MLB analyst states the Baltimore Orioles have the best farm system in the league: "This is as good as it gets in baseball right now"
The Baltimore Orioles have quietly become one of the MLB's top up-and-coming organizations. One analyst even believes they are the most promising team in baseball, with the top farm system in the game. Through a combination of smart drafting and great player development, they are developing stars.
The best recent fruits of the Orioles farm system are Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson. Rutschman was the runner-up in Rookie of the Year voting in 2022 and has established himself as one of the game's best catchers. Henderson is among the favorites to win Rookie of the Year in 2023 after a solid debut in 2022.
The MLB Network shared the Orioles' high ranking courtesy of Sam Dykstra on Twitter.
"This is as good as it gets in baseball right now."
@SamDykstraMiLB discusses the @orioles' #1 ranked farm system.
@RoFlo | #MLBTonight https://t.co/TshcSJyu4Y
"This is as good as it gets in baseball right now," Sam Dykstra said.
There aren't many rankings that would see the Baltimore Orioles ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Orioles often fly under the radar due to the fact they are in the American League East. Teams like the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox tend to steal the spotlight. However, in a few years' time, thanks to their farm system, the Orioles will make themselves known.
MLB has seen incredible growth in the free-agent market, with spending reaching an all-time high. This was exemplified by the offseason strategies of the New York Mets and San Diego Padres. The Baltimore Orioles don't compete in that arena, so they need their farm system to be great. And thanks to the personnel in place, they have achieved greatness.
This is not just one man’s opinion. Multiple outlets have given the same ranking to the Orioles as they pointed out on Twitter.
If you know, you know.
And we know you know. https://t.co/QrAD38MtYD
"If you know, you know. And we know you know," the Baltimore Orioles tweeted.
A great farm system is one of the most difficult things to build in baseball, but the rewards could be well worth the effort.
Can an excellent farm system turn into a championship for the Baltimore Orioles?
Finding and developing great players is all well and good, but not if it doesn't turn into wins at the highest level. Building stars up and then losing them to teams willing to pay more is a reality far too common for fans of small-market teams.
The Orioles need to either go all in for one season with their young and under-contract players or start investing more in the payroll. If they do either of these options, they are guaranteed to put on an entertaining season.