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Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey picked No. 3, outfielder Drew Burress picked No. 8 in MLB draft
By Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News
· July 11, 2026
· 1 min read
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey was picked third overall by the Minnesota Twins, and Tech outfielder Drew Burress was picked eighth overall by the Athletics during the first round of the MLB draft on Saturday. Lackey, 21, just recently won a 2026 Johnny Bench ...
Key takeaway Lackey, 21, just recently won a 2026 Johnny Bench Award for the best NCAA Division I male catcher.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The selection of Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey by the Minnesota Twins is a testament to the strong baseball tradition in the Atlanta area. As a local product from Suwanee, Lackey's achievement is a source of pride for the community, particularly for those who followed his career at Collins Hill High School. His success also reflects well on Georgia Tech's baseball program, which has consistently produced top talent, including several standout catchers who have gone on to have successful MLB careers. The fact that Lackey is the fifth Georgia Tech catcher to be picked in the first round in the past 35 years speaks to the program's ability to develop and nurture talented players. With his impressive college stats, including a .397 batting average and 20 homers, Lackey is poised to make a significant impact in the MLB, and local fans will likely be keeping a close eye on his progress.
About this story
Original reporting by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 11, 2026 ·
Source: Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey was picked third overall by the Minnesota Twins, and Tech outfielder Drew Burress was picked eighth overall by the Athletics during the first round of the MLB draft on Saturday. Lackey, 21, just recently won a 2026 Johnny Bench ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 11, 2026 by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
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