Texas‘ high school baseball has as rich a history—arguably more than any other state—and on Wednesday, another chapter was added to that legacy.
Fort Worth Christian (North Richland Hills, TX) shortstop Grady Emerson has been named the 2025-26 Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year following a standout senior season.
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Emerson was surprised at school today by his teammates, friends and family who presented him with the award. He also received a surprise video call from MLB All-Star and World Series champion Eric Hosmer, who called and congratulated him on the honor.
An early first-round projection in the upcoming MLB Draft, Emerson originally committed to TCU. He flipped his commitment from the Horned Frogs to the Longhorns on November 25, 2024.
Emerson now joins an elite group of past winners, including Alex Rodriguez, Clayton Kershaw, Bobby Witt Jr., and countless others.
“Grady Emerson’s track record of performance is outstanding, including four stints with U.S. national teams and a dominant senior season at Fort Worth Christian,” Jim Callis, Senior Writer at MLB Pipeline, said in the release. “He’s the best high school prospect in the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft and a strong candidate to be the No. 1 overall pick by the White Sox. Grady is also a fine student and coaches and scouts rave about his intelligence and character. He’s a deserving winner in the fine tradition of Gatorade National Baseball Players of the Year.”
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The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Texas commitment led the Cardinals to a 32-7-1 record this season, batting .532 with 42 RBIs, nine doubles, four triples, and seven home runs. Emerson was a force on the base paths, recording 21 stolen bases, and was just as stout defensively, with 37 putouts, 17 double plays, and no errors on the year.
On top of his play on the field, Emerson is a stand-up person off the field and in the classroom. He maintained an A average in school while playing baseball and volunteering at The North Texas Food Bank and Mission Arlington.
Emerson has also donated his time to leading training sessions and defensive coaching camps for youth baseball. With his parents’ company, Always Family Senior Home Care, during the holiday season Emerson will also deliver home care services.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gatorade announces 2024-25 National Baseball Player of the Year
