DOUGLAS, Ga. — Blake Bryant, an 18-year-old pitcher from Citizens Christian Academy, was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks with the 31st overall pick in the first round of the 2026 MLB Draft. Bryant had been committed to Clemson before being selected.
Bryant said the moments leading up to hearing his name called were filled with uncertainty — he did not know which team would select him or what the contract would look like.
“At first, stressful, because we didn’t know who it was going to be,” Bryant said. “We didn’t know how much the money was going to be. We just didn’t have a clue.”
Draft night chaos
About 48 hours before the draft, the Pittsburgh Pirates were widely expected to select Bryant. When Pittsburgh traded the pick the night before the draft, Bryant said his plans were thrown into flux.
“My mind just went just scattered, man,” Bryant said. “They said I was going to be from 44 to 53 in between there and just didn’t know what the money was going to be.”
Arizona moved up to select Bryant at pick 31. He said his agent received a call two picks before his name was announced.
“Arizona came in at 31, gave the deal of a lifetime I couldn’t turn down,” Bryant said. “I was just like, let’s do it.”
The road to the draft
Bryant said he first drew attention from MLB scouts during his junior year at a showcase in Jupiter, Florida, where he pitched against a Duke commit who was also being evaluated.
“They didn’t have a clue who I was,” Bryant said. “I was like, I’m going to have to show up today. So I went out there, and I showed up.”
He said that outing led to contact from agencies and eventually drew MLB teams to watch him pitch during his senior season. Bryant went on to win two state championships at Citizens Christian Academy, throwing 109 pitches in his final high school outing, with his last pitch clocking in at 96 or 97 mph.
At the MLB Draft Combine, Bryant said he conducted 22 team interviews.
“One thing that separates me from everybody else is my mental mindset,” Bryant said. “I was going to go in there, be myself, speak with confidence.”
Leaving home for the first time
Bryant said leaving Douglas will be an adjustment. He said he has never lived on his own and has spent his entire life in the community.
“Leaving them though is very upsetting because I’ve been home for 18 years and never lived on my own,” Bryant said.
He said his support system — including his parents, coaches, and teammates — will remain a resource as he transitions to professional baseball. Bryant credited head coach Coach Coram, along with coaches McMillan, Fussell, Vickers, Monaghan, and Watkins, as key figures in his development.
Looking ahead
Bryant said his primary focus heading into professional baseball is physical development — specifically adding 20 to 30 pounds of muscle while maintaining the flexibility he credits for his velocity.
“Trying to keep that as I work hard and get on a new routine and new schedule,” Bryant said.
He said he has visited Chase Field twice, including attending a Diamondbacks game with his father two years ago.
Bryant also spoke on academic coach, Tammy Bennett, writing a children’s book about his journey titled Blake’s Big Dream.
“I want to be a role model,” Bryant said. “I want to be a Christian role model to kids and for them to know how to play the game and how to be the right person.”
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