Prospect Pipeline

It’s only a little over a month into the Major League Baseball season—meaning all statistics still represent a small sample size—but many of the game’s top rookies are off to a hot start.

At the same time, there are several highly regarded young players who have struggled—some even mightily—to begin the season. While some of them will be encouraged to work through their scuffles in the majors, others will face an inevitable demotion if they don’t right turn things around in a hurry.

With the first month of the minor league season nearly in the books, it's time to reflect on the early-season performances of Prospect Pipeline's Top 50 prospects.

While there are plenty of top prospects off to a hot start at their respective levels, there are countless others who have struggled in the early going. As you will see, injuries have impacted numerous prospects in the Top 50.

Limited to only 44 games last season after suffering an ankle fracture in his second professional game, Anthony Rendon resuscitated his prospect stock this spring with an excellent showing in major league camp.

The most dangerous words to use when scouting and evaluating talent are ceiling and upside. Major League Baseball teams are loaded with players, both in the big leagues and throughout the minors, with plenty of both that have been unable to reach it. 

When you use those words—and when fans read them—they think that is the final word on what a player will be. 

Simply because a prospect is deemed ready for the major leagues does not mean they’re guaranteed an everyday role with their respective organization.

If only it was that easy.

With the 2013 First-Year Player Draft scheduled for June 6-8, college players will have the next six weeks to boost their stock with the hope of having their name called on Day 1.

It’s only three weeks into the Major League Baseball season, and all statistics represent a small sample, but many of the game’s top rookies are off to a hot start.

At the same time, there are several highly regarded youngsters who have scuffled in the early going. While some players will be forced to work through their struggles with the goal of furthering their development, others face a potential demotion if they don’t right the ship in the near future.

When you hear that a prospect has been demoted, it usually brings about a negative connotation. Players are always supposed to be moving forward, so when they start moving back, there can be some thought that things aren't working out. 

It's similar to you or me starting a new office job, doing so well that we force a promotion from the bosses, then struggling to adapt to the new surroundings and responsibilities that we get pushed down the ladder. 

Although the 2013 minor league season is a little more than a week old, many of the game’s top prospects—not to mention those who continue to fly under the radar—are off to a red-hot start.

With the first series of the 2013 Minor League Baseball season now in the books, it’s time to reflect on some of the best and worst pitching performances thus far.

Because most of this year’s Opening Day starters are set to toe the slab either Tuesday or Wednesday, all stats in this first installment only reflect each pitcher’s inaugural start. Similarly, this series will focus primarily on minor league starters until relief pitchers log a sizable number of innings.