Breakdown: Cubs Draft Picks
(CBS) Here's a look at the Cubs' first three draft picks in 2012 First-Year Player Draft:
No. 6 overall: OF Albert Almora - Mater Academy Charter (Hialeah Gardens, Fla.)
What MLB.com says:
Almora has played for USA Baseball as much as any player in history. He's played in big situations and shown natural leadership abilities over the years.He's also got many tools to get excited about. He should be an above-avearge hitter at the next level, with an ability to drive the ball to all fields. He'll have above-average power as well and shows it in games now, especially to the pull side. He's a solid average runner and knows what to do on the basepaths. Defensively, he's a plus center fielder with excellent arm strength and range.All of his tools play up because of his plus makeup and work ethic. That combination should have plenty of teams in the first round taking a long look at him.
Almora is committed to the University of Miami.
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No. 43 overall: RHP Pierce Johnson - Missouri State University
What MLB.com says:
Johnson was moving quickly up Draft boards, but a forearm strain put that on pause. He came back and threw well, with plenty of time to show everyone he's fully healthy leading up to the Draft. Johnson has a good three-pitch mix starting with a fastball that is plus at times, touching 94 mph. He's more successful when he keeps it down in the zone, which he does when he repeats his delivery well. Johnson throws a hard curve that works as an effective out pitch, missing more bats than he does with the fastball. He doesn’t use the changeup as much, but it has the potential to be at least an average pitch in the future. He throws strikes and competes very well on the mound. Assuming he's healthy, Johnson should join a solid group of college starters who could go off the board shortly after the top tier, profiling well as a No. 3-type starter at the highest level.
The Cubs' 43rd overall pick came as compensation for losing Aramis Ramirez in free agency.
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No. 56 overall: RHP Paul Blackburn - Heritage High School (Brentwood, Calif.)
What MLB.com says:
After a big performance at last summer's Area Code Games, Blackburn has continued pitching well this spring to keep him firmly on the prospect map. The NoCal high schooler has a good fastball that hits 92 mph consistently and will touch a tick or two higher on the radar gun at times. His two secondary offerings --€“ a curve and a changeup --€“ both have the chance to be very effective pitches. He's generally around the strike zone and thanks to his athleticism and sound delivery, his command should only improve with experience. The Arizona State recruit has some projectability, meaning his already pretty good stuff has room to get even better. That should get him off the board early enough to keep him from heading to Arizona.
Blackburn is committed to Arizona State University.
The Cubs' 56th overall pick came as compensation for losing Carlos Peña in free agency.
