Dax Fulton has shot up through the Miami Marlins’ farm system since they drafted him in 2020. He was born on October 16, 2001, in Weatherford, Oklahoma. The young lefty went 40th overall, even though he had Tommy John surgery before his senior year of high school.
The Marlins clearly believed in Fulton’s potential, signing him for a record $2.4 million bonus. That’s not something you see every day, especially for a prep pitcher who missed his entire senior season.
Fulton is still working his way up in the Marlins system. He’s been developing his game in the minors, taking each step as it comes. His path from Mustang High School in Oklahoma City to professional baseball really shows off his resilience and natural ability.
Right now, his contract with the Marlins pays him around the minimum MLB salary. Most of his estimated $2.4 million net worth comes from that first signing bonus.
Before his injury, Fulton was the consensus best left-handed pitcher in his high school class. That reputation, plus his comeback from surgery, makes him one of the more interesting prospects to watch in the Marlins’ farm system.
Early Life and Amateur Career
Dax Fulton’s road to pro baseball really started back in Oklahoma. People noticed his pitching talent early on.
His family, his high school achievements, and a pretty clear path to the pros all played a part in getting him to the Marlins.
Family Background and Influences
Daxton “Dax” Fulton came into the world on October 16, 2001, in Weatherford, Oklahoma. He grew up surrounded by baseball, and he fell in love with the game as a kid.
His family always supported his athletic dreams. They saw his potential on the mound and encouraged him every step of the way.
Fulton didn’t really look up to big-name MLB stars like Bryce Harper. Instead, he often credited his local coaches and family for helping him develop his pitching mechanics.
His dad played a huge role, catching for Dax in their backyard for hours on end.
At 6’7″, Fulton’s size stood out early. Coaches couldn’t help but notice.
High School Achievements
Fulton went to Mustang High School near Oklahoma City. He quickly became one of the top left-handed pitching prospects in the country.
His numbers in high school were eye-catching. MLB scouts started paying attention.
During his junior year, Fulton overpowered hitters with a fastball up to 94 mph and a curveball that scouts raved about. He finished his high school career with a 0.93 ERA and struck out 178 batters over 105 innings.
He picked up a bunch of awards, including Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year consideration. He also got invited to big showcase events like the Perfect Game All-American Classic.
College Commitment and Draft Selection
Fulton committed to play college ball at the University of Oklahoma, but his pro prospects just kept getting better. His draft stock soared as he kept throwing in the low-to-mid 90s.
Then he had Tommy John surgery in the fall of 2019, which threw a wrench into his draft status.
Still, the Miami Marlins picked him 40th overall in the second round of the 2020 MLB Draft. They signed him for $2.4 million, way above slot, betting on his recovery and upside.
That decision to skip college and turn pro set Fulton on his current path through the Marlins’ system.
Professional Career Overview
Since the Marlins drafted him in 2020, Dax Fulton has become one of their most promising pitching prospects. His progress in the minors hints at real MLB potential.
Minor League Development
The Marlins picked Fulton in the second round (#40 overall) of the 2020 MLB Draft. At 6’7” and 245 pounds, he brought some serious presence to the organization.
He started out in the lower minors. Even though he missed time recovering from Tommy John surgery, Fulton kept moving up.
The Marlins took their time with him, carefully watching his innings at every level. That slow approach paid off as he sharpened his mechanics and added to his pitch mix.
By 2025, Fulton had played for several minor league teams, including the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. He became one of the top pitching prospects in the Marlins’ system.
Notable Performances and Milestones
Fulton has shown flashes of why the Marlins drafted him so high. Scouts and analysts have noticed his left-handed delivery and big frame.
A big moment came when the Marlins put Fulton on their 40-man roster. That move protected him from the Rule 5 Draft and showed the team’s faith in his future.
His pitching style features a nasty breaking ball that gets swings and misses. His fastball has picked up some velocity as he’s matured. He’s also pretty good at getting ground balls when it matters.
Fulton’s path is similar to other Marlins pitchers like Jesus Luzardo and Braxton Garrett. They also worked their way up through the farm system before making an impact in the majors.
Role Among Top Prospects
Fulton has carved out a spot in the Marlins’ young pitching core. The organization has a real knack for developing pitching talent, with names like Eury Perez, Jesus Luzardo, and Edward Cabrera all making waves lately.
People have compared Fulton’s development to guys like Sixto Sanchez and Trevor Rogers. His rise through the system looks a lot like Pablo Lopez’s journey to becoming a reliable starter.
Both Baseball America and MLB Pipeline keep ranking Fulton among the Marlins’ top prospects. As a lefty, he brings a different look to a farm system that’s produced a lot of right-handers.
With a net worth around $2.4 million, Fulton seems set up pretty well financially as he gets closer to the majors. If things break right, he could become a key piece of the Marlins’ rotation for years.
Contract Details and Team Control
Dax Fulton’s pro career comes with a few important financial and contract details. His contract situation shows where he stands as a prospect and what the future might hold for him in Miami.
Initial Signing and Bonus
The Marlins picked Fulton in the second round of the 2020 MLB Draft, 40th overall, even though he was coming off Tommy John surgery. He was the consensus top lefty in the 2020 high school class, so teams still saw a high ceiling.
Fulton’s first MLB contract wasn’t as big as what first-rounders get, but it was still solid for a second-round pick. Details haven’t been widely shared, but his net worth is estimated at $2.4 million, so his signing bonus wasn’t small.
He signed that first contract while still rehabbing his elbow, which says a lot about the Marlins’ long-term plan for him.
Contract Extension Considerations
As a young pitcher in the Marlins system, Fulton’s future contract extension will probably depend on how he performs and how quickly he develops. The Marlins have to balance his injury history and his upside when they think about locking him up.
That Tommy John surgery before the draft is a risk, but if Fulton proves he’s fully recovered, the team might try to sign him to a deal before he hits arbitration. That’s a move some teams make to save money down the line.
The Marlins have done similar early extensions with other young pitchers. Those deals usually cover arbitration years and sometimes tack on team options for free agency years. If Fulton keeps trending up, he could end up with a contract like that.
Implications of Team Control and Trade Deadline
The Marlins still have plenty of team control over Fulton in his early MLB years. That control usually lasts six full MLB seasons, giving the team time to develop him without big financial pressure.
Contract terms for guys like Fulton fall under MLB’s collective bargaining rules, so he’ll make close to the league minimum until he’s eligible for arbitration after about three years.
The trade deadline always adds some drama. As a talented lefty prospect, Fulton could be a future building block for the Marlins or a trade chip if they’re looking for immediate help. It depends on where the Marlins are in their competitive cycle and how deep their pitching pipeline is.
We’ve seen top prospects traded for big-league talent at the deadline before, so Fulton’s progress will be something to watch as the Marlins try to contend.
Injury History and Recovery
Injuries have played a big part in Dax Fulton’s career so far. The lefty has dealt with some major setbacks, but he keeps showing grit and determination during rehab.
Tommy John Surgery and Rehabilitation
Fulton entered the 2020 draft as the consensus best lefty in his high school class, even though he’d just had Tommy John surgery. That kind of injury usually means a 12-18 month recovery. The Marlins still took him in the second round.
For rehab, Fulton followed the standard routine for ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction. He worked through a controlled throwing program and slowly built up his arm strength before getting back on the mound.
Scouts noticed that before the injury, Fulton had been making real strides with his mechanics. He was working on simplifying his delivery when the injury happened.
Return to Play and Health Status
Sadly, Fulton’s injury struggles didn’t stop there. After pitching just 33 innings in 2023, he missed all of 2024 recovering from a second Tommy John surgery. That’s a tough blow for a 23-year-old.
The Marlins have stuck with Fulton, keeping him on their prospect radar. Between surgeries, he did show some progress in the minors. The Pensacola Blue Wahoos even activated him from the 60-day IL at one point.
Coming back from multiple Tommy John surgeries isn’t easy, but it’s not impossible either. Fulton’s recovery timeline is still up in the air as he keeps working to get back to his old form.
Net Worth and Off-Field Activities
Dax Fulton has already built up a solid financial base thanks to his signing bonus and contract. Off the field, he balances baseball with personal interests and some community involvement.
Estimated Net Worth and Earnings
Daxton “Dax” Fulton has an estimated net worth of $2.4 million, with most of that coming from his professional baseball contract.
When the Miami Marlins picked Fulton in the second round (40th overall) of the 2020 MLB Draft, he took home a signing bonus of $2.4 million.
Right now, as a minor leaguer in the Marlins organization, Fulton earns a pretty modest annual salary compared to the big league veterans.
His contract matches the usual path for minor leaguers, and he should see salary bumps as he gets closer to a major league call-up.
If Fulton keeps developing and eventually makes it to the majors, financial analysts think his earnings could jump dramatically. Minimum salaries in the big leagues already top $700,000 a year, which is nothing to sneeze at.
Endorsements and Partnerships
Fulton is still carving out his place in pro baseball, but he’s started picking up some low-key endorsement deals with baseball equipment brands.
Usually, these partnerships mean he gets gear and maybe a bit of regional marketing, but nothing wild yet.
Unlike MLB stars who land splashy national ads, Fulton’s current deals stick to baseball-focused brands that like to support up-and-coming talent.
A few businesses from Oklahoma have shown interest in teaming up with him as his reputation grows. It’s kind of cool to see local companies backing a hometown guy.
He seems pretty careful about which business relationships he chooses, making sure they fit with his personal image and values.
A lot of folks in the industry expect his endorsement options to open up a lot more once he finally cracks the big leagues.
Personal Interests and Community Involvement
When he’s not on the baseball field, Fulton dives into a bunch of personal interests that help him unwind from the pressures of competition. As an Oklahoma native, he loves getting outdoors—fishing and hiking around his home state’s natural spots whenever he gets the chance.
Fulton gets involved with the Marlins’ community outreach programs, too. He shows up at youth baseball clinics and actually teaches pitching techniques to younger players.
You can tell he cares about giving back to the sport that’s shaped his life. On top of that, he’s got a bit of a fascination with aviation.
Sometimes he’ll post about aircraft or flying on social media. It’s a cool way for him to mentally step away from the grind of baseball and just relax, especially during the long, demanding season.
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