Not sure if it is reflective of the respective quality of each group currently in the player pool, but the AI seems keener to deploy pitchers into the bigs earlier than position players. For example, #1 prospect Scott Rolen is 20 and starting at AA, while age-19 #2 Doc Halladay opens the season at the Cards, albeit in their BP rather than as an SP. In fact, age-24 Candy LaChance (#15) is the highest-ranked non-pitcher playing for the parent club on OD.
This year's breakout star, according to BNN, will be Dodgers OF
Maurice Colona, a D-Ball player from the 1930s who they think will belt 60 HR and knock in 147. The mysterious
Leon Ballard is expected to post another good year as well. he is currently second all-time with 66 HR; only Colorado's
Arthur Riggs (68) has more.
Top players and prospects for the '03 campaign are as follows. Interesting to see
Charles Dugan still being ranked, given he suffered a career-ending UCL tear back in 1901. For some reason he hasn't been retired yet. Maybe he's set for the miracle Roy Hobbs comeback! It's also a bit strange that guys who haven't even been drafted yet - EG
Clarence (C.B.) Griffin - being ranked.
All MiLB levels are now in place.