System overview
The Marlins have concentrated on building the farm system since the 1997 championship team was dismantled by then-owner/greedy bastard Wayne Huizenga. The farm system under GM Dave Dombrowski (who has now moved on to Detroit) focused on getting hard-throwing pitchers and top-notch athletes.

They've succeeded with the former, building up a deep reservoir of strong fastballs. Built through trades and drafting, the Marlins have one of the better pitching-rich systems in the game. They've been less successful with hitters, having numerous good athletes, but struggling to help them develop baseball skills.

The Marlins usually, though not exclusively, focus on high school talent in the draft. They are also highly active in Latin America. Whoever ends up owning and running the organization this spring inherits a farm system in pretty good condition, though not quite on par with the absolute best in the game.

2001 Minor League W-L Percentage: .539, (ranked 7th)

2001 amateur draft
The Marlins didn't have a first-round pick, due to the signing of Charles Johnson. They focused on hard-throwing high school pitchers when their turn did come, adding to the stable of pitching in the system, but doing little to address the weakness in position players.

Second-round pick Garrett Berger, a high school pitcher from Indiana, throws 96 mph ... or at least he did before he blew out his elbow and had to have Tommy John surgery. Losing him is a major blow to the class. Third-round pick Allen Baxter, a high school right-hander from Virginia, also throws hard and could move quickly for a prep talent. Fourth-rounder Chris Resop, a right-hander from high school in Florida, played a lot of outfield in high school, but will pitch full-time for the Marlins. He is projectable but will need time to learn his craft. Sixth-rounder Adam Bostick, a lefty from high school in Pennsylvania, throws 90 and must also be tracked.

Two college guys to watch are seventh-rounder Lincoln Holdzkom, from Arizona Western, and 12th-rounder Nick Ungs, from Northern Iowa. Holdzkom throws 95. Ungs is in the 88-92 range, but walked zero guys in his first 61 pro innings.

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
Josh Beckett, RHP: The Pitching Prospect from Plato's World of Forms. Everything you want in a pitcher, but are afraid to ask for. Will be great if he can stay healthy.

Blaine Neal, RHP: Saved 21 in Double-A, with 2.36 ERA. Works with 94 mph fastball and a good curve, usually throws strikes, and enjoys the relief role.

Abraham Nunez, OF: Hit just .240 in Double-A, but hit 17 homers, drew 83 walks, and stole 26 bases. Still just 22.

Kevin Olsen, RHP: Doesn't throw as hard as the Fastball Brigade, but knows what he is doing and was impressive in four late-season games for Florida. 144/21 K/BB ratio in Double-A is very intriguing.

Claudio Vargas, RHP: Another hard-thrower, hits 97 at times. Went 8-9 with 4.19 ERA, 151/67 K/BB in 159 innings at Double-A Portland. Needs to change speeds better and throw strikes more consistently.

WILL HELP SOMEDAY
Denny Bautista, RHP: Can hit 96, also has a fine curveball. Friend of the Martinez Family, and has a similar style of pitching. Watch for him in A-ball.

Miguel Cabrera, SS: Hit .268 with seven homers at Class A Kane County, but was very young for full-season ball at age 18. Scouts love his tools, and he has plenty of time to develop them.

Adrian Gonzalez, 1B: Hit .312 with 17 homers, 103 RBI at Kane County. 2000 first-rounder, and worth every penny. Excellent glove, good strike zone judgment.

Josh Wilson, 2B: Hit .285 with 17 steals at Kane County. Polished, makes contact, could play shortstop well if not for presence of Cabrera in system.

KEY SLEEPER
Kevin Hooper, 2B: From my adopted hometown of Lawrence, Kansas. Hit .308 with 59 walks, 24 steals in Double-A. Scrappy, works his tail off, could pull a David Eckstein if he gets the chance.

Other names to know
Chris Aguila, OF; Chip Ambres, OF; Wes Anderson, RHP; Geoff Goetz, LHP; Rob Henkel, LHP; Hansel Izquerdo, RHP; Jim Kavourias, OF; Ryan Moskau, LHP; Brett Roneberg, OF; Jose Santos, 3B; Jason Stokes, OF-1B; Frailyn Tejada, LHP; Mike Tejera, LHP; Pablo Ozuna, 2B; Will Smith, OF.

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.