Blue Jays third in Baseball America’s farm system rankings

MLB insiders Ben Nicholson-Smith and Mike Wilner join Jeff Blair in studio to discuss why the Blue Jays won't, but could hold Vladimir Guerrero Jr in the minors until June, and save themselves one year of arbitration with him.

The future is looking bright for the Toronto Blue Jays.

According to Baseball America’s annual talent rankings (subscription required), the club has the third best farm system of all MLB clubs. That’s five spots up from their eighth-place ranking last year. (For further context, Toronto was ranked 20th in 2017 and 24th in 2016.)

Toronto’s position in the top three — behind the San Diego Padres and Tampa Bay Rays — is due in large part to third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the top-ranked prospect in the league who has all of Jays Nation eagerly awaiting his arrival in the big leagues.

Fellow top-10 prospect, shortstop Bo Bichette (he’s ranked No. 8 league-wide), also plays a big role in the Blue Jays’ standing, with catcher Danny Jansen (No. 42), right-handed pitchers Nate Pearson (No. 70) and Eric Pardinho (No. 84), third baseman Jordan Groshans (No. 89) and short stop Kevin Smith (No. 91) also garnering plenty of praise from Baseball America.

Rounding out the top five behind the Blue Jays on the team rankings are the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros at Nos. 4 and 5, respectively.

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