Nationals' top 2026 Draft pick crushes first pro homer
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Chris Hacopian has a knack for finding the barrel. That was evident on one momentous swing Tuesday night.
Hacopian, the Nationals' top pick in last month's MLB Draft and their No. 6 prospect, hit his first home run in pro ball during High-A Wilmington's 7-4 loss to Jersey Shore at ShoreTown Ballpark.
And this dinger wasn't a wall-scraper. Hacopian blasted a fastball beyond the left-field berm and off a billboard. It was an encouraging sight for a player who could have plus power if he hits the ball in the air more often.
The long ball also provided Hacopian with his first extra-base hit and RBI through 12 games in pro ball. The Maryland native is batting .263 with a .733 OPS thus far, but with his 60-grade hit tool, it's just a matter of time before those numbers tick up.
We are already seeing Hacopian's advanced command of the strike zone as the 21-year-old infielder has an equal number of strikeouts and walks (eight) through 46 plate appearances. That's led to a .391 on-base percentage.