I should note that this will miss some guys still in DFA, and will obviously miss players who have not signed. To be clear, though, this one is using all players in the organization (which is highfalutin way of saying it includes the International Complex). It also will use overall ratings based on position regardless of whether that’s “right” or not. An 80 reliever is an 80 reliever (I think OOTP has dialed that down a little, but there you have it). Also, remember, this is only players in the minor leagues. If you have a fresh-faced rookie call up on your active roster, he’s no longer considered part of your minor leagues for this study.
I should note, too, that the players here are now limited to 25 years or younger.
First, though, let’s look at how the environment is changing.
| Year | 80 | 75 | 70 | 65 | 60 | 55 | 50 | 45 | 40 | Tot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2041 | 20 | 11 | 19 | 25 | 46 | 57 | 146 | 337 | 710 | 1371 |
| 2042 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 22 | 40 | 53 | 150 | 409 | 789 | 1489 |
| 2043 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 27 | 28 | 77 | 150 | 448 | 761 | 1513 |
In 2041, there were 121 players in BBA systems rated 60 Potential or higher. 2042 saw 88. 2043 sees 77. So the top of our systems are draining out--which makes some sense. As I wrote last year, it seems the glut of the big draft classes of those late 30s is nearly purged. On the whole, the total numbers of 40+ players continue to grow.
A Look at the Teams
Here are the BBA numbers as of early June 2043. (Remember that wTot = weighted score of all players, wTop = weighted scores of only players of POT >=60). I focus on wTot because I'm more interested in overall system value, but that's just me.
On the upside:
- New Orleans sits at the top, which isn't surprising. The 'Dads have been a top minor league system for some time.
- Perhaps of more surprise is the rising of Charm City, Chicago, and Montreal to grab the 2-4 slots. All three have managed to develop robust systems with prospects across the rating spectrum.
- The big movers here are Las Vegas and Phoenix, but in different ways. Phoenix's numbers are raised by a chunk of International Complex guys. The Hustlers make hay with a bigger pile of guys in the 50-65 range.
- Des Moines also saw a bump of more than 10 ranking levels.
- Portland and Long Beach both fall off a cliff, the Lumberjacks dropping 24 slots, the Surfers "only" 15. Maybe it's the IC? Maybe it's the development engine? Dunno.
- Twin Cities, San Antonio, and Seattle aren't far behind, but the River Monsters and Outlaws graduated players into the bigs that have had them competing, whereas Seattle is still struggling at the parent club level.
- Calgary, a traditional farm system powerhouse, falls out of the top 5.
- Rockville slips from #3 to almost out of the top 10.
- While not a cliff event, my own Yellow Springs continues a slow fall out of the top 10, fading this time from #7 to #12.
Now let's do the traditional plot of the two values wTot and wTop (which gives a feel for where teams sit as far as top prospect value vs. system depth value.
Anyway, enough of my blabbering. You can read a chart just as well without me, right?
