Even after unloading three of their top prospects — including their top two – to San Diego in the Adrian Gonzalez deal, the Red Sox were ranked No. 11 in Keith Law’s annual report. While No. 11 sounds good for most Sox fans, it’s the second-lowest among AL East teams and two slots behind the Yankees. The Rays (No. 2) and Blue Jays (No. 4) bagged two of the Top 5 spots. Baltimore checks in at No. 24.
Law praises the Sox for adding depth to the back end of their system with ''three first-round talents added to the 2010 draft,'' referring to Kolbrin Vitek, Anthony Ranaudo and Bryce Brentz. Law goes on to say that the Greenville rotation is ''quietly loaded with intriguing arms.''
New York also received high marks from Law, who is impressed by the Yankees' pitching prospects as well as 18-year-old catching prospect Gary Sanchez. He adds that the Yankees ''rival Toronto for the best catching depth in the minors.''
The Royals and their never-ending supply of young, talented left-handed arms took top honors while the Brewers, who landed Shaun Marcum and Zack Greinke this offseason, were last.
