Gracia has cemented himself as a household name in New Jersey baseball, building an extraordinary prep career before seamlessly transitioning to collegiate success at Duke. His journey from a dominant two-way high school player to a freshman All-American speaks volumes about his talent, adaptability, and competitive nature.

 
Prep Dominance -

Gracia’s high school career at Ranney Prep was nothing short of legendary. After an early commitment to Duke in 8th grade, Gracia initially made waves as a standout pitcher before shifting his focus to hitting after recovering from an arm injury. This decision proved fruitful, as his offensive numbers are jaw-dropping:

Career Totals: .503 BA
29 HRs (24 in two seasons)
66 SB, 66 BB, 101 RBI, 110 Runs Scored
With a wide base and no-stride approach, Gracia consistently drove the ball with authority, showcasing his ability to generate lift and power while maintaining elite bat-to-ball skills.

.@DukeBASE recruit ‘23 OF AJ Gracia (Ranney School) with some feel for the barrel @ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/loMMsGCYYY

— Prep Baseball New Jersey (@PrepBaseballNJ) October 6, 2019

 

#Duke commit ‘23 OF/LHP AJ Gracia (Ranney)

Solo home run in the B1 (#10)

Tons of leverage and juice in the barrel

@PBRNewJersey @ShooterHunt @SSLNYNJ @DukeBASE @RanneyAthletics pic.twitter.com/rDIgnDxDBh

— Dan Valerio (@DanValerio3) June 1, 2023

#Duke commit ‘23 OF/LHP AJ Gracia (Ranney) answers back with a homerun of his own

Preset base w/minimal movement stays on the ball

Towering pullside power

@PBRNewJersey | @ShooterHunt @DukeBASE @27Ajgracia pic.twitter.com/YTDeiiXpCj

— Dan Valerio (@DanValerio3) April 15, 2023

Immediate Collegiate Impact -

Gracia’s transition to college baseball at Duke was as seamless as it was impressive. In his freshman season, he became a force in the middle of the lineup, earning Freshman All-American honors with the following stat line:

.305 BA, 14 HR, 14 2B, 58 RBI
48 BB / 52 K
His advanced plate discipline and blend of hitting ability and power made him a nightmare for opposing pitchers. His 14 home runs and 14 doubles highlighted his ability to drive the ball with authority to all fields.

AJ GRACIA TWO RUN BOMB BRINGS DUKE WITHIN ONE pic.twitter.com/tskK453KYl

— Jack Delperdang (@jack_delperdang) June 2, 2024

 
Adjustments and Evolution -

One noticeable change in Gracia’s game is his approach at the plate. While his prep days featured a wide, no-stride setup, his college stance is more upright with a forward move, drawing comparisons to Christian Yelich’s approach. This adjustment has allowed him to maximize his power potential while maintaining his ability to make good swing decisions.

 
Looking Ahead -

As Gracia enters his sophomore season at Duke, he’s poised to take another leap forward. His impressive freshman campaign and high baseball IQ put him in strong consideration for a Day 1 selection in the 2026 MLB Draft. Scouts and fans alike will continue to watch as this Monroe, NJ, native continues to build on his already storied career.

AJ Gracia has always been a performer, but his blend of hit, power, and decision-making makes him one of the most exciting prospects to emerge from New Jersey in recent years.