Where does the Sox's minor league sytems ranks?

[scaffolds]

There isn't any question that the talent in the Sox system has improved considerable in the last three, but is the program where it needs to be? the answer is NO, no yet, the Sox system should be ranked somewhere 10-12 this Winter with the strongest point been in depth and its weakest lack of super star or elite prospects.

[jsinger121]

Being ranked 10-12 is pretty damn solid considering the graduations of Paplebon, Lester, Hansen, Delcarmen and the trades they made of some of their prospects.

[Cityofchampions33]

Yeah, it does show our depth beyond Paps n Lester. I mean, and Buchholz should only bring us higehr

[jsinger121]

The talent is there. Its just not above High A ball outside of Ellsbury and Pedroia.

[CrespoBlows]

I'd say 15-18. I want to see Buchholtz and Bowden adapt to higher levels, before calling them stars.

[scaffolds]

A 15-18 ranking its way too low, the Sox's elite prospect are Ellsbury and Buchholz with Bowden in the outside, however Dustin Pedroia isn't very highly ranked by the evaluators, for sure not as highly as the Red Sox fans do.

[guapo34]

If you can divide this ranking up then the most important category, talent graduated this year, they're a top 10 team. The 2 least important categories, new talent added and talent below AA they're top 10. They're top 3 in new talent added I believe. I don't know enough about other teams below AA but I'd guess they're top 5 even there. The second most important category, talent above A ball they're a bottom 10 team. In a year that should improve. I think they're doing a pretty good job with the farm system.

[CrespoBlows]

A 15-18 ranking its way too low' date=' the Sox's elite prospect are Ellsbury and Buchholz with Bowden in the outside, however Dustin Pedroia isn't very highly ranked by the evaluators, for sure not as highly as the Red Sox fans do.[/quote']

 

I'd rank them higher, but I'd like to see what Buchholtz, Masterson, and Bowden can do during the first two months. If they pitch well, I'd place the ranking around 10.

[a700hitter]

Being ranked 10-12 is pretty damn solid considering the graduations of Paplebon' date=' Lester, Hansen, Delcarmen and the trades they made of some of their prospects.[/quote']We've brought up one star and traded another. The other players are strictly on the margins. I see no impact guys on the horizon from the system for two to three years minimum.

[telcomannj]

I could have sworn that last year, BA had our minor league organization ranked number 8. IF that was true, then how did we manage to only rate a 10-12 ranking this year?

[ORS]

10-12 isn't the BA ranking, it's the musings of the members of the board. That said, expect our ranking to drop because they graduated Papelbon, Lester, Hansen, MDC and traded Anibal, Hanley, Shoppach, and Marte (who all contributed to last year's ranking).

[guapo34]

I could have sworn that last year' date=' BA had our minor league organization ranked number 8. IF that was true, then how did we manage to only rate a 10-12 ranking this year?[/quote']

 

Because when that rating came out Jon Lester, Jonathan Pappelbon, Craig Hansen, Manny Delcarmen, and possibly Hanley Ramirez and Andy Marte were all in our minor league system. I don't think Marte was but I do think Hanley was, but I could have the timeline wrong. Hansen was thought to be a future closer, which he still might be but is looking like less of a sure thing, and Lester was thought to be a #2-#3. Obviously Pedroia and Elsbury were part of those rankings too and they are still there, but thats alot of talent to promote/trade.

 

edit: I forgot Anibel Sanchez too.

[riverside sluggers]

Because when that rating came out Jon Lester, Jonathan Pappelbon, Craig Hansen, Manny Delcarmen, and possibly Hanley Ramirez and Andy Marte were all in our minor league system. I don't think Marte was but I do think Hanley was, but I could have the timeline wrong. Hansen was thought to be a future closer, which he still might be but is looking like less of a sure thing, and Lester was thought to be a #2-#3. Obviously Pedroia and Elsbury were part of those rankings too and they are still there, but thats alot of talent to promote/trade.

 

edit: I forgot Anibel Sanchez too.

 

Marte was only technically in the system from mid December to late January/early February when he was sent to Cleveland

[jsinger121]

Marte was only technically in the system from mid December to late January/early February when he was sent to Cleveland

 

Yes but BA did include him in the Sox rankings.

[scaffolds]

BA ranked the Sox system #7 last Winter, the 10-12 ranking is what i expect the Sox to be ranked after ML promotions, trades and new signings.

 

The Sox only have three position players that could be POTENTIALLY considered to be 5 tool players and they are Luis Soto, Jason Place and Moises Santa, a fourth one Luis Sumoza one day might, but as one of the youngest player in the system he isn't in that group yet.

 

In the power department Claudio Arias is the top power hitter in the system and not one else is close to him in this department, however his issues with strike outs and injuries haven't improved. The 2007 season, Arias sixth as a minor leaguer will be his most important in his baseball carreer and most likely in Portland. Chris Turner will be next in line power wise, but like Arias has issues withe strike outs.Aaron Bates and Jon Egan are players to keep an eye on in 07 specially Bates if he plays in the California league like its expected, but the future power hitters in the Sox system haven't play a game as profesionals, i am talking about Lars Anderson, Tyler Weedem and Angel Beltre.

 

When you are the #1 prospect in the system and a position player you're expected to be also the best pure hitter, but that isn't the case with Jacoby Ellsbury. Ellsbury is the #1 prospect becasue of the combination package of hitting, speed and defense. The best pure hitters are Carlos Fernandez and Ryan Kalish with Yahmed Yema not too far off and Manuel Arrambaris and Chih-Hsien Chiang in the near future.

 

The Sox's only #1 type in a pitching rotation prospect is Daniel Bard with Buchholz and Bowden more likely to be #2 types and with Felix Doubront and Caleb Clay not far off them, but in the future.

 

The Sox prospects as relievers looks strong and promosing with potential closers like Bryson Cox and Miguel Socolovitch and set ups like Edgar Martinez, Kyle Jackson and Justin Masterson with Dustin Richardson been a left handed reliever to keep an eye on.

[jsinger121]

Jim Callis has gone on record as saying he is putting Lars Anderson at #5 when the Sox top 30 come out.

[Cocos Disciples]

BA (or at least the BA Prospect Handbook) ranked the Sox #8 AFTER they dealt Hanley and Anibal. But Marte was in the rankings and #1. I'd say around 11-13.

[Ray10]

Sox still have the best minor league system as far as I'm concerned I mean common you have guys like Pauley, Ellisbury, Spann, Brown and I can't wait to see guys like Kotarras and Josh Papelbon play. One thing that was dissapoting though was seeing the Sox send Stern to Baltimore for Javy Lopez yes I understand the Stern was injured and struggling alot but I still like the guy and I had faith that he was gonna turn it all around eventually. But still now the one guy im looking forward to seeing play is Kotarras. Is Kotarras going to be playign for Pawtucket next year or will he still be with the Portland Sea Dogs.?

[AZBlue]

Scaf, thanks for your assessment of several of the top players in the system. I'm excited about Bard. I don't remember seeing a pitcher with his velocity who has such an easy motion.

[jsinger121]

Sox still have the best minor league system as far as I'm concerned I mean common you have guys like Pauley' date=' Ellisbury, Spann, Brown and I can't wait to see guys like Kotarras and Josh Papelbon play. One thing that was dissapoting though was seeing the Sox send Stern to Baltimore for Javy Lopez yes I understand the Stern was injured and struggling alot but I still like the guy and I had faith that he was gonna turn it all around eventually. But still now the one guy im looking forward to seeing play is Kotarras. Is Kotarras going to be playign for Pawtucket next year or will he still be with the Portland Sea Dogs.?[/quote']

 

If the sox are relying on prospects like pauley, brown and even josh papelbon then they are in trouble. The Red Sox are far from the best farm system as I would take a hell of a lot more teams than boston. Arizona and the LAD are 2 that come to mind. At least when you try to say we have the best farm system at least try to back it up with some quality prospects. The guys like bowden, buchholz, bard, cox, anderson would have helped your case a bit more over the pauley, brown and even josh papelbon types.

[jacksonianmarch]

I think the sox farm system has taken a major hit recently. You have the guys who have graduated to the majors and the multiple bad deals that sent top talent away. A lot of the rankings are not just based on the future of the players, but how close they actually are. The sox have one big prospect in the near future, with Ellsbury likely to come up in 2 yrs. Other than that, there isnt anything coming down the pike for next season unless the sox wish to overmatch the young catching prospect. Their farm will drop like a rock in the rating.

[scaffolds]

Ray10; Talking about Josh Papelbon as a prospect has to be a joke, you can't be serious about it and to a lesser extend Pauley and Brown.

 

Jackson; i disagree on both point, when an organization minor league system gets rank how soon the prospect will get to the big leagues isn't as important as the quality of the prospect. The Sox minor league system ranking will drop this off season compare to last year, but the drop will be a sight one.

[scaffolds]

According to my sources BA is going to rank the Sox minor league system as the #11 among the 30 teams. If you read the tops post of this thread we rank them 10-12.

[Cocos Disciples]

Nice, I called 11-13!

[jacksonianmarch]

I heard #11 too.