System overview
The focus of San Diego's efforts at rebuilding is the farm system. Pitching has been a particular priority, and the successful debuts last year of Jake Peavy and Oliver Perez give great hope for the future. Dennis Tankersley and Ben Howard were less successful, but such are the perils of young moundsmen. Both still have the chance to be good pitchers eventually, if they can solve their command problems.

Third baseman Sean Burroughs was expected to contend for Rookie of the Year, but he got off to a slow start, inhibited by injuries. He still has a bright future, though it remains to be seen how much power he will develop. Finding home run bats shouldn't be too much of a problem, considering that the team has sluggers like Xavier Nady and Tagg Bozied on the way up, though finding positions for them to play is more problematic.

The promotion of several prospects last year has left the upper levels of the system thin, so the farm system now ranks as average overall. But the Pads have shown an ability to recharge quickly. With the Giants, Dodgers, and Diamondbacks all having plenty of age on their rosters, there should be a window of contention opportunity for the Padres by 2005.

2002 amateur draft
The Padres emphasized college talent in the '02 draft, though they were hurt by an inability to sign two top 10 picks.

First-rounder Khalil Greene, a shortstop from Clemson, was the best overall player in college baseball last year. He's got a fine bat, hit over .300 in his pro debut, and is winning over those who doubted his abilities on defense. He also has excellent makeup and instincts, and could see the majors sometime late this year. He is already the best prospect in the system. Clemson teammate Michael Johnson, drafted in the second round, is a power-hitting first baseman who was also expected to move quickly, but the Padres were unable to sign him. This was a major blow to the draft effort.

Third-round pick Kennard Jones, an outfielder from the University of Indiana, hit .292 and stole 15 bases after signing. He has leadoff potential, but probably won't hit for much power. Fourth-round choice Aaron Coonrod, a right-hander from an Illinois junior college, struggled in the Northwest League, posting a 5.54 ERA. Fifth-round pick Sean Thompson, a high school lefty from Denver, fanned 69 in his first 56 pro innings, but will need to refine his control in order to advance rapidly. Seventh-round pick Matt Lynch, a southpaw out of Florida State, didn't sign, further hurting draft depth.

12th-round first baseman Paul McAnulty, from Long Beach State, hit .379 with 29 doubles and 49 walks in the Pioneer League. He'll have to show he can hit in thicker air, but has done nothing wrong yet.

Greene looks excellent, but the rest of the draft looks a bit lean at this point, hurt by the failures to sign Johnson and Lynch.

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
Mike Bynum, LHP: Has bounced on and off prospect lists, but is back on again. Still has the killer slider, and regained some zip on his fastball last year. Can start or relieve, could do well in either role if his control holds up.

Xavier Nady, OF-1B: Combined for 23 homers and 80 RBI between Class A Lake Elsinore and Triple-A Portland. Bat is nearly ready, though he could use a bit more plate discipline.

WILL HELP SOMEDAY
Brad Baker, RHP: Throws hard, gets good rotation on his breaking ball, but needs better command (45 walks in 64 innings at Double-A Mobile). Acquired in trade from Red Sox.

Josh Barfield, 2B: Son of Jesse Barfield, but nothing like his dad. Hit .306 with 26 steals at Class A Fort Wayne, but drew just 26 walks. Promising at second base, but needs to learn the strike zone.

Tagg Bozied, 1B: Has as much raw power as Nady, but less polished as a hitter. Hit 24 homers last year, but hit just .214 after promotion to Double-A.

Jake Gautreau, 2B: Hit .286 with 10 homers at Lake Elsinore. Very quick bat, and scouts project better offense down the road. Possible double play partner with Khalil Greene someday.

Mark Phillips, LHP: Fanned 156 in 148 innings at Lake Elsinore, using hot fastball and big-breaking curve. Will need better command in Double-A. Went 10-8 with 4.19 ERA.

KEY SLEEPER
Mike Nicolas, RHP: Fanned 121 in 77 innings, allowing just 49 hits at Lake Elsinore. Read that again: 121/77 K/IP ratio. Throws 97 mph, with a nasty slider. Will have to sharpen his control, but a very intriguing arm.

Other names to know
Cliff Bartosh, LHP; Bernabel Castro, 2B; Clay Condrey, RHP; Eric Cyr, LHP; Justin Germano, RHP; Dan Giese, RHP; Anthony Kozol, RHP; Marcus Nettles, OF; Cory Stewart, LHP; J.J. Trujillo, RHP; Rusty Tucker, LHP; Nobuaki Yoshida, LHP.

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.