2012 MLB Mock Draft: Strengths of Every Likely 1st-Round Pick

The 2012 MLB draft does not have a clear-cut No. 1 selection like in years past; however, there are several high-end prospects up for grabs.

Even prospects outside of the upper echelon bring certain skills to the table. These strengths are what every major-league club will take a gamble on Monday night.

Let's take a look at how good this year's crop is and what each first-round pick does best.

1. Houston Astros: Mark Appel, RHP, Stanford

Appel does not have a high ceiling, but he could reach the majors rather quickly. He has three solid offerings, but his fastball leads the way.

Opponents hit .208 against Appel this season because of his sound approach to each batter. He understands how to pitch rather than just throw. This will expedite his development.

His 6'5'' frame still has room to fill out. If it does, expect Appel's production to follow suit.

2. Minnesota Twins: Byron Buxton, OF, Appling County HS (Ga.)

Buxton is the best overall prospect in this year's draft. His speed and arm are major league ready, and his bat is developing with each hack. 

The Twins will land a potential five-tool star. He is only 18 years old, but Buxton shows a ton of promise.

Power at the plate is not there yet, but it will come as he matures. For now, he will succeed with contact hitting and outstanding speed.

3. Seattle Mariners: Mike Zunino, C, Florida

Zunino is the best collegiate hitter available this year. He projects as an above-average hitter with solid defensive skills.

He could reach the major leagues quickly. Multiple seasons with the Gators give him an edge in the leadership department. He knows how to lead a touted club and plays with heart.

Seattle will love Zunino's power and his sneaky quick release behind the plate.

4. Baltimore Orioles: Kevin Gausman, RHP, LSU

Gausman went 11-1 for the Tigers this year because of an electric fastball and a sharp, biting slider.

He is a power right-hander with more potential than Appel. Three plus pitches and improving command put Gausman's ceiling pretty high.

Look for Gausman to improve as his command improves. He has a raw feel for the game.

5. Kansas City Royals: Kyle Zimmer, RHP, San Francisco

Zimmer has two advanced pitches and a great feel for pitching. He could be a very good No. 2 starter when all is said and done.

A plus fastball and curveball give Zimmer room to grow as he continues developing his changeup. He has a powerful frame and sound mechanics.

6. Chicago Cubs: Albert Almora, OF, Mater Academy (Fla.)

Almora is only 18, but he has tremendous upside. He has prolific power for his age and a cannon from the outfield.

The Cubs would be wise to scoop up Almora at No. 6. Even though he will not be ready for a few years, Almora could be menace at the plate.

He has quick hands, gets the bat through the zone and adjusts well to breaking pitches. These skills could lead to big-time major league production.

7. San Diego Padres: Carlos Correa, SS, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy

Correa is a no-brainer if he makes it this far. He shows five-tool potential with elite skills at the plate.

Eventually, Correa could move to a corner infield position, but for now he will play shortstop. He is a very athletic player with a strong arm. He uses his 6'4'' frame to launch balls across the diamond.

At the plate, Correa could be a 30-plus home run guy at the next level.

The Padres get a steal here.

8. Pittsburgh Pirates: Lucas Giolito, RHP, Harvard-Westlake HS (Calif.)

Giolito's recovering arm makes him a stretch at No. 8, but his talent does not. He is the ultimate boom-bust scenario.

His 6'6'' frame propels a laser-like fastball and a sharp, pronounced bender. His changeup keeps hitters off balance, and it is still getting better.

Giolito has advanced feel and mechanics for an 18-year-old.

Pirate fans may, and should, disagree with this selection, but Stetson Allie's position change prompts a panic pick here.

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

Fried will be the first southpaw off the board because of his superior command and sharp off-speed offerings.

He must mature and get stronger, but Faried could grow into a front-end starter for Miami.

Raw prospects usually rise from the high school pitching ranks, but Fried is polished for his age. Miami cannot let him fall past No. 9.

10. Colorado Rockies: Courtney Hawkins, OF, Carroll HS (Texas)

Hawkins is a toolsy player with above-average power and very good defensive ability.

He has a great arm from the outfield and takes smart routes to the ball. Hawkins and Carlos Gonzalez would form an excellent duo in the Rockies' outfield for the coming years.

The Texas native projects as a middle-of-the-order bat because of his gap-to-gap power.

11. Oakland Athletics: Richie Shaffer, 3B, Clemson

Shaffer has a polished approach and a poised demeanor. He is experienced, patient and focused every time he steps foot on the diamond.

Billy Beane will fall in love with Shaffer's swing selection. He drew 63 walks this year and found his way on base nearly 50 percent of the time.

Shaffer's veteran-like attributes will land him in the majors sooner rather than later.

12. New York Mets: Deven Marrero, SS, Arizona State

Marrero is a slick fielder with a smooth glove and adequate arm. Offensively, he displays flashes of power with developing long-ball potential.

He is suited for the top of someone's major league lineup. He works the count, makes contact and knows his way around the bases.

13. Chicago White Sox: Gavin Cecchini, SS, Barbe HS (La.)

Cecchini has a great glove with upside at the plate.

He does not have home run power, but he could be a doubles machine at the next level. He needs to get stronger, but he has above-average speed.

The White Sox get a shortstop who understands how to play the position. He will develop into a 10- to 15-home run presence and a leader in the clubhouse.

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

Stratton's filthy slider helped him put up massive strikeout numbers in the SEC last season. He will throw it in any count, and he has great command.

The Reds need a pitcher. Stratton's powerful, polished arm will fit in nicely.

His fastball-slider combo makes his future production very optimistic.

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

Heaney is a powerful southpaw. He racked up 140 strikeouts and eight wins behind a sizzling fastball and devastating off-speed pitches.

Cleveland gets a chance to replace Drew Pomeranz with another dominant left-hander. Heaney will only get better as he gets stronger.

He has the pitches to retire a lot of major league batters.

16. Washington Nationals: Michael Wacha, RHP, Texas A&M

Wacha could probably make the jump to the major leagues within a year. He has two plus pitches and phenomenal command.

He has 116 strikeouts and 20 walks for the Aggies last season. His pinpoint control allows him to throw any pitch on any count.

Keeping hitters off-balance with his vast understanding of his repertoire gives Wacha an advantage.

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

Smoral missed most of his senior season with stress fractures in his foot, but that does not deny his considerably high ceiling.

He has two plus offerings with a developing changeup.

Being 6'8'' helps as well. he will get better as he matures and continues to heal. He gets tremendous whip because of his length and his pitches can be dominant.

18. Los Angeles Dodgers: Ty Hensley, RHP, Santa Fe HS (Okla.)

Hensley only utilizes a fastball-curveball combination, but both are plus pitches.

He has firm command of both pitches and knows when to use them. Hensley will be solid. He will be even better if he adds a changeup to his menu.

19. St. Louis Cardinals: Lance McCullers, Jesuit HS (Fla.)

McCullers' curveball plays perfectly off his rising fastball. He will develop as his changeup develops.

He has solid mechanics and projects as a solid No. 2 option.

20. San Francisco Giants: Joey Gallo, 3B/1B, Bishop Gorman HS (Nev.)

Gallo is the most powerful hitter in this year's draft. If he can improve his approach, he will wreak havoc on big-league pitchers.

He is the all-time home run leader in Nevada high school history. If a pitcher challenges him, it will not end well.

Giant fans will love Gallo's brute strength at the plate.

21. Atlanta Braves: Stephen Piscotty, 3B/LF, Stanford

Piscotty is a low-ceiling collegiate prospect, but that is not a bad thing. He can swing the bat and will eventually settle into a position.

The Braves would be smart to acquire Piscotty's gap-to-gap power and aggressive approach at the plate. He is a smart player with the tools to become a solid, top-of-the-order bat.

22. Toronto Blue Jays: D.J. Davis, OF, Stone HS (Miss.)

Davis is a speed merchant with leadoff hitter written all over him. He could steal 50 to 60 bases any year.

His plate approach and overall contact are still on the rise. Defense and absurd speed give Toronto the perfect complement to their home run-heavy lineup.

23. St. Louis Cardinals: Nolan Fontana, SS, Florida

The Cardinals get their shortstop of the future in Fontana. He is smart and reliable in the field and patient at the dish.

Fontana has a gritty approach at the plate. He is very difficult to strike out, fanning just 25 times this season for the Gators.

He will be a solid major league player because of his consistent play in all areas.

24. Boston Red Sox: Marcus Stroman, RHP, Duke

Stroman struck out 12.5 for every nine innings pitched.

He is only 5'9'', but his fastball is tough to catch. He complements his heater with a sharp breaking ball and a table-setting changeup.

Stroman is a bit of a one-trick pony, but his power is definitely intriguing.

25. Tampa Bay Rays: Stryker Trahan, C, Acadiana HS (La.)

Trahan has plus tools at the plate and a quick release behind the plate.

His arm is very strong and he moves very well.

At the plate, Trahan is a dangerous hitter from the left side. He does not have elite power, but the potential is there.

26. Arizona Diamondbacks: Carson Kelly, 3B, Westview HS (Ore.)

Kelly has intriguing power. He could actually wind up pitching in the minor leagues, but I think his future lies in the hot corner.

The Diamondbacks could move him through the minors quickly. All five tools show flashes, now he must put them together.

27. Milwaukee Brewers: Tanner Rahier, SS, Palm Desert HS (Calif.)

Rahier is a solid contact hitter who flashes brilliant leather in the field. He is an exciting athlete with a flair for the dramatic.

The Brewers will try to develop Rahier's power, but his contact is a plus tool already. Give him a few years and you will have a solid big-league shortstop.

28. Milwaukee Brewers: Lucas Sims, RHP, Brookwood HS (Ga.)

Sims will provide an encouraging contingency plan if Zack Greinke departs Milwaukee. He has the tools to be a top-of-the-line starter.

He has a plus fastball and a scintillating curveball. Sims is far from a finished product, but he has intriguing possibilities.

29. Texas Rangers: Zach Eflin, RHP, Hagerty HS (Fla.)

Eflin is young, but his wiry frame lends itself to optimism. His fastball lights up the radar gun, and his off-speed pitches are on their way.

The Rangers have the developmental coaching staff to maximize Eflin's three plus pitches. He has good mechanics and understands how to use his whole arsenal.

30. New York Yankees: Corey Seager, 3B, Northwest Cabarrus HS (N.C.)

Seager makes solid contact offensively. His power is not necessarily the same caliber, but his 6'3'' frame leaves room to improve.

The Yankees will feel comfortable handing third base to a steady-handed, mature prospect in two or three years.

With the proper development, Seager will be a solid starter with .290, 20-home run potential.

31. Boston Red Sox: David Dahl, OF, Oak Mountain HS (Ala.)

Dahl is a solid athlete with very good potential at the dish. He already hits for average, and he projects as a plus power hitter.

He is a capable defender who makes all of the necessary plays. Solid starter is the ceiling for Dahl's major league career.

His hitting shows an encouraging level of promise.