Virginia OF Gracia selected by Braves at No. 9 overall

AJ Gracia, MLB Pipeline’s No. 19 Draft prospect, was selected ninth overall by the Braves in the 2026 MLB Draft on Saturday.

He became the first Virginia player selected in the first round since catcher Kyle Teel went 14th overall in 2023.

The outfielder 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.

Starting his career at Duke, Gracia burst onto the scene with Freshman All-American honors after he set Blue Devils rookie records for homers and RBIs. He experimented with a swing change his sophomore year that may have contributed to a slow start, but the numbers stabilized right back after he ditched that change. Gracia then followed head coach Chris Pollard from Duke to Virginia for the 2026 campaign, when he and the Cavaliers made it to an NCAA Regional.

Gracia fully solidified his prospect status with an excellent junior campaign. He earned second-team, third-team or honorable mention All-American honors from various outlets, as well as second-team All-ACC.

The New Jersey native owns a sweet lefty swing from an upright stance, which he compared in an MLB Network interview to former NL MVP and current Yankee Cody Bellinger’s stroke. He stands 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds with a projectable frame that could add more strength in the professional ranks.

Gracia earns strong 55 grades for both his hit tool and raw power, while an advanced approach at the plate -- 152 walks to 129 strikeouts in his career -- aid his overall offering.

He also earns above-average marks with 50 fielding. Evaluators believe he may stick in center field because of strong instincts and efficient routes, though if he moves to a corner, his 45-grade arm may play better in left field.