1. Byron Buxton (OF) – Appling County HS (GA) – Scouting Report (03.19.12)
Those that doubt Buxton as the top player in this draft do so while questioning his ultimate power potential. For me, even without the power, he’s the most dynamic position player in this draft and offers the highest ceiling outside of injured right-hander Lucas Giolito.
2. Kevin Gausman (RHP) – Louisiana State University – Scouting Report (04.06.12)
While other pitchers offer the potential to develop into number two starters, Gausman offers the present stuff and continued projection to give him the best profile at that lofty level. Pitchers with number two potential are never in high supply, and Gausman offers the best ceiling among this year’s college pitching crop.
3. Mike Zunino (C) – University of Florida – Scouting Report (03.23.12)
Zunino’s power bat and outstanding catching acumen are enough to make him a top-flight prospect. Combine that with his past performance on elite stages and his outstanding makeup and he is suddenly in the discussion as one of the top players in the entire draft. With positional scarcity on his side, Zunino is among the elite players in this year’s draft.
4. Carlos Correa (SS) – Puerto Rico Baseball Academy – Scouting Report (03.16.12)
Whether you believe in his ability to remain a shortstop or not, Correa’s offensive potential is hard to ignore. The more scouts I speak with, the more convinced I become in his offensive potential. There are scouts that have urged me to consider him the top player in the draft, rather than just one of the top players.
5. Lucas Giolito (RHP) – Harvard-Westlake HS (CA) – Scouting Report (05.08.12)
While Giolito continues to throw on flat ground, the suspense about what happens to him in the draft continues to build. Once on target to become the first high school pitcher ever taken number one overall, Giolito could now land anywhere from the top five to out of the first round depending on his medical reports and perceived signability. If healthy, Giolito has a higher ceiling than any pitcher in the draft.
6. Mark Appel (RHP) – Stanford University – Scouting Report (03.12.12)
Appel has undeniable stuff and has performed well playing for one of college baseball’s elite teams. That said, his performance hasn’t matched scouts expectations based on his raw stuff and more and more scouts are seeing him as a number three starter with the ingredients to be more, but without the feel to make it happen. He is still in the mix to go 1-1 to the Astros, but his stock does continue to slip with many teams in the top ten.
7. Kyle Zimmer (RHP) – University of San Francisco – Scouting Report (04.02.12)
Zimmer was one of the draft’s biggest risers earlier this spring before coming back to earth a little recently. He still offers an outside chance to be a number two starter and more likely a really good number three, which should be enough to easily push him off the board in the top ten.
8. Michael Wacha (RHP) – Texas A&M – Scouting Report (03.30.12)
Wacha has climbed draft boards throughout the spring. He is physical and offers a fine array of pitches and enough feel to get the most out of his raw stuff. While some scouts fail to see front of the rotation potential, the low level of risk associated with Wacha keeps him high on draft boards.
9. David Dahl (OF) – Oak Mountain HS (AL) – Scouting Report (04.05.12)
There are certainly plenty of scouts that question Dahl’s ability to stay in the middle of the diamond as he matures, but even the chance to stay there with his offensive potential makes Dahl a premium pick next month. He is a well-rounded player with ability in all five tools and he could be a well-above average regular if it all comes together.
10. Max Fried (LHP) – Harvard-Westlake HS (CA) – Scouting Report (03.21.12)
Once overshadowed on the Harvard-Westlake roster by Lucas Giolito, Fried got his chance to shine when Giolito was sidelined. Fried offers his own tantalizing package of power stuff, only from the left side, making him another rare commodity. There are teams that really believe in Fried’s abilities and he could go further up draft boards based on individual workouts over the next week.
11. Albert Almora (OF) – Mater Academy (FL) – Scouting Report (05.11.12)
Almora represents one of the safer high school picks in the draft. He is a multi-tooled athlete with surprising polish for his age, thanks in large part to his vast experience on the international stage as part of Team USA. Almora could come off the board within the top five or he could hang on to just outside the top ten.
12. Marcus Stroman (RHP) – Duke University – Scouting Report (05.21.12)
While I personally believe Stroman is a reliever long term, teams are almost certain to give him a chance to start in pro ball. He is widely considered in the second tier of college pitching prospects, but there are teams that like him enough to pull the trigger well within the top ten.
entire list...
While other pitchers offer the potential to develop into number two starters, Gausman offers the present stuff and continued projection to give him the best profile at that lofty level. Pitchers with number two potential are never in high supply, and Gausman offers the best ceiling among this year’s college pitching crop.
3. Mike Zunino (C) – University of Florida – Scouting Report (03.23.12)
Zunino’s power bat and outstanding catching acumen are enough to make him a top-flight prospect. Combine that with his past performance on elite stages and his outstanding makeup and he is suddenly in the discussion as one of the top players in the entire draft. With positional scarcity on his side, Zunino is among the elite players in this year’s draft.
4. Carlos Correa (SS) – Puerto Rico Baseball Academy – Scouting Report (03.16.12)
Whether you believe in his ability to remain a shortstop or not, Correa’s offensive potential is hard to ignore. The more scouts I speak with, the more convinced I become in his offensive potential. There are scouts that have urged me to consider him the top player in the draft, rather than just one of the top players.
5. Lucas Giolito (RHP) – Harvard-Westlake HS (CA) – Scouting Report (05.08.12)
While Giolito continues to throw on flat ground, the suspense about what happens to him in the draft continues to build. Once on target to become the first high school pitcher ever taken number one overall, Giolito could now land anywhere from the top five to out of the first round depending on his medical reports and perceived signability. If healthy, Giolito has a higher ceiling than any pitcher in the draft.
6. Mark Appel (RHP) – Stanford University – Scouting Report (03.12.12)
Appel has undeniable stuff and has performed well playing for one of college baseball’s elite teams. That said, his performance hasn’t matched scouts expectations based on his raw stuff and more and more scouts are seeing him as a number three starter with the ingredients to be more, but without the feel to make it happen. He is still in the mix to go 1-1 to the Astros, but his stock does continue to slip with many teams in the top ten.
7. Kyle Zimmer (RHP) – University of San Francisco – Scouting Report (04.02.12)
Zimmer was one of the draft’s biggest risers earlier this spring before coming back to earth a little recently. He still offers an outside chance to be a number two starter and more likely a really good number three, which should be enough to easily push him off the board in the top ten.
8. Michael Wacha (RHP) – Texas A&M – Scouting Report (03.30.12)
Wacha has climbed draft boards throughout the spring. He is physical and offers a fine array of pitches and enough feel to get the most out of his raw stuff. While some scouts fail to see front of the rotation potential, the low level of risk associated with Wacha keeps him high on draft boards.
9. David Dahl (OF) – Oak Mountain HS (AL) – Scouting Report (04.05.12)
There are certainly plenty of scouts that question Dahl’s ability to stay in the middle of the diamond as he matures, but even the chance to stay there with his offensive potential makes Dahl a premium pick next month. He is a well-rounded player with ability in all five tools and he could be a well-above average regular if it all comes together.
10. Max Fried (LHP) – Harvard-Westlake HS (CA) – Scouting Report (03.21.12)
Once overshadowed on the Harvard-Westlake roster by Lucas Giolito, Fried got his chance to shine when Giolito was sidelined. Fried offers his own tantalizing package of power stuff, only from the left side, making him another rare commodity. There are teams that really believe in Fried’s abilities and he could go further up draft boards based on individual workouts over the next week.
11. Albert Almora (OF) – Mater Academy (FL) – Scouting Report (05.11.12)
Almora represents one of the safer high school picks in the draft. He is a multi-tooled athlete with surprising polish for his age, thanks in large part to his vast experience on the international stage as part of Team USA. Almora could come off the board within the top five or he could hang on to just outside the top ten.
12. Marcus Stroman (RHP) – Duke University – Scouting Report (05.21.12)
While I personally believe Stroman is a reliever long term, teams are almost certain to give him a chance to start in pro ball. He is widely considered in the second tier of college pitching prospects, but there are teams that like him enough to pull the trigger well within the top ten.
entire list...
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