8304
by civ ollilavad
puling out my BA Prospects Handbook, I note that we have more grade 55 and higher prospects than lots of teams
Grade 60: Mejia, McKenzie
Grade 55: Bradley, Jones, Valera, Benson, Bracho, Holmes, Freeman
Which means that only 4 of our 9 highest ceiling players are in action so far. and our top performer Bieber has had his projection boosted as he's moved into the BA Top 100.
Just for comparison sake, other ALC teams
Chicago: 1 grade 70; 1 grade 65; 1 grade 60; 6 grade 55. They're well recharged after recent trades
Detroit: 3 grade 60; no one else over 50. They're a wreck of a system
Kansas City: 3 grade 55. They're in worse shape than the Tigers
Minnesota: 1 grade 65; 3 grade 60; 4 grade 55 That looks solid.
So it appears that we have at least as many well-regarded prospects as our competition but most of the highest ceilings are a long way off from being met.
to exemplify those grades BA uses the following explanation and examples:
65-70 Perennial All Star or No. 2 starting pitcher EXample: Mookie Betts, Zack Grienke
60: Occasional All Star or No. 3 starter or top notch reliever Examples: Charlie Blackmon, Kenley Jensen
55: First Division Regular, No. 3/4 starter, closer Examples: Jean Segura, Zach Britton
System Rankings, BA put Cleveland at No. 21 of the 30 teams saying in sum: "The Indians have two top prospects but after that there is a large group of good but not great talent. The Indians' excellent player development staff will likely help a few of them exceed expectations, a la Yan Gomes and Jose Ramirez"