Attention, America! There is a divergence of opinion on the merits of the Link Jarrett-led Florida State Seminole baseball team. There is a tacit agreement that they are, at the very least, among the top six teams in the nation. That is good.
There is also agreement among three of the raters that there is only one collegiate team in America that is, in their estimation, superior to these Seminoles. That is also good.
And in the long view, with just a handful of regular season games remaining — Hello, Tar Heels — it is fair, at the very least, to applaud the successful rebuilding efforts of Messrs. Jarrett and Micah Posey who have managed to, once again, ascend their ballclub to a spot among the nation’s elite, impressive considering the loss of two first round draft picks, a slew of home runs (131) and at least one pitcher (Carson Dorsey) whose late arrival helped buoy the team all the way to Omaha.
While there have been ugly moments as recently as Saturday, the Mercer loss, the two-day bender vs. Wake Forest at Howser (the horror!) and a few other blips on the FSU baseball radar, it has been an exciting and interesting — if occasionally frustrating — Seminole season. Why can’t they have better at-bats with men on?
And while FSU baseball success seems a birthright (Ask the Animals!), turn back the clock a couple of years and you see that is not true. That was a pretty sad team and we all should remember how lousy that felt and appreciate what is here now.
So, how good ARE they? Well, the rankers suggest this: There are three “2’s” and a “3” and a “5” and a “6.” In boxing terms, they’d be called “a contender.” That’s also good.
Nobody suggests they are No. 1, which may be a good thing. Though the goal of every team is to BE No. 1 at the end of the season, nobody really wants to be No. 1 until the end of the season. Mike Martin’s Seminoles had to deal with that a few times over the years with unhappy and ultimately unsatisfying (no CWS title) results.
With North Carolina rumbling in for this Thursday-Friday-Saturday series to wrap the regular season, it might seem the world is riding on how it goes. That’s a nice thought and FSU certainly wants those stands full and noisy but even as much baseball as they’ve played already, there could — and you can say SHOULD — be much more ahead.
How do we assess this team, thus far? Well, the pitching troika of Jamie Arnold, Joey Volini and Wes Mendes has been formidable, Arnold likely a first-rounder. The bullpen, particularly in regards to throwing strikes, has been as erratic as it can be and they seem to enjoy having Micah Posey come out and visit them by putting the leadoff batter on in every relief inning.
But they have improved — which maybe isn’t saying much, comparatively, but better is better. Catching continues to be a concern, particularly if FSU’s postseason slate includes running teams. And while the lineup has produced, thanks in large part to the amazing “Where Did This Come From” season by Alex Lodise, a fine leadoff campaign from Gage Harrelson and occasional dramatics from Max Williams, how the rest of the lineup produces from here on out will determine how far this team can go.
Drew Faurot, after his stunning 12-consecutive hits, evidently likes the California sunshine. His production was huge, maybe decisive, over the weekend and he needs be a key contributor the rest of the way. (Hey, Drew, you don’t always have to swing at the first pitch.) Whatever they get from Myles Bailey, who is still learning — and should be expecting to see slop the rest of the season — and Chase Williams, Cam Fisher and the rest is gravy.
What would really cement this team’s chances is for Joe Charles, John Abraham, Peyton Prescott or somebody, to nail down that first-guy-out-of-the-pen spot. Of course, every baseball team, college or pro wants that, too. You’re not going to get complete games by any Seminole starter, so it’d be a shame to see Arnold or Volini stuff it for 5 or 6 or 7 innings only to see the ‘pen surrender a lead. It’s disheartening, too and unlike last year’s team, where there always seemed to be somebody whacking a HR to put them ahead (131 HRs to this year’s 87), leads aren’t as easy to obtain.
Judging from their comments, a few Seminole fans were concerned that I mentioned the word “Omaha” in a recent Substack, like it was going to jinx the team. Have faith, Seminole Nation! We have a new pope, all these experts suggest your team is ranked among the top six in the US of A and yes, your team SHOULD have a chance to get back to Omaha. There, I said it. And I feel good. (Wink) You should, too.
Great stuff!!! ❤️💛⚾️🇨🇦