2012 MLB Mock Draft: A Last-Minute Top 10 Edition

The 2012 Major League Baseball Draft is just hours away, with the fate of a handful of franchises resting in the balance. With a surplus of talent available, the route a franchise takes in building towards a championship will be shaped by their every move as prospects become franchise cornerstones.

While many consider there to be a consensus first overall draft choice, the 30 picks following the young right-hander are as far from certain as any in recent memory. So, who will they be and where will they go?

The following slides will answer all of that and more.

1. Houston Astros: Mark Appel, Stanford Cardinal

Position: SP

Age: 20

Throwing Arm: R

Height & Weight: 6'5" & 215 pounds

If you can find a mock draft that has anyone but Mark Appel going first overall, I'd be shocked. Appel is just as much of a shoo-in for first as fellow Stanford alumni Andre Luck was during this year's NFL Draft.

Appel is a hometown hero, coming right out of Houston, Texas and has the stuff to back up the hype. His fastball is consistently in the mid-to-high 90s and his changeup is already at an above-average quality. While he lacks deception in his wind-up, he has very good arm speed and a developing breaking ball.

Appel's biggest hurdles will be overcoming the workhorse mentality that Stanford established for him, as he has been considered an overworked starter with growing predictability. Hitters often square up on his fast ball, as he relies too heavily on the four-seamer, but that can be changed with the help of a pitching coach.

Appel is, at the worst, a solid rotational pitcher. At best, he's a star.

2. Minnesota Twins: Byron Buxton, Appling County H.S.

Position: OF

Age: 18

Throwing Arm: R

Batting Side: R

Height & Weight: 6'2" & 180 pounds

According to Charley Walters of the Twin Cities' Pioneer Press, the Minnesota Twins could shock the world and pass up on Byron Buxton. Their pick would end up going to Kevin Gausman, the power righty from LSU.

Forgive me for my skepticism, folks, but I simply can't imagine the Twins passing up on a player of Buxton's quality with so many key hitters within their organization aging or suffering from injuries.

Buxton is an elite athlete with the speed and fluidity to play in the center field, bat to hit anywhere from 1-to-3 and potential to be a star in this league. Even with his age and experience, this is a risk-worthy prospect if there's ever been one.

3. Seattle Mariners: Carlos Correa, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy

Position: SS

Age: 17

Throwing Arm: R

Batting Side: R

Height & Weight: 6'4" & 190 pounds

The Seattle Mariners are in dire need of some promising bats in their organization, and Carlos Correa, Jr. provides just that. His pull power is much higher than any other shortstop in this draft class and his hand-eye coordination is off the charts. Tack on his unbelievable athleticism and cannon-like arm, and it's not hard to see why he's so highly touted.

The only question will be whether he will remain at short or shift to third.

4. Baltimore Orioles: Max Fried, Harvard-Westlake H.S.

Position: P

Age: 18

Throwing Arm: L

Height & Weight: 6'3" & 170 pounds

Max Fried is the best left-handed pitcher in this draft class and the Orioles are likely to capitalize on that fact. Although he is much more of a risk than Kevin Gausman, he has displayed great poise under pressure and maturity beyond his years.

Adding a solid lefty to the rotation is a key for the Orioles, and Fried can fill that role adequately. His breaking ball is also much more developed than most in this class.

5. Kansas City Royals: Kevin Gausman, LSU Tigers

Position: P

Age: 21

Throwing Arm: R

Height & Weight: 6'4" & 185 pounds

Kevin Gausman is a long, tall hard-ball thrower with breaking ball ability. While his curve and slider are in need of further developing, both are solid enough to remain in his repertoire and become a factor in his progression.

Kansas City lands a steal with this one.

6. Chicago Cubs: Mike Zunino, Florida Gators

Position: C

Age: 21

Throwing Arm: R

Height & Weight: 6'2" & 220 pounds

There is no rational way to defend Mike Zunino falling this far, based on his talent and versatility. While the Cubs may have an organization that's scattered with solid catchers, Zunino is a can't-miss prospect. There's no way around this one.

Next time you find a catcher who can hit, field, run the bases and call a game to perfection, let me know.

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

Position: P

Age: 20

Throwing Arm: R

Height & Weight: 6'3" & 185 pounds

Kyle Zimmer has top-pick talent, but red flags surrounding his name. He's been the subject of some negative attention in 2012, mainly the result of his struggles with injuries.

Nevertheless his fall this far is something the Padres cannot pass on. Although they'd like to have landed a lefty, Zimmer is a potentially dominant player at the major league level. His combination of a blazing fastball, topping off at 98 miles per hour, and a deadly curveball is something to marvel at.

Zimmer will be special. But will he be healthy?

8. Pittsburgh Pirates: Albert Almora, Mater Academy Charter

Position: CF

Age: 18

Throwing Arm: R

Batting Side: R

Height & Weight: 6'2" & 170 pounds

If you're looking for a guy who can come in from day one and make an impact, Albert Almora is the guy.

Almora is a poised hitter at the plate with a great eye and solid contact. He's also a threat to go yard, mainly a result of his ability to put the bat on the ball as clean as any player in this draft class. His defense isn't half bad, either.

With deep hands and lightning bat speed, Almora is going to be a special player at some point in the future. The very near future.

9. Miami Marlins: Deven Marrero, Arizona State Sun Devils

Position: SS

Age: 18

Throwing Arm: R

Batting Side: R

Height & Weight: 6'1" & 194 pounds

Deven Marrero is a very good defender and excellent for an average hitter. While he's taken a few steps back in terms of production and draft stock, many feel that's a result of a loss of his original mechanics. All of that will return to form with the proper coaching.

Marrero is going to be a starter in the MLB. 

10. Colorado Rockies: Courtney Hawkins, Carrol (Texas) H.S.

Position: OF

Age: 18

Throwing Arm: R

Batting Side: R

Height & Weight: 6'2" & 210 pounds

Courtney Hawkins is an outstanding hitter. He has long-ball power as well as elite contact hitting. This is a by-product of his beautiful hand positioning and flash-like bat speed. Hawkins will be something special.

Hawkins is a potential All-Star due to his defensive prowess, as well.