NL Central Strongest Division In Baseball

By ESPN

This is the strongest division in baseball if we're just talking farm systems, with four systems ranging from good to great, and then the World Champions, whose system isn't even that bad, although their upper levels are probably mined out at this point.

The Pirates, Brewers, and Reds all play in some of MLB's smallest markets, so contention can only come if they build from within. The first two clubs have star prospects, while the Reds have more depth but probably lack the potential grade-60 players the other two clubs have. The Cardinals continue to find value later in drafts and now in the international market, with a number of Cuban signings in the wake of Aledmys Diaz' success.

Here are the top prospects in the NL Central:

Chicago Cubs: Top prospects report

The Cubs' pipeline of top-tier talent isn't about to run dry. They're well stocked with electric arms, and Eloy Jimenez raked in his full-season debut.

Cincinnati Reds: Top prospects report

The rebuilding Reds have assembled a promising crew of likely big leaguers, but drafting Nick Senzel last year gives them a potential All-Star.

Milwaukee Brewers: Top prospects report

Few franchises have done as well as the Brewers in restocking their farm system, with 2016 first-rounder Corey Ray leading the charge.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Top prospects report

The Pirates could be ready to renew their contender status with a new crew of farmhands almost ready for the majors, led by Austin Meadows in the outfield.

St. Louis Cardinals: Top prospects report

Alex Reyes is ready to graduate to the majors, but the lower rungs of the organization boast plenty of prospects on the Cardinals' way.

White Sox Have AL Central's Top Prospect Crop

In a division without a true big-market club, a deep and productive farm system should represent a huge competitive advantage, but right now none of these five teams is running away from the pack.

The White Sox, who play in a huge market but don't necessarily carry that kind of payroll, just took their system from the bottom third to the top with two huge trades, pushing them out of a group with Detroit (top-heavy) and Kansas City (thin up top, deep in very young prospects). Meanwhile, Cleveland, for all its trades and winning and things of that nature, still has plenty of talent in the system, and the Twins have these waves of arms that should hit Minnesota any minute now.

Here are the top prospects in the NL Central:

Chicago White Sox: Top prospects report

Adding a huge haul of prospects in two major trades reloaded the White Sox farm system with high-end talent like power right-hander Michael Kopech.

Cleveland Indians: Top prospects report

Even after trading talent to aid their AL pennant chase, the Indians have both ready-now prospects and future stars like catcher Francisco Mejia.

Detroit Tigers: Top prospects report

Hard-throwing Matt Manning heads up a Tigers organization long on unrealized potential. Will some breakthroughs spare them dealing for more prospects?.

Kansas City Royals: Top prospects report

Matt Strahm gives the Royals a farmhand ready to contribute in the majors in 2017, but their prospect possibilities beyond him are much less certain.

Minnesota Twins: Top prospects report

For as much talent as the Twins have already graduated to the majors, they have more promising farmhands on the way, including shortstop Nick Gordon.