Full list & analysis here as compiled by Jim Callis.
Preseason system rank in parentheses. [XX/YY] = Pre-season/Current rank in MLB Top 100.
1. (7) Mookie Betts, OF/2B, AAA [62/14]
2. (2) Henry Owens, LHSP, AA [30/24]
3. (5) Blake Swihart, C, AA [61/28]
4. (6) Garin Cecchini, 3B, AAA [57/62]
5. (4) Allen Webster, RHSP, AAA [46/64]
6. (10) Anthony Ranaudo, RHSP, AAA [--/82]
7. (12) Christian Vazquez, C, MLB
8. (13) Rafael Devers, 3B, R
9. (11) Manuel Margot, OF, A-
10. (2 SF) Edwin Escobar, LHSP, AAA [95/--]
11. (14) Brian Johnson, LHSP, AA
12. (15) Deven Marrero, SS, AAA
13. (8) Matt Barnes, RHSP, AAA
14. (9) Trey Ball, RHSP, A-
15. (--) Sean Coyle, 2B/3B, AA
16. (--) Michael Chavis, SS, R
17. (--) Michael Kopech, RHSP, R
18. (16) Wendell Rijo, 2B, A-
19. (--) Simon Mercedes, RHSP, A+
20. (21) Travis Shaw, 1B, AAA
Six new entries including Shaw. Bogaerts (1) & Bradley (3) have graduated, while OF Bryce Brentz (17), LHSP Cody Kukuk (18), RHSP Teddy Stankiewicz (19) and RHSP Jamie Callahan (20) have dropped out.
* Surprised to see the recently-acquired Escobar slotted that high in such a deep Sox system -- especially ahead of both Johnson & Marrero. I'm assuming that, like Webster, it's more about the max upside than anything else.
* While I appreciate the ceiling of Chavis, I can't see putting him higher than #20 today, particularly in light of the woefully slow start to his pro debut (4/43, 4 BB, 16 K, .093/.188/.163/.350). SoxProspects still has him 14th, so Callis isn't alone.
* I'd slot Rijo a couple of spots higher.
* Not sure how Mercedes vaults from unranked into the Top 20 considering he spent nearly 7 weeks on the DL, wasn't all that dominant before the injury, and didn't exactly fool batters in two starts for Salem (10 IP, 8 ER, 15 H, 2 HR) since returning from rehab with Lowell. The answer is it's probably by default, with 6 vacancies from the pre-season list, but I'd rank Luis Diaz above him.
* Uhhh... Cecchini at #4? I admire the lofty praise for his hit tools and work habits, but in terms of year-to-date on-field performance I'm having trouble seeing how he warrants a move up from his pre-season ranking. Ranaudo, Vazquez and Devers all merit spots above him (Devers on raw tools alone), while strong cases can likewise be made for Johnson, Margot and Marrero.
Preseason system rank in parentheses. [XX/YY] = Pre-season/Current rank in MLB Top 100.
1. (7) Mookie Betts, OF/2B, AAA [62/14]
2. (2) Henry Owens, LHSP, AA [30/24]
3. (5) Blake Swihart, C, AA [61/28]
4. (6) Garin Cecchini, 3B, AAA [57/62]
5. (4) Allen Webster, RHSP, AAA [46/64]
6. (10) Anthony Ranaudo, RHSP, AAA [--/82]
7. (12) Christian Vazquez, C, MLB
8. (13) Rafael Devers, 3B, R
9. (11) Manuel Margot, OF, A-
10. (2 SF) Edwin Escobar, LHSP, AAA [95/--]
11. (14) Brian Johnson, LHSP, AA
12. (15) Deven Marrero, SS, AAA
13. (8) Matt Barnes, RHSP, AAA
14. (9) Trey Ball, RHSP, A-
15. (--) Sean Coyle, 2B/3B, AA
16. (--) Michael Chavis, SS, R
17. (--) Michael Kopech, RHSP, R
18. (16) Wendell Rijo, 2B, A-
19. (--) Simon Mercedes, RHSP, A+
20. (21) Travis Shaw, 1B, AAA
Six new entries including Shaw. Bogaerts (1) & Bradley (3) have graduated, while OF Bryce Brentz (17), LHSP Cody Kukuk (18), RHSP Teddy Stankiewicz (19) and RHSP Jamie Callahan (20) have dropped out.
* Surprised to see the recently-acquired Escobar slotted that high in such a deep Sox system -- especially ahead of both Johnson & Marrero. I'm assuming that, like Webster, it's more about the max upside than anything else.
* While I appreciate the ceiling of Chavis, I can't see putting him higher than #20 today, particularly in light of the woefully slow start to his pro debut (4/43, 4 BB, 16 K, .093/.188/.163/.350). SoxProspects still has him 14th, so Callis isn't alone.
* I'd slot Rijo a couple of spots higher.
* Not sure how Mercedes vaults from unranked into the Top 20 considering he spent nearly 7 weeks on the DL, wasn't all that dominant before the injury, and didn't exactly fool batters in two starts for Salem (10 IP, 8 ER, 15 H, 2 HR) since returning from rehab with Lowell. The answer is it's probably by default, with 6 vacancies from the pre-season list, but I'd rank Luis Diaz above him.
* Uhhh... Cecchini at #4? I admire the lofty praise for his hit tools and work habits, but in terms of year-to-date on-field performance I'm having trouble seeing how he warrants a move up from his pre-season ranking. Ranaudo, Vazquez and Devers all merit spots above him (Devers on raw tools alone), while strong cases can likewise be made for Johnson, Margot and Marrero.