2012 MLB Draft Prospects: 5 Most Promising Infielders in Class

Double-play machines are worth first-round picks.

Infielders with an inhuman reaction time, a rocket arm and the ability to provide an offensive spark are game changers. Finding one that is capable of doing it all takes a ball club to another level.

Here are the top five infielders in the 2012 MLB draft that have the potential to be studs in the big leagues.

5. Gavin Cecchini (SS, High School)

Cecchini is a top-notch athlete. Not only is he a solid contact hitter, but he packs plenty of power too. Scouts disagree on Cecchini’s range in the overall draft, but there’s no doubt that he has one of the highest ceilings out of any infielder.

4. Stephen Piscotty (3B, Stanford)

Piscotty is one of, if not the best contact hitter in the entire draft class. His speed won’t wow you, but his power hitting and arm strength will. Piscotty’s defense isn’t elite, but his offensive ability and instincts more than make up for it.

3. Richie Shaffer (3B, Clemson)

Shaffer, on the other hand, is a phenomenal defender. He’s a stud manning third base or first and his arm is so strong that even right field is a possibility for him. Offensively, Shaffer is just as impressive as he's a major home-run threat.

2. Deven Marrero (SS, Arizona State)

Marrero is another elite defensive talent. His quickness, reaction time, hand-eye coordination and arm will make him a Gold Glove candidate someday. While Marrero won’t drop scout’s jaws in the batter’s box, he has enough power that he won’t be a liability.

1. Carlos Correa (SS, High School)

Carlos Correa isn’t just the top infield prospect in the draft, he’s a candidate to go first overall. Bruce Levine of ESPN reported that the Chicago Cubs recently brought him in for a workout and they’d love to have him fall to sixth overall. The weaknesses in his game are non-existent and with his unmatched work ethic, he’ll only keep getting better.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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