2012 Top 31

The 2012 Draft is set to begin on Monday. It is time to unveil my seventh annual list of draft prospects to watch. The Musings coverage started modestly enough back in 2006 - basically 6 hours of me noodling around on the internet and coming up with 15 names from the college ranks.

I'm still no pro scout, and I have to wriggle in research around such nuisances as a full time job, and applying to grad school. In other words, as far as I'm concerned, every MLB team should be able to outperform my rankings. I'm not convinced every team does though.

Without further ado, the 31 players I would draft with the 31 first-round picks this year (in reverse order):

31. Michael Wacha, RHP, Texas A&M

Height / Weight / Age: 6'6" / 215 pounds / 21 years old
Statistics: 8-0 record, 2.09 ERA, 99 IP, 82 hits, 16 BB, 99 K, 3 HR allowed
Scouting Report: Wacha starts at Texas A&M, but some see him as a bullpen arm. That's likely due to a couple reasons. First of all, Wacha's delivery involves some effort. It's not too violent, but it's easy to envision Wacha going max effort in the eighth or ninth inning. Second, Wacha's got a great fastball, a developing change, and might not end up with the kind of repertoire ideal for starting. I would keep him as a starter unless he proves he needs to move to the bullpen. Wacha's overhand arm slot suggests he won't run big platoon splits, and it's a plus that his change-up is his most advanced off-speed offering. A little slider or decent enough curve would round out his repertoire enough to stick as a starter. However, a switch to the bullpen might make sense with what he's already good at.
Video of Michael Wacha

30. Matt Smoral, LHP, Solon HS (OH)

Height / Weight / Age: 6'7" / 210 pounds / 18 years old
Scouting Report: Smoral has legs that go forever, and a massive frame in general. His delivery is simple, and his release point is somewhere between three-quarters and sidearm. It's the type of slot that's typically death for lefties coming from a southpaw. So far, like most precious prep arms, Smoral hasn't used much beyond his fastball in games, because that's all he has needed. His control has a long ways to go, but that's not too surprising to me with his arm slot. Smoral is certainly raw, but gets good movement on his fastball. That bodes well for his ability to develop good off-speed offerings. I think repetitions will help Smoral gain control with his long limbs and lower arm slot. Most have prep left Max Fried (who didn't make my list) above Smoral, but I personally like Smoral's upside so much more that I would draft him over Fried. I see potential for real nasty stuff.
Video of Matt Smoral

29. L.J. Mazzilli, 2B, Connecticut

Height / Weight / Age: 6'1" / 190 pounds / 21 years old
Statistics: .300 AVG, .400 OBP, .546 SLG, 15 SB, 5 CS, 22 BB, 29 K
Scouting Report: I really, really like the career that Mazzilli has put together at UConn. He has a little bit of everything in his offensive game, and hits at a position that is traditionally filled by a light hitter. Mazzilli is also the son of long-time MLB player and coach Lee Mazzilli, a plus. The biggest concern I have with Mazzilli is that he's yet to hit with wood, and he's had several opportunities. We are talking about sample sizes, but it still worries me some that every limited look has been bad. Mazzilli would be higher on my list without the struggles with wood. If that really is just a sample size issue, some team will have a solid second base prospect.
Video of L.J. Mazzilli

28. Nolan Fontana, SS, Florida

Height / Weight / Age: 5'11" / 190 pounds / 21 years old
Statistics: .280 AVG, .398 OBP, .464 SLG, 11 SB, 0 CS, 40 BB, 23 K
Scouting Report: Fontana has grown on me as I went through the ratings. Nothing about him is flashy, but he produces. His plate discipline is fantastic, and everything in general about him says he is a very smart ballplayer. Fontana's raw tools don't suggest he'll be much more than depth, but I think his baseball IQ gives him a chance to be more than that.
Video of Nolan Fontana

27. Luke Maile, C, Kentucky

Height / Weight / Age: 6'3" / 220 pounds / 21 years old
Statistics: .316 AVG, .427 OBP, .550 SLG, 9 SB, 2 CS, 33 BB, 32 K
Scouting Report: Maile (pronounced MAY-lee) split catching duties with senior Michael Williams, and played first base when he wasn't behind the plate. Obviously, I'd play him at catcher full time and see what happens. However, Maile has some pop in his bat, and it might project at first base okay. However, it really projects nicely at catcher.
Video of Luke Maile

26. Chris Stratton, RHP, Mississippi State

Height / Weight / Age: 6'3" / 198 pounds / 21 years old
Statistics: 10-1 record, 2.16 ERA, 95.2 IP, 73 hits, 19 BB, 115 K, 4 HR allowed
Scouting Report: Stratton burst on to the scene this year, after a couple largely uninteresting seasons. He has a good fastball that sits in the low 90s, and a curve ball with a classic, sharp 12-6 break. Stratton could be a one-year wonder, but the development of his stuff suggests otherwise. Further development of his change-up will help him at the next level. Stratton at least profiles as a bullpen arm, but could develop into a dependable arm in a starting rotation.
Video of Chris Stratton

25. D.J. Davis, OF, Stone Mountain HS (MS)

Height / Weight / Age: 6'0" / 170 pounds / 18 years old
Scouting Report: Davis is fast. His ceiling is a prototypical leadoff hitter with good defense in center field, a premium defensive position. He doesn't project to hit for much power, which is fine as long as he sprays line drives all over the field. Davis already has a compact, level stroke, which bodes well for his ability to harness and maximize his speed. It's all about getting on the basepaths and wreaking havoc for Davis. If he does that for whomever drafts him, he'll be a productive outfielder for years to come.
Video of D.J. Davis

24. Joey Gallo, 1B, Bishop Gorman HS (NV)

Height/Weight/Age: 6'5" / 220 pounds / 18 years old
Scouting Report: Gallo is a left-handed bat with massive power potential. He knows how to extend his arms and get loft with a good-sized uppercut. Gallo's head stays quiet though, so he should be able to track pitches fine. His home runs will be towering blasts, and while he is only 18 years old, his body has already filled out a significant amount. There isn't much projecting to be done here. Gallo just has to cut his teeth as a pro, and go through the usual assortment of bumps and bruises that come with facing tougher pitchers than he has ever gone against. Gallo also has a great arm (gets his fastball up to 94 MPH as a pitcher), so he might be able to man third base or a corner outfield spot. However, I don't think he'll have ideal range for those positions, and his bat certainly plays just fine at first.
Video of Joey Gallo

23. Peter O'Brien, C, Miami (FL)

Height / Weight / Age: 6'5" / 225 pounds / 22 years old
Statistics: .354 AVG, .465 OBP, .677 SLG, 1 SB, 2 CS, 23 BB, 21 K
Scouting Report: O'Brien used to play at Bethune-Cookman, and got plenty of attention there. He was drafted by the Rockies in the the third round of last year's draft, but opted not to sign. The NCAA let him transfer to Miami and play immediately. It will be interesting to see if the move helped O'Brien's draft stock. Obviously, I think it did. O'Brien put together his best offensive season by far, and did it against stiff competition, playing in the ACC. O'Brien is a senior though, and prolific production from seniors need to be taken with a grain of salt. They are older than most of their competitors, which matters quite a bit at younger ages. Still, O'Brien has a chance to stick behind the plate. I care that he is a senior, but he's still a catcher with notable hitting ability. That's valuable.
Video of Peter O'Brien

22. Kyle Zimmer, RHP, San Francisco

Height / Weight / Age: 6'4" / 220 pounds / 21 years old
Statistics: 5-3 record, 2.59 ERA, 83.1 IP, 69 hits, 15 BB, 96 K, 3 HR allowed
Scouting Report: There is lots to like about Zimmer. He's got prototypical size for a power pitcher, features a fastball in the mid-90s, and also throws a classic power curve. Zimmer has a simple wind-up, and doesn't seem to work too hard to get his fastball into the mid-90s too. However, his fastball velocity seems a bit inconsistent within starts (perhaps unusual variance in his grip?), and his overall velocity seemed to sink as the season wore on. If Zimmer can't maintain velocity over a whole season of starting, he could move quickly through a system as a late-inning bullpen arm. However, I'd let his pitching decide if he can start or not.
Video of Kyle Zimmer

21. Travis Jankowski, OF, Stony Brook

Height / Weight / Age: 6'3" / 190 pounds / 21 years old
Statistics: .407 AVG, .473 OBP, .627 SLG, 34 SB, 6 CS, 19 BB, 16 K
Scouting Report: Stony Brook?! Yes, Stoney Brook! Jankowski doesn't play for a traditional college power, but he more than held his own in the prestigious Cape Cod League. Speed is his greatest asset, and he takes advantage of that with a level swing at the plate. The stats don't lie: Jankowski makes lots of contact, which is a good idea with his legs. I'd like to see more walks, but the whole idea of taking pitches is to get a pitch to hit. I can't complain about Jankowski swinging at pitches he can't hit when he's hitting over .400 without many strikeouts. Jankowski has the look of a quality leadoff hitter.
Video of Travis Jankowski

20. Victor Roache, OF, Georgia Southern

Height / Weight / Age: 6'1" / 225 pounds / 21 years old
Statistics: Only 17 at-bats, but if you're curious, here you go.
Scouting Report: Roache is really hard to rate. His ticket to the majors is his light-tower power. I'd even venture to say that Roache's power is the single best tool any player has in this draft. It's that impressive. Roache hit an absurd 30 home runs in college last year (even 20 is a borderline superhuman total with the new bats), and followed up with a strong Cape Cod League campaign. The issue is that Roache broke his wrist on a diving catch in February, and missed most of this season. Wrist injuries can zap power. Roache doesn't have any other amazing tools; his status as one of the best prospects in this draft is highly dependent on his power potential. I'm a big fan of Roache's, and I would rate him much higher if he hadn't hurt his wrist. However, it is hurt, and the higher a team takes him, the more faith they are putting in a full recovery. Roache might be able to swing before the draft, but I'm not sure just swinging would answer the power questions.
Video of Victor Roache

19. Lucas Giolito, RHP, Harvard-Westlake HS (CA)

Height / Weight / Age: 6'6" / 230 pounds / 18 years old
Scouting Report: Giolito started the season in most people's discussion for the top overall pick. His arm is electric. Giolito can pump a fastball into the upper 90s, and also has a slider with good lateral movement. He looks like a man among boys. However, Giolito sprained his throwing elbow, which caused him to miss most of his senior season. His stock fell dramatically, but is back on the rise now that scouts have seen him at least play long toss. A sprained elbow is certainly a far cry from a torn rotator cuff or Tommy John surgery, but it's an injury nonetheless. Throwing hard puts a ton of strain on an arm. Maybe it's a fluke injury, but Giolito will need a third offering (change-up) to become an elite starter. He certainly has the potential to become that, but will he develop a change-up, and will his arm allow him to throw 200 innings a year?
Video of Lucas Giolito

18. Walker Weickel, RHP, Olympia HS (FL)

Height / Weight / Age: 6'6" / 205 pounds / 18 years old
Scouting Report: Weickel features the classic power-pitcher combo, a fastball that reaches the mid-90s, and a 12-6 curve ball. His windup and repertoire remind me of Gil Meche. There really isn't much to pick on with Weickel's game. He's a pretty classic projectable prep power arm, although I would say his curve is quite refined for his age. That's what stands out for me about him.
Video of Walker Weickel

17. Deven Marrero, SS, Arizona State

Height / Weight / Age: 6'1" / 194 pounds / 21 years old
Statistics: .279 AVG, .336 OBP, .436 SLG, 10 SB, 3 CS, 17 BB, 16 K
Scouting Report: I had a hard time rating Marrero. There's little doubt that he can stick at shortstop, which is a big plus. He should be a good defender at maybe the most premium defensive position. That means he doesn't have to hit much...and that's good, because I'm not convinced he will. Marrero has some power, and makes consistent contact, so he could develop in the minor leagues. However, I think he's too aggressive for his own good, and he hasn't developed much patiente as a college player. Pro pitchers will know how to make him chase pitches all day. Still, Marrero's potential to become a decent hitter, and therefore be an above-average MLB shortstop, only lets him sink so low on my board.
Video of Deven Marrero

16. Kevin Plawecki, C, Purdue

Height / Weight / Age: 6'1" / 215 pounds / 21 years old
Statistics: .361 AVG, .450 OBP, .554 SLG, 3 SB, 2 CS, 24 BB, 8 K
Scouting Report: That's not a typo, Plawecki has struck out only eight times on the season, and that's in 202 at-bats. The kid knows how to make contact, and good contact. Plawecki has been more of a doubles hitter than a home run hitter in college, but some see power potential in his body. Personally, I wonder if he would have to mess with his mechanics to generate more power, and lose his great pure hitting ability. Either way, legitimate catchers that are legitimately good hitters are very valuable.
Video of Kevin Plawecki

15. Andrew Heaney, LHP, Oklahoma State

Height / Weight / Age: 6'2" / 175 pounds / 21 years old
Statistics: 8-2 record, 1.60 ERA, 118.1 IP, 74 hits, 22 BB, 140 K, 4 HR allowed
Scouting Report: Heaney lit up the Cape Cod League last summer, and kept the dominant times rolling right through the Big XII season. Heaney doesn't throw particularly hard, but he's not soft-tosser either. He has a turn in his wind-up that adds great deception. Lots of late swings off of his fastball, even without high-octane velocity. Heaney reminded me of Mark Mulder on video, and if he turns out anything like Mulder, the team that drafts him will be happy.
Video of Andrew Heaney

14. Barrett Barnes, OF, Texas Tech

Height / Weight / Age: 6'1" / 210 pounds / 21 years old
Statistics: .325 AVG, .419 OBP, .597 SLG, 19 SB, 1 CS, 32 BB, 37 K
Scouting Report: Barnes is one of the best athletes in college baseball right now. He's a borderline five-tool talent. The most concerning thing about his game are strikeouts, which have been a concern his whole college career. I don't think Barnes will hit for average as a pro, but he has made strides as a college player, and I'd expect him to continue to develop plate discipline in the minors. His stroke is also simple and quick, so maybe he can maintain a high batting average, I don't know. Tyler Naquin seems to be the consensus top outfield prospect in the Big XII, but Barnes has produced more, and I also think he has more upside. Hence, Barnes is on my prospect list, while Naquin isn't (just barely; I like him too).
Video of Barrett Barnes (complete with music...)

13. Courtney Hawkins, OF, Caroll HS (TX)

Height / Weight / Age: 6'2" / 210 pounds / 18 years old
Scouting Report: Hawkins also pitches, and can get his fastball into the low 90s. He has an arm, but most agree that his bat is his most special tool. His leg kick is definitely a timing mechanism, but he also uses it to backload, and he unleashes on the ball with his followthrough. The result is some pretty serious power potential. The arm could also clearly be an asset in the outfield. Add it all up, and Hawkins has the tools any team looks for in a corner outfielder.
Video of Courtney Hawkins

12. Richie Shaffer, 3B, Clemson

Height / Weight / Age: 6'3" / 205 pounds / 21 years old
Statistics: .344 AVG, .470 OBP, .590 SLG, 7 SB, 2 CS, 51 BB, 47 K
Scouting Report: Shaffer's stroke is quick, compact, and powerful. The strikeouts concern me, but the walk rate is indicative of a feared hitter. Anecdotal evidence backs that up. Shaffer is clearly the best hitter Clemson has, which ironically is part of his problem. He is pitched around to an extreme degree, and it's hard not to press in those situations, particularly when a lofty draft position is at stake. I think that explains some of the strikeouts, but Shaffer's strikeout rate is still a bit alarming. Shaffer might also not stick at third base, which would hurt his prospect value, but his hitting is his calling card anyway. His bat should be good enough no matter where he plays. Shaffer's swing, body, and skillset remind me quite a bit of Ryan Braun, which is obviously an upper-end projection of what he could become.
Video of Richie Shaffer

11. Marcus Stroman, RHP, Duke

Height / Weight / Age: 5'9" / 185 pounds / 21 years old
Statistics: 6-5 record, 2.39 ERA, 98 IP, 83 hits, 26 BB, 136 K, 0 HR allowed*
Scouting Report: I am sure that Stroman is all over draft boards. He is quite short for a pitcher, and short right-handers are historically overlooked. However, Stroman has a fastball that sits in the low-90s, and a power curveball with wicked lateral and downward movement. He pitches from a three-quarter arm slot, which gives all his pitches great lateral run. Stroman has an inconsistent change-up, but I think it has potential. Stroman has only focused on pitching the past couple seasons, and he hasn't really needed much beyond his fastball and curve to succeed in college. Durability is a legitimate concern with Stroman's size, and he needs the change-up to be a bona fide starting prospect. However, Stroman's delivery is surprisingly easy for the velocity he generates at his size, and I think he's got some of the best pure stuff of any pitcher in the draft. Tom Gordon is a popular comparison for Stroman, and I think an apt one.
Video of Marcus Stroman
*Sources disagree on Stroman's home runs allowed. My hunch is that he actually has given up home runs, but I used College Splits for all my data, so I stayed consistent. They listed Stroman with no home runs allowed.

10. Mike Zunino, C, Florida

Height / Weight / Age: 6'2" / 220 pounds / 21 years old
Statistics: .322 AVG, .384 OBP, .654 SLG, 8 SB, 1 CS, 22 BB, 39 K
Scouting Report: Zunino is one of the best power prospects in this draft, regardless of position. The fact that he plays catcher makes his bat an even more valuable commodity. Zunino's stroke is simple, and it's easy to see where the power comes from. He doesn't have much of a stride, but lifts his front leg to allow him to backload. The only thing that worries me some about Zunino is the strikeout rate, especially because he doesn't walk all that much for an intimidating college slugger. He might not be much more than Rod Barajas without solid plate discipline. Barajas is probably a basement for Zunino though. A powerful bat that has produced in an elite conference like the SEC is worth taking a shot on, especially when the bat comes with a catcher's mitt.
Video of Mike Zunino

9. Fernando Perez, 3B, Central Arizona JC

Height / Weight / Age: 6'1" / 185 pounds / 18 years old
Scouting Report: Perez is taking a quasi-Bryce Harper path to the MLB draft. He graduated from high school a semester early, which left him open to enroll in college this spring. He decided to challenge himself in a wood bat junior college league. Despite playing with wood, and playing with players older than him, he has more than held his own. Perez batted .342, and almost half of his hits went for extra bases. He didn't flash much home run power, but had 19 doubles and 11 triples. Power might come, because he clearly knows how to sting the ball. Perez faced stiffer competition than any other 18-year-old in this draft, and produced. He clearly isn't afraid to push himself, and already has polish beyond his years. He's not the next Bryce Harper, but he's a quality prospect in his own right.
Video of Fernando Perez

8. David Dahl, OF, Oak Mountain HS (AL)

Height / Weight / Age: 6'2" / 185 pounds / 18 years old
Scouting Report: There's lots to love about Dahl. He's got an athletic build, one that's built for speed and power. Dahl combines his tools with deliciously simple mechanics at the plate. Everything is really quiet, which allows his natural ability to shine. His swing reminds me quite a bit of J.D. Drew's. I'm a big fan of Dahl's, and if he proves to have some advanced plate discipline for his age, he could rise through a minor league system fast.
Video of David Dahl

7. Corey Seager, 3B, Northwest Cabarrus HS (NC)

Height / Weight / Age: 6'3" / 195 pounds / 18 years old
Scouting Report: Corey Seager looks alot like a bigger version of his older brother, Kyle Seager. Early returns on Kyle are good, and Corey has received more attention than Kyle at a younger age. Seager has a great left-handed stroke, one that projects for both average and power. He's got all the tools you look for in a prototypical third baseman defensively too. When I first found out about Corey, I secretly hoped the Mariners could draft him with their second pick. However, he seems to be rising up everyone's draft boards, and it will be shocking if he lasts that long.
Video of Corey Seager

6. Albert Almora, OF, Mater Academy (FL)

Height / Weight / Age: 6'2" / 170 pounds / 18 years old
Scouting Report: I've had a hard time separating Dahl, Seager, and Almora on my board. Seager won out over Dahl because it's harder to find third basemen than outfielders. Almora beats both of them because of his experience and performance with USA baseball. The national team has called on him a record seven times as an amateur, making him the unofficial poster child for the program. There is something to playing with the spotlight on you, especially as a first round draft pick, and Almora has more experience than virtually any other prep player dealing with a spotlight. Amora has skills too. I'm not a fan of his leg kick (or big leg kicks in general), but his head stays quiet throughout his swing. His swing mechanics are very whip-like, and after watching him for a while, he seemed a bit reminiscent of Nomar Garciaparra at the plate.
Video of Albert Amora

5. Mark Appel, RHP, Stanford

Height / Weight / Age: 6'5" / 215 pounds / 21 years old
Statistics: 9-1 record, 2.45 ERA, 103 IP, 82 hits, 22 BB, 108 K 3 HR allowed
Scouting Report: Appel appears to be the odds-on favorite to get chosen first overall, but he isn't number one on my big board. I'll start with why so many rate him so highly. Appel has a great body for pitching, and does a great job of staying on top of the ball. He already features a full arsenal of pitches, including a high-octane four-seam fastball, a two-seamer with great run, and a change-up that flashes as a plus offering. There are some things that keep me from falling in love with him though. Appel has a perplexing history of getting hit more frequently than it seems like he ought to, although he is finishing his junior season very strongly. He's also got a high leg kick, and that's a recipe for inconsistency with tall pitchers like him. Appel has a low walk rate, which suggests that the leg kick isn't an issue, but I wonder if he's the type of guy that throws strikes, but doesn't throw quality strikes, which allows to get hit more than it seems like he should. Overall, Appel is one of the few pitchers in this draft class with enough pieces to envision top-of-the-rotation potential, but he's got a fair amount to put together to reach that potential for a 21-year-old. Don't get me wrong, Appel is good, quite good actually, but he's not the best prospect in this draft.
Video of Mark Appel

4. Kevin Gausman, RHP, LSU

Height / Weight / Age: 6'4" / 185 pounds / 21 years old
Statistics: 9-1 record, 2.86 ERA, 100.2 IP, 86 hits, 23 BB, 118 K, 2 HR allowed
Scouting Report: Gausman uses an extremely high leg kick, which the fan in me loves. It feels like a bit of a throwback to previous pitching generations. He pitches with great leverage, and comes over the top with a fastball in curveball that flashes good downward movement. He's a more consistent curve and decent third offering away from being a darn good MLB starter. The basic tools are there. I thought long and hard about rating Appel over Gausman, but in the end I'm going with the stats. Gausman has outperformed Appel two years running. I like Appel's wider repertoire and the lateral movement he gets on his pitches, but the hitter's results suggest that Gausman is tougher to go against.
Video of Kevin Gausman

3. Gavin Cecchini, SS, Barbe HS (LA)

Height / Weight / Age: 6'2" / 185 pounds / 18 years old
Scouting Report: First of all, Cecchini's work ethic made for my favorite story that I stumbled upon as I looked through draft prospects this year. If something can be worked on, the team drafting Cecchini can rest assured that Cecchini will put in the time they want him to, and then some. Cecchini seems a safe bet to stick at shortstop, which boosts his value, and his defense should at least be average based on his work ethic alone. At the dish, he has an interesting double toe tap, but puts the barrel on the ball more often than not. He looks like a line drive hitter, although some pop might come as he naturally gains strength. Cecchini clearly loves the game, and he's got some talent to go with his passion. He batted an absurd .500 for the U-18 USA National Team, which was only in 50 at-bats, but still, .500!
Video of Gavin Cecchini

2. Byron Buxton, OF, Appling County HS (GA)

Height / Weight / Age: 6'2" / 170 pounds / 18 years old
Scouting Report: When I watch Buxton, I see B.J. Upton all over again, though with perhaps a bit more pure hitting ability. Buxton has more than enough speed to stick in center field. He pairs that with a great arm that actually pitched Appling to its first state title in any male sport. His body has wiry strength, which does translate into surprising home run power from his slight build and unassuming swing. The biggest problem is that Buxton plays at a small high school, so he hasn't faced top shelf prep talent too often. I'm not sure he would look that different against better competition though, because he's so physically gifted.
Video of Byron Buxton

1. Carlos Correa, SS, Puerto Rico Academy

Height / Weight / Age: 6'3" / 190 pounds / 18 years old
Scouting Report: The biggest question around Correa isn't about him, but the players around him. Correa hasn't had opportunities to test his precocious abilities against the best prep competition. Still, the tools suggest potential future stardom. Correa might fill out physically and outgrow shortstop (most players do), but he has the arm and footwork to stay there if his range holds up. His bat has power potential, which would easily allow a shift to third base, but would be a rare weapon out of a shortstop. Correa also gets high marks for his character, meaning he's got a good work ethic. It would be great for baseball if Puerto Rico, a place with such a rich baseball tradition, had a homegrown star to root for. Baseball is due for the next Puerto Rican star, and Correa could be that guy. It was really hard deciding between Correa and Buxton, but Correa gets a slight edge in two areas. First of all, he plays a premium defensive position. Second, I think he's got more power potential between the two. I wouldn't criticize either player going first overall.
Video of Carlos Correa

This year's draft doesn't have a clear top player. It's thin on premium talent in general. Franchises will really have to dig in and figure what they think they can teach this year's prospects, and what they have to come equipped with already. This draft has good players. Every draft does. It's just harder to identify this draft's stars than most years. I don't see many premium talents in the college ranks, so this is a good year to take chances on high schoolers with upside.