Braves Go Upside-Heavy Day 1 With Gracia and Overslot Prep Arms
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.