System overview
Tigers fans feel their team has been rebuilding forever. Former GM Randy Smith poured resources into a weak farm system, and there is no question that the Detroit organization is in better shape prospect-wise than it was five or six years ago. But results on the major league level were extremely disappointing, resulting in Smith's dismissal early in '02.

Like Smith, current GM Dave Dombrowski puts emphasis on prospects, but it's hoped he can do a better job structuring the major league roster. There's a fair amount of residual talent left over from the Smith years, and Dombrowski has been aggressive about bringing in youngsters, as shown by his decision to trade Jeff Weaver for prospects.

The Tigers system rates average overall. The two best prospects, Jeremy Bonderman and Franklyn German, came over from Oakland in the Weaver trade. They combine with the fair number of Grade C/C+/B- type prospects from the Smith years to give the Tigers some hope for the future. It will take awhile, and it will be at least three years before the Tigers are ready to compete with the Twins, White Sox, and revived Indians.

2002 amateur draft
The Tigers focused on high school hitting in the '02 draft. Their first pick was Scott Moore, a shortstop from high school in Long Beach, California, who was rated by some experts as the best hitter available from the high school ranks. He hit .293 in his pro debut, but may have to move to third base due to limited range. Another high school kid, outfielder Brent Clevlen from Cedar Park, Texas, went in the second round. He's very athletic, with plus power potential, and hit .330 in his debut. Both Moore and Clevlen have mediocre strike zone judgment, so they may not move quickly.

Third-round choice Curtis Granderson, an outfielder from the University of Illinois-Chicago, is much more polished. A power/speed player, he hit .344 in the New York-Penn League, with 15 doubles, 20 walks, and nine steals. Teammate Matt Pender, a right-hander from Kennesaw State University in Georgia, posted a 2.31 ERA on the strength of his 94 mph fastball and big-breaking curve. Tools outfielders Rob Sovie (4th round) and Bo Flowers (5th round) are high school athletes attempting to become professional players. Both have a lot of work to do. A sleeper pitcher is 11th round right-hander Joel Zumaya, from high school in Chula Vista. He's been clocked as high as 97, and posted a 1.93 ERA in rookie ball.

This is a heavily high school draft, though college guys Granderson and Pender should move quickly.

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
Travis Chapman, 3B: Acquired via the Rule 5 draft from Philadelphia, and will have a shot at starting at third base. Projects as a .280 hitter with a little bit of power, decent OBP skills, and fairly good defense.

Franklyn German, RHP: Acquired from Oakland. Fires consistent 95 mph fastball, plus an evil split-finger pitch. Command improved last year to the point where he is now considered a possible closer.

Omar Infante, SS-2B: Speed/defense guy, won't hit for much power, but can pick it in the field, and occasionally hits for average.

Eric Munson, 1B-3B: Now blocked by Carlos Pena at first base. Trying to learn third base in the offseason, but that's a long shot. Will draw walks and hit for power, but unlikely to hit much higher than .260. DH is his likely future.

Andy Van Hekken, LHP: Finesse lefty, threw a shutout in his first major league start. A winner at every level so far, despite extreme lack of velocity.

WILL HELP SOMEDAY
Jeremy Bonderman, RHP: Acquired from Oakland. Posted a 3.61 ERA and 160/55 K/BB ratio in 143 innings in the Class A California League, as the youngest regular starter in the circuit. A future ace if he stays healthy, uses 90-94 mph fastball, a good curve and slider.

Matt Coenen, LHP: Lefty with average stuff, went 14-8, 3.38 in the Class A Midwest League, with 141/65 K/BB in 165 innings. Changes speeds well.

Preston Larrison, RHP: Second-round pick in '01, went 10-5, with 2.39 ERA at Class A Lakeland. Best pitch is his changeup, but 90-93 mph fastball must be respected.

Nook Logan, OF: Swiped 55 bases at Lakeland, but drew just 40 walks. Will have to make more contact and work the count better to be a genuine leadoff man.

KEY SLEEPER
Cody Ross, OF: Doesn't get much respect, but hit .280 with 19 homers, 16 steals at Double-A Erie. Not a great athlete, but a grinder who knows how to play.

Other names to know
Jack Hannahan, 3B; Andres Torres, OF; Maxim St. Pierre, C; Anderson Hernandez, SS; Michael Woods, 2B; Shane Loux, RHP; Chad Petty, LHP; Fernando Rodney, RHP; Noochie Varner, OF; John Birtwell, RHP; Mike Kobow, RHP; Kevin McDowell, LHP; Rob Henkel, 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.