First-Round Bite: Former Shark Chris Hacopian Goes 11th Overall to the Washington Nationals

Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts  - The Martha's Vineyard Sharks are thrilled to congratulate former Sharks infielder Chris Hacopian, selected 11th overall by the Washington Nationals on Saturday night during Day 1 of the 2026 MLB Draft in Philadelphia.

The pick makes history on the Island. In a program that has sent more than 50 players into professional baseball since 2010, no Shark had ever heard his name called in the first round — the previous high-water mark was a third-round selection, 91st overall, back in 2014. Hacopian didn't just clear that bar; he sailed over it by 80 picks, instantly becoming the highest-drafted player in Sharks history.

Vineyard fans saw this coming. In the summer of 2024, a 19-year-old Hacopian arrived at the Shark Tank fresh off his freshman season at the University of Maryland and put together one of the most complete offensive summers the Island has seen: a .370 average with a .456 on-base percentage and .630 slugging across 39 games, piling up nine home runs, 32 RBI, nine stolen bases, and nearly twice as many walks (17) as strikeouts (10). His 1.085 OPS that summer would stand as the best mark of his amateur summer-ball career, better even than his follow-up stint in the Cape League a year later.

That Vineyard breakout launched a steep climb. Hacopian returned to Maryland and torched Big Ten pitching as a sophomore, hitting .375 with a .502 on-base percentage, 14 home runs, and 61 RBI. He transferred to Texas A&M for the 2026 season and kept right on hitting in the SEC — .319/.405/.578 with 11 home runs and 41 RBI in 42 games — entering the draft as MLB Pipeline's No. 14 overall prospect, the top-ranked second baseman in the class, with a bat some evaluators regarded as the best available.

The destination makes the story even sweeter. Hacopian grew up in Potomac, Maryland, rooting for the Nationals, and now becomes the first-ever draft selection of Washington's new front office. He also extends a family baseball legacy: his father, Derek, was the 1992 ACC Player of the Year at Maryland and a Cleveland draft pick, and his older brother, Eddie, is currently playing professionally in Québec.

Hacopian joins a fast-growing pipeline of Sharks alumni in the professional ranks, headlined by right-hander Will Warren, the first Shark to reach the Major Leagues, who just completed a standout rookie season in the New York Yankees' rotation. From the Shark Tank to the show, the current keeps getting stronger.

Congratulations, Chris, from the entire Sharks organization, our host families, and Sharks fans everywhere. Washington just landed itself a Shark — and the rest of the National League is gonna need a bigger boat.

About the Martha's Vineyard Sharks

The Martha's Vineyard Sharks are a member of the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL), providing top collegiate talent with a platform to develop and entertain fans across the region. The MV Sharks Baseball Foundation, Inc., a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is dedicated to promoting baseball on Martha's Vineyard. We are currently seeking support to improve our baseball field at The Shark Tank, enhancing facilities for players, fans, and the community. The total estimated cost for these upgrades is $520,000, and as of today, we have secured commitments totaling $200,000. If interested, your donation will help bridge this gap, directly contributing to better playing conditions, safety features, and accessibility, ensuring the Martha's Vineyard Sharks continue to thrive as a beacon of youth development and local pride. Donate here today via our secure online form at mvsharks.com/donate (powered by MxMerchant for seamless, tax-receipted giving), or email/call Russ Curran at russ.curran@mvsharks.com / 508-813-0380. Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference and qualifies for tax benefits.