2026 MLB Draft Begins in Philadelphia with Georgia Stars

Early Stars from Georgia Take Top Spots

Vahn Lackey, a native of Gwinnett County who starred at Georgia Tech, was the third overall pick by the Minnesota Twins. The catcher from Georgia, Daniel Jackson, also made noise as a Golden Spikes Award winner. Another Yellow Jacket, outfielder Drew Burress, was selected eighth overall by the Athletics. He hails from Warner Robins and played alongside Lackey at Georgia Tech. The early rounds highlighted the strong pipeline of talent emerging from Georgia colleges and high schools.

Below is the featured image from the event.

Atlanta Braves’ Saturday Draft Picks

Philadelphia hosted five of the Braves’ selections on Saturday, landing at spots 9, 26, 48, 84 and 112. The first confirmed name from those picks is AJ Gracia, an outfielder from the University of Virginia taken ninth overall. The remaining numbers are still unfilled as the draft progresses through the night. These picks reflect Atlanta’s intent to add early‑round talent to fill outfield needs. Fans can follow the evolving list for updates over the next two days.

Looking Ahead to Sunday’s Later Rounds

Rounds five through 20 will continue on Sunday, giving teams a full day to shape their rosters. The initial four rounds concluded Saturday evening, so momentum will shift as new prospects are evaluated. Draft enthusiasts are encouraged to monitor the live coverage for fresh names. The buzz around Georgia prospects suggests additional local players could surface later in the draft. The list will be refined as more information becomes available throughout the weekend.

For those tracking the draft, each selection provides a glimpse into future roster building and team strategies. The early focus on Georgia talent reflects a broader trend of strong college play in the Southeast. Fans can watch the live feed to see how clubs adapt after the initial rounds. The draft will continue into Sunday, with more names expected to be called as the event progresses.