Farm System Rankings Based Off John Sickels' Grades

This work was done by a member at MinorLeagueBall - Dougdirt.

It's a very in depth and analytic look at farm systems rankings based on John Sickels' grading scale and a weighted value based on work by Victor Wang.

It gives, what I think, is a very interesting view into the balance of hitting and pitching among minor league clubs. The work places the Cubs at #17 in terms of farm system, which feels about right to me.

The one issue I see with the work is it is impossible to differentiate a high ceiling C+ prospect from an organization C+ guy, which would effect all clubs, but not likely equally. It should be noted this is only based on the top 20-25 prospects in each system.

4 months ago bdlugz 15 comments 0 recs |

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Interesting.

Thanks for posting this.

by Ryno G on Jan 20, 2012 11:08 AM CST reply actions

Interesting stuff.

I think it is worth noting / lamenting that the Cubs have the third lowest value for pitchers, ahead of only San Fran and Houston.

On the flipside, they rank 9th for hitters… if I counted correctly.

"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."

by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST

by fsuapollo on Jan 20, 2012 12:24 PM CST reply actions

The advantage is, that scale doesn't take into account the higher upside arms in the system at low levels.

A lot of those guys in Boise/Peoria might change from a C+ to a B- or B with good years. a C+ with a high ceiling is weighted the same as a C+ that is likely organizational filler, which makes it difficult to judge.

by bdlugz on Jan 20, 2012 2:21 PM CST up reply actions

where they stand right now

This seems accurate to me. The highest quality near-ready arm is McNutt and he is a gigantic question mark. There’s really nothing of value in terms of starters in the higher levels.

Come on Lisa, I'm trying to impress people here. You don't win friends with salad. ~ Homer J. Simpson

by TheBeerBaron on Jan 21, 2012 8:33 AM CST up reply actions

McNutt is definitely a question mark, and he's the best potential rotation arm we have.

That’s pathetic.

We need a great rebound season from Hayden Simpson to improve our outlook.

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)

by SackMan on Jan 21, 2012 12:59 PM CST up reply actions

There are definitely some interesting arms to follow this year - we might see a major uptick in our pitching depth for 2013.

by bdlugz on Jan 21, 2012 3:35 PM CST up reply actions

"Might" is the key word.

Overall I’m not too excited about the pitching in the minors.

John Grabow - Who will pay you $4.8 million in 2012?

by rlpete on Jan 21, 2012 4:01 PM CST up reply actions

Of course it's not a guarantee...

But there are a pretty solid amount of high upside arms in the lower minors. Boise and Peoria will be a lot of fun to watch.

by bdlugz on Jan 21, 2012 6:02 PM CST up reply actions

We need a breakout year from Ben Wells.

by Dcr18 on Jan 21, 2012 9:49 PM CST up reply actions

Ben Wells is one...

As are Maples and McNutt. Then you’ve got a lot of the 2nd tier like Rhee, Beeler, Whitenack, Cates, Kirk, etc.

by bdlugz on Jan 22, 2012 9:37 AM CST up reply actions

Yeah, a few of these guys could read B status

which would make a huge difference in the overall rankings. Actually, I expect a regression to the mean for many of our minor leaguers, which implies our pitching will look a little better, while some of the hitters will be exposed at higher levels or once we see them play a full season (Lake, Baez, Szczur).

by cubzfan on Jan 22, 2012 9:50 AM CST up reply actions

EDIT: "reach" not "read"

by cubzfan on Jan 22, 2012 9:50 AM CST up reply actions

What is there to "expose" with Baez yet?

He’s had 18 professional ABs.

Unless he completely bombs in 2012, I wouldn’t think his prospect ranking would fall at all.

Lake I definitely see as a regression candidate. I was/am kind of hoping they can deal him “high”.

Szczur is really interesting since he did so well in Peoria and then struggled in Daytona. His second full season of baseball will be really, really important to his development.

"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."

by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST

by fsuapollo on Jan 22, 2012 3:27 PM CST up reply actions

I think Szczur just kind of wore out...

I was encouraged that he had a great playoffs to end the year. Showed that he can make a difference even when he hadn’t in the regular season.

by bdlugz on Jan 22, 2012 5:28 PM CST up reply actions

Totally agree.

He’ll have some ups and downs as he continues to learn about the day to day stile of baseball. But now that he’s seen it, he should be much more prepared.

I could see him playing well and pushing for a jump to Tennessee.

"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."

by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST

by fsuapollo on Jan 22, 2012 10:32 PM CST up reply actions