Gators Signee Kevin Roberts Jr. Signs Deal Contract With Baltimore Orioles

Gators baseball is missing out on signee Kevin Roberts Jr. for a major price tag.

Roberts inked a deal Wednesday with the Baltimore Orioles after getting taken in the fourth round of the 2026 MLB Draft.

The slot value for the 110th-overall pick was $711,800. It was unlikely he would make it to Florida with that dollar amount, according to Yahoo Sports.

But Roberts’ signing bonus was $1 million, as reported by Andy Kostka with the Baltimore Banner.

Roberts was the sole signee taken in this year’s draft. He participated in the MLB Combine, alongside other notable Gators newcomers like Brady Smith, Brady Snow and Colin White.

A standout outfielder and shortstop from Meridian, Mississippi, Roberts had a career batting average of .371, notching 19 dingers and 102 RBIs throughout his four seasons at Jackson Prep.

Roberts was the third Gator to be selected in the draft, behind right-handed pitcher Liam Peterson at No. 19 and outfielder Kyle Jones at No. 102. Roberts was listed 136th on MLB’s Top 250 Prospects List headed into this year’s draft.

The 6-foot-5, 220-pound infielder/outfielder previously committed to coach Kevin O’Sullivan’s program back in April 2025.

Scouts praise Roberts’ power at the plate, crediting his frame for his bat speed and arm strength. Roberts was a top-10 prospect in the 2026 class, ranked eighth nationally.

Outside of baseball, he participates in track and field and basketball. Perfect Game called him a “unicorn athlete.”

Roberts is the second Jackson Prep player to be drafted into the MLB, with Konnor Griffin being taken by the Pittsburgh Pirates at No. 9 overall in 2024.

Category: Baseball, College Baseball, Gators Baseball, MLB