Astros are looking like draft geniuses after start to Logan Hughes' professional career

The Houston Astros took Logan Hughes with the 17th pick in the MLB draft this year. The 21-year-old was not in MLB Pipeline or ESPN's top 25 draft prospects, which is likely why Houston was able to sign him to a bonus under a million in slot value.

The 5'11 outfielder started his college career at Stetson before he transferred to Texas Tech, where he played two seasons. Hughes' bat is his calling card, and he's been using it to show why he was a top 20 pick.

Hughes has absolutely blitzed Single-A pitching in his first nine games there. The former Red Raider is hitting .359 with a 1.083 OPS. He's got seven extra-base hits, including a home run, with 13 RBI. He has walked almost as much as he's struck out, 8 Ks to 6 BBs, and even though scouting reports say he has below-average speed, Hughes has seven stolen bases.

One important note here is that Hughes has also been moving around the field defensively. Because he isn't the greatest athlete, the Astros will be using him in both corner outfield spots and at first. Through his first nine games, he's got three games at 1st, two games in left, one in right, and three at DH.

Logan Hughes wasn't the highest ranked player in the draft, but that hasn't mattered

MLB Pipeline slotted the first-round pick at #3 in Houston's system in their post-draft rerank. He is the top draftee, with Jack Radel, the pitcher they took with the 28th pick, landing at #5 in the top 30.

The MLB draft is unlike all other professional drafts because teams don't pick for fit or need, and with draft bonus pools, there is much more strategy that goes into it. With that being said, the Astros could've looked bad with this pick, looking at a few of the players drafted after Hughes.

With the 18th pick, the Red drafted Justin Lebron, a shortstop from the University of Alabama, and a top-ten player by both MLB Pipeline and ESPN. With the 19th pick, Cleveland took pitcher Liam Peterson, #20 for MLB Pipeline and #12 for ESPN.

Sometimes, when a team has two picks in the top 30, they will go all out with one and draft a top player who is falling, like a Lebron, but the Astros decided not to. Through his first week-plus of professional baseball, Hughes is making Houston look extremely smart in making that choice.

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