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MLB: 10 best farm systems in baseball

By Robby Sabo

Oct 2, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Joc Pederson (65) during workouts on the day before game one of the 2014 NLDS against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodgers Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Joc Pederson (65) during workouts on the day before game one of the 2014 NLDS against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodgers Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 16, 2015; Melbourne, FL, USA;Washington Nationals right fielder Michael Taylor (3) hits a triple to right field during the first inning a spring training baseball game against the Houston Astros at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2015; Melbourne, FL, USA;Washington Nationals right fielder Michael Taylor (3) hits a triple to right field during the first inning a spring training baseball game against the Houston Astros at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Washington Nationals

When putting together the 10 best, the 10th entry is naturally always the toughest.

Organizations such as the Colorado Rockies, Texas Rangers, Tampa Bay Rays, Kansas City Royals, and even the steady hand of the St. Louis Cardinals were all considered, but the Washington Nationals receive the nod.

Top Prospects:

  1. Lucas Giolito, RHP (7)
  2. Michael Taylor, OF (32)
  3. Reynaldo Lopez, RHP (49)
  4. Erick Fedde, RHP (90)
  5. A.J. Cole, RHP (91)
  6. Joe Ross, RHP (96)
  7. Wilmer Difo, MI
  8. Drew Ward, 3B
  9. Brian Goodwin, OF
  10. Nick Pivetta, RHP

This is downright scary to think about.

Not only do these Nats head into 2015 with by far the best club on paper, they flirt with Top 10 organizational status at the moment.

The jewel of the system comes in the form of 20-year old Lucas Giolito. Oh yeah, he’s a pitcher, the same position the Nats are loaded up at the big leagues thanks to the addition of former AL Cy Young award winner Max Scherzer.

Giolito is a hard thrower who routinely hits 95 plus on the gun with his four-seamer. Once he’s finished polishing the command he needs with his change-up, as well as mixing in curves, Giolito could be a superb big league starter. He’s also already had Tommy John surgery, which is now considered to be a plus to have that behind him.

Michael Taylor and Reynaldo Lopez represent another two kids rated rated in the top 50 of Baseball America’s Top 100 heading into 2015.

General Manager Mike Rizzo fancies himself a scout. So, naturally Washington’s entire operation revolves around great scouting and continued development. The Nats picked up Taylor and shortstop phenomenon Trea Turner (player to be named later on Jun 14) from the San Deigo Padres this past offseason in the Wil Myers three-team deal.

Next: Number 9

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