2011 Minors League System Reviews: National League

[Alex (Nationals GM)]

National League West:

Giants Total Score: 44 ( A 1 B+ 5 B 5 B- 1 )

Outlook: The Giants have a good young bat in Desmond Jennings but after that it's pitching, pitching and more pitching. Led by top prospect Julio Teheran the group of young arms also includes Jameson Taillon, Drew Pomeranz, Danny Duffy Simon Castro, Zach Wheeler, Stetson Allie, Anthony Ranaudo, Tyrell Jenkins, Corey Leubke and the Braves new young closer Craig Kimbrel. Most of these pitchers are more than a year away while there's a small chance Duffy and maybe Pomeranz can make an appearance as early as September 2011. The argument could be made that this grade should be higher because of the fact that Tsuyoshi Nishioka the Twins new SS/2B is technically still a prospect but since Sickles did not have a grade on him the grade remains where it is which still puts the Giants close to the top of best farm systems in the league.

Top Pitching Prospect: Julio Teheran- Teheran is only 20 years old but has already made a successful jump to AA last season look for him to move through the Braves system very quickly on his way to a very successful MLB carer warranted nothing happens along the way.
Top Hitting Prospect: Desmond Jennings- The Rays hope Jennings is the answer to fill the LF vacancy left by All-Star Carl Crawford. Jennings may start the season in AAA with the signings of Manny and Damon but look for him to make an impact before 2011 is all said and done.
Prospect to Watch in 2011: Charlie Culberson- I'm digging a bit deeper for this one but Culberson finally showed what he could do with both the glove and the bat last season and looks to put together another solid season in the minors this year to make the jump from average to great prospect going into 2012.

Diamondbacks Total Score: 41 ( B+ B 7 B- 8)

Outlook: The Diamondbacks have an interesting farm system in that when you first look at it you may not think that it is all that great based on the fact that it lacks top elite prospects, but if you look deeper the D-Backs GM has done an amazing job acquiring several B and B- prospects to help put together one of the best farms in our league. Jarred Parker remains a prospect to watch, while injuries forced him to take a step back in 2011 he is still a very special pitcher when healthy, look for a solid bounce back season from him in 2011. Yasmani Grandal is another name to watch. The power hitting catcher from the Reds system has great hitting abilities though Devin Mesoraco's breakout last year provides a possible roadblock for Grandal in the future. Two more big names the Diamondbacks were able to acquire are third baseman Miguel Sano from the Twins and Right Handed Pitcher Zack Lee from the Dodgers both are more projection calls at this point based on scouting reports and raw skills but something tells me both players have the potential to be great if not elite prospects in the near future.

Top Pitching Prospect: Jarred Parker: If healthy he can be a difference maker at the big league level.
Top Hitting Prospect: Yasmani Grandal: Power, Plate Discipline the only thing he lacks is defense from the catching position but I don't thinks it's enough to warrant a position change. Otherwise everything you could want in a fantasy baseball catching prospect.
Prospect to Watch in 2011: Miguel Sano- How will his skill set translate to hitting in America? Very raw but very, very talented.

Padres Total Score: 20 ( A- 1 B- 7)

Outlook: The Padres were forced to change general managers mid-off season due to a rules violation by the Padres former Gm, he left a mess of both the Padres farm system as well as the major league ball club that the new Padres GM has done a fairly good job fixing up. The minor league system is still on the lower end of the leagues but there is plenty of talent that could boost this system big time as soon as next season.

Top Pitching Prospect: Taijuan Walker- Walker is still very young but has enormous upside. He is definitely someone to watch in 2011 and could move up prospect list very quickly.
Top Hitting Prospect: Manny Machado- Machado is also very young but is already considered by most as the best SS prospect in baseball based on his unbelievable skill set. Earliest I see him making it up is 2013 but he should have a significant impact from the start baring an unforeseen injury or if he fails to translate his skills to the pro's.
Prospect to Watch in 2011: Anthony Gose: Great numbers already last season one more year of that should prove to everyone just how good he is. I think if he can put together another solid season he could be bumped to a B+ going into next season.

Rockies Total Score 18 ( B+ 2 B 2 B- 2)

Outlook: The Rockies dealt a few of their top prospects for major league ready players this year but still have a fairly respectable farm. Tyler Matzek is the most notable pitcher in the farm while Nolan Arenado remains the top hitter. The Rockies also acquired Alex Cobb who could be a major sleeper for 2011 a solid season from him as well as Matzek and Arenado continuing their success could help the Rockies make a stride forward going into next season but i don't see them becoming any kind of force as far as their farm goes for at least 2 years depending what direction they decide to go.

Top Pitching Prospect: Tyler Matzek - Command remains the only question mark with Matzek though if he can get his stuff under control next season he should become a top prospect going forward into 2012.
Top Hitting Prospect: Nolan Arenado- Great hitter should develop more power next season look for him to become a much more recognizable name in 2012.
Prospect to Watch in 2011: Juan Nicasio - Look to see how Nicasio performs in AA this season. Stuff looks good just need more data.

Dodgers Total Score 16 ( B 4 B- 2 )

Outlook: While the Dodgers don't have a lot of depth in their farm they have a few very talented bat's coming up in short stop Dee Gordan first baseman Jerry Sands and Outfielder Trayvon Robinson. All of these players have the potential to make the next step to becoming great prospects.

Top Pitching Prospect: Rubby De La Rosa: if he can prove he's a starter then he could be a successful 4-5 starter
Top Hitting Prospect: Dee Gordan - Great speed and very good hitting ability needs to improve base running skills.
Prospect to Watch in 2011: Great tools one more step forward as far as production and he'll be a very interesting prospect.

[Alex (Nationals GM)]

National League East:

Phillies- Total Score: 45 (3 A- 3 B+ 5 B)

Outlook: The Phillies traded All-Star pitchers Roy Halladay and Cole Hammels and significantly boosted their farm doing so. Freddie Freeman was the center piece in the Roy Halladay deal and he should have a major impact this year. He has proven everything he needs too in the minors all he needs is major league at bats to prove himself. Shelby Miller along with Jaff Dacker came to Philly in the Hammels trade, and the Phillies sent top prospect Dominic Brown to the Rays in exchange for 2B prospect Dustin Ackley and former #1 overall pick Tim Beckham. Overall the Phillies farm is both deep as well as having top prospects who are close if not already major league ready. Look for some of these guys to make impacts soon and other should be great players in the near future.

Top Pitching Prospect- Shelby Miller- Potential future ace. Great stuff could be next All-Star St. Louis pitcher.
Top Hitting Prospect- Freddie Freeman- Finished product potential to be an impact player from day one. All he needs at this point is at bats at the major league level.
Prospect to Watch in 2011- Jarred Cosart- If he can stay healthy he has the potential to be a top prospect going into next season, He has great stuff the only thing that might get in his way would be durability.

Nationals- Total Score: 37 ( A 1 B+ 3 B 4 B- 3)

Outlook: Bryce Harper leads the way and i think everyone knows the talent he has, after him the Nationals have a solid group of prospects with guys like Derek Norris, Brett Jackson and Cris Archer. Jackson and Archer of whom were acquired in the Ryan Zimmerman trade helped boost this system towards the top of the league. Danny Espinosa is a player that will be a starter on the big league club this season and has the ability to make a big impact with good power and moderate speed from a shallow 2nd base position. Looking at the Nationals in a long term stand point there is a lot to look forward to, with Stephan Strausburgh, Bryce Harper, Brett Jackson, Derek Norris and Cris Archer they should be a top contender as soon as 2012 but more likely 2013.

Top Pitching Prospect- Cris Archer - Great season last year going from A+ ball to AA in the Cubs system. Still relatively young at 21 years old.
Top Hitting prospect- Bryce Harper- No explanation needed here, phenomenal skills
Prospect to Watch in 2011- Josh Vitters - Has the tools but has yet to produce to the expectations. Could this be the season he figures it out? if so look for his grade to go up quite a bit heading into 2012.

Marlins- Total Score: 31 ( A- 2 B 1 B- 8)

Outlook: The Marlins have two great prospects up top with Aroldis Chapman and Jacob Turner, after them however there is a bit of a drop. Gary Brown could make an impact this season but lack of pro data as well as a low BB rate in college is enough to warrant some skepticism. The Marlins have plenty of solid prospects but outside of Chapman and Turner none are close to being sure things. All of that said it is still a very good farm system and if a few of those B- prospects turn out good seasons it could become a top ranked system as soon as next season.

Best Pitching Prospect: Aroldis Chapman- Set a record for fastest pitch in his first big league season last year, need i say more? gonna be great whether it's at closer or in the rotation.
Best Hitting Prospect: Gary Brown- Low BB rate is a concern but great speed and great contact ability. Definitely someone to watch in 2011.
Prospect to Watch in 2011: Casey Crosby- If healthy he has the potential to be great. Durability is a huge concern though.

Braves Total Score: 23 ( B+ 1 B 1 B- 8)

Outlook: While every other team decided to sell the Braves decided to go for it this year which took an enormous hit on their farm season going into 2011. Losing top prospects like Freddie Freeman, Julio Teheran, and Mike Minor was a big price to pay but the Braves definitely have to be the favorites to win the division going into 2011.

Best Pitching Prospect: Randall Delgado- Very young but has tons of upside and will be a very successful big league pitcher assuming everything goes accoring to plan.
Best Hitting Prospect: Jarrett Parker- No pro data yet but looks capable of being a very solid major league player with some speed and moderate power.
Prospect to Watch in 2011: Brandon Beachy- Where will he end up he can be a very good reliever or possibly a 3rd or 4th starter in the rotation, should become a lot more clear after this season plays out.

Mets- Total Score 18 ( B+ 1 B 2 B- 4)

Outlook: The Mets have not been a very active team this off-season and there chances now as well as the future are suffering because of it. Wilmer Flores and Jenrry Mejia lead a relatively weak farm system. While Fernando Martinez the once elite prospect faces a almost make or break year in 2011.

Best Pitching Prospect: Jenrry Mejia - Staying healthy a big concern but still has tons of talent.
Best Hitting Prospect: Wilmer Flores- Does he stick at SS? Here's to hoping the Mets don't mess this one up...
Prospect to Watch in 2011: Fernando Martinez- Like I stated in the outlook it seems to be a make or break season for Fernando Martinez but he is certainly young and talented enough to turn it around.

[Alex (Nationals GM)]

National League Central

Pirates Total Score: 25 ( B 3 B- 8 )

Outlook: The Pirates traded their top pitching prospect and the #2 overall pick of last years draft in Jameson Taillon as well as a few other top prospects but still have a fairly strong minor league system as well as the best in the division. Tony Sanchez sits atop and is a very good catching prospect and Rudy Owens remains a very good pitching spec with decent upside. The Pirates have a ton of high upside B- prospects that could turn this system into one of the best in the leagues if everything works out.

Top Pitching Prospect: Rudy Owens - very good season in AA looks to add on to already impressive resume.
Top Hitting Prospect: Tony Sanchez- Could develop into a very good starting catcher.
Prospect to Watch in 2011: Thomas Neal- Started the season very poorly in 2010 but finished strong and is still only one season removed from a 22 HR .337/.431 season.

Reds Total Score: 20 (B+ 3 B- 4)

Outlook: The Reds traded top prospect Aroldis Chapman but still have a very strong core with hitters such as David Mesoraco and Yonder Alonso. Mesoraco had a huge break out campaign last season and looks to add to that going into the 2011 season. Alonso needs to work on hitting lefties and finding playing time at the major league level remains his biggest obstacle.

Best Pitching Prospect: Donnie Joseph- Potential closer in the future.
Best Hitting Prospect: David Mesoraco- Power hitting catcher just needs a bit more time to develop.
Prospect to watch in 2011: Yonder Alonso - Potential trade bait at trade deadline could lead to playing time for another team.

Brewers Total Score: 12 ( B+ 1 B 2 B- 1 )

Outlook: The Brewers made a few trades that weakened their farm most notably the Zach Greinke trade. Brett Lawrie remains however and has all the potential to be the next impact 2nd baseman. The Brewers were also able to acquire Matt Dominguez the Marlins top prospect going into the offseason. Overall the Brewers system lacks depth but has a solid but not spectacular core.

Top Pitching Prospect: Willie Peralta - Good stuff not great but not a lot to choose from.
Top Hitting Prospect Brett Lawrie - Like stated in the outlook has potential and skill set to be the next impact 2nd baseman.
Prospect to Watch in 2011: Carlos Perez - Someone will set themselves apart from the rest of the Blue Jays catching prospects this season and if Perez is able to that he will be a very desirable prospect in 2012.

Astros Total Score: 12 ( B+ 1 B- 4)

Outlook: Jordan Lyles is the only real impact prospect and he should be a solid MLB regular. Probably won't be a ace but a very solid #3 starter seems likely.

Top Pitching Prospect: Jordan Lyles - See Above
Top Hitting Prospect: Delino DeShields - Would put Carlos Santana here but he's technically not a prospect anymore, DeShields is extremely young but has a solid set of skills.
Prospect to Watch in 2011: Austin Wates - Good speed and a very good knowledge of the strike zone as well as a good ability to make contact.

Cubs Total Score 4 ( B- 2 )

Outlook: The Cubs went all in this season and you can see it in their minors. They still have a couple decent arms in Zach Von Rosenberg and Rob Rasmussen as well as a few sleepers lower down in the rankings but overall a fairly poor minor league system for the likely favorites going into 2011.

Top Pitching Prospect: Zach Von Rosenberg- Decent stuff good success should be a solid innings eater at the very least.
Prospect to Watch in 2011: Austin Reed- 12th round pick last season, went on to finish the season with a 2.94 ERA in rookie ball. Good stuff, someone to keep your eye on.

Cardinals Total Score: 2 ( B- 1 )

Outlook: I could be missing someone but if not the Corey Luebke is the only player that fits my scoring criteria. He should be a solid 3-5 starter and could have an impact this season if only a minor impact. Pitching in Petco definitely helps his value though.

Prospect to Watch in 2011: Allen Craig could have an impact if he gets ab's but i think someone would have to go down with an injury for that to happen.

Will post American League Reviews within the next week......