2012 MLB Mock Draft: Prospects Sure to Reach the Majors Quickly

With the arrival of June comes even more talk of the 2012 MLB draft and where the latest mock is; we have it for you.

This time around, we will be looking at prospects who are sure to reach the majors faster than most experts predict. While this draft has many potential stars, there are few locks.

The best prospects will be italicized.

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

While Andre Luck stole all the publicity from the Stanford sports department, Stanford right-handed pitcher Mark Appel will steal it back when he goes No. 1 overall this season.

With their coming transition to the American League, the Astros need to start stockpiling talent before they make the move. They must take best player available throughout this draft.

Appel has 15-win potential in the majors, but he will need the proper training; it’s hard to tell if Houston can offer that.

2. Minnesota Twins (63-99): Kevin Gausman, RHP, LSU

With the sheer lack of depth in their rotation and in the bullpen, the Twins have no choice but to take the best pitcher available. That would be LSU star Kevin Gausman.

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

As good as Jesus Montero is, he can’t do it on his own and Mike Zunino is too good to pass on. This will be a lethal combination.

4. Baltimore Orioles (69-93): Byron Buxton, OF, Appling County High School (GA)

Buck Showalter has waited for the slugger of the future for his Orioles and will get it from high school outfielder Byron Buxton.

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

Carlos Correa is one of the better young prospects coming out of the draft this year and will be a star in the majors at some point in his career. It really depends on how long he takes to adapt to the minors.

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

The slow building process for the Chicgao Cubs will begin with a blue-chip prospect like Albert Almora.

7. San Diego Padres (71-91): Lucas Giolito, RHP, Harvard-Westlake (CA)

If the Padres want a hard-throwing pitcher they can mold into a starter or a closer, they must snag Lucas Giolito and his triple-digit fastball.

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

There is no real middle infield in Pittsburgh right now. Deven Marrero is a step in the right direction for an ever-rebuilding Pirates franchise.

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

Max Fried has become a polarizing name among scouts because for as much upside as he comes with, there is equal reason to proceed with caution.

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

Since trading Ubaldo Jimenez, the Colorado Rockies have not had an ace on their staff. Many Rockies fans will say it’s been even longer than that.

The wait for the Rockies' savior is almost over, as the team will be looking to take right-handed starting pitcher Kyle Zimmer as the long-term answer as the team’s primary starter.

With a 6’4” frame and power to spare, this star will report to the minors and be called up much sooner than many expect.

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

Courtney Hawkins to the Oakland A’s will be exactly what Jason Heyward is for the Atlanta Braves. Let’s see if he can fulfill his expectations.

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

With Jose Reyes enjoying his time in Miami, the Mets need to find the next man to help the shortstop spot. The organization hopes Gavin Cecchini will be that answer.

13. Chicago White Sox (79-83): Richie Shaffer, 3B, Clemson

The Chicago White Sox clearly need a third baseman and Richie Shaffer is the best long-term answer for the organization

Shaffer may be one of the more MLB-ready prospects because of his college experience, but his upside is what has scouts talking. Scouts saw what he could do in college and it was as good as everyone once thought.

Chicago will get a great piece in the middle of the first round and one of the steals of the draft.

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

With Cincinnati’s pitching staff needing a complete facelift, the hope is that Marcus Stroman can come right in and be a positive influence and a winner on the field.

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

The Cleveland Indians need a left-handed pitcher, but reaching for Andrew Heaney may be a long-term project that won't work out.

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

The Washington Nationals' reclamation project continues as they take future pitching star Chris Stratton. Whether it’s in the bullpen or starting, you will know this kid’s name soon enough.

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

The need for lefties in Toronto is great, and a 6’8” star like Matt Smoral who is already throwing 94 miles per hour out of high school will be a great addition.

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

The Dodgers need help in their bullpen desperately, and Lance McCullers has the potential to be a great middle relief pitcher who works up to the closer's role over time.

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

The Cardinals will get one of the biggest impact players of this year’s draft in Michael Wacha, but they may allow him to build his stuff in the minors while the team tries to find their direction.

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

There is no more versatile prospect in this year’s draft than the 6’5”, 220-pound Joey Gallo. With the ability to play third base and pitch at a high level, Gallo has the potential to be the Giants' secret weapon.

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

For as good as Jason Heyward is, the Braves need more than that to be successful; that’s where big-hitting outfielder D.J. Davis comes in.

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

Toronto’s luck with pitchers hasn’t been great leately, but they will add a solid arm to the organization. The hope is that Hunter Virant can be a threat to snag a place in the rotation next season.

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

With a lack of a consistent middle infield, the Cardinals must take Nolan Fontana to fill the void on the field and at the top of the batting order.

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

Carson Kelly will be a star in the majors, but there is a chance he goes to college and comes back out again for the draft after graduating. In any case, the Red Sox need a third baseman.

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

Although Lucas Sims may lack the prototypical size teams want in their right-handed pitchers, he has power to spare. He was favorably compared to Roy Oswalt.

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

Arizona’s rebuilding process will continue with a right-handed pitcher named Pierce Johnson who has the potential to make an MLB impact with a season or two.

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

Milwaukee needs help at both corner-infield positions and Stephen Piscotty will be the most MLB-ready of all the team’s options.

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

The Brewers need a real catcher fast, and their hope is that Coulter makes the choice to sign professionally sooner rather than later.

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

While Roy Oswalt is the definition of short-term solution, Zach Eflin will be the Texas Rangers long-term right-handed pitching solution.

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

With Derek Jeter getting close to the end of his career, a long-term investment like Addison Russell could yield big benefits over time.

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

With Kevin Youkilis on his way out, the future must be found via the draft. That's where high school star Corey Seager comes in.

*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

Check back for more on the Major League Baseball as it comes, and don’t miss Bleacher Report’s MLB page to get your fill of all things baseball.

Follow @Donald_Wood