Florida State Baseball Roster: Who’s Who on the Team?

The Florida State Seminoles baseball team is one of the most successful programs in the country. They have won the College World Series six times and have made the tournament thirty-eight times. The team is currently coached by Mike Martin, who is the winningest coach in college baseball history. The roster is full of talented players, many of whom have gone on to have successful careers in Major League Baseball

Who’s who on the team?

When you think of Florida State University you might think first of the school’s legendary football team. But don’t forget about the other Diamond Noles – the Florida State baseball team! Here’s a quick rundown of some of the Key Players on this year’s squad.

The starting lineup

The Florida State Seminoles Baseball Team is one of the most successful collegiate programs in the country. Under Head Coach Mike Martin, the Seminoles have won seventeen Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) regular season championships and twenty-one ACC tournament titles. They have also made thirty-eight NCAA tournament appearances, including fourteen College World Series berths. The Seminoles have produced many Major League Baseball players, including Hall of Famer Dave Winfield

The current Florida State roster is loaded with talent. Here is a look at the starting lineup for the Seminoles:

1. OF/IF Drew Mendoza – A sophomore from Lake Minneola, Florida, Mendoza was named ACC Freshman of the Year and a freshman All-American in 2017 after hitting .289 with eight home runs and fifty RBIs. He was also named to the College World Series All-Tournament team after helping lead Florida State to a runner-up finish.

2. C Cal Raleigh – A junior from Clayton, North Carolina Raleigh was a second-team All-ACC selection in 2017 after hitting .321 with eleven home runs and fifty RBIs. He was also named to the College World Series All-Tournament team.

3. 1B Rhett Akins – A junior from Windermere, Florida, Akins led Florida State in hitting last season with a .345 average while also belting eleven home runs and driving in fifty-five runs. He was named first-team All-ACC and was a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award which is given to the nation’s top amateur baseball player

4 . 3B Jonathan India – A junior from Coral Springs Florida, India hit .274 with nine Home Runs and forty RBIs last season while also stealing seventeen bases. He was named third-team All-ACC and was a semifinalist for the Brooks Wallace Award, which is given to the nation’s top collegiate shortstop.

5 . DH/OF Jackson Lueck – A senior from Niceville, Florida, Lueck is a two-time ACC Player of the Year and was named first-team All-American in 2017 after hitting .377 with sixteen home runs and seventy RBIs. He is also a two time Golden Spikes Award finalist (2016 & 2017) and is considered one of the best draft eligible college players in the country heading into this season.
6 . OF Reese Albert – A sophomore from Longwood, Florida, Albert hit .222 with three home runs and nineteen RBIs as a freshman while also stealing seven bases. He will be expected to take on a bigger role this season with several key departures from last year’s team

The bench

The bench is the part of the baseball field that the substitutes and non-starters sit during the game. In addition to these players, the manager, Coaching Staff and other personnel such as the medical staff may also be on the bench. The players on the bench are usually referred to as reserves. They can be used at any time during the game, but they must stay within the boundaries of the bench area.

The bullpen

The bullpen is a crucial part of any baseball team and the Florida State Seminoles are no exception. This year’s team features a deep and talented group of Relief pitchers who are key to the team’s success. Here’s a look at some of the most important members of the Seminole bullpen.

--Michael Byrne A junior from nearby Coral Springs, Byrne is the Seminoles’ closer. He’s got a great fastball and an impressive strikeout rate, and he’s been a key part of Florida State’s success this season.

-Will Zirzow: A sophomore from Tampa, Zirzow is one of Florida State’s most reliable setup men. He’s got a great sinker that generates a lot of ground balls and he’s been very effective against left-handed hitters.

-Coby Martin: A junior from Orlando, Martin is another versatile reliever who can pitch in multiple roles. He’s got a good slider that can be tough on right-handed hitters, and he’s also done well in middle relief situations.

The coaching staff

The coaching staff for the Florida State baseball team is comprised of head coach Mike Martin, associate Head Coach Jamey Shouppe, pitching Coach Mike Bell, hitting coach Bradley LeCroy, and defensive coordinator Doug Mientkiewicz.

The minor leaguers

The minor leaguers are the players who make up the largest portion of the team’s roster. These players are typically younger and working their way up through the ranks of professional baseball They are usually not as experienced or well-known as the major leaguers, but they play an important role in the team’s success.

The prospects

For baseball fans one of the most exciting things about the start of a new season is finding out who made the team’s roster.

The Florida State Baseball Team is no exception. Here is a rundown of some of the key players to keep an eye on this season:

Pitcher Cole Sands was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016 and made his Major League debut last season. He will be looking to build on his success in 2020.

Outfielder Jackson Lueck was also drafted by the Rays in 2016 and spent last season with the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits He is a promising young player with a lot of potential.

Catcher Ronnie Fehmel was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 2015 and has spent the last two seasons with their Triple-A affiliate, the Sacramento River Cats. He is a solid defensive catcher with a good arm.

Infielder Drew Mendoza was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2019 and spent last season with their Single-A affiliate, the West Virginia Black Bears He is a talented hitter with a bright future ahead of him.

These are just some of the players to keep an eye on this season. With such a talented roster, the Florida State Baseball team is sure to be one to watch in 2020!

The alumni

-Rafael Bournigal: Bournigal was a four-year starter at shortstop for Florida State from 1995-98. He was a key part of the Seminoles’ 1997 NCAA championship team and is one of just two Seminoles to start all three games of the College World Series Bournigal went on to play 12 seasons in the Major Leagues including stints with the Oakland A’s, Los Angeles Dodgers Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants

‑Juan Pierre: Pierre was a three-year starter in center field for Florida State from 1999-2001. He helped lead the Seminoles to two College World Series appearances, including a runner-up finish in 2000. Pierre went on to enjoy a successful 14-year Major League career with several teams, including the Colorado Rockies Chicago Cubs Los Angeles Dodgers Chicago White Sox and Miami Marlins He is currently a broadcast analyst for the Marlins.

‑Andrew Karp: Karp was a key member of Florida State’s pitching staff from 2016-2018. He helped lead the Seminoles to the College World Series in 2017 and was drafted by the Washington Nationals in 2018. Karp made his Major League debut with the Nationals in 2019 and is currently a member of their bullpen.

The fans

Baseball season is in Full Swing and that means it’s time to get to know your favorite team’s roster! Here’s a quick guide to the Florida State baseball team so you can impress your friends with your knowledge of the players.

Pitcher Tyler Holton is one of the fan favorites, known for his powerful arm and enthusiastic attitude. When he isn’t on the mound, he can often be found working with the younger players on the team, helping them develop their skills. Meanwhile, center fielder Jaret Healey is known for his speed and agility, making him a key player in both defense and offense. And finally, shortstop Mike Salvatore is known for his spectacular fielding skills – he’s sure to wow fans with his range and glove work.

So there you have it – a quick guide to the Florida State Baseball team! Be sure to check back here throughout the season for updates on the roster, stats, and game highlights.

The media

The media covers the Florida State baseball team throughout the season. They report on the games, interviews with players and coaches and write features on the team.