As we move even further towards the 2023 season, we also have to keep in mind that there are a lot of really talented farm systems in baseball. As a lot of teams at the bottom of the standings are starting to put together future contenders, we begin to see baseball’s future talent make the transition to higher levels. We will take a look at the top 5 farm systems, and more today.

#5: Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates have been one of baseball’s worst teams for quite a few years now, which has led to an incredible amount of talent acquired through the draft, trades, and international signings. Since their last Postseason appearance back in 2015, the Pirates have had 5 first round selections within the top 18 draft picks, and have drafted in the competitive balance first round almost yearly. The Pirates have amazingly been able to maintain all but 1 of their genuine first round picks, Shane Baz who was a trade piece for Chris Archer. The rest have all stayed and blossomed. The Pirates are responsible for 4 of MLB Pipeline’s top 100 prospects, which include UTIL Endy Rodriguez, catcher Henry Davis, second baseman Termarr Johnson, and RHP Quinn Priester. In addition to these prospects in the top 100, the Pirates also have second baseman Nick Gonzales, a top 10 draft selection in 2020, who was once ranked the number 1 second baseman in MiLB, until he battled injuries in 2022 and dropped in the rankings. Other notables include shortstop Liover Peguero, RHP Bubba Chandler, RHP Luis Ortiz, RHP Mike Burrows, LHP Anthony Solometo, and much more. The Pirates farm system remains deep all over the field, boasting an incredible amount of talent wherever you look. As for the future of these great prospects with the Pirates in 2023? Most of the talent is nearing the MLB level, as 7 of their top 10 prospects alone have played games at AA or above this past season. Endy Rodriguez is a projected rookie of the year candidate in 2023, as he played very well in 2022 and earned himself the number 55 spot in MLB Pipeline’s top 100. Overall, the Pittsburgh Pirates make an incredibly interesting case for being a top 5 farm system in 2023, but there is no doubt they are indeed the number 5 system in baseball.

#4: Arizona Diamondbacks

The D-backs are one of baseball’s most interesting farm systems overall, mostly due to the fact they haven’t really been that bad for that long. The last time the D-backs made the playoffs was 2017, which is really interesting considering just how good their farm system has become. The D-backs have drafted in the top 18 just 4 times since 2017, and drafted in the competitive balance round just 1 time since 2017. It is also important to note that the D-backs farm system also managed to be so good even without signing their 2018 first round selection, Matt McLain. The D-backs, similarly to the Pirates, are responsible for 4 of MLB Pipeline’s top 100 prospects. These 4 prospects are outfielder and rookie of the year candidate Corbin Carroll, shortstop Jordan Lawlar, outfielder Druw Jones, and RHP Brandon Pfaadt. Lawlar, Carroll, and Druw Jones were all first round picks, and should all make huge impacts this upcoming season. As for the rest of the D-backs MiLB farm system depth, the D-backs have corner infielder Deyvison De Los Santos, RHP Ryne Nelson, Drey Jameson, LHP Blake Walston, RHP Landon Sims, and corner infielder Ivan Melendez. As you can see, the D-backs have no shortage of pitching depth, which should seriously help their future. What does the future hold for these players in 2023? Corbin Carroll is currently one of the National League Rookie of the Year favorites and has been incredible in his first taste of the MLB in 2022. Brandon Pfaadt has pitched incredibly this spring and in his MiLB career, and looks to make the roster. Jordan Lawlar has played incredibly through his MiLB career, as he made it the whole way to AA in 2022. It’s safe to say the D-backs are one of baseball’s most talented and well rouded farm systems, and are a surefire top 5 MiLB system.

#3: St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals are also another one of baseball’s most intriguing farm systems. Similarly to the D-backs, the Cardinals haven’t been a bad team for long at all. The Cardinals have not drafted high recently due to good performance at the MLB level, and even went a year without drafting in the first round in 2017 due to a hacking scandal. The Cardinals have been experts at drafting great talent in the late first round, and even outside of the first round. St. Louis currently holds 5 prospects in the MLB Pipeline top 100. These 5 players consist of outfield slugger Jordan Walker, shortstop Masyn Winn, RHP Tink Hence, RHP Gordon Graceffo, and outfielder Alec Burleson. What’s most interesting about these 5 players being a part of the Cardinals great farm system is that only Jordan Walker was a first round pick. As for the rest of the Cardinals farm system, they boast a great of pitching depth. The other prospects in their top 10 are, LHP Matthew Liberatore, LHP Connor Hjerpe, RHP Michael McGreevy, catcher Ivan Herrera, and shortstop Jonathan Mejia. The Cardinals, similarly to the D-backs have no shortage of pitching depth as you can see. 18 of their top 30 prospects are pitchers, showing just how deep their pitching is. As for the impacts of the Cardinals prospects in 2023, Jordan Walker is another National League Rookie of the Year candidate, and Alec Burleson made his debut last season, and should play this season with the Cardinals. Overall, the Cardinals are one of baseball’s best farm systems, and it’ll be very entertaining to see how their prospects play this upcoming season.

#2: Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers are easily one of baseball’s best organizations. Similar to both the Cardinals and D-backs, the Dodgers have retained an incredible amount of talent, while still being one of baseball’s top teams. Since 2016, the Dodgers have not drafted above the 20th overall pick once, and they did not even manage to sign their 2018 first round selection, J. T. Ginn. Just like the Cardinals, the Dodgers are excellent when it comes to drafting, even with their late round selections. Uniquely, the Dodgers are experts when it comes to international signing. The Dodgers also have 7 prospects in MLB Pipeline’s top 100, which is tied for second in all of MLB with prospects in the top 100. The 7 players the Dodgers have in the top 100 consist of catcher Diego Cartaya, RHP Bobby Miller, corner infielder and outfielder Miguel Vargas, middle infielder and outfielder Michael Busch, RHP Gavin Stone, RHP Ryan Pepiot, and outfielder Andy Pages. This group of prospects is truly elite and one of the best groups of young stars in all of baseball. The other 3 prospects in the Dodgers’ top 10 consist of catcher Dalton Rushing, outfielder James Outman, and RHP Nick Nastrini. Unlike the other teams we’ve covered so far, the Dodgers do not specialize in one area, but are fully well rounded. These prospects also will all significantly impact the MLB team in 2023, as they have almost all played at AAA or above. Flamethrower Bobby Miller has turned heads non stop as well as the rest of the Dodgers farm system. Although they have lost a lot recently, the Dodgers will continue to be a powerhouse due to their significant prospect depth.

#1: Baltimore Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles are easily baseball’s most talented farm system, being covered head to toe in pure skill. Unlike the last two teams in this list, the Orioles have not been a Postseason team since 2016. Due to this, the Orioles have picked in the top 5 picks, 4 different times since 2017. It’s important to note as well that they have also drafted first overall twice in this time period. The Orioles front office also remains really good when it comes to their draft choices, taking under slot when needed to sign more talent. The Orioles also have baseball’s most prospects in the top 100, having 8 players on the list. These players consist of shortstop Gunnar Henderson, RHP Grayson Rodriguez, shortstop Jackson Holliday, outfielder Colton Cowser, infielder Jordan Westburg, outfielder Heston Kjerstad, LHP DL Hall, and middle infielder Joey Ortiz. This group of prospects is easily the most talented group of players on the list yet with 3 first round picks, 2 top 10 MiLB prospects, and overall just being an incredibly talented group. It’s also important to note that shortstop Gunnar Henderson is the current American League Rookie of the Year favorite. The rest of Baltimore’s top 10 prospects are Connor Norby and Coby Mayo. The Orioles are also the organization with the most depth in baseball, also having outfielders Dylan Beavers and Jud Fabian also in the system. As for how these prospects will impact the Orioles in 2023, their effect will be strongly felt. As previously mentioned, Gunnar Henderson is the current American League Rookie of the Year favorite. In addition, Grayson Rodriguez, Colton Cowser, Jordan Westburg, DL Hall, Connor Norby, and Coby Mayo are all on the brink of blossoming into the MLB. Overall, the Baltimore Orioles are easily the most talented farm system in baseball, and will stay near the top for years to come.