MILWAUKEE -- The Brewers' Minor League system is widely considered to be revamped and restocked with talent, and this upward progression is visible in MLB Pipeline's updated midseason Top 30 Prospects rankings.
The second paragraph of general manager David Stearns' media guide biography states that he "has implemented an approach to acquire, develop and retain young, controllable talent across all levels of the organization." Based on his moves in his first season at the helm, Stearns has stayed true to his organizational philosophy -- as evidenced by the Brewers' updated Top 30 list.
Outfielder Corey Ray -- Milwaukee's first-round, fifth overall selection in the 2016 MLB Draft -- bolts up the list as the second-ranked prospect, only behind shortstop Orlando Arcia. Other prospects acquired by the Brewers under Stearns include No. 7, Isan Diaz (Jean Segura trade); No. 12, Jacob Nottingham (Khris Davis trade); No. 14, Lucas Erceg (Draft); No. 16, Corbin Burnes (Draft); No. 18, Freddy Peralta (Adam Lind trade); No. 25, Mario Feliciano (Draft); No. 26, Chad McClanahan (Draft); No. 27, Braden Webb (Draft) and No. 28, Wendell Rijo (Aaron Hill trade).
• Top 100 Prospects
The biggest movers from the preseason Top 30 rankings are pitchers Miguel Diaz (No. 17) and Marcos Diplan (No. 9), each up 11 spots on the list. Both opened the season with at Class A Wisconsin and impressed, with Diplan earning a promotion to Class A Advanced Brevard County. Peralta also received a promotion from Wisconsin to Brevard County while climbing up the rankings nine spots.
Dropping off the list from the beginning of the season are pitchers Adrian Houser, Bubba Derby, Damien Magnifico and Trey Supak, in addition to outfielders Victor Roache and Rymer Liriano.
• Brewers' Top 30 Prospects
The players closest to making an impact in Milwaukee are most likely Arcia, No. 3, pitcher Josh Hader; and No. 24, outfielder Michael Reed. Each of those three players is currently playing for Triple-A Colorado Springs, with Arcia and Reed on the Brewers' 40-man roster.
In the midst of a rebuild, much is invested in the Brewers' farm system as the team looks to compete in the foreseeable future. Sixteen of the 30 ranked players have entered the organization since June 2015. As the non-waiver Trade Deadline approaches, it remains likely that the Crew will acquire more "young, controllable talent" that they can develop and retain.
The ranking of baseball's top prospects is done by MLBPipeline.com Draft and prospect experts Jonathan Mayo, Jim Callis and Mike Rosenbaum, who compile input from industry sources, including scouts and scouting directors. It is based on analysis of players' skill sets, upsides, proximity to the Majors and potential immediate impact to their teams. Only players with rookie status are eligible for the list. The rankings follow the Collective Bargaining Agreement guidelines for which players fall under the international pool money rules: Players who were at least 23 years old when they signed and played in leagues deemed to be professional (Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Cuba) are not eligible.