MLB Farm System Grades For Every Team In 2025

Image credit:
Nick Kurtz (left) and Jacob Wilson (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

With the minor league season winding down, Baseball America is shifting into offseason mode—which means Prospect Handbook rankings season is almost here. The best predictor of the future is often a look at the past. So today, we’re grading how every farm system fared in 2025 as we wrap up the book on one season and look ahead to another.

This exercise is not simply a rehash of our 2025 farm system rankings. Those rankings measure the overall state of prospect talent in each organization. Here, the focus is on performance this season, examining how each system delivered this year in terms of MLB graduations, breakouts and also setbacks or injuries.

You can also click through each team name to see that system’s current top 30 prospects. With that framework in place, let’s dive into the grades.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Grade: C

The D-backs added some much-needed depth at the deadline to replenish a system that had gotten much lighter entering 2025. However, their top five prospects entering the season all struggled, missed time with serious injury or took a step back in our rankings. Strong seasons from Ryan Waldschmidt and Slade Caldwell take the sting off, and Tim Tawa’s emergence as a big league contributor was a welcome addition, but Arizona needs to get more out of the top of its system in 2026.

Recent farm system talent rankings:

• 2025 Midseason Rank: 12
• 2025: 22
• 2024: 2
• 2023: 10
• 2022: 17
• 2021: 10
• 2020: 21

Key graduations: C Adrian Del Castillo, UTIL Tim Tawa

Breakouts:OF Slade Caldwell, OF Ryan Waldschmidt, RHP Daniel Eagen

Disappointments/Injuries: SS Jordan Lawlar, 2B Demetrio Crisantes, RHP Yilber Diaz, OF Druw Jones, SS Jansel Luis

Key additions:OF Kayson Cunningham, LHP Kohl Drake, LHP Mitch Bratt, RHP David Hagaman, RHP Ashton Izzi

Athletics

Grade: A+

A’s graduations from their system include the AL all-star starter at shortstop (Jacob Wilson) and the likely AL Rookie of the Year (Nick Kurtz), not to mention one of baseball’s best defensive center fielders (Denzel Clarke) when healthy. Luis Morales and Jack Perkins haven’t graduated from prospect status yet, but look like future rotation pieces, and Gage Jump was one of the minors’ bigger breakout pitching prospects. The cherry on top? Adding one of the game’s best prospects, Leo De Vries, at the deadline, not to mention improvements from pitching prospects across multiple levels.

Recent farm system talent rankings:

• 2025 Midseason Rank: 8
• 2025: 11
• 2024: 25
• 2023: 27
• 2022: 27
• 2021: 29
• 2020: 15

Key graduations: 1B Nick Kurtz, SS Jacob Wilson, OF Denzel Clarke, 3B Max Muncy, RHP J.T. Ginn, SS/2B Darell Hernaiz

Breakouts: LHP Gage Jump, RHP Kade Morris, SS Edgar Montero, LHP Wei-En Lin

Disappointments/Injuries: RHP Mason Barnett, RHP Gunnar Hoglund

Key additions: SS Leo De Vries, LHP Jamie Arnold, RHP Braden Nett, RHP Henry Baez, RHP Eduarniel Nuñez

Atlanta Braves

Grade: C

The Braves deserve credit for graduating Drake Baldwin, and AJ Smith-Shawver looked good too until elbow surgery ended his season. Hurston Waldrep’s second foray in the big leagues has gone much better. But the reservoir wasn’t deep enough to withstand Atlanta’s ineffectiveness and injuries elsewhere on the big league roster. Down deeper, Cam Caminiti, JR Ritchie and Didier Fuentes have all boosted their stock, but the system still lacks in overall firepower and hitting talent.

Recent farm system talent rankings:

• 2025 Midseason Rank: 29
• 2025: 28
• 2024: 26
• 2023: 30
• 2022: 22
• 2021: 6
• 2020: 4

Key graduations: C Drake Baldwin, RHP AJ Smith-Shawver, 3B Nacho Alvarez, RHP Hurston Waldrep

Breakouts: RHP JR Ritchie, RHP Didier Fuentes

Disappointments/Injuries: RHP Drue Hackenberg, C Nicholas Montgomery

Key additions: SS Alex Lodise, SS Tate Southisene, LHP Briggs McKenzie, OF Diego Tornes

Baltimore Orioles

Grade: B-

The Orioles system isn’t what it was two years ago—and they’re still waiting for much in the way of big league contributions from the likes of Coby Mayo and Heston Kjerstad—but it’s better than it was when the season started, thanks in large part to a sizable draft haul and some infusion of talent at the deadline after a disappointing big league season. Massive step forwards from Nate George, Dylan Beavers and Esteban Mejia help offset disappointing years from others in the system with higher pedigree like Vance Honeycutt and Griff O’Ferrall.

Recent farm system talent rankings:

• 2025 Midseason Rank: 11
• 2025: 17
• 2024: 1
• 2023: 1
• 2022: 4
• 2021: 7
• 2020: 12

Key graduations: 3B Coby Mayo, OF Heston Kjerstad, OF Jeremiah Jackson

Breakouts: OF Nate George, OF Dylan Beavers, RHP Esteban Mejia, RHP Trey Gibson

Disappointments/Injuries: OF Vance Honeycutt, RHP Chayce McDermott, SS Griff O’Ferrall, RHP Patrick Reilly

Key additions: C/OF Ike Irish, SS Wehiwa Aloy, RHP Juaron Watts-Brown, LHP Boston Bateman, C Caden Bodine

Boston Red Sox

Grade: A-

Even if Boston’s preseason holy trinity didn’t quite live up to expectations in year one because of injury (Marcelo Mayer) and drop in performance (Kristian Campbell), Roman Anthony looks every bit a future star and Carlos Narvaez came out of relative obscurity to become its starting catcher. Payton Tolle made such a massive leap he’s now pitching big league innings for a team in a playoff race, and Connelly Early wasn’t far behind. A team with better depth (or health) might’ve preferred to not put Tolle and Early in that situation, but it’s a testament to Red Sox player development that they’re ready for a shot.

Recent farm system talent rankings:

• 2025 Midseason Rank: 5
• 2025: 1
• 2024: 13
• 2023: 10
• 2022: 11
• 2021: 21
• 2020: 22

Key graduations: OF Roman Anthony, 2B/OF Kristian Campbell, RHP Hunter Dobbins, RHP Richard Fitts, C Carlos Narvaez

Breakouts: LHP Payton Tolle, OF Jhostynxon Garcia, LHP Connelly Early, LHP Brandon Clarke, 1B Justin Gonzales

Disappointments/Injuries: SS Marcelo Mayer, SS Yoeilin Cespedes, OF Miguel Bleis, RHP Yordanny Monegro

Key additions: RHP Kyson Witherspoon, OF Dorian Soto, RHP Anthony Eyanson, RHP Marcus Phillips

Chicago Cubs

Grade: B-

The Cubs’ system hit more singles than home runs in 2025, and it dropped in our midseason rankings after graduating a pair of Top 100 Prospects, Matt Shaw and Cade Horton, to key big league roles. Jefferson Rojas fared much better in his second try at High-A, though he struggled mightily in Double-A. But it’s mostly the same story for Chicago’s system: It has a fun collection of talent in the upper minors, yet a shallow pool behind it without much in the way of significant risers or fallers this year.

Recent farm system talent rankings:

• 2025 Midseason Rank: 22
• 2025: 15
• 2024: 4
• 2023: 17
• 2022: 15
• 2021: 22
• 2020: 21

Key graduations: 3B Matt Shaw, RHP Cade Horton

Key breakouts: RHP Will Sanders, SS Cristian Hernandez

Disappointments/Injuries: 2B James Triantos, SS Ben Cowles

Key additions: OF Ethan Conrad, OF Kane Kepley, SS Juan Tomas

Chicago White Sox

Grade: B

This was a strange year for the White Sox system. They graduated four of their top eight prospects to productive big league roles, headlined by Colson Montgomery and Kyle Teel. Caleb Bonemer was a lower-level breakout, and both Tanner McDougal and Christian Oppor improved their stock. Shaky seasons from Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith, the team’s top two pitching prospects, and little depth beyond the top 10, take some of the air out of 2025, but it was still overall a positive season.

Recent farm system talent rankings:

• 2025 Midseason Rank: 18
• 2025: 4
• 2024: 18
• 2023: 28
• 2022: 30
• 2021: 20
• 2020: 8

Key graduations: SS Colson Montgomery, RHP Shane Smith, C Kyle Teel, C Edgar Quero, 2B Chase Meidroth, RHP Mike Vasil

Breakouts: SS Caleb Bonemer, RHP Tanner McDougal, LHP Christian Oppor

Disappointments/Injuries: LHP Hagen Smith, RHP Nick Nastrini, RHP Drew Thorpe

Key additions: SS Billy Carlson, OF Jaden Fauske, SS Kyle Lodise

Cincinnati Reds

Grade: C+

When healthy, Chase Burns was as electric as any pitcher in the minors, though a right flexor strain cost him a month of time in the big leagues. It was rough sledding for several of Cincinnati’s other premium pitching prospects because of either injury or ineffectiveness. The good news: Sal Stewart and Hector Rodriguez made big leaps, and both Tyson Lewis and Steele Hall are intriguing at the lower levels.

Recent farm system talent rankings:

• 2025 Midseason Rank: 10
• 2025: 10
• 2024: 11
• 2023: 8
• 2022: 7
• 2021: 18
• 2020: 29

Key graduations: None

Breakouts: 3B Sal Stewart, OF Hector Rodriguez, RHP Stharlin Torres

Disappointments/Injuries: RHP Rhett Lowder, RHP Chase Petty, RHP Ty Floyd

Key additions: SS Steele Hall

Cleveland Guardians

Grade: C-

C.J. Kayfus was a nice surprise, but the Guardians had a hard time keeping their top prospects healthy. Travis Bazzana missed significant time with an oblique injury. The oft-injured Chase DeLauter played in just 42 games. Angel Genao missed two months of the season, and Jaison Chourio never looked quite right after a shoulder injury impacted the start of his season. There’s still plenty of talent here, but we’d like to see it on the field more in 2026.

Recent farm system talent rankings:

• 2025 Midseason Rank: 15
• 2025: 7
• 2024: 19
• 2023: 4
• 2022: 12
• 2021: 11
• 2020: 19

Key graduations: LHP Joey Cantillo

Breakouts: 1B C.J. Kayfus, RHP Braylon Doughty

Disappointments/Injuries: OF Chase DeLauter, OF Jaison Chourio, RHP Daniel Espino

Key additions: RHP Khal Stephen, OF Jace LaViolette

Colorado Rockies

Grade: C+

Broadly speaking, the Rockies’ system accomplished the main objective: Graduate contributors to the majors, though it’s unclear just how impactful those players will end up being in the long run outside of Chase Dollander, who had an ERA of nearly 10.00 in home starts at Coors Field but much better results on the road. Adding Ethan Holliday and getting Charlie Condon back on track are nice boons, too. But for an organization in dire need of a talent infusion, the present ceiling of this system still seems concerningly low.

Recent farm system talent rankings:

• 2025 Midseason Rank: 27
• 2025: 13
• 2024: 23
• 2023: 14
• 2022: 24
• 2021: 25
• 2020: 28

Key graduations: RHP Chase Dollander, SS Ryan Ritter, 2B Adael Amador, 3B Warming Bernabel, RHP Seth Halvorsen

Breakouts: OF Jared Thomas, 3B Kyle Karros, LHP Wellinton Herrera

Disappointments/Injuries: OF Zac Veen, LHP Carson Palmquist, OF Benny Montgomery

Key additions: SS Ethan Holliday, OF Max Belyeu

Detroit Tigers

Grade: A+

The Tigers have one of baseball’s most enviable combinations of talent spread across both the majors and minors. Kevin McGonigle is a contender for BA’s Minor League Player of the Year award, and Max Clark’s season wasn’t too far behind. Josue Briceño and Thayron Liranzo remain in the Top 100. They graduated a productive catcher in Dillon Dingler, and while Jackson Jobe’s elbow surgery is disappointing, there’s a high degree of confidence that he will be a rotation piece when healthy. Throw in a couple breakouts from Troy Melton and Max Anderson and it was quite a year for the Tigers on the farm.

Recent farm system talent rankings:

• 2025 Midseason Rank: 3
• 2025: 2
• 2024: 5
• 2023: 26
• 2022: 6
• 2021: 5
• 2020: 11

Key graduations: RHP Jackson Jobe, C Dillon Dingler, SS Trey Sweeney

Breakouts: RHP Troy Melton, 2B Max Anderson

Disappointments/Injuries: 3B Jace Jung, RHP Owen Hall

Key additions: SS Jordan Yost, OF Cris Rodriguez

Houston Astros

Grade: B

This is a great example of how this exercise diverges from our talent rankings. The Astros have had one of baseball’s weakest systems in terms of overall talent for several years. Yet they keep finding ways to produce players who augment a winning effort, and they really didn’t have any prospects of significant pedigree take a step back this year. Even if you quibble with Cam Smith’s inclusion as a graduate since he never played a minor league game for the Astros, the likes of Jacob Melton and Brice Matthews reached the majors, and Houston still had enough to land Jesús Sanchez at the deadline. Adding high-upside teenagers Xavier Neyens and Kevin Alvarez in 2025 doesn’t hurt, either.

Recent farm system talent rankings:

• 2025 Midseason Rank: 28
• 2025: 29
• 2024: 29
• 2023: 24
• 2022: 28
• 2021: 26
• 2020: 27

Key graduations:OF Cam Smith, RHP Colton Gordon

Breakouts: OF Zach Cole

Disappointments/Injuries:OF Luis Baez, OF Kenedy Corona

Key additions: SS Xavier Neyens, OF Kevin Alvarez

Kansas City Royals

Grade: B+

Big league pitchers have exposed holes in his offensive game, but Jac Caglianone laid waste to minor league competition and surged to the majors—all while learning a new position—which is an encouraging development in such a short amount of time. Carter Jensen has joined him in the majors, and Noah Cameron has also exceeded expectations so far. Elsewhere, the Royals got great returns so far from several lower-level prospects such as David Shields, Yandel Ricardo, Kendry Chourio and Asbel Gonzalez. Even despite Blake Mitchell’s lost season, this is a system in a better place than it was 12 months ago.

Recent farm system talent rankings:

• 2025 Midseason Rank: 24
• 2025: 27
• 2024: 30
• 2023: 29
• 2022: 5
• 2021: 13
• 2020: 18

Key graduations: OF Jac Caglianone, LHP Noah Cameron

Breakouts: SS Yandel Ricardo, RHP Kendry Chourio, OF Asbel Gonzalez

Disappointments/Injuries: C Blake Mitchell, RHP Chandler Champlain, OF Gavin Cross

Key additions: SS Sean Gamble, SS Josh Hammond

Los Angeles Angels

Grade: C

There are some positives here. Adding Tyler Bremner was a win, and so are resurgent seasons from Nelson Rada and Denzer Guzman, not to mention Gabriel Davalillo’s impressive start to his pro career. But several of the Angels’ Top 100 types entering the season (Christian Moore, Caden Dana, Sam Aldegheri) struggled for long stretches, and there’s plenty of skepticism there’s enough talent within proximity of the majors to fundamentally alter the fortunes of the big league club any time soon.

Recent farm system talent rankings:

• 2025 Midseason Rank: 25
• 2025: 30
• 2024: 28
• 2023: 25
• 2022: 29
• 2021: 23
• 2020: 16

Key graduations: OF Kyren Paris, RHP Jose Fermin

Breakouts: C Gabriel Davalillo

Disappointments/Injuries: 2B Christian Moore, LHP Sam Aldegheri

Key additions: RHP Tyler Bremner

Los Angeles Dodgers

Grade: C+

For all the Dodgers’ player development success, this hasn’t been the smoothest season for more reasons than just Roki Sasaki’s alarming start to his Dodgers career. Dalton Rushing and Alex Freeland are part-time players and haven’t graduated. The outfield depth remains a strength. Unlocking one-time potential first-rounder Mike Sirota, who is now a Top 100 Prospect, is a major win, and Josue De Paula looks like a force, and his running mate Zyhir Hope is similarly ranked although he has some contact questions to answer. Eduardo Quintero had a banner season as well. But the pitching depth at the top of the Dodgers’ Top 30, at least for now, is a bit lighter than usual.

Recent farm system talent rankings:

• 2025 Midseason Rank: 7
• 2025: 3
• 2024: 9
• 2023: 3
• 2022: 8
• 2021: 9
• 2020: 3

Key graduations: 2B Hyesong Kim, LHP Jack Dreyer, LHP Justin Wrobleski, RHP Ben Casparius

Breakouts: OF Mike Sirota, RHP Patrick Copen

Disappointments/Injuries: RHP Roki Sasaki

Key additions: 3B Chase Harlan

Miami Marlins

Grade: A

Given where they started, 2025 was a smashing success across the board. The Marlins system graduated a handful of big leaguers who are at least useful pieces on a team that exceeded expectations. And more premium talent is on the way. Both Thomas White and Robby Snelling surged up the Top 100. On the other end of the spectrum, there’s a cavalcade of hard-throwing teenage arms just entering pro ball worth following. And in between? They used the draft to supplement a glaring weakness by adding several college bats. Even despite Starlyn Caba’s disappointing season, a lot went right for Miami down on the farm this year.

Recent farm system talent rankings:

• 2025 Midseason Rank: 13
• 2025: 21
• 2024: 27
• 2023: 20
• 2022: 20
• 2021: 10
• 2020: 9

Key graduations: C Agustin Ramirez, OF Jakob Marsee, C Liam Hicks, OF Heriberto Hernandez, RHP Adam Mazur, 3B Graham Pauley, 3B Javier Sanoja

Breakouts: LHP Robby Snelling, C Joe Mack, OF Kemp Alderman, LHP Kifraidy Encarnacion

Disappointments/Injuries: SS Starlyn Caba, RHP Noble Meyer

Key additions: SS Aiva Arquette, RHP Kevin Defrank, OF Cam Cannarella, OF Brandon Compton

Milwaukee Brewers

Grade: A+

There’s an argument that the Brewers are the best team in baseball at two key things: Identifying overlooked talent, and then continuing to develop them even once they reach the majors. Isaac Collins and Chad Patrick stand out as two great prospect-eligible examples from this season. Of course, Jacob Misiorowski’s enhanced strike-throwing unlocked another level this year, and Luis Peña emerged as every bit the running mate alongside prized shortstop Jesús Made. The Brewers have the best record in the National League and enough talent spread out across the farm to ensure this run can continue in the years to come.

Recent farm system talent rankings:

• 2025 Midseason Rank: 1
• 2025: 9
• 2024: 2
• 2023: 13
• 2022: 25
• 2021: 28
• 2020: 30

Key graduations: RHP Jacob Misiorowski, 3B Caleb Durbin, OF Isaac Collins, RHP Chad Patrick

Breakouts: SS Luis Peña, RHP Logan Henderson, C Margo Dinges

Disappointments/Injuries: C Jeferson Quero, 1B/3B Tyler Black

Key additions: 3B/1B Andrew Fischer, SS Brady Ebel

Minnesota Twins

Grade: B+

For the most part, this was a good season for the Twins farm system. They graduated a quite productive big leaguer in Luke Keaschall. They are way deeper after their deadline teardown, which netted a Top 100 Prospect (Eduardo Tait) and others like Mick Abel and Alan Roden who could impact the majors in short order. Most of Minnesota’s top-ranked prospects were productive. But injuries were once again an inhibitor for both Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez, and there aren’t a ton of true breakouts in the system either, which keeps it from being an exceptional season.

Recent farm system talent rankings:

• 2025 Midseason Rank: 4
• 2025: 8
• 2024: 14
• 2023: 21
• 2022: 14
• 2021: 8
• 2020: 7

Key graduations: 2B Luke Keaschall, RHP Zebby Matthews

Breakouts: OF Gabriel Gonzalez

Disappointments/Injuries: OF Emmanuel Rodriguez, 3B Billy Amick, OF Eduardo Beltre

Key additions: C Eduardo Tait, RHP Mick Abel, LHP Kendry Rojas, SS Marek Houston, OF Alan Roden

New York Mets

Grade: A

The Mets’ system took a remarkable step forward in 2025. Nolan McLean, Jonah Tong and Brandon Sproat are now all trusted rotation options for a team trying to stay afloat in the NL playoff race. Carson Benge surged up the Top 100, and A.J. Ewing performed like a player who isn’t far off. Scouts are bullish on the depth of the system as well. Their veterans will dictate their fate for 2025, but the Mets seemed well-positioned to sustain their success after a number of breakthroughs this season.

Recent farm system talent rankings:

• 2025 Midseason Rank: 9
• 2025: 12
• 2024: 8
• 2023: 5
• 2022: 16
• 2021: 19
• 2020: 25

Key graduations: 2B Luisangel Acuña, INF Ronny Mauricio

Breakouts: RHP Nolan McLean, RHP Jonah Tong, OF Carson Benge, 3B Jacob Reimer, OF A.J. Ewing, RHP Jack Wenninger

Disappointments/Injuries: SS Boston Baro, SS Elian Peña

Key additions: 2B Mitch Voit

New York Yankees

Grade: B+

When it comes to pitching, the Yankees had quite a successful year. Their system graduated two starters to the big league rotation and Cam Schlittler, who cracked the Top 100 and looks like someone they can trust in a playoff series. Their minor league pitching outlook is brighter after Carlos Lagrange and Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz took steps forward this year and now lead a pack of intriguing arms concentrated in Double-A and High-A. Hitting was a bit more of a struggle. Outside of George Lombard Jr. and the ever-polarizing Spencer Jones, it’s hard to find many bats who took a meaningful step forward, though the early returns on Dax Kilby are worth monitoring.

Recent farm system talent rankings:

• 2025 Midseason Rank: 17
• 2025: 25
• 2024: 10
• 2023: 16
• 2022: 13
• 2021: 16
• 2020: 17

Key graduations: OF Jasson Dominguez, RHP Will Warren, RHP Cam Schlittler

Breakouts: RHP Carlos Lagrange, RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz

Disappointments/Injuries: SS Roderick Arias, RHP Chase Hampton, LHP Henry Lalane

Key additions: SS Dax Kilby

Philadelphia Phillies

Grade: B-

The Phillies system mostly held steady in 2025, though it’s a bit of a disappointment neither Andrew Painter nor Justin Crawford got a big league look (at least so far) in September. Losing Eduardo Tait and Mick Abel certainly hurts in the world of farm system rankings–it won’t if Jhoan Duran solidifies a deep run through October. The breakout of hitterish Aroon Escobar certainly helps as well. Overall, Philadelphia neither significantly heightened nor lowered the floor of its system this year.

Recent farm system talent rankings:

• 2025 Midseason Rank: 19
• 2025: 20
• 2024: 21
• 2023: 19
• 2022: 23
• 2021: 27
• 2020: 26

Key graduations: 3B Otto Kemp

Breakouts: 2B Aroon Escobar, OF John Spikerman

Disappointments/Injuries: RHP Moises Chace

Key additions: RHP Gage Wood, RHP Cody Bowker

Pittsburgh Pirates

Grade: A

Konnor Griffin’s ascension to the top prospect in the sport is a franchise-altering type development, and a major win for Pittsburgh’s hitting development program. So too is the breakout of Edward Florentino, who looks like a burgeoning star in the lower levels. As they typically do, the Pirates also graduated multiple contributors to the pitching staff. It wasn’t perfect. Bubba Chandler’s bumpy season and disappointing years for prominent names like Nick Yorke and Anthony Solometo stand out. But that mostly pales in comparison to the highs for Pittsburgh on the farm this year.

Recent farm system talent rankings:

• 2025 Midseason Rank: 2
• 2025: 16
• 2024: 12
• 2023: 11
• 2022: 3
• 2021: 15
• 2020: 24

Key graduations: RHP Braxton Ashcraft, RHP Mike Burrows

Breakouts: SS Konnor Griffin, OF Edward Florentino, LHP Hunter Barco, RHP Antwone Kelly, RHP Wilber Dotel

Disappointments/Injuries: 2B Nick Yorke, RHP Zander Mueth, 3B Jhonny Severino, OF Billy Cook, LHP Anthony Solometo

Key additions: C Rafael Flores, SS Sammy Stafura, C Edgleen Perez

St. Louis Cardinals

Grade: B

Chaim Bloom is quietly planting the seeds for a system that may start to—yes, you guessed it–bloom in 2026 and beyond. JJ Wetherholt has ascended to one of the game’s finest prospects, and Rainiel Rodriguez is now a Top 100 Prospect with plenty of thump in the lower minors. Reversing the slide of outfielder Joshua Baez is a huge win, too, and adding potential quick-moving fireballer Liam Doyle gives the Cardinals a new high-end arm to work with. Injuries to Tink Hence and Tekoah Roby hurt, but the Cardinals system is trending in the right direction.

Recent farm system talent rankings:

• 2025 Midseason Rank: 14
• 2025: 18
• 2024: 20
• 2023: 9
• 2022: 18
• 2021: 12
• 2020: 14

Key graduations: 2B Thomas Saggese, RHP Michael McGreevy

Breakouts: C Rainiel Rodriguez, OF Joshua Baez, OF Nathan Church, LHP Ixan Henderson

Disappointments/Injuries: RHP Tink Hence, OF Chase Davis, RHP Tekoah Roby

Key additions: LHP Liam Doyle, 3B Jesus Baez, OF Ryan Mitchell

San Diego Padres

Grade: D

This is by far the lightest farm system in baseball after it was vaporized at the trade deadline in pursuit of a World Series. The Padres also didn’t graduate much to the majors in terms of productivity, and Ethan Salas lost most of the year to a back injury. On the bright side: Miguel Mendez surged up the list after breaking out in the lower minors, and adding both Kruz Schoolcraft and Jorge Quintana in July will only help as the Padres begin to rebuild their system.

Recent farm system talent rankings:

• 2025 Midseason Rank: 30
• 2025: 26
• 2024: 6
• 2023: 23
• 2022: 21
• 2021: 3
• 2020: 2

Key graduations: OF Bryce Johnson

Breakouts: RHP Miguel Mendez

Disappointments/Injuries: C Ethan Salas

Key additions: LHP Kruz Schoolcraft, SS Jorge Quintana

San Francisco Giants

Grade: B+

The future is bright on the farm in San Francisco after an encouraging 2025 that included varying levels of breakouts up and down the system. Josuar Gonzalez leapt onto the Top 100, as did outfielder Bo Davidson, the club stockpiled arrow-up talents in Low-A San Jose by the end of the year, and it even used a key piece from the system (James Tibbs) to help land Rafael Devers. The only thing keeping them from an exceptional grade? Bryce Eldridge missed some time with two separate injuries, the club didn’t graduate much in terms of production and the majority of the Giants’ highest upside remains a ways away.

Recent farm system talent rankings:

• 2025 Midseason Rank: 16
• 2025: 24
• 2024: 22
• 2023: 18
• 2022: 17
• 2021: 14
• 2020: 13

Key graduations: None

Breakouts: SS Josuar Gonzalez, OF Bo Davidson, SS Jhonny Level, RHP Argenis Cayama, LHP Jacob Bresnahan

Disappointments/Injuries: OF Marco Luciano, RHP Mason Black, OF Rayner Arias

Key additions: SS Gavin Kilen, RHP Blade Tidwell, OF Drew Gilbert, 3B Parks Harber

Seattle Mariners

Grade: B+

The Mariners entered 2025 with a top-heavy system that had the most Top 100 Prospects in baseball and they’ll exit 2025 with…a top-heavy system that has the most Top 100 Prospects in baseball, even after graduating Cole Young to their everyday second base job. Nearly all of Seattle’s top prospects had productive seasons and the addition of Kade Anderson gives them another potential quick-moving college arm to work with. There aren’t many breakouts here–and the depth drops off pretty quickly–but not many prospects took drastic steps back, either.

Recent farm system talent rankings:

• 2025 Midseason Rank: 6
• 2025: 5
• 2024: 16
• 2023: 22
• 2022: 1
• 2021: 2
• 2020: 5

Key graduations: 2B Cole Young, RHP Logan Evans, 3B Ben Williamson

Breakouts: RHP Blas Castano

Disappointments/Injuries: RHP Troy Taylor

Key additions: LHP Kade Anderson, OF Yorger Bautista, C Luke Stevenson

Tampa Bay Rays

Grade: C-

Annually a staple at the top of our farm system rankings, this is the lightest the Rays system has been in years, especially after several key prospects and Top 100 types struggled with either injury or underperformance in 2025. There are certainly some success stories. Theo Gillen ascended to Top 100 status, and Brody Hopkins and T.J. Nichols made massive leaps. The Rays also got some unexpected contributions from Jake Mangum in the majors. But just as many players took steps backward, leading to an uneven year in Tampa Bay.

Recent farm system talent rankings:

• 2025 Midseason Rank: 20
• 2025: 6
• 2024: 7
• 2023: 6
• 2022: 2
• 2021: 1
• 2020: 1

Key graduations: OF Chandler Simpson, OF Jake Mangum, OF Kameron Misner, LHP Mason Montgomery

Breakouts: OF Theo Gillen, RHP Brody Hopkins, RHP T.J. Nichols

Disappointments/Injuries: 3B Brayden Taylor, 1B Xavier Isaac, 1B Tre’ Morgan, RHP Gary Gill Hill

Key additions: SS Daniel Pierce, OF Brendan Summerhill

Texas Rangers

Grade: C-

The Rangers system graduated a pair of high-profile righties in Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter, though Leiter has surprisingly been the far more impactful big leaguer this season. He’s one of the few bright spots for Rangers pitching within proximity of the majors, which was otherwise ravaged by injuries, though the emergence of David Davalillo and Caden Scarborough deeper down helps. Outside of Sebastian Walcott, there aren’t a ton of upper-level bats with the arrow pointing up at the moment either.

Recent farm system talent rankings:

• 2025 Midseason Rank: 26
• 2025: 19
• 2024: 3
• 2023: 12
• 2022: 9
• 2021: 24
• 2020: 20

Key graduations: RHP Jack Leiter, RHP Kumar Rocker

Breakouts: RHP David Davalillo, RHP Caden Scarborough

Disappointments/Injuries: RHP Alejandro Rosario, RHP Emiliano Teodo, RHP Winston Santos, C Malcolm Moore, OF Dylan Dreiling

Key additions: SS Gavin Fien, RHP A.J. Russell, TWP Josh Owens

Toronto Blue Jays

Grade: B+

Between Trey Yesavage’s stellar season and the breakouts of Johnny King and Gage Stanifer–not to mention dealing multiple other strong performers for help at the deadline–few pitching development programs had a better year than Toronto’s. There are some lows: Ricky Tiedemann’s latest return has slowed, designating Orelvis Martinez for assignment stings and Arjun Nimmala’s bumpy second half took some of the air out of his early surge in Vancouver. Altogether, though, this is a system on the upswing.

Recent farm system talent rankings:

• 2025 Midseason Rank: 23
• 2025: 23
• 2024: 24
• 2023: 15
• 2022: 19
• 2021: 4
• 2020: 6

Key graduations: None

Breakouts: LHP Johnny King, RHP Gage Stanifer, OF Victor Arias, OF Yohendrick Pinango

Disappointments/Injuries: LHP Ricky Tiedemann, 2B Orelvis Martinez, RHP Jake Bloss, SS Josh Kasevich, RHP Landen Maroudis

Key additions: SS JoJo Parker, SS Juan Sanchez

Washington Nationals

Grade: C-

The Nationals graduated the likes of Dylan Crews, Brady House and Daylen Lile to the majors, though only Lile has really settled in as a notable contributor. Scouts also had lukewarm feedback on two prominent 2024 picks, Seaver King and Caleb Lomavita, in their first pro season, and surgeries for Travis Sykora (elbow) and Jarlin Susana (lat) are additional dampers. Adding the No. 1 pick in the draft in Eli Willits certainly helps, but the Nats need more wins in 2026.

Recent farm system talent rankings:

• 2025 Midseason Rank: 21
• 2025: 14
• 2024: 15
• 2023: 7
• 2022: 26
• 2021: 30
• 2020: 23

Key graduations: OF Dylan Crews, 3B Brady House, OF Daylen Lile, OF Robert Hassell III, RHP Brad Lord, RHP Cade Cavalli

Breakouts: SS Luke Dickerson

Disappointments/Injuries: RHP Travis Sykora, RHP Jarlin Susana, SS Seaver King, 3B Cayden Wallace, C Kevin Bazzell

Key additions: SS Eli Willits, OF Ethan Petry, SS Coy James, RHP Landon Harmon, RHP Eriq Swan