The Atlanta Braves took a calculated swing in the 2026 MLB Draft, and the early part of that plan was easy to read. After selecting AJ Gracia with the ninth overall pick and Indiana State outfielder Carter Beck in the second round, Atlanta was clearly banking on under-slot deals up top so it could go hunting later. That approach paid off with a run of high-upside prep arms, including a trio of expensive picks in a row, plus more talent in the sixth and 11th rounds.
The most notable of those over-slot selections is California prep right-hander Jensen Hirschkorn, and he’s the one drawing the most attention now. At 6-foot-7 and 205 pounds, Hirschkorn already brings a mid-90s fastball with more velocity possible as he adds strength, along with a slider that looks like a potential plus pitch and a changeup that has flashed promise. With that kind of profile, it makes sense the Braves were willing to reportedly go to $3.5-4 million to get him.
There’s another layer here, too: Hirschkorn is committed to LSU, which means NIL money is almost certainly part of the equation. After being taken in the third round, he made comments that sounded like he was still weighing whether he’d actually sign with Atlanta. That naturally caught Braves fans’ attention.
Just finished talking to @Braves 3rd round pick, Jensen Hirschkorn. The Kingsburg-born RHP is mulling a decision between LSU and Atlanta.
He couldn’t go in detail on the money offered from both sides, but hear why it is “the toughest decision of my life”… tonight on @KMPHFOX26. pic.twitter.com/O5DnMdR5i0
- Gabe Camarillo (@gabecamarillo_) July 12, 2026
Still, there’s a reason not to hit the panic button yet. Hirschkorn calling it the “toughest decision of my life” does create some uncertainty, and LSU’s booster-backed spending power is part of the backdrop. But it’s also possible he’s simply trying to handle the situation carefully while showing respect to a program he clearly values.
The bigger point is that players taken this high almost always end up signing. Braves first-round pick Carter Stewart back in 2018 remains one of the rare exceptions.
Atlanta also wouldn’t have made Hirschkorn the pick it did without some confidence that he was headed its way. The club didn’t leave itself a clean fallback option in the later rounds, and if Hirschkorn were to back out after agreeing to terms, that would reflect poorly on both him and his agent around the league.
There’s also the basic reality of the risk involved with a prep pitcher. That’s a volatile demographic, and turning down what amounts to first-round money would be a hard sell. If Hirschkorn does end up going elsewhere, though, the way Atlanta’s draft class and strategy are viewed would change fast, and not in a good way.
In Other News...
Braves Fans Had One Big Reason To Watch Cam Caminiti Closely
The 2026 MLB All-Star Futures Game in Philadelphia gave Braves fans a fresh look at Cam Caminiti, the organizations top pitching prospect, in a setting built for baseballs next wave of talent. The American League rolled to a 6-1 win over the National League, but the showcase was really about the names scattered across the field, with Jess Made, Kade Anderson, Seth Hernandez, Liam Doyle, Leo De Vries, JoJo Parker and Nathan Flewelling all getting a turn in front of a national audience.
Caminiti did his part to keep Atlantas interest alive, working a scoreless inning and striking out one in his outing. The bigger buzz from the game came elsewhere, as Flewelling turned in the kind of moment that can define a showcase like this, leaving Braves followers to track not just how Caminiti looked, but what his brief appearance says about where he stands in the organizations pipeline. [Read more 🡒]
Braves Just Confirmed A Ronald Acuna Jr. Update Fans Needed
Ronald Acuna Jr. is set to take another step back toward Atlantas lineup, with a rehab assignment beginning Monday at the FCL Braves. It is the latest checkpoint in a season that has again been interrupted by injury for one of the Braves most important players, and it comes with the kind of caution that has followed Acuna since his breakout years were derailed by repeated setbacks.
Ha-Seong Kim will also be in the FCL Braves mix as he starts his own rehab work, giving the club a pair of notable names to monitor at the same level. For Atlanta, the bigger picture is familiar by now: Acuna still changes the lineup when he is available, but every return now carries the lingering question of how long he can stay on the field after so many stops and starts. [Read more 🡒]
Braves May Need To Cut Bait On A Veteran Bat Fast
The Braves hold on the NL East has tightened enough that every roster spot is starting to matter a little more, and that is why the conversation around the lineup is beginning to shift. With Philadelphia and Miami closing the gap, Atlanta may not be able to carry underperforming pieces much longer, especially with the All-Star break offering a natural checkpoint for a club that still expects to contend.
Dominic Smith has become one of the more obvious names to watch because the bat that looked useful earlier in the season has not stayed at that level. Atlanta has already had to weigh how much value he brings as a designated hitter and outfielder, and the front office could soon have to decide whether the fit is worth keeping around if the offense does not rebound quickly after the break. [Read more 🡒]