Seminole Sunday Sauce — July 19, 2026: Seven FSU Players Selected in 2026 MLB Draft

While Florida State baseball has been busy by using the transfer portal to fill its 2027 roster, several Major League Baseball franchises looked to the garnet and gold to shape the future of their organizations.

A total of seven FSU players were selected in the 2026 MLB Draft. The 2-day event concluded last Sunday in Philadelphia.

On July 11, three different FSU players heard their names called — pitcher Wes Mendes, first baseman Myles Bailey and outfielder Brayden Dowd. The 2026 ACC Pitcher of the Year, Mendes went with the No. 57 overall pick to the Houston Astros in the second round. Mendes went 9-3 this season with a 3.38 ERA and 125 strikeouts in 93 innings.

Despite having his season cut short by injury, Bailey also went in the second round — with a compensatory pick by the Chicago Cubs. Taken 75th overall, Bailey was off to a monster start, hitting .363 with 13 home runs and 33 RBIs in just 26 games.

Dowd was taken by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the third round with the No. 88 overall pick. A transfer from USC, Dowd earned third-team All-ACC honors after hitting .293 with 10 home runs, 36 RBIs and 10 stolen bases.

The draft concluded on Sunday with four FSU pitchers — Trey Beard, Bryson Moore, Cole Stokes and Brodie Purcell — being selected. A third-team All-ACC performer, Beard was picked No. 147 overall by the Miami Marlins. Beard went 6-1 with a 4.50 ERA and 97 strikeouts in 68 innings in 2026.

Moore was selected in the seventh round by the Pittsburgh Pirates with the No. 198 overall pick. Stokes and Purcell were each selected in the 12th round. Stokes went to the Tampa Bay Rays at 353rd overall in the 12th round. Purcell was chosen by the Cincinnati Reds nine picks later.

In addition to FSU players, the Seminoles had a handful of signees selected as well in Philadelphia. Shortstop Landon Thome (34th overall to the Chicago White Sox) and Kaden Waechter (55th overall to the San Francisco Giants) were two big-time high school prospects who will have decisions to make.

FOOTBALL

Recognitions: None

Commitments: Vance Fones, Unranked K* (Unranked*); Za'Kari Johnson, 4-star ATH* (No. 349 overall*); Troy Silberzahn, 3-star 2028 TE* (No. 548 overall*); Ta’Shawn Poole, 4-star S* (No. 64 overall*)

Decommitments: None

2027 Recruiting Class Rank: No. 40 nationally, eighth in ACC* (16 total commitments)

Wrap-up: Three players and head coach Mike Norvell represented FSU this week in Charlotte.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Commitments: None

Decommitments: None

2027 Recruiting Class Rank: N/A (0 total commitments)

Wrap-up: FSU learned that it will head to Birmingham in October for an exhibition against Auburn at historic Boutwell Auditorium.

- Mike Ferguson is the lead writer for Double Fries No Slaw. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson. For all of his work, “Like” or “Follow” Mike on Facebook.