2012 MLB Draft Grades: Rating the Top 5 Selections

The Houston Astros shocked many by taking 17-year-old shortstop Carlos Correa with the No. 1 overall selection, but this was a solid pick.

More on that in a minute. 

Along with that selection, the biggest surprise was the player who wasn't selected in the top 5. Stanford pitcher Mark Appel was a popular selection in mock drafts at No. 1 overall, but he slid all the way down to the Pirates at No. 8. 

We aren't here to discuss the players not taken in the top 5. Let's grade those that were. 

No. 1. Houston Astros: Carlos Correa, SS, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy

Grade: B+

While Correa wasn't getting a lot of buzz as a potential No. 1 overall selection, this is still a nice selection. 

Correa is 6'4" and190 pounds. He has plenty of room to add muscle. Despite this size, he is still a quick and smooth-fielding shortstop. 

He also has a quick and explosive bat. He will need to refine his pitch recognition, but he has the talent. He rightfully draws a lot of comparisons to a young Alex Rodriguez. 

My biggest complaint with this selection is that the Astros did not maximize their value. If Correa pans out, no one will care about this. 

No. 2. Minnesota Twins: Byron Buxton, OF, Appling County High School (Ga.)

Grade: A

Along with Appel, the popular projection for the No. 1 overall selection was Byron Buxton. The Twins are glad that didn't pan out. 

Buxton is a power stroke away from being a five-tool player, and that power should come as he fills out his frame. 

As long as Buxton develops as his talent suggests, he should be the Twins center fielder for years, and he went to the right team to aid him with that development. The Twins have an excellent track record for developing high schoolers. 

No. 3. Seattle Mariners: Mike Zunino, C, Florida

Grade: A

Zunino was not a reach at No. 3, and he fills a huge need for the Mariners. This team is loaded with young pitching, and now they have a catcher to help them develop. 

Zunino is a solid defensive catcher and a great leader. He is also a solid hitter with decent power. 

The Mariners have Jesus Montero at the catching position, but he lacks the defensive ability to be an everyday catcher.

Zunino does not.

It won't take him long to be the Mariner's starting backstop. 

No. 4. Baltimore Orioles:  Kevin Gausman, RHP, LSU

Grade: B-

I like Gausman, and he was not a reach with this selection. Also, the Orioles could use an infusion of young arms, but they get a downgrade on this pick by passing on Appel. 

The ceiling for Appel and Gausman are the same, but Appel is closer to being major league ready.

This should have been a priority for the Orioles, who are rapidly turning into contenders. 

That said, Gausman is a wonderful prospect. He has a mid-90s fastball, and his delivery and body suggests he will be able to withstand the rigors of starting. 

He will need to polish his off-speed offerings and his control, but the talent is there. 

No. 5. Kansas City Royals: Kyle Zimmer, RHP, San Francisco

Grade: A-

On the surface, it doesn't make much sense to knock the Orioles for passing on Appel and not the Royals, but there is a reason to the madness. 

The Royals have solid young talent, but they are not as close to that contender status as the Orioles. Also, this is a cash-strapped organization, and Kyle Zimmer's agent is not Scott Boras—Appel's is. 

Avoiding Boras is always a good policy for penny-pinching teams. 

Zimmer features an upper-90s fastball, and he doesn't lose velocity as he gets deep into games. He will need seasoning for his off-speed pitches, but he has top of the rotation ability.