ESPN ranks Reds minor-league system No. 17 in MLB

The Reds' minor-league system is rated No. 17 in baseball by ESPN analyst Keith Law. However, Law writes that the Reds "could easily be a top-10 system in a year."

Law, a former front-office member of the Blue Jays, covers baseball for ESPN.com, with an emphasis on player development. In his ranking of all 30 farm systems, Law has the Cubs as the No. 1 farm system in baseball and the Reds fourth in the division.

In addition to the top-ranked Cubs, Law has the Pirates at No. 7 and the Cardinals at No. 13. The Brewers are ranked 28th out of 30.

Despite the Reds' ranking in the bottom half, Law lauds the team's talent, writing the team could be ranked higher next year "given how many upside players are in the organization, from relievers working as starters to toolshed, Latin American position players."

The Reds' top prospects -- right-handers Robert Stephenson, Raisel Iglesias, Michael Lorenzen and Nick Howard -- are starters that are unlikely to be in the rotation on Opening Day. Top position prospect Jesse Winker is likely to start in Double-A this season. Of the team's top 10 prospects as ranked by Baseball America, only right-hander Anthony DeSclafani is expected to be a regular, while Iglesias could start in the team's bullpen.

Law released his top 100 prospects Thursday and will release top 10 prospects for each team Friday.