Fort Worth Christian’s Grady Emerson, shortstop, was drafted second overall by the Tampa Bay Rays. “Super special moment, you know, it’s something every kid dreams of,” Emerson said of his selection during NBC’s draft coverage. “Being with everybody that has helped support me around t his, it’s really amazing. I’m super thankful.” The University of Texas pledge 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. 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 has already traveled extensively while 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. 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. Click here to read more on this report from our partners at The Dallas Morning News. This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser. ...read more read less