MLB Draft 2012: Breaking Down Top Power Hitters Available

The 2012 Major League Baseball amateur draft will take place from June 4-6.

While power numbers across MLB are down, the crop of new players that will be injected into the professional system has a number of promising power prospects ready to change that down the road. 

Below, we run down the eight best power hitters available in the 2012 amateur draft.

A list of the Top 100 prospects in the 2012 draft class can be found here.

C Mike Zunino, Florida

The 6'1", 215-pound catching prospect is the son of a former minor league baseball player and current MLB scout.

Through three years at Florida, Zunino has shown the capability to develop into a middle-of-the-order bat down the road with big power numbers. The swing can still get long at times for Zunino, but he makes up for it with big-time bat speed and a lofted swing. 

SS Carlos Correa, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy

At 6'4" and just 190 pounds, Correa has a big frame that he can fill out as he matures. But the lanky shortstop has already shown throughout his time in Puerto Rico that power will be a big part of his game moving forward. If he can put on 10-20 pounds over the next three to five years, Correa has the swing to be a 25-30 home run guy at the shortstop position. 

Strong defensive shortstops with the kind of potential power Correa has are always coveted by MLB teams. Expect this big-hitting youngster to be gone early in the 2012 draft.

OF Courtney Hawkins, Carroll HS (Texas)

This 6'2", 210-pound high schooler already has a major league body, and he's shown the kind of raw power to all fields that scouts salivate over.

There's a lot of refinement needed in his approach at the plate—he's overzealous occasionally and can be fooled by good off-speed stuff—but he can hit the ball a long ways when he connects. Fastballs rarely get by this kid. 

3B Richie Schaffer, Clemson

Some will argue that Schaffer is the best power hitter in this class. And at 6'4", 195 pounds, he also has room to add a few pounds onto the frame. At 205 or 210, Schaffer could certainly be a middle-of-the-order bat with 35-40 home run potential. 

Teams will have to decide where they want him to play—third base, first base or right field—but the power numbers should always be there as Schaffer develops. 

3B/SS Addison Russell, Pace HS (Florida)

Like Schaffer, Russell doesn't have a set position yet. He played shortstop in high school, but his body and range look more like a corner infielder.

Either way, Russell will bring a lot of power to the position he finds a niche at in professional baseball. This 6'0", 215-pounder can hit any fastball with tremendous bat speed and raw power.

OF Victor Roache, Georgia Southern

Roache, a 6'1", 225-pound outfielder, has a strong case to be the best pure power hitter in this class. He can hit with power to all fields and has a professional approach at the plate. 

While he may never be a .300 hitter in the professional ranks, his massive power potential should translate well. Roache should be a lock first rounder.

1B Joey Gallo, Bishop Gorman HS (Nevada)

Gallo is the choice of many for the best power hitter in the class. The 6'4", 210-pound first baseman has a smooth stroke from the left side that results in a ton of power. The sky is the limit in terms of home run potential moving forward.

He certainly swings and misses his share, however, and that shouldn't be expected to change as he transitions into the pro game. But the power he's shown at Bishop Gorman should be enough for a team to pull the first-round trigger on him in June. 

1B Adam Brett-Walker, Jacksonville 

Brett-Walker is the son of a former NFL football player, and his body (6'5", 230 pounds) certainly doesn't hide the power potential available in the Jacksonville first baseman. 

There are a number of other concerns about his overall game—such as a defensive position—but power won't be a worry. If his game continues to improve, there's 30-40 home run potential for Brett-Walker.