2012 MLB Mock Draft: Overrated Players Who Will Flame out in Minors

With the 2012 Major League Baseball season underway, it’s already time to focus a bit of our short attention spans on the upcoming draft.

This class is full of talented prospects, but there are a few highly-touted stars that are destined for minor-league mediocrity.

All of the players that will flame out in the minors will be  italicized.

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

One of the top pitching prospects of the last five years, Stanford star right-handed pitcher Mark Appel will be a force in the majors sooner rather than later.

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

Arguably the strongest pitcher in the 2012 draft, LSU’s Kevin Gausman has the raw potential to be a serious threat in the big leagues. While time in the minors will help his long-term progress, his success will have him called up quickly.

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

All three picks to start this year’s draft will only test the waters in the minors before heading up to the big dance, and Mike Zunino will be another. With Miguel Olivo getting old and Jesus Montero being the only other catcher of worth in the organization, this is an easy pick.

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

While many scouts around the league feel that Appling County High School (GA) outfielder Byron Buxton is the next big star, he will be relegated to an extended minor league stay before bouncing around the majors.

As great as his average has been in his high-school career, he doesn’t have the power that teams will be looking for in a big-time offensive prospect.

There is a ton of upside with the very raw Buxton, but the reward won’t come without a huge risk. The Orioles may be taking the biggest bust of 2012 at No. 4.

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

The Kansas City Royals may steal this great Puerto Rican prospect in Carlos Correa at No. 5. With a height of 6’4”, Correa could be the lanky shortstop that clogs the middle for years.

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

While Albert Almora is still a very raw talent, his high school success in the outfield is something the Chicago Cubs will be able to mold going forward.

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

My personal favorite player from this draft because of just how good he is already and how much room he has left to develop, Lucas Giolito is already hitting 100 mph on guns and has a serious breaking ball.

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

After opting for college after being drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in 2009, standout infielder Deven Marrero will end up with the rival Pittsburgh Pirates.

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

While there are questions about how high the ceiling will be for standout pitcher Max Fried, his size and strength will have him in the Miami Marlins' starting rotation within two seasons.

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

The Colorado Rockies have been looking for a power pitcher that can set the tone for the rotation. Kyle Zimmer has the size at 6’4” and strength to launch the ball like few hurlers in this draft. Zimmer will be a future MLB star.

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

The best hitter of the 2012 draft, Courtney Hawkins mixes power with consistency. The only question is whether he can carry it over into the minors and beyond.

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

With the need for a shortstop being very evident, the best complete shortstop prospect is Gavin Cecchini. He has a similar style and skill set as Jimmy Rollins did early in his career.

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

Another prospect that has scouts torn is Richie Shaffer from Clemson. After being drafted by the Dodgers in 2009, the third baseman committed to college where he grew into his body and found his stroke.

While there is no denying his college success, there are serious questions about how long it would take him to reach the majors.

The feeling is that Shaffer could get lost in the shuffle of the minors unless he can find a consistency with his bat or legitimate power. It may be a long minor league career for the Clemson star.

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

The first great speed demon of this class, Marcus Stroman is the ultimate agility defender with a pop in his bat. He has leadoff-hitter written all over him.

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

While the Tampa Bay Rays felt like Andrew Heaney was a star for the future in 2009 when they drafted him, his time at Oklahoma State has shifted his public perception.

As much as Heaney was slated as a starting pitcher throughout his young career, there is little doubt that he will be converted to a relief pitcher in the minors.

With no pitch that is overpowering, this young star will have to develop a stellar arsenal of out pitches if he ever wants to make it to Cleveland’s big-league squad.

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

With serious versatility in his pitches and power to spare, it’s just a matter of time before Chris Stratton is a factor for the Nationals.

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

At 6’8”, Matt Smoral is the ultimate wild card left-handed pitcher in the 2012 draft. With power at 94 mph now, a few years in college or in the minors could have these young man pitching in the majors sooner rather than later.

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

With the power to make an impact as a relief pitcher, Lance McCullers is the future of the Dodgers bullpen.

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

A wild card with many hurdles left to clear, Michael Wacha is the kind of tall right-handed pitcher at 6’6” that teams are looking for. This is a boom-or-bust pick.

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

At 6’5” and 220 pounds, there is no doubt that Joey Gallo is the most versatile of the prospects this season. With the ability to pitch with the elite and play every position on the field, the fact that his bat is also a threat makes him the ultimate weapon for a team.

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

With plenty of raw talent, D.J. Davis will be the long-term project to complement Jason Heyward.

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

No matter where the Blue Jays need this star to be on the field, Hunter Virant will deliver. Add in his bat’s consistency and the fact that he is a starting pitcher, and Virant’s future is bright.

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

The biggest strength for Nolan Fontana is his consistency. With the Cardinals lineup missing a key at the top of it for a long time, it’s time to snag the Florida star and get him to the majors fast.

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

Heralded as one of the best all-around talents in the 2012 draft, Carson Kelly’s ability to be a dominant pitcher and a dominant hitter gives the Red Sox a versatile player for the future.

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

Lucas Sims doesn’t have the overpowering size from a right-handed pitcher many scouts look for, but he has Roy Oswalt-type power. He will be a sleeper in this draft.

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

While there are question marks about how good Pierce Johnson will be at the next level, he has the potential to be a solid reliever with some years in the minors under his belt.

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

While Stephen Piscotty was once heralded as a great hitting prospect, he has fallen under the radar a bit after going to Stanford instead of signing with the Dodgers in 2009.

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

While Clint Coulter has committed to Arizona State for college, his chances of coming to the minors for the Brewers are very real with the teams need for a serious batting catcher. It would be better for Coulter’s career to go to college, but his decision is tough.

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

Texas has a great team, but they need help in their pitching staff for the future. That’s where 6’5” right-handed pitcher Zach Eflin steps in and takes charge. This will be a great pick.

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

As great as Addison Russell is at bat, his fielding is rough and the Yankees will have to mold him to make him an everyday possibility. With time, there is no reason Russell can’t be a star.

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

The Boston Red Sox may be drafting a shortstop, but Corey Seager has the room to grow into almost any position on the field if needed. He can hit well to boot.

*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

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