This year, I've changed the format of my ranking of the top 10 prospects in each organization. The criteria for organizing these lists are the same, but I have included a little more explanation of the state of the system and discuss any prospects (top 10 and beyond) who might help the major league team this year.
I've also folded the columns on sleeper prospects -- players who did not appear in the global top 100 but might make a big leap onto the middle of that list next year -- into these organizational reports, mentioning more than one prospect per team where it's warranted.
AL EAST | AL CENTRAL | AL WEST
NL EAST | NL CENTRAL | NL WEST
Chicago White Sox
Org rank: 28
Farm system overview
The team's selection of two prep players to start its 2012 draft was a great sign the White Sox might not be so reliant on lower-upside/higher-probability college guys under the new draft bonus system, which should help raise their rankings and make the system more productive in the future. First-rounder Courtney Hawkins is the most exciting position player prospect they've had in ages, and two pitchers from their 2011 class, Erik Johnson and Scott Snodgress, had impressive full-season debuts and look like at least back-end starters.
2013 impact
Johnson is more likely than Snodgress to help the team this year, as he has more experience as a starter dating back to college. I also could see Brazilian right-hander Andre Rienzo contributing in at least a relief role, with an above-average fastball and plus cutter that could miss bats once through the order right away.
Sleeper
Snodgress can run it up to 96 mph with an above-average curveball and developing change, but as a reliever at Stanford, he didn't get the reps or develop the fastball command to be a fast-mover in pro ball. Chicago's top pick in 2011, outfielder Keenyn Walker, played hurt for much of his first pro season with knee and shoulder injuries but showed surprising patience and might have potential as a leadoff prospect.
Cleveland Indians
Org rank: 19
Farm system overview
The Indians have shortstops galore -- three or four of whom might end up as big league regulars in an optimistic scenario -- and a lot of young pitching that's three or four years away, but short-term help is really limited and they're very light on corner bats who'll have big offensive impact. Trading Shin-Soo Choo, who had a year left until free agency, for prospects was a good move, but they'll need to make a few more such conversions to jump-start the system.
2013 impact
Trevor Bauer, the main return for Choo, should go directly into their rotation. He needs to throw more strikes, especially when behind in the count, as big league hitters don't chase a lot of stuff out of the strike zone in fastball counts. Working with a more open coaching staff will help Bauer as well, as he was a poor fit with Kirk Gibson's desire for a team of clones.
Sleeper
Right-hander Danny Salazar came back from Tommy John, and gradually built up his velocity to where he was touching 99 mph and sitting 94-96 by year-end, with two average secondary pitches. He is not huge and needs to show he can pitch with that kind of raw stuff for a full season before I'd rank him as a top-100 guy.
Detroit Tigers
Org rank: 25
Farm system overview
Their system has been hit hard by trades and the loss of first-round picks by virtue of signing free agents -- their last top-40 pick was in 2009, and their highest pick in the past two drafts was 76th overall in 2011. They've swapped more than 20 minor leaguers the past few years in deals for major league players, which is a great use of a farm system but often hurts the club on snapshot rankings like mine. Right now, it's one premium bat, two risky guys who are big league ready and a lot of lottery-ticket types in the lower minors, some of whom are really intriguing but very far away.
2013 impact
Bruce Rondon throws 102 mph, which is pretty uncommon, but he doesn't command the ball thanks to a delivery with both effort and violence to it; he also has never thrown more than 55 innings in a season due to injuries. The Tigers seem determined to give him a chance in their major league 'pen this year, and he should at least miss some bats. Avisail Garcia might be an extra outfielder for them, but I'd like to see him play every day in the minors to see whether he can improve his plate discipline, allowing him to eventually get to some power.
Sleeper
Drafted in the 29th round in 2011 out of Coahoma Community College in Mississippi, right-hander Montreal Robertson has a great body at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds and an athletic delivery, and he'll show you 94-98 mph with some feel for his off-speed stuff. He lacks experience, especially against good competition, and the command isn't there yet, but his upside is tantalizing.
Kansas City Royals
Org rank: 11
Farm system overview
Despite trading two of their top prospects, the Royals still just missed the top 10, a testament to how well they've drafted and developed the last few years, even if several of those players haven't yet made that key final adjustment to the majors. They're loaded with sleeper/breakout candidates, lots of guys you love when you see them even though you know, objectively, they're fairly low probability. Third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert fell off the top 100 this year after an abysmal 2012 season, in part the product of jumping out too often to try to go get the ball; I still love his swing and think his approach is good enough for him to eventually become an above-average regular.
2013 impact
If John Lamb is healthy -- he came back from 2011 Tommy John surgery this past August -- he could end up in the Royals' rotation in the second half of this year. Two minor league starters who could help the team in the bullpen this year: Yordano Ventura, who might sit near 100 mph in relief but doesn't have a consistent second pitch, and lefty Sam Selman, who had an awful spring at Vanderbilt in 2011 but gets it up to 97 with an arm action that looks more suited to relief.
Sleeper
Jorge Bonifacio is the biggest-upside hitter left in the system now that Wil Myers is gone. He's a high-contact guy who can murder a fastball and uses the whole field well when pitchers go off-speed. The Royals hope Adalberto Mondesi (Raul's son) is their Jurickson Profar, a shortstop with crazy instincts who makes in-game adjustments most players never learn how to make and who shows surprising power from wrist/forearm strength despite a modest frame.
Miguel Almonte works at 91-94 with a quick arm, flashing a plus change and curve, although I think he needs to use his lower half more. Kenny Diekroeger turned down first-round money out of high school from Tampa Bay, and if the Royals can undo the robotic mechanics he learned at Stanford, they might have a steal from their fourth-rounder. I could go on. It's a fun system.
Minnesota Twins
Org rank: 2
Farm system overview
They're stacked, with center fielders, athletes, power bats and, in a new development for the Twins, a few power arms sprinkled in there as well -- this ain't your father's Twins system, packed with college command-and-control pitchers with 45-grade fastballs. They fared well in the trades of Denard Span and Ben Revere, and they went for upside in the 2012 MLB draft more than they'd done in the previous few seasons.
2013 impact
Aaron Hicks might be their everyday center fielder. I worry about his history of slow starts at new levels and what will happen if he makes a two-level jump to the majors, but his glove is ready and he will work the count. Kyle Gibson is ready to start in the majors now with an above-average fastball, a plus slider and plus command, although he might not have 180 innings in him so soon after Tommy John surgery.
Sleeper
Jose Berrios is 92-94 with a hard downer curveball and feel for a change, although he doesn't get plane on the fastball and I don't love the arm action for a future starter. His pro debut was outstanding, as his stuff is probably ready for high Class A right now. German-born Max Kepler, long a favorite of mine, seemed to turn the corner this year with his approach and looks like he'll develop into a power-hitting corner outfielder who's above-average on defense.