The minor league season kicks off today and, as is customary, below are the minor league affiliate (or MLB) assignments for all of colleague Keith Law's top prospects per organization. In case you missed it, Law laid out an overview and the top-10 prospects for each team , along with the risers and fallers and potential 2016 impact players.
I encourage you, dear reader and fellow baseball fan, to venture out to your nearest minor league ballpark, consume indulgent snacks and watch the future of the sport we love experience the growing pains of youth. Particularly strong rosters this year include the Philadelphia Phillies' Triple-A and Double-A affiliates in Lehigh Valley and Reading, respectively, the Minnesota Twins' high-A affiliate in Fort Myers, the Texas Rangers' Cal League affiliate (high-A) in High Desert and the newly minted Colorado Rockies' Double-A affiliate, the Hartford Yard Goats.
Below is each prospect's level and affiliate. In some cases, a prospect has remained at the spring training facility to rehab an injury or continue to work out before short-season and rookie ball begin in the summer. In those cases, I've simply put "extended spring training."
American League Baltimore OriolesFarm system rank : 27Law's team analysis
Rank Player, Position Assignment 1. Chance Sisco, C Bowie (Double-A) 2. Hunter Harvey, RHP Extended spring (rehab), Frederick (high-A) 3. David Hess, RHP Bowie (Double-A) 4. Jomar Reyes, 3B Frederick (high-A) 5. Chris Lee, LHP Bowie (Double-A) 6. D.J. Stewart, CF Delmarva (low-A) 7. Gray Fenter, RHP Extended spring training 8. Ryan Mountcastle, SS Delmarva (low-A) 9. Tanner Scott, LHP Frederick (high-A) 10. Jonah Heim, C Frederick (high-A)
Boston Red SoxFarm system rank : 10Law's team analysis
Rank Player, Position Assignment 1. Rafael Devers, 3B Salem (high-A) 2. Yoan Moncada, 2B Salem (high-A) 3. Andrew Benintendi, CF Salem (high-A) 4. Anderson Espinoza, RHP Greenville (low-A) 5. Michael Kopech, RHP Rehab, then Greenville (low-A) 6. Sam Travis, 1B Pawtucket (Triple-A) 7. Brian Johnson , LHPPawtucket (Triple-A) 8. Deven Marrero , SSPawtucket (Triple-A) 9. Luis Alexander Basabe, OF Greenville (low-A) 10. Travis Lakins, RHP Salem (high-A)
New York YankeesFarm system rank : 13Law's team analysis
Rank Player, Position Assignment 1. Aaron Judge, OF Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Triple-A) 2. Jorge Mateo, SS Tampa (high-A) 3. Gary Sanchez , CScranton/Wilkes-Barre (Triple-A) 4. James Kaprielian, RHP Tampa (high-A) 5. Ian Clarkin, LHP Tampa (high-A) 6. Dustin Fowler, CF Trenton (Double-A) 7. Wilkerman Garcia, SS Extended spring training 8. Drew Finley, RHP Extended spring training 9. Kyle Holder, SS Charleston (low-A) 10. Tyler Wade, SS Trenton (Double-A)
Tampa Bay RaysFarm system rank : 14Law's team analysis
Rank Player, Position Assignment 1. Blake Snell, LHP Durham (Triple-A) 2. Taylor Guerrieri, RHP Montgomery (Double-A) 3. Brent Honeywell, RHP Charlotte (high-A) 4. Daniel Robertson, SS Durham (Triple-A) 5. Willy Adames, SS Montgomery (Double-A) 6. Richie Shaffer , 3BDurham (Triple-A) 7. Garrett Whitley, OF Extended spring training 8. Chih-Wei Hu, RHP Montgomery (Double-A) 9. Jake Bauers, 1B Montgomery (Double-A) 10. Chris Betts, C Extended spring training
Toronto Blue JaysFarm system rank : 25Law's team analysis
Rank Player, Position Assignment 1. Anthony Alford, CF Dunedin (high-A) 2. Conner Greene, RHP Dunedin (high-A) 3. Jonathan Harris, RHP Lansing (low-A) 4. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., OF Extended spring training 5. Richard Urena, INF Dunedin (high-A) 6. Sean Reid-Foley, RHP Lansing (low-A) 7. Clinton Hollon, RHP Suspended (PEDs) 8. Justin Maese, RHP Extended spring training 9. Juan Meza, RHP Extended spring training 10. Danny Jansen, C Dunedin (high-A)
Chicago White SoxFarm system rank : 22Law's team analysis
Rank Player, Position Assignment 1. Tim Anderson, SS Charlotte (Triple-A) 2. Carson Fulmer, RHP Birmingham (Double-A) 3. Spencer Adams, RHP Wilmington (high-A) 4. Trey Michalczewski, 3B Birmingham (Double-A) 5. Jordan Guerrero, LHP Birmingham (Double-A) 6. Tyler Danish, RHP Birmingham (Double-A) 7. Corey Zangari, 1B Kannapolis (low-A) 8. Robinson Leyer, RHP Birmingham (Double-A) 9. Adam Engel, OF Birmingham (Double-A) 10. Micker Adolfo, OF Extended spring training
Cleveland IndiansFarm system rank : 11Law's team analysis
Rank Player, Position Assignment 1. Bradley Zimmer, CF Akron (Double-A) 2. Clint Frazier, OF Akron (Double-A) 3. Bobby Bradley, 1B Lynchburg (high-A) 4. Brady Aiken, LHP Extended spring training 5. Rob Kaminsky, LHP Akron (Double-A) 6. Justus Sheffield, LHP Lynchburg (high-A) 7. Tyler Naquin , CFMLB 8. Mike Clevinger, RHP Columbus (Triple-A) 9. Francisco Mejia, C Lake County (low-A) 10. Triston McKenzie, RHP Extended spring training
Detroit TigersFarm system rank : 26Law's team analysis
Rank Player, Position Assignment 1. Michael Fulmer, RHP Toledo (Triple-A) 2. Derek Hill, OF West Michigan (low-A) 3. Steven Moya , OFToledo (Triple-A) 4. Beua Burrows, RHP West Michigan (low-A) 5. Dixon Machado , SSToledo (Triple-A) 6. Christin Stewart, OF Lakeland (high-A) 7. Kevin Ziomek, LHP Erie (Double-A) 8. Spencer Turnbull, RHP Lakeland (high-A) 9. Jairo Labourt, LHP Lakeland (high-A) 10. Joe Jimenez, RHP Lakeland (high-A)
Kansas City RoyalsFarm system rank : 23Law's team analysis
Rank Player, Position Assignment 1. Raul Mondesi , SSNorthwest Arkansas (Double-A) 2. Kyle Zimmer, RHP Extended spring training (rehab), then Omaha (Triple-A) 3. Miguel Almonte , RHPOmaha (Triple-A) 4. Scott Blewett, RHP Lexington (low-A) 5. Ashe Russell, RHP Extended spring training 6. Forest Griffin, LHP Lexington (low-A) 7. Bubba Starling, OF Northwest Arkansas (Double-A) 8. Jorge Bonifacio, OF Omaha (Triple-A) 9. Nolan Watson, RHP Lexington (low-A) 10. Matt Strahm, LHP Northwest Arkansas (Double-A)
Minnesota TwinsFarm system rank : 3Law's team analysis
Rank Player, Position Assignment 1. Byron Buxton , CFMLB 2. Jose Berrios, RHP Rochester (Triple-A) 3. Max Kepler , OFRochester (Triple-A) 4. Kohl Stewart, RHP Fort Myers (high-A) 5. Tyler Jay, LHP Fort Myers (high-A) 6. Jorge Polanco , INFRochester (Triple-A) 7. Nick Gordon, SS Fort Myers (high-A) 8. Stephen Gonsalves, LHP Fort Myers (high-A) 9. Nick Burdi, RHP Chattanooga (Double-A) 10. Alex Meyer , RHPRochester (Triple-A)
Houston AstrosFarm system rank : 17Law's team analysis
Rank Player, Position Assignment 1. Alex Bregman, SS Corpus Christi (Double-A) 2. Francis Martes, RHP Corpus Christi (Double-A) 3. A.J. Reed, 1B Fresno (Triple-A) 4. Kyle Tucker, OF Quad Cities (low-A) 5. Daz Cameron, CF Quad Cities (low-A) 6. Joe Musgrove, RHP Corpus Christi (Double-A) 7. Derek Fisher, RF Corpus Christi (Double-A) 8. Colin Moran, 3B Fresno (Triple-A) 9. Michael Feliz , RHPMLB 10. Tyler White , 1BMLB
Los Angeles AngelsFarm system rank : 30Law's team analysis
Rank Player, Position Assignment 1. Jahmai Jones, OF Extended spring training 2. Victor Alcantara, RHP Arkansas (Double-A) 3. Taylor Ward, C Inland Empire (high-A) 4. Nate Smith, LHP Salt Lake (Triple-A) 5. Kaleb Cowart , 3BSalt Lake (Triple-A) 6. Julio Garcia, SS Extended spring training 7. Kyle Kubitza , 3BSalt Lake (Triple-A) 8. Jake Jewell, RHP Inland Empire (high-A) 9. David Fletcher, SS Inland Empire (high-A) 10. Greg Mahle, LHP Salt Lake (Triple-A)
Oakland AthleticsFarm system rank : 18Law's team analysis
Rank Player, Position Assignment 1. Franklin Barreto, SS Midland (Double-A) 2. Sean Manaea, LHP Nashville (Triple-A) 3. Matt Chapman, 3B Midland (Double-A) 4. Matt Olson, 1B Nashville (Triple-A) 5. Richie Martin, SS Injured (knee), then to Stockton (high-A) 6. Chad Pinder, INF Nashville (Triple-A) 7. Casey Meisner, LHP Stockton (high-A) 8. Renato Nunez, 3B Nashville (Triple-A) 9. Yairo Munoz, SS Extended spring training (foot injury) 10. Dillon Overton, LHP Nashville (Triple-A)
Seattle MarinersFarm system rank : 28Law's team analysis
Rank Player, Position Assignment 1. Alex Jackson, RF Extended spring training 2. Luiz Gohara, LHP Extended spring training 3. Edwin Diaz, RHP Jackson (Double-A) 4. Tyler O'Neill, RF Jackson (Double-A) 5. D.J. Peterson, 1B Jackson (Double-A) 6. Nick Neidert, RHP Extended spring training 7. Boog Powell, OF Tacoma (Triple-A) 8. Luis Liberato, OF Clinton (low-A) 9. Chris Torres, SS Extended spring training 10. Jio Orozco, RHP Extended spring training
Texas RangersFarm system rank : 9Law's team analysis
Rank Player, Position Assignment 1. Nomar Mazara, OF Round Rock (Triple-A) 2. Joey Gallo , 3BRound Rock (Triple-A) 3. Lewis Brinson, CF Frisco (Double-A) 4. Dillon Tate, RHP Hickory (low-A) 5. Luis Ortiz, RHP High Desert (high-A) 6. Jairo Beras, OF High Desert (high-A) 7. Ariel Jurado, RHP High Desert (high-A) 8. Josh Morgan, INF High Desert (high-A) 9. Mike Matuella, RHP Extended spring training 10. Luke Jackson , RHPRound Rock (Triple-A)
National League Atlanta BravesFarm system rank : 1Law's team analysis
Rank Player, Position Assignment 1. Dansby Swanson, SS Carolina (high-A) 2. Ozzie Albies, SS Mississippi (Double-A) 3. Sean Newcomb, LHP Mississippi (Double-A) 4. Aaron Blair, RHP Gwinnett (Triple-A) 5. Kolby Allard, RHP Extended spring training 6. Touki Toussaint, RHP Rome (low-A) 7. Max Fried, LHP Rome (low-A) 8. Tyrell Jenkins, RHP Gwinnett (Triple-A) 9. Lucas Sims, RHP Mississippi (Double-A) 10. Braxton Davidson, OF Carolina (high-A)
Miami MarlinsFarm system rank : 29Law's team analysis
Rank Player, Position Assignment 1. Tyler Kolek, RHP Injured (Tommy John surgery) 2. Jarlin Garcia, LHP Jacksonville (Double-A) 3. Kendry Flores , RHPNew Orleans (Triple-A) 4. Stone Garrett, OF Extended spring training 5. Josh Naylor, 1B Greensboro (low-A) 6. Isael Soto, OF Greensboro (low-A) 7. Brain Anderson, 3B Jupiter (high-A) 8. K.J. Woods, 1B Jupiter (high-A) 9. J.T. Riddle, SS Jacksonville (Double-A) 10. Roy Morales, C Extended spring training
New York MetsFarm system rank : 16Law's team analysis
Rank Player, Position Assignment 1. Dominic Smith, 1B Binghamton (Double-A) 2. Steven Matz , LHPMLB 3. Amed Rosario, SS St. Lucie (high-A) 4. Gavin Cecchini, SS Las Vegas (Triple-A) 5. Wuilmer Becerra, OF St. Lucie (high-A) 6. Brandon Nimmo, OF Las Vegas (Triple-A) 7. Desmond Lindsay, OF Extended spring training 8. Robert Gsellman, RHP Binghamton (Double-A) 9. Jhoan Urena, 3B St. Lucie (high-A) 10. Luis Carpio, SS Kingsport (Rookie)
Philadelphia PhilliesFarm system rank : 6Law's team analysis
Rank Player, Position Assignment 1. J.P. Crawford, SS Reading (Double-A) 2. Jake Thompson, RHP Lehigh Valley (Triple-A) 3. Mark Appel, RHP Lehigh Valley (Triple-A) 4. Nick Williams, OF Lehigh Valley (Triple-A) 5. Jorge Alfaro, C Reading (Double-A) 6. Scott Kingery, 2B Clearwater (high-A) 7. Cornelius Randolph, LF Lakewood (low-A) 8. Franklyn Kilome, RHP Lakewood (low-A) 9. Ricardo Pinto, RHP Reading (Double-A) 10. Rhy Hoskins, 1B Reading (Double-A)
Washington NationalsFarm system rank : 15Law's team analysis
Rank Player, Position Assignment 1. Lucas Giolito, RHP Harrisburg (Double-A) 2. Trea Turner , SSSyracuse (Triple-A) 3. Victor Robles, OF Hagerstown (low-A) 4. Reynaldo Lopez, RHP Harrisburg (Double-A) 5. Wilmer Difo , SSHarrisburg (Double-A) 6. A.J. Cole , RHPSyracuse (Triple-A) 7. Erick Fedde, RHP Potomac (high-A) 8. Jackson Reetz, C Hagerstown (low-A) 9. Osvaldo Abreu, INF Potomac (high-A) 10. Pedro Severino , CSyracuse (Triple-A)
Chicago CubsFarm system rank : 4Law's team analysis
Rank Player, Position Assignment 1. Gleyber Torres, SS Myrtle Beach (high-A) 2. Willson Contreras, C Iowa (Triple-A) 3. Ian Happ, 2B Myrtle Beach (high-A) 4. Billy McKinney, LF Tennessee (Double-A) 5. Albert Almora, OF Iowa (Triple-A) 6. Dylan Cease, RHP Extended spring training 7. Eddy Julio Martinez, OF South Bend (low-A) 8. Duane Underwood, RHP Extended spring training 9. Eloy Jimenez, OF South Bend (low-A) 10. Jeimer Candelario, 3B Tennessee (Double-A)
Cincinnati RedsFarm system rank : 12Law's team analysis
Rank Player, Position Assignment 1. Robert Stephenson , RHPMLB 2. Jesse Winker, OF Louisville (Triple-A) 3. Cody Reed, LHP Louisville (Triple-A) 4. Amir Garrett, LHP Pensacola (Double-A) 5. Tyler Stephenson, C Dayton (low-A) 6. Nick Travieso, RHP Pensacola (Double-A) 7. Alex Blandino, 2B Pensacola (Double-A) 8. Jose Peraza , 2BLouisville (Triple-A) 9. Phil Ervin, OF Pensacola (Double-A) 10. Tyler Mahle, RHP Daytona (high-A)
Milwaukee BrewersFarm system rank : 5Law's team analysis
Rank Player, Position Assignment 1. Orlando Arcia, SS Colorado Springs (Triple-A) 2. Brett Phillips, OF Biloxi (Double-A) 3. Trent Clark, OF Extended spring training 4. Jorge Lopez , RHPColorado Springs (Triple-A) 5. Michael Reed , OFColorado Springs (Triple-A) 6. Gilbert Lara, SS Extended spring training 7. Josh Hader, LHP Biloxi (Double-A) 8. Isan Diaz, SS Wisconsin (low-A) 9. Adrian Houser , RHPBiloxi (Double-A) 10. Jacob Nottingham, C Biloxi (Double-A)
Pittsburgh PiratesFarm system rank : 8Law's team analysis
Rank Player, Position Assignment 1. Tyler Glasnow, RHP Indianapolis (Triple-A) 2. Austin Meadows, CF Altoona (Double-A) 3. Kevin Newman, SS Bradenton (high-A) 4. Josh Bell, 1B Indianapolis (Triple-A) 5. Ke'Bryan Hayes, 3B West Virginia (low-A) 6. Harold Ramirez, OF Altoona (Double-A) 7. Jameson Taillon, RHP Indianapolis (Triple-A) 8. Cole Tucker, SS Bradenton (high-A) 9. Alen Hanson, 2B Indianapolis (Triple-A) 10. Reese McGuire, C Altoona (Double-A)
St. Louis CardinalsFarm system rank : 19Law's team analysis
Rank Player, Position Assignment 1. Alex Reyes, RHP Suspended (Marijuana) 2. Marco Gonzales , LHPMemphis (Triple-A) 3. Jack Flaherty, RHP Palm Beach (high-A) 4. Junior Fernandez, RHP Peoria (low-A) 5. Magneuris Sierra, OF Peoria (low-A) 6. Edmundo Sosa, SS Peoria (low-A) 7. Carson Kelly, C Springfield (Double-A) 8. Jake Woodford, RHP Peoria (low-A) 9. Luke Weaver, RHP Extended spring training 10. Nick Plummer, OF Extended spring training
Arizona DiamondbacksFarm system rank : 24Law's team analysis
Rank Player, Position Assignment 1. Braden Shipley, RHP Reno (Triple-A) 2. Archie Bradley , RHPReno (Triple-A) 3. Brandon Drury , 2B/3BMLB 4. Socrates Brito , OFMLB 5. Anthony Banda, LHP Mobile (Double-A) 6. Taylor Clarke, RHP Kane County (low-A) 7. Alex Young, LHP Kane County (low-A) 8. Wei-Chieh Huang, RHP Extended spring training 9. Cody Reed, LHP Kane County (low-A) 10. Brad Keller, RHP Visalia (high-A)
Colorado RockiesFarm system rank : 7Law's team analysis
Rank Player, Position Assignment 1. Brendan Rodgers, SS Asheville (low-A) 2. David Dahl, OF Hartford (Double-A) 3. Ryan McMahon, 3B Hartford (Double-A) 4. Raimel Tapia, OF Hartford (Double-A) 5. Jeff Hoffman, RHP Albuquerque (Triple-A) 6. Jon Gray , RHPMLB 7. Forrest Wall, 2B Modesto (high-A) 8. Tom Murphy , CAlbuquerque (Triple-A) 9. Kyle Freeland, LHP Hartford (Double-A) 10. Antonio Senzatela, RHP Hartford (Double-A)
Los Angeles DodgersFarm system rank : 2Law's team analysis
Rank Player, Position Assignment 1. Corey Seager , SSMLB 2. Julio Urias, LHP Oklahoma City (Triple-A) 3. Alex Verdugo, OF Tulsa (Double-A) 4. Jose De Leon, RHP Extended spring training (rehab) 5. Grant Holmes, RHP Rancho Cucamonga (high-A) 6. Yusnier Diaz, OF Rancho Cucamonga (high-A) 7. Cody Bellinger, 1B Tulsa (Double-A) 8. Austin Barnes , C/2BMLB 9. Omar Estevez, 2B/3B Great Lakes (low-A) 10. Frankie Montas , RHPInjured (Ribs)
San Diego PadresFarm system rank : 20Law's team analysis
Rank Player, Position Assignment 1. Manuel Margot, OF El Paso (Triple-A) 2. Javy Guerra , SSLake Elsinore (high-A) 3. Hunter Renfroe, OF El Paso (Triple-A) 4. Colin Rea , RHPMLB 5. Ruddy Giron, SS Fort Wayne (low-A) 6. Jose Rondon, SS San Antonio (Double-A) 7. Jacob Nix, RHP Fort Wayne (low-A) 8. Austin Smith, RHP Fort Wayne (low-A) 9. Logan Allen, LHP Fort Wayne (low-A) 10. Luis Perdomo , RHPMLB
San Francisco GiantsFarm system rank : 21Law's team analysis
Rank Player, Position Assignment 1 Christian Arroyo, SS Richmond (Double-A) 2. Tyler Beede, RHP Richmond (Double-A) 3. Lucius Fox, SS Augusta (low-A) 4. Phil Bickford, RHP Augusta (low-A) 5. Clayton Blackburn, RHP Sacramento (Triple-A) 6. Jalen Miller, SS Augusta (low-A) 7. Jordan Johnson, RHP San Jose (high-A) 8. Adalberto Mejia, LHP Richmond (Double-A) 9. Chris Shaw, 1B San Jose (high-A) 10. Sam Coonrod, RHP San Jose (high-A)
Baltimore Orioles
Boston Red Sox
New York Yankees
Tampa Bay Rays
Toronto Blue Jays
Chicago White Sox
Cleveland Indians
Detroit Tigers
Kansas City Royals
Minnesota Twins
Houston Astros
Los Angeles Angels
Oakland Athletics
Seattle Mariners
Texas Rangers
Atlanta Braves
Miami Marlins
New York Mets
Philadelphia Phillies
Washington Nationals
Chicago Cubs
Cincinnati Reds
Milwaukee Brewers
Pittsburgh Pirates
St. Louis Cardinals
Arizona Diamondbacks
Colorado Rockies
Los Angeles Dodgers
San Diego Padres
San Francisco Giants