MLB Draft 2012: 4 1st-Rounders Bound to Be Busts

The first round of the MLB draft is said and done.

With it came surprise choices, daring moves and interesting plays by each organization as they chose their first-round draft picks either from college or fresh out of high school.

Here's a look at four first-round draft picks that are bound to be busts for the teams that chose them.

Kevin Gausman

The 21-year-old sophomore from Louisiana State University was drafted fourth overall in the first round of the MLB 2012 draft.

The Baltimore Orioles seem to believe that Gausman is exactly what they need.

Who wouldn’t?

On paper, Gausman has an impressive 2.72 ERA, was 11-1 this past season and led the LSU Tigers to the NCAA Tournament Super Regionals.

However, the 6'1" right-hander only has two pitches perfected in his arsenal: a four-seam fastball that he clocks in at the 93-98 mph range and a sneaky two-seam fastball that hits the low 90s.

With only two perfected pitches at his disposal and his known struggles with the breaking ball, the Orioles are banking on his ability to grow into the starting pitcher they assume he will be.

Lucas Giolito

In one of the more risky decisions made during the first round Monday night, the Washington Nationals drafted 17-year-old Lucas Giolito.

The right-handed pitcher was selected 16th overall in the first round, despite having strained the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.

This ligament, which is critical to any pitcher and when strained badly enough or torn, often requires undergoing Tommy John surgery.

The Nationals are betting on Giolito, who claims the injury is behind him, recovering 100 percent and showing off his fastball—which has been reported to reach up to 100 mph—along with his wicked curve ball.

However, it’s a gamble that could cost the Nationals a lot of money—$2.25 million or more—which would eat up nearly half of the Nationals' allotted spending amount for the 2012 draft.

Roy Clark, the Nationals' Vice President, compared the Harvard-Westlake High School pitcher to Phillies ace, Roy Halladay.

Only time will tell if the Nationals were right or if they made a huge mistake.

Carlos Correa

In a surprise start to the 2012 MLB Draft Monday night, the Houston Astros drafted 17-year-old Carlos Correa as the No. 1 draft pick.

The decision, although calculated by the team in an effort to provide the organization with an incredible player no doubt, also made draft history as Correa became the first Puerto Rican to be selected in the No. 1 spot.

History aside, will Correa be able to not only live up to the standards of being the No. 1 draft pick, but live up to the expectations of his proud home country?

The pressure is already mounting for the shortstop who has until July 13th to sign with the Astros.

Deven Marrero

The Arizona State University shortstop was chosen 24th overall in the first round by the Boston Red Sox.

The 21-year-old has shown to be a great defensive player and even set a record as a freshman for the Sun Devils by hitting .397.

However, Marrero's batting has been declining since his freshman year. Marrero hit .315 in his sophomore season and saw his average slip to .284 during his junior year.

Were the Red Sox wise in their decision to go with a player who is inconsistent at the plate?

It’s one thing to be a great fielder; it’s another if you can’t get on base.