While preparing for the 2002 draft, Phillies officials took inventory of their organization. They knew the relationship between third baseman Scott Rolen and the team had deteriorated beyond repair. They also knew that attempts to make Chase Utley a third baseman were not going well at triple A.

The Phils believed they needed to add a third baseman to their system through the draft.

One of the players they scouted before that draft was a versatile high school pitcher/shortstop from the Orlando, Fla., area. The Phils liked the kid as a pitcher - who didn't? - but they also thought he had the ability to one day become a major-league third baseman.

Seven years later, the player the Phils scouted is one of the hottest stories in baseball.

His name is Zack Greinke. You might have seen his picture on the cover of Sports Illustrated. You'll probably see him on the mound for the American League in the All-Star Game in two months.

Greinke, 25, has a 7-1 record for the Kansas City Royals. He has allowed just four earned runs in 60 innings for a microscopic 0.60 ERA. He is second in the AL with 65 strikeouts, and opposing batters are hitting just .189. In eight starts, the righthander has two shutouts and four complete games.

"It's something to see," said Mike Arbuckle, an assistant general manager with the Royals. "He was throwing 95 [m.p.h.] in the last inning of his last start. And if he wants 96 or 97, he goes and gets it, no problem.

"He's got four quality pitches, and he can throw any one in any count. He can overpower hitters when he needs to. He can change speeds when he needs to. This guy is fun to watch. When he pitches, people show up thinking they're going to see something special."

Arbuckle headed up scouting and player development for the Phillies until leaving the organization last fall. He recalled scouting Greinke before the 2002 draft.

"We liked him more as a position player," Arbuckle said. "At that time, the Rolen stuff was bubbling and we viewed him as a possible big-league third baseman."

Arbuckle admitted that the Phillies didn't really believe they had a shot at Greinke. The Phils didn't pick until 17th, and most everybody figured Greinke would be gone by then.

He ended up going sixth to the Royals - as a pitcher.

The Phils have no complaints with the guy they ended up selecting with the 17th pick. His name is Cole Hamels. B.J. Upton, Prince Fielder, Scott Kazmir, Jeff Francoeur, Jeff Francis, Joe Blanton, Nick Swisher, Joe Saunders, Khalil Greene, and James Loney also came out of that talent-rich first round.

Hamels became a household name in baseball last October, when he was the MVP of the National League Championship Series and World Series.

Greinke is becoming a household name this year.

While Hamels, also 25, struggled to overcome injuries on his way to becoming one of the top young starters in the game, Greinke had his own trying circumstances. He made it to the big leagues quickly, in 2004. The Royals were a team going nowhere. At 20, Greinke was viewed as a savior.

That label comes with a lot of pressure, and two years later it all got to Greinke. He thought about quitting. He was man enough to admit that he had anxiety and depression issues. He got help. Now, he's prospering.

It's a nice story.

"When you're a struggling team, there's a tendency to get top young guys to the big leagues quickly so you can have something to hang your hat on," Arbuckle said. "We did it with Rolen in Philly. Washington did it with Ryan Zimmerman.

"I think people forget how young these guys are. It takes time for them to mature, and everyone handles the pressure a little differently. Not everyone is as cool as Cole Hamels. He's a rare bird. Most kids hear they're the guy, and they think they have to be perfect. It puts the weight of the world on their shoulders, and they're not sure how to deal with it.