Alex Philpott, a right‑handed pitcher who has pledged to Florida State University, was chosen by the Tampa Bay Rays in the sixteenth round of the 2026 MLB Draft, marking a significant milestone in his baseball career.
The Tampa native began his collegiate journey at the University of Florida before transferring to the University of South Carolina, where he refined his pitching repertoire in the SEC before entering the transfer portal and committing to the Seminoles.
During his most recent college season he posted a 6.51 earned run average over 27.2 innings, striking out 19 batters while walking 15 and allowing just four home runs, numbers that helped secure his draft selection.
Although his record stood at 0‑5 with three saves, his standout performance against Mississippi State — four shutout innings — highlighted his potential and caught the attention of professional scouts.
FSU’s Strategic Additions
Florida State has bolstered its roster this offseason with eight transfer players, five of whom are pitchers, a move that reflects the program’s intent to deepen its pitching staff and compete for national titles.
The draft also underscores a broader trend, as seven current Seminoles have already been selected, illustrating the program’s strong pipeline to the professional ranks and the increasing fluidity of elite college athletes' career paths.
Philpott’s transition from the SEC to a professional contract with the Rays, while retaining collegiate eligibility, exemplifies the new landscape where top talent can balance professional aspirations with collegiate ambitions.