MLB Draft 2012: Biggest Steals in ESPN's Final First-Round Mock

Mocks drafts don’t predict what should happen.

When Keith Law pieced together his final 2012 first-round MLB mock before Monday night’s draft, he was instead attempting to project what will happen.

Here are the four biggest steals from Law’s latest mock.

4. Richie Shaffer (3B) to the St. Louis Cardinals at No. 19

Shaffer is the best third baseman in the class. He possesses elite power and is a stud defensively. Shaffer is also versatile enough to play third and first base.

How a player with that scouting report falls to No. 19 is beyond me. If the Cardinals snag Shaffer, they’d be big winners on draft day.

3. Zach Eflin (RHP) to the Milwaukee Brewers at No. 28

Eflin has no ceiling. The 6’6” monster on the mound’s fastball reaches speeds up to 96 mph.

According to Bryan Burns of Max Preps, Eflin surrendered 16 hits in his entire senior season, compared to the 59 batters he struck out.

A pitcher with as much potential as Eflin has shouldn’t nearly fall out of the first round. If any team nabs him outside of the top 25, they have hit the jackpot.

2. Lucas Giolito (RHP) to the Cincinnati Reds at No. 14

Giolito is a risk after suffering a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow. Still, at No. 14 overall, he’s a huge steal.

He was a potential No. 1 overall selection before the injury.

When a pitcher who draws comparisons to Roy Halladay falls to No. 14, you don’t hesitate to pull the trigger.

If Giolito lives up to his potential, Cincinnati just got the steal of the decade.

1. Marcus Stroman (RHP) to the St. Louis Cardinals at No. 23

Stroman possesses the skill set of a top 10 prospect. Why in the world will he fall outside of the top 20?

Because he’s 5’9”—it’s that simple.

While Stroman’s height will potentially hold him back from having a successful career, he’ll more than likely be able to overcome his lack of length.

While it’d be nice if he was 6’4”, it isn’t like Stroman is attempting to play in the NBA. Height shouldn’t drop him that far.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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