ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves used their first of two first-round selections Saturday to draft AJ Gracia, a 21-year-old outfielder from the University of Virginia, with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft.
Gracia arrives in professional baseball after a three-year college career marked by steady power and on-base discipline. Scouts and team officials highlighted his consistent production and plate control as major reasons for the selection; MLB Pipeline listed him as its No. 19 prospect entering the draft.
From Durham to Charlottesville and now Atlanta
Gracia began his collegiate career at Duke, where he earned Freshman All-American honors and set Duke rookie records for home runs and RBIs. He followed coach Chris Pollard to Virginia for the 2026 season, helping the Cavaliers reach an NCAA Regional.
“That was really cool. I didn’t really know what was going to happen until about three minutes before the pick. It was definitely a last minute thing. But I’m super excited and super happy to be a Brave.”
The selection also has historical resonance for the Braves. Atlanta hasn’t taken a collegiate outfielder in the first round since Mike Kelly in 1991, a draft that prefaced one of the franchise’s most dominant stretches in the 1990s.
Why the Braves pulled the trigger
Braves vice president of amateur scouting Ronit Shah praised Gracia’s track record and experience against top competition, noting his time with USA Baseball and in the Cape Cod League. Shah emphasized Gracia’s advanced approach at the plate and his ability to generate power while controlling the strike zone.
“He’s been one of the best college performers for three years,” Shah said.
- Age: 21
- College: University of Virginia (transfer from Duke)
- Pick: No. 9 overall, Atlanta Braves
Gracia’s college totals reflect both power and consistency: a career batting average of .317, 43 home runs (season breakdown 14, 15 and 14), and 39 doubles. He posted an OPS above 1.000 in each of his three collegiate seasons, peaking at 1.121 this spring.
| Stat | Career | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Batting average | .317 | Across three college seasons |
| Home runs | 43 | 14, 15, 14 by year |
| Doubles | 39 | Career total |
| OPS (peak) | 1.121 | This spring |
Local meaning and next steps
For Virginia baseball and its fans, Gracia’s top-10 selection underscores the state’s role in producing high-end college talent. The move also reflects a larger league trend of valuing polished collegiate hitters who can contribute sooner in the professional ranks.
Gracia will now begin contract negotiations and the transition to professional development routes set by the Braves, a path that often includes time in the minor leagues before a major-league debut. For Virginia programs, the pick is a recruiting booster — a visible example for high school prospects and a reminder that strong college performance can lead to early draft capital.
As the draft season continues, Cavaliers fans will be watching closely to see which of their teammates hear their names called next and how Gracia’s pro career unfolds in the Atlanta system.
