A Draft Night to Remember
Florida State's baseball program celebrated a historic evening as ten prospects from the 2026 roster heard their names called in the MLB Draft, joining a select group of college players who turned professional on the same night.
The Seminoles saw seven of their own seniors and rising stars drafted, while two high school commits and a portal transfer also earned selections, underscoring the program's continued ability to develop major‑league talent.
Five of the ten picks fell inside the first 88 selections, a testament to the depth of the class and the confidence scouts placed in the team's talent pool.
Notable Selections and Bonuses
Landon Thome, a power‑hitting infielder, was taken by the Chicago White Sox at the 34th overall pick, securing a slot value of $2.90 million. Right‑hander Kaden Waechter followed at No. 55 for the San Francisco Giants, receiving $1.76 million, while pitcher Wes Mendes was chosen by the Houston Astros at No. 57 with a $1.68 million slot.
Myles Bailey, who had already agreed to a $1.9 million contract with the Chicago Cubs, was drafted at No. 75, confirming the financial expectations that surrounded his signing.
The draft also produced a cascade of mid‑round selections: Brayden Dowd went to the Arizona Diamondbacks at No. 88 with a $915,100 bonus, Trey Beard was picked by the Miami Marlins at No. 147 for $496,400, and Bryson Moore slid to the Pittsburgh Pirates at No. 198, earning $317,100.
Later rounds saw additional Seminoles alumni drafted, including pitcher Cole Stokes, who landed with the Tampa Bay Rays at No. 353 for $150,000, and outfielder Brodie Purcell, selected by the Cincinnati Reds at No. 362 for the same slot value. Alex Philpott, another right‑hander, was taken by the Rays at No. 473, also receiving the standard $150,000.
The financial outlay for these signings reflects a broader trend of teams investing heavily in college talent, especially when slot values are exceeded to secure players they view as franchise cornerstones.
For Florida State, the draft results reinforce the university's reputation as a pipeline to the majors, a factor that attracts recruits and bolsters the program's competitive edge.
The full list of draftees includes Myles Bailey, Landon Thome, Kaden Waechter, Wes Mendes, Brayden Dowd, Trey Beard, Bryson Moore, Cole Stokes, Brodie Purcell, and Alex Philpott, each now poised to embark on professional careers.