Jud Fabian drafted by the Baltimore Orioles
Florida Gators outfielder Jud Fabian is a Baltimore Oriole. Fabin was taken with the 67th overall pick in the competitive balance portion of the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft on Sunday night.
Fabian is the third Gator to be selected in this year’s draft. He followed outfielder Sterlin Thompson (31st) and pitcher Hunter Barco (44th). This is the second time in his career that he has been drafted. He was selected 40th overall in the second round to the Boston Red Sox in 2021.
Fabian ranks as the fifth-highest Gators outfielder to be drafted. He is the 27th-highest draft pick in school history and the 19th-highest under head coach Kevin O’Sullivan.
Fabian as a Gator
2022 was a historic year for Jud Fabian. He became the second Gator in program history to hit 20-or-more home runs in consecutive seasons alongside Brad Wilkerson (1997-98). Fabian followed his 20-homer 2021 campaign with a 24-homer season in 2022, which ranked second in the SEC behind teammate Wyatt Langford.
The Ocala, Fla. native slashed .239/.414/.598. Fabian has a career-high 35 extra-base hits, 63 runs, 55 RBI, 62 walks, and nine stolen bases. He cut his strikeout rate down to 22.3% in 2022, marking a decrease of 11.0%.
Fabian should project as a true center fielder at the next level as well. He produced a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage this past season across 155 defensive chances while starting all 66 games in center field.
Fabian concluded his fourth season in Orange & Blue with 56 homers, which ranks third all-time in program history. The former All-American outfielder is a career .246/.384/.541 hitter, racking up 171 base knocks, 35 doubles, 165 runs, 140 RBI, 143 walks (fifth all-time), and 24 stolen bases as a Gator. He is the proud owner of a .989 career fielding percentage.
Fabian’s collegiate resume includes First Team All-SEC, All-SEC Defensive Team,and Southeast ABCA/Rawlings All-Region First Team honors.
