Major League Baseball's televised coverage of the 1^st round of the draft starts tonight at 7PM. While there are not any current members of this Seminole team that will have their names called tonight there is a current commit that is projected to go as 1^st rounder.  Inside we will preview current and future Seminoles and where they might go in the draft.

For those of you unfamiliar with draft eligibility there are basically 3 ways you can qualify:

High School -- Generally, only those high school students in the United States or Canada who have exhausted their eligibility to participate in high school athletics are eligible for selection.

College -- Generally, a student at a four-year college is eligible after completion of their junior year or if the student is at least 21 years old.

Junior College -- All junior college students are eligible for selection.

First we will take a look at current Florida State players that are expected to be drafted over the next 3 days: 

Taiwan Easterling, Yr: RS So.

OF, R/R, 6-0, 195 - Last Drafted:  2007, Marlins 6^th round

There hasn't been much talk going on with Easterling's draft status.  The FSU wide receiver/outfielder saw only 23 at bats this season and struck out in 30% of them.  He will be drafted on potential alone but the main question will be whether or not it will be high enough for him to sign or come back and play another year of football and baseball.

John Gast, Yr: Jr.

P, L/L, 6-2, 190 - Last Drafted: 2007, Texas 5^th round

I am sure there are many nights where Gast wakes up regretting not signing a pro contract out of high school.  Credit him with working hard to overcome Tommy John surgery and despite a poor junior campaign his tools are too good to overlook.  As a lefty with a low 90's fastball, good offspeed and high GB% he should go somewhere between rounds 8-10.

Tyler Holt, Yr: Jr.

OF, R/R, 6-1, 190 - Last Drafted: Never

He will go down as one of the best outfielders in Florida State history thanks in part to his great fielding and offense that has continued to develop since his freshman year.  Holt saw his power increase (.534 SLG in 2009, .739 SLG in 2010) while still having great plate discipline.  His great base running skills and range as an outfielder will make him appealing to teams somewhere in rounds 4-7.

Mike McGee, Yr: Jr.

OF/P, R/R, 6-0, 188 - Last Drafted: 2007, Chicago-N 37^th round

The most valuable player on this Florida State team due to the fact that he is one of the best hitters and has emerged as a shut down closer.  McGee will more than likely not pitch at the next level and his offense potential is limited.  Even though he will not go in the first 10 rounds of the draft I would be shocked to see him come back for his senior season.

Geoff Parker, Yr: Jr.

P, R/R, 6-3, 249- Last Drafted: Never

There really isn't much you can say about Parker other than the fact he has regressed every year since a solid freshman campaign.  He will probably be drafted somewhere in the last 20 rounds but that will be more than enough motivation for him to forgo his senior year and start developing in a minor league system.

Current Florida State commitments that are expected to be drafted over the next 3 days

Eric Arce, Lakeland, FL (Lakeland HS)
C/1B, L/R, 5-11, 195

Going into his senior season Arce projected somewhere in the first 3 rounds but due to off the field incidents his stock has dropped.  He is currently projected to go anywhere from rounds 5-10 but if some team takes a chance on him in earlier rounds landing him on campus might be an issue.

Michael Arencibia, Key West, FL (Key West HS)
OF, L/R, 6-1, 170

There is a lot of potential in Arencibia as a centerfielder with a great glove and a great arm.  He could do wonderful things with a metal bat in college but being drafted somewhere in rounds 5-8 could prohibit him from doing that.  There are some concerns with his signability but I would not expect to see him on campus in the fall.

Kaleb Cowart, Adel GA (Cook County HS)
3B/RHP, S/R, 6-3, 195

There has been much buzz in the last few weeks regarding Cowart and his signability.  He has publicly stated that he wants to be a position player at the next level which might have scared off a few teams.  Cowart is currently project to go somewhere in the second half of the 1^st round and despite wanting a large bonus there is little hope he will ever play for the Seminoles.

Jose Dore, Kissimmee, FL (First Academy HS)
OF, L/R, 6-2, 180

This is a kid with a lot of future potential but is still raw in many aspects of his game.  He is a player that could immediately help Florida State's offense as a corner outfielder with a great arm that will hit for both average and power.  Dore projects to go somewhere in rounds 7-10 which probably won't be high enough for him to sign.

Ben Gamel, Neptune Beach, FL (Bishop Kenny HS)
OF, L/L, 5-11, 170

The younger brother of Brewers prospect Mat Gamel has the potential of being a good but not great player.  He has an average arm, average range and is mostly a contact hitter with little power.  All of that added up gives the Seminoles a good chance of seeing him on the field next year as going somewhere in rounds 6-10 will not be enough to sign him.

Sean O'Brien, Clearwater, FL (Clearwater HS)
INF, R/R, 6-3, 175

This is another player that could use the college experience to develop.  O'Brien hasn't show much in the way of power but is a good contact hitter that could play any infield position.  Going somewhere between rounds 10-20 makes him a pretty sure bet to be on campus.

Colby Sims, Jacksonville, FL (Mandarin HS)
RHP, R/R, 6-2, 180

With an 88-90 mph range on his fastball that has topped 92 mph Sims is the help that Florida State's staff will desperately need next season.  His projection is somewhere the 15-20 round area which means that the probability of him signing a pro contract are slim.

It should be interesting to see where these players actually fall over the next few days.  We unfortunately will have to wait a while to see who makes it campus next fall as a selected player may sign with the Club that selected him from the time of the selection until 11:59 PM (EDT), August 15th.

Other Draft Prospects from the ACC:

Yasmani Grandal, Miami Hurricanes,  Yr: Jr.

C, S/R, 6-2, 210 - Last Drafted: 2007, Boston 27^th round

The second best catcher in the draft behind Bryce Harper.  Projected to go somewhere between the 5^th and 15^th overall pick.

Matt Harvey, North Carolina Tarheels,  Yr: Jr.

P, R/R, 6-4, 220 - Last Drafted: Los Angeles-A 3^rd round

Another of this year's top college pitchers, fastball sits at 95 but has yet to really develop any of his other 3 pitches.  Projected to go somewhere between the 10^th and 20^th overall pick.

Jessie Hahn, Virginia Tech Hokies,  Yr: Jr.

P, R/R, 6-5, 190 - Last Drafted: Never

After a disappointing 2009 season Hahn had an excellent 2010 campaign where he showed better control of his 92-94 mph fastball.  Projected to go late 1^st round or early 2^nd round.

Kyle Parker, Clemson Tigers,  Yr: Jr.

OF, R/R, 6-1, 200 - Last Drafted: Never

Has been touted as an mistake pitch hitting average fielding outfielder who will have a big decision to make.  Could go as high as the 2^nd round but would have to probably be paid well over slot to go pro.

Deck McGuire, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets,  Yr: Jr.

P, R/R, 6-6, 220 - Last Drafted: Never

One of the top college pitching prospects, fastball 90-93 and a plus slider.  Projected to go somewhere between the 5^th and 10^th overall pick.

Austin Wates, Virginia Tech Hokies,  Yr: Jr.

OF, R/R, 6-1, 185 - Last Drafted: Never

A player who improved every season in college with a lot of potential at the next level. Never played centerfield in college but that's where teams hope he will work out.  Projected to go somewhere in the 2^nd round.

As you can see the ACC should be represented well in the 1^st round this year. 

Come on back this evening as we will be talking draft and paying close attention to the Louisville/Vanderbilt game that starts at 6PM.

Live MLB Draft Coverage starts at 6PM on MLB Network with a pre-draft special and the draft follows at 7PM.  If you are unable to watch there is a draft tracker.

First Round

1. Washington Nationals - Bryce Harper, C

2. Pittsburgh Pirates - Jameson Tallison, RHP

3. Baltimore Orioles - Manny Machado, SS

4. Kansas City Royals - Christian Colon, SS

5. Cleveland Indians - Drew Pomeranz,LHP

6. Arizona Diamondbacks - Barret Loux, LHP

7. New York Mets - Matt Harvey, RHP

8. Houston Astros - Delino Deshields Jr., OF

9. San Diego Padres - Karsten Whitson, RHP (Gators #1 commit)

10. Oakland Athletics - Michael Choice, OF

11. Toronto Blue Jays - Deck McGuire, RHP

12. Cincinnati Reds - Yasmani Grandal, C

13. Chicago White Sox - Chris Sale, LHP

14. Milwaukee Brewers - Dylan Covey, RHP

15. Texas Rangers (Purke - unsigned) - Jake Skole, OF

16. Chicago Cubs - Hayden Simpson, RHP

17. Tampa Bay Rays - Josh Sale, OF

18. Los Angeles Angels (Figgins - SEA) - Caleb Cowart, RHP (Bye Bye FSU)

19. Houston Astros (Valverde - DET) - Mike Foltynewicz, RHP

20. Boston Red Sox (Wagner - ATL) - Kolbrin Vitek, 2B

21. Minnesota Twins - Alex Wimmers, RHP

22. Texas Rangers - Kellin Deglan, C

23. Florida Marlins - Christian Yelich, OF

24. San Francisco Giants - Gary Brown, OF

25. St. Louis Cardinals - Zach Cox, 3B

26. Colorado Rockies - Kyle Parker, OF (Yea for football)

27. Philadelphia Phillies - Jesse Biddle, LHP

28. Los Angeles Dodgers - Zach Lee, RHP

29. Los Angeles Angels (Lackey - BOS) - Cam Bedrosian, RHP

30. Los Angeles Angels - Chevez Clarke, OF

31. Tampa Bay Rays (Washington - unsigned) - Justin O'Conner, C

32. New York Yankees - Cito Culver, SS

Comp Round A

33. Houston Astros (Valverde - DET) - Michael Kvasnicka, C

34. Toronto Blue Jays (Scutaro - BOS) - Aaron Sanchez, RHP

35. Atlanta Braves (Gonzalez - BAL) - Matthew Lipka, SS

36. Boston Red Sox (Bay - NYM) - Bryce Brentz, OF

37. Los Angeles Angels (Lackey - BOS) - Taylor Lindsey, SS

38. Toronto Blue Jays (Paxton - unsigned) - Noah Syndergaard, RHP

39. Boston Red Sox (Wagner - ATL) - Anthony Ranuado, RHP

40. Los Angeles Angels (Figgins - SEA) - Ryan Bolden, OF

41. Toronto Blue Jays (Barajas - NYM) - Asher Wojciechowski, RHP

42. Tampa Bay Rays (Zaun - MIL) - Drew Vettleson

43. Seattle Mariners (Beltre - BOS) - Taijuan Walker

44. Detroit Tigers (Lyon - HOU) - Nick Castellanos, 3B

45. Texas Rangers (Byrd - CHC) - Luke Jackson, RHP

46. St. Louis Cardinals (DeRosa - SF) - Seth Blair, RHP

47. Colorado Rockies (Marquis - WAS) - Peter Tago, RHP

48. Detroit Tigers (Rodney - LAA) - Chance Ruffin, RHP

49. Texas Rangers (I. Rodriguez - WAS), - Mike Olt, 3B

50. St. Louis Cardinals (Pineiro - LAA) - Tyler Jenkins, RHP