Tampa Bay Rays: Prospects That Will Make an Impact in 2013

Ed Zurga/Getty Images

As the 2012 regular season winds down to another exciting finish, a handful of Tampa Bay Rays minor leaguers will look forward to breaking into the Show in 2013.

Aside from Matt Moore, no prospects have really made a significant impact on the Rays thus far this season. Hopefully it won't be the same story next season, as a few names should be able to give the Rays a boost.

Here are some farmhands to keep an eye on for 2013.

Hak Ju-Lee

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

Despite a mediocre 2012 season thus far, Hak-Ju Lee is currently considered the Rays' No. 1 prospect by many. The 21-year-old is expected to be the franchise's future at shortstop, and 2013 could be the year he begins his anticipated big league journey.

Lee has spent the entire season with Double-A Montgomery and has hit .261/.336/.360 with 37 RBI and 37 stolen bases. The offensive stats are nothing to get too excited about and neither are his defensive numbers, as Lee has posted a .954 fielding percentage this year.

He's still young and has good potential, so nobody should be surprised to see him with the Rays next September.

Chris Archer

Greg Fiume/Getty Images

Chris Archer—who's considered the Rays' top upper-level pitching prospect—has already made an impact with the club in 2012. The 23-year-old right-hander put up a 3.66 ERA in 25 starts with Durham this season and a 3.86 ERA in his first two major league starts.

With James Shields likely not returning next year and Jeff Niemann's health seemingly always in question, Archer will likely have a much more significant role in the starting rotation in 2013.

Alex Colome

Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

Alex Colome flashed his high potential as he progressed nicely through the Rays' farm system in 2012.

A recent shoulder injury has ended his season, but at this rate many still expect to see Colome as a late-season call-up next year. Colome combined for an 8-4 record and a 3.44 ERA through 17 starts (14 with Montgomery, three with Durham) in the minors this year.

Tim Beckham

Elsa/Getty Images

It's been another disappointing year for former No. 1 draft pick Tim Beckham. The 22-year-old middle infielder is still fairly young, however, and is gradually progressing in the Rays' organization.

A 50-game suspension for drug use really hurt his chances of making a big league push this season, but there's actually still a possibility he gets called up this month. Beckham will likely join the Rays at some point in 2013, obviously depending on how he plays with Durham.

This year Beckham has posted a underachieving .256/.325/.361 line with 28 RBI and a .946 fielding percentage through 72 games.