MLB Draft Tracker 2012: Biggest Steals of Compensation Round

When you are able to grab a first-round talent in the compensation round of the MLB draft, you have to be feeling good.

Several teams saw top prospects fall in their laps in the 2012 MLB draft, including the defending champion St. Louis Cardinals and the Texas Rangers.

Then again, that's no surprise given these teams have proven they know what they're doing.

Here's a look at the three biggest steals of the compensation round this year.

3. Joey Gallo, 3B, Bishop Gorman High School (NV): Texas Rangers, No. 39

There is concern about Joey Gallo's ability to hit for contact, but he has immense power, and players have proven through the years that you don't have to hit for a really high average to make an impact at the major league level. It doesn't surprise me that the Rangers grabbed him given the power on their team.

2. Stephen Piscotty, 3B, Stanford: St. Louis Cardinals, No. 36

OK, I get it, Stephen Piscotty didn't flash a lot of power at Stanford. But in hindsight, do you really need to be a power hitter when you hit .364 as a sophomore and back that up with a .349 average the following season? He has a nice, fluid swing and consistently hits the ball hard to all fields. He's not much of a runner, but that's not as important when he backs up his hitting ability with solid defense at third base.

1. Zach Eflin, RHP, Hagerty High School (FL): San Diego Padres, No. 33

I'm still scratching my head trying to figure out how Zach Eflin made it all the way to No. 33 overall. Sure, he's a high school prospect, so there's some risk involved, but, c'mon, 17 high school players were selected in the first round and Eflin wasn't?

Eflin's combination of stuff and pitching ability is rare for a high school prospect. His fastball sits in the low-90s with the potential to hit 94-95 mph, but it's really his movement that sets him apart. His changeup should be a plus pitch in the majors as well, and his curveball has the potential to serve him well. He throws all three pitches consistently and he has great presence on the mound.

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