System overview
The Cardinals brought two excellent talents to the majors last year, in Albert Pujols and Bud Smith. Unfortunately, there is little else left on the farm. Aside from a few interesting pitchers, the Cardinals system is in poor condition. Cardinal farm teams posted the worst combined winning percentage in the game last year. While minor league won/loss percentage is not directly correlated with the number of prospects a team has, ranking last is never a good thing.

With Pujols safely ensconced in the majors, St. Louis now lacks an impact position player prospect. The situation is a bit better in pitching, though a devastating run of injuries felled several impressive prospects last year. The recent decision of righthander Chad Hutchinson to take up pro football weakens system depth even further, though it was increasingly apparent that he would never live up to his potential.

St. Louis needs to revive the farm system if they want to compete in the long run. The system is probably the thinnest in the game today.

2001 Minor League W-L Percentage: .423, (ranked 30th)

2001 amateur draft
The Cardinals have a traditional preference for pitching in the draft, and took that route again in '01.

First-rounder Justin Pope, from the University of Central Florida, was drafted in the first round and quickly became one of the system's best prospects. He is discussed below, as is Pepperdine righthander Dan Haren, drafted in the second round. The third round pick was high school shortstop Joe Mather, from Phoenix. He will move to third base and projects to be a good hitter, though he'll need time to develop.

Liberty University produced fourth round pick Josh Brey, a lefty who can hit 94 MPH. Fifth-rounder Skip Schumaker (OF, UC-Santa Barbara) and eighth-rounder John Nelson (OF/SS, University of Kansas) are college guys who may help system depth. Also intriguing are seventh-rounder Tyler Adamczyk (LHP, California high school), ninth-rounder Rhett Parrott (RHP, Georgia Tech), and 10th-rounder Seth Davidson (SS, USC).

Overall, this looks like a decent, if unspectacular, draft class.

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.

WILL HELP SOON
Jim Journell, RHP: Overcame 1999 Tommy John surgery to go 15-6 with 2.45 ERA last year in Class A and Triple-A. Fanned 162 in 158 innings, with just 45 walks. Can hit 96 mph and throws strikes with his slider.

Scotty Layfield, RHP: Saved 31 with 1.84 ERA and 66/18 K/BB ratio at Class A Potomac, but should move quickly on the basis of his 92-mph sinker and hard slider.

Bill Ortega, OF: Cuban defector, hits liners, should hit .275 in the Show with doubles power, but has little chance to be a regular.

Josh Pearce, RHP: Throws 90 with decent slider and changeup. Went 10-12 between Double-A and Triple-A, with 132/46 K/BB ratio. Looks like a number three starter or possibly a middle man.

WILL HELP SOMEDAY
Shaun Boyd, 2B: Hit .282 with 20 steals in half a season at Class A Peoria. 2000 first-rounder, fine athlete, will have to show power at higher levels.

Dan Haren, RHP: Pepperdine product features a 92-mph fastball, occasionally up to 95. Also has a good changeup and fair curveball. Walked just eight in first 52 pro innings, with 57 strikeouts.

Chris Narveson, LHP: Classic good-control lefty with 90-mph fastball, fanned 106 and walked 24 in 117 innings before going down with an elbow injury. Good potential if he gets healthy.

Justin Pope, RHP: First-rounder, posted 2.60 ERA and fine 66/14 K/BB ratio in 15 starts in the New York-Penn League after signing. Works at 90 mph with advanced secondary pitches.

KEY SLEEPER
John Gall, 1B: Hit. 302 at Class A Peoria then .317 after moving up to Class A Potomac. Good balanced swing, hit 48 doubles but will have to show more home run power as he moves up.

Other names to know
Covelli Crisp, OF; Chris Duncan, 1B; Cristobal Correa, RHP; Chance Caple, RHP; Bo Hart, 2B; Dee Haynes, OF; Yadier Molina, C; Christopher Morris, OF; John Novinsky, RHP; Chase Voshell, SS; Les Walrond, LHP; Blake Williams, RHP; Justin Woodrow, OF; B.R. Cook, 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.