Chris Hacopian, SS/INF, Texas A&M
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 210 pounds
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
School: Texas A&M
Position: Shortstop/Infield
Projected Round: Round 1
Sportsvival continues its MLB Draft coverage with Texas A&M infielder Chris Hacopian, one of the more complete college bats in the 2026 class. Hacopian has already proven he can produce at a high level in multiple college stops, first at Maryland and now in the SEC with Texas A&M. He brings a strong right-handed bat, real power, a mature approach, and enough defensive versatility to give MLB teams options on the left side of the infield.
Hacopian may be listed as a shortstop by many draft followers, but his long-term professional home could be shortstop, third base, or second base depending on the organization that drafts him. What makes him attractive is simple: the bat should play.
Background
Chris Hacopian is from Potomac, Maryland and attended Winston Churchill High School. He was a standout high school player and was named the 2022 Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year before beginning his college career at Maryland.
At Maryland, Hacopian quickly became one of the most productive hitters in the Big Ten. As a freshman in 2024, he started all 55 games and hit .323 with 10 doubles, 15 home runs, 42 RBI, a .431 on-base percentage, and a .578 slugging percentage. In 2025, he started all 52 games and hit .375 with a .502 on-base percentage, .656 slugging percentage, 12 doubles, 14 home runs, and 61 RBI.
He transferred to Texas A&M for the 2026 season and stepped into a much tougher SEC environment. That move gave scouts a chance to evaluate his bat against premium velocity, deeper pitching staffs, and stronger week-to-week competition.
2026 Stats
Through Texas A&M’s posted 2026 cumulative statistics, Hacopian was hitting .307 with a .938 OPS, 46 hits, 8 doubles, 9 home runs, 33 RBI, 30 runs scored, a .540 slugging percentage, and a .398 on-base percentage over 38 games played.
Hacopian was also named First Team All-SEC in 2026, showing that his production translated in one of college baseball’s toughest conferences.
Hit Tool
Hacopian’s best offensive trait is his feel for hitting. He has shown the ability to control the strike zone, make hard contact, and drive the ball to different parts of the field. His Maryland numbers were not empty production, and his move to Texas A&M gave evaluators a better look at how the bat handles elite college arms.
He has a strong frame, quick enough hands, and a swing that is geared for damage. Sportsvival likes that he does not have to sell out for power. He can work counts, take walks, and still punish mistakes when pitchers fall behind.
Power
The power is real. Hacopian hit 15 home runs as a freshman at Maryland, 14 more as a sophomore, and continued to show home run ability at Texas A&M. He is not just a slap-hitting middle infielder. He has enough strength to project 20-plus home run upside if everything clicks at the next level.
His power plays best to the pull side, but he has enough barrel control to drive the ball with authority to the gaps. As he gets into pro strength programs, there could be another jump in game power.
Defense
Hacopian has experience around the infield and has been viewed as a shortstop, third baseman, and second baseman type depending on the evaluator. At 6’1”, 210 pounds, he has a physical build, so the question is whether he stays at shortstop long term or slides to third base or second base in pro ball.
Sportsvival sees him as a player who should get every chance to prove he can handle shortstop early, but the safest projection may be as a bat-first infielder with the tools to move around. His arm should work on the left side, and his instincts help him make plays even if he is not the flashiest defender in the class.
Pros
Strong right-handed bat with a long track record of production.
Has already hit for average and power in college.
Produced at Maryland, then tested himself in the SEC at Texas A&M.
Good strike-zone feel and on-base ability.
Enough power to project as a run-producing infielder.
Defensive versatility gives teams options.
Strong frame that should hold up over a long season.
Cons
May not stick at shortstop long term.
Range could be a question for teams that want a true pro shortstop.
Not a major stolen-base threat.
Some teams may view him more as a third baseman or second baseman than a shortstop.
The bat will need to carry a lot of the value if he moves off shortstop.
MLB Comparison
MLB Comparison: Matt Chapman type bat/defensive-path profile with a little less defensive certainty, or a Brandon Drury type if he moves around the infield.
The Chapman comparison is not saying Hacopian will become an elite Gold Glove defender. It is more about the physical right-handed infield profile, power potential, and chance to impact the baseball. If he ends up moving around the infield, the Drury-style comparison makes sense because Hacopian’s bat and versatility could become his calling card.
Draft Outlook
Hacopian looks like a first-round talent because of the bat. College hitters with this kind of production, strength, and offensive track record usually get pushed up boards, especially when they have a chance to stay somewhere on the infield.
The biggest question for MLB teams will be his defensive home. If a club believes he can stay at shortstop, his value rises quickly. If teams project him to third base or second base, the bat still gives him a strong case to land early.