The 2026 MLB Draft is shaping up to be a showcase for college talent, and few programs are generating as much buzz as Florida State's baseball squad. Analysts expect the Seminoles to contribute a wave of arms that could rival the depth of recent drafts, with the team poised to send more than 300 former players into professional ranks.
At the forefront are right‑handers Wes Mendes and Trey Beard, both of whom have been highlighted among the top 100 prospects for the upcoming draft. Mendes, a senior who finished the season with a 2.90 earned run average, compiled a 9‑3 record while striking out 173 batters over 120 innings. His 1.02 WHIP was the lowest on the staff, and his performance earned him ACC Pitcher of the Year honors and multiple All‑American selections.
A Deep Talent Pool
Beard, meanwhile, posted a 4.50 ERA and a 6‑1 record across 68 innings, a stretch that included a weekly award when he was named ACC Pitcher of the Week for the week of March 16. The two pitchers give the Seminoles a rare combination of high strikeout rates and solid win totals, positioning them as prime candidates for early selections.
The draft itself will begin on July 11 and will be televised on both NBC and the MLB Network, giving fans a national platform to follow the next generation of talent. Last year, Florida State saw 11 of its players selected, and the program’s history of producing major‑league contributors continues to attract attention from scouts and commentators alike.