As the 2026 MLB Draft cycle starts to take shape, Florida State baseball finds itself once again at the heart of the conversation. With the draft order now locked in-thanks to the lottery that awarded the Chicago White Sox the No. 1 pick-major scouting outlets like MLB Pipeline, Perfect Game, and Prep Baseball Report have updated their rankings.
And FSU? They’re well-represented.
Between current Seminoles and incoming commits, eight players tied to the program are featured across the top 300 lists from these three major outlets. After a summer that saw a program-record 11 Seminoles drafted, plus three commits selected, the pipeline in Tallahassee is clearly still flowing strong. Let’s break down where these prospects stand heading into the new year and what makes each one a name to watch.
Kaden Waechter (RHP, Tampa Jesuit - Commit)
- MLB Pipeline: No.
37
- Perfect Game: No.
29
- Prep Baseball Report: No.
21
Waechter leads the pack among Seminole-affiliated prospects, and it’s not hard to see why. The right-hander from Tampa Jesuit is already showing the polish of a college arm, despite still being in high school. He’s the son of former MLB pitcher Doug Waechter and carries the same mound presence-only with a bit more electricity.
Waechter brings a four-pitch mix to the table, headlined by a fastball that touches 95 mph and a delivery that screams repeatability. He fills the strike zone with ease, showing advanced command for his age.
He’s also Jesuit’s starting shortstop, which speaks to his athleticism and overall feel for the game. If he continues on this trajectory, he could be the next in a long line of Tampa Jesuit arms to make a serious impact at the next level.
Landon Thome (INF, Illinois - Commit)
- MLB Pipeline: No.
42
- Perfect Game: No.
65
- Prep Baseball Report: No.
43
Thome has been one of the biggest risers on the draft boards this year. After flipping his commitment from Tennessee to FSU following Tony Vitello’s move to the Giants, the Illinois native has only boosted his stock. He’s the top-ranked player in his home state and brings a sweet left-handed swing that evaluators are raving about.
The son of Hall of Famer Jim Thome, Landon’s offensive game is already drawing comparisons to some of the best pure hitters in the 2026 class. He’s shown the ability to drive the ball with authority and has the versatility to play multiple infield spots-second, short, or third. The bat is the calling card here, but his defensive flexibility adds real value.
Myles Bailey (1B, Florida State)
- MLB Pipeline: No.
96
- Perfect Game: No.
117
- Prep Baseball Report: No.
148
Bailey is one of two current Seminoles to appear on all three major lists, and his bat is the reason why. As a freshman, the 6-foot-4, 257-pound lefty slugged 19 home runs and drove in 56 runs while posting a .327 average and 1.104 OPS. He earned First Team Freshman All-American honors and was invited to USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team Training Camp.
The raw power is undeniable, and when Bailey connects, the ball jumps. But his 31% strikeout rate over 245 plate appearances is something scouts will be monitoring closely.
If he can cut down on the swing-and-miss, he could climb even higher on draft boards. Regardless, his offensive ceiling is among the highest in the class.
Trey Beard (LHP, Florida State)
- MLB Pipeline: No.
66
- Perfect Game: No.
60
- Prep Baseball Report: No.
177
Beard was a major offseason addition for Florida State, transferring in from FAU and immediately becoming the headliner of their portal class. He was D1Baseball’s top-ranked pitcher in the transfer portal and lived up to the billing last season, earning First Team All-AAC honors and landing on the midseason Golden Spikes Award watch list.
He posted a 3.14 ERA across 15 starts and 86 innings, racking up 118 strikeouts to just 32 walks. His four-pitch mix includes a low-90s fastball, a sharp 82-84 mph slider, a fading changeup in the upper 70s, and a slower curveball. His over-the-top arm slot and advanced changeup give him a unique look, especially against right-handed hitters.
Wes Mendes (LHP, Florida State)
- Perfect Game: No.
103
- Prep Baseball Report: No.
83
Mendes spent his first season in FSU’s weekend rotation after transferring from Ole Miss, throwing 73 innings over 15 starts. While his 5.18 ERA doesn’t jump off the page, the underlying metrics are more encouraging-83 strikeouts, a .235 opponent batting average, and signs of a velocity uptick this fall after resting over the summer.
He’s another Jesuit product and features a strong four-pitch mix, with a fastball that now sits in the mid-90s. The key for Mendes is consistency.
When he’s locked in, his stuff plays at a high level. If he can find that rhythm more often, he could take a significant step forward in 2026.
Hunter Carns (C, Florida State)
- Perfect Game: No.
90
- Prep Baseball Report: No.
104
Carns came to FSU as one of the most highly touted players from the 2024 high school class to actually reach campus. As a freshman, he saw action in 40 games, starting 30 behind the plate and another nine as a designated hitter. He hit .286 with an .860 OPS, adding six home runs and eight doubles.
His offensive production is solid, but what stands out is his ability to handle a college pitching staff at a young age. That kind of maturity behind the plate is rare. With another year of development, Carns could easily rise up the draft boards-especially if the power numbers take another step forward.
Cole Stokes (RHP, Florida State)
- Perfect Game: No. 120
Stokes is a big-bodied right-hander (6’6”, 230 lbs) who transferred in from Oregon and brings serious heat. His fastball sits in the mid-to-high 90s, and he pairs it with a late-fading changeup and a sharp mid-80s slider. The stuff is electric, and the whiff rates back that up-he struck out 39 in just 20.1 innings last season, with opponents hitting just .130 against him.
But with that power also comes volatility. He issued 16 walks and hit 15 batters in that span.
The control will need to tighten up, but there’s no denying the upside. If he can harness the arsenal, Stokes could be a fast riser.
Ben Kuglitsch (SS/RHP, Wisconsin - Commit)
- Perfect Game: No. 268
Kuglitsch rounds out the group as a two-way athlete from Wisconsin who cracked Perfect Game’s top 300. He’s a true high-upside athlete-6-foot-3, 180 pounds, with a 6.42-second 60-yard dash, a 93 mph fastball, and a 99 mph outfield arm.
He’s listed as both a shortstop and right-handed pitcher, and while it’s not yet clear which path he’ll take long term, the tools are loud. Whether it’s on the mound or in the field, Kuglitsch is a name to file away as a potential breakout candidate.
Looking Ahead
With eight players already on the radar and the season still weeks away, Florida State is once again positioned as a major player in the 2026 MLB Draft landscape. From high-upside high school commits like Waechter and Thome to proven college performers like Bailey and Beard, the Seminoles are stacked with talent that scouts will be watching closely this spring.
FSU opens its 2026 season on February 13, and with this kind of draft-eligible firepower, don’t be surprised if the Seminoles make noise both on the field and in July’s draft.