DMV native Chris Hacopian was the Nationals' 2026 first-round pick, selected out of Texas A&M after transferring from the University of Maryland, where he played from 2024-2025, following in the footsteps of his father and to play with his older brother, Eddie.
Hacopian, who grew up being a fan of the Nationals, is now shining bright early in his career in the Nationals' farm system. Through his success in the college ranks, Hacopian was able to go straight to playing at High-A Wilmington, where he has been playing spectacular baseball.
Chris Hacopian slugs first career homer as hot start continues
Last night, Hacopian slugged his first career homer as a pro just 2 weeks after he notched his first career hit, as he begins to shine and soar through the Nationals' minor league pipeline. In his 12 career games, Hacopian is batting to a slash line of .263/.391/.342 with one homer, one RBI, two stolen bases, eight walks, and striking out eight times, across only 38 at-bats.
The 21-year-old is showing early signs of what it means to play at the big-league level. Although he is still a few years away from making it to the show, I believe he will show great signs of development and move quickly through the minor leagues. Due to his 60-grade hit tool, if the power can begin to translate, Hacopian will be a Top 100 prospect in no time.
Hacopian is an exciting talent, especially because he was selected in the first round. On a more personal level, for a short while I went to high school with his older brother Eddie and was in his math class for a semester. I know it is always exciting to see someone from your area grow up and make it to the big leagues, and at least for myself, I was ecstatic when the hometown Washington Nationals drafted their hometown kid.
With the impending lockout, players on each of the 30 teams' 40-man rosters will be barred from team facilities; players not on the 40-man rosters will not be. If for some reason the lockout cuts into the 2027 Major League Baseball season, players not on the 40-man rosters will play in a regular minor league season, as the Collective Bargaining Agreement only affects players on the 40-man roster.
So it might be smart to keep Hacopian off the 40-man roster, as he is far from making the big leagues. If there is a lockout going into the season, he will be able to play competitive baseball in the minor leagues, and his development will continue. I do not think the Nationals will put him on the 40-man roster for some time; it is just food for thought so we know what to expect when minor leaguers on the 40-man roster are unable to play due to a work stoppage that cuts into the 2027 season.
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