The San Diego Padres again have the top-ranked farm system in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline, but that doesn’t assure future National League West dominance.
That’s because division-mates the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks also rank in the top 5.
The future is already here in the form of Rookie of the Year candidate Fernando Tatis Jr., just 20, and other young talent already on the Major League roster, including pitcher Chris Paddack and infielder Luis Urias.
Behind them, ranked among baseball’s top prospects, are pitchers MacKenzie Gore and Luis Patino, infielders CJ Abrams and Xavier Edwards and outfielder Taylor Trammell.
MLB.com notes the Padres have “incredible depth beyond their impact talent” whether acquired from the draft or signed internationally.
The Dodgers, at No. 3, despite winning the West title every year since 2013, have managed to hold onto top prospects. They hold the rights to Gavin Lux, an infielder, and Keiibert Ruiz, a catcher.
The Diamondbacks, at No. 5, have four prospects in baseball’s top 100, all outfielders, including Alek Thomas and Kristian Robinson.
The list has been predictive of success, according to MLB. The Chicago Cubs’ farm system ranked atop the Pipeline in 2015, and won the World Series a year later. The Boston Red Sox held the top spot later in 2015 and took the series last year.
– Staff reports