Florida State Seminoles

2019 season record: 42-23 (17-13)

2020 projected batting order/starters

2B ???
OF Reese Albert (.283 ba) Jr.
3B Drew Mendoza (MLB?) Sr.
DH Robby Martin (.315 ba) So.
OF J.C. Flowers (MLB?) Sr.
1B Carter Smith (.245 ba) Jr.
C. Matheau Nelson (.282 ba) So.
SS Nander de Sedas (.231 ba) So.
OF Elijah Cabell (.220 ba) So.

Starting Pitching

Fri. Drew Parrish (MLB?) Sr.
Sat. C.J. Van Eyk (3.81 era) Jr.
Sun. Conner Grady (3.64 era) Jr.
Mid-Week Shane Drohan (3.66 era) Jr.

Relief Pitching
Chase Haney (2.41 era) Jr.
Antonio Valez (4.17 era) Sr.
Jonah Scolaro (4.69 era) Jr.
J.C Flowers (MLB?) Sr.

Comments:
At the end of the 2018 season I felt it would be a struggle to get to 40 wins and 3 peat as ACC Champs because of all the players gone from the 2018 season and because of the uncertainty of all the freshmen that would need to be called to duty. It appears my gut feelings were right. FSU especially struggled on the defensive end and had inconsistent outings from their pitching. The batting uncharacteristicly struck out more than drew walks (thanks in large part to the many freshmen in the lineup), but this team hit more home runs than any other FSU team in recent memory.

My gut feelings is that the team that lit it up in the post season will be the norm in 2020. FSU is expected to lose up to 3 key players if they accept a pro baseball contract, but if any of them comeback it would be gravy. I think MMjr can at least continue the success his father had and FSU should be a contender for the ACC crown and easily be a regional host.


*Maybe we can keep standard commentary out of this thread and use it as a resource guide only.*

Danny lost a lot of firepower. If the athletic department weren't such a cluster from being mismanaged, particularly by Bobinski, I imagine Danny would already be gone by now. I don't see them being a national seed next year. And even if they were we all know what would happen come regionals.

Trying to figure out just who the Cards lose from this roster ...

Definitely gone:
SS Tyler Fitzgerald
1B Logan Wyatt
Backup C Zeke Pinkins
Starting Pitcher Nick Bennett
Middle Reliever Bryan Hoeing
Closer Mike McAvene

Likely gone:
LF Jake Snider
RF Drew Campbell


Likey Returning:
2B Justin Lavey
DH/OF Danny Oriente
LHP Adam Elliott
RHP Shay Smiddy

Definitely Returning (of those with significant playing time) :
C Henry Davis
3B Alex Binelas
CF Lucas Dunn
OF Trey Leonard
DH/OF Zack Britton
Friday Starter Reid Detmers
Saturday Starter Bobby Miller
Midweek Starter Luke Smith
Relievers Garrett Schmeltz
Reliever Jared Poland
Closer Michael Kirian


So a pretty good core returns from this past year, especially if those in the Likely Returning come back.


Newcomers
There are several redshirted freshmen that will probably be counted on next year. Drew Benefield and Cameron Masterson specifically, who would provide middle of the order power.

Trying to piece together info on the incoming recruiting class, and who was drafted .... we usually lose a couple to the draft, but I have no idea who that could be on this list:

2B/P Nick Dean, Vero Beach FL
OF Luke Brown, JUCO, Bowling Green KY (NY Yankees draftee -- may lose him, but he batted .369 as a freshmen, and stole 66 bases in JUCO this past season)
OF Levi Usher, JUCO, Fairfax IA
OF Bobby Whalen, Camp Hill PA
3B Wyatt Stevenson, Christian County KY
1B Blayne Robinson, Defiance OH
SS Andrew Weigman, Antioch IL
C Dalton Rushing, Brighton TN
1B Trace Wilhoite, Georgetown KY

Several pitchers in this class too, but even if they do show up on campus, I'm not sure any will get playing time as we're still pretty deep there.

(06-23-2019 11:01 AM)georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:  Danny lost a lot of firepower. If the athletic department weren't such a cluster from being mismanaged, particularly by Bobinski, I imagine Danny would already be gone by now. I don't see them being a national seed next year. And even if they were we all know what would happen come regionals.

Bingo. GT will be a bottom 3rd team next year and struggle to qualify for the ACCT. Back to mediocrity I'm afraid. It was fun for the one year while it lasted (and didn't even get to a SR...again). What a complete waste of resources.