Watch Giants No. 1 pick James Tibbs III get draft call Originally appeared in NBC Bay Area Sports
Being selected in the MLB draft is one of the highest honors a baseball player can receive, and Giants top pick James Tibbs III enjoyed the life-changing moment surrounded by a large contingent of family and friends.
San Francisco selected Tibbs No. 13 overall in the 2024 MLB DraftAnd the touching moment he got the call from the Giants was quickly followed by an explosion of celebration in the room following the official announcement that the Florida State star was being kidnapped.
Speaking to reporters via Zoom after being selected, Tibbs detailed why he appreciated the opportunity to experience his special moment alongside so many familiar faces.
“There were about 100 people in the house, coaches, pastors, from the first travel baseball team I played on all the way through high school,” Tibbs told reporters. “So many friends and family, the amount of support was unbelievable. Just being able to experience that with so many people, those I love, means everything to me. Family and friends are everything to me. So being able to celebrate with those people, it’s something I’ve dreamed about for a long time.”
Tibbs, a standout first baseman and outfielder during his college career with the Seminoles, had a Strong final season At Florida State, he hit 28 home runs with 95 RBIs and a .363 batting average in 66 games.
The hard-hitting lefty has experience playing all three outfield positions and spent the entire 2024 season in right field, where the Giants do not have a clear long-term spot that could potentially block Tibbs’ promotion to the major league roster in the future.
The last time San Francisco selected a Florida State player in the first round, the Giants ended up getting a franchise legend in Buster Posey, a good omen as Tibbs aims to follow in the Seminole legend’s footsteps.
While Tibbs still has a long way to go before he makes San Francisco’s MLB roster, for now he and his loved ones can enjoy this unforgettable moment.