System overview
While the Dan O'Dowd Administration has been unable to right the ship at the major-league level yet, they have upgraded the farm system. There are more prospects here than there were during the final days of ex-GM Bob Gebhard.

Several prospects found their way to the majors last year: shortstop Juan Uribe, catcher Ben Petrick, and pitchers Shawn Chacon and Jason Jennings all being major components of the future.

2001 Minor League W-L Percentage: .478, (ranked 19th)

2001 amateur draft
The free-agent signings of Mike Hampton and Denny Neagle cost the Rockies their first and second-round picks in '01. They did have a supplemental first-round choice, due to the failure to sign first-rounder Matt "Just Try To Sign Me" Harrington in 2000. They used this pick to select Texas high school shortstop Jayson Nix, who is several years away from the majors, but has a solid all-around package of skills.

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. No 2001 draftees are listed.

WILL HELP SOON
Jason Jennings, RHP: Should be in the rotation after going 4-1 with 4.58 ERA in seven starts for the Rockies. Thin air makes him unattractive to fantasy owners (like all Rockies pitchers), but his sinker, slider, and changeup should give Rockies fans hope. Not an ace, but a solid inning-eater.

Dennis Stark, RHP: Acquired from the Mariners in the Jeff Cirillo deal, like Jennings he'll probably be in the rotation. A solid pitcher with good control, another guy who won't be an ace but should be a useful source of quality innings. Can struggle when he gets the ball up, so he'll have to watch that in the thin air.

Ryan Kibler, RHP: A year behind Jennings and Stark, but made big strides last year and could see Coors by August. Shows good command of 90 mph fastball, slider, and changeup.

Cam Esslinger, RHP: Fireballing reliever with inconsistent control, could be a closer at some point.

Brian Fuentes, LHP: Part of the Cirillo deal. Uses a funky delivery, decent fastball, and big-breaking pitch to dominate left-handed hitters.

WILL HELP SOMEDAY
Chin-Hui Tsao, RHP: Complete pitching package, with power and finesse. Limited to four starts by elbow surgery, and may not return until mid-season 2002.

Aaron Cook, RHP: Can hit 98 mph, and walked just 38 in 156 innings in Class A. But lacks finesse with his other pitches, leading to too many grooved offerings; gave up 157 hits.

Garrett Atkins, 3B: Hit .325 at Class A Salem. Shows doubles power and excellent strike zone judgment. A natural first baseman, he's trying to learn third for obvious reasons.

Jason Young, RHP: 2000 second-rounder, limited to 17 starts at Class A Salem by a sore elbow. When healthy, shows 91-94 mph fastball, changeup, and curveball, with good command.

Rene Reyes, OF: Hit .322 in the South Atlantic League, with 53 steals. But he was a bit old for the league at 23, and showed weak strike zone judgment.

KEY SLEEPER
Garett Gentry, C: Traded from Houston as the Player to be Named in the Pedro Astacio deal.

A left-handed hitter, Gentry hit .299 with 24 homers and 103 RBI in the Class A Midwest League. He struck out just 45 times while drawing 39 walks. His glove needs work, but the Rockies will be patient if he keeps hitting like this.

Other names to know
Chris Buglovsky, RHP; Mark DiFelice, RHP; Mario Encarnacion, RHP; Choo Freeman, OF; Brad Hawpe, OF; Craig House, RHP; Josh Kalinowski, LHP; Tony Miller, OF; Edmund Muth, OF; Cory Vance, LHP.

John Sickels is working on the 2002 STATS Minor League Scouting Notebook. 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.