The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

AS he awaits his new assignment with the Tampa Bay Rays franchise, Lucius Fox immediately slots into the updated list of top-10 prospects.

Fox is listed as the No.7 overall prospect for the Rays, according to MLB.com’s 2016 Prospect Watch. He is ranked second among shortstops after No.1 overall prospect Willy Adames.

“The best athlete in the 2015 international class, Fox has plus-plus speed and three more tools that should be at least solid. A switch-hitter with a line-drive stroke, he has the approach and the wheels to become a leadoff hitter and prolific basestealer. He won’t be a homer threat but he does have some strength and can drive some balls to the gaps,” the MLB scouting report said.

“Fox’s range, quick hands and arm fit easily at shortstop. Some scouts don’t love his middle-infield actions and think he’ll fit better in centre field, though the Giants believed he could stay at short, lauding his ability to learn quickly. Now it will be up to the Rays to further the teenager’s development.

On August 1, Fox was traded to the Rays as part of a deal which takes left-handed pitcher Matt Moore to the National League West leaders, San Francisco Giants.

The Giants ramped up their pitching rotation yesterday by acquiring Moore from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for third baseman Matt Duffy and minor leaguers Fox, a short stop, and right-hander Michael Santos.

Fox reacted to the trade in a social media post on Twitter.

“I want to thank the entire Giants organisation for the hospitality they showed me and my family. I wish them nothing but the best moving forward as I embark on a new chapter in my young career,” he said. “I am excited for the opportunity to play for an organisation like the Rays who have a lot of young talent and will compete for years to come.”

President of Baseball Operations for the Rays, Matthew Silverman, said the team has positioned itself for a promising future with players like Fox.

“If you take a snapshot of our system today compared to yesterday, we’re in much better shape. We have some more athleticism, we have some young arms. We have another catcher to add to the mix. It’s a good day for our minor league system in terms of fortifying that and add to the additional talent to that group,” he said.

“You look at the club today, projecting forward to next year. We should be a more talented club. Expect to compete again. Recharge and get re-focused and go back after it. Next year and the rest of this year, we’re going to keep trying to win as many games as possible.”

 Fox, the 19-year-old, 6’2” 170-pound shortstop, was the most anticipated signing of the Giants International Prospect class of July 2015.

He made his much-anticipated pro debut this season for the Giants with the Augusta GreenJackets of the South Atlantic Class A League.

In 75 games, Fox hit .207 with 46 runs scored, 25 stolen bases, slugging .277, an on-base percentage of .305, an OPS of .582, two home runs, four triples and six doubles.