Chris Hacopian, the No. 11 overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, has signed his first professional contract with the Washington Nationals for a reported $5.7 million signing bonus.
Hacopian, a Potomac, Maryland native, begins his professional career with the team he grew up supporting, a short drive from Nationals Park. The infielder spent his first two collegiate seasons at Maryland before transferring to Texas A&M, where he hit .319 with 11 home runs and earned First-Team All-SEC and Third-Team All-American honors despite missing time with injury. Regarded as one of the best pure hitters in this year’s draft class, he walked more often than he struck out in each of his three college seasons. The signing also marks another milestone for Armenian baseball, as Hacopian joins a growing list of Armenians to reach the professional ranks. Among them is his father, Derek Hacopian, who also played professionally. With one of the most advanced bats in the draft class and an opportunity with his hometown organization, Hacopian’s road to the major leagues officially begins.
Photo credit: @nationals