What happened: As the trade deadline nears, Major League Baseball farm systems are being evaluated for their capacity to acquire impact players. The Los Angeles Dodgers continue to lean on homegrown talent, while the New York Mets, Houston Astros, and Los Angeles Angels rank near the bottom in prospect depth.
Why it matters: A strong farm system is essential for clubs attempting to trade for standout players like Tarik Skubal or Byron Buxton. Organizations lacking quality prospects face significant challenges in facilitating major trades or evaluating the market for Padres pitcher Mason Miller.
By the numbers: Mets pitching prospect Jonah Tong has posted a 5.83 ERA over 71 Triple-A innings this year.
What to watch: Clubs will measure their prospect capital against asking prices as they negotiate upcoming trades.