Recently named Baseball America's Organization of the Year, the Athletics under GM Billy Beane continue Sandy Alderson's approach of consciously focusing on developing players who get on base and hit for power. They don't have the big-money scouting budget of some teams, so they use their resources in cost-effective ways.

Oakland seldom drafts raw players with high price tags. Athletic ability is nice, but if you can't hit, they aren't going to draft you. The A's don't go after high school players unless, like Ben Grieve and Eric Chavez, they have advanced hitting skills, and have played against good competition. Oakland has also poured money into scouting Latin America, with excellent results.

Pitching has been a problem. College hurlers have been the main focus of Oakland's efforts, which historically is the most productive approach. It hadn't worked well until recently, but with the stunning development of Tim Hudson last year, and a solid group of pitching prospects on the way up, things are looking brighter on the mound.

The Athletics also look at intelligence and personality when making decisions about players. Overall, they probably have the best depth of any minor league system today.

College pitchers Keith Surkont and Darin Moore, drafted in the fourth and fifth rounds, throw fairly hard and have good command. Other players with potential include ninth-round pick Kirk Asche, an outfielder from Jacksonville University; 11th-round pick Mike Wenner, a speedy outfielder from Rider; and 23rd-round Ohio State product Mike Lockwood, who has a quick bat from the left side.