MLB Draft 2013: Top Can't-Miss Prospects in Class

Major League Baseball’s 2013 draft is taking place June 6 through June 8, and there are several big-name players that could turn around struggling franchises.

The Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs and Colorado Rockies all own top-three picks in this year’s draft. The Rockies are barely above .500, while the Astros and Cubs are having pretty awful years (on the bright side, at least Houston and Chicago aren’t the Miami Marlins).

Though top picks typically don’t arrive in the majors for a few years after their selection, they can make a huge impact. The 2010 draft featured top-three picks Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, both impact players now, and the 2009 draft had elite Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg as the No. 1 pick.

Each team is hoping it lands such a difference-maker, and the top three prospects in 2013 are pretty universally agreed upon (the same according to MLB.com and ESPN.com—subscription required). Here’s what you need to know about each player.

Mark Appel
RHP, Stanford

Appel was selected eighth overall in the 2012 MLB draft but decided not to sign with the Pittsburgh Pirates. In fact, the righty was in consideration for the No. 1 pick last year, but USA Today reported Appel’s drop was so Houston could “save money.”

Maybe 2013 is his year.

The 6’5” hurler is currently 10-4 with a 2.12 ERA in his senior season, via Sporting News. MLB.com praises his arsenal of strong pitches: fastball, slider and circle change.

Appel’s fastball hits somewhere around the mid-90s consistently. There are a few clips of the Cardinal's fastball and off-speed pitches making batters look foolish in the embedded YouTube video.

The Astros will probably take Appel first overall this year with the hope that he’ll anchor the rotation someday. Their abysmal 5.45 ERA by starters so far this year is fourth-worst in baseball, and Appel’s potential in the rotation is too great to pass over again.

Jonathan Gray
RHP, Oklahoma

There is some debate whether Appel or Gray will be the top overall pick, but ultimately the conversation is irrelevant. Both pitchers are incredibly talented, and the Astros and Cubs need starters.

Chicago’s starting ERA is actually a surprisingly good 3.64, but the recently activated Matt Garza will almost certainly be traded, and Edwin Jackson (6.29 ERA this season) has been terrible for the Cubs.

That leaves plenty of space for a high-upside, young pitcher like Gray beside Jeff Samardzija and Travis Wood. In a couple of years, those three could head a dominant rotation, perhaps reminiscent of the 2003 Chicago Cubs.

Gray recently tested positive for Adderall, but a source told ESPN that it probably would not impact his draft position.

Many consider Gray to be a slightly riskier pick than Appel, including ESPN (subscription required), but with greater potential. Much of that potential comes from his overpowering arm.

Gray’s fastball consistently hits 99 mph in the YouTube video above, and it even touches triple digits. Pairing that premier pitch with above-average off-speed work makes him one of the strongest prospects available.

Kris Bryant
3B, San Diego

The best non-pitcher in the 2013 draft is an elite prospect because of his power potential.

It’s uncertain if Bryant will man the hot corner, first base or the outfield as a pro. ESPN (subscription required) rated his speed and fielding range as two of his worst areas. That may send him to a position that is less demanding on defense.

If the Rockies draft Bryant, it definitely makes sense to transition him elsewhere. Top prospect Nolan Arenado just broke in at third for Colorado, and he isn’t going anywhere in the next few years.

Regardless of his eventual position, the San Diego prospect is a masher. His power is unparalleled, and SB Nation noted that Bryant “out-homered 228 of the 296 teams in Division I.”

The featured YouTube video from ESPN shows Bryant taking some cuts. That swing makes him the top batter in this year’s draft.

*All unattributed statistics courtesy of ESPN.com.