After months of anticipation, the MLB Draft is finally here. The Astros made six selections during the opening day of the draft, adding talent from both the high school and college ranks. Here are some quick thoughts on Houston’s picks.
THOUGHTS:
In the first round with the No. 17 overall pick, the Astros selected outfielder Logan Hughes from Texas Tech. Hughes was projected as a second-round pick, but I put “projected” in quotation marks because teams often have much different draft boards than independent evaluators. Hughes offers something the Astros haven’t really targeted recently: a plus hit tool. He posted a 12% strikeout rate in 2026, but he also has power, hitting 19 home runs in 2025 and another 18 this season. He won’t provide much defensively, but the bat is really good. The Astros could also have some bonus pool savings with this pick.
With their second first-round pick, the Astros selected right-hander Jack Radel out of Notre Dame. Radel is listed at 6-foot-5 and uses that frame to create excellent extension. He possesses a fastball that touches 98 mph, along with a plus slider and cutter, and he also features plus control. He should be a workhorse for years to come. In the second round, the Astros went with another college arm, this time selecting left-hander Wes Mendes from Florida State. Mendes has advanced pitchability and was outstanding for the Seminoles. He has arguably the best changeup in the draft and, like Radel, features really good control. There’s a good chance the Astros created some additional bonus pool savings with this pick as well.
In the third round, the Astros selected their first prep player, taking shortstop Keon Johnson out of First Presbyterian HS (GA). Johnson does just about everything well, offering a well-rounded package with a solid hit tool, some power, and the ability to play shortstop at a high level. In the fourth round, the Astros took another shortstop, this time going the college route with Kam Durnin from Missouri. Durnin has good contact ability, intriguing pull-side power, and is a solid defender at shortstop with some speed as well.
With their final pick on Day 1, a compensation selection acquired after Framber Valdez left in free agency, the Astros went back to the high school ranks and selected third baseman Beau Peterson Mill Valley HS (KS). Peterson has a tremendous ceiling with an above-average hit tool and the potential for plus power. He also possesses a big-time arm at third base. Peterson will likely require an overslot bonus to sign, but I don’t think the Astros make this selection unless they believe they can get him away from his commitment to Texas.
CONCLUSION/GRADE:
Grading a draft immediately after it’s completed is never really fair, but if I had to hand out a grade today, I’d give the Astros an A. They landed an advanced bat with a strong hit tool, addressed a need in the system, added a couple of college arms with excellent control to bolster another area of need, and then appeared to use some bonus pool savings to take shots on Johnson and Peterson. Overall, I really like what Houston has done so far, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the rest of Day 2 unfolds.
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