Red Sox make big leap in Baseball America farm system rankings originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Chaim Bloom’s overhaul of the Red Sox farm system continues to bear fruit.
Industry bible Baseball America just released its annual farm system rankings, and the Red Sox made one of the biggest leaps on the board, jumping 10 spots to No. 11 overall.
In cracking the top 20 for the first time since they ranked 14th in 2017, the Red Sox climbed from 21st last year on the strength of an excellent 2021 MLB Draft and the development of Bloom’s first class.
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The Red Sox placed four players on BA’s top 100 list in No. 4 overall pick Marcelo Mayer (15th), slugging first baseman Triston Casas (19th), sweet-swinging second baseman Nick Yorke (31st), and speedy outfielder Jarren Duran (91st).
Though they slipped a couple of spots from their midseason ranking of ninth, the Red Sox remain well-stocked with impact talent, per the magazine.
“Boston’s system isn’t the deepest, but its opening trio of shortstop Marcelo Mayer, first baseman Triston Casas and second baseman Nick Yorke is one of the most enticing,” BA wrote. “Right-hander Brayan Bello took steps forward in 2021, including an appearance in Denver at the Futures Game.”
Bello, it should be noted, cracked Keith Law’s top 100 list at The Athletic.
With young talent the game’s most valuable currency, the Red Sox are positioning themselves to build a sustainable winner. They’ll have competition, though, because two of the teams ahead of them on the list reside in their own division.
The Rays, even after graduating super-prospect Wander Franco to the big leagues, own the game’s No. 2 overall system behind the Mariners. And the woeful Orioles, after years of selecting atop the draft, find themselves at No. 4 with the best hitting (catcher Adley Rutschman) and pitching (Grayson Rodriguez) in the minors.