Expert: Tigers' minors are worst; Moya's 'big problem'

The Detroit Tigers have the worst farm system in Major League Baseball, according to Keith Law, who revealed his farm system rankings today on espn.com.

His list of the top 100 prospects in baseball drops Thursday. On Friday, he'll rank each team's top prospects, along with a sleeper to watch and someone who could play in 2015.

Law understands that the Tigers tend to trade away prospects in an effort to acquire big-league talent to stay competitive in the majors.

"They are clearly trying to win the World Series every year," Law said of Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski and his staff.

Law's rankings of the farm systems are based on the "ceiling" -- a.k.a. prospects who will develop into above-average major leaguers.

"Since this club started contending in '06, (Dombrowski) has really always used the farm system as currency to help the major league club," Law said. "Completely valid. No question.

"I think his philosophy on the farm system has affected how they've drafted. They've taken a lot of college players. They've taken a lot of college relievers or hard-throwing college starters who profile better as relievers. I believe the thought process was, 'These guys can be traded faster.'"

Law pointed out that the Tigers traded away five of their top 10 prospects from last season. Several players now in their top 10 were ranked in the second tier last year.

"They have a lot of college guys who look like they are relievers," Law said. "Position players with physical ability but who are far from close to major league-ready. In the case of (Steven) Moya, real plate discipline issues."

Moya, 23, made his major league debut last year, appearing in 11 games for the Tigers after hitting 33 doubles and 35 home runs with 105 RBIs in 133 games at Double-A Erie. Moya struck out 161 times with 23 walks. In the Arizona Fall League, Moya hit five home runs in 23 games but had 29 strikeouts and six walks.

"It's the strikeouts and the walks and the reasons for that, too," Law said. "You can throw him breaking balls down and away all day long. He does not pick them up. He does not adjust to them at all.

"His BP is outstanding. The body is great. This isn't just a guy who doesn't walk enough. This is a guy who really doesn't recognize fastballs from breaking balls, and that's a big problem."

One prospect Law really likes is outfielder Derek Hill, the Tigers' top pick in 2014. Law said Hill is the only prospect from the organization who made his top 100.

Contact George Sipple: gsipple@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @georgesipple.