A's Draft Burress, Tech History
Oakland Athletics Draft Georgia Tech Star Drew Burress Eighth Overall in 2026 MLB Draft
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Key Points
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Burress was a highly decorated prep star in Georgia, earning 2022 Georgia Player of the Year honors from Prep Baseball Report, tying the state prep record with 73 RBIs in a season, and earning invitations to the Perfect Game All-American Classic; he was ranked as the No. 1 outfield recruit in Georgia and the No. 4 outfielder nationally.
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Burress’s freshman season at Georgia Tech saw him post a .381/.512/.821 line with 25 home runs and 67 RBIs in 58 games, breaking Tech’s freshman home run record; he also recorded 10 outfield assists and earned ACC Freshman of the Year, Freshman All-American, and First-Team All-American honors from multiple outlets.
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His sophomore-year breakout continued in 2025 with a .333/.469/.693 line, 19 home runs, 62 RBIs, 77 runs, 53 walks and 10 stolen bases; he earned First-Team All-American honors from several outlets (NCBWA, ABCA, CBF, Perfect Game, etc.).
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Burress was selected No. 8 overall by the Oakland Athletics, pairing with former teammate Vahn Lackey (No. 3) as part of Georgia Tech’s first-ever top-10 duo in the same draft, marking a historic Jackets milestone.
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Defensively, Burress projects as a center-field defender with plus speed and a solid arm; he totaled 10 outfield assists as a freshman and has been noted for reliability in the outfield with a low error count (seven career errors; .984 fielding percentage), while MLB scouts describe his tools as well-rounded and his swing as compact with power to all fields.
The Oakland Athletics used the No. 8 pick in the 2026 MLB Draft to select Georgia Tech outfielder Drew Burress, a toolsy center fielder from Houston County, Georgia. MLB.com confirmed the selection, adding another blue-chip prospect to an A's rebuild that has prioritized premium talent.
Burress joins former Georgia Tech teammate Vahn Lackey, who went No. 3 overall, making the Yellow Jackets the first program in history to place two players in the top 10 of the same MLB Draft. RotoBaller called it a landmark moment for the Tech program.
Burress Rewrote Georgia Tech Freshman Records in 2024
Burress wasted no time making an impact in college. As a freshman in 2024, he slashed .381/.512/.821 with 25 home runs and 67 RBIs in just 58 games. That home run total broke Georgia Tech's all-time freshman record. He also threw out 10 baserunners from the outfield, a remarkable number for a first-year player.
The honors followed quickly. Burress earned ACC Freshman of the Year and was named a First-Team All-American by multiple outlets. He was one of the most decorated college freshmen in the country that season, according to RotoBaller.
Sophomore Season Proved the Freshman Year Was No Fluke
In 2025, Burress kept producing. He hit .333 with a .469 on-base percentage and a .693 slugging percentage. He added 19 home runs, 62 RBIs, and 77 runs scored. He also drew 53 walks and stole 10 bases, showing both patience at the plate and speed on the bases.
The sophomore campaign earned him First-Team All-American recognition from several organizations, including NCBWA, ABCA, and Perfect Game. Over two college seasons, Burress compiled a career fielding percentage of .984 with just seven errors, according to RotoBaller.
A Star Built in Georgia Before He Ever Wore College Colors
Burress was a celebrated recruit long before he stepped on a college field. He earned 2022 Georgia Player of the Year honors from Prep Baseball Report. He also tied the state prep record with 73 RBIs in a single season. Scouts ranked him the No. 1 outfield recruit in Georgia and No. 4 nationally.
He earned an invitation to the Perfect Game All-American Classic, one of the most prestigious showcases in amateur baseball. That early pedigree made his college success expected — but the scale of it still turned heads across the sport.
Oakland Gets a Well-Rounded Outfielder With Immediate Upside
Scouts describe Burress as a plus defender in center field with above-average speed and a solid throwing arm. His swing is compact and generates power to all fields. RotoBaller noted that questions center mainly on his physical projection given his shorter frame, but his tools are considered well-rounded.
Analysts see Burress as a safe bet to contribute early in the pros. His disciplined approach — shown by 53 walks in his sophomore year alone — suggests he will not be overmatched at higher levels. For an A's team in rebuild mode, landing a player of his caliber at No. 8 is a significant win, MLB.com reported.
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