Yet another Gators commit selected in 2021 MLB draft
Day 1 of the 2021 Major League Baseball amateur draft saw three Florida baseball commits taken among the first 30 selections. So far on Day 2, a pair of current Gators got the call from the big leagues before another 2022 commitment heard his name announced by commissioner Rob Manfred.
Infielder Jake Fox from Plant City, Florida, who attended Lakeland Christian, was selected at No. 95 by the Cleveland Indians in the third round – their second-straight Gators-based pick after snagging Tommy Mace at No. 69. The prep prospect was ranked No. 198 by MLB Pipeline heading into the draft, which means the Tribe must have seen something they liked about him to take him this high.
According to Perfect Game, Fox was ranked 32nd among shortstops and 111th overall nationally in 2021 among high school prospects. The publication gave him a 10 rating, which represents a “potential(ly) very high draft pick and/or elite level college prospect”. He is described as an athlete of medium build with some present strength but also some headroom for growth.
Given his high selection, it is difficult to see him passing up the opportunity to jump straight into the professional ranks. His estimated slot value is approximately $610,800, for which even if he signs under slot represents a pretty tidy payday for an 18-year-old and will likely thwart his commitment to Florida.
