The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

LUCIUS Fox is on the move in the minor leagues once again after he received another promotion in the Tampa Bay Rays franchise.

Fox was assigned to the Charlotte Stone Crabs of the Florida State League at the Single A-Advanced level.

The 20-year-old shortstop spent the previous 77 games with the Bowling Green Hot Rods of the Midwest League at the Single A-Full level.

One level below Double-A, also known as "Class A+" or "High A is often a second or third promotion for minor league players. These leagues play a complete season like Triple-A and Double-A, April through early September.

He ended his stint with the Hot Rods with three consecutive multiple hit games, most recently, a 2-5 outing Monday night.

For the Hot Rods, Fox hit a career-best .278 and ranked third in the Midwest League with 27 stolen bases. He also ranks second on the team with 45 runs scored, collected 27 RBI and totaled a .362 OBP and a .722 OPS with two runs.

Fox is currently ranked as the No.14 prospect in the Rays organisation.

He was was selected to represent the World team in the 2017 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game during MLB All-Star weekend and drove in an RBI in the loss to team USA.

He began the season 1-14 at the plate with nine strikeouts through four games. He responded by recording hits in five of the next six games. He also recorded three multiple-hit games during a six-game hitting streak in late April and in May, has posted "three-hit" games in three of his next four outings. During a six game hit streak, he hit his first home run of the season on May 13.

He played in Single A ball for two second consecutive seasons in the Midwest League's Eastern Division. He made his much-anticipated pro debut last season for the Giants with the Augusta GreenJackets of the South Atlantic Class A League. In 75 games, Fox hit .207 with 46 runs scored, 25 stolen bases, slugging .277, an on-base percentage of .305, an OPS of .582, two home runs, four triples and six doubles.

Fox was traded to the Rays along with Matt Duffy and Michael Santos in the deal which sent left-handed pitcher Matt Moore to the San Francisco Giants. He was limited to just a single game in the Instructional League with the Rays before he was sidelined with a foot injury.

Fox discussed his future with Brett Phillips of D Rays Bay and gave a timeline for when he expects to make his break into the Major Leagues. "Two years," he said.

"Moving from the Giants to the Rays the coaches were just like one . . . I dunno, I think there's something about me that works well together with them. We gel."