With the ninth pick in the 2026 MLB Draft the Atlanta Braves have selected Virginia outfielder AJ Gracia. Gracia has been a very productive player over the past three seasons, and is a player who should be able to hit for both average and power at the next level.
Hometown: Tinton Falls, NJ (Ranney School HS)
2024: .305/.440/.559, 14 2B, 14 HR, 58 RBI, 5-6 SB, 48 BB, 55 K in 278 PA at Duke
2024: .267/.421/.467, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1-1 SB, 4 BB, 4 K in 19 PA over 6 games in Cape Cod League
2025: .293/.449/.558, 10 2B, 1 3B, 15 HR, 54 RBI, 8-9 SB, 57 BB, 36 K in 285 PA at Duke
2026: .354/.489/.632, 15 2B, 1 3B, 14 HR, 48 RBI, 4-6 SB, 47 BB, 38 K in 272 PA at Virginia
2024: Whiff 69 , In Zone Whiff 50, Out of Zone Whiff 77, Chase 94, Strikeout 44, Walk 93, Exit Velocity 89, 90th Percentile Exit Velocity 83, Barrel 87, xWOBA 96
2025: Whiff 90 , In Zone Whiff 68, Out of Zone Whiff 95, Chase 93, Strikeout 82, Walk 98, Exit Velocity 85, 90th Percentile Exit Velocity 83, Barrel 91, Pull Air % 73, xWOBA 99
2026: Whiff 79 , In Zone Whiff 87, Out of Zone Whiff 71, Chase 69, Strikeout 80, Walk 95, Exit Velocity 79, 90th Percentile Exit Velocity 68, Barrel 92, Pull Air % 70, xWOBA 94
Gracia’s best tool is his hit tool. He’s an excellent pure hitter in that he not only consistently makes contact, limits swing and miss, and chasing, but he also consistently puts the barrel on the ball and is one of the most patient hitters in the draft. If there is a complaint about his hit tool, it would be that he can be a bit too patient at times. This is an easy above average grade, and I can actually see it becoming a plus hit tool considering he has already shown a strong aptitude for making changes to his swing during his college career.
Gracia is likely going to have plus raw power, especially when you factor in the fact that he still has plenty of room to fill out his body. The only thing about his offensive profile that causes concern is the fact that he has underwhelming exit velocity data this year – something you wouldn’t expect when looking at his hit tool, size, and past success with exit velocities. I tend to think that is related to his approach and leaving some of his power on the table as he focuses on making contact instead of something that I am worried about.
Gracia is a fringy runner, though there is some chance he could slow down a bit in the coming years as he fills in his body further. He’s not a burner on the bases, but he is a guy with the instincts to steal the occasional bag.
Gracia is a solid average defender. He’s played mostly center in college, but most believe he will eventually need to move to the corner as a pro. He only has fringy grades for both his speed and arm, making him a tough profile in right. That means he is likely a future left fielder, which will add a little pressure to his bat.
Gracia is a fringy arm strength guy. It doesn’t work ideally in right, but it should be enough to handle left
I have to admit I love Gracia as a prospect. His buttery smooth left handed swing and the ability to hit for both average and power reminds me of a young Kyle Tucker – at least offensively. I am not at all concerned about the lower than expected exit velocity data from this year, especially because he has done a better job with it in past years and because he has room to add more strength.
Gracia has an All Star ceiling because of his bat, and he is also a high floor player because of his advanced hit tool. He is likely to start in High-A and could be up to Double-A by some point in the 2027 season. I wouldn’t at all be surprised if he was among the first guys in this to reach the big leagues. Bringing his power out into games more consistently will be his biggest thing to work on, but getting a player with this kind of upside is huge.
