2012 Draft: - Mets 2012 12th Overall Pick – An Early Projection:

The order of the first round is set and the Mets pick 12^th.

It’s far too early to make any hard predictions, but, there will be great players still on the board when the Mets get their pick. The 2012 draft isn’t as talented as this year, but there are around 20 A-players in this one, and the Mets will get a shot at one of them.

The first thing is to eliminate the players that will be gone before the Mets pick comes up.

Right now, they look to be RHPs Lucas Giolito, Mark Appel, Kevin Gausman, and Lance McCullers, catcher Mike Zunino (damn), SS Deven Marrero, and OF Nick Williams.

Your next five could be:

RHP Michael Wacha – A 6-6 right hander out of Texas A&M. Wacha has a big, low 90s,  ¾ fastball with sink. Was a reliever and still needs to develop a third plus pitch, but his change-up is filthy.

LHP Hunter Virant – There is no dominant lefty in this draft, but Virant should be the first to be picked. A prep kid, he’s already hitting 93 and there is project that he has room to grow both on his fastball and his curve. Add to that an already advanced changeup and he may soar up the draft as the season goes on.

C Stryker Trahan –  Mike Zunino is the top catcher in the draft, but the Mets may pick Trahan since he isn’t projected to be around past the first 31 picks. Another prep players, the very confident Trahan is a brute, with an excellent arm. A 5-tooler in the making.

OF Victor Roache – Roache led the nation last year in home runs as a first baseman, but has quietly been converting himself into an outfielder. He had 30 home runs in 60 games. Let’s see, the pros play 162 games… hmm. Also dominated the Cape Cod League with .328, 6-HR, 28-RBI.  And, all this was done with the new dead bat.

3B Trey Williams –  Anther high school kid, this could be the Mets future third baseman. A definite 5-tooler with enormous power potential.  One scout projects has him on the upside of a more athletic Mark Texeira when he was drafted.

Draft 2012: - Dan Gulbransen, Michael Wacha, James Ramsey, Max Fried

7-19-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250656/early-look-at-2012#comments  - Dan Gulbransen, Jacksonville, 5’11 200, L/L, short compact swing as hitter with HR power to RF alley, can go the other way for extra base hits, throws adequate to be solid LF corner guy or 4th utility OF, runs well enough but not a threat to steal many bases, good base running ability however.

9-8-11: - http://www.gacksports.com/65590/2012-mlb-mock-draft-update  - 6. Chicago Cubs Michael Wacha Pitcher Texas A&M Wacha is 6 foot 6 220 pounds. The Cubs have 6 pitching prospects ranked in the top ten of their farm system. Hayden Simpson has struggled and none of the pitching prospects have made significant progress in AAA to the point where their close to playing in the MLB. The Cubs may have 5 farm prospects top 10 prospects at pitcher ready to arrive in the Pro’s in 2012. The Cubs have to add Wacha to their farm system. None of their farm prospects have managed to stand out in development and pitching is a serious issue in Chicago with the teams ERA.

9-12-11: - http://www.collegesummerbaseball.net/2011/09/top-20-position-players-in-florida.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter  - In the six-team Florida Collegiate Summer League this summer, the Sanford River Rats downed the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs to earn them the title of FCSL Champions. Individually, there were at least 25 position players that turned in great seasons. Unfortunately, I had to narrow the list down to the top 20. - 5. James Ramsey OF Sanford--South Florida - James was drafted by the Yankees in 2010. He hit .326 in 92 at-bats this summer. He scored 13 runs, drove in 11 and hit one home run this summer. He was selected to play in the All-Star Game and he hit one double in said game. During the playoffs, James led all hitters with 8 runs batted in.

7-19-11: - http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2011/6/29/2250656/early-look-at-2012#comments  - Max Fried, Montclair Prep HS, Encino CA, 6’3 170, string bean with loose arm from 3/4 slot, up to 90 most fb were 88-89 with late life and decent control and cb is more of a slider, side ways break that gets loopy on occ when he slows down his delivery. Definite watch for improvement in 2012.