How would you rate the lower levels of the minors?

[Pius Jefferson]

I know there's some nice pitching talent at that level but how much of a drop-off will there be when guys like Buxton and Sano establish themselves in the major leagues? 

[ExpectMorePayLess]

The fact is that Ft. Myers won the Florida State League title in their franchise history last year without the lies of a Buxton or Sano or Polanco or Berrios.  Doug found a way to win despite the line up because he did have some quality talent overall.

 

3 years ago Cedar Rapids had the best record in the minor leagues while Ft. Myers was sporting a lineup with Sano, Rosario and Buxton.

 

Last year Cedar Rapids was one of the better teams in the Midwest League.

 

The talent in the minor leagues is still valid, it just has to possibly be placed in better pools of team talent to maximize everyone's hopes and dreams.  

[diehardtwinsfan]

I think the big difference is that there aren't any names having standout seasons at appropriate ages that get you real excited.  With the exception of pitching, guys in CR/FM strike me more as your blue collar players. A few will make it, may even be average players, but not that exceptional elite talent you'd hope they had. 

 

The flip side is that the high minors are pretty crowded there.  Given that there is some nice pitching in the low minors, I am not terribly worried about it, though it would be nice if they struck gold with some of their more recent drafted hitters.

[Seth Stohs]

I think there is some talent. I mean, that Ft. Myers pitching staff is really good (Stewart, Eades, Gonsalves, Hu, Batts, Slegers)... a few of them are legit MLB starter prospects. Don't forget that Thorpe is out for the year. 

 

I think they have focused so much on pitching the last 2+ years in the draft that there aren't as many hitting prospects in the lower levels. However, Nick Gordon, Amaurys Minier and a few others are intriguing. 

[blairpaul715]

 

The fact is that Ft. Myers won the Florida State League title in their franchise history last year without the lies of a Buxton or Sano or Polanco or Berrios.  Doug found a way to win despite the line up because he did have some quality talent overall.

 

3 years ago Cedar Rapids had the best record in the minor leagues while Ft. Myers was sporting a lineup with Sano, Rosario and Buxton.

 

Last year Cedar Rapids was one of the better teams in the Midwest League.

 

The talent in the minor leagues is still valid, it just has to possibly be placed in better pools of team talent to maximize everyone's hopes and dreams.  

3 yrs ago Cedar Rapids maybe did have the best record in the Minor leagues, i didnt look it up, but they were not a affiliate of the Twins then(Beloit)..................I guess I dont know where your memory is but 3 yrs ago Buxton was in Rookie ball and Sano and Rosario were in Beloit(Low A)

[nicksaviking]

Jay, who probably won't be top 50 and Gorden because of his position. Hu might get on prospect lists but I don't think he's long for A ball. Gonsalves might get ranked if he starts putting up similar numbers he had in the Midwest League. Stewart won't be ranked any more.

 

The young bats at AA and above better pan out, the lower levels don't have much now. I really hope Cabbage and/or Blackenhorn develop.

[Thrylos]

I think that they will be fine.   Former prospects who lost year(s) to injury like Felix Jorge and Randy Rosario seem to be back with force.  Gonsalves is likely a top 5 Twins prospect now. Minier and Diaz are knocking on the door.  They have done some really good international signings, including this 17 year old (fast forward the linked video to 1 min) who will come North next year and has been making a lot of noise in the Dominican right now.  Speaking of, a couple 18 year old Venezuelan middle infielders, Jermaine Palacios & Luis Arraez, who made the jump from DSL to the GCL this year, have their stock quickly rising.  From recent draftees LaMonde Wade Jr is opening some eyes at CF in E-Town.  Not sure what to think of Nick Gordon (not as big fan as most,) but he is playing in high A, and I am not considering that low minors.  Got to give the US draftees some time to make the transition to the wooden bat as well.  

[jokin]

 

I think that they will be fine.   Former prospects who lost year(s) to injury like Felix Jorge and Randy Rosario seem to be back with force.  Gonsalves is likely a top 5 Twins prospect now. Minier and Diaz are knocking on the door.  They have done some really good international signings, including this 17 year old (fast forward the linked video to 1 min) who will come North next year and has been making a lot of noise in the Dominican right now.  Speaking of, a couple 18 year old Venezuelan middle infielders, Jermaine Palacios & Luis Arraez, who made the jump from DSL to the GCL this year, have their stock quickly rising.  From recent draftees LaMonde Wade Jr is opening some eyes at CF in E-Town.  Not sure what to think of Nick Gordon (not as big fan as most,) but he is playing in high A, and I am not considering that low minors.  Got to give the US draftees some time to make the transition to the wooden bat as well.  

 

 

Nick Gordon is playing Cedar Rapids- A ball-  not High A- Ft Myers.

[ExpectMorePayLess]

 

3 yrs ago Cedar Rapids maybe did have the best record in the Minor leagues, i didnt look it up, but they were not a affiliate of the Twins then(Beloit)..................I guess I dont know where your memory is but 3 yrs ago Buxton was in Rookie ball and Sano and Rosario were in Beloit(Low A)

 

I'm counting years as seasons.  2015 is a season in my eyes

2013 Cedar Rapids (best Record in Minors) 

2014 Fort Myers

2015 Chattanooga

That is how I accounted for 3 years ago / 3 seasons ago.

[ashbury]

I know there's some nice pitching talent at that level but how much of a drop-off will there be when guys like Buxton and Sano establish themselves in the major leagues? 

Per your subject line, Buxton and Sano are already out of the lower levels of the minors.

 

I expect we're about in the middle of the pack, down there.

 

It's only one part of the puzzle, though. I'm less interested in rankings of "prospects", whatever the level, and would be more interested in "talent under, say, the age of 28 throughout the system". I don't know of a publication (like BA, or Sickels) that does it this way.