In the final installment of this three-part preview of the upcoming baseball season, we are exactly one week away from the start of the 2025 season on Friday, February 14th, when Seminoles host James Madison. In this article, we will analyze Florida State’s strongest and weakest positions from last season, focusing on the pitching staff. We will also attempt to answer the crucial question: Did they resolve their bullpen issues?
This pitching staff had the potential to lead us to success if they stayed healthy. Unfortunately, two key pitchers, Leiter and Whittaker, missed time due to injuries after the series against Louisville. Consequently, Coach Jarrett and FSU’s pitching coach Micah Posey turned to a surprising option: Carson Dorsey, a native of Panama City. While we reflect on last season, we must also consider what this season’s pitching staff will look like.
As the Seminoles enter the 2025 season, they find themselves in an unusual situation. They have not just one, but four pitchers who would be Friday night starters on many other teams around the country: Jamie Arnold, Evan Chrest, Wes Mendes, and Joey Volini. Ideally, we would add Cam Leiter to the mix to join Arnold in the rotation. However, despite anticipation that Cam would be on the mound this season, Coach Jarrett stated in his preseason press conference that “Cam’s got significant rehab, so there’s not even a discussion right now.” With no timetable for Leiter’s return, the pressing question now is: Who will follow Jamie Arnold in this rotation?
The starting pitcher for Fridays will be Jamie Arnold, the Seminoles’ ace and the nation’s top-rated pitcher. Arnold is projected to be a first-round draft pick and has already been named a preseason All-American and Pitcher of the Year by multiple outlets. The Southpaw from Tampa had an impressive season last year, finishing with an 11-3 record, a 2.98 ERA, and 159 strikeouts in 19 appearances. Arnold throws from a low arm slot and features a mid-90s fastball along with a devastating slider. Over the offseason, he developed an effective changeup that mimics a splitter. With this new addition to his repertoire, the junior ace could contend for the first overall pick in this year’s MLB Draft. So, with the Friday starter set, who will fill out the rest of the rotation?
Redshirt junior Joey Volini is a pitcher who has performed just as well, if not better, than Jamie Arnold during the fall. Volini enters this season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, which sidelined him for the entire 2023 season. However, he appeared in 14 games with three starts during the 2024 season. Last year at USF, Volini was 3-0 as a starter and tallied a 4.40 ERA, striking out 26 batters in 28.2 innings pitched. His impressive fall performance may secure him a spot in the rotation. Coach Jarrett noted, “Volini has been as consistent as any left-handed arm I’ve had in a fall/preseason setting. The pitchability has been there.”
If I had to compare Volini to a former Seminole, it would be Wyatt Crowell from a few years ago. Volini keeps hitters off balance with his four-pitch mix: a fastball (90-92 mph), changeup (84-86 mph), slider (82-84 mph), and curveball (78-80 mph). He can throw any pitch at any time and consistently places all four pitches in the strike zone.
Evan Chrest, the only right-handed pitcher in the rotation, may not be as highly ranked as the others, but he brings intrigue. His statistics aren’t particularly impressive, but the underlying data is noteworthy. His slider boasts a spin rate exceeding 2800 RPMs and induces a significant number of swings and misses. He has a developing fastball that sits in the low 90s and has peaked at 95 MPH. This two-pitch combination has helped him generate respectable strikeout numbers, with 74 over 68.2 innings. He commands both the slider and sinker reasonably well, and his changeup nicely rounds out his four-pitch mix, generating decent whiffs. Although he stands at 6’0″ and weighs 180 lbs, which might limit his projectability, teams will still take interest on draft day due to his commendable three-pitch mix and decent command.
Wes Mendes was one of FSU’s top transfer pickups this summer, returning to his home state from Ole Miss. He could be a dominant midweek pitcher for the Seminoles, allowing him to serve as an extended shutdown reliever on weekends. During his one season at Ole Miss, Mendes appeared in 17 games, making two starts. He posted a 6.82 ERA and collected one save, tying for second on the team. He worked 31.2 innings, striking out 43 batters while walking only 19. Mendes throws a mid-90s fastball and has a fantastic changeup. Coach Jarrett remarked, “[He] is a thoroughbred-type horse. I feel like that’s what Wes is. He has a dynamic, downhill, explosive fastball with good velocity. The secondary pitches are also strong; it’s just a matter of command and whether we can get that horse saddled and manage what we’re doing.” Additionally, Coach Jarrett has mentioned the possibility of starting roles for Brady Louck, John Abraham, Peyton Prescott, and Jacob Marlowe.
As a former player and coach, I have clear thoughts on the starting rotation. It’s a no-brainer who should take the mound on Friday night. I would then start Evan Chrest on Saturday, primarily because I’m not a huge fan of having back-to-back lefties in the rotation. This setup would leave Joey Volini starting on Sundays, which is ideal. If you split the wins between Friday and Saturday, bringing in a dominant arm like Volini’s can secure the weekend series.
Now, regarding the midweek rotation, I would put Wes Mendez in that spot. This way, you can pair him with John Abraham, giving you the advantage of having both a right-hander and a left-hander available for those games. If the season unfolds like last year, with injuries impacting our pitching staff, having this flexibility is crucial. You could easily move Mendez or Abraham into the weekend rotation if needed.
Now let’s address a common issue that has affected both this pitching staff and the team as a whole—our bullpen. It has often been disappointing, similar to Miami football’s promises of winning an ACC championship only to end up with disappointing results. So, who will be the saving grace if one of the starters struggles?
Although the specific roles within Florida State’s bullpen have not yet been established, it is clear that the team is deeper than it was last season. Although closer Brennan Oxford and long-time reliever Andrew Armstrong are no longer with the team, the Seminoles are welcoming back players who were previously injured, as well as several quality transfers.
Key returning arms include Ben Barrett, Connor Hults, and Joe Charles. Barrett, who battled injuries last year, still managed to appear in eight games and recorded 12 strikeouts. Hults excelled in high-leverage situations last season, finishing with a 3-1 record, a 3.89 ERA, and 36 strikeouts in 27 games. Fellow fifth-year pitcher Joe Charles was used almost as frequently as Hults and features a mid-90s fastball that was quite successful last season.
Coaches Jarrett and Posey recognized the need for improvements in the bullpen and addressed this through recruiting. Transfers Peyton Prescott and Maison Martinez have the potential to become key bullpen assets. Prescott is a two-way sophomore from Jacksonville who pitched 55.1 innings for the Dolphins last year, showcasing a mid-to-high 90s fastball. Martinez, a right-handed junior, could emerge as the most impactful transfer for Florida State. The former VCU Ram posted a record of 4-0 with a 2.98 ERA over 42.1 innings pitched last year and possesses a starter’s repertoire, throwing in the low 90s.
John Abraham, Hudson Rowan, and Brady Louck each gained valuable experience as freshmen at FSU and are expected to play important roles in their sophomore seasons. Abraham, a right-handed pitcher, gained experience starting in both the ACC Tournament and the College World Series. He is poised for a breakout season after finishing his first year with a 5-2 record and a 4.72 ERA. Rowan and Louck are a pair of left-handed pitchers who faced challenges during their first season but should show improvement in their 2024 performance.
David Barrett and Jacob Marlowe are returning after missing last season due to injuries. According to Coach Jarrett, David looks better than ever following his setbacks. “He’s throwing a pretty elite fastball that actually cuts a little bit,” said Jarrett in his preseason press conference. “And I think his breaking ball is better.” Jacob Marlowe transferred to Tallahassee from UCF but had to undergo open-heart surgery in the fall of 2023. He pitched for the first time last summer in the Cape Cod League, where he impressed with a 2.95 ERA over 18.1 innings, striking out 14 batters while walking just two.
Freshmen David Davila and Payton Manca are expected to contribute after being redshirted last year due to injuries. Junior college transfers Chris Knier and Nick Greaney, along with true freshmen Matt Hoag and Rhett Vaughn provide additional depth to the bullpen.
Florida State has the depth and talent on the mound to compete for a National Championship, even in Cam Leiter’s absence. Just imagine how dominant they will be when he returns. Jamie Arnold will lead a pitching staff that I believe will improve throughout the season. There may be some growing pains or a transition period at the beginning of the year, so don’t expect to see a lot of pitches from the starting rotation early on.
I believe this Florida State team will host a Regional, and if they find their groove heading into June, watch out! They have a strong chance of returning to Omaha and an even better opportunity to bring Tallahassee its first College World Series National Championship. Don’t forget to check out the first parts in the three-part series previewing all aspects of the 2025 FSU baseball team starting with the offense. You can read it HERE.
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