2013 MLB Mock Draft: Breaking Down Prospects Who Will Become Household Names

Fans will hear names gracing 2013 MLB mock drafts in the majors soon enough.

There are loads of talented prospects in this year’s class and a handful who won’t take their time making an impact in the big leagues.

Here is a full first-round mock highlighting the class’ future household names.

1. Houston Astros: RHP Mark Appel, Stanford

Houston should let Appel fall to the Cubs just so the Pirates—the team which drafted him last year—are forced to face the wrath of his arm for the next decade. That unfortunately won't happen because, as hilarious and cruel as it would be, Appel is too talented to pass on over a prank.

The fact that Appel has four years of experience under his belt as a Cardinal and will turn 22 years old in July make it all the more likely he'll make an impact in Houston sooner rather than later. He doesn't have the highest ceiling ever, but few prospects enter the draft more pro ready.

2. Chicago Cubs: RHP Jonathan Gray, Oklahoma

Gray isn't the worst consolation prize in the history of western civilization. At 6'4", 245 pounds with a triple-digit mph fastball, calling Gray physically gifted would be an understatement—athletic freak is more appropriate.

He's definitely pro-ready physically. While Gray isn't as polished as Appel, he too will turn 22 this year. He's also been drafted twice before so MLB teams have had their eyes on him for a while now.

3. Colorado Rockies: 3B/OF Kris Bryant, San Diego

Kris Bryant was college baseball's home run king this season.

The 6’5”, 215 pound slugger slammed 31 bombs out of the park. No other D1 hitter finished within 10 of him and his mark doubled everyone outside of the top 13. Bryant looks like a home run machine, and he hits like one as well. He boasts 31 homers this season. That’s 11 more than anyone else in D1.

Expect Bryant to be a Home Run Derby participant for years to come, and home run king competitor if he sticks around for that thin Coors Field air.

4. Minnesota Twins: RHP Kohl Stewart, St. Pius X (Texas)

Rivals rated Stewart at the No. 15 ranked quarterback prospect in the class of 2013. He committed to Texas A&M with the hopes of eventually taking the reins under center after Johnny Manziel enters the NFL Draft. As talented as Stewart is on the gridiron, though, he possesses much more potential on the diamond.

His fastball and slider are top notch, the former reaching speeds of up to 97 mph. If he's wise and chooses baseball, he'll be a star.

5. Cleveland Indians: OF Clint Frazier, Loganville High (Ga.)

If Frazier lived in a batting cage—as in, his home was a batting cage—it wouldn't be a surprise. His hitting ability is unrivaled amongst high school batters. He hit six home runs in the first seven games of this past season.

6. Miami Marlins: 3B Colin Moran, North Carolina

Moran doesn't quite have Frazier's potential, but as a junior at North Carolina, he's more pro ready.

7. Boston Red Sox: RHP Braden Shipley, Nevada

Shipley arguably has the strongest arm in the draft out of anyone not named Jonathan Gray, his fastball touching 98 mph.

8. Kansas City Royals: LHP Sean Manaea, Indiana State

The 6'5", 215-pound Manaea not only has a fastball which is capable of accelerating up to 96 mph, but he's a southpaw—the most talented one in the class.

9. Pittsburgh Pirates: C Reese McGuire, Kentwood High (Wash.)

Few catchers are have a combination of a plus arm to throw out ballsy base runners and a bat as effective as McGuire's. Maybe one or the other, but both is rare.

10. Toronto Blue Jays: OF Austin Meadows, Grayson High (Ga.)

What Meadows lacks in skill set compared to Clint Frazier, he nearly makes up for with physical ability. Granted, Meadows skill set is top-notch as well—it just isn't quite on Frazier's level.

11. New York Mets: 1B Dominic Smith, Serra High (Calif.)

Smith doesn't possess the most powerful bat in the draft, but at least amongst high schoolers, he arguably boasts the best for making contact.

12. Seattle Mariners: OF Austin Wilson, Stanford

Wilson is a talented hitter and at 6'5", 245-pound, he's more than pro ready physically.

13. San Diego Padres: OF Hunter Renfroe, Mississippi State

Renfroe is raw, but with an experienced hitting coach, he'll shine in the batter's box.

14. Pittsburgh Pirates: 1B/3B D.J. Peterson, New Mexico

Peterson is a hitting fiend, finishing this past season with a .410 batting average. He doesn't possess the power that players like Frazier have, but few hit for contact better.

15. Arizona Diamondbacks: RHP Ryne Stanek, Arkansas

Stanek boasts a plus fastball and a slider and curveball capable of making opponents whiff as well. He won't be selected earlier because his command is a concern.

16. Philadelphia Phillies: OF Aaron Judge, Fresno State

According to Yahoo! Sports, David Ortiz is 6'4", 230 pounds. Judge is 6'7", 240 pounds. Call him Big Judgi.

17. Chicago White Sox: SS J.P. Crawford, Lakewood High (Calif.)

Crawford won't be selected in the first round for his hitting, but his defense is impressive enough to claim the title best shortstop in the draft.

18. Los Angeles Dodgers: RHP Alex Gonzalez, Oral Roberts

Gonzalez's fastball reaches the mid-90s. It and his slider feature an incredible amount of cut to them.

19. St. Louis Cardinals: RHP Devin Williams, Hazelwood West High (Mo.)

Williams' fast ball can reach speeds of 93 mph and he's only 170 pounds. At 6'3", he has the frame to grow and become more physically dominant.

20. Detroit Tigers: LHP/OF Trey Ball, New Castle High (Ind.)

No player is as talented on both sides of the baseball as Ball who could ultimately make a name for himself in the majors on the mound or in the outfield.

21. Tampa Bay Rays: C Nick Ciuffo, Lexington High (S.C.)

Cuiffo doesn't possess any plus tools, but the fact that he's an effective defender and hitter make him a hot commodity.

22. Baltimore Orioles: LHP Matt Krook, St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.)

Krook will have to overcome command and stamina issues, but with his 94 mph fastball, he has the tool to do so.

23. Texas Rangers: OF Billy McKinney, Plano West High (Texas)

McKinney is another batter with enough talent to make a case for the title of the best high school hitter in the country.

24. Oakland Athletics: RHP Hunter Harvey, Bandys High (N.C.)

At 168 pounds, Harvey wouldn't fare well if a batter charged the mound, but his size isn't what will get him drafted. His 94 mph fastball will.

25. San Francisco Giants: 3B/OF Eric Jagielo, Notre Dame

Jagielo was one of the most efficient hitters in college baseball this season hitting .388 and his power potential is even greater than his contact.

26. New York Yankees: OF Josh Hart, Parkview High (Ga.)

Hart projects as a black hole-like centerfielder who doubles as a terror on the bases.

27. Cincinnati Reds: LHP Marco Gonzalez, Gonzaga

Pitchers with plus changeups and average fastballs aren't the most coveted type of pitcher, but Gonzalez's all-around ability will earn him a first-round selection.

28. St. Louis Cardinals: SS/OF Tim Anderson, East Central CC (Mississippi)

Anderson, like Hart, will make a living with his legs. The current shortstop could also eventually land in the outfield.

29. Tampa Bay Rays: LHP Rob Kaminsky, St. Joseph’s High (N.J.)

Kaminsky is undersized at 6'0", 188 pounds, but his two plus pitches—his fastball and slider—will get his name called in Round 1.

30. Texas Rangers: LHP Ian Clarkin Madison High (Calif.)

Clarkin isn't the most consistent performer, but that could change with experience. His solid curveball, changeup and electric fastball suggest that it will.

31. Atlanta Braves: RHP Chris Anderson, Jacksonville

Anderson boasts a 97 mph fastball and at 6'4", 215 pounds, he may have room to grow and gain even more strength.

32. New York Yankees: LHP Blake Taylor, Mission Viejo High (Calif.)

Taylor won't be pro ready for a while, but his 6'3", 220-pound frame, mid-90s fastball and the fact that he's a southpaw will get him drafted early anyway.

33. New York Yankees: RHP Phil Bickford, Oaks Christian High (Calif.)

Bickford is raw, but few high school pitchers come with his 6'4" length and fastball that licks 96 mph.

David Daniels is a breaking news writer at Bleacher Report and a news editor at Wade-O Radio.

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