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

Many executives are tempted by promising high schoolers with massive potential, but oftentimes the better option is to draft an MLB-ready prospect who won't need much time in the minors.

These players aren't easy to come by, but there's definitely a few in this year's draft class. I'll highlight the most likely candidates to quickly reach the majors in my final 2012 MLB mock draft.

The draft will be held June 4-6.

1. Houston Astros: Mark Appel, RHP, Stanford

The Astros could go a couple different routes, with Byron Buxton and LSU pitcher Kevin Gausman  both being solid options.

I think Houston will make the safe pick, though, and select Appel. He's got some nasty stuff, and after three years of high-level collegiate baseball, Appel will probably cruise through the Astros farm system.

2. Minnesota Twins: Byron Buxton, OF, Appling County High School (GA)

Buxton is a very raw talent, so he will need at least three or four years before he's MLB-ready.

That said, he will definitely be worth the wait. He's the most impressive athlete in this class, as he possesses world class speed, bat speed and arm strength.

Buxton has the highest ceiling of anybody in the draft, and if he gets some good coaching, he will live up to his potential.

3. Seattle Mariners: Mike Zunino, C, Florida

If the Twins pass on Buxton, the Mariners will take him here.

If Buxton is gone, though, the Mariners should go with Zunino. The Florida product is a low-risk, high-reward prospect. He was a 2011 All-American and SEC Player of the Year, so he will need minimal time in the minor leagues.

4. Baltimore Orioles: Carlos Correa, SS, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy

Correa is a monster at the plate, where's he capable of hitting for power and average. He's only 17, though, so he will need a few years of development before he's ready for the majors.

5. Kansas City Royals: Kevin Gausman, RHP, LSU

Gausman was just named a 2012 First Team All-American after posting a 10-1 record with a 2.84 ERA.

He might be the most talented pitcher in this class, and with his college pedigree, he should make it to the majors in a relatively short time.

6. Chicago Cubs: Albert Almora, CF, Mater Academy Charter (FL)

Almora is only 18, but his instincts and maturity level are very advanced for his age.

He's got a gorgeous swing, incredible defensive ability, and once he fills out his 6'2", 170 pound frame, he will be a big time power hitter. 

Almora would benefit from couple years in the minors, but he's much more MLB-ready than most high school prospects.

7. San Diego Padres: Kyle Zimmer, RHP, San Francisco

Zimmer is new to pitching (he converted from third base as a college freshman), so he'll need a few more years of development.

When he is ready, he could be a force in the majors. He's got a large frame and a fastball that clocks in the high 90s.

8. Pittsburgh Pirates: Deven Marrero, SS, Arizona State

Defensively, Marrero is already MLB-ready. He's got good range and a cannon for an arm, which may cause him to be brought up relatively quickly. 

His batting needs some work, and I doubt he'll ever be one of baseball's best hitters. With his defensive ability, though, he will have a long and successful major league career.

9. Florida Marlins: Courtney Hawkins, OF, Carroll (TX)

Hawkins crushes fastballs and has the potential to hit 25-30 home runs per season in a few years.

He will need some developmental time in the minors, though, as he needs to improve at hitting curveballs and other offspeed pitches.

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

Giolito is the top high school pitching prospect in the nation, but he suffered a recent elbow injury.

If he recovers properly, he will likely be in the majors with two years. If he experiences some setbacks, he will have to go through plenty of rehab stints in the minor leagues.

11. Oakland Athletics: Max Fried, LHP, Harvard-Westlake (CA)

Fried has a beautiful breaking ball and outstanding command of his pitches. He's got great potential, and he could certainly end up being the best pitcher in this class.

Fried isn't quite MLB-ready, though, as he needs to add velocity to his fastball by gaining muscle. A few years in the minors would do Fried some good.

12. New York Mets: Gavin Cecchini, SS, Barbe High School (LA)

Cecchini was just named Louisiana's Mr. Baseball, but he'll need some time to develop before he's earning awards in the big leagues. 

13. Chicago White Sox: Joey Gallo, 3B, Bishop Gorman High School (NV)

Whichever way the White Sox decide to use Gallo, he'll need some time in the minors to improve his skill.

He's a raw power hitter right now, but if Chicago isn't happy with his progress at the plate, they can stick him on the mound, where he throws in the mid 90s.

14. Cincinnati Reds: Chris Stratton, RHP, Mississippi State

Stratton dominated the SEC this season, and as an older prospect, he will require minimal time in the minors.

He'll be 22 this summer, and with his vast repertoire of pitches, he's as MLB-ready as any pitching prospect.

15. Cleveland Indians: Andrew Heaney, LHP, Oklahoma State

Like Stratton, Heaney has a massive arsenal of pitches. He's another low-risk pitcher who won't need much time before getting called up.

16. Washington Nationals: Richie Shaffer, 3B, Clemson

Shaffer might be the safest college hitter in this class. He's got good power and awareness at the plate, and he's plays some decent defense as well.

Shaffer will be ready for the majors before just about every other prospect in this class.

17. Toronto Blue Jays: Matt Smoral, LHP, Solon High School (OH)

Smoral has a good fastball and slider, and at 6'8", he can be an intimidating presence on the mound.

As expected, he still needs to fill out, add some muscle and improve his velocity. He will need a few years in the minors before he's ready for his call-up.

18. Los Angeles Dodgers: Ty Hensley, RHP, Edmon Santa Fe High School (OK)

Hensley needs to drastically improve his command, so it will be awhile before you see him in the majors.

19. St. Louis Cardinals (from LAA): Michael Wacha, RHP, Texas A&M

Wacha is MLB-ready, with a wicked change-up and fastball already in his arsenal. If he adds a decent breaking ball, he will be a quality second or third option in the rotation.

20. San Francisco Giants: Zach Eflin, RHP, Hagerty High School (FL)

Eflin isn't a versatile pitcher yet, so he'll need a few years in the minors to hone his skills.

21. Atlanta Braves: D.J. Davis, OF, Stone High School (MS)

Davis has amazing speed, but he'll need to make some dramatic improvements in his hitting before he utilize his legs in the majors. Davis will be a long-term project for whoever drafts him.

22. Toronto Blue Jays (compensation for unsigned Tyler Beede): Hunter Virant, LHP, Camarillo High School (CA)

Virant is pretty raw at this point. He needs to improve his velocity, which should happen naturally when he gains some muscle. He's only 18, so three or four years in the minors would do him some good.

23. St. Louis Cardinals: Marcus Stroman, RHP, Duke

Stroman's main weakness is his height (5'9") and it's not like he can improve that in the minors.

The Duke product already has nasty stuff and a vast array of pitches. He may be relegated to the bullpen, but I think Stroman has the skill to become a quality starter at the front-end of somebody's rotation.

24. Boston Red Sox: Tyler Naquin, OF, Texas A&M

Naquin has ridiculous arm strength and underrated hitting ability. He doesn't have a high ceiling, but he's already a polished player. He won't need much time in the minors.

25. Tampa Bay Rays: Stephen Piscotty, 3B, Stanford

Simply put, Piscotty is a hitting machine. He's got serious power and he hit for .326, .364 and .320 in his three college seasons.

Piscotty is one of the more MLB-ready hitters in this class.

26. Arizona Diamondbacks: Lucas Sims, RHP, Brookwood High School (GA)

Sims needs to make major improvements in his curveball and his inconsistency is a bit of a concern. He's a good selection at the end of the first round, but he'll need at least a couple years to develop.

27. Milwaukee Brewers (from DET): Stryker Trahan, C, Acadiana High School (LA)

Trahan also struggled with his consistency this season. He's got the raw tools to be a top-notch catcher, but he needs to show he can produce on a regular basis before he'll get his call-up.

28. Milwaukee Brewers: Lewis Brinson, CF, Coral Springs High School (FL)

Brinson's raw athletic ability is jaw-dropping. Like Buxton, he's got elite physical tools that could eventually turn him into one of the best players in baseball.

Before he gets there, however, he will have to put in a few years of work in the minors.

29. Texas Rangers: Addison Russell, SS, Pace High School (FL)

Russell is perhaps the safest pick among the prep prospects.

He's got good arm strength, bat speed and defensive abilities. His lack of range may force him to third, but he should be a solid MLB starter for a long time.

30. New York Yankees: David Dahl, CF, Oak Mountain High School (AL)

Dahl doesn't have a very high ceiling, but he's got the tools to be an average MLB outfielder.

If he can fine-tune some elements of his game in the minors, he'll live up to his first round status.

31. Boston Red Sox (from PHI): Tanner Rahier, SS, Palm Desert High School (CA)

Rahier's smooth swing and confidence at the plate are highly advanced for a high schooler. He's got great plate awareness and he's never flustered by intense situations.

He needs a little time to improve his defense, but he'll spend less time in the minors than most prep players drafted ahead of him.