System overview
The Diamondbacks have built their franchise using veterans, with the farm system a secondary consideration. But after a slow start, the scouting and coaching staff have built an adequate base of reserve talent, particularly on the mound. Arizona's farm system is still weak in comparison to the best in the game, and the long-term competitiveness of the franchise is still dangerously dependent on veterans. The team brass is aware of this, and has taken steps to boost talent inflow over the last two years. But the results have been mixed at best.

Two corner players are intriguing. First baseman Lyle Overbay is ready now, and third baseman Chad Tracy should be ready in another year. Second baseman Scott Hairston has one of the best bats in the minor leagues, but is not a good defensive player, and may move to the outfield. Pitching prospects like Mike Gosling, Brandon Webb, and Oscar Villareal should see major league action at some point in '03. But aside from these six prospects, the system remains thin, with little depth beyond the top tier.

2002 amateur draft
The Diamondbacks went heavy after college players in the '01 draft, and, with the exception of their first pick, they did the same thing in '02, trying to pump quick talent dividends into a dry system. Arizona traditionally surprises people with their first-round picks, and did so again this year, picking California high school shortstop Sergio Santos in the first round. Most teams saw him as a second-round pick, due to an indifferent senior year, as well as his perceived bonus demands, but the D-Backs were intrigued with his raw power. Santos hit .272 with nine homers in rookie ball, though his numbers were not exceptional for the Pioneer League.

After Santos, the Diamondbacks shifted to a college emphasis. Second-round pick Chris Snyder from the University of Houston is a polished defensive catcher with some power. Third-rounder Jared Boyle (LHP, James Madison) and fourth-rounder Lance Cormier (RHP, Alabama) are college pitchers who could move quickly. Sixth-round pick Brian Barden, a third baseman from Oregon State, adjusted quickly to pro ball, hitting .335 in the advanced Class A California League. High school lefty Mark Rosen, drafted in the fifth round, is a projectable southpaw with good control, though he'll need some time to develop.

The big sleeper in the class is 15th-round pick Dustin Nippert, a right-hander from West Virginia University. He was erratic in college, but took well to pro ball, boosting his fastball from 93 to 98 mph, while posting an incredible 77/9 K/BB ratio in 54 innings in the Pioneer League. Watch him closely next year.

All in all, this looks like a decent draft. I'm not sold on Santos in the first round, but Boyle, Cormier, Barden, and Nippert add quick depth to the system.

Top prospects
Players in the "Will Help Soon" section could see significant major league action in 2003. Players in the "Will Help Someday" section shouldn't reach the majors until '04 or later, though of course that can change. Players are listed alphabetically. No 2002 draftees are listed.

WILL HELP SOON
Alex Cintron, SS: Switch-hitter with a line-drive bat, improved his defensive reliability a lot in '02. Lacks pop, but will have a utility career at the least.

Mike Gosling, LHP: A Stanford product, and a second-round pick in 2001. Went 14-5, 3.13 in the difficult Texas League in '02. Works with 90 mph fastball, good curveball, and nasty changeup.

Lyle Overbay, 1B: Career .345 hitter in the minors, including .343 with 19 homers and 109 RBI last year in Triple-A. Ready for a job now, no question. Should be a .280+ hitter with a classic swing.

John Patterson, RHP: Injury-plagued product of the 1996 "loophole" amateur free agent class. Patterson, finally healthy, made rapid progress last year, including a 3.23 ERA in five starts for Arizona with a strong K/BB ratio. A sleeper for '03.

Oscar Villareal, RHP: Mexican right-hander with a diverse arsenal. A starter so far, though many scouts see him as more of a middle-relief type.

Brandon Webb, RHP: Overlooked, but went 10-6, 3.14 at Double-A El Paso. Good control, throws strikes with average stuff, but knows what he is doing on the mound. University of Kentucky product.

WILL HELP SOMEDAY
Andrew Good, RHP: Control artist, racked up 178 innings in Double-A (13-6, 3.54) after throwing 158 the year before, despite missing all of 2000 with injury. Walked just 26 last year, while fanning 127. Behind Webb and Gosling on the depth chart, but worth watching.

Scott Hairston, 2B: Brother of Jerry Hairston, Jr., and obviously the son of Jerry Hairston, Sr. Scott is a second baseman like his brother, but is otherwise quite different, being a tremendous hitter (career .346/.430/.597) but an indifferent fielder. May move to the outfield.

Chad Tracy, 3B: Hit .344 in Double-A. Seventh-round pick out of East Carolina in 2001, Tracy has a very quick bat and should continue to hit for average, but he knocked just eight homers last year, and isn't a polished defensive player.

KEY SLEEPER
Brian Bruney, RHP: Hits 98 mph on occasion, much harder than most Arizona pitching prospects, plus he harnessed his control last year, posting a 68/21 K/BB ratio in 60 innings. Saved 10 at Class A South Bend, and could be a future closer.

Other names to know
Jay Belflower, RHP; Luis Terrero, OF; Tim Olson, SS, Brad Cresse, C; Jerry Gil, SS; Marland Williams, OF; Greg Aquino, RHP; Beltran Perez, RHP; Jesus Cota, 1B; Jason Bulger, RHP.

John Sickels is the author of the 2002 Minor League Scouting Notebook, and is now working on the 2003 Baseball Prospect Book. His biography of Bob Feller will be published next spring. He lives in Lawrence, Kansas, with his wife, son, and two cats. You can send John questions or comments at JASickels@aol.com, or you can visit his homepage at JohnSickels.com.