Keith Law Ranks MLB Farm Systems

[CAREY33]

He ranked the Sox 28 :

28. Chicago White Sox
It was hard to get to 10 names for this system, but it will produce at least two players who'll help the major league club try to win the AL Central this year.

[Daver]

I value Keith Law's opinion almost as much as I do bat guano.

Almost.

[DirtySox]

Florida and Milwaukee were the two teams below the Sox if anyone was wondering.

[CAREY33]

Originally Posted by Daver

I value Keith Law's opinion almost as much as I do bat guano.

Almost.

Awesome! Thats great.

[Lip Man 1]

Law has never had anything good to say about the Sox or their system anyway. Besides he's a Royals fan. Shows you how much he knows! (LOL)

Lip

[A. Cavatica]

But I have yet to find any credible analyst who would place the Sox much higher than that.

[DirtySox]

Originally Posted by A. Cavatica

But I have yet to find any credible analyst who would place the Sox much higher than that.

Indeed. The system is wretched and it's unanimously ranked as such.

[SephClone89]

But but Jordan Danks! Carlos Torres! T-Flow!

Pretty frustrating.

How does an organization go about remedying this?

[Daver]

Originally Posted by SephClone89

But but Jordan Danks! Carlos Torres! T-Flow!

Pretty frustrating.

How does an organization go about remedying this?

Spending the money to scout and develop talent, it really isn't rocket surgery.

[DirtySox]

Originally Posted by SephClone89

But but Jordan Danks! Carlos Torres! T-Flow!

Pretty frustrating.

How does an organization go about remedying this?

Daver will likely have some input on the developmental aspects, but the Sox need to start spending on the draft as well as on international prospects. Not that it was a hotbed before for the organization, but the Sox haven't spent a dime on international prospects since the Wilder scandal. Also, they rarely go over slot in the draft and the overall draft spending/budget has been bottom of the barrel amongst MLB teams for years now. Quite often the Sox will spend less in 2 years on the draft combined than many teams do in 1 year. Many would also argue that the draft philosophy still needs change. The organization leans heavily on safer picks, primarily college arms that have a greater chance of contributing to the big league club even if it's at a marginal level. It would be nice to see more picks that have higher ceilings despite the fact they might not reach it. Mitchell, Poreda, and Trayce Thompson are some recent picks that buck the trend but it would be nice to see the trend continue. Lastly, the Sox seem allergic to prep players in early rounds though I'm not sure why. If a high school player is the BPA in the 1st/Supplemental/2nd round, they need to pull the trigger.

[Domeshot17]

Originally Posted by DirtySox

Daver will likely have some input on the developmental aspects, but the Sox need to start spending on the draft as well as on international prospects. Not that it was a hotbed before for the organization, but the Sox haven't spent a dime on international prospects since the Wilder scandal. Also, they rarely go over slot in the draft and the overall draft spending/budget has been bottom of the barrel amongst MLB teams for years now. Quite often the Sox will spend less in 2 years on the draft combined than many teams do in 1 year. Many would also argue that the draft philosophy still needs change. The organization leans heavily on safer picks, primarily college arms that have a greater chance of contributing to the big league club even if it's at a marginal level. It would be nice to see more picks that have higher ceilings despite the fact they might not reach it. Mitchell, Poreda, and Trayce Thompson are some recent picks that buck the trend but it would be nice to see the trend continue. Lastly, the Sox seem allergic to prep players in early rounds though I'm not sure why. If a high school player is the BPA in the 1st/Supplemental/2nd round, they need to pull the trigger.

They rely FAR too much on the easy sign guys. Guys like Broadway, Poreda, Phlegley, Mitchell even (I didn't hate that pick though), guys who they know will sign quick and won't demand a high dollar amount.

This is the biggest problem with the Sox. The myth the farm is bad because they don't get high picks is laughable. Its the failure to go out for a high upside pick or an above slot guy that has killllleedddd us. It doesn't help the team has no idea how to develop anyone, but we aren't putting much in there to start.

[Lip Man 1]

I remember reading here at WSI, comments from someone along with a quote that the 'philosophy issue' regarding the draft and the minor leagues comes from JR and EE, that when they first bought the team they said the way to build a contender is through free agency and trades.

If that's true, and I have no idea if it is with the owners, than that may help explain and answer the questions that are being posed here in this thread. (Although if that statement was true, the Sox wouldn't have had long periods when they basically shunned free agency altogether...)

Lip

[guillensdisciple]

Hey now, if Gordo and Sale were still in the minors we would have ourselves a hell of a system. It's not our fault we send our players to the bigs right away.

[DirtySox]

Originally Posted by guillensdisciple

Hey now, if Gordo and Sale were still in the minors we would have ourselves a hell of a system. It's not our fault we send our players to the bigs right away.

This is rationalization.

Besides, for all prospect lists Sale is still considered one. He still has rookie eligibility. The Sox are bottom 3 even with Chris included. Once Sale and Morel graduate this year, with no 1st round pick in the draft, and the lack of any expenditure on later picks, things are going to get even uglier. If Mitchell doesn't rebound and some sleepers don't make the next step, I'm hard-pressed to see any improvement in the coming year.

[DirtySox]

Originally Posted by Lip Man 1

I remember reading here at WSI, comments from someone along with a quote that the 'philosophy issue' regarding the draft and the minor leagues comes from JR and EE, that when they first bought the team they said the way to build a contender is through free agency and trades.

If that's true, and I have no idea if it is with the owners, than that may help explain and answer the questions that are being posed here in this thread. (Although if that statement was true, the Sox wouldn't have had long periods when they basically shunned free agency altogether...)

Lip

If the philosophy is indeed to use the farm system solely to trade for established players, one would hope that more resources would be pumped into it. I don't think many big league clubs are salivating at the Sox top prospects which is disproportionately relief pitchers and fringe guys. I mean more and better prospects is more chips to acquire more and better veterans right?