Florida State Seminoles
Overall Rank: #4
Conference Rank: #1 ACC
Following a trip to the Super Regionals, Florida State has all of the tools to make another deep run in the NCAA Tournament. The pitching staff rarely overpowers the opposition, but they are a solid group that can get the job done. Drew Carlton, Cole Sands and Tyler Horton were all regular starters last season and will lead the way again in 2017. With Alec Byrd, Ed Voyles, Jim Voyles and Chase Haney all returning as well, the Florida State bullpen does not lack experience.
2016: 41-22, 16-10
2016 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Mike Martin
Key Departed Players:
Mike Compton, P, 4.92 ERA, 60.1 IP, 32 SO
John Sansone, .370 BA, 9 HR, 65 RBI
Key Returning Players:
Drew Carlton, P, 3.94 ERA, 93.2 IP, 76 SO
Cole Sands, P, 4.13 ERA, 69.2 IP, 50 SO
Tyler Holton, P, 2.79 ERA, 67.2 IP, 84 SO
Jackson Lueck, OF, .379 BA, 4 HR, 35 RBI
Taylor Walls, IF, .355 BA, 6 HR, 46 RBI
Dylan Busby, IF, .323 BA, 14 HR, 55 RBI
Cal Raleigh, C, .301 BA, 10 HR, 50 RBI
Quincy Nieporte, 1B, .300 BA, 5 HR, 38 RBI
Projection:
However, just like last season, Florida State will make most of their noise with their bats. Shortstop Taylor Walls and first baseman Dylan Busby are All-American candidates. Walls hit .355 last season with six homeruns and 46 RBIs. Busby hit .323 with 14 homeruns and 55 RBIs. Those two both stole over ten bases each too so they have some speed to go along with their power. Cal Raleigh is the other main power hitter on the team. The catcher belted 10 homers and drove in 50 runs as a freshman and should be in for a big sophomore season. With Jackson Lueck, who hit .379, and Quincy Nieporte, who drove in 38 runs, also returning, Florida State has a loaded lineup from top to bottom. With the addition of shortstop Drew Mendoza, largely considered the best freshman heading into college this season, Florida State has the bats to slug their way to the College World Series.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Baseball Tournament
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