ARLINGTON — The Houston Astros looked in-state for their first pick of a significant draft, selecting Texas Tech outfielder Logan Hughes with the No. 17 overall pick on Saturday.
Hughes, a 5-foot-11 left-handed hitter, batted .375 with 18 home runs in his junior season at Texas Tech, where he played two seasons after transferring from Stetson University. The No. 17 pick in this year’s draft carried a $4,868,600 slot value. If it requires less to sign Hughes, the Astros could spend over-slot on later picks.
Both Baseball America and MLB Pipeline ranked Hughes outside their top 40 available players in this MLB draft, with Baseball America ranking him at No. 46 and MLB Pipeline rating him at No. 42.
In a scouting report, Baseball America wrote Hughes is “a patient and selective hitter who does a nice job staying within the strike zone” and that while he “has a well-rounded offensive game, he’s a more limited defender” who likely projects to a corner outfield spot.
This projects as the most consequential draft in years for the Astros, who hold four of the first 93 picks. In each of the past two years, they picked once in the first 93 selections. They also hold the 11th-largest draft bonus pool this year at $13,712,700.
The Astros also have the 28th overall pick this year, a prospect promotion incentive (PPI) pick resulting from Hunter Brown’s top-three finish in AL Cy Young voting last year. Hughes’ selection was the first of their six picks on the first day of the draft, which comprises rounds 1-through-4.
This is a developing story and will be updated.