At this point so early before the draft, my focus would be who would be available for the Pirates... Time the Pirates focus on a franchise type shortstop. So I like the mock draft selection for the Buccos. If he is not the guy, look for power at any position.. Lets go Bucs
Sickels and company do a pretty interesting little mock draft over at MILB. Here are there top ten projections...
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Catcher Mike Zunino of the Florida Gators during Game Two of the men's 2011 NCAA College Baseball World Series at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha on June 28, 2011 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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2012 Mock Draft: Matt Garrioch and John Sickels
The 2012 Baseball First-Year Player Draft is three months away, but hey, it's never too early to think about the draft. Here is a first attempt at a Mock Draft, with Matt Garrioch and I alternating picks.
This isn't a prediction or even a formal projection at this point. Too many things can change in the next few months. Players will get hurt. Some will under-perform and see their stock drop, others will thrive and see their stock rise. However, we tried to make logical choices for each team based on what we know today. Also note that with the new draft system, we paid less attention to issues of signability and affordability than we would have in the past, and we're assuming that potential first-rounders are willing to sign for slot money.
1) Astros (Matt): The Astros need talent. Their system is going the right direction and they need a top of the line pitcher. While Giolito may have a higher ceiling, history tells me that the college guy will be more of a sure thing. I have to go with more certainty and take my favorite college arm. Astros will take Kevin Gausman, RHP, LSU.
2) Twins (John): From one point of view, Florida catcher Mike Zunino would be a great choice for the Twins. He is solid both offensively and defensively, and could take over the backstop job (with Joe Mauer moving to 1B) within a couple of years. On the other hand, "best player available" is usually the soundest philosophy to take, especially this early in the draft. The Twins could also use power pitching and RHP Mark Appel (Stanford) and RHP Lucas Giolito (California HS) would be attractive. Both have higher upsides than Zunino, but also a higher risk of failure. For today I'll roll the dice and go with the 100 MPH fastball of Lucas Giolito, RHP, California HS.
3) Mariners (Matt): As John stated, Zunino would be a great choice at #2, so that logic remains at #3. While the Mariners moved Michael Pineda for catcher Jesus Montero, not many look at him as a long term solution behind the dish. They could go after another high end pitcher but I think the best long term strategy for the Mariners is to draft a power hitting catcher to compliment their budding core of young hitters and to aid the development of their young pitchers. I have to take Mike Zunino, C, University of Florida.
4) Orioles (John): Tough call here; what will a new front office do? Looking for a quick impact would make Appel an appealing candidate, but a longer-term view would make Five Tool outfielder Byron Buxton a logical choice, and the Orioles (at least under the previous administration) aren't afraid to invest in high school players. I will go with the toolsy Byron Buxton, OF, Georgia HS.
5) Royals (Matt): The Royals don't have a tendency. They take the best player available. That's what has given them the depth in their farm system and set up another wave of prospects following the current wave that has made it to the Majors as well as those in the upper minors. That being said, the current best player available according to the consensus is Mark Appel, RHP, Stanford.
6) Cubs (John): Lots of appealing options here, but which way will Theo Epstein/Jed Hoyer/Tim Wilken go? Most of the scouting front office was retained, so a drastic change in philosophy may not be forthcoming. High-upside pitching is a system need, the Cubs are short of lefty prospects, and prep southpaw Max Fried offers a great combination of projectability, present stuff, and command. There are some scouts who actually like Fried more than Giolito as a long-term prospect. Max Fried, LHP, California HS.
7) Padres (Matt): The Padres are an interesting case. They just traded for a lot of close-to-the-majors talent. Will that factor into their decision? They could go with a sure-fire MLB shortstop in Deven Marrero or long-term potential with one of the other high ceiling prep players. They have tended to go with high upside talent early in the draft most years and this guy would look really good lining up along side Rymer Liriano. David Dahl, OF, Alabama HS
Pirates (John): The Pirates haven't drafted a high school hitter with their first pick since Andrew McCutchen, but Puerto Rican shortstop Carlos Correa is way too good for me to pass up here. He has a very impressive bat, a good chance to stick at shortstop, and terrific makeup. I could see him going as high as #2 under the right circumstances, and even under this scenario I should probably have picked him for the Cubs at #6. This is a no-brainer for me with him still on the board, and the Pirates could use an elite middle infield prospect. Carlos Correa, SS, Puerto Rico HS.9) Marlins (Matt): The Marlins tend to favor prep players with their top pick. This year there are plenty to choose from at this pick. They also like to target players that fit their demographic. If Carlos Correa were available here, I think they take him. Instead I think they stay close to home and select a power arm from their area. Lance McCullers is a little on the short side but at 6'6", 205 with plenty of projection and already reaching mid-90's Walker Weickel, RHP, Florida HS, seems like a good fit.
10) Rockies (John): Exciting options here include Arizona State shortstop Deven Marrero, high school lefty Matt Smoral, and high school infielders Joey Gallo and Gavin Cecchini. My gut feeling says a hitter is the best choice. Yes, the Rockies have Troy Tulowitzki in the majors plus hot prospects Nolan Arenado (3B) and Trevor Story (SS), but you can always have someone switch positions and drafting the best athlete (who can hit) seems like a good plan to me. Being strong up the middle is a good strategy and I think I'll go with Deven Marrero, SS, Arizona State.
The rest of the 1st round can be found here-
http://www.minorleagueball.com/2012/3/5/2844620/2012-baseball-mock-draftI like the idea of taking a high upside SS, but I have to wonder if the Pirates would prefer the safer/ closer to the majors Deven Marrero in this scenerio.
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