2012 MLB Draft: Top 25 Pitchers to Watch in the NCAA Regionals

As in the three other major sports, baseball has their annual draft as well, albeit one that comes with neither the buzz or hype that the others generate—likely because it will be years before any of the players selected will make an impression at the major-league level.

That being said, baseball's draft is just as important to a team's future as any other—a strong draft class not only revitalizes your farm system, but it gives a team options that can be used internally or as trade chips to fill another role.

A weak class can stunt an organization's minor-league development, leaving the cupboard bare and the farm system devoid of anything that another team might have interest in.

While high school players are draft eligible, it's the college arms that we're interested in right now. These players have virtually all been drafted before, only to forgo the chance to turn pro and head to college for an education and to better hone their skills.

Let's take a look at the best 25 college pitchers who will be throwing in this year's NCAA tournament, which starts this weekend.

Mark Appel, RHP, Stanford University

NCAA Tournament: No. 1 seed, Paolo Alto regional

2012 Stats: 9-1, 2.37 ERA, 110 IP, 88 H, 24 BB, 116 K

Height/Weight: 6'4"/195

D.O.B.: 7/15/91

ESPN's Keith Law has the Houston Astros taking the junior pitcher from Stanford University with the first pick in this year's draft and with good reason.

Drafted by the Detroit Tigers out of high school in the 15th round of the 2009 draft, Appel has developed three pitches that he can throw for strikes whenever he likes—a fastball that sits in the mid-90s, a hard slider and a circle change.

Team USA pitching coach Rob Walton told Baseball America* what his take on Appel was earlier this year:

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He touched 99 once or twice, with a bunch of 98s. The ceiling on him is unbelievable. He's a Justin Verlander-type guy. His potential is unreal. He's as good as anyone I've seen in a while.

"

Even if Houston decides to go with high school outfielder Byron Buxton with the first pick in the draft, Appel won't last long. Either the Minnesota Twins or Seattle Mariners would take Appel with the second and third picks in the draft, respectively.

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Luke Bard, RHP, Georgia Tech

NCAA Tournament:  No. 2 seed, Gainesville Regional

2012 Stats: 1-0, 0.99 ERA, 27.2 IP, 20 H, 6 BB, 26 K, 2 SV

Height/Weight: 6'2"/192

D.O.B.: 11/30/90

The younger brother of Boston Red Sox starter Daniel Bard, Luke Bard was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 16th round of the 2009 draft but chose to attend Georgia Tech rather than sign.

A junior, Bard hasn't thrown since a spot start he made on March 31 when he suffered a torn lat muscle. He's unlikely to make his return in the NCAA tournament.

That being the case, Bard is still going to be selected in this year's draft, and he's a name to know.

His fastball isn't as explosive as his brother's, but it still sits in the low 90s. He has a breaking ball that he's still developing, but when he has command of it, the pitch has shown some nasty late bite.

Bard projects as a setup man or closer on the next level.

D.J. Baxendale, RHP, Arkansas

NCAA Tournament:  No. 2 seed, Houston Regional

2012 Stats: 7-4, 3.02 ERA, 87 IP, 78 H, 20 BB, 79 K

Height/Weight: 6'2"/190

D.O.B.: 12/8/90

With high expectations set on him for the 2012 season, D.J. Baxendale struggled out of the gate.

He watched as his fastball sat in the high 80s instead of the low 90s and his breaking balls sat in the high 60s, both a result of overthrowing.

As the season progressed, Baxendale made the necessary adjustments, though his slider has overtaken his curveball as his best secondary pitch.

The junior won't be a high draft pick, but if he continues to pitch well throughout Arkansas' run through the tournament, he could work his way into the first few rounds of the draft.

Kevin Brady, RHP, Clemson

NCAA Tournament:  No. 2 seed, Columbia Regional

2012 Stats: 1-2, 2.52 ERA, 62.1 IP, 49 H, 24 BB, 59 K

Height/Weight: 6'3"/220

D.O.B.: 9/7/90

Taken by the Cleveland Indians as a draft-eligible sophomore in the 17th round of last year's draft, Kevin Brady decided to return to Clemson for his junior year, and it seems to have paid off.

A starter in college, Brady primarily has two pitches—a fastball that he can consistently get into the mid-90s and a curve—which makes him a likely candidate for a bullpen role at the next level.

It's unlikely that he'll be taken in the first few rounds of the draft, but a strong showing in the tournament could make a team decide to grab him earlier than predicted.

Matt Carasiti, RHP, St. John's

NCAA Tournament:  No. 3 seed, Chapel Hill Regional

2012 Stats: 6-5, 3.79 ERA, 79 IP, 83 H, 29 BB, 62 K

Height/Weight: 6'3"/200

D.O.B.: 7/23/91

Taken in the 36th round of the 2009 draft by the Texas Rangers, Matt Carasiti looks like he made the right call heading to St. John's University instead of the minor leagues.

A reliever for most of his freshman and sophomore seasons, Carasiti became a starter for the Red Storm in 2011, though with only two pitches, he projects as a reliever going forward,

His fastball is consistently in the low 90s and goes downhill, but his slider is consistently flat, lacking the sharp break that makes it an effective out pitch.

Carasiti is probably a sixth- or seventh-round pick as it stands now, but a strong showing in the tournament could push him as high as the fourth round.

J.T. Chargois, RHP, Rice

NCAA Tournament:  No. 1 seed, Houston Regional

2012 Stats: 4-1, 2.25 ERA, 36 IP, 28 H, 12 BB, 35 K, 8 SV

Height/Weight: 6'"3/200

D.O.B.: 12/3/90

While he also serves as Rice's first baseman, junior J.T. Chargois' path to success at the next level lies on the pitching mound.

Armed with a fastball that sits in the mid-90s, a curve that tops out in the low 80s and potentially an arm that could help a major league bullpen rather quickly, Chargois is a likely candidate to be taken in the sandwich round.

Buck Farmer, RHP, Georgia Tech

NCAA Tournament:  No. 2 seed, Gainesville Regional

2012 Stats: 8-3, 3.43 ERA, 101.1 IP, 93 H, 34 BB, 110 K

Height/Weight: 6'3"/228

D.O.B.: 2/20/91

A big, strong junior with four pitches in his arsenal, Buck Farmer projects as a middle-of-the-rotation starter in the major leagues, though whether that's what the Atlanta Braves thought when they selected him in the 46th round of the 2009 draft isn't clear.

What is clear is that Farmer's changeup is his best pitch, though a fastball that sits in the low 90s isn't anything to ignore. He throws two breaking balls: a curve and a slider. His slider is probably the better of the two, though they both are still works in progress,

Farmer figures to go in the first five rounds of this year's draft, perhaps higher should he put together a nice run in the tournament for the Yellow Jackets.

Kevin Gausman, RHP, LSU

NCAA Tournament:  No. 1 seed, Baton Rouge Regional

2012 Stats: 10-1, 2.84 ERA, 109.1 IP, 93 H, 24 BB, 125 K

Height/Weight: 6'4"/185

D.O.B.: 1/26/91

A sixth round pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2010, draft-eligible sophomore Kevin Gausman figures to be one of the first five or six players taken in this year's draft.

Gausman has two major league-ready pitches: a fastball that sits in the mid-90s and a changeup that comes in about 10 mph slower. Still works in progress are his curve and slider, both of which could develop into a third pitch he could consistently throw for strikes.

ESPN's Keith Law ranked Gausman as the best pitcher available in this year's draft only a few weeks ago, and while Mark Appel may have surpassed Gausman on most draft boards, Gausman won't last long in this year's draft.

Kyle Hansen, RHP, St. John's

NCAA Tournament:  No. 3 seed, Chapel Hill Regional

2012 Stats: 4-5, 3.44 ERA, 87 IP, 83 H, 26 BB, 100 K

Height/Weight: 6'8"/215

D.O.B.: 4/20/91

The younger brother of former Red Sox first-round pick Craig Hansen, junior Kyle Hansen is set to follow in his brother's footsteps, though he isn't likely to be selected as high in this year's draft.

Hansen, a junior, has primarily been a starter for St. John's. For him to succeed at the next level, he'll likely need to move to the bullpen, where he seems to be a better fit with a plus fastball that sits in the mid-90s and a sweeping slider that is far ahead of his developing changeup,

Some teams may be put off by Hansen's somewhat funky delivery, but he has the potential to become a big-time reliever if things fall into place for him.

Brian Johnson, LHP, Florida

NCAA Tournament:  No. 1 seed, Gainesville Regional

2012 Stats: 7-4, 3.67 ERA, 81 IP, 76 H, 15 BB, 64 K

Height/Weight: 6'3"/225

D.O.B.: 12/7/90

A 27th round pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2009, junior Brian Johnson projects as a middle-of-the-rotation starter in the majors.

With four pitches in his arsenal that he can throw for strikes—a fastball that sits in the high 80s to low 90s, a changeup, a curveball and a slider—he hides all four pitches well during his delivery.

Johnson figures to be a mid-to-late first-round pick in this year's draft.

Pierce Johnson, RHP, Missouri State

NCAA Tournament:  No. 3 seed, Coral Gables Regional

2012 Stats: 3-6, 2.55 ERA, 93.1 IP, 79 H, 26 BB, 112 K

Height/Weight: 6'3"/180

D.O.B.: 5/10/91

A 15th-round pick by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2009, junior Pierce Johnson was one of a handful of prospects that were quickly rising on draft boards across baseball before a forearm strain sidelined him and made some teams focus their attention elsewhere.

With the injury behind him, Johnson has flashed three pitches in his arsenal—a low 90s fastball, a changeup that he seldom uses and a slider that has proven to be his most effective out pitch.

Johnson figures to be a first-round pick in this year's draft and he projects as a middle-of-the-rotation arm going forward.

Branden Kline, RHP, Virginia

NCAA Tournament:  No. 1 seed, Charlottesville Regional

2012 Stats: 6-3, 3.68 ERA, 88 IP, 79 H, 42 BB, 89 K

Height/Weight: 6'3"/180

D.O.B.: 9/29/91

Taken in the sixth round of the 2009 draft by the Boston Red Sox, junior Branden Kline has pitched in nearly every situation possible during his time at Virginia.

He pitched out of the bullpen as a freshman, he was the team's closer as a sophomore and he was a starter in 2012.

Kline throws a mid-90s fastball and a curveball that breaks sharply, but his delivery needs work, and it makes it difficult to project the ideal spot for him at the next level.

Whether he continues down the path of starting pitcher or becomes a closer again, there's no doubt that he'll be taken significantly earlier than he was three years ago.

Matt Koch, RHP, Lousiville

NCAA Tournament:  No. 3 seed, Tuscon Regional

2012 Stats: 6-3, 3.68 ERA, 88 IP, 79 H, 42 BB, 89 K

Height/Weight: 6'3"/180

D.O.B.: 9/29/91

A 37th-round pick by the Boston Red Sox in 2009, junior Matt Koch figures to be taken much, much earlier this time around.

The general school of thought on Koch is that with two pitches, including a fastball that touches the upper 90s, he projects as a back-end of the bullpen arm. Koch shares closing duties for the Cardinals with Derek Self this season.

It's feasible that a team could take a chance on him as a starter and always move him to the bullpen later, but should he stick as a late-inning reliever, Koch could move through a team's minor league system fairly quickly.

Austin Maddox, RHP, Florida

NCAA Tournament:  No. 1 seed, Gainesville Regional

2012 Stats: 3-3, 2.28 ERA, 52 IP, 38 H, 10 BB, 54 K, 12 SV

Height/Weight: 6'3"/235

D.O.B.: 5/13/91

Florida closer Austin Maddox. a junior, isn't likely to be taken in the first round of this year's draft.

But he'll certainly improve on the 37th-round pick that the Tampa Bay Rays used on him in 2009.

His fastball consistently sits in the low to mid-90s and it has movement, making it Maddox's most effective pitch by far. His secondary pitches—a changeup and a curveball that acts more like a slider—both leave something to be desired.

Aside from an excellent fastball, Maddox has proven that he has the mental makeup for pitching in pressure situations late in games, having done so in college baseball's toughest conference, the SEC.

Damien Magnifico, RHP, Oklahoma

NCAA Tournament:  No. 2 seed, Charlottesville Regional

2012 Stats: 2-1, 4.01 ERA, 42.2 IP, 46 H, 20 BB, 27 K, 2 SV

Height/Weight: 6'2"/195

D.O.B.: 5/24/91

Without a doubt the hardest thrower in all of college baseball, Oklahoma junior Damien Magnifico has a fastball that hits 100 mph on the radar gun on a regular basis.

Against Pepperdine University earlier this season, Magnifico broke triple digits 22 times during his start—and his last pitch of the game, No. 103 on the day, almost made it 23 times, coming in at 99 mph.

Therein lies the rub with the 2009 fifth-round pick by the New York Mets—aside from an incredibly powerful fastball, what else does he bring to the table?

He has a changeup, cutter and slider, but none of the three are overly effective at this point.

Brett Mooneyham, LHP, Stanford

NCAA Tournament:  No. 1 seed, Palo Alto Regional

2012 Stats: 7-5, 4.05 ERA, 80 IP, 72 H, 35 BB, 88 K

Height/Weight: 6'2"/195

D.O.B.: 1/24/90

The son of former major league pitcher Bill Mooneyham, who appeared in 45 games for the Oakland A's in 1986, Brett Mooneyham is an often overlooked pitcher on a staff dominated by Mark Appel.

Taken by the Washington Nationals in the 38th round of last year's draft, Mooneyham returned to Stanford for his senior season and pitched well.

He has three pitches that could develop into average major league pitches: a low-90s fastball, curveball and changeup.

His delivery is somewhat funky and has contributed to command and control problems in the past.

That being said, Mooneyham is too talented for a team not to take a flier on him in the first five or six rounds of this year's draft.

Steven Okert, LHP, Oklahoma

NCAA Tournament:  No. 2 seed, Charlottesville Regional

2012 Stats: 6-6, 3.26 ERA, 69 IP, 59 H, 33 BB, 65 K

Height/Weight: 6'2"/219

D.O.B.: 7/9/91

In each of the past two drafts, the Milwaukee Brewers have used a pick on Steven Okert, taking him in the 33rd round last year and the 43rd round in 2010.

Okert, a starter turned reliever, has blossomed in the bullpen for Oklahoma this season, and the reduced strain on his arm has resulted in an increase in velocity on both his fastball and slider.

If the Brewers plan on taking Okert a third year in a row, they'll have to do so much earlier than before.

Hudson Randall, RHP, Florida

NCAA Tournament:  No. 1 seed, Gainesville Regional

2012 Stats: 7-2, 2.91 ERA, 81 IP, 70 H, 9 BB, 52 K

Height/Weight: 6'3"/180

D.O.B.: 9/22/90

Florida's ace in each of the past three seasons, junior Hudson Randall is poised to improve upon his 46th-round selection by the Kansas City Royals in the 2009 draft.

Randall has uncanny command and life on all of his pitches, especially his fastball. His curveball and slider have excellent movement as well.

He has only walked 41 batters over 296 career innings pitched for the Gators. With command like that, someone will take a chance on him earlier in the draft than some expect.

Steven "Paco" Rodriguez, LHP, Florida

NCAA Tournament:  No. 1 seed, Gainesville Regional

2012 Stats: 3-2, 2.04 ERA, 58 IP, 41 H, 13 BB, 77 K, 3 SV

Height/Weight: 6'2"/219

D.O.B.: 4/16/91

Whether it's as a lefty specialist or as a closer, Steven "Paco" Rodriguez has a future in a major-league bullpen.

His primary pitches are two versions of a fastball, one that sits in the low 90s and a cut version that comes in against right-handed batters that sits in the upper 80s. He also has a slider at his disposal that isn't as consistent as the heater.

He averaged more than 12 strikeouts per nine innings this season, placing him near the top of the NCAA leaderboard.

Lex Rutledge, LHP, Samford

NCAA Tournament:  No. 3 seed, Tallahassee Regional

2012 Stats: 1-4, 7.00 ERA, 36.1 IP, 31 H, 22 BB, 51 K, 2 SV

Height/Weight: 6'2"/205

D.O.B.: 6/28/91

Left-handed pitchers are always in demand, and a lefty reliever who averaged more than 13 strikeouts per nine innings is certainly going to get a look in this year's draft.

Previously selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 26th round of the 2009 draft, Samford junior Lex Rutledge has three pitches he can go to in his repertoire: a low-90s fastball, a slider and a knee-buckling curveball, one of the better ones of any draft-eligible pitcher.

With a future as a relief pitcher but some question about his ability to command all of his pitches consistently, Rutledge has second-round talent but will likely fall to the fifth or sixth round.

Nolan Sanburn, RHP, Arkansas

NCAA Tournament:  No. 2 seed, Houston Regional

2012 Stats: 3-1, 2.77 ERA, 37.1 IP, 27 H, 19 BB, 43 K

Height/Weight: 6'1"/205

D.O.B.: 7/21/91

A draft-eligible sophomore, previously taken in the 34th round of the 2010 draft by the Detroit Tigers, Nolan Sanburn needs experience above all else.

Having only thrown around 70 innings over his first two years at Arkansas, Sanburn needs to get some more innings under his belt to build up his arm strength and learn to control his secondary pitches—a low-80s curveball, a slider and a cutter.

His fastball sits consistently in the mid- to upper 90s and has touched 99 mph on occasion. When you put the entire package together, Sanburn is a lock to be taken in the first few rounds of this year's draft.

Sam Selman, LHP, Vanderbilt

NCAA Tournament:  No. 2 seed, Raleigh Regional

2012 Stats: 9-3, 3.33 ERA, 71 IP, 60 H, 38 BB, 75 K

Height/Weight: 6'3"/185

D.O.B.: 11/14/90

The Los Angeles Angels tried to get Sam Selman under contract as a 14th-round pick in 2009 to no avail, and there's no guarantee that he'll be eager to sign with a team as a junior either.

Arguably Vanderbilt's best starting pitcher, Selman is largely inexperienced, throwing a combined total of 13 innings over his first two years at the school.

He has raw talent and a solid fastball, but nearly every aspect of his game is still under development.

Selman might wind up heading back to Vanderbilt for his senior season, though his performance in the tournament could play a major part in that decision.

Chris Stratton, RHP, Mississippi State

NCAA Tournament:  No. 2 seed, Tallahassee Regional

2012 Stats: 11-1 2.21 ERA, 102 IP, 78 H, 21 BB, 123 K

Height/Weight: 6'3"/190

D.O.B.: 8/22/90

While the junior right-hander started the season as an effective reliever our of Mississippi State's bullpen, junior Chris Stratton really got the attention of scouts when he moved into the starting rotation.

Stratton has three above-average pitches at his disposal: a low-90s fastball with late movement, a curve and a slider, which is the better of his two secondary pitches. He also has a changeup that he throws on occasion, though it's behind the other three pitches in terms of development.

Barring a catastrophic performance in the tournament, Stratton is a lock to be taken in the first round of this year's draft.

Ross Stripling, RHP, Texas A&M

NCAA Tournament:  No. 1 seed, College Station Regional

2012 Stats: 10-3 2.90 ERA, 118 IP, 94 H, 16 BB, 110 K

Height/Weight: 6'3"/190

D.O.B.: 8/22/90

A consistent performer who projects as either a starter or reliever at the next level, the senior from Texas A&M figures to be taken earlier than the ninth-round selection that the Colorado Rockies used on him last season.

He has two solid pitches in his fastball and curve, and a developing changeup fills out his repertoire.

Michael Wacha, RHP, Texas A&M

NCAA Tournament:  No. 1 seed, College Station Regional

2012 Stats: 8-1 2.21 ERA, 106 IP, 90 H, 17 BB, 107 K

Height/Weight: 6'6"/195

D.O.B.: 7/1/91

He won't be among the first three pitchers taken in this year's draft, but junior Michael Wacha is still going to be a first-round pick in this year's draft.

Wacha may not have the high ceiling as a Mark Appel, but solid starting pitchers are a valuable commodity, whether they be aces or middle-of-the-rotation types.

His changeup is his best pitch, one that he sets up well with a low-90s fastball.