Many teams throughout the league take pride in developing players within their own farm systems to have them eventually make contributions to the big league club.  Some top prospects have already been introduced to the Major League scene, but others are expected to spend one or two more seasons in the minors.  It’s time to take a look at the top prospects for the National League teams.

Jesse Biddle - Starting Pitcher, Fightin’ Phils (Philadelphia Phillies)

This 21-year-old southpaw was drafted by the Phillies straight out of his Philadelphia area high school in 2010.  He has improved steadily every year so far, lowering his walk rate per nine innings and raising his strikeout rate per nine innings.  His low 90’s fastball and sweeping 11-to-5 curveball reminds me a lot of Phillies ace Cliff Lee.  Biddle figures to make his MLB debut in 2014, but if the Phillies need a starting pitcher coming down the stretch this year, you could see him in 2013. 

Travis d’Arnaud - Catcher, Las Vegas 51s (New York Mets)

This young man in the Mets organization is a very well-rounded player behind the plate.  If it weren’t for a knee injury while playing in the Pacific Coast League, he might already be in the big leagues.  He’s been involved in some high profile trades, including the Roy Halladay deal to the Phillies and the R.A. Dickey deal to the Blue Jays.  Once he fully recovers from his injury, I’d expect to see him behind the plate in New York sometime this year, giving John Buck days off when he needs them.

Christian Yelich - Out Fielder, Jacksonville Suns (Miami Marlins)

The Miami Marlins selected Yelich with the 23rd overall pick in the 2010 draft and he has proved worthy of that selection.  So far for the Jacksonville Suns this season he’s batting .333 with 11 extra base hits and 13 runs batted in.  His left-handed bat and blazing speed in the outfield and on the base paths have been factors in his success in the minors.  With the Marlins in full rebuilding mode, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Yelich see some time in the majors late this season or early in 2014.

J.R. Graham - Pitcher, Mississippi Braves (Atlanta Braves)

This right-handed pitcher has been a pleasant surprise in the Braves organization after being selected in the 4th round in the 2011 draft.  He led his AA team last season in ERA and WHIP and placed second in wins and opponent’s batting average.  He throws a hard sinking fastball and gets a lot of groundball outs, which reminds me of 200 game winner Tim Hudson.  If the Braves sustain injuries in the bullpen or need another arm coming down the stretch, look for Graham to make his MLB debut in 2013.

Anthony Rendon - Out Fielder, Harrisburg Senators (Washington Nationals)

Unlike most of the players on this list, Rendon has already made his splash onto the big league scene.  With the injury to Nationals’ third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, Rendon has done an adequate job filling in.  He needs to improve his defense if he wants to stay in the big leagues, as he has committed three errors in only eight games so far this year.  Once Zimmerman returns, I expect Rendon to be sent back to the minors, but wouldn’t be surprised to see him back in Washington as a late season call-up during the playoff push.

Javier Baez - Short Stop, Daytona Cubs (Chicago Cubs)

The Cubs selected Baez with the 9th overall pick in the 2011 draft and have seen improvement from him from day one.  He has decent speed, but makes up for that with great instincts both in the field and at the plate.  In 30 games in Class-A ball this year, Baez has 15 extra-base hits to go along with 21 runs batted in.  He needs to work on his plate discipline and cut down on his strikeouts.  The Cubs most likely want to continue to see Baez in the minors this season, but we could see him in the majors as early as the 2014 season.

Billy Hamilton - Out Fielder, Louisville Bats (Cincinnati Reds)

You might recognize Hamilton’s name, but struggle to remember HOW you recognize it.  He is the young man that set a baseball record of 155 stolen bases during the 2012 season.  Originally a shortstop, he recently made the switch to the outfield this past fall.  I would compare Hamilton to Miami Marlins speedy outfielder Juan Pierre.  He will be adequate at the plate, get on base a lot, and create opportunities for his team to manufacture runs.  If the Reds see one of their outfielders go down with an injury, expect to see Billy Hamilton in the big leagues this year. 

Tyler Thornburg - Starting Pitcher, Nashville Sounds (Milwaukee Brewers)

This power-pitching right hander made his MLB debut in 2012 with the Brewers and gave up 11 earned runs in 22 innings pitchers, in a mix of starts and bullpen appearances.  He’s got four solid pitches than can generally be thrown for strikes.  The Brewers might end up using him as a relief pitcher, but he will certainly get the opportunity to prove himself as a starter.  With any injury to the Brewers’ pitching staff, I would expect Thornburg to be the man to be called up from the minors.

Gerrit Cole - Starting Pitcher, Indianapolis Indians (Pittsburgh Pirates)

Cole is the No. 1 overall pick from the 2011 draft class and has performed as such so far.  His fastball reaches 98 miles per hour with movement, and he has a good slider and changeup to compliment the heat.  Through six starts this season at AAA Indianapolis, Cole is 2-1 with a 2.45 earned run average.  He definitely needs to work on his control though, as he has issued 17 walks while only striking out 21.  If the Pirates continue to play well this season, Cole could make his MLB debut after the All-Star break to assist with a playoff run.

Oscar Taveras - Out Fielder, Memphis Redbirds (St. Louis Cardinals)

This left-handed outfielder has tools similar to Bryce Harper and Andre Ethier.  He’s played a lot of center field this year at AAA Memphis, but might be better suited to switch to right field when he spends time at the major league level.  In 26 games this season, Taveras is batting .300 with 14 runs batted and only 13 strikeouts.  He puts the ball in play and has the potential to be a solid run producer in a big league lineup.  He signed with the Cardinals at age 16 in 2008, so he’s itching to get his chance in St. Louis, which could be late this season or early in 2014.

Tyler Skaggs - Starting Pitcher, Reno Aces (Arizona Diamondbacks)

This hard-throwing southpaw made six starts for the Diamondbacks during the 2012 season and didn’t fare too well.  He gave up 19 earned runs through 29.1 innings pitched.  He’s got good command of his fastball, and an above average curveball with late bite.  He doesn’t pitch to contact much, as his strikeout rate per nine innings is almost 10 throughout his minor league career.  Despite getting sent back to minors after spending time in the big leagues, expect Skaggs to pitch for the Diamondbacks again at some point this year.

David Dahl - Out Fielder, Asheville Tourists (Colorado Rockies)

This 19 year-old outfielder was drafted 10th overall by the Rockies in the 2012 draft and quickly earned the Most Valuable Player award in the Pioneer League.  He is an overall beast at the plate, with great plate discipline and bat speed for someone his age.  So far, Dahl is hitting .275 in 10 games for Class-A Asheville.  He’s got good speed on the base paths and great baseball instincts.  The Rockies will likely look to keep him in the minors until at least late in the 2014 season to further develop his skills.  

Yasiel Puig - Out Fielder, Chattanooga Lookouts (Los Angeles Dodgers)

In the summer of 2012, this Cuban defector signed a seven year, $42 million contract with the Dodgers.  He’s an average defender in the outfield, with a very strong arm and tons of power at the plate.  He’s proven so far this year in AA ball with Chattanooga that he can also hit for average.  He’s batting .293 with five home runs and 16 runs batted in through 20 games.  The Dodgers hope that by sometime in the 2014 season, Puig will be producing for them like Yoenis Cespedes has done for the Oakland Athletics. 

Max Fried - Starting Pitcher, Fort Wayne TinCaps (San Diego Padres)

Fried was drafted seventh overall in the 2012 draft straight out of high school by the Padres.  The southpaw features a fastball with movement typically in the low 90s and an above average curveball and changeup.  So far this season for Class-A Fort Wayne, Fried is 1-0 with a 3.79 earned run average through four starts.  He’s averaging better than nine strikeouts per nine innings, but needs to work on his command and cut down on the number of walks he issues.  Being fresh out of high school, I would expect the Padres to give him at least a year or two to develop in the minors.

Kyle Crick - Starting Pitcher, San Jose Giants (San Francisco Giants)

The Giants selected Crick straight out of high school in the 2011 draft with pick number 49.  In three starts this year for San Jose, he hasn’t earned a win, but his earned run average is a miniscule 0.93 (one earned run in 9.2 innings pitched).  He still needs time to learn to command his fastball and develop his off-speed pitches.  However, if history is an indicator, the team has high hopes for Crick as the Giants have developed Matt Cain and Madison Bumgarner into great pitchers.  Those two pitchers were also drafted straight out of high school by the Giants.  Given that Crick still needs time to develop his stuff, I would expect to see him in the big leagues in late 2014 or early 2015.