National League - Rookie Reports - American Baseball League player evaluations - Statistical Data Included

Baseball Digest, March, 2002

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Player: Lyle Overbay Position: 1B HT: 6-2 WT: 215 B: L T: L Birthdate: 1/28/77 2001 Minor League Team: El Paso- AA

Comments: Solid hitter for average with gap power. Has good knowledge of strike zone and is an aggressive hitter with a compact swing. Led Texas League with .352 average while hitting 49 doubles, 13 homers and driving in 100 runs. Will produce with the bat. His defensive game is average.

Player: Jose Valverde Position: P HT: 6-4 WT: 220 B: R T: R Birthdate: 7/24/79 2001 Minor League Team: El Paso- AA

Comments: Future big league closer with powerful arm with three quality pitches--fastball, slider and splitter. Splitter is his out pitch, but fastball reaches high 90s and hard slider is very effective. Major concern has been his control, but improved last season with it and will master it with more experience.

Player: Alex Cintron Position: INF HT: 6-1 WT: 170 B: S T: R Birthdate: 12/17/78 2001 Minor League Team: Tucson- AAA

Comments: He has hit for average in all levels of minor league ball--.307 at Desert High (A) in 1999; .301 at El Paso (AA)in 2000 and .292 at Tucson (AAA) last season. Knows how to handle the bat. Can bunt, move runners along and hit the gaps with occasional power. He's a contact hitter with average speed and average defensive skills.

ATLANTA BRAVES

Player: Tim Spooneybarger Position: P HT: 6-3 WT: 190 B: R T: R Birthdate: 10/21/79 2001 Minor League Team: Richmond* AAA and Greenville- AA

Comments: Reliever who can dominate. Throws fastball in mid-90s and a curve with lots of bite. Last season he was unhittable at Richmond (AAA) going 3-0 with five saves in 50.2 innings and a 0.71 ERA.

Player: Wilson Betemit Position: SS HT: 6-2 WT: 155 B: S T: R Birthdate: 6/28/80 2001 Minor League Team: Greenville- AA and Myrtle Beach- A

Comments: Excellent athlete with lots of tools. He can hit for average with budding power once he fills out. Has above-average speed and is good with the glove with a strong throwing arm. He hit .277 at Myrtle Beach (A) before moving up to Greenville (AA) where he hit .355 with 14 doubles and five homers in 183 at-bats. Will get better as he progresses through minor league system.

Player: Brett Evert Position: P HT: 6-6 WT: 200 B: L T: R Birthdate: 10/23/80 2001 Minor League Team: Myrtle Beach- A and Macon- A

Comments: Young pitcher with a major league arm. His fastball reaches the 95 mph range and is consistently clocked between 9195. Has good break to his curveball and continues to improve his changeup, Has size and strength to improve his make-up, With more experience, he will quickly move through the minor league system and become a major league pitcher.

Player: Steve Torrealba Position: C HT: 6-0 WT: 175 B: R T: R Birthdate: 2/24/78 2001 Minor League Team: Greenville- AA

Comments: Reliable catcher who hit .271 at Greenville (AA) last year with 21 doubles and eight HR. Came up for a cup of coffee in 2001 and picked up one single in two ABs. If Javy Lopez or Eddie Perez go down with injury, Torrealba could find a spot on the big league roster.

CHICAGO CUBS

Player: Bobby Hill Position: 2B HT: 5-10 WT: 180 B: S T: R Birthdate: 4/3/76 2001 Minor League Team: West Tenn- AA

Comments: Solid all-around switch-hitter who hits for average and power, draws walks, can move runners up and has above-average speed. Defensively he has good hands, quick feet, range and turns double play well.

Player: Carlos Zambrano Position: P HT: 6-4 WT: 220 B: L T: R Birthdate: 6/1/81 2001 Minor League Team: Iowa- AAA

Comments: Carlos is a durable pitcher who can hit 93-96 mph consistently. He maintains his velocity very well as a Starter. Has three quality pitches--fastball, slider, curveball--and is a fearless competitor on the mound.

Player. Hee Seop Choi Position: 1B HT: 6-5 WT: 235 B: L T: L Birthdate: 3/16/79 2001 Minor League Team: Iowa- AA

Comments: Choi is a legitimate left-handed, big-time power hitter. He has a short, compact swing. He's an above-average fielder who runs welt for a big man. Right hand injury limited his play in 2001 and caused average and power numbers to drop. He is fully recovered and will push for big league roster spot by end of 2002.

Player: Juan Cruz Position: P HT: 6-2 WT: 155 B: R T: R Birthdate: 10/15/80 2001 Miner League Team: West Tenn- AA

Comments: Cruz jumped from West Tenn (AA) to the Cubs late last season and showed great promise for the future. Has an explosive fastball that can reach 97 mph with lots of movement. He has a good slider and changeup. Strength and durability are still in question, but when he fills out more physically and gets more experience, he should develop into a top-notch major league starter.

CINCINNATI REDS

Player: Austin Kearns Position: OF HT: 6-3 WT: 220 B: R T: R Birthdate: 5/20/80 2001 Minor League Team: Chattanooga- AA

Comments: Big, strong hitter with good power. Hand injury slowed his progress last season, but he is considered one of the best offensive prospects in the Reds system. Hits to all fields which will allow him to hit for high average and he has power. Good defensive outfielder with above-average arm.