This story was excerpted from Ian Browne’s Red Sox Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

One of the unique things about Red Sox fans is how closely they follow the farm system. Manager Alex Cora often talks about how Boston fans know exactly where prospects are ranked, and even know some of the statistics.

This week, Red Sox Nation has some updated rankings to chew on. MLB Pipeline has released its anticipated Top 100 and Top 30 team prospects midseason re-rankings.

The team’s latest first-round pick, catcher Kyle Teel out of the University of Virginia, is ranked fourth among Sox prospects and 87th overall. Due to a tough adjustment to Double-A and a recent left shoulder injury, top Red Sox prospect Marcelo Mayer has moved from No. 3 to No. 11 in the Top 100.

Roman Anthony, who has been Boston’s breakout Minor Leaguer this season, has vaulted to No. 2 in the system, leapfrogging the ultra-talented Ceddanne Rafaela.

Overall, the Red Sox are encouraged by the improvement of their farm system since Chaim Bloom took over as chief baseball officer of the club in October 2019.

Here’s a look at the top five prospects for the Red Sox:

1. Marcelo Mayer, SS (No. 11 MLB)
2. Roman Anthony, OF (No. 37 MLB)
3. Ceddanne Rafaela, OF/SS (No. 77 MLB)
4. Kyle Teel, C
5. Miguel Bleis, OF

Complete Top 30 list>>

BIGGEST JUMP/FALL
Here are the players whose ranks changed the most from the preseason list:

Jump: Yoeilin Cespedes, SS (Preseason: NR; Midseason: No. 13)
Cespedes was Boston’s most notable signing of the international signing season in January. The 17 year old is off to a tremendous start in the Dominican Summer League, slashing .354/.402/.575 with six homers, 36 RBIs and one stolen base in 44 games.

Fall: Matthew Lugo, INF/OF (Preseason: No. 14; Midseason; NR)
The second-round Draft pick from 2019 has taken a significant step back offensively this season while trying to make the adjustment to Double-A pitching. After belting 18 homers at High-A Greenville last season, Lugo has gone deep just three times in his first 232 at-bats with Portland. Drafted as a shortstop, Lugo has been a rover this season, getting most of his time at third base, left field and DH.

NEW TO THE LIST

No. 4 Kyle Teel, C (Draft)
No. 8 Nazzan Zanetello, SS (Draft)
No. 14 Antonio Anderson, 3B (Draft)
No. 28 Franklin Arias, SS (International signing)
 
POTENTIAL IMPACT CALLUP 

Ceddanne Rafaela, OF/SS (No. 3) 
The Red Sox are still unsettled at second base and Rafaela has enough athleticism to provide quality defense, even playing a position at which he doesn't have much experience. Signed for just $10,000 out of Curacao in 2017, he's batting .305/.347/.524 with 18 homers and 34 steals in 96 games between Double-A and Triple-A. If the Red Sox make it to the postseason, it’s easy to envision Rafaela being added to the roster as a plus defender/pinch runner.

BEST TOOLS 

Hit: 55 -- Mayer, Anderson, Anthony, Cespedes, Chase Meidroth, Mikey Romero, Teel, Nick Yorke
Power: 60 -- Anthony, Bleis
Run: 70 -- David Hamilton
Arm: 65 -- Brainer Bonaci
Defense: 70 -- Rafaela
Fastball: 70 -- Luis Perales
Curveball: 60 -- Wilkelman Gonzalez, Yordanny Monegro
Slider: 60 -- Brandon Walter, Bryan Mata, Perales
Changeup: 60 -- Shane Drohan
Control: 50 -- Walter