As we wind down our FSU baseball content for the 2025 season, I wanted to take a look at the season as a whole.
There were lots of questions going into the season after losing all of the offensive firepower from last year's team.
FSU began the season depending on several freshmen to contribute and onboarded several players from the transfer portal who became major contributors.
FSU needed several returning players to continue their ascent and development from the 2024 season. Let's take a look at five major takeaways from the 2025 season.
No. 5 Offense Flawed, but Exceeded Expectations
We knew the offense would likely take a step back after losing two first-round draft picks and two more fourth-round guys. FSU started the season playing three freshmen and several other young guys.
The offense morphed over the season, led by Alex Lodise, with seven regulars batting over .300. The most surprising aspect was the power numbers. FSU hit 104 home runs in 58 games, which isn't the same as the previous year, but it was more than most expected.
They got on base slightly less than a year ago and struck out more, which ultimately, was the biggest flaw. Those strikeouts mounted in post-season play and the Noles left way too many runners on base, which ultimately cost them.
No. 4 Back-To-Back ACC Player of the Year
James Tibbs III won ACC Player of the Year in 2024 and went on to become an MLB first-round draft selection. Alex Lodise won the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and the ACC Player of the Year award in 2025. The last two FSU players to win the award were Matheu Nelson in 2021 and DJ Steward in 2014.
Link Jarrett inherited Tibbs and got Lodise from the transfer portal. However, FSU players winning the award in back-to-back seasons is a testament to the work Link Jarrett has done in a short amount of time. There are many good days ahead.
No. 3 Starting Pitching and Bullpen
FSU head coach Link Jarrett knew the 2025 team would need to be great on the mound and added two starters from the transfer portal, Joey Volini and Wes Mendes.
Those two guys joined Jamie Arnold to form a three-headed monster on the weekends, a far cry from the rotation FSU pieced together in 2024 after Cam Leiter got hurt.
All three players pitched at least 78 innings, had 90 strikeouts, and opposing batting averages allowed at .240 and below. Injuries certainly hurt FSU starting pitching with Cam Leiter missing the entire year and mid-week starter Evan Chrest getting hurt and missing the rest of the year after four starts. FSU could have used those two arms down the stretch.
Most FSU fans want to criticize the bullpen, and there are some legitimate gripes there. However, all college baseball teams struggle to put together consistency in that department. FSU had injuries that affected some arms, and some they added never got healthy, which impacted things.
No. 2 Defense Was Outstanding
Besides starting pitching, Link Jarrett knew the defense needed to be top-notch because they had questions about the offense. This year's team was better defensively than last year's team.
The amount of plays they made that saved runs from scoring bordered on absurd. The fielding percentage finished at .980, which is better than the .978 mark last year. FSU only made 40 errors compared to 51 in 2024.
If you want an idea of how far the defense has come under Link Jarrett? FSU made 73 errors in 59 games in 2022.
No. 1 Myles Bailey And Other Young Talent
FSU will lose a lot of great players in the 2025 MLB Draft, but they have a strong nucleus of players who will return in 2026, starting with Myles Bailey.
The freshman became arguably the most dangerous hitter in the country over the past few weeks. He batted .327 with 19 home runs and 56 RBI, with a .441 on-base percentage.
He could become the third consecutive FSU player to win the ACC Player of the Year Award in 2026 if he continues this trajectory.
Cal Fisher, Hunter Carns, and Chase Williams will join Bailey in the lineup next year. However, what Myles Bailey is capable of as he gains more experience is scary.
Overall Thoughts
Link Jarrett has more work to do in the transfer portal and signing young talent from the high school ranks. They already added an important arm and bat from the portal last week.
Link Jarrett knows what a championship team looks like, and I have no doubt he'll have FSU ready to make another run in 2026.