Best Farm Systems of the Last 5 Years (2020–2025)

[earp]

Teams that consistently ranked top‑5 recently:
Best Farm Systems (Last 5–10 Years)

Time Period Top Organizations Notes
2010–2019 decade Braves, Astros, Red Sox, Cubs, Nationals Based on MLB.com decade ranking
2020–2025 recent era Orioles, Dodgers, Tigers, Pirates, Cardinals Based on MLB Pipeline & FanGraphs

A few organizations stand out for long‑term consistency:

Dodgers — elite for the entire decade and still elite today

Cardinals — always top‑10, often top‑5

Braves — best of the 2010s, still strong

Orioles — best of the early 2020s

Pirates/Tigers — surged recently with deep prospect pools
_______
Why a “Top‑10 Farm System” Can Still Produce a Losing MLB Team
Lack of Frontline Starters Coming Through the System
For more than a decade, the Cardinals haven’t produced a true No. 1 or No. 2 starter from their own pipeline.

Here’s the pattern:

They develop back‑end starters

They develop middle relievers

They do not develop aces or high‑strikeout arms

Meanwhile, teams like the Dodgers, Guardians, and Rays churn out power arms every year.
_____

2026 Loss Range: 82–92 losses

[rockondlouie]

Teams that consistently ranked top‑5 recently:
Best Farm Systems (Last 5–10 Years)

Time Period Top Organizations Notes
2010–2019 decade Braves, Astros, Red Sox, Cubs, Nationals Based on MLB.com decade ranking
2020–2025 recent era Orioles, Dodgers, Tigers, Pirates, Cardinals Based on MLB Pipeline & FanGraphs

A few organizations stand out for long‑term consistency:

Dodgers — elite for the entire decade and still elite today

Cardinals — always top‑10, often top‑5

Braves — best of the 2010s, still strong

Orioles — best of the early 2020s

Pirates/Tigers — surged recently with deep prospect pools
_______
Why a “Top‑10 Farm System” Can Still Produce a Losing MLB Team
Lack of Frontline Starters Coming Through the System
For more than a decade, the Cardinals haven’t produced a true No. 1 or No. 2 starter from their own pipeline.

Here’s the pattern:

They develop back‑end starters

They develop middle relievers

They do not develop aces or high‑strikeout arms

Meanwhile, teams like the Dodgers, Guardians, and Rays churn out power arms every year.
_____

2026 Loss Range: 82–92 losses

Let's hope that trend stops now earp w/C. Bloom's minor league system in place and w/him now at the helm!

(Notice the power pitchers being drafted and traded for!)

[Carp4Cy]

Teams that consistently ranked top‑5 recently:
Best Farm Systems (Last 5–10 Years)

Time Period Top Organizations Notes
2010–2019 decade Braves, Astros, Red Sox, Cubs, Nationals Based on MLB.com decade ranking
2020–2025 recent era Orioles, Dodgers, Tigers, Pirates, Cardinals Based on MLB Pipeline & FanGraphs

A few organizations stand out for long‑term consistency:

Dodgers — elite for the entire decade and still elite today

Cardinals — always top‑10, often top‑5

Braves — best of the 2010s, still strong

Orioles — best of the early 2020s

Pirates/Tigers — surged recently with deep prospect pools
_______
Why a “Top‑10 Farm System” Can Still Produce a Losing MLB Team
Lack of Frontline Starters Coming Through the System
For more than a decade, the Cardinals haven’t produced a true No. 1 or No. 2 starter from their own pipeline.

Here’s the pattern:

They develop back‑end starters

They develop middle relievers

They do not develop aces or high‑strikeout arms

Meanwhile, teams like the Dodgers, Guardians, and Rays churn out power arms every year.
_____

2026 Loss Range: 82–92 losses

Our system also lacks true power hitters of the Pujols Goldy, Edmonds, Rolen variety. And I don’t see many elite power prospects on the horizon either.

[AZ_Cardsfan]

Not sure how STL system ranked so high in the past. I guess they decided a system that produced quantity of ML players was good. Problem is they have not produced any elite talent in a long time. Well, actually not true. They produced Alcantara. For another team.

[82birds]

Not sure how STL system ranked so high in the past. I guess they decided a system that produced quantity of ML players was good. Problem is they have not produced any elite talent in a long time. Well, actually not true. They produced Alcantara. For another team.

yup