2012 MLB Draft Preview: Mike Zunino and Future All-Star Prospects

Mike Zunino is one of the best players available in the upcoming 2012 MLB draft. He has All-Star written all over him, but he's not the only prospect who is sure to shine at the next level.

Some players are just born to play in the big leagues. They are blessed with the physical tools, the emotional desire and the will to work hard in order to make their dreams come true. They've also been lucky enough to be part of the small percentage of players who have managed to stay healthy along the way.

These young men are the future of MLB. They will carry the torch for the old guard who are on their last legs and take the game to even greater heights in the years to come.

Here are the top prospects in the draft who have the game to become the All-Stars of tomorrow.

Mike Zunino, Catcher

Power, check. Killer arm, check. Defensive prowess, check. Physique, check. Hard worker, check. 

Zunino has all the tools you look for in an elite catcher. He is a good hitter with the potential to hit 25-plus home runs and 30-plus doubles in the majors, and if he learns to better adjust to curve balls he could hit over .300.

Opposing runners won't want to test his arm, either, as Zunino has a cannon for an arm and a quick release to go along with it. He is an excellent defender behind the plate, and his three years of experience at the University of Florida give him an excellent foundation to take to the next level.

Many mock drafts have Zunino landing in Seattle to play for the Mariners, who own the No. 3 overall pick of the 2012 draft. He will be a stud catcher for them for a long time if they are fortunate enough to nab him.

Carlos Correa, Shortstop

Correa is going to be a superstar in the big leagues if he keeps his health. He's been playing ball at the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy and High School, and the 17-year-old has his best years in front of him.

Carlos Berroa, the baseball director at the academy, says that Correa is the best shortstop he's ever seen—and he's seen a lot of good ones come and go. He spoke to MLB.com recently and said:

"

Carlos is a special one. He's one of those guys that comes along once in a long time. The sky is the limit with this kid and you could not wish for anything but the best for him. He's an even better person than he is a player and he deserves everything he gets.

"

Correa has a powerful bat, elite fielding skills and a powerful arm—the ultimate trifecta for shortstop prospects. He will be one to keep you eye on in the years to come.

Mark Appel, Pitcher

Appel has been dominating the college ranks for three years at Stanford, and the junior pitcher is taking his talents to MLB this next year. He has the arm to become a No. 1 starting pitcher at the next level.

Appel recorded a record of 9-1 this season in 14 starts for the Cardinal, posting an impressive 2.37 ERA in the process, according to GoStanford.com.

He possesses an above-average fastball, a dominant curveball and a pretty decent changeup. He'll obviously need to keep developing more pitches if he hopes to become an elite pitcher in the majors, due to the fact that his fastball isn't off the charts.

That being said, Appel shows the stuff to be a dominant pitcher in the majors for years to come.

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