2012 MLB Mock Draft: Project Prospects Well Worth Big Investments

Prospects that are considered projects are high risk, but they can also carry the highest reward. That is why you'll see a good number of them taken in the first round of the MLB draft on June 4.

The Major League Baseball draft is about upside more than any other draft in major sports. It's common practice to take a high school player and for the team to wait two or three years before he has his first big league appearance.

That could be the path for the players I spotlight in this mock draft, but some of them are so talented, they may find themselves on a fast track to the majors.

Here is a first-round mock draft with a spotlight on the projects that will pan out in the majors. 

(Spotlighted players will appear in italics.) 

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

Appel is an elite-pitching prospect with great stuff and great pitching demeanor. He is very competitive, and he possesses three pitches he can command. Because of these qualities, he should be a great addition to the Astros' organization. 

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

Buxton is an elite athlete. He can run, jump and throw as well as most in the draft. That said, he is extremely raw and will need time to develop. If the Twins select him, I'd expect him to be brought along slowly, but his potential is scary (at least for other teams).

Mark Anderson of Baseball Prospect Nation said this of Buxton:

"

Potential game-changing player that in a centerpiece on a championship level club.

Has excellent projection in all phases of the game but remains a raw athlete that has significant risk.

"

If you take one look at the way the ball jumps off Buxton's bat and the way he glides to the ball on defense, you'll see the potential. This is a future star, in my opinion, and a player the Twins need to pounce on.

Here is a video of Buxton:

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

Zunino is the best player for the top-seeded Gators in the College Baseball Tournament. He is clearly the best prospect at catcher in this draft. When teams get a chance to grab an elite catching prospect, they have to do it.

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

Gausman has a great arm, and as good as his fastball is, his slider may ultimately end up being his best pitch. He is big at 6'4" and close to 200 pounds. Gausman could make the pitching-rich Orioles even better.

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

Correa is one of the most pro-ready prospects in the draft. His bat and patience at the plate make him look like a .300 hitter with plus plower. The Royals would be wise to take Correa here—if no one beats them to it.

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

The Cubs' outfield needs a stud badly, and Almora could be that guy. He is fleet of foot and has good potential as a hitter. As of now, his best attribute is his defense, as he shows great range and a solid throwing arm.

Pirates Prospects said this of Almora:

"

Almora is the best high school defensive center fielder in the draft, with a great arm and great range. He’s an above-average hitter who hits to all fields with a simple swing.

"

It has seemed like forever since the Cubs had a legitimate presence in center field (no disrespect to Marlon Byrd and Corey Patterson), but Almora could be special. This is the best pick the Cubs can make, unless Correa is available.

Check out this video of Almora:

7. San Diego Padres (71-91): Deven Marrero, SS, Arizona State

Marrero is already a very solid defensive player. He is underwhelming as a hitter right now, but that could change. If nothing else, he brings a plus glove and good speed.

8. Pittsburgh Pirates (72-90): Richie Shaffer, 3B, Clemson  

Pedro Alvarez is 25 years old and hasn't turned the corner for the Pirates at third. Pittsburgh can't be satisfied with their status at the position, and in my opinion, Shaffer is the best power prospect in the draft.

The Pirates need to take Shaffer with this pick.

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

Fried is a very talented pitching prospect with a live arm. It doesn't hurt his cause that he's left-handed. He has a nasty breaking ball to accompany a solid fastball. He could excel as a reliever, but I believe he has the potential to be a solid starting pitcher in the majors.

Diamond Prospects had this to say about Fried's overall potential:

"

A fantastic athlete, Fried's best pitch is his dynamic curveball that high school hitters have no shot at hitting. He throws it in the mid-70's with a sharp break on it that drops off the table. Couple that with a plus fastball that Fried can run up to 94 and he has the potential to be a top-of-the-rotation starter.

"

Check out this video of Fried:

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

Zimmer is a big and strong right-hander with excellent control. He recorded 104 strikeouts to only 17 walks this past season. The Rockies always need pitching, and Zimmer has good potential.

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

Right now Hawkins looks like an all-or-nothing power-hitter, but if he can work on his patience at the plate, he could be a major power threat. Hawkins is a stout 6'3", 210 pounds already, and he'll likely get even stronger as he matures.

His biggest issue is making consistent contact. If he can get a handle on that, he could be a 30 home-run guy in the majors.

Mark Anderson of Baseball Prospect Nation says:

"

Has 25+ home run potential given raw strength and plus-plus bat speed. Doesn’t need a ton of loft in swing to drive the ball out. Can get out front and struggles to drive secondary pitches. Needs to temper approach and make more consistent contact for raw power to play long term

"

I believe Hawkins has made significant improvement in his swing and approach already, and if this continues, he'll prove to be a solid pick. Here is a video of Hawkins:

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

Cecchini is another defensive shortstop, but he doesn't offer as much upside with the bat as Marrero. Still, he can have a positive impact with his glove.

13. Chicago White Sox (79-83): Lucas Giolito, RHP, Harvard-Westlake (CA) 

Fried's teammate is almost as talented and valued as Fried, but he isn't left-handed. Giolito still projects as a quality set-up man or middle of the rotation performer.

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

Stroman is a competitive and confident pitcher. He will battle on the mound, but he lacks the stuff to be a top-end starter. He could be a valuable set-up man or long reliever.

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

I love Heaney's pitches, but he doesn't throw hard. He does have good command, and that will make him rise through the minors fairly quickly. 

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

Stratton is a strong 6'3" right-hander that throws hard. He also changes speeds well at a young age. He has middle-of-the-rotation potential.

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

Smoral has a good arm, but he is very raw. He suffered an injury to his left foot, and that could significantly impact his early development.

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

The Dodgers will attempt to add to their pitching-rich tradition with McCullers, but he has a ways to go before he'll see the majors.

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

Wacha is another pitcher that doesn't have a blazing fastball, and his command isn't quite on par with Heaney's. He'll likely spend more time in the minors, but he has a future as a late-rotation guy.

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

Gallo is a big-time power prospect, but he also has some potential as a pitcher. The Giants would do well to grab him here and work to find out what position suits him best on the next level. 

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

Davis is a solid hitter already. His eye at the plate and ability to make contact make him look like a solid hitter in the majors as well. Davis should have a successful, and short, stint in the minors.

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

Virant is another left-handed prospect, but I'm intrigued by his strikeout potential. He struck out 56 in 50 innings in his senior season, and if that trend continues, he'll be a steal this late in the first-round.

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

Fontana is a scrappy shortstop or second basemen. He is the classic .270 hitter that plays solid defense and almost always makes contact.

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

Kelly has solid hitting mechanics, but I'm not sure he'll ever be more than an average hitter in the majors. He doesn't have a lot of pop for a corner infielder, and that may hold him back.

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

Sims has a good arm, but like most young pitchers, he could stand to improve his command. He may be looking at a lengthy stay in the minors.

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

Johnson has had varying velocity due to a forearm injury, per MLB Draft Countdown, but he has the tools to be dominant. Were it not for injury concerns he'd be much higher on this list.

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

Piscotty is a slap-hitter at this point, and that does not serve him well as a corner infielder. Although he hit for a high average (.335), five HR in over 200 at-bats on the college level isn't overwhelming.

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

Coulter is a solid young hitter. but he is a ways behind Zunino, the top catching prospect. He'll need some time and experience before he can handle a big-league pitching staff.

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

Eflin is an interesting prospect. He throws hard, but he needs to show that he can duplicate the proper mechanics consistently to be effective.

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

Russell has some talent and upside as a hitter. He could end up at third base, but he definitely has some pop.

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

Seager is a big and strong power-hitting prospect. He has great bat-speed, and he has the potential to put up notable power numbers early on in the minors. He isn't a great athlete, and as he matures physically, he could wind up as a DH primarily. 

*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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