Braves Go Upside-Heavy Day 1 With Gracia and Overslot Prep Arms
TL;DR Summary
The Braves opened the 2026 MLB Draft by drafting ninth overall AJ Gracia on underslot terms to maximize bonus pool savings, then added toolsy outfielder Carter Beck via a Prospect Promotion Incentive, before going big with high-upside overslot prep pitchers Kaiden McCarthy and Jensen Hirschkorn and adding Cole Dennis in the fourth round, a plan that spreads money across the draft to bolster both floor and ceiling and strengthen pitching depth for the farm system.
- Atlanta Braves News: AJ Gracia drafted at 9, prep upside later, more Battery Power
- Braves prioritize upside, value on impressive Day 1 of MLB Draft Yahoo Sports
- N.J. baseball alum taken 9th overall in MLB Draft. His slot value is $6.68 million. NJ.com
- Canadian OF Carter Beck drafted 26th overall by Braves in MLB Draft Sportsnet.ca
- Virginia OF Gracia selected by Braves at No. 9 overall MLB.com
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