2012 MLB Mock Draft: High-Upside Studs Who Will Make Instant Impact

Upside and potential are the two most common words that you will hear leading up to the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft. They are the words that give a fanbase hope and either get general managers raises or fired. 

This year's draft is filled with a lot of potential and upside, but has no sure things in the bunch. It is one of the most volatile crops of players you will ever see, which adds to a lot of the drama as we count down the days until June 4. 

Here is a look at our latest MLB Mock Draft, with a hard focus on the high-upside studs are going to make a name for themselves right away. 

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

Appel is an interesting study. He has great stuff, starting with a fastball that sits in the mid-90s, but his so-so results, inability to hide the ball and lack of movement on the pitch make him easier to hit than he should be. 

He has good upside, but I see him taking more time than most college juniors would at this stage of the game. 

2. Minnesota Twins (63-99): Byron Buxton, OF, Appling County High School (GA)

The Twins catch a break with the Astros taking Appel, because it gives them the kind of toolsy, high-upside star in their system that they so rarely go after in the draft. 

Buxton is the best pure athlete in this draft, with the potential to be a five-tool superstar at his peak. He has a long way to go before he can even think about getting to the big leagues, but I would suspect his first season in short-season will go very well. 

An assignment to low Class A would be too aggressive given where his skills are right now. Letting him get his feet wet in a spot where he can dominate is going to work wonders for his future. 

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

Zunino is one of those players whose value is tied up more in the position he plays than an indication of his immense upside. Frankly speaking, this Florida product doesn't have the raw potential you look for this high. 

However, Zunino does boast solid tools across the board, both offensively and defensively. Considering the low offensive standards for catchers, he could develop into one of the best in the game. 

4. Baltimore Orioles (69-93): Kevin Gausman, RHP, LSU 

Gausman is the best college arm in this draft. He has made a lot of improvements over the course of the season to sneak into the conversation for the No. 1 overall pick. He will have to settle for going fourth. 

The Orioles, who have the best pitching prospect in baseball (Dylan Bundy), will add another electric arm to their collection. He has reached his physical peak, so there is not a lot of projection left. 

As it stands, the Orioles will have to make do with a pitcher who throws a plus fastball and changeup with a good slider that keeps getting better. 

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

Correa is the wild card of the top five; he could realistically go anywhere from No. 1 to No. 6. Given the Royals' knack for grabbing the best player available, they will grab the Puerto Rican stud. 

While he will likely end up being an above-average defender at third base, Correa's bat is special. He has an advanced feel for the strike zone already. His power is already playing well in games. 

There is a lot of potential with Correa, who should have no problem making an impact in his first full season in professional baseball. 

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

Yet another stud who could turn out to be a steal, Almora is already an outstanding defensive center fielder. His hitting is not quite as advanced as his glove, but it is not that far behind. 

The Cubs are enduring a terrible season--which is saying something for that franchise--but adding a player like Almora to the mix will make a lot of the problems seem worth it. 

Almora could probably start at low Class A Peoria next year and emerge as one of the best players in the Midwest League.

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

I am going to play conservatively with the expectations for Giolito next season since he has dealt with an elbow issue that has kept him out for most of this year. If he is able to pitch without restriction, he probably doesn't come close to lasting until this pick. 

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

Shortstops are judged on their ability to play defense. In that regard, Marrero is going to be great. The problems come when you put a bat in his hand. He was solid prior to this season, so it's not like hope is lost, but there is some doubt about how he is going to handle himself in pro ball. 

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

Left-handed pitching is always at a premium, but it looks even better with someone like Fried. He has great athleticism on the mound, along with a plus fastball and one of the best curveballs in the draft. 

Because Fried has such a clean delivery with an advanced feel for pitching, don't be shocked to see the Marlins get aggressive with him after he signs. He can handle himself and could turn out to be the best pitcher from Harvard-Westlake, at least in 2012. 

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

Zimmer has lost a lot of velocity as the season has gone on, which could be attributed to a hamstring issue that kept him out of action for a short time. 

Until we know how much velocity his fastball will have--for the record, he has been mostly 88-91 lately--we don't know what his future holds. 

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

Hawkins has tremendous power potential thanks to ridiculous bat speed, but he doesn't make enough consistent contact right now to project great things right away. 

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

Cecchini is a natural shortstop who should stay at the position, but his bat is his biggest question mark right now. He could develop into a contact hitter with power for doubles, but likely nothing more than that. 

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

Shaffer's power earns him a lot of praise and pushed him up draft boards, but it is not his only tool. He has a strong approach at the plate and good bat speed to hit for average. 

His defense, while not great, is likely going to end up being at least above average thanks to a strong arm and good range. The White Sox need an infusion of talent in their system, and Shaffer doesn't break their tradition of college players who will sign and can move quickly through a system. 

I like his bat a lot and think he should be able to handle himself in high Class A right away. 

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

If you had to bet on who will be the first player from this draft to debut in the big leagues, Stroman would have to be the favorite. He has the stuff and durability to start, but his size and fastball's lack of plane will likely force him to the bullpen. 

No matter what role Stroman settles into, he is going to be a steal. He has three plus pitches already and his command will play in MLB right now. 

I want to see a team give him a chance to start, but it is probably not in the cards. 

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

Heaney's solid repertoire and delivery should make him a fast mover. He doesn't have much upside, but will turn into a solid No. 3 starter who should succeed with an assignment to high Class A after signing. 

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

Like Heaney, Stratton doesn't have a lot of upside but will be solid and should dominate the lower level minors right away. 

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

Smoral is coming into this draft after battling a stress fracture in his foot, which will likely affect the way the Blue Jays use him. He has tremendous upside, but it is going to take time before the results match his performance. 

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

Since McCullers is working on ironing out some of his mechanics to maintain his status as a starter in pro ball, I want to see how he handles the competition before declaring him an impact player. 

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

Wacha doesn't overpower anyone, but he has a solid mix of pitches and a clean delivery that will play well in the minors. 

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

Gallo has incredible power in his bat, but, like Hawkins, doesn't make a lot of contact right now. If he wanted to pitch, he could do that if he wanted. There is going to be a period of adjustment before we see what kind of player Gallo will become. 

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

The Braves had a lot of luck with the last high school position player they selected (Jason Heyward) and they should like what Davis brings to the table. 

Davis is an advanced hitter already, and should have no problem adjusting to low Class A if the Braves wanted to push him to that level. 

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

Virant is an intriguing prospect, simply because he is all projection right now. Because his body has a lot of maturing to do over the next few years, he could get hit around before we see the results expected of a first-round pick. 

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

Fontana's ceiling is that of a league-average shortstop without a lot of projection left. An up-the-middle-player like that is going to find his way into the first round. 

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

One of the more underrated players in this draft class, Kelly has a good bat with plus power already and he projects to hit for average. Youth is going to hinder his immediate impact, but he will put up big home run totals in a year or two. 

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

The Rays love to find projectable pitching in the first round, which makes Sims a perfect choice for them at No. 25. 

Sims already throws a fastball in the low 90s with a hard slider, and could turn into a good No. 2 starter if he can iron out his command. He will probably start 2012 in short season ball, which will keep him from showcasing his ability right away. 

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

Another pitcher who has been bitten by the injury bug, Johnson has the stuff and mentality to make an impact right away. The Diamondbacks will likely be cautious with him after he signs. 

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

Piscotty is going to have to adjust his swing to succeed in pro ball thanks to Stanford's need to force everyone to make contact instead of playing up their skills. 

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

The lack of competition in high school, along with the adjustment to calling games behind the plate, will make Coulter a project who takes time to showcase his strong hitting talents in the minors. 

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

Eflin has the complete package of tools that teams should want from a high-school arm. He is 6'5", 200 pounds with a lot more velocity and upside left in that arm. 

The Rangers have built one of the best farm systems in the game by going after those kinds of high-upside projection players in the past. With Eflin just sitting in their laps, they could get one of the best bargains in this class. 

Don't be shocked to see him emerge as a star in low Class A next season and hold his own, he's that good. 

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

Russell is loaded with tools, but awkward and inconsistent swing mechanics often lead him to look far worse than he should. 

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

The ball jumps off Seager's bat thanks to his simple swing and tremendous bat speed. He has far more upside than this pick would suggest. He's built like a truck and should be at least above-average on defense at the hot corner. 

Seager has the raw tools to be an instant success in the minors, and should have no problem adjusting to pitching in either low Class A or high Class A, depending where the Red Sox might look to send him. 

*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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