Atlanta Braves Prioritize College Outfielders in 2026 MLB Draft

First-Round Strategy: Gracia and Beck

The Braves broke with six decades of draft history this July by selecting two collegiate outfielders in the first round. According to MLB.com, the organization had selected only one college outfielder in the first round between the draft’s inception in 1965 and this year’s event. That lone previous selection was Mike Kelly, taken second overall in 1991.

With the ninth overall pick, Atlanta chose University of Virginia outfielder AJ Gracia. Virginia sports reporting notes that Gracia led the Cavaliers in batting average, slugging, and on-base percentage during his junior season. At pick 26, the Braves added Indiana State outfielder Carter Beck, who earned Missouri Valley Conference first-team honors.

“[College outfielders] wasn’t an area we were narrowing down, but these two guys for hitters, we were really excited to get.”

Ronit Shah, Braves vice president of amateur scouting, via MLB.com

Financial Flexibility and High School Pitching Prospects

The decision to select Beck at No. 26 was driven in part by financial strategy. As MLB.com reported, Beck was not projected as a first-round selection, but signing him for less than the $3.58 million slot value allowed the team to allocate additional resources toward high-upside high school arms. This approach directly benefited the team’s ability to sign third-round pick Kaiden McCarthy and fourth-round pick Jensen Hirschkorn.

The scouting reports on these prep arms suggest a long-term development focus. Battery Power highlighted Hirschkorn as a 6’7″ athlete who was a multi-sport star in high school. While he requires physical maturation, the outlet noted that his fastball command is already surprisingly advanced for a player of his age. Similarly, the team selected Cole Dennis, a two-way star from Florida who recently converted to pitching full-time, and Tyson Grulkowski, a Wisconsin native noted for a high-spin breaking ball.

Organizational Depth and Veteran Departures

While the draft focused on future talent, the major league roster saw shifts in its catching depth. Chadwick Tromp, a veteran backstop who spent part of the 2026 season with the Atlanta Braves, was recently pushed off of his newest roster. Forbes reported that Tromp, a journeyman catcher, has been cut from his new team’s roster after a brief stint.

This follows a period where the Braves cycled through multiple stopgap options before the emergence of 2025 National League Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin. The team’s commitment to internal development remains consistent, with Battery Power reporting continued success from minor league players like Drue Hackenberg, who has re-established his value in the pitching depth chart after a difficult 2025 season.

Regional Ties and Draft Highlights

The 2026 draft class featured players from diverse backgrounds, with the Braves showing a particular interest in Wisconsin and Indiana. IndyStar noted that Carter Beck’s selection made him one of seven players with Indiana ties to be drafted this year.

As the organization moves into the player development phase for these 21 new prospects, the focus remains on balancing immediate production needs with the long-term potential of their high-ceiling high school arms.

Find more reporting in our Sports section.