2000

Top 10 St. Louis Cardinals
Upper Level Prospects

Compiled by Kevin McCann
and selected by the readers of Cardinals in the Bushes

Posted March 30, 2000

The following players were selected by CITB readers who took part in a survery that was
posted throughout the month of February.

1

RICK ANKIEL LHP

Rick Ankiel's selection by Cardinals minor league fans as the organization's No. 1 prospect was definitely a no-brainer. From the first moment he donned a Peoria Chiefs uniform in '98, he has constantly been under the spotlight but hasn't let the extra attention affect his performance on the mound. In just his second pro season, the 19-year-old lefthander absolutely dominated Texas League batters with a 6-0 record and a microscopic 0.91 ERA in 8 starts at Arkansas. He struck out 75 and yielded only 16 walks. By June, Rick had been promoted to Triple-A Memphis and though he struggled somewhat compared to his first two months, he still chalked up a record of 7-3 with a 3.16 ERA in 16 starts, fanning 119 to bring his strikeout total to 194, tops in the organization.

When the St. Louis pitching staff was in shambles last season, it was Ankiel that Cardinals fans clamoured for. The organziation maintained its "Handle with Care" policy toward the young hurler at the beginning of the year and intended not to rush him as long as they could, but his '99 performance merited an August call-up to Busch Stadium.

With the major league pitching staff considerably strengthened during the off-season, the Cardinals have the luxary of returning Ankiel to Memphis for more seasoning where the need to succeed will not be as great. But the recent trade of 18-game winner Kent Bottenfield assures him a spot in the starting rotation this season.

2

CHAD HUTCHINSON RHP

3

ADAM KENNEDY 2B

On the day of his St. Louis promotion, Mike Jorgensen acknowledged
that Adam Kennedy was "about as ready...to be a big league hitter as we have" in the organization.  There has never been any question about his hitting ability; he's improved at every level he's played. He led the organization with his .327 batting average in his first full season at Memphis and had personal highs with 10 HR, 63 RBI and 20 stolen bases. He started off well with the Cardinals then tailed off toward the end of the season, hitting .255 with 16 RBI in 33 games.

His defensive skills, however, have always been questioned. Originally drafted as a shortstop, the consensus was that his range was too limited there thus the shift to second. He spent the majority of the '99 season there  although he was also auditioned in left field for versatility purposes before his major league debut. The Cardinals front office liked him so much there that they traded for Milwaukee's Fernando Vina, a leadoff hitter whom they have coveted since last winter.

Barring any unforseen injury to Vina, Adam will either sit on the bench at Busch Stadium or--more likely--he will return to Memphis where he will play the outfield every day. He is ready to become a major league starter but the likelihood that he will do so wearing the birds-on-the bat seems remote.

NOTE: Kennedy was traded with RHP Kent Bottenfield for CF Jim Edmonds on March 23.

4

ROBERT SMITH LHP

In only his second pro season, Robert "Bud" Smith has quickly climbed up the Cardinals minor league ladder. After starting the year at Peoria and posting a 4-1 record and 2.83 ERA in nine starts, the 19-year-old former fourth-round pick was promoted to Potomac. Despite a deceptive 4-9 mark there, he fanned 93 batters and allowed less than  hits per inning. Don't be surprised if a good spring showing earns hima spot on the Arkansas roster.

5

JUSTIN BRUNETTE LHP

Justin Brunette made a successful comeback from Tommy John surgery and eventually earned a Double-A promotion in just his second (active) pro season. He started out at Peoria where he posted a 3-1 record and 1.81 ERA in 45 innings of relief, striking out amost one batter per inning (44 SO). Justin made a good showing in spring training but will lthe acquisition of veteran lefty Jesse Orosco, he should start the season at Memphis.

6

CHRIS HAAS 3B

Chris Haas is still the best power-hitter in the Cardinals organization. And with most any free swinger, strikeouts are a concern. After a successful '98 season at Arkansas (.274-20-83) that saw him cut down his K's from 182 the previous year to 129, his total rose back to 155 at Memphis and resulted in a .229 BA. Still, it was Chris' first season at Triple-A and he came close to equally his Double-A numbers (18 HR and 73 RBI) anyway. He will enter his fifth pro season in 2000 so there's still time to discipline himself a bit more.

The road to St. Louis is a bit crowded right now with Fernando Tatis anchored at third base and Mark McGwire entrenched at first. But Big Mac has hinted that he may retire after 2001 and Chris could easily fill the void. If he has a good season at Memphis, look for at least a September call-up.

7

JOHN AMBROSE RHP

A hard-throwing righthander, John Ambrose was acquired from the Chicago White Sox last season for RHP Sean Lowe. He spent the '99 season at Arkansas where he posted a record of 4-12 with a 4.73 ERA in 34 games. John has a great fastball but he walks alot of batters (68 BB/78 SO) and has never had a winning record in six minor league seasons. There was a trade rumor in spring training that had he and Jason Woolf going to the San Diego Padres for catcher Carlos Hernandez; barring any trade, John should return to the Texas League this season.

ANDY BEVINS OF
CHRIS RICHARD 1B

Andy Bevins and Chris Richard both had great offensive seasons last year. Andy finished 20 hits shy of capturing the Carolina League Triple Crown as he led the circuit with 25 HR and 97 RBI in '99. The former '97 36th round pick had his second consecutive 95+ RBI season and managed to cut down on his strikeouts after fanning 145 times with Peoria in '98. Andy should make his Double-A debut in 2000 with Arkansas.

Chris Richard shared Cardinals in the Bushes Comeback Player of the Year honors with Justin Brunette after rebounding from injuries the past two seasons and has returned to prospect status once again. The 25-year-old first baseman led the Cardinals organization with 30 HR, 98 RBI and 261 total bases at Arkansas and Memphis. Chris should easily move up to Triple-A this season and with another great season could earn a September call-up.

8

9

JACK WILSON SS

For the last few years, one of the touted strengths of the Cardinals organization was middle infield prospects, especially in the shortstop department: With players like Pablo Ozuna, Adam Kennedy, Brent Butler, Luis Ordaz, and Jason Woolf in the system, farm director Mike Jorgensen was often asked what to do with so many talented shortstops. But with all the trades for high profile major leaguers as well as poor performances and injuries, that number has been greatly reduced. Now the star shortstop in the system is 22-year-old Jack Wilson, a scrappy youngster who in just two professional seasons has won the Appalachian League MVP in his rookie season, was named to the Midwest League All-Star team, and tied a Peoria Chiefs record with a 22-game hitting streak this past summer. He led the Cardinals organization with 162 hits overall and batted .319 between Peoria and Potomac. Jack may start the 2000 season back at Potomac but look for another mid-season promotion, this time to Double-A Arkansas.

10

DAVID KIM OF