Bruce Harper is in the MLB less than two years after he was drafted first overall.
Bruce Harper is in the MLB less than two years after he was drafted first overall. IBTimes Pictures

The 2012 MLB Draft is set to get underway at 6 p.m. ET on Monday, June 4.

The Astros have the first pick in the draft, followed by the Twins, Mariners and Orioles. The last time Houston had the top pick was in 1992. They took Phil Nevin, who played 12 years in the majors and finished his career with 208 home runs.

Houston passed on Derek Jeter who went sixth overall to the Yankees.

There is not a unanimous number one overall selection this year. Pitcher Gerrit Cole was taken first by the Pirates in 2011. Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg were the top picks in 2010 and 2009. Both players are currently in the MLB with the Nationals.

Stanford right-hander Mark Appel is probably the favorite to go first. Appel is 10-1 with a 2.27 ERA this season. He has struck out 127 batters and walked just 26. Mike Zunino of Florida, LSU's Kevin Gausman and high schooler Byron Buxton should also go near the top of the draft.

You can watch the draft live on MLB Network. If you can't get to a television, you can watch a live stream for free here at mlb.com.

The MLB has always been one of the least popular of the professional sports league drafts. It was televised for the first time in 2007.

The 2012 Draft will last from June 4 through June 6. A pitcher has been selected at the top of the draft four times in the past six years.

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