2012 MLB Mock Draft: Underrated College Stars Who Will Turn into Steals

There is no exact science to finding a future All-Star in the MLB draft, but there are certain signs that can lead us in the right direction.

Has he improved throughout college? Has he shown the ability to adjust? Have injuries hampered his career to any degree?

This year’s draft may be loaded with high school studs that have already achieved can’t-miss status, but they are complete roll-of-the-dice type talents at this point.

The focus of this mock draft is on collegiate stars that may have taken a back seat to the likes of Mark Appel, Kevin Gausman and Mike Zunino thus far, but have the ability to eventually pass them up in the big leagues.

(Underrated College Stars in Italics)

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

Buxton has the potential to do it all.

He can hit for power, has blazing speed and an above-average glove.

While the 'Stros may go for a college pitcher like Appel here to ensure they get a return on their pick in a hurry, I think the star potential of Buxton is too great to pass up.

2. Minnesota Twins (63-99): Mark Appel, RHP, Stanford

He is the most MLB-ready pitcher in the draft, and the top collegiate pitcher in the country.

Appel has the size (6’4’’), stuff (throws mid-90s) and outstanding command to suggest he could be in the big leagues at some point in 2013.

The Twins could certainly use that.

3. Seattle Mariners (67-95): Kevin Gausman, RHP, LSU

When you can hit 95 mph on the radar gun and still possess a very smooth delivery, you are going to be a top pick in the draft.

While the Mariners may have a horrible offense, you can never have enough good pitching.

4. Baltimore Orioles: (69-93): Albert Almora, OF, Marion Christian Academy (FL)

Almora has incredibly quick hands, which suggests he’ll be an above-average hitter at the next level with the ability to spray the ball to all sides of the field.

He has already played for USA Baseball, which means he is one of the most mature prospects coming out of high school.

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

He can develop into the face of the franchise for the Royals with a combination of outstanding offensive and defensive skills.

Zunino is a natural leader, hits for power and has shown marked improvement throughout college behind the plate.

His father (an MLB scout for the last 22 years) has taught him well. 

6. Chicago Cubs (71-91): Max Fried, LHP, Harvard-Westlake HS (CA)

With a curveball that displays incredible movement, he is an intriguing player based on one pitch alone.

But he throws three pitches for strikes and has a deceptive changeup to boot.

While there are certain pitchers who may have a bit more talent, he’s a lefty, so that makes him a more valuable commodity.

7. San Diego Padres (71-91): Carlos Correa, SS, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy

While he still has some mechanical issues to work out with his swing, he is a standout shortstop with all of the tools to win a Gold Glove someday.

The Padres are the kings of trotting out good defensive players that struggle to hit, so if Correa can hit .275 in the majors he’ll be a star in San Diego.

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

The defensive maestro is MLB-ready in that regard right now.

But it’s his improved offensive game that really should have fans excited about Marrero. He has turned into a line-drive gap hitter that has the potential to hit for power as he continues to develop.

You could not have said that about him when he entered college, when he had a sloppy swing and questionable plate discipline.

If Marrero continues to progress at this rate, he’ll be a factor with Pittsburgh in a hurry.

9. Miami Marlins (72-90): Lucas Giolito, RHP, Harvard-Westlake (CA)

With a 6’6’’, 230-pound frame, MLB.com has compared him to a young Roy Halladay.

I’m not buying it.

He will be coming off a sprained ulnar collateral ligament and has the sort of jerky delivery that suggests injuries could plague his career.

Giolito is a risky pick.

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

What I love about Heaney is his ability to keep his velocity high deep into games. That is a trait few starters possess in college, which makes Heaney one of the most MLB-ready players on the board.

He is a southpaw that has three pitches he already throws for strikes, and has a relaxed delivery that should allow him to steer clear of any serious injury.

Heaney has morphed into one of the greats, not only in the Big 12, but in all of college baseball. He is a terrific pick for a pitching-starved team like the Rockies.

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

At 6’2’’ and 200 pounds, it’s easy to see why Hawkins has the potential to develop into a premiere power hitter.

It will take some time with his poor plate discipline, but the incredibly patient A’s are more than willing to wait.

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

Zimmer is exactly the type of player I was speaking about in the intro.

A 6’4’’ flamethrower today, Zimmer started his collegiate career as a third baseman. With another player standing in his way, Zimmer’s coach stuck him on the mound, and three years later he is a first-round talent.

He adjusted in a hurry, and is coming off a year in which he struck out 96 batters in only 83.1 innings pitched.

He has a 97 mph fastball and holds incredible command for such an inexperienced pitcher. I love this prospect's upside.

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

With a great swing and a strong glove, the White Sox can land their shortstop of the future with Cecchini.

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

The Reds have a clear need at third base and can’t pass up the best prospect at the position. 

He has incredibly long arms at 6'4", which suggests he’ll be a power hitter down the line. Yet he is surprisingly patient, walking 51 times this past season, which was among the best in the nation.

Once he bulks up 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

With a sneaky fastball and the ability to throw four pitches for strikes, Stratton is a very safe pick, but he doesn’t have the stuff that screams ace.

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

The Nats need more offensive firepower and decide on Davis, who has exploded up the draft board in recent weeks.

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

This is a pure power pitcher who can already hit the upper 90s with ease. With a tight breaking ball to boot, I detect a future closer with McCullers.

On Thursday, he won the Gatorade National Player of the Year award presented by Sean Casey.

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

Gallo deserves to be a first-round pick based on his last 24 games alone, as he has crushed 19 home runs during that span.

This is an incredible accomplishment regardless of the playing field. ThroughtheFence.com ranks him as the No. 1 power hitter in this draft, and that is all of the proof you need.

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

A left-hander that stands 6’7’’ and weighs 225 pounds, scouts love his potential.  

He has an easy arm delivery with an above-average fastball and changeup. He has work to do with his control, but few teams can develop pitchers quite like the Cardinals.  

20. San Francisco Giants (86-76): Carson Kelly, 3B, Westview HS (OR)

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

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

Sims is still learning how to find the plate with more consistency, but the Braves can afford to let him figure it out for a few years.

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

A tremendous talent at the plate, if he can shore up his deficiencies in the field he’ll be a star someday.

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

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

He has a terrific curve that will likely be developed into a wicked slider in the pros, and he has a fastball that tops out in the high-90s.

While he doesn’t scream future ace, the comparisons to Jon Garland seem about right, and it’s not just because he’s 6’6’’.

24. Boston Red Sox (90-72): Nick Travieso, RHP, McCarthy HS (FLA)

If the 6’2’’, 215-pounder can ever master his control issues, he has the versatility to be a star someday in the big leagues.

Will the Red Sox keep him around long enough to see it happen?

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

Eflin may have the best changeup in the draft.

But is he anything more than a finesse pitcher?

26. Arizona Diamondbacks (94-68): Marcus Stroman, RHP, Duke

He throws a mid-90s fastball and a breaking ball that comes across the plate in the low 80s.

Although I’m not a fan of his 5’9’’, 185-pound frame, which suggests he may be nothing more than a relief pitcher in the majors.

27. Milwaukee Brewers (96-66): Hunter Virant, LHP, Camarillo HS (CA)

Virant has the potential to be a star, but needs to increase his velocity. Right now he struggles to hit 90 mph on the radar gun.

 He is incredibly intelligent and pounds the strike zone, but his fastball has to improve.

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

Once he learns how to hit off-speed pitching, the sky is the limit for Russell.

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

O’Brien already has a great feel for the strike zone, registering 23 walks and only 21 strikeouts this past season.

At 6’5’’ and 225 pounds, he has a ton of power generated from the massive tree trunks he likes to call legs. His sheer bulk is impressive.

While he has flown under the radar at bit in college, there is no doubt he has the potential to hit 40 home runs a year.

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

Buttrey increased the velocity on his fastball by five mph this year, and is now regularly throwing in the mid-90s. As he continues to perfect his throwing motion, this is one dangerous prospect.

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

Brinson has elite bat speed that gives him the ability to spray the ball all over the field.

Good enough to make him the last pick of Round 1. 

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