Over the primary three components of the 2024 MLB Pipeline Ballot collection, all the questions have been about particular person gamers and their instruments. Within the finale of the collection, we’re switching gears and have requested entrance workplace executives to take a deeper have a look at farm programs.
This line of questioning supplies a peek into which organizations are perceived to be good at constructing a farm system, buying and growing expertise. Which programs received probably the most love? Let’s discover out.
Which staff has one of the best farm system?
Additionally obtained votes: Brewers, Cubs, Nationals, Rangers, Purple Sox, Yankees
It’s not a shock that the Orioles led the voting right here. They topped the survey a yr in the past and have been on the high of our farm system rankings for 5 straight editions, relationship again to the 2021 midseason re-rank. It’s noteworthy simply how a lot of a runaway this was, although, particularly given the graduations to Baltimore that helped it attain the postseason in 2023. However the trade clearly has a favourite.
Which staff makes use of the Draft greatest?
Additionally obtained votes: Brewers, Cardinals, D-backs, Mariners, Padres, Yankees
The Dodgers edge the Orioles for the second straight yr on this class. They proceed to do a terrific job at discovering expertise in each spherical, and keep in mind, they sometimes don’t choose early within the first spherical, both. The O’s have finished effectively with their early picks (and have used their bonus pool effectively). Will probably be attention-grabbing to see if they will hold constantly discovering expertise as they transfer down the Draft order because of their success within the massive leagues.
Which staff performs the worldwide market higher than another?
Additionally obtained votes: Braves, Guardians, Mariners, Mets, Phillies, Rangers, Reds
This vote was a lot nearer than the Draft one was, with the Yankees’ efforts getting the sting; they do boast 10 of their Prime 30 prospects from worldwide signing efforts. The Dodgers are the one group to get a number of votes in each the Draft and worldwide questions, an indication of long-term respect for the way the franchise acquires beginner expertise, even when the farm system isn’t as extremely considered the Orioles.
What staff is one of the best at buying prospects in trades?
Additionally obtained votes: Dodgers, Orioles, White Sox
This backs up the sentiment we’ve lengthy had: If the Rays name asking a couple of prospect, particularly a comparatively lesser-known one, grasp up the cellphone. Even after they’re working to tinker with the massive league roster, their knack for getting a “throw-in” who turns right into a Prime 100 prospect is clearly well-known. Keep in mind, they received high prospect Junior Caminero from Cleveland and fellow Prime 100 prospect Curtis Mead from the Phillies in comparable style.
Who has probably the most underrated farm system?
Additionally obtained votes: Giants, Rays, White Sox, Yankees
Some questions are extra subjective than others, and “underrated” may very well be interpreted in many alternative methods. That’s in all probability why 14 programs received a number of votes, topped by the Mariners, Purple Sox and Tigers. A complete of 18 groups have been talked about, so extra groups obtained votes than didn’t on this one. To not toot our personal horn, however we did have the Reds and Rangers within the high 10 of our midseason farm system rankings final summer time.
Which staff hordes its prospects probably the most?
27% – Orioles23% – Guardians14% – Pirates9% – Reds7% – Brewers7% – Rockies5% – Mets
Additionally obtained votes: Blue Jays, Braves, Cardinals, Nationals
I feel a lot of this vote comes from the 2023 season and maybe this offseason, when everybody was ready for the Orioles to lastly unlock the prospect vault to assist an already-talented massive league roster get to the subsequent degree. They haven’t finished that … but, however the 2024 season ought to be an enormous one by way of a expertise logjam on the higher ranges and the hope to play deep into October. The Guardians topped this query a yr in the past and nonetheless have the fame of actually liking what they’ve in home.
Which staff greatest develops pitchers?
38% – Dodgers17% – Guardians11% – Mariners11% – Rays4% – Astros4% – Braves4% – Orioles4% – Yankees
Additionally obtained votes: Brewers, Marlins, Twins
Not solely do the Dodgers appear to amass younger arms effectively, they’ve a well-earned fame for teasing probably the most expertise out of them. From guys who made giant contributions to the present massive league rotation to mid-round finds like Nick Frasso and Gavin Stone of their Prime 5, they hold churning them out. The Guardians additionally proceed to search out hidden expertise, with Rookie of the 12 months runner-up Tanner Bibee, a fifth-round choose, the newest instance.
Which staff greatest develops hitters?
34% – Dodgers30% – Orioles7% – Braves7% – Cardinals5% – Astros5% – Rangers5% – Rockies
If I have been to circle again and ask a follow-up query, it is perhaps why the Dodgers didn’t get extra help as the general high farm system after being chosen as greatest at growing hitters and pitchers, along with utilizing the Draft greatest (and getting a number of votes for his or her work on the worldwide market). In fact, a few of that has to do with expertise within the system proper now, and the Orioles proceed to get hitters to Baltimore and are pooling them up in Double- and Triple-A.
Which staff is greatest at uncovering and growing “sleeper” prospects?
28% – Dodgers22% – Rays11% – Brewers7% – Astros7% – Guardians7% – Rangers4% – Padres4% – Twins
See above in regards to the Dodgers and the way good they’re at discovering expertise each which approach and serving to them grow to be official prospects and massive leaguers. The Rays, who have been lauded for his or her penchant for stealing low-level prospects in trades, do superb work in serving to them change into the Junior Camineros of the world.
