The NBA’s developmental league is a joke. Football’s minor leagues is college football. Hockey players come from Russia. Unlike any other sport, baseball revolves around its minor league system.
Prospects can be drafted and then groomed to be stars like Ryan Howard and Dustin Pedroia. Or, they can be used as trade bait to get teams over the hump, like the Red Sox did when they gave up Hanley Ramirez to get Josh Beckett in 2005.
With the amateur draft slated for June 9, here’s a quick look at who has the most appealing farmhands:
1. Rangers — The big-league club is looking like it has turned the corner, and they have some pieces teams really want in the minors. Justin Smoak, Neftali Perez and Derek Holland are studs in-waiting.
2. Braves — Tommy Hanson is the real deal. Jason Heyward is only 19, but scouts love him. Gorkys Hernandez is like Jordan Schafer but much better.
3. Phillies — Expect them to move one or more of Jason Donald, Carlos Carrasco, John Mayberry Jr. at the deadline for a pitcher. Antonio Bastardo may be better than Carrasco and is getting a big-league shot tomorrow.
4. Marlins — When you always trade stars for prospects, you better make this list. Cameron Maybin still has a chance while Mike Stanton and Matt Dominguez are mashers.
5. Giants — Madison Bumgarner and Tim Alderson are two pitchers dominating the minors. And everyone knows can’t-miss catcher Buster Posey.
