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Headed into the 2012 season, the Minnesota Twins’ farm system was arguably among the worst in the game.

What a difference a year can make. Entering spring training, the organization houses five top-100 prospects with more on the way.

The team netted two of their top-10 prospects in the first round of the 2012 draft in outfielder Byron Buxton and right-hander Jose Berrios. Furthermore, numerous prospects enjoyed breakout seasons at the plate in Aaron Hicks, Oswaldo Arcia, Eddie Rosario and Max Kepler.

More importantly, the Twins finally have a few legitimate pitching prospects in recently acquired right-handers Alex Meyer (from the Nationals) and Trevor May (from the Phillies). Furthermore, last year marked the return of former No. 1-pick Kyle Gibson, who missed most of the previous season recovering from Tommy John surgery. Expect all three pitchers to play a crucial role in the team’s starting rotation as early as late 2013.

Here’s a look at the Minnesota Twins’ top-10 prospects headed into spring training.

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The best part about MLB spring training is that fans get a glimpse of prospects they don’t get to see regularly. In some cases, these players turn in great springs and earn themselves a roster spot for Opening Day.

This year has been no exception. A bevy of players are starting to make some noise in the early days of spring training in hopes that they will get a spot playing in the show.

One name that many seem to be talking about is St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect Oscar Taveras (pictured). He’s a fine lefty bat who plays a good center field, but can he beat out incumbent Jon Jay for the final spot, or even make the team as a fourth outfielder?

A similar case can be made for Zoilo Almonte of the New York Yankees, though his path is a bit clearer now that Curtis Granderson is out until May with a broken forearm.

Along with some others, these men are proving to be surprising commodities in spring training, so fans and experts should start watching them more closely.

Barret Loux, P, Chicago Cubs

The story of Barret Loux is an interesting one, and also a bit sad. The hard-throwing righty was taken by the Arizona Diamondbacks with the sixth pick in the 2010 draft out of Texas A&M, but he was not signed due to team management’s concerns over his shoulder and elbow.

Loux then became a free agent and signed with the Texas Rangers, going 14-1 with a 3.47 ERA and 1.27 WHIP over 25 starts with the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders of the Texas League. He also struck out 100 batters over 127 innings pitched, but the Rangers still traded him to the Chicago Cubs when the season was over.

It looked like the 23-year-old would begin the season in the minors once again, but Loux now has an opportunity to make himself stand out. Staff ace Matt Garza has a strained lat muscle, and, according to Gordon Wittenmeyer of the Chicago Sun-Times, could start the season on the disabled list.

Loux has only appeared in one game thus far, but threw two scoreless innings while giving up two hits, plus a walk and a strikeout. If he can make the most of the rest of his appearances and set himself apart from the rest of the pack, Loux can definitely make an impact for the Cubs either as a starter or as a hard thrower out of the bullpen.

Leonys Martin, OF, Texas Rangers

Now that Josh Hamilton is gone, the Rangers have a choice to make as to who plays center field. As of now, the men battling for the position are Craig Gentry, Julio Borbon and Leonys Martin.

At this point, I’m expecting Martin to win the job. The 24-year-old is a veteran of the Cuban leagues. He is a solid lefty bat and is currently batting .312 with two RBI and a stolen base in spring training this year. That far outpaces the production of both Gentry and Borbon thus far.

The fact is that Martin is a five-tool player with an incredibly high MLB ceiling. If Texas wants to be able to compete in the AL West this season, they’ll be sure to give him some extra attention.

Oscar Taveras, OF, St. Louis Cardinals

At just 20 years old, Taveras has a tremendously high ceiling. A power-hitting lefty outfielder, he hit .321 with 23 homers and 94 RBI for Double-A Springfield in 2012.

As a result, he’s been getting a great deal of attention in spring training. The man is hitting .333 with one home run and five RBI thus far, but there are a couple of obstacles in his way.

First, the Cardinals’ outfield is already set, with Matt Holliday in left field, Carlos Beltran in right and Jon Jay in center. Jay is having a fine spring of his own, hitting .375 over his first three games, so his job is safe barring an injury or massive collapse.

Moreover, Taveras has yet to draw a single walk in four games. Plate patience and on-base percentage (OBP) are becoming more and more important with each passing season, so Taveras needs to show improvement there if he wants to take a step closer towards earning a roster spot, be it as a starter or fourth outfielder.

Zoilo Almonte, OF, New York Yankees

The Yankees have a great void to fill now that Curtis Granderson is on the shelf with a broken forearm, and Almonte can expect to see some extended playing time in spring training as a result.

Already one of the team’s most underrated prospects, he and Melky Mesa are the two men competing for Granderson’s spot in the lineup. Of the two, my money is on Almonte.

Through three spring training games, Almonte has hit .400 with a home run and three RBI, and has the advantage of being a switch-hitter.

On top of that, besides blazing speed, Almonte is a fairy well-rounded outfielder. Playing for the Double-A Trenton Thunder last season, he hit .277 with 21 home runs and 70 RBI. At the age of 23, the sky is the limit for this young man.

Look for him to take full advantage of his opportunities over the coming weeks, and to make his MLB debut in the outfield on Opening Day at Yankee Stadium.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

The Kansas City Royals’ farm system has served as a pipeline to the major leagues in recent years, producing former top prospects such as Mike Moustakas, Eric Hosmer, Salvador Perez and Danny Duffy, as well as a slew of late-inning arms.

It seemed as though the organization would once again boast a top-10 farm system headed into the 2013 season, but after trading three of its top-10 prospects—including its top offensive (Wil Myers) and pitching (Jake Odorizzi) prospects—to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for James Shields and Wade Davis, it’s a shell of what it was a few years ago.

In the wake of their deal with the Rays, the Royals’ prospect pool is now highlighted by a host of young, inexperienced players who are still years away from reaching the major leagues. A majority of their top prospects will open the 2013 season at either High-A Wilmington or Double-A Northwest Arkansas, where they each will presumably be tested.

Most of the team’s success in developing prospects has been the result of strong drafts, especially in 2009 and 2010. And although both Kyle Zimmer (2012) and Bubba Starling (2011) represent their top prospects, the Royals also have quietly assembled an impressive crop of raw, international talent.

Here’s a look at the Kansas City Royals’ top 10 prospects headed into the 2013 season.

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Last season the Cincinnati Reds starting five made 161 of 162 regular season starts. The only exception being the back end of a doubleheader that saw Todd Redmond take the mound for 3.1 innings. This remarkable stretch of health is far-and-away the exception to the rule in baseball—a task that will most likely not be duplicated by them again.

Four of the five starters racked up over 200 innings-pitched and 12 wins apiece. Mike Leake was the only exception, though he did still make 30 starts and accumulate 179 innings pitched from the fifth starting spot.

With Johnny Cueto recovering from his postseason oblique strain, Reds starters have a daunting task ahead—staying healthy, yet again. They may not go 161 of 162 again, but 150 of 162 is well within range.

Lets take a look at five keys to the 2013 staff remaining healthy throughout the entire season

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At the conclusion of the 2011 season, the Washington Nationals boasted one of the top farm systems in the game. Since then, however, they’ve traded away a majority of their highly regarded prospects for big league talent—which paid immediate dividends.

Prior to the 2012 season, their trade with the A’s for Gio Gonzalez severely depleted their system, as they parted with catcher Derek Norris, as well as pitchers Tommy Milone, Brad Peacock and A.J. Cole. Well, they basically lent the A’s Cole for a season, as he was traded back to the Nats this offseason as part of a three-team trade for Michael Morse. 

The Nats also traded their top pitching prospect this offseason, 6’9” right-hander Alex Meyer, to the Twins in exchange for a much-needed leadoff hitter in Denard Span.

Their farm system took a major hit with the graduation of Bryce Harper to the major leagues last season, which was expected given the phenom’s ceiling of a once-in-a-generation player.

While they still house several top-100 prospects in Anthony Rendon, Brian Goodwin, Lucas Giolito and A.J. Cole, the Nats’ system is a shell of what it was a few years ago. However, with a big league roster that’s absolutely loaded with talent, does it really matter?

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Spring training games have officially begun and the Mets—like the other 29 MLB teams—are trying to prepare for the regular season by seeing which players will have what it takes to be part of the major league roster.

Spring training is also a great time to see how far some of a team’s top prospects have developed over time and see how they perform in exhibition games with major league players. The Mets’ front office will certainly be analyzing the Mets’ top prospects for the next month and hopefully, they will be pleased with the progress of each prospect.

Here are some scouting reports for some of the Mets’ top prospects during this current spring training.

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Is it time to break up the Seattle Mariners?

So far this spring, after only five games, the M’s are 4-1 while averaging nearly seven runs per game with power coming from several surprising sources with players such as Casper Wells and Jason Bay having already hit home runs. Meanwhile, pitchers Hector Noesi and Jeremy Bonderman have both struggled in brief stints on the mound.  

Granted it’s still early and the ball does have a tendency to jump a bit in the Arizona heat, but can one entirely afford to dismiss or downplay what happens in the early stages of spring training?

I suppose that’s up to M’s skipper Eric Wedge and the rest of the team’s coaching staff. 

Right now the Mariners’ current active roster (according to Mariners.com) is a long list of players both young and old, established and obscure, but at the end of the day, all of them have the same goal of making the final roster before Opening Day.

Last week when piecing together the Mariners season preview, I focused on the more established players who should get the majority of playing time this season, but today I thought it might be worthwhile to focus on the players who have something to prove in their quest to make the final roster.

In other words, hot prospects like Mike Zunino and Taijuan Walker may have an outside shot at making the final roster, but realistically speaking we’re looking at the competition between established veterans like Bay and Bonderman seeking one last shot going up against players like Wells and Noesi who simply want another chance.  

So who are these fringe players? 

Let’s take a few minutes to take a look…

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Remember last month when the possibility existed that the Philadelphia Phillies could use a double-platoon for their corner outfield spots, rather than naming a starter at each position heading into spring training?

Although the eventual signing of Delmon Young made it appear as if the Phillies had their candidate for an everyday right fielder, left field was still a mystery.  And following news from Jim Salisbury on CSNPhilly.com that Young could not only miss Opening Day, but also much of April, it appeared as if both corner outfield spots were back up for grabs.

That is, unless Domonic Brown continues with his strong early showing.

The Phillies have only played four spring training games, but manager Charlie Manuel recently spoke on the outfield situation in an article by David Murphy on Philly.com, and made sure he mentioned Brown’s name when it came to which players could claim spots early.

We’ve got 10 outfielders, and somewhere along the line, probably about two-thirds of the way through spring training, we’re going to have to make decisions on at least four of them, Manuel said.  We’re going to try to get them all some playing time where we can see them enough.  If somebody jumps out and really gets going, like Brown right now, the last three days he’s really swung good.  He’s played good in the outfield, things like that.  We could settle on a guy or something.

Again, it’s still very early in camp.  But another week of strong performances, similar to the one he had today, could allow Brown to see his name officially penciled into a starting corner outfield spot.

Brown hit his second home run in four spring training games against the New York Yankees today, and now has three hits in seven at-bats this spring. 

Manuel is not the only member of the Phillies who has been encouraged by Brown so far.  In another article by David Murphy on Philly.com, it is noted that both Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard believe in Brown’s ability this season, and may already think it’s time to give him an everyday starting job.

Brown may not have many opportunities left with the Phillies.  In 147 career games over the last three seasons, Brown has a career average of .236 to go with 12 home runs and 58 RBI.  However, his two home runs already this spring are nearly half his total from a year ago in the major leagues.

With Ben Revere already locked into the starting center field job and John Mayberry, Jr. and Laynce Nix serving as better options off the bench rather than starters, Brown and Darin Ruf give the Phillies two young players with the potential to win starting outfield jobs. 

Once Young returns, both players could also be candidates for being sent down to the minor leagues depending on how they have performed up until that point. 

Throw in Rule 5 draft pick Ender Inciarte, and the Phillies have an even more interesting situation in their outfield.

However, this situation could also mean that the team is hoping at least one player will step up early and earn a starting job, regardless of whether Young is on the roster.

Following his monster home run today, Brown has certainly gotten off to the type of start that the team was hoping for early.  

If Brown is able to keep this fast start going, he could soon earn a starting job for Opening Day, something he has never received.

Since debuting in 2010, Brown has experienced two vastly different situations with the Phillies.  In 2011, Brown had an opportunity to remain as the Phils‘ everyday right fielder, before a .165 batting average in June led to the Phillies acquiring Hunter Pence a month later.  Last season, Brown was not called-up until Pence was traded to the San Francisco Giants in late July.  Following his promotion, Brown batted .235 while playing in an outfield that looked much different after the trade deadline.

In 2011, Brown played on a Phillies team that was on pace to win a franchise record number of games, and win the National League East by 13 games.  Last season he played on a Phillies team that finished 17 games back of first place. 

Playing in these situations allowed Brown to play on a team with little pressure on it during the regular season due to a strong lead in the standings, and on a team that, except for a late season charge at the second wild card spot, was hardly in playoff contention.  Two very different situations, yet two situations that were not as high pressured as some the Phillies have seen in recent seasons. 

However, despite the lack of pressure, Brown was unable to earn and maintain an everyday starter’s job in the outfield.

This year, with an open competition for the corner outfield spots, Brown has a third chance to claim a starting outfield job.

Although the returns are still very early, it appears as if the third time might be the charm.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

Headed into the 2012 season, nobody expected the Phillies to be anything less than a playoff contender, let alone struggle mightily as they did.

By the all-star break, the team’s postseason aspirations had faded, and a few weeks later they began clearing house by moving both Hunter Pence and Shane Victorino at the trade deadline.

However, while their overall season was a disappointment, they did add a few nice pieces to their severely depleted farm system in Ethan Martin and Tommy Joseph. Furthermore, pitching prospects such as Jesse Biddle, Adam Morgan and Jonathan Pettibone all took steps forward in terms of individual development, while Maikel Franco and Roman Quinn established themselves as young, high-ceiling talent.

As you will see, their top 10 has a much different look than it did a year ago.

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Had it not been for a pair blockbuster trades with the Miami Marlins and New York Mets this offseason, the Blue Jays could have possessed five consensus top-100 prospects in Travis d’Arnaud, Aaron Sanchez, Jake Marisnick, Noah Syndergaard and Justin Nicolino. Although Sanchez is the only remaining player after each respective trade, the organization still boasts a host of young, projectable talent.

Although they lack a near big league-ready prospect, it’s conceivable that both Sean Nolin and Marcus Stroman will reach the majors by the end of the season. And despite trading d’Arnaud, the top catching prospect in the game, the Blue Jays still have some serious depth behind the plate.

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