System overview
The new Theo Epstein Administration has a lot of work to do. The Red Sox have one of the weakest farm systems in baseball. Former GM Dan Duquette talked a lot about the need for a strong farm system, but the organization deteriorated badly in the final years of his reign. Heavy investment in Asian pitchers failed to pan out. Poor drafting hurt depth, which was dealt further blows by ill-advised trades and roster decisions that cost the system some of the prospects they did develop. The new front office is totally revamping the scouting and coaching systems, but it will take time for these efforts to pan out.

The system is not completely dry; there is some material to work with, but little of it is close to being major league ready. Hitters like third baseman Kevin Youkilis, infielder Freddy Sanchez, and catcher Kelly Shoppach should appear in Boston in 2003 or 2004. Shortstop Hanley Ramirez is one of the best lower-level prospects in the game, and there are a few interesting pitching arms. But the level of talent beyond this top group is very weak.

Rebuilding a farm system is, at minimum, a three-year task. How quickly the new braintrust accomplishes this will be a major test.

2002 amateur draft
Signing Johnny Damon cost Boston their first-round pick. This made Jon Lester, a second-rounder from high school in Washington state, their top draftee. He can hit 93 mph, and projects more velocity with maturity, but will need time to refine his pitching game. He is not on the fast track. Third-round pick Scott White, a third baseman from high school in Georgia, signed too late to play, but the Red Sox are high on his power potential. UC Riverside right-hander Chris Smith, owner of a plus curveball, went in the fourth round. His pro debut was mediocre (4.13 ERA in the NY-P League), but that doesn't mean much at this point.

Chad Spann, a Georgia high school shortstop, went in the sixth round. He is an excellent athlete, but hit just .222 in rookie ball, and will need to cultivate his swing. Seventh-round choice Jason Neighborgall, a right-hander from high school in North Carolina, was a first-round talent. But his bonus demands scared teams away, and the Red Sox weren't able to get him to sign.

This is a heavy-high school draft, and none of these guys with the possible exception of Smith should be thought of as quick advancers. One sleeper to watch is 11th-round choice Mike Goss, an outfielder from Jackson State, who hit .398 with 14 steals in the NY-P before dislocating a finger.

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
Freddy Sanchez, 2B: Hit .328 at Double-A Trenton, then .301 after promotion to Triple-A Pawtucket. Doesn't have a ton of power, but will hit for average, get on base at a decent clip, steal some bases, and provide adequate defense at second base.

Kevin Youkilis, 3B: On-base machine, thanks to incredible strike zone judgment. Has gap power, and defense is better than advertised. Will start at Triple-A, but could see Boston if corner reinforcement is needed.

WILL HELP SOMEDAY
Manny Delcarmen, RHP: Clocked as high as 96 mph, though more consistently in the 91-93 range. Also has a good curve. Went 7-8 with 4.10 ERA and 136/56 K/BB ratio in 136 innings for Class A Augusta.

Phil Dumatrait, LHP: Went 8-5, 2.77 with 108/47 K/BB in 120 innings at Augusta. Uses outstanding curveball to offset an average heater. Good command and control, but will need to improve his changeup.

Hanley Ramirez, SS: Scouts love this guy, comparing him to Nomar and A-Rod at the same stage. Hit .341 in rookie ball, then .371 in a brief promotion to the New York-Penn League. Has power, speed, defensive ability. Will need more patience, and his work ethic has been questioned.

Kelly Shoppach, C: Hit .271 with 10 homers, 59 walks at Class A Sarasota. Very good defense, with power potential at the bat. Will have to concentrate on making contact.

KEY SLEEPER
Billy Simon, RHP: Not a sleeper in the normal sense, but the Red Sox don't have many to focus on. Ninth-round pick in 2001, but has a 90 mph sinker, a nasty curve, and good control. Posted 1.64 ERA with 36/11 K/BB ratio in 33 innings of Rookie ball.

Other names to know
Jorge de la Rosa, LHP; Chris Elmore, LHP; Antron Seiber, OF; Anastacio Martinez, RHP; Mat Thompson, RHP; Aneudis Mateo, 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.