TFA baseball’s Blake Fields picks Houston over MLB

Blake Fields, a recent graduate of The First Academy and member of the Royals’ 2025 state championship-winning team, announced he will not sign with the Arizona Diamondbacks and instead play college baseball at the University of Houston. He was recently selected with the 423rd overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft.

“It was a family decision but ultimately it came down to an opportunity to enjoy the college experience, build connections and develop into an even better player,” Fields said. “I went on a visit to Houston and everyone there from the baseball coaches to the other team coaches and staff made me feel incredibly comfortable, like a home away from home. Their sports teams have a winning culture and I’m excited to get to campus and contribute to that!”

A 6-foot and 200-pound outfielder, Fields finished his high school baseball career in tremendous fashion by hitting for a .439 (43-for-98) average, scoring 46 runs, driving in another 26 runs, stealing 16 bases and hitting four homers. 

Over the summer, he was also the top bat for the Florida Collegiate Summer League champions, the Orlando Snappers, going 2-for-3 with two runs, two RBIs and a walk in their 11-6 championship series-clinching win over the Sanford River Rats. He led the Snappers with a batting average of .387 (29-for-75) and on-base percentage of .479, while adding 18 runs scored, 13 RBIs, five stolen bases and two home runs. 

Despite dreaming of playing big league baseball for most of his life, Fields believes opting to play in college is the best decision in the long run for not only his pursuit of playing in the majors but also the benefits a college education will have on his life after his playing days are over.

“It was amazing hearing my name called,” Fields said. “It represented a culmination of all my hard work over my high school and summer college baseball career, being recognized by the professional teams. It’s certainly one of my goals to play professional baseball, so to be drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks was truly an accomplishment and honor.”

Despite being selected by Arizona in this year’s draft, Fields decision to play in college means the Diamondbacks will no longer hold his MLB rights and once he turns 21 years old or is three years removed from graduating high school — whichever comes first by the time that year’s draft comes around — Fields can re-enter the pool of draft eligible players and be selected by any MLB team.