Hacopian becomes highest-drafted position player in Texas A&M history after Nationals select him 11th overall

(KBTX) - Chris Hacopian’s name was called 11th when the Washington Nationals made the Texas A&M second baseman one of the top selections in the 2026 MLB Draft on Saturday at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

The pick rewrote a piece of Aggie history. Hacopian is now the highest-drafted position player the program has ever produced, and the 16th A&M player taken in the first round.

His selection also gave Texas A&M something it has never had before — a first-round pick in three consecutive drafts. Braden Montgomery went 12th to Boston in 2024, Jace LaViolette landed with Cleveland at 27th in 2025, and now Hacopian heads to Washington in 2026.

Hacopian arrived in College Station after two seasons at Maryland, where he picked up second-team All-Big Ten recognition each year. He wasted little time making an impression, starting every one of the 42 games he suited up for in 2026. He batted .319, reached base at a .405 clip and slugged .578, adding up to 11 home runs, 41 RBI and 10 doubles on the year.

He came through in bunches throughout the season, putting up multiple hits in 15 games and driving in multiple runs nine times. Baseball America tabbed him an All-American, and the SEC named him to its First Team at season’s end.