn Kilome, Adonis Medina, and Sixto Sanchez at the lower levels.
The Phillies did see one of the skews of their system as Dylan Cozens and Rhys Hoskins, two guys who did not make my top 10, though Cozens was in consideration, combined for 78 home runs in the launching pad that is their Reading stadium. That does skew the ability to truly judge how players are handling upper minors when they have a stadium that hitter-friendly.
The Phillies will have plenty of raw talent coming up to those upper minors environments in the next few years, so we’ll be able to see how those young players handle that altered upper minors environment in their development.
Top 5 Born 1991 or since (age 25 season this year)
1. Maikel Franco
2. Aaron Nola
3. Vince Velasquez
4. Odubel Herrera
5. Mickey Moniak
Next: Nationals Top 10 Prospects
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