Guardians' Farm System Falls In Latest Ranking By MLB.com
The Cleveland Guardians have been MLB's youngest team for two consecutive seasons now. They've been able to find a decent amount of success with this youth and a lot of that has to do with how great the farm system has been for the last few years.
Cleveland was ranked as having the fourth-best system in the Majors ahead of the 2023 season and the 12th-best before the 2022 season started. For years they've had prospects destined to do big things for the Big League club and that's finally coming to fruition.
However, a lot of that talent is starting to reach Cleveland. This includes Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, Logan Allen, Bo Naylor, Gabriel Arias, Will Brennan, and Tyler Freeman who were at one time considered top prospects in the organization.
So where does this leave the Guardians when comparing it to other organizations in the Big Leagues? MLB.com's latest farm system rankings placed Cleveland right in the middle of the pack at 15. This is what authors Jim Callis, Sam Dykstra, and Jonathan Mayo said:
The Guardians' drop in our rankings reflects the graduations to Cleveland of Top 100 prospects Gavin Williams, Bo Naylor and Tanner Bibee, as well as Logan Allen, Gabriel Arias and Will Brennan. Cleveland continues to acquire and develop contact hitters and pitchers, including drafting catcher Ralphy Velazquez and left-hander Alex Clemmey and trading for Manzardo in July. Espino's pure stuff rivals that of any pitching prospect in the game, and restoring him to full health after shoulder surgery would be huge.
This is a fair assessment to make. The Guardians have had so many players reach the Majors it's hard to compare the next wave of young talent to them. Despite this, Cleveland still has four players in the top 100 prospects (Brayan Rocchio, Kyle Manzardo, Daniel Espino, and Chase DeLauter).
The Guardians also still have one of the best farm systems in the AL Central as well. This is how the entire division stacks up:
- 13 - Detroit Tigers
- 15 - Cleveland Guardians
- 17 - Minnesota Twins
- 20 - Chicago White Sox
- 29 - Kansas City Royals
Cleveland's drop in the rankings shouldn't be alarming for fans. The organization has a great reputation for developing contact hitters and pitchers. It won't be surprising to the Guardians once again to climb up these rankings once these prospects have more time to show their potential.
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Read More:
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Guardians Rookie Starting Rotation Has Been One Of MLB's Best
Tyler Freeman Activated From IL, Guardians Roster Moves
There's A Spot For Ramon Laureano On The Guardians In The Future
No One Wants To Pitch To Jose Ramirez
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