Publications have updated their prospect evaluations mid-season following the draft and trade deadline, and the Royals’ farm system rankings can be framed in a positive or negative light. Viewed glass-half-full, the trade deadline did not deplete the farm system, and in fact, the system has improved slightly in the minds of most evaluators. Viewed glass-half-empty, the draft did not improve the farm system much, and the organization overall continues to be one of the lowest-ranked in baseball.
The Royals no longer have the worst farm system in baseball, according to Baseball America. They ranked the Royals dead last before the season, but have moved them up to #24 in their mid-season update, ranking ahead of the Braves, Astros, and Padres, among others.