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FSU Opens in Collegiate Baseball Top 5

Phil Kelly/FSU athletics

Fresh off its first trip to the College World Series in five years, big things are again expected of Florida State on the baseball diamond.

Collegiate Baseball unveiled its preseason poll of 40 teams on Tuesday and the Seminoles found themselves at No. 4. Topping the poll was rival and defending national champion Florida, followed by Oregon State and Arkansas. Texas Tech rounded out the top 5.

FSU skimped through most of the 2017 campaign before getting hot at the end. The Seminoles went on to win a second ACC title in three years before winning four straight to advance out of the Tallahassee Regional and sweeping Sam Houston State in the Super Regional. FSU was defeated twice by national runner-up LSU in the College World Series.

The Seminoles do lose a number of key pieces, including shortstop Taylor Walls, infielder Dylan Busby, designated hitter Quincy Nieporte and closer Drew Carlton. With the exception of Carlton however, FSU returns virtually all of its arms, headlined by ace Tyler Holton. Catcher Cal Raleigh, infielder Drew Mendoza and outfielder Jackson Lueck are expected to anchor the lineup.

The Seminoles finished 46-23 a season ago and will open the season against Xavier on Feb. 16. Click here to view the entire poll.

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson

One Comment

  1. finance85

    December 20, 2017 at 9:30 am

    This team has some talent, but also has to improve in a few areas.

    Last year, #11 started the season aggressively on the base paths. As the season progressed, #11 got conservative. Heck, he was bunting in the middle innings trying to get a run.

    Defense has to improve. Defense absolutely sucked last year.

    The past few years, FSU has valued the walk. They’s had a crazy number of strikeouts looking. As a result, I think they’ve lost a measure of aggressiveness at the plate.

    FSU needs a power pitcher at closer. I’m tired of seeing sidearm junk pitchers. Umpires are tired of them too, leading to walks in critical situations in big games. I hope Cobi Johnson can come back strong and be “that guy”.

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