Author Topic: 2012 Draft  (Read 22678 times)

grrrrlacher

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1098
  • Location: Indianapolis
Re: 2012 Draft
« Reply #15 on: April 13, 2012, 07:50:18 am »
FYI here is Keith Laws top 10.


Big Board

1
Byron Buxton
CF
6-1
175
H.S.

Analysis: There's a broad consensus around Buxton as the best player in this draft and a legitimate No. 1 overall pick, as he earns comparisons to a number of other players drafted in that top spot. He has all tools, an 80 runner on the 20-80 scouting scale with an 80 arm (reportedly 95-98 mph off the mound last week) and big future power. But he's playing against poor high school competition in rural Georgia and has yet to homer this spring, so he's not without his risks.

2
Mike Zunino
C
6-2
215

Analysis: A true catcher who has an unorthodox style at the plate but hits, uses the whole field and has power is a pretty valuable commodity, and he carries less risk than the three high-upside pitchers ranked right behind him. Most scouts seem to think he doesn't get past Seattle at No. 3.

3
Mark Appel
RHP
6-5
215

Analysis: The stuff is there, and the results are better, but the lack of deception in his delivery combined with a habit of leaving pitches (especially his changeup) up in the zone make him more hittable than a guy with this stuff should be.

4
Kyle Zimmer
RHP
6-4
220

Analysis: Zimmer has less of a track record than Appel but as much velocity with a better present breaking ball. He's a former position player who fields his position well but isn't as advanced a pitcher as Appel is. His velocity was down in his last start, sitting 91 mph and topping out at 93, which bears watching this upcoming weekend.

5
Carlos Correa
SS
6-4
190

Analysis: On track to be the highest-drafted Puerto Rican player in history as an athletic 17-year-old who projects to hit and hit for power but probably ends up at third base in pro ball. For comparison, he has more offensive upside than Francisco Lindor, who was drafted with the eighth pick last year in a stronger crop. Correa's also a dark horse to go No. 1 overall.

6
Kevin Gausman
RHP
6-4
185
LSU

Analysis: He's up to 99 mph on a pretty regular basis with an above-average changeup, but he's showing only a fringy curveball when he'd probably be better suited to throwing a slider.

7
Deven Marrero
SS
6-1
194
Zunino

Analysis: He's really struggling at the plate this year, not just in terms of results but he is showing a lack of effort that has the area scouts confused since Marrero's makeup was always one of his strengths. I still see a plus defender at short who'll hit for average and has a high probability of being a decent big leaguer. I've heard Pittsburgh at No. 8 might be his floor.

8
Albert Almora
OF
6-2
170
Harvard-Westlake

Analysis: One of the best defensive center fielders to come out of the high school ranks, Almora has great feel for hitting and a simple swing with the potential to hit for power in the future.

9
Max Fried
LHP
6-3
170

Analysis: Owner of perhaps the best left-handed curveball in the draft with a very competitive nature and good feel for pitching that helps him pitch above his grade-55 fastball.

10
Matt Smoral
LHP
6-8
225

Analysis: The Solon, Ohio, product is out for the spring after suffering a stress fracture in his foot while pitching on a makeshift mound on a football field a few weeks ago, but scouts have seen enough of his easy 60 fastball/60 slider combo that I think he'll go in the top-20 picks even without giving scouts more looks before June.