Skip to main content
All terrapins

Former Terps Drafted In The 2026 MLB Draft

The 2026 MLB Draft, which took place over the past weekend, featured names familiar to College Park among the selections.
Jaden Golding|
Bob "Turtle" Smith Stadium
Bob "Turtle" Smith Stadium | Burke Granger on X

While the 2026 MLB season pushes forward into the All-Star Break, the 2026 MLB Draft made its way through over the weekend, allowing more new talent to earn their opportunities on 30 different MLB teams. During the draft selection, there were a few names from College Park that were selected making the move to the next level.

Let's dive into some of the drafted names, what they can bring to their respective new clubs, and other names who are still looking for an opportunity...

Washington Nationals: Round 1 - Pick 11- Second Baseman Chris Hacopian (Texas A&M)

Yes, I know Hacopian spent his final collegiate season with the Aggies playing SEC ball. But for the Terps faithful, he'll always be remembered for his days at College Park, funny enough, where he played alongside his brother Eddie Hacopian. But also following in the footsteps of their father, Derek, who played at Maryland in 1992, earning the ACC Player of the Year award and posting one of the best hitting seasons in program history.

Chris finished his Terrapin career batting .347, with 104 runs, 144 hits, 22 doubles, one triple, 29 home runs, 103 RBIs, slugging at .614, drawing 70 walks, and stealing three bases.

Hacopian is an all-around elite hitter who has the tools to be an all-star and even a silver slugger-level offensive performer. But what also stands out is the patience and presence at the plate to not chase after balls. Hacopian is also versatile on the defensive end, having played both the infield and outfield.

Chicago Cubs: Round 8 - Pick 247- Right-Handed Pitcher Lance Williams (Maryland)

Williams was the first Terp selected in the draft, transferring to College Park after his freshman year campaign at East Carolina. Williams made 16 total appearances (8 of them starts), posting a stat line of two wins, three saves, striking out 69 total batters and allowing 39 earned runs.

Now, Williams did have four losses and a higher 6.16 ERA, but his versatile arsenal of different pitches at his disposal allows him to strike out batters at a high rate, which resulted in his final seven appearances surrendering only three runs and striking out 28 batters. Williams had a fastball that sat in the 90s, making it a tool that teams always look highly at.

His experience as both a starter and a reliever out of the bullpen allows him to be a versatile arm that can be relied upon in whatever role the Cubs call upon him for or develop him into.

Toronto Blue Jays: Round 11- Pick 342- Third Baseman Brayden Martin (Maryland)

Martin made a name for himself at Maryland as one of the top players on the roster and in the conference for his on-base percentage and discipline. Martin improved his batting average each of his three seasons at College Park, ultimately finishing his career with a .314 batting average, a .380 slugging percentage, and a .455 on-base percentage.

Martin holds a program-best record, drawing 145 walks in his career, and he also reached on base, setting another program record for 46 straight games this past season.

Martin's elite ability as a contact hitter makes him valuable both as a nightly hitter and when runners are in scoring position.

Terps Who Still Can Be Potentially Picked Up

  • Outfielder Aden Hill
  • Outfielder Jordan Crosland
Add us as a preferred source on Google

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations

Published
Jaden Golding
JADEN GOLDING

Jaden's sports journalism career began at the College of Southern Maryland from 2022-2023, where he was brought in to cover baseball, softball, basketball, soccer, and volleyball at CSM. In late 2023, he began interning at the University of Maryland Athletics Department as a contributing writer to help develop feature stories and game recaps. He also creates his own sports media content on professional Washington teams with LegacyMaker Sports Network.

Home/Baseball