AJ Gracia, Braves' Top Draft Pick, Undergoes Season-Ending Surgery

AJ Gracia, selected as the Atlanta Braves' top pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, has had labrum surgery and will be sidelined for seven to ten months, according to a report from The Athletic.

The 21-year-old outfielder was the No. 9 overall pick, signing with the Braves for nearly $4 million, which is significantly less than the slot value of approximately $6.7 million. During his single season at Virginia, Gracia achieved a batting average of .354, hitting 14 home runs and driving in 48 runs.

Gracia's collegiate career spanned 176 games at Duke and Virginia, where he recorded 152 walks against 129 strikeouts, showcasing his strong plate discipline. The surgery was conducted in Los Angeles by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, although the Braves have yet to officially announce the details of the procedure.