MLB Draft Countdown - Mock

1) Houston Astros- Mark Appel, RHP, Stanford The Astros are coming off their worst season ever, and need to make a splash. Appel has frontline potential and a decent bit of projection left. 

 2) Minnesota Twins- Kyle Zimmer, RHP, San Francico The Twins have never been one for the splashy pick. Zimmer is a safe choice, and fits their bill as a control pitcher, but offers significant upside and great velocity. 

 3) Seattle Mariners- Mike Zunino, C, Florida Yes, the M’s just dealt for Jesus Montero, but he’s no catcher. Having both their bats in the same lineup makes Seattle very dangerous. Rumor has it they’re also drooling over Buxton.  

4) Baltimore Orioles- Byron Buxton, OF, Appling County HS (GA) The O’s need position talent more than any other organization, and their last dip into Georgia (Nick Markakis) turned out alright. They recently worked Buxton out. 

 5) Kansas City Royals- Lance McCullers Jr., RHP, Jesuit Prep (FL) It’s hard not to love McCullers’ arm. The Royals have shown a knack for developing recently drafted pitchers, and the Florida flamethrower would be a nice catch. Giolito's injury may cause him to fall on draft day, but Theo Epstein is too savvy to pass him up at pick six 

 6) Chicago Cubs- Lucas Giolito, RHP, Harvard-Westlake HS (CA) Theo Epstein doesn’t scare easily, so there’s no hesitation regarding Giolito’s elbow injury. Right-handef has the highest ceiling of any 2012 pick, and has drawn comparisons to Jameson Taillon. 

 7) San Diego Padres- Kevin Gausman, RHP, LSU The Dodgers tried to sign Gausman in 2010. He would be a perfect fit for their division rivals two years later. Potential frontline starter who is really blossoming in 2012. 

 8) Pittsburgh Pirates- David Dahl, OF, Oak Mountain HS (AL) The Pirates have so dramatically improved their farm system, that they can afford to take a flier on Dahl, who may benefit from a lowel level of competition. 

 9) Miami Marlins- Walker Weickel, RHP, Olympia HS (FL) The Marlins went with a hometown kid (Jose Fernandez) last year, and could benefit from playing that card again. Weickel has frontline stuff and a great pitcher’s frame. 

 10) Colorado Rockies- Albert Almora, OF, Mater Academy (FL) The Rockies have shown their affinity for SS, making Deven Marrero an obvious option, but Almora’s bat is significantly better. 

 11) Oakland Athletics- Victor Roache, OF, Georgia Southern Roache is exactly the kind of player that the A’s covet. Big time power, great on-base abilities, limited defensive ability. A match made in OBP heaven. The Mets need a polished shortstop badly; Marrero is just that, and there's a realistic possibility that he could slip to them at 12 

 12) New York Mets- Deven Marrero, SS, Arizona State The Mets have no true successor to Jose Reyes at shortstop. Despite the questions about his bat, Marrero should be quick to the Majors, thanks to his defensive polish.