D-backs Farm System Ranked Third Best by MLB Pipeline

MLB Pipeline ranks the Arizona Diamondbacks farm system as the third best in baseball, trailing the Orioles and Dodgers.

MLB Pipeline released their farm system rankings today, with the Arizona Diamondbacks ranking third out of the 30 teams. Only the Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles Dodgers ranked higher.

Here's their explanation behind Arizona's ranking:

Top 100 Prospects : Corbin Carroll, OF (No. 2); Jordan Lawlar, SS (No. 11); Druw Jones, OF (No. 15); Brandon Pfaadt, RHP (No. 59)

This marks the first time Arizona has cracked the top three of an MLB Pipeline Farm System Ranking, and that lofty placement is bolstered by having three of the game’s Top 15 overall prospects. The No. 1 Orioles are the only other organization that can make a similar claim. Pfaadt, Ryne Nelson and Drey Jameson give the club three ready (or near-ready) rotation options. Even when they and NL Rookie of the Year Award candidate Carroll graduate during the D-backs’ darkhorse run toward a playoff spot, young bats like Lawlar, Jones and Deyvision De Los Santos should keep the system afloat with exciting ceilings.

The strength of their farm system is a wave of big league ready talent in both the rotation and high ceiling bats. Arizona projects to get a lot of production from their rookie class, headlined by outfielder Corbin Carroll, Drey Jameson, and Ryne Nelson. Nelson and Jameson are locked in a battle for the final Opening Day rotation spot and looked solid in their first taste of the big leagues last September. 

Beyond those three prospects, the D-backs will have a wave of talent reaching the big leagues this season. Brandon Pfaadt impressed in his four spring starts and looks to be one of the first potential call-ups for the rotation during the summer. Jordan Lawlar and Deyvison De Los Santos are beginning important seasons in Double-A and could see their debuts in the second half of the season. Last season's top pick Druw Jones will make his professional debut after sustaining a season-ending shoulder injury last July.

The D-backs also have three arms that will spend most of the year in Triple-A Reno between Bryce Jarvis, Slade Cecconi, and Blake Walston. Jarvis experienced a rough season with Double-A Amarillo this year, but could be a breakout prospect after tinkering with his delivery to get more extension. Cecconi had a solid year in Amarillo after an inconsistent and injury-plagued 2021 and Walston had a strong 10-start finish after struggling with the homer-happy environment of Hodgetown and the Texas League.

The D-backs are hoping their farm system can help produce a young core of players that can lead them to the postseason. With the amount of talent in the system, that possibility could be looking likely in the next 2-3 years.