2012 MLB Mock Draft: Predictions for All 30 Teams' First Selection

The 2012 edition of the Major League Baseball players' draft is right around the corner—it starts this Monday, June 4th to be exact.

Although this year's crop of ball players is seen as weaker than in recent years, that's really more of a testament to the strength of prior draft classes rather than the perceived weakness of the class of 2012.

Sure, there are no Stephen Strasburgs, Bryce Harpers, Gerrit Coles or Mike Trout-styled "slam dunk" No. 1 draft picks—but there are plenty of quality arms and solid bats from which to choose.

Here's a look at how each team may choose to restock their farm systems with what could prove to be tomorrow's All-Stars.

Houston Astros

2012 Baseball America System Rank: 17 

Organizational Needs: Full Rebuild 

Notes: Dealing Pence and Bourn for prospects was a step in the right direction...now it's time for the Astros to implement a full-on overhaul of their minor league system. 

Projected Pick: Byron Buxton, OF, high school (GA)

Minnesota Twins

BA System Rank: 19 

Org. Needs: Pitching 

Notes: It’s no coincidence that the Twins haven’t been the same since Francisco Liriano’s injury and Johan Santana’s departure.

Injuries to both Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau aren't without blame, but the Twins need some new pitching if they are to regain the type of success that has eluded them since last season. 

Projected Pick: Mark Appel, RHP, Stanford

Seattle Mariners

BA System Rank: 9 

Org. Needs: Offense

Notes: Jesus Montero (Michael Pineda trade) was a great start, but drafting another plus-bat is the right call. 

Projected Pick: Michael Zunino, C, University of Florida

Baltimore Orioles

BA System Rank: 20 

Org. Needs: Pitching 

Notes: Drafting a solid pitcher with their pick could make some other their prospects immediately expendable for a possible trade deadline deal. 

Projected Pick: Kevin Gausman, RHP, LSU

Kansas City Royals

BA System Rank: 3 

Org. Needs: Restock the Farm 

Notes: Longtime darlings of Baseball America, it’s time for the Royals to restock their farm system since most of their top-flight prospects are now up with the parent club. 

Projected Pick: Kyle Zimmer, RHP, San Francisco

Chicago Cubs

BA System Rank: 14 

Org. Needs: Depth 

Notes: With draft wiz Theo Epstein leading the charge, look for the Cubs to make savvy picks in the draft to help offset costs as they ready for the future.

Projected Pick: Carlos Correa, SS, Puerto Rico

San Diego Padres

BA System Rank: 8 

Org. Needs: Trade Pieces

Notes: Pads are sitting pretty prospect-wise after the Mat Latos deal. Could use some additional arms since PETCO is a pitcher’s paradise.    

 Projected Pick: Max Fried, LHP, HS (CA)

Pittsburgh Pirates

BA System Rank: 13 

Org. Needs: Impact Bat(s) 

Notes: The Pirates have some of the best young pitching prospects in the big leagues. Hard-throwing right-handers Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon project as top-of-the-rotation studs.

Projected Pick: Devin Marrero, SS, Arizona State 

Miami Marlins

BA System Rank: 28 

Org. Needs: Rebuild 

Notes: This is a Marlins team that is very much built to win now. They have a young outfield but a fresh dose of prospects would be a boon to the franchise. 

Projected Pick: Albert Almora, OF, HS (FL)

Colorado Rockies

BA System Rank: 16 

Org. Needs: Pitching 

Notes: The recently released 49-year-old Jaime Moyer is sign enough that the Rockies desperately seek pitching. Seriously, was he the best they could do as a No. 5 starter?

Projected Pick: Courtney Hawkins, OF, HS (TX)

Oakland Athletics

BA System Rank: 26 

Org. Needs: Rebuild 

Notes: Even after their surprisingly fast start to the season, it was quite apparent that it will be some time before the Oakland A's are real competitors.

They're off to a great start thanks to the Gio Gonzalez trade, now's the time to load up for a run in a year or so.

Projected Pick: Richie Shaffer, 1B/3B, Clemson 

New York Mets

BA System Rank: 24 

Org. Needs: Rebuild

Notes: They held on to Jose Reyes too long and lost all potential value they could have acquired for him via a trade. Will they do the same with third baseman David Wright?

Projected Pick: Mike Wacha, OF/P, Texas A&M

Chicago White Sox

BA System Rank: 30 

Org. Needs: Rebuild

Notes: If ever there was a team that was in the "built to win now" mode, the 2012 White Sox are it. They have the major league's worst farm system, and it's not even close. 

Projected Pick: Lance McCullers, RHP, HS (FL) 

Cincinnati Reds

BA System Rank: 7 

Org. Needs: Depth

Notes: The Reds need depth, but not because they are lacking in that department; they need depth so that they can wheel-and-deal at the trade deadline if necessary.

Projected Pick: Andrew Heaney, LHP, Oklahoma State

Cleveland Indians

BA System Rank: 29 

Org. Needs: Rebuild

Notes: They're essentially in the same mold as the Chicago White Sox in terms of lack of talent in their farm system. They badly need to re-up as the Ubaldo Jimenez trade robbed them of key prospects.

Projected Pick: Chris Stratton, RHP, Mississippi State

Washington Nationals

BA System Rank: 1 

Org. Needs: Depth

Notes: The Washington Nationals are quickly becoming a model franchise—well-run from the lowest levels of the minor leagues all the way to the top. 

Projected Pick: Lucas Smith, RHP, HS (LA)

Toronto Blue Jays

BA System Rank: 5

Org. Needs: Pitching

Notes: They're just an arm or two away from contention in the AL East. 

Projected Pick: Lucas Giolito, RHP, HS (CA)

The Los Angeles Dodgers

BA System Rank: 23 

Org. Needs: Depth

Notes: The Dodgers are rapidly becoming the class of the National League. Another power arm and some more offense could make them World Series contenders.

Projected Pick: Marcus Stroman, RHP, Duke

St. Louis Cardinals

BA System Rank: 12 

Org. Needs: Depth

Notes: They're doing just fine after letting Albert Pujols walk. This is a well-run organization; drafting a shortstop makes sense here since the aging Rafael Furcal's window is rapidly closing.

Projected Pick: Gavin Cecchini, SS, HS (LA)

San Francisco Giants

BA System Rank: 21 

Org. Needs: Offense

Notes: An upper-tier team despite a having some offensive inadequacies. A key bat in the draft could put them over the top.

Projected Pick: Stephen Piscotty, 3B/OF, Stanford

Atlanta Braves

BA System Rank: 15 

Org. Needs: Offense

Notes: Nobody does a better job in scouting and development with pitching prospects than Atlanta. However, with Chipper Jones on the way out it's time to start looking for a suitable replacement.

Projected Pick: David Dahl, OF, HS (AL)

Boston Red Sox

BA System Rank: 10 

Org. Needs: Pitching

Notes: They have enough pitching right now—when healthy—to compete, so it might be best to try to fill in the hole at shortstop they've had since Nomar Garciaparra left so many years ago.

Projected Pick: Tanner Rahier, SS, HS (CA)

Tampa Bay Rays

BA System Rank: 11 

Org. Needs: Depth

Notes: It truly is amazing the productivity that manager Joe Maddon is able to get out of both his offense and his pitching staff. Just keep on doing what you do, Joe, and your Rays will be contenders for years to come. 

Projected Pick: Pierce Johnson, RHP, Missouri State

Arizona Diamondbacks

BA System Rank: 4 

Org. Needs: Depth 

Notes: Going with a corner infielder or outfielder certainly addresses an issue that the Diamondbacks have been suffering through so far this season.

Projected Pick: Victor Roache, 1B/OF, Georgia Southern

Milwaukee Brewers

BA System Rank: 25

Org. Needs: Depth

Notes: I'm kind of scratching my head at why the 2012 Brewers aren't better. There's plenty of time for them to right this ship. 

Projected Pick: Stryker Trahan, C, HS (LA)

Texas Rangers

BA System Rank: 2 

Org. Needs: Depth

Notes: If you asked me two weeks ago what the Texas Rangers need, the last thing I would tell you was defense. Funny how times change.

Obviously, nobody takes a first-rounder off of the board because they have a great glove. Might as well go with some more pitching to add to their already abundant pile.

Projected Pick: Lucas Sims, RHP, HS (GA)

For a full breakdown of my Texas Rangers picks, click here...

New York Yankees

BA System Rank: 6 

Org. Needs: Depth

Notes: Definitely got a bum deal with Michael Pineda's labrum tear. However, the Yankees have been a team in decline for several years now, so it's time to rebuild their once-rich farm system.

Projected Pick: DJ Davis, OF, HS (MS)

Philadelphia Phillies

BA System Rank: 27 

Org. Needs: Rebuild

Notes: The Philadelphia Phillies have probably been this season's biggest disappointment up to this point. More bad news was handed their way when word was released about Roy Halladay's shoulder issues.

Projected Pick: Brian Johnson, LHP, Florida