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While the overall depth in the 2013 Major League Baseball draft is lacking, the one area of strength is pitching. 

In particular, the right-handed pitching in this class appears to be very strong. There are some high-quality southpaws with tremendous upside available, but you will find a ton of righties who go early and often. 

Obviously, everything starts with Stanford's Mark Appel and Oklahoma's Jonathan Gray. The former started the year as the consensus top player available in the draft, but Gray has arguably been the most impressive performer from both a statistical and stuff standpoint. 

With draft day rapidly approaching, it is time to breakdown the best of the best arms that this class has to offer. Here are the top 10 pitchers available in the 2013 MLB draft. 

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High school catcher Reese McGuire could end up being a top-10 pick. Courtesy of Area Code Baseball

Ask anyone what the most difficult position to draft in baseball is, and some might throw out pitching and shortstops. However, from the standpoint of being able to draft, develop and get a player to live up to their full potential, it has to be catcher. 

A big reason it is so difficult to find catching is because the position is more physically and mentally demanding than any other spot on the field. These players have to know everything about their pitchers and how to call games, take a beating from foul balls and wild pitches, understand the strengths and weaknesses of opposing hitters and still make time to develop their hitting. 

Since the offensive bar for catching is so low, and the value of an excellent defensive catcher is incredibly high, we seem to expect less production from the position. 

Looking at the crop of catchers in this year's class, it is not a star-studded group, but there are a few names at the top of the heap who have the potential to be, at worst, solid regulars behind the plate. There is a huge drop after the top three, who all project to be first-round picks. 

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Not all top prospects "get it" in their first taste of the major leagues. Actually, most don't.

Sure, there are rare exceptions, like Jose Fernandez of the Marlins this year. But even Mike Trout wasn't Mike Trout until his second go-round. Remember, he hit just .220 in his first 40 games back in 2011.

A similar scenario could play out for the Nationals' Anthony Rendon. The sixth overall pick in 2011, Rendon got the call to help cover third base when Ryan Zimmerman hit the DL in late April, and the 22-year-old proceeded to go 6-for-25 (.240) and was promptly sent back down once Zimmerman was healthy.

Still, Rendon didn't look overmatched, thanks to his elite approach (five walks in 30 plate appearances), and has done nothing but rake—and walk—in the 17 games since heading back to Double-A Harrisburg. Over that time, Rendon is triple-slashing .377/.487/.754 with 14 extra-base hits (four homers), 17 RBI and 14 walks.

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RHP Andrew Mitchell // Courtesy of Texas Christian University
Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

With roughly two weeks before the 2013 MLB Rule IV Draft, which begins on June 6, each team is trying to gauge the potential interest in certain players while keeping their own cards close to their chest.

As expected, the draft board continues to fluctuate with players moving in and out of first-round consideration. At the same time, a significant number of players have solidified their status as a potential Day 1 selection thanks to a strong showing this spring.

Due to the overall lack of impact talent in this year’s class, it’s conceivable that many teams will draft as a means of addressing their current needs in the high minors or at the major-league level. And as a result, there will undoubtedly be a large contingent of players who are both overvalued and, in turn, over-drafted.

Here’s a look at the seven most overrated prospects in this year’s class.

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After undergoing Tommy John surgery in late 2011 and logging only 28.1 innings last season in the minor leagues last year, Twins right-hander Kyle Gibson is on pace to make his major league debut before the All-Star break.

The 22nd overall draft pick in 2009, Gibson has pitched extremely well recently for Triple-A Rochester in the International League and has now thrown a complete game shutout in two of his last three starts.

There was some speculation that the 25-year-old right-hander might be recalled to start Friday’s game against the Tigers, as manager Ron Gardenhire stated that Gibson was one of three options being considered—P.J. Walters and Sam Deduno the others.

Although the organization ultimately decided to go with Deduno, via Dustin Morse, Twins director of baseball communications, there’s no question that Gibson’s recent success at Triple-A has him on the verge of a big league promotion.

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The Astros made Carlos Correa the No. 1 pick last year. Which shortstops will headline the 2013 draft?
Bob Levey/Getty Images

When it comes to position players in the Major League Baseball draft, the two areas you will see teams reach on a pick are catcher and shortstop. It is so hard to find players who project to be even average at those spots that when a team believes it has found one, it needs to pounce. 

Unfortunately for teams picking in this year's MLB draft, the crop of shortstop talent is really lacking. There appears to be only one sure-fire first-round pick who projects to stay at the position, with a few other supplemental and second-round talents who have a shot to play shortstop in the big leagues. 

As we move closer to draft day, here is a look at the top 10 shortstop prospects in this class. These are only the players who project to play the position in the big leagues or at least have a solid chance to stick. 

 

No. 1: J.P. Crawford, Lakewood HS (CA)

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How much can a player's stock really change less than two months into a five-month season?

That is the question floating around the minor leagues right now. Given the always-changing nature of scouting and player evaluation, some of the things we thought coming into the season have already changed, both for good and bad. 

Yet there is also trepidation in saying that a player really should be dinged, because the sample size we are judging by is still small. That doesn't mean you can't glean something from seven weeks of games, however. 

As we look at the stock of the top prospects in baseball, as well as a few notable names to keep watch on, it is fascinating to see just where these young stars are at in their development and statistically. Oftentimes, the two line up perfectly, but there will always be an outlier here or there. 

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It’s hard to believe that we’ve already reached the one-quarter mark for the 2013 season.

However, with most teams having played around 40 games, league standings and stats are now relevant and based on something other than a small sample size.

With that being said, it’s only appropriate to take this opportunity to reflect on the performances of the game’s top Rookie of the Year candidates. As you will see, the collection of the talent in the National League is infinitely better than the American’s. Though it may not be long until there’s an infusion of young players through the AL.

So, here’s a look at the respective stocks of the current top rookies in the major leagues.

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Despite leaving his start on May 8 following an awkward slide into second base, Archie Bradley was back on the mound Monday night.

In the third Double-A start of his promising career, the 6’4”, 225-pound right-hander dominated a talented Jacksonville lineup—one that includes the likes of Christian Yelich, Jake Marisnick and J.T. Realmuto. Throwing six scoreless innings, Bradley allowed only two hits and three walks while fanning nine batters.

The 20-year-old is off to an outstanding start this season with a 1.05 ERA and .193 BAA over 42.2 innings between High-A Visalia and Double-A Mobile. Additionally, his 63 strikeouts currently ranks as the highest total in the minor leagues.

Here’s an updated look at the rest of the hottest and coldest pitchers at every minor-league level.

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With just three weeks until the Major League Baseball draft, a lot of things are starting to come into focus. Teams have their boards in order, though far from finalized. Players have spent all spring building up their stock to gain the fame and fortune that comes with being a first-round pick. 

Really, the only thing left to do is put the players to teams. If you follow the MLB draft, you know that this class isn't particularly strong. There are about 15-20 true first-round talents available in this class, led by Mark Appel and Jonathan Gray at the top. 

In an effort to help familiarize you with the talent in the 2013 draft, we are going to tell you which MLB star the new crop of prospects resembles as far as tools. That is not to say these players will turn into the player they resemble, but just that they boast some similar skills and traits. 

So many things happen during the development process that the odds of these players hitting their ceiling is slim.