The draft classes of 1992 through 1995 were, in a word, awful. Things have improved a bit recently, and the Brewers actually have a few decent pitching prospects on the way up. Farm products Geoff Jenkins and Ronnie Belliard are solid players. However, beyond first baseman Kevin Barker, there are no other hitters even close to being ready to help.

Milwaukee tends to draft low-ceiling college players who don't get better, or high-ceiling high schoolers with great tools that they never learn how to use. The Latin American scouting program brought Cristian Guerrero, a fine prospect, into the system, but has otherwise been unproductive.

The new regime must upgrade their scouting and player development programs for the enhanced revenues of Miller Park to be meaningful. New GM Dean Taylor and his staff understand this, but it will take time for the system to regroup and improve.

Younger talent dominated Milwaukee's draft list after Sheets. Second-rounder Kade Johnson, from junior college in Oklahoma, is a fine athlete with power potential, but will need development time. Third-rounder Ruddy Lugo, a high school pitcher from Brooklyn, throws 93 mph, and has the athletic ability to play shortstop if he doesn't pitch well. Fourth-rounder Travis Horne, from Florida, and 10th-rounder Ben Hendrickson, from Minnesota, are projectable high school pitchers, though not on the fast track.

The Brewers got good performances from college picks Jeff Robinson, a seventh-round pitcher from Southwestern Louisiana; Will Ford, an 11th-round outfielder from Rice; Steve Truitt, a 14th-round outfielder from Texas A&M; and Ryan Knox, a 24th-rounder from Illinois State. They will all have to prove themselves at higher levels, but if they do, it will go a long way towards restoring some depth in the system.