Baltimore Orioles Select RHP Jonathan Hughes No. 68 Overall
By Joe Serpico
The Baltimore Orioles have selected right-handed pitcher Jonathan Hughes in the second round of the 2015 MLB Draft with the 68th pick overall. It is the final pick for the team on the opening day of the first-year player draft.
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Hughes, 18, is listed at 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds from Flowery Branch High School in Georgia. He has committed to Georgia Tech and it is unknown if he will decide to sign with the Orioles than carry out his college commitment. Based on what most scouts thought of Hughes, his name was called a lot earlier than expected. Baseball America ranked Hughes 255th in their top 500 rankings, the second “reach” the Orioles are guilty of in this draft. Most draft projections had the right-hander going anywhere from the sixth round or lower so this selection makes you wonder what the Orioles brass sees in him.
The Orioles drafted Florida State outfielder D.J. Stewart at No. 25 pick and shortstop Ryan Mountcastle from Hagerty High School in Oviedo, Florida with the final selection of the first round with the 36th pick. The Orioles next pick will be at No. 102.
The MLB Draft will continue tomorrow with rounds 3-10, starting at 1pm tomorrow. It will conclude on Wednesday, June 10, with rounds 11-40 starting at 12:00 p.m. Stay with us for more analysis of the Orioles draft.