2012 MLB Draft: Ranking the Most MLB-Ready Pitches of Draft Prospects

As the 2012 MLB First-Year Player draft rapidly approaches, I have been breaking down many of the top prospects that figure to be selected within the first five rounds.

However, today I thought it would be interesting to dissect some of the best individual pitches associated with this draft class, both at the high school and collegiate level.

Here is a look at the most draftable and MLB-ready pitches in the 2012 class. 

Best Fastball Velocity (College): Stephen Johnson, RHP, St. Edwards

Position: RHP

Height/Weight: 6’4”/205

Bats/Throws: R/R

College: St. Edwards (Division II)

Despite pitching for a Division II program, Johnson has made a serious name for himself with a fastball that has sat in the 95-98 mph range this spring, and even topped out at 101 mph.

After working as a starter during his first two seasons, Johnson made a transition to the bullpen this past summer and has since been absolutely dominant.

Over 40 innings this season, the right-hander has 16 saves while recording 68 strikeouts compared to only 13 walks. 

Best Fastball Velocity (High School): Lucas Giolito, RHP, Harvard-Westlake (Calif.)

Position: RHP

Height/Weight: 6’6”/240

Bats/Throws: R/R

High School: Harvard-Westlake (Calif.)

College Commitment: UCLA

One of the nation’s top pitching prospects headed into the 2012 season, Giolito affirmed his potential as No. 1 overall draft pick by pumping 95-99 mph fastballs and dominating top-notch competition earlier this spring.

However, the right-hander has been sidelined since early March after spraining his UCL and has become one of the biggest gambles in the 2012 draft class. He’s begun throwing flat ground sessions and no setbacks have been reported.

Best Fastball Command (Overall): Andrew Heaney, LHP, Oklahoma State

Position: LHP

Height/Weight: 6’2”/175

Bats/Throws: L/L

College: Oklahoma State

Heaney’s draft stock has been surging all spring, as he’s emerged as the top left-handed collegiate arm in the 2012 draft class. He has excellent command of his 90-95 mph fastball with late, arm-side run, and he throws it with conviction to both sides of the plate.

Best Curveball (College): Kyle Zimmer, RHP, University of San Francisco

Position: RHP

Height/Weight: 6’4”/220

Bats/Throws: R/R

College: San Francisco

Having only pitched full-time for a few years, Zimmer has already put together an impressive arsenal that’s highlighted by plus breaking ball. Thrown with excellent arm speed, the right-hander’s curveball has late, sharp break and should continue to improve with more experience. 

Best Curveball (High School): Max Fried, LHP, Harvard-Westlake (Calif.)

Position: LHP

Height/Weight: 6’4”/180

Bats/Throws: L/L

High School: Harvard-Westlake (Calif.)

College Commitment: UCLA

A highly athletic and projectable left-hander, Fried’s feel and command of his pitches is incredibly mature for his age. His curveball is already a plus offering and the best in the draft, as he throws it in the mid-to-upper-70s with tight rotation and late, downer bite. 

Best Curveball Command (Overall): Max Fried, LHP, Harvard-Westlake (Calif.)

Fried has such a great feel for his breaking ball that he’ll occasionally adjust the velocity to alter the pitch’s pace and give hitters a different look. He’s comfortable throwing it in any count to both right- and left-handed hitters, and knows when to bury it in the dirt to generate swing-and-misses.

Best Slider (College): Chris Stratton, RHP, Mississippi State

Position: RHP

Height/Weight: 6’2”/197

Bats/Throws: R/R 

College: Mississippi State

With a fastball that sits 91-96 mph with arm-side action, Stratton has a legitimate out pitch in his plus slider. He throws it with nearly identical arm speed, and it features late, diving movement that generates an abundance of helpless swings. 

Best Slider (High School): Tyler Gonzales, RHP, James Madison (Texas)

Position: RHP

Height/Weight: 6’2”/180

Bats/Throws: R/R

High School: James Madison (Texas)

College Commitment: Texas

Gonzales features the best slider among prep pitchers, as it explodes out of his hand at 84-88 mph and generates both late and sharp bite. It’s already considered to be nearly a double-plus offering, which is especially devastating in relation to his mid-90s fastball.

Best Slider Command (Overall): Chris Stratton, RHP, Mississippi State

Stratton’s bread and butter is his slide-piece, and he has enough confidence in the pitch to challenge hitters in the zone. The right-hander also gets enough depth and tilt on the pitch to consistently start it on the outside corner and draw flailing swing-and-misses out of the zone.

Best Changeup (College): Michael Wacha, RHP, Texas A&M

Position: RHP

Height/Weight: 6’6”/210

Bats/Throws: R/R

College: Texas A&M

Wacha is basically a two-pitch pitcher with a 50-grade fastball and a plus changeup that has the potential for a 65 or 70. The pitch, which has excellent fade and sink, is one of the best in the entire 2012 draft class. 

Best Changeup (High School): Zach Eflin, RHP, Hagerty (Fla.)

Position: RHP

Height/Weight: 6’5”/200

Bats/Throws: R/R

High School: Hagerty (Fla.)

College Commitment: Central Florida

With a power pitcher’s frame and fast arm that generates mid-90s fastballs on a downward plane, one wouldn’t expect Eflin’s best off-speed pitch to be a changeup. However, the right-hander has an advanced feel for the pitch and is able to command without sacrificing arm speed.

Best Changeup Command (Overall): Michael Wacha

As I mentioned before, Wacha’s changeup is easily one of the best and most draftable pitches in the entire class. It plays exceptionally well off his fastball and he’s comfortable throwing it in any count.

It’s the type of pitch that’s equally effective against right- and left-handed hitters, as well.