The MLB Draft and Gators Go Hand in Hand

Florida Gators’ Alex Faedo, a 6-foot-5, 220-pound All-American pitcher was the 18th overall pick in the MLB draft Monday night.

Faedo to the Bigs

The Detroit Tigers snagged Faedo during the first round of the draft. The Tigers have selected a pitcher 10 out of their 13 first-round picks, so it came as no surprise that the 21-year-old junior was drafted early on. It didn’t hurt that Faedo was ranked as the best player available when the Tigers made their selection Monday night.

The Tigers had drafted Faedo in 2014 as a 40th-round pick out of Braulio Alonso High. Three years later, the Tigers picked him again. Faedo passed on pro baseball in 2014, but went on to continue his career and became Baseball America’s No. 10 prospect. Now he has a chance to sign a contract that is estimated at $3.2 million.

This season Faedo has a 7-2 record and a 2.55 ERA. The righty has allowed 90 hits in 109.1 innings, struck out 135, and walked 36. Faedo has a fastball that can run 92-95 m.p.h. with a big-league slider, curveball, and change-up. The Tampa, Fla., native was compared to former Royals pitcher Kevin Appier during the draft.

Gator Verbal Commit Drafted

Now, University of Florida verbal commit Sam Carlson has found himself in the same place that Faedo was in three years ago. Carlson out of Burnsville (Minn.) verbally committed to the Gator baseball team in 2015. But Monday night, the recent 2017 graduate was drafted in the second round to the Seattle Mariners. Carlson, the 55th overall pick, is a 6-foot-four, 210 right-handed pitcher and hitter. During his senior season, Carlson had a 0.53 ERA, allowing 2 runs, 53 strike-outs, and 16 walks.  He went 1-0 in three games during the selection playoffs, only allowing one run in 11 innings. Carlson also struck out 15 and walked none during those playoffs. Carlson’s decision is unofficial, but his twitter account gives off the impression that a decision has been made.

https://twitter.com/samcarlson33/status/874466116378255361

Royce Lewis, Hunter Greene, and Mackenzie Gore were the first three overall MLB draft picks this year. The three of them have one thing in common with Sam Carlson: they were drafted out of high school. The first three overall picks combined pick value is about $21.7 million. This is nothing new to the MLB. Last year, three of the first four draft picks were out of high school.

The MLB Draft continues at 1 pm, leading off with the 69th overall pick.