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've 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 on to 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
Houston Astros
Org rank: 4
Farm system overview
It's a big turnaround for Houston, a team that was last in these rankings just a few years ago and that saw virtually no return from the draft from 2005 through 2009, some of which look laughable in hindsight. Their 2010 draft class started to break through this year, their trade of Hunter Pence looks even better a year later, and they managed their bonus pool in the 2012 draft as well as any team. The big league club may be "Plan 9 from Outer Space" bad this year, but at least respectability is on the horizon.
2013 impact
Had Jonathan Singleton not been suspended for a second positive marijuana test, he would likely have spent four months or so as Houston's first baseman this year. Now he probably won't see the majors until late summer. Jarred Cosart, acquired in the Pence trade with Singleton and emerging prospect Domingo Santana, is always a candidate for a move to the bullpen, where his health and command issues won't be such a concern and where he could pitch in the majors immediately.
Sleeper
Aside from Santana, keep an eye on Teoscar Hernandez, a Dominican-born rightfielder with a great right-handed swing, a good body, and above-average or better run and throw tools.
Los Angeles Angels
Org rank: 30
Farm system overview
The cupboard is nearly bare after years of trades, promotions, and lost draft picks, with the Angels the only team that didn't have a pick on the first day of the 2012 draft. Mike Trout and Jered Weaver, both first-rounders, are in the majors; Tyler Skaggs, a comp pick, and second-rounder Pat Corbin were traded for Dan Haren and are in the majors for Arizona. Their drafts have been fine but they've obtained almost nothing on the international front, with their top nine prospects right now all obtained through the draft.
2013 impact
Outfielder Kole Calhoun would be a great bench guy and extra outfielder, although the outfield in Anaheim is already fairly crowded. Lefty Nick Maronde will probably go to the minors to work as a starter, but he'd be an asset out of the 'pen if the need arises, as would their top selection in 2012, Florida Atlantic alum R.J. Alvarez, who has big stuff but a clear reliever's delivery.
Sleeper
I saw quite a bit of shortstop Jose Rondon in the Arizona Rookie League, one of the few age-appropriate players on a fairly old AZL Angels team; he's a shortstop with a wide stance but good hand-eye coordination, producing line drives and lots of contact. I should also make my annual mention of Taylor Lindsey, a fringy defensive second baseman who doesn't walk enough but has one of the sweetest swings in the minors.
Oakland Athletics
Org rank: 22
Farm system overview
The A's used a lot of rookies in 2012, led by Jarrod Parker and Yoenis Cespedes, leaving the system a little thin after all of the graduations. They did restock with a strong draft, led by Addison Russell, a prep shortstop who raked in two short-season leagues and finished his first pro summer in full-season ball, something almost unheard of for a player taken out of high school. Their rookie-league club was loaded with a mixture of high-upside guys and lower-ceiling, high-probability guys, although most are too far away for serious top-100 consideration.
2013 impact
Dan Straily is ready to be someone's No. 5 starter now, with the hope that he might end up a league-average guy in a year or so; he led the minors in strikeouts last year without a real plus pitch, changing speeds well and throwing strikes. Grant Green could win the second base job after Jemile Weeks' abysmal 2012 season put his hold on the spot in jeopardy.
Sleeper
Nolan Sanburn had a first-round arm but slid to the second after a minor shoulder issue and because he's a sub-six-foot right-hander; he's got above-average velocity and an out-pitch curveball, earning comps to Ben Sheets and Roy Oswalt as someone who can succeed despite a lack of height because he can spin the ball and throw a lot of strikes.
Seattle Mariners
Org rank: 8
Farm system overview
The Mariners still have starting pitching on the way, maybe not quite as potent a group as it appeared to have a year ago, but still enough that they're looking at a rotation surplus in the near term. Their first pick in 2012, catcher Mike Zunino, tore the cover off the ball in his pro debut, finishing in Double-A, and even if we discard those as small samples, on draft day he looked like someone who could move quickly to become a big-league regular.
2013 impact
Danny Hultzen had a horrid finish to his 2012 season, but he's healthy, and that puts him first in line for a big-league rotation job when one opens up, ahead of Brandon Maurer and James Paxton. Zunino should get there at some point this year, as should Nick Franklin if the team wants to swap out some defense for some offense at short. The bullpen could get a big jolt from Carter Capps, who doesn't get the press of Tigers relief prospect Bruce Rondon but is more ready to help a major league bullpen.
Sleeper
Victor Sanchez doesn't have the ideal body, listed at 6 feet and a big-boned 255 pounds, but he just turned 18 on Jan. 30 and already has a solid summer in the short-season Class A Northwest League under his belt. His arm works great and the stuff is already present, but the fastball command isn't quite where you want it to be yet. If you want a sleeper for the 2015 list, Brazilian lefty Luiz Gohara sits in the upper 80s with the shape and rotation for a plus curveball after a year or two in pro ball; he's got the size at 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, but will start the season at age 16 and has just begun getting real professional instruction.
Texas Rangers
Org rank: 9
Farm system overview
They've got a few valuable, near-in guys in Jurickson Profar, Mike Olt, and the enigmatic Martin Perez, with righty Cody Buckel not too far behind. After that group, you have something of a gap until you get to the lower levels, where they had the Arizona Rookie League's strongest team of prospects, with a lineup full of possible impact bats. Their main international signing from 2012, Jairo Beras, hasn't even been able to play yet due to a one-year suspension that expires in July, although he'll be in extended spring training. They're probably thinner in pitching than they've been at any point in the last three or four offseasons, though.
2013 impact
Profar is ready to play everyday, but right now, he's blocked by Elvis Andrus at short and Ian Kinsler at second. Kinsler could move to first for Profar to play second, which would make the team better right away. Olt is just as blocked, and moving him to first from third eats up a lot of his value, since he's a great defender. Perez has the stuff and might be worked in slowly this year if he starts off well in Triple-A. Wilmer Font may log some more big league time in a relief role, with a plus-plus fastball and a decent change.
Sleeper
The Rangers have a slew of candidates here, more than any team except maybe the Royals, but I was blown away by the changes Lewis Brinson made to his swing over the summer, setting up his hands a little lower and further back while shortening his stride, significantly improving his bat speed through the zone without any loss of power. His pitch recognition needs work, but he's got easy power from his hand strength, and as a plus runner who covers a lot of territory in center, he has star potential if he can show some mastery over the strike zone.