Florida State Baseball offseason news thread: Transfer portal, recruits, latest updates

The Florida State Seminoles baseball team saw their postseason streak come to an end under the first year leadership of Coach Link Jarrett. Injuries, lack of depth, and inexperience proved costly for the Seminoles as FSU struggled at multiple positions throughout the year. It was clear that in order to drastically improve the 2024 squad, Jarrett and company would need to retain key pieces while aggressively attacking the transfer portal. We’ll use this article to track all the major updates for the Florida State Seminoles baseball team.

• 5/22/23: James Tibbs announces he will stay for his junior year at Florida State. Though not draft eligible, Tibbs would have been a hot name in the portal. Tibbs was also announced as a Rising Spear Ambassador for the program.

• 5/26/23: Cam Smith announces through the Rising Spear Ambassador program his intention to return for his sophomore year. Smith’s potential is likely the highest on the team and will be a staple in next year’s lineup.

• Florida State Seminoles transfer commitments:

6/1/23 Commits:

Max Williams: OF Alabama

A top-100 rated high school prospect, Williams appeared in 18 games for the University of Alabama during his freshman year, starting in three of those. Williams compiled a .320 average with seven RBIs. Williams is a left-handed bat that will mainly play outfield but potentially see time at first base.

Alex Lodise, INF UNF

Lodise was voted first team All-ASUN this past season for the Ospreys. Lodise put on an offensive clinic at the University of North Florida, batting .306 and crushing 16 home runs and 63 RBIs. He set multiple freshman single-season records in his first year. Lodise bats right-handed and played shortstop for UNF.

Drew Faurot: UCF INF

Faurot is a native of Tallahassee and is coming home next season to help the FSU rebuild. The University of Central Florida freshman set the single-season freshman home run record with 15 this past year. Faurot, a switch hitter, played shortstop and will help solidify the Seminoles middle infield, a troubled area last year. He’ll need to cut down on his K-rate from last season and clean up his fielding but still looks to be an upgrade for the Seminoles.

6/2/23 Commits:

Jacob Marlowe: UCF LHP

Marlowe pitched for the Knights over the past two seasons. Last year, he appeared in 19 games, starting eight. He compiled 41 strikeouts and a 5.64 ERA. For the 2022 season, Marlowe posted a 2.31 ERA over seven appearances.

6/4/23 Commits:

Cam Leiter: UCF RHP

From his UCF bio, nephew of Al and Mark Leiter, cousin of Jack Leiter. The MLB bloodline pitcher is the third UCF to FSU transfer of the offseason. Leiter posted a 4.92 ERA in 15 appearances for the Knights. The freshman turned his season around in the second half. Over his last four starts, his numbers were 18.2 IP, 32 K, 4 ER. This run included his final run start in the AAC tournament where he punched out nine over seven scoreless innings.

6/11/23 Commits:

Ethan Chenault: UNC Wilmington RHP

Chenault appeared in 26 games this past season, all in relief. He posted a 5-2 record with a 4.91 ERA over 47.2 innings. He picked up 59 punch outs compared to 24 walks. He is draft eligible.

6/12/23 UCF hires Rich Wallace

6/12/23 Commits:

Yoel Tejeda Jr: RHP UF

The 6’8 right-hander appeared in eight games last season, starting six. He posted a win-loss record of 2-0 with a 5.56 ERA. He tossed 22.2 IP this past year. The results were not there but Tejeda has high potential and was a top-100 prospect in the 2022 class.

6/17/23 Navy hires Chuck Ristano

6/17/23 Commits:

Noah Short: RHP West Virginia

Short is a sidearm style right-handed pitcher transferring from the Mountaineers after four seasons. Last season he posted a 3.65 ERA over 24 appearances. He was 4-0 over 12.1 innings. Batters averaged .209 against Short.

6/29/23 Commits:

Jaxson West: C Alabama

West is a Tallahassee native from Chiles that played at Alabama during his freshman season. He appeared in a limited role, starting four games and appearing in 20.

7/19/23 Commits:

Daniel Cantu 1B/RF USF

Cantu is a grad transfer from USF. He has started 163 games and batted .302 last season with 11 homers.

Key Seminoles that have entered the transfer portal:

Treyton Rank

Carson Montgomery

Reserve Seminoles that have entered the transfer portal:

• Brett Barfield
• Drake Flowers
• Gunnett Carlson
• Connor Strickland
• Cade Bush
• Anthony Weeden
• Jordan Taylor
• Santiago Ordonez
• Connor Moore
• Brandon Walker

We’ll update this article throughout the offseason as additional announcements take place. As always, credit to Florida State baseball reporter Brett Nevitt for being on top of all the key announcements for the Seminoles.