2012 MLB Draft Prospects: 1st-Round Picks Who Will Make Immediate Impact

Now that the early rounds of the MLB draft are over, we must wait for the young prospects to make a noticeable impact. For some, we'll wait much shorter than others.

Baseball is unlike any sport in this regard. Some top picks won't even play for their major league team for three or four years.

Fortunately for some teams, there are certain players who will be contributing in the majors by the end of this year or by 2013. 

Let's take a look at the most likely players to make this type of immediate impact.

Marcus Stroman, P, Toronto Blue Jays

If the Blue Jays decide to bring up the Duke product as a starting pitcher, he likely won't get to the majors until 2014 or 2015. However, this kid is just 5'9" and has the fastball-slider combination that makes him much more of a reliever/closer candidate. 

Should the Blue Jays turn Stroman into a reliever, he could conceivably hit the majors by late this year, and at the very least, early 2013. 

Richie Shaffer, 1B/3B, Tampa Bay Rays

Usually hitters don't take short paths to the majors, but Shaffer has the skills to buck that trend. 

Not only did the former Tiger hit .336 this season, he wasn't hurt by the new college bats as he also knocked out 10 home runs. This kid has impressive power that will translate to the next level. 

But if this was all about power, then there would be a slew of high school hitters making the quick jump to the majors. 

Shaffer also has the necessary eye and patience at the plate, as evidenced by his impressive 63 walks and .480 on-base percentage.

Throw in solid defense at each of the corner spots, and Shaffer should roll through Tampa's minor league system. 

Kevin Gausman, P, Balitmore Orioles

While everyone was expecting Stanford right-hander Mark Appel to be the first pitcher off the board, the Orioles went a different direction by taking LSU righty Kevin Gausman.

He and Appel should both make it to the majors around the same time, but I'll go with Gausman as the first to make it. 

Not only does Gausman have good mechanics and a smooth delivery, he has two plus-pitches that will help him dominate every level of the minors.

He has good velocity on his fastball, and his changeup is deceptive and dangerous. Add those two dominating pitches with a progressing curve and slider, and Gausman should be a force in the majors by at least late 2013.

Pair him with Dylan Bundy, and the Orioles have a scary 1-2 punch for a long time. 

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