Gabriel Hughes has an exciting combination of size and repertoire for pitching. When the MLB draft begins on July 17th, one player looking to have his name called is Hughes himself. The right-handed pitcher out of Gonzaga University has impressive stuff that will draw interest from many teams. He is currently listed as the No. 20 prospect according to mlb.com prospect rankings for 2022.
Path to the MLB Draft
As a freshman in 2020, Hughes posted a 0.77 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings. He went 4–3 with a 3.23 ERA and 67 strikeouts in 2021. Last season he showcased his pitching talents. That is what saw him move up many draft boards.
For the 2022 college season, he started 15 games and posted an 8–3 record. His ERA was similar to the prior season, 3.21, but he doubled his strikeouts (138) in 98 innings pitched.
Those 138 strikeouts were the sixth most in NCAA baseball, and Hughes was named Collegiate Baseball’s All-American first team.
Strengths
Gabriel Hughes has positioned himself as a potential high-round draft pick due partly to a mid-90s, four-seam fastball. That fastball is his confidence pitch and due to his long stride, it looks like he is throwing the fastball harder. Also when he gets that fastball up in the strike-zone, it is a very effective pitch.
He has shown he can throw strikes with three pitches and is a fierce competitor. His slider has excellent movement, and velocity at around 89 mph. and at times has shown to confuse left handed hitters. He also has developed a changeup and has shown to be successful against both left and right handed hitters.
At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, Hughes has the size to be a reliable starter in the big leagues. He pitches with the finesse and confidence you see from an MLB pitcher, and his velocity keeps him deep into games. He already has improved his control, and his command is getting better. His college coaches rave about his work ethic and desire to succeed in everything he does. That is something MLB coaching staffs like to see.
Weakness
College pitchers usually need experience with their command and selection of pitches. As he continues to move through the minor leagues, Hughes will face hitters that are used to the mid-90s fastball. He will need to be more selective with his pitches to get hitters out. However, the good news is that it can be worked out with pro instruction, and experience. The more hitters he pitches against, the more he gains that experience.
His curveball is a work in progress and if he gets some pro coaching on developing it, it could turn into an above-average fourth pitch which would give him quite a collection of pitches to choose from.
Pro Comparison: Jered Weaver
Gabriel Hughes draft profile. Hughes is one of the best college arms in the draft. He is big, has an easy delivery, and can continuously put the ball in the strike zone with his three main pitches.
Hughes has the same mechanics and height as former Los Angles Angels and San Diego Padres pitcher Jered Weaver. With his long arms, Hughes creates a pitch similar to Weaver’s, which travels at a sharp angle to home plate. That pitch makes it a challenge to hit, especially for right-handed batters.
Hughes just might be the first pitcher off the board. MLB’s scouting report reveals that with his plus fastball to go along with an above average slider and changeup any team would be happy to get him.
With his physicality, pitches, confidence, and some coaching on mechanics, he could be a very good starter for years in the Majors.
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