MLB Draft 2012: Full First-Round Predictions

We are just days away from seeing the future of Major League Baseball.

The 2012 MLB draft is shaping up to be one of the most volatile in recent years, with a lot of players who have tremendous upside but who are also big risks. 

Because things are so uncertain all across the draft, the things we think we know today will keep changing up until the Houston Astros make the first pick on Monday evening. 

Here is our latest mock draft and predictions for what all 31 picks will look like after all the dust has settled. 

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

The Astros could be going after someone who will sign quickly and move relatively fast through the system. Appel is not the most polished college pitcher, but he does have a plus fastball and a changeup that is getting better. 

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

No player carries more risk-reward in this draft than Buxton. He has the raw tools that everyone drools over, including speed, bat speed, arm strength and power projection. 

The problem with Buxton comes when you look at his overall performance, as well as the fact that he hasn't been tested in high school. He is a dynamic athlete, no one can deny that. There just aren't great results that you would want to see from someone with his raw skills. 

If he hits his ceiling—or at least comes close—Buxton will be an All-Star and potential MVP candidate. 

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

I think that Zunino to the Mariners is the one lock in the top three picks. I have no firm information to base that on, just a personal opinion. He is going to move quickly through the system as a polished college catcher, both offensively and defensively, and will stay behind the plate in the pros. 

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

Gausman is the best college pitcher in this draft. He doesn't have the upside of Appel, but his stuff is better right now, and he is more likely to hit his ceiling after an impressive sophomore season with the Tigers. 

5. Kansas City Royals (71-91): Max Fried, LHP, Harvard-Westlake HS (CA) 

Fried has the kind of projectability and upside that you love to see from a high-school arm, especially from the left side. His curveball is one of the best in the draft, while his fastball is already in the low-90s. 

As good as the present stuff looks, it should get a lot better, as he gains more experience and gets a better feel for all his pitches.

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

The Cubs may be going through a rough stretch at the big-league level, but patience is going to be a virtue. Adding Almora to the system is certainly going to make the future look a lot brighter. 

Already a terrific defender in center field, Almora has good power and his overall hitting should improve as he learns the game. He has All-Star potential and a high probability of reaching his ceiling. 

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

With one of the best bats available, Correa has become the darling of this draft, with impressive performances throughout this process. It would be a surprise to see him at No. 7, but if he is, the Padres will be thrilled to call his name. 

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

If Marrero didn't have problems with the bat this season, he would probably have been a top-five pick. His defense at shortstop is going to be his calling card. As long as he is able to keep his average respectable, he will be a good big leaguer. 

9. Miami Marlins (72-90): Andrew Heaney, LHP, Oklahoma State

Heaney's stock keeps climbing thanks to good results this season. He doesn't have much projection, though he should turn into a good No. 3 starter thanks to an easy delivery and a solid repertoire of pitches. 

10. Colorado Rockies (73-89): Gavin Cecchini, SS, Barbe HS (LA) 

If Cecchini can stay at shortstop, he will more than justify this pick. He is not a great hitter, though he should hit for average with doubles power at his peak. 

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

Hawkins has great bat speed that will allow him to showcase his big power. Contact has never been one of his strong suits, so he has to work on hitting the ball in order to show off that power. 

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

One of the great mysteries of this draft is where Zimmer ends up going. He was all the rage earlier this season, with a mid-90s fastball and knee-buckling curveball. As the season moved along, the stuff started to evaporate. 

As recently as last week, Zimmer's fastball was clocked at 91 mph. If you are a believer in the early-season performance and willing to chalk up the diminished velocity to the fact he has only been pitching full-time since last year, then he will be gone long before this. 

Since I don't know what to make of all this, I will drop him slightly before the Mets decide he has too much upside to pass up.

13. Chicago White Sox (79-83): Chris Stratton, RHP, Mississippi State 

Stratton had his best season in his draft year. The White Sox have a history of going after low-risk players early, so Stratton fits their mold. 

14. Cincinnati Reds (79-83): Zach Eflin, RHP, Hagerty HS (FL)

Eflin's stock is soaring right now, with a mid-90s fastball and a projectable frame. His command has is all over the place, though that is normal for a high school pitcher. 

15. Cleveland Indians (80-82): Richie Shaffer, 3B, Clemson 

Shaffer has more power than any college hitter in this draft, with the bat speed and approach to hit for average. He will not be an elite defender, but he does have good range and a strong enough arm to be above average at the hot corner. 

16. Washington Nationals (80-81): Michael Wacha, RHP, Texas A&M 

Despite not having dominant stuff, Wacha commands all of his pitches and could be a good No. 4 starter who moves quickly through the minors. 

17. Toronto Blue Jays (81-81): Lucas Giolito, RHP, Harvard-Westlake (CA) 

By all accounts, Giolito's elbow problems are not serious, and he has begun a throwing program to show teams that he is healthy. If teams are convinced that his arm is sound, he could go much, much higher than this. 

As it stands, the Blue Jays will benefit from the misfortune of others. He has one of the best fastballs in this class and backs it up with a hard, sharp breaking ball. At 6'6", 230 pounds, and with a clean delivery, he definitely looks the part of a No. 1 starter. 

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

Depending on whether you think McCullers will start or relieve, he could go in the top 10 or slide out of the first round. Another problem that will affect his stock is how signable teams think he is due to his strong commitment to Florida. 

19. *St. Louis Cardinals (90-72): Addison Russell, SS, Pace HS (FL) 

Russell has big power potential, though his swing tends to get out of whack a lot, leading to some weak contact. 

20. San Francisco Giants (86-76): Ty Buttrey, RHP, Providence HS (NC)

Buttrey's fastball-and-curveball combination, as well as his 6'6" frame, make him an attractive option for teams looking to get some projection late in the first round. 

21. Atlanta Braves (89-73): Tanner Rahier, SS, Palm Desert HS (CA)

Rahier is one of the better high school bats in this draft, though his big frame is not likely to keep him at shortstop. Moving to third base will hurt his stock a bit, but his advanced approach at the plate will keep him in the first round. 

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

Virant is a great high-upside play at this spot for Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos, who has developed a philosophy of taking projectable high-school arms. 

23. St. Louis Cardinals (90-72): Stephen Piscotty, 3B, Stanford

One of the best all-around college hitters, Piscotty has limited range and does not bring much in the way of defense. But, as long as his bat and arm play at the hot corner, he will be a solid big leaguer. 

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

Kelly has good power already and the bat speed to become a consistent hitter in professional baseball. His athleticism, arm strength and range at third base will make him an above-average defender. 

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

Sims needs to find a consistent breaking ball to succeed at the next level, but a projectable righty who already throws in the low-90s is too good to pass up at this spot. 

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

Since the odds of Stroman being allowed to start in pro ball are slim—he is listed at 5'9" and doesn't get on top of his fastball—his stock is all over the place right now. 

Wherever Stroman goes, the odds are good that he could make his big league debut this season. His stuff, command and presence on the mound are all big-league ready. 

27. ***Milwaukee Brewers (96-66): Brian Johnson, LHP, Florida

Johnson is not going to wow you with his stuff, but his results and clean delivery help him get by.

28. Milwaukee Brewers (96-66): Stryker Trahan, C, Acadiana HS (LA)

A poor showing offensively has dropped his stock, but he still has more raw tools and upside than any catcher in this year's draft. 

29. Texas Rangers (96-66): D.J. Davis, OF, Stone County HS (MS)

Given Davis' incredible speed and athleticism, someone is bound to take him in the first round. He does not have a lot of power, so he will have to prove he can play center field to maximize his value. 

30. New York Yankees (97-65): Matt Smoral, LHP, Solon HS (OH)

Smoral may not have been able to showcase his stuff a lot this season due to a stress fracture in his foot, but a 6'8" left-handed starter with two plus pitches and good command should not be available right here. 

31. ****Boston Red Sox (90-72): Tyler Naquin, OF, Texas A&M

Naquin is an intriguing bat, though he may not hit for a lot of power. If he can stay in center field, he should be at least a starter in the big leagues. 

*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

For more analysis on the MLB draft and prospects, as well as the debates on whether Walter White or Don Draper is the best character on an AMC TV show, be sure to follow me on Twitter. 

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