The Atlanta Braves are overflowing with league talent, but they’ve got it where it counts.
Atlanta’s farm system has done an admirable job of making the major league roster better.
The Atlanta Braves have built a juggernaut of a major league roster, with every single defensive position locked down for multiple years and those players combining for one of the best offenses in modern baseball history in 2023.
And as a side effect of all of the talent movement, either into Atlanta’s lineup or out via trades, has resulted in a farm system that’s considered, on paper, to be a bottom five farm system in baseball.
But here’s the thing: It might be “bad” on paper, lined up against other organizations, but it’s perfect for Atlanta.
We’re finishing up our “Prospect Week” with our top five prospects tomorrow, and – spoiler alert – they’re all pitchers. Of the Top 31 in the system, nineten are pitchers, including ten of the top fifteen.
Because that’s what the major league roster needs right from the farm system.
The role of a farm system
I see this a lot over at Locked On MLB Prospects (which, I’ve been told I should plug, is the #1 daily Minor League Baseball podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Check it out!).
There’s a sense of pride in having a good farm system. But here’s the rub:
Having a good farm system doesn’t mean anything, in the grand scheme of things.
The Baltimore Orioles have a great farm system – one of the best in baseball! It didn’t help them get significantly better at the trade deadline, and it didn’t help them from getting eliminated in their first postseason matchup.
The Chicago Cubs have a great farm system and they didn’t even make the postseason last season.
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