MLB Pipeline releases new top 30 Red Sox prospect list

We all know the Red Sox farm system is not looking super great right now. It’s been a major narrative around the trade deadline, and it certainly isn’t a false one. There are a plethora of reasons for this, but the fact remains that it’s in a down time. There are still prospects in the system who exist, however, and outlets are still ranking them because that is their job. One of those outlets is MLB Pipeline, who released their Red Sox top thirty earlier in the week. You can read it in full, including their scouting reports, here, and below is the full top-30.

1. Michael Chavis
2. Jason Groome
3. Triston Casas
4. Bryan Mata
5. Tanner Houck
6. Bobby Dalbec
7. Darwinzon Hernandez
8. C.J. Chatham
9. Mike Shawaryn
10. Josh Ockimey
11. Danny Diaz
12. Durbin Feltman
13. Nick Decker
14. Antoni Flores
15. Travis Lakins
16. Sam Travis
17. Alex Scherff
18. Nicholas Northcut
19. Ty Buttrey
20. Kutter Crawford
21. Cole Brannen
22. Bobby Poyner
23. Williams Jerez
24. Jhonathan Diaz
25. Chandler Shepherd
26. Roldani Baldwin
27. Jake Thompson
28. Brett Netzer
29. Tyler Esplin
30. Roniel Raudes

So, yeah. It’s a big list! There’s plenty to unpack and most of the information you’re looking for can be found by clicking the link above and clicking on individual players to read their reports. In meantime, I do have a few thoughts on the list.

• The top five in this system is very clear, and it’s just the order that varies from list to list. I’m surprised that Casas has been ranked above both Mata and Houck so much, but the upside can justify it. I think I’d flip three and four, but for the most part I agree with this ordering.
• Just speaking generally, there is some reason for optimism here. Granted, we know things rarely go according to plan with prospect development, but there is a lot of young talent here. Casas, of course, was just drafted this year. He’s the only true low-level prospect in the top ten, but the middle third of this group is loaded with high-upside players who could rocket up the rankings by this time next year. Diaz in particular could be a top five guy next summer, and Feltman could actually have graduated from the list. Of the middle third, Lakins, Travis and Buttrey are the only ones who aren’t in Greenville or below.
• We generally don’t think of relievers as guys you want among your top prospects, and I think that’s generally still true. That being said, we are seeing more and more of an emphasis on bullpen construction at the highest level, so being able to develop them certainly matters. The Red Sox have plenty of intriguing relief talent on this list with Feltman, Lakins, Buttrey, Poyner and Jerez.
• There were some surprises towards the bottom of this list, but given the lack of talent in the system that is to be expected. Still, I wasn’t expecting to see Baldwin this high. On the flip side, I was encouraged to see Crawford this high. The numbers have been great, so seeing some scout excitement to back it up — even from just one source — makes me feel better. Diaz in the top-25 is also shocking.
• I’m personally offended by Jarren Duran not being in the top 30. You’ll rue this day, MLB Pipeline.

So, what stands out to you?