Report: Houston Astros Will Select Stanford Pitcher Mark Appel With No. 1 Pick in 2012 MLB Draft

The 2012 MLB Draft is set to get underway Monday morning, but reports are already surfacing regarding the Houston Astros' plans with the No. 1 overall pick.

The Astros are going to pick Stanford pitcher Mark Appel, according to ESPN's Jim Bowden via Twitter.

Appel, a Houston native, makes a ton of sense for the Astros. Standing at 6-feet-5 inches tall, Appel has the look of a Major League ace. He has hit 100-mph on the radar gun and was a strikeout machine for the Cardinal.

This year's draft doesn't feature a runaway favorite for the first pick, so don't be surprised to see a few twists.

Be sure to check out NESN.com's 2012 MLB Mock Draft contributed by Ben Carsley.

Thumnail via Twitter/MAppel26