There's no reason the Cubs' Mark Prior can't win win multiple Cy Young Awards before his career is done. Of course, that career has just begun. Prior is in his second year in the majors -- and first full year -- after being chosen by the Cubs with the second overall pick in the 2001 draft. Certainly, Prior has better stuff and a better arm than other pitchers who have won a Cy Young.

	Mark Prior is 2-1 with a 1.71 ERA in 2003.

A discussion of his strengths has to start with his incredible, off-the-charts arm strength. He has tremendous stuff (fastball, breaking ball, changeup) and a great pitcher's body (6-foot-5, 225 pounds). Prior has a loose arm and a fluid motion -- he doesn't stress or strain on the mound. Pitchers call it "easy gas."

Most pitchers who throw in the mid-to-high 90s are maximum-effort guys who grunt and groan as they pitch. But Prior's motion is fluid and natural, and then his fastball explodes, making it even tougher to hit.

For Prior, everything feeds off his fastball. Batters really need to turn up the dial to hit his heater. You can tell by the movement of the ball and by the reaction of the hitters, especially the tardiness of their swings.

I also like watching the catcher and where he sets up, and then where the pitcher delivers the ball. If a catcher sets up outside but the pitch is over the plate and the batter still makes an out, that says something. If a pitcher has lesser stuff, that pitch becomes an extra-base hit. Prior is able to get away with missing the target because of his phenomenal stuff.

His weaknesses are far from glaring, but he he can work to improve his mechanics. As he gains experience, he'll learn how to pitch more effectively, with better command and control -- particularly in the mid-to-late innings when pitchers begin to fatigue.

Since this is Prior's sophomore season, his initiation is over. It's common for rookies to have a sense of awe as they go through the league the first time, competing against players they may have idolized and in ballparks they've only seen on TV before. As a young pitcher, you can't be in awe of Barry Bonds when he steps to the plate. You've got to have the confidence that you can get him out. Granted, that's easier said than done, but you need a confident mindset. Prior should have that now that he's been around the block already (even though it wasn't for a full season).

Being able to watch and learn from established Cubs ace Kerry Wood is a great advantage for Prior. They've been feeding off each other's success this season.

Prior reminds me of former Royals ace Bret Saberhagen (in the odd number years of Saberhagen's Royals career, that is -- in the even number years he was under .500, but in the odd number years he was lights out).

Prior can pitch solely with his fastball and still be successful, and Saberhagen had the same ability. Saberhagen also threw a fastball, breaking ball and changeup. Prior's mechanics are similar to Saberhagen's, too. Saberhagen could overpower hitters with his stuff, but when he started pitching, he became so tough to hit.

But there's one area where Prior won't be able to match Saberhagen. In 1985, Saberhagen won the first of his two Cy Youngs -- at the age of 21. Prior, already 22, won't be able to duplicate that one. But Prior could challenge Saberhagen's overall number.

Time will tell, but Prior has the tools for such greatness.

ESPN baseball analyst Tom Candiotti won 151 games pitching in 16 major-league seasons. He writes a weekly column for ESPN.com.