2012 Appalachian League Top 20 Prospects

By Matt Eddy
September 26, 2012

---

See also: 2012 Appalachian League Top 20 Prospects With Scouting Reports
See also: 2012 Appalachian League Top 20 Prospects Chat With Matt Eddy
See also: Complete 2012 League Top 20 Prospects Schedule

---

APPY LEAGUE TOP 20 PROSPECTS

1. Byron Buxton, of, Elizabethton (Twins)

2. Courtney Hawkins, of, Bristol (White Sox)

3. Bubba Starling, of, Burlington (Royals)

4. Blake Snell, lhp, Princeton (Rays)

5. Mauricio Cabrera, rhp, Danville (Braves)

6. Luke Sims, rhp, Danville (Braves)

7. Max Kepler, of, Elizabethton (Twins)

8. Roberto Osuna, rhp, Bluefield (Blue Jays)

9. Victor DeLeon, rhp, Johnson City (Cardinals)

10. Santiago Nessy, c, Bluefield (Blue Jays)

11. Brandon Martin, ss, Princeton (Rays)

12. Gavin Cecchini, ss, Kingsport (Mets)

13. Carson Kelly, 3b, Johnson City (Cardinals)

14. Daniel Norris, lhp, Bluefield (Blue Jays)

15. Andrew Toles, of, Princeton (Rays)

16. Patrick Leonard, 3b, Burlington (Royals)

17. Adrian Houser, rhp, Greeneville (Astros)

18. Jose Peraza, ss, Danville (Braves)

19. Jochi Ogando, rhp, Pulaski (Mariners)

20. Cameron Gallagher, c, Burlington (Royals)

BURLINGTON, N.C.—Predictably, the new mid-July signing date instituted for the 2012 draft had a positive impact on the talent levels of the six domestic short-season and Rookie leagues. More top draft picks signed in time to suit up and play enough to qualify for our prospect lists.

Perhaps no league benefited more than the Appalachian League, where No. 2 overall draft pick Byron Buxton, an outfielder with the Twins, ranked as the Rookie-level circuit's top prospect and helped drive Elizabethton to a league title. Three other first-rounders—Bristol center fielder Courtney Hawkins (White Sox, No. 13 overall), Danville righthander Luke Sims (Braves, No. 21) and Kingsport shortstop Gavin Cecchini (Mets, No. 12)—made this Top 20. So did Johnson City third baseman Carson Kelly, a Cardinals second-rounder who signed for $1.6 million.

Greeneville shortstop Carlos Correa, whom the Astros drafted first overall, batted .371/.450/.600 but his 41 plate appearances weren't enough to qualify for our list. Other premium 2012 draft picks who didn't meet playing-time requirements included Bluefield center fielder D.J. Davis, taken 17th overall by the Blue Jays, and three supplemental first-rounder: Elizabethton righthander J.O. Berrios (Twins), Greeneville righty Lance McCullers Jr. (Astros) and Bristol first baseman Keon Barnum (White Sox).

Johnson City catcher Steve Bean (Cardinals, sandwich round) and Elizabethton righty J.T. Chargois (Twins, second) qualified but didn't earn enough support from managers and scouts to make the cut.