Prospect Report:
Aussies Rule

David Cameron

G'day mates. Don't worry, that will be the last of my Paul Hogan impressions, but I am going to focus on the newest hotbed of baseball talent currently being mined by major-league organizations. Australia is quickly becoming an international force where teams are finding some supremely talented players. In the continuing search for a leg-up on the competition, several teams have found themselves scouring the outback and coming up with some prize possessions.

Dave Nilsson and Graeme Lloyd helped lead the charge in the early 90s and their success has caused organizations such as Seattle, Los Angeles, Minnesota, Atlanta, and Pittsburgh to send scouts to Oz. The Dodgers have gotten the most immediate returns so far, getting a very solid season from starter Luke Prokopec, who mixes a solid fastball with a good curveball and has solid control. His solid 2001 season should land him a spot in the Dodgers' rotation next year, especially with the expected losses of Chan Ho Park, James Baldwin, and Terry Adams to free agency.

Los Angeles did blow it on Brad Thomas, the lefty they released who signed with Minnesota and has emerged as a force in AA. He put up a great season in New Britain and will challenge Adam Johnson and Kyle Lohse for the fifth-starter spot next year. The Dodgers also sent Adrian Burnside to Pittsburgh for Terry Mulholland in an attempt to get older, or worse, or both. Burnside has shown good promise as a left-handed starter. He's not particularly young (24 at the time of the trade) but pitchers do tend to develop later than hitters. This goes to show that lousy management can quickly eradicate quality scouting.

The Chicago Cubs only have one Australian in the system, but he's probably the best prospect you've never heard of. Adam Morrissey torched the Midwest League as a 20-year-old to the tune of .309/.427/.524 with 80 walks in 418 at-bats. Those numbers are normally associated with 250-pound first baseman, but Morrissey is a 5'11" second baseman who also played shortstop, third base, and the outfield this year. He's for real.

The Braves have a hard-throwing Aussie in Damian Moss. He was a very effective reliever in Richmond and should be a member of the Braves' bullpen next year. Left-handers with his velocity don't grow on trees, and he could develop into more than a lefty specialist.

No team has gotten more out of their outback scouting than the Seattle Mariners, however. If you follow minor league baseball at all, you've heard of Chris Snelling. The 19-year-old led the California league in batting average and put up a very solid season as the youngest player in the league. His tough-as-nails approach and his, well, Australian sense of humor and fashion have quickly endeared himself to all who watch him play. If you want to read some funny interviews, do a Google search for Mr. Snelling. He's a riot. And he can hit. He's on track to be the Mariners left fielder in 2003.

Snelling's teammate and fellow countryman at San Bernadino, Craig Anderson, led the league in ERA and was named to the All-Star team. Anderson doesn't have the same major league potential Snelling does because he only throws in the low 80s, but he's been successful at every stop so far. Travis Blackley made an impressive debut in the Northwest League as an 18-year-old and quickly became their best starting pitcher. Having watched him pitch, I'm convinced that Australians do something right in their training because Blackley is far more advanced than Americans his age.

Ryan Rowland-Smith was a highly touted signing and was the most impressive pitcher in the Arizona League. He's got a chance to lead the male revolt and become the first hyphenated-American to play professional baseball. Dan Floyd put up unimpressive numbers in Wisconsin, but still hasn't turned 18. The fact that he wasn't totally overmatched in full-season ball when most Americans his age are trying to find a date to junior prom is a good sign, and he may still develop into a very useful middle infielder.

So next year, buy a media guide and flip through until you find your team's Australian. Odds are you got at least one, and then follow their season. Their style of baseball and life is just fun to watch and reminds us that baseball is indeed a game. Then go throw a few shrimp on the barbie, watch a couple Fosters commercials, and use a lot of contractions in your sentences. It just makes baseball more fun.

David Cameron just managed to write an entire column on Australians without using the term "fair dinkum." Okay, except for that mention right there. G'head and congratulate him anyway at dac@strikethree.com.

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