FSU baseball recruiting: ‘Noles to land loaded 2021 class on signing day

Wednesday was a good day for Florida State baseball and Mike Martin Jr. as it received signatures from all 16 commits in their 2021 recruiting class on the first signing day of the year. This was Meat and recruiting coordinator’s first full cycle to land a full recruiting class, and they showed the reach they can get on the trail. The ‘Noles went out of state more than usual, as they even picked up recruits from Canada and Puerto Rico. The Seminoles class is ranked #6 in the nation and first in the ACC after signing day, per Perfect Game.

Let’s take a quick look at what all of them could bring to Dick Howser Stadium.

Edwin Arroyo: Potential to be a five-tool star at short stop. Has the big arm, up to 96 MPH from SS, and soft hands to stick at SS. Athletic, rangy player, consistently running 60-times in the 6.5-range. Switch-handed hitter AND pitcher. Likely to be a hitter only at next level, just because of the large tool set. Whippy bat from both sides. Natural righty, but some more pop from the left side. Quick bat on both sides of the plate.

Jackson Baumeister: Two-way player. Ceiling comes on the mound. Lanky on the mound, with ease and repeatability to the delivery. Easy 91-94 MPH at the end of fall. Also has a decent CH and developing CB. Highest ceiling of any arm in the class. Soft hands behind the plate, large frame to present pitches. All fields, advanced approach with the bat.

Mitchell Bratt: Southpaw out of Canada. Young for the class, still just 17 years and four months. Easy operation, high ceiling fastball as the weight starts to fill into 6’1 frame. Big over-the-top curveball. Already has the pitchability of an advanced arm. Fastball in the high 80’s and into the low 90’s. Plays up with the big breaking ball.

Cade Bush: Physically advanced first baseman. Natural strength in the body translates to the bat. Has shown a consistent ability to take baseballs the other way, which will play well in Dick Howser. Consistently barrels up balls in game.

Brodie Chestnutt: Lots to like in the 6’4, 225 frame for Chestnutt, a Georgia native. Fastball sits in the 87-91 MPH range. Lots to like in the delivery. Low effort, ease getting extension down the hill. One of, if not the best changeup in the class. A high-pitchability pitcher with much more to come with the FB.

Lee Houston Evans: A coach’s soon, plays for his dad at Tuscaloosa Academy in Alabama. Extremely athletic, speedy OF. Former football player in high school. Had 30 stolen bases, six home runs, and 22 walks in his sophomore season of high school. Also hit .433. Brings the athleticism and aggressiveness Meat wants on the base paths. Has previously ran a 4.4 40-yard dash time.

Jaime Ferrer: Another potential five-tool player. Extremely athletic catcher, running 60-yard times in the 6.5-6.7 range. Also has a big arm, topping out at 95 MPH from the OF. Big arm, athleticism could see move to OF, but always a good competitor and leader behind the plate. Short, compact swing with natural pop in the bat. Line drive hitter. Consistently barreled up the ball in an impressive summer season.

Dylan Jacobs: Loose, flexible RHP with obvious projection on the bump. Dealt with injuries earlier in high school, started to really show his potential this summer. Low 90’s with the FB. Also features a slider that has wipeout potential with some more tightness. Extremely athletic pitcher that makes it look easy on the bump.

Aiden Mastantuno: Lots of natural pop in the left-handed bat. Has natural loft in the swing that consistently gets the ball up in the air. Natural left-handed first baseman, something FSU has not had in a while. Also can step on the mound and give you a good matchup arm. Low to mid 80’s FB with two decent off-speed pitches.

Connor Moore: Lots to like in the raw tools with Moore at short stop. Big arm, raw power, and an athlete up the middle. Moore has been up to 93 across the INF and ran 60-times in the 6.7 range. Another hitter with juice in the bat and natural loft to the swing. Looks like a SS or 3B at the next level with the big arm. Athleticism should keep him at SS. Also a high-IQ, energetic player on the diamond.

Satchell Norman: One of, if not the best defensive catcher in the entire 2021 class. High energy, vocal leader on the field. Active and athletic behind the plate. Extremely quick on his throw downs and light on his feet. Quick hands at the plate, keeps his arms tight to his body. Some natural strength in the body, would tap into it more with more torque and usage of the legs. Also can step on the mound and nail his spots at 86-88 with a decent breaking ball. Upside is behind the plate.

Treyton Rank: A true super utility ball player, can play all nine positions on the field. Often mainly plays short stop, but also catches, pitches, and play outfield. May be an OF at FSU, due to needs. Power to both gaps at the plate. Attacks the ball with a short, direct swing. Consistently hits at every event he’s been at. Lots of natural strength in the 6’2, 190-pound frame. Sinker baller on the mound, mostly high 80’s. Will bring lots of versatility and leadership to Tallahassee. Another former football player in high school.

James Tibbs: One of the best performers and biggest risers on the travel ball scene this summer and fall. Big power and loft in a sweet-swing from the left side. Would have a good chance to be a day one starter in the OF. Has rare combo of plus speed and power. Loose and easy swing plays perfectly into Dick Howser. Swing reminds me some of Dodgers’ OF Joc Pederson. Ranked the #2 OF in Georgia.

Preston Wetherell: Lanky RHP with loads of projection. Mainly 88-91 with the FB, has been up to 93. 6’3, 185-pound frame. Pairs fastball with a low 80’s slider that has shown flashes of being a really good breaker. Fills up the strike zone. Gets good extension from lean frame. Low-effort, repeatable delivery coming from a ³⁄₄ arm angle which creates deception.

Mayes White: Extremely athletic, smooth middle infielder. #1 ranked SS in Alabama. Fun player to watch on the diamond, also a high school quarterback. Short, easy swing at the plate. Consistently puts the ball in play, doesn’t try to do too much. Could play all over the diamond, versatile player. Light on his feet and fluidity all throughout his game. 89 INF velocity and 6.76 60-yard time. One of best performers at the PG national showcase.

Conner Whittaker: Another lean RHP at 6’1, 175 pounds. Mostly 85-87 with the FB, has been up to 88. Young for the class at 17 years and 4 months. Has a lot more left in the tank as he develops. Another guy with a relatively low effort delivery. Has a short arm action and hides the ball well from hitters.