SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- As part of MLBPipeline.com's visit to all 30 Spring Training facilities this month, we will be sitting down with prospects and getting to know them a little better. At Giants camp, it was No. 4 prospect Lucius Fox.
Heading into what would have been his senior year at American Heritage High (Delray Beach, Fla.), Fox projected as a likely second-round pick in the 2015 Draft. But after he moved back to his native Bahamas, MLB ruled him an international free agent in April and he signed on his 18th birthday three months later for $6 million, a record bonus for a non-Cuban international amateur and the second-highest for an amateur in Giants history. A minor issue with his shoulder prevented him from making his pro debut last summer.
MLBPipeline.com: Your family moved to the United States when you were in eighth grade. What motivated your decision to move back to the Bahamas? How difficult was it?
Fox: It was hard for me. We moved back because my parents had financial problems. I was doing the summer circuit for baseball when I got the call that they couldn't afford for me to go back to American Heritage. I thought it might mess up the Draft for me. I never really knew about the international side. I wanted to go straight into pro ball. The time in the Bahamas really helped my game. I worked with weights and got faster and quicker and stronger and it helped my arm. It made my game much better. MLB Pipeline Spring Training reports
MLBPipeline.com: What were your expectations when you thought you'd be part of the 2015 Draft? What did you think when interest began to escalate when you became a free agent? How tough was it sifting through the offers?
Fox: I was surprised. In the United States, I would see scouts around and I would talk to them, but I never knew what interest they had in me. Then they came to the Bahamas and watched me practice and sat down with my family. It surprise me the amount of money they were talking. In the Draft, I thought second round. Making the decision was the toughest day of my life. So many thoughts were running through my mind. The Dodgers and Rangers were in my final three, but I felt the Giants were the better place to go. Not only did they win three World Series in five years but look in the field -- more of their players are homegrown. It felt like the Giants were the best fit for me. [Executive vice president of baseball operations] Brian Sabean and [GM] Bobby Evans made me feel at home, feel special.
MLBPipeline.com: You wound up signing on your birthday for $6 million, which makes for a pretty nice present. How has that bonus changed your life?
Fox: Me and my friends were watching the [2012] Draft and I knew Byron Buxton's bonus was $6 million. I wondered one day what it would feel like to have that kind of money. It shocked me and at the same time it humbled me. My goal is to make it to the Major Leagues, not worry about money. I bought my mom a BMW X6. That was nice. It made me feel good to be in a situation to buy her a car and put a smile on her face. I want to see where I get assigned out of spring training before I buy myself a car.
MLBPipeline.com: You're 18 and just getting started as a pro. What are you trying to work on with your game?
Fox: Just overall consistency. I need to repeat the same swing. Pitch recognition is something I need to improve on. I feel like I do everything good, but you're never too good in this game. I can getter jumps. I like to steal bases and make things happen. The Giants have helped me a lot with my footwork and my throwing. They lowered my arm slot to make it more accurate. My footwork is helping me become a better shortstop. I've read a lot where scouts don't think I can play shortstop. I just use that as motivation. I want to prove them wrong.
MLBPipeline.com: I would be remiss if I didn't ask . . . with the name Lucius Fox, how often do you hear Batman jokes? [Lucius Fox is the name of the character who helps run Bruce Wayne's businesses and invents gadgets for Batman in the comics and movies.]
Fox: Every day. Every time I meet someone new. The first time I came to the Giants, someone made a Batman joke. I was named after my father, not after the movies! Maybe my grandmother liked Batman. I just laugh about it. When I get to the big league team, there will be a lot of Batman jokes. I'm just going to have fun with it.