Major league prospects for 2003: some rookies who could make a crucial contribution to their big league clubs this season include pitcher Francisco Rodriguez, catcher Victor Martinez, first basemen Hee Seop Choi and Lyle Overbay and outfielders Joe Borchard and Hideki Matsui. (Baseball's Top Rated).

AMONG THE MOST OBSCURE AND mind-numbing statistics to emerge from merciless burrowing through the teeming records of the 2002 season is that rookies accounted for 18.3 percent of all innings pitched but only 8.8 percent of all at-bats--even with rookie pitchers' hitting figures included.

Admittedly, this exotic speck of trivia that only a statistics sycophant could cherish may not impress a reader as an earth-shaking revelation.

Yet, it does stress the incontestable truth repeated incessantly by successions of general managers, managers, scouts and TV and radio color commentators that pitching talent is the most sought-after and scarcest commodity in baseball.

"Pitching is the name of the game," they whine continuously and piteously when caught short, which is the case most of the time.

One might even conclude that a rookie pitcher gets twice the opportunity to display his wares as does a position player. And is doubly in demand.

These days a rookie doesn't even have to display potential as a starter or closer in the minor leagues in order to earn a chance to make it to the big time. What used to be the humble and embarrassing role of a middle reliever has been elevated to significance and even respectability in the last couple of decades. It's no longer a blind alley into which washed-up starters are shoved out on their way to the junk yard.

Certainly, the Angels' sensational youngster Francisco Rodriguez demonstrated that during Anaheim's surprising march to the World Series title last year. He leaped to instant stardom from total obscurity in a setup role.