Florida State’s reputation as one of college baseball’s premier talent producers continued to grow following the 2026 MLB Draft. The Seminoles had seven players selected over the course of the draft, extending one of the nation’s most impressive runs of professional success while adding to several milestones achieved under head coach Link Jarrett.
Leading the way was pitcher Wes Mendes, who was selected by the Houston Astros with the 57th overall pick in the second round. He was followed later in the second round by first baseman Myles Bailey, who went 75th overall to the Chicago Cubs. FSU then made it three selections in the first three rounds when Brayden Dowd was taken 88th overall in the third round by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Seminoles saw four more players hear their names called on Day 2 of the draft. Trey Beard was selected in the fifth round by the Miami Marlins (147th overall), Bryson Moore went in the seventh round by the Pittsburgh Pirates (198th overall), while Cole Stokes (353rd overall to the Tampa Bay Rays) and Brodie Purcell (362nd overall to the Cincinnati Reds) were both chosen in the 12th round.
The strong draft showing continued a remarkable trend under Jarrett, who has quickly elevated Florida State’s standing as one of the nation’s top developers of professional talent since taking over the program in 2023.
With Mendes, Bailey and Dowd all coming off the board within the first three rounds, Florida State has produced at least three selections in the first three rounds for just the third time in program history. It also marked the second consecutive season the Seminoles have had multiple players selected within the first three rounds, another sign of the program’s sustained success at the top of the draft.
The early selections also added to an impressive four-year body of work under Jarrett. Since his arrival in Tallahassee, eight Seminoles have been selected within the first two rounds of the MLB Draft, the most over any four-year span in program history.
Florida State’s seven total selections also set another benchmark. The Seminoles have now had at least seven players drafted in three consecutive seasons, the first time the program has accomplished that feat.
The continued success reflects the trajectory of a program that has returned to national prominence under Jarrett. As Florida State continues to compete for College World Series appearances, the Seminoles are also consistently proving to be one of the country’s top pipelines to professional baseball, with another talented draft class adding its names to the program’s long list of MLB talent.
This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: FSU baseball continues impressive run in MLB Draft
Reporting by Brandon Foster, FSU Wire / FSU Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Brandon Foster, FSU Wire | USA TODAY Network
