Former Florida State infielder Kelvyn Paulino Jr. has announced his commitment to the Indiana Hoosiers, marking a high‑profile move in the 2025 college baseball landscape.
Ranking and Performance
Ranked No. 53 overall and the third‑best third baseman in the class by Perfect Game, Paulino brings a blend of power and contact hitting that caught the attention of scouts across the nation.
During his single season with the Seminoles he appeared in 32 games, starting 26, primarily as a designated hitter, and posted a .275 batting average with one home run, six doubles, two triples and 21 runs batted in.
Although his production dipped in the final month of the season, the transfer still represents one of the earliest portal entries for an FSU player after the year concluded.
Eligibility and Draft Outlook
Paulino will retain four years of eligibility at Indiana and remains draft‑eligible for the 2027 MLB Draft, giving the Hoosiers a long‑term asset as they build around his skill set.
The Exchange Deal
The move is part of a reciprocal agreement between the two programs, with Indiana sending Cooper Malamazian to Tallahassee in return.
Malamazian, a promising infielder in his own right, will now join the Seminoles, completing a swap that could reshape the infield dynamics for both schools.
Both universities stand to benefit from the exchange, as Florida State gains a versatile bat while Indiana secures a player who will remain a key contributor for several seasons.
The transaction underscores the growing fluidity of college baseball rosters, where top prospects can shift conferences with strategic intent, influencing future draft projections and team compositions.