2012 MLB Mock Draft: Final Predictions for Every First-Round Pick

Draft day has finally arrived. After years of scouting, teams will finally get to put all that hard work to use by selecting the next wave of young talent to add to the system. Thanks to a deep class of prospects, every team drafting in Round 1 should add a solid player.

Unlike the NFL or NBA drafts where the players drafted early are expected to make an immediate impact, the MLB draft features a lot more guess work since the players are often years away from reaching the big leagues.

With that in mind, here's a complete mock draft of the opening round which features three players who are well on there way to becoming superstars. A couple years of seasoning in the minor leagues, and they'll be ready to roll.

1. Houston Astros (56-106): Mark Appel, RHP, Stanford

Appel improved his draft stock by pitching for Stanford. He's a lot more refined than when he was originally drafted and makes sense for the Astros.

2. Minnesota Twins (63-99): Kevin Gausman, RHP, LSU

Gausman has really improved his draft stock over the past couple of years by improving his control while still maintaining his great stuff. He has a mid-90s fastball that could still improve, which would really make him an elite prospect.

The LSU star also has a changeup to keep hitters off balance. If he can widen the speed gap between his fastball and change, they will both become more effective pitches over the long term. That said, they are both good already.

He still needs to develop a more consistent third pitch, but that should come with time. He's a smart pick for the Twins as they continue to adapt to their new, spacious home field.

3. Seattle Mariners (67-95): Byron Buxton, OF, Appling County High School (Ga.)

A true five-tool prospect, Buxton has more upside than any other player in the draft because of his tremendous athleticism.

4. Baltimore Orioles (69-93): Carlos Correa, SS, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy

A shortstop with power potential, Correa still has to improve his approach at the plate, but has the look of a future All-Star.

5. Kansas City Royals (71-91): Mike Zunino, C, Florida

As catcher starts to become a more offensive position in the coming years, teams that can get ahead of the curve will have a nice advantage. It also makes Zunino are more intriguing prospect based on his career at Florida.

He has already shown the ability to hit for power and should refine his approach to become a more complete hitter in the minor leagues. Just as impressive was his handling of the pitching staff, which is essential to moving up the ladder.

The Royals have a promising young backstop in Salvador Perez, but he's already working his way back from a serious knee injury. That's not good news for a catcher, so taking Zunino would be a wise move.

6. Chicago Cubs (71-91): Albert Almora, OF, Mater Academy HS (Fla.)

Almora has already shown the hit the ball from line to line and play above average defense. He just needs to develop his raw power.

7. San Diego Padres (71-91): Lucas Giolito, RHP, Harvard-Westlake HS (Calif.)

Even though there are a couple college pitchers available who are farther along, Giolito presents more upside for the Padres.

8. Pittsburgh Pirates (72-90): Deven Marrero, SS, Arizona State

Marrero would be the first shortstop taken in most drafts. Even though he doesn't receive that distinction in this class, he still deserves to go in the top 10.

9. Miami Marlins (72-90): Kyle Zimmer, RHP, San Francisco

A power pitcher that already has four reliable pitches in his arsenal, Zimmer needs to improve his command before reaching the bigs.

10. Colorado Rockies (73-89): Max Fried, LHP, Harvard-Westlake HS (Calif.)

Fried is surprisingly developed for a high school pitcher. He has a smooth, easy release and continues to showcase the ability to repeat it. That limits injury concerns and should allow him to progress through the minors at a nice pace.

Even though it doesn't look like he's putting much effort into his motion, he can still reach the 93 range on the gun. Paired with a good changeup, it's easy to see why he's generated so much hype without being a power pitcher.

His curve should develop into a put-away pitch, but isn't quite there yet. So he'll need to develop that, but otherwise makes a lot of the sense for the Rockies, which can never have enough pitching at Coors Field.

11. Oakland Athletics (74-88): Courtney Hawkins, RF, Carroll HS (Texas)

A prototypical right fielder, Hawkins has plenty of pop–with more yet to come–and an arm that will separate him from the pack.

12. New York Mets (77-85): Gavin Cecchini, SS, Barbe HS (La.)

The Mets finally got a no-hitter over the weekend, so now they don't have to worry about pitching. All kidding aside, Cecchini is a good fit here.

13. Chicago White Sox (79-83): Richie Shaffer, 3B, Clemson

Shaffer has great power and a good eye at the plate, but still has too many holes in his swing to crack the top 10 with any confidence.

14. Cincinnati Reds (79-83): Chris Stratton, RHP, Mississippi State

Cincinnati has a strong base of young hitters, so it should start stockpiling the minor leagues with projectable young arms like Stratton.

15. Cleveland Indians (80-82): Marcus Stroman, RHP, Duke

Even though Stroman doesn't have the same type of high ceiling other prospects do, he should reach the major leagues relatively quickly, which is valuable as well.

16. Washington Nationals (80-81): Andrew Heaney, LHP, Oklahoma State

The Nationals are building quite the franchise. Between an improving club and a solid system, they are going to be a force for awhile. Heaney fits right in.

17. Toronto Blue Jays (81-81): Matt Smoral, LHP, Solon HS (Ohio)

One of the most intriguing prospects in the entire class, Smoral could develop into a solid No. 2 starter if he adds a few more miles to his fastball.

18. Los Angeles Dodgers (82-79): Lance McCullers, RHP, Jesuit HS (Fla.)

McCullers has a great arm that has been attracting interest in scouts for quite some time. Putting it all together to become a complete pitcher is a concern, though.

19. St. Louis Cardinals (90-72): Michael Wacha, RHP, Texas A&M

The run of pitchers ends with Wacha, who helped his stock with a successful career at Texas A&M. He's a safe pick for the Cardinals.

20. San Francisco Giants (86-76): D.J. Davis, OF, Stone HS (Miss.)

A future leadoff hitter that already possesses elite speed and good instincts on the bases, Davis would be a perfect fit for AT&T Park.

21. Atlanta Braves (89-73): Joey Gallo, 3B/RHP, Bishop Gorman HS (Nev.)

While Gallo still has a way to go before being ready for the majors, his power potential makes him worth a shot here.

22. Toronto Blue Jays (81-81): Hunter Virant, LHP, Camarillo HS (Calif.)

A talented lefty with a lot of upside, Virant should eventually settle into the middle of Toronto's rotation as a reliable starter.

23. St. Louis Cardinals (90-72): Lucas Sims, RHP, Brookwood HS (Ga.)

Sims will either have to develop a third pitch or transition to the bullpen to reach maximum value, but he's got a good arm.

24. Boston Red Sox (90-72): Carson Kelly, RHP/3B, Westview HS (Ore.)

It's still unclear what path Kelly expects to take, but he's got all the tools to become a useful player in either potential role.

25. Tampa Bay Rays (91-71): Nolan Fontana, SS, Florida

A scrappy player without much upside, it shouldn't take Fontana long to work his way through the Tampa Bay system and find a niche.

26. Arizona Diamondbacks (94-68): Pierce Johnson, RHP, Missouri State

Johnson has a really good curveball that should serve as an out pitch. He needs to improve his fastball-changeup combination, however.

27. Milwaukee Brewers (96-66): Stephen Piscotty, 3B, Stanford

The Brewers will find it tough to pass on Piscotty. He should develop into a power-hitting third basemen with a good glove.

28. Milwaukee Brewers (96-66): Addison Russell, SS, Pace HS (Fla.)

While Piscotty is a more polished prospect, Russell has more upside. That gives the Brewers a nice duo at the back end of Round 1.

29. Texas Rangers (96-66): Zach Eflin, RHP, Hagerty HS (Fla.)

Eflin has shown some glimpses of elite talent, but they haven't come consistently enough to move up draft boards. Worth a chance for the Rangers.

30. New York Yankees (97-65): Clint Coulter, C, Union HS (Wash.)

The Yankees are lacking catching depth. Coulter won't be ready for a handful of years, but he should eventually become a well-rounded player.

31. Boston Red Sox (90-72): Corey Seager, 3B, Northwest Carrabus HS (N.C.)

Seager may eventually have to move around the infield to find the best spot for his skills, but he's got a good bat worth taking at the end of the round.