MLB Draft 2012: Teams in Dire Need of an Impact Hitter

The 2012 MLB draft will fill a multitude of needs for a number of major league squads. Some squads will select their ace of the future. Others will select the cornerstone of their lineup.

The Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners will most likely select a position player with their first selection in this year's draft. All three have a need at the major league level, farm system or both.

This year's draft class is not as strong as years past, but high-ceiling hitters can be found. 

Let's take a look at why these three teams must land one of this year's premier offensive players.

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates have the second-best team ERA in the league; however, their offense is the league's worst. Combine that with a pitcher-heavy farm system, and the Pirates must take a bat with their No. 8 selection. Their specific needs lie at shortstop, first base and catcher.

Pittsburgh will probably target Arizona State shortstop Deven Marrero. Marrero is a slick fielder, but his bat leaves something to be desired. He hit just .268 for the Sun Devils this season.

Albert Almora would not fill a positional need for the Pirates, but he would be a better scenario for the Pirates. He has five-tool potential, but he is a long way from the majors.

The Pirates should also tackle Florida catcher Mike Zunino. He sprays the ball to all fields, and he could reach the big leagues fairly quickly.

Pittsburgh's lineup consists of one sure thing: Andrew McCutchen. Their farm system is littered with elite pitching prospects (Jameson Taillon and Gerrit Cole), high-ceiling projects (Luis Heredia) and major league-ready low-ceiling pitchers (Jeff Locke and Rudy Owens). But they lack an impact bat outside of last year's second-round selection, Josh Bell.

They must remedy this glaring need in this year's draft.

Almora is the most talented. Marrero and Zunino are experienced. Puerto Rico Baseball Academy product Carlos Correa is the best-case scenario, but he will be gone before No. 8 rolls around.

San Francisco Giants

The Giants need a power source for the middle of their batting order. No clear candidate plays in their minor league system. That means the Giants go offense with their No. 20 selection. Joey Gallo would be the perfect fit because of his raw power.

The corner infield prospect might be the best power hitter in this year's draft. His 68 career home runs are a Nevada state record, and his 80 RBI last year broke his own state record.

Landing Gallo would be a major boost to the Giants. He can slug his way onto the Giants roster in three or four years.

San Francisco's pitchers account for the third-best ERA in the game. There aren't many pressing needs there. Look for the Giants to grab this sturdily-built Bishop Gorman product.

Seattle Mariners

The Mariners' offense has been better than expected this season, but they still must grab a non-pitcher with the third overall selection.

Byron Buxton will probably be off the board with the Twins' No. 2 pick. That leaves Puerto Rico Baseball Academy's Carlos Correa to Seattle.

Correa is projected to fit the Alex Rodriguez mold when all is said and done. He is a 6'4'' shortstop, meaning, like A-Rod, he could find himself in the hot corner before his career is over.

He has a powerful, quick bat and fields his position with increasing acuity.

Seattle's farm system is loaded with front-line starters. They selected Danny Hultzen with the No. 2 overall pick last year. They also have Taijuan Walker and James Paxton waiting in the wings.

Their glut of pitching prospects will force the Mariners to draft Correa's tremendous ceiling. Nick Franklin may be one of their system's best possibilities at this point, but this youngster is too talented to pass up.

The Mariners will be very happy with what Correa becomes.