2012 MLB Mock Draft: College Stars Ready to Shine in Majors

Predicting the success or failure of a given pick in the MLB draft tends to be a futile effort, what with all the raw high school stars and the myriad levels of minor league ball standing between draft day and the big leagues.

Then again, there are ways around those problems, and they're ripe for the taking in the draft pool.

I'm referring, of course, to college baseball stars. You know, the talented kids who chose to go to school for three or four years to learn, develop their skills and, well, party.

But while these kids may no longer sport the sort of "upside" and "potential" that prep players bring to the table, the fact that they're known quantities (more or less) makes them more likely to race through the minors on the way to the majors and, thus, more appealing to those teams in dire need of assistance.

The 2012 draft class will be no different, with plenty of gifted ballplayers prepared to contribute at the major league level before long.

1. Houston Astros: Mark Appel, RHP, Stanford

Mark Appel isn't just the best pitcher or the best college player in the 2012 draft; he's the best player of any sort who's likely to go pro next month. The 6'5", 190-pound righty out of Stanford has an impressive arm and an even more impressive array of pitches from which he can pull in just about any situation.

Granted, his off-speed stuff could use some refining, but with the caliber of "stuff" already in his arsenal, Appel should be eying a spot in the 'Stros' rotation in relatively short order.

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

The Twins have done well developing high school prodigies in the past (see: Mauer, Joe) and figure to do so again with Byron Buxton.

Assuming, of course, that Appel is the first player off the board. Buxton has the tools to grow into a solid all-around outfielder in the Twin Cities, albeit not with the sort of power that one might expect from a top-two pick.

3. Seattle Mariners: Mike Zunino, C, Florida

The M's need a catcher to handle their collection of rising young arms over the long haul.

Who better to serve in that role from this draft than Mike Zunino? The backstop out of Florida sports a solid bat and an even better understanding of how to handle a pitching staff. He won't have to toil in the minors for long before he's ready to contribute in Seattle.

4. Baltimore Orioles: Kevin Gausman, RHP, LSU

When it comes to power arms in this draft, they don't come much stronger than the one Kevin Gausman uses to fire the ball home. The ace out of LSU has shown the ability to touch 99 on the gun, making him a candidate to contribute out of the bullpen with the big club before the season is out.

The O's have one of the best relief staffs in baseball, so they may not need to rush Gausman in that capacity. In any case, it can't hurt their cause to invest in flamethrowers capable of missing bats, especially while playing in a bandbox like Camden Yards.

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

If not for past injuries and signability concerns, Lucas Giolito might well be the No. 1 pick in the 2012 draft.

As it stands, the California prep phenom is one of the best young pitchers ready for pickin' this year. Fifth overall may be a bit of a reach for him, though the pitching-starved Royals won't likely mind.

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

Of the top college prospects in this draft class, Kyle Zimmer might be the one who takes the longest to develop in a major leaguer.

But, by the same token, he may well turn out to be the biggest star of all, assuming the club that picks him goes about shaping him properly. The big righty out of San Francisco has a live arm and a solid assortment of pitches, yet is still relatively fresh compared to most pro-prospect pitchers his age.

That should work just fine for the Cubs, who might be eons away from contending again as currently constituted.

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

The Padres have something of a dubious history with selecting high school infielders early in the draft, to which the case files of Matt Bush, Donovan Tate and Matt Antonelli can attest.

Still, San Diego's system is lacking in solid options on the left side. As such, Carlos Correa's size and skills might be too much for the Pads to pass up.

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

Deven Marrero's performance at the plate has slipped somewhat this season, though his glove remains as smooth as ever. That, along with a dash of projectable pop, should give the Pirates impetus to give the Arizona State star no less than a look at No. 8, if not an outright contract.

9. Miami Marlins: Marcus Stroman, RHP, Duke

If there's a pitcher in this draft who's destined for a fast track to the majors, it's Marcus Stroman. The diminutive Duke product can serve as a starter at some point, but projects (at least in the short term) as a relief pitcher.

The Marlins could certainly use some help in that department, given how poorly their bullpen has performed this season. Stroman's arm (which just so happens to be electric) would be a solid addition, assuming Miami can get him in its system.

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

There's been some chatter about Max Fried possibly going ahead of Lucas Giolito, his high school rotation mate.

Whether he does or not doesn't change the fact that he's probably the best left-handed pitching prospect in this draft and might just look good in a Rockies uniform.

If that's even possible.

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

The A's have taken a college player in the first round in each of the last 10 years, so it's only logical to expect them to extend that streak this time around. They may opt for an arm (i.e. Michael Wacha, Chris Stratton, Andrew Heaney), though if their minor league system is any indication, their eyes are/should be fixed firmly on the left side of the infield.

Richie Shaffer fits that profile, and then some. The Clemson product has some serious pop in his bat to go along with the patience and refined batting eye to hit for average and draw walks.

Surely, Billy Beane (a.k.a. the Godfather of Moneyball) is smiling down somewhere.

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

All signs point to the Mets spending their first-round pick on a high school hitter for a second consecutive year. This time around, they'll look to upgrade at shortstop with Gavin Cecchini, who has the tools to be a star and the makeup to capitalize on his considerable talents at a major league level.

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

The White Sox need someone—anyone, really—to upgrade their awful farm system. Courtney Hawkins won't do it all by himself, though his power light tower power would be a big help in that endeavor.

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

Michael Wacha doesn't look like he'll be in the big leagues until, say, 2015 or so, though that should suit the Reds just fine. Their farm system is strong and their major league roster is already designed to compete for the postseason.

In the meantime, the 6'6" stud out of Texas A&M should have time to refine his repertoire in anticipation of a long and productive career as a starter.

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

Stephen Piscotty is your typical college prospect in just about every sense. On the one hand, the Stanford standout isn't big on "upside" or "potential."

On the other hand, you know exactly what you're getting with Piscotty—a solid glove at third base and enough power at the plate to expect decent home run production.

Which, by the way, the Indians could certainly use.

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

The Nats could opt to spend this pick on a college pitcher ready to relieve, now that their rebuilding project appears to be well ahead of schedule.

Or, DC can stay the course and fill in the holes in their farm system (what few there are). If the latter proves to be the case, don't be surprised if they spring for a prospect at shortstop like Addison Russell.

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

The Jays have done well with high-potential prep stars, and figure to do the same with David Dahl.

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

Zach Eflin, not to be confused with Zac Efron, would seem to fit well with the Hollywood Swingers nonetheless. The success of Clayton Kershaw and, to a lesser extent, Chad Billingsley stands as a testament to the Dodgers' ability to develop young arms, with Eflin as the latest to enter the pipeline.

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

The Cardinals' farm system has improved dramatically in recent years, but could still use some talent in the outfield.

Enter Albert Almora, a toolsy outfielder out of Florida with outstanding potential the plate and in the field.

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

There will come a time (i.e. 2013) when the Giants may or may not have to let go of Tim Lincecum.

And while Andrew Heaney may not be on par with Big-Time Timmy Jim, he's a fine prospect nonetheless. If the talented lefty's ability translate to the pros as it should, then letting go of a two-time Cy Young winner might not sting as much as you might normally think.

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

Few organizations turn raw, young pitchers into major leaguers as frequently or as well as do the Braves. Matt Smoral may be a tougher challenge than usual, though, as his height and talent may be mitigated by foot problems and signability concerns.

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

The Jays' system is already overflowing with blue-chippers. Might as well take a chance on another one...right?

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

Even with Albert Almora on board, the Cards will continue their search for productive bats to plug into their outfield at some point down the line.

But where Almora looks more like the gamble, Tyler Naquin checks in as something closer to a sure thing. The Texas A&M product might be the best pure hitter in this draft class, and has the seasoning to shine with the big club once Carlos Beltran's two-year deal comes due.

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

Mike Aviles has been surprisingly solid for the Red Sox this season.

However, in all likelihood, Boston would like something better out of its shortstop but doesn't have much to speak of in the pipeline. Nolan Fontana's discerning eye at the plate and athleticism in the field figure to change all that.

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

Stryker Trahan has the game to match his name, which the Rays should welcome with open arms given their need at catcher.

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

Trevor Bauer, Tyler Skaggs, Wade Miley—the list of young pitchers in the D'Backs' system (or already in the Bigs) is extensive.

Why draft another one, then? Riddle me this: can you EVER have too much pitching?

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

Victor Roache has some Hannah Montana to him—he's got the best of both worlds.

As in, he's a college star and, as such, has some well-developed tools (i.e. a slick glove, a cannon for an arm), but, like a prep prospect, he also has some room for growth, particularly at the plate.

That being said, Roache has already shown signs of serious improvement with the bat and should only improve as he works his way through the Brewers' system.

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

At best, Wyatt Mathisen figures out how to field his position at shortstop. At worst, he winds up at catcher and guns down runners from behind the plate.

Sounds like a win-win for the Brew Crew.

29. Texas Rangers: Brian Johnson, LHP, Florida

If not for questions about his health and longevity, Brian Johnson would likely go much earlier in this draft. As it stands, the talented lefty out of Florida would be a fine fit in the Rangers organization, which has done well to stockpile pitchers and nurture them from lights-out relievers into better-than-serviceable starters.

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

Injuries to Mariano Rivera, Joba Chamberlain and David Robertson have left the Yankees' bullpen in something of a bind.

They'll be hard-pressed to find a short-term solution to their lack of relief in this draft, though they could very well draft Christ Stratton and usher him up to the bigs in short order. The Mississippi State closer has a solid repertoire of pitches and sports the sort of backend experience that could make him a successful late-season addition.

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

Is Joey Gallo a hitter? Is he a pitcher? Will it matter, so long as the Sox make a major leaguer out of him?

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