Bill Ballew: I don't think it'll hurt him at all. I think it'll get him over the tough spots. Chipper Jones told me years ago that you have to have some "necessary arrogance" in order to play the game at the top level. Delmon definitely didn't miss that cart when it went by.

Bill Ballew: He definitely will receive consideration for the spot. I don't know if I'd take him first overall, but I also can't think of anyone else I'd rather have.

Bill Ballew: Niemann would have been somewhere around third, possibly as high as second if he had pitched and impressed. As far as Upton is concerned, he could play third, with Huff moving to first, he could wind up back at Durham for some fine-tuning with the leather, or he could see more activity at short. Spring training will determine where he lands.

Bill Ballew: Pridie was a strong candidate and would have been a solid top 10 pick. He wound up in the 12, 13 range. Jones has prospect potential, but he's not quite to that level right now.

Bill Ballew: I think you'll see Young open the season as a Biscuit after campaigning for a major league job in spring training. From there his progress will be based primarily on how much he dominates. He made impressive strides after a tough start last year at Charleston and he could go through another period like that this year.

Bill Ballew: I can see the comparisons more to Oswalt than Perez. Kazmir is not unlike Billy Wagner, although I like Kazmir's chances of remaining in the rotation.

Bill Ballew: The word I have received is that the negotiations have been very amicable, with the amount of slot money the lone hurdle to clear. It's too early to predict where he will start, based on the kind of shape he's in during spring training as well as the makeup of the rest of the organization's full-season rotations. That said, it would not surprise me to see Jeff at Montgomery to start the year.

Bill Ballew: There are a couple of schools of thought regarding Gathright, and I am not completely sold on his becoming a standout at the major league level. His speed is incredible, and he has the ability to steal 60 bases in the big leagues. But several other aspects of his game must come together in order for him to become an impact player for any significant length of time.

Bill Ballew: There are rumors that the Mets questioned Kazmir's willingness to accept coaching. While there may be some truth to that, I think it was a desparate move by an organization with a history of making bad trades involving minor league players. The D-Rays definitely came out on top, especially when you add Jose Diaz to the mix.

Bill Ballew: I believe the Rays will be careful with Kazmir, only maybe not to the extent the Mets were with him. Tampa Bay got one of the top lefthanded pitching prospects for a song, and let's hope they don't mess up a good thing. With Piniella still around, I believe they'll do the right thing, based on Kazmir's performance this spring as well as the overall makeup of the pitching staff.

Bill Ballew: It's too early to tell, based on what college guys (especially pitchers) might emerge, thereby affecting the first seven selections. I know the Rays absolutely love Cameron Maybin, a high school outfielder from my neck of the woods in North Carolina, but they do not think he will be around when their turn comes.

Bill Ballew: There was more buzz about Henderson last year at this time than there appears to be right now. That said, Henderson is a fringy prospect who could be a sleeper among closers.

Bill Ballew: Brewer seems to have reached his level at Double-A. I don't see him as more than a six-year free agent down the road.

Bill Ballew: I assume you mean Aaron Walker, and I think it's too early to tell. He had some good numbers at Hudson Valley, but projecting him as a top of the rotation guy at this point is stretching things a little bit.

Bill Ballew: Those are excellent points, Kiley, and ones that were not bypassed. The Rays are adamant about their positive feelings regarding Gathright, and he does have some God-given abilities that cannot be taught. But Dukes has some skeletons in his closet, too. Give Brignac another year and we could see his name very high.

Bill Ballew: Who knows? I can't see the Rays making any more commitments to Hamilton after what he's put the organization through. There is not a greater waste of pure talent anywhere else in the game right now than Hamilton.

Bill Ballew: Seddon fell right in the middle of that group, about 14th. His first half was stronger than his second half showing, but he made steady if unspectacular improvement at Montgomery. He does not project off the charts, and needs another solid pitch to remain a starter. But with his competitive streak, I think he'll find a way to pitch in the big leagues.

Bill Ballew: Sure, anything is possible, especially in the Rays' organization. It all depends on Seddon's progress with his changeup as well as the makeup of the rest of the Tampa roster.

Bill Ballew: Davis probably has the highest upside among the three. The Rays like all three, of course, and are very high on McGee, who received serious consideration for the top 10. He finished about 17th or 18th, but I think all three could find themselves in the top 10 a year from now.

Bill Ballew: We do what we can, Mr. 639. As you can tell, I have very high hopes for Brignac, not unlike the Rays. Tampa is also convinced he can remain at short, even though most scouts see him as a third baseman. I think his ultimate destination centers on his growth over the next 2-3 years. Either way, as long as he continues to produce line drives to all fields, Brignac has a future.

Bill Ballew: Word has it that Josh was searching out Ricky Williams' "advisor" for his next step. Just a rumor, but...Anyway, Gomes and Diaz both can be considered possible trade bait, especially with the likes of Crawford, Baldelli, Young, Pridie, et al in the picture.

Bill Ballew: He could, and it wouldn't surprise me if it was sooner rather than later if he continues to develop at the same pace he has over the past two years.

Bill Ballew: Let's put it this way...at least they spent that money a while back. It just seems like White is at best snakebit.

Bill Ballew: At this point Barratt is deemed to be a starter. Few lefties have as live an arm as Barratt. He does a great job of keeping his pitches down in the strike zone. But based on his build, I don't see him moving excessively fast. A healthy full season in A ball would be ideal for Barratt and the Rays.

Bill Ballew: A variety of things kept him off. Chris needed a little more consistency, and he does not project real well. Since he is not overpowering, he needs another pitch to be considered a long-term piece of the puzzle. He's moving in the right direction, but he was close but no cigar this year.

Bill Ballew: Brignac projects as a shortstop or third baseman, based on his body's maturity and makeup over the next few years. But let's allow him to play a full season in the minors before bumping him to the big leagues.

Bill Ballew: Hi, Jacob, sorry it took a while to get to your question, but I had to get my siesta in. Anyway, I would not be surprised if your assessments prove correct over the next year or two, but at this point, Gaithright gets the nod based on where he is in the organization and his world-class speed.

Bill Ballew: The Rays' primary problem centers on ownership that is not willing to be patient or spend money at the right time. Some of those difficulties has to fall to LaMar, but I feel his hands are tied more often than not. New ownership willing to spend a few bucks in the proper manner would do wonders for a team bursting with youth and potential.

Bill Ballew: I believe Bankston is the first baseman of the future. It may not be until the second half of 2006 or 2007, but right now he's the man.

Bill Ballew: Young made better adjustments than the competition, which means he had a better season. He could have used a late-season promotion, but the Rays wanted to make certain he had a solid foundation in his development, which I think will pay off in the long run.

Bill Ballew: I think he could be a successful closer in the major leagues. I'm always a little nervous about a guy who makes extremely rapid progress, but his pure stuff and low-mileage arm could produce bigger and better things in the near future.

Bill Ballew: He's yet to succeed at the Double-A level, so let's see if he can be an all-star in the Southern League before crowning him with similar honors in the big leagues. His attitude has improved, but he still is a potential time bomb ready to explode until he proves otherwise for the long haul.

Bill Ballew: The Rays want to keep Martinez at third base, but I see him as a utility man in the big leagues. There's some question about his age as well as his defense, but his bat has some significant potential, especially off the pines.

Bill Ballew: There's always hope, Jason, as long as we have breath in our lungs. But I wouldn't hold my breath about Josh if I were you.

Bill Ballew: Bankston has big-time power that will continue to blossom as he gains experience and makes adjustments. There's no doubt he has legit power at the first turn.

Bill Ballew: Dukes has turned a corner or two, but he remains very raw and more than a slight concern in the makeup category. He has the potential to rank at the top of the list next year or fall completely off. It all depends on what he brings to the field on a day by day basis.

Bill Ballew: The Rays are higher on Jonny than Joey, but both could be potential tradebait. I would not be a big surprised if the Rays tried to swing a deal involving an outfielder. In fact, I would go so far as to suggest they do just that. But you know what free advice can produce.

Bill Ballew: All right, time for just a few more...McClung does have a shot at the rotation this spring. The more likely scenario has him refining his game at Durham and making the jump some time during the campaign. I see McClung as a middle-of-the-rotation starter if he can remain healthy.

Bill Ballew: I see Dukes starting the season at Double-A Montgomery and eventually reaching Tampa as a left fielder, possibly in 2006. I see similarities in Dukes to a young Ron Gant.

Bill Ballew: Cantu would have been in the lower half of the top 10 but had too many at-bats to qualify. His performance last year surprised the Rays, but his performance was nothing short of impressive.

Bill Ballew: The Rays remain one of the teams that loves tools and not stats. Just look at all of the athletes they have drafted over the years, especially in the early rounds. The results have been pretty darn good, including Crawford and Baldelli and Dukes possibly on the way. Don't expect the trend to change as long as Chuck LaMar remains the GM.

Bill Ballew: Part of the Charleston ownership also has a very small piece of the Yankees. So when the Yankees' affiliation became available at the same time the Riverdogs and Rays were slated to end, Charleston joined with the Yankees. The Riverdogs fans, meanwhile, will be the losers in terms of prospects.