Reaction: Future MLB Power Rankings, Red Sox #1

The defending champion Red Sox sit atop ESPN's 2014 Future Power Rankings.

I read an article on ESPN Insider (you can view it here) that gave a detailed breakdown on the future of every major league franchise. Written by experts Jim Bowden, Buster Olney and Keith Law, the article was quite the read. I decided to react to the rankings, which were decided by several categories.

These categories included the quality of the current big league roster, the quality/quantity of there minor league system, how much money they have to spend, the value and stability of ownership/front office/coaching staff and the mobility in terms of young, cheap players vs. old immovable guys.

These experts ranked all 30 teams, and I was very happy with the team in first.

Here are their top ten rankings (number on a scale to 100)
1. Boston Red Sox (89.1)
2. St. Louis Cardinals (82.3)
3. Los Angeles Dodgers (75.3)
4. Texas Rangers (69.4)
5. Pittsburgh Pirates (63.3)
6. Washington Nationals (61.1)
7. Chicago Cubs (58.8)
8. Detroit Tigers (55.4)
T-9. Atlanta Braves (54.9)
T-9. Kansas City Royals (54.9)

Boston soars above everyone, which is a great sight to see- especially after winning their third world series in since 2004. The Sox have financial flexibility and one of the best farm systems in baseball according to Olney, while Law says they have some strong pitchers, including Brian Johnson. The only dilemma Bowden sees is a lack of depth in the long-term outfield- after Jackie Bradley, Jr. they don't have a lot of depth and need some players in the corners.

Down on the farm system, outfield isn't a big strength. Bradley is outstanding defensively with a strong arm but the system is weak after him. They do have a big sleeper in the outfield with Manuel Margot, who's in at No. 12, but he's only in low Class A. Give him a few years to develop (he turns just 20 in September) and Margot could be up in the Bigs.

The defending National League champions are in second, followed by the Dodgers. After that, it's a big drop off to Texas, Pittsburgh and Washington. The Cubs, Detroit and a tie for ninth between Atlanta and Kansas City round out the top ten.

A couple of things I saw throughout the rest of the rankings- the Astros are in at 17th, and I though they'd be a lot higher. GM Jeff Luhnow tore down the squad to build it up and I thought they were closer to the top with arguably the best farm league system in the majors. However, the analysts made some solid points, including an Olney quote- "Much of their top talent is still a year or two away, so it is hard to forsee playoff contention before 2016, at the earliest."

Bostons rival, the Yankees, come in at No. 13. They have solid financials with deep pockets, so their week farm system isn't how they'll win games. Even though Jeter is retiring, the free agent market is filled with quality talent that they can pick up- even make a run at Hanley.

Graves named Co-SEC Pitcher of the Week

Graves vs. South Carolina in March 16, 2013 (Photo by Ben Walton)

Last summer, a 6'1 righty from St. Charles, Missouri and a student at Missouri displayed stuff that scouts said that they normally see in the Cape Cod League. The scouts went on to say he displayed talent that the NECBL normally doesn't get access too and he blossomed as a member of the Newport Gulls as the ace of the best pitching staff in the league.

This pitcher, Brett Graves, posted a minuscule 1.00 ERA in 35 and two thirds innings pitched while allowing just 20 hits and striking out 30. Many coaches agreed in saying he was the most consistent pitcher in the league, and Perfect Game USA projected him as a top three round pick in June as a draft-eligible junior.

Graves carried his success to Missouri and has been absolutely dominant. Graves boasts a streak of 15 scoreless innings and was named the Co-SEC pitcher of the week. He went eight innings against the University of Illinois-Chicago and allowed just two hits and one walk while striking out six, one off his career high.

"I'm just trusting my stuff," Graves said. "I'm trying my best not to let anything affect what I'm doing while I'm on the mound."

Graves, one of the top pitching prospects in the SEC this season, has been outstanding this season. He leads all Tiger starters with a 0.92 ERA and is 1-1 overall with 15 strikeouts against only three walks in a team-high 19.2 innings. He is limiting batters to a .132 average this season and has allowed just one extra-base hit all season. 

Over his last two starts, Graves has been even better than his season numbers. He has gone 15.0 innings, allowing just five hits, one walk and no runs while striking out 12. He has not allowed an extra-base hit in that span and is limiting batters to .098 hitting in those two starts. He has allowed just two runners to reach second base in that span. He has a 0.40 WHIP over his last two starts.

"Right now, I'm just focused on next week and starting a new week," Graves said. "Once we accomplish the goals we've set as a team then I'll be able to look back and have some good moments to remember."