2012 MLB Mock Draft 3.0: All the Latest Rises and Falls of Nation's Top Names

In my second mock draft last week, I gave an expanded view of the first round, including the full supplemental round. With this latest one, however, I returned my focus to only the 31 picks in the first round. 

In all honesty, beyond the first 12-15 picks, most of this draft is up in the air and will revolve around each organization’s respective preference. There are numerous players at each position who could be a perfect fit for an organization’s specific need, but this draft could also turn into the type where the top player on the board is continually selected.

If either of the two biggest wild cards headed into the draft—3B/RHP Joey Gallo and RHP Lucas Giolito—are selected even remotely early, the landscape of the first round may unfold in an unexpected manner.

So, after speaking with my contacts, reading scouting reports and watching endless video, I have composed my third mock draft as we head into the craziest non-playoff weekend on the baseball calendar.

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1. Houston Astros: Mark Appel, RHP, Stanford

Yes, the Astros are saying that they’re still looking at five different players, and by that they probably mean only two: Appel and Byron Buxton. Although Buxton has unbelievable upside, it’ll take him considerably longer than Appel to reach the major leagues. The right-hander continues to be the safe pick at No. 1.

Mock Draft (May 8): Byron Buxton

Mock Draft 2.0 (May 22): Appel

2. Minnesota Twins: Byron Buxton, OF, Appling County HS (Ga.)

The Twins obviously have to take the best talent on the board, whether it’s Buxton or Appel is yet to be determined—they would gladly take either. I don’t see any reason why they’d get cute with their pick, but there’s a remote chance that they select either Kevin Gausman or Kyle Zimmer.

Mock Draft: Mark Appel

Mock Draft 2.0: Buxton

3. Seattle Mariners: Mike Zunino, C, Florida

The Mariners invested in promising young arms in the first round of the 2010 and 2011 drafts, so I expect them to target the best bat on the board in Zunino, who remains the top hitter in the class despite his struggles against SEC pitching.

Jesus Montero isn’t the Mariners’ long-term catching option, but Zunino may be.

Mock Draft: Zunino

Mock Draft 2.0: Zunino

4. Baltimore Orioles: Carlos Correa, SS, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy (P.R.)

The Orioles could very well draft either Gausman or Zimmer if they’re still available, but I think they go with the best remaining talent in Correa. So with that they have Manny Machado manning the position in Double-A? It will be years before they are at the same level, and there’s a strong chance one of them has already shifted to third base.

Mock Draft: Kyle Zimmer

Mock Draft 2.0: Zimmer

5. Kansas City Royals: Kevin Gausman, RHP, Louisiana State

The Royals have drafted and developed prep talent better than anyone else in baseball over the last five years, but it’s becoming more apparent that there’s a lack of experience within their system—especially on the mound. Look for the Royals to select the top collegiate arm on the board.

Mock Draft: Gausman

Mock Draft 2.0: Gausman

6. Chicago Cubs: Kyle Zimmer, RHP, San Francisco

The Cubs are all-in on securing power arms, ideally of the collegiate variety.

It may be a tough decision, but I think they ultimately select Zimmer. At the same time, I could see them take the high-risk, high-reward route and target either Max Fried or Lucas Giolito, the latter being a big-time dark horse, or even prep outfielder Albert Almora.

Mock Draft: Albert Almora

Mock Draft 2.0: Lucas Giolito

7. San Diego Padres: Max Fried, LHP, Harvard-Westlake HS (Calif.)

The Padres are praying that Carlos Correa somehow slips to No. 6, but it’s extremely doubtful. So, instead they’ll target the top left-hander in the 2012 draft class.

Mock Draft: Lucas Giolito

Mock Draft 2.0: Carlos Correa

8. Pittsburgh Pirates: Deven Marrero, SS, Florida

I don’t agree with the Pirates’ potential overdraft of Marrero, but I understand why they may need to draft him given their bleak shortstop on the farm and the slim-pickings at the position within the draft class.

If not Marrero, I see Albert Almora as the prevailing logical choice.

Mock Draft: Correa

Mock Draft 2.0: Albert Almora

9. Miami Marlins: Albert Almora, OF, Mater Academy (Fla.)

If the Marlins get Almora at No. 9, they will automatically receive one of the top draft grades of all teams. If he’s not there, expect them to target Courtney Hawkins, Andrew Heaney or Chris Stratton.

Mock Draft: Andrew Heaney

Mock Draft 2.0: Marcus Stroman

10. Colorado Rockies: Andrew Heaney, LHP, Oklahoma State

Although there’s a legitimate chance that the Rockies go with a projectable high school bat in either Courtney Hawkins or David Dahl, I think that it will be too difficult for them to pass on the top collegiate left-hander and Big 12 Pitcher of the Year. 

Mock Draft: David Dahl

Mock Draft 2.0: Max Fried

11. Oakland Athletics: Richie Shaffer, 3B, Clemson

I’ve said it in each of my mock drafts, so there’s no point in wavering now: Shaffer will be the A’s guy.

Mock Draft: Shaffer

Mock Draft 2.0: Shaffer

12. New York Mets: Gavin Cecchini, SS, Barbe HS (La.)

Although this prediction is based upon the Pirates over-drafting Marrero, I’ve heard that the Mets are leaning towards a toolsy position prospect, with shortstop being a priority. They could also go after Hawkins—if he’s still there—or David Dahl. However, there will also be a slew of college right-handers to pick from, including Michael Wacha and Chris Stratton.

Mock Draft: Michael Wacha

Mock Draft 2.0: Deven Marrero

13. Chicago White Sox: Courtney Hawkins, OF, Carroll HS (Texas)

The White Sox have been rumored to be in on college pitching, in which case they’d likely select Stratton.

However, Hawkins will be too difficult to pass on, especially given the South Sider’s affinity for raw and toolsy prep outfielders.

Mock Draft: Hawkins

Mock Draft 2.0: Hawkins

14. Cincinnati Reds: Matt Smoral, LHP, Solon HS (Ohio)

I haven’t heard that the Reds are directly linked to him, but I can still see them targeting the 6’8”, high-upside southpaw. If not, then they’ll almost definitely select either Wacha or Stratton.

Mock Draft: Smoral

Mock Draft 2.0: Michae Wacha

15. Cleveland Indians: Michael Wacha, RHP, Texas A&M

They could very well select Stratton, but Wacha’s plus fastball-changeup (the best in the draft) combo and overall polish seems as though it’d be a better fit within their organization.

Mock Draft: Zach Eflin

Mock Draft 2.0: Chris Stratton

16. Washington Nationals: Chris Stratton, RHP, Mississippi State

He and Wacha are essentially interchangeable in terms of draft position, so if Stratton is still on the board, the Nats will gladly accept him into their organization.

Mock Draft: Max Fried

Mock Draft 2.0: Andrew Heaney

17. Toronto Blue Jays: David Dahl, OF, Oak Mountain HS (Ala.)

One of four teams with two picks in the first round, it’ll be interesting to see the Blue Jays’ draft strategy, especially when the first 16 picks inevitably don’t go as scripted. While they may very well select a power arm like Ty Hensley or Marcus Stroman, I think they get the position player out of the way first and draft Dahl.

Mock Draft: Chris Stratton

Mock Draft 2.0: Dahl

18. Los Angeles Dodgers: Ty Hensley, RHP, Santa Fe HS (Okla.)

You’re fooling yourself if you don’t think the Dodgers have a “type.” They covet big-framed power arms to some extent in every draft, and I think they secure one here right off the bat.

Zach Efflin is a conceivable alternative, and they could even take a gamble on Lance McCullers.

Mock Draft: Marcus Stroman

Mock Draft 2.0: Zach Eflin

19. St. Louis Cardinals: Tanner Rahier, SS, Palm Desert HS (Calif.)

It’s a bold selection, but as I said: There’s no reason to believe that the draft will unfold as predicted.

The Cardinals have four first-round picks, and they’re looking to load up on projectable bats at premium positions. They may also be interested in Stephen Piscotty, Stryker Trahan, Clint Coulter or Addison Russell with this pick.

Mock Draft: Deven Marrero

Mock Draft 2.0: Gavin Cecchini

20. San Francisco Giants: Zach Eflin, RHP, Hagerty HS (Fla.)

The Giants could stand to draft a little bit of everything, so it’s hard to say which route they’ll choose. Before all of the high-ceiling pitchers are off the board, I think the Giants will do their best to secure one at this spot. Perhaps they even target Lucas Sims or Marcus Stroman.

Mock Draft: Victor Roache

Mock Draft 2.0: Matt Smoral

21. Atlanta Braves: Stephen Piscotty, 3B, Stanford

The Braves seem increasingly likely to pull an advanced bat with their first pick, the only question is from which level. Piscotty’s hit tool projects to be at least average in the major leagues, and the Braves could be confident that they can develop his power.

If they pass on Piscotty, I’d expect them to draft Tyler Naquin or Rahier if he’s still on the board.

Mock Draft: Tyler Naquin

Mock Draft 2.0: Piscotty

22. Toronto Blue Jays: Lucas Giolito, RHP, Harvard-Westlake

Here’s the thing about Giolito: He’s an absolute wild card that could be selected at any point during the first round—and I do believe that will happen.

There’s simply too much upside there for a team not to take a gamble on, especially a team like the Blue Jays with a host of first-round picks. If they decide to pass, I would expect them to secure another power arm such as Marcus Stroman, Lance McCullers or Ty Buttrey.

Mock Draft: Gavin Cecchini

Mock Draft 2.0: Lance McCullers

23. St. Louis Cardinals: Tyler Naquin, OF, Texas A&M

After securing one of the top prep bats with their first pick, I think the Cardinals will ultimately vary their approach and select one of the safest bats still on the board in Naquin. He’s a player who may not need too much seasoning in the minors and could be a key component in determining their final two first-round picks.

If not, they could double-up on prep shortstops and select Addison Russell, or maybe pick up a different toolsy outfielder like D.J. Davis or Lewis Brinson.

Mock Draft: Pierce Johnson

Mock Draft 2.0: Naquin

24. Boston Red Sox: Marcus Stroman, RHP, Duke

There have been multiple rumors that the Red Sox may draft a college arm out of necessity—a player with multiple plus pitches who could reach the majors as quickly as Chris Sale did with the White Sox in 2010. In that case, selecting Stroman is a no-brainer.

Mock Draft: Stephen Piscotty

Mock Draft 2.0: Joey Gallo

25. Tampa Bay Rays: Stryker Trahan, C, Acadiana HS (La.)

I’m sticking to my belief that the Rays will both address their lack of depth behind the plate while still securing the best player on the board. However, they could also focus solely on pitching and select right-hander Lucas Sims.

Mock Draft: Trahan

Mock Draft 2.0: Trahan

26. Arizona Diamondbacks: D.J. Davis, OF, Stone County HS (Miss.)

Even though the Diamondbacks have shown that they’ll almost always target the best available talent, it’s no secret that they’re due to draft mostly hitters this year after stockpiling a remarkable amount of high-upside pitchers in 2011.

Therefore, I think that they’ll select prep outfielder D.J. Davis, if he’s still available. Lucas Sims or Hunter Virant could be a sneaky pick right here, as well.

Mock Draft: Hunter Virant

Mock Draft 2.0: Virant

27. Milwaukee Brewers: Addison Russell, SS, Pace HS (Fla.)

The first of back-to-back picks for the Brewers, Russell is the type of player that their system severely lacks, and he could ultimately be one of the bigger steals of the draft.

They took Taylor Jungmann and Jed Bradley in the first round last year, so expect them to go heavy on hitters.

Mock Draft: Joey Gallo

Mock Draft 2.0: Victor Roache

28. Milwaukee Brewers: Clint Coulter, C, Union HS (Wash.)

Who cares if he doesn’t stick behind the plate? The Brewers need potential impact bats, and Coulter has a legitimate one that will continue to improve. If Coulter is unavailable, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Brew Crew took a shot at Joey Gallo.

Mock Draft: Walker Weickel

Mock Draft 2.0: Russell

29. Texas Rangers: Lance McCullers, RHP, Archbishop McCarthy HS (Fla.)

It continues to be rumored that the Rangers are seeking a high-upside arm, preferably a power one out of high school.

In my opinion, the best one still on the board at this point could be McCullers. His pure stuff is excellent, but his height and heavy workload will inevitably scare some teams away. If he’s unavailable, Pierce Johnson, Walker Weickel or Nick Travieso could serve as an alternative.

Mock Draft: McCullers

Mock Draft 2.0: Ty Hensley

30. New York Yankees: Lucas Sims, RHP, Brookwood HS (Ga.)

The Yankees' system is loaded with positional talent but extremely thin on projectable starting pitching, especially ones who have even trace elements of pitchability.

If Sims were still available, he would be a steal at this spot for the Yankees. They could also stick to their strong suit and target a toolsy outfielder like Mitch Haniger or Barrett Barnes. Maybe they even get wild and draft Joey Gallo.

Mock Draft: Sims

Mock Draft 2.0: Sims

31. Boston Red Sox: Joey Gallo, 3B, Bishop Gorman HS (Nev.)

Having already addressed a necessity with their first pick, I think that the Red Sox get bold and draft the biggest remaining name on the board. There’s a chance that they could even take him with that first pick (No. 24) and try to secure an arm here instead.

Mock Draft: Pat Light

Mock Draft 2.0: Corey Seager