McFarland: Beck becomes highest drafted Saskatchewan player
Outfielder Carter Beck (Carnduff, Sask.) became the highest drafted Saskatchewan player ever when he was selected 26th overall by the Atlanta Braves in the MLB draft on Saturday. Photo: Indiana State Athletics
*This article was originally published on Saskatchewan Dugout Stories on July 11. You can read it here.
July 12, 2026
By Joe McFarland
Saskatchewan Dugout Stories
“With the 26th pick of the 2026 MLB Draft, the Atlanta Braves select Carter Beck.”
It was a fascinating juxtaposition when Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred made the announcement in Philadelphia.
While he was met with a chorus of boos at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, it seemed as though an entire community and region gave him an ovation that could be heard from across Canada.
As the first Canadian selected in the 2026 MLB Draft and the only one to be taken in the first round, the left-hitting outfielder was soaking in the moment in the backyard of his parents’ home in Carnduff, Sask.
He also became the highest-drafted player in the province’s history.
“It was unbelievable,” Beck told CBC News. “I didn’t even really know how to act, I’m going to be honest. My hands were just on my head and I was like, holy smokes.”
The moment is quickly going viral as it was caught on video and shared by the Saskatoon Berries, the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) team he played with for two seasons.
And so begins a professional journey that Beck has dreamed about his entire life.
SYCAMORE SUCCESS
A product of the Southeast Twins, Beck has excelled everywhere he’s gone.
After turning heads with Baseball Sask at the major national events in 2022 and 2023, he was recruited by the University of Mary, picking up the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Freshman of the Year honours in 2024.
That earned him a spot at Indiana State University, where he became a model of consistency over the past two seasons.
The 5-foot-11, 206-pound slugger hit a combined .342 with 27 home runs, 115 runs batted in and 23 stolen bases with similar numbers in each of the two springs.
He earned several distinctions following his junior season, including All-Conference First Team, Missouri Valley All-Defensive Team, Missouri Valley All-Academic Team and, most impressively, the 2026 Joe Carter Player of the Year.
“I knew that I had a chance to win it and that it was between me and one other guy,” Beck said in a previous interview. “I knew it was close, so I was super-excited to hear that they honoured me with that award.”
BERRY GOOD AT HOME
Where Beck has really sparkled has been at home over the last two summers with the new Saskatoon Berries of the WCBL.
During their inaugural season in 2024, he was named the league’s All-Star Game MVP, Top Canadian and Rookie of the Year.
While he didn’t pick up any league hardware last summer, Beck was once again a major piece to the Berries offence as they broke the summer circuit’s record for wins in a season.
What many will remember him most for was his walk-off, extra innings home run in the decisive game three postseason matchup against Moose Jaw, which is referred to as the biggest moment in the Berries’ young history.
Through all of his success, Beck has made a point of trying to remain level-headed.
“The most important thing was just staying consistent no matter what happens,” he told Saskatchewan Dugout Stories. “Just going out and giving the same effort every day and finding ways to compete at the highest level possible.”
Photo: Atlanta Braves/Instagram
THE PHONE CALL
Heading into the draft, Beck handled the extra buzz with a sense of calm.
Even with family and friends in the backyard, the 21-year-old thought he would get a call on the first day.
His dad, Blair, remembers watching Carter leave the gathering fairly early on in the proceedings before re-emerging.
“He came out and said, ‘Watch the TV,’” said the proud papa. “The rest was a blur.”
A few moments later, the commissioner’s words rang through warm Saturday afternoon air and jubilation ensued with hugs, handshakes and happy tears.
“It just such a level of pride and excitement,” Blair continued. “To come from here and get picked in the first round is something we couldn’t even dream of.”
He says his phone started to blow up immediately as people from around the province started reaching out with words of congratulations, adding they appreciate all of the kind messages and support.
FULL CIRCLE MOMENT
Sitting in the bleachers at Nutana Park in Saskatoon, Baseball Sask architect Greg Brons was scouting at the Evan Thomas Memorial 15U Bantam ‘AAA’ Tournament.
He was also keeping a close eye on his phone to see when and if his former player would get his name called.
Brons admits he was paying less attention as he, too, thought it would happen in the second or third round.
Instead, his wife texted him with “Wow, 26.” He quickly realized that was the first round and, seconds later, everyone else at the ballpark was buzzing about what had just transpired.
As it turned out, Brons happened to be watching Beck’s old team, the Southeast Twins, who had been visited just a couple of days earlier by the hometown hero.
“One kid told me that he came to their practice and that his message was that you need to work hard and remember where you’re from,” Brons said. “All I could think was what a great message that was – to be proud of where you’re from, remember where you’re from, be humble and work hard.”
He says it’s a message he hopes all baseball players in the province keep in mind as they go about their respective journeys in the game.
LETTING IT SINK IN
Beck will undoubtedly see a whirlwind of activity in the coming weeks, with physicals, test and, potentially, starting his professional career in the minors.
Everyone in Saskatchewan will be watching, hoping to see him one day get the call to the big leagues.
For now, Brons says it’s a special moment in the province’s baseball history.
“We’re always excited for draft picks, but I never thought we’d have a first-round draft pick coming out of Saskatchewan,” he said. “To be a first-round pick, man, you have to be pretty special.”
He will also be looking to follow in the footsteps of others who have performed very well in recent years, including Biggar’s Garrett Hawkins and Regina’s Thomas Ireland.
True to how he has handled the pressure in the past, Beck is taking it all in stride, soaking in the moment with those closest to him.
“I don’t know how long it’s going to take for it to totally sink in,” Beck smiled. “But it’s pretty cool.”