2012 MLB Mock Draft: Smart Moves for Entire First Round

If you thought the NFL Draft and the NBA Draft were crapshoots, just wait 'til you get a load of the MLB Draft. There's no guarantee that the guy you draft will sign with your team in the end, whether it be on account of contractual disputes or simply a desire to go to/stay in college.

And even if you do get a player's John Hancock on a piece of paper, there's no telling how he'll fare in the minors, or if he'll ever set foot on a Major League field.

All of which makes a well-staffed front office capable of making smart decisions that much more valuable. If scouting directors around the Majors are, indeed, as smart as they should be, then the first round of the 2012 draft will play out like this, or something close to it.

1. Houston Astros: Mark Appel, P, Stanford

Pretty much any move would be a smart move for the 'Stros. Their farm system isn't exactly teeming with talent, even after dumping Hunter Pence and Michael Bourn for prospects last season.

Starting pitching is always at a premium in baseball, making an arm as lively as Mark Appel's that much more valuable. The 6'5", 190-pound righty out of Stanford is the best hurler in the draft, with some serious power in his wing and tremendous stuff to boot. 

Once Appel develops his off-speed stuff, there may be no stopping his ascent to the Big Leagues.

2. Minnesota Twins: Byron Buxton, OF, Appling County HS (Georgia)

The Twins would love it if Appel fell to them, but with him off the board, Byron Buxton becomes the obvious choice at No. 2. The speedy, toolsy high-schooler hasn't demonstrated light-tower power, per se, but the kid can certainly hit and will bring an excellent glove to the outfield nonetheless.

3. Seattle Mariners: Mike Zunino, C, Florida

The Mariners could always use another bat, particularly behind the plate, where John Jason has been so-so and Jesus Montero fills in on occasion. Mike Zunino's relative maturity should allow him to rise through the ranks relatively quickly and serve as the backstop for Seattle's slew of up-and-coming pitching prospects.

4. Baltimore Orioles: Kevin Gausman, RHP, LSU

The O's have the opposite problem of the M's—lots of hitting but no pitching. A power pitcher like Kevin Gausman, who's capable of touching 99 on the radar gun, would be a solid step in the right direction, particularly in a hitter's haven like Camden Yards.

5. Kansas City Royals: Lucas Giolito, RHP, Harvard Westlake HS (California)

The Royals won't be denied a primo pitching prospect this year after missing out on the top of the crop last time around.

Even if it means reaching for a high school pitcher with injury and signability concerns like Lucas Giolito. The hard-throwing righty might've been the No. 1 overall pick otherwise, but he still has the potential to be a front-of-the-rotation starter down the line. 

6. Chicago Cubs: Kyle Zimmer, RHP, San Francisco

The Cubs went all-in on offensive prospects in last year's draft, making pitching that much more of a priority this time around. Theo Epstein should love Kyle Zimmer's size (6'4", 220 pounds), live arm and assortment of pitches.

All of which should help him reach the Big Leagues within two or three years, if not fewer.

7. San Diego Padres: Carlos Correa, SS, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy (Puerto Rico)

The Padres need players on the left side of their infield and would be wise to pick up some guys in this year's draft to do just that.

Even if it means tempting fate after watching the likes of Donovan Tate, Matt Antonelli and Matt Bush flame out in tragic fashion.

That being said, Carlos Correa is a tremendous talent, whose 6'4" frame may make him an ideal fit at the hot corner before long. 

8. Pittsburgh Pirates: Deven Marrero, SS, Arizona State

The middle of the infield remains an issue for the Pirates. Deven Marrero's performance at the plate hasn't been quite as steady in Tempe as scouts would like, though the kid's still got a solid bat to go with his smooth fielding at shortstop. 

9. Miami Marlins: Marcus Stroman, RHP, Duke 

Is Marcus Stroman a starter? Is he a reliever? Is he too short? Is he not short enough?

OK, so maybe I pulled the last question out of my rear end. In any case, the Duke product's got an incredible arm, one that should pique the Marlins' interest, especially given their bullpen problems. 

10. Colorado Rockies: Max Fried, LHP, Harvard-Westlake HS (California)

Max Fried might actually be a better pitching prospect than Lucas Giolito and could end up being drafted ahead of his high school teammate.

But if the lefty lasts this long, he's liable to wind up in the Rocky Mountains.

11. Oakland Athletics: Richie Shaffer, 3B, Clemson

Let's see...Richie Shaffer plays third base, and the A's don't have much going for them at that spot in their infield at any level.

Shaffer can hit for power, hit for average and has a discerning eye at the plate, and, well, you saw Moneyball, didn't you?

12. New York Mets: Gavin Cecchini, SS, Barbe HS (Louisiana)

The Mets are in dire need of a shortstop to develop and will almost certainly pounce on Carlos Correa or Deven Marrero if they fall this far.

But with those two off the board, expect Mr. Met to make Gavin Cecchini, a gifted teenager from the bayou, the 12th-overall pick.

13. Chicago White Sox: Courtney Hawkins, OF, Carroll (Texas)

It doesn't really matter who the Pale Hose pick so long as it's the best player available. Their farm system is the worst in baseball by a longshot, though Courtney Hawkins' powerful bat should help to rectify that situation to some extent.

14. Cincinnati Reds: Michael Wacha, RHP, Texas A&M 

Not to be confused with Waka Flocka Flame, Michael Wacha may not be able to spin rhymes like his Southern near-namesake, though his 6'6" stature and ability to twirl a gem on the bump should suit the Reds just fine.

15. Cleveland Indians: Stephen Piscotty, 3B, Stanford

Another guy with a confusable name headed to Ohio. Stephen Piscotty is of no relation to the Italian pastry, as far as I know.

Not that the Indians should be worried about that. Piscotty doesn't have quite as much upside as some of the other infielders in this draft but still sports some pop potential and a glove capable of covering up at the hot corner.  

16. Washington Nationals: Addison Russell, 3B/SS, Pace HS (Florida)

The Nats are stacked at just about every position in their system except for shortstop. As such, going after Addison Russell, a prep star with plenty of upside, makes perfect sense.

17. Toronto Blue Jays: David Dahl, OF, Oak Mountain HS (Alabama)

The sky's the limit for David Dahl. The question, of course, is will he ever reach it? The Jays would seem willing to wait out it, if their track record of high-schoolers with high ceilings is any indication.

18. Los Angeles Dodgers: Zach Eflin, RHP, Hagerty HS (Florida)

The Dodgers have done well turning prep pitchers into productive Major Leaguers (Chad Billingsley) at the very least and Cy Young Award winners (Clayton Kershaw) at best.

That's not to say that Zach Eflin is necessarily on that level, though he certainly could be in due time. It'll help LA's cause if new ownership doesn't shy away from players with signability issues, as Frank McCourt did once upon a time.  

19. St. Louis Cardinals (via Angels): Albert Almora, OF, Mater Academy (Florida)

The Cardinals' farm system has improved dramatically in recent years, but could use a helping hand in the outfield. Albert Almora sports the sort of upside with which St. Louis has had success in the past along with solid power and a quality glove.

20. San Francisco Giants: Andrew Heaney, LHP, Oklahoma State

The Giants are still wrestling over what to do with Tim Lincecum when he becomes a free agent after the 2013 season. Andrew Heaney, the best lefty in college baseball, might just make letting go of their two-time Cy Young Award that much easier to swallow. 

21. Atlanta Braves: Matt Smoral, LHP, Solon HS (Ohio)

Matt Smoral's tall and has great stuff, but may be dogged by a foot injury and concerns about signability.

Then again, the Braves sure do love their pitching...

22. Toronto Blue Jays (Compensatory Pick): Hunter Virant, LHP, Camarillo HS (California) 

If there's any team whose farm system affords them the opportunity to gamble on a raw high school pitcher like Hunter Virant in the first round, it's the Jays.

23. St. Louis Cardinals: Tyler Naquin, OF, Texas A&M

The parade of bats into the Gateway City continues with Tyler Naquin, who might just be the best hitter in this draft.

24. Boston Red Sox: Nolan Fontana, SS, Florida

Shortstop isn't exactly Boston's strength at this point. The Red Sox should like Nolan Fontana's athleticism at the position, along with his patient approach at the plate.

25. Tampa Bay Rays: Stryker Trahan, C, Acadiana HS (Louisiana) 

If nothing else, Stryker Trahan is guaranteed to have the most bad-ass name of any player who comes off the board in the first round.

He should help to fill a void at catcher in the Rays' system, the only position at which Tampa Bay isn't currently loaded with primo prospects. There remains some concern about his defense and plate discipline, though the Rays have the sort of system in place that should be able to groom Trahan into a Major League backstop. 

26. Arizona Diamondbacks: Lance McCullers Jr., RHP, Jesuit HS (Florida)

You can never have too much pitching. Ain't that right, D'backs?

27. Milwaukee Brewers (via Tigers): Victor Roache, OF, Georgia Southern

Victor Roache's defensive tools (particularly his arm) are already top-quality and his bat is catching up fast. The former Aggie may well develop into a steady Big League outfielder and should strengthen the Brewers' farm system in that department in the interim.

28. Milwaukee Brewers: Wyatt Mathisen, SS/C, Calallen HS (Texas)

The Brew Crew isn't exactly humming at shortstop either. Whether Wyatt Mathisen's cannon for an arm ends up in the middle of the infield or behind the plate remains to be seen.

29. Texas Rangers: Brian Johnson, LHP, Florida

Remember when the Rangers couldn't pitch to save their lives?

Times sure have changed. The strategy of piling up arms has worked well for Texas to this point. Why not continue with Brian Johnson? Longevity is a concern for Johnson, though he's still one of the more gifted pitchers in the collegiate ranks.

30. New York Yankees: Chris Stratton, RHP, Mississippi State

Pitching always seems to be a problem for the Yankees, even more so now that Mariano Rivera and Michael Pineda are banged-up.

It couldn't hurt, then, to add a mature collegian like Chris Stratton, who already has four quality pitches in his arsenal.

31. Boston Red Sox (via Phillies): Joey Gallo, 3B/P, Bishop Gorman HS (Nevada)

No, I'm not suggesting that the Red Sox draft "Crazy Joe", the long-time New York City gangster, or the Joseph Gallo who was best known for making cheese.

Instead, I'm suggesting that they take Joey Gallo, the kid out of Nevada who'll throw some high cheese off the mound if he doesn't end up murdering the ball at the plate.

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