There's a new No. 1 in farm system rankings

It¡¯s time to crown a new king.

After a three-year run for the Orioles atop our preseason farm system rankings, they¡¯ve stepped off the throne, making way for the Tigers. The O¡¯s had slipped from the top spot in our 2024 midseason rankings as they¡¯d graduated a number of prospects to the big leagues, and they're now in the middle of the pack, a testament to just how hard it is to compete annually and maintain a top-level system. Now it¡¯s time to see how long the Tigers, with their six Top 100 prospects and deep stable of hitters, can stay atop our farm system rankings.

Two of the teams in our top five have managed to do just that. The Rays could have easily landed at No. 1 since they continually find talent via the Draft, internationally and in shrewd trades. The Dodgers always seem to land near the top of this list -- this is their seventh straight top 10 placement (covering preseason and midseason rankings).

Rounding out the top five are the Red Sox, still very highly regarded even after trading Kyle Teel and Braden Montgomery to the White Sox in the Garret Crochet deal, and the rapidly rising Mariners with their seven Top 100 bats.

Dig in to our new farm system rankings, and as it¡¯s often said, this is a list that makes one team and its fans happy and leaves 29 others with questions. Enjoy!

1. Detroit Tigers
2024 midseason rank: 6
2024 preseason rank: 5
2023 midseason rank: 13
2023 preseason rank: 25

Top 100 prospects: Jackson Jobe, RHP (No. 5); Max Clark, OF (No. 6); Kevin McGonigle, SS/2B (No. 28); Bryce Rainer, SS (No. 52); Thayron Liranzo, C/1B (No. 81); Josue Brice?o, 1B/C (No. 94)

The Tigers are one of five organizations with six or more Top 100 prospects, one of two with three in the top 30 and the only with two in the top six. An already strong core of Jobe, Clark and McGonigle was supplemented last season by Rainer¡¯s addition via the 11th overall pick in the Draft and late-year breakouts by Liranzo and Brice?o. The depth doesn¡¯t stop there. Jace Jung, now healthy after last season¡¯s wrist issues, is competing for the Major League job at third base, Hao-Yu Lee has a solid track record of hitting across all levels and Trey Sweeney still maintains prospect status after serving as the club¡¯s starting shortstop during its postseason run. Sure, Jobe carries a lot of weight for the pitching group, but Jaden Hamm is looking to build on a breakout 2024, Troy Melton and Ty Madden look like Major League contributors this year and '24 Draft picks Owen Hall, Ethan Schiefelbein and Josh Randall (among others) give the arms some extra length. The good times could continue to roll in Detroit.

2. Tampa Bay Rays
2024 midseason rank: 1
2024 preseason rank: 6
2023 midseason rank: 7
2023 preseason rank: 6

Top 100 prospects: Carson Williams, SS (No. 9); Xavier Isaac, 1B (No. 50); Brayden Taylor, INF (No. 66); Tre¡¯ Morgan, 1B/OF (No. 93); Theo Gillen, OF (No. 98)

Junior Caminero¡¯s graduation left Carson Williams as the only top-tier prospect in the system, causing Tampa Bay to slip out of the top spot. But through both internal development and the additions from last year¡¯s Trade Deadline, this remains the deepest system in baseball. The Rays¡¯ entire Top 100 contingent is loaded with hitters with impressive tools, like Williams¡¯ defense at short or Isaac¡¯s power, and below them are five-tool talent Aidan Smith and the fastest man in the sport, Chandler Simpson. That's not to say the Rays don¡¯t have pitching. Brody Hopkins and Jackson Baumeister were quality Deadline adds, and Santiago Suarez, Gary Gill Hill and Trevor Harrison all look like potential starters at the lower levels. It¡¯s the type of farm the Rays and their fans have grown accustomed to over the years.

3. Boston Red Sox
2024 midseason rank: 7
2024 preseason rank: 14
2023 midseason rank: 16
2023 preseason rank: 16

Top 100 prospects: Roman Anthony, OF (No. 2); Kristian Campbell, 2B/SS/OF (No. 7); Marcelo Mayer, SS (No. 12); Franklin Arias, SS/2B (No. 75)

No farm system boasts a better trio of prospects than the Red Sox do with Anthony, Campbell and Mayer. Their international scouts have done strong work of late, landing the likes of Arias, right-hander Luis Perales, outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia, shortstop Yoeilin Cespedes and first baseman Justin Gonzales. Boston made significant progress with developing pitchers in 2024 after years of struggling on that front, though their top arm (Perales) is out following Tommy John surgery.

4. Los Angeles Dodgers
2024 midseason rank: 5
2024 preseason rank: 8
2023 midseason rank: 6
2023 preseason rank: 2

Top 100 prospects: Roki Sasaki, RHP (No. 1); Dalton Rushing, C/OF (No. 30); Josue De Paula, OF (No. 40); Jackson Ferris, LHP (No. 70); Alex Freeland, SS (No. 71); Zyhir Hope, OF (No. 74)

Baseball¡¯s model franchise, the Dodgers have won two World Series in the past five seasons, made 12 straight playoff appearances and assembled one of the game¡¯s strongest farm systems. They signed No. 1 overall prospect Sasaki in January, capping a 12-month period in which they also added two Top 100 prospects (Ferris, Hope) via the Michael Busch/Yency Almonte trade with the Cubs and two high-ceiling shortstops (Emil Morales on the international market, Kellon Lindsey as a first-round pick). Los Angeles may have the best collection of teenage talent in the game, headlined by De Paula, Morales, Lindsey and outfielder Eduardo Quintero.

5. Seattle Mariners
2024 midseason rank: 9
2024 preseason rank: 18
2023 midseason rank: 19
2023 preseason rank: 24

Top 100 prospects: Colt Emerson, SS/3B (No. 20); Lazaro Montes, OF (No. 42); Cole Young, SS/2B (No. 49); Harry Ford, C (No. 64); Felnin Celesten, SS (No. 73); Jonny Farmelo, OF (No. 95); Michael Arroyo, 2B/SS (No. 97)

They¡¯re tied with the Cubs for the most prospects on the Top 100 (seven), and they¡¯re all hitters. The Mariners have been collecting bats from everywhere and that lucky seven consists of four draftees (all high schoolers) and three high-level international signees. There¡¯s a nice group of arms right behind this group, with 2024 draftees Ryan Sloan -- whom many think could quickly jump onto the Top 100 -- and Jurrangelo Cijntje, followed by '24 breakout Logan Evans to give the top 10 a little more balance. This is definitely a system on the rise.

6. Chicago White Sox
2024 midseason rank: 11
2024 preseason rank: 20
2023 midseason rank: 20
2023 preseason rank: 26

Top 100 prospects: Noah Schultz, LHP (No. 16); Kyle Teel, C (No. 32); Hagen Smith, LHP (No. 34); Colson Montgomery, SS (No. 39); Braden Montgomery, OF (No. 54); Edgar Quero (No. 65)

The White Sox have baseball¡¯s most improved farm system, rising 14 spots after ranking 20th a year ago. They have added 14 of their Top 30 prospects since then, including Teel and Braden Montgomery via the Garrett Crochet trade and Smith as the No. 5 overall pick in the 2024 Draft. Schultz and Smith are the two best lefty pitching prospects in the game, while Teel and Quero are the top tandem of catching prospects.

7. Milwaukee Brewers
2024 midseason rank: 17
2024 preseason rank: 3
2023 midseason rank: 3
2023 preseason rank: 15

Top 100 prospects: Jeferson Quero, C (No. 47); Jes¨²s Made, SS/3B (No. 55); Cooper Pratt, SS (No. 56); Jacob Misiorowski, RHP (No. 99)

Just when you¡¯d think Jackson Chourio¡¯s graduation would cause Milwaukee¡¯s farm system ranking to plummet, the Brewers buoy themselves by developing another potential star at the lower levels in Jes¨²s Made. The Crew is particularly deep in corner infielders; Mike Boeve, Tyler Black, Eric Bitonti, Luke Adams, Blake Burke and Brock Wilken all fit the description in the club¡¯s top 18. The Milwaukee organization is so deep with potential everyday players and starting pitchers that Craig Yoho -- a near-MLB-ready high-leverage arm with his elite changeup -- slots in at No. 19. If you¡¯re wondering how Milwaukee manages to stay competitive in the NL Central without spending big, this is how.

8. Chicago Cubs
2024 midseason rank: 8
2024 preseason rank: 2
2023 midseason rank: 4
2023 preseason rank: 12

Top 100 prospects: Matt Shaw, INF (No. 19); Cade Horton, RHP (No. 51); Owen Caissie, OF (No. 53); Moises Ballesteros, C/1B (No. 68); James Triantos, 2B/OF (No. 72); Kevin Alc¨¢ntara, OF (No. 89); Jefferson Rojas, SS/2B (No. 96)

The Cubs are tied with the Mariners with an MLB-best seven Top 100 prospects, the first six of whom all played in Triple-A or the Majors last season. The stockpile of position-player talent is reminiscent of their 2015 farm system that ranked No. 1 in the game and included Kris Bryant, Jeimer Candelario, Willson Contreras, Ian Happ, Eloy Jim¨¦nez, Addison Russell, Kyle Schwarber, Jorge Soler and Gleyber Torres. Once their current group graduates, Chicago will rely heavily on a crew of international shortstops led by Rojas, Fernando Cruz, Cristian Hernandez and Juan Tomas.

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9. Cleveland Guardians
2024 midseason rank: 4
2024 preseason rank: 19
2023 midseason rank: 15
2023 preseason rank: 4

Top 100 prospects: Travis Bazzana, 2B (No. 10); Chase DeLauter, OF (No. 36); Jaison Chourio, OF (No. 59); Angel Genao, INF (No. 61)

The Guardians featured seven rookies on their 2024 AL championship roster -- most notably Kyle Manzardo, Jhonkensy Noel, Brayan Rocchio and Cade Smith -- and have more talent on the way. They spent a record $20.4 million on the Draft, landing the best pure hitter available (Bazzana) with the No. 1 overall choice and replenishing their pitching by giving seven-figure bonuses to high school arms Braylon Doughty, Joey Oakie and Chase Mobley. Chourio and Genao highlight several Cleveland position prospects who took significant steps forward last year.

10. Minnesota Twins
2024 midseason rank: 2
2024 preseason rank: 15
2023 midseason rank: 17
2023 preseason rank: 19

Top 100 prospects: Walker Jenkins, OF (No. 3); Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF (No. 37); Luke Keaschall, 2B/OF/1B (No. 60)

All three Top 100 hitters have injury histories, but all three also could be ready to help out in Minnesota at some point this year if all goes well. Maybe that¡¯s being bullish on Jenkins in just his second year of pro ball, but when he¡¯s healthy, he¡¯s that good. The graduations of pitchers like Zebby Matthews and David Festa contributed to the small drop here, but this is still a deep system worthy of Top 10 placement, and there are seven arms in the Top 15 who could vie to be the next in line on the mound.

11. Cincinnati Reds
2024 midseason rank: 14
2024 preseason rank: 10
2023 midseason rank: 5
2023 preseason rank: 5

Top 100 prospects: Chase Burns, RHP (No. 26); Rhett Lowder, RHP (No. 35); Sal Stewart, 2B/3B (No. 83); Cam Collier, 3B (No. 90); Edwin Arroyo, SS (No. 91)

After the two first-round picks from the past two Drafts (Chase Burns and Rhett Lowder), who could both be in Cincy's rotation this year, there¡¯s a lot of offensive firepower here -- eight of the next nine prospects in the Top 30 after Burns and Lowder are hitters. The Reds continue to do a nice job of refilling the system via the Draft (six of their Top 10), via trades (two) and via the international market (two).

12. New York Mets
2024 midseason rank: 13
2024 preseason rank: 13
2023 midseason rank: 11
2023 preseason rank: 11

Top 100 prospects: Brandon Sproat, RHP (No. 46); Jett Williams, SS/OF (No. 57); Carson Benge, OF (No. 100)

New York¡¯s big additions of the offseason didn¡¯t come at the expense of its farm system, and in fact, one of those additions was shortstop Elian Pe?a, the largest international signee this year ($5 million) not named Roki Sasaki. The five-tool 17-year-old joins an infield group that boasts Williams, Ryan Clifford, Luisangel Acu?a, Jesus Baez and Ronny Mauricio -- prospects who have gotten or could get Top 100 consideration at some point in their careers. Sproat should get MLB looks this summer with his plus velocity and deep pitch mix, and fellow top six prospects Nolan McLean and Jonah Tong could also push through upper-level rotations toward Queens.

13. Washington Nationals
2024 midseason rank: 10
2024 preseason rank: 12
2023 midseason rank: 8
2023 preseason rank: 10

Top 100 prospects: Dylan Crews, OF (No. 4); Travis Sykora, RHP (No. 69); Jarlin Susana, RHP (No. 78)

Crews likely isn¡¯t long for this list, assuming he is Washington¡¯s Opening Day right fielder as expected, but he still counts, giving the Nats' farm system a star at the top of its tree. His graduation could signal a turning of the corner in the capital from rebuilding organization to young upstart, and the next generation could be led by the pitching corps, highlighted by Sykora, Susana and lefty Alex Clemmey. And just because the Nats will lose Crews on its Top 30, don¡¯t expect a big drop in the midseason farm system rankings. Remember that Washington owns the No. 1 overall pick in this year¡¯s Draft, an opportunity to keep the talent train moving.

14. Pittsburgh Pirates
2024 midseason rank: 20
2024 preseason rank: 9
2023 midseason rank: 2
2023 preseason rank: 8

Top 100 prospects: Bubba Chandler, RHP (No. 15); Konnor Griffin, SS/OF (No. 43); Thomas Harrington, RHP (No. 79); Termarr Johnson, 2B/SS (No. 82)

The quartet of Top 100 guys is equally balanced, but the Pirates have definitely earned a reputation of knowing how to develop pitching, with Chandler and Harrington the most recent Top 100 examples. They -- along with Braxton Ashcraft, Hunter Barco and Michael Burrows -- are guys in the top half of the Top 30 who could impact the big league staff this year. This system could take a huge leap up this list if the bats can figure things out, starting with Johnson.

15. Baltimore Orioles
2024 midseason rank: 3
2024 preseason rank: 1
2023 midseason rank: 1
2023 preseason rank: 1

Top 100 prospects: Samuel Basallo, C/1B (No. 13); Coby Mayo, 3B/1B (No. 14)

It¡¯s hard to compete in the big leagues and keep a farm system at an elite level. The Orioles have graduated a good number of their top prospects, helping create a young Major League roster. And having bats like Basallo and Mayo ready, or just about, to help out is a nice boost. Teams have to recalibrate a bit when they¡¯re picking lower in rounds and it will be interesting to see whether the Orioles can find talent there, as well as via the international market, moving forward.

16. Miami Marlins
2024 midseason rank: 15
2024 preseason rank: 29
2023 midseason rank: 24
2023 preseason rank: 18

Top 100 prospects: Thomas White, LHP (No. 41); Starlyn Caba, SS (No. 80); Noble Meyer, RHP (No. 84)

The Marlins moved up 13 spots from last year¡¯s preseason rankings, the second-biggest rise behind the White Sox (up 14). Miami¡¯s new Top 30 list includes 19 players added in the past 12 months -- 13 who arrived via trades, including Caba, catcher Agustin Ramirez, outfielder Dillon Head, left-hander Robby Snelling and first baseman Deyvison De Los Santos (who led the Minors with 40 homers). The Marlins have spent a combined $18.5 million to sign White, Meyer, outfielder PJ Morlando and shortstop Carter Johnson in the past two Drafts and shortstop Andrew Salas on the international market.

17. Philadelphia Phillies
2024 midseason rank: 16
2024 preseason rank: 22
2023 midseason rank: 23
2023 preseason rank: 21

Top 100 prospects: Andrew Painter, RHP (No. 8); Aidan Miller, SS (No. 27); Justin Crawford, OF (No. 63); Eduardo Tait, C (No. 92)

Getting a healthy Painter back is huge after he¡¯s topped this list for a couple of years while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. The hope is he graduates this season while helping the Phillies compete. Then the bats can get there in the next year -- at least Miller and Crawford are in line to, with Tait a step behind. Guys from the 2024 Draft like Dante Nori and Griffin Burkholder could bolster this system¡¯s ranking with a strong first full season, and there¡¯s hope former first-rounder Mick Abel could provide a boost if he learns to harness his stuff.

18. Colorado Rockies
2024 midseason rank: 12
2024 preseason rank: 21
2023 midseason rank: 18
2023 preseason rank: 14

Top 100 prospects: Chase Dollander, RHP (No. 25); Charlie Condon, OF/3B (No. 29)

Picking in the Top 10 the past two Drafts has certainly helped, and it looks like 2023 selection Dollander might make the Opening Day roster in the rotation, while last year¡¯s pick, Condon, could move quickly if he swings the bat like he did at Georgia last year. The Rockies are always very active on the international market and they could make some collective noise if Robert Calaz takes another step forward. There¡¯s plenty of time for Yanquiel Fernandez and Adael Amador, who stumbled a bit in 2024, to hit the reset button too.

19. Texas Rangers
2024 midseason rank: 26
2024 preseason rank: 7
2023 midseason rank: 10
2023 preseason rank: 7

Top 100 prospects: Sebastian Walcott, SS/3B (No. 17); Kumar Rocker, RHP (No. 44)

While injuries dropped the Rangers from World Series champions in 2023 to 78 victories in '24, they did have a productive year on the farm. Walcott emerged as one of the best prospects in baseball -- and might be the very best after the 2025 season. Texas had a lot of developmental successes with pitchers as Rocker, Jack Leiter and Marc Church reached the Majors, while Winston Santos and Emiliano Teodo are on the verge of doing so. Some scouts thought right-hander Alejandro Rosario was better than all of them, but he blew out his elbow this February and had Tommy John surgery.

20. St. Louis Cardinals
2024 midseason rank: 19
2024 preseason rank: 23
2023 midseason rank: 22
2023 preseason rank: 9

Top 100 prospects: JJ Wetherholt, SS (No. 23); Quinn Mathews, LHP (No. 45); Tink Hence, RHP (No. 76)

St. Louis is a club seemingly in transition, and its group of prospects could give it its next identity. Getting Wetherholt seventh overall last July was certainly a boon for the system, as was the breakout of 2023 fourth-rounder Mathews. The organization has plenty of arms prepared to knock on the MLB door in 2025 -- Mathews, Hence, Michael McGreevy, Tekoah Roby, Sem Robberse and Gordon Graceffo, all prospects in its Top 16. The other strength is catchers, led by 2024 Texas League MVP Jimmy Crooks. Keep an eye on Dominican Summer League stars Rainiel Rodriguez and Yairo Padilla, who could be the ones to push this farm back into the top half if they carry their performances stateside.

21. Athletics
2024 midseason rank: 22
2024 preseason rank: 25
2023 midseason rank: 26
2023 preseason rank: 22

Top 100 prospects: Jacob Wilson, SS (No. 31); Nick Kurtz, 1B (No. 38)

Wilson is ready and could be a Rookie of the Year candidate this year. Kurtz, a 2024 first-rounder, could reach the big league lineup at some point this year. The A¡¯s took a nice step forward in the AL West last year with help from homegrown talent, and there¡¯s more who will be knocking on the door with Colby Thomas, Mason Barnett, Denzel Clarke, Max Muncy, Henry Bolte and Jack Perkins all Top 10 guys who could be called upon to contribute in 2025.

22. Arizona Diamondbacks
2024 midseason rank: 21
2024 preseason rank: 16
2023 midseason rank: 12
2023 preseason rank: 3

Top 100 prospects: Jordan Lawlar, SS (No. 11)

Don¡¯t be fooled by there being just one Top 100 prospect here. Sure, it would help if Lawlar had company, but below him is a mix of fellow hitters who could push their way to that status (Demetrio Crisantes, Slade Caldwell) and others who are trying to get back to the Top 100 (Tommy Troy, Druw Jones). That said, Arizona¡¯s pursuit of Corbin Burnes this offseason could have been fueled by a lack of impact starting pitching in the pipeline. Yilber Diaz (No. 4) is the only arm in the D-backs¡¯ Top 10, and only three pitchers rank among the club¡¯s Top 15.

23. Kansas City Royals
2024 midseason rank: 25
2024 preseason rank: 28
2023 midseason rank: 29
2023 preseason rank: 29

Top 100 prospects: Jac Caglianone, 1B (No. 22); Blake Mitchell, C (No. 48); Carter Jensen, C (No. 85)

Caglianone will be one of the most closely followed prospects in 2025 as he transitions to full-time hitter status, and Mitchell and Jensen are two intriguing entrants in the derby to be Salvador Perez¡¯s future replacement behind the dish in Kansas City. The Royals have also enjoyed breakouts from Top 10 prospects Noah Cameron and Steven Zobac to breathe life into their pitching pipeline. But outside those top three, there aren¡¯t many prospects who look like surefire starting position players or much beyond the No. 4 spot in future MLB rotations.

24. New York Yankees
2024 midseason rank: 18
2024 preseason rank: 11
2023 midseason rank: 21
2023 preseason rank: 13

Top 100 prospects: Jasson Dom¨ªnguez, OF (No. 21)

After producing 2024 AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil and third-place finisher Austin Wells en route to a pennant, the Yankees have another candidate in Dom¨ªnguez. Many of their best position prospects are coming off rough seasons at the plate, including shortstops George Lombard Jr. and Roderick Arias and outfielder Spencer Jones. New York is among the best organizations at developing pitchers and spent its first seven Draft picks on college arms last July, starting with Southeastern Conference right-handers Ben Hess, Bryce Cunningham and Thatcher Hurd.

25. San Diego Padres
2024 midseason rank: 28
2024 preseason rank: 4
2023 midseason rank: 9
2023 preseason rank: 23

Top 100 prospects: Leo De Vries, SS (No. 18); Ethan Salas, C (No. 33)

How much weight can two premium 18-year-old prospects carry? Enough to get San Diego out of the bottom five places on this list. For all the prospects the Padres moved in midseason trades last year, De Vries and Salas remain as headliners. Filling the vacuum left behind them are nine members of the Padres¡¯ 2024 Draft class, including first-rounder Kash Mayfield, second-rounder Boston Bateman and third-rounder Cobb Hightower. Hightower could be one to watch in particular after showing the potential to hit for average and power at the club's complex in Arizona late last summer.

26. Atlanta Braves
2024 midseason rank: 27
2024 preseason rank: 26
2023 midseason rank: 27
2023 preseason rank: 30

Top 100 prospects: Drake Baldwin, C (No. 62); Cam Caminiti, LHP (No. 88)

It could be Baldwin¡¯s time to shine right out of the gate with the injury to Sean Murphy. And while there are only two guys on the Top 100 at present, there are two arms right behind them with previous time on the list. AJ Smith-Shawver and Hurston Waldrep have both touched the big leagues, and while there are questions about long-term roles, their stuff is legit. Former high school pitching draftees Owen Murphy and JR Ritchie are in various stages of returning from Tommy John surgery, and if they start approaching their ceilings, the Braves could have something cooking here.

27. Toronto Blue Jays
2024 midseason rank: 24
2024 preseason rank: 24
2023 midseason rank: 25
2023 preseason rank: 25

Top 100 prospects: Arjun Nimmala, SS (No. 86); Trey Yesavage, RHP (No. 87)

Pitching injuries decimated Toronto¡¯s pipeline in 2024, and most notable of all of them was the Ricky Tiedemann elbow issues that led to Tommy John surgery, knocking him out for much of '25 at the least. Yesavage -- a 6-foot-4 right-hander with three plus pitches -- gives the group at least a big arm at the top as he begins his career, and he¡¯s joined by fellow first-rounder Nimmala, a shortstop with big power potential but hit-tool questions. With Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette entering their final years before free agency, the Jays don¡¯t have prospects of their quality behind them as potential replacements, at least right now. The good news: the organization is slated to pick eighth in the Draft in July, marking just the second time since 2006 it¡¯s had a first-round selection that high.

28. San Francisco Giants
2024 midseason rank: 23
2024 preseason rank: 17
2023 midseason rank: 14
2023 preseason rank: 17

Top 100 prospects: Bryce Eldridge, 1B (No. 24)

New president of baseball operations Buster Posey and GM Zack Minasian will try to improve the fortunes of a club that has enjoyed just one winning season and one playoff berth in the past eight years. After the Giants graduated three Top 100 prospects (Kyle Harrison, Marco Luciano, Hayden Birdsong) and rookie surprise Tyler Fitzgerald in 2024, the strength of the system is young hitters such as Eldridge, shortstops Josuar Gonzalez and Jhonny Level and outfielders James Tibbs III, Dakota Jordan, Rayner Arias and Bo Davidson. Left-handers Carson Whisenhunt and Joe Whitman could crack San Francisco¡¯s rotation in the next year or two.

29. Houston Astros
2024 midseason rank: 30
2024 preseason rank: 27
2023 midseason rank: 30
2023 preseason rank: 27

Top 100 prospects: Cam Smith, 3B (No. 58)

The Astros continue to rank near the bottom of our biannual talent rankings yet keep winning, making their eighth straight playoff appearance in 2024 while getting contributions from unheralded prospects such as Spencer Arrighetti and Ronel Blanco. Despite their current No. 29 standing, the system boasts its strongest group of position players (Smith, shortstop Brice Matthews, outfielder Jacob Melton, catcher Walker Janek, corner infielder Zach Dezenzo) in years. Led by right-hander Miguel Ullola, several of its best pitching prospects performed well at the two highest levels of the Minors last year.

30. Los Angeles Angels
2024 midseason rank: 29
2024 preseason rank: 30
2023 midseason rank: 28
2023 preseason rank: 28

Top 100 prospects: Christian Moore, 2B (No. 67); Caden Dana, RHP (No. 77)

Look now, because we all know the Angels get their guys to the big leagues quickly. Moore will graduate before we know it, and Dana touched Los Angeles last year. This organization is very active internationally with 14 players acquired from that market, a big reason why this is the youngest Top 30 in baseball. There is lots of risk, but there could be a lot of reward if guys like 2024 signee Joswa Lugo hits like he did during his Dominican Summer League debut last year and 2025 acquisition Gabriel Davalillo follows suit.