2012 MLB Mock Draft: Sluggers Who Will Shine at the Next Level

There are some terrific bats in this draft. Some are raw, and some are more polished, but the talent is definitely there. 

In my latest full mock below, the best sluggers will be highlighted with extra attention. These are guys destined for major league stardom and who will be great assets to whichever teams grab them.

Langford's 2012 MLB Mock Draft

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

Buxton is a supremely gifted athlete. He is graceful and quick. He needs to build up his power, but if he does that, he will be a true five-tool player.

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

Appel has a big-league fastball. He also has a nice curve, which needs a little more consistency, and a developing changeup. He shouldn't need a lot of time in the minors. 

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

Why This Slugger Will Shine at Next Level:

Zunino has natural power. He is not the type of hitter that will ever challenge for the home run title, but he should consistently be able to put up 20-30 home runs while getting his share of doubles. 

The most impressive part of his power is that he gets it from a compact swing. He has tremendous bat speed, and these two qualities allow him to sit back on pitches. Zunino can hit to all fields, and this ability will only improve as he gains experience. 

He is also an excellent defensive catcher. This will make his stay in the minors a short one, and he will have a long and productive career behind the plate. 

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

Gausman is a fireball-chucking pitcher. If he can develop his off-speed stuff he is true No. 1 starter material.

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

Correa is raw, but he is impressive. He is an amazing blend of size, speed and power. He has shades of a young Alex Rodriguez.

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

Amora is a smooth athlete. He covers a lot of ground in the outfield and has a solid glove. He also has a nice, fluid swing. 

7. San Diego Padres (71-91): Kyle Zimmer, RHP, San Francisco

Zimmer already has an excellent fastball and curve. He will be a nice pickup for the Padres as they build up their pitching depth.

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

Marrero has shown flashes of being a good hitter at the plate, but he is terribly inconsistent. However, he is so good in the field that anything a team gets from his bat is a plus. 

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

Fried is the top left-handed pitching prospect in this draft. He will need to polish his off-speed pitches, but he has a ton of upside. 

10. Colorado Rockies (73-89): Lucas Giolito, RHP, Harvard-Westlake (CA)

This tall left-hander has a nice fastball and curve. He has to smooth out his delivery, but he has a ton of upside. 

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

Why This Slugger Will Shine at Next Level:

Hawkins has a supremely powerful bat, and he has a frame that will allow him to comfortably add more bulk, and even more power. 

He generates this power with a relatively short swing, which points to success at the next level. 

Like almost every young slugger, he needs to work on his approach at the plate and his pitch recognition, but with experience and good coaching, he should be able to improve in these areas. 

When that happens, this is a legitimate 40-home run guy. 

12. New York Mets (77-85): Marcus Stroman, RHP, Duke

Stroman has a solid fastball and a rapidly developing cutter. He needs to work on his control, but this will be a nice arm for the Mets. 

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

Why This Slugger Will Shine at the Next Level

Shaffer has solid power. He will be able to produce solid home run and doubles numbers. He has great fast-twitch muscles, which helps both at the plate and in the field. 

He has the quickness, glove and arm to handle the hot corner. But the most impressive part about Shaffer is his advanced eye at the plate. He is a patient hitter who seldom chases pitches out of the zone. 

He will always have a solid on base percentage to go with his power numbers. 

14. Cincinnati Reds (79-83): Gavin Cecchini, SS, Barbe HS (LA)

Cennhini is a smooth fielder with great range. He also has nice pop and gap power at the plate.

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

Heanney generates a lot of movement on his pitches. He is not overpowering, but should develop into a solid starter. 

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

The Nationals will continue to load up on young pitching. Stratton already has a deep pitching arsenal and a ton of potential. 

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

Smoral is one of the most talented lefties in this class. He will have to refine his off speed pitches, but he will have plenty of time to do that. 

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

Gallo will likely end up being a position player. He has nice pop from the left side of the plate and a solid glove. 

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

Wacha has a very live fastball. He doesn't always knows where it is going but it has a lot of speed and movement. 

20. San Francisco Giants (86-76): Lance McCullers, RHP, Jesuit HS (FL)

The Giants must restock their minors with young arms. McCullers needs polish, but he has talent. 

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

Davis has great speed, makes decent contact and has gap power. He is a perfect lead-off hitter candidate. 

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

Virant already has a major league fastball and curve. 

23. St. Louis Cardinals (90-72): Lucas Sims, RHP, Brookwood HS (GA) 

The Cardinals have to bring in some young pitching talent. This strong-armed high schooler should do the trick. 

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

Kelly is a solid contact hitter with occasional power, and the defense to play the hot corner. 

25. Tampa Bay Rays (91-71): Nolan Fontana, SS, Florida

Fontana is a slick fielding shortstop with a good eye. He needs to work on making contact, but will be a nice pickup for the Rays. 

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

This lengthy right hander has to develop some consistent off speed pitches, but the Diamondbacks have to find pitching talent. 

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

This power-hitting third baseman could be the longterm answer for the Brewers at third. 

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

Coulter's defense is nowhere near major league ready, but he is a good athlete and has impressive power at the plate. 

29. Texas Rangers (96-66): Ty Hensley, RHP, Santa Fe HS (OK)

Hensley is a well-rounded pitcher who projects to be a middle of the rotation type of guy. 

30. New York Yankees (97-65): Zach Eflin, RHP, Hagerty HS (FL)

Effin's fastball could strike hitters in bigs from Day 1. However, the rest of pitches could not. 

31. ****Boston Red Sox (90-72): Stryker Trahan, C, Acadian HS (FL)

Trahan has all the tools and frame to be a catcher. He has some work to do at the plate, but could be the Red Sox backstop of the future. 

*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