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Early word is that the Houston Astros will take Stanford right-hander Mark Appel with the first overall pick in this evening’s 2012 MLB Draft and the Minnesota Twins will take center fielder Byron Buxton second overall, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.
Early word: astros take stanford rhp mark appel and twins take Ga. prep CF byron buxton. unconfirmed but that's scuttlebutt
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) June 4, 2012
Both players were considered to be the most likely first choices of this year’s draft following fellow top prospect Lucan Giolito’s arm injury.
Keith Law and Kevin Goldstein recently offered their mock drafts for the first round. Goldstein had Buxton going first overall to the Astros while Law had Appel slated for 2012’s first overall pick.
MLB Daily Dish’s own Satchel Price rolled out his 2012 MLB Draft Preview last night, listing who teams with the top 10 picks in the draft should select. It is Satchel’s opinion that the Astros should make Buxton the first overall pick, leaving the Twins to take Appel as the second overall selection.