2013 MLB Spring Training

With pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training in a matter of days, I’ve spent the past week breaking down each team’s list of non-roster invitees—more specifically, the top prospects that have been invited to big league camp.

Say what you will, but Billy Beane is not averse to making decisive moves.

Each year there are a number of pitchers who get off to a good start during spring training and then are able to carry their performances over to the regular season.

These breakout pitchers can have huge impacts on the playoff races around the MLB. While every team is looking for these starters, they are not easy to find.

This season will be no different, and there are a number of starters who could end up being these breakout players. The following five pitchers all have a chance to have breakout years.

"Pah! Spring training doesn't mean anything!"

We say it (or something like that) every year. The notion that spring training results are meaningless may as well be a scientific fact, especially when it comes to teams and players that do well.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Today the St. Louis Cardinals consider themselves in the same place they were at the beginning of 2012—not expecting ace pitcher Chris Carpenter to throw a pitch.

1. Dylan Bundy, RHP, Baltimore Orioles

With less than two weeks remaining until pitchers and catchers report to spring training, some organizations still haven’t announced all of their non-roster invitees. Typically, an assortment of veteran players and top prospects who aren’t on the 40-man roster are extended invitations to big league camp.

When Bartolo Colon signed with the Oakland A's last year there weren't high expectations for him.  

Although he had won a Cy Young earlier in his career, he was expected to be an average middle-of-the-rotation starter in 2012.

Colon surprised everyone in 2012 as he went 10-9 with a nice ERA of 3.43.  

With spring training beginning in less than two weeks, this is the time of year when MLB's top stars decide to work on a specific area of their game.

With their position on the roster secure, they have the luxury of concentrating on improving what they perceive to be a weakness.

Last month, I ranked the top 100 players in MLB today. Here are the goals for each of the top 25 players on that list as they enter spring training.

Managers love players who can move around the diamond. Having such flexibility allows them to give tired or injured players days off, while keeping a productive bat in the lineup.