Sports
Sports

Braves draft Marietta native and Georgia Southern pitcher Landon Hughes

October 1, 2015 Atlanta - New general manager John Coppolella speaks as Braves president of baseball operations John Hart looks during a press conference at Turner Field on Thursday, October 1, 2015. The Atlanta Braves have promoted John Coppolella to general manager following three seasons as assistant GM. The move was announced on Thursday by Braves president of baseball operations John Hart. The team said in a statement Coppolella has agreed to a four-year contract through the 2019 season, a term that will include the Braves' first three seasons at their new SunTrust Park. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

October 1, 2015 Atlanta - New general manager John Coppolella speaks as Braves president of baseball operations John Hart looks during a press conference at Turner Field on Thursday, October 1, 2015. The Atlanta Braves have promoted John Coppolella to general manager following three seasons as assistant GM. The move was announced on Thursday by Braves president of baseball operations John Hart. The team said in a statement Coppolella has agreed to a four-year contract through the 2019 season, a term that will include the Braves' first three seasons at their new SunTrust Park. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM
By Jeff Haws
June 13, 2017

The Braves drafted Georgia Southern University pitcher and former Sprayberry High School star Landon Hughes with their first pick of the seventh round of the Major League Baseball Draft on Tuesday.

Georgia Southern baseball coach Rodney Hennon tweeted his congratulations to Hughes after seeing news of the pick.

Hughes was 6-2 with a 2.51 ERA in 2017, striking out 55 in 43 innings pitched. He started his college career at Wallace State Junior College for two years before transferring to Georgia Southern.

If Hughes makes it to the Braves, rookie shortstop Dansby Swanson may have competition for best hair on the team.

About the Author

Jeff Haws
More Stories

Keep Reading

The city of Atlanta gave Georgia State University the green light to start construction on a new baseball facility. (Courtesy of Georgia State University Athletics)

Credit: Georgia State University Athletics

Georgia State gets OK for baseball facility project at iconic sports site

Construction on the project, which is estimated to cost $15 million to $16 million, is scheduled to be complete by fall 2026.

Mercer announces familiar name as new football coach

Team’s former defensive coordinator will take the reins from Mike Jacobs.

Terance Mathis out as Morehouse football coach

Terrence Mathis is out as Morehouse football coach, the school announced Wednesday. Morehouse went went 4-16 in two seasons under Mathis.

The Latest

Braden Atkinson, winner of the Jerry Rice Award for being the top freshman football player in FCS, will have a new coach next year. (Courtesy Mercer University Athletics)

Credit: Mercer University Athletics

Mercer announces familiar name as new football coach

Georgia State gets OK for baseball facility project at iconic sports site

Terance Mathis out as Morehouse football coach

Featured

Students line up after school for school buses at Sequoyah Middle School in Doraville on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. The school’s principal told teachers not to talk to students about ICE, and teachers and activists are pushing back. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

DeKalb students raise fears about ICE raids; teachers told not to talk about it

The Sequoyah Middle School community asked DeKalb school officials to better support students who fear ICE.

Two-day effort helps free endangered right whale off Georgia coast

Georgia state officials helped disentangle a North American right whale, one of the most endangered whales on the planet.

Report: Election board member violated conduct code by going to Trump rally

A Georgia Inspector General's report found State Election Board Vice Chair Janice Johnston violated the board's code of conduct by attending a Donald Trump campaign rally.