In 1986, when asked if a starting pitcher could be a candidate for the Most Valuable Player Award, Lou Piniella said, "When I played, I'd have said, 'No way.' As a manager, 'Definitely.' You can't appreciate the value of a legitimate No. 1 starter until you manage."

So, among young National League pitchers, who could someday be a number one? "For some, it takes time," says one GM. "It took Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux and John Smoltz a few years to develop into ones. Seattle dumped Mike Hampton. Curt Schilling was on his fourth team when he became one. Kevin Brown's been with four teams."

Asking various pitching coaches, scouts and GMs in the National League, one name tops the list -- with an asterisk. Kerry Wood. "There's no one close to him," says a pitching coach. "But we don't know if the torque he puts his arm through with his fastball and breaking ball will ever allow him to throw the way he did before. Hopefully, it'll all be back by this time next year, because he's an electric pitcher."

We don't know about Wood, although at his age a comeback is very possible. We don't know about the Cardinals' Matt Morris, who also could be a No. 1. After elbow surgery, he believes he'll be back in the Cardinals rotation early in the season. We know Alan Benes of the Cardinals and Paul Wilson of the Mets have the stuff and makeup to front rotations, but their long, winding comebacks are still somewhere near Donner Pass.

Other than those on medical passes, here are the poll leaders:

1.Rick Ankiel, St. Louis. "He's got everything -- delivery, self-assuredness, the velocity, the great curveball. The way he's blown through their system speaks volumes."

2. Kevin Millwood, Atlanta. "He's 25, he's 35-15 the last two years, and he's learning from the masters. A lot of people don't think the Braves knew what they had. But hitters don't hit that high heat."

3. Kris Benson, Pittsburgh. "What's remarkable is how far he's come, so fast. In a year after being hit in Triple-A, he mastered the change, used both sides of the plate ... he's really impressive."

4. A.J. Burnett, Florida. "The upside is tremendous, but some worry about his nipple rings and flightiness, others worry he's not strong enough. But he's got great stuff and some daring. If he's left alone, he'll be fine."

5. Russ Ortiz, San Francisco. "He's a horse, he has two above-average pitches, he won 18 games and he battles. What's not to like?"

6. Scott Elarton, Houston. "If he comes back from his operation, which he should, he's a big-time sleeper. He's gotten pressure experience in the pen. But while he's not a 98-mph guy, he is 6-8, has a great delivery, is tough to pick up and has umbelievable command. He might be better than a lot of these guys."

Others receiving mention: