Florida State has been busy on the recruiting trail and in the transfer portal, bringing in three of the most talented pitchers in the college game.
During the baseball off-season, the Florida State Seminoles (40-19, 19-11 in ACC) were aggressive at filling some holes on their pitching staff, after their starting rotation and talented relievers were drafted into the Major Leagues.
According to D1 Baseball, Florida State has signed three of the most talented pitchers from the transfer portal, and all are ranked among the top 50 hurlers going into the 2027 season. That is good enough for the Florida State transfer class to be ranked No.11 overall.
With weekend starters Wes Mendes, Trey Beard and Byson Moore off to play pro ball, this trio of transfers has coach Link Jarrett smiling all the way to the mound.
No. 1 Caden Suchy
Suchy was the ace for the UConn Huskies last season, ringing up 105 strikeouts over eight starts, winning five of those games. He posted a 2.72 ERA and recorded a season-high 12K’s. With a strong command of his pitches and the strike zone, Suchy posted five games of seven innings or more. For his efforts, Suchy earned Big East Pitcher of the Year and first-team All-Big East.
No. 7 Sebastian Lippman
A part-time outfielder to go with his laser arm, Sebastian Lippman pitched 40 innings and struck out 50 batters and walked 26, last season at Florida Gulf Coast University. He posted a 3.38 ERA. When he was roaming the outfield, he blasted a home run, drove in two runs and drew four walks.
No. 43 Otto Espinoza
In 15 appearances last season for the Cal Bears, Otto Espinoza pitched 46 innings and struck out 49 batters, and allowed a .212 batting average against him. He recorded two saves and a 3.69 ERA. Espinoza posted a season-high 10 strikeouts.
Jarrett must replace his ace Wes Mendes, who was named ACC Pitcher of the Year and first-team All-American. Mendes led the ACC in strikeouts with 125, and posted an ERA of 2.90. Mendes allowed a .207 batting average against him and was 9-3 on the season.
Suchy, Lippman and Espinoza will join a strong and talented core of returning players, including:
INF Cal Fisher
OF John Stuetzer
RP John Abraham
OF Brody DeLamielleure
Abraham not being drafted and returning for another season with the Seminoles is a gift from the baseball gods. He was a first-team All-American selection, and struck out 58 hitters and allowed a .190 batting average against him.
Stuetzer batted .270, with 10 home runs and 43 runs batted in. He had season-highs of 2 home runs vs. Georgia Tech and four RBI vs. Pitt. For his efforts, Stuetzer was named to the ACC All-Freshman team.
Jarrett will lead his new team into fall ball on October 10 against Auburn in Pensacola, Florida.
