
Braves Tap Big Bonus Pool to Build 21-Player 2026 Draft Class
With the 2026 MLB Draft in the books, Atlanta leveraged a large bonus pool (enhanced by a Prospect Promotion pick) to pursue a deep class led by 9th‑overall AJ Gracia and 26th‑overall Carter Beck, plus seven later-round high-school talents. The Braves expect to sign all 21 selections, using under-slot signings and senior-college targets in rounds 8–10 to spread the money before the July 27 signing deadline. MLB rules cap bonuses against the pool for the first 10 rounds, allow a $150k reporting threshold for later rounds with any overage taxed via future picks, and include a contingency bonus that doesn’t count toward the pool.









