Bill Ballew: No. The Braves are happy that Wainwright has stayed healthy and he has plenty of innings under his belt from 2003. He's mechanically sound and moving in the right direction.

Bill Ballew: I think he will be the Braves' starting third baseman at some point in the next two years. He's a line-drive hitting machine and an above-average defensive third baseman. I don't think comparisons to a Scott Rolen are unfair, although Marte may not hit quite as many homers as Rolen.

Bill Ballew: He reminds me of former Brave Dale Murphy. That includes his makeup and all-around abilities. Compared to today's players, Francoeur might be a Jim Edmonds type of player, hopefully healthier.

Bill Ballew: The Braves still believe he could be a top of the rotation guy, but I've always seen him as a middle of the rotation pitcher. No reason; just my gut instincts.

Bill Ballew: Both Lopez and Duran need fires lit under them. Lopez was sent home at midseason for his lack of effort while Duran lasted all year at Myrtle Beach but was the mots disappointing player on the Pelicans. Both have obvious talent, but neither one has proven they have the toughness to overcome significant obstacles they would face at higher levels.

Bill Ballew: True, but Francoeur is more of a pure baseball player than Lombard was. Lombard had played only a handful of games in high school and was considered primarily a running back. Francoeur is a baseball player first as well as an outstanding athlete.

Bill Ballew: Not good. It would take an incredible spring training and an injury or two for Wainwright to make that leap. I don't see it happening this spring.

Bill Ballew: Nelson is a stud. I think he has a much better shot at the fifth starter's role for 2004 than Wainwright. The Braves sent him to Richmond at the end of the 2003 season as a reliever in order to prepare him for a possible callup to Atlanta. He'll be back in the starting rotation in 2004, either in Richmond or, possibly, Atlanta.

Bill Ballew: No. Belisle had fallen considerably in the Braves' eyes over the past two years. With less competition, Belisle should have a solid shot with the Reds.

Bill Ballew: Based on the organization's depth, I see the Braves definitely in the top 10. They're quickly becoming "old school" with their preference for drafting and developing high school players. Still, the long-term payoff and the Braves' dedication to player development should allow Atlanta to continue to be a standard-setter in the game.

Bill Ballew: Meyer is simply learning the ropes of what it takes to pitch in the professional ranks. He's a middle of the rotation guy who could also be a reliever if starting opportunities are limited. As for Betemit, his star may not be as bright as it was two years ago, but the Braves believe he is on the verge of turning the corner and competing for a major league job after two mediocre years at Triple-A.

Bill Ballew: What farm system has the talent to immediately replace four guys that have been all-stars in their career? It will hurt, but the Braves have known for more than a year that this day was coming. Nelson or Paul Byrd could step in for Maddux, DeRosa will hold third base until Marte is ready, Johnny Estrada will take over for Lopez and a free agent will likely fill in for Sheffield, if he isn't resigned.

Bill Ballew: It's possible, a la Chipper Jones in 1992. The plan is for Francoeur to spend all of 2004 at Myrtle Beach, but his performance could alter those thoughts.

Bill Ballew: The Braves believe Francoeur has as high a ceiling as anyone in the organization as well as the game. His plate discipline does need improvement, but that's why he's at the Class A level instead of the major leagues.

Bill Ballew: In high school, McBride was compared to Billy Wagner, but he's more of a Tom Glavine clone now with a little more mustard on the fastball and an outstanding slider.

Bill Ballew: There's been talk of Furcal moving to the garden, but that's all it is at this point. Chipper and Andruw are set in left and center, and Furcal does not have enough power to handle right. Betemit could be a replacement at short if Furcal is moved.

Bill Ballew: LaRoche reminds me a lot of Olerud, but he may be a better defensive first baseman than the Mariner. And Olerud was the AL Gold Glove this year.

Bill Ballew: I assume you're referring to the major leagues, and the big guys would be LaRoche and Estrada. As I mentioned earlier, Nelson could be a sleeper for the rotation.

Bill Ballew: I think he can. Esquivel makes hard contact and has surprising speed in the outfield with outstanding instincts for a player his size. He's going to whiff 100 times a year, but that's OK if he does enough in his other ABs.

Bill Ballew: No, Duran was definitely in the group of the second 10. He has great natural talent, just a lack of discipline and drive at times.

Bill Ballew: Duran remains a prospect, just maybe not at the same level he was considered to be a year ago. A rebound year at Myrtle Beach in 2004 would put him back on the front burner pretty fast.

Bill Ballew: He could earn a job in Atlanta this spring. The Braves really believe he is on the verge of emerging from his two-year rut at Richmond.

Bill Ballew: Not much. Francoeur has always been an aggressive hitter, which is the reason he makes things happen at the plate. Wheeler likes guys that swing the bat, but what manager doesn't?

Bill Ballew: Thorman has the potential to be a better contact hitter than Helms, but at the moment Helms had better numbers at the same point in Thorman's career.

Bill Ballew: No

Bill Ballew: Atilano had a few difficulties making the adjustment to pro ball and the US last summer in the GCL, but the Braves remain very high on the young pitcher. Although he will start for the foreseeable future in order to get innings, he could be a reliever down the road.

Bill Ballew: I wouldn't be surprised if Marquis is being shopped. I think Bobby Cox has lost confidence in Marquis, who has not responded well when being used on an inconsistent basis. Confidence, or lack thereof, is the biggest thing with Jason right now.

Bill Ballew: Yes.

Bill Ballew: I'm still high on McBride. I disagree with people who say he doesn't project to be much more than he is. McBride is a fighter with three solid pitches and a great feel for what he's doing on the mound. He has and will continue to make adjustments and will be a middle of the rotation starter for someone in the major leagues.

Bill Ballew: I wouldn't be surprised at all to see LaRoche and the ancient Julio Franco platoon at first base in 2004. If he plays two-thirds of the time, LaRoche will hit .270+ with 12-15 home runs and 50+ RBIs.

Bill Ballew: McBride is probably a year and a half from getting a serious long-term look for the Atlanta rotation.

Bill Ballew: McCann has many of the tools you like to see at catcher, especially in the catch and throw department. He may wind up at first base, but the Braves will do everything possible to keep him behind the plate.

Bill Ballew: He could. I saw Basner pitch at Western Carolina and the guy is a winner. His ceiling is not exceptional, but I could see him having an excellent season this year at Rome or Myrtle Beach.

Bill Ballew: The Braves combine deep, thorough scouting with complete dedication to the player development process. Yes, money helps, but that has not played a significant role in the vast majority of the organization's signings over the past four years.

Bill Ballew: Marte and Wright are very similar players in my mind. Very little separates them, other than the fact that Marte has hit for a little more power at this point in their careers. I see them facing one another quite often at the hot corner in Atlanta and New York.

Bill Ballew: He could be a solid second baseman in the big leagues, but not a top-tier guy. He came from Georgia Tech, so he's facing the same type of competition in the AFL that he saw in college. He's having an excellent fall, but the numbers have to be there all year in order for him to be deemed a potential starter at the game's top level.

Bill Ballew: The Braves are nervous about the Rule 5 draft due to the limited number of players, particularly pitchers, that can be protected. Kyle Davies could be one of the first to go in December.

Bill Ballew: It's hard to put a finger on it since I wasn't at the Trials. Other guys simply pitched better than Wainwright, who can fall into a funk, a la mid-2003, before bouncing back to his dominating self.

Bill Ballew: I'll mention your suggestion to the powers that be.

Bill Ballew: Lerew may rank lower than some of the team's other pitching prospects, but that's no slam against Lerew. He's coming off two excellent seasons and is thought of highly in the Atlanta organization. I see even better things for him this year at Myrtle Beach.

Bill Ballew: Wainwright just seems to be "off" some nights, much like his performance in Arizona. That said, he does have a chance to get better and better as his body and game mature. I think that will be the case and will allow him to be a solid No. 3-4 starter in the major leagues.

Bill Ballew: Steve Doetsch had an outstanding season, as did Keith Eichas and Carlos Moreta. Their numbers in the GCL were impressive; I'll be more impressed when they repeat that performance at Rome.

Bill Ballew: The 2000 draft has a chance to be the Braves' best draft in franchise history. The top eight picks are incredible, featuring Wainwright, Thorman, Kelly Johnson, Aaron Herr, Bubba Nelson, Bryan Digby, Blaine Boyer, Zach Miner. It also had Matt Merricks, Matt Wright, Hodges and LaRoche. Not too shabby.

Bill Ballew: I think Greenville will have Macay McBride, Andy Marte, Aaron Herr, Brayan Pena, T.J. Pena and maybe Scott Thorman and Zach Miner. That's a pretty good start for a Double-A Roster.

Bill Ballew: I misspoke (mistyped?) earlier when I said Davies might be the first to go via the Rule 5 draft. I meant to say Bryan Digby. Anyway, Davies ranked slightly higher (by just a hair) than Lerew based on the input from many sources within the Braves' organization. You make several good points, and they have many similarities. May the better pitcher win more games.

Bill Ballew: Justin Saltalamacchia is an offensive catcher with an average body but some solid upside. He's a little raw behind the plate, but the Braves like his potential. Regardless of how he develops defensively down the road, I still see his bat bringing home the bacon.

Bill Ballew: McCann right now, simply because he has an extra year of pro ball under his belt. I know what you're getting at and you're right--they're both offensive receivers.

Bill Ballew: I think Millwood is a distinct possibility. He will do a Paul Byrd and give the Braves a decent discount in order to pitch in Atlanta. If not Millwood, the Braves have several other avenues to pursue. I think Maddux would return for $2 or 3 million, but the players association would put tremendous pressure on him not to do that and I think the Braves are ready to move on.

Bill Ballew: I think so. The Braves are very high on Jo Jo Reyes, and believe Luis Atilano will be fine once he gets his feet under him. Jake Stevens is another guy with tremendous upside.

Bill Ballew: Johnson narrowly missed the top 10. He put together a solid finish to the 2003 season by spreading out more at the plate. He has above-average power and has a chance to be a starter in the major leagues. I don't see him as a shortstop; probably a corner infielder or outfielder.

Bill Ballew: Blanco has solid tools and could be on the verge of a big breakout year. He was a strong consideration for the top 10. He is one of the Braves' top outfielders in the minor leagues.

Bill Ballew: Betemit will be a third baseman or shortstop in the major leagues, based on the team's needs. Personally, I think Bubba Nelson has the best shot at being a number one starter. I believe comparisons can be made between Nelson and another former Brave minor leaguer, Jason Schmidt.

Bill Ballew: Salas will not be the next Lopez, in my opinion. Daniel Curtis could be a Rule 5 guy and would make another club very happy. The same goes for Buddy Hernandez, who went through the process last year and would likely stick in the big leagues if he goes elsewhere in 2004.