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The method is simple: Lots of hard work. We go back to the teams. We talk to the farm directors, the coaches, the scouts, other players, and even the towel guy if he has a take that works.
Because there's more to a player's rise to the bigs than his numbers, or whether a room full of sports editors think that he's worthy. You can have a lot of great players of equal talent in the minors. It's the guy who impresses the coach with his work ethic, with his moxie, with his leadership, that is going to win that spot every time.
We factor stats, the "character" issue, and the player's position into our ranking. Due to the perpetual shortage of quality pitchers, we give added bank to pitchers over infielders and outfielders.
There is a lot of talent at all levels of both affiliated and independent ball. We look for the top two to three rising stars on each team. This is not to say that several other very deserving players may not show our boys up. They just were not "on the radar" of those with whom we spoke at the time of publication.
Our ranking system also discounts a few players where we were unable to achieve some level of cooperation from the front office of either the major league club or the minor league club. If you think that you should be on here, remember that you're only as good at the P.R. guy and your coaching staff at your club's front office. Take it out on them.
MLN has gone on the field and off to bring to you the hottest list of rising stars for 2002. We proudly present the freshest list available in baseball.
