Keith Law has published his long awaited list of the best farm systems in baseball. His Top 100 Prospects is expected to be released tomorrow. In his list of best farm systems, he explains why he chose them to be ranked there. It is pretty obvious for the Nationals why they are ranked in the bottom half of baseball. The Nationals have made a jump from 21st in 2013 to 18th in 2014, so progress is being made.
Most of the young talent has already graduated to the Major League level. Names like Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon have made their debuts which has sent the Nationals down the list of farm systems.
"“Their list’s caliber drops off quickly after six or seven names” – Keith Law"
Keith Law hits the nail right on the head. When looking at the Nationals best talent, you only have Lucas Giolito in the top 50 of MLB’s top 100 prospects. While only A.J. Cole is the only other Nat in the top 100. The system is slim now because all of the great young players the Nationals had in their system, that have made their way to the bigs and making an impact at that level.
It will take a while for the system to be rebooted and back to an elite level, but while you can have elite players playing for your Major League team, you are doing something right in the Minors. Stay tuned for the release of Law’s top 100 prospects tomorrow, as we already know that Giolito has made his top 50, but will anyone else make his top 100?