Florida Gators Commit and Gators Legacy, Deric Fabian, Named 2021 Mr. Baseball For State of Florida

Florida Gators baseball commit Deric Fabian has been named the Florida Dairy Farmers 2021 Mr. Baseball, the Florida Dairy Farmers announced on Thursday. Fabian joins a long list of big names in baseball, including the very first Mr. Baseball, Alex Rodriguez.

Fabian, who was also named the Class 4A Player of the Year, tallied 118 points, with eight first place votes. The award was voted on by a panel of high school baseball coaches and media representatives.

As stated in a release, “the Florida Dairy Farmers High School Sports Awards program exemplifies Florida Dairy Farmers' commitment to the state's youth. This is the 29th year of these unique awards as we honor the state's top athletes and coaches in all 30 FHSAA sanctioned and recognized sports. The program also emphasizes to young people the importance of keeping dairy products a primary part of their diet in their overall nutrition plan.”

The short stop helped his team, the North Marion Colts, to a 4A state championship appearance this season. So much of the Colts success in the field came courtesy of Fabian’s glove and instincts between second and third.

“I think his defensive play gets overlooked a little bit because he is such an amazing offensive player, but he just doesn't get enough credit for what he does in the field,” remarked Dale Hall, Head Coach of North Marion.

But just like his brother—current Florida Gator Jud Fabian—it's Deric’s bat that sets him apart.

“Deric is a force in the box,” bragged Hall. “He's got great pop. I mean there's a reason why he's going to the University of Florida, he's a special player…Deric does a really good job of being patient and getting good pitches to hit.”

The elder Fabian notched over 20 home runs during the 2021 season for the Florida Gators. And a day before Deric was named Mr. Baseball, Jud was named a 2021 NCBWA Third Team All-American, as announced by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.

The NCBWA honor marks Fabian's second All-America award of 2021, as Collegiate Baseball also handed him a third team accolade back on June 3.

As a third-year player in 2021, Fabian finished the season tied for ninth in the country and ranking second in the SEC with 20 home runs. Fabian also ranks ninth in the SEC in walks (40) and 13th in slugging percentage (.570).

By clubbing two home runs against Georgia on May 15 for his fourth two-homer game of the campaign, Fabian became just the fifth player in Florida baseball history to hit 20 home runs in a single season. Overall, the Ocala, Fla. native slashed .249/.366/.512 with 30 extra-base hits, 10 doubles, 51 runs, 46 RBI and six stolen bases to go with two outfield assists and a .984 fielding percentage defensively.

The elder Fabian is expected to head to the pro’s this summer, with his name in the MLB Draft. He’ll leave an outfielder position open, but also an open spot for a Fabian legacy in Gainesville with the Florida Gators. Who better to fill that role than his kid brother, from just down the street.