North Marion’s Fabian Named “Mr. Baseball”

Deric Fabian, a UF Baseball commit, poses for a photo at North Marion High School in Sparr, Fla. on Monday, June 21, 2021. Fabian was named Florida Dairy Farmers’ Mr. Baseball, becoming the award’s first recipient from Marion County. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2021.

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Posted June 21, 2021 | By Joel Bronson, joel@ocalagazette.com

Deric Fabian has been playing the game of baseball since he was three years old. So, when he recently won the title of Florida Dairy Farmers Mr. Baseball, it was a testament to his lifelong dedication to the game.

Still, he was “shocked” when he was named the best baseball player in the state.

“I give all the credit to God for putting me in the position to be the player that I am today and the player I want to become,” said Fabian, who was the first Marion County player ever to win the title.

The Class 4A Player of the Year joins major-leaguers Alex Rodriguez, Andrew McCutchen and Bo Bichette as winners of the illustrious title.

To Fabian playing baseball is one of the constants in his life.

“I started playing T-ball when I was three years old, and I’ve been playing baseball ever since,” he said.

He excelled in youth baseball, and when he was 10, his Cal Ripken, Jr. World Series team finished third overall.

But his transition from youth baseball to North Marion High School took some adjustment.

“It was a big world, going from youth ball to being a freshman and playing high school baseball,” he said.

He found that his natural talent, which made youth baseball seem easier, required honing as the talent level increased.

Fabian credits Dale Hall, longtime Colts’ baseball coach, with much of his success.

“Coach Hall worked with me to develop a routine that has helped me to grow as a player and get to where I am today,” Fabian said.

He also credits a good off-season program, which helped boost his confidence and prepared him for a monster senior season.

The versatile infielder batted a robust .462 his senior season, hitting 13 home runs with 52 RBI. Fabian also legged out eight doubles and stole eight bases, helping propel the Colts to the Class 4A state championship game. The Colts fell just short, losing to eventual champion North Broward Prep.

Up next, Fabian will pack his bag for the move to Gainesville, where he signed to play college baseball for the Florida Gators in 2022.

Fabian earned eight first-place votes in the Mr. Baseball voting, beating out 7A Player of the Year Sean Hermann from Durant High School in Plant City and third-place vote-getter, 3A Player of the Year Isaac Sewell from The First Academy, Orlando.