2026 MLB Draft Review: Houston Astros

The players

Houston stayed in-state for their initial first-round pick, taking Logan Hughes out of Texas Tech to start their picks. Hughes was a star at TTU, as he hit .375 and popped 37 home runs over his final two seasons with the Red Raiders. Ideally, he becomes an everyday player who can get on-base (he had 50 walks over 55 games), and hit.

The Astros’ second first-round pick was Jack Radel, who was given the same signing bonus ($2,997,500) as fourth-round pick Beau Peterson (who I’ll get to in a minute). Radel was one of two ACC pitchers taken in the first two rounds by Houston. A power pitcher who netted a lot of swing-and-miss with the slider and threw a mid-to-upper-90s fastball, Radel struck out 116 batters last season.

Wes Mendes, meanwhile, was the staff ace for the Florida State Seminoles this past season. Mendes struck out 125 batters over 93 innings, posting a 2.81 ERA for FSU this past season. A left-hander with a wide array of pitches, including a slider, curveball, changeup, and fastball that played up to the mid-90s this season with carrying action.

Back to Peterson, he was a standout for years in the high school showcase, including Perfect Game tournaments, and was a member of the USA 18U team. Very toolsy player; threw in the low-90s as a pitcher, is a fast runner, and can hit. The Kansas native was one of those players who, from a talent level, is someone who normally would be a top-two-round pick.

One round earlier, the Astros took another high school infielder, Keon Johnson. Another good athlete, one who can run and has a strong arm. Additionally, a lofty swing and is a projectable power hitter.

Johnson and Peterson were the two big pieces in what was a college-heavy draft for Houston. The Astros picked several other notable performers from the 2026 draft. That list included Aaron Piasecki from the Troy team that went to the CWS, plus Kam Durnin.

Durnin only played 43 games this season for Missouri this season but performed very well. The infielder hit .329 with nine home runs and posted a .438 on-base percentage.

Gavin Eddy, the staff for California this past season, struck out a team-high 94 batters over 84 innings this season. Low-90s fastball, coupled with a slider and curveball.