ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel has released an updated ranking of all MLB farm systems following the draft and trade deadline. Thanks to significant leaps by several prospects this year, the New York Mets now hold the top spot.
Jonah Tong via Syracuse Mets
In McDaniel’s January farm ranking, he placed the Mets at No. 9. Additionally, using dollar values assigned to prospect tiers developed by FanGraphs, the Mets farm was then worth $222 million. After almost a full season of prospects throughout the system increasing their value, the Mets’ farm is now valued at $315 million.
Prospects in the top 50 greatly impact a team’s overall farm ranking. It’s no surprise the Mets hold the top spot, with four prospects appearing in the top 50 of last week’s ESPN Top 100 ranking. The six Mets prospects to make the list were Jett Williams (No. 18), Nolan McLean (No. 19), Jonah Tong (No. 21), Carson Benge (No. 27), A.J. Ewing (No. 74), and Brandon Sproat (No. 83).
The Mets’ grip on the top spot may be tenuous, with five of the six already residing in Triple-A Syracuse. Still, it’s the latest evidence of the organization’s commitment to retaining and developing young talent. Owner Steve Cohen made that a clear priority when he purchased the team in August of 2020.
In addition to the ESPN rating, MLB rated the Mets’ pitching prospects as the best group in the minors. Outside of McLean, Tong, and Sproat, MLB says that breakouts from the likes of Jack Wenninger and Will Watson are evidence of the team’s depth and development at the position.
