MLB prospect Carter Beck ready for the next step after making Saskatchewan baseball history

Carter Beck poses for a photo after being selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 2026 MLB draft. (Stacey Hein/CTV News)

Days after making Saskatchewan baseball history, Carter Beck says the excitement still hasn’t worn off.

“It’s been crazy. It’s been fun,” he said. “It only happens once, so I’m just trying to enjoy it.”

On Saturday, Beck was selected 26th overall by the Atlanta Braves, making him the highest-drafted player from Saskatchewan in Major League Baseball draft history.

Beck was watching the draft with family and friends at his family’s Carnduff home on Saturday when his agent called.

“It happened a little bit quicker than we expected,” he said.

Seconds later, he heard his name announced.

“I put my hands on my head and didn’t even know how to react,” he said. “Probably the only time in my life I’ve had absolutely zero words.”

Beck says he’s grateful for the support he’s received from across Saskatchewan.

“It’s super cool just to see the impact I’ve left everywhere,” he said. “My goal is to go out and inspire and be a role model for people.”

He credits his parents with helping him get to this point, from driving him to practices and coaching him to pushing him when he needed it.

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For his parents, hearing Beck’s name called was a moment they’ll never forget.

“It’s just incredible. We always knew he had a real passion for everything he did, and to get to this point right now is something I don’t think we ever thought was imaginable,” his father, Blair Beck, said.

“When you see your kids doing what they love and having success, it’s the best feeling,” his mother, Tara Beck, said.

The first-round pick comes after a standout junior season at Indiana State University, where the 21-year-old outfielder became the second player to earn the Joe Carter Player of the Year Award as the Missouri Valley Conference’s best player.

Beck also spent the 2024 and 2025 summers with the Western Canadian Baseball League’s Saskatoon Berries.

Berries head coach Joe Carnahan says Beck stood out for both his talent and work ethic. He says Beck arrived at the ballpark early every day with a smile on his face.

“He’s obviously a very athletic kid. [He] played multiple sports his whole high school career and childhood,” Carnahan said. “He just loves to compete, and he’s worked for everything he’s earned.”

Beck says playing for the Berries was an important step in his development.

“They’ve given me every opportunity to get better,” he said. “It’s run as a high-quality, high-class organization, and you’ve got to learn at some point to play every day. The WCBL was a great place to learn that.”

Beck returned to Cairns Field on Wednesday night as the guest of honour. He met with fans, signed autographs and threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Berries game.

“It’s super cool just to see how much the people here appreciate me playing here,” he said. “It’s just such an awesome opportunity.”

Beck leaves for Florida on Friday to join the Atlanta Braves in the Florida Complex League, where he’ll play alongside the organization’s other draft picks.

He knows his journey is just beginning as he begins climbing the Braves’ minor league system.

“There’s lots of levels to climb, but I’m ready to get after it,” Beck said.