Here are my picks for the top rookies to watch in the 2003 season. This is not a list of the players who will necessarily be the best in the long run, but rather a look at the rookies most likely to help their clubs in major roles in '03.

	Up-and-coming stars • Kurkjian: On the Mark • Gwynn: Top young hitters • Dibble: Top young pitchers • Sickels: All-Rookie team • Poll: The next generation

Catcher
Josh Bard, Indians

The AL Central features two rookie catchers this year: Miguel Olivo of the White Sox and Josh Bard of the Indians. Bard is more likely to get playing time, since Olivo shares the roster with Sandy Alomar and Josh Paul. You can find a complete report on Olivo by clicking here.

Bard is an excellent defensive catcher with some pop in his bat. But he'll have to get off to a good start to hold off Victor Martinez, a superior hitter who is probably the long-term answer at catcher for the Indians, though they have been rumors of a position change for him eventually. Bard's specialty is glovework. He has some power, but his hitting is inconsistent.

	Choi

First base
Travis Hafner, Indians; Hee Seop Choi, Cubs

Trying to pick between these two guys is tough, so I'll call it a tie. I love Hafner, and he got hot this spring after a slow start. A complete report of him can be found by clicking here. He'd be my top pick for AL Rookie of the Year were it not for the Yankees' Hideki Matsui.

As for Choi, he'll need to get off to a hot start in order to keep Eric Karros at bay, but I think he'll do so. He is ready for the major leagues in my opinion, and I see him as the top candidate for NL ROY due to his combination of power and patience.

Second base
Brandon Phillips, Indians

Phillips draws comparisons to Barry Larkin, and I think they are apt. He's playing second base due to the presence of Omar Vizquel, but Phillips certainly has the keys to play shortstop eventually. He's got great athleticism, and has refined his skills to the point where his tools become meaningful. If he avoids injury problems and the hitting stagnation that occasionally infects middle infielders, he'll be an All-Star down the road.

The 2005 Indians are going to be a great team.

Third base
Brandon Larson, Reds; Ty Wigginton, Mets

Larson is a major key for the Reds in '03. For them to contend in the NL Central, they need a good year out of him, since they traded Todd Walker and moved Aaron Boone to second base to accommodate him. His minor league track record is very erratic, so he could be a huge success or a major bust. The former seems more likely than the latter.

Keep a close eye on Wigginton, who had a great spring but hasn't received a lot of attention. He's 25 years old, and is a scrapper who makes the most out of his ability and has impressed the organization enough to make them think they won't miss Edgardo Alfonzo. He could sneak up on people.

	Berroa

Shortstop
Angel Berroa, Royals

Like Larson, Berroa's ability (or inability) to adjust will be a big factor for his club in '03. His defense has drawn raves all spring, but his hitting remains a concern, and with Carlos Beltran out, the Royals need all the hitting they can get.

Outfielders
Hideki Matsui, Yankees; Marlon Byrd, Phillies; Mike Cuddyer, Twins

Matsui is my pick for AL Rookie of the Year, with Hafner as the alternate "domestic" pick for those who don't think someone like Matsui, who has a lot of experience against strong competition in Japan, should be eligible. I expect Byrd will have his ups-and-downs, playing well at times but struggling at others, evening out to a good performance. We'll do a complete profile on him this coming Tuesday. Cuddyer should get the majority of playing time in right field for the Twins, and I think he's ready for the job. He hit just .250 this spring, but the Minnesota braintrust has faith in him.

Starting pitchers
Jose Contreras, Yankees; Kurt Ainsworth, Giants; Jeremy Bonderman, Tigers; Cliff Lee and Jason Davis, Indians; Horacio Ramirez, Braves

Contreras will apparently begin the year in the bullpen, but I wanted to list him here because he'll move to the rotation at the first opportunity. He had a few problems this spring, but I still expect him to be a major contributor in the Yankees pennant drive.

	Ainsworth

Ainsworth is definitely ready for a rotation spot, and I expect him to produce above-average numbers. Lee and Davis in Cleveland are guys with mixed track records, but lively arms and an organization that has faith in their young players. Both are worthy of long-term investment, even if they don't pay quick dividends in '03.

Bonderman is a huge wild card. The Tigers could be making a gigantic mistake by rushing him so quickly. But he could also end up being the new Bret Saberhagen. In my view he has no business in the majors at this point, but I'm notoriously cautious about young pitchers.

Finally there is Horacio Ramirez, who earned his way onto the Atlanta staff with a good spring (and an injury to Paul Byrd). He needs to pitch well immediately to keep his spot.

Relief pitchers
Francisco Rodriguez, Angels; Mike MacDougal et al, Royals

K-Rod everyone knows about. He is for real, and if he stays healthy he will have a terrific career. MacDougal is another rookie wild card. He's been clocked as high as 100 mph, and the Royals seem comfortable with him as the closer going into the season. But he'll have to watch his back, as the Royals have guys like Ryan Bukvich, Jeremy Hill, and Dan Carrasco breathing down his neck. If MacDougal's historic control problems flare up, they have other options readily available.

AL Rookie of the Year prediction: Hideki Matsui
NL Rookie of the Year prediction: Hee Seop Choi

Note: Several people have asked about why I didn't originally include Mark Teixeira in this article. My thinking here was that I'd already mentioned Teixeira in many other articles and I wanted to give extra notice to overlooked guys like Wigginton and Larson, but I sometimes forget that not everyone reads everything I write. Additionally, my focus on the article was those rookies who will have the biggest impact in how their teams do this year. The Rangers have enough hitting that whether Teixeira does or doesn't do well probably won't make a huge difference in how the team does this year. I'm sorry if that wasn't clear. For the record, I rate him the best prospect in the game in my book this season.

John Sickels is the author of the 2003 Baseball Prospect Book, which can be ordered through his website, Johnsickels.com. His biography of Bob Feller will be published this spring by Brassey's. He lives in Lawrence, Kan., with his wife, son and two cats. You can send John questions or comments at JASickels@aol.com.