NL breakout prospects

Our four-part series moves on to the National League, and the breakout players in the farm systems of the Senior Circuit.

Acquired from the White Sox for Danny Richar in late June, outfielder Aaron Cunningham made steady improvements throughout the year, finishing at .308/.375/.509 across three levels, and tacking on 16 home runs and 28 stolen bases. He's interesting in the sense that while he lacks that one plus-plus ability to wow scouts, all of his tools rate at least as average.

Honorable Mention: After signing too late to make his debut last year, 2006 second-round pick Brett Anderson was one of the Midwest League's top pitchers in the first half of the season, posting a 2.21 ERA in 81 1/3 innings, before holding his own in the hitter-friendly California League. Wilken Castillo is a strong-armed catcher whose other defensive skills fall short, but his bat came alive at Double-A Mobile (.302/.333/.437).

After hitting .240/.293/.376 last year, center fielder Jordan Shafer led the minor leagues in hits while showing at least average power, plus speed, good plate discipline and Gold Glove-caliber defensive skills.

Honorable Mention: A pair of draft-and-follow pitchers each took a giant step forward, as Tommy Hanson struck out 154 in 133 innings thanks to a mid-90s fastball, while fellow righty Cole Rohrbaugh finally signed prior to the draft, and then limited opposing batters to a .154 batting average while striking out 96 in 61 1/3 innings, relying on an outstanding curveball.

Geovany Soto entered the year as the best catching prospect in the system, but he became one of the better ones in the game after leading the minor leagues in slugging percentage while hitting a monstrous .353/.424/.652 at Triple-A Iowa.

Honorable Mention: Sinker/slider specialist Billy Petrick began the year in High-A, but moved through three levels on the way to the majors. Only 20 years old, righty Jose Ceda is big and throws in the mid-90s. When not dealing with some elbow soreness, he was untouchable at Low-A Peoria, allowing just 14 hits in 46 1/3 innings with 66 strikeouts.

Jay Bruce went from one of the better prospects around to arguably the best, playing his way from High-A to Triple-A as a 20-year-old while batting .319/.375/.587 with 80 extra-base hits.

Honorable Mention: Third baseman Juan Francisco showed remarkable power for a teenager (he only turned 20 in late June), leading the Midwest League in home runs, although with 161 strikeouts against only 23 walks, there's still much work to be done with his approach at the plate. Acquired in last year's big trade with the Nationals, righty Daryl Thompson led the organization with 14 wins while compiling a 3.18 ERA in 27 starts split between the organization's two A-ball teams.

Second baseman Daniel Mayora hit .310/.366/.477 at Low-A in his full-season debut, smacking 14 home runs and stealing 26 stolen bases. However, scouts and analysts both wonder if his season is a product of hitter-friendly Asheville, as Mayora slugged .616 at home, but just .337 on the road.