The 2012 MLB Draft will be an opportunity for every team to find a player that can help them reach their goals next season.
This draft class is deep with quality starting pitchers, and since many teams are looking for a future ace to build their staff around, this could be an important draft for several teams in the top 10.
Let’s look at a fresh first-round MLB mock draft.
1. Houston Astros (56-106): Mark Appel, RHP, Stanford
The Houston Astros need to make this No. 1 pick count, and must take a starting pitcher such as Mark Appel, who can be the cornerstone of their rotation.
2. Minnesota Twins (63-99): Byron Buxton, OF, Appling County High School (Ga.)
An outfielder with the ability to hit for average and dominate the basepaths would be ideal for the struggling Twins.
3. Seattle Mariners (67-95): Mike Zunino, C, Florida
The catcher position is a real issue for the Seattle Mariners, and Zunino is the clear-cut choice for them at pick three.
The Gators star was one of the best offensive catchers in the NCAA this season, and he is arguably the top prospect in this draft.
If he went first overall, I wouldn’t be surprised. He has All-Star potential and will be a Rookie of the Year candidate when he finally arrives to the big leagues.
4. Baltimore Orioles (69-93): Kevin Gausman, RHP, LSU
For the Baltimore Orioles to compete in an ultra-competitive AL East division, they must bolster their starting pitching.
5. Kansas City Royals (71-91): Lucas Giolito, RHP, Harvard-Westlake (Calif.)
The Royals have a lot of needs, and one of them is a power pitcher who can strike hitters out in the big leagues. Giolito will be a future star.
6. Chicago Cubs (71-91): Albert Almora, OF, Marion Christian Academy (Fla.)
The Chicago Cubs need pitching, but several top starters will likely be off the board at pick six. They should go with an outfielder if an elite pitching prospect isn’t on the board.
7. San Diego Padres (71-91): Carlos Correa, SS, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy
The Padres haven’t had a top-tier MLB shortstop in quite some time. Correa has the ability to be a phenomenal defensive player at the big league level.
8. Pittsburgh Pirates (72-90): Deven Marrero, SS, Arizona State
The Pirates are another team needing speed and defense at the shortstop position. The Arizona State star is one of the better prospects from the PAC-12 conference.
9. Miami Marlins (72-90): Max Fried, LHP, Harvard-Westlake HS (Calif.)
The Miami Marlins really need a left-handed starter that can add some versatility to a rotation that already has some quality young arms.
10. Colorado Rockies (73-89): Kyle Zimmer, RHP, San Francisco
Adding a fundamentally strong pitcher like Kyle Zimmer would be an ideal pick for the Colorado Rockies.
11. Oakland Athletics (74-88): Gavin Cecchini, SS, Barbe HS (La.)
The Athletics would love to add a shortstop that can hit well consistently and give the infield defense tremendous range.
12. New York Mets (77-85): Courtney Hawkins, RF, Carroll HS (Texas)
The New York Mets have many areas of weakness, and one of those is a right fielder that can hit. Courtney Hawkins has a lot of potential and would benefit by playing in Citi Field because of the large outfield.
13. Chicago White Sox (79-83): Richie Shaffer, 3B, Clemson
The White Sox need more offense from the hot corner, which makes ACC star Richie Shaffer a great fit for Chicago.
Shaffer has the ability to hit for power and also plays steady defense at third base. He also has an impressive ability to get on base, which is evidenced by his walks numbers.
The White Sox would be getting a lot of value with Shaffer at pick 13.
14. Cincinnati Reds (79-83): Marcus Stroman, RHP, Duke
Cincinnati Reds need another right-handed starter who has the potential to be dominating. Pitching will be the reason they make or miss the playoffs over the next few years.
15. Cleveland Indians (80-82): Andrew Heaney, LHP, Oklahoma State
Andrew Heaney could be the left-handed ace the Cleveland Indians haven’t had in their starting rotation since C.C. Sabathia.
16. Washington Nationals (80-81): Chris Stratton, RHP, Mississippi State
The Washington Nationals would be smart to add a right-handed pitcher like Chris Stratton in case Stephen Strasburg has further injury problems.
17. Toronto Blue Jays (81-81): Michael Wacha, RHP, Texas A&M
The Toronto Blue Jays should continue to rebuild their pitching staff since manager John Farrell does a tremendous job developing young starters.
18. Los Angeles Dodgers (82-79): Lance McCullers, RHP, Jesuit HS (Fla.)
The Los Angeles Dodgers have a strong enough lineup to score runs, so adding some depth to in their starting rotation would be a smart idea.
19. St. Louis Cardinals (90-72): Matt Smoral, LHP, Solon HS (Ohio)
The Cardinals need to add another starter since injury problems have taken their toll on the team’s staff over the past few seasons. Smoral will be a reliable left-handed starter for many years.
20. San Francisco Giants (86-76): Joey Gallo, 3B/RHP, Bishop Gorman HS (Nev.)
Joey Gallo’s versatility is quite impressive, and his strong work ethic and all-around skills would be a big boost to the San Francisco Giants.
21. Atlanta Braves (89-73): D.J. Davis, OF, Stone HS (Miss.)
The Braves need an outfielder who can give the team offense and strong defense. With his ability to play anywhere in the outfield, D.J. Davis would be a good pick for Atlanta.
22. Toronto Blue Jays (81-81): Hunter Virant, LHP, Camarillo HS (Calif.)
The Blue Jays might take a starter with their initial first-round pick, but even if they do, taking another one later in the first round wouldn’t be a bad idea.
Hunter Virant is an athletic left-handed starter with a strong fastball. The Blue Jays are steadily improving but still lack a true ace in their staff.
Virant still has a ton of room for improvement in his already impressive pitching ability. He needs to polish a few pitches, but his potential is quite high.
23. St. Louis Cardinals (90-72): Nolan Fontana, SS, Florida
The Cardinals really need a shortstop for the future, which makes Florida Gators star Nolan Fontana a great fit in St. Louis.
24. Boston Red Sox (90-72): Carson Kelly, 3B, Westview HS (Ore.)
Will Middlebrooks looks like a promising young third baseman that will eventually take over for Kevin Youkilis, but the Red Sox’s depth at third in the minor leagues is still weak.
25. Tampa Bay Rays (91-71): Clint Coulter, C, Union HS (Wash.)
Clint Coulter has the potential to be the All-Star catcher that the Tampa Bay Rays haven’t had throughout their history. It’s certainly a position of need in their organization.
26. Arizona Diamondbacks (94-68): Pierce Johnson, RHP, Missouri State
The Diamondbacks’ success last year and this year has been because of their pitching, and they should add to their rotation depth by drafting reliable starter Pierce Johnson.
27. Milwaukee Brewers (96-66): Stephen Piscotty, 3B, Stanford
The Milwaukee Brewers need another power-hitting corner infielder to help make up for the loss of Prince Fielder.
28. Milwaukee Brewers (96-66): Lucas Sims, RHP, Brookwood HS (Ga.)
The Brewers will use their second first-round pick on a pitcher to strengthen their rotation. Lucas Sims could be a No. 2 or 3 starter in four to five years.
29. Texas Rangers (96-66): Corey Seager, 3B, Northwest Carrabus HS (N.C.)
The Rangers don’t need to address many weaknesses, but adding a strong hitting third baseman would be a smart idea.
30. New York Yankees (97-65): Addison Russell, SS, Pace HS (Fla.)
Future Hall of Famer Derek Jeter has to retire at some point in the near future, so the New York Yankees will need to address the shortstop position in this draft.
31. Boston Red Sox (90-72): Zach Eflin, RHP, Hagerty HS (Fla.)
Zach Eflin would be a nice addition to the Red Sox organization, which needs more young starters.
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