Fort Worth Christian shortstop Grady Emerson became just the fourth Dallas-Fort Worth area high school prospect to be selected in the top 10 picks of a Major League Baseball draft this century on Saturday, when the Tampa Bay Rays selected him No. 2 overall
Emerson joins former Jesuit shortstop Jordan Lawlar (No. 6 to Arizona in 2021), former Colleyville Heritage shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (No. 2 to Kansas City in 2019) and future Hall of Fame lefty Clayton Kershaw of Highland Park (No. 7 to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2006) as 21st century top-10 picks from D-FW
It is the second elite group the University of Texas pledge shares membership in with Witt and Kershaw, after he was named the 2026 Gatorade National Player of the Year. The honor came following a senior season in which he helped the Cardinals reach the TAPPS Division II state title game while batting .508 with 56 RBIs, eight home runs and 61 runs scored. He also stole 34 bases in 35 attempts, struck out just five times in 161 plate appearances and made one error in 147 chances at shortstop
Article continues below this ad
Emerson transferred to Fort Worth Christian from Argyle ahead of his senior season to be coached by Texas Rangers Hall of Famer Rusty Greer, who had a longstanding relationship with the 18-year-old from past skills camps.
The left-handed hitting Emerson already has traveled extensively playing the game as a four-time USA national team selection and three-time gold medalist. He was honored as a member of the All-World team following last summer’s under-18 World Cup in Japan
