The 2026 MLB Draft is underway and the Atlanta Braves are already making some waves in what has turned into quite the chaotic draft so far. By committing their early picks to under-slot, but intriguing, college bats, they have given themselves a lot of cash to play with from their already substantial draft bonus pool.
With that strategy, it is hard to grade each individual draft pick they make in the moment. However, now that we have some context as to what Atlanta is up to, we can at least look at each pick with some context, although it is almost certainly true that any draft grades are likely to change based on who the Braves actually end up with when the dust settles.
Complete list of 2026 MLB Draft picks with grades
Updates after round 10 will be more sporadic, given the pace of the picks, so please be patient once we get to that point.
First Round (9) - AJ Gracia, OF
Grade: B+
There were better players ahead of Gracia still on the board when Atlanta picked him, but the difference isn't enough to beat Atlanta up over it. Gracia can flat out hit, but his defensive future as well as lingering concerns about his shoulder will dictate if the Braves made a wise choice here. Of note, Gracia will almost certainly be well under slot, so how the Braves use those savings will dictate this pick's final grade. Overall, thumb's up.
First Round - PPI (26) - Carter Beck, OF
Grade: C+
This is a weird pick, because Beck is a reach even as an under-slot pick, which is almost certainly is. However, the ability to make contact is real and it is possible that Atlanta sees something that the rest of us do not. We'll give Alex Anthopoulos the benefit of the doubt for now and let him spend all of this draft bonus pool money, but you will want to circle this pick.
Second Round (48) - Kaiden McCarthy, RHP
Grade: A-
Other than not having a ton of track record, McCarthy is exactly the sort of arm that you would expect the Braves would try to target among a group of over-slot draft picks. High 90's fastball, strong foundation with his breaking stuff, and the arm speed is very, very good. Prep pitchers are always risky, but McCarthy is a very solid step towards this Braves draft class rounding into shape.
Third Round (84) - Jensen Hirschkorn, RHP
Grade: A-
Welp, the Braves' draft strategy is becoming abundantly clear now. With the savings from their first two picks, Atlanta is loading up on high ceiling prep arms and Hirschkorn could have easily been a pick in the comp rounds. Fastbal/slider combination is plus, has shown a decent changeup already, and he can hit his spots. Same sort of thing that we don't have a ton of track record as a starter deep into games with Hirschkorn, but this is a very promising arm. He will NOT be cheap, though.
Fourth Round (112) - Cole Dennis, RHP
Grade: B
Dennis does have some appealing characteristics. Being young for the draft class will certainly appear to the model lovers out there and he showed a high spin slider and a mid-90's fastball at the MLB Draft Combine. Dennis isn't quite as complete a pitcher as the other prep arms Atlanta has taken, but a solid pick nonetheless. One factor is his draft bonus. Going a bit over slot for him is fine, but it would be questionable to throw a huge bonus at him.
Fifth Round (144) - Wil Libbert, LHP
Grade: A-
Somewhat surprisingly, the Braves didn't go with an obviously underslot signing in the fifth to pay for all of their high-ceiling prep arms and instead when with an intriguing lefty in Wil Libbert. Has a really good cutter and there is upside if the Braves can improve his fastball shape and tighten up his delivery. Atlanta got a legit pitching prospect here.
Sixth Round (173) - Tyson Grulkowski, RHP
Grade: A-
Well, the Braves definitely have at least a little money left to play with if they are picking Grulkowski. Most assumed that he was just going to USF when he didn't go on day one. Projectable high school right-hander who may be able to unlock more velocity in that large frame of his with professional coaching. Atlanta is gobbling up the high ceiling prep arms right now.
Seventh Round (202) - Jack Brenner, C
Grade: B-
Well then, the Braves are clearly not done raiding the high school ranks just yet. Brenner is the second-straight Wisconsin high school player Atlanta has picked. Athletic for a catcher, and has more pop than he is given credit for. The hit tool is good enough that he could stick somewhere else if catching doesn't work out. Hard to know how good this pick is until we know how much it cost to get him away from his Oklahoma commitment and prep catchers are a risky demographic.
Eighth Round (232) - Jacob Jarrell, C
Grade: B-
Now we are to senior sign portion of the draft. Taking a college senior catcher has a lot of value, especially one that has some real pop. Combine that with a track record of performing on a high-level college team and you have a savvy pick, especially if it is WAY underslot. More of a lottery ticket, but one with some points in his favor.
Ninth Round (262) - Parker Brosius, OF
Grade: C
Braves grab a college senior from their backyard. Playing for Tech is a point in his favor and he has some value in his legs, but he is very likely to end up being organizational depth.
10th Round (292) ) - Ben Zeigler-Namoa, 1B
Grade: C
Fifth-year senior sign. Limited track record and likely dirt cheap.
11th Round (322) - Ryne Barker, 3B
Grade: A-
Athletic prep hitter from Arizona. Hit over power, but speedy and has a lot of raw tools to work with. Braves have spread their money around well so far.
12th Round - Dominic Kibler, C
13th Round - Cole Dorland, RHP
14th Round - Brady Hamilton, RHP
15th Round - Caleb Klein, OF
16th Round - Dalton Harper, C
17th Round - John Damozonio, RHP
18th Round - Ethan Stade, LHP
19th Round - Austin Fawley, C
20th Round - Nile Adcock, RHP
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