Top Prospect: Scott Hairston, 2b
Age: 23 Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 190 Bats: R Throws: R
Drafted: Central Arizona JC, 2001 (3rd round)
Signed by: Steve Kmetko
Background: Hairston's baseball pedigree is unquestioned. His grandfather Sammy spent most of his career in the Negro Leagues before getting five at-bats in 1951 for the White Sox, the same team for which Hairston's father Jerry played 14 seasons. His uncle John got four at-bats for the 1969 Reds. Brother Jerry Jr. took over as the Orioles' second baseman in 2001. Hairston shows the potential to become the best of the lot. He won the Arizona junior college triple crown in 2001 and tied for the minor league lead with 73 extra-base hits in his first full season in 2002. But like his brother, Hairston spent a significant part of 2003 on the disabled list. He pulled a muscle in his back while swinging the bat and tried to play through it. After a month of posting subpar numbers and further aggravating his back, Hairston missed six weeks. MRIs showed nothing more than muscular damage, so the back problems aren't likely to recur. He took a month off after the regular season ended before reporting to the Arizona Fall League, where he proved there were no lingering effects by hitting .365-3-13.
Strengths: A majority of scouts would agree Hairston's bat is ready for the majors now and allows him all-star potential as a second baseman. He demonstrates a quiet, balanced approach at the plate and stays on top of and inside the ball well with a short, compact stroke. Hairston's excellent bat speed also allows him to generate plus power, and he could top the career home run output of his father (30) or brother (24) in just one season. Hairston's total package at the plate could result in Gary Sheffield-like production. He runs well enough to reach double-digits in steals, but won't to be the threat on the bases that his brother is.
Weaknesses: The Jeff Kent comparisons that follow Hairston are based on his offense and defense. Hairston has trouble making the pivot on double plays and isn't comfortable throwing from different angles. He has spent time working on his defense in the AFL the last two seasons, and while he has made progress he also boots routine plays. While Hairston's hands, range and arm are average, most scouts project his future to be at third base or the outfield. The defensive questions were one reason Hairston slipped to the third round of the 2001 draft, allowing Arizona to sign him for $400,000. Hairston often is one of the first players at the ballpark, but he spends most of that extra time in the batting cage. Some in the organization wonder where he'd be defensively if he allocated more time to improving his weaknesses. Hairston never has been shy about watching home runs or aggressive in charging down the baseline on routine outs. His plate discipline slipped in 2003, but his back problems may have been a contributing factor.
The Future: Even after being slowed by injury, Hairston could make Arizona's Opening Day roster with a strong spring training. Otherwise, he'll begin 2004 at Triple-A Tucson with an in-season promotion a distinct possibility.
2. Sergio Santos, ss
Age: 20. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 200.
Drafted: HS--Hacienda Heights, Calif., 2002 (1st round).
Signed by: Mark Baca.
Background: Scouts viewed Santos as an elite prospect as early as his sophomore year at Mater Dei High. His senior year didn't live up to his advance billing, so he slipped to the 27th overall pick, where the Diamondbacks were more than happy to pay $1.4 million to keep him from attending Southern California. In his first full season, he earned a promotion to Double-A El Paso less than a month after his 20th birthday.
Strengths: Santos brings a full toolbox to the field everyday, as well as tremendous enthusiasm and confidence. His strength and power stand out the most, and he has launched tape-measure shots to all fields. Santos also has shown the ability to make adjustments at the plate. A big-bodied shortstop like Cal Ripken Jr. and Alex Rodriguez, Santos has a cannon arm to go with solid feet and range.
Weaknesses: Santos has made 62 errors in 11⁄2 pro seasons. His arm strength allows him to wait longer on balls, resulting in getting bad hops or hurrying his throws, and his hands aren't great for short. Many scouts forecast a move to third base or the outfield. He also could be more patient at the plate, which would help unleash his power potential.
The Future: Santos and the Diamondbacks want him to remain at shortstop, though he has the bat to play anywhere. He'll return to Double-A to start 2004.
Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB AVG OBP SLG
Lancaster (Hi A) 93 341 55 98 13 2 8 49 41 64 5 .287 .368 .408
El Paso (AA) 37 137 13 35 7 1 2 16 8 25 0 .255 .293 .365
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Dustin Nippert, rhp
Age: 22. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-7. Wt.: 210.
Drafted: West Virginia, 2002 (15th round).
Signed by: Greg Lonigro.
Background: The Diamondbacks lengthened Nippert's stride after signing him, and it helped him finally gain command of his power repertoire. He endured a scare during the 2003 season, when doctors found a golf ball-sized tumor under his left armpit. It was benign and removed arthroscopically, but did cost him two months. Arizona signed Nippert's identical twin Derik as a 36th-rounder in 2003.
Strengths: Nippert pounds the strike zone with two plus pitches, a 92-96 mph fastball and a power curveball with a 12-to-6 break. He stays tall during his delivery and throws on an intimidating downhill plane, getting the most out of his 6-foot-7 frame. Nippert didn't have a third pitch until his changeup gained consistency in the Arizona Fall League.
Weaknesses: While Nippert throws plenty of strikes, he sometimes delivers too many and can leave his fastball up in the zone at times. He must learn about wasting pitches in pitcher's counts. He also needs to further integrate his changeup into his repertoire.
The Future: After two strong minor league seasons and a stellar AFL, Nippert will skip a level and jump to Double-A. He has the stuff to develop into
He has the stuff to develop into a front-of-the-rotation starter.
Team W-L SV ERA G GS IP H R ER BB SO AVG
South Bend (Lo A) 6-4 0 2.82 17 17 95.2 66 32 30 32 96 .191
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Chad Tracy, 3b
Age: 23. B-T: L-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 190.
Drafted: East Carolina, 2001 (7th round).
Signed by: Howard McCullough.
Background: Tracy won the Double-A Texas League batting title with a .344 average in 2002, then led the Triple-A Pacific Coast League in hits and all minor league third baseman in batting as an encore. He's starting to remind scouts of Wade Boggs, whom Tracy lunched with this summer while at the Futures Game.
Strengths: Tracy rivals Scott Hairston as the organization's best hitter. The Diamondbacks have no doubts he'll hit .300 in the majors because he's so quick at getting the bat barrel to the ball and adept at making adjustments. He hits laser-beam doubles to the gaps with regularity. A first baseman for two years in college, Tracy has made tremendous defensive strides over the last year. His footwork has improved and his arm rates average to above.
Weaknesses: Tracy never has demonstrated enough power for a corner infielder. He's working on lifting the ball better in the Dominican this winter. He doesn't walk much because he makes contact with such ease.
The Future: Before the Richie Sexson trade, Tracy had a chance to win the third-base job and keep Shea Hillenbrand at first base. Now Tracy probably has to settle for a reserve job behind Hillenbrand in 2004.
Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB AVG OBP SLG
Tuscon (AAA) 133 522 91 169 31 4 10 80 41 52 0 .324 .372 .456
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Adriano Rosario, rhp
Age: 19. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 190.
Signed: Dominican Republic, 2002.
Signed by: Junior Noboa.
Background: Rosario is so mature and confident on the mound that some low Class A Midwest League observers questioned his age in 2003. But the Diamondbacks hired a private investigator to verify his background before signing him for $400,000 just before the 2002 draft. A shortstop growing up, Rosario hit 98 mph at Arizona's Dominican complex that April, causing scouting director Mike Rizzo to immediately set aside his predraft duties to fly down to sign him.
Strengths: Rosario has the makings of three plus pitches. His throws his four-seam fastball up to 97-98 mph, and his two-seamer has more movement at 93-95. His slider and changeup are inconsistent at times but also be out pitches. He has a clean delivery and calm demeanor on the mound.
Weaknesses: The Diamondbacks don't question his durability, but are curious to see how he holds up after going from 77 innings in 2002 to 160 in 2003. For a pitcher with his stuff and command, he should miss a lot more bats than he did in the MWL.
The Future: The Diamondbacks don't shy away from saying Rosario has No. 1 starter potential. Nor will they be
The Future: The Diamondbacks don't shy away from saying Rosario has No. 1 starter potential. Nor will they be afraid to let him join Dustin Nippert in what could be a very powerful Double-A rotation in 2004.
Team W-L SV ERA G GS IP H R ER BB SO AVG
South Bend (Lo A) 9-5 0 2.86 27 27 160.1 149 69 51 30 119 .247
6. Conor Jackson, of
Age: 21. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 205.
Drafted: California, 2003 (1st round).
Signed by: Fred Costello.
Background: After signing for $1.5 million, Jackson set a short-season Northwest League record for doubles and also led the circuit in RBIs. Arizona moved him from corner infielder to outfielder because of Arizona's infield depth. His father John plays admiral A.J. Chegwidden on TV's "JAG."
Strengths: Jackson is as polished as any hitter in the 2003 draft. He has a very quick bat and only swings at pitches he can hit. He was called out on strikes a few times early in his pro career, and Diamondbacks officials said it was because he knew the strike zone better than the umpires. He has an average arm.
Weaknesses: Shoulder tendinitis forced Jackson to DH for most of the summer, so he's still adjusting to the outfield. He's working on reading balls and taking better routes. The Diamondbacks want Jackson to put more backspin on the ball, which they hope will add extra carry to take more of his doubles over the fence. He's a fairly strict pull hitter and could go the other way more often. He doesn't possess great speed but won't clog the bases either.
The Future: Jackson projects as a .300 hitter with 20-30 homers. He likely will begin 2004 at high Class A Lancaster, and it wouldn't be a shock if he got to Double-A before season's end.
Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB AVG OBP SLG
Yakina (SS) 68 257 44 82 35 1 6 60 36 41 3 .319 .410 .533
Dback JonDoing it My Way
Chris_SandersNot Always The Best Moderator