Florida State Lands Transfer RHP Otto Espinoza from Cal

The Florida State baseball program under coach Link Jarrett has landed yet another pitching prospect. As first reported by Brett Nevitt of Noles 247, right-handed hurler Otto Espinoza from the Cal Bears (29-26, 12-18 in the ACC) has committed to the Seminoles via the transfer portal. 

Espinoza appeared in 15 games for the Bears last season, with six starts, resulting in a record of 2-3, with one no decision. In those 15 appearances, Espinoza posted a 3.69 ERA, 49 strikeouts, a WHIP of 1.34, and a .212 batting average allowed against him.

Against San Diego, Espinoza pitched a season-high seven innings and recorded 10 strikeouts, the most in a game last season. In that four-game series against San Diego, Cal outscored them 40-12.

Jarrett and his coaches are preparing for a baseball life in 2027 with a rebuilt pitching staff. Espinoza will join fellow transfers on the mound Cayden Suchy, the reigning Big East Pitcher of the Year, from UConn, Sebastian Lippman from Florida Gulf Coast University, Alex Philpott from South Carolina and Isaiah Shayter from Penn State.

This rebuilding project is the result of losing a starting rotation consisting of ACC Pitcher of the Year Wes Mendes, Saturday starter Trey Beard (No. 134 prospect) and Sunday’s hurler Bryson Moore, to their childhood dreams of playing in the Major Leagues.

In addition, the Seminoles could lose first baseman Myles Bailey (the No. 83 prospect), and outfielder Brayden Dowd (No. 178) when the draft begins on Saturday. Bailey is highly-touted despite suffering a season-ending leg injury in the Duke series.

The Seminoles underperformed when it counted the most in the NCAA regionals. After 40 victories overall and 19 in conference play, the Seminoles hosted the Tallahassee regional for the 38th time in program history. The 10th-seeded Seminoles were surprisingly eliminated from post-season play in an upset loss to St. John’s.

Florida State will have outfielder John Stuetzer back, who was named to the ACC All-Freshman team, infielder Cal Fisher, and potentially Brody DeLamielluere, if he does not hear his name called on Saturday in the first few rounds that would warrant a move to the major league level.

Stuetzer, Fisher and DeLamielleure will join transfers Jackson McKenzie (.397, 12 HR, 52 RBI) JUCO All-American Coy Clements (.392, 24 HR, 71 RBI), and Cooper Malamazian (.301, 10 doubles, 36 RBI) as they navigate the annual ritual of attrition.

The transfer portal provides, and it takes away. Jarrett and the Seminoles believe they have found the best talent available to bolster their roster and put themselves in position to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament in 2027. When February rolls back around, the fans will find out if Jarrett is a good judge of talent.

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