Leading the Virginia Tech baseball team’s 2023 MLB Draft class at Lumen Field in Seattle on Sunday night, sophomore right-hand pitcher Drue Hackenberg was proudly taken during the second round at No. 59 overall by the Atlanta Braves, becoming the program’s ninth highest all-time draft pick (eighth highest player).
Entering as the No. 200 prospect (according to mlb.com), Hackenberg witnessed the second largest improvement in draft position among the opening 70 selections, bettering his forecast by approximately five rounds.
At No. 59 overall, Hackenberg’s selection was paired with a pick value of approximately $1.37 million, to which Atlanta has the ninth lowest bonus pool ($8.34 million) among the league’s 30 clubs in this year’s draft. The Braves scooped up the 2022 All-American hurler with their second of three picks (all pitchers) during the first and second rounds, sandwiching him between Florida’s Hurston Waldrep (No. 24 overall) and Campbell’s Cade Kuehler (No. 70).
Through head coach John Szefc‘s six seasons at Virginia Tech, Hackenberg becomes the Hokies’ fourth player to earn selection inside the top 75 picks of the draft, joining outfielder Gavin Cross (No. 9 overall, 2022), pitcher Ian Seymour (No. 57 overall, 2020) and shortstop Tanner Schobel (No. 68 overall, 2022). He is also the fifth player from Tech’s 2022 NCAA Blacksburg Super Regional team to be chosen during the draft’s opening five rounds.
Hackenberg took the ACC by storm during the 2022 season, toeing a 10-2 record and a 3.30 ERA while making 17 appearances (16 starts). Behind his All-American honors, he was a consensus Freshman All-American, placed onto the All-ACC First Team and ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Division I Atlantic All-Region Team.
Despite pitching to more contact as a sophomore, Hackenberg managed to post the highest single-season strikeout count (99) by a Virginia Tech pitcher since 2010 (Justin Wright). Spanning two seasons in Blacksburg, the right-hander recorded 186 career strikeouts across 178 innings pitched, laying claim to 15 victories, 14 quality starts and one complete game win.
Like each of his three older brothers, Hackenberg is the fourth son to parents Erick and Nicole who has been drafted professionally in their respective sport. His oldest brother, Christian, was selected during the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the New York Jets (No. 51 overall), Brandon was selected during the first round of the 2021 MLS Draft by Orlando City SC (No. 22 overall) and Adam was selected during the 18th round of the 2021 MLB Draft by the Chicago White Sox.
Virginia Tech Athletics
