System overview
The foundation of Atlanta's success over the last 11 years has been the pitching staff. Although the core of that staff is aging, pitching should remain a strength for the Braves through the 2000s as well. The minor-league system offers several highly intriguing pitching prospects.

Although high school pitching is a very risky commodity, the Braves have a good track record of being able to turn young, projectable throwers into talented moundsmen. They have a special liking for pitchers from Southern states. Atlanta has also done a good job of snaring pitchers out of unusual locations like independent ball.

The record for position players is less impressive, and the system lacks depth in hitting. They do have two exceptional hitting talents in Wilson Betemit and Kelly Johnson, but there isn't much backing them up. For all of their success with raw young pitchers, the Braves haven't been able to replicate that record with hitters. Their system has a lot of great athletes, but many of them have been unable to develop actual baseball skill.

Despite that weakness, the Braves have a strong system overall, due to the depth in pitching and the presence of Betemit and Johnson. There are concerns that the new AOL/Time Warner ownership group will provide less money for scouting and player development, so we'll have to see how that plays out.

2001 Minor League W-L Percentage: .489, (ranked 17th)

2001 amateur draft
The loss of Andy Ashby to free agency netted the Braves two extra draft picks. As usual, they focused on high school players, though they slotted in a few more college picks than in past years.

First-rounder Macay McBride, a high school lefty from Georgia, can hit 95 mph. He is polished for a high schooler and should move fairly quickly. Georgia was the focus again with pick Josh Burrus, a high school shortstop from Marietta with excellent tools. He is likely to move to third base, and scouts like his bat. Supplemental pick Richard Lewis, a second baseman from Georgia Tech, is smooth with the glove but will need to make some hitting adjustments.

Second-rounder Cole Barthel, a third baseman from high school in Alabama, has excellent power potential. University of Nebraska outfielder Adam Stern, picked in the third round, is fast and has doubles power. Fourth-rounder Kyle Davies, another high school pitcher from Georgia, has excellent control and should pick up velocity. I think he is a major sleeper. Also watch for 12th-rounder Mailon Kent (OF, Auburn) and 14th-rounder Kevin Barry (RHP, Rider).

I think this is a good draft. It is a mixture of high school and college guys, pitchers and hitters.

Top prospects
Players in the "Will Help Soon" section could see major-league action in 2002. Players in the "Will Help Someday" section shouldn't reach the majors until '03 or later, though of course that can change. Players are listed alphabetically. No 2001 draftees are listed.

WILL HELP SOON
Wilson Betemit, SS: Switch-hitter with developing power. May outgrow shortstop eventually but solid, if erratic, there right now. Hit .355 during his Double-A time last year, and just 20 years old.

Tim Spooneybarger, RHP: Posted 0.71 ERA in 42 games in Triple-A. Works with 92 mph moving fastball, and nasty curve. Needs sharper command, but should do well in middle relief.

Billy Sylvester, RHP: Another bullpen contributor. Saved 23 in Double-A and Triple-A, with 94 mph fastball and hard slurve.

WILL HELP SOMEDAY
Jung Bong, LHP: Korean lefty with decent stuff, uses average fastball, solid curve, and excellent changeup. Went 13-9 with 3.00 ERA and 145/47 K/BB ratio at Class A Myrtle Beach.

John Ennis, RHP: Throws 90-93, with curve, slider, and changeup. Posted 144/45 K/BB ratio at Myrtle Beach. Projectable, throws strikes, and a sleeper.

Brett Evert, RHP: Throws 90-94, with excellent curve and developing changeup. 109/18 K/BB ratio at two levels of Class A was exceptional. Only worry is a shoulder injury which shut his season down early.

Kelly Johnson, SS: Chipper Jones clone. Hit .289 with 23 homers, 25 steals, 71 walks for Class A Macon. Not a great defensive shortstop and may move to third base. Just 20 this year.

Ben Kozlowski, LHP: 6-6 lefty with 91 mph fastball and good curve. Posted 160/30 K/BB ratio at two levels of Class A last year.

Adam Wainwright, RHP: What is it with all these great K/BB ratios? Posted 184/48 at Class A Macon. Fires 90-93 mph fastball with strong curve and changeup. Also intimidating at 6-6.

KEY SLEEPER
Buddy Hernandez, RHP: Never mentioned as a prospect, but keep track of this guy. Posted 1.17 ERA in Myrtle Beach bullpen, with 77/18 K/BB ratio and just 28 hits in 54 innings. Just 5-9, but he can hit 95 mph and throws strikes.

Other names to know
Cory Aldridge, OF; Matt Belisle, RHP; Matt Butler, RHP; Kyle Davies, RHP; Carlos Duran, OF; Nick Green, 2B; Trey Hodges, RHP; Ryan Langerhans, OF; Pat Manning, 2B; Matt McClendon, RHP; Zach Miner, RHP; Bubba Nelson, RHP; Christian Parra, RHP; Brayan Pena, C; Travis Wilson, 2B; Matt Wright, RHP.

John Sickels is the author of the 2002 STATS Minor League Scouting Notebook. He is currently writing a biography of Bob Feller. 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 hometown.aol.com/jasickels/page1.html.