MLB Draft 2013: Highlighting Most Pro-Ready Arms in Class

Teams in need of pitching help at the major league level are in luck at this year's draft. There are some quality arms with the polish to make for a short stay in the minors. 

Of course, we are talking about pitchers, and there is no sure thing when it comes to pitching prospects. However, barring injuries, these guys have already showed they have it what it takes to make in the majors. 

Mark Appel, RHP, Stanford

Mark Appel was selected No. 8 overall in 2012 by the Pittsburgh Pirates, but rejected the contract offer and returned to school.

Despite his lofty position last year, it is safe to say his stock didn't drop. Check out Fox Sports' David Lombardi's tweet highlighting Appel's steady improvement: 

Appel will need to get his feet wet in the minors, but he likely won't need much more seasoning than that.

His fastball, slider and changeup are already polished pitches, and those three are more than enough to lead to big league success. Not to mention that his fastball can touch the upper 90s and he can stay there all game. 

It's not just his skill that will help him make a quick transition to the pros either. Appel has plenty of big-game experience at Stanford. 

Jonathan Gray, RHP, Oklahoma

Jonathan Gray is a strapping fireballer, but he doesn't need to rely solely on his heater.

The Houston Chronicle's Reid Laymance passed along a quote that has to have scouts and franchises drooling:

"

Baylor coach Steve Smith on Jonathan Gray:“He can just pitch. He reminds me of (Roger) Clemens because of his three-pitch command."

— Reid Laymance (@ReidLaymance) May 23, 2013"

The three pitches are his fastball, slider and changeup. Although the changeup could still use a little refining, this is enough to get major league hitters out.

He will hit 100 on the radar gun and can maintain at least mid 90s for an entire game. He has solid mechanics and a body that suggests he can handle the rigors of starting. However, he could stand to lose a few pounds.

He kept improving as this last season wore on, and people have noticed. Jim Callis, Baseball America's executive editor, tweets that he's got Gray targeted for the No. 1 position: 

How long he stays in the minors will depend a lot on the strategy of the club that drafts him. He can make it in a rotation almost instantly, but he is still more of a thrower than a pitcher at this point. 

Marco Gonzales, LHP, Gonzaga

Gonzales is a classic low-floor pick. He has four pitches that he can command well, but his best offering is the changeup. He gets good movement and his control is deadly. This is a major league pitch already.

He also features a solid slider and curveball, but neither are as dominant as his changeup. 

He doesn't have a strike-out pitch, and he's lucky to hit 90 on a radar gun. However, he does have great fastball command and will be able to keep it down in the zone.

It's no wonder he is getting a lot of attention. Jeff Tourial, the assistant commissioner of the West Coast Conference, gave us an idea of that with this tweet: 

Gonzales will never be a top-of-the-rotation pitcher, but he can be a solid and reliable third starter. He will definitely go in the first round. And given his polish and the fact he is left-handed, his stay in the minors will be short.