Way back in 2011, the Royals had the top-ranked farm system in baseball. The system was loaded with guys like Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Danny Duffy, Wil Myers, and Jake Odorizzi, many of which would either be the foundation of their eventual championship club, or traded for key components of that team.
Fast-forward to 2018, however, and the system is in far worse shape. Baseball America came out with their organizational rankings, and the Royals are ranked 29th out of 30 clubs. And in case you thought that opinion was an aberration, Keith Law of ESPN ranks the Royals near the bottom as well, putting them 27th, just ahead of the Marlins, Giants, and Mariners.