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Cubs Reign Atop Baseball America's Ranking Of Top Farm Systems

(CBS) A day after a trio of highly regarded Cubs youngsters was sent down to the minor leagues, Baseball America released its latest rankings and had the Cubs tabbed with the No. 1 farm system.

Chicago's ranking comes as little surprise, as third baseman Kris Bryant remains the No. 1 prospect in baseball and shortstop Addison Russell is tabbed No. 3 by Baseball America. Both were reassigned to minor league camp Monday. (Javier Baez isn't considered a prospect by Baseball America any longer because he's exceeded 130 at-bats in the big leagues.)

The rest of the Cubs' top 10 prospects were as follows, with their minor league-wide ranking in parentheses, if applicable: outfielder Jorge Soler (12), catcher/outfielder Kyle Schwarber (19), right-hander C.J. Edwards (38), outfielder Billy McKinney (83), outfielder Albert Almora, shortstop Gleyber Torres, right-hander Pierce Johnson and right-hander Duane Underwood.

Here's a quick look at Baseball America's breakdown on the Cubs, who were ranked fourth in 2014:

Being bad for several years has its privileges, as evidenced by the success of high draft picks such as Kris Bryant, the 2014 Minor League Player of the Year, and Kyle Schwarber, who mashed his way to 18 homers in a half-season pro debut. The Cubs have traded for prospects as well, none more so than when they landed all-around dynamo Addison Russell from the Athletics in the Jeff Samardzija trade.

The White Sox were tabbed with the 20th-best farm system in the 30-team league.

Their top 10 prospects were left-hander Carlos Rodon (15), shortstop Tim Anderson (92), right-hander Spencer Adams (100), second baseman Micah Johnson, right-hander Frank Montas, outfielder Micker Adolfo, right-hander Tyler Danish, third baseman Trey Michalczewski, outfielder Courtney Hawkins and outfielder Jacob May.

Baseball America's breakdown on the White Sox, who were ranked 22nd in 2014:

The White Sox spent less than any organization under the old draft rules, but the organization has embraced the new rules, leading to aggressive spending for prospects such as Carlos Rodon and Spencer Adams. GM Rick Hahn has worked to rebuild the farm system, though prospects such as Erik Johnson and Matt Davidson have flopped.

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