2026 MLB Draft

[imref]

And there goes Burress. A's get another guy to fast track to the majors.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Burress taken at #8 by A's

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Fangraphs had Grindlinger going 6th, he's still out there.

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Gracia to Atlanta (FG had him going at 16), Hacopian and Grindlinger still out there.

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Tyler Bell to the Rockies (FG had us picking him). We're on the clock.

[Kevrock]

I want no part of Curiel. He needs more power and don’t think he really gives a crap about being great. Jake Brown and Monster Milam were my two favorite players on last years team. Curiel just seems like he will never reach his potential. No thanks!

I drafted him as the Nats in OOTP 24 or 25 and he was pretty good.

[ZimW1N]

The board could not have fell better for the Nats. We have our pick of the pitchers at this point.

[imref]

really annoying that NBC had to switch away.

[Squab]

Hacopian indeed

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Hacopian indeed

Longenhagen nailed it!

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mlb pipeline:

Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Run: 40 | Arm: 45 | Field: 45 | Overall: 55

Derek Hacopian won the Atlantic Coast Conference triple crown and Player of the Year Award at Maryland in 1992, and his sons Chris and Eddie teamed up with the Terrapins in 2024-25. After Chris slashed .375/.502/.656 with 14 homers and more than twice as many walks (40) as strikeouts (19), and his older brother graduated last spring, he transferred to Texas A&M. His hitting ability and strike-zone judgment rank among the best in the 2026 Draft, though he hasn’t been at his best while dealing with lower-back issues that cost him nearly a month this spring.

Hacopian can make hitting look easy because he has advanced feel for the barrel and control of the strike zone, and some clubs believe he has the best bat in the college ranks. Though he has a busy setup, his right-handed stroke always seems to be on time and produces consistent hard contact, especially against fastballs. While his hitting prowess overshadows his power, the latter is at least average and could be more if he drove balls in the air more often.

Hacopian played third base as a freshman before shifting to shortstop as a sophomore, and the Aggies originally committed to playing him there in 2026. He's a below-average runner with average arm strength and a lack of lateral range, so he wound up at second base. It's not a given that he can stay on the dirt at the next level, so he could wind up in left field.

[Squab]

something im not really sure how to think about is contact skills in college. maybe you have to look at splits vs guys who are actually good. like obviously you can't trust Dylan Crews .349, .426 averages and his K/BB at LSU as indication of elite contact.

They're saying on the broadcast Hacopian has great contact skills, reminiscent of Anthony Rendon.

[Kevrock]

I think it's a good pick and we made out well for 1-11.

[zimm_da_kid]

Should be a very pro-ready college bar. I think we find out quick if it was a good pick or not. Not sure what position he plays. Could be 2B, LF, 1B, or DH the way I see it

[JCA-CrystalCity]

something im not really sure how to think about is contact skills in college. maybe you have to look at splits vs guys who are actually good. like obviously you can't trust Dylan Crews .349, .426 averages and his K/BB at LSU as indication of elite contact.

They're saying on the broadcast Hacopian has great contact skills, reminiscent of Anthony Rendon.

also a righty hitter with an injury history.

FG "The Board" profile:

Hacopian should be viewed similarly to how Keston Hiura was coming out of Irvine: We're pretty sure this guy can hit, and even though he might not have a position, there's still enough confidence in his bat that he might come off the board in the top 10 picks. Hacopian has exceptional plate coverage and all-fields spray, quick enough to pull fastballs around his hands and with enough strength to drive the ones he's late on the other way. He swings with visible effort, but not only is there no obvious hole in his swing, Hacopian has a ridiculous TrackMan readout, with a 95-97% contact rate versus fastballs the last two seasons, including on Cape Cod, and a 57% hard-hit rate during his sophomore season with the Terps.

Though his power consistency and overall offensive performance were down a bit in 2026, that was likely because Hacopian wasn't 100% healthy. This might also have been impacting him on defense, where he lacks lateral agility and any modicum of athleticism. He's a bulky guy and, depending on how his body matures into his mid-20s, might not be able to play a passable second base. This is a bat-only prospect who might hit so much that it doesn't matter.

https://www.fangraphs.com/prospects/the-board/2026-mlb-draft/summary

[Squab]

I don't really have an issue drafting with a great bat that we have to find a place to play. It's such a waste when you trot out someone that can't really hit at 1B/DH.

[SkinsNatFan21RIP]

So we basically drafted Petry again? Somewhat similar at least? I really would've preferred Grindlinger there who probably profiles as a much better pro.

[Squab]

So we basically drafted Petry again? Somewhat similar at least? I really would've preferred Grindlinger there who probably profiles as a much better pro.

Petry was 17% K% at age 21 vs 10% for Hacopian. 13.5% BB vs 12.8% BB. Power looks similar.

Petry is also 6'4 235 vs 6'1 205

(I don't know if this means much)

Crews at 21 for LSU: 13% K 20.5% BB

[Squab]

2nd Rounder OF Chase Brunson from TCU

2026 @ age 20:
.304/.462/.556
BB% 14.7% - K% 18.7%

with 19 HBP in 225 PA

[JCA-CrystalCity]

FG had him as a mid 1st round pick after 2025 but slipping to mid 2nd round because of questions now about sticking in CF after being plus last year, and a bit more swing and miss. They suggest coaching will try to get him back to 2025.

[welch]

Toboni does not believe in pitching, I guess.

[SkinsNatFan21RIP]

Toboni does not believe in pitching, I guess.

Who needs pitching anyway…

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Toboni does not believe in pitching, I guess.

took a high school arm in the 3rd or 4th round

[welch]

took a high school arm in the 3rd or 4th round

Must have been the 4th. Took a SS in the third.

Round 4
There were still some high-end picks here, though this is the start of where some money–savers came in, with the first players not on our Top 250 being selected.

106. Nationals: Cooper Harris, RHP, Flower Mound HS, Tex. (No. 76)
Harris had a big up arrow next to his name all spring, with four solid offerings, and the Nationals went back-to-back on intriguing high school players after starting with a pair of college bats.

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Nussbaum: “Chris Hacopian said the Nats presented him with the most organized development plan of any team he met with.”