Final Combined Mock Draft: Draft Day Eve
Our two writers take their final attempt at projecting the first round of the 2012 MLB Draft. East Coast and West coast trade picks and provide scouting reports for all players selected. This year's draft is one of the most fluid, especially at the top, and one unexpected pick could change everything on Draft Day. Nonetheless, here's our best guess as to how the first round will shake out tomorrow.
1) Houston Astros (East Coast): Mark Appel, RHP, Stanford University
Recent rumor has the Astros officially choosing Appel over Buxton for the first overall selection. It's definitely not the wrong choice, and Appel does have the electric stuff of a first overall selection.
Recent rumor has the Astros officially choosing Appel over Buxton for the first overall selection. It's definitely not the wrong choice, and Appel does have the electric stuff of a first overall selection.
2) Minnesota Twins (West Coast): Byron Buxton, OF, Appling County HS (GA)
It seems like the Twins will be taking whoever falls between Appel/Buxton and it's looking like Buxton will be their guy. If they want an arm, the pick will most likely be Gausman here.
It seems like the Twins will be taking whoever falls between Appel/Buxton and it's looking like Buxton will be their guy. If they want an arm, the pick will most likely be Gausman here.
3) Seattle Mariners (East Coast): Carlos Correa, SS, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy
Correa is an exciting talent who is exceptionally young for his class. He may have to move to 3rd in the long run, but the talent is there in all aspects of the game. He's got as high of an upside as anybody in this class and won't fall much further than this if the Mariners pass on him.
Correa is an exciting talent who is exceptionally young for his class. He may have to move to 3rd in the long run, but the talent is there in all aspects of the game. He's got as high of an upside as anybody in this class and won't fall much further than this if the Mariners pass on him.
4) Baltimore Orioles (West Coast): Kevin Gausman, RHP, Louisiana State University
Gausman is a solid choice here who will definitely complement the arms already in the Baltimore system. He's a classic power arm who has the stuff to carve out a place at the top of a rotation in a few years.
Gausman is a solid choice here who will definitely complement the arms already in the Baltimore system. He's a classic power arm who has the stuff to carve out a place at the top of a rotation in a few years.
5) Kansas City Royals (East Coast): Kyle Zimmer, RHP, University of San Francisco
Despite some reduced velocity readings in some of his recent starts, Zimmer still has all the tools and projectability that you're looking for in a top-level college starter. He's relatively new to pitching and has a solid, durable frame to go along with his power stuff.
Despite some reduced velocity readings in some of his recent starts, Zimmer still has all the tools and projectability that you're looking for in a top-level college starter. He's relatively new to pitching and has a solid, durable frame to go along with his power stuff.
6) Chicago Cubs (West Coast): Albert Almora, OF, Mater Academy HS (FL)
Recent rumors have the Cubs very interested in Almora and some insiders are saying that this is the most certain Top 10 selection in this class. While he may be a slight reach at 6, Almora does present a solid balance of floor and upside.
Recent rumors have the Cubs very interested in Almora and some insiders are saying that this is the most certain Top 10 selection in this class. While he may be a slight reach at 6, Almora does present a solid balance of floor and upside.
7) San Diego Padres (East Coast): Lucas Giolito, RHP, Harvard-Westlake HS (CA)
Here's the wildcard. The Padres have a lot of money to spend, and we're willing to bet that a guy with this much talent goes off the board earlier rather than later. He's going to have a huge price tag, but the Padres are one of the few teams that can take it on without totally sacrificing the rest of their draft.
Here's the wildcard. The Padres have a lot of money to spend, and we're willing to bet that a guy with this much talent goes off the board earlier rather than later. He's going to have a huge price tag, but the Padres are one of the few teams that can take it on without totally sacrificing the rest of their draft.
8) Pittsburgh Pirates (West Coast): Mike Zunino, C, Florida University
Zunino has been falling from his early Top 5 projection, but we don't see him falling out of the Top 10. He's a solid backstop with the ability to stay there and he's got some power in his bat. Zunino is one of the safer picks in the top of the round, but he has a strong chance of being a Major League catcher when it's all said and done.
Zunino has been falling from his early Top 5 projection, but we don't see him falling out of the Top 10. He's a solid backstop with the ability to stay there and he's got some power in his bat. Zunino is one of the safer picks in the top of the round, but he has a strong chance of being a Major League catcher when it's all said and done.
9) Miami Marlins (East Coast): David Dahl, OF, Oak Mountain HS (GA)
Dahl does everything well and while his development hinges largely on an increase in power, he still brings a lot of solid skills to the table. He has a beautiful left-handed stroke, can steal a base and has good actions and range in the outfield.
Dahl does everything well and while his development hinges largely on an increase in power, he still brings a lot of solid skills to the table. He has a beautiful left-handed stroke, can steal a base and has good actions and range in the outfield.
10) Colorado Rockies (West Coast): Lance McCullers, RHP, Jesuit HS (FL)
McCullers is the kind of guy who has the potential to leave people asking why he wasn't a Top 3 pick. He has reportedly refined his mechanics and still possesses the top-flight stuff that put him on the scouting radar years ago. There are some durability concerns, but he has huge upside as a power arm if everything works out for him.
McCullers is the kind of guy who has the potential to leave people asking why he wasn't a Top 3 pick. He has reportedly refined his mechanics and still possesses the top-flight stuff that put him on the scouting radar years ago. There are some durability concerns, but he has huge upside as a power arm if everything works out for him.
11) Oakland Athletics (East Coast): Richie Shaffer, 3B, Clemson University
Oakland notably drafts college guys at the top, and while drafting for need is generally frowned upon, Shaffer looks to be a perfect fit here. He's a refined college bat with some power potential at a position of need. If they don't go with Shaffer, they could go with one of the many solid college arms still available here.
Oakland notably drafts college guys at the top, and while drafting for need is generally frowned upon, Shaffer looks to be a perfect fit here. He's a refined college bat with some power potential at a position of need. If they don't go with Shaffer, they could go with one of the many solid college arms still available here.
12) New York Mets (West Coast): Max Fried, LHP, Harvard-Westlake HS (CA)
If Fried falls this far, it's hard to see the Mets passing on him. He's a very projectable left-hander who is quite athletic and has one of the best curveballs in the prep class. Initial reports had him going in the Top 10, and the Mets would probably feel great about getting him at 12.
If Fried falls this far, it's hard to see the Mets passing on him. He's a very projectable left-hander who is quite athletic and has one of the best curveballs in the prep class. Initial reports had him going in the Top 10, and the Mets would probably feel great about getting him at 12.
13) Chicago White Sox (East Coast): Marcus Stroman, RHP, Duke University
Stroman has electric stuff and the only concern here is durability given his small frame. They'll definitely try him out as a starter at the next level, and his results at Duke have shown that he has the potential to be dominant if everything works out for him.
Stroman has electric stuff and the only concern here is durability given his small frame. They'll definitely try him out as a starter at the next level, and his results at Duke have shown that he has the potential to be dominant if everything works out for him.
14) Cincinnati Reds (West Coast): Michael Wacha, RHP, Texas A&M University
Wacha is a solid college righty who utilizes his big frame to throw downhill well and pound the strike zone. He's put up great results this year at A&M and will most likely be taken between 10-20 tomorrow.
Wacha is a solid college righty who utilizes his big frame to throw downhill well and pound the strike zone. He's put up great results this year at A&M and will most likely be taken between 10-20 tomorrow.
15) Cleveland Indians (East Coast): Courtney Hawkins, OF, Carroll HS (TX)
Hawkins has huge upside, but his ultimate development is tied to improvement of his pure hitting ability. He's a strong athlete with raw power and athletic tools across the board. Hawkins is a risk, but if he develops well, he could be a force at the next level.
Hawkins has huge upside, but his ultimate development is tied to improvement of his pure hitting ability. He's a strong athlete with raw power and athletic tools across the board. Hawkins is a risk, but if he develops well, he could be a force at the next level.
16) Washington Nationals (West Coast): Andrew Heaney, LHP, Oklahoma State University
Heaney is the most refined arm in the college class this year and he combines solid pitchability with outstanding results at Oklahoma State. He doesn't have great stuff, but he can control it and knows how to pitch. Heaney could be a quick riser through the system and has a strong chance of being a solid #4 starter at the next level.
Heaney is the most refined arm in the college class this year and he combines solid pitchability with outstanding results at Oklahoma State. He doesn't have great stuff, but he can control it and knows how to pitch. Heaney could be a quick riser through the system and has a strong chance of being a solid #4 starter at the next level.
17) Toronto Blue Jays (East Coast): Ty Hensley, RHP Edmond Santa Fe HS (OK)
Hensley looks to follow up the outstanding class from Oklahoma last year. He has a good chance of doing so thanks to his combination of a strong, athletic frame and present stuff. He's a fastball/curveball guy right now and both pitches have the chance to be solidly above-average at the next level.
Hensley looks to follow up the outstanding class from Oklahoma last year. He has a good chance of doing so thanks to his combination of a strong, athletic frame and present stuff. He's a fastball/curveball guy right now and both pitches have the chance to be solidly above-average at the next level.
18) Los Angeles Dodgers (West Coast): Deven Marrero, SS, Arizona State University
Marrero is a bit of an enigma, but one thing is for sure: he is as close to a Gold Glove caliber shortstop as you are going to find in this draft class. The bat is the big question mark, as he has had a down year at the plate in 2012, but there's a huge amount of potential here if he can figure it out at the plate.
Marrero is a bit of an enigma, but one thing is for sure: he is as close to a Gold Glove caliber shortstop as you are going to find in this draft class. The bat is the big question mark, as he has had a down year at the plate in 2012, but there's a huge amount of potential here if he can figure it out at the plate.
19) St. Louis Cardinals (East Coast): Corey Seager, 3B, Northwest Cabbarus HS (NC)
Seager has gotten a lot of helium this spring thanks to improved reports with the bat. He plays shortstop now, but will probably transition over to third at the next level. He's got a big, athletic frame and major league bloodlines and is definitely worthy of a late first round selection.
Seager has gotten a lot of helium this spring thanks to improved reports with the bat. He plays shortstop now, but will probably transition over to third at the next level. He's got a big, athletic frame and major league bloodlines and is definitely worthy of a late first round selection.
20) San Francisco Giants (West Coast): Chris Stratton, RHP, Mississippi State University
Stratton is a classic college power arm who should move quickly through any system. His stuff is solid and he's built like a workhorse. The upside here isn't huge, but he's a relatively safe pick with a solid chance to live in the middle of a rotation at the next level.
Stratton is a classic college power arm who should move quickly through any system. His stuff is solid and he's built like a workhorse. The upside here isn't huge, but he's a relatively safe pick with a solid chance to live in the middle of a rotation at the next level.
21) Atlanta Braves (East Coast): James Ramsey, OF, Florida State University
Ramsey is a "safe" pick here who does everything well but doesn't have any outstanding tools. He's a senior at Florida State and should be an easy sign, freeing up some money for the Braves down the road. Ramsey is a leader on the field and can contribute to a team in countless ways.
Ramsey is a "safe" pick here who does everything well but doesn't have any outstanding tools. He's a senior at Florida State and should be an easy sign, freeing up some money for the Braves down the road. Ramsey is a leader on the field and can contribute to a team in countless ways.
22) Toronto Blue Jays (West Coast): Stryker Trahan, C, Acadiana HS (LA)
Trahan has huge upside as an athletic catcher with the chance to stick behind the plate. He's built like a house, but has good actions and he's been timed as low as the 6.6 range in the 60. He swings the bat hard, and with more refinement, has shown some potential for power at the next level.
Trahan has huge upside as an athletic catcher with the chance to stick behind the plate. He's built like a house, but has good actions and he's been timed as low as the 6.6 range in the 60. He swings the bat hard, and with more refinement, has shown some potential for power at the next level.
23) St. Louis Cardinals (East Coast): Pierce Johnson, RHP, Missouri State University
A classic power arm in the Cardinals' mold, Johnson is a relatively safe pick here to balance out the Corey Seager selection. He's got good power stuff, some pitchability and a durable, workhorse kind of frame.
A classic power arm in the Cardinals' mold, Johnson is a relatively safe pick here to balance out the Corey Seager selection. He's got good power stuff, some pitchability and a durable, workhorse kind of frame.
24) Boston Red Sox (West Coast): Gavin Cecchini, SS, Barbe HS (LA)
His brother Garin is already in the Red Sox system and the Red Sox would likely be thrilled to get Gavin here. He can definitely stick at shortstop and is fairly athletic. The key to his development is the bat, on which there are mixed reports, but Cecchini definitely deserves a look at 24.
His brother Garin is already in the Red Sox system and the Red Sox would likely be thrilled to get Gavin here. He can definitely stick at shortstop and is fairly athletic. The key to his development is the bat, on which there are mixed reports, but Cecchini definitely deserves a look at 24.
25) Tampa Bay Rays (East Coast): Tyler Naquin, OF, Texas A&M University
Naquin has constantly been labeled as a "tweener" despite doing just about everything well. He hits for a very high average, has some speed and plays a solid right field with an excellent, easily plus arm. The downside is that he has neither the power to stick at a corner or the range for center, but regardless of his eventual home, Naquin will always be able to hit the ball with consistency.
Naquin has constantly been labeled as a "tweener" despite doing just about everything well. He hits for a very high average, has some speed and plays a solid right field with an excellent, easily plus arm. The downside is that he has neither the power to stick at a corner or the range for center, but regardless of his eventual home, Naquin will always be able to hit the ball with consistency.
26) Arizona Diamondbacks (West Coast): Stephen Piscotty, 3B, Stanford University
Piscotty is an intriguing 3B prospect who just hasn't shown the power most teams are looking for at the corner position. He can definitely handle third at the next level, and his pure hitting tool is above-average, but without the power, he has slipped down a few draft boards. Regardless, the Stanford product definitely deserves a look near the end of the first round, especially for an Arizona team without too much money to spend.
Piscotty is an intriguing 3B prospect who just hasn't shown the power most teams are looking for at the corner position. He can definitely handle third at the next level, and his pure hitting tool is above-average, but without the power, he has slipped down a few draft boards. Regardless, the Stanford product definitely deserves a look near the end of the first round, especially for an Arizona team without too much money to spend.
27) Milwaukee Brewers (East Coast): D.J. Davis, OF, Stone HS (MS)
Davis has been flying up draft boards almost as fast as he can fly around the bases. Speed is his tool, and he uses it well. He's unrefined at the plate and in the field, but the potential is definitely there and he could be a dangerous table-setter at the next level.
Davis has been flying up draft boards almost as fast as he can fly around the bases. Speed is his tool, and he uses it well. He's unrefined at the plate and in the field, but the potential is definitely there and he could be a dangerous table-setter at the next level.
28) Milwaukee Brewers (West Coast): Victor Roache, OF, Georgia Southern University
Roache went down with a broken wrist at the beginning of this year, but he hit a ridiculous 30 HRs last year for Georgia Southern with the new BBCOR bats. He's relatively athletic and can definitely hold his own in left field. The injury leaves his draft stock as a question mark, but the power is definitely there and he's worth the risk at 28.
Roache went down with a broken wrist at the beginning of this year, but he hit a ridiculous 30 HRs last year for Georgia Southern with the new BBCOR bats. He's relatively athletic and can definitely hold his own in left field. The injury leaves his draft stock as a question mark, but the power is definitely there and he's worth the risk at 28.
29) Texas Rangers (East Coast): Lucas Sims, RHP, Brookwood HS (GA)
The Rangers love their power arms and Sims is an athletic righty with a fastball that sits in the 93-95 range. He generates the velocity with well above-average arm speed and surprisingly little effort. Sims is an intriguing power arm who, at the very least, could challenge for a closer spot in a Major League bullpen.
The Rangers love their power arms and Sims is an athletic righty with a fastball that sits in the 93-95 range. He generates the velocity with well above-average arm speed and surprisingly little effort. Sims is an intriguing power arm who, at the very least, could challenge for a closer spot in a Major League bullpen.
30) New York Yankees (West Coast): Addison Russell, SS/3B, Pace HS (FL)
Russell is an enigmatic prospect thanks to varied reports about his conditioning and therefore his ability to stick at shortstop in the long run. If he does stay there, his value is greatly increased as his power bat will play very well from that spot. He has plenty of bat speed and hitting tools and should be an intriguing prospect to follow.
Russell is an enigmatic prospect thanks to varied reports about his conditioning and therefore his ability to stick at shortstop in the long run. If he does stay there, his value is greatly increased as his power bat will play very well from that spot. He has plenty of bat speed and hitting tools and should be an intriguing prospect to follow.
31) Boston Red Sox (East Coast):
Tanner Rahier, SS, Palm Desert HS (CA)
Rahier, who plays in the ABD Spring Leagues instead of for his high school, brings an excellent work ethic and some intriguing tools to the table. He swings hard and frequently barrels the ball up while also showing the potential to stick at short at the next level. He's certainly an intriguing follow and could be a solid Major League shortstop if everything comes together for him.
Rahier, who plays in the ABD Spring Leagues instead of for his high school, brings an excellent work ethic and some intriguing tools to the table. He swings hard and frequently barrels the ball up while also showing the potential to stick at short at the next level. He's certainly an intriguing follow and could be a solid Major League shortstop if everything comes together for him.
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