2012 MLB Mock Draft: Fast-Moving Prospects Who Will Steal the Show

When teams are able to draft effectively and build a deep farm system stocked with talent, they're able to win championships. Sometimes, it really is that simple. 

Young talent that is properly cultivated and nurtured throughout the minor league system is the key to building a contender, even though those players may not reach the big leagues for two, three or four years. It's become evident that the teams who are able to scout and select the best impact players are the ones that end up being the deepest, and the scariest, come playoff time.

With that in mind, here is a complete first-round mock draft with a special emphasis on the prospects who are likely to move quickly through the minor-league ranks.

1. Houston Astros (56-106):  Mark Appel, RHP, Stanford

Appel made the right decision when he didn't sign with the Tigers after going in the 15th round three years ago. Now, he has three years of development under his belt and he has a mid-90s fastball that still has room to become even more lethal. Plus, at 6'4", he's the perfect size. 

One concern with Appel, however, is the way his arm is being used at Stanford. Recently, he's thrown as many as 149 pitches in a game, and no one wants a first overall draft pick whose arm is completely dead just a few years down the road. He definitely has above-average stuff, though, so he's tough to pass up.

Appel still lacks a bit of consistency with his command and could benefit from adding another pitch to the mix, but the star potential is definitely there.

2. Minnesota Twins (63-99): Kevin Gausman, RHP, LSU

He may not have been signable back in 2010 when he went to the Dodgers in the sixth round, but after two years showing off his 94-mph fastball at LSU, the Twins are likely to shell out the cash to make sure they get him.

3. Seattle Mariners (67-95): Mike Zunino, C, Florida

Zunino is the son of a scout, so he definitely knows what it takes to impress, and he certainly has impressed as the consensus top catcher available this year. He also has the bat speed to hit in the middle of the order not too far down the line.

The 21-year-old hit .323 with 16 homers, 55 RBI and a .664 slugging percentage this year, so he's a hot commodity as one of those elusive catchers who's also a serious, heart-of-the-order-type threat. One concern: his numbers versus the SEC are far below his season averages, and though he's certainly the best bat available on this board, there hasn't exactly been a plethora of offensive talent in the college ranks this year.

Still, he's good enough to go in the top five because a solid-hitting catcher with good leadership skills isn't something to overlook.

4. Baltimore Orioles (69-93): Byron Buxton, OF, Appling County High School (Ga.)

This high school senior is the top prospect on many a board. He may need more time to develop in the minors, but he has the speed—both on the base paths and with the bat—to be a star.

5. Kansas City Royals (71-91): Carlos Correa, SS, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy

Correa is special because he likely won't have to transition away from shortstop as he moves through the system. Still, it's unclear whether he can be pried away from the University of Miami.

6. Chicago Cubs (71-91): Albert Almora, OF, Marion Christian Academy (Fla.)

He certainly has had enough experience over the years to solidify himself as a top prospect. The Miami senior shows power with the bat with great arm strength as a center fielder.

7. San Diego Padres (71-91): Lucas Giolito, RHP, Harvard-Westlake (Calif.)

The high school senior has fallen a few notches down the board after spraining a ligament in his elbow, an injury that could impact the amount teams are willing to shell out for him. He's committed to UCLA.

8. Pittsburgh Pirates (72-90): Deven Marrero, SS, Arizona State

He's former first-rounder Chris Marrero's younger brother and has had three years at ASU to develop into one of the top position players available. He even has the defensive skills to become a top shortstop.

Marrero comes from some very impressive lineage: Along with his brother, cousins Christian Marrero (Braves) and Chris Marrero (Nationals) have both been through the draft grind, and he's been personally groomed by former MLB shortstop Rey Ordonez, according to MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez. His background is evident in his effortless grace on the diamond, but his offense has raised concerns over the years as he's dropped off from hitting .397 as a freshman to .276 as a junior.

In the end, his excellent defense will keep him in the top 10.

9. Miami Marlins (72-90): Max Fried, LHP, Harvard-Westlake HS (CA)

This southpaw is special not only because of a mid-90s fastball but also because of a sick curveball he can throw for strikes.

10. Colorado Rockies (73-89): Kyle Zimmer, RHP, San Francisco

The USF junior has never been drafted but he's a big, durable righty and has four pitches that could develop into weapons somewhere down the line.

11. Oakland Athletics (74-88): Courtney Hawkins, RF, Carroll HS (Tx.)

Hawkins is great when it comes to hitting fastballs, and he projects well as a corner outfielder, but he needs to curb a tendency to be overly aggressive at the plate. 

12. New York Mets (77-85): Gavin Cecchini, SS, Barbe HS (LA)

He makes good contact and has good enough instincts to be a threat on the base paths, but a move to second base could improve his overall effectiveness.

13. Chicago White Sox (79-83): Richie Shaffer, 3B, Clemson

He went to the Dodgers in the 25th round three years back, and though he strikes out a lot, he shows enough power at the plate to be a worthwhile first-round selection this time around.

14. Cincinnati Reds (79-83): Marcus Stroman, RHP, Duke

This relief pitcher has the makings of the next great young closer, and at 5'9", he's often compared to Tom Gordon with his mid-90s fastball and late-breaking curve.

15. Cleveland Indians (80-82): Andrew Heaney, LHP, Oklahoma State

He's durable enough to last deep into games while still maintaining his mid-90s velocity, and as a lefty, that's always a big plus.

16. Washington Nationals (80-81): Chris Stratton, RHP, Mississippi State

It's taken him a while to bust into the first round, but Stratton is likely to go here because of his 6'3" frame and his fastball, which tends to hold strong at 91-94 mph through at least 75 pitches.

17. Toronto Blue Jays (81-81): Matt Smoral, LHP, Solon HS (OH)

The high school senior's draft stock took a hit after he fractured his foot in April, but he still has a 92-mph fastball that's complemented by a solid sinker.

18. Los Angeles Dodgers (82-79): Lance McCullers, RHP, Jesuit HS (FL)

He's another high school senior who can hit the upper-90s with his fastball, but struggles with his command hurt him on the board. Fortunately, there's plenty of time for him to fix those issues.

19. *St. Louis Cardinals (90-72): Michael Wacha, RHP, Texas A&M

He's not as dominant as some of the other available righty prospects, but there are plenty of plus-sides to his game, particularly his size (6'6") and his ability to throw three pitches for strikes.

20. San Francisco Giants (86-76): Joey Gallo, 3B/RHP, Bishop Gorman HS (Nev.)

Gallo projects as a first baseman and has the power at the plate to be a serious threat, but he has a big swing and is hurt by his below-average speed on the base paths.

21. Atlanta Braves (89-73): D.J. Davis, OF, Stone HS (Miss.)

He's surging up the draft boards very quickly, which gives some scouts pause, but he's worth the hype to some degree as the fastest player in this class.

22. **Toronto Blue Jays (81-81): Hunter Virant, LHP, Camarillo HS (CA)

He may be young, but he has a fastball that hits 96 mph and an excellent curveball that warrants a first-round selection. Someday, he could easily be a second or third starter in any rotation.

23. St. Louis Cardinals (90-72): Nolan Fontana, SS, Florida

Though he's average in many regards—his swing, his instincts, his arm strength—he's solid as a total package, even if he'll probably have to transition into a second baseman.

24. Boston Red Sox (90-72): Carson Kelly, RHP/3B, Westview HS (OR)

He's good enough as a corner infielder, but he's more likely to develop as a pitcher because of his arm. He can hit 92 mph with his fastball and can also throw his curve for strikes.

25. Tampa Bay Rays (91-71): Lucas Sims, RHP, Brookwood HS (Ga.)

He currently clocks in somewhere between 91-94 mph and already boasts a solid curve. Once he develops his sinker a bit more, he has the potential to be dominant.

26. Arizona Diamondbacks (94-68): Pierce Johnson, RHP, Missouri State

He's still trying to prove he's healthy after injuring his forearm earlier this year, but a solid three-pitch repertoire and his competitive attitude will keep him in the first round.

27. ***Milwaukee Brewers (96-66): Stephen Piscotty, 3B, Stanford

Even among some of the top talent at the collegiate level, Piscotty stood out above the rest, winning the batting title in the Cape League last summer after hitting .349. That certainly projects well heading into the draft.

28. Milwaukee Brewers (96-66): Clint Coulter, C, Union HS (Wash.)

At 6'3" and 210 pounds, he's built properly for a Major League catcher and still manages to run the bases well. His leadership skills are also a plus.

29. Texas Rangers (96-66): Zach Eflin, RHP, Hagerty HS (FL)

Eflin stands out because his heater already tops out at 94-95 mph, and he also boasts a solid changeup.

30. New York Yankees (97-65): Addison Russell, SS, Pace HS (FL)

At 6'0" and 215 pounds, he may project better as a third baseman at the next level. He has the bat speed and the power to be dominant at the plate.

31. ****Boston Red Sox (90-72): Corey Seager, 3B, Northwest Carrabus HS (NC)

He could be even better than brother Kyle because of his bat speed and his hitting skills.

*Compensation from Los Angeles Angels for Albert Pujols

**Compensation for failing to sign 2011 first-round pick Tyler Beede

***Compensation from Detroit for Prince Fielder

****Compensation from Philadelphia for Jonathan Papelbon