Ten More Notable Minor League Top 10 Prospects Rankings

The Minor League Top 10 Prospects Flashback series spotlights a signature prospect class from each of the 17 domestic minor leagues that Baseball America has ranked since 1981.

Each installment of the MiLB Top 10 Flashback series summarizes the Top 10 Prospects as they appeared at the time, while including contextual major league data, excerpts from contemporary scouting reports and also a listing of every prospect to ever rank No. 1 in the league.

That’s great and all, but you might be wondering: Which Minor League Top 10s have produced the most major league value? The table below summarizes the top 10 in terms of FanGraphs wins above replacement, in which the runs allowed version of pitcher WAR is used. Follow the Link to read more about a spotlighted league.

No	Year	League	Flashback	WAR
1	1998	Texas	Link	321.6
2	1996	Eastern	Link	285.0
3	2003	International		281.6
4	2002	Eastern		274.7
5	1987	Southern	Link	271.3
6	1983	Florida State		253.0
7	1986	American Association	Link	252.8
8	1992	Pacific Coast	Link	248.5
9	1993	International		246.5
10	2005	Eastern		241.8

The Double-A Eastern and Triple-A International leagues have historically seen the most future value matriculate to the majors over the past four decades. This is a function of large league size and also affiliation.

The Braves have a long history in the IL, and the organization’s Minor League Top 10 Prospects went on to produce 3,147 WAR in the big leagues, by far the most for any single club. The Red Sox (third), Blue Jays (fourth) and Indians (fifth) also have longstanding affiliations with the IL and EL.

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2003 International League

282 WAR

While the International League class of 2003 may not include a future Hall of Famer like many other MiLB top prospect classes do, it is the ultimate volume leader. Players in this top 10 accumulated 51,541 big league plate appearances plus innings, which is easily the record for playing time generated by any Minor League Top 10 in BA history.

But this prospect class was about more than just volume, with several very good, if not all-time great, players. Justin Morneau won an MVP in 2006. Cliff Lee won a Cy Young Award in 2008. Jose Reyes won a batting title in 2011 and has black ink for stolen bases and triples. Chase Utley is a borderline Hall of Fame candidate.

No	Player	Pos	Team	Org	PA/IP	WAR
1	Jose Reyes	SS	Norfolk	Mets	8,240	43.8
2	Justin Morneau	1B	Rochester	Twins	6,392	22.7
3	Victor Martinez	C	Buffalo	Indians	8,166	26.9
4	Chase Utley	2B	Scranton/WB	Phillies	7,863	62.9
5	Freddy Sanchez	SS/2B	Pawtucket	Red Sox	3,686	15.6
6	Adam LaRoche	1B	Richmond	Braves	6,329	11.5
7	Brandon Claussen	LHP	Louisville	Reds	316	0.8
8	Cliff Lee	LHP	Buffalo	Indians	2,157	46.3
9	Jeremy Guthrie	RHP	Buffalo	Indians	1,765	20.5
10	Coco Crisp	OF	Buffalo	Indians	6,627	30.6

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2002 Eastern League

275 WAR

This prospect class contains a lot of overlap with the International League class a year later—Jose Reyes, Victor Martinez, Justin Morneau, Cliff Lee and Freddy Sanchez appear on both lists—but adds on top of that longtime major league stars Brandon Phillips, Adrian Gonzalez and Kevin Youkilis.

Phillips and Gonzalez, despite their prospect pedigrees, would only blossom following trades to new organizations, while Youkilis would not assume an everyday role in Boston until four years later in 2006, when he was 27 years old.

No	Player	Pos	Team	Org	PA/IP	WAR
1	Jose Reyes	SS	Binghamton	Mets	8,240	43.8
2	Brandon Phillips	SS	Harrisburg	Nationals	7,992	31.4
3	Victor Martinez	C	Akron	Indians	8,166	26.9
4	Justin Morneau	1B	New Britain	Twins	6,392	22.7
5	Cliff Lee	LHP	Akron	Indians	2,157	46.3
6	Aaron Heilman	RHP	Binghamton	Mets	630	2.0
7	Adrian Gonzalez	1B	Portland	Marlins	8,046	36.4
8	Kevin Youkilis	3B	Trenton	Red Sox	4,436	30.2
9	Erik Bedard	LHP	Bowie	Orioles	1,304	19.4
10	Freddy Sanchez	SS/2B	Trenton	Red Sox	3,686	15.6

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1983 Florida State League

253 WAR

It’s probable that no Minor League Top 10 ranking had as many future Cy Young Award winners as the 1983 Florida State League. Roger Clemens owns a record seven CYA trophies, while Bret Saberhagen captured two Cys. Even Jose Rijo has a pair of top-five finishes in 1991 and 1993.

This prospect class is historically significant for another reason. The Yankees placed four prospects among the FSL top 10, including the top two. Following the 1984 season, New York bundled three of those prospects—Rijo, Tim Birtsas, Eric Plunk—and two others to the Athletics when they traded for Rickey Henderson. Oakland general manager Sandy Alderson later admitted that he relied on BA prospect rankings to help inform his Henderson trade ask with the Yankees, which is symbolic of how quickly BA gained credibility in the industry.

No	Player	Pos	Team	Org	PA/IP	WAR
1	Jose Rijo	RHP	Fort Lauderdale	Yankees	1,880	36.5
2	Tim Birtsas	LHP	Fort Lauderdale	Yankees	329	0.6
3	Roger Clemens	RHP	Winter Haven	Red Sox	4,917	141.5
4	Vance Lovelace	LHP	Vero Beach	Dodgers	5	-0.1
5	Bret Saberhagen	RHP	Fort Myers	Royals	2,563	59.8
6	Mariano Duncan	OF	Vero Beach	Dodgers	4,998	2.7
7	Randy Braun	1B	Daytona Beach	Astros	—	—
8	Rich Monteleone	RHP	Lakeland	Tigers	353	1.8
9	Orestes Destrade	1B/OF	Fort Lauderdale	Yankees	866	-0.6
10	Eric Plunk	RHP	Fort Lauderdale	Yankees	1,151	12.6

 

1993 International League

247 WAR

A pair of Hall of Famer position players, each with more than 10,000 career plate appearances, is a fine way to begin any Minor League Top 10, but the standout theme for the 1993 International League was organizational.

Braves prospects Chipper Jones, Ryan Klesko, Javy Lopez and Tony Tarasco occupy four of the top six spots. Atlanta traded Tarasco to the Expos as part of the package for Marquis Grissom in early 1995, but the other three prospects would become Braves fixtures. In fact, Jones, Klesko and Lopez would become regulars for the 1995 World Series champions as they helped transition the franchise into a second half-decade of dominance with a youth infusion.

No	Player	Pos	Team	Org	PA/IP	WAR
1	Jim Thome	3B	Charlotte	Indians	10,313	69.1
2	Chipper Jones	SS	Richmond	Braves	10,614	84.6
3	Aaron Sele	RHP	Pawtucket	Red Sox	2,153	25.1
4	Ryan Klesko	1B	Richmond	Braves	6,523	30.1
5	Javy Lopez	C	Richmond	Braves	5,793	30.7
6	Tony Tarasco	OF	Richmond	Braves	1,129	0.8
7	Russ Davis	3B	Columbus	Yankees	2,178	0.0
8	Jeffrey Hammonds	OF	Rochester	Orioles	3,404	8.3
9	Mark Hutton	RHP	Columbus	Yankees	190	0.6
10	Mark Lewis	SS	Charlotte	Indians	3,051	-2.8

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2005 Eastern League

242 WAR

The Theo Epstein-led Red Sox developed a reputation for player development, ranking as a top 10 farm system for three years in the 2000s with a peak of No. 2 in 2008. The 2005 Eastern League prospect class illustrates the reason why the Boston system was so well regarded.

Hanley Ramirez, Jon Lester, Jonathan Papelbon and Anibal Sanchez all had long, productive big leauge careers. Ramirez and Sanchez had another role to play for the franchise. The two prospects were part of the package sent to the Marlins for Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell, who would both star for the 2007 World Series champions.

No	Player	Pos	Team	Org	PA/IP	WAR
1	Francisco Liriano	LHP	New Britain	Twins	1,814	19.4
2	Lastings Milledge	OF	Binghamton	Mets	1,659	-0.2
3	Hanley Ramirez	SS	Portland	Red Sox	7,127	41.5
4	Jon Lester	LHP	Portland	Red Sox	2,561	54.6
5	Ryan Zimmerman	3B	Harrisburg	Nationals	7,129	38.2
6	Nick Markakis	OF	Bowie	Orioles	9,218	29.5
7	Jonathan Papelbon	RHP	Portland	Red Sox	726	22.8
8	Jeremy Sowers	LHP	Akron	Indians	400	2.5
9	Anibal Sanchez	RHP	Portland	Red Sox	1,913	28.5
10	Joel Zumaya	RHP	Erie	Tigers	210	5.0

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1988 Texas League

232 WAR

Ramon Martinez was a sensation early in his major league career, but he would be surpassed in value by fellow 1988 Texas League Top 10 Prospects Gary Sheffield and Kevin Brown, who both have Hall of Fame cases.

In addition to Sheffield, the Brewers also had slugging outfielder Greg Vaughn stationed at Double-A. Both players’ hitting talent was obvious, even at the inflated offensive conditions of El Paso. Milwaukee’s farm system during this period ranked consistently in the top 10, topping out at No. 2 in 1984 and 1986.

In fact, the Brewers were the BA Organization of the Year in 1985, 1986 and 1987, based on the strength of prospects including Sheffield, Vaughn, Juan Nieves, Glenn Braggs, Chris Bosio, Darryl Hamilton, Jaime Navarro and B.J. Surhoff, the No. 1 overall pick in the loaded 1985 draft.

No	Player	Pos	Team	Org	PA/IP	WAR
1	Ramon Martinez	RHP	San Antonio	Dodgers	1,896	24.6
2	Gary Sheffield	SS	El Paso	Brewers	10,947	62.1
3	Todd Zeile	C	Arkansas	Cardinals	8,649	21.9
4	Juan Bell	SS	San Antonio	Dodgers	940	-1.4
5	Greg Vaughn	OF	El Paso	Brewers	7,070	25.5
6	Kevin Brown	RHP	Tulsa	Rangers	3,256	73.1
7	Mike Munoz	LHP	San Antonio	Dodgers	364	0.6
8	Trevor Wilson	LHP	Shreveport	Giants	728	5.8
9	John Wetteland	RHP	San Antonio	Dodgers	765	19.4
10	Jeff Manto	3B	Midland	Angels	822	0.5

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1990 Eastern League

232 WAR

The 1990 Eastern League prospect class included Hall of Famers in Jeff Bagwell and Mike Mussina, along with Bernie Williams and Charles Nagy, who starred for two of the best organizations of the ’90s.

Bagwell had been drafted by the Red Sox in the fourth round the year before out of the University of Hartford. Making his full-season debut with New Britain, he hit .333/.422/.457 with 34 doubles, 73 walks  . . . and four home runs. Bagwell’s performance echoed another Red Sox third base prospect from a decade earlier. Wade Boggs also contributed high batting averages with lots of doubles and lots of walks but few home runs but developed into a Hall of Fame player.

Bagwell forged his HOF career in Houston after the Red Sox shipped him to the Astros in the ill-fated Larry Andersen trade in August 1990. He made the Astros’ Opening Day roster in 1991, winning the National League Rookie of the Year award that season.

No	Player	Pos	Team	Org	PA/IP	WAR
1	Mark Lewis	SS	Canton	Indians	3,051	-2.8
2	Bernie Williams	OF	Albany	Yankees	9,053	43.9
3	Rico Brogna	1B	London	Tigers	3,223	1.9
4	Jeff Bagwell	3B	New Britain	Red Sox	9,431	80.2
5	Mike Gardiner	RHP	Williamsport	Mariners	394	-1.7
6	Carlos Garcia	SS	Harrisburg	Pirates	2,359	-0.9
7	Charles Nagy	RHP	Canton	Indians	1,955	26.7
8	Luis Mercedes	OF	Hagerstown	Orioles	180	-1.5
9	Mike Mussina	RHP	Hagerstown	Orioles	3,563	81.8
10	Pat Kelly	2B	Albany	Yankees	2,237	4.4

 

1989 Texas League

225 WAR

Few organizations uncovered as much future value in Latin America in the 1980s as the Rangers, led by assistant general manager for scouting and player development Sandy Johnson. That talent was in display in the 1989 Texas League.

Puerto Rican Juan Gonzalez and Dominican Sammy Sosa starred in the same Tulsa outfield, while 1986 third-rounder Dean Palmer played third base. In July of the previous summer, the Rangers had signed Puerto Rican catcher Ivan Rodriguez, who would become the organization’s No. 1 prospect and regular catcher in 1991.

While the Rangers would trade Sosa to the White Sox as part of the package for Harold Baines during the 1989 season, Texas would see Gonzalez, Palmer and Rodriguez all assume regular roles by 1992. The 1992 Rangers also had Kevin Brown, Rafael Palmeiro, and Puerto Rican outfielder Ruben Sierra all in their mid 20s.

No	Player	Pos	Team	Org	PA/IP	WAR
1	Ray Lankford	OF	Arkansas	Cardinals	6,675	39.8
2	Andy Benes	RHP	Wichita	Padres	2,505	36.5
3	Jose Offerman	SS	San Antonio	Dodgers	6,582	13.9
4	Juan Gonzalez	OF	Tulsa	Rangers	7,155	35.8
5	Dean Palmer	3B	Tulsa	Rangers	5,513	11.0
6	Jaime Navarro	RHP	El Paso	Brewers	2,055	12.7
7	Geronimo Pena	2B	Arkansas	Cardinals	1,170	6.4
8	Julio Valera	RHP	Jackson	Mets	317	1.3
9	Sammy Sosa	OF	Tulsa	Rangers	9,896	60.1
10	Gary DiSarcina	SS	Midland	Angels	4,032	7.0

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1986 Pacific Coast League

218 WAR

The 1988 Texas League entry above highlights the prospect riches of the mid-’80s Brewers. Milwaukee’s 1986 Triple-A Vancouver club reached Milwaukee a year or two earlier and underscores the level of talent the organization had on hand. The Brewers in 1986 had two of the top four prospects in the Pacific Coast League in outfielder Glenn Braggs and catcher B.J. Surhoff, plus righthander Chris Bosio at effectively No. 11.

Another fun aspect of the 1986 PCL was that in contained both 1987 Rookies of the Year: catcher Benito Santiago in the National League and Mark McGwire in the American League. About McGwire, his Tacoma manager Keith Lieppman praised his “strong arms and forearms” and ability to drive the ball even when his “weight shift is off.”

No	Player	Pos	Team	Org	PA/IP	WAR
1	Glenn Braggs	OF	Vancouver	Brewers	2,609	6.3
2	Devon White	OF	Edmonton	Angels	8,080	41.8
3	Mickey Brantley	OF	Calgary	Mariners	1,222	0.9
4	B.J. Surhoff	C	Vancouver	Brewers	9,106	31.4
5	Terry Mulholland	LHP	Phoenix	Giants	2,576	18.1
6	Benito Santiago	C	Las Vegas	Padres	7,516	28.7
7	Ty Gainey	OF	Tucson	Astros	124	0.1
8	Jose Gonzalez	OF	Albuquerque	Dodgers	750	-0.2
9.1	Mark McGwire	3B	Tacoma	Athletics	7,660	66.3
9.2	Rob Nelson	1B	Tacoma	Athletics	177	-0.5
10	Chris Bosio	RHP	Vancouver	Brewers	1,710	24.6

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1995 Pacific Coast League

212 WAR

Alex Rodriguez played just 54 games for Tacoma in 1995 as the Mariners summoned him to the big leagues three times during the season. While he hit just .232 in 48 games for Seattle as a 19-year-old, his talent was obvious. A-Rod hit .360/.411/.654 in the Pacific Coast League that season and joined future Hall of Famers Ken Griffey Jr., Randy Johnson and Edgar Martinez for good in 1996.

Perhaps the bigger story of the 1995 PCL was the Tucson twosome of Bobby Abreu and Billy Wagner. The latter would go on to star for the Astros and save 422 games, while the former would go on to a long, distinguished career—but only after the Astros lost him in the 1997 expansion draft.

Abreu was but one example of the Astros’ robust scouting effort in Venezuela in the 1980s and ’90s, which was spearheaded by scout Andres Reiner. In 1997 alone, Houston’s top three prospects were all signed out of Venezuela: Richard Hidalgo, Carlos Guillen and Abreu. Reiner and the Astros also signed Johan Santana, Freddy Garcia and Melvin Mora, who all went on to star for other organizations.

No	Player	Pos	Team	Org	PA/IP	WAR
1	Alex Rodriguez	SS	Tacoma	Mariners	12,207	113.7
2	Karim Garcia	OF	Albuquerque	Dodgers	1,561	-4.0
3	Roger Cedeno	OF	Albuquerque	Dodgers	3,557	0.4
4	Bobby Abreu	OF	Tucson	Astros	10,081	59.8
5	Trey Beamon	OF	Calgary	Pirates	172	-0.7
6	Billy Wagner	LHP	Tucson	Astros	903	29.9
7	Todd Greene	C	Vancouver	Angels	1,657	-1.0
8	Chris Widger	C	Tacoma	Mariners	1,998	-0.3
9	LaTroy Hawkins	RHP	Salt Lake	Twins	1,467	15.6
10	Fausto Cruz	SS	Edmonton	Athletics	102	-1.2