2012 MLB Mock Draft: Sluggers Who Will Crush It in the Big Leagues

One of the most exciting aspects of a potential MLB prospect is his ability to hit for power.

The phrase “chicks dig the long-ball” may be an old one, but it still rings true today.

A hitter’s ability to crush a home run gives him much more value than a player who can’t because in the post-steroid era, there simply isn’t that many pure power hitters. The 2012 draft may be littered with high school prospects, but there are a select few that are already displaying signs that suggest they will be a slugger in the future.

As we roll through the latest mock draft, the focus is on sluggers that have the ability to make a huge splash in the majors with their power.

1. Houston Astros (56-106): Byron Buxton, OF, Appling County High School (GA)

The Astros need a top-tier talent, even if he will take a while to develop.

Buxton has displayed outstanding line-drive power that will develop into home run power once his body fully develops.

On top of being incredibly fast and possessing above-average skills in the field, Buxton is the complete package, and there is no doubt he has all of the tools to become a star.

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

The flamethrower can hit 95 mph on the radar gun and has a very smooth delivery that allows him to go deep into games.

While command is still an issue at times, Gausman has shown plenty of signs to suggest he’ll be a star in the major leagues.

3. Seattle Mariners (67-95): Mark Appel, RHP, Stanford

Appel’s fastball reaches the mid-90s and his delivery suggests injuries will never be a major issue. The ball explodes out of his hands.

With three pitches he can throw for strikes, Appel is likely going to be the first pitcher to reach the big’s from this draft class.

4. Baltimore Orioles: (69-93): Carlos Correa, SS, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy

He has all of the tools that suggest he’ll be a premiere defensive shortstop. He has range, a rocket arm and great anticipation.

Oh yeah, he can hit too.

5. Kansas City Royals (71-91): Mike Zunino, C, Florida

I’m a big fan of Zunino.

He has baseball in his blood (dad has been a MLB scout for 22 years) and the charisma and leadership qualities to suggest he can command the respect of a pitching staff almost immediately.

6. Chicago Cubs (71-91): Lucas Giolito, RHP, Harvard-Westlake (CA)

Be wary of Giolito.

He had a sprained ulnar collateral that sacked him for his senior season and has a fastball that tops out in the low 90s.

I’m not buying the comparisons to Roy Halladay.

7. San Diego Padres (71-91): Albert Almora, OF, Marion Christian Academy (FL)

He has the ability to hit for some serious power with his lightening-quick hands.

Almora is a pull hitter that will have to learn how to spray the ball to all sides of the field, but considering he is only 18, that shouldn’t be a problem.

Then again, if he gets stuck playing a Petco Park, his numbers might not reflect his abilities.

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

He is a premier prospect on defense, which makes him worth a first round pick, but I’m not sold on his ability to hit with any sort of consistency.

He hit just .279 with a .438 slugging percentage in the Pac-12, a league not known for its pitching. Marrero doesn’t have great mechanics and should be more polished than he is at this point in his career.

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

His curveball is deadly and can throw three different pitches for strikes.

Note to parents of lefties…make your son play baseball! There is a great shot he will pitch in the majors someday.

10. Colorado Rockies (73-89): Andrew Heaney, LHP, Oklahoma State

The Rockies thought a 49-year-old could pitch well on their starting pitching staff, so obviously there is a dire need at the position.

Heaney is a polished arm that has four pitches, with the only knock being he doesn’t have over-powering stuff. He won’t be hitting 97 mph on the gun.

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

At 6’2’’ and 200 pounds, Hawkins has the body frame to lead the majors in home runs at some point if he continues to build up his strength.

His raw power makes him a bit of a swing-and-miss type of hitter right now, but there is no player in the entire draft that has the power potential that Hawkins currently has.

While he pitched some in high school as well, there is no doubt he is a future slugger. Remember his name.

12. New York Mets (77-85): Kyle Zimmer, RHP, San Francisco

The Mets don’t have a ton of depth in the pitching department and could use a guy like Zimmer who has an incredibly high ceiling, considering he was a third baseman when he entered college and is now a dominant force in college.

A recent slump drops him back a few slots.

13. Chicago White Sox (79-83): Gavin Cecchini, SS, Barbe HS (LA)

This guy is a menace on the base paths because not only does he possess incredible natural speed, but he has extraordinary instincts as well.

That will also come in handy in the field. Hitting isn’t his strong suit, but he has plenty of time to develop.

14. Cincinnati Reds (79-83): Richie Shaffer, 3B, Clemson

Scott Rolen is on the brink of retirement, and the position has become a glaring need for the Reds because of it. Drafting a replacement out of college is the right move for their first round pick, and Shaffer could help the team in a hurry.

He has very long arms at 6’4’’, which allow him to spray the ball to all parts of the field. He is a slugger that is surprisingly patient, ensuring he gets the right pitch to drive. His 51 walks this past season were among the best in the entire nation.

As he adds weight to his 190-pound frame, he will be a feared home run hitter in the majors.

15. Cleveland Indians (80-82): Chris Stratton, RHP, Mississippi State

Stratton started the year as a reliever but turned into a starter who throws a 94 mph fastball with terrific movement on his pitches.

With above-average control, his ability to throw four pitches for strikes and become either a starter or reliever makes him worth a high pick.

16. Washington Nationals (80-81): DJ Davis, OF, Stone HS (MS)

The Nationals could really use some help on the offensive end and land one of the fastest players in the draft with Davis.

He has outstanding range in centerfield and can be the lead-off hitter for the Nationals in due time.

17. Toronto Blue Jays (81-81): Lance McCullers, RHP, Jesuit HS (FL)

Not a huge fan of Mccullers, who has a strange delivery and struggles with his control.

Yet, scouts drool over his ability to reach the upper 90s, and he does own a nasty slider.

He is a high risk/high reward type pick.

18. Los Angeles Dodgers (82-79): Joey Gallo, 3B/RHP, Bishop Gorman HS (NV)

This guy is on a hot-streak for the ages.

Sure it may only be high school, but Gallo has smacked 19 home runs in his last 24 games.

I don’t care what level of ball that is, this is an incredible feat. ThroughtheFence.com ranks him as the No. 1 power hitter in this draft, and you can see why.

At 6’5’’ and 220 pounds, the sky is the limit for Gallo.

*19. St. Louis Cardinals (90-72): Matt Smoral, LHP, Solon HS (OH)

A lefty that stands 6’7’’ and weighs 225 pounds, he has outstanding potential because of his raw physical skills.

He has an easy arm delivery with an above-average fastball and a changeup. He has work to do but is worth investing in.

20. San Francisco Giants (86-76): Marcus Stroman, RHP, Duke

When you own a mid-90s fastball and a breaking ball that can dip into the low 80s, there is a place for you in Round 1.

I’m not a fan of his 5’9’’, 185-pound frame, which makes me wonder if he’ll be anything more than a middle reliever.

21. Atlanta Braves (89-73): Lucas Sims, RHP, Brookwood HS (GA)

Sims needs to develop his off-speed pitches better, but he has the upside to ensure a first-round selection.

**22. Toronto Blue Jays (81-81): Corey Seager, 3B, Northwest Carrabus HS (NC)

Defense is going to be a problem, but he has a picture-perfect swing and the ability to be a terrific offensive player.

He’ll need plenty of time to develop, but the payoff could be huge. Seager has a very high ceiling.

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

Wacha is one of the few safe picks in the draft.

He is a seasoned pitcher with a good feel for the game and holds a ton of big-game experience. While he may never develop into an ace, he is a hard enough thrower to ensure a first-round selection.

24. Boston Red Sox (90-72): Hunter Virant, LHP, Camarillo HS (CA)

The potential of Virant is too hard to pass up, but the Red Sox don’t have the patience to develop him.

A trade of some sort could happen here.

25. Tampa Bay Rays (91-71): Zach Eflin, RHP, Hagerty HS (FL)

He can already hit 95 mph on the radar gun and has strong movement on a changeup that really stands out among other high school players.

He throws three pitches for strikes and has a strong mound presence to boot.

26. Arizona Diamondbacks (94-68): Carson Kelly, 3B, Westview HS (OR)

Kelly still has a lot to learn at the plate, but he has the athleticism and quick hands that suggest he’ll be a strong MLB player someday.

***27. Milwaukee Brewer (96-66): Nick Travieso, RHP, McCarthy HS (FLA)

At 6’2’’ and 215 pounds, he throws 93 mph with ease.

Command is the No. 1 issue, but that is very common for a pitcher coming out of high school.

28. Milwaukee Brewers (96-66): Addison Russell, SS, Pace HS (FL)

His stock has dropped lately because of his inability to hit off-speed pitching, but he has all of the tools to become a strong defender with speed while hitting .275.

29. Texas Rangers (96-66): Peter O’Brien, C, Miami

O’Brien has a great eye at the plate, registering 23 walks and only 21 strikeouts this past season.

At 6’5’’ and 225 pounds, he has a ton of power that is generated from his tree trunk legs that allow him to hit some absolute moonshots.

With a keen eye and natural strength, he is going to hit for power at the big league level someday.

30. New York Yankees (97-65): Ty Buttrey, RHP, Providence Sr HS (NC)

He increased his velocity five mph this year, which means Buttrey is capable of throwing 95. He isn’t afraid to pitch inside and has a deceiving delivery that causes hitters to pause before making a decision on if they should swing.

****31. Boston Red Sox (90-72): Lewis Brinson, OF, Coral Springs HS (FL)

Brinson has outstanding bat speed, which allows him to spray the ball to all parts of the park. While he is still extremely raw, you can certainly see the potential of Brinson.

Enough to make him the last pick of Round 1. 

*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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