System overview
The Rockies farm system is in good condition, with a good mixture of hitting and pitching talent on the way up. The success of Jason Jennings in '02 shows how important developing the farm system is for any club, but especially a team like the Rockies. History shows that they can't count on established veterans, set in their ways, to always adjust well to the vagaries of Coors Field. It wasn't Mike Hampton or Denny Neagle that anchored the staff, but rather a rookie.

The best talent in the system appears to be on the mound. Guys like Aaron Cook and Jason Young will attempt to duplicate the success of Jennings in 2003. It won't be easy, but at least the system is producing lives arms with a chance to succeed, and there are more on the way up. Talent is a bit less impressive on the offensive side. Jack Cust has power, but may lack the defensive ability to start, at least in the National League. Other Rockies hitting talents have at least a few question marks. There isn't anyone you can point at as a future star at the plate, but there are several guys who should be productive.

Colorado usually drafts a mixture of high school and college talent, which is one way to ensure a balanced farm system. They are also active in Latin America, and have pulled in a couple of impressive Asian pitchers as well. Keep a close eye on Taiwanese right-hander Ching-Lung Lo, who is a long way from the majors, but may have the best potential of anyone in the system.

2002 amateur draft
Picking ninth overall, the Rockies selected University of British Columbia southpaw Jeff Francis. A polished lefty, he features a pleasant combination of velocity, movement, and command, and should move through the Rockies farm system quickly. Second-round pick Micah Owings, a right-handed pitcher from high school in Georgia, didn't sign. This was a blow to the depth of the class, but the Rockies compensated for this by signing some hard-to-get guys lower in the draft.

Third-rounder Ben Crockett, a right-hander from Harvard, was hammered in six starts in the South Atlantic League (7.36 ERA), but many scouts still think he'll advance quickly. Fourth-round pick Jeff Baker, a Clemson third baseman, signed late and didn't play. He was a potential first-round pick before the draft. Getting him in this round then signing him could be a major coup. Fifth-round choice Neil Wilson, a high school catcher from Florida, has a good glove, but will have to prove he can hit.

Sleepers include 10th-rounder Isaac Pavlik, a lefty from Seton Hall; 11th-round choice Ryan Shealy, a first baseman from the University of Florida; and 12th-round pick Mike Esposito, a right-hander from Arizona State. Shealy and Esposito could have easily gone much earlier in the draft, and both have solid potential.

All in all, I like this effort, mostly college guys with both talent and polish, but with a few high schoolers thrown in for good measure.

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
Aaron Cook, RHP: Held his own in five starts for the Rockies, though a weak 14/13 K/BB ratio in 36 innings warns that he still needs to make adjustments. Works with a nasty sinker and usually keeps the ball down.

Jack Cust, OF: Mr. Power and Walks, but won't hit for average. Still, given his very high walk rate, he should post a nice OBP. Defense is mediocre at best, but if he hits they'll live with it.

Jason Young, RHP: Polished Stanford product, more of a fly-ball pitcher than Cook is, which could be a problem. Otherwise he has everything you look for: velocity, command, control.

WILL HELP SOMEDAY
Garrett Atkins, 3B: Has adjusted well defensively to third base. Will take a walk, has decent power, not a masher. Would hit .260 in a normal park; that could be .300 in Coors.

Choo Freeman, OF: Very athletic, finally started to use his tools last year. Hit .291 with 12 homers, 15 steals, 64 walks in Double-A, showing plate discipline for the first time.

Brad Hawpe, 1B-OF: Monster season in the Carolina League, hitting .347 with 22 homers, 97 RBI, .447 OBP. Weak outfield defense would normally confine him to first base, but Todd Helton blocks the way.

Jayson Nix, 2B: Toolsy, hit .246 with 14 homers, 14 steals, 62 walks in the Carolina League. Great ceiling, with significant upside. Just 20.

Chin-Hui Tsao, RHP: Healthy again after recovering from Tommy John procedure. Throws hard, throws strikes, won't be pushed until he's proved he is fully recovered, but so far so good. Posted 61/14 K/BB ratio in 58 innings last year.

KEY SLEEPER
Tony Miller, OF: Very toolsy, hit .283 with 17 homers, 88 walks, 50 steals in the South Atlantic League. A bit old for the level at 22, but he didn't play much baseball in college, being mostly a football guy.

Other names to know
Clint Barmes, SS; Ryan Cameron, RHP; Matt Holliday, OF; Rene Reyes, OF; Garrett Gentry, C; J.D. Closser, C; Cory Vance, LHP; Kip Bouknight, RHP; Chris Buglovsky, RHP; Gerrit Simpson, 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.