When Gavin Grahovac set a Texas A&M freshman record with 23 home runs in 2024, he quickly became one of college baseball’s most exciting hitters. The Aggies made it to the College World Series finals that year, and Grahovac’s power and bat speed drew the attention of MLB scouts.
Last spring, after just six games, Grahovac tore his labrum on a headfirst slide. The injury threatened not only his season but also his place in the 2026 MLB draft.
A year later, Grahovac is proving the setback is behind him. He has returned to the lineup with confidence, producing consistently and showing the power and bat speed that once made him a marquee prospect. Through 23 games, he is hitting .365 with nine doubles, one triple, two home runs, 26 RBIs, 13 walks and just 12 strikeouts.
“It’s been exciting. It’s a blessing to be back on the field,” Grahovac said. “There was a lot of work behind the scenes to get back to where I was, as healthy as possible, and the best player I could be.”
The 6-foot-2, 225-pound right-hander combines natural strength with a quick, explosive swing, giving him the ability to drive balls from foul pole to foul pole. Scouts have long seen him as a potential 30-homer talent in the majors. But Grahovac has also been known for an aggressive approach that produced high strikeout rates and swings outside the zone.
This season, however, he has shown marked improvement.
“I’ve become a more all-around hitter,” he said. “I’m trying to lower the swing and miss and make more production when I make contact. For me, it’s being productive for the team at all times.”
Recovering after surgery was as much mental as physical. Grahovac spent hours studying video, watching pitchers and hitters, and running at-bats in his head.
“When all you can do is watch, that’s really all you’re looking at,” he said. “Even though I wasn’t playing, I wanted to be ready for when it did happen, to be that middle guy for everyone and support the team.”
Athletically, Grahovac has average speed and solid arm strength at third base. Some scouts also see him as a potential fit in a corner outfield spot or at first base. Regardless of position, he has been central to Texas A&M’s culture and leadership.
After a 15-1 start in nonconference play, the Aggies entered SEC competition with momentum but faced challenges, going 2-4 after series against Oklahoma and Georgia.
“These guys love this game. They love playing for A&M and for each other,” he said. “It’s all going to be how we respond every single day when we show up to the field.”
The injury year also gave Grahovac a perspective beyond baseball.
“I realized for the first time in my life what it really meant to have an identity outside of baseball,” he said. “That’s been very beneficial this year.”
Family guidance has been equally important. His cousin, Garrett Mitchell, who went 20th overall in the 2020 draft and now plays for the Milwaukee Brewers, has been a constant mentor.
“He’s been phenomenal,” Grahovac said. “He’s set the path for me, and we push each other every day.”
For Grahovac, motivation remains simple: family and legacy.
“I play for the name on the front and back of my jersey, because of all the people who helped me get here,” he said. “The work I put in is the way I honor that.”
If he continues to refine his approach and stay healthy, Grahovac has the power, swing and leadership to be an early first-round pick in July.
Scouts are intrigued by his combination of raw power and improved plate discipline, and a strong finish to the SEC season could solidify his standing among the top hitters in the draft class.
As he looks ahead to the grind of SEC play and the MLB draft, Grahovac remains grounded.
“I don’t worry about the distractions five months from now,” he said. “Right now, I focus on being present, going game by game and helping this team get back to Omaha.”
Dan Zielinski III has covered the MLB draft for 11 years. He has interviewed 613 of the top draft prospects in that period, including four No. 1 overall picks. Multiple publications, including Baseball America, USA Today, MLB.com, The Arizona Republic and The Dallas Morning News, have quoted his work, while he has appeared on radio stations as an “MLB draft expert.” Follow him on Twitter @DanZielinski3.
