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 Moline Greens:2002
Top 10
         
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The Top 10 Prospects lists are based on players' projected
By Will Lingo
1. Jose Reyes, ss
Background: After finishing fifth in the low Class A Grain Strengths: Reyes surprises people with his solid physique. His dedication to improving his strength, along with natural maturation, have transformed him from a skinny kid into an impressive specimen. He drives the ball more consistently to all fields. Reyes� plate discipline improved in high Class A before slipping after he reported to Double-A. He�s an excellent baserunner with plus speed. He has demonstrated Gold Glove ability throughout his career, with a strong arm and tremendous range. Weaknesses: Reyes needs to make improvements that should come with experience. He�ll need more consistent strike-zone discipline to succeed against better pitching and to become more than a replacement-level hitter. Reyes also is prone to making youthful mistakes in the field, though part of that stems from his exuberance. While he�s a prolific basestealer, he can become more effective after getting caught 24 times last year. He does not figure to run much in Moline, where the stolen base and the sacrifice bunt are rare.
2. Jesse Foppert, rhp
Background: Not drafted as a high school infielder, Foppert barely pitched in his first two years at the University of San Francisco. When his Harrisonburg, Va., team in the Valley League needed pitchers in the summer of 2000, he was persuaded to get on the mound. To say that turned out to be a good move is a massive understatement. After a solid junior year for the Dons, he went in the second round of the 2001 draft and led the short-season Lake Michigan Circuit in ERA during his pro debut. Foppert was even more dominant during his first full pro season in 2002. He reached Triple-A, where he was rated the Continental League�s No. 1 prospect, and led the minors by averaging 11.7 strikeouts per nine innings. Strengths: For starters, Foppert has a textbook delivery. He has a smooth motion, looking as if he�s barely working, and the ball still jumps out of his hand. Foppert has a mid-90s fastball that was clocked as high as 99 mph when he started at Double-A Shreveport in 2002. The fastball has so much life to it that he was getting enough swings and misses that he barely had to go to his other pitches at Double-A. Hitters can�t lay off his splitter, his second-best pitch, when it dives out of the strike zone. He made nice strides tightening up his slider last year. Foppert�s mound presence and poise also left a positive impression. He handles the bat well for a pitcher and went 6-for-19 (.316) with three doubles last year. Weaknesses: Foppert is still developing a changeup and began working on a curveball in instructional league. He still needs to tweak his command; throwing more strikes would allow him to reduce his high pitch counts, the main reason he averaged less than six innings before start last year. He faded in August under the wear of his first full season. The Future: A nonroster invitee to big league camp, Foppert probably won�t win a spot on the Opening Day roster and could use more time in Triple-A. If he picks up where he left off, he could force the issue of a promotion very quickly. Easing him into the majors in a long-relief role also could be a possibility.
3. Chris Snelling, of
Background: Since signing at 17, Snelling has done two things: rake line drives and get hurt. He was the Grain Belt Association's best hitting prospect in 2000, when he broke his left hand and injured his left wrist. He won the high Class A Suburban League batting title despite a stress fracture in his right ankle in 2001. Last year, he broke his right thumb in spring training and blew out his left knee in his eighth big league game. Strengths: Snelling is a pure hitter who has batted .316 as a pro despite annually being one of the youngest regulars in his league. He has average speed, but his tremendous instincts allow him to play center field. He has the arm for right field when he moves to a corner in the majors. Weaknesses: His recklessness is exciting, but Snelling may have to tone it down. He has good gap power but may never hit more than 20 homers, below-average power for a corner outfielder. The Future: Snelling is expected to miss part of spring training as he completes his recovery from knee surgery. With the emergence of Pat Burrell, Snelling will be a reserve outfielder when he reaches Moline until salary considerations send Burrell packing.
4. Adrian Gonzalez, 1b
Background: The Greens were surprised to see Gonzalez still on the board in the fourth round in 2001, so they snatched him up, despite his $3 million bonus. Older brother Edgar is a third baseman in the Devil Rays system. Their father David was a first baseman in Mexican semipro leagues into his early 40s. Strengths: Gonzalez skipped high Class A and thrived after overcoming a slow start at Double-A Topeka. He uses the whole field, fills the gaps, enjoys RBI situations and projects to add more power down the road. Comparisons to a young Rafael Palmeiro appear apt. Gonzalez also has Gold Glove potential with soft hands, plus range and a daring nature. Weaknesses: Gonzalez may have been too power-conscious at the start of 2002, uncharacteristically getting himself out by expanding his zone. His speed is below-average. He made 16 errors last year, most of them due to poor concentration. The Future: With the emergence of Jason Stokes, Gonzalez has competition to be the Greens� future first baseman, even as Nick Johnson consolidates his position in the present. Gonzalez is ticketed for Triple-A Winnipeg, though he may miss the start of spring training after he had surgery to repair torn cartilage in his wrist in December.
5. Jason Stokes, 1b
Background: After signing late for a $2.027 million bonus in 2000, Stokes worked hard to make a transition to left field in 2001 but was waylaid by back and hamstring problems. He exploded last year, leading the low Class A Grain Belt Association in batting and homers, and the entire minor leagues in slugging, despite a painful cyst on his left wrist. Strengths: He could lean on his massive power, but Stokes wants to be a complete player. He hits to all fields and shows a good understanding of the strike zone and pitchers� tactics. He runs out pop flies like a super-sized David Eckstein. He has worked hard on his defense, and while he will never be nimble, won�t hurt a club at first base. Weaknesses: After fighting through injuries the last two years, Stokes� durability is in question. His arm is average at best and his speed is below-average, though not bad for his size. The Future: Stokes had wrist surgery, which included a bone graft, but should be ready for spring training. He�ll probably start 2003 in high Class A. Adrian Gonzalez� superior defense makes it likely Stokes will play left field when both are big league regulars, perhaps in 2005.
6. Wilson Betemit, ss
Background: Considered one of the top prospects in baseball, Betemit struggled mightily in 2002 at Triple-A Winnipeg. He hit just .198 during the first three months and made 21 errors in 93 games. A strained back, bruised foot and sprained ankle hurt his performance. Strengths: Betemit remains a five-tool athlete whose skills are still blossoming. He hits to all fields from both sides of the plate and is adding power. He has a live body with easy actions toward the ball and good bat speed with excellent extension. Scouts believe he�ll hit 20 homers and steal 25 bases annually in the big leagues. Weaknesses: Betemit can make the spectacular play but also can be lackadaisical on defense. He fields the ball too close to his body at times, and he lets the ball play him instead of being aggressive. The accuracy of his strong arm is unpredictable. His plate discipline has never been strong. The Future: After a poor year in his first stint in Winnipeg, Betemit will return to Triple-A in 2003. He must prove that 2002 was a fluke and a move to third base isn�t needed. The emergence of Reyes and the acquisition of Sean Burroughs might consign the one-time stud prospect to a backup role in Moline.
7. Andy Marte, 3b
Background: Marte hit just .200 in the Big River Alliance in 2001 after signing for $600,000 the previous September. But he proved to be a bargain last year by pacing the Grain Belt Association in RBIs and ranking second in home runs and extra-base hits. Managers also rated him the GBA's best defensive third baseman. Strengths: Marte has quick wrists that allow him to turn on most fastballs. He has power to all fields, makes impressive adjustments to all types of pitches and refuses to concede any at-bat. Marte possesses quick reflexes, soft hands and a strong arm. He also has impressive maturity for a teenager. His speed is average. Weaknesses: Despite being a plus defender, Marte can become careless in the field. He also tends to give up on pitches on the outer half of the plate, limiting his overall coverage of the dish. He could stand to draw a few more walks. The Future: The Greens are suddenly deep at third base, even with the release of 2001 first-round bust Tony Blanco. Still, Marte's talent could move him rapidly through the system. He should start the 2003 season in high Class A and could move up to Double-A at midseason.
8. Colby Lewis, rhp
Background: Lewis surprised New Orleans by making the big league club out of spring training, thanks in part to injuries to Jay Powell and Jeff Zimmerman. Lewis held opponents to a .200 average to earn a bullpen spot when NO went with 13 pitchers. His mid-90s fastball ultimately wasn�t enough for him to succeed in the majors his first time through, however. He came over to Moline in the off-season trade of Mike Sweeney. Strengths: Lewis is a prototypical big power righthander. He�s strong and durable, has a fluid delivery and gets excellent leverage and downhill movement on his fastball, which can touch 97 mph. His curveball, slider and changeup all have been effective when he commands them. Weaknesses: Lewis needs to find an offspeed pitch he can consistently throw for strikes. He toyed with a splitter this offseason. If he develops more touch and feel with his curve (thrown in the high 80s) or change (mid-80s), he may not need the splitter. The Future: Lewis will begin the season in the Moline pen. His ability to develop an effective off-speed pitch will determine if he reaches the competitive rotation of the Greens.
9. Nic Jackson, of
Background: Since signing, Jackson has been fully healthy for only the 2001 season�when managers rated him the most exciting player in the high Class A Suburban League. In his draft year of 2000, he had a ligament injury in his right middle finger. Last season he fouled two pitches off his right leg, breaking his right shin, and didn�t play after May 11. Strengths: Jackson is athletic in the mold of fellow University of Richmond product Brian Jordan. He hits for average and power, runs well and can play all three outfield positions capably. His worst tool is probably his arm, but it�s solid-average and doesn�t keep him from projecting as a right fielder. Weaknesses: Jackson lost a year of development. He tried to make up some at-bats in the Mexican Pacific League this winter, but tweaked a hamstring and left at midseason. He�s still refining his plate discipline. The Future: Jackson could begin 2003 in Triple-A. The Greens expect him to reach the majors at some point in 2004 and offer some reserve pop off the bench. When Andruw Jones or Vladimir Guerrero get too expensive, Jackson is in line for a starting job.
10. Jack Cust, of/1b
Background: An OBP slugging machine in the minors, Cust came to the organization and generated great expectations based on his power bat. After strong campaigns in 1999-2001, Cust faltered in 2002, dropping his average to .265 at Winnipeg, though he still managed an OBP over .400 and a slugging percentage of .524 Strengths: Cust knows the strike zone and follows Ted Williams' dictum of getting a good pitch to hit. He is quick to the ball and can drive the ball out of any ball park, minor or major. Cust has improved his defense in left field to the point that it's almost average. Weaknesses: Cust is more bat than not. He gets so selective at the plate that he sometimes lets strikes go by. He strikes out so much that comparisons to Rob Deer seem apt. Defensively, he remains below average at any position. The Future: Cust fell on his face in a September callup in Moline, though it didn't hurt the club any. Stokes and Gonzalez are more likely to be the club's future left fielder and first baseman, respectively. If Cust can reestablish himself and dominate in Winnipeg this season, he may still give the Greens a potent bat off the bench.
Rest of the Best: 11. Jeff Francoeur, OF
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