In this article we will review the top five farm systems in baseball.
A note on these rankings. We have not taken potentials into consideration. This was a conscious decision. Just because a player exhibits potential, does not mean the player will ever realize this potential. Farm systems were evaluated on their present strengths, character and ability to convert their talent into major league players in a relatively short period of time.
| Team | Grade | ||
| 1. Owen Sound Crusaders | B+ | ||
| 2. Yellowknife Bluenotes | B+ | ||
| 3. St Paul Pride | B+ | ||
| 4. Port Hope Battery | B+ | ||
| 5. Cold Lake Mud Cats | B+ | ||
| 6. Ottawa Milk Men | B+ | ||
| 7. London Mustangs | B+ | ||
| 8. Sask Yellow Jackets | B+ | ||
| 9. Guelph Storm | B+ | ||
| 10. Regina Pirates | B | ||
| 11. Vancouver Orcas | B | ||
| 12. Calgary Remparts | B | ||
| 13. Val d'Or Sharks | B | ||
| 14. Toronto Polar Bears | B | ||
| 15. Grand Rapids Red Dogs | B | ||
| 16. Moose Jaw Dragons | B- | ||
| 17. Victoria Islanders | B- | ||
| 18. Lethbridge Typhoon | B- | ||
| 19. Fort Mac Roughnecks | B- | ||
| 20. Halifax Oilers | B- | ||
| 21. PEI Argonauts | C+ | ||
| 22. Charlottetown Blues | C- | ||
| 23. Quebec Bulldogs | C- | ||
| 24. Fredericton Bandits | D+ | ||
| 25. Cobourg Stampeders | D+ | ||
| 26. West Bay Red Skulls | D | ||
| 27. Kelowna Okanagans | F | ||
| 28. Creston Kokanee | F |
1. Owen Sound Crusaders - Big things are expected of top prospect Jess Mahan. This guy has closer written all over him. Vicente Estrella also appears very promising. Estrella is an excellent mistake hitter who belts middle-of-the-plate fastballs or hanging breaking balls. He generates most of his power against righthanders. There are big hopes that Axel Ireton will mature into a superstar. Ireton's development is proceeding a little slower than hoped, but the Owen Sound Crusaders are no less optimistic. Chris Wilkerson appears to have a promising career ahead of him as well. His wicked changeup complements his arsenal nicely. Uche Weirich has caught the attention of the Owen Sound Crusaders press, who routinely cover his progress. Weirich has excellent speed and uses it wisely. He reads pitchers' moves well and is capable of stealing in any situation.
Score: B+
2. Yellowknife Bluenotes - Big things are expected of top prospect Mayson Fitchett. Fitchett provides an ongoing clinic on how to hit .300. He works the count in his favor, waiting for his pitch or settling for a walk. Don't forget about Kit Karlovacko. With his ability to hit for average and his sound batting eye, he makes a good No. 2 hitter. Many have been impressed with Troy Wright's work down on the farm. He thrives late in games. Bob Ineguez is another promising young talent in the Yellowknife Bluenotes farm system. Though he lacks speed, he has good reactions and first-step quickness. His arm is accurate enough. Spencer Mulkhey has been a critically acclaimed left fielder prospect. Mulkhey's development is proceeding a little slower than hoped, but the Yellowknife Bluenotes are no less optimistic.
Score: B+
3. St Paul Pride - Hoisted high on the shoulders of top prospect Aron Roberts lies the future of the St Paul Pride. Roberts has quick hands and is able to cover the entire plate. Dirk Tracey appears to have a bright future ahead of him as well. With his ability to hit for average and his sound batting eye, he makes a good No. 2 hitter. We may be seeing a lot of Jonathan Prevette soon enough. Aggressive on the basepaths, Prevette is a good basestealer and takes the extra base when needed most. Another great prospect is Danny Moore. Moore's control is among the best in the game. Moore throws a nice sinker... The rookies never seem to know when it's coming. Watch out for young Brad Sierakowski. This guy is gonna be good. Sierakowski's development is proceeding a little slower than hoped, but the St Paul Pride are no less optimistic.
Score: B+
4. Port Hope Battery - The signing of Sherry Whittle could prove instrumental for the Port Hope Battery. He's expected to play a big part of the team's future. He's got a really stong arm, so he can blow it by you on occasion. Don't forget about Joe Rodriguez. With his ability to hit for average and his sound batting eye, he makes a good No. 2 hitter. When his legs are healthy, Rodriguez is an excellent basestealer with good speed and first-step quickness. Lucas Sailsbery is also one of this team's top prospects. He should pan out nicely. His slider is sharp and breaks both horizontally and vertically. His curveball is solid; he throws it better than your average starter. Alexiz Husak appears to have a bright future ahead of him as well. Husak's development is proceeding a little slower than hoped, but the Port Hope Battery are no less optimistic. Rising relief pitcher Pier-Luc Sawaya is calling some attention to himself with his exploits in the minors. Sawaya has one of the better pickoff moves among big league righthanders.
Score: B+
5. Cold Lake Mud Cats - Management is expecting big things from their top prospect Ren Laumaster. Laumaster hasn't stepped up to fill the big shoes the Cold Lake Mud Cats are hoping he will, but these things take time. Petr Claiborne is also one of this team's top prospects. He should pan out nicely. The bottom also falls out of his very good changeup. Much has been said about prospect Keith Elliott. Elliott's bread-and-butter pitch is a devastating sinking changeup that he'll throw to any batter in any count. Many like the skills of Damon Bassinger. Bassinger hasn't stepped up to fill the big shoes the Cold Lake Mud Cats are hoping he will, but these things take time. Much has been said about prospect Nub Fulton. He's got a really stong arm, so he can blow it by you on occasion. Fulton's fastball was clocked at 95 MPH most of the season and he kept excellent control of it.
Score: B+