Identifying the Largest Gaps Between Teams and Their Farm Systems

In the process of conducting research for the “Minors vs. Majors” chapter for my upcoming book “ Hardball Retroactive, ” I tabulated the overall won-loss records among the minor league affiliates for every Major League franchise since 1963. Further investigation allowed me to ascertain the largest gaps between MLB teams and their farm systems, divided into two distinct charts:

• teams with the best overall minor league winning percentage as compared to their Major League record during the same season
• teams with the top Major League winning percentage as compared to their overall minor league record during the same season
• the second chart in each section depicts the Major League winning percentage for the selected teams over a ten-year period

Terminology

OW –Overall Wins (All Minor League Affiliates, Season) OL –Overall Losses (All Minor League Affiliates, Season) OWPCT –Overall Win Percentage (All Minor League Affiliates, Season) ORANK– Overall Rank (All Minor League Affiliates, Season) Y0 – Y9 –Major League Win Percentage over Ten Year Period Y0-RANK– Major League Win Percentage Rank in “Year Zero (0)” RankDiff –absolute value of the difference between ORANK and Y0-RANK
Example: The 1997 Oakland Athletics concluded the season with a record of 65-97. This equates to a .401 WPCT in Year 0. The A’s affiliates combined for an overall record of 372-324 (.534 OWPCT). Oakland’s record in the subsequent season (1998), denoted as Year 1, improved to 74-88 (.457 WPCT-Y1). The team eclipsed the .500 mark for the remaining eight seasons (1999-2006), represented as Y2-Y9.

Assessment

Best Overall WPCT (Minors) – Worst WPCT (Majors)

FranchID_Year	OW	OL	OWPCT	ORANK	Y0-RANK	RankDiff	WPCT-Y0
ARI_2014	473	365	0.564	2	30	28	0.395
HOU_2013	476	360	0.569	2	30	28	0.315
COL_2012	428	357	0.545	1	28	27	0.395
TEX_2014	470	362	0.565	1	28	27	0.414
PHI_2000	394	301	0.567	2	29	27	0.401
SEA_2010	448	384	0.538	2	29	27	0.377
HOU_2012	439	394	0.527	4	30	26	0.340
MIN_2016	408	351	0.538	4	30	26	0.364
PHI_2015	417	351	0.543	4	30	26	0.389
NYM_1983	396	294	0.574	1	25	24	0.420
OAK_1997	372	324	0.534	4	28	24	0.401
TEX_1973	271	193	0.584	1	24	23	0.352
CHW_1989	404	290	0.582	1	23	22	0.429
OAK_1982	446	256	0.635	1	22	21	0.420
PHI_1972	308	250	0.552	2	23	21	0.378
NYM_1967	344	276	0.555	1	20	19	0.377

FranchYr	Y0	Y1	Y2	Y3	Y4	Y5	Y6	Y7	Y8	Y9
ARI_2014	0.395	0.488	0.426	0.574
HOU_2013	0.315	0.432	0.531	0.519	0.623
COL_2012	0.395	0.457	0.407	0.420	0.463	0.537
TEX_2014	0.414	0.543	0.586	0.481
PHI_2000	0.401	0.531	0.497	0.531	0.531	0.543	0.525	0.549	0.568	0.574
SEA_2010	0.377	0.414	0.463	0.438	0.537	0.469	0.531	0.481
HOU_2012	0.340	0.315	0.432	0.531	0.519	0.623
MIN_2016	0.364	0.525
PHI_2015	0.389	0.438	0.407
NYM_1983	0.420	0.556	0.605	0.667	0.568	0.625	0.537	0.562	0.478	0.444
OAK_1997	0.401	0.457	0.537	0.565	0.630	0.636	0.593	0.562	0.543	0.574
TEX_1973	0.352	0.525	0.488	0.469	0.580	0.537	0.512	0.472	0.543	0.395
CHW_1989	0.429	0.580	0.537	0.531	0.580	0.593	0.472	0.525	0.497	0.494
OAK_1982	0.420	0.457	0.475	0.475	0.469	0.500	0.642	0.611	0.636	0.519
PHI_1972	0.378	0.438	0.494	0.531	0.623	0.623	0.556	0.519	0.562	0.551
NYM_1967	0.377	0.451	0.617	0.512	0.512	0.532	0.509	0.438	0.506	0.531

The 1967 Mets and the 1973 Rangers are the only teams in the last 55 seasons to achieve the highest overall winning percentage among their minor league affiliates in a given year while ranking last in the Majors in the same category. The Metropolitans finished last in the National League with a record of 61-101 (.377), residing in the cellar for the fifth time in six seasons. Yet there was a glimmer of hope as Tom Seaver (16-13, 2.76) captured Rookie of the Year honors. Primarily under the direction of Joe McDonald and Nelson Burbink, the Mets’ farm system thrived from 1966 through 1971 and sustained the big league squad into the mid-1970’s. The “Miracle Mets” shocked the world in ’69 and the Mets played above .500 baseball for five straight seasons (1969-73). The talent stockpile included Nolan Ryan, Jerry Koosman, Ed Figueroa, Jon Matlack, Tug McGraw, Amos Otis and Ken Singleton. Ryan missed most of ’67 due to military service after obliterating the opposition in the Western Carolinas League, striking out 272 batters in 183 innings as the Greenville Mets’ ace in ’66. The “Ryan Express” whiffed a MLB-record 5714 hitters and spun 7 no-hitters over the course of his remarkable 27-year career. Koosman eclipsed the 20-win mark in ’76 and ’79 and racked up 222 victories with 51 WAR through 19 MLB seasons. “Kooz” placed runner-up in the 1968 NL Rookie of the Year and 1976 NL Cy Young balloting. Figueroa enjoyed a four-year run from 1975 to 1978 with 18 victories per year and an ERA of 3.12. Matlack (15-10, 2.32) merited 1972 NL Rookie of the Year honors and supplied a 3.18 ERA over thirteen big-league campaigns. McGraw saved 180 contests with a 3.14 ERA in nearly two decades of Major League competition. Generating 40.7 WAR in 17 campaigns (14 as the Royals’ center fielder), Otis twice led the American League in doubles and swiped 29 bags yearly during the Seventies. The runner-up for 1979 AL MVP with a .295 BA, 35 round-trippers and 111 ribbies, Singleton coaxed 90+ bases on balls eight times and paced the NL with a .425 OBP in 1973. 1967 New York Mets Affiliates

LINEUP	POS	BA	HR	RBI	ROTATION	W-L	ERA
Bernie Smith	LF	.309	4	52	Richard Noe	13-7	1.37
Don Bosch	CF	.263	5	31	Jim McAndrew	10-8	1.47
Ken Singleton	RF	.277	4	41	Danny Frisella	11-5	1.88
Mike Jorgensen	1B	.295	5	41	Tug McGraw	10-9	1.99
Bob Heise	2B	.298	1	37	Jerry Koosman	11-10	2.43
Tony Canzano	SS	.248	3	34
Arsenio Diaz	3B	.258	17	58	BULLPEN	WLS	ERA
Steve Chilcott	C	.290	6	45	Jay Carden	13-7	1.69
					Malcolm Warren	12-6	2.25
BENCH	POS	BA	HR	RBI	Ed Bauta	4-4	2.22
Tom Robson	1B	.319	12	44	Ed Figueroa	12-5	2.05
Denny Lundgren	1B	.225	18	54	Jim Bethke	10-8	2.58
James Plant	3B	.226	15	55
Michael Gerich	OF	.271	6	30
Johnny Lewis	OF	.218	11	41
Jerry Morales	OF	.248	8	48
Greg Goossen	C	.234	11	37

Rebranded as the Rangers after abandoning Washington D.C. prior to the start of the 1972 season, Texas toiled through consecutive 100-loss campaigns. Farm director Hal Keller supervised a talented crew which topped all organizations with a .584 OWPCT in ’73 and runner-up with a .566 mark in the following year. Under the fiery leadership of Billy Martin, the Rangers placed second in the American League West with 84 victories in 1974. Texas notched 94 wins in ’77 and seized the runner-up slot in consecutive seasons (1977-78). Known as the “Human Rain Delay” for the inordinate amount of time he required to finish an at-bat, Mike Hargrove secured the 1974 AL Rookie of the Year with a .323 BA. The first-sacker eclipsed the century mark in bases on balls four times and paced the Junior Circuit with a .424 OBP in ’81. Four-time National League batting champion Bill Madlock retired after 15 seasons with a .305 lifetime BA. Jim Sundberg accumulated six consecutive Gold Glove awards (1976-1981) as the Rangers’ backstop. Lenny Randle eclipsed the .300 mark twice in a four-year span (’74 and ’77). Len Barker led the American League in strikeouts in back-to-back seasons (1980-81), recorded 19 wins for the Tribe in ’80 and pitched a perfect game against Toronto on May 15, 1981. 1973 Texas Rangers Affiliates

LINEUP	POS	BA	HR	RBI	ROTATION	W-L	ERA
Don Castle	LF	.325	9	88	Jeff Scott	14-9	2.83
Vernon Wilkins	CF	.310	3	47	Jackie Brown	10-1	2.34
Doug Ault	RF	.276	19	88	Rick Henninger	12-5	3.81
Tom Robson	DH	.316	38	126	Wade Frye	8-6	2.49
Mike Hargrove	1B	.351	12	82	Len Barker	7-1	1.37
Mike Cubbage	2B	.312	13	65
Pete Mackanin	SS	.302	7	55	BULLPEN	WLS	ERA
Bill Madlock	3B	.338	22	90	Stan Thomas	15	2.75
Jim Sundberg	C	.298	5	40	Wayne Popiolek	4-3	2.47
					Michael Miller	4-5	2.41
BENCH	POS	BA	HR	RBI	James Raynor	4-5	2.82
Steve Greenberg	1B	.281	8	71	Dave Moharter	8-5	3.23
Roy Howell	3B	.242	15	47
Bob Jones	OF	.277	9	71
Ron Pruitt	OF	.277	8	55
Dave Moates	OF	.302	4	63
Dave Criscione	C	.276	4	47

The Astros earned high OWPCT marks in successive seasons (2012-13) while ranking last in the Majors over three straight years (2011-13). We will focus on 2013 as the organization placed runner-up with a .569 OWPCT. While the jury is still out on the long-term results of the franchise’s rebuilding plans, Houston’s near-term triumphs include a playoff berth in 2015 and a victory in the 2017 World Series. George Springer claimed the 2017 World Series MVP award with a .379 BA and 5 long balls after averaging 29 doubles, 32 circuit clouts and 114 runs scored over the past two seasons. Carlos Correa, the #1 selection in the 2012 Draft, secured 2015 AL Rookie of the Year honors and produced 28 two-baggers, 22 jacks and a .288 BA for the Astros in three seasons. Jonathan Villar pilfered 32 bags annually over six minor league seasons with the Phillies and Astros. “Villi” ripped 38 two-base knocks and 19 four-baggers while pacing the NL with 62 stolen bases in 2016 for the Brew Crew. Domingo Santana (.278/30/85) capitalized on a full-time role as Milwaukee’s right fielder in 2017. Chris Devenski (12-9, 2.38) thrived as a reliever for the Astros since his promotion in 2016 after a severe flogging as a member of the Lancaster JetHawks (A+) three years earlier (4-2, 7.88). Lance McCullers, Jr. furnished a 3.18 ERA and struck out 10.1 batters per nine innings with the Quad Cities River Bandits (A) in 2013. He maintained a 19-16 record with a 3.60 ERA and 10.2 K/9 through 58 starts with Houston (2015-17). 2013 Houston Astros Affiliates

LINEUP	POS	BA	HR	RBI	ROTATION	W-L	ERA
Andrew Aplin	LF	.278	9	107	David Martinez	14-4	2.57
George Springer	CF	.303	37	108	Jake Buchanan	12-7	2.96
Preston Tucker	RF	.297	25	103	A. Wojciechowski	11-8	3.32
Chris Epps	DH	.275	16	75	Bobby Doran	11-2	3.51
M.P. Cokinos	1B	.313	13	94	Vince Velasquez	9-6	3.54
Delino D DeShields	2B	.317	5	54
Carlos Correa	SS	.320	9	86	BULLPEN	WLS	ERA
Matt E. Duffy	3B	.309	24	94	Gonzalo Sanudo	19	1.16
Tyler Heineman	C	.286	13	71	Jorge De Leon	0-3	3.46
					Jordan Jankowski	3-1	3.05
BENCH	POS	BA	HR	RBI	Michael Dimock	9-1	3.88
Erik Castro	1B	.280	18	65	Mitchell Lambson	8-3	3.03
Brett Wallace	1B	.326	11	37
Joe Sclafani	SS	.294	7	62
Brandon Meredith	OF	.279	16	68
Domingo Santana	OF	.252	25	64
Max Stassi	C	.277	17	60

The 2014 Diamondbacks matched the largest rank differential, finishing in the basement with a record of 64-98 (.395) while securing second place in overall minor league win percentage. Arizona returned to respectability in Year 3, capturing a playoff berth in 2017 with a 93-69 mark in the regular season. David Peralta aka “Freight Train” paced the NL in triples (10) while establishing career-highs with a .312 BA, 17 jacks and 78 ribbies for the D-backs in his sophomore year (2015). The pitcher-turned-outfielder spent three seasons in Independent Ball before Arizona signed him as a free agent in 2013, where he quickly worked his way through the minors to merit a promotion to the big leagues in June 2014. Twice involved in three-team trades early in his career, Didi Gregorius slumped to a .226 BA in his second season with Arizona, earning a demotion to the Reno Aces (AAA). The slick-fielding shortstop added power to his game, boasting a .281 BA with 30 two-base hits and 22 round-trippers over the last two years for the Yankees. Jake Lamb mustered 30 doubles and 30 circuit clouts while driving in 98 runs per year over the last two seasons. “Lambo” reached the Majors in 2014 following a stellar campaign chiefly with the Mobile BayBears (AA) where he batted .327 with 39 two-baggers. 2014 Arizona Diamondbacks Affiliates

LINEUP	POS	BA	HR	RBI	ROTATION	W-L	ERA
Alex Glenn	LF	.285	24	89	Brandon Sinnery	14-7	4.02
David Peralta	CF	.297	6	46	Aaron Blair	9-5	3.56
Danny Dorn	RF	.310	12	50	Braden Shipley	7-8	3.86
Rudy Flores	1B	.301	28	100	Ryan Doran	8-3	2.71
Garrett Weber	2B	.318	9	48	A.J. Schugel	6-4	3.47
Didi Gregorius	SS	.310	3	25
Jake Lamb	3B	.327	15	84	BULLPEN	WLS	ERA
Michael Perez	C	.238	9	35	Silvino Bracho	26	2.08
					Enrique Burgos	29	2.47
BENCH	POS	BA	HR	RBI	Will Locante	3-0	1.53
Mike Jacobs	1B	.299	19	97	Jose Jose	1-1	2.58
Trevor Mitsui	1B	.331	12	53	Cody Wheeler	5-4	1.63
Brandon Drury	3B	.299	23	95
Andy Marte	3B	.329	19	80
Alfredo Marte	OF	.319	11	45
Justin Williams	OF	.351	4	46
Ronnie Freeman	C	.278	3	41

The Mets topped all farm systems in 1983 with a .574 OWPCT while barely escaping the cellar as the Mariners suffered through the third 100-loss season in their seven-year existence. Reaping the benefits of a budding minor league operation helmed by Joe McIlvane and Steve Schryver, New York reeled off seven consecutive seasons above .500 (1984-1990) culminating in a World Series victory in ’86. Dwight “Doc” Gooden whiffed 300 batsmen in 191 innings as an 18-year old at Lynchburg (A) while teammate Lenny “Nails” Dykstra ignited the lineup with a .358 BA, 105 stolen bases and 132 runs scored.  Gooden logged a 157-85 mark with a 3.10 ERA, 1.175 WHIP and 45.3 WAR through 11 seasons with the Metropolitans. Dykstra (.305/19/77) placed runner-up in the 1993 NL MVP race as the center fielder for the Phillies as he topped the circuit in hits (194), bases on balls (129) and runs scored (143). Kevin “World” Mitchell seized the 1989 NL MVP award, posting a league-high 47 moon-shots, 125 ribbies and a .635 SLG. 1983 New York Mets Affiliates

LINEUP	POS	BA	HR	RBI	ROTATION	W-L	ERA
John Christensen	LF	.322	14	87	Dwight Gooden	19-4	2.50
Lenny Dykstra	CF	.358	8	81	Kevin A. Brown	15-7	2.74
Paul Hollins	RF	.301	21	97	Jay Tibbs	14-8	2.92
Gary Rajsich	1B	.270	28	83	Bill Latham	12-8	3.15
Steve Springer	2B	.338	12	88	Floyd Youmans	12-3	3.42
Wilmer Caraballo	SS	.299	13	66
Clint Hurdle	3B	.285	22	105	BULLPEN	WLS	ERA
John Gibbons	C	.298	18	67	Scott Murray	21	1.73
					Wes Gardner	15	1.87
BENCH	POS	BA	HR	RBI	Ed Pruitt	8	3.95
Mike Bishop	1B	.260	14	54	Jeff Innis	8-0	1.37
Dave Cochrane	3B	.263	25	102	John Boyles	12-1	2.42
Ken Harris	3B	.301	7	57
Kevin Mitchell	3B	.299	15	85
Stan Jefferson	OF	.320	9	36
Herm Winningham	OF	.329	5	52
Mike Fitzgerald	C	.284	14	65

Texas nose-dived to the third-worst record in baseball during the 2014 campaign after back-to-back World Series appearances in 2010-11. On a positive note, the Rangers’ .565 OWPCT ensured a swift recovery. Nomar Mazara swatted 20 big-flies in his first two big league seasons and eclipsed the 100-RBI plateau in 2017. Joey Gallo dialed long distance 41 times in 2017 despite a .209 BA and 196 strikeouts. Part of the ransom sent to the Phillies in return for Cole Hamels, right fielder Nick Williams debuted in 2017 with a .288 BA, 14 doubles and 12 homers in 83 games. 2014 Texas Rangers Affiliates

LINEUP	POS	BA	HR	RBI	ROTATION	W-L	ERA
Ryan Cordell	LF	.318	13	59	Andrew Faulkner	12-5	2.73
Jared Hoying	CF	.271	26	78	Chi Chi Gonzalez	12-6	2.66
Nomar Mazara	RF	.271	22	89	Sam Wolff	9-5	3.37
Ryan Rua	DH	.306	18	74	Alec Asher	11-11	3.80
Preston Beck	1B	.255	11	77	Jerad Eickhoff	10-9	4.08
Seth Spivey	2B	.332	3	27
Hanser Alberto	SS	.273	7	58	BULLPEN	WLS	ERA
Joey Gallo	3B	.271	42	106	Phil Klein	10	0.52
J.P. Arencibia	C	.279	14	41	Abel De Los Santos	8	1.92
					Cody Kendall	8-3	1.11
BENCH	POS	BA	HR	RBI	Josh McElwee	4-0	2.57
Lewis Brinson	OF	.288	13	50	Alex Claudio	6-3	1.66
Jake Smolinski	OF	.267	10	41
Brad Snyder	OF	.284	18	51
Luke Tendler	OF	.316	11	57
Nick Williams	OF	.283	13	74
Marcus Greene	C	.289	3	25

Colorado led all MLB franchises with a .545 OWPCT in 2012 while placing 28 ^th out of 30 teams at the big league level. The Rockies struggled for five seasons to return to relevance, emerging with a Wild Card berth in 2017. Charlie Blackmon (.331/37/104) collected the 2017 NL batting crown and placed fifth in the NL MVP race while leading the circuit with 213 base hits, 14 triples, 137 runs and 387 total bases. Corey Dickerson drilled 30+ doubles in back-to-back seasons (2016-17). Trevor Story (.272/27/72) placed fourth in the 2016 NL Rookie of the Year balloting. David Dahl (.315/7/24) missed the entire 2017 campaign due to injury after a promising debut through the final two months of the previous year. Will Harris owns a 2.99 ERA with a 1.105 WHIP and 9.5 K/9 in 290 relief outings through six big-league seasons. 2012 Colorado Rockies Affiliates

LINEUP	POS	BA	HR	RBI	ROTATION	W-L	ERA
Andrew Brown	LF	.308	24	98	Christian Bergman	16-5	3.65
David Dahl	CF	.379	9	57	Ben Alsup	14-5	3.63
Kyle Parker	RF	.308	23	73	Tyler Anderson	12-3	2.47
Harold Riggins	1B	.302	19	76	Edwar Cabrera	11-5	3.05
Taylor Featherston	2B	.299	12	53	Brandon Hynick	9-7	3.32
Trevor Story	SS	.277	18	63
Brendan Harris	3B	.317	9	63	BULLPEN	WLS	ERA
Will Swanner	C	.302	16	61	Adam Jorgenson	16	1.86
					Kenny Roberts	4-1	1.85
BENCH	POS	BA	HR	RBI	Will Harris	4-1	2.08
Jordan Ribera	1B	.285	10	54	Russell Brewer	1-3	2.09
Josh Rutledge	SS	.306	13	35	Mike Ekstrom	3-1	2.53
Charlie Blackmon	OF	.289	6	37
Corey Dickerson	OF	.304	22	81
Matt McBride	OF	.344	10	87
Julian Yan	OF	.282	16	57
Tom Murphy	C	.288	6	38

Philadelphia leads all franchises with three entries in the Best OWPCT – Worst WPCT chart. Steve “Lefty” Carlton (27-10, 1.97) recorded nearly half of the victories for the hapless 1972 crew. The Fightin’ Phillies resurfaced in 1975, kicking off a decade of winning baseball in the City of Brotherly Love. Mike Schmidt made his MLB debut in September 1972 following an exceptional year with the Eugene Emeralds (AAA). “Schmitty” launched 36 moon-shots and plated 104 baserunners per year from 1974 to 1987 counting 8 seasons atop the charts. The 3-time NL MVP and 10-time Gold Glove winner retired in 1989 with 548 home runs and 116 WAR. Bob Boone similarly earned a promotion to the Phillies subsequent to an outstanding campaign in Eugene, hitting at a .308 clip with 32 doubles and 17 jacks. The seven-time Gold Glove backstop caught 2,225 games over a 19-year career. Bobby Abreu (.316/25/79) and Scott Rolen (.298/26/89) highlighted an otherwise mundane roster that managed only 65 wins. Excepting 2002, the Phils played at or above .500 ball from 2001 to 2012. The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons (AAA) featured shortstop Jimmy Rollins, who made his big-league debut in September 2000 following a productive year comprising 28 doubles, 11 triples, 12 homers and 24 steals. “J-Roll” captured the 2007 NL MVP award, leading the league with 20 three-base hits and 139 tallies to complement career-highs in batting average (.296), base hits (212), homers (30), RBI (94) and total bases (380). Marlon Byrd eclipsed the century mark for runs scored in three successive seasons in the Phillies’ farm system (2000-02) while batting .307 with 29 doubles and 20 taters in the same stretch. Playing for 10 teams in a career that spanned 15 years, Byrd squashed at least 20 big-flies four times and set a career-high with 43 two-baggers and 89 RBI for the Rangers in 2009. Ryan Madson fashioned a record of 59-35 with an ERA of 3.58 during his minor league career including a 14-5 mark with a 2.59 ERA with the Piedmont Boll Weevils (A) in 2000. Converted to relief work upon promotion to the Majors in September 2003, “Mad Dog” twice saved at least 30 contests in a season and holds an ERA of 3.35 entering the 2018 campaign. The 2015 squad held the fourth-best OWPCT while struggling to a 63-99 mark. It remains to be seen if the current group of prospects can restore the Phillies to playoff contention. Rhys Hoskins established a Major League record when he homered 18 times in his first 34 games (2017). “Hosk” clobbered 34 blasts and knocked in 104 baserunners per year during his ascent to the big leagues (2016-17).  One year subsequent to his selection as the Phillies #1 pick in the June 2014 Draft, Aaron Nola debuted with a 6-2 mark and a 3.59 ERA in 13 starts. Nola struck out 184 batsmen in 168 innings in 2017 and fashioned ratios comparable to his minor league output (2.57 ERA, 1.057 WHIP). 1972 Philadelphia Phillies Affiliates

LINEUP	POS	BA	HR	RBI	ROTATION	W-L	ERA
Joe Lis	LF	.338	26	58	Dave Downs	15-7	2.41
Mike Anderson	CF	.298	17	56	Donald Kreke	15-7	3.14
Jerry Martin	RF	.316	12	112	Chuck Kniffin	13-1	2.11
Bob Spence	1B	.294	18	61	Roy J. Thomas	11-7	3.43
Thomas Silicato	2B	.329	6	56	Mike Martin	11-8	3.54
Fred Andrews	SS	.271	3	53
Mike Schmidt	3B	.291	26	91	BULLPEN	WLS	ERA
Bob Boone	C	.308	17	67	Murray Gage-Cole	17	2.25
					Ed Sukla	9	2.25
BENCH	POS	BA	HR	RBI	Mac Scarce	4-0	0.88
Bob Beall	1B	.283	5	53	Terry Periman	11-3	1.99
Kevin Bryant	3B	.330	11	43	David Fanning	9-3	1.71
Russell Klobas	OF	.319	6	48
Bill Robinson	OF	.304	20	66
Mike Rogodzinski	OF	.266	18	44
James Ziegler	OF	.316	6	47
Bill Nahorodny	C	.263	6	33

2000 Philadelphia Phillies Affiliates

LINEUP	POS	BA	HR	RBI	ROTATION	W-L	ERA
Marlon Byrd	LF	.309	17	93	Ryan Madson	14-5	2.59
Jay Sitzman	CF	.316	6	55	Frank Brooks	14-8	3.44
Jorge Padilla	RF	.305	11	67	B. Duckworth	13-7	3.16
Nate Espy	1B	.312	21	87	Jason Kershner	10-2	3.32
Marlon Anderson	2B	.305	8	53	Cliff Politte	8-4	3.12
Jimmy Rollins	SS	.274	12	69
Rusty McNamara	3B	.294	14	76	BULLPEN	WLS	ERA
Gary Bennett	C	.306	12	52	Doug Nickle	16	2.44
					Mark Outlaw	11	0.94
BENCH	POS	BA	HR	RBI	Jeremy Wedel	9	2.13
Gary Burnham	1B	.268	13	61	Joe Cotton	4-2	2.35
Reggie Griggs	1B	.340	6	42	Matt Bailie	7-0	1.39
Gene Schall	1B	.286	21	80
Tomas Perez	SS	.294	10	56
Jason Michaels	OF	.295	10	74
Eric Valent	OF	.258	22	90
Russ Jacobson	C	.247	19	71

2015 Philadelphia Phillies Affiliates

LINEUP	POS	BA	HR	RBI	ROTATION	W-L	ERA
Herlis Rodriguez	LF	.294	10	61	Ricardo Pinto	15-4	2.97
Brian Bogusevic	CF	.296	12	57	Aaron Nola	10-4	2.39
Aaron Altherr	RF	.293	14	67	Ranfi Casimiro	9-7	3.35
Rhys Hoskins	1B	.319	17	90	Brandon Leibrandt	7-3	2.91
Josh Tobias	2B	.321	4	37	Tyler Viza	5-10	3.38
J.P. Crawford	SS	.288	6	42
Damek Tomscha	3B	.282	8	59	BULLPEN	WLS	ERA
Andrew Knapp	C	.308	13	84	Matt Hockenberry	19	2.24
					Robert Tasin	17	1.84
BENCH	POS	BA	HR	RBI	Joey DeNato	10	1.67
Russ Canzler	1B	.274	10	47	Alexis Rivero	10	2.64
Kyle Martin	1B	.279	5	37	Edubray Ramos	8	2.07
Brock Stassi	1B	.300	15	90
Angelo Mora	2B	.312	3	39
Dylan Cozens	OF	.286	8	59
Roman Quinn	OF	.306	4	15
Lenin Rodriguez	C	.258	4	30

The 2010 Mariners slogged through a wretched season, posting the worst record in the American League at 61-101. Only the lowly Pirates tallied more losses in the Major Leagues with a 57-105 mark. Seattle’s farm system, on the other hand, finished second with an overall winning percentage of .538. Kyle Seager blistered the opposition with a .340 BA and 37 two-base knocks at three minor league affiliates (2010-2011). “Corey’s Brother” merited All-Star status along with a Gold Glove at the hot corner in 2014. Seager produced 33 doubles, 25 circuit clouts and 85 ribbies annually in six full seasons since 2012. Despite injury and inconsistency during his five big-league seasons, Michael Pineda carries a 1.190 WHIP and 9.1 K/9 into the 2018 season. An All-Star selection in his rookie year (2009), Pineda fashioned a 31-14 mark with a 2.50 ERA and a WHIP of 1.186 during his stint in the M’s farm system. 2010 Seattle Mariners Affiliates

LINEUP	POS	BA	HR	RBI	ROTATION	W-L	ERA
Jake Shaffer	LF	.336	9	78	Anthony Vasquez	11-9	2.46
Greg Halman	CF	.243	33	80	Michael Pineda	11-4	3.36
Johermyn Chavez	RF	.315	32	96	Luke French	11-3	2.94
Mike Wilson	DH	.278	25	78	Erasmo Ramirez	10-4	2.97
Rich Poythress	1B	.315	31	130	James Gillheeney	10-11	3.55
Kyle Seager	2B	.345	14	74
Nick Franklin	SS	.283	23	65	BULLPEN	WLS	ERA
Nate Tenbrink	3B	.318	14	70	Forrest Snow	9	0.60
Guillermo Quiroz	C	.286	7	46	Anthony Varvaro	9	4.02
					Brian Moran	6-1	1.73
BENCH	POS	BA	HR	RBI	Stephen Penney	5-3	3.53
Dennis Raben	1B	.291	20	66	Robert Rohrbaugh	4-2	3.70
Kevin Mailloux	3B	.296	15	52
Ramon Morla	3B	.323	17	49
Matthew Cerione	OF	.287	12	42
Kevin Rivers	OF	.332	11	48
Blake Ochoa	C	.285	9	32

The 1982 Athletics compiled the second-best OWPCT (.635) in the last 55 seasons, trailing only the 1979 Yankees (.639). Oakland secured four playoff berths and played above .500 ball in six successive campaigns (1987-1992). Tony Phillips scored 104 runs, coaxed 107 bases on balls and laced 27 two-base hits per year over an eight-year span (1990-97). The Expos first-round selection in the 1978 Amateur Draft equaled his minor league OBP of .374 (in the Athletics’ system) over an 18-year career. Mike Davis leveraged a .299 BA with 38 steals for the Tacoma Tigers (AAA) in 1981-82 to attain a full-time role as Oakland’s right fielder from 1983-87. Registering 27 doubles, 16 dingers and 23 steals annually during that timeframe, Davis established personal-bests in ’85 with a .287 BA, 34 two-baggers, 24 homers, 82 ribbies and 92 runs scored. 1982 Oakland Athletics Affiliates

LINEUP	POS	BA	HR	RBI	ROTATION	W-L	ERA
Jim Bennett	LF	.278	29	115	Mark Ferguson	17-6	1.77
Mike Davis	CF	.316	12	68	Chris Codiroli	16-4	2.03
Tom Romano	RF	.340	26	98	Tim Conroy	15-4	2.25
Dave Hudgens	DH	.301	24	82	Mike Warren	15-4	2.92
Phillip Strom	1B	.294	15	73	Eric Barry	13-2	2.40
Keith Drumright	2B	.329	0	29
Tony Phillips	SS	.297	4	47	BULLPEN	WLS	ERA
Bob Bathe	3B	.288	9	41	Jeff Kobernus	13	1.72
Bill Bathe	C	.281	17	57	Paul Josephson	13	1.92
					Ed Myers	12	1.63
BENCH	POS	BA	HR	RBI	Todd Fischer	8	1.12
Jim Eppard	1B	.376	1	41	Allen Edwards	12-4	3.21
Greg Robles	1B	.371	7	52
Danny Goodwin	OF	.301	11	58
Anthony Laurenzi	OF	.362	8	38
Mitchell Page	OF	.305	14	59
Charlie O’Brien	C	.295	6	46

Pale Hose prospects Frank E. Thomas, Robin Ventura and Jack McDowell contributed to a solid seven-year run in the Windy City as the team yielded winning records in six seasons (1990-96) including consecutive first-place finishes within the division in ’93 and ’94. The organization yielded a .582 OWPCT in 1989 in stark contrast to the Southsiders’ last-place finish in the AL West (69-92, .429). In addition to the three superstars listed above, Chicago also drafted Ray Durham and Alex Fernandez during Larry Himes’ stint as the club’s General Manager. Thomas amassed 70.6 WAR over a 19-year career encompassing back-to-back AL MVP awards (1993-94), 521 home runs and a slash line of .301/.419/.555. Ventura collected 6 Gold Gloves at the hot corner while accruing 49.4 WAR in sixteen seasons. Lance “One Dog” Johnson delivered a .304 BA with 39 steals per season as a farmhand for the Redbirds and the Pale Hose, virtually identical to the .299 BA and 34 stolen bases that he averaged in full-time play with the White Sox and Mets over an eight-year span (1990-97). 1989 Chicago White Sox Affiliates

LINEUP	POS	BA	HR	RBI	ROTATION	W-L	ERA
Derek Lee	LF	.286	11	48	Sam Chavez	18-6	2.23
Lance Johnson	CF	.304	0	28	Carlos De La Cruz	15-7	2.55
Todd Trafton	RF	.259	12	56	Riley Stephens	14-7	2.12
Frank E. Thomas	DH	.296	5	41	Fred Dabney	11-7	2.09
Billy Jo Robidoux	1B	.317	11	42	Jeff Bittiger	10-6	2.00
Cesar Bernhardt	2B	.300	6	81
Craig Grebeck	SS	.287	5	80	BULLPEN	WLS	ERA
Robin Ventura	3B	.278	3	67	Scott Radinsky	31	1.75
Jerry Willard	C	.276	7	39	John Hudek	26	2.40
					Jose Segura	17	2.30
BENCH	POS	BA	HR	RBI	Brent Knackert	12	2.94
Rich Amaral	2B	.285	4	48	Jose Ventura	7-3	1.57
Gregory Roth	3B	.274	10	55
Rodney McCray	OF	.265	1	34
Kinnis Pledger	OF	.266	3	39
Aubrey Waggoner	OF	.228	4	35
Jay Hornacek	C	.254	7	40

Oakland suffered through six straight seasons of sub-.500 ball after dominating the American League with four playoff berths in five campaigns (1988-1992). The Athletics’ farm system featured a future Rookie of the Year (Ben Grieve, 1998) and MVP (Miguel Tejada, 2002) in 1997. Two years later, the Green and Gold led all franchises with a .573 OWPCT, capping a triumphant 12-year run for their minor league operation. Grieve (.350/31/136) annihilated the opposition with Huntsville (AA) and Edmonton (AAA) then slashed 32 two-base hits and launched 21 moon-shots per year through a half-decade with the A’s and Devil Rays (1998-2002). Tejada tallied 51 WAR in 16 seasons and produced a .291 BA with 35 doubles, 24 bombs, 100 ribbies and 94 runs scored annually as a starting shortstop from 1999 to 2010. Excepting 2007, “Miggy” played in at least 156 contests every year during that timeframe. Ramon J. Hernandez compiled a .301 BA with 24 two-baggers, 17 jacks and 104 RBI over two seasons for the Visalia Oaks (A) and Huntsville Stars (AA) in 1997-98. Hernandez set personal-bests with 29 doubles, 23 dingers and 91 ribbies as a member of the Orioles in 2006. 1997 Oakland Athletics Affiliates

LINEUP	POS	BA	HR	RBI	ROTATION	W-L	ERA
Brian Lesher	LF	.323	21	78	Chris A. Nelson	12-6	4.60
Ryan Christenson	CF	.310	17	77	Scott Rivette	12-10	4.31
Ben Grieve	RF	.350	31	136	Brett Laxton	11-5	2.99
Mike Coolbaugh	DH	.308	30	132	Bill King	9-7	4.19
D.T. Cromer	1B	.323	15	121	Jake O’Dell	8-5	4.54
Scott Sheldon	2B	.315	19	77
Miguel Tejada	SS	.275	22	97	BULLPEN	WLS	ERA
Jason Wood	3B	.321	19	87	Todd Weinberg	23	3.46
Ramon J Hernandez	C	.306	19	109	Kevin Gunther	17	3.38
					Todd Bussa	15	2.53
BENCH	POS	BA	HR	RBI	Gary Haught	11	3.96
T.R. Marcinczyk	1B	.276	23	91	Juan Perez	8	2.78
Mark Bellhorn	2B	.328	11	46
Justin Bowles	OF	.327	7	51
Mario Encarnacion	OF	.297	18	78
Mike Neill	OF	.333	14	87
A.J. Hinch	C	.328	24	97

Coming off the club’s worst record (59-103) since moving to Minnesota in 1961, the Twins bounced back with an 85-win season and a Wild Card berth in 2017. The talent pool from the 2016 minor league roster bodes well for their near-term success, including Gold Glove center fielder Byron Buxton, shortstop Jorge Polanco and starting pitcher Jose Berrios. Buxton (.334/12/77) split a splendid 2013 season between the Cedar Rapids Kernels (A) and the Fort Myers Miracle (A+), legging out 18 three-base hits, nabbing 55 bags and scoring 109 runs. The Gold Glove center fielder tagged 16 taters and swiped 29 bases for the Twinkies in 2017. A teammate of Buxton with the Kernels in ’13, Polanco contributed 32 doubles and 10 triples along with a .308 BA. “Chulo” assumed the starting shortstop job in the Twin Cities in 2017, lacing 30 two-baggers and driving in 74 runs. Berrios fared much better in his sophomore year, posting a 14-8 mark with a 3.89 ERA and a WHIP of 1.229. “La Maquina” aced his minor league assignments, fashioning a record of 49-25 with a 2.77 ERA, 1.075 WHIP and 9.6 K/9. 2016 Minnesota Twins Affiliates

LINEUP	POS	BA	HR	RBI	ROTATION	W-L	ERA
Adam Walker	LF	.243	27	75	Stephen Gonsalves	13-5	2.06
Edgar Corcino	CF	.273	8	59	Felix Jorge	12-8	2.69
Daniel Palka	RF	.254	34	90	Jose Berrios	10-5	2.51
LaMonte Wade	DH	.293	8	51	Cody Stashak	10-5	2.80
Zander Wiel	1B	.259	19	86	Fernando Romero	9-3	1.89
Luis Arraez	2B	.347	3	66
Jorge Polanco	SS	.276	9	39	BULLPEN	WLS	ERA
Nelson Molina	3B	.300	2	43	T. Hildenberger	19	0.75
Mitch Garver	C	.270	12	74	J.T. Chargois	16	1.35
					Nick Anderson	13	2.65
BENCH	POS	BA	HR	RBI	Anthony McIver	10	2.58
Kennys Vargas	1B	.233	15	58	Marcus Walden	6	2.40
Travis Blankenhorn	2B	.293	10	41
Byron Buxton	OF	.305	11	24
Jaylin Davis	OF	.255	16	41
Niko Goodrum	OF	.275	7	33
A.J. Murray	C	.238	10	49

Best WPCT (Majors) – Worst Overall WPCT (Minors)

FranchID_Year	OW	OL	OWPCT	ORANK	Y0-RANK	RankDiff	WPCT-Y0
SFG_2000	306	384	0.443	29	1	28	0.599
ATL_1998	337	431	0.439	29	2	27	0.654
MIN_2010	327	430	0.432	30	4	26	0.580
STL_2001	298	407	0.423	30	4	26	0.574
MIL_2011	355	406	0.466	29	3	26	0.593
DET_1984	221	294	0.429	26	1	25	0.642
ATL_1995	346	417	0.453	26	2	24	0.625
ATL_1996	354	407	0.465	26	2	24	0.593
BAL_1979	219	271	0.447	25	1	24	0.642
CHC_1984	312	398	0.439	25	2	23	0.596
OAK_1988	320	384	0.455	24	1	23	0.642
PIT_1992	324	382	0.459	24	2	22	0.593
DET_1987	287	333	0.463	23	1	22	0.605
OAK_1973	214	266	0.446	24	4	20	0.580
OAK_1974	213	269	0.442	24	4	20	0.556
OAK_1972	209	276	0.431	23	3	20	0.600
CIN_1970	219	252	0.465	22	2	20	0.630
LAD_1965	343	424	0.447	19	2	17	0.599

FranchYr	Y0	Y1	Y2	Y3	Y4	Y5	Y6	Y7	Y8	Y9
SFG_2000	0.599	0.556	0.590	0.621	0.562	0.463	0.472	0.438	0.444	0.543
ATL_1998	0.654	0.636	0.586	0.543	0.631	0.623	0.593	0.556	0.488	0.519
MIN_2010	0.580	0.389	0.407	0.407	0.432	0.512	0.364	0.525
STL_2001	0.574	0.599	0.525	0.648	0.617	0.516	0.481	0.531	0.562	0.531
MIL_2011	0.593	0.512	0.457	0.506	0.420	0.451	0.531
DET_1984	0.642	0.522	0.537	0.605	0.543	0.364	0.488	0.519	0.463	0.525
ATL_1995	0.625	0.593	0.623	0.654	0.636	0.586	0.543	0.631	0.623	0.593
ATL_1996	0.593	0.623	0.654	0.636	0.586	0.543	0.631	0.623	0.593	0.556
BAL_1979	0.642	0.617	0.562	0.580	0.605	0.525	0.516	0.451	0.414	0.335
CHC_1984	0.596	0.478	0.438	0.472	0.475	0.574	0.475	0.481	0.481	0.519
OAK_1988	0.642	0.611	0.636	0.519	0.593	0.420	0.447	0.465	0.481	0.401
PIT_1992	0.593	0.463	0.465	0.403	0.451	0.488	0.426	0.484	0.426	0.383
DET_1987	0.605	0.543	0.364	0.488	0.519	0.463	0.525	0.461	0.417	0.327
OAK_1973	0.580	0.556	0.605	0.540	0.391	0.426	0.333	0.512	0.587	0.420
OAK_1974	0.556	0.605	0.540	0.391	0.426	0.333	0.512	0.587	0.420	0.457
OAK_1972	0.600	0.580	0.556	0.605	0.540	0.391	0.426	0.333	0.512	0.587
CIN_1970	0.630	0.488	0.617	0.611	0.605	0.667	0.630	0.543	0.571	0.559
LAD_1965	0.599	0.586	0.451	0.469	0.525	0.540	0.549	0.548	0.590	0.630

Observing the opposite end of the spectrum, the above list comprises teams at or near the top of the MLB standings in a given season while their minor league operation grades poorly in OWPCT. The only team in our survey to finish first in the Majors in winning percentage while the minor league operation ranked last is the 1984 Detroit Tigers. Victorious in 35 of their first 40 contests, the ’84 crew handily seized the World Series after dominating the Junior Circuit. Nearly replicating the feat three years later, the Kitties sustained their winning ways through 1988 before commencing a prolonged period of inferior play as the club finished below .500 fifteen times in seventeen seasons (1989-2005). Mike Henneman recorded 20 saves with a 3.63 ERA in 117 outings for the Tigers’ minor league affiliates. In ten big-league seasons he eclipsed the 20-save mark seven times and furnished a 3.21 career ERA. Chris Hoiles (.310/29/82) established personal-bests in virtually every offensive category in ’93. One of three Detroit farmhands included as “players to be named later” in an August 1988 transaction to acquire Fred Lynn from Baltimore, Hoiles averaged .282 with 15 wallops during his three-year stint in the Tigers’ system. 1984 Detroit Tigers Affiliates

LINEUP	POS	BA	HR	RBI	ROTATION	W-L	ERA
Mark S. Smith	LF	.283	11	98	Don Heinkel	11-13	3.99
Raul Tovar	CF	.304	0	42	Randy O’Neal	9-10	3.57
Nelson Simmons	RF	.307	22	83	Rich Monteleone	12-11	4.60
Scott Earl	DH	.251	11	51	Jeff M. Robinson	8-9	4.23
Mike Laga	1B	.265	30	94	Roger Erickson	7-4	3.24
Chris Pittaro	2B	.284	11	61
Doug Baker	SS	.259	8	30	BULLPEN	WLS	ERA
George Foussianes	3B	.256	10	58	Carl Willis	16	3.73
Scotti Madison	C	.273	15	83	Ramon Pena	13	3.00
					Don Gordon	8	3.36
BENCH	POS	BA	HR	RBI	James Scudero	8	3.86
Cary Colbert	1B	.279	9	50	Scott Tabor	10-4	3.03
John Harris	1B	.303	8	50
Jerry Mack	2B	.221	10	36
Bruce Fields	OF	.300	4	38
Robert Mills	OF	.299	3	31
Mike Williams	C	.254	8	55

1987 Detroit Tigers Affiliates

LINEUP	POS	BA	HR	RBI	ROTATION	W-L	ERA
Bruce Fields	LF	.305	3	51	Paul Gibson	14-7	3.47
Bernie Anderson	CF	.318	3	69	Darrin Hursey	11-8	3.11
Scott Lusader	RF	.269	17	80	Rich Lacko	9-7	2.41
Tim Tolman	DH	.314	15	63	Charles Phillips	8-6	3.25
Paul Foster	1B	.271	18	93	Ken L. Williams	8-6	3.20
Pat Austin	2B	.297	3	41
Pedro Chavez	SS	.317	12	53	BULLPEN	WLS	ERA
Doug Strange	3B	.296	14	75	Dave Cooper	18	3.64
Phil Clark	C	.295	8	79	Paul Wenson	12	2.81
					Dan O’Neill	10	2.57
BENCH	POS	BA	HR	RBI	Charlie Mitchell	7	2.50
Wes Clements	DH	.277	13	52	Bill Laskey	12-6	3.86
Mike Stenhouse	1B	.280	11	42
Manny Mantrana	2B	.316	4	30
Torey Lovullo	3B	.259	9	48
Jeff Hermann	OF	.300	9	55
Chris Hoiles	C	.276	13	53

The 2000 Giants hold the distinction of the largest rank differential in the past 55 years as San Francisco claimed the division title with a 97-win season while the minor league operation finished next-to-last in OWPCT. Merely a handful of prospects panned out including Pedro Feliz, the third baseman who drilled 29 doubles and 18 long balls per year from 2004 to 2009. Sustained by four straight MVP seasons from Barry Bonds, the Giants remained a playoff contender until 2005, when Bonds suffered a knee injury and missed nearly the entire campaign. San Francisco endured sub-.500 ball through 2008 then returned to prominence with 3 World Series titles in 2010, 2012 and 2014. Ryan Vogelsong debuted with San Francisco in September 2000 after compiling a 3.89 ERA through three minor league seasons. Laboring to a 5.86 ERA through the ’06 campaign before revitalizing his career during a three-year stint in the Japan, Vogelsong thrived in 2011-12 as he averaged 14 wins to complement an ERA of 3.05. 2000 San Francisco Giants Affiliates

LINEUP	POS	BA	HR	RBI	ROTATION	W-L	ERA
Carlos Valderrama	LF	.315	13	81	Jon Valenti	13-5	3.86
Brett Casper	CF	.243	15	70	Kurt Ainsworth	10-9	3.30
Jake Messner	RF	.320	19	68	Chad Zerbe	9-4	3.68
Damon Minor	1B	.290	30	106	Jim Lynch	7-4	3.18
Ryan Luther	2B	.300	7	48	Jerome Williams	7-6	2.94
Juan Melo	SS	.295	12	50
Pedro Feliz	3B	.298	33	105	BULLPEN	WLS	ERA
G. Chiaramonte	C	.255	24	79	Todd Ozias	21	3.67
					Luke Anderson	12	1.45
BENCH	POS	BA	HR	RBI	Manny Bermudez	7	2.84
Jeremy Luster	1B	.282	14	99	Ben Weber	7	2.42
Sean McGowan	1B	.330	12	118	Robbie Crabtree	8	3.81
Lance Niekro	3B	.362	5	44
Tony Torcato	3B	.327	7	90
Jalal Leach	OF	.379	12	45
Dan Trumble	OF	.321	8	39
Yorvit Torrealba	C	.286	4	32

The Braves maintained a playoff streak from 1991-2005 despite an eight-year stretch with a substandard OWPCT (1994-2001). The nadir occurred in 1998 when the Atlanta farm system posted the second-worst OWPCT among all franchises. Rafael Furcal scored at least 100 runs in four consecutive campaigns (2003-06) and pilfered 31 bags yearly over an eight-year stint (2000-07). The 2000 NL Rookie of the Year stockpiled 96 steals and tallied 96 runs between Macon (A) and Myrtle Beach (A+) in ’99 after nabbing nearly one base per contest in the previous year (60 SB in 66 games). Macon (A) profited from Marcus Giles’ breakout season in ’98 as the second-sacker clubbed 38 two-baggers and 37 round-trippers while hitting .329 with 111 runs scored and 108 RBI. The 2003 All-Star established career-highs in his first season in a starting capacity with 49 doubles, 21 clouts and a .316 BA. Mark DeRosa experienced a four-year stint as a starting super-sub from 2006 to 2009, rapping 30 doubles and 17 long balls per season with a .281 BA after clubbing 21 doubles annually over four campaigns in the upper minors (1998-2001). Bruce Chen (15-8, 3.09) shined as a member of the Greenville (AA) rotation and capped his effort with 4 September starts in ’98. Chen pitched for 11 MLB organizations and composed a winning record over 17 seasons despite a 4.62 ERA. Odalis Perez compiled a 2.95 ERA and struck out 9.8 batters per nine innings as a member of the Atlanta farm system. The southpaw attained All-Star status in 2002 with the Dodgers as he established personal-bests in victories (15), ERA (3.00) and WHIP (0.990). 1998 Atlanta Braves Affiliates

LINEUP	POS	BA	HR	RBI	ROTATION	W-L	ERA
Gene Schall	LF	.300	22	73	Bruce Chen	15-8	3.09
George Lombard	CF	.308	22	65	Ruben Quevedo	11-5	3.24
Jeff Spencer	RF	.261	28	79	Micah Bowie	11-6	3.48
Ryan Lehr	1B	.285	13	69	Kevin McGlinchy	10-9	3.34
Marcus Giles	2B	.329	37	108	Rob Bell	7-9	3.28
Mark DeRosa	SS	.267	8	49
Wes Helms	3B	.275	13	75	BULLPEN	WLS	ERA
Steve Torrealba	C	.273	10	37	Joe Winkelsas	22	2.33
					Will Fleck	14	2.65
BENCH	POS	BA	HR	RBI	Adam Butler	14	3.60
Rafael Furcal	2B	.328	0	23	Greg Mix	3-5	3.51
Steve Goodell	SS	.296	8	26	Odalis Perez	7-7	3.86
Howard Battle	3B	.330	10	50
Travis Wilson	3B	.330	10	52
Jerry Salzano	OF	.302	7	49
Jerry Simmons	OF	.275	11	40
Dax Norris	C	.261	9	47

Minnesota eclipsed the .500 mark in 8 of 9 seasons since Ron Gardenhire assumed the managerial reins in 2002. When the minor league system plummeted from the fourth-best OWPCT in 2009 to the worst out of 30 teams one year later, the big league crew followed suit as the Twins posted 90+ losses in four straight seasons (2011-14). Ben Revere, the Twins first-round selection in the 2007 Amateur Draft, scorched the opposition with a .328 BA and 37 steals yearly prior to his promotion to the big leagues in September 2010. “Revy” paced the National League with 184 safeties in 2014, surpassed the .300 plateau in batting average for three successive seasons (2013-15) and averaged 35 steals over a five-year period (2011-15). Trevor Plouffe slammed a career-high 24 wallops in 2012 and ripped 40 doubles two years later. “Special T” socked 28 two-base knocks per year as a Minnesota minor leaguer over a half-decade (2006-2010). 2010 Minnesota Twins Affiliates

LINEUP	POS	BA	HR	RBI	ROTATION	W-L	ERA
Ben Revere	LF	.305	1	23	Kyle Gibson	11-6	2.96
Aaron Hicks	CF	.279	8	49	Dan Osterbrock	9-9	2.65
Angel Morales	RF	.280	5	55	Liam Hendriks	8-4	1.74
Joe Benson	DH	.259	27	62	Bobby Lanigan	5-4	3.48
Brock Peterson	1B	.245	19	57	Tom Stuifbergen	6-4	2.98
Steve Singleton	2B	.267	7	50
Trevor Plouffe	SS	.244	15	49	BULLPEN	WLS	ERA
Anderson Hidalgo	3B	.316	3	28	Anthony Slama	17	2.20
Danny Rams	C	.238	16	69	Kane Holbrooks	9	2.10
					Dakota Watts	8	3.10
BENCH	POS	BA	HR	RBI	Kyle Waldrop	5-3	2.57
Chris Parmelee	1B	.285	8	61	Andrei Lobanov	3-2	2.64
Oswaldo Arcia	OF	.375	14	51
Danny Ortiz	OF	.259	11	43
Lance Ray	OF	.289	3	33
Brandon Roberts	OF	.327	3	38
Jose Morales	C	.264	3	25

St. Louis endured a seven-year stretch in which the minor league operation placed 25 ^th or lower five times. While the Redbirds reached the playoffs six times in seven tries (2000-2006), the farm system finished dead last in OWPCT in 2001. Coco Crisp paced the AL with 49 steals in 2011, swiped at least 20 bags eight times and established career-highs in home runs (22) and runs scored (93) in 2013. Crisp furnished a .306 BA in back-to-back campaigns (2001-02) and made his MLB debut with the Tribe in August 2002 after his inclusion as the “player to be named later” in a deal for Chuck Finley. Bud Smith sizzled throughout a dominant stretch in the upper minors (2000-01), posting a 25-7 record with a 2.46 ERA and a WHIP of 1.170. Smith hurled a no-hitter against the Padres and placed fourth in the 2001 NL Rookie of the Year vote, but his star faded quickly and he was demoted after yielding a 6.94 ERA through 10 starts in his sophomore year. Three-time All-Star Dan Haren manufactured 13 wins per year with a 3.70 ERA and a 1.169 WHIP while starting at least 30 games in 11 straight seasons (2005-2015) after fashioning a 3.16 ERA and a WHIP of 1.130 as a Redbirds farmhand. 2001 St. Louis Cardinals Affiliates

LINEUP	POS	BA	HR	RBI	ROTATION	W-L	ERA
Coco Crisp	LF	.306	11	47	Jimmy Journell	15-6	2.39
Chris Morris	CF	.294	2	39	Kevin Sprague	10-8	3.38
Dee Haynes	RF	.290	13	72	Chris Narveson	7-6	2.31
Chris Duncan	1B	.260	16	75	Rick Ankiel	5-5	2.25
Stubby Clapp	2B	.304	5	33	Blake Williams	4-10	2.43
Jutt Hileman	SS	.255	9	35
John Gall	3B	.311	8	77	BULLPEN	WLS	ERA
Keith McDonald	C	.261	11	42	Scotty Layfield	31	1.84
					Jeremy Lambert	17	3.09
BENCH	POS	BA	HR	RBI	Mike Crudale	9	3.25
Jesse Roman	1B	.271	3	39	Doug Kohl	3-5	2.08
Bo Hart	2B	.305	5	34	D. Ponce Deleon	2-5	3.45
T.J. Maier	2B	.279	4	36
Ryan Balfe	OF	.319	8	37
Darrell Whitmore	OF	.277	11	52
Justin Woodrow	OF	.313	2	21
Ryan Hamill	C	.264	10	45

The Brew Crew’s beleaguered farm system ranked in the bottom third in eight of the last ten seasons, placing 28 ^th or 29 ^th among the thirty teams five times since 2011. Milwaukee paced the NL Central with 96 victories, securing the club’s second playoff berth since “Harvey’s Wallbangers” appeared in the 1982 World Series. Khris Davis clobbered 40+ clouts and surpassed the century mark in RBI during back-to-back seasons following a trade to Oakland in February 2016. “Khrush” drilled 26 doubles and 22 dingers for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (A) in 2010, then hit .350 with 21 two-base knocks in only 82 games two years later. Scooter Gennett stunned the baseball community when he rocked 4 home runs against the Cardinals on June 6, 2017. He obliterated his previous career-bests with 27 wallops and 97 ribbies for the Reds in 2017 after producing 30 doubles per year and a .298 BA as a Brewers prospect. Tyler Thornburg emerged as a late-inning weapon in 2016, striking out 90 batters in only 67 frames and saving 13 contests while furnishing an ERA of 2.15 with a 0.990 WHIP. “Thorny” delivered a 2.85 ERA with a 20-10 record spanning two seasons and four affiliates for the Brew Crew (2011-12). 2011 Milwaukee Brewers Affiliates

LINEUP	POS	BA	HR	RBI	ROTATION	W-L	ERA
Khris Davis	LF	.280	17	84	Mike Fiers	13-3	1.86
Caleb Gindl	CF	.307	15	60	Tyler Thornburg	10-6	2.57
Brock Kjeldgaard	RF	.270	24	76	Wily Peralta	11-7	3.17
Mat Gamel	1B	.310	28	96	Nick Bucci	8-11	3.84
Scooter Gennett	2B	.300	9	51	Cody Scarpetta	8-5	3.85
Edwin Maysonet	SS	.290	3	39
Taylor Green	3B	.336	22	91	BULLPEN	WLS	ERA
Martin Maldonado	C	.287	11	59	Santo Manzanillo	17	1.75
					Rob Wooten	8	3.09
BENCH	POS	BA	HR	RBI	Dan Meadows	6-4	2.68
Erick Almonte	1B	.303	6	42	Eric Marzec	4-2	1.69
T.J. Mittelstaedt	2B	.293	12	46	Robert Hinton	2-3	2.47
Mike Walker	3B	.274	15	72
Zelous Wheeler	3B	.272	9	38
Brett Carroll	OF	.281	15	51
Logan Schafer	OF	.315	5	43
Shawn Zarraga	C	.272	4	35

While the Orioles were busy winning 102 games during the regular season before succumbing to the “We Are Family” Pirates in the 1979 World Series, Baltimore’s minor league operation assessed a dismal campaign that culminated with the lowest OWPCT (.447) in franchise history through 2000. Despite a five-year slump on the farm, the O’s maintained their triumphant ways in the AL East through 1985. Cal Ripken Jr. rapped 29 two-base hits and 19 four-baggers per year over a three-year stint in the Baltimore system (1979-1981). The “Iron Man” attained comparable production across two decades in the big leagues, averaging 30 doubles and 22 blasts. Mike Boddicker crafted a 55-38 record with a 3.26 ERA and a 1.183 WHIP in the minors. He finished third in the balloting for 1983 AL Rookie of the Year with a 2.77 ERA to complement a 16-8 record, then earned All-Star status in ’84 while leading the American League with 20 wins and a 2.79 ERA. 1979 Baltimore Orioles Affiliates

LINEUP	POS	BA	HR	RBI	ROTATION	W-L	ERA
Vern Thomas	LF	.273	14	69	Brooks Carey	14-9	2.81
John Denman	CF	.280	7	44	Mike Boddicker	13-9	4.24
Drungo Hazewood	RF	.231	21	64	Don Welchel	10-10	3.38
Tom Chism	DH	.312	11	60	Nate Snell	9-9	4.09
Dan Logan	1B	.282	21	79	Dave Ford	6-5	3.55
Tom Eaton	2B	.273	0	33
Bobby Bonner	SS	.291	7	67	BULLPEN	WLS	ERA
Cal Ripken Jr.	3B	.286	8	62	Billy Presley	18	1.45
Willie Royster	C	.307	4	26	Joe Kerrigan	11	3.51
					William Purdy	7	2.82
BENCH	POS	BA	HR	RBI	John Flinn	6-6	2.70
John Stefero	3B	.275	8	42	Jeff Schneider	3-7	3.43
Ron Diggle	OF	.255	13	38
Stan Hendrickson	OF	.279	4	25
Mark Jurena	OF	.276	5	26
Dallas Williams	OF	.277	12	52
Dave Huppert	C	.223	5	37

The Chicago Cubs captured the division title in the National League East with 96 victories in 1984, ranking second in the Major Leagues behind the Tigers in winning percentage. Yet the Northsiders’ farm system languished in the midst of a three-year slump (1983-85), bottoming out with a .439 OWPCT in ’84. Over the ensuing decade Chicago only eclipsed the .500 mark twice (1989 and 1993). Future Hall of Fame right-hander Greg Maddux fashioned a 6-2 record with a 2.63 ERA in 14 games (12 starts) for the Pikeville Cubs (Rookie). Jamie Moyer prepared for a quarter-century in the Majors with 30 victories, a 2.43 ERA and a 1.070 WHIP over three seasons in the Chicago farm system. Subsequent to a fine ’82 season with Midland (AA), Joe Carter (.308/36/150) hammered opposing offerings and pilfered 51 bases over the next year and a half as an outfielder on the Iowa Cubs. Billy Hatcher registered a .295 BA with 107 runs, 12 triples and 65 steals over three seasons (1982-84) to merit a cup of coffee with the Cubs in ’84. 1984 Chicago Cubs Affiliates

LINEUP	POS	BA	HR	RBI	ROTATION	W-L	ERA
Dan Norman	LF	.284	21	76	Steve Engel	11-7	2.68
Billy Hatcher	CF	.276	9	59	Johnny Abrego	10-10	2.54
Joe Carter	RF	.310	14	67	Jon Perlman	11-6	3.79
Joe Hicks	1B	.266	37	90	Jamie Moyer	9-3	1.89
Gary Jones	2B	.291	6	44	Tim Grachen	6-12	3.39
Dan Rohn	SS	.268	8	46
Tom Lombarski	3B	.269	15	47	BULLPEN	WLS	ERA
Don Werner	C	.283	25	77	Brad Blevins	19	3.59
					Porfi Altamirano	17	3.03
BENCH	POS	BA	HR	RBI	Ron Meridith	8	3.17
Jeff Jones	1B	.304	20	82	Greg Bell	8-1	1.80
Trey Brooks	2B	.261	14	43	Jim Phillips	7-7	3.25
Bryan House	2B	.270	6	37
Rick Hopkins	SS	.272	6	33
Bruce Crabbe	3B	.307	4	26
Jim Dickerson	OF	.277	14	64
Joe Henderson	C	.260	9	38

Oakland appeared in three consecutive World Series from 1988 to 1990, yielding winning percentages above .600 in each season. The Athletics organizational record dipped below .500 in ’88 before rebounding with a vengeance, compiling twelve straight campaigns with a winning record (1989-2000). Felix Jose garnered a promotion in September 1988 after hitting at a .317 clip with 29 doubles for Tacoma (AAA). The right fielder achieved All-Star status in ’91 when he set personal-bests with a .305 BA and 40 two-base hits. Scott Brosius smacked 39 two-baggers and 23 long balls with Huntsville (AA) in ’90. Brosius (.300/19/98) capped an All-Star season with the 1998 World Series MVP award. Ron Coomer provided a glimpse of his Major League potential as the third-sacker for Modesto (A) in ’88, thumping 23 doubles and 17 big-flies while plating 85 baserunners. Over a five-year stretch with Minnesota (1996-2000), Coomer supplied a .279 BA with 24 two-base hits and 14 jacks. 1988 Oakland Athletics Affiliates

LINEUP	POS	BA	HR	RBI	ROTATION	W-L	ERA
Ozzie Canseco	LF	.262	15	80	Joe Law	14-6	3.06
Steve Howard	CF	.247	17	78	Pat Wernig	11-6	3.02
Felix Jose	RF	.317	12	83	Will Schock	10-11	2.87
Ed Jurak	DH	.295	7	67	Kevin MacLeod	9-1	2.89
Dann Howitt	1B	.248	18	86	Tony Ariola	8-3	2.63
Lance Blankenship	2B	.265	9	52
Scott Brosius	SS	.304	9	58	BULLPEN	WLS	ERA
Ron Coomer	3B	.279	17	85	Tony Floyd	17	0.94
Russ McGinnis	C	.255	4	37	Jim Corsi	16	2.75
					Kirk Killingsworth	10	2.74
BENCH	POS	BA	HR	RBI	Bob Stocker	10	3.86
Tony Arias	1B	.231	16	50	Steve Maye	7	1.68
Angel Martinez	2B	.301	4	32
Larry Arndt	3B	.287	4	45
Stan Royer	3B	.318	6	48
Luis Polonia	OF	.335	2	27
Jorge Brito	C	.217	5	27

Pittsburgh endured twenty consecutive losing seasons (1993-2012) following three straight NL East division titles from 1990 to 1992. The Bucs farm system experienced a nearly parallel collapse, ranking among the bottom half of the OWPCT charts in fourteen successive campaigns (1988-2001). Granted free agency in ’91 after toiling over six years in the Atlanta system, Al L. Martin finally spent an entire season on a Major League roster as Pittsburgh’s primary left fielder in ’93. A versatile threat on the farm with 26 steals and 21 two-baggers per season (1986-1992), Martin contributed his supreme output in ’96 when he established career-highs in batting average (.300), runs scored (101), hits (189), doubles (40), RBI (72) and stolen bases (38). Carlos Garcia stroked 21 two-base knocks and nabbed 22 bags annually as a Bucs farmhand (1987-1992). Garcia compiled a .280 BA with 20 doubles and 15 stolen bases per season during his stint as the Pirates’ starting second baseman (1993-96). A .307 minor league batting average vaulted Kevin Young to the big leagues in ’92, yet he struggled to secure a full-time job until five years later when he returned to Pittsburgh following a singular campaign in Kansas City. “Little Hurt” topped 40 doubles, 25 homers and 100 ribbies in back-to-back seasons (1998-99) and averaged 31 two-baggers and 20 taters as the starting first baseman for the Bucs covering a six-year stretch (1997-2002). Corner infielder Tim Wakefield converted to mound work after scuffling to a .189 BA at Watertown (A-) in 1988. A record of 25-12 with a 3.09 ERA convinced the Pirates’ brass to recall the knuckleballer in July 1992. Wakefield placed third in the 1992 NL Rookie of the Year and the 1995 AL Cy Young balloting while winning 200 games over a career that spanned 19 big-league seasons. 1992 Pittsburgh Pirates Affiliates

LINEUP	POS	BA	HR	RBI	ROTATION	W-L	ERA
Al Martin	LF	.305	20	59	John Hope	11-8	3.47
Keith Thomas	CF	.280	20	66	Tim Wakefield	10-3	3.06
Eddie Zambrano	RF	.284	16	79	Rich Robertson	9-7	3.12
Rich Aude	1B	.283	11	63	Dave Doorneweerd	9-13	3.04
Jim Krevokuch	2B	.292	7	59	Rick White	8-16	3.94
Carlos Garcia	SS	.303	13	70
Kevin Young	3B	.314	8	65	BULLPEN	WLS	ERA
Brian Dorsett	C	.289	21	102	Blas Minor	18	2.43
					Joe Ausanio	15	2.90
BENCH	POS	BA	HR	RBI	M. De Los Santos	12	2.25
Jose Tolentino	1B	.301	8	34	David Tellers	12	3.62
Dave Clark	OF	.304	11	55	Mike Dalton	10	3.66
Midre Cummings	OF	.305	14	75
Tony Mitchell	OF	.297	13	47
Marty Neff	OF	.275	23	74
Greg Tubbs	OF	.293	7	42
Tom Prince	C	.262	9	35

The Swingin’ A’s captured three consecutive World Series titles from 1972 to 1974 as the minor league operation declined. Oakland’s farm system failed to produce a winning mark in the final decade of Charlie Finley’s ownership (1971-1980). The Big Green Machine ranked worst among all MLB teams in OWPCT during the ’73 and ’74 campaigns after finishing next-to-last in ’72. “Disco” Dan Ford achieved personal-bests in batting average (.290), home runs (21), RBI (101) and runs scored (100) as the Angels won their first division title in 1979. Ford manufactured a .354 BA and a .667 SLG during his second season with the Burlington Bees (A) in ’72. Manny Trillo composed a .306 BA with 26 two-base hits per year in successive seasons with Oakland’s triple-A ball club (1972-73). The four-time All-Star second baseman collected a trio of Gold Glove awards in four campaigns with the Phillies (1979-1982). Phil Garner laced 29 doubles to complement a .330 BA with the Tucson Toros (AAA) in ’74. “Scrap Iron” amassed 26 two-base knocks and 22 stolen bases per year while alternating starting assignments between second and third base over a nine-year stretch (1975-1983). Claudell Washington registered 30+ thefts four times and averaged .279 with 20 steals as a starting outfielder through fifteen seasons (1975-1989). The two-time All-Star batted .330 as an Oakland prospect. Chet Lemon’s .877 fielding percentage in 318 games at the hot corner compelled a position change to center field in ’76 following a trade to the White Sox in June 1975 for Stan Bahnsen. “The Jet” set career-highs with a .318 BA, 86 ribbies and a League-leading 44 doubles in ’79. Mike Norris (22-9, 2.53) fashioned a WHIP of 1.048 and placed runner-up in the 1980 AL Cy Young race. The smooth-fielding hurler delivered an 8-4 record and a 2.21 ERA for the Burlington Bees (A) in 1972 and later collected back-to-back Gold Glove awards (1980-81) as a key member of the Oakland rotation. Mound mate Steve McCatty tallied 14 victories in consecutive campaigns (1980-81) and claimed the ERA title with a 2.33 mark while finishing second in the 1981 AL Cy Young vote. McCatty flourished as a reliever with the Vancouver Canadians (AAA) in ’78, notching 7 wins and 11 saves with a 3.11 ERA in 39 outings but pitched almost exclusively as a starter throughout his 9-year career with the A’s. 1972 Oakland Athletics Affiliates

LINEUP	POS	BA	HR	RBI	ROTATION	W-L	ERA
Douglas King	LF	.266	14	61	Buddy Copeland	11-6	2.40
Kirk Allison	CF	.281	2	38	Bill Kelso	11-7	3.22
Dan Ford	RF	.354	18	61	Glenn Abbott	9-16	2.96
Champ Summers	DH	.308	10	54	Bill VanBommel	9-9	3.51
Reggie J. Sanders	1B	.331	11	50	Alan Griffin	7-4	2.59
Vic Harris	2B	.293	6	37
Manny Trillo	SS	.301	9	53	BULLPEN	WLS	ERA
Phil Garner	3B	.262	21	62	Mudcat Grant	16	2.38
Gene Dusan	C	.311	1	39	Nicholas Parrilla	10	3.39
					Robert Wolf	7-9	3.17
BENCH	POS	BA	HR	RBI	Leon Hooten	6-8	3.10
Keith Lieppman	1B	.264	9	62	Gil Marcano	5-10	3.31
Padgett Cope	2B	.281	1	20
James Seida	2B	.266	0	21
James Capehart	OF	.298	6	39
Adrian Garrett	OF	.277	12	32
Bernard Boehmer	C	.278	7	63

1973 Oakland Athletics Affiliates

LINEUP	POS	BA	HR	RBI	ROTATION	W-L	ERA
Champ Summers	LF	.333	8	45	Glenn Abbott	18-8	3.50
C. Washington	CF	.322	13	81	Alan Griffin	9-10	3.67
Dan Ford	RF	.292	14	70	Mike Norris	8-4	2.21
Chet Lemon	DH	.309	19	88	Dave Hamilton	8-5	3.77
William Hobbs	1B	.293	6	37	Dennis Stegman	8-6	3.57
Manny Trillo	2B	.312	8	78
Tommy Sandt	SS	.291	6	59	BULLPEN	WLS	ERA
Phil Garner	3B	.289	14	73	Gary Waslewski	13	2.20
Tim Hosley	C	.300	12	47	Bruce Baranick	12	3.06
					Dennis Root	10	3.34
BENCH	POS	BA	HR	RBI	Steven Smith	5-4	2.78
Jose Morales	DH	.355	4	50	Gil Marcano	7-4	2.71
Ronald Wilson	2B	.300	11	58
Gaylen Pitts	SS	.287	5	22
Derek Bryant	OF	.313	0	36
Jay Johnstone	OF	.347	9	44
Larry Haney	C	.287	2	44

1974 Oakland Athletics Affiliates

LINEUP	POS	BA	HR	RBI	ROTATION	W-L	ERA
Gary Woods	LF	.284	11	59	Craig Mitchell	10-6	3.43
C. Washington	CF	.361	11	55	Steve Staniland	9-4	3.25
Dan Ford	RF	.273	12	65	Clarence Harrell	9-13	3.54
Chet Lemon	DH	.290	10	61	Gary Williams	8-7	3.14
Keith Lieppman	1B	.321	6	44	Steve McCatty	8-3	3.28
Rich McKinney	2B	.285	7	65
Robert Argenti	SS	.289	1	25	BULLPEN	WLS	ERA
Phil Garner	3B	.330	11	51	John Tronerud	10	2.96
Tim Hosley	C	.285	17	50	Mike Barlow	9	2.63
					Chris Wibberley	8	2.61
BENCH	POS	BA	HR	RBI	Randall Taylor	8	3.82
Wayne Gross	1B	.244	14	54	Dennis Myers	6-4	3.93
Ramon Webster	1B	.301	8	51
Ike Blessitt	OF	.294	5	39
James Capehart	OF	.263	13	49
Champ Summers	OF	.263	10	59
David Nitschke	C	.277	2	31

The Big Red Machine accomplished six playoff appearances in the Seventies, emerging as World Series champions in successive seasons (1975-76). On the farm, the operation faltered momentarily as the Reds’ affiliates combined for the third-worst OWPCT in 1970 before rebounding to the third-best mark in the ensuing year. Milt Wilcox generated 12.4 career WAR, primarily as a member of the Tigers’ rotation from 1977-1984. Ross Grimsley Jr. won 18 games with the Orioles in ’74 and achieved All-Star status as an Expo four years later when he notched 20 victories with personal-bests in ERA (3.05) and WHIP (1.156). 1970 Cincinnati Reds Affiliates

LINEUP	POS	BA	HR	RBI	ROTATION	W-L	ERA
Stan Swanson	LF	.283	9	51	Milt Wilcox	12-10	2.84
Danny Godby	CF	.273	6	41	Ross Grimsley Jr.	11-8	2.73
Elvio Jimenez	RF	.275	11	51	Charles Higgins	11-7	3.20
Donald Anderson	1B	.285	7	44	Timothy Grant	11-7	3.45
Mike Lisetski	2B	.264	6	40	Clarence Cooper	8-11	2.62
Frank Duffy	SS	.263	7	33
Kurt Bevacqua	3B	.261	15	67	BULLPEN	WLS	ERA
William Ferguson	C	.280	7	51	Dooley Womack	14	2.19
					Larry Gable	14	2.19
BENCH	POS	BA	HR	RBI	Pat House	10	3.04
Frank Kimball	1B	.246	7	31	Steve Blateric	8	2.72
Ron Theobald	SS	.309	0	28	David Hill	7-2	2.57
George Runk	3B	.290	4	49
Gregg Slape	OF	.244	10	33
Tom Spencer	OF	,285	3	50
Jay Ward	OF	.243	12	45
Bill Plummer	C	.260	7	42

The Dodgers ranked among the top minor league systems in the Sixties apart from the ’65 season. While Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale led the Blue Crew to a World Series title, the farm system went into a collective tailspin, placing 19 ^th among 20 teams with a .447 OWPCT. Don Sutton mastered the art of pitching during his lone year in the minors, striking out 239 batsmen in 249 innings and fashioning a WHIP of 1.024 between Santa Barbara (A) and Albuquerque (AA). “Black and Decker” supplied 14 victories annually over a 23-year career with a 3.26 ERA, 1.142 WHIP and 65.5 WAR. Jack Billingham accrued 12.1 WAR over 13 seasons, averaging 14 wins with a 3.77 ERA in the Seventies. Bill Singer (14-15, 4.52) yielded mediocre results for Spokane (AAA). “The Singer Throwing Machine” earned a spot in the Dodgers’ rotation in 1967, won 20 games in ’69 and ’73 and retired after 14 seasons with an ERA of 3.39. Los Angeles posted losing records in ’67 and ’68 coinciding with Koufax’ retirement then rallied with ten straight winning records from 1969 to 1978. 1965 Los Angeles Dodgers Affiliates

LINEUP	POS	BA	HR	RBI	ROTATION	W-L	ERA
Jim Fairey	LF	.323	20	79	Don Sutton	23-7	2.35
Ken Washington	CF	.284	21	83	Joseph Ramirez	10-7	2.57
Raynor Youngdahl	RF	.273	22	88	Floyd Murry	9-8	3.18
Tom Hutton	1B	.294	20	63	Michael Pitko	7-11	3.00
Nate Oliver	2B	.284	11	44	Charles Spell	4-10	3.61
Tommy Dean	SS	.268	6	55
Johnny Werhas	3B	.281	20	75	BULLPEN	WLS	ERA
Buddy Hollowell	C	.262	11	63	Ken Page	10-4	1.69
					William Corrigan	10-9	1.93
BENCH	POS	BA	HR	RBI	Jack Billingham	7-3	3.03
Mel Corbo	1B	.278	14	68	Michael Mathwig	7-4	2.96
Clarence Jones	1B	.281	18	79	Robert Proctor	3-7	3.25
Luis Alcaraz	2B	.268	13	40
Don LeJohn	3B	.395	4	38
Al Ferrara	OF	.307	14	33
Dick McLaughlin	OF	.307	2	57
Barry Erdos	C	.280	10	58

References and Resources

Baseball-Reference Retrosheet – Transactions Database The information used here was obtained free of charge from and is copyrighted by Retrosheet. Interested parties may contact Retrosheet at “www.retrosheet.org”. Seamheads – Baseball Gauge Sean Lahman Baseball Archive

About the Author

I am a New Jersey native with a passion for baseball, statistics, computers and video games who enjoys spending quality time with his family.

“Hardball Retrospective”is available in paperback and digital ( Kindle ) format at Amazon.com. Supplemental Statistics, Charts and Graphs along with a discussion forum are offered at TuataraSoftware.com .

Don Daglow (Intellivision World Series Major League Baseball, Earl Weaver Baseball, Tony LaRussa Baseball) contributed the foreword for Hardball Retrospective. The foreword and preview of my book are accessible  here .

“Hardball Retrospective – Addendum 2014 to 2016”supplements my research for Hardball Retrospective, providing retroactive standings based on Wins Above Replacement (WAR) and Win Shares (WS) for each “original” team over the past three seasons (2014-2016). Team totals from 2010 – 2013 are included for reference purposes. “Addendum” is available in paperback and digital ( Kindle ) format at Amazon.com.

“ Hardball Retroactive”,published in June 2018, is available in paperback and digital ( Kindle ) format at Amazon.com. A cross-section of essays that I penned for Seamheads.com along with my Baseball Analytics blog spanning nearly a decade touching on subjects including “Taking the Extra Base”, “General Manager Scorecard”, “Worst Trades”, “BABIP By Location” and “Baseball Birthplaces and the Retro World Baseball Classic”. Rediscover your favorite hardball arcade and simulations in “Play Retro Baseball Video Games In Your Browser” or take a deep dive into every franchise’s minor league successes and failures in relation to their major league operations in “Minors vs. Majors”.

“Hardball Architects”examines the trades, free agent acquisitions, draft picks and other transactions for the 30 Major League Baseball franchises, divided into a 2-volume set (American League and National League). All key moves are scrutinized for every team and Sabermetric principles are applied to the roster construction throughout the lifetime of the organization to encapsulate the hits and misses by front office executives. “Volume 1 – American League Teams” is available in paperback and digital ( Kindle ) format at Amazon.com. “Volume 2 – National League Teams” is tentatively scheduled for publication in the spring of 2022.