As MLB teams look ahead to the trade deadline and late season minor league call-ups, we discuss the top prospect for all 30 major league clubs.
The farm system is the lifeblood of a successful major league franchise. There are a variety of ways in which teams can bolster the talent available in the minors. The MLB First-year Player Draft, held in June each season, tops the list, followed closely by the international free agent signing period, which begins July 2.
Of course, teams also acquire talent through trades. Each summer, rebuilding clubs swap veterans to contenders for prospects – another reason why it is important to keep the farm system stocked, since it’s nearly impossible to land an important missing roster piece for a pennant run without talented assets.
Top prospects hold a special place for teams. They are often No. 1 draft picks, or big money signees, and often have the talent to be potential franchise cornerstones – either for their current franchise, or the one angling to acquire them through trade.
As we take a closer look at the No. 1 prospect for all 30 major league clubs, we’ll refer to the Top 100 (or Top 101) lists for MLB.com, Baseball Prospectus, Baseball America and FanGraphs in addition to our own observations in order to give a clearer picture of where each top prospect stands in the eyes of some of the top talent evaluators in the business.
Note the lists at MLB.com and Baseball America have been updated since the beginning of the season, dropping prospects that have established themselves as major leaguers (such as Dansby Swanson, Manuel Margot, Andrew Benintendi and others). BP and FanGraphs have not updated their lists, and prospects may therefore rank slightly lower than they would if major leaguers were removed.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Anthony Banda, LHP
- MLB.com: NR
- Baseball Prospectus: NR
- Baseball America: 83
- FanGraphs: 88
The Diamondbacks don’t have much in terms of top-end prospect talent in the farm system. In fact, only one prospect in the system ranks among the top 100 prospects in baseball according to any of the four major publishers – left-handed pitcher Anthony Banda, who ranks No. 83 according to Baseball America and No. 88 at FanGraphs. Therefore, it should be no surprise that Arizona ranks toward the bottom of the organizational prospect rankings for most outlets.
Banda is a good pitcher, though his 4.47 ERA in 56.1 innings across 10 starts in (hitter friendly) Triple-A Reno isn’t outstanding. Drafted by Milwaukee in the 10th round of the 2012 draft out of San Jancito Junior College, Banda spent two and a half years in the Brewers organization before he was traded to Arizona (who drafted him in the 33rd round the previous season as a high school prospect) with Mitch Haniger for Gerardo Parra.
Baseball America ranked Banda as the No. 27 prospect in the Brewers organization following the 2013 season, and he climbed from No. 17 to No. 15 and No. 1 from 2014-16. Nothing in Banda’s three-pitch arsenal will blow hitters away. His fastball sits in the low 90s, but can touch 95 and his curveball is above average, but his changeup needs improvement.
In six minor league seasons, Banda has a 3.56 ERA in 118 appearances, including 101 starts. His best season to date was 2016, when he posted a 2.88 ERA with 152 strikeouts and 55 walks in 150 innings split between Double-A and Triple-A.
Though he is in line for a September call-up this season, the 23-year-old Banda isn’t likely to break into the starting rotation unless the Diamondbacks suffer more injuries. His future may be in the bullpen.