MLB Pipeline released their top 100 prospects rankings in January. One name that was conspicuously absent was right-handed staring pitcher Kodai Senga.

Now, MLB Pipeline was not alone in omitting Senga from their rankings. In fact, when Keith Law of The Athletic released his rankings, he, too, did not include Senga. That isn’t because Law doesn’t believe Senga wouldn’t be a top 100 caliber pitcher, but rather, out of respect for the Japanese Leagues, he won’t rank their players as pure prospects.

For someone like Law, that is a reasonable stance. After all, there is nothing tied to his rankings than clout. The same can be said for Baseball America, who ranked Senga 16th overall.

Now, Baseball America and Law can each take their respective positions. It is fine and reasonable, and honestly, they’re allowed to take their respective stances on Senga because nothing is at stake with their rankings.

The same is not true with MLB Pipeline.

Due to the service time manipulation issues with players like Kris Bryant, there was a clause set in the CBA set to incentivize early promotions. If a player with fewer than 60 days of services time wins Rookie of the Year or has a top three finish in the MVP or Cy Young voting, their organization receives draft compensation. There is a caveat.

That caveat is that player must be listed as a top 100 prospect on two of MLB Pipeline’s, Baseball America’s, or ESPN’s top 100 prospect rankings. If all of those measures are in place, then an organization will be in line for draft compensation.

Senga was listed on Baseball America’s meaning he needed to be named on one of MLB Pipeline or ESPN. Well, MLB Pipeline, owned by MLB, opted not to rank Senga in their top 100. There is zero justification for this action.

Someone like Law has the privilege of not counting Senga as a prospect. His decisions do not impact organizations ability to garner extra draft compensation. He does not have the power to incentivize teams to have prospects on the Opening Day roster.

MLB Pipeline has that power, and with that comes the duty to act accordingly. They don’t have the right to leave Senga off because he’s from the Japanese Leagues. Senga is eligible for National League Rookie of the Year, and he’s clearly better than many of the other players on the rankings.

Leaving off Senga only accomplishes one thing, and that is screwing the Mets. If you want to link this to prior complaints/threats from other MLB owners, you’re now welcome to do so even if the people behind MLB Pipeline shouldn’t be deemed to be so malicious..

Whatever the case, they made an error in judgment. Frankly, it is an inexcusable one. They owe everyone an explanation because their rankings only accomplished (potentially) screwing over the Mets organization.