Dodgers Named Top Farm System By BA, Seven Top-100 Prospects

Another publication thinks highly of the Dodgers’ farm system. Baseball America rated the Dodgers’ farm the best in baseball, along with seven prospects in the top-100.

Baseball America released their minor league rankings, and unlike at ESPN, the Dodgers were ranked the number one farm in all of baseball.

The organizational rankings list showed Baseball America’s rankings of each team every year since 2011. The Dodgers had the 12th best system in 2011 and it fell to 23rd in 2012. Since then, it’s been rising steadily, ranking 19th in 2013, 14th in 2014, third last year and first this year. Last years’ top farm belonged to the Chicago Cubs, but with their top four prospects all losing prospect status last season (Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, Jorge Soler and Kyle Schwarber), they dropped all the way down to 20th. ESPN’s top farm system, Atlanta, finished third on Baseball America.

As for the seven Dodgers on the list, outfielder Alex Verdugo barely snuck onto the top-100 list, taking the final spot on the list. The 19-year-old ranked 51st on Keith Law’s ESPN list yesterday, but didn’t crack the top-100 on MLB.com. Baseball America has his estimated arrival next season, but he could be the heir apparent in two years when the contracts of both Andre Ethier and Carl Crawford are set to expire.

Grant Holmes came in as the 72nd best prospect on Baseball America, remaining consistent (62 on MLB, 71 on ESPN). He’s one of four Dodger pitchers to be named to all three of the lists. Frankie Montas was only named to the MLB list (95), and was absent from ESPN’s and Baseball America’s.

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The final player on BA’s 100-51 list was first baseman Cody Bellinger, who came in at 54. Bellinger was ranked 92nd on ESPN and missed the cut on MLB, so seeing him as high as 54 is promising. The Dodgers have been set at first base since Adrian Gonzalez has been in LA, but he’s only getting older and it should be about time to start planning for a future without him. Bellinger’s ETA according to BA is 2017 and Gonzalez is under contract until after the 2018 season.

The top-50 were revealed on MLB Network and featured four* Dodgers. The first wasn’t featured on any of the previous prospect lists, but Kenta Maeda made this list at 50. Maeda’s a weird prospect, as he’s already 28 and will likely spend no time in the minors. However, his MLB experience still states he’s a prospect.

Jose De Leon, who was ranked 60th on ESPN and 24th on MLB bested those marks on BA, was named the 23rd best prospect. In a desperate situation, De Leon could possibly be a late season call-up this year, but should be a more likely candidate to debut in 2018.

Julio Urias was a consensus top-five prospect, finishing fifth on ESPN and fourth on both MLB and BA. The panel on MLB Network raved about his age and made the easy comparison to Fernando Valenzuela. They still believe he could have an impact this season, but should have every opportunity to crack the Opening Day roster next year with another good season in the minors this year.

Corey Seager was number one on all three sites, beating out Byron Buxton for the top spot in each list. Everyone knows Seager’s resume by know, and barring catastrophe he will be the opening day shortstop. Bill Ripken, who was on the MLB Network telecast, called Seager the odds on favorite for Rookie of the Year this year and pushed that he could be an MVP candidate next year. No pressure.

*edited because I originally omitted Maeda.