2013 MLB Draft: One 'Hometown' Prospect All 30 Teams Should Target

Whether it's around the corner or across the country, MLB teams will dispatch talent evaluators anywhere and everywhere to take a look at players who could potentially help their franchise in the future.

For a team to do anything less would be like stepping to the plate without a bat in your hands—success would be highly unlikely.

When a team can find that talent in its own backyard—like the Minnesota Twins did in 2004 when they selected St. Paul native Joe Mauer with the draft's first overall pick—it's something special.

While expectations are automatically increased when a player stays close to home, with family, fans, friends and the media all exerting pressure to succeed—often unintentionally—when a player does succeed, it's all the more sweet.

Not only that, but it gives each team's marketing department another angle to work. While that may seem largely inconsequential, it's easy to forget that baseball, at its highest levels, is a business first.

With that in mind, let's take a look at one hometown player who is eligible for the 2013 MLB draft that every team should seriously consider taking if said player is still on the board when they are on the clock.

*Unless otherwise noted, all historical draft information is courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com. Positions listed for historical picks are what the player was drafted as, not necessarily the position they played as a professional.

2013 Draft Order

When: Thursday, June 6 through Saturday, June 8

Viewing Info: MLB Network (First round and competitive balance round picks only)

Streaming Info: Live coverage of every pick on MLB.com.

2013 Draft Order (via MLB.com).

Click here for the full draft order.

First Round

1. Houston Astros

2. Chicago Cubs

3. Colorado Rockies

4. Minnesota Twins

5. Cleveland Indians

6. Miami Marlins

7. Boston Red Sox

8. Kansas City Royals

9. Pittsburgh Pirates

10. Toronto Blue Jays

11. New York Mets

12. Seattle Mariners

13. San Diego Padres

14. Pittsburgh Pirates

15. Arizona Diamondbacks

16. Philadelphia Phillies

17. Chicago White Sox

18. Los Angeles Dodgers

19. St. Louis Cardinals

20. Detroit Tigers

21. Tampa Bay Rays

22. Baltimore Orioles

23. Texas Rangers

24. Oakland Athletics

25. New York Yankees

26. San Francisco Giants

27. Cincinnati Reds

28. St. Louis Cardinals

29. Tampa Bay Rays

30. Texas Rangers

31. Atlanta Braves

32. New York Yankees

33. New York Yankees

Atlanta Braves

The Pick: Travis Demeritte, 3B, Winder-Barrow HS (Winder, GA)

In a perfect world, the Braves would have their choice of outfielders Clint Frazier and Austin Meadows, both Georgia natives, but both project to be long gone by the time Atlanta makes its first pick of the draft at No. 31.

Travis Demeritte, a 19-year-old infielder and pitcher from nearby Winder-Barrow HS, about an hour outside of Atlanta, offers plenty of upside at a position of need and probably won't make it to the Braves late in the second round.

With enough lateral speed to play shortstop and perhaps second base, Demeritte's future lies at the hot corner, where his strong throwing arm and plus-power potential (once he adds bulk to his 6'1", 185 pound-frame) makes him a natural fit for the position. 

Notable Georgia-Based Players Drafted by The Braves

Atlanta has stayed in-state 212 times, with 28 of those picks reaching the major leagues.

• 1993: John Rocker, LHP, First Presbyterian Day School (Macon, GA)
• 2000: Adam Wainwright, RHP, Glynn Academy HS (Brunswick, GA)
• 2002: Jeff Francoeur, OF, Parkview HS (Lilburn, GA)
• 2002: Brian McCann, C, Duluth HS (Duluth, GA)
• 2007: Jason Heyward, OF, Henry County HS (McDonough, GA)

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Pick: Dustin Peterson, 3B, Gilbert HS (Gilbert, AZ)

Like Atlanta, Arizona has plenty of pitching on the farm but little in the way of high-end position players, especially position players with power.

While Dustin Peterson has primarily manned third base at Gilbert HS, he lacks the powerful throwing arm that is necessary to handle the position at the highest level of the sport. He doesn't have great speed, but a switch in left field is certainly within the realm of possibility.

The younger brother of New Mexico third baseman D.J. Peterson—who was tagged by B/R's prospect guru Mike Rosenbaum as having the best bat in this year's draft—Dustin is actually ahead of where his brother was at the same point in his development.

What he lacks in arm strength and speed he makes up for with a smooth swing that creates loft and backspin when he makes contact. As he continues to mature physically, Peterson projects to hit for average and above-average power to all fields.

Notable Arizona-Based Players Drafted by the Diamondbacks

Of the seven Arizona-based players drafted by the team, only two ever took the field for the organization: right-handed pitchers Justin Bice (2007) and Marc Van Wormer (2006). The two appeared in a combined 104 games, neither one advancing past High-A.

Baltimore Orioles

The Pick: Matt McPherson, OF, Riverdale Baptist HS (Upper Marlboro, MD)

Ideally, the Orioles would be able to land a power-hitting outfielder in this draft, preferably in the corners. Sooner or later, the team is going to have to find a more permanent and more reliable option than Nate McLouth in left field.

Matt McPherson doesn't offer much in the power department, but he's got more speed than anyone in this year's draft class, something that B/R's Prospects Lead Writer, Mike Rosenbaum, elaborated on:

"

The only 80 runner in the 2013 draft class, Matt McPhearson absolutely flies on both sides of the ball. And unlike some of his peers, the left-handed hitting outfielder knows how to use his speed to change games.

"

McPherson's speed allows him to not only stretch balls hit into the gaps for extra bases, but he covers a ton of ground in center field. With Adam Jones firmly entrenched at the position, McPherson has the arm to handle left field as well.

Notable Marlyand-Based Players Drafted by Baltimore

Of the 141 Maryland-based players that the Orioles have drafted, only eight have seen time in the major leagues—with one name sticking out above the rest:

• 1978: Cal Ripken, 3B, Aberdeen HS (Aberdeen, MD)
• 1982: Billy Ripken, RHP, Aberdeen HS (Aberdeen, MD)
• 2001: Justin Maxwell, OF, Sherwood HS (Olney, MD)
• 2012: Ryan Ripken, 1B, Gilman HS (Baltimore, MD)

Boston Red Sox

The Pick: L.J. Mazzilli, 2B, University of Connecticut (Storrs, CT)

There isn't a notable Massachusetts-based player in this year's draft, so I'm expanding Boston's "hometown" range to include all of New England.

L.J. Mazzilli, a ninth-round pick by the Minnesota Twins a year ago who returned to UConn for his senior season, has the big-league pedigree that teams love to see, with his dad, Lee, having a long career as a player, coach and manager.

More of a doubles hitter than a power bat, Mazzilli is a solid defender up the middle and, with some seasoning, could become a quality utility infielder on a contending team like the Red Sox.

Notable Massachusetts-Based Players Drafted by the Red Sox

Boston has largely looked outside the state for its major league talent, with only 93 in-state players being drafted and only nine of those players reaching Fenway Park for a regular season game:

• 1965: Billy Conigliaro, OF, Swampscott HS (Swampscott, MA)
• 1971: Mark Bomback, RHP, Durfee HS (Fall River, MA)
• 1977: Pete Ladd, RHP, University of Massachusetts Amherst (Amherst, MA)
• 2000: Manny Delcarmen, RHP, West Roxbury HS (Boston, MA)

Chicago Cubs

The Pick: Daniel Lietz, LHP, Heartland CC (Normal, IL)

Illinois doesn't offer much in the way of high-profile prospects in this year's draft, but of the group, southpaw Daniel Lietz has the highest ceiling.

A homegrown talent (he attended Homewood-Flossmoor HS in Chicago Heights), Lietz, saw time on SportsCenter as a 14-year-old basketball player for Trinity Lutheran after hitting this crazy game-winning shot.

Lietz has made 11 appearances for Heartland in 2013. Seven of those were as a starter, during which he tossed a complete game every time out. He's got a four-pitch arsenal, most notably a low-90s fastball with movement and a biting slider that can make right-handed batters look foolish as they try to make contact.

Whether his future is as a starter or as a reliever remains to be seen, but with excellent command and a penchant for attacking the strike zone, Lietz could become an excellent bullpen option down the line.

Notable Illinois-Based Players Drafted by Baltimore

The Cubs have taken 125 players from Illinois over the years, with a dozen of them reaching the major leagues. While Joe Girardi went on to win World Series rings with the New York Yankees as both a manager and player, none of the picks had as successful a Cubs' career as Rick Reuschel:

• 1968: Paul Reuschel, RHP, Western Illinois University (Macomb, IL)
• 1970: Rick Reuschel, RHP, Western Illinois University, (Macomb, IL)
• 1986: Joe Girardi, C, Northwestern University, (Evanston, IL)
• 2002: Randy Wells, RHP, Southwestern Illinois College, (Belleville, IL)

Chicago White Sox

The Pick: Ryan Aper, OF, Lincoln Land CC (Springfield, IL)

The White Sox need help everywhere, with a minor league system that lacks prospects who project to make a significant impact if and when they reach the major leagues at nearly every position.

Ryan Aper, one of the best junior college players in the country, could help to solve that problem. A right-handed hitting center fielder, Aper led Division II at the Junior College level in home runs (17), hits (96), runs (82) and slugging percentage (.904).

A center fielder with speed to burn and a strong throwing arm, there are questions about his swing and how it will fare against tougher pitching. That said, Aper has legitimate tools and, with the right coaching and refinement, could develop into a quality outfielder at the game's highest level.

Notable Illinois-Based Players Drafted by The White Sox

Chicago has drafted a player from an Illinois-based team 161 times, none making a bigger impact than two-time All-Star and World Series champion Gary Gaetti:

• 1976: Steve Trout, LHP, Thornwood HS (South Holland, IL)
• 1978: Gary Gaetti, IF, Lincoln Land CC (Springfield, IL)
• 2000: Tom Gorzelanny, Marist HS (Chicago, IL)

Cincinnati Reds

The Pick: Drew Dosch, 3B, Youngstown State (Youngstown, OH)

He's not athletic enough to play third base in the big leagues, but Drew Dosch is a gifted hitter with a solid throwing arm and enough speed to handle left field on a full-time basis.

Dosch was one of the breakout stars in the Cape Cod League last summer, when he hit .326 with eight home runs, 35 RBI and a .914 OPS in 43 games, ranking among the league leaders in multiple categories.

Cincinnati doesn't have much in the way of power bats in the system, and whether Dosch will hit for average or above-average power against better pitching remains to be seen. But in the third or fourth round, the Youngstown State product is worth taking a chance on.

Notable Ohio-Based Players Drafted by The Reds

More than 20 percent of the 84 Ohio-based players that the Reds have drafted made it to the big leagues, including one who was recently immortalized in Cooperstown:

• 1974: Ron Oester, SS, Withrow HS (Cincinnati, OH)
• 1978: Charlie Liebrandt, LHP, Miami University of Ohio (Oxford, OH) 
• 1979: Jeff Russell, RHP, Wyoming HS (Wyoming, OH)
• 1981: Paul O'Neill, OF, Brookhaven HS (Columbus, OH)
• 1982: Barry Larkin, SS, Moeller HS (Cincinnati, OH)

Cleveland Indians

The Pick: Tyler Skulina, RHP/1B, Kent State (Kent, OH)

An imposing physical presence at 6'6", 225 pounds, Tyler Skulina has first-round stuff but has wildly inconsistent control and command of his pitches.

But with a four-pitch repertoire that includes a tailing fastball that tops out at 96 mph and a low-80s slider that has been an effective strikeout pitch for him, Skulina is an intriguing prospect who could have a very high ceiling with the right coaching.

Given Cleveland's constant need for quality starting pitching, taking a chance on Skulina in the third or fourth round is one that is well worth taking.

Notable Ohio-Based Players Drafted by The Indians

The Indians haven't had as much in-state success as the Reds, with only 14 of the 144 Ohio-based players they have drafted appearing in the big leagues:

• 1968: Steve Stone, RHP, Kent State (Kent, OH)
• 1969: Buddy Bell, 2B, Moeller HS (Cincinnati, OH)
• 1986: Jeff Shaw, RHP, Cuyahoga CC (Cleveland, OH)
• 1990: David Bell, 3B, Moeller HS (Cincinnati, OH)
• 2002: Jensen Lewis, RHP, Anderson HS (Cincinnati, OH)

Colorado Rockies

The Pick: Alec Hansen, RHP, Loveland HS (Loveland, CO)

Much like Tyler Skulina, my hometown pick for the Indians, Alec Hansen, at 6'7", 220 pounds, is an imposing figure standing atop a pitching mound. 

Hansen, who went 4-3 this year for the Loveland Indians with a 0.94 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 29 innings of work, is most definitely a long-term project who has committed to the University of Oklahoma, raising questions about his signability.

Hansen has a quality mid-90s fastball, but he also has a changeup and a curveball that are below-average at this point in his development, leaving the question as to whether he projects as a starter or reliever unanswered.

Yet with his size and ability, Hansen is an intriguing pick in the third or fourth round, even if the Rockies need to go above slot to get a deal done.

Notable Colorado-Based Players Drafted by The Rockies

Only one of the 32 in-state players that the Rockies have drafted has seen the major leagues. That was right-hander Shawn Chacon, who the team took 21st overall in the 1996 draft out of Central High School in Greely, CO. An All-Star for the Rockies in 2003 and the team's closer in 2004, Chacon finished his eight-year career with a 45-61 record,  4.99 ERA and 1.51 WHIP in 269 games.

Detroit Tigers

The Pick: Michael O'Neill, OF, University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI)

The nephew of five-time All-Star outfielder Paul O'Neill, Michael O'Neill was drafted once already by the New York Yankees in the 42nd round of the 2010 draft. He figures to be selected significantly higher this time around.

One of the top position players in the Big Ten, O'Neill posted a .329/.384/.525 slash line with six home runs and 30 RBI in 40 games for the Wolverines this season, while also stealing 19 bases in 24 attempts.

He also has the speed and throwing arm to handle center field at the next level, though a move to one of the corners can never be ruled out.

Notable Michigan-Based Players Drafted by The Tigers

Detroit loves picking players in its own backyard, with 317 Michigan-based players selected in the team's history. Of the group, just over 10 percent have reached the show, most notably future Hall of Famer John Smoltz, who was traded away in one of the worst trades in baseball history:

• 1967: Geoff Zahn, LHP, University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI)
• 1975: Dave Rozema, RHP, Grand Rapids CC (Grand Rapids, MI)
• 1978: Kirk Gibson, OF, Michigan State University (East Lansing, MI)
• 1985: John Smoltz, RHP, Waverly HS (Lansing, MI)
• 1986: Chris Hoiles, C, Eastern Michigan University (Ypsilanti, MI)

Houston Astros

The Pick: Kohl Stewart, RHP, St. Pius X HS (Houston, TX)

Committed to Texas A&M to backup Johnny Manziel and bide his time until the reigning Heisman Trophy winner turns pro, Kohl Stewart is the best high school pitcher in this year's draft and has as high of a ceiling as more ballyhooed prospects like Stanford's Mark Appel and Oklahoma's Jonathan Gray.

It's true that he's more of a thrower than a pitcher at this point in his development, and it will be a few years before he makes an impact at the major league level. That, coupled with his dual-sport ability (which he will certainly use as leverage in negotiations), may make some teams pause before taking him.

But the Astros need starting pitching, and Stewart, who projects to be a future ace, is the kind of high-end pitching prospect that Houston desperately needs.

The fact that he's a hometown guy only makes the choice all the more intriguing.

Notable Texas-Based Players Drafted by The Astros

While just over 10 percent of the 311 Texas-based players that Houston has selected have made it to the major leagues, the team's recent success stories have been significant contributors, both in Houston and after they parted ways with the team:

• 1989: Shane Reynolds, RHP, University of Texas at Austin (Austin, TX)
• 1997: Lance Berkman, 1B, Rice University (Houston, TX)
• 2000: Michael Bourn, OF, Nimitz HS (Irving, TX)
• 2004: Hunter Pence, OF, University of Texas at Arlington (Arlington, TX)
• 2004: Ben Zobrist, 2B, Dallas Baptist University (Dallas, TX)

Kansas City Royals

The Pick: Brandon Dulin, 1B/OF, Metropolitan CC-Longview (Lee's Summit, MO)

With prototypical size for a first baseman (6'3", 225 pounds), Brandon Dulin offers above-average power from the left side of the plate and enough speed and athleticism to handle left field at the next level.

Dulin's mechanics at the plate need to be worked on, as he currently utilizes a high leg kick that may not play well as the level of competition he faces increases. 

After trading Wil Myers this past winter—coupled with Bubba Starling's development not progressing as quickly as some believed that it would—the Royals could use some high-upside power bats down on the farm.

Not a prospect that will be taken in the first few rounds of the draft, Dulin is a low-risk, high-reward pick that the Royals have nothing to lose by taking a chance on.

Notable Missouri-Based Players Drafted by the Royals

None of the 53 in-state prospects that Kansas City has drafted—four of which made it to the big leagues—has as much major league success as David Cone, selected by the team out of Kansas City's Rockhurst High School in the third round of the 1981 draft.

Unfortunately for the Royals, Cone's biggest success on the mound came on the East Coast during stints with the New York Mets, New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays.

Los Angeles Angels

The Pick: Blake Taylor, LHP, Dana Hills HS (Dana Point, CA)

The Angels need mass quantities of quality starting pitching added to its minor league system but with the team's first pick in the 2013 draft not coming until well into the second round, the best pitchers available will be long gone.

Enter southpaw Blake Taylor, who is tall (6'3"), projectable and likely to still be on the board when the Angels finally make their first selection of the draft at No. 59 overall.

He needs to develop a third pitch (likely his changeup) to compliment his low-to-mid-90s fastball and a curveball that has a chance to be an excellent out pitch. He's not a sure thing, but Taylor has the natural ability to succeed at the next level.

Notable California-Based Players Drafted by the Angels

The Angels have selected nearly 900 players from California over the years, with 150 of them reaching the big leagues. These are only a handful of the names that baseball fans, both young and old, would be familiar with:

• 1966: Andy Messersmith, RHP, University of California, Berkley (Berkley, CA)
• 1975: Carney Lansford, SS, Wilcox HS (Santa Clara, CA)
• 1978: Tim Wallach, 1B, Cal-State Fullerton (Fullerton, CA)
• 1997: Troy Glaus, 3B, UCLA (Los Angeles, CA)
• 2004: Jered Weaver, RHP, Cal-State Long Beach (Long Beach, CA)

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Pick: Dominic Smith, 1B/OF, JSerra HS (Gardena, CA)

Other than 3B/SS Corey Seager, one of the team's highest-rated prospects by MLB.com heading into the season, the Dodgers lack any high-end infield talent at any level in the minor leagues.

While he's played the outfield, Smith is above-average defender at first base and has a strong enough arm to handle the position moving forward.

Smith doesn't have tremendous raw power, but his smooth left-handed swing generates power to all fields. With his bat speed and hand-eye coordination, coupled with his ability to make adjustments, Smith projects to hit for both average and power at the next level.

If he can stay healthy and develops as expected, Smith could be a long-time fixture at first base for both the Dodgers and the NL All-Star team.

Notable California-Based Players Drafted by the Dodgers

Like the Angels, the Dodgers have selected more than 800 players from California, 81 of which have made it to the highest level in the game:

• 1965: Tom Seaver, RHP, USC (Los Angeles, CA)
• 1975: Dave Stewart, RHP, St. Elizabeth HS (Oakland, CA)
• 1978: Steve Sax, SS, Marshall HS (West Sacramento, CA)
• 1996: Ted Lilly, LHP, Fresno City College (Fresno, CA)
• 1997: Chase Utley, SS, Polytechnic HS (Long Beach, CA)

Miami Marlins

The Pick: Oscar Mercado, SS, Gaither HS (Tampa, FL)

There isn't a Florida-based player worthy of Miami's first pick in this year's draft (No. 6 overall), but when the Marlins jump back on the clock in the competitive balance round, the team will have its pick of multiple prospects from the Sunshine state.

Of the group, Oscar Mercado is the most intriguing prospect, and he fills a need for the organization, which lacks impact middle infield prospects in the farm system.

An excellent fielder with a strong arm that will allow him to stick at the position, Mercado has been compared to Elvis Andrus, an All-Star shortstop with the Texas Rangers. At the plate, he'll never hit for much power, but his smooth swing and gap power, coupled with his speed, make him an intriguing prospect.

Notable Florida-Based Players Drafted by the Marlins

The Marlins have had middling success with players selected from the Sunshine State, ranging from the terrific (Charles Johnson) to the mediocre (Gaby Sanchez) to the not-so-good (Chris Volstad).

• 1992: Charles Johnson, C, University of Miami (Miami, FL)
• 1997: Andres Torres, OF, Miami Dade Wolfson CC (Miami, FL)
• 2005: Gaby Sanchez, C, University of Miami (Miami, FL)
• 2005: Chris Volstad, RHP, Palm Beach Gardens Beach HS (Palm Beach Gardens, FL)

Milwaukee Brewers

The Pick: Josh Uhen, RHP, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Milwaukee, WI)

Josh Uhen, who missed the 2011 season with Tommy John surgery and has thrown only 32 innings of work over the past three years, has terrific arm speed and arm strength, two things that you cannot teach.

He needs significant work on his control and command, having walked more batters (23) than he has struck out (19) for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers this season. 

A hard-throwing right-handed reliever with a fastball that sits in the mid-90s and tops out at 98 mph, Uhen is a project that the Brewers, who can seemingly never have enough quality relief pitchers available, would be wise to consider in the middle rounds of the 2013 draft.

Notable Wisconsin-Based Players Drafted by the Brewers

Only three of the 44 Wisconsin-based players that Milwaukee has drafted have advanced to the major leagues, none more successful than a pair of players that the team selected in 1974 draft:

• 1974: Jerry Augustine, LHP, University of Wisconsin at La Crosse (La Crosse, WI)
• 1974: Jim Gantner, SS, University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh (Oshkosh, WI)
• 1994: Matt Erickson, SS, West HS (Appleton, WI)

Minnesota Twins

The Pick: Tom Windle, LHP, University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, MN)

Selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 28th round of the 2010 draft out of high school, Tom Windle is a converted reliever who excelled in his first full-season as a starting pitcher, throwing the first nine-inning no-hitter in Minnesota Gophers' history against Western Michigan back in March.

He doesn't have a mechanically-sound delivery and lacks a consistent third pitch, leading to uncertainty as to what his role will be at the next level. 

If he can refine his mechanics and develop a third pitch that he can throw for strikes consistently, Windle's upside is that of a No. 2 or No. 3 starter. If not, Windle has the stuff to be a shutdown closer.

Notable Minnesota-Based Players Drafted by the Twins

Minnesota has made a habit of landing high-impact players from within Wisconsin, with 18 of their 136 in-state draft picks reaching the major leagues. None have made a bigger impact than catcher Joe Mauer, a five-time All-Star, three-time AL batting champion and former AL MVP who remains the best player on the team:

• 1967: Dave Goltz, RHP, Rothsay HS (Rothsay, MN)
• 1978: Kent Hrbek, 1B, Kennedy HS (Bloomington, MN)
• 1980: Jim Eisenreich, OF, St. Cloud State University (St. Cloud, MN)
• 1989: Denny Neagle, LHP, University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, MN)
• 2001: Joe Mauer, C, Cretin HS (St. Paul, MN)

New York Mets

The Pick: Jonah Heim, C, Amherst Central HS (Amherst, NY)

Outside of Travis d'Arnaud, the Mets lack impact bats in their minor league system and could use an influx of talent, especially in the outfield.

New York doesn't offer much with the bat this season, as Jonah Heim projects to be the best option of a relatively weak draft class.

More of a defensive catcher than a big-time hitter, Heim may never be someone who hits for power and average. But capable backstops are hard to find, and with d'Arnaud's injury history, it wouldn't be a terrible idea for the Mets to add some more organizational depth at the position.

For a pick in the middle rounds of the draft, the team could do much worse than a player like Heim.

Notable New York-Based Players Drafted by the Mets

An All-Star with the Mets in 1979, Lee Mazzilli is the most successful of a mediocre group of 131 local players that the team has drafted:

• 1966: Mike Jorgensen, 1B, Francis Lewis HS (Queens, NY)
• 1973: Lee Mazzilli, OF, Abraham Lincoln HS (Brooklyn, NY)
• 1979: Neal Heaton, LHP, Sachem HS (Holtsville, NY)
• 1993: Billy Koch, RHP, West \Babylon HS (West Babylon, NY)

New York Yankees

The Pick: Mark Armstrong, RHP, Clarence HS (Clarence, NY)

You can never have too much pitching and Mark Armstrong, who has committed to the University of Pittsburgh, would be a high-risk, high-reward pick in the middle rounds for a team who has the resources to buy him out of that commitment—like the New York Yankees.

A starter in high school, Armstrong has only one above-average pitch right now, a low-90s fastball. Both his changeup and curveball are a work-in-progress, but the right-hander has significant upside as he continues to mature physically and refine his delivery.

Notable New York-Based Players Drafted by the Yankees

The Yankees draft well in the Empire State, but as was the case for a large chunk of George Steinbrenner's ownership, most of the team's prospects never got a chance to perform in the Bronx, being traded away in what were ill-conceived trades at the time of execution, much less in hindsight.

• 1982: Jim Deshaies, LHP, LeMoyne College (Syracuse, NY)
• 1982: B.J. Surhoff, SS, Rye HS (Rye, NY)
• 1994: Jason Grilli, RHP, Baker HS (Baldwinsville, NY)
• 2006: Dellin Betances, RHP, Grand Street HS (New York, NY)

Oakland Athletics

The Pick: Alex Balog, RHP, University of San Francisco (San Francisco, CA)

With much of Oakland's top pitching prospects either in the big leagues or nearing their debuts, restocking the farm system with some live arms has to be a priority for GM Billy Beane and company.

Alex Balog, who went 3-3 with a 3.69 ERA in 11 starts for the University of San Francisco this season, is a more finished product than some of the in-state high school arms that will be available to Oakland when they make their first pick of the draft at No. 24.

With three pitches that project to be above-average, including a fastball that sits in the mid-90s, Balog, with a bit of refinement, has the potential to move quickly through the A's minor league system.

Notable California-Based Players Drafted by the A's

Oakland's in-state draft history boasts some impressive names among the 750 players that the team has selected from California, none bigger than the greatest leadoff hitter in baseball history, Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson:

• 1967: Darrell Evans, 3B, Pasadena City College (Pasadena, CA)
• 1972: Chet Lemon, OF, Fremont HS (Los Angeles, CA)
• 1976: Rickey Henderson, OF, Technical HS (Oakland, CA)
• 1984: Mark McGwire, 1B, USC (Los Angeles, CA)
• 1999: Barry Zito, LHP, USC (Los Angeles, CA)

Philadelphia Phillies

The Pick: Pat Young, RHP, Villanova University (Philadelphia, PA)

While Philadelphia's minor league system has some quality prospects, it lacks significant depth at every position, including out of the bullpen.

A big body at 6'7", 220 pounds, Pat Young has a heavy fastball that sits in the low-90s and a slider that has the potential to be a quality offering as well.

While he was a starter in college, with only two pitches and a delivery that is anything but effortless, Young's future lies in the bullpen. He's likely to still be on the board in the fifth or sixth round when the Phillies get set to make their pick.

Notable Pennsylvania-Based Players Drafted by the Phillies

Of the 65 Pennsylvania-based players that the Phillies have drafted, only five have made it to the major leagues, with the most successful of the group, Bobby Higginson, making his impact felt outside the state:

• 1991: Bobby Higginson, OF, Temple University (Philadelphia, PA)
• 2000: Taylor Buchholz, RHP, Springfield HS (Springfield, PA)

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pick: Elvin Soto, C, University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA)

A draft-eligible sophomore, Elvin Soto was the starting catcher on Team USA's under-18 squad in 2010 that featured prospects like Albert Almora (Cubs) and Bubba Starling (Royals).

Soto is a solid receiver with an average throwing arm who isn't likely to hit for average, but has some power from both sides of the plate. With no real long-term options at the position in the minors, Soto is a worthy pick in the fifth or sixth round of the draft.

Notable Pennsylvania-Based Players Drafted by the Pirates

Pittsburgh has looked in-state for players in the draft far more often than their counterparts in Philadelphia, picking 166 players from the Keystone State, with 15 seeing action at the major league level:

• 1965: Gene Garber, RHP, Elizabethtown HS (Elizabethtown, PA)
• 1965: Bob Moose, RHP, Franklin HS (Franklin, PA)
• 1983: John Smiley, LHP, Perkiomen School (Pennsburg, PA)
• 1998: Joe Beimel, LHP, Duquesne University (Pittsburgh, PA)
• 2004: Neil Walker, C, Pine-Richland HS (Gibsonia, PA)

San Diego Padres

The Pick: Ian Clarkin, LHP, Madison HS (San Diego, CA)

While the Padres have a number of pitching prospects in the system already, more than a few of them have injury concerns and uncertain futures at the major league level.

Ian Clarkin needs refinement, but he's an aggressive pitcher who attacks batters with three pitches, most notably a fastball that sits in the low-90s.

Notable California-Based Players Drafted by the Padres

San Diego found one of the best hitters of all-time and the greatest defensive shortstop the game has ever seen in the draft. Unfortunately, for the current version of the team, both have long since retired:

• 1969: Doug DeCinces, 3B, Los Angeles Pierce College (Woodland Hills, CA)
• 1977: Ozzie Smith, SS, Cal-Poly University (San Luis Obispo, CA)
• 1981: Tony Gwynn, OF, San Diego State University (San Diego, CA)
• 1993: Derrek Lee, 1B, El Camino Fundamental HS (Sacramento, CA)
• 1994: Troy Glaus, 3B, Carlsbad HS (Carlsbad, CA)

San Francisco Giants

The Pick: Aaron Judge, OF, Fresno State University (Fresno, CA)

A behemoth at 6'7", 255 pounds, Fresno State center fielder Aaron Judge has tremendous raw power, making people stop and take notice when he steps to the plate in batting practice, much less regular games.

He's going to strikeout a lot but has legitimate 30-home run potential in the big leagues. A tremendous athlete with average speed (especially impressive for someone of his size) and an above-average throwing arm, Judge profiles as a power-hitting right-fielder going forward.

Notable California-Based Players Drafted by the Giants

San Francisco has made a habit of finding big-time sluggers from California in drafts of the past—making the selection of Judge even more intriguing when you look at the team's track-record of success:

• 1968: George Foster, OF, El Camino College (Torrance, CA)
• 1968: Gary Maddox, OF, San Pedro HS (San Pedro, CA)
• 1973: Jack Clark, RHP, Gladstone HS (Covina, CA)
• 1977: Chili Davis, OF, Susan Miller Dorsey HS (Los Angeles, CA)
• 1982: Barry Bonds, OF, Serra HS (San Mateo, CA)

Seattle Mariners

The Pick: Marco Gonzales, LHP, Gonzaga University (Spokane, WA)

Ideally, the Mariners would take impact bats early-and-often in the 2013 draft, but despite having a plethora of pitching in the farm system, Marco Gonzales may be too tempting to pass up near the beginning of the second round.

Gonzales has the best changeup in this year's draft, which, along with three other average-to-above-average offerings, makes him a candidate to move quickly through the minor league system and make an impact at the major league level within a year or two.

Notable Washington-Based Players Drafted by the Mariners

Only a handful of the 91 Washington-based players that Seattle has drafted have gone on to reach the majors, with even fewer making much of an impact at the game's highest level:

• 1984: Mike Blowers, 3B, Tacoma CC (Tacoma, WA)
• 1996: Willie Bloomquist, SS, South Kitsap HS (Port Orchard, WA)
• 2000: Jason Hammel, RHP, South Kitsap HS (Port Orchard, WA)
• 2003: Eric O'Flaherty, LHP, Walla Walla HS (Walla Walla, WA)

St. Louis Cardinals

The Pick: Rob Zastryzny, LHP, University of Missouri (Columbia, MO)

With the best minor league system in baseball, St. Louis doesn't have much in the way of immediate needs when it comes to adding pieces to the pipeline.

If anything, the Cardinals could use an impact left-handed pitcher, and Missouri's Rob Zastryzny is just that.

A starter with the Tigers, Zastryzny has a four-pitch arsenal that he uses to attack batters. He has the ability to drop his fastball down to the mid-80s or dial it up to the mid 90s, keeping batters off-balance. 

He needs some refinement at the next level and would benefit from continuing to develop his curveball and slider, but Zastryzny could be a quick-mover through the minor leagues and make an impact in the show sooner rather than later.

Notable Missouri-Based Players Drafted by the Cardinals

St. Louis found one of the greatest hitters of any generation, Albert Pujols, sitting in the backyard of its in-state rivals, the Kansas City Royals—the highlight of the team's efforts to draft local products:

• 1967: Jerry Reuss, LHP, Ritenour HS (St. Louis, MO)
• 1970: Bake McBride, LHP, Westminster College (Fulton, MO)
• 1999: Albert Pujols, 3B, Maple Woods CC (Kansas City, MO)
• 2002: Kyle McClellan, RHP, Hazelwood West HS (Hazelwood, MO)
• 2003: Max Scherzer, RHP, Parkway Central HS (Chesterfield, MO)

Tampa Bay Rays

The Pick: Cord Sandberg, OF, Manatee HS (Bradenton, FL)

A two-sport star who is slated to head to Mississippi State to play quarterback, Cord Sandberg has tremendous upside but has yet to really refine his talents on the diamond as he splits time between baseball and football.

Strong with great size (6'3", 215 pounds), a quick bat and tremendous raw power, Sandberg has a chance to stick in center field but is more likely to become an impact left fielder as he advances through the minor league system.

Notable Florida-Based Players Drafted by the Rays

Tampa Bay hasn't had much luck drafting in Florida, with only one of the team's 59 in-state draft picks—outfielder Jason Michaels, who was taken in the 44th round of the 1996 draft—making any real impact at the major league level.

Texas Rangers

The Pick: Billy McKinney, OF, Plano West HS (Plano, TX)

In a perfect world, outfielder Kohl Stewart would drop to the Rangers in the second-half of the first round, but there's a better chance that a bag full of $100 bills falls out of the sky and lands at my front door.

But Billy McKinney is a solid consolation prize.

With one of the sweetest swings in this year's draft, the left-handed outfielder has excellent bat speed and a polished approach at the plate. As he continues to fill out his 6'2", 195-pound frame, the power will come.

Aggressive in the field with a solid throwing arm, McKinney projects to be an impact corner outfielder as he works his way through the minor leagues.

Notable Texas-Based Players Drafted by the Rangers

Of the homegrown players that Texas has drafted who went on to play in the big leagues, most found success while playing for a team other than the Rangers. Case in point: Chris Davis is currently manning first base for the Baltimore Orioles, and he is making it known that he is a legitimate candidate for AL MVP in 2013 with a torrid start to the season:

• 1986: Roger Pavlik, RHP, Aldine HS (Houston, TX)
• 1987: Brian Bohanon, LHP, North Shore HS (Houston, TX)
• 1994: Scott Podsednik, OF, West HS (Abbott, TX)
• 2003: John Danks, LHP, Round Rock HS (Round Rock, TX)
• 2006: Chris Davis, 1B, Navarro College (Corsicana, TX)

Toronto Blue Jays

The Pick: Edwin Diaz, 2B/SS, Martine HS (Vega Alta, P.R.)

With no Canadian prospects in this year's draft to speak of, I'm bending the rules a bit and letting Toronto pick from this year's class of draft-eligible players from Puerto Rico.

Toronto doesn't have much in the way of quality prospects up the middle in the farm system. Edwin Diaz can help to solve that problem.

A right-handed batter with gap-to-gap power and excellent bat speed, Diaz is more likely to hit for average than he is for power. With smooth hands and a strong fundamental approach to fielding, Diaz has the potential to be a Gold Glove-caliber second baseman, as long as his hit tool continues to develop. 

Notable Canada-Based Players Drafted by the Blue Jays

Only two Canadian-based players drafted by Toronto ever reached the big leagues: right-handed pitcher Mike Johnson (1993) and LHP Steve Sinclair (1991). Neither did much in their short time on a major league roster.

Washington Nationals

The Pick: Kyle Crockett, LHP, University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA)

With no big-time prospects coming out of Washington D.C. in this draft, I'm allowing the Nationals to choose from the lot in Virginia. For our purposes, Maryland remains under the control of the Baltimore Orioles.

The Nationals lack quality left-handed relievers at both the major and minor league levels, a problem that could be addressed with the selection of Virginia's Kyle Crockett in the second or third round of this year's draft.

Virginia's closer this season, Crockett pitched to a 1.81 ERA and 0.83 WHIP with 10 saves, striking out 61 batters in 49.2 innings pitched while walking only six.

That impressive command is no fluke, as he's walked only 25 batters in 135 career innings, using his above-average fastball and average slider to keep batters honest as he attacks the strike zone.

Notable Washington D.C-Based Players Drafted by the Nationals

None of the six picks that Washington has used to select players from our nation's capital have reached the big leagues yet, but the team was high on catcher Erick Fernandez at one point, drafting him out of Georgetown in both 2010 and 2011.