This is an early 2012 MLB draft top prospect list and the high school group usually jumps higher with a year of maturation. Some college kids can slide and others with questions answered will jump back into the big picture.
Overall, the 2012 MLB draft class is heavy on high school pitchers and power bats. The growth of those two areas will dictate the depth the draft can provide and there are plenty of at-bats and innings for these kids to improve.
1. Lucas Giolito – RHP, Harvard-Westlake HS (Studio City, CA)
Workhorse top of rotation frame, three plus pitch potential, should be fast moving prospect
2. Mark Appel – RHP, Stanford University
Two plus pitches with slider that can play at MLB level, still a great deal of projection
3. Byron Buxton – OF, Appling County HS (Baxley, GA)
True five tool center fielder, top of the order bat with power
4. Nick Williams – OF, Galveston Ball HS (Galveston, TX)
Some of best tools in draft, bat speed and stroke show massive upside
5. Kevin Gausman – RHP, Louisiana State University
Radar gun popping pitcher with three pitches, but needs to improve downhill action
6. Deven Marrero – SS, Arizona State University
Defensive gem, but questions about bat need to be answered in spring
7. Gavin Cecchini – SS, Barbe HS (Lake Charles, LA)
Answered questions about ability to play SS, hit tool and plate coverage is impressive
8. Max Fried – LHP, Harvard Westlake HS (Studio City, CA)
Projectable left hander that pounds the strike zone with three potential plus pitches
9. Walker Weickel – RHP, Olympia HS (Orlando, FL)
Deceptive, projectable power right hander with three solid offerings, constant downhill action
10. Chris Beck – RHP, Georgia Southern
Workhorse frame with two plus pitches (FB/CB) and solid chance for third
11. Lucas Sims – RHP, Brookwood HS (Snellville, GA)
Two plus pitches, solid frame and fast arm action, if slider or change up improve could jump up
12. David Dahl – OF, Oak Mountain HS (Birmingham, AL)
Could be a top 5 pick with solid spring, limited summer showcases hurt legit 5 tool player
13. Mike Zunino – C, University of Florida
Was top 5 talent in Spring 2012, but Cape Cod dropped his stock, bat has questions to answer
14. Hunter Virant – LHP, Camarillo HS (Camarillo, CA)
Blank canvas with limited innings on arm, fast riser with solid 2012 spring
15. Victor Roache – OF, Georgia Southern
Best power bat in college, but Cape Cod results against quality pitchers left question about contact ability
16. Jesmuel Valentin – SS, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy
Could end up the best shortstop in class with the speed and bat to stick at the top of the order
17. Lance McCullers Jr. – RHP, Jesuit HS (Tampa, FL)
Top shelf fastball and solid arsenal of pitches, may end up relief pitcher due to mechanics
18. Stryker Trahan – C, Acadiana HS (Lafayette, LA)
Solid defensively with improving footwork, dual type potential with lofted swing
19. Lewis Brinson – OF, Coral Spring HS (Coral Spring, FL)
Power/speed 5 tool player with high ceiling
20. Travis Jankowski – OF, Stony Brook University
High contact hitter with above average speed, sound defensively, top of order ability
21. Brian Johnson – LHP, University of Florida
His pro life ends up on a mound with three solid pitches, focus on mound might vault him higher
22. Josh Elander – C, Texas Christian University
Power bat potential, impressive speed for size, think his bat can play OF if C skills fail to improve
23. Jesse Winker – OF, Olympia HS (Orlando, FL)
Dual threat bat with great plate coverage, bat will carry him as his upside is not defensively driven
24. Taylor Cherry – RHP, Butler HS (Vandalia, OH)
Smooth for size, effortless, downhill plane, chance for three pitches, intimidating mound presence
25. Joey Gallo – 1B/3B, Bishop Gorman HS (Las Vegas, NV)
Fastest bat in draft with plus plus power, tries to kill every pitch and contact issues are a concern
26. Trey Williams – 3B, Valencia HS (Santa Clarita, CA)
Solid glove and arm, plus power potential
27. Michael Wacha – RHP, Texas A&M University
Nice fastball and change up combo, needs a third consistent pitch or is a late inning type arm
28. Carlos Correa – SS, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy
Smooth defensive shortstop that shows skills to hit for contact and power, but needs refinements
29. Duane Underwood – RHP, Pope (HS Marietta, GA)
Flashes two plus pitches. If hammer tightens up, he can fly up the board
30. Kenny Diekroger – SS, Stanford University
Skills to be top 5 player, but a spring 2012 similar to 2011 and compensatory pick is in his cards
31. Marcus Stroman – RHP, Duke University
Nasty fastball and slider combo, projectability and max effort are a concern
32. Rio Ruiz – 3B, Bishop Amat HS (La Puente, CA)
Athletic third baseman with glove, arm, footwork to stick, average contact with above average power
33. Nolan Sanburn – RHP, University of Arkansas
One of best fastballs in college ranks with impressive slider, closer bulldog mentality
34. Ty Hensley – RHP, Santa Fe HS (Edmond, OK)
Power curve and late life fastball with solid command and pitchability
35. Cody Poteet – RHP, Christian HS (Bonita, CA)
Good feel for pitching, plus command, nice fastball/curve combo, feel for change up
36. Anthony Alford – OF, Petal HS (Petal, MS)
Power/speed combo that would jump higher with total focus on baseball
37. Carson Kelly – 3B, Westview HS (Portland, OR)
Very good bat speed, tools for contact and power, average defensively with strong arm
38. Nolan Fontana – SS, University of Florida
Top flight defensive SS, high contact with below average to average power
39. Kyle Zimmer – RHP, University of San Francisco
Solid fastball, if change up and curve gain consistency in the spring, top of round 1 potential
40. Cory Seager – 3B, Northwest Cabarrus HS (Concord, NC)
Solid dual threat bat that would be average power hitter for the 3B position
41. Jake Barrett – RHP, Arizona State University
One trick pony, but boy what a trick with plus-plus fastball, if secondary pitches improve would make nice pick
42. Branden Kline – RHP, University of Virginia
Solid fastball with working off-speed that profiles as 7th or 8th inning bullpen arm
43. Courtney Hawkins – OF, Carroll HS (Corpus Christi, TX)
Raw toolsy player with speed, power, with refinements solid 1st round potential
44. Matt Smoral – LHP, Solon HS (Solon, OH)
Lower profile with three potential plus pitches, tall lanky left hander can rocket up boards
45. Albert Almora – OF, Meter Academy Hialeah (Gardens, FL)
Speed, plus defensive centerfielder, high contact rate, improved approach and first round type
46. Stephen Piscotty – 2B/3B, Stanford University
Proved ability to hit wooden bat, gap power and high contact ability, athletic enough to play 2B
47. Alex Bregman – 2B/SS, Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque, NM)
Polished hitter with contact and power potential, good defender, projection limited
48. Carson Fulmer – RHP, All Saints Academy (Lakeland, FL)
Impressive FB for size, projectable slider, easy arm action, solid downhill action for size
49. Ryan McNeil – RHP, Nipomo HS (Nipomo, CA)
Heavy sinking fastball, needs to tighten curve and still developing change up, projectable
50. Mitchell Traver RHP Houston Christian HS (Sugar Land, TX)
Tall, projectable, effortless fastball, silder and change show promise, solid mechanics for 6’7″ frame
