Full Breakdown
Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox Alumni Drew Burress and Chris Hacopian Selected in Top 11 of 2026 MLB Draft
7/13/2026, 12:39:36 PM
Core Event
On Saturday afternoon, national television announced that two former Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox players were chosen in the first round of the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft. Outfielder Drew Burress was taken eighth overall by the Oakland Athletics, and infielder Chris Hacopian was selected eleventh overall by the Washington Nationals. Both athletes had spent recent summers with the Red Sox, helping the club reach the Cape Cod Baseball League championship series in 2025.
Background & Context
Burress, a Perry, Georgia native, spent three seasons at Georgia Tech. He broke Jason Varitek’s all-time home-run record for the Yellow Jackets (60) and helped the team post a 50-11 record before falling to Oklahoma in the NCAA tournament. His senior slash line was .358/.473/.657.
Hacopian, a DMV (District of Columbia-Maryland-Virginia) native, began at the University of Maryland, where his sophomore season featured 40 walks and only 19 strikeouts. He transferred to Texas A&M for his junior year, posting a .319/.405/.578 line after returning from a mouth injury on April 17 against LSU. In the Cape, he recorded a .340 on-base percentage and contributed to Y-D’s run to the championship series.
Data & Statistics
- Drew Burress: 40+ extra-base hits in three consecutive Division I seasons (second player since 2000 to do so).
- Chris Hacopian: career slash line .339/.449/.604, 40 HR, 32 2B, 144 RBI, 95 walks, 66 strikeouts.
- Hacopian’s 2025 season: 40 walks, 19 strikeouts; 2026 draft combine: 21-year-old with elite plate discipline.
Official Statements & Responses
Y-D outfielder Phoenix Call praised Burress’s character, noting that his perseverance through struggles reflected his personal qualities. Assistant coach Craig Gianinno highlighted Hacopian’s strike-zone awareness and “DNA of what a baseball player should look like,” expressing confidence that the Nationals’ organization had secured a valuable asset.
Criticism & Opposition
No published criticism or opposing viewpoints appeared in the available reports regarding either player’s draft selection.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The sources present a consistent account of the draft positions, college statistics, and reactions. No discrepancies or missing information were identified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It’s awesome to see Drew get drafted that high,” — Phoenix Call, Y-D outfielder
- “Drew struggled a bit here, but he’s a great person.” — Phoenix Call
- “Chris has incredible strike zone awareness.” — Craig Gianinno, Y-D assistant coach
- “It's no surprise to me where he went in the draft, and boy, that organization is lucky to get him,” Gianinno said.” — Craig Gianinno
- “He's gonna be in the big leagues sooner than later because he has the DNA of what a baseball player should look like.” — Craig Gianinno
- “He's gonna be in the big leagues sooner than later because he has the DNA of what a baseball player should look like. I'm super proud of him, man, and he’s an even better human than player.” — Craig Gianinno
What’s Next
The Athletics plan to integrate Burress into their outfield development pipeline, where he could play center field or shift to a corner position. The Nationals intend to evaluate Hacopian at second base, first base, and third base, with the possibility of an outfield assignment, as he progresses through their minor-league system. Both players will begin professional careers in the 2026-27 season.
