2012 MLB Draft: Top Hitter to Watch from Each NCAA Regional

The tournament field has been announced, and the quest for the College World Series is about to begin.

Even though you might not know all of these men now, there are some major bats in this tournament that you very well might see in a few years slamming home runs in Major League Baseball.

As kind of an introduction, I am going to clue you into the best draft-eligible hitter playing in each of the 16 regionals that will be starting on Friday, as well as an honorable mention for each.

Florida Regional: C Mike Zunino, Florida

Mike Zunino is going to be one of the top selections in the upcoming MLB draft. Offensive-minded catchers are few and far between, so that will make him an even more valuable commodity.

Last season, he was named the SEC Player of the Year, and he really hasn't regressed at all this season. Currently, he is hitting .323 with 16 home runs and 55 RBI.

However, before Zunino is even announced on draft day, you will see him making an impact in the Florida Regional.

Honorable Mention: OF/LHP Marty Gantt, College of Charleston

North Carolina State Regional: OF Ryan Matthews, North Carolina State

Ryan Matthews has been a bit of a journeyman throughout his college career, but he has busted out in 2012.

Currently, Matthews is hitting .330 with 14 home runs and 54 RBI.

As the only player with double-digit home runs for the North Carolina State Wolfpack, Matthews is a large part of their lineup and the success they have had so far this season.

Honorable Mention: OF Andrew Cain, UNC Wilmington

Virginia Regional: INF Daniel Kassouf, Appalachian State

Daniel Kassouf has made a huge statement in the middle of the lineup for Appalachian State this season, as he is among the Division I leaders in home runs.

To go along with his impressive 17 home runs, he is hitting .345 and has driven in 60 runs.

Kassouf is having a great senior year, and he will be a great draft option for any team that wants a hitter with major power potential.

Honorable Mention: C/OF Tyler Tewell, Appalachian State

South Carolina Regional: 3B/1B Richie Shaffer, Clemson

Richie Shaffer was previously an excellent defensive first basemen, but he successfully made the transition to third base this season.

Offensively, he has always been strong, and 2012 has been no different. He is currently hitting .339 with 10 home runs and 46 RBI.

Shaffer will have more draft value as a third baseman since it is a more scarce position than first, but he should have a solid College World Series first.

Honorable Mention: 1B/3B Christian Walker, South Carolina

Oregon Regional: 3B Greg Bachman, Austin Peay

Austin Peay can score runs in bunches, but they are led by their slugging third baseman Greg Bachman.

Bachman has had another excellent season at the hot corner, where he is currently hitting .339 with 16 home runs and 67 RBI.

Bachman is a redshirt senior, so his age might play against him in the MLB draft, but he should at least launch a few more collegiate home runs before he needs to worry about that.

Honorable Mention: C Jeremy Lucas, Indiana State

Purdue Regional: C/INF Luke Maile, Kentucky

The Kentucky Wildcats are led by a trio of run producers, but Luke Maile stands out for his impressive home run production.

In 2012, Maile is hitting .313 with 12 home runs and 49 RBI.

He is only a junior, so if the draft is not kind to him, he can return to college. However, with his offensive potential behind the plate, he should be drafted at a solid position.

Honorable Mention: INF/RHP George Cousins, Kent State

Rice Regional: OF Jeremy Rathjen, Rice

Jeremy Rathjen was injured for most of 2011, but he has come back to have a very strong campaign for the very strong Rice Owls.

So far in 2012, Rathjen has posted a batting average of .333 to complement his nine home runs and 41 RBI.

As a junior, Jeremy Rathjen obviously has another year of NCAA eligibility, but he has a solid combination of tools that might see him become a good draft pick this year.

Honorable Mention: INF Matt Reynolds, Arkansas

Baylor Regional: C Josh Ludy, Baylor

Let me just say that this was the most difficult choice for me to make, as there are so many strong hitters in this regional.

Josh Ludy took the top spot along with his great stat line of a .363 batting average, 13 home runs and 64 RBI.

Very few hitters put up those numbers, but there are even fewer catchers. Given that he is an incredibly talented offensive catcher, it should not be a problem finding a team willing to draft him.

Honorable Mention: OF Preston Beck, Texas-Arlington

UCLA Regional: C Mitchell Garver, New Mexico

Mitchell Garver and sophomore D.J. Peterson have been phenomenal so far this season for the New Mexico Lobos.

For Garver's part, he has hit .391 with 10 home runs and 57 RBI.

Peterson will definitely be in New Mexico next season, as he is only a sophomore and not draft eligible, but Garver could very well be on his way this season.

Honorable Mention: OF Jeff Gelalich, UCLA

Texas A&M Regional: INF Matt Snyder, Ole Miss

Matt Snyder has been the most important run producer for Ole Miss, as they have fought through the very difficult SEC.

This season, he is hitting at a .333 clip with 12 home runs and 57 RBI.

Ole Miss has definitely relied on its strong pitching staff this season, but Matt Snyder has been a bright spot on offense and has helped his team reach this point in the tournament.

Honorable Mention: OF Tyler Naquin, Texas A&M

Miami Regional: C Peter O'Brien, Miami

I know that I have a lot of catchers on this list, but Peter O'Brien probably won't be a catcher for very long given the fact that he is 6'5". Perhaps first base will be in his future.

Whatever his future holds, he is still having an amazing year for the Hurricanes while batting .348 with 10 home runs and 39 RBI.

O'Brien was drafted in the third round last season, but he should be on the move up this year.

Honorable Mention: INF/RHP William Carmona, Stony Brook

LSU Regional: OF Raph Rhymes, LSU

Raph Rhymes doesn't have the power that I generally have looked for in all of these other choices. He does have three home runs and 50 RBI, though.

The reason is on this list is because even though he plays in the very competitive SEC, he is hitting .459 on the season. His on-base percentage is .513.

Rhymes is getting on base more than half the time, and there is no more that you can expect from a hitter.

Honorable Mention: INF/OF Joey Rapp, Louisiana-Monroe

North Carolina Regional: INF/OF John Wooten, East Carolina

John Wooten is the highlight of what is a rather weak offensive attack from East Carolina.

However, Wooten himself is having a very good season. He is hitting .341 with eight home runs and 37 RBI.

East Carolina is going to need him to come through in a major way as they compete in what will probably be a pitching-dominated region.

Honorable Mention: SS/2B Matt Wessinger, St. John's

Arizona Regional: OF Robert Refsnyder, Arizona

Robert Refsnyder has been putting together a great season for the Arizona Wildcats, and the entire team has been producing around him.

Individually, Refsnyder is hitting .359 with six home runs and 57 RBI.

Arizona is the top of their region, and with the offense provided by Refsnyder, among others, they should be in a great position to advance.

Honorable Mention: C Zac Fisher, New Mexico State

Stanford Regional: UTIL/RHP Stephen Piscotty, Stanford

Stephen Piscotty is obviously a Jack of all trades. He can play all over the diamond, but when he comes to the plate, the results are the same.

So far in 2012, Piscotty is hitting .319 with five home runs and 54 RBI for the Cardinal.

He is definitely going to be drafted not only for his offensive performance, but also for his versatility. Nevertheless, Stanford has a World Series to compete for before Piscotty crosses that bridge.

Honorable Mention: INF Joe Sever, Pepperdine

Florida State Regional: OF James Ramsey, Florida State

James Ramsey and his teammate Jayce Boyd have done a lot to help the Florida State Seminoles reach this point.

Ramsey has brought the power to the lineup with 12 home runs to go along with his .382 batting average and 49 RBI.

Florida State will have some firepower in their lineup, and Ramsey should definitely have a bright future on draft day.

Honorable Mention: INF Saxon Butler, Samford

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