Cody Bellinger broke the Atlanta Braves' hearts in game seven of the 2020 NLCS with a game-winning home run in the seventh inning. Bellinger is also one of the players whom Braves first-round pick AJ Gracia says he models his game after. Thanks to the World Series victory in 2021, Braves fans can excuse or at least forgive the Bellinger comparisons. In fact, if Gracia wants to produce at the level Bellinger has in his career, Atlanta would get a ton of value from their ninth overall selection.
During an interview with MLB Network, Gracia said Bellinger was an easy guy to compare himself to because of the similar body types and setup in the batter's box. Bellinger was the 2017 Rookie of the Year, 2019 NL MVP, and has a 33.8 career bWAR in ten seasons; it's safe to say the Braves would take that outcome from Gracia.
AJ Garcia says Cody Bellinger is a player he has tried to emulate over the years. He knew the Braves were in the mix, but didn't know he would be selected until about three minutes before the pick was announced. He is the first collegiate outfielder the Braves have taken in the…
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) July 11, 2026
AJ Gracia models his game after some of the league's best hitters
Gracia's impressive .489 on-base percentage in 2026 showcases how he refuses to give away at-bats. Competing every time you step into the box is another reason Gracia says he loves to watch Mets' star Juan Soto battle at the plate. Gracia has a strong understanding of the strike zone, and his 17.3% walk rate while at Virginia last season is a higher mark than Soto's 16.6 BB% this season.
Gracia will enter Atlanta's organization with one of the highest graded hit-tools, and as he matures, he has the chance to add on more power to his 195-pound frame. College hitters were flying off the draft board early on Saturday afternoon, and the Braves feel they got one of the more polished hitters in this draft.
As of now, Gracia's defense and arm strength project him toward left field, but the advanced approach at the plate at a big Division I school makes him one of the most accomplished first-round position player selections by Atlanta in quite some time. Gracia could be a fast-riser through the system, and if he continues to showcase elite plate discipline like his Major League idols, he will soon join them on a big league diamond.
Add us as a preferred source on Google