Braves select Virginia outfielder Gracia with No. 9 overall pick

“It’d be hard to find another organization that’s been better than them in terms of development the last couple years. So, obviously, super super happy and grateful to be a part of that. I’m really just happy to get to work at the end of the day. I think three years of college, not doing class anymore, I opened up a lot more time, so I’m excited to get that extra time and really get to work.”

The No. 19 overall prospect, according to MLB.com, Gracia (6-3, 195) began his college career at Duke after graduating from Ranney School in New Jersey. Gracia, who throws and hits left-handed, was a freshman All-American at Duke and then transferred to UVA for his junior season. In 56 games with the Cavaliers this past season, Gracia hit .354 with 14 homers and 48 RBIs. He had an OPS of 1.121.

Gracia said he grew up a Yankees fan, yet still has plenty of history with Atlanta and the Braves. He has played games against Georgia Tech at Russ Chandler Stadium and was a part of the 2022 Hank Aaron Invitational played at Truist Park.

“We’ve had (Gracia) on our radar for more than a year now,” Braves’ vice president of amateur scouting Ronit Shah said. “He’s been one of the best college performers for three years, Team USA guy, Cape Cod, he has hit everywhere he’s gone. So he was actually a guy this time a year ago our scouts were telling me, This should be our guy next year in the top five, six, seven picks, wherever we ended up.”

Later Saturday, the Braves chose Indiana State outfielder Carter Beck with the No. 26 overall selection.

Beck, the No. 193 overall prospect according to MLB.com, is a 5-foot-11, 206-pound native of Canada. He hit .346 with an OPS of 1.083 for the Sycamores this past season while driving in 59 runs and hitting 16 home runs.

The Missouri Valley Conference player of the year scored 62 runs as a junior and was twice an all-conference selection. Beck began his career at the University of Mary in North Dakota.

“(Beck’s) a really exciting hitter,” Shah said. “Left-handed bat, no-doubt center fielder. He can run, he can throw. He was at the combine, he was launching baseballs all spring. He’s got some of the best power in the draft class, and we’re really excited about just the untapped potential there for him given his background as a multi-sport guy. We think he’s been off the radar for a little bit here, but I think just the upside with now polish is such an exciting combo for the profile that he offers.”