​The Baltimore Orioles selected Jackson Prep outfielder Kevin Roberts Jr. with the No. 110 overall pick in the fourth round of the 2026 MLB Draft on July 11. Roberts now faces a pivotal choice: sign with the Orioles or enroll at Florida to play baseball for coach Kevin O’Sullivan. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound junior star from Jackson Prep is already committed to the Gators, weighing a significant decision that could shape his immediate future in professional baseball or collegiate competition. Roberts was ranked by MLB.com as the No. 136 prospect entering the draft, a testament to his projected impact at the next level.
The Orioles’ selection carries a slot value of $711,800 for this pick. In his standout high school season, Roberts posted a team-high .396 batting average, tallying 40 hits, 34 RBIs and 23 extra-base hits, including 10 home runs. His performance helped him earn recognition as a 2026 Clarion Ledger Dandy Dozen member, as well as a place on the Clarion Ledger’s Large Class All-State team and MAIS All-State squad. Roberts is the second Jackson Prep product drafted in three years, following Konnor Griffin, who went No. 9 overall in 2024.
MLB.com currently slots the 17-year-old as the fourth-highest-ranked high school prospect in the state, underscoring the confidence scouts have in his upside. Pro evaluators praise Roberts for his power projecting from the left side, with a 6-foot-5 frame that supports above-average bat speed and strong arm strength in the outfield. Scouts, however, note a couple of refinements that could enhance his projection: minimizing chase on fastballs outside the strike zone and improving the ability to handle breaking balls, which would help him adapt to higher-level pitching.
Coverage of Roberts’ path and broader high school sports scenes is provided by Michael Chavez for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at mchavez@gannett.com, or on social media via X @MikeSChavez and on Facebook at Michael Chavez. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger, detailing the Baltimore Orioles’ selection of Jackson Prep’s Kevin Roberts Jr. in the MLB draft, as well as the implications of his first-round status within the context of both the organization and his longtime commitment to Florida. The piece highlights how the decision to sign or attend college will hinge on Roberts’ readiness to confront professional competition versus continuing to develop at the collegiate level under Florida’s program.