2006 MLB Organization Talent Rankings

By BA Staff
on March 30, 2006

ankings by the Baseball America staff. First ranking is for 2006, with rankings also listed at right for the previous five seasons.

TALENT RANKINGS
Rk.	Team	2005	2004	2003	2002	2001
1.	Arizona Diamondbacks	13	13	21	23	29
Signing Justin Upton is the icing on the cake for minor's most loaded system.
2.	Los Angeles Dodgers	2	2	14	25	28
Even without top 2005 draft pick Luke Hochevar, the Dodgers have depth and star power.
3.	Florida Marlins	14	14	8	10	9
Postseason fire sale brought depth, top-tier talent to a system that already had some of both.
4.	Los Angeles Angels	1	3	5	17	25
Elite infielders head impressive group of hitters; pitching hinges on ‘04 picks Weaver, Adenhart.
5.	Milwaukee Brewers	3	1	16	26	30
Despite graduating young talent to Milwaukee, Brewers still have plenty left on the farm.
6.	Minnesota Twins	4	5	4	6	15
Healthy return by Jason Kubel would provide boost to organization loaded with young pitching.
7.	Atlanta Braves	5	4	2	7	5
Lowest ranking in years for Braves only comes after graduating 19 rookies to big league club.
8.	Boston Red Sox	21	23	27	28	24
Improved pitching depth leads to quantum leap forward.
9.	Cleveland Indians	7	6	1	20	26
Depth is the Tribe’s biggest strength, and Marte acquisition boosted team into top 10.
10.	Tampa Bay Devil Rays	9	9	10	15	6
Former scouting director Tim Wilken left behind much-improved pitching depth.

11.	Colorado Rockies	6	15	25	24	16
Fruits of three consecutive productive drafts starting to percolate up through the system.
12.	Baltimore Orioles	25	19	30	29	27
A farm system on the way up could improve even more if Adam Loewen fulfills his potential.
13.	Detroit Tigers	29	22	12	18	18
Biggest mover on the list thanks to pair of elite power arms, Justin Verlander and Joel Zumaya.
14.	Chicago White Sox	12	20	15	9	1
Championship closer Bobby Jenks heads list with outfield depth to spare.
15.	Chicago Cubs	10	7	3	1	2
Felix Pie takes up mantle as top prospect in a rapidly thinning organization.
16.	Texas Rangers	16	16	19	8	13
Trio of Double-A pitchers, improved depth give new GM Jon Daniels pieces to deal.
17.	New York Yankees	24	27	17	5	7
Premium talent on hand, but Yankees’ top prospects have yet to venture beyond A-ball.
18.	San Francisco Giants	17	24	11	12	22
Bulk of top hitters reach make-or-break Double-A in ’06; Matt Cain gives team elite arm.
19.	Pittsburgh Pirates	18	11	18	22	19
Last two first-round picks, Neil Walker and Andrew McCutchen, provide best hope for impact.
20.	Houston Astros	22	29	23	3	10
Farmhands helped big league team to first pennant, yet minor league talent still improved.

Abbott earned his first MLB win, Corey Julks hit a grand slam and more.

21.	St. Louis Cardinals	30	28	28	30	23
Early returns on their bountiful 2005 draft boost stock of previously moribund system.
22.	Philadelphia Phillies	20	21	7	11	12
Jim Thome trade nets pair of lefties who can step in if top prospect Cole Hamels gets hurt again.
23.	Kansas City Royals	28	19	26	21	14
No. 2 overall pick Alex Gordon, Billy Butler provide 1-2 punch for club in need of hope.
24.	Washington Nationals	26	30	29	16	21
Scouting director Dana Brown has done well in tough circumstances to accumulate talent.
25.	Toronto Blue Jays	15	8	6	13	17
System has some depth, particularly on the mound, but few players project as regulars.
26.	Oakland Athletics	8	17	22	19	11
Talent inevitably eroded after A’s graduated four impact rookies to big leagues in 2005.
27.	Seattle Mariners	11	12	9	2	4
Utter lack of pitching prospects has roots in run of poor drafts in late 1990s, early 2000s.
28.	New York Mets	19	10	13	27	20
It’s Lastings Milledge, Mike Pelfrey and a lot of players who wouldn’t make other teams’ top 10s.
29.	San Diego Padres	27	25	20	4	8
At least the best the Padres have to offer are close to helping the big league club . . .
30.	Cincinnati Reds	23	26	24	14	3
While nearly all the Reds’ best hopes for the future are in A-ball or below.

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