Depleted farm? It was still top 10 according to Baseball America.
9. BOSTON RED SOX
2011 RANK: 17. 2010 RANK: 5.
IMPACT TALENT: The most impressive Red Sox prospects are position players who haven't yet proven themselves at higher levels: 3B Will Middlebrooks, SS Xander Bogaerts and C Blake Swihart. Most of their top minor league pitchers regressed in 2011, though the organization was happy with the progress made by RHP Anthony Ranaudo.
DEPTH: No large-revenue team has invested as much in the draft as Boston, which spent $44.1 million on bonuses from 2007-11. The new draft spending limitations that go into effect this year may hurt the Sox more than any other club, as almost all of their best prospects (Middlebrooks, Swihart, Ranaudo, OF Brandon Jacobs, 3B Garin Cecchini, RHP Matt Barnes, OF Jackie Bradley) were over-slot draft signings.
2012 ROOKIES: C Ryan Lavarnway has nothing left to prove offensively in Triple-A but no clear path to playing time in Boston. SS Jose Iglesias could take over as a starter as soon as he shows he can handle quality pitching, which he has yet to do. RHP Alex Wilson could give a reworked bullpen a boost.