MLB Draft 2012: High School Sluggers Worth a Top-10 Pick

Drafting high school players in the MLB draft is always a risky proposition, and when you are doing so with a top-10 pick, that risk is compounded tenfold.

A team can rebuild itself if it nails its first-round picks, but it can just as quickly handicap itself for the future if those picks don't pan out. Stars can be hard to come by, and while they are regularly found in rounds after the first one, truly special talents are generally available at the top of the draft.

Those risks apply in this year's draft, but I've identified three sluggers from the high school ranks worthy of a top-10 selection this year. Teams should feel confident they've landed a stud if they end up with one of these players.

Byron Buxton, OF (Appling County High School, Ga.)

In his senior season, Buxton hit .513 with 17 doubles, 35 RBI and 38 stolen bases, earning him comparisons to players like the Upton brothers.

High praise, namely if the comparison is more Justin and less B.J.

At the moment, Buxton's greatest tool offensively is his speed, but his power should continue to develop as he grows older and fully fills into his body. With a bit more thump, Buxton projects as a five-star outfielder and a compelling talent that could potentially reach superstar potential.

Expect him to be one of the first two players off the board at this year's draft.

Albert Almora, OF (Marion Christian Academy, Fla.)

Almora hit .606 with six homers and 35 RBI in 23 games during his senior year.

Those are sick-nasty statistics, ladies and gentlemen.

With a powerful arm and solid range in the outfield, Almora projects as a corner outfielder. While he'll never be a 40-home-runs-a-year type of hitter, he projects to be the type of player that will hit .300, smack 20 home runs and linger around the 100-RBI mark as a solid second or third hitter in a lineup.

Carlos Correa, SS (Puerto Rico)

Correa is 6'4", 190 pounds and looks like a dangerous hitter at a position generally devoid of offensive studs.

That's always valuable.

Besides his obvious physical skills—he's a true five-tool prospect—he's also a smart kid (he scored a 1560 on his SAT) and a hard worker, as Reid Forgrave of Fox Sports learned:

"

The kid wakes up at 5 a.m., travels more than an hour to school, works out for 3 1/2 hours every afternoon—on the track, in the gym, hitting, taking grounders—then heads back home to his little fishing village, where he practices more with his father. On top of that big-league work ethic is a relaxed big-league demeanor, which was on display last week when he was in California for a tryout with the San Diego Padres.

"

He could be truly special, and whichever team lands him will be getting a future star.

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