The 2026 MLB Draft concluded a couple of days ago, and the Astros were in prime position to add talent to replenish a diminished farm system. Armed with two top-30 picks along with a compensation pick from Framber Valdez signing with the Tigers last offseason, it appears that Dana Brown and the Director of Amateur Scouting, Cam Pendino, certainly accomplished the goal of adding some notable talent to the system. Of course, we’re many years away from even starting to determine whether this draft class is successful. But the industry’s early reception has trended positive for the Astros.
Let’s take a quick look at the picks, with more emphasis on the first five rounds.
Round 1 (17) – Logan Hughes, OF, Texas Tech
At first glance, Logan Hughes appears to be someone who could climb the minor league ladder relatively quickly if he hits. You have to feel optimistic about his plate discipline, particularly given his 19.5% walk rate compared to just a 12.8% strikeout rate. He’s definitely a more polished bat than what the organization has targeted in previous drafts under Dana Brown.
There is a question about defense, although a corner outfield spot feels inevitable at this moment. But, again, it’s about Hughes’s hit tool. That’ll determine his ceiling, whether that’ll be as a core outfielder who can hit in the middle of the order or not.
Round 1 (28) – Jack Radel, RHP, Notre Dame
Look for someone who is as devoted to you as pitchers with noticeable arm extension and the Astros. Jack Radel is no different. Chosen with the PPI pick from Hunter Brown’s AL Cy Young finalist season in 2025, the selection of the right-handed Radel is certainly intriguing. Radel’s riding fastball can reach up to 98 mph, with his extension lending itself well here. There’s also a cutter and a curveball in the mix, along with a changeup and a slider.
I’m curious to see what the Astros do with Radel’s pitch mix. The fastball combination (four-seam and cutter) offers intriguing possibilities when paired with his curveball. The pitches to watch, in my opinion, are his cutter and slider. It’ll be interesting to see how the usage rates adjust once he is in the system.
Round 2 (57) – Wes Mendes, LHP, Florida State University
The first two picks by the Astros seem to focus on college players who could move through the system relatively quickly. The organization’s third pick, Wes Mendes, also fits that mold. A left-hander with multiple offerings, Mendes’ best pitch is his changeup, but he also has a fastball that can touch 96 mph with some ride. I really like the direction of taking Radel followed by Mendes. For an organization that has seen its minor league pitching pipeline evaporate in the past couple of years, I have higher hopes now with both of these arms in the system.
Round 3 (93) – Keon Johnson, SS, First Presbyterian (Macon, Ga.)
The Astros’ first high school pick, Keon Johnson, offers some tantalizing skills, particularly his ability to make contact and avoid strikeouts. Noticing a trend here? The problem is that the contact appears to be largely on the ground, creating a bit of an issue. If he can make the necessary adjustments at the plate, Johnson is a name to watch. There’s a question about whether Johnson’s decline in speed might make him more of an option at third base than shortstop.
Round 4 (121) – Kam Durnin, SS, Missouri
Unlike Johnson, there doesn’t seem to be any real concern at the moment about Kam Durnin’s staying power at shortstop. Another hitter with solid plate tendencies, with the potential to grow into a better overall hitter. Seems to be a trend with Houston in this year’s draft so far.
Round 4 (133) – Beau Peterson, 3B, Mill Valley HS (Kan.)
Honestly, I think Beau Peterson, a UT commit, possibly intrigues me more than any other player in the Astros’ draft class. Pointing out the trend again, the organization has seemed to prioritize a hitter’s approach at the plate, a trend that continues with Peterson. But he also has loads of power, and I am curious to see if he can put it all together. Defensively, with his arm, a move to the outfield (left or right) seems to be in his future. There’s always the possibility of converting to the mound if Peterson’s hitting never comes around, given his arm strength.
Round 5 (153) – Gavin Eddy, RHP, California
A strong showing over his last five starts to close out his 2026 season, including a 14-strikeout performance in seven innings against then-No. 23 Virginia, helped propel Gavin Eddy’s stock ahead of the draft. He offers a four-pitch mix (fastball, slider, changeup, and curveball). He’s another intriguing college arm to monitor, alongside Radel and Mendes.
And here are the rest of the Astros’ 2026 draft picks.
Round 6 (182) – Michael Addari, RHP, Illinois State
Round 7 (211) – Bryan Carney, RHP, University of Olivet
Round 8 (241) – Aaron Piasecki, SS, Troy
Round 9 (271) – Ryan Pruitt, OF, South Florida
Round 10 (301) – Tazwell Butler, RHP, Kansas State
Round 11 (331) – Peyton Fiene, RHP, Odessa Junior College
Round 12 (361) – Owen Nowak, OF, Middle Tennessee State
Round 13 (391) – Jack Beck, SS, Columbia Central High School (TN)
Round 14 (421) – Brady Thomas, RHP, Jacksonville State
Round 15 (451) – James Tronstein, SS, Harvard-Westlake High School (CA)
Round 16 (481) – Rashawn Galloway, C, Texas State
Round 17 (511) – Ben Tryon, INF, Dallas Baptist
Round 18 (541) – Petey Soto Jr., SS, Utah Tech
Round 19 (571) – Noah Miller, C, Michigan
Round 20 (601) – Mick Uebelhoer, LHP, Western Kentucky
Feature photo from Astros on X
On draft day, my initial reaction was moderately positive, in that the Astros pursued some high floor players in Rounds 1 and 2. But as I thought and discussed it with others, my view moved to very positive. A couple of days after the draft, I am beginning to become pretty high on the Astros’ drafting strategy. The Astros got their high floor college players and accentuated it with the possibility of signing 3 or 4 high ceiling high school players. I feel pretty certain they have designed a strategy to sign 2 above slot prep players in the first 10 round, with the opportunity to sign up to 2 or 3 more prep players in the late rounds. That could move the draft results from “good” to “very good.” But it will depend on how much money they can save on under-slot signings. This is where the scouting staff earns their money.