Former Duke outfielder AJ Gracia committed to Virginia on Thursday, the biggest win yet on the recruiting trail for Chris Pollard after leaving the Blue Devils to take the head coach job with the Cavaliers. The news was first reported by Baseball America’s Peter Flaherty. Gracia ranks eighth in the 2026 MLB Draft class on the strength of his impressive all-fields power paired with above-average contact skills, even if it’s not quite clear where his best fit in the outfield is in the long run. Like many other Duke players, Gracia hit the portal after Pollard took the Virginia job, and was widely considered the top prospect available. Gracia’s decision comes a day after SS/RHP Jayden Stroman, the younger brother of Marcus Stroman and the No. 167 prospect in this year’s draft, flipped his commitment from Duke to Virginia.

See the latest wire reports

Download our app

Read the newest magazine issue right on your phone