Phillies Highlight No. 21-30 Farm Systems in Baseball

Mar 5, 2015; Jupiter, FL, USA; A general view of baseballs on the field at Roger Dean Stadium prior to a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Earlier this offseason, we did a three-part series on baseball’s best farm systems. Spring training has just about come to a close, and several prospects have started to live up to the hype making the final cut.

Since Opening Day is finally here and there is a little more clarity behind what prospects will be in the minors and which will be vying for Rookie of the Year in Major League Baseball, Baseball America has updated their rankings of The Top Farm Systems in the game.

Today, Grading on the Curve looks at the No. 21 through No. 30 ranked systems in baseball. While one team dropped from the elite of baseball to the bottom third, not much else has changed in the rankings.

Next: Tigers and Orioles

Mar 10, 2015; Clearwater, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers left fielder Steven Moya (33) swings and misses during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

No. 30: Detroit Tigers

Cream of the Crop: Steven Moya, Buck Farmer

Opening Day ready: Bruce Rondon (will start season on DL), James McCann, Hernan Perez, Angel Nesbitt

The Tigers’ have a crowded outfield, but they will only be able to hold back Steven Moya’s power for so long. Their consensus No. 1 prospect is coming off of a 35 home run, 105 RBI, 16 stolen base season but needs to improve his plate discipline. He struck out 161 times in 515 at bats while earning just 23 bases on balls.

James McCann has locked down the backup catcher role and could challenge Alex Avila for the starting job by season’s end. Hernan Perez, the Tigers No. 5 prospect should make the final roster. The 24-year old middle infielder is still in camp and should earn the utility role for the Tigers. Angel Nesbitt, the No. 16 prospect in the system, will hold down the last bullpen spot, but should he falter, he may return to the minors once Rondon is off of the disabled list.

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No. 27: San Francisco Giants

Cream of the Crop: Andrew Susac, Tyler Beede, Kyle Crick

Opening Day ready: Andrew Susac, Hunter Strickland and Matt Duffy

The reigning World Champs roll into 2015 with a veteran pitching staff and a roster full of home grown talent whose removal from the farm system and annual low draft picks have prevented them from moving forward. Buster Posey, Madison Bumgarner, Joe Panik and the recently departed Pablo Sandoval are just a few examples of the Giants future stars panning out in the bigs.

Susac is ready for the big leagues, but he is blocked by fan favorite and leader of baseball’s newest dynasty Buster Posey. Susac doesn’t excel at any one aspect of the game but does everything pretty well. He could be the Giants’ backup catcher right away, but they want to see him get more consistent playing time as a starter for one more season.

Crick has an over powering fastball and three above average secondary pitches in his arsenal, but he lacks the consistency of a Major League pitcher. Should he find that control he could easily supplant an aging Jake Peavy or Ryan Vogelsong in the rotation before year’s end.

The Giants will have relief pitcher Hunter Strickland and short stop Matt Duffy waiting in wings. Both showed inconsistencies in their big league debuts, but both have a World Series ring to show for it. Expect both to be back at some point this season.

Next: Marlins and Mariners

No. 26: Miami Marlins

Cream of the Crop: Tyler Kolek, J.T. Realmuto, Justin Nicolino, Jose Urena

Opening Day ready: None

The Marlins farm system has taken a hit the past few seasons because most of their top prospects of the past two seasons are on their big league roster. Christian Yelich, Marcell Ozuna and Giancarlo Stanton man one of the most exciting young outfields in the game, while Henderson Alvarez, Tom Koehler and Jose Fernandez anchor one of the up and coming rotations. When they traded away No. 1 prospect Andrew Heaney, there was little left in the tank.

Kolek is a top 50 prospect in baseball, but he is a mere 19-years of age. Drafted second overall a year ago, Kolek’s potential is sky high, but his command is out of whack. He will contribute one day, but clearly is a long ways off.   Realmuto, their 24-year old catching prospect, is light hitting and still needing improvement behind the plate. Should he put it together, he could see some big league time towards seasons end, but expect a full season at Triple A for him as well.

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No. 23: Oakland Athletics

Cream of the Crop: Matt Olsen, Franklin Barreto, Matt Chapman

Opening Day ready: Billy Burns, Kendall Graveman, Mark Canha, Sean Nolin

The As have lost some of their star power in the minor league system, trading away Addison Russell and Billy McKinney for two pitchers no longer with the team. Sonny Gray has also elevated himself to the top of the As rotation as well, so the As were looking to rebuild the farm system. Trading away Josh Donaldson did just that, giving the As three of their top 10 prospects.

Kendall Graveman wasted little time in being a top prospect as he locked down the fifth rotation spot in the As Opening Day rotation. His four pitch arsenal may never be top of the rotation stuff, but armed with an above average fastball and a sharp cutter, Graveman should find success this season.

Billy Burns seems poised to make the Opening Day roster especially after the injury to Coco Crisp. The light hitting speedster is coming off of a great spring, slashing .397/.442/.513with four stolen bases. He should provide outfield depth and a pinch running spark.

Mark Canha also had a big spring with six home runs. He could platoon with Ike Davis from the start, or at least provide a solid power bat off the bench. Sean Nolin will likely start the year in the minors but will provide bullpen depth throughout the year. Chris Bassitt, acquired in the Jeff Samardzija trade should also see the bigs this season.

Barreto should be an ample replacement for the loss of Russell. The 19-year old future shortstop has a ways to go, but shows a lot of promise.

Next: Indians and Phillies

No. 22: Cleveland Indians

Cream of the Crop: Francisco Lindor, Bradley Zimmer, Clint Frazier, Justus Sheffield

Opening Day ready: Lindor

The Indians have a veteran squad ready for Opening Day and aside from Lindor, have very little else to offer at the onset of 2015. That doesn’t mean that their system is barren.

Lindor is one of the most highly anticipated prospects in the game. He is No. 8 overall on the Grading on the Curve Top 50 and hands down the Indians best prospect. He has little left to prove at the minor league level as his defense is impeccable and his offense, while will ever be superior, has most likely peaked. He should supplant Jose Ramirez before the year is done.

Frazier and Zimmer should be the outfield of the future for the Indians. The Indians’ first round picks in 2013 and 2014 respectively simply need more seasoning. With an aging Michael Bourne and Daniel Murphy manning the outfield in 2015, they could both be on the fast track for 2016. Both are worth keeping an eye on this season.

The downside is that only one, Sheffield, of their top ten prospects is a pitcher. The Indians, aside from reigning Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber, have a questionable rotation at best. This is where their farm system falls short

No. 21: Philadelphia Phillies

Cream of the Crop: J.P. Crawford, Maikel Franco, Aaron Nola

Opening Day ready: Franco

The Phillies rid themselves of scouting director Marti Wolever last June and have already righted the ship of his poor decisions in the past. Zach Eflin, Ben Lively and Tim Windle were all brought in via trade this offseason and have added much needed pitching prospects to an aging Phillies roster. While they aren’t ready just yet, they aren’t far away.

Franco had a rough spring before being reassigned to the the minors batting just .200 with no home runs. He struggled mightily in his Triple-A debut last season, but with only Cody Asche, who wasn’t very impressive in his 2014 big league debut, in front of him, Franco should see the bigs this season if he can work the kinks out in AAA.

Crawford is another exciting short stop prospect, coming in at No. 19 overall on the Grading on the Curve Top 50. Expect a full season at Triple-A, but the next Jimmy Rollins is not far away. Crawford has all the tools, he excels defensively with plus range and a powerful arm and fills the box scores offensively. Freddy Galvis is merely keeping Crawford’s spot warm.

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