2012 MLB Draft: Sluggers with Huge Power Potential

Power is still cool in baseball.

Nothing gets a player noticed more quickly than showing an ability to consistently hit the long ball. Bryce Harper has a few tools, but the one that sticks out most is his enormous power.

The 2012 MLB draft has some notable power prospects as well. There is about a month before the Houston Astros are on the clock on June 4. 

Here are some of the prospects that the Astros and other major league teams will pick from, within a mock draft.

I have spotlighted the premier power-hitting prospects.

(Spotlighted players and teams are italicized)

(2011 Record In Parentheses)

1. Houston Astros (56-106): Byron Buxton, OF, Appling County High School (GA)

Buxton is more than just a power prospect. In fact, his speed and arm are his best attributes right now. But his 6'1" 180-pound frame will mature, and when it does, the power should come.

Buxton has the most upside of any other position player in the draft, in my opinion. 

The Astros could have a future star on their hands with him.

2. Minnesota Twins (63-99): Kevin Gausman, RHP, LSU

Gaussman is one of the nation's best collegiate pitchers. The Twins hope he can be a part of the rebuilding of a once-strong rotation.

3. Seattle Mariners (67-95): Mike Zunino, C, Florida

Zunino is one of the best prospects at catcher in the past few years. His best attribute is his defense, but he has developing power as well.

He may move throughout the minors the fastest of all the prospects because of his arm and ability to go deep.

As a major leaguer, Zunino looks like a 25-30 HR per season player.

4. Baltimore Orioles (69-93): Carlos Correa, SS, Puerto Rico

Correa's size and power won't keep him at SS as he matures. He looks to have the ability to hit for average and power.

He stands 6'4" and weighs 190 pounds. As a man in the major leagues, that'll probably be closer to 225 pounds. With his swing, the ball is jumping off his bat already.

As he grows he will develop even more power.

5. Kansas City Royals (71-91): Mark Appel, RHP, Stanford

Appel was a star at Stanford this past year. He has excellent command of three solid pitches: fastball, slider and a circle changeup. If Luke Hochevar can continue to improve, the Royals could have a very solid rotation in two years. 

6. Chicago Cubs (71-91): Albert Almora, OF, Marion Christian Academy (FL)

The Cubs are building something special in their outfield. Cuban Jorge Soler is already on the way; if they select Almora, things look promising near the ivy on the north side of Chicago.

7. San Diego Padres (71-91): Kyle Zimmer, RHP, San Francisco

Zimmer is a raw prospect with a ton of upside. He has a big fastball and a solid curveball in his repertoire. 

8. Pittsburgh Pirates (72-90): Deven Marrero, SS, Arizona State

Not an impressive offensive prospect yet. But he can pick it at short, and he can run.

9. Miami Marlins (72-90): Max Fried, LHP, Harvard-Westlake HS (CA)

Fried is perhaps the best high school pitcher and lefty in the draft.

10. Colorado Rockies (73-89): Michael Wacha, RHP, Texas A&M

Wacha has a solid future as a closer or setup man. He doesn't have a dependable third pitch, but his fastball and changeup are solid. He'll need it to begin his career at Coors Field. 

11. Oakland Athletics (74-88): Stephen Piscotty, 3B, Stanford

Piscotty is a solid overall hitter, but he hasn't shown tremendous power potential up to now. His hitting style could be ideal for Oakland-Alameda County Stadium

12. New York Mets (77-85): Richie Shaffer, 3B, Clemson

Shaffer has the most pure power potential of any player in this draft. He has incredible bat speed and looks like a future 40 HR guy.

He is 6'3" 190 pounds now, but that will grow to a solid 230 pounds or more.

As far as sluggers go, Shaffer has the tools to be big time.

13. Chicago White Sox (79-83): Andrew Heaney, LHP, Oklahoma State

If the White Sox take Heaney, it would make sense. He reminds me of John Danks; he doesn't have a ton of velocity, but he has command and confidence.

14. Cincinnati Reds (79-83): Addison Russell, SS, Pace HS (FL)

Russell is another prospect that plays SS now, but will probably end up at 3B. He has solid bat speed, but he looks like more off a line drive hitter when all is said and done.

15. Cleveland Indians (80-82): Zach Elfin, RHP, Hagerty, HS (FL)

Though Elfin doesn't have dominant stuff, he projects as an innings eater and valuable rotation guy.

16. Washington Nationals (80-81): Gavin Cecchini, SS, Barbe HS (LA)

Cecchini is a solid overall talent. He doesn't jump out at you in any one area, but he is solid all around. He could be a nice glue guy for the talented team the Nats are building.

17. Toronto Blue Jays (81-81): Matt Smoral, LHP, Solon HS (OH)

Smoral projects as a solid bullpen option, if he can overcome his foot injury. He has command of two solid pitches now: a mid 90s fastball and a slider.

18. Los Angeles Dodgers (82-79): Courtney Hawkins, RF, Carroll HS (TX)

Hawkins has tons of raw power, but he struggles hitting the breaking ball right now. If he can get that aspect of his game in order, he could be on the same level as Shaffer.

Currently, his power potential is limited by that deficiency. Still, the Dodgers would do well to add him to the organization.

19. *St. Louis Cardinals (90-72): Lucas Giolito, RHP, Harvard-Westlake (CA)

Giolito is one of the best pitchers in the draft on stuff alone. But he has had elbow problems that will cause teams to hesitate.

20. San Francisco Giants (86-76): Joey Gallo, 3B/RHP, Bishop Gorman HS (NV)

Gallo has big power, but he is also a power pitcher. I think he'll ultimately end up on the mound, learning another pitch to go with his blazing fastball.

21. Atlanta Braves (89-73): Chris Stratton, RHP, Mississippi State (MS)

Stratton projects as a solid mid-to-late rotation pitcher. He has a formidable set of pitches, with command of four. 

22. **Toronto Blue Jays (81-81): Hunter Virant, LHP, Camarillo HS (CA)

Virant doesn't have big time velocity, but he shows a mature understanding of the art of pitching. Couple that with the premium on left-handed pitching, and Virant should be a solid middle rotation pitcher.

23. St. Louis Cardinals (90-72): Nolan Fontana, SS, Florida (FL)

Fontana is a solid all around hitter. He has a short compact swing; at the plate, he reminds me a bit of a young Paul Molitor.

24. Boston Red Sox (90-72): Carson Kelly, 3B, Westview HS (OR)

Kelly is a decent prospect at the plate, but he is very raw right now. If he puts it together, he could be a solid hitter. He already has a cannon for an arm.

25. Tampa Bay Rays (91-71): Lucas Sims, RHP, Brookwood HS (GA)

Sims is a hard thrower that needs to add some command to his off speed pitches. If he does that, he could be one of the better starting pitchers in the draft.

26. Arizona Diamondbacks (94-68): Walker Weickel, RHP, Olympia HS (FL)

Weickel needs to show consistency in his delivery. The delivery was changed, and that could have hampered his development. But at 6'6" 205 pounds, he has the frame to be a solid starting pitcher.

27. ***Milwaukee Brewers (96-66): Chris Beck, RHP, Georgia Southern

Beck is a strong prospect and has three dependable pitches. His frame can hold more strength and he very well could develop into a great starter. 

28. Milwaukee Brewers (96-66): Marcus Stroman, RHP, Duke

Stroman has a devastating fastball/curveball combination. He has a great arm, but at only 5'9", he may have a difficult time defeating his height deficiency.

29. Texas Rangers (96-66): Ty Buttrey, RHP, Providence HS (NC)

Buttrey is a solidly built 6'4" 205-pound prospect. His fastball is in the mid-90s and the velocity could grow. The Rangers may have another great arm, if they take Buttrey.

30. New York Yankees (97-65): Patrick Wisdom, 3B, Saint Mary’s

Wisdom has power potential, but he strikes out a ton. Not in the same vein as Mark Reynolds—potentially even more. He has to get a handle on that to maximize his ability.

 

31. ****Boston Red Sox (90-72): Jeff Gelalich, OF, UCLA

Gelalich hasn't had a ton of production, but he is highly touted because of his tools. He has a powerful swing, but he has to show he can produce on the field.

-*Compensation from Los Angeles Angels for Albert Pujols

-**Compensation for failing to sign 2011 First Round Pick Tyler Beede

-***Compensation from Detroit for Prince Fielder

-****Compensation from Philadelphia for Jonathan Papelbon

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