ESPN ranks Cubs Farm System in Top 20 |
CHICAGO -- The Cubs have had some of the top homegrown prospects in the last few years help lead them to their first World Series win since 1908. However, the Cubs don't have an elite farm system even more because of a few trades that pushed them over the edge as champions in 2016.
ESPN senior writer Keith Law released his latest farm system rankings, and the Cubs were ranked #18 overall. "You can’t complain, Cubs fans, although some of you will," Law said. "The front office used the fruits of years of strong drafts and trades to bolster the big league club via promotions and the deal for Aroldis Chapman. The result was a world championship. Even with the trade of Gleyber Torres, the Cubs still have a very high-end hitting prospect in teenager, Eloy Jimenez -- the guy who hit a ball in the Futures Game that bounced off the third story of the left field façade at Petco Park -- and some midlevel starting pitching depth coming, with one potential ace if the guy can just stay healthy." The Cubs shouldn't worry too much about being in the middle of the ranking as their players in the big leagues are top notch quality. "Between the trades, promotions, and lack of a Day 1 draft pick in 2016, this is a thinner system than it was a year ago. It will probably stay down for a while now that the team is in full-throttle contention mode."
