[GM_CheatSheets]

Despite having what I feel is a much stronger system this year, I placed eight spots lower as the number 23 ranked minor league system. This is mostly due to Killough being a top ten prospect last year and this year placing more prospects, though lower on the list.

I am one of six systems with five or more prospects in the top 100. SP Farfan (57) leads the way, followed by SS Warren (74), SP Garcia (80), SP Womble (83), and SP Moser (90). I had twelve players place in the top 200, up from nine last year. Womble is the only of these players who I think has a chance to reach enough MLB service time to graduate from the list, so I think there is a very good chance at this time next year I might have a top 10 or even top 5 system.

I probably have the second best high minors pitching depth. The Blue Jays, who I have actually traded for several of my SP prospects from lead the way with both the #1 and #2 overall prospects, both pitchers.

1. SS Greg Warren, AAA (2024 Draft, Rd 1)
   Warren continues to develop his bat and he still has his plus power potential. His defense is probably good enough to win a gold glove in the majors right now. He could earn a September callup, but it might be more likely I wait until mid April next year to call him up to squeeze and extra year of team control out of him.
2. CL Alberto Solis, AA (2025 Draft, Rd 10)
   Solis, power lefty, jumped up the board this year as his current control improved from below average all the way up to average. He will likely be my first home grown shutdown reliever and looks to be on track to replace Mosqueda in a year or two.
3. 2B Josh Draxler, AAA (Trade w/BOS 5/2025)
   Draxler is a slightly above average bat right now rating-wise. Last year in AAA was really the first time that his performance started to match his ratings, showing some real potential as a likely starter, or at the very least, a utility infielder.
4. SP Steve Womble, AAA (Trade w/TOR 11/2026)
   His four pitch mix is already all average or better, as are his stuff, movement, and control. His performance last year at AAA was also impressive. All he is waiting for is an opening in the majors.
5. CF Sean Derringer, AAA (2024 Draft, Rd 2)
   Derringer either made a significant jump in ratings or my new scout simply likes him better. Jumping all the way to AAA from A+, Derringer looks like he will be a power/contact, switch-hitting outfielder who profiles best in left. He could push for a promotion by the end of the year with a strong performance at AAA.
6. RP Devon James, AAA (Trade w/BOS 7/2024)
   I think James has been on almost every list since I added him to my organization. He could be a serviceable reliever, but with my pitching depth doesn't have much hope for a promotion.
7. RP Jaime Varnell, AA (Minor Lg. FA 6/2023)
   Though currently pitching in the bullpen, this is only because of my tremendous pitching depth. Ultimately, Varnell is intriguing because of his plus velocity and five pitch repertoire, but only seems to have an outside chance of making it to the majors at this point.
8. CL Jesse Tew, A+ (2024 Draft, Rd 9)
   Tew continues his slow progression as a reliever as his third pitch never panned out. If he reaches his potential control of 12 out of 20, he has a chance at pitching out of the Expos bullpen in anywhere from two to three years.
9. SP Shane Luck, A+ (Minor Lg. FA 8/2026)
   I believe this is Luck's first time on this list. My scout projects him better than OOTP, but he does have a solid three pitch mix with the curveball still in development. Though his movement is only average, I do see a scenario where he could pitch his way into the majors, though most likely as a bullpen arm.
10. SP Fernando Farfan, AAA (Trade w/TOR 11/2026)
    Farfan missed a chunk of last season to injury, otherwise he likely would already have seen time in AAA. He should be one of the many stars in the AAA rotation and has MLB starter upside, and could probably slot into many team's MLB rotation right now. His pitching ratings are all above average, his three pitch repertoire all rate as great, and he has great velocity.
11. CF Frank Gomez, AAA (Trade w/CWS 11/2027)
    Gomez has the looks of another quality outfield prospect acquired via trade. Stuck in A and A+ ball last year, he will be my starting AAA center fielder. His slightly above average bat favors contact more than power and discipline. He has plus speed and rates great defensively at all three outfield positions.
12. SS Jose Pellot, R (2027 Draft, Rd 2)
    The lone appearance from last year's draft, Pellot looks to be an exciting player. He will continue to get reps at short, but projects to be better at second as his arm is only average. He projects to be above average in all five batting categories with power as his calling card.
13. SP Nelson Aguilera, AA (Trade w/CWS 11/2027)
    Aguilera is the leader of the AA rotation and should see some time in AAA by the end of the year. His stamina is only 7 out of 20, so while he could make it as a starter, he is a safer bet to be a reliever. His control is almost current average and projects to be great. If he fulfills this potential, he should be in the majors in two years time.
14. CL Doug Licari, A- (Minor Lg. FA 8/2026)
    Licari has two great pitches and potential stuff, but his control doesn't project to reach average, making it hard to see him rising through the above pitching talent. OOTP rates him much higher than my scout with the main difference being potential control. His six pitch repertoire (five currently serviceable) and plus velocity (97-99 mph) as a lefty is definitely intriguing.
15. SP Jon Moser, A+ (2024 Draft, Rd 1 supp.)
    Moser got off to a great start last year in A- before tearing his labrum in his shoulder. He will miss the first two or three months of this season.
16. SP Jason Harris, AA (Trade w/DET 11/2027)
    Any other year, Harris would be at the top of the AAA rotation, but the theme here is clear. Incredible starting pitching depth. He is above average across the board in pitching categories, his three pitches, and velocity. He should push for time at AAA this year and could see the majors at some point next year in his age 26 season.
17. SP Dave Craig, A+ (2026 Draft, Rd 1 supp.)
    In a bit of a surprise to me, Craig was assigned to A+ for the third straight season. He should see AA before the end of the year as he is starting to get a little old for a A+ pitcher as he will turn 25 a month into the season. His ratings are solid, so I will again chalk this up to depth.
18. SP Robby Ochoa, A- (Scouting Discovery 6/2023)
    I believe Ochoa is the first scouting discovery to make the preseason top 20 list. He is average to above average across the board currently with a four pitch mix. If he reaches his potential, he will add great control.
19. SP Jose Garcia, AAA (Trade w/CLE 12/2023)
    Garcia finally makes his way to AAA and has shown the crucial improvement in his command to make this jump. Hopefully in a years time he will have reached his average or slightly above average control projection. His stuff, movement, three pitch repertoire, and velocity are all major league ready right now. He could conceivably play his way into a late season call up this year, but I would place him behind Salazar, Womble, and Farfan on that list at this point.
20. CF Ross Wright, A+ (2025 Draft Rd 5)
    Wright has plus speed and an average bat, but I would be surprised if he makes it to the majors because despite being fully developed, he is still struggling to produce in the lower minors.

There are several changes on this list, driven mostly by the change in scout, I think. This list resembles more of what my very good original scout produced, making me feel pretty good about the Flores hire.

This is an exciting system. Warren has superstar potential, Derringer and Draxler could be great, and Gomez looks to be a solid fourth outfielder. Pellot and Naranjo (#22) show that there could be another wave of batting talent coming soon too.

I can't say enough about the pitching depth. Womble, Farfan, and Garcia are the top prospects, though I also want to note that Salazar is back in AAA to start the season as well and he was rated ahead of all three of them when he still qualified for the list. Behind these four, Harris, Moser, Craig, and Luck show potential to rise to their level over the next few years.

Now it's time for the regular season to get underway...