Colorado Rockies surprise with 10th overall pick in 2022 Draft

The Colorado Rockies had the 10th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft in Los Angeles as part of the MLB All-Star Game festivities.

There were a few surprises in the first 10 picks of the draft but one of the bigger surprises was that the Rockies drafted a right-handed pitcher by the name of Gabriel Hughes.

The Colorado Rockies drafted Gabriel Hughes with the 10th overall pick of the 2022 MLB Draft

Gabriel Hughes was a bit further down on the draft list for most outlets. Most thought that he would go in the first round of the draft but not as high as 10th overall.

For example, MLB.com had him ranked as the 26th-best prospect in the draft. But as the analysts on MLB Network said after the pick, he is the “healthiest college pitcher in the draft.”

Hughes, who turns 21 in August, was born in Alaska but he graduated from high school in Meridian, Idaho. He went to college at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash. Coincidentally, if he signs with the Rockies, he very well could be headed back to Spokane, where the Rockies’ High-A affiliate is.

In 2022, Hughes went 8-3 with a 3.21 ERA in 15 starts with an average of 3.4 walks and 12.7 strikeouts per nine innings. According to MLB.com, his best pitch is his fastball, which has a 60-grade on a 20-80 scouting scale.

“The 6-foot-4 right-hander has electric stuff, starting with a fastball that’s regularly in the 94-97 mph range with ease, leading some scouts to wonder if he might touch triple digits someday. His slider can be a wipeout pitch, up to 89-90 mph, and he even shows (a) very good feel for his changeup.”

It should be noted too that prior to 2022, he was a two-way player as he played first base and pitched. In 2021, he made 10 starts, was a DH, and played 14 games at first base. However, he hit .247/.291/.425 with three homers and 12 RBI.

Considering the stats, he is likely to just be used as a pitcher but with being a college pitcher, he should be able to make the major leagues a bit more quickly than some others.

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