Copywriting by Mark Bowman
1991 will always be a special year for Braves fans. So, there may be reason to be excited about the fact that Atlanta drafted a collegiate outfielder in the first round for the first time in 35 years.
The Braves took AJ Gracia with the first of their two first-round selections (ninth overall) in the 2026 MLB Draft on Saturday afternoon. The University of Virginia outfielder was MLB Pipeline’s No. 19 Draft prospect.
“That was really cool,” Gracia said. “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.”
Gracia is the first collegiate outfielder the Braves have taken in the first round since Arizona State outfielder Mike Kelly was nabbed with the second overall selection in 1991. Atlanta won the first of 14 consecutive division titles that year and earned the first of the five NL pennants it captured during the 1990s.
“He's been one of the best college performers for three years,” Braves vice president of amateur scouting Ronit Shah said. “Team USA guy, Cape Cod. He hit everywhere he's gone. This time a year ago, our scouts were telling me, ‘This should be our guy next year.’”
Gracia has been known for his superb consistency throughout three years in college. Gracia, 21, posted an OPS over 1.000 each season, peaking at 1.121 this past spring. He also hit 43 homers (14, 15 and 14 again) and 39 doubles on a .317 average over his career. |
