Prospect Report:
Oragnization Stength Part 1: The Weak

David Cameron

After wrapping up the positional rankings last week, we have a pretty good idea who the best individual players in the game are. For the next three weeks, we’ll turn our attention to the organizations themselves. We’ll start our way from the bottom and do ten teams per week, ranking the talent levels for the minor league systems. Each organizational summary will also include the player most likely to make it to the majors, the player with the most potential in the system, and the likely breakthrough candidate for 2003.

30. Baltimore Orioles

The O’s system is as close to barren as you’ll find. The talented pitchers can’t stay healthy, the hitters are aging three years at a time, and they aren’t signing their draft picks. There isn’t one impact prospect in the system.

Most Likely Major Leaguer: Darnell McDonald, OF

Most Potential: Erik Bedard, LHP

2003 Breakthrough: Mike Fonenot, 2B

29. Kansas City Royals

Injured arms and poor drafting strategies have also plagued the Royals’ talent level. Their continued teaching of aggressive hitting has caused a pause in the development of some young hitters, and they have made some extremely questionable trades.

Most Likely Major Leaguer: Ken Harvey, 1B

Most Potential: Zach Greinke, RHP

2003 Breakthrough: Tim Frend, OF

28. Montreal Expos

While they have acquired and developed quality players, Omar Minaya saw fit to trade them all away in fruitless deadline deals. Had they resisted the urge to acquire Bartolo Colon, they’d have three upper-tier prospects, two of which are near major league ready. Any help needed to propel the team into contention won’t come from the farm system.

Most Likely Major Leaguer: Terrmel Sledge, 1B

Most Potential: Josh Karp, RHP

2003 Breakthrough: Michael Hinckley, LHP

27. New York Yankees

The Bronx Bombers aren’t used to finding themselves near the bottom of anything, but their ranking here is deserved. The top arms are injured and a lot of position players took big steps back this year. Midseason trades emptied whatever players were left, and the Yankees now hang their hopes on a lot of high-risk returns.

Most Likely Major Leaguer: Juan Rivera, OF

Most Potential: Drew Henson, 3B

2003 Breakthrough: Chien-Ming Wang, RHP

26. Cincinnati Reds

The Reds have become the stingiest team in the major leagues, avoiding talent and drafting almost solely based on a player’s willingness to sign. Their focus on athletic centerfielders who swing at anything has led to some odd decisions, and they’ve been unable to convince their hitters that drawing walks can be beneficial. Their staff is maligned for the injuries sustained by nearly every pitching prospect in the organization.

Most Likely Major Leaguer: Corky Miller, C

Most Potential: Edwin Encarnacion, 3B

2003 Breakthrough: Bobby Basham, RHP

25. St. Louis Cardinals

The Redbirds have less offensive talent than any in the game, but a solid core of young arms move them up a few slots. Almost all of the talent is 2 years away from productive major league service, so St. Louis will have to look elsewhere for help in 2003.

Most Likely Major Leaguer: Jim Journell, RHP

Most Potential: Jim Journell, RHP

2003 Breakthrough: Blake Hawkesworth, RHP

24. Arizona Diamondbacks

The D’backs win-now philosophy paid off with a 2001 World Series title, but has also managed to stagnate the farm system. The loss of draft picks for signing free agents prevented any influx of talent while quality players such as Brad Penny were traded away in the pursuit of a title. The team has some players capable of helping pretty soon, but nobody in the group looks like more than an average regular.

Most Likely Major Leaguer: Lyle Overbay, 1B

Most Potential: Scott Hairston, 2B

2003 Breakthrough: Jared Doyle, LHP

23. Boston Red Sox

Theo Epstein inherits a team without significant talent waiting in the wings. The pitching is especially thin with no help within two years of Boston. A few interesting players at the lower levels have flashed potential, but haven’t established themselves against better competition. The Red Sox will have to win with what they have, because there won’t be a real contribution from the farm.

Most Likely Major Leaguer: Freddy Sanchez, 2B

Most Potential: Hanley Ramirez, SS

2003 Breakthrough: Manny Delcarman, RHP

22. Toronto Blue Jays

A year ago, J.P. Ricciardi took over a sinking ship on its way to the bottom. While he’s managed to trim payroll, there still isn’t a great deal of talent in the system. The lack of arms is particularly troubling, though there are a few quality infielders. Most of the Blue Jays best young talents still project as role players and not impact regulars.

Most Likely Major Leaguer: Gabe Gross, OF

Most Potential: Gabe Gross, OF

2003 Breakthrough: Brandon League, LHP

21. Detroit Tigers

The Tigers would have been near the bottom of this list before July, but they restocked with a couple quality arms at the deadline, along with the resurgence of Eric Munson’s bat in the second half. Their total disregard for plate discipline has hurt them in talent acquisition, and they’ve yet to figure out how to keep their pitchers healthy.

Most Likely Major Leaguer: Franklyn German, RP

Most Potential: Jeremy Bonderman, RHP

2003 Breakthrough: Michael Woods, 2B

about the author

David Cameron has plenty of plate discipline - just ask his family about Thanksgiving dinner last week... Still, rumor has it his knifework is weak, so why not send him tips at dac@strikethree.com.