MLB Draft 2012: Teams That Need to Stockpile Young Talent for the Future

The 2012 MLB Draft is rapidly approaching, and with that comes the next chance to see some of the potential future stars of the league and which teams will stake claim to them.

While each team has it's own agenda, there are some that are in desperate need of stockpiling young talent in order to re-build their farm system to prepare for the future.

It's never too early to start giving yourself some depth in the minors that could help the big-league club. Here are some teams that need to do just that.

Tampa Bay Rays

Looking at the Rays current pitching staff, you'd be crazy to think they'd be looking at starting pitching in this draft, but they might just have to do that.

James Shields and David Price will eventually hit the free-agent market in the future, and it won't be easy to re-sign both. With the way the market is for pitching, it might be difficult for them to even sign one.

As a whole, Tampa Bay isn't in a great financial situation on a yearly basis, and that will make re-signing any of their current marquee players difficult moving forward. That makes it absolutely necessary for the Rays to always have the next generation of young players ready to take over like the current one is doing now.

Kansas City Royals

The Royals are perennial losers and it's no surprise that losing coincides with a lack of spending on the team.

It's always impossible for KC to compete year after year, and it seems the only way this team can be successful is if they draft well and get the most out of their cheapest, youngest talent. Kansas City could use some help with both pitching and hitting. They haven't had much success with their top draft picks in past years.

If the Royals finally want to compete in the future, it'll be because they drafted well before ever having anything to do with signing players.

Philadelphia Phillies

Two words describe the state of the Phillies: hurt and old.

This team is still one of the best in the league when healthy, but there isn't much of a future for a team that is dependent upon their veterans.

Eventually their best players will retire and we all know that building through free-agency alone isn't always enough. The Phillies will have to work on picking the right pitchers and position players that can build a foundation much like Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins were able to do before.

Boston Red Sox

Much like Philly, the Red Sox are an aging team in desperate need of some injured players to return and an infusion of youth.

It's slim picking for Boston beyond their big-league roster, and they will need a strong draft to give this organization some hope for the future. They can only hope to find the next Kevin Youkilis and Jon Lester in 2012.

Free agency has burned the Red Sox in past years and it might be time to start giving themselves some options from within.