A reason why Minish Cap can NOT go first in the timeline is...Because the Master Sword was destroyed in that game, so if it was first, how come the Master Sword can be seen in later games...? Because it was resurrected that was certain according to Nintendo. God everyone thinks just because he got his hat it goes first. Can I remind you that the hat is a tradition of the Kokeri Forest
The Master Sword makes no appearance, or is even referenced in that entire game.
What the hell are you talking about.
The sword you see in the beginning is the Picori Blade, later reforged into the Four Sword.
The Master Sword was "created by the wisdom of the Sages" (according to one or more of the games), not the Picori. It is a different blade altogether, Skyward Sword will probably shed more light on this.
As for the hat, that doesn't prove it was first or not. However, Ezlo giving Link the cap at the end of the game does add to the possibility.
The fact that the Kokiri wear green hats doesn't prove much either, though it is possible that this "tradition" was passed down by the Picori/Minish or the Link hero of that game.