System overview
Contraction threats, relocation, and general ownership chaos plagued the Expos front office throughout 2002, but the farm staff did a decent job keeping the organization steady. There are serious challenges ahead however, as GM Omar Minaya traded several of the farm system's best products in a series of transactions last summer and fall.

The system is not dry, but the top layer of talent is not nearly as impressive as it was. 2002 first-round pick Clint Everts looks like an impact talent, but few of the other pitchers in the system have potential ace ability. Same goes for the hitters; there are guys who can help, but all the obvious potential regulars are either already established in the majors (Brad Wilkerson) or have been traded.

The future of the system remains tied up in the vagaries of Major League Baseball politics.

2002 amateur draft
With just a handful of scouts, the Expos were still able to pull together a decent draft. To the credit of Major League Baseball, they weren't overly handicapped financially, either, and were able to put out decent signing bonuses.

First-round pick Clint Everts, out of high school in Houston, is a remarkable athlete who could have been drafted as a shortstop. But he also has a 93 mph fastball, sharp curve, and good pitching instincts. He signed late, but he did sign. As high school pitchers go, he is a good risk.

Second-round choice Darrell Rasner, a right-hander from the University of Nevada, throws a 92 mph sinker and a nice changeup. He doesn't always throw strikes, and will need to improve on his 4.33 short-season ERA. Third-round pick Larry Broadway, a first baseman from Duke, hit .315 in his pro debut and impresses scouts with his raw power.

Two college pitchers to watch are Mike O'Conner, a lefty from George Washington, and Jason Bergmann, a right-hander from Rutgers. Both pitched well in their debuts and are polished enough to advance rapidly. Less advanced but still intriguing is 13th-round choice Brett Nyquist, from a small college in Minnesota. A 6-9 left-hander, he needs mechanical adjustments but has a high ceiling.

Everts has a better chance to make it than most high school pitchers, and the rest of the class added a quick shot of system depth. This was a good draft, especially under the circumstances.

Top prospects
Players in the "Will Help Soon" section could see significant major league action in 2003. Players in the "Will Help Someday" section shouldn't reach the majors until '04 or later, though of course that can change. Players are listed alphabetically. No 2002 draftees are listed.

WILL HELP SOON
Zach Day, RHP: Posted 3.62 ERA in 19 games for the Expos. Throws 92-95 mph, with a decent curve. Needs better control, and the Expos need to decide if he's a starter or reliever.

Josh Karp, RHP: 90-94 mph fastball, with a good changeup and a curve. Posted 3.84 ERA in 16 starts in Double-A. Will need some Triple-A time, but should see Montreal sometime in '03.

Seung Song, RHP: Acquired from the Red Sox in the Cliff Floyd trade. Hurt his shoulder late in the year, but should be OK. Works at 89-93 mph, with good control. Changeup and curve are solid. 121/37 K/BB ratio in 114 innings.

WILL HELP SOMEDAY
Mike Hinckley, LHP: Third-round pick from 2001, out of high school in Oklahoma. Posted 1.37 ERA in the New York-Penn League, though just 66 strikeouts in 92 innings warns against immediate expectations. Still a good long-term property due to 92-94 mph fastball and great curve.

Scott Hodges, 3B: Hit .272 with 35 doubles, 63 walks at Double-A Harrisburg. Strong, but doesn't loft the ball for power yet. Needs a full year of Triple-A.

Chris Young, RHP: Acquired from the Pirates. Went 11-9 with 3.11 ERA and 136/34 K/BB ratio in 145 innings at Class A Hickory. 6-10, but doesn't throw that hard.

KEY SLEEPER
Terrmel Sledge, OF: Hit .301 with 55 walks at Harrisburg. Gap power, hits for average, controls the strike zone. Should be a good fourth outfielder.

Other names to know
Cristobal Rodriguez, RHP; Ron Chiavacci, RHP; Eric Good, LHP; Luke Lockwood, LHP; Josh Girdley, LHP; Chad Bentz, LHP; Rich Rundles, LHP; Tim Drew, RHP; Matt Cepicky, OF; Val Pascucci, OF; Ben Dequin, LHP; John Labandeira, SS; Claudio Vargas, RHP.

John Sickels is the author of the 2002 Minor League Scouting Notebook, and is now working on the 2003 Baseball Prospect Book. His biography of Bob Feller will be published next spring. 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 JohnSickels.com.