Atlanta Braves sign first-round pick AJ Gracia and other draft selections
Braves Secure First-Round Talent
The Atlanta Braves have reportedly signed Virginia outfielder AJ Gracia, their first-round selection in the 2026 MLB Draft. Gracia, chosen as the No. 9 overall pick, has been noted for his power during his collegiate career. According to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman, Gracia expressed his excitement about joining the team, stating that the decision was a last-minute development.
Gracia’s selection marks a notable moment for the Braves, as he is the first collegiate outfielder the team has taken in the first round since Arizona State outfielder Mike Kelly in 1991. That year, Atlanta secured the second overall pick and went on to win the first of 14 consecutive division titles, along with five National League pennants in the 1990s.
The deal for Gracia was finalized just days after the MLB draft. The contract is valued at $3,997,500, which is an under-slot deal compared to the $6,675,300 slot value for the ninth overall pick. This represents a saving of $2,677,800 for the Braves.
Additional Draft Signings and Canadian Selections
Beyond their first-round pick, the Braves have also reached agreements with several other selections from the 2026 MLB Draft. These include:
- Fourth-rounder Cole Dennis: $523,275 ($174,425 under slot)
- Fifth-rounder Wil Libbert: $447,500 ($63,900 under slot)
- Sixth-rounder Tyson Grulkowski: $597,500 ($207,600 over slot)
- Eleventh-rounder Ryne Barker: $697,500 ($547,500 counts towards pool)
Reports indicate that the Braves have reached contract agreements with their first 10 picks in the 2026 MLB draft.
The 2026 MLB Draft also saw a significant presence of Canadian talent, with 13 players from Canada selected. Among these, two were drafted by the Atlanta Braves. Carter Beck, an outfielder from Indiana State, was selected by the Braves. Beck, who is 21 years old and from Estevan, Saskatchewan, rose on draft boards due to his performance in 2026, where he won the Missouri Valley Conference Joe Carter Player of the Year award. Over 57 games, Beck recorded a .346 batting average, .446 on-base percentage, and .637 slugging percentage, including 16 home runs and 12 stolen bases. He also received All-Conference First Team and All-Defensive Team honors.
Another Canadian draftee joining the Braves is pitcher Cole Dorland from Langley, British Columbia. Dorland, who is 17 years old, was picked by the Braves after a spring season pitching for the Langley Blaze and the Junior National Team. He is committed to Alabama and will not turn 18 until December. Dorland’s pitching repertoire includes a fastball-changeup-curveball mix, with his fastball reaching the low-90s.
Other notable Canadian selections in the draft included Taj Marchand, a 17-year-old shortstop from Charleston, South Carolina, who was picked by the Tampa Bay Rays. Marchand is a dual citizen through his Montreal-born father. Elliot Lascelles, an 18-year-old shortstop from Toronto, was selected by the San Diego Padres. Sean Duncan, an 18-year-old pitcher from Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, went to the New York Yankees. Joey Volchko, a 21-year-old pitcher with dual citizenship, was drafted by the Chicago White Sox. Deiten Lachance, a 21-year-old catcher from Sherbrooke, Quebec, was picked by the Cleveland Guardians. Robert Omidi, an 18-year-old third baseman from Mississauga, Ontario, was selected by the Detroit Tigers. Evan Morrison, a 23-year-old shortstop from Wheatley, Ontario, went to the Texas Rangers. Damarcus Rideout-Carter, an 18-year-old pitcher from Brampton, Ontario, was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Ryan Marton, a 21-year-old pitcher from Toronto, was selected by the Chicago Cubs. PJ Moutzouridis, a 21-year-old shortstop born in San Jose, California, with a Canadian father, was picked by the Minnesota Twins. Finally, Will Zielinski, a 17-year-old pitcher from Victoria, British Columbia, was also selected by the Detroit Tigers, capping the Canadian selections in the 2026 draft.
The Braves’ recent signings, including Gracia, indicate progress in securing their draft class following the 2026 MLB Draft.
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Source: sports.yahoo.com
