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2002 season Final Report National League West
Diamondbacks - While their farm system is often maligned, Arizona sent one of the strongest crops of prospects to the AFL this year ... After the 2001 AFL season, Tim Olson (SS) was written off as nothing more than a potential utility player with only a small chance to make the major leagues. What a difference a year makes! Olson has worked hard and turned himself into a legitimate major league shortstop candidate. At this point he certainly ranks at the top of Arizona's minor league depth chart for the position. He hit .378/.431/.480 with five stolen bases, and is an aggressive base runner. While not possessing great range in the field, he makes up for it with sheer hustle. Olson will undoubtedly be a fan favorite wherever he plays ... After less than two full years of minor league ball with none of that time above the Class A level, it would have been expected that Scott Hairston (2B) would be too inexperienced for the Arizona Fall League. Instead, the 22-year-old right-handed hitter proved to be one of the league's better infield prospects, batting .267/.347/.478, with 11 extra base hits in 90 ABs. He possesses a nice blend of power and speed, but needs to keep working on his defense and staying focused on the game. Hairston should breeze through AA, and may make AAA before the end of 2003 ... The fall performance of Rob Hammock (C/1B/3B/OF) was also a surprise, as the versatile right-handed hitter played four different positions. He showed more power than expected, slamming three homers in 81 ABs. Hammock knows the strike zone, as he walked 12 times. His overall numbers were solid (.259/.361/.407). With his ability to catch, Hammock could be a valuable utility player in the big leagues ... Gritty, blue collar player Matt Kata (INF) plays above his skills; the switch-hitting infielder could someday be a Craig Counsell-type for the Diamondbacks. Kata is a good contact hitter who hits line drives. He played all three infield positions for the Scottsdale team. His offensive numbers (.254/.312/.342) don't tell the whole story on Kata. He's a true gamer ... After a great AA season in which is hit .344, Chad Tracy (3B) played only five games before injuring his right shoulder. He'll move to AAA Tucson in 2003, along with many of his other talented teammates from a fine Class AA El Paso team ... Closer Brian Bruney (P) was another major surprise. After spending most of the season in low Class A, followed by a brief stopover in AA, the 20-year-old right-hander turned out to be the best reliever in the AFL. He didn't give up a single run in 16.2 IPs. His other stats were equally impressive (.136 OBA, 16 Ks, five BBs). Bruney is a big, strapping kid (6'3", 220) who won't turn 21 until just before spring training ... Brandon Webb (P) is another strong arm and potential future starter in the Arizona system. After spending most of 2002 in AA, he pitched 16.1 IPs in the AFL, finishing with a 0.55 ERA, .175 OBA and a 17-6 K/BB ratio. Webb will move to AAA in 2003; he'll be available if the Diamondbacks need an emergency starter or long reliever.
Rockies - Garrett Atkins (3B/1B) did very well in the AFL (.353/.377/.457), regularly displaying his solid batting skills. He split time at both corner infield positions. Atkins, who has consistently shown good plate discipline throughout his career, drew only five walks in 116 ABs. But when you're hitting this well, why take walks? The third base position is wide open in Colorado, so Atkins could get a shot in 2004 if he has a good AAA season next year ... Clint Barmes (2B/SS) split time between the two middle infield positions. He didn't show any of the offensive skills evident from his strong AA season, when he hit .272 with 15 homeruns and 11 stolen bases. His final AFL totals were .229/.267/.281 in 96 ABs, with only three extra base hits and four walks ... The switch-hitting J.D. Closser (C) struggled in the AFL (.203/.294/.338), but kept his focus and still drew 10 walks in 74 ABs. Still only 22, the former Diamondback prospect is coming off a decent AA season. He should move up to AAA in 2003 ... Long considered to be one of the Rockies' top prospects, Choo Freeman (OF) is a bit of an enigma. He finally turned his enormous tools into baseball production at AA, but it all came apart in the AFL. His numbers were terrible (.202/.295/.247, with only three extra base hits in 89 ABs). Freeman fanned 28 times, often swinging at pitches out of the strike zone. He also didn't take good routes to balls hit towards him in the outfield. The positive to draw on from his AFL season was that he occasionally showed patience at the plate, drawing 12 walks. Freeman just turned 23 and should have gained confidence from his improvement in AA this year. It might be good for him to return to that level for a partial season before moving up to AAA ... As a taxi squad player, Matt Holliday (OF) didn't play much for the Mesa Solar Sox, but took advantage of the limited opportunities given to him. His solid hitting skills allowed him to produce despite the infrequent action; he finished at .292/.393/.438 in 48 ABs. Holliday should be ready to move up to AAA in 2003, when he'll be 23 ... Ronnie Merrill (INF) was another Rockie prospect who saw limited playing time, batting only 44 times and not hitting well at all. He played most of 2003 in high Class A at the age of 23. How he performs when he moves up to AA will indicate whether he's really a major league prospect. He did okay at that level in 2001 while a member of the Detroit organization ... Ryan Cameron (P) doesn't look to have a power arm, but he somehow managed to strike out 45 batters in 27.2 IPs. He has an odd delivery and works very slowly, so maybe he lulls batters to sleep before delivering the ball. The 25-year-old right-hander's 1.16 WHIP was strong.
Dodgers - Eric Riggs (SS) played a steady shortstop for the league champion Peoria Javelinas, batting .301/.416/.398. The 26-year-old switch-hitter spent the past two seasons in AA. While it would be a real stretch to consider Riggs much of a prospect, he could contribute in a backup role ... Koyie Hill (C) was one of the better catchers in the first half of season, but was hurt and didn't play much late in the year. He hit .307/.333/.400. The switch-hitter is athletic, having started his career as an infielder, and should move up to AAA after a solid AA season ... Joe Thurston (2B) arrived towards the end of the season as a fill-in for the Maryvale team, and never got unleashed, hitting only .133. He was still making good contact, so the left-handed hitter's AFL performance should not diminish any pre-conceived notions of his prospect status. Look for "Joey Ballgame" to move into the starting second base job in L.A. next year ... Shane Victorino (OF) was a lot of fun to watch this year, as the switch-hitter from Hawaii batted .330/.388/413 and stole eight bases. He runs very well and has some gap power. The only negative is that he was thrown out trying to steal seven times. At 5'9", 160, he needs to always play the little man's game, but has potential as a future fourth outfielder. Victorino was selected by San Diego in the Rule 5 draft. If he doesn't make the Padres roster, the 22-year-old will probably move to AAA next season ... Right-handed reliever Greg Bauer (P) followed his strong AA season with a good half season in the AFL. Before departing the league, he pitched nine scoreless innings, holding opposing hitters to a .188 average. The 25-year-old Bauer has pitched consistently well throughout his three-year career; a move to AAA in 2003 is probable ... Converted catcher Will McCrotty (P) has logged only two professional seasons as a pitcher, so the AFL was a good learning experience for the hard throwing right-hander. He registered a 6.30 ERA in 20 relief innings. He pitched well in AA this year. At 23, he could afford another season at that level ... Southpaw Eric Stults (P) wrapped up his first pro season with a good two months in Arizona. The 2002 draftee finished with a 2.42 ERA and a .241 OBA. 15 walks in 22.1 IPs is too much, so Stults needs to work on his command in 2003.
Padres - Few would have predicted that Taggart Bozied (1B) would be the player to break the longstanding AFL season homerun record, but in the end it was the Padres right-handed slugger finishing the year with 12 homers. Bozied, who split the 2002 season between high Class A and AA, tallied good overall numbers (.275/.345/.570) in the fall season, including a league-leading 39 RBIs. Even his total of 32 strikeouts isn't that bad for a power hitter, although one would hope that he eventually cuts that number ... Left-handed hitting Vince Faison (OF) has good bat speed and the ability to turn on the pitch. He batted .276/.347/.425, with the biggest negative being a high strikeout total. Making more consistent contact will allow him to take better advantage of his speed. Faison turns 22 in January, so a return to AA might not be out of the question ... Highly-regarded Jake Gautreau (2B/3B) played all season in high Class A, so the AFL competition was faster than what he faced in the California League. He was also recovering from an intestinal problem that put him out of action towards the end of the regular season. Gautreau started out well, then struggled, hitting only .225/.298/.324. The left-handed hitter has a nice level stroke and understands the strike zone, but still has some holes in his swing. He'll move to AA in 2003 ... Ben Johnson (OF) joined the Peoria team after Xavier Nady's injury. The 21-year-old right-handed hitter showed a nice combination of power and speed, batting .278/.310/.481, with six extra-base hits in 54 ABs ... Xavier Nady (OF) didn't last long in the AFL before straining a quad muscle. He hit the ball well in his eight games, batting .323/.364/.516 with two homeruns in 31 ABs. If healthy next year, the 24-year old Nady should be ready to contend for a major league roster spot ... Australian Ben Risinger (1B/3B) was a taxi squad player for Peoria, and really didn't see much action until late in the season. He doesn't hit for much power, but has the ability to get on base and can play a lot of positions. At 25, he's not considered to be much of a prospect, although a future utility job is not out of the question ... Acquired from Boston in a mid-season trade, right-hander Brad Baker (P) had some good games in the AFL as well as some bad ones. His final stats weren't bad, with the 5.50 ERA inflated by a few bad games. He struck out 39 batters in 34.1 IPs and didn't really get hit that hard (.262 OBA). Baker was left off San Diego's 40-man roster, but was not selected in the Rule 5 draft ... Southpaw Mike Bynum (P) pitched well in Arizona after a good season in AA and AAA. In eight games he recorded a 3.60 ERA, with a nice 29-10 K/BB ratio. The improved command seems to have developed this year, so Bynum should be ready to compete for a job with the Padres ... Left-handed closer Rusty Tucker (P) was added to the roster in the latter part of the season; he pitched effectively out of the bullpen. Opposing batters hit .250 against him, and he stuck out 15 batters in 11.1 IPs while giving up five walks.
Giants - Jerome Williams (P) was shut down by the Giants after five starts, but he pitched as well as anyone in the league. The right-hander, who just turned 21, finished with great numbers (2.05 ERA, .135 OBA, 25-7 K/BB ratio in 22 IPs). His performances drew raves from everyone. Despite his young age, Williams should be in line for a starting job in San Francisco next year ... Todd Linden (OF) moved quickly through the Giants system, reaching AAA in his first pro season. The 22-year-old switch-hitter started slowly, but came on strong at the end to finish the AFL season at .269/.374/.429. He hit three homeruns and stole four bases. Linden has a good knowledge of the strike zone and a proven ability to take a walk. Cutting down on his strikeouts and continuing to work on his defense should be Linden's top priorities; he could be one of the best offensive prospects to come out of the San Francisco system in years ... Trey Lunsford (C) saw limited action in 2002 due to injury, and also didn't play much in the AFL in the role of Grand Canyon's third string catcher. He hasn't reached AA yet, so he's still a few years away from knocking on the door in San Francisco ... Lance Niekro (1B) has a beautiful stroke and can hit with power to the gaps. His numbers in Arizona (.313/.343/.406) were decent, although he has yet to develop the power preferred from a corner infielder. In three minor league seasons, he's hit only 12 homeruns and did not hit one out in the AFL. Niekro has also had trouble staying healthy, having yet played a full season in the minor leagues. The lack of power and the injury problems are the biggest issues with Niekro; it would be nice to see him take a few more walks, too. He'll be 24 by next season and may return to AA to get in more time there ... Right-handed hurler David Cash (P) would have had a much better season if he had gone home one day early. His numbers took a big hit on the last day of the regular season, when the Phoenix Desert Dogs were pounding every Grand Canyon pitcher put on the mound that day. Otherwise, Cash pitched quite well in Arizona. Most indicative was an excellent 23-5 K/BB ratio in 25 innings. He pitched as both a starter and reliever in AA in 2002, so there's no reason he shouldn't be ready to move up to AAA next year ... R.D. Spiehs (P) had pitched just one minor league season, appearing in 47 games in high Class A, prior to his AFL appearance. While his numbers weren't great (5.00 ERA, .319 OBA), there are some positives to be gained from Spiehs' fall performance. His command was good and he's a big strong kid (6'3", 215) who throws hard. --- Bill Mitchell Player
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