2012 Draft: - Rant Sports Mock Draft v2.0

1. Houston Astros Mark Appel Pitcher Stanford Simply put Mark Appel is the Andrew Luck of the 2012 MLB Draft. Appel has the potential to develop into a franchise player who can change the fortunes of one MLB team. That is exactly what the Astros need. The Houston Astros are in a division where the Brewers and Cardinals made the playoffs, the Reds won the division in 2010, the Pirates appear as an upstart team, and the Cubs have 5 pitchers in their farm system. The Astros have to draft Appel with this pick. Passing on Appel would be a grave mistake for the Houston Astros.

2. Minnesota Twins Lucas Giolito Pitcher Harvard Westlake High School California Don’t worry Twins fans. Even if you cannot obtain Mark Appel your getting an awesome consolation prize with Lucas Giolito who should develop into a #1 starter.

3. Seattle Mariners Devin Marrero Short Stop Arizona State The Mariners passed on an infielder in Anthony Rendon in 2011. I doubt the Mariners pass on an infielder in 2012. The Mariners like college prospects. By process of elimination that leaves the Mariners with Devin Marrero as their 2012 first round draft pick at this time.

4. Baltimore Orioles Lance McCullers Jr. Pitcher Tampa Jesuit High School Florida The Orioles need to add another pitching prospect. Their rotation has no identity. Lance McCullers Jr. could develop into a #1 pitcher. When most 2012 MLB Mock Drafts started Lance McCullers Jr. was the clear cut #1 overall pick. This changed because McCuller’s lacked the size. McCuller’s has pinpoint accuracy on his pitches along with deadly velocity for a starter. Lance McCullers Jr. still looks like a stone cold lock to get drafted in the top 5 even if he took himself out of contention for that top pick.

5. Kansas City Royals Trey Williams 3rd Baseman Valencia High School California Mike Moustakas was drafted 2nd overall in 2007. He posted a batting average of .263 in 89 games. Kansas City should draft Trey Williams and develop him. The upside to drafting Trey Williams is that you have insurance at 3rd base if Moustakas flops as an MLB pro. The Royals usually take the best high school prospect available. 2010 was the exception when the Royals became enamored by Christian Colon. The Royals are stacked at outfield so they will probably take the best high school player available who does not play in the outfield. I do not believe Trey Williams is a top 5 pick. I feel like the Royals will reach for Trey Williams just like they reached for Colon. Its too early to say Colon was a reach, but most MLB mock drafts had him going 22nd overall and he went 4th so you have to take that into account. The Royals passed on Anthony Rendon to draft Bubba Starling.

12. New York Mets Taylore Cherry Pitcher Vandalia Butler High School Ohio Taylore Cherry is 6 foot 9 260 pounds. Cherry can throw that mid 90′s fastball. Cherry has been rising up draft boards at a very fast rate.

31. Philadelphia Phillies Josh Elander Catcher TCU Josh Elander is being considered by many to be an early 2nd round pick. Elander could easily creep up to the #31 spot barely making the first round cut if he keeps his impressive performance up.

http://www.rantsports.com/blog/2011/10/18/2012-mlb-mock-draft-update-heading-into-the-world-series/