CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – AJ Gracia came to Virginia baseball, transferring from Duke, amidst considerable fanfare. The outfielder largely lived up to the hype – he led the Cavaliers with a .354 average and .632 slugging percentage, while hitting 14 home runs and driving in 48 runs.

Gracia was one of four Virginia players who showcased their skills at the 2026 MLB Combine June 23-26 at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. Gracia was joined there by infielders Eric Becker and Joe Tiroly and pitcher/outfielder Kyle Johnson.

All four hope to hear their names called during Saturday’s MLB Draft at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.  

Where might the foursome land?

AJ Gracia 

Much of the pre-draft buzz surrounding UVA’s four Combine participants begins with Virginia’s centerfielder, Gracia. The Duke transfer followed coach Chris Pollard to Virginia and led the team’s regular starters in average, slugging and on-base percentage, while placing second on the team in hits, doubles, home runs and total bases. While at Duke he played right field, Gracia’s strong center field play also helps his draft stock, as does his patient, reserved approach at the plate. The well-rounded nature of Gracia’s toolset, power, contact, speed and defense motivates many analysts (including this one), to mark him as a top ten pick.   

Possible destination: San Francisco Giants, fourth overall

The Giants are struggling this season and may end up selling some of their assets at the trade deadline. While their current outfield is strong, consisting of Lee Jung-Hoo, Heliot Ramos and Harrison Bader, the outfielders in the Giants’ system are not close to being MLB ready. Dakota Jordan and Trevor Cohen are in A+ ball, and Bo Davidson plays at AA Richmond.  These three, while excellent ballplayers and athletes, developing right on schedule, may not be as far along as Gracia is in his path to pro-ball.  If Gracia is allowed to return to his natural position in the corner of the outfield, he and Davidson could make for a lethal partnership in Oracle Park in two years’ time. Furthermore, since Gracia hits left-handed, those in kayaks floating around McCovey Cove will be quite busy should Gracia bring his power to the big leagues. 

Eric Becker 

The Wahoo shortstop was expected to depart Virginia last season following a respectable campaign in Brian O’Connor’s final year at the helm. Last summer, Eric’s younger brother Nick was committed to Virginia while preparing for the draft. At last summer’s conclusion, Nick was drafted, and Eric remained in Charlottesville. A stellar final season later, even though he spent a key of it injured, Becker notched 57 hits, including a team-leading 16 doubles and seven homeruns. He also reached marks of 42.7% on-base, 53.3% slugging and a .317 batting average. He struggled a little in the field, due in part to his injury, but that can be developed further in the minors and likely will not hurt his draft stock. Even though injuries marred his last collegiate season, he will still likely be chosen in the first round thanks to the skills he has displayed throughout the last four years. 

Possible destination: Seattle Mariners, 24th overall

Yes, the Mariners already drafted his younger brother out of high school. Taking Nick’s older brother, especially with an active need at the position, could be profitable for Seattle. In Becker’s way to the MLB is Nick, currently playing in rookie ball, as well as Felnin Celesten at A+ ball. Celesten’s career has been hampered by early injuries, and his development has slowed down in a big way. Becker’s final obstacle is the veteran shortstop J.P. Crawford, who still has a steady contact tool and plays solid defense at the Major League level, but has a career batting average just under the Mendoza line. Also, much like Gracia, Becker would benefit from a short porch in right field at T-Mobile Park. He just needs to hope that Nick does not beat him to the big leagues. 

Joe Tiroly 

The Rider transfer impressed at Virginia with a red-hot second half of the season in his first year of ACC Baseball. The Wahoo second baseman finished the season leading the team in homeruns, hits and RBIs. Additionally, he posted a .319 average, second place among starters and was also one of two Cavaliers to play every game of the 2026 season. Scouts, according to the MLB.com report, needed to see more from him in the defensive department and were still not quite impressed with his hitting abilities in a short sample size in ACC play, however, his abilities still fit needs of several organizations, especially at second base.   

Possible destination: Philadelphia Phillies, 64th overall

One might make the argument that being drafted this high may be giving him too much credit, but his prospect rankings and grades, as well as the intangibles he brings to the table justify this position. The Phillies have proven they like to draft players from the Philadelphia area, and Tiroly hails from Yardley. He fits a need at second base as well, with only one high-ranking prospect in their system who plays that position – Aroon Escobar at AA Reading. Devin Saltiban, in A+ ball, splits his time between second and the outfield. Escobar and Tiroly would compete well with one another throughout the system to try and unseat Bryson Stott at the Major League level. 

Kyle Johnson 

Johnson was expected to be the Friday night starter at the beginning of the 2026 season, but an injury knocked him out of the rotation for a spell, losing the Friday role to his former Duke teammate Henry Zatkowski. He showed his quality at points this season, blowing hitters away at the plate with impressive strikeouts, and hitting some long homeruns throughout the season. However, questions remain on what will happen when and if he chooses to focus on one or the other, hitting or pitching. Should Johnson choose to focus on pitching, he has the potential to climb high in the majors.   

Possible destination: Milwaukee Brewers, 163rd overall

The Brewers, with a reputation of developing pitchers, would fit Johnson perfectly, and the Brewers only have a pair of left-handed pitchers in their top 30 prospects – J.D. Thompson and Frank Cairone, in A+ ball and rookie ball respectively. If Johnson picks pitching, hurlers tend to shoot through the ranks much quicker than hitters do, which is good news for KJ. 

The MLB Draft kicks off July 11 at 1 p.m. and coverage starts on MLB Network.