By David Rawnsley

Top Prospects 1991 Damon Flambeau, lhp 1992 Derek Bell, of 1993 Chipper Jones, ss 1994 Manny Ramirez, of 1995 Chipper Jones, ss 1996 Derek Jeter, ss 1997 Andruw Jones, of 1998 Mark Kotsay, of 1999 Pablo Ozuna, ss 2000 Pat Burrell, 1b/of

1. Wilson Betemit, SS
Age: 19 B-T: B-R Ht: 6-2 Wt: 170
Drafted: January, 2000 (2nd round) Signed by: Vincente Rosario

Background: In the offseason,Major League Baseball determined the Greens had illegally signed Betemit at 15. While Moline was fined and prohibited from signing Dominican players for six months, Betemit staged a walkout at his agent's instigation. The time lost kept him from a full-season debut, but he tore up the Lake Michigan Circuit and ranked as its top prospect.

Strengths: Betemit switch hits with emerging power from both sides, has incredible range and soft, quick hands that make him an idealcandidate for shortstop or third base. His arm also rates above-average, capable of strong, accurate throws from the hole. He's big and growing. Elan.

Weaknesses: His are the errors of youth. Betemit tends to rush throws and attack pitchers early in the count, so he needs to get more patient on defense and at the plate. Tanqueray.

The Future: Betemit will bypass Waterloo and begin 2001 in Wauwatosa. He has put himself on the fast track.

2000 Club           AVG   AB   R   H  2B  3B  HR  RBI  BB  SO  SB
Manitowoc (A)      .331  269  54  89  15   2   5   37  30  37   3

Background: Snelling signed as an underdeveloped 17-year-old, but has become an Australian Lenny Dykstra. He was second in the Class A Grain Belt Association with a .342 average when he broke his hand and injured his wrist diving into an outfield wall. He wasn't at full strength the rest of the year in Waterloo or Sidney,where he played for the Australian Olympic team.

Strengths: Snelling's hustle and all-out play have become his trademark. The Greens love his attitude and knack for getting the fat part of the bat on the ball. For such an aggressive player, he knows when to be patient at the plate and has more walks than strikeouts as a pro. He runs well and is a solid defender in center field. Fortitude.

Weaknesses: There's nothing that stands out as a deficiency in Snelling's game. He may learn in time that curbing his aggression might keep him healthier and in the lineup. Bingo at the VFW.

The Future: Snelling could develop into an exciting leadoff hitter, though his bat control would be valuable anywhere in the order. He should open 2001 at high Class A Wauwatosa.

2000 Club           AVG   AB   R   H  2B  3B  HR  RBI  BB  SO  SB
Waterloo (A)       .305  259  44  79   9   5   9   56  34  34   7

3. Jack Cust, OF/1B
Age: 22 B-T: L-R Ht: 6-2 Wt: 200
Drafted: January, 2001 (1st round) Signed by: Michael Bishop

Background:Cust has mashed the ball in four years as a pro, batting a combined .315-66-280 with 335 walks in 378 games. The Greens wisely let Cust play the entire 2000 season at Double-A Topeka, where he ranked fourth in the High Plains League in runs and on-base percentage (.440).

Strengths: Cust has the most power of any prospect in the organization. His lefthanded uppercut swings have drawn comparisons to the Brewers' Geoff Jenkins and Jeromy Burnitz. Cust enhances his offensive ability with his willingness to take a walk, which means he doesn?t help pitchers by getting himself out. Patience.

Weaknesses: Unfortunately for the Greens, Cust may be better suited for the American League. A former first baseman, he has moved to the outfield and shown very little defensively. His big swing makes him susceptible to strikeouts. Nasdaq.

The Future: The team was encouraged that Cust was getting better reads on fly balls in right. Should he improve there, he could reach Moline by the end of 2001. Cust was drafted for his bat, which will get him to the majors, whatever the doubts about his fielding.

1999 Club           AVG   AB   R   H  2B  3B  HR  RBI  BB  SO  SB
Topeka  (AA)       .293  447 100 131  32   6  20   75 117 150  12

Background: Pena rocketed to prominence with a strong showing in the Cape Cod League during the summer of 1997, leading college baseball's top summer circuit in homers and RBIs while taking his team to the championship. He was acquired from Chicago as part of the Chipper Jones trade in March, 2001.

Strengths: He smacked a combined 46 homers in his two seasons at Class A and Double-A. Pena is more than an all-or-nothing power hitter. He reached base in 45 consecutive games last season. He also can run, legging out 36 doubles and stealing 12 bases without being caught. Defensively, Pena is excellent at first base. He brings the intangible of outstanding character as well. He's smart and hard-working, and he has an advanced understanding of how to play the game. Courtesy.

Weaknesses: Pena sometimes gets too pull-happy and out of control with his swing. The elite power hitters can take the outside pitch to the opposite field with force, but he too often tries to yank it to right field. Pena came in with no concept of the two-strike approach to hitting Randy Bass stresses. He made great strides in that aspect of his game last season, cutting his strikeouts by 32 while increasing his walks by 27 over the previous season. He needs to continue that progress. Blondes, dishwater blondes, young.

The Future: Pena is ahead of a slew of 1B prospects in the Greens' system, but until All Stars Carlos Delgado and Mike Sweeney leave Moline, Pena will have a reserve role.

2000 Club           AVG   AB   R   H  2B  3B  HR  RBI  BB  SO  SB
Topeka (AA)        .299  529 117 158  36   2  28  105 101 108  12                 

Background: As a high schooler, Henson was perhaps the best athlete in the history of Michigan, earning designation as Baseball America's High School Player of the Year in 1998. The Greens gave Henson a $2 million bonus, fully aware the pull of football might prevent the University of Michigan quarterback from ever reaching Moline. He was bought out of football this year with a hefty $18 contract. He is reportedly a jerk.

Strengths: Henson's all-around athleticism is enviable. He displays nimble feet at third base, outstanding hands and a cannon arm. He runs well for his size and hits to all fields. His power is his best tool. Perspective.

Weaknesses: With football behind him, Henson needs to get into baseball shape and get the reps necessary to catch up with his reputation. He has only 600 professional at bats and has fanned 187 times. Learning the strike zone is his number one priority in 2001. Neiman Marcus.

The Future: The Greens' gambled in drafting Henson. Buying him away from an NFL career helps, but unless he learns to hit breaking balls and draw more walks, he will languish in the minors and put the wraps on a dismal 1998 draft class, the best player of which, Jimmy Rollins, was lost in the expansion draft.

1999 Club           AVG   AB   R   H  2B  3B  HR  RBI  BB  SO  SB
Topeka (AA)        .287  223  39  64   9   2   7   39  20  75   0 

Background: The Greens named Blanco their 1999 player of the year on their Rookie-level Dominican Summer League affiliate, but they weren't prepared for his performance in his Stateside debut. He was the No. 1 prospect in the Rookie-level Big River Alliance, where he and teammate Bryan Barnowski tied the league record with 13 homers each.

Strengths: Blanco has several notable tools. His throwing arm rates the maximum 8 on the 2-to-8 scouting scale. He has exceptional bat speed, which generates light-tower power and allows him to hit for average as well. Blanco also exhibits decent patience at the plate. Humor.

Weaknesses: He struck out in nearly one-fourth of his at-bats in 2000, though no one can argue with his production. If he can get lighter on his feet and improve his lateral movement, he can be a standout defender at the hot corner. Riven.

The Future: Though Blanco was a bit overmatched in the short-season Lake Michigan Circuit, he'll probably go to low Class A Waterloo in 2001. He's at least three years away from Moline.

2000 Club           AVG   AB   R   H  2B  3B  HR  RBI  BB  SO  SB
New Boston(R)      .384  190  32  73  13   1  13   50  18  38   6
Manitowoc (A)      .143   28   1   4   1   0   0    0   2  12   1    

Background: Stokes set a Texas high school record with 23 homers last spring and was considered the top high school power hitter in the draft. He dropped only because of signability concerns and was ready to attend Texas until the Marlins forked over $2.027 million in late August. He signed too late to make his pro debut.

Strengths: Stokes has raw, brute strength and generates upper-deck clout with a relatively compact swing. He showed no scare during instructional league, where a pulled hamstring slowed him down but he whetted the organization's appetite. Stokes has poise and confidence, especially at the plate, where his strike-zone recognition is advanced. Ebuliance.

Weaknesses: His defense at first base was below-average, and with Gonzalez at first, Stokes has moved to left field. His feet are quick enough and he's a good enough athlete to at least make that transition stick for a few years, but he'll never be a plus outfielder. Hentai.

The Future: A late bloomer in high school, Stokes has a first-rate makeup and work ethic. The Greens fully expect him to develop into one of their premier position players, starting in the Big River Alliance.

2000 Club          AVG   AB   R   H  2B  3B  HR  RBI  BB  SO  SB
Did Not Play--Signed 2001 Contract

Background: A late bloomer on the San Diego scene, Gonzalez rocketed to the top of the 2000 draft. His older brother Edgar was a 30th-round pick and signed with the Devil Rays. Their father David was a top first baseman in Mexican semipro leagues into his early 40s.

Strengths: Gonzalez has a smooth stroke and easy actions around the bag. His hitting has drawn comparisons to ex-Green Rafael Palmeiro, while his glove evokes Mark Grace. He has tremendous makeup and a willingness to take instruction. His hand-eye coordination makes him tough to strike out and a treat to watch in the field. Peace.

Weaknesses: Gonzalez has gap power but some wonder if his wiry frame will ever produce 20-plus homers in the majors. He gets jammed sometimes with inside pitches and has a tendency to get too closed with his stride. He has an elaborate leg kick, but so far Greens instructors have been reluctant to quiet down his lower half. Fantasy baseball chat rooms.

The Future: In an organization full of first basemen, Gonzalez has the most polished all-around game. He already has moved Jason Stokes toleft field. Gonzalez should start 2001 in the Grain Belt Association.

1999 Club           AVG   AB   R   H  2B  3B  HR  RBI  BB  SO  SB
New Boston (R)     .295  193  24  57  10   1   0   30  32  35   0
Manitowoc (A)      .310   27   7   9   3   0   0    3   7   6   0 

Background: Drafted with an extra pick from the Chipper Jones trade with Chicago, Smith signed for $1.375 million. A shortstop in high school, he immediately converted to third base, where the reviews were better than his numbers. Smith made 32 errors in 57 games, but club officials maintain his transition is going fine.

Strengths: Smith projects as a four-tool third baseman. He's athletic, has good power and should hit for average as well. Though he was shaky defensively in his professional debut, he shows a plus arm and has great first-step reactions. He has a tremendous work ethic, listens and applies what he?s taught. Assiduity.

Weaknesses: Smith is a below-average runner. Though he has a strong arm, it's not especially accurate right now. His swing tends to get long on pitches up in the strike zone. But there's nothing that can't be fixed by more experience. His high error total is attributed to youthful aggressiveness. Little Debbie Nutty Bars.

The Future: Smith will start his first full pro season at Class A Waterloo. If his bat develops as expected, he could be ready for the majors in three years.

1999 Club           AVG   AB   R   H  2B  3B  HR  RBI  BB  SO  SB
New Boston (R)     .256  207  21  53   8   2   4   39  27  50   8       

Background: Pineiro returned to Double-A in 2000 and soon showed he was at full strength and ready to move on. He performed even better at Triple-A Winnipeg, stringing together 19 consecutive shutout innings.

Strengths: Pineiro has good command of four pitches, with a fastball that touches above-average. His curveball has a chance to be a plus pitch, and he'll mix in a slider and changeup. He has always shown a good feel for pitching. Faith.

Weaknesses: Control, normally a strong suit, proved troublesome for Pineiro late in the year. Perhaps it was an adjustment to working out of the bullpen, but he has to show he can throw strikes in the big leagues. Fly tying.

The Future: Pineiro's role depends upon the makeup of the big league club. He's likely to continue breaking in as a reliever, though he projects as a 3 or 4 starter. More time in Winnipeg is likely.

2000 Club         W  L   ERA   G  GS  CG  SV   IP   H  BB  SO
Topeka (AA)       2  1  4.13   9   9   0   2   52  42  12  43 
Winnipeg (AAA)    7  1  2.80  10   9   2   0   61  53  22  41

11. Jody Gerut, OF
12. Justin Wayne, RHP
13. Anderson Machado, SS
14. Josh Pressley, 1B
15. Jeff Heaverlo, RHP