MLB.com: Rays fourth-ranked farm system

MLB.com has counted down the top ten farm systems in the land this week. Today the Tampa Bay Rays came in at number four.

Strong drafts, key international signings and shrewd trades involving big league assets for controllable young players has helped the Tampa Bay Rays assemble one of baseball’s best and deepest farm systems. It’s headlined by six Top 100 prospects, each of whom are expected to contribute at the Major League level in the next two years.

The Rays have built a strong system that is really close to paying huge dividends. There is a good mix of high-level talent and good prospects that should be solid contributors sooner rather than later.

The position player depth is the most impressive part of the system. MiLB.com ranked the Rays #1 in their farm system rankings of position players.

There is solid pitching up top even after losing Brent Honeywell to Tommy John Surgery. The lower minors has a lot of pitching depth that will have the opportunity to lead the system in the next 3-5 years.

60 Future Value

1 Brent Honeywell, RHP (18th overall)

55 Future Value

2 Willy Adames, SS/2B (22nd overall)
3 Brendan McKay, LHP/1B (25th overall)
4 Jesus Sanchez, OF (57th overall)
5 Jake Bauers, 1B/OF (64th overall)
6 Christian Arroyo, 3B/SS (81st overall)

50 Future Value

7 Lucius Fox, SS
8 Wander Franco, SS
9 Garrett Whitley, OF
10 Justin Williams, OF
11 Joshua Lowe, OF
12 Nick Solak, 2B
13 Joe McCarthy, OF/1B
14 Austin Franklin, RHP
15 Brandon Lowe, 2B
16 Anthony Banda, LHP

45 Future Value

17 Michael Mercado, RHP
18 Tobias Myers, RHP
19 Vidal Brujan, 2B
20 Ronaldo Hernandez, C
21 Yonny Chirinos, RHP
22 Genesis Cabrera, LHP
23 Drew Strotman, RHP
24 Nick Ciuffo, C
25 Ryan Boldt, OF
26 Jose De Leon, RHP
27 Ryan Yarbrough, LHP
28 Chih-Wei Hu, RHP
29 Resly Linares, LHP
30 Diego Castillo, RHP