They invest in traditional Latin American baseball areas like the Dominican Republic, have made inroads into Asia, and aren't afraid to take chances on players from more unusual locations like Cuba, Mexico, or Nicaragua.

Their willingness to sign Erubiel Durazo, then give him a chance to succeed in the majors rather than dismissing him as a fluke, is a big feather in Arizona's cap.

Their amateur draft efforts have been handicapped by the forfeiture of draft slots to sign free agents. Arizona didn't have a first- or second-round pick in 1998, and gave up their third-, fourth-, and fifth-round picks in 1999.

The position players they drafted before 1999 tended to be "raw tools" types, heavy with athletic ability, but light on refinement. Arizona has had success signing pitching, usually from the high school level, although that is a risky long-term strategy.

Overall, the Diamondbacks farm system is off to a decent start, although the team cannot continue short-changing the amateur draft if it wishes to build system depth.

Second round selection Jeremy Ward, a pitcher from Long Beach State, has a 95-mph fastball and a hard slider. He made quick progress through the system, and could see the majors as soon as 2000.

The D-Backs gave up their third, fourth, and fifth round picks, then failed to sign their sixth-round selection, a high school pitcher. The rest of the draft was dominated by college players who signed, and high school players who didn't. Even if Myers and Ward develop into great players, this draft did little to otherwise stock the system.