MLB Draft 2012: Sluggers Who Will Provide Most Power at Next Level

The 2012 MLB draft is full of power hitters who have the potential to rule the major leagues in a couple of years. 

None of these young studs will take a path like Bryce Harper, who went from high school to crushing Tommy Hanson pitches in about a year. 

The Nationals' young stud is just 19 and he's slugging .542 in the majors. Don't expect to see that very often. 

Nonetheless, this draft possesses young talent who can make a Harper-type impact, you know, with an extra year or two. Let's take a look at the best pure power hitters who should hear their name called early Monday night.

Joey Gallo, 3B, Bishop Gorman (NV) HS

OK, when I said no one would make a Harper-type impact as quickly as Harper actually did, Gallo, who is a ridiculous 6'5", 200 pounds in high school, is the one youngster who could conceivably prove me wrong.

His numbers are just laughable. In the good way.

During his senior year with Bishop Gorman, Gallo hit .509 to go along with 21 home runs and 80 RBI. 

In 43 games.

Gallo compiled an on-base percentage of .628 and a slugging percentage of 1.167. I know it's against high-school pitching, but there is no way to get around those numbers. Gallo is easily the best power-hitting prospect in this draft.

ESPN's Keith Law grades Gallo's power currently as an 80, which is the highest it can possibly go.

He must improve his patience and approach, but this kid's power is scary.

Richie Shaffer, 3B, Clemson

Keith Law "only" gives Shaffer a potential 60 on the power scale, but the Clemson product has the potential to make it to the majors far quicker than Gallo.

In 63 games this year for Clemson, Shaffer hit .336 with 10 home runs and 21 doubles on his way to to a .573 slugging percentage. 

Ten homers don't seem like a lot, but don't forget about the new bats that college hitters have been using for the last two years. Ten long balls is still a good number.

Not only does Shaffer have good power, he has a good approach at the plate, as evidenced by his 63 walks and .480 on-base percentage.

Shaffer doesn't have the elite power that Gallo possesses, but he projects to be a better all-around hitter. 

Victor Roache, OF, Georgia Southern

Roache broke his wrist and missed most of the 2012 season, and his draft stock will likely suffer because of it, but there is no denying this kid's power.

In 2011, when home runs per game dropped from 0.92 to 0.54 (via baseballamerica.com), Roache didn't miss a beat.

He drilled 30 home runs (first in all of Division I) while knocking in 84 runs, slugging .778 and compiling an OPS of 1.216 (all top five).

Roache has great size (6'1", 235 pounds) and quick wrists that allow him to hit the ball with immense power to all fields. As long as his injury doesn't have any ill-effects, Roache will tear up the minors and soon enough, the majors.

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