Following the selection of Sterlin Thompson in the first round of the 2022 MLB Draft, the Florida Gators saw two more of their top prospects taken on the first day as LHP Hunter Barco and OF Jud Fabian were each drafted in the second round.
Barco was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates with the No. 44 overall pick despite undergoing season-ending Tommy John surgery in May. Barco was in the midst of a fantastic season as he was 5-2 with a 2.50 ERA. His strikeout to walk ration was extremely impressive at 69:11.
The Jacksonville, FL native arrived on campus after being a 24th round pick in the 2019 draft out of high school. The signing bonus value for being selected at No. 44 is $1,775200.
Fabian was drafted No. 67 overall by the Baltimore Orioles. Fabian became just the second Gators baseball player to hit twenty or more homers in back-to-back seasons (Brad Wilkerson). He hit .235 with 24 home runs and 55 RBI. Fabian is also known as a tremendous defender in center field.
Fabian was also selected in the second round in the 2021 draft but chose not to sign with the Boston Red Sox and return to Gainesville. The singing bonus value for the 67th pick is slotted at $1,026,300.
Day two of the draft gets underway at 2:00 PM for rounds 3-10.