The good news is that the last two drafts conducted by the Bob Gebhard regime went pretty well, and that the lower levels of the organization are in better shape. The team is also moving into the international arena more forcefully, expanding their presence in Latin America and starting to grab players from Asia. If they continue to feed talented players into the system in this manner, results should follow.

Colorado tends to look for "tools" oriented players and athletes, as well as pitchers who can keep the ball down. Unfortunately, the thin air of Coors Field, as well as at Triple-A Colorado Springs, makes it difficult for young pitchers to properly develop, a handicap the organization will always contend with.

Third-rounder Josh Bard, a catcher from Texas Tech, signed too late to play, but is excellent defensively and should be adequate with the bat. Fourth-round selection Chuck Crowder, from Georgia Tech, has a live arm but needs to improve his command. Fifth-round pick Chris Testa, from high school in Palmdale, California, and eighth-rounder Greg Catalanotte, from the University of Florida, have promising bats.

Overall, this is a decent draft class. There are no sure stars here, but rather a solid group of guys who could contribute in the majors.