Baseball Prospectus has a Top 15 Organizational Rankings list. I always check these things because I assume the Reds will be close to the top. Here’s they’re actually seventh, which isn’t great.
However for the Rays the news is sure good.
1. Tampa Bay Rays
Last Year’s Ranking: 1
Why They’re Unchanged: Evan Longoria’s full-season debut went even better than expected, and they added No. 1 overall pick David Price to the system.
Strengths: Yes. There are just tons of prospects everywhere, as 20 of MLB’s 30 teams don’t have one prospect ranked higher than Tampa’s fifth-rated player.
Weaknesses: It’s hard to figure out what to do with all of this talent. Seriously, they’re not just No. 1, they’re No. 1 by a mile.
Outlook for 2009 Ranking: Unchanged. Even with Longoria in the big leagues, the Rays have more than enough talent to remain at the top, and once again, they have the first overall pick in June.
I kind of hate to say it, but I’m starting to waft over to Tampa as one of my pet teams for 2008. I’ve always been a fan of Kazmir, and last year Sheilds. I also like Aki Iwamura and I’m excited to see what Evan Longoria becomes. The only thing I don’t like about the Rays is their bullpen. I’m not buying the Troy Percival resurrection. Especially over in the AL East. Still, bullpens have a funny way of coming together.
I think I’ve mentioned it before, but the Rays also have an unusually high ratio of good blogs covering them. These guys are all also incredibly prolific. I’m not just saying that. See for yourself.
- Rays Index, written by Cork Gaines, who wrote about the Rays in the Hardball Times season preview book and also does work at MLB Trade Rumors
- DRays Bay, written by R.J. Anderson, who also does the superb Behind the Boxscore site
- The MVN Rays blog, Rays Anatomy, which was primarily written by Eric SanInocencio, but now seems to have moved into three-headed territory. I can’t vouch for the other two, but Eric writing is generally both thorough and prolific.
- Then there’s this guy, who doesn’t really write about nuts and bolts Rays stuff, but is still provacative (generally) and funny (usually) about the team.
6 responses so far ↓
1 Matt // Mar 6, 2008 at 1:49 pm
I can’t wait to see the bottom 15. My beloved White Sox will likely come in last and deservedly so. I fully expect the writer to just write “sucks” in big letters or better yet, post a link to a cubs website.
I’m more than a little interested in watching the Rays this year. None of their games should be blacked out, which is good for us MLB TV subscribers here in Asia. I’m looking forward to the A’s/Rays and Rays/Marlins series in June.
2 ken // Mar 7, 2008 at 2:53 am
They did the bottom 15 last week - the White Sox were indeed last.
I’m surprised the Reds weren’t a couple of spots higher, but it’s clear that Goldstein really values depth. Let’s hope that Dusty gives the kids a chance to play.
3 Shinsano // Mar 7, 2008 at 6:41 am
It would appear Dusty isn’t giving Jay Bruce a chance to play, but I don’t know if that’s such a bad thing.
Signing Corey Pattterson could be a bad thing. I liked the idea of Lofton better.
This might just be the year the White Sox implode. I like Swisher and Orlando Cabrera, so I kind of hope they don’t, but I think it’s coming.
4 Shinsano // Mar 7, 2008 at 6:51 am
http://frontier.cincinnati.com/blogs/redsinsider/2008/03/dusty-on-votto-dunn-and-aggressiveness.asp
Alarming.
5 Matt // Mar 7, 2008 at 9:17 am
Actually, I’m cautiously optomistic about my beloved Sox. This is the first time I remember them having depth at the major league level.
I’m not sure how good we’ll be, but this should be an entertaining team to watch.
The lack of organizational depth does worry me, but I remember the Sox being one of the top ranked teams for most of the 90’s and I saw where that got them. I’m still waiting for Lorenzo Barcelo to develop into the ace he was billed as.
6 Matt // Mar 7, 2008 at 9:20 am
“There’s not a cow in Texas if he don’t get better.” - Dusty Baker on Adam Dunn.
What the hell does this mean???
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