I write profiles throughout the year, and then, as part of putting out the organizational Top 20s, I rework them based on their overall season, my scouting reports, and what other evaluators are saying.  I spent more time editing the Nationals system than any other system.  It wasn’t close.

I found myself constantly downshifting on players. Robert Hassell, Jarlin Susana, and Elijah Green had terrible seasons.  I would rank them, write more, re-rank them lower, write more, and then lower them further.  It was rather remarkable.  You can even throw Brady House into that equation.  He was better, but in the end, he’s a guy you are betting will hit for considerable power, but he’s a well-below hitter.

Two guys that I felt great about were Dylan Crews and James Wood.  Crews feels like Jackson Holliday 2.0.  High Floor with great tools that should make him an excellent Major Leaguer.  Not Ronald Acuna, but more Gunnar Henderson.  Wood could be Ronald Acuna if he can make enough contact.  His swing is fighting his length; unfortunately, the length is winning.  But athleticism like he has doesn’t grow on trees, and he could be special.

I’m not going to lie, it was a struggle to write. But, also fun.  There’s a TON of talent here, and with some better contact here and there, the Nationals should be on the right path.

Prospect Snapshot

• Top Prospect: Dylan Crews
• Biggest Mover: Cristhian Vaquero
• Biggest Disappointment: Robert Hassell and Elijah Green
• Emerging Prospect: Travis Sykora

The list can be found here.

Writing up the Phillies organization is usually a struggle, and this year was no exception.  There are talented players, but most of them have flaws that make it difficult to put a realistic ceiling on them.   Here’s a sampling of what I’m referring to:

• Andrew Painter looked like he was going North with the team in the Spring but blew out his elbow and is now recovering from TJS.
• Mick Abel has a great arm but struggles to throw strikes.
• Justin Crawford is a premium athlete but needs to get stronger to become a full-time regular.
• Simon Muzziotti can hit and run with no power.
• Griff McGarry got the Yipes and couldn’t throw strikes.

I could go on and on and encourage you to read the capsules.

The exception to the pattern might be their first-round pick last July – Aidan Miller.  He looks like he can hit with plus power.  There’s little speed, but that’s okay, as we know who the player might become.

Prospect Snapshot

• Top Prospect: Andrew Painter
• Biggest Mover: Justin Crawford
• Biggest Disappointment: Griff McGarry
• Emerging Prospect: Starlyn Caba

 The list can be found here.

The Mets had a disastrous season, but to their credit, they admitted defeat, sold off their mistakes, and then hired a new leader in David Stearns.  Will it work?  I think it will, and they could be contenders as soon as next season or 2025.

The system is strong, with many potential impact players.  The four players at the top could have gone in any order, but Jet Williams was a monster last season and gets the nod for the top spot.  Drew Gilbert can flat-out hit, and if Acuna can add some strength, he could also be an impact player.  We’ve already seen what Mauricio can do – and not do.

It doesn’t end there, as they have depth at all levels; in pitching and positional players.

Prospect Snapshot

• Top Prospect: Jett Williams
• Biggest Mover: Christian Scott
• Biggest Disappointment: Kevin Parada (there, I said it)
• Emerging Prospect: Jeffry Rosa

 The list can be found here.

The Marlins system is light.  Noble Meyer was their first-round pick last July, and his data looks fantastic, but he’s an 18-year-old pitcher, and so much can go wrong.  But if it works, he could pitch at the top of the rotation.

Xavier Edwards is the top positional player, and he might be a middle infielder with some speed and great contact skills.  I like Max Meyer and Dax Fulton, but both are rehabbing from elbow surgery.  Finally, there are some interesting high-end Latin prospects further down the list.

But it’s weak, and the Marlins need players who can contribute at the Major League level, particularly bats.  While I’m sure they liked their second and third-round picks in July – two big college bats.  They both have significant swing-and-miss in their game and are high-risk options to become impact players.

It feels like it’s more of the same.  They develop pitchers and pray that they can cobble together an offense.

Prospect Snapshot

• Top Prospect: Noble Meyer
• Biggest Mover: Ian Lewis
• Biggest Disappointment: Jacob Berry (I’m just not a fan)
• Emerging Prospect: Janero Miller

The list can be found here.

The Braves have built a great organization with young, controllable players at the Major League level.  The window has been open for a while and should continue to remain open for many more years.  But what about the Minor Leagues?  Just when you think their system is light, you do the research and realize that there still is talent.  Most of it is on the pitching side, but teams are always looking for pitching, so that’s not bad.

AJ Smith-Shawver has already seen time in Atlanta, and while he pitched okay, there’s more in the tank.  Hurston Waldrep made my Daily Notes multiple times over the summer and will likely move quickly through the system. The further removed from TJS Spencer Schwellenbach gets, the better the command gets.  Watch out for him; he could be the best of the bunch.

Prospect Snapshot

• Top Prospect: AJ Smith-Shawver
• Biggest Mover: Spencer Schwellenbach
• Biggest Disappointment: Jesse Franklin
• Emerging Prospect: Luis Guanipa

The list can be found here.

I like the Twins system.  Walker Jenkins has star potential, Emmanuel Rodriguez could hit 40 home runs one day, and Brooks Lee should be the starting shortstop over Carlos Correa, but that is unlikely.  And don’t laugh, Austin Martin finally played this season and looked much better.  There is also depth in the system, with Marco Raya and David Festa having a chance to pitch as mid-rotation arms with some high-end talent in the lower minor leagues.

The biggest problem might be finding places for all these kids to play in Minnesota.  It’s a nice problem to have for the Twins, but if you are a Dynasty League owner – not so much.

 Prospect Snapshot

• Top Prospect: Walker Jenkins
• Biggest Mover: David Festa
• Biggest Disappointment: Connor Prielipp
• Emerging Prospect: Jose Rodriguez

The list can be found here.

I love what I do for a living.  Watching and writing about young baseball players is awesome.

But I must tell you – writing about the Royals this season was a slog.  Gavin Cross is still a Top 100 player, but my comment about him being a 20-20 player might be over-zealous.  I like Cayden Wallace as a nice complementary player, and maybe in five years, Blake Mitchell provides some fantasy value, but it’s just not a very good system.

It’s been lousy drafting, poor development, and a lack of finding impact players in the international market.  I think the Royals need to do some soul-searching, or Witt Jr. might become the Royals’ version of Mike Trout – a great player who will rarely, if ever, play in a playoff game.

Prospect Snapshot

• Top Prospect: Gavin Cross
• Biggest Mover: Cayden Wallace
• Biggest Disappointment: Frank Mozzicato
• Emerging Prospect: Ramon Ramirez

The list can be found here.

It wasn’t all bad for the Tigers in 2023.  Spencer Torkelson woke up and started hitting home runs.  Kerry Carpenter hit 20 home runs.  Tarik Skubal looked great after spending time on the IL to begin the season.  Matt Manning looked good before getting hurt, and I still believe that Riley Greene has All-Star potential.

I loved the Tigers first-round pick last July, Max Clark.  He looks a lot like Riley Greene with a chance to be an impact player. Colt Keith is just about ready, and Jackson Jobe shoved it last season.  You heard me…shoved it.  You can argue that he was among the best pitchers in the minor leagues.  Throw in the likely return of Casey Mize, and I like the nucleus of the team.

Of course, they have to deal with the bad signing of Javier Baez, but on the bright side, Miguel Cabrera will be off the books.  It’s a .500 team with a chance for more in 2024.  Remember, it doesn’t take much to compete in the AL Central.

Prospect Snapshot

• Top Prospect: Max Clark
• Biggest Mover: Jackson Jobe
• Biggest Disappointment: Dillon Dingler
• Emerging Prospect: Seth Stephenson

The list can be found here.

The Guardians continue to remake their organization by developing Steven Kwan-type players.  In other words, athletic players who can hit and play great defense.  Will it work?  I think it will.

It might not be the most exciting thing for fantasy managers, but as a Steven Kwan owner, I’m glad I have him. However, if you have too many of those average players on your team, you’ll likely never finish in the money.

I debated Manzardo vs. Rocchio and had both as the #1 prospect at one point during the editing process.  You can make an argument for both, but I decided on Manzardo as I believe he’s more likely to hit 20 home runs than Rocchio is to steal 25 bags.  I think their BA and OBP will be similar. In either case, they are soft #1s.  High-floor players without the fantasy-friendly tools.  George Valera is the guy who SHOULD be #1, but there’s just too much uncertainty to make that call.  He is our biggest disappointment in the system – not what I wanted to see.  I think it’s well-earned!

We know that the pitching will be there, and if Daniel Espino can ever pitch again, he has a chance to pitch at the top of the rotation.  I also like Joey Cantillo.  The stuff is sneaky good, but he needs to find the plate to succeed at the next level.

Prospect Snapshot

• Top Prospect: Kyle Manzardo
• Biggest Mover: Joey Cantillo
• Biggest Disappointment: George Valera
• Emerging Prospect: Welbyn Francisca

The list can be found here.

After the trades the White Sox completed at the deadline, their system is better, but it’s still in the bottom quartile of the league.  Colson Montgomery is the top prospect, and he’s a high-floor player who lacks fantasy-friendly skills.  Noah Shultz can’t stay healthy.  I liked the trade for Nick Nastrini, but until he throws more strikes, he’s more of a number four starter instead of a top-of-the-rotation starter.  Jacob Wilson, their first-round pick last July, is like Colson Montgomery.  He should be able to hit, but I question how much power and speed he will have.

If you’re a White Sox fan, prepare for a drought, as I don’t see a lot of impact players in their system.

Prospect Snapshot

• Top Prospect: Colson Montgomery
• Biggest Mover: Noah Schultz
• Biggest Disappointment: Jacob Gonzalez
• Emerging Prospect: Abraham Nunez

The list can be found here.