Braves Choose AJ Gracia as 9Th Overall Pick in MLB Draft

WHO:

MLB.com - AJ Gracia is 21 years old.

MLB.com - Gracia previously played at Duke before transferring to Virginia.

MLB.com - AJ Gracia, a collegiate outfielder from the University of Virginia, was selected by the Atlanta Braves.

Battery Power - AJ Gracia is from Tinton Falls, NJ, and attended Ranney School HS.

WHAT:

MLB.com - The Braves selected Carter Beck with the 26th pick in the 2026 MLB Draft.

Battery Power - Beck hit .346 with 16 home runs and 59 RBIs in 2026.

Battery Power - Beck was the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year.

MLB.com - Beck's stats for 2025 included a .335 batting average, 11 home runs, and 56 RBIs.

MLB.com - Gracia earned second-team, third-team, or honorable mention All-American honors from various outlets during his college career.

Battery Power - Gracia's college career statistics include a .354 batting average, 15 doubles, 1 triple, and 14 home runs in 2026.

MLB.com - The Atlanta Braves selected AJ Gracia with the ninth overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft.

MLB.com - Gracia was MLB Pipeline’s No. 19 Draft prospect.

Battery Power - Gracia hit 43 home runs and 39 doubles with a .317 batting average over his college career.

WHERE:

MLB.com - The draft took place in Atlanta, Georgia.

MLB.com - Gracia played at Truist Park during the 2022 Hank Aaron Invitational.

WHEN:

MLB.com - The 2026 MLB Draft occurred on July 11, 2026.

MLB.com - The Braves last selected a collegiate outfielder in the first round in 1991.

WHY:

MLB.com - The Braves opted for Gracia due to his superb consistency and strong offensive performance in college.

HOW:

MLB.com - The Braves plan to use the money saved from Beck's signing to sign high school pitchers Kaiden McCarthy and Jensen Hirschkorn.

MLB.com - Gracia's approach at the plate includes 152 walks to 129 strikeouts in his career, indicating a strong ability to make contact and limit swing-and-miss.

MLB.com - Gracia's left-handed swing has been compared to that of Cody Bellinger, highlighting similarities in their batting styles.

MLB.com - Gracia posted an OPS over 1.000 each season in college, peaking at 1.121 in the spring of 2026.

Battery Power - Gracia's approach at the plate includes 152 walks to 129 strikeouts in his career, indicating a strong ability to make contact and limit swing-and-miss.

The Atlanta Braves have selected Carter Beck with the 26th pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, after he had an impressive season hitting .346 with 16 home runs and 59 RBIs, earning him the title of Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year. In 2025, Beck also showcased his talent with a .335 batting average, 11 home runs, and 56 RBIs. The Braves intend to use the savings from Beck's signing to secure high school pitchers Kaiden McCarthy and Jensen Hirschkorn.