Tyler Naquin

Naquin is the best pure hitter in the entire 2012 draft. He won the Big 12 Conference batting title (.381) and topped NCAA Division I in hits (104) as a sophomore, and he's leading the Big 12 in hitting (.397) again this spring. He has a quick lefthanded bat and a controlled approach at the plate, focusing on staying inside the ball and employing the opposite field. He also has the best throwing arm among college outfielders, earning 65-70 grades on the 20-80 scouting scale and a don't-run-on-him reputation in the Big 12. Additionally, he's a solid runner who flashes plus speed at times. Despite all those attributes, Naquin will last until the second half of the first round because most teams view him as a tweener who lacks the power for right field and the defensive chops for center. He has a 6-foot-2, 175-pound frame with narrow shoulders, and his ability to add strength and develop average power remains in question. He can drive the ball in batting practice but doesn't show the same kind of pop in games, hitting just seven homers in 173 college contests. His ability to play center field is undetermined because the Aggies use speedster Krey Bratsen there, and some scouts don't love Naquin's routes on fly balls.