The Atlanta Braves have signed both of their first-rounders today. First, their ninth overall pick, outfielder AJ Gracia, signed for $3,997,500, which is well under slot value, which is $6,675,300. They then signed 26th overall pick outfielder Carter Beck for $2,684,100, which is also under slot value, which is $3,578,800.
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Gracia, in 56 games at Virginia this season, has hit .317 with a 1.042 OPS. He had 15 doubles, a triple, 14 home runs, 48 RBI, and 64 runs scored. Before joining Virginia, he spent two seasons at Duke. In 120 games for the Blue Devils, he hit .299 with a 1.004 OPS. He had 24 doubles, a triple, 29 home runs, 112 RBI, and 113 runs scored. Gracia also appeared in six games in the Cape Cod Baseball League, hitting .267 with a .888 OPS. He had one home run, three RBI, and three runs scored.
Beck, in 57 games this season, hit .346 with a 1.083 OPS. He had 17 doubles, two triples, 16 home runs, 59 RBI, and 62 runs scored. In three collegiate seasons, two with Indiana State and one at UMary, he appeared in 160 games total. Beck hit .345 with a 1.043 OPS. He had 42 doubles, seven triples, 39 home runs, 168 RBI, and 166 runs scored. In 94 games for Saskatoon in summer ball hit .379 with a 1.089 OPS. He had 19 doubles, five triples, 20 home runs, 81 RBI, and 105 runs scored.
