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Florida State baseball is now just a day away from its season opener. Recently, we took a look at the faces that are likely to be seen starting at second base come Friday. Today, we shift to another component of FSU’s infield, where there still remain question marks as to who will be crowned the starter at shortstop this season.
Regardless of who wins the starting gig, it will be a new face to all FSU baseball fans, as the two potential candidates are entering their first season playing for the Seminoles.
Mike Salvatore, a junior from New Jersey, begins his first year at Florida State after transferring from Northwest Florida State College, where he lead their baseball team with 53 hits, 39 runs, and 12 stolen bases. With his 115 assists and 69 putouts in the field, Salvatore recorded a .925 fielding percentage last season.
Cooper Swanson, another new guy to this FSU squad, comes to Florida State as a freshman from Fort Myers. In his senior year of high school, Swanson hit .420 with 7 home runs.
While it was assumed heading into fall ball that Salvatore would win the job, Swanson has come to Tallahassee ready to fight for playing time and Mike Martin has indicated there is a battle going on for who we will see at short come February 16th. What we may see at short this season is a platoon, sharing possibility. Swanson, a keen-eyed right-handed hitter with power would match up nicely in outings against left-handed pitchers. Salvatore proved his defensive abilities at Northwest Florida State College and with a swift transition to the division-one level, FSU may be in position to replicate the caliber of glove that was seen last season from Taylor Walls.