System overview
Philadelphia has been a big player on the free agent market this winter, bringing in Jim Thome and David Bell, while making a large though unsuccessful bid for Tom Glavine. They also stole Kevin Millwood from the Braves. Despite their push to acquire veterans, the revival of the Phillies has been based mostly on a greatly improved farm system. Philadelphia had one of the weakest farm organizations in the game through most of the 1990s, but they've taken huge steps towards improving that situation. Key players on the major league roster like Pat Burrell, Jimmy Rollins, Brandon Duckworth, and Brett Myers are all farm system products, and there is more on the horizon.

The Phils don't have as much overall depth as the best systems in the game, but they are in much better shape compared to the down days of the mid-90s, giving hope that the organization can build a foundation for long-term success.

2002 amateur draft
The Phillies went heavily for high school players in the early rounds, though the ones they got were considered to be quite polished for the most part. First-round pitcher Cole Hamels, a lefty out of high school in San Diego, was thought to be the best high school pitcher available by some experts. He fell to 17th overall because of concerns about his injury history, though team doctors have cleared him, and the injury (a broken arm) wasn't related to actual pitching. If his health holds out, he could be really good, since he features both plus velocity and plus command.

Second-round pick Zach Segovia, a high school pitcher from Texas, posted a 2.10 ERA and an excellent 30/3 K/BB ratio in 34 innings of rookie ball. Third-round selection Kiel Fisher, a third baseman out of high school in California, hit just .229 after signing, and doesn't have a lot of polish. Fourth-round pick Nick Bourgeois, a lefty out of Tulane, has a live arm but struggled with his command in his pro debut. He was the first college player picked. Fifth-round choice Jake Blalock, a third baseman from San Diego, is the younger brother of Hank Blalock, and is said to be ahead of where his brother was at the same point in his career. College pitchrs Lee Gwaltney (RHP, Louisiana Tech, 6th round), Robby Read (RHP, Florida State, 7th round), Rob Harrand (RHP, San Diego State, 9th round), and Darin Naatjes (RHP, Stanford, 14th round) should boost pitching depth at the lower levels. Naatjes in particular bears close watching.

The high school orientation of this draft is risky, though a lot of scouts are very high on Hamels, Segovia pitched great in his debut, and Blalock could be a steal.

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
Marlon Byrd, OF: Expected to play center field in 2003. Can hit for average, with decent power and speed production. As a rookie, looks like a .280 hitter, with 12-15 homers, 12-15 steals, a decent OBP. Will build on that in the future.

Chase Utley, 2B-3B: Signing of David Bell likely pushes him back to second base. Good power, knocked 39 doubles and 17 homers in Triple-A, but hit just .263. Will return there to start the year, but could be up as soon as an infielder is needed.

WILL HELP SOMEDAY
Taylor Buchholz, RHP: 10-6, 3.29 at Class A Clearwater, with solid 129/51 K/BB ratio. Velocity is increasing, and he already has command of his breaking ball. Throws strikes; could take a step forward in Double-A this year.

Gavin Floyd, RHP: One of the best pitching prospects in the minor leagues. 6-6 right-hander with 92-94 mph fastball, evil curveball, and a rapidly improving changeup. Went 11-10, but with 2.77 ERA and 140/60 K/BB in 166 innings. Workload looks heavy on paper, but Phillies insist he hasn't been abused.

Ryan Howard, 1B: Slugged 19 homers and drew 66 walks for Class A Lakewood. Power bat from the left side, reminds some people of Fred McGriff. Main concern is strikeouts; he fanned 145 times, and at age 22 he wasn't young for the Sally League.

Anderson Machado, SS: Venezuelan shortstop with excellent defensive skills. Hit just .251 in Double-A, but is young for the level, stole 40 bases, and drew 72 walks. Future utility player definitely, and if his bat strengthens he could be a regular.

Ryan Madson, RHP: Another big Phillies right-hander at 6-6. Doesn't throw as hard as Floyd, working at 90-92, but has a better changeup. Went 16-4 with 3.20 ERA and 132/53 K/BB ratio in 171 Double-A innings.

KEY SLEEPER
Elizardo Ramirez, RHP: Dominican right-hander, posted 7-1 record and 1.10 ERA in rookie ball. What makes him special is his command: his K/BB ratio was a ridiculously good 73/2 in 73 innings. Two walks in 73 innings. He throws 90, has good breaking stuff, and obviously knows how to pitch.

Other names to know
Juan Richardson, 3B; Seung Lee, RHP; Taft Cable, RHP; Yoel Hernandez, RHP; Jorge Padilla, OF; Brad Baisley, 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.