NL rising stars: 18-year-old Padres catcher, 22-year-old Cubs OF provide hope

Play ball (finally)!

Ahead of pitchers and catchers reporting this week for spring training, Yardbarker MLB writers identify one rising star on each National League team. (Last season's regular-season records are in parentheses.)

NL East 

ATLANTA BRAVES (89-73) | Righty Spencer Schwellenbach had an excellent debut season with the Braves, fanning 127 in 123.2 innings and posting a 3.35 ERA. Expect him to come back even stronger in his second season.

MIAMI MARLINS (62-100) | In a surprising move at last season's trade deadline, the Baltimore Orioles traded infielder Connor Norby to the Marlins for pitcher Trevor Rogers. In 36 games with Miami, Norby impressed (seven HRs, 17 RBI and a .760 OPS).

NEW YORK METS (89-73) | Infielder Ronny Mauricio suffered a torn ACL during the 2023 offseason following a solid 26-game stint in the majors. However, the 23-year-old will be ready for the 2025 season, which he'll probably start in Triple-A.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (95-67) | With a tentative MLB debut set for July, right-handed prospect Andrew Painter is a player to watch for the Phillies. His fastball is still touching triple digits even after Tommy John surgery in 2023.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS (71-91) | Drafted second overall in the 2023 MLB Draft, outfielder Dylan Crews debuted in August and appeared in 31 games for Washington. He hit three homers, five doubles, drove in eight runs and stole 12 bases during that span. — Lauren Amour

NL West 

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (89-73) | Shortstop prospect Jordan Lawlar may end up at second or third base this season, but he will be given every shot to make an impact on the Diamondbacks. Staying healthy has been an issue for the 22-year-old, but if he can get consistent at-bats, he has the talent to succeed.

COLORADO ROCKIES (61-101) | In what will be a crowded outfield in Denver, keep an eye on 23-year-old Jordan Beck. The 38th overall pick in the 2022 MLB draft was limited to only 170 at-bats last season because of a hand injury. He has plenty of competition but could be Colorado’s right fielder on Opening Day.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS (98-64) | Many eyes will be on 23-year-old right-hander Roki Sasaki and how quickly he makes his MLB debut. Scouting reports indicate “he’s as good as advertised." Sasaki makes the defending World Series champions’ rotation as deep as perhaps any in MLB history.

SAN DIEGO PADRES (93-69) | The Padres will start 18-year-old catching phenom Ethan Salas in the minor leagues, but don’t be surprised if he makes his MLB debut later this season. After a quiet offseason, the Padres hope to improve from within, and Salas’ skills behind the plate could provide long-term hope at the position.

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (80-82) | The Giants hope Kyle Harrison is one of the cornerstones of a future rotation. The 23-year-old left-hander showed flashes of ability last season during his 24 starts (118 strikeouts in 124.1 innings). This season, the Giants will lean on him to provide back-of-the-rotation strength with veterans Robbie Ray, Logan Webb and Justin Verlander at the front. — Kevin Henry

NL Central 

CHICAGO CUBS (83-79) | Just 22, outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong will patrol center field for the Cubs, who hope his .237/.286/.384 slash line in 372 at-bats last season served as a springboard for bigger things this season.

CINCINNATI REDS (77-85) | Right-hander Chase Petty ended 2024 as Cincinnati’s eighth-ranked prospect, and the 21-year-old right-hander heads to spring training with a chance to compete for a spot in the rotation. At the end of last season, he was promoted to Triple-A, where he posted a 1.80 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in two starts.

MILWAUKEE BREWERS (93-69) | Outfielder Jackson Chourio finished third in last season’s NL Rookie of the Year voting after slashing .275/.327/.464 in 573 plate appearances. The 20-year-old, however, hit just .206 in 106 plate appearances in March and April and .215 in 68 plate appearances in May before adjusting and blossoming into a key piece in the lineup.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES (76-86) | In a 2024 season dominated by teammate Paul Skenes, fellow rookie starting pitcher Jared Jones was sometimes an afterthought, partially because he struggled after the All-Star break (5.87 ERA in six starts while battling through injury and a drop in velocity). But he finished the season with 132 strikeouts in 121.2 innings.

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (83-79) | With first baseman Paul Goldschmidt gone and third baseman Nolan Arenado on the trading block, shortstop Masyn Winn enters 2025 as the face of the infield. Last season, Winn became just the fourth primary rookie shortstop in MLB history to smack 15 home runs, post 150 hits and steal 10 bases in a season…and he’s already talking about stealing 30 to 40 bases this season. — Kevin Henry