Baseball America's latest 2012 MLB mock draft has the Pirates taking Arizona State shortstop Deven Marrero at No. 8 overall. Pirates fans probably wouldn't be too happy if that's how things went down, especially since the Bucs pass on Florida high school outfielder Albert Almora in this mock. Almora appears to have much more upside with the bat than Marrero does -- Marrero's calling card is his defense, and he has struggled with his hitting this year.
Stanford pitcher Mark Appel goes to the Astros at No. 1 overall, and then the Twins get arguably the best prospect in the draft, Georgia high school outfielder Byron Buxton. The Mariners take Florida catcher Mike Zunino, and then college pitchers Kevin Gausman and Kyle Zimmer go off the board, to the Orioles and Royals. The Cubs take Puerto Rican shortstop Carlos Correa, and then the Padres grab California high school pitcher Max Fried at No. 7. Lucas Giolito, the most talented high school pitcher in the draft, falls out of the first round, presumably due to injury concerns.
For more on the Pirates, check out Bucs Dugout. For more on the draft, there's Minor League Ball.