2012 MLB Mock Draft: Pitchers That GMs Can't Pass on

Major League Baseball has become a league filled with tons of great hitters and simply not enough pitchers to combat them. There's no question pitching is at a premium in this day and age in baseball.

The draft is probably the best way to land a top-flight pitcher nowadays making it vital that MLB general managers get it right when they get the chance.

Here are some pitchers that GM's just can't pass on if they get the chance with video to prove it.

1. Houston Astros--Mark Appel, RHP, Stanford

Although there is some doubt as to whether Appel will be the clear-cut No. 1 overall pick, there is little doubt he is the best pitcher in this draft.

Size and a live arm that can get it in the mid 90's gives Appel a step above the rest. A struggling team like the Houston Astros would love to have his arm in their rotation either right away, or in another year or two.

Appel will be 21 in July so he isn't that far off.

2. Minnesota Twins: Kevin Gausman, RHP, LSU

Gausman has been down this road before and according to MLB.com's Staff, was drafted as a high-schooler but turned down the offer from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Now, two years older, Gausman still has the arm strength and a bit more size as well. He might not be as impressive as Appel, but working with professional coaches should help bring Gausman to where he wants to be.

Time might have made this prospect that much more desirable.

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

Despite trading for Jesus Montero, the Mariners still aren't set at catcher considering Montero isn't all that impressive defensively. Zunino isn't a sure-fire superstar, but would be a consistent soluetion at catchers for years to come.

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

Buxton won't be a home run hitter, but he can handle the bat and steal bases with his great speed. He might only be 18, but if he can develop and join Adam Jones and Nick Markakis, Baltimore would have one of the most talented outfields in the sport.

  

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

The Royals could be looking for an infield general up the middle and Correa has the potential to be just that. A solid bat, consistent defense and great size helps Correa fit the mold of great shortstops in this day and age.

  

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

The Cubs have begun the process of climbing out the hole they dug for themselves and Almora could certainly help their cause. Almora's power and speed not only enable him to hit anywhere in the order, but he is also a solid center fielder.

  

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

In a weak offensive division, pitching it everything and Giolito will help the Padres in that department. Giolito has great velocity that puts his fastball in the upper 90's and could've been a higher pick if not for health issues.

  

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

Marrero is not the type of player that will be the centerpiece of a lineup, but his glove and range give him an edge above most infielders in the draft. 

  

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

Miami has taken enough chances this year on their free-agent choices, but there's always room for one more. Friend has electric stuff but is coming from high school and people who follow baseball know just how risky a long-term project like Friend can be.

  

10. Colorado Rockies: Kyle Zimmer

One thing that Zimmer has is control. To go along with that quality, Zimmer displays that control throwing as hard as 97 MPH.

You wouldn't know it from watching this video, but Zimmer has work to do, as do most young pitchers, if he wants to make it at the next level.

Developing pitches and finding that strikeout pitch to go along with his heater will be crucial to his development.

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

He might be a project coming out of high school, but Hawkins' power as an outfielder make him attractive. The A's might find a bat for the middle of their order for years to come.

 

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

Not known for his offense, Cecchini won't exactly be the next coming of Joses Reyes, but he should be a solid, light-hitting defensive shortstop.

 

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

Shaffer won't be the next Alex Rodriguez power-wise, but he does have an excellent bat to go along with his consistent defense. He should be above-average in the hot corner.

 

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

At 5'9", Stroman isn't the ideal size for Major League pitcher, but his wide array of pitches makes him unpredictable and gives him an advantage on the mound.

 

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

Heaney also has a wide array of pitches and with his college experience and average velocity, he could be an MLB-ready pitcher for the Indians.

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

Stratton's overall velocity doesn't appear to be front-end of the rotation stuff, but the Nats don't need that with the pitching they currently have. He will help fill-in Washington's rotation nicely, though.

  

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

Smoral's big frame makes him a desirable pick as an MLB starter. But a foot injury makes Smoral a bit of a question mark for the future, but it's a risk worth taking on the Blue Jays part.

  

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

McCullers does have starter stuff with a lively fastball and a slider to put hitters away, but if he doesn't continue to progress under professional pitching coaches, he could be bullpen-bound in the future.

  

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

At 6'6'' with low 90's velocity and good control, Wacha could be a solid starter for years to come. He might not have the stuff of a front-end starter, but last time I checked, it takes five starters to make a big-league rotation.

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

Gallo is your big, prototypical first baseman with great power and little speed. The Giants annually lack offense so Gallo would be a nice fit when he gets to the big show.

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

Speed is the best thing about Davis at this moment, but his hitting is improving and with the help of professional hitting coaches, he could one day become a complete outfielder.

 

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

Virant will be taking a chance considering he has below-average velocity, but his control gives the hope he can be a crafty left for years to come. His lack of velocity will certainly help him avoid arm troubles and extend his starts.

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

Average is the best word to describe Fontana coming into this draft. There isn't anything he excels at, but overall, he has the potential to be a solid all-around shortstop who gets it done consistently on both sides of the ball for many years.

 

 

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

Kelly can both pitch and play the field, but with solid power and a great arm from third base, it's likely he'll be used as a position player in the future. 

 

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

With great control of his fastball, Sims has the type of command to be a starter. He does need work on expanding his reportoire, but that shouldn't be a problem once he works with some better coaching. 

 

 

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

 Johnson's lively fastball and great control makes him a project worth taking the risk on. The Diamondbacks have some work to do in their rotation for the future and Johnson could be a solution behind Ian Kennedy. 

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

Piscotty has the power and overall hitting ability that combined with defense, could make him a starting thid baseman in the MLB. Milwaukee could certainly use a little extra pop and consistency since losing Prince Fielder as a free agent.

 

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

Solid catchers are rare in this draft so the Brewers would be best served to take Coulter. He has solid power and a good arm that with work, could help him be a solid defensive catcher in this league.

 

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

Nolan Ryan loves him some pitching and taking Eflin would prove that. The young right-hander is still a work in progress coming out of high school, but has a great arm that will get stronger over time and with more work.

 

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

The Bombers are aging quickly on the left side of the infield and Russell could help them make a smoother transition to a new era. Russell provides a solid bat and above-average offense that could put him on the left corner of the infield for the future.

 

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

Seager's arm makes him the perfect candidate to be a solid infielder for the Red Sox. He won't surprise you with a ton of power, but that doesn't mean he can't handle the bat.