System overview
The departure of former GM Cam Bonifay and the arrival of new GM Dave Littlefield in 2001 was a bellwether event for the Pirates. The farm system has been revamped, including both the coaching and scouting departments, and the early results are positive. Despite Bonifay's failure at the major league level, there had been some improvement on the farm during his tenure, thanks to a run of decent drafts under former farm director Mickey White, as well as revival in Latin American scouting. White was dismissed at the end of the '01 season, but the Littlefield Administration is building on the foundation he helped develop. Improved coaching of a more sabemetric bent will help.

The best prospects the Pirates have are at the lower levels, and it will be at least a year before Pittsburgh has a home-grown impact player ready. The key will be taking progress on the minor league level and turning it into progress on the major league level, something Bonifay was unable to do because of his addiction to mediocre free agents.

2002 amateur draft
Having the first overall pick in the draft is both a blessing and a curse. You get first crack at the top litter of players, but you also have to shell out the big bucks.

The Pirates picked Ball State right-hander Byran Bullington in the first round. He signed late, but he did eventually sign. Bullington has a 92-95 mph sinker, a slider, and good command. He'll need a year or two to polish things up, but has a very high ceiling. The same can be said for second-round choice Blair Johnson, a high school pitcher from Topeka, Kansas. He needs even more polish than Bullington does, but throws 92-94 mph and has a good breaking ball.

In the third round, the Pirates went with San Diego State shortstop Taber Lee, who has an excellent glove but a questionable bat. Fourth-round pick Wardell Starling, a right-handed pitcher out of high school in Missouri City, Texas, is at junior college, but the Pirates still control his rights. He may have the best overall athletic set of anyone in this draft class, but will need time to refine it. Fifth-round pick Alex Hart, a right-hander from the University of Florida, and sixth-round choice Brad Eldred, a first baseman from Florida International, are college players who did well in pro ball and add immediate depth to the system. Fordham outfielder Bobby Kingsbury, drafted in the eighth round, also bears watching.

I like this draft. It has a good mixture of high school and college talent, with tools guys mixed in with polished players. A lot rides on Bullington, of course, but that's always true when you pick early. Signing Starling in May would help a lot.

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
Tony Alvarez, OF: Hit .318 with 15 homers, 37 doubles, 29 steals at Double-A Altoona, then .308 in a brief trial in Pittsburgh. Good tools, power, speed, will need to improve his strike zone judgment, though he does make contact.

Duaner Sanchez, RHP: Acquired from Diamondbacks for Mike Fetters. Can hit 95 mph with fastball, also has a good slider and curve. Needs work on his control, but could slot in middle relief.

WILL HELP SOMEDAY
Sean Burnett, LHP: Went 13-4 with 1.80 ERA at Class A Lynchburg. Excellent control, with strong changeup and slider. Fanned just 95 in 155 innings, a sabermetric warning sign, but scouts love him.

Jose Castillo, SS: Hit .300 with 16 homers, 27 steals at Lynchburg. Very good defensively, and made progress with the strike zone last year. Best potential to be an impact player in the system.

Ian Oquendo, RHP: Went 11-6 with 2.71 ERA, 149/45 K/BB ratio in 140 innings at Class A Hickory. Very good fastball/curveball combination, and sharp control. Overlooked by most, but keep track of him.

John VanBenschoten, RHP: 2001 first-round pick, converted from outfield to pitching. This decision was questioned by many (including me), but it's worked out great so far. Went 11-4, 2.80 at Hickory. Throws 92-94 mph, and improved his curve.

KEY SLEEPER
Jose Batista, 3B: Like Oquendo, he gets little attention, but that should change soon. Hit .301 with 14 homers, 67 walks at Hickory. Also sound defensively.

Other names to know
Mike Gonzalez, LHP; Bobby Bradley, RHP; Ryan Vogelsong, RHP; J.R. House, C; Mike Johnston, LHP; Landon Jacobsen, RHP; Mike Connolly, LHP; Josh Bonifay, 2B; Chris Duffy, OF; Walter Young, 1B; J.J. Davis, OF.

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.