​After growing up in Potomac, Maryland, and rooting for the Washington Nationals with Howie Kendrick as his idol, infielder Chris Hacopian will pursue a return to home soil as he becomes the 11th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft. Paul Toboni, stepping in as the Nationals’ president of baseball operations, selected the versatile infield talent to bolster the roster, but more importantly, to add a player who wants to be in Washington, D.C. Hacopian now joins outfielder James Wood as Montgomery County graduates within the organization.
“I can’t wait for Opening Day, and knowing they’ll be there makes it even more special. It’s just 30 minutes down the road,” Hacopian said. “It’s a blessing.”
Hacopian starred at the University of Maryland, where he and his brother Eddie teamed up for two seasons, collectively posting a .347 batting average with a .469 on-base percentage and a .614 slugging percentage in 107 games, earning him two consecutive All-Big Ten selections. His transfer to Texas A&M elevated him into national prominence, culminating in a First Team All-SEC honor after he hit safely in 36 of 42 games and reached base in 38 of 42.
Now arriving in Washington with a clear plan, Hacopian found his fit during the draft process. “They had a whole slideshow of what they like and how they can make me better as well,” he explained, noting that the discussion covered both his offensive capabilities and defensive potential after meetings with Paul Toboni, director of hitting CJ Tillman, and other executives. A key part of the message was to target growth areas such as footwork, hand presentation, and “some lateral range.”
“They talked about increasing my lateral range, and they likely have excellent strength and agility coaches and infield instructors to help that,” Hacopian said. Focusing on defense has long been part of his development, dating back to before the draft when Texas A&M emphasized improvement. “Coach Pennington showed me a video of my 18 errors from my sophomore year at Maryland and said, ‘This is how we’ll get better.’ When he did that, it fired me up,” he recalled.
Throughout his college career, Hacopian played second and third base, and also spent time at shortstop. While he feels comfortable at multiple infield positions, the opportunity to start his major league journey at Nationals Park will bring a different energy than his previous experiences. “I’ve been to that park countless times growing up as a fan, but walking through the dugout where the players do and stepping onto the field—it’s a different feeling altogether.”
The Nationals’ decision to select Hacopian reflects a broader plan to blend immediate talent with long-term development, fostering a connection to the region that could yield a lasting impact. Fans in Montgomery County and beyond will be watching closely as Hacopian transitions from college standout to professional infielder, bringing with him a hometown passion and a commitment to maximizing his defensive range and offensive potential. The organization has expressed confidence that his versatility and readiness to contribute will be valuable assets as the team builds toward sustained success.