COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – The MLB Draft begins Saturday with rounds one through three, wrapping up Sunday. Last year, Texas A&M had eight players selected — the most since 2016 — and that total could be matched this year.
Gavin Grahovac is among the Aggies projected to be drafted. The third-team All-American said he is looking forward to the moment with his family.
“There’s going to be a lot of emotions going through my head, a lot of emotions going through everyone around me, but just enjoy the moment with my family, just see the work that I’ve done throughout my entire life is paying off,” Grahovac said. “And I’m finally getting to live out a dream that I’ve had since I was as little as I can remember.”
What Grahovac is looking for in a team
Grahovac said his priority is finding an organization that will give him the fastest path to the major leagues.
“Values me as much as I value myself. Going to give me the best chance to get to the big leagues as quickly as possible,” he said. “Obviously, that has everything to do with how I perform and how I show up to the field every single day, but just getting put in the best position to get to the big leagues as quickly as possible.”
Grahovac pointed to former teammate Braden Montgomery as an example of what a quick rise through the minors can look like.
Montgomery had a historic big-league debut this past June with a dramatic two-run walk-off home run in the 10th inning to give the Chicago White Sox a 6-5 victory over the Atlanta Braves. He was originally drafted No. 12 overall by the Boston Red Sox in the 2024 MLB Draft before being traded to Chicago last year.
“Just watching him go through the minors, how quickly as he did, and get to the big leagues and see the production that he’s doing — that’s a special thing to do,” Grahovac said. “Not everyone gets the opportunity to do that, but Braden’s a special player, and he’s been great for me and all of those guys that were younger than him when we were at A&M.”
I caught up with Aggie @GavinGrahovac ahead of Saturday’s MLB Draft
“Coach Earley… he’s the reason I ended up going to college. He’s helped me get to the hitting point that I’m at now.” pic.twitter.com/yrEU38JVIl
— Tyler Shaw (@TylerShawSports) July 10, 2026
Teammates also in the mix
Grahovac is not the only Aggie expected to be selected. Teammate Chris Hacopian is projected to go early in the first round and Caden Sorrell is also a potential first-round pick.
“Caden in specific, I mean — I’ve been at A&M with him for three years, lived together with him for two of those years, so I’ve had a chance to see him kind of go through the grind,” Grahovac said. “And Chris was awesome to be around this year, and obviously he’s in such a great opportunity right now, so I’m excited for everyone, all of our pitchers, every hitter that we got. It’s going to be a fun day for a lot of guys this weekend.”
Beyond Hacopian, Sorrell and Grahovac, Perfect Game has Shane Sdao, Clayton Freshcorn and Bear Harrison in their MLB Draft Board Top 400. Aggie commits Connor Comeau, Trey Ebel, Ryan Harwood and Matthew Kelly are also on Perfect Game’s Draft Board.
Grahovac’s legacy at Texas A&M
Grahovac’s 47 career home runs are tied with John Byington for fourth all-time at Texas A&M. He set A&M single-season freshman record with 23 home runs and 66 RBI in 2024. After that historic season, he was crowned the SEC Freshman of the Year.
Grahovac had to battle back from injury in his sophomore season to get back to his junior year.
This past season, he split time between first and third base and slashed .339/.429/.722 with 22 home runs and 74 RBI. Grahovac led the team with 78 hits and 26 multi-hit performances. He was named to the NCBWA All-America Third Team.
He credited head coach Michael Earley and the program for his development.
“Coach Early — I can’t thank anyone more than him, to be honest with you. He’s the reason I ended up going to college, and he gave me every opportunity to go be my version of myself out in the field, and he’s helped me get to the hitting point that I’m at now,” Grahovac said. “I’ll forever cherish A&M and everything that they’ve done for me.”
The MLB Draft begins at noon Saturday.
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