As the Florida State Seminoles baseball team gets ready for the 2026 preseason, fans and analysts are buzzing about what’s next. There’s an air of curiosity—how will the team adapt with an extended preseason, a fresh roster, and a renewed focus on pitching?
Key players have moved on to pro ball, so the Seminoles need new and returning faces to step up. Let’s take a look at the main storylines shaping the 2026 season.
Key Infield Changes and Challenges
Alex Lodise and Drew Faurot are gone. They anchored the infield and played huge roles in the Seminoles’ recent success.
Lodise, who won the Dick Howser Trophy, and Faurot, a first-team All-ACC second baseman, both got picked in the top 108 of the MLB Draft. Their combined .979 fielding percentage over 428 chances last year says a lot about their defensive chops.
Potential Replacements
There’s a handful of guys looking to fill those shoes:
- Myles Bailey will be at first base.
- Cal Fisher, a junior, is lined up to start again and could play anywhere in the infield.
- Eli Putnam, a Davidson transfer, has experience at every infield spot but seems best at third or DH.
- Gabe Fraser, coming in from Arkansas, might be the answer at shortstop.
Don’t count out Carter McCulley, Jace Estes, Noah Sheffield, or freshman John Stuetzer. They could all play big roles as the infield comes together.
The coaches seem optimistic, but we’ll see how these guys hold up under pressure.
Building a Strong Pitching Staff
Head Coach Link Jarrett keeps hammering home the need for a deep, tough pitching staff. He’s planning to build up 10 pitchers this preseason—guys who can eat innings and keep things steady.
Last year’s rotation stayed pretty consistent, which isn’t something you see every day in college baseball. But with a few arms gone, new faces have to step up.
Pitchers to Watch
These pitchers are likely to get most of the work in 2026:
- Gabe Nard, a righty who leans on his heavy sinker.
- John Abraham, who’s added a mid-80s sweeper to his mix.
- Cole Stokes, a hard-thrower with a wild 38.6% strikeout rate last season.
- Bryson Moore, a transfer from Virginia with five pitches up his sleeve.
- Rhett Vaughn, Braxton Varnes, Wes Mendes, Trey Beard, Cooper Whited, and Payton Manca.
They’ve also got a group of “sprint arms” for short stints—Ben Barrett, Chris Knier, Brodie Purcell, Cade O’Leary, and Kevin Mebil. The bullpen’s depth could be a game-changer.
Weekend Rotation Favorites
With Jamie Arnold and Joey Volini gone, the Seminoles need new weekend starters. Here are the frontrunners:
- Wes Mendes, the only weekend starter coming back.
- Trey Beard, an FAU transfer and D1Baseball’s No. 1 portal pitcher.
- Bryson Moore, who’s already earned high praise from the staff.
John Abraham, Payton Manca, Cole Stokes, and Gabe Nard could also get starting shots. How this group shakes out might decide the season’s direction.
Offensive Adjustments
The team lost some big bats—Cam Smith, James Tibbs, Jaime Ferrer, Marco Dinges, and Daniel Cantu. Even so, they kept up the offense last year.
This time, they’ll need to blend new talent and get the most out of returning players to keep scoring runs.
Key Offensive Players
Watch these guys on offense:
- Cal Fisher, who started 52 games at third base last season.
- Eli Putnam, bringing both versatility and experience.
- Gabe Fraser, who could make an immediate splash.
- John Stuetzer, an athletic freshman who might play all over.
Outfielders like Chase Williams, Brayden Dowd, Brody DeLamielleure, and Noah Sheffield will have to step up too. It’s a lineup with potential, but they’ll need to prove it on the field.
Conclusion
The 2026 preseason for Florida State Seminoles baseball feels both exciting and a bit daunting. Losing key players always stings, and the team faces the tough task of rebuilding a strong pitching staff.
They’ll need to blend returning athletes with fresh faces. If the chemistry clicks, the Seminoles could surprise people this season.
Curious about the details? Check out the Florida State Seminoles Transfer Portal Tracker for updates on preparations and player evaluations.
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