The Boston Red Sox made Jud Fabian the second-highest Gators outfielder to ever be drafted on Monday, selecting him with the 40th overall pick in the second round of the MLB Draft.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida outfielder Jud Fabian<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D14217&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=g6nFlZHPU-ZcUzJuTfJPSBs-IAhk0VTO0DduGGtJWo8&s=A2EnoKuJO0dma0GSSzAn5G8uaRE4lGEawIt_AmrQACI&e= > became the first Gators player to be taken in the 2021 MLB Draft on Monday afternoon, as the Boston Red Sox selected the third-year standout with the 40th overall pick in the second round.
“I have been dreaming of this day ever since I was a kid, and I could not be more excited to be drafted by the Boston Red Sox organization,” said Fabian. “I want to thank the Lord above for giving me this opportunity. There are also so many people I want to thank for making this moment possible and pushing me to be the best player and person I can be, including my parents and brother, family, teammates and all of my coaches along the way. I look forward to the next chapter and will push myself to continue to develop both on and off the field.”
With the selection, Fabian ranks as the second-highest Gators outfielder to ever be drafted behind Brad Wilkerson (33rd overall in 1998). Fabian is the 18th-highest draft pick in school history and the 12th-highest under head coach Kevin O’Sullivan<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_coaches.aspx-3Frc-3D1291&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=g6nFlZHPU-ZcUzJuTfJPSBs-IAhk0VTO0DduGGtJWo8&s=7DdYT3bTDYhszNurQYzu4ufQW-d2ZUya_ujU9_n7DHs&e= >. Overall, Fabian is the 206th individual draftee in program history and the 89th player to have his name called on draft day under O’Sullivan – good for second in the SEC dating back to O’Sullivan’s 2008 arrival in Gainesville.
Historic moments have been a common theme for Fabian this past year, as he became just the fifth Gator to hit 20 or more home runs in a single season in 2021 en route to being tabbed a Third Team All-American by Collegiate Baseball and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. Fabian used his fourth two-homer game of the campaign to accomplish the feat, going deep twice against Georgia on May 15 to etch his name in the all-time record books. Fabian’s 20 home runs ranked second in the SEC and tied for ninth nationally.
In addition to collecting a pair of All-America honors, Fabian was named Southeast-ABCA/Rawlings All-Region First Team, First Team All-SEC and to the All-SEC Defensive Team. The Florida outfielder concluded the season with a .249/.364/.560 slash line, 20 home runs, 10 doubles, 51 runs, 46 RBI, 40 walks and six stolen bases while posting a .984 fielding percentage and two outfield assists across 59 starts in center field.
Across his three seasons in Orange and Blue, Fabian batted .249/.366/.512 with 115 hits, 32 home runs, 25 doubles, 102 runs, 85 RBI, 81 walks, 15 stolen bases and a .984 fielding percentage defensively.
What They’re Saying About Fabian
MLB.com
“…The left-handed-throwing, right-handed-hitting Fabian has solid tools across the board. There’s been some swing-and-miss in his game in the past, but he started having better at-bats more consistently last year and over the summer with bat speed that reminded some of Mookie Betts, his strikeout rate spiked early in 2021. The power was still showing up, but he struggled with adjusting to breaking stuff. While Fabian isn’t a burner, he does have above-average speed. That, combined with his ability to get good reads off the bat and run good routes, should allow him to stay in center field long-term. Fabian still has the chance to be an up-the-middle impact bat, but a team taking him in the top couple of rounds will have to believe he’ll make enough contact at the next level to get to that power.”
Baseball America
“Fabian does have solid bat speed and plus raw power that has translated mostly to the pull side, but he’s hit a few impressive homers over the right-field fence as well. A righthanded hitter and lefthanded thrower, Fabian should have no issues handling center field and playing it at a high level defensively at the next level. He’s an above-average runner but what makes him a special defender are his defensive instincts, first step, reads off the bat, athleticism and arm strength. He’s at least a plus defender in the outfield and some scouts have gone as far as putting double-plus grades on his glove, making him one of the best defensive center fielders in the 2021 draft class. While some teams might be scared off given the swing and miss, Fabian has upside with his age, power and defensive profile and has more leverage than most college hitters at the top of the draft considering he would still be age-appropriate in the 2022 class.”
Florida’s MLB Draft History
Highest Drafted Outfielders in Program History
1. 1998: 1B/OF/LHP Brad Wilkerson – Round 1, Pick 33 (Montreal Expos)
2. 2021: OF Jud Fabian<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D14217&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=g6nFlZHPU-ZcUzJuTfJPSBs-IAhk0VTO0DduGGtJWo8&s=A2EnoKuJO0dma0GSSzAn5G8uaRE4lGEawIt_AmrQACI&e= > – Round 2, Pick 40 (Boston Red Sox)
3. 2016: OF Buddy Reed – Round 2, Pick 48 (San Diego Padres)
4. 1984: OF/LHP Scott Ruskin – Round 4, Pick 92 (Texas Rangers)
5. 2015: OF Harrison Bader – Round 3, Pick 100 (St. Louis Cardinals)
6. 2003: OF Ben Harrison – Round 4, Pick 108 (Cleveland Indians)
7. 1979: Jim Watkins – Round 5, Pick 130 (Boston Red Sox)
8. 2004: OF/1B C.J. Smith – Round 5, Pick 139 (Baltimore Orioles)
9. 2010: Matt den Dekker – Round 5, Pick 152 (New York Mets)
10. 2005: OF Jeff Corsaletti – Round 6, Pick 198 (Boston Red Sox)
1970: OF/C Guy McTheeny – Round 3, Pick 51 (Milwaukee Brewers) *January regular phase*
Highest Drafted Players in Program History
1. 2012: C Mike Zunino – Round 1, Pick 3 (Seattle Mariners)
2. 2018: 3B Jonathan India – Round 1, Pick 5 (Cincinnati Reds)
T3. 1991: RHP John Burke – Round 1, Pick 6 (Houston Astros)
T3. 2016: LHP A.J. Puk – Round 1, Pick 6 (Oakland Athletics)
5. 2007: 1B Matt LaPorta – Round 1, Pick 7 (Milwaukee Brewers)
T6. 2017: RHP Alex Faedo – Round 1, Pick 18 (Detroit Tigers)
T6. 2018: RHP Brady Singer – Round 1, Pick 18 (Kansas City Royals)
T8. 2013: RHP Jonathon Crawford – Round 1, Pick 20 (Detroit Tigers)
T8. 2015: SS Richie Martin – Round 1, Pick 20 (Oakland Athletics)
T11. 1992: RHP John Burke – Round 1, Pick 27 (Colorado Rockies)
T11. 1993: RHP Marc Valdes – Round 1, Pick 27 (Florida Marlins)
13. 1989: RHP Jamie McAndrew – Round 1, Pick 28 (Los Angeles Dodgers)
14. 2016: RHP Dane Dunning – Round 1, Pick 29 (Washington Nationals)
15. 2012: LHP/1B Brian Johnson – Round 1, Pick 31 (Boston Red Sox)
16. 2018: RHP Jackson Kowar – Round 1, Pick 33 (Kansas City Royals)
17. 1998: 1B/OF/LHP Brad Wilkerson – Round 1, Pick 33 (Montreal Expos)
18. 2021: OF Jud Fabian<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D14217&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=g6nFlZHPU-ZcUzJuTfJPSBs-IAhk0VTO0DduGGtJWo8&s=A2EnoKuJO0dma0GSSzAn5G8uaRE4lGEawIt_AmrQACI&e= > – Round 2, Pick 40 (Boston Red Sox)
19. 2019: SS Brady McConnell – Round 2, Pick 44 (Kansas City Royals)
T20. 2004: RHP Justin Hoyman – Round 2, Pick 47 (Cleveland Indians)
T20. 2016: RHP Logan Shore – Pick 2, Round 47 (Oakland Athletics)
Highest Drafted Players Under Kevin O’Sullivan<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_coaches.aspx-3Frc-3D1291&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=g6nFlZHPU-ZcUzJuTfJPSBs-IAhk0VTO0DduGGtJWo8&s=7DdYT3bTDYhszNurQYzu4ufQW-d2ZUya_ujU9_n7DHs&e= >
1. 2012: C Mike Zunino – Round 1, Pick 3 (Seattle Mariners)
2. 2018: 3B Jonathan India – Round 1, Pick 5 (Cincinnati Reds)
3. 2016: LHP A.J. Puk – Round 1, Pick 6 (Oakland Athletics)
T4. 2017: RHP Alex Faedo – Round 1, Pick 18 (Detroit Tigers)
T4. 2018: RHP Brady Singer – Round 1, Pick 18 (Kansas City Royals)
T6. 2013: RHP Jonathon Crawford – Round 1, Pick 20 (Detroit Tigers)
T6. 2015: SS Richie Martin – Round 1, Pick 20 (Oakland Athletics)
9. 2016: RHP Dane Dunning – Round 1, Pick 29 (Washington Nationals)
10. 2012: LHP/1B Brian Johnson – Round 1, Pick 31 (Boston Red Sox)
11. 2018: RHP Jackson Kowar – Round 1, Pick 33 (Kansas City Royals)
12. 2021: OF Jud Fabian<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D14217&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=g6nFlZHPU-ZcUzJuTfJPSBs-IAhk0VTO0DduGGtJWo8&s=A2EnoKuJO0dma0GSSzAn5G8uaRE4lGEawIt_AmrQACI&e= > – Round 2, Pick 40 (Boston Red Sox)
13. 2019: SS Brady McConnell – Round 2, Pick 44 (Kansas City Royals)
14. 2016: RHP Logan Shore – Pick 2, Round 47 (Oakland Athletics)
15. 2016: OF Buddy Reed – Round 2, Pick 48 (San Diego Padres)
16. 2012: SS Nolan Fontana – Round 2, Pick 61 (Houston Astros)
17. 2016: 1B Pete Alonso – Round 2, Pick 64 (New York Mets)
18. 2009: RHP Billy Bullock – Round 2, Pick 70 (Minnesota Twins)
19. 2012: LHP Paco Rodriguez – Round 2, Pick 82 (Los Angeles Dodgers)
All Draft Picks Under Kevin O’Sullivan<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_coaches.aspx-3Frc-3D1291&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=g6nFlZHPU-ZcUzJuTfJPSBs-IAhk0VTO0DduGGtJWo8&s=7DdYT3bTDYhszNurQYzu4ufQW-d2ZUya_ujU9_n7DHs&e= > (89)
2021: OF Jud Fabian<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D14217&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=g6nFlZHPU-ZcUzJuTfJPSBs-IAhk0VTO0DduGGtJWo8&s=A2EnoKuJO0dma0GSSzAn5G8uaRE4lGEawIt_AmrQACI&e= > – Round 2, Pick 40 (Boston Red Sox)
2019: SS Brady McConnell – Round 2, Pick 44 (Kansas City Royals)
2019: RHP Tyler Dyson – Round 5, Pick 153 (Washington Nationals)
2019: OF Wil Dalton – Round 8, Pick 257 (Boston Red Sox)
2019: OF Nelson Maldonado – Round 21, Pick 642 (Chicago Cubs)
2018: 3B Jonathan India – Round 1, Pick 5 (Cincinnati Reds)
2018: RHP Brady Singer – Round 1, Pick 18 (Kansas City Royals)
2018: RHP Jackson Kowar – Round 1, Pick 33 (Kansas City Royals)
2018: C JJ Schwarz – Round 8, Pick 233 (Oakland Athletics)
2018: SS Deacon Liput – Round 10, Pick 314 (Los Angeles Dodgers)
2018: RHP Michael Byrne – Round 14, Pick 409 (Cincinnati Reds)
2018: OF/LHP Nick Horvath – Round 25, Pick 745 (Baltimore Orioles)
2017: RHP Alex Faedo – Round 1, Pick 18 (Detroit Tigers)
2017: SS Dalton Guthrie – Round 6, Pick 173 (Philadelphia Phillies)
2017: C Mike Rivera – Round 6, Pick 192 (Cleveland Indians)
2017: C Mark Kolozsvary – Round 7, Pick 197 (Cincinnati Reds)
2017: RHP David Lee – Round 27, Pick 808 (Pittsburgh Pirates)
2017: RHP Frank Rubio – Round 29, Pick 876 (San Francisco Giants)
2017: 2B Deacon Liput – Round 29, Pick 880 (Los Angeles Dodgers)
2017: C JJ Schwarz – Round 38, Pick 1129 (Tampa Bay Rays)
2016: LHP A.J. Puk – Round 1, Pick 6 (Oakland Athletics)
2016: RHP Dane Dunning – Round 1, Pick 29 (Washington Nationals)
2016: RHP Logan Shore – Round 2, Pick 47 (Oakland Athletics)
2016: OF Buddy Reed – Round 2, Pick 48 (San Diego Padres)
2016: 1B Pete Alonso – Round 2, Pick 64 (New York Mets)
2016: RHP Shaun Anderson – Round 3, Pick 88 (Boston Red Sox)
2016: LHP Scott Moss – Round 4, Pick 108 (Cincinnati Reds)
2016: LHP Kirby Snead – Round 10, Pick 312 (Toronto Blue Jays)
2015: SS Richie Martin – Round 1, Pick 20 (Oakland Athletics)
2015: OF Harrison Bader – Round 3, Pick 100 (St. Louis Cardinals)
2015: RHP Eric Hanhold – Round 6, Pick 181 (Milwaukee Brewers)
2015: LHP Danny Young – Round 8, Pick 242 (Toronto Blue Jays)
2015: RHP Taylor Lewis – Round 9, Pick 270 (Atlanta Braves)
2015: 3B Josh Tobias – Round 10, Pick 294 (Philadelphia Phillies)
2015: LHP Bobby Poyner – Round 14, Pick 411 (Boston Red Sox)
2015: RHP Mike Vinson – Round 24, Pick 730 (Detroit Tigers)
2015: RHP Aaron Rhodes – Round 28, Pick 855 (Los Angeles Angels)
2014: C Taylor Gushue – Round 4, Pick 131 (Pittsburgh Pirates)
2014: RHP Justin Shafer – Round 8, Pick 234 (Toronto Blue Jays)
2014: RHP Karsten Whitson – Round 11, Pick 344 (Boston Red Sox)
2014: 2B Casey Turgeon – Round 24, Pick 735 (St. Louis Cardinals)
2014: RHP Ryan Harris – Round 26, Pick 794 (Boston Red Sox)
2014: RHP Keenan Kish – Round 34, Pick 1025 (Cincinnati Reds)
2013: RHP Jonathon Crawford – Round 1, Pick 20 (Detroit Tigers)
2013: LHP Daniel Gibson – Round 7, Pick 210 (Arizona Diamondbacks)
2013: OF Taylor Ratliff – Round 13, Pick 390 (Arizona Diamondbacks)
2013: RHP Johnny Magliozzi – Round 17, Pick 506 (New York Mets)
2013: SS Cody Dent – Round 22, Pick 676 (Washington Nationals)
2013: OF Jeff Driskel – Round 29, Pick 863 (Boston Red Sox)
2013: RHP Karsten Whitson – Round 37, Pick 1126 (Washington Nationals)
2012: C Mike Zunino – Round 1, Pick 3 (Seattle Mariners)
2012: LHP/1B Brian Johnson – Round 1, Pick 31 (Boston Red Sox)
2012: SS Nolan Fontana – Round 2, Pick 61 (Houston Astros)
2012: LHP Steven (Paco) Rodriguez – Round 2, Pick 82 (Los Angeles Dodgers)
2012: RHP Austin Maddox – Round 3, Pick 118 (Boston Red Sox)
2012: OF Preston Tucker – Round 7, Pick 219 (Houston Astros)
2012: RHP Hudson Randall – Round 7, Pick 244 (Detroit Tigers)
2012: OF Daniel Pigott – Round 9, Pick 292 (Cincinnati Reds)
2012: RHP Greg Larson – Round 20, Pick 631 (Boston Red Sox)
2011: LHP Nick Maronde – Round 3, Pick 104 (Los Angeles Angels)
2011: RHP Anthony DeSclafani – Round 6, Pick 199 (Toronto Blue Jays)
2011: RHP Alex Panteliodis – Round 9, Pick 282 (New York Mets)
2011: RHP Tommy Toledo – Round 11, Pick 341 (Milwaukee Brewers)
2011: 2B Josh Adams – Round 13, Pick 403 (Florida Marlins)
2011: 1B/OF Preston Tucker – Round 16, Pick 498 (Colorado Rockies)
2011: C Ben McMahan – Round 23, Pick 701 (Milwaukee Brewers)
2011: RHP Matt Campbell – Round 24, Pick 751 (Philadelphia Phillies)
2011: RHP Greg Larson – Round 29, Pick 885 (Los Angeles Angels)
2011: OF Bryson Smith – Round 34, Pick 1045 (Cincinnati Reds)
2011: OF Tyler Thompson – Round 46, Pick 1387 (Washington Nationals)
2010: LHP Kevin Chapman – Round 4, Pick 119 (Kansas City Royals)
2010: OF Matt den Dekker – Round 5, Pick 152 (New York Mets)
2010: RHP Tommy Toledo – Round 32, Pick 975 (Minnesota Twins)
2010: C Hampton Tignor – Round 36, Pick 1104 (Los Angeles Angels)
2010: RHP Justin Poovey – Round 41, Pick 1254 (Los Angeles Angels)
2010: RHP Matt Campbell – Round 43, Pick 1297 (Cincinnati Reds)
2009: RHP Billy Bullock – Round 2, Pick 70 (Minnesota Twins)
2009: OF Avery Barnes – Round 11, Pick 331 (Colorado Rockies)
2009: LHP Tony Davis – Round 12, Pick 372 (Minnesota Twins)
2009: OF Matt den Dekker – Round 16, Pick 475 (Pittsburgh Pirates)
2009: RHP Patrick Keating – Round 20, Pick 602 (Kansas City Royals)
2009: C Buddy Munroe<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_staff.aspx-3Fstaff-3D37&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=g6nFlZHPU-ZcUzJuTfJPSBs-IAhk0VTO0DduGGtJWo8&s=1oNE9S137AF0DscjRKT3ZHuFh5kVZHiEgLNdMsNqSlw&e= > – Round 22, Pick 672 (Minnesota Twins)
2009: LHP Stephen Locke – Round 22, Pick 681 (Los Angeles Angels)
2009: SS Mike Mooney – Round 23, Pick 686 (Baltimore Orioles)
2009: OF Riley Cooper – Round 25, Pick 754 (Texas Rangers)
2009: LHP Kevin Chapman – Round 50, Pick 1513 (Chicago White Sox)
2008: SS Cole Figueroa – Round 6, Pick 195 (San Diego Padres)
2008: OF Avery Barnes – Round 40, Pick 1201 (Washington Nationals)
2008: RHP Josh Edmondson – Round 41, Pick 1249 (Los Angeles Angels)
