I have to reverse the order. Just going by a recent post naming Red Sox rookies of the year and prospects that almost instantly turned into stars (the following are just some): 60s -- Yaz, Tony C, Lonborg, Rico, Reggie, Boomer; 70s -- Fisk, Lynn, Rice, Evans, Rooster; 80s -- Boggs, Clemens, Hurst, Greenwell, Burks; 90s- Nomar, Tek/Lowe (both emerged from the minors), Val; 00s- Papelbon, Lester, Pedroia, Youk, Ells; teens-- Mookie, Xander, Jackie, Beni, Raffy...
... is that kind of production from the farm system normal for the average big league franchise -- or are Red Sox fans lucky and spoiled?
Before Bloom, at least since the advent of free agency, Boston always sought to improve its chances by keeping homegrown fan favs and supplementing with talented primetime recruits... not just rehab projects and waiver wire pick-ups.