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Xavier’s Nolan Hughes selected by Washington Nationals in MLB Draft

The Highland County Press - Staff Photo - Create Article
Nolan Hughes. (Xavier University photo)
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Xavier Athletic Communications, https://goxavier.com

Xavier University baseball's Nolan Hughes was selected on the third day of the MLB First-Year Player Draft, going in the 16th round to the Washington Nationals as the 470th overall pick.

Hughes, a left-handed pitcher originally from Halifax, Mass., posted a 4.33 ERA through 24 appearances, including four starts, in 2024. In 35.1 innings of work, Hughes had a team-high 65 strikeouts and finished the season with a team-high matching five wins and a pair of saves.

For 2024, Hughes limited opposing batters to a .132 average at the plate for the season, the best mark among Xavier pitchers with at least 1.0 inning of work.

In BIG EAST play, Hughes had a 2.25 ERA through nine appearances, allowing just two hits while striking out 22 in 12.0 innings of work. His opposing batting average of .053 in conference games ranked best among qualified pitchers in the BIG EAST.

Prior to his time at Xavier, Hughes appeared in 19 games at Fordham, including making eight starts, collecting 68 strikeouts in 49.2 innings of work as a Ram.

Hughes is the 24th Musketeer to be selected in the MLB Draft since 2005. At least one Xavier player has been selected in 10 of the last 11 years.

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