The Astros surprised almost everyone by taking Puerto Rico high school shortstop Carlos Correa with the first overall pick over Stanford right-hander Mark Appel.
The Eye On Baseball team has the draft covered tonight, with capsules for each of the 31 first-round picks.
Carlos Correa1. HOUSTON ASTROS -- Carlos Correa: SS, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy
Correa will almost certainly be the highest draft pick directly out of Puerto Rico, besting catcher Ramon Castro, who was taken 17th overall by the Astros in 1994. Just 17, many wonder if the 6-foot-3, 185-pounder will outgrow the shortstop position. His arm and quickness, along with his size, means he could be a top-flight third baseman. Correa is a 4.0 student and has committed to Miami, but there's almost no chance he'll step foot on campus.
Byron Buxton2. MINNESOTA TWINS -- Byron Buxton: OF, Appling County (Ga.) HS
A quick internet search will give you comps to Justin Upton, Matt Kemp, Eric Davis and Bo Jackson -- even if those are off, if you can squint your eyes and see any of those four in an 18-year-old, you're seeing something special. There are reports that his fastball has been clocked at 99 mph, but he has no interest in pitching. With elite speed and that kind of arm, he has the makings of a generational talent defensively. He didn't hit for much power as a senior in high school, but he did finish second at the Under Armour All-America Game at Wrigley Field last year. The University of Georgia signee also played football, but his future is in baseball, and not at Foley Field in Athens.
Mike Zunino3. SEATTLE MARINERS -- Mike Zunino: C, Florida
Catchers worthy of a top-five pick are rare, which makes Zunino all that more attractive. The son of Reds scout Greg Zunino, the Gators catcher not only has the tools, but also the intangibles that lead to Jason Varitek comparisons. His hitting and power tools are solid, above-average, which makes them play much higher at his position. He also has above-average skills behind the plate. The SEC Player of the Year as a sophomore, Zunino is hitting .316/.388/.667 with 18 home runs and 60 RBI this season. He had four RBI, including a three-run homer, in the team's victory over Georgia Tech this past weekend to secure a spot in the NCAA Super Regional.
Kevin Gausman4. BALTIMORE ORIOLES -- Kevin Gausman: RHP, Louisiana State
A sixth-round pick of the Dodgers in 2010, Gausman is a draft-eligible sophomore. In his two years at LSU, he's 16-7 with a 3.07 ERA and 214 strikeouts in 205 1/3 innings in the nation's best baseball conference. This year he was 11-1 with a 2.72 ERA as the team's Friday night starter. A hard thrower, he also has a very good changeup, but his breaking pitches have been in question. He started the season with a slider, but his new pitching coach at LSU, Alan Dunn, had him ditch it for a curveball, then brought back the slider later in the season.
Kyle Zimmer5. KANSAS CITY ROYALS -- Kyle Zimmer: RHP, San Francisco
When he topped last year's top pick, UCLA's Gerrit Cole, in the NCAA Regionals last season, Zimmer shot to the top of draft prospect lists. He's done nothing to hurt that during his junior season with the Dons, going 5-3 with a 2.85 ERA and 104 strikeouts in 88 1/3 innings, while walking just 17. A third baseman out of high school, Zimmer moved to the mound at San Francisco because of his strong arm. He throws in the mid-90s and has touched 99. He has a great curveball, a good changeup and a slider.
Albert Almora6. CHICAGO CUBS -- Albert Almora: OF, Mater Academy (Fla.) HS
Some consider the high school center fielder as the best all-around player available. A true five-tool player, his defense may be the most outstanding and when coupled with a strong, accurate arm, he can provide an immediate impact in the field. His hit tools and speed aren't off the charts, but show up in games. At 18, he's already been a part of a record-tying six different Team USA teams, was USA Baseball's 2011 athlete of the year and MVP of the 18-and-under Pan American Championships in Columbia in November. He's signed with Miami and is advised by Scott Boras.
Max Fried7. SAN DIEGO PADRES -- Max Fried: LHP, Harvard-Westlake (Calif.) HS
Fried is, by a solid consensus, the top prep lefty in the draft. The 6-foot-5 UCLA commit has command of three pitches including good movement on his hard stuff and an easy delivery. If there's a weakness it's consistency with his curveball, although when it's on it's outstanding. At the end of the day, though, Fried is a hard-throwing left-hander who pounds the zone and has a classic pitcher's frame, and those are always in demand. He might wind up the top talent in this draft.
Mark Appel8. PITTSBURGH PIRATES -- Mark Appel: RHP, Stanford
Appel has all the stuff -- a 98 mph fastball, a hard slider and a changeup. At 6-foot-5, he also has the length that many scouts like and add to that a clean delivery, and he's probably closer to the big leagues than any other starting pitcher in the draft. That said, he's not exactly dominated at Stanford and hitters seem to square him up quite a bit. His fall to eighth was a surprise, but a future rotation with Gerrit Cole and Jamison Tallion should make Pirates fans excited about the future.
Andrew Heaney9. MIAMI MARLINS -- Andrew Heaney: LHP, Oklahoma State
Clean mechanics, deceptive delivery, three-pitch arsenal (including a plus change), stamina, good velo for a lefty, instincts on the mound, throws strike after strike, command specialist. There's much to recommend Heaney -- he led the Cowboys in wins in all three of his seasons in Stillwater, Okla. In 2012, he was 8-2 with a 1.60 ERA. Given his maturity and high floor, he should move quickly through the system. The star potential may not be there, but the certainty is.
David Dahl10. COLORADO ROCKIES -- David Dahl: OF, Oak Mountain (Ala.) HS
Dahl has speed on the bases, contact skills and the ability to hit for high averages. What he doesn't have is projectable power. With improved plate discipline, however, he could develop into a capable leadoff man. With some refinements, the left-handed hitter should be able to stick in center. If Dahl doesn't sign, then he'll be Auburn-bound.
Addison Russell11. OAKLAND ATHLETICS -- Addison Russell: SS, Pace (Fla.) HS
What immediately jumps out here is the power potential. One ESPN.com scout said Russell has maybe "the best [raw power] I've seen since Giancarlo Stanton." The shortstop initially looked primed for third base, but dropped some pounds in the offseason with the hopes of sticking at short. The Auburn signee stands at 6-foot-1, but has dropped down to 185 pounds, still reportedly retaining the power. From all accounts by those who have seen him in person, Russell's upside is enormous. With that said, it's not surprising he's already being advised by Scott Boras.
Gavi Cecchini12. NEW YORK METS -- Gavin Cecchini: SS, Barbe (La.) HS
Cecchini has the defensive chops to stick at the position and even be an asset there at the highest level. He also runs the bases well and earns praise for his makeup and work ethic. As for the bat, Cecchini has a quick, line-drive stroke (he batted .532 as a junior) but doesn't project to hit for much power. Still, he can develop into a useful regular if he's able to control the strike zone and learn to pick up high-level breaking stuff.
13. CHICAGO WHITE SOX
14. CINCINNATI REDS
15. CLEVELAND INDIANS
16. WASHINGTON NATIONALS
17. TORONTO BLUE JAYS
18. LOS ANGELES DODGERS
19. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (from Angels for Albert Pujols)
20. SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
21. ATLANTA BRAVES
22. TORONTO BLUE JAYS (supplemental for failure to sign 2011 first-round pick Tyler Beede)
23. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
24. BOSTON RED SOX
25. TAMPA BAY RAYS
26. ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
27. MILWAUKEE BREWERS (from Tigers for Prince Fielder)
28. MILWAUKEE BREWERS
29. TEXAS RANGERS
30. NEW YORK YANKEES
31. BOSTON RED SOX (from Phillies for Jonathan Papelbon)
The Eye On Baseball team has the draft covered tonight, with capsules for each of the 31 first-round picks.
Carlos Correa1. HOUSTON ASTROS -- Carlos Correa: SS, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy
Correa will almost certainly be the highest draft pick directly out of Puerto Rico, besting catcher Ramon Castro, who was taken 17th overall by the Astros in 1994. Just 17, many wonder if the 6-foot-3, 185-pounder will outgrow the shortstop position. His arm and quickness, along with his size, means he could be a top-flight third baseman. Correa is a 4.0 student and has committed to Miami, but there's almost no chance he'll step foot on campus.
Byron Buxton2. MINNESOTA TWINS -- Byron Buxton: OF, Appling County (Ga.) HS
A quick internet search will give you comps to Justin Upton, Matt Kemp, Eric Davis and Bo Jackson -- even if those are off, if you can squint your eyes and see any of those four in an 18-year-old, you're seeing something special. There are reports that his fastball has been clocked at 99 mph, but he has no interest in pitching. With elite speed and that kind of arm, he has the makings of a generational talent defensively. He didn't hit for much power as a senior in high school, but he did finish second at the Under Armour All-America Game at Wrigley Field last year. The University of Georgia signee also played football, but his future is in baseball, and not at Foley Field in Athens.
Mike Zunino3. SEATTLE MARINERS -- Mike Zunino: C, Florida
Catchers worthy of a top-five pick are rare, which makes Zunino all that more attractive. The son of Reds scout Greg Zunino, the Gators catcher not only has the tools, but also the intangibles that lead to Jason Varitek comparisons. His hitting and power tools are solid, above-average, which makes them play much higher at his position. He also has above-average skills behind the plate. The SEC Player of the Year as a sophomore, Zunino is hitting .316/.388/.667 with 18 home runs and 60 RBI this season. He had four RBI, including a three-run homer, in the team's victory over Georgia Tech this past weekend to secure a spot in the NCAA Super Regional.
Kevin Gausman4. BALTIMORE ORIOLES -- Kevin Gausman: RHP, Louisiana State
A sixth-round pick of the Dodgers in 2010, Gausman is a draft-eligible sophomore. In his two years at LSU, he's 16-7 with a 3.07 ERA and 214 strikeouts in 205 1/3 innings in the nation's best baseball conference. This year he was 11-1 with a 2.72 ERA as the team's Friday night starter. A hard thrower, he also has a very good changeup, but his breaking pitches have been in question. He started the season with a slider, but his new pitching coach at LSU, Alan Dunn, had him ditch it for a curveball, then brought back the slider later in the season.
Kyle Zimmer5. KANSAS CITY ROYALS -- Kyle Zimmer: RHP, San Francisco
When he topped last year's top pick, UCLA's Gerrit Cole, in the NCAA Regionals last season, Zimmer shot to the top of draft prospect lists. He's done nothing to hurt that during his junior season with the Dons, going 5-3 with a 2.85 ERA and 104 strikeouts in 88 1/3 innings, while walking just 17. A third baseman out of high school, Zimmer moved to the mound at San Francisco because of his strong arm. He throws in the mid-90s and has touched 99. He has a great curveball, a good changeup and a slider.
Albert Almora6. CHICAGO CUBS -- Albert Almora: OF, Mater Academy (Fla.) HS
Some consider the high school center fielder as the best all-around player available. A true five-tool player, his defense may be the most outstanding and when coupled with a strong, accurate arm, he can provide an immediate impact in the field. His hit tools and speed aren't off the charts, but show up in games. At 18, he's already been a part of a record-tying six different Team USA teams, was USA Baseball's 2011 athlete of the year and MVP of the 18-and-under Pan American Championships in Columbia in November. He's signed with Miami and is advised by Scott Boras.
Max Fried7. SAN DIEGO PADRES -- Max Fried: LHP, Harvard-Westlake (Calif.) HS
Fried is, by a solid consensus, the top prep lefty in the draft. The 6-foot-5 UCLA commit has command of three pitches including good movement on his hard stuff and an easy delivery. If there's a weakness it's consistency with his curveball, although when it's on it's outstanding. At the end of the day, though, Fried is a hard-throwing left-hander who pounds the zone and has a classic pitcher's frame, and those are always in demand. He might wind up the top talent in this draft.
Mark Appel8. PITTSBURGH PIRATES -- Mark Appel: RHP, Stanford
Appel has all the stuff -- a 98 mph fastball, a hard slider and a changeup. At 6-foot-5, he also has the length that many scouts like and add to that a clean delivery, and he's probably closer to the big leagues than any other starting pitcher in the draft. That said, he's not exactly dominated at Stanford and hitters seem to square him up quite a bit. His fall to eighth was a surprise, but a future rotation with Gerrit Cole and Jamison Tallion should make Pirates fans excited about the future.
Andrew Heaney9. MIAMI MARLINS -- Andrew Heaney: LHP, Oklahoma State
Clean mechanics, deceptive delivery, three-pitch arsenal (including a plus change), stamina, good velo for a lefty, instincts on the mound, throws strike after strike, command specialist. There's much to recommend Heaney -- he led the Cowboys in wins in all three of his seasons in Stillwater, Okla. In 2012, he was 8-2 with a 1.60 ERA. Given his maturity and high floor, he should move quickly through the system. The star potential may not be there, but the certainty is.
David Dahl10. COLORADO ROCKIES -- David Dahl: OF, Oak Mountain (Ala.) HS
Dahl has speed on the bases, contact skills and the ability to hit for high averages. What he doesn't have is projectable power. With improved plate discipline, however, he could develop into a capable leadoff man. With some refinements, the left-handed hitter should be able to stick in center. If Dahl doesn't sign, then he'll be Auburn-bound.
Addison Russell11. OAKLAND ATHLETICS -- Addison Russell: SS, Pace (Fla.) HS
What immediately jumps out here is the power potential. One ESPN.com scout said Russell has maybe "the best [raw power] I've seen since Giancarlo Stanton." The shortstop initially looked primed for third base, but dropped some pounds in the offseason with the hopes of sticking at short. The Auburn signee stands at 6-foot-1, but has dropped down to 185 pounds, still reportedly retaining the power. From all accounts by those who have seen him in person, Russell's upside is enormous. With that said, it's not surprising he's already being advised by Scott Boras.
Gavi Cecchini12. NEW YORK METS -- Gavin Cecchini: SS, Barbe (La.) HS
Cecchini has the defensive chops to stick at the position and even be an asset there at the highest level. He also runs the bases well and earns praise for his makeup and work ethic. As for the bat, Cecchini has a quick, line-drive stroke (he batted .532 as a junior) but doesn't project to hit for much power. Still, he can develop into a useful regular if he's able to control the strike zone and learn to pick up high-level breaking stuff.
13. CHICAGO WHITE SOX
14. CINCINNATI REDS
15. CLEVELAND INDIANS
16. WASHINGTON NATIONALS
17. TORONTO BLUE JAYS
18. LOS ANGELES DODGERS
19. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (from Angels for Albert Pujols)
20. SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
21. ATLANTA BRAVES
22. TORONTO BLUE JAYS (supplemental for failure to sign 2011 first-round pick Tyler Beede)
23. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
24. BOSTON RED SOX
25. TAMPA BAY RAYS
26. ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
27. MILWAUKEE BREWERS (from Tigers for Prince Fielder)
28. MILWAUKEE BREWERS
29. TEXAS RANGERS
30. NEW YORK YANKEES
31. BOSTON RED SOX (from Phillies for Jonathan Papelbon)
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