It was only a matter of minutes before two Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox alumni heard their names called on national television Saturday afternoon.
Y-D’s own Drew Burress and Chris Hacopian were both selected in the top 11 of the 2026 MLB Draft. Burress, a member of the 2024 Y-D team, was selected eighth overall by the Athletics, while Hacopian, a member of the 2025 Y-D club, went 11th overall to the Washington Nationals.
Green and Gold Bound
Burress entered the draft as one of the top college outfielders available, and the Athletics got their guy.
The Perry, Georgia, native stayed close to home, attending Georgia Tech for three seasons and putting together a historic collegiate career. Burress passed Jason Varitek this spring for the Yellow Jackets' all-time home run record (60), cementing himself as one of the most decorated players in program history. In his final season, Burress helped lead Georgia Tech to a 50-11 record before the Yellow Jackets fell to eventual national champion Oklahoma in the NCAA Tournament. He slashed .358/.473/.657 before declaring for the draft. During his brief stint with Y-D in 2024, Burress batted .125 in nearly 80 plate appearances.
Former teammate and current Y-D outfielder Phoenix Call knows how great of a teammate Burress is.
“It’s awesome to see Drew get drafted that high,” Call said. “Drew struggled a bit here, but he’s a great person. I think it shows who you really are when you struggle, and he was still a good dude regardless of the outcome. Super happy for him.”
Burress' athleticism and power make him a strong fit in the Athletics' player development system. The organization has developed young outfielders such as Lawrence Butler and Henry Bolte, and Burress brings a similar blend of athleticism and power. He stands just 5-foot-9, but his outstanding range allows him to play much bigger than his frame in center field. Whether he remains in center or eventually shifts to a corner, Burress has the tools to impact the game defensively. At the plate, he's an extra-base-hit machine, becoming just the second Division I player since 2000 to record at least 40 extra-base hits in three consecutive seasons, which will work tremendously in the A’s future elevated Vegas climate.
Home Cookin'
Growing up a Nationals fan, Hacopian's dream came true when his hometown team selected him. A DMV native, Hacopian modeled his game after Ian Desmond and Howie Kendrick. Now, he'll begin his professional career with the team he grew up cheering for.
Hacopian spent his first two collegiate seasons at Maryland, where he excelled on both sides of the ball. His sophomore season firmly put him on scouts' radar because of his mature approach at the plate. In 2025, Hacopian walked 40 times while striking out just 19.
Hacopian also had a strong summer with Y-D in 2025, using his discipline and .340 on-base percentage to help the Red Sox reach the Cape Cod Baseball League Championship Series. He transferred to Texas A&M for his junior season, where his 60-grade hit tool and toughness continued to boost his draft stock. On April 17, Hacopian was hit in the mouth by a pitch against LSU but returned the very next game. He went on to slash .319/.405/.578 during the spring.
Y-D assistant coach Craig Gianinno developed a strong relationship with Hacopian and exchanged text messages with him after he was drafted Saturday.
“Chris has incredible strike zone awareness. It was incredible to see how he just had such elite plate discipline. It's no surprise to me where he went in the draft, and boy, that organization is lucky to get him,” Gianinno said. “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.”
The Nationals have several talented infield prospects, so the second baseman could see time at multiple positions as he works his way through the organization. He has collegiate experience at both first and third base, and his defensive versatility should give Washington multiple options as he develops. The Nationals have produced young infielders such as CJ Abrams, Luis García Jr. and Nasim Nuñez, and Hacopian now joins that pipeline.
The Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox will continue MLB Draft coverage as the remaining rounds conclude. Check back Monday for more stories on current and former Y-D players selected in the draft.
