MLB Draft 2012: Breaking Down Prospects in Running for No. 1 Pick

And with the first pick in the 2012 MLB draft, the Houston Astros select...

That's where I come in.

I've picked out four prospects I think could potentially go with the top overall pick to Houston—an even smattering of college and high school players. This year might not have a Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper or David Price, but it still has several excellent prospects worthy of the top pick.

Let's meet them.

Mark Appel, RHP, Stanford

Appel is probably the front-runner to be the top pick at this point. It could have something to do with a fastball that can climb to 97 miles per hour and stays in the mid-90s late into games.

He also features a good changeup and solid slider, giving him a nice array of pitches.

But despite his excellent velocity, he seems to struggle missing bats. Keith Law of ESPN watched him pitch against Arizona recently, and had the following to say:

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Appel showed the raw stuff that has him in consideration for the first overall pick, but had the same trouble missing bats that I've seen him have in the past.

Appel was 95-97 early in his outing and pitched at 94-95 even later in the game, at times showing a plus changeup and an above-average slider. But his location was inconsistent on all three pitches, and his tendency to leave the two offspeed offerings up in the zone was behind most of the 12 hits Appel gave up in 8-plus innings of work. (He never should have gone out for the ninth, but eight innings is only a half-day's work in the minds of Stanford's coaching staff.) He did throw several changeups in the 80-82 range with good tumble, but when he doesn't finish the pitch and get it down in the zone, it's like a BP fastball, and Arizona hitters had no trouble turning on it.

"

Appel has a lot of potential, but his stuff may still need some polishing in the minors. Still, his stuff may be too hard to turn away from with the top overall pick.

Byron Buxton, Outfielder, Appling County High School

He's been compared to the Upton brothers, and he projects to be a five-tool player at the major league level, with 30-30 potential.

Whether the Astros see him as more Justin than B.J. will likely determine whether they make him the top pick or not.

As it stands, he's both the top position-player prospect and the top high-school player prospect on the board. His upside may be too much for the Astros to pass up.

Mike Zunino, Catcher, Florida

There was a point where Deven Marrero, shortstop from Arizona State, would have cracked this list, but he's struggled offensively this season.

On the other hand, Zunino has played well this season and looks to be the first collegiate positional player off the board at the draft.

He doesn't have the crazy upside of Buxton, but he's a safer pick and has no discernible holes at a tough position to fill with players who can contribute both offensively and defensively.

Lucas Giolito, RHP, Harvard-Westlake High School

A sprained ulnar collateral ligament has shelved him since March 6, raising questions about how his draft stock will be affected. The fact that he didn't require surgery should calm any concerns about drafting him, however.

Giolito is a power pitcher who combines a heavy fastball with a big curve and a nice changeup. With his size and pitching style, his name has been mentioned by some in the same breath as Roy Halladay, making him a very intriguing prospect with the top overall pick.

He has amazing upside and has shown few weaknesses thus far, making him a pitcher who could potentially be major-league bound sooner rather than later. At this point, I believe he will be the player the Astros select with the top pick.

But we shall see.

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