Joel Welser MLB Mock Draft - 5 January 2012

Joel Welser
1. Mark Appel 2. Lance McCullers 3. Deven Marrero 4. Lucas Giolito 5. Kevin Gausman
Thu, 01/05/2012
Round 1
1Houston Astros 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesHoustonMark AppelPStanford
It has been a while since there has not been a clear cut number one pick in the draft. Mark Appel is a big pitcher at 6-5 who has done a fine job at Stanford. The Astros have many options here, but for now taking Appel makes the most sense.
2Minnesota Twins 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesMinnesotaLance McCullersPHigh School
If a high school pitcher is going to go first overall for the first time since 1991, it will be Lance McCullers. He has a wicked fastball and a very strong changeup and curve. Any way you look at it, McCullers has the talent and commitment to be a great pitcher.
3Seattle Mariners 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesSeattleDeven MarreroSSArizona State
Some seem to like Deven Marrero a lot more than others. He does not have a lot of power, but he is an all-around great player. He is a natural shortstop and has few flaws defensively. His junior season at Arizona State, especially at the plate, will go a long way in determining if he is worth the third overall pick or if he slides down the board.
4Baltimore Orioles 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesBaltimoreLucas GiolitoPHigh School
Lucas Giolito is another high school pitcher with the potential to go first overall. At 6-6, scouts love his size and Giolito has the arm strength to consistently throw in the mid 90's. He has a large variety of good pitches and he is only getting better. Once Giolito solves his minor control issues, there will be nothing stopping him from domianting at any level.
5Kansas City Royals 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesKansas CityKevin GausmanPLSU
This is not a particularly strong pitching class, but there are quite a few good ones on the top and that is why five or six pitchers could easily go in the top eight. Kevin Gausman has spent just one year at LSU, but will be eligible as a sophomore. Another good year with the Tigers and Gausman could be right in the top five.
6Chicago Cubs 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesChicago CubsTrey Williams3BHigh School
Trey Williams may just be the best pure hitter eligible for the 2012 MLB Draft. He has a sweet stroke and can hit for power and average. He already plays like a pro and for a high school prospect he could be ready for the big time quite soon.
7San Diego Padres 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesSan DiegoMichael ZuninoCFlorida
Michael Zunino is easily the best catcher coming out of the collegiate ranks. He has the intelligence and moxy to work a rotation from behind the plate and is a superb defensive player. The Padres may have to wait on his bat, but it will be worth the wait.
8Pittsburgh Pirates 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesPittsburghJake BarrettPArizona State
Jake Barrett was drafted in the third round back in 2009 before he opted to head off to Arizona State. Three years later he will be a first round selection. Barrett is a big, strong righty with a strong fastball and a very good curveball.
9Miami Marlins 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesMiamiNick WilliamsOFHigh School
Nick Williams may still be a bit of a project, but the 6-3 outfielder is a superb athlete. He has a strong arm and is quite quick for a player of his size. Williams still needs to develop his bat if he is going to be a top ten selection, but he will not fall too far.
10Colorado Rockies 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesColoradoCarlos CorreaSSHigh School
Carlos Correa has a very high ceiling. Defensively he is a superb player who could stay at shortstop or move over to third base. At the plate he may not have a ton of power, but he can still grow into his 6-4 frame and be a fine power hitter. In the meantime, he has a smooth looking swing and will hit for contact without a problem.
11Oakland Athletics 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesOaklandMax FriedPHigh School
Max Fried is mostly known for his curveball, but he is a good overall pitcher and a prospect worthy of top ten consideration. His fastball may not blow anybody away, but it has enough movement to keep batters off balance.
12New York Mets 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesNew York MetsVictor Roache1B/OFGeorgia Southern
Victor Roache may be the best pure hitter in the collegiate ranks. In 2011 as a sophomore he hit 30 home runs. And that was in a season when most of the collegiate players took a step back offensively due to the new bat.
13Chicago White Sox 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesChicago White SoxKenny DiekroegerSSStanford
Some project Kenny Diekroeger as an outfielder, but his play in 2011 at Stanford should keep him at shortstop for the rest of his career. He is a top ten talent, but a relatively poor year at the plate in 2011 is keeping him down for now. And that may work out pretty well for the White Sox.
14Cincinnati Reds 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesCincinnatiMichael WachaPTexas A&M
Michael Wacha still has a lot to prove at Texas A&M, but he has made great strides throughout his collegiate career. At 6-6, he is an imposing pitcher with a high ceiling and that may be enough for him to sneak into the top half of the first round.
15Cleveland Indians 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesClevelandStryker TrahanCHigh School
Stryker Trahan is a pretty good hitter already. He has a nice swing and can hit for power and contact. Behind the plate is where the bigger questions arise, but he has the athletic ability and the strength to turn into a fine defensive catcher at some point down the line.
16Washington Nationals 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesWashingtonDavid DahlOFHigh School
Even just out of high school, David Dahl may be the best defensive outfielder eligible for the 2012 Major League Baseball draft. He has a great arm, great instincts and more than enough speed. At the plate, Dahl is a solid hitter who should be a nice addition to any outfield.
17Toronto Bluejays 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesTorontoMitchell TraverPHigh School
Mitchell Traver is a big 6-7 pitcher who could be a steal in this draft if he can get better control of his pitches. He has a good fastball and a decent curveball, but the issue is keeping it over the plate. At this point in the draft it may be a risk, but it's a good risk for the Blue Jays.
18Los Angeles Dodgers 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesL.A. DodgersJoey GalloP/1BHigh School
There is not much Joey Gallo cannot do, but the Dodgers would have to figure out what they want to do with the slugger who also has a fastball that reaches into the mid-90s. 
19St. Louis Cardinals 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesSt. Louis (from LAA)Rio Ruiz3BHigh School
Rio Ruiz is a pitcher, a quarterback and a third baseman. His future most likely lies at third base. He is an advanced hitter at this stage in his career and he has a gun of an arm. Ruiz is a great defensive player on the corner and will rob many hitters of what would otherwise have been a double down the line.
20San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesSan FranciscoWalker WeickelPHigh School
This may seem a little low for the 6-6 Walker Weickel. He is certainly a first round talent, but he has a few things to work on and is a little more risky of a pick right now. His velocity will increase with maturity, but Weickel needs to refine his secondary pitches. If he does, he'll be long gone by the 20th pick.
21Atlanta Braves 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesAtlantaLucas SimsPHigh School
Lucas Sims is another high school righty with a decent fastball and a slew of potential. He has a nice curveball and a solid changeup that should get him drafted in the first round. The Braves know how to get the most out of their pitchers and Sims could be a superb player in a few years.
22Toronto Bluejays 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesToronto (Comp.)Courtney HawkinsOF/PHigh School
This may turn into another risky pick for Toronto, but Courtney Hawkins could end up being one of the best outfielders in the high school class. He is raw, but Hawkins has the tools to do everything. He is a power hitter who is surprisingly patient at the plate and should be a very strong defensive right fielder.
23St. Louis Cardinals 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesSt. LouisMatt SmoralPHigh School
Matt Smoral has a slew of potential. The 6-8 lefty who verbally commited to North Carolina, looks like he could be a dominating pitcher. However, he really does not use his size to his advantage. Lefthanded hitters should fear him, but they don't. Smoral needs to be more aggressive on the mound and use his size to increase his velocity, but he is young and has plenty of time to work on those aspects of his game. 
24Boston Red Sox 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesBostonByron BuxtonOFHigh School
Byron Buxton shot up most draft boards not long ago, but he is starting to settle down a little bit now. However, he is definitely a first round draft pick and a steal for the Red Sox at this point in the draft. He is a pitcher as well, but his future is in centerfield where his speed and strong arm make him a great defensive player with a very strong bat.
25Tampa Bay Rays 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesTampa BayAlbert AlmoraOFHigh School
Albert Almora is an all-around solid outfielder. He is not a power hitter, but can knock a few balls out of the park. More importantly, he is a consistent hitter who will hit for a high average at the next level.
26Arizona Diamondbacks 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesArizonaLewis BrinsonOFHigh School
Lewis Brinson is another one of the quality outfielders coming out of the high school ranks for 2012. Unlike many other prospects, Brinson is extremely raw. He has a slew of speed and a quick bat that can hit for power. We will know more by June, but Brinson is worth a late first round pick on potential alone.
27Detroit Tigers 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesDetroitJesmuel Valentin DiazSSHigh School
Jesmuel Valentin Diaz, the son of former great Jose Valentine, would be a nice pickup for the Tigers. Valentin Diaz is a smart player who always works hard and does all of the little things one would want from their shortstop. Valentin Diaz is a decent switch hitter, but he still has some work to do with his bat.
28Milwaukee Brewers 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesMilwaukeeBrian JohnsonP/1BFlorida
Brian Johnson has done quite a bit of pitching and hitting during his time at Florida. However, his future is on the mound. Johnson has a nice fastball and changeup, but needs to work on his curve. If his curveball comes around, Johnson will be a first round draft pick in the 2012 MLB Draft.
29Texas Rangers 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesTexasDuane UnderwoodPHigh School
Some still think Duane Underwood's future is in the outfield, but it appears as though he should get a crack on the mound first. Underwood is just a great athlete first and foremost. He has a strong arm whether he is on the hill or in the outfield. He has a nice changeup and a fine curveball and as long as those two pitches continue to develop, he will be drafted as a pitcher.
30New York Yankees 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesN.Y. YankeesTy HensleyPHigh School
Ty Hensley is another quality pitcher that the Yankees can add to their farm system. At 6-5, he has the size and the strength to be a dominating pitcher at the next level. If Hensley can develop a little more velocity on his fastball and develop more consistency with his changeup and curveball, he will be well worth a first round selection.
31Boston Red Sox 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesBoston (from PHI)Gavin CecchiniSSHigh School
The Red Sox drafted Gavin Cecchini's brother, Garin, in 2010 and now they can add another Cecchini to the squad. Cecchini is a fine defensive player and is a very tough out at the plate. He is a smart player and could be the backbone of the infield. Going anywhere in the first round may be a little high for Cecchini, but he can certainly play his way into the 31st spot.
Supplemental Round 1
32Minnesota Twins 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesMinnesotaAddison RussellSSHigh School
Addison Russell could play shortstop or third base at the next level. He has a nice mix of size and quickness that would fit into either position. At the plate he has some good power to his swing and will wait for his pitch.
33San Diego Padres 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesSan DiegoJosh ElanderCTCU
Josh Elander really should not be too far behind Michael Zunino when it comes to catchers coming out of college. Elander lacks the pure skill that Zunino possesses behind the plate, but Elander is a great hitter.
34Oakland Athletics 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesOaklandTaylore CherryPHigh School
The biggest thing Taylore Cherry has going for him is just how big he is. The 6-9, 225 pound North Carolina commit will eventually grow into his huge frame and when that happens the velocity will follow.
35New York Mets 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesNew York MetsClate SchmidtPHigh School
Clate Schmidt is just one of those players you want on your side. He is a hardworker and could play shortstop or pitcher at the next level. His recent performances on the mound have him pegged as a pitcher for now.
36St. Louis Cardinals 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesSt. LouisAdam Brett WalkerOFJacksonville
Adam Brett Walker has one of the most powerful bats in college baseball today. Through two seasons with Jacksonville he has hit 29 home runs. Ideally, he is a designated hitter at the next level, but he could play first base or right field.
37Boston Red Sox 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesBostonHunter VirantPHigh School
Hunter Virant is a lanky lefty who has a deep knowledge of the game. The Red Sox could work with him and turn him into a very good pitcher over time.
38Texas Rangers 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesTexasSteve NyisztorSS/2BRutgers
Steve Nyisztor spent some time at Rutgers where he performed very, very well in 2010. The 2011 season was cut short, but he is still a fine prospect who is a solid hitter and middle infielder.
39Houston Astros 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesHoustonCarson Kelly3BHigh School
Carson Kelly has been pitching too, but his potential is at the plate. He has a nice swing and should develop a power stroke as he continues to develop. Defensively he may be average at best, but his bat makes up for it.
40Minnesota Twins 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesMinnesotaAnthony AlfordOFHigh School
Anthony Alford is a dual-threat quarterback out of Mississippi, but he is a pretty good baseball player too. Drafting him this high may be too risky once his collegiate intentions are known, but his athletic ability has colleges wanting him for multiple sports.
41Chicago Cubs 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesChicago CubsCorey Oswalt3BHigh School
Corey Oswalt is a big hitting third baseman who has a surprising amount of range in the infield. He could even play shortstop, but fits the mold of a power hitting third baseman better.
42San Diego Padres 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesSan DiegoTyler NaquinOFTexas A&M
If Texas A&M's Tyler Naquin can add some power to his bat, he will be a superb all-around outfielder. He can hit for average and always plays well in the outfield.
43Pittsburgh Pirates 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesPittsburghAlex Bregman2BHigh School
Alex Bregman is a smart player and that is what coaches and scouts love to see. He will continue to get better and he is already pretty good. After playing shortstop and catcher in high school, the only question left is where to play him at the next level.
44Colorado Rockies 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesColoradoJesse WinkerOFHigh School
Jesse Winker is another one of those disciplined and hard working prospects. He may not be as physically gifted as some others, but he will show up ready to get better every day. He is a great hitter and has a strong arm that should place him in right field.
45Oakland Athletics 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesOaklandNathan KirbyPHigh School
Nathan Kirby is a crafty southpaw who has a big arsenal of pitches. He does not have great velocity and is not a big pitcher, standing at about 6-1, but he is worth the 45th selection if he continues to improve between now and draft day.
46Chicago White Sox 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesChicago White SoxCorey Seager3BHigh School
Corey Seager has a big arm that translates well to third base, but he has the mobility of a middle infielder. Defensively he is very solid at this point in his career and his bat is not too far behind.
47Cincinnati Reds 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesCincinnatiNolan FontanaSSFlorida
The left handed hitting Nolan Fontana is not the sexy pick, but he is a great bargin at this point in the draft. He may be the best defensive player out there in 2012 and what he lacks in power, he makes up for with patience.
48Toronto Bluejays 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesTorontoFreddy AvisPHigh School
Freddy Avis is mostly just potential at this point in his career, but the Stanford commit has a lot more potential than some other players and the Blue Jays have more than enough early picks in this draft to take a couple chances.
49Los Angeles Dodgers 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesL.A. DodgersTomas NidoCHigh School
Tomas Nido is a power hitting catcher who can pretty much do it all. He has some pop in his bat and in his step while throwing out potential base stealers. There are some more experienced and well rounded catchers in this draft, but Nido should not be overlooked.
50St. Louis Cardinals 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesSt. LouisAlec RashPHigh School
Alec Rash has emerged as a pretty steady pitcher. He has room to fill in his 6-5 frame, but he is very consistent with his fastball and curveball.
51Toronto Bluejays 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesTorontoNelson RodriguezC/1BHigh School
Nelson Rodriguez has one of the best bats in high school baseball right now and that has many teams drooling over his potential. However, he may be outgrowing the catcher position and that would force him to make the move to first base.
52Toronto Bluejays 2012 MLB Mock Draft College Baseball Draft ProfilesTorontoBranden KlinePVirginia
Branden Kline has done a great job as Virginia's closer, but now he will step into a starting role. He has a lot of quality pitches to use and his stock will rise quickly if he does well as a starter.