Timber Creek’s Perez among picks

USF left-handed closer Andrew Perez, an Orlando Timber Creek alum, was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the eighth round of the MLB draft Tuesday.

The 20-year-old junior was selected with the 228th overall pick.

“It’s an amazing and humble opportunity,” Perez said in a text message Tuesday evening. “The road has not been a straight one, but being able to grow over the last few years I am very grateful for the opportunity.”

Equipped with an overpowering two-seam fastball (as well as a change-up and slider), Perez finished 6-3 with 12 saves this past season, meaning he had a hand in exactly half (18) of the Bulls’ 36 victories. In 42 innings, he struck out 50, walked 12 and posted a 2.34 ERA.

He established himself as the team’s primary closer in 2017, finishing 6-3 with six saves and 52 strikeouts in 39 innings.

Numerous other instate college players were drafted Tuesday.

FSU catcher Cal Raleigh was drafted in the third round by the Seattle Mariners with the No. 90 overall pick.

FSU pitcher Cole Sands was selected in the fifth round with the No. 154 pick by the Minnesota Twins.

UCF pitcher Thad Ward was selected in the fifth round with the No. 160 overall pick by the Boston Red Sox.

FSU pitcher Andrew Karp was selected in the sixth round with the No. 193 pick by the Washington Nationals.

Stetson pitcher Wilson Brooks was selected in the seventh round with the No. 202 pick by the Atlanta Braves.

UCF pitcher JJ Montgomery was drafted in the seventh round by the Baltimore Orioles with the No. 205 overall pick.

UF catcher JJ Schwarz was selected in the eight round with the No. 233 overall pick by the Oakland Athletics.

FSU pitcher Jackson Lueck was selected in the eighth round with the No. 242 pick by the Kansas City Royals.

FSU pitcher Tyler Holton was selected in the ninth round with the No. 279 pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

UF second baseman Deacon Liput was selected in the 10th round with the No. 314 overall pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

A slew of local high school and state of Florida college players are expected to be selected as the draft continues today.

UF’s Jonathan India was among the biggest winner when the draft opened Monday, going No. 5 to the Cincinnati Reds.

He was on first base during a pivotal Gainesville Regional game Monday night when fans started calling out to him.

“Mid-pitch, fans were yelling, ‘Congrats, India!’ ” he said Tuesday.

While India and his Florida Gators were playing FAU, the Reds picked him.

“It’s not the usual way to get drafted, when you’re actually playing baseball,” India said. “But it was fine with me because I’m playing the game I love. To get rewarded like that while you’re playing is pretty cool.”

The slot value for the No. 5 pick is $5,946,400, and India said he almost certainly will sign.

“For sure,” India said, laughing, “there’s no question on that.”