This season's most improved farm systems
We talk about breakout prospects all the time, like Ethan Salas going from being a 16-year-old new signee to a Double-A player in just a few months or Junior Caminero starting the season outside the Top 100 and ending it at No. 6 (and likely higher by the time of
We talk about breakout prospects all the time, like Ethan Salas going from being a 16-year-old new signee to a Double-A player in just a few months or Junior Caminero starting the season outside the Top 100 and ending it at No. 6 (and likely higher by the time of our next update).
But what of breakout farm systems?
There are multiple avenues in which an entire system could take a jump in a calendar year. The most straightforward is good old-fashioned player development, i.e. getting multiple players at once to improve enough that the entire organization gets noticeably better from an outside viewpoint. Strong Draft classes can also improve a club's Minor League standing, and while no club wants to be a seller, in-season trades can bring extra talent and depth to the system's present and the organization's future.
Since we've reached the last week of the calendar year, let's look at six of the most improved farm systems from 2023, in alphabetical order:
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs climbed from No. 12 in our preseason farm system rankings to No. 4 in the midseason update, thanks to nice jumps from players like Cade Horton and Owen Caissie and a debut from Pete Crow-Armstrong, and even since then, 2023 first-rounder Matt Shaw found his way into the Top 100 as he pushed his way from Maryland to Double-A in a matter of months. Chicago now boasts six MLB Pipeline Top 100 prospects, putting it in a tie with Baltimore and San Diego for most in the game, and there's a good case to be made that Moises Ballesteros, James Triantos and Jordan Wicks should get Top 100 consideration as well. The Cubs are in a position where the focus should always be on the top level, but there's an impressive prospect base to build around here too.
Chicago White Sox
The South Siders remain far from the top tier of farm systems, but it's easier to see them closer to the middle these days than it was back in June. Chicago was one of the busier sellers at the Deadline and picked up Edgar Quero, Jake Eder, Nick Nastrini, Ky Bush and Korey Lee, among others. That came after a deep Draft that saw the organization add four of MLB Pipeline's Top 100 prospects in Jacob Gonzalez, Grant Taylor, Seth Keener and George Wolkow. Wolkow -- ranked at 71st overall but drafted in the seventh round -- may have been a particular steal as a $1 million signing. Overall, 10 of the club's present Top 19 prospects weren't in the organization in June, and the biggest name that's remained all along (Colson Montgomery) proved why he's one of the best shortstop prospects in baseball with a productive Arizona Fall League.
Detroit Tigers
Health will take you a long way. Colt Keith missed much of 2022 with a shoulder injury but vaulted to the No. 25 overall spot as he clubbed 27 homers and posted a .932 OPS in 126 games between Double-A and Triple-A. Jackson Jobe's stock looked like it was slipping when back issues held him behind in the first half of the season; now with his wicked slider, added cutter and improved fastball, he's one of the best pitching prospects in the game again. In the Draft, the Tigers took one of the Big Five in the class in Max Clark and used some of the savings to give their contingent great depth and ceiling by adding Top 100 Draft prospects Kevin McGonigle, Max Anderson and Paul Wilson with their next three picks. Nice steps forward by pitchers Troy Melton, Sawyer-Gipson Long and Keider Montero were certainly welcome, while Justice Bigbie followed the Kerry Carpenter breakout model and Parker Meadows put himself on the inside track for the Opening Day center-field spot. Ranked 13th in our midseason farm system rankings, the Tigers seemingly have more helium where that came from.
Milwaukee Brewers
"This is the breakout system of the 2023 season." That's what we wrote back in August, and it holds up. Ranked 15th to start the season, the Crew leaped to No. 3 in the midseason rankings and should hold around there, even with the graduation of Sal Frelick. Jackson Chourio solidified himself as one of the top talents in the Minor Leagues (and now has the eight-year contract to prove it), while Jeferson Quero, Jacob Misiorowski and Tyler Black all joined him in the Top 100. Strong seasons from Robert Gasser and Carlos F. Rodriguez solidified that Milwaukee has quality upper-level arms, while Luis Lara followed the Chourio route of skipping the Arizona Complex League to join Single-A Carolina in his age-18 season (albeit with less power). ACC home run king Brock Wilken brought thunder as this year's 18th overall pick, and Cooper Pratt (a $1.35 million signing in the sixth round) could be one of the coups of the Draft. Milwaukee might be shedding salary in The Show of late, but if it intends to keep competing in the NL Central, this is the level of system it needs to maintain.
New York Mets
With Francisco Alvarez and Brett Baty likely to graduate early and the team in win-now mode, New York's farm system stood to take a hit in 2023. You likely know what came next. The Mets became surprise sellers at Deadline time and used their financial might to pay off part of the large contracts of Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander to acquire top prospects Luisangel Acuña, Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford. Getting potential plus hitter Marco Vargas from the Marlins might also prove to be a savvy move. The upper levels also saw Mike Vasil, Blade Tidwell, Christian Scott, Dominic Hamel and Tyler Stuart prove that they could be MLB rotation options early in '24, and Jett Williams showed he might be the best prospect of them all with a .425 OBP and 45 steals across three levels in his first full season. Even if this isn't a Top 5 system in baseball needed to rebuild an organization, it can help the Mets retool over the next two years, and that's a much better place to be than where it was in early July.
San Diego Padres
We mentioned Salas’ status as the Breakout Prospect of the Year up top, and it’s worth noting that left-hander Robby Snelling was the runner-up for Pitching Prospect of the Year with his 1.82 ERA and 118 strikeouts in 103 2/3 innings across three levels. The addition of right-hander Drew Thorpe (the actual Pitching Prospect winner) in the Juan Soto trade puts San Diego in a tie for the most Top 100 prospects with six total. That’s notable on its own, and you can bet that that fact will help the Padres climb higher than their spot at ninth in the midseason rankings. But what really kicked San Diego up a notch was the quality of its 2022 Draft class. Snelling and Dylan Lesko were already top talents, but Graham Pauley, Jakob Marsee and Nathan Martorella proved to be forces too and will be must-follows moving forward. So much for the original Soto trade wrecking the system.
Sam Dykstra is a reporter for MiLB.com. Follow and interact with him on Twitter, @SamDykstraMiLB.
Multi-platinum Artist Tyler Hubbard to Headline Concert at Four Winds Field August 27
SOUTH BEND, IN - Live country music is set to return to Four Winds Field for the first time since 2018 as 22x No. 1 country hitmaker Tyler Hubbard will bring his high-energy show, as both one-half of Florida Georgia Line and as a solo artist, to Downtown South Bend
South Bend Takes Finale in Wisconsin 5-4
Appleton, WI - The South Bend Cubs will enter the Major and Minor League Baseball All-Star Break with some major momentum. That’s after defeating the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Sunday afternoon in Appleton by a final of 5-4. The Cubs took five of six games away from their West Division
‘Rattlers Come Back to Bite Cubs 3-2
Appleton, WI - The second longest winning streak of the season for the South Bend Cubs has come to an end. After winning five straight games since Sunday’s finale against Peoria, the Cubs fell for the first time this week in their series in Appleton, dropping Saturday’s game to Wisconsin
Rojas Homers Twice in 6-2 Victory Over Wisconsin
Appleton, WI - The South Bend Cubs have won five straight games, and already with four wins this week on the road in Appleton taking on the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, South Bend has earned a season win. In nonstop rain showers in Northern Wisconsin Friday night, the Cubs defeated the
Cubs Smack Season-Best 16 hits, Sting ‘Rattlers 12-3
Appleton, WI - It’s been a week full of season-bests for the South Bend Cubs so far up in Appleton, winning the first three games in their series against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. South Bend has won four straight games, including most recently on Thursday night by a final of
South Bend Wins Third Straight, Skips Past Wisconsin 3-1
Appleton, WI - Behind the third time this season that starter Evan Aschenbeck has pitched seven innings in an outing, the South Bend Cubs took down the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in Appleton by a final of 3-1 to win its third straight game. The Cubs have taken the first two
Cubs Launch Season-High Four Homers in 13-4 Beatdown of ‘Rattlers
Appleton, WI - In an important second half road series in the Midwest League West Division, the South Bend Cubs hammered the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Tuesday night to begin this new series in Appleton, taking down the Milwaukee Brewers affiliate 13-4. South Bend cursed a season-best four home runs
Toyota Road Report: July 8-13
The Major and Minor League Baseball All-Star Break is one week away, and teams around the country are trying to bottle up final bits of momentum that they can take with them into the midsummer breather. For the South Bend Cubs, it’s an important road series on the way up
Promotions Preview: A Four Winds Field Independence Day Celebration For The Ages!
The biggest Independence Day extravaganza in Michiana is happening this weekend at Four Winds Field in Downtown South Bend. The South Bend Cubs return home following the team’s longest road trip of the season, with home games on July 4, 5, and 6. The Cubs will take on the Peoria
Cubs Salvage 5-3 Sunday Win to End Peoria Series
The South Bend Cubs (29-52) ended their week with a 5-3 win against the Peoria Chiefs (35-45) on Sunday at Four Winds Field. The Cubs never trailed in the game, getting five shutout innings from their bullpen on a day when the conditions favored offense. Peoria still won the series,
Peoria Pitching Calms Cubs Again in 5-2 Loss
The Peoria Chiefs (35-44) won a fifth consecutive game against the South Bend Cubs (28-52) on Saturday night at Four Winds Field, claiming a 5-2 victory. The Cubs have now lost six consecutive games both overall and within the season series against Peoria. Click here to view Saturday’s box score.
Seven-Run Inning Hinders Cubs in 9-4 Loss to Peoria
With a Fourth of July attendance of 7,541, the largest Four Winds Field crowd of the season, the South Bend Cubs (28-51) dropped Friday’s game to the Peoria Chiefs (34-44). In their 9-4 victory, the Chiefs scored seven runs in the fourth inning to take an 8-0 lead. Peoria has
Chiefs Walk Off Cubs 3-2, Sweep Peoria Leg of Series
Following Wednesday’s 21-2 loss, the South Bend Cubs (28-50) dropped a nailbiter to the Peoria Chiefs (33-44) on Thursday. The Chiefs walked off the Cubs by a 3-2 score in 10 innings, earning their third consecutive win to open the series. Both teams will now head to South Bend and
Cubs Overwhelmed by Chiefs Offense in 21-2 Defeat
The South Bend Cubs (28-49) were on the receiving end of a Peoria Chiefs (32-44) avalanche Wednesday night, taking a 21-2 loss at Dozer Park. Peoria set season highs in runs, hits, and doubles, scoring at least 20 runs in a game for the first time since 2004. The Chiefs
Cubs’ Bats Go Cold in 6-1 Loss at Peoria
The South Bend Cubs (28-48) couldn’t crack the code on offense in Tuesday’s series opener at Peoria, dropping a 6-1 result to the Chiefs (31-44). With the outcome, both teams moved to 5-5 in the second half, as Peoria allowed only three hits, all singles. Click here to view Tuesday’s
Live Pro Wrestling Returns to Four Winds Field August 30
Revolution Championship Wrestling Presents SWINGING FOR THE FENCES LIVE Saturday, August 30, 2025 at Four Winds Field. Gates Open and Meet & Greet begins at 5:00pm. Bell time is at 7:00pm. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS Tickets Ringside (1st & 2nd Rows) - $25 Ringside (3rd through 5th Rows) -
Cubs Go Quietly in Series Finale, End June With 6-1 Loss
The South Bend Cubs (28-47) came up short in their series finale and June finale against the Cedar Rapids Kernels (43-32) on Sunday afternoon. With a 6-1 loss, the Cubs finished June with a 14-11 record and are still above .500 at 5-4 in the second half. They’ll leave Cedar
Cubs Hold On for 5-4 Win, Capture Series in Cedar Rapids
The South Bend Cubs (28-46) won their series against the Cedar Rapids Kernels (42-32) on Saturday evening at Veterans Memorial Stadium, winning the game by a 5-4 score. The Cubs have now won consecutive road series after going without a winning road series throughout April and May. They also remain
Cubs Pummel Kernels 12-4 After Dropping Suspended Game 6-5
The South Bend Cubs (27-46) guaranteed themselves at least a split of their road series against the Cedar Rapids Kernels (42-31) on Friday evening at Veterans Memorial Stadium. After losing the completion of Thursday’s suspended game by a 6-5 score, the Cubs rolled to a 12-4 win in Friday’s scheduled
Schlaffer Shines Again, Cubs Push Past Kernels 4-1
Since turning 24 on May 24, Tyler Schlaffer has become one of the Midwest League’s most dominant starting pitchers. Across his last five starts, he’s allowed just two runs in 34 innings, adding to those numbers with 10 strikeouts in seven one-hit frames Wednesday at Cedar Rapids. Schlaffer’s effort led
Cubs Start Long Road Trip With 10-6 Win in Cedar Rapids
The South Bend Cubs (25-45) pounced on their first road opportunity of the second half Tuesday at Veterans Memorial Stadium, defeating the Cedar Rapids Kernels (41-29) by a 10-6 score to open their nine-game road trip. South Bend never trailed in the game, posting double-digit runs for the fourth time
Toyota Road Report: June 24-29
An early road test in the second half awaits the South Bend Cubs this week, as they’ll end the month of June with six games against the Cedar Rapids Kernels, the High-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. After those six, the Cubs will play three games in Peoria to complete
Captains Score Nine Unanswered Runs, Win 10-5 Again in South Bend
The Lake County Captains (37-32) captured a series win on Sunday at Four Winds Field, besting the South Bend Cubs (24-45) by a 10-5 score for the second consecutive day. After falling behind by a 5-1 score at the end of three innings, the Captains scored nine consecutive runs, including
Captains Pull Away Late in 10-5 Defeat of South Bend
On Saturday at Four Winds Field, the Lake County Captains (36-32) took down the South Bend Cubs (24-44) by a 10-5 score. The Captains used a six-run ninth inning to break the game open late, finishing the night with 12 hits. On the other side, the Cubs posted nine hits,
Bowser Brings Home a Win, Cubs Walk Off Captains 5-4
With 6,528 packing Four Winds Field on Friday night, the South Bend Cubs gave their fans a game to remember. The Cubs (24-43) walked off the Lake County Captains (35-32) by a 5-4 score, as first baseman Drew Bowser delivered the game-winning single in the 10th inning. His swing brought