Well out of reach from the Buxton/Gausman/Zunino/Correa/Appel/Zimmer picks, the DBacks approach this draft ready to gamble on the best player available at #26. Without any additional picks in the supplemental rounds, Arizona goes into the 2012 draft willing to spend big on players who might fall, due to the new draft rules & player signability.

Kevin Towers & the Arizona scouting brass is no stranger to spending big, and spending big on minor league pitching. Last year they signed ALL of there first 6 picks (5 of which were pitchers) including Trevor Bauer, Archie Bradley, Andrew Chafin, Anthony Meo, and Evan Marshall.

With that said, the Diamondbacks are hoping that prep pitcher Lucas Giolito falls (You can never have too much pitching IMO). His value is currently surrounded with question marks after breaking down early on with a “season-ending injury” from a sprained elbow. Plus if drafted, Giolito will be a very hard sign, guaranteed to command a ridiculously large bonus. These factors could force him to slip in the late first (but probably not in a Mock Draft), similar to Rick Porcello did in the 2007 Draft, regarded as the top prep arm yet falling all the way to Detroit at #27.

Arizona is willing to take a similar risk on Giolito if he’s still available. Believing that his injury isn’t as serious as advertised, and more like a pitchers version of stubbing your toe. I truly believe Lucas is still the top pitcher in this draft. If he doesn’t drop, the DBacks will then take the next best player available on the board.

Diamondbacks draft targets at #26:

- Lucas Giolito RHP Harvard-Westlake HS, CA

- Victor Roache, OF, Georgia Southern


- Zach Eflin, RHP, Florida HS


- Courtney Hawkins, OF, Texas HS


- Stryker Trahan, C, Louisiana HS

- Lance McCullers, RHP, Florida HS


- Lucas Sims, RHP, Georgia HS


- Addison Russell, SS, Florida HS


- Nick Travieso, RHP, Florida HS


- Trey Williams, 3B, California HS


- Corey Seager, SS, North Carolina HS


- Hunter Virant, LHP, California HS