SUNY Niagara catcher Dalton Harper was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 2026 Major League Baseball draft on Sunday.

A Cheektowaga native, Harper was taken in the 16th round, 472nd overall.

According to the school, Harper batted .556 in 59 games this year with 17 home runs and 91 runs batted.

He was named the 2026 NJCAA Division III Baseball Player of the Year as SUNY Niagara won the Division III National Championship for the first time.

SUNY Niagara says Harper is the 11th player drafted directly from the school since its baseball program began in 1967. The most recent Thunderwolves player picked was pitcher and Buffalo native Matt Barr, who was taken by the Minnesota Twins in the fifth round last year.