2012 MLB Mock Draft: Draft Day Edition

In a last-ditch effort to produce the perfect first-round mock draft, I have gone back to the drawing board right before the festivities begin. 

All of the analysis on players is in, and the needs of teams have become as apparent as they are going to get. So I'm confident I have nailed every single pick here, and by confident, I mean there is a 0.00001 percent chance of that happening. 

There are always surprises in a draft, and it is impossible to predict where those surprises will occur. But here is how I see this draft shaking out. Time will tell which team screws it up. 

Langford's 2012 MLB Mock Draft

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

Houston has an interesting call with the No. 1 selection. It will likely be deciding between Buxton and Stanford pitcher Mark Appel. 

Appel should be easier to sign, but this aspect won't make a big enough difference to determine who the Astros pick. 

Appel is a polished college pitcher that shouldn't need a lot of time in the minors before he is ready to start in the big leagues. Buxton is going to need considerably more time, as he is still more potential than finished product. 

However, to offset this is the fact that Appel is a pitcher, and any safety in picking him over Buxton is done away with the risk of drafting a pitcher and the plethora of arm problems that can derail him. 

The Astros will decided to go with Buxton because, if he fills out and adds some power, he is a legitimate five-tool player. 

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

The Twins won't have the same dilemma as the Astros. They will take whichever of the top two Houston does not. 

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

Zunino is a solid defensive catcher and one of the most polished hitters in the draft. It is perfect for the Mariners, who need more catching depth. 

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

Gausman has a dominant fastball and a rapidly developing off-speed array. A nice value at No. 4. 

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

Correa is an exciting prospect. If he continues to develop he will be the best and most well-rounded shortstop in the game. He is still a few years away though.  

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

The Cubs have some serious rebuilding to do, and they need depth at almost every position. Almora has to bulk up before he is pro ready, but he has a beautiful swing and all the tools to be great. 

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

Zimmer's fastball and slider would make him an instant candidate for the bullpen. If he can develop some other pitches, he will be a solid starter. 

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

Marrero could step in right now and be one of the better defensive shortstops in the majors. He needs to get more consistent at the plate but has potential there as well. 

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

Fried is a fireball-throwing lefty with the body to handle starting. He needs to develop, but he is well worth a top-10 selection. 

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

Just watch the 6'7" Giolito uncork a sizzling fastball from a silky-smooth delivery, and you'll realize this kid's potential is through the roof. 

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

Hawkins is a natural crusher. If he can refine his approach at the plate, he will be a prolific home run hitter. 

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

Stroman is a solid, near pro-ready prospect and should be able to make his way quickly through the Mets system. 

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

Shaffer has the perfect build for the hot corner at 6'3" and just over 200 pounds. He has room on his frame to add muscle without getting so bulky that he loses quickness.

He also has great bat speed and tremendous power. He won the 2011 Cape Cod League home run derby at Fenway Park.

His swing is a little long, which leaves him susceptible to hard stuff inside, but he can go to work on this. He also limits that liability with a great approach at the plate and an excellent eye. He isn't afraid to work deep into the count and go the other way. 

He has some work to do at third. His footwork is not where it needs to be and has a bit of a slow release. He has a decent glove and a cannon for an arm. 

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

Cecchini needs a better approach at the plate, but he has gap power. He is also a smooth fielder. 

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

Heaney doesn't have the highest ceiling, but he gets excellent movement on all of his pitches, which will make him an effective pitcher in some role. 

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

The Nationals will continue to bulk up on young arms with Stratton. He has a deep arsenal and solid control. 

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

The Blue Jays need to beef up the pitching depth in their farm system. Smoral will be a nice start. 

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

Gallo is an interesting prospect. He is big and tall with a mid-90s fastball. He is also a solid fielder with decent pop from the left side of the plate. 

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

Wacha has to improve his pitching mechanics to find more consistency, but he has a big league arm. 

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

All of a sudden, the pitching situation in San Francisco is not as deep as it once was. That makes McCullers a smart pick for the Giants. 

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

Davis might be the fastest player in this draft. He has great range in the outfield and is a decent contact hitter with gap power. 

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

The Blue Jays will take their second pitcher of the first round with Virant. He has a nice fastball and a hard-breaking curve.

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

Sims' stamina may relegate him to the bullpen, but he has the stuff to strike out major league hitters.  

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

Kelly is a solid all-around hitter. He also has a nice glove and quick reaction time. 

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

This draft is loaded with excellent fielding shortstops and Fontana is another one. He has some work to do at the plate, but he is disciplined and will initially have a much more attractive OBP than average. 

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

The tall Johnson can bring the heat. He also has decent control with his fastball. However, his offspeed stuff needs serious work. 

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

The Brewers have to start planning for their third baseman of the future. Piscotty has the tools to be just that. He is a great contact hitter but will not offer a lot in the way of power.

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

This young prospect may not have the defense to stick at catcher. He certainly has the body for it, though. He also has tremendous power at the plate. 

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

Hensley has the build to suggest he will be able to hold up to the rigors of being a starter, and he definitely has the arm to earn that job. 

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

Eflin can bring the heat and not much else. If he wants to be anything but a bullpen guy, he will have to improve on that. 

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

Trahan is solid behind the plate, and he has the frame to handle it. He also has nice power, but he has a long swing that will have to be tweaked for him to succeed in the majors. 

*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